108 Commands You can Execute from the Run Command Prompt in XP

Type the word: "control" at the command prompt.

You can also upon specific control panel folders by typing the following:
"Control Panel"
"Control desktop"
"Control color"
"Control date/time"
"Control international"
"Control mouse"
"Control keyboard"
"Control printers"
"Control fonts"

You can also open most of the components available in the control panel via Microsoft Management Console snap-ins. From the pompt, type the following commands to open their snap-in:

Certificate Manager: "certmgr.msc"
Indexing Service : "ciadv.msc"
Computer Management : "compmgmt.msc"
Device Manager : "devmgmt.msc"
Disk Defragmenter : "dfrg.msc"
Disk Management : "diskmgmt.msc"
Event Viewer : "eventvwr.msc"
Shared Folders : "fsmgmt.msc"
Group Policy : "gpedit.msc"
Local Users and Groups : "lusrmgr.msc"
Removable Storage : "ntmsmgr.msc"
Performance Monitor : "perfmon.msc"
Resultant Set of Policy : "rsop.msc"
Security Policy : "secpol.msc"
Services : "services.msc"
Windows Management Infrastructure : "wmimgmt.msc"

http://www.bloghash.com/2007/04/108-commands-you-can-execute-from-the-run-command-prompt-in-xp/

Mentioned below is a list of 108 commands that you can execute from the ‘Run’ command prompt in XP. All you have to do is click on Start » Click Run and type the below commands to run the respective application/tool.

COMMAND	-	Will run the following app/tool
access.cpl	-	Accessibility Controls
hdwwiz.cpl	-	Add Hardware Wizard
appwiz.cpl	-	Add/Remove Programs
certmgr.msc	-	Administrative Tools
charmap	-	Character Map
chkdsk	-	Check Disk Utility
clipbrd	-	Clipboard Viewer
cmd	-	Command Prompt
dcomcnfg	-	Component Services
compmgmt.msc	-	Computer Management
timedate.cpl	-	Date and Time Properties
ddeshare	-	DDE Shares
devmgmt.msc	-	Device Manager
directx.cpl	-	Direct X Control Panel (If Installed)
dxdiag	-	Direct X Troubleshooter
cleanmgr	-	Disk Cleanup Utility
dfrg.msc	-	Disk Defragment
diskmgmt.msc	-	Disk Management
diskpart	-	Disk Partition Manager
control desktop	-	Display Properties
desk.cpl	-	Display Properties
control color	-	Display Properties (w/Appearance Tab Preselected)
drwtsn32	-	Dr. Watson System Troubleshooting Utility
verifier	-	Driver Verifier Utility
eventvwr.msc	-	Event Viewer
sigverif	-	File Signature Verification Tool
findfast.cpl	-	Findfast
control folders	-	Folders Properties
control fonts	-	Fonts
fonts	-	Fonts Folder
freecell	-	Free Cell Card Game
joy.cpl	-	Game Controllers
gpedit.msc	-	Group Policy Editor (XP Prof)
mshearts	-	Hearts Card Game
iexpress	-	Iexpress Wizard
ciadv.msc	-	Indexing Service
inetcpl.cpl	-	Internet Properties
ipconfig /all	-	IP Configuration (Display Connection Configuration)
ipconfig /displaydns	-	IP Configuration (Display DNS Cache Contents)
ipconfig /flushdns	-	IP Configuration (Delete DNS Cache Contents)
ipconfig /release	-	IP Configuration (Release All Connections)
ipconfig /renew	-	IP Configuration (Renew All Connections)
ipconfig /registerdns	-	IP Configuration (Refreshes DHCP & Re-Registers DNS)
ipconfig /showclassid	-	IP Configuration (Display DHCP Class ID)
ipconfig /setclassid	-	IP Configuration (Modifies DHCP Class ID)
javaws	-	Java Control Panel (If Installed)
control keyboard	-	Keyboard Properties
secpol.msc	-	Local Security Settings
lusrmgr.msc	-	Local Users and Groups
logoff	-	Logs You Out Of Windows
winchat	-	Microsoft Chat
winmine	-	Minesweeper Game
control mouse	-	Mouse Properties
main.cpl	-	Mouse Properties
netstat	-	Netstat
control netconnections	-	Network Connections
ncpa.cpl	-	Network Connections
netsetup.cpl	-	Network Setup Wizard
notepad	-	Notepad
nvtuicpl.cpl	-	Nview Desktop Manager (If Installed)
packager	-	Object Packager
odbccp32.cpl	-	ODBC Data Source Administrator
osk	-	On Screen Keyboard
password.cpl	-	Password Properties
perfmon.msc	-	Performance Monitor
perfmon	-	Performance Monitor
telephon.cpl	-	Phone and Modem Options
powercfg.cpl	-	Power Configuration
control printers	-	Printers and Faxes
printers	-	Printers Folder
eudcedit	-	Private Character Editor
QuickTime.cpl	-	Quicktime (If Installed)
intl.cpl	-	Regional Settings
regedit	-	Registry Editor
mstsc	-	Remote Desktop
ntmsmgr.msc	-	Removable Storage
ntmsoprq.msc	-	Removable Storage Operator Requests
rsop.msc	-	Resultant Set of Policy (XP Prof)
sticpl.cpl	-	Scanners and Cameras
control schedtasks	-	Scheduled Tasks
wscui.cpl	-	Security Center
services.msc	-	Services
fsmgmt.msc	-	Shared Folders
shutdown	-	Shuts Down Windows
mmsys.cpl	-	Sounds and Audio
spider	-	Spider Solitare Card Game
cliconfg	-	SQL Client Configuration
sysedit	-	System Configuration Editor
msconfig	-	System Configuration Utility
sfc /scannow	-	System File Checker Utility (Scan Immediately)
sfc /scanonce	-	System File Checker Utility (Scan Once At Next Boot)
sfc /scanboot	-	System File Checker Utility (Scan On Every Boot)
sfc /revert	-	System File Checker Utility (Return to Default Setting)
sfc /purgecache	-	System File Checker Utility (Purge File Cache)
sfc /cachesize=x	-	System File Checker Utility (Set Cache Size to size x)
sysdm.cpl	-	System Properties
taskmgr	-	Task Manager
telnet	-	Telnet Client
tracert	-	Traceroute to hostname or IP
nusrmgr.cpl	-	User Account Management
utilman	-	Utility Manager
firewall.cpl	-	Windows Firewall
magnify	-	Windows Magnifier
wmimgmt.msc	-	Windows Management Infrastructure
syskey	-	Windows System Security Tool
wupdmgr	-	Windows Update Launches
tourstart	-	Windows XP Tour Wizard
write	-	Wordpad

How to Automatically Rearm and Extend Activation Grace Period in Windows Vista and Server 2008

Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 has free activation grace period which allows user to install and use the operating system for 120 days and 240 days without product key or product activation completed. The initial grace period given is 30 days and 60 days respectively for Windows Vista and Server 2008, and user has to “rearm” the system when the expiration of grace period is nearly ending in order to reset and extend the trial evaluation period, and hence activation grace period again.

Neither Windows Vista nor Windows Server 2008 display prominently when is the activation-free evaluation grace period ends (even though it’s actively reminding user to activate Windows with information on how many days left to activate, which usually ignored by users). Surely you don’t want a warning dialog message box pops up suddenly to notify that you may be victim of counterfeiting or to activate the system now, especially if your notebook/laptop computer is used for business presentation. System administrators also certainly don’t want to face with uncertainty or instability possibly brought by expiry of activation grace period, especially if the server is running critical processes, applications or databases.

Instead of remembering the activation grace period expiry or ending date to manually rearm and reset activation grace period in Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008, Microsoft provides the following script which can be used with Task Scheduler to schedule automatic extension of the evaluation period and activation-bypass grace period of Windows Server 2008 every 60 days, which should be able to used in Windows Vista too which requires to be triggered every 30 days.

How to Automate the Rearm and Extension of the Activation Grace Period in Windows Server 2008 and Vista

On the Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008 system, copy and paste the following Task code to text editor such as Notepad. In the Task, change the value of the following UserID tag (as in domain\alias line) to contain domain name and user name alias (for user on domain Active Directory), or local host name and user ID (for standalone Windows Vista user). Then save it as a .xml file. For example, ReArm.xml or Extend.xml.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-16"?>
<Task version="1.2" xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/windows/2004/02/mit/task">
<RegistrationInfo>
<Date>2007-09-17T14:26:04.433</Date>
<Author>Microsoft Corporation (My Digital Life)</Author>
</RegistrationInfo>
<Triggers>
<TimeTrigger id="18c4a453-d7aa-4647-916b-af0c3ea16a6b">
<Repetition>
<Interval>P31D</Interval>
<StopAtDurationEnd>false</StopAtDurationEnd>
</Repetition>
<StartBoundary>2007-10-05T02:23:24</StartBoundary>
<EndBoundary>2008-09-17T14:23:24.777</EndBoundary>
<Enabled>true</Enabled>
</TimeTrigger>
</Triggers>
<Principals>
<Principal id="Author">
<UserId>domain\alias</UserId>
<LogonType>Password</LogonType>
<RunLevel>HighestAvailable</RunLevel>
</Principal>
</Principals>
<Settings>
<IdleSettings>
<Duration>PT10M</Duration>
<WaitTimeout>PT1H</WaitTimeout>
<StopOnIdleEnd>true</StopOnIdleEnd>
<RestartOnIdle>false</RestartOnIdle>
</IdleSettings>
<MultipleInstancesPolicy>IgnoreNew</MultipleInstancesPolicy>
<DisallowStartIfOnBatteries>true</DisallowStartIfOnBatteries>
<StopIfGoingOnBatteries>true</StopIfGoingOnBatteries>
<AllowHardTerminate>true</AllowHardTerminate>
<StartWhenAvailable>false</StartWhenAvailable>
<RunOnlyIfNetworkAvailable>false</RunOnlyIfNetworkAvailable>
<AllowStartOnDemand>true</AllowStartOnDemand>
<Enabled>true</Enabled>
<Hidden>false</Hidden>
<RunOnlyIfIdle>false</RunOnlyIfIdle>
<WakeToRun>true</WakeToRun>
<ExecutionTimeLimit>P3D</ExecutionTimeLimit>
<DeleteExpiredTaskAfter>PT0S</DeleteExpiredTaskAfter>
<Priority>7</Priority>
<RestartOnFailure>
<Interval>PT1M</Interval>
<Count>3</Count>
</RestartOnFailure>
</Settings>
<Actions Context="Author">
<Exec>
<Command>C:\Windows\System32\slmgr.vbs</Command>
<Arguments>-rearm</Arguments>
</Exec>
<Exec>
<Command>C:\Windows\System32\shutdown.exe</Command>
<Arguments>/r</Arguments>
</Exec>
</Actions>
</Task>

Or, download a copy of ReArm.xml directly (you still need to change the “UserID”.

1. Click Start, point to Administrative Tools (in Windows Vista, go to Control Panel -> System and Maintenance), and then click Task Scheduler.
2. In the Task Scheduler, click Import Task on the “Action” menu.
3. Select the task .xml file saved from above above. For example, click Extend.xml or ReArm.xml.
4. Click Import.
5. A “Create Task” window will appear. Click the Triggers tab.

   

6. Click the One Time trigger, and then click Edit.
7. Change the start date of the task to a date just before the end of current evaluation period (activation grace period expiry date).

   User can also customize the schedule so that the Task Scheduler automates the rearm of system license status every 30 days (for Windows Vista) or 60 days (for Windows Server 2008) for 3 times. For example, change to Daily with recurring every 30 or 60 days, and then set an Expire date for the task after 120 days or 240 days.

8. Click OK, and then exit the Task Scheduler.

The Task Scheduler will now run the evaluation reset and rearm operation on the date that been specified automatically to extend the free usage of Windows operating system.

Extend Vista or Windows Server 2008 Activation-free Evaluation Period

http://www.mydigitallife.info/2008/06/08/how-to-install-and-use-windows-server-2008-240-days-for-free/

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/948472

How to manually extend the activation grade period on expiring

When the 60-day activation grace period is about to expire and end, run the slmgr.vbs script to reset and extend the evaluation period for another new 60-day trial evaluation period, with everything including programs installed and data intact.

1. Open an elevated privilege command prompt.
2. Type the slmgr.vbs -rearm, and then press Enter to reset the activation grace period to 60 days.
3. Restart the computer.

To check the status or time that is left on current activation grace period or evaluation period, run slmgr.vbs -dli command to display the number of days that are left in the current 60-day evaluation period.

DisableNum Lock Auto On once XP Login

HKEY_USERS\Default\Control Panel\Keyboard\

* HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Keyboard\

Within the Keyboard key there should be a string called InitialKeyboardIndicators. The possible values for this string are:

* 0 = Num Lock is turned off once you login
* 1 = Disable Num Lock
* 2 = Num Lock is turned on once you login

PC able to power on but no display

PC able to power it on. CD rom is working, HDD is working but Monitor no display.
-tried to re-seat RAMs,
-graphic card is on board and had tried insert a PCI graphic card on the board.
-swapped power supply.
-took out cmos battery.
But problem still remain.

-Let the PC rest 20min later, and able to have display but after restart the system problem occurring again.
-suspect on board graphic card faulty.
-after changing the motherboard everything is fine.