Windows 9X Tips #6


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*1.   You can also limit the disk space used by IE for cached
 files to a specific amount by hacking the Registry. Launch
 RegEdit from the Run command line and drill down to
 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\
 Internet\Settings\Cache\Content. Double-click on CacheLimit and
 change the Value Data to the amount you want (for example, enter
 the hexadecimal value 2800 for an even 10MB).  (NOTE:  Editing
 the registry can be dangerous.  Always back up your system
 before editing the registry.)

Netscape Communicator users can set the limit on their disk cache
 more easily.  In Communicator, go to Edit/Preferences.  In the
 Category section, double-click on Advanced, then click on Cache.
 Change the Disk Cache value to reflect the amount of disk space
 the cache should use.


*2.   Want to copy your Win95 Dial-Up Networking connection icons
 (also called connectoids) from one PC to another? The Registry
 makes it easy. Run RegEdit and navigate to
 HKEY_CURRENT_USER\RemoteAccess\Addresses. Select the Addresses
 folder, choose Registry/Export Registry File, and give the file
 a descriptive name and an REG extension. Next, copy the file to
 the new PC via a network or floppy disk. Open RegEdit on the
 new PC, choose Registry/Import Registry File and select the REG
 file (you don't have to navigate to the Addresses key). You'll
 find all the connectoids in the Dial-Up Networking folder on the
 second PC. Right-click on each in turn, choose Properties and
 enter the name of your local modem in the Connect Using field.
 Next, double-click each connectoid in turn, enter your user name
 and password (optional), select Save Password and dial the
 connection. Note: This replaces all connectoids with the same
 name as those on the other PC; if that's a consideration, see
 tomorrow's tip.


*3.   To copy selected connectoids-and not disturb existing
 ones-export the Addresses key (see the previous tip). On the
 same system, delete the names of the connectoids you don't want
 to copy. Export the edited key again, but name it CUSTOM.REG
 (or similar). Reimport the original Addresses key to restore all
 the deleted connectoids on this PC. Now, move CUSTOM.REG to the
 other PC and import it to add only the connectoids contained
 in the file.


*4.   The Win95 Help system's troubleshooting wizards include
 one for identifying printing problems
 (Start/Help/Troubleshooting/Printing Problems). There's an even
 better printing troubleshooter on the Win95 CD; you can launch
 it by drilling down to the CD's \OTHER\MISC\EPTS folder and
 running EPTS.EXE.


*5.   If you change a file-by renaming, copying, moving or
 deleting - and wish you hadn't, you can undo it, even if you've
 done other things in the interim. Open any folder and select
 Edit/Undo to reverse the most recent file action. Repeat that
 to undo the second most recent action and so on.


*6.   When your software starts acting up, try the simple fixes
 first. Sometimes, all you need is a reboot. At other times,
 press Ctrl+Alt+Del to bring up Windows' Close Program applet
 and shut down only the nonresponsive app or component. Check
 the vendor's Web site to see if patches or updates are posted,
 as well as the FAQ pages, fax-back services and BBS areas. Try
 undoing or backing out of recent changes, or reinstalling the
 malfunctioning application. Often, one or more of the above
 steps is all it takes to get Windows running smoothly again.


*7.   If you find the Start menu too slow, right-click on the
 taskbar and select Toolbars/New Toolbar. In the dialog box, open
 the C:\WINDOWS\START MENU folder, choose the item you want to
 access and click on OK. Now you'll have single-click access
 right from the taskbar.


*8.   If you're simply dialing into an ISP for Internet access or
 POP mail, you can significantly lower your connection times via
 your Dial-Up Networking profile's Properties menu. From there,
 choose the Server Types tab, and uncheck "Log on to the
 network," NetBEUI and IPX/SPX Compatible protocols. (Make sure
 you don't need these protocols for any applications, such as
 access to Netware file servers.)


*9.   You can map a machine's IP to any hostname you want by
 editing the HOSTS.SAM file in your WINDOWS directory. The file
 must be renamed HOSTS with no extension, and you must reboot
 for the changes to take effect. Edit the HOSTS file as follows:
 10.10.10.11 anyhost.anydomain.com # descriptive comment.


*10.   In a dual-pane Explorer view, a folder will expand
 automatically if you hold a file you're dragging over a
 collapsed folder list. You can keep doing this until you drill
 down to the folder you want to drop the file in.
