Configure for Auto-LogonIf you are the only person using the computer and what to have it automatically log you on,Start / Run / "control userpasswords2" - no quotesUncheck User must enter a user name and password to use this computerServices You Can DisableThere are quite a few services you can disable from starting automatically.This would be to speed up your boot time and free resources.They are only suggestions ,so you read the description of each one when you run Services and that you turn them off one at a time.Some possibilities are:Alerter - Sends alert messages to specified users that are connected to the server computer.Application Management - Allows software to tap directly into the Add/Remove Programs feature via the Windows Installer technology.Background Intelligent Transfer Service - The Background Intelligent Transfer service is used by programs (such as Windows AutoUpdate) to download files by using spare bandwidth.Clipbook - ClipBook permits you to cut and paste text and graphics over the network.Error Reporting Service - Allows applications to send error reports to Microsoft in the event of an application fault.Fast User Switching - Windows XP allows users to switch quickly between accounts, without requiring them to log off.Help and Support - Allows the XP Built-in Help and Support Center to run.IMAPI CD-Burning COM Service - You don't need this if you have other software to create CDs.Indexing Service - Indexes contents and properties of files on local and remote computers; provides rapid access to files through flexible querying language.IP SEC - Manages IP security policy and starts the ISAKMP/Oakley (IKE) and the IP security driver. If you are not on a domain, you likely don't need this running.Messenger - Transmits net send and Alerter service messages between clients and servers. This is how a lot of pop-up windows start appearing on your desktop.Net Logon - Supports pass-through authentication of account logon events for computers in a domain. If you are not on a domain, you don't need this runningNetwork DDE - Provides network transport and security for Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) for programs running on the same computer or on different computers.NT LM Security Support Provider - Provides security to remote procedure call (RPC) programs that use transports other than named pipes.Performance Logs and Alerts - Collects performance data from local or remote computers based on preconfigured schedule parameters, then writes the data to a log or triggers an alert. If you don't need to monitor your performance logs, then you don't need this service.Portable Media Serial Number - Retrieves the serial number of any portable music player connected to your computerQOS RSVP - Provides network signaling and local traffic control setup functionality for QoS-aware programs and control applets.Remote Desktop Help Session Manager - Manages and controls Remote Assistance. If you are not using Remote Desktop you don't need this service.Remote Registry - Enables remote users to modify registry settings on this computer.Routing & Remote Access - Offers routing services to businesses in local area and wide area network environments. Allows dial-in access.Secondary Login - Enables starting processes under alternate credentials. This is what allows you to run an application as another user.Smart Card - Manages access to smart cards read by this computer.Smart Card Helper - Enables support for legacy non-plug and play smart-card readers used by this computer.SSDP Discovery Service - Enables discovery of UPnP devices on your home network.TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper - Enables support for NetBIOS over TCP/IP (NetBT) service and NetBIOS name resolution. This should not be needed in today's network environment.Telnet - Enables a remote user to log on to this computer and run programs, and supports various TCP/IP Telnet clients.Uninterruptible Power Supply Service - Manages an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) connected to the computerUniversal Plug and Play Device Host - Provides support to host Universal Plug and Play devicesUpload Manager - Manages synchronous and asynchronous file transfers between clients and servers on the network.Volume Shadow Copy Service - Manages and implements Volume Shadow Copies used for backup and other purposes.Web Client - Enables Windows-based programs to create, access, and modify non-local files across the Internet.Wireless Zero Configuration - Provides automatic configuration for the 802.11 adaptersWMI Performance Adapter - Provides performance library information from WMI HiPerf providers.Cleaning the Prefetch DirectoryWindowsXP has a new feature called Prefetch. This keeps a shortcut to recently used programs.However it can fill up with old and obsolete programs.To clean this periodically go to:Star / Run / PrefetchPress Ctrl-A to highlight all the shorcutsDelete themNot Displaying Logon, Logoff, Startup and Shutdown Status MessagesTo turn these off:Start RegeditGo to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\systemIf it is not already there, create a DWORD value named DisableStatusMessagesGive it a value of 1Repair InstallIf XP is corrupted to the point where none of the previous solutions get it to boot,you can do a Repair Install that might work as well as keep the current settings.Make sure you have your valid WindowsXP key.The whole process takes about half an hour depending on your computer.If you are being prompted for the administrator's password, you need to choose the 2nd repair option, not the first.Insert and boot from your WindowsXP CDAt the second R=Repair option, press the R keyThis will start the repairPress F8 for I Agree at the Licensing AgreementPress R when the directory where WindowsXP is installed is shown. Typically this is C:\WINDOWSIt will then check the C: drive and start copying filesIt will automatically reboot when needed. Keep the CD in the drive.You will then see the graphic part of the repair that is like during a normal install of XP (Collecting Information, Dynamic Update, Preparing Installation, Installing Windows, Finalizing Installation)When prompted, click on the Next buttonWhen prompted, enter your XP keyNormally you will want to keep the same Workgroup or Domain nameThe computer will rebootThen you will have the same screens as a normal XP InstallActivate if you want (usually a good idea)Register if you want (but not necessary)FinishAt this point you should be able to log in with any existing accountsNTOSKRNL Missing or CorruptIf you get an error that NTOSKRNL not found:Insert and boot from your WindowsXP CD.At the first R=Repair option, press the R keyPress the number that corresponds to the correct location for the installation of Windows you want to repair.Typically this will be #1Change to the drive that has the CD ROM.CD i386expand ntkrnlmp.ex_ C:\Windows\System32\ntoskrnl.exeIf WindowsXP is installed in a different location, just make the necessary change to C:\Windows Take out the CD ROM and type exitHAL.DLL Missing or CorruptIf you get an error regarding a missing or corrupt hal.dll file, it might simply be the BOOT.INI file on the root of the C: drive that is misconfiguredInsert and boot from your WindowsXP CD.At the first R=Repair option, press the R keyPress the number that corresponds to the correct location for the installation of Windows you want to repair.Typically this will be #1Type bootcfg /list to show the current entries in the BOOT.INI fileType bootcfg /rebuild to repair itTake out the CD ROM and type exitCorrupted or Missing \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIGIIf you get the error:Windows could not start because the following files is missing or corrupt\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM or \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SOFTWAREInsert and boot from your WindowsXP CD.At the first R=Repair option, press the R keyPress the number that corresponds to the correct location for the installation of Windows you want to repair.Typically this will be #1Enter in the administrator password when requestedcd \windows\system32\configDepending on which section was corrupted:ren software software.bad or ren system system.badDepending on which section was corruptedcopy \windows\repair\systemcopy \windows\repair\softwareTake out the CD ROM and type exitNTLDR or NTDETECT.COM Not FoundIf you get an error that NTLDR is not found during bootup,If you have FAT32 partitions, it is much simpler than with NTFS.Just boot with a Win98 floppy and copy the NTLDR or NTDETECT.COM filesfrom the i386 directory to the root of the C:\ drive.For NTFS:Insert and boot from your WindowsXP CD.At the first R=Repair option, press the R keyPress the number that corresponds to the correct location for the installation of Windows you want to repair.Typically this will be #1Enter in the administrator password when requestedEnter in the following commands (X: is replaced by the actual drive letter that is assigned to the CD ROM drive.COPY X:\i386\NTLDR C\:COPY X:\i386\NTDETECT.COM C:\Take out the CD ROM and type exitBringing Up the Shutdown Dialog BoxCreate a new txt file somewhere on your system, open it and put in this one line:(new ActiveXObject("Shell.Application")).ShutdownWindows();Save and Close the file. Change the extension to js and your got it.You can make a shortcut to that file to make it easy to shut down your system.Hiding the Last User Logged OnIf you use the standard NT style of login and want to hide the last user:Start the Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc)Go to Computer Configuration / Windows Settings / Security Settings / Local Policies / Security OptionsScroll down to Interactive logon: Do not display last user nameSet it to EnablePoweroff at ShutdownIf your computer does not turn off the power when doing a shutdown,you may need to edit the registry. I have all the correct BIOS and Power settings and still needed to do this.Start RegeditGo to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\DesktopEdit the key PowerOffActive and give it a value of 1You can do the same in HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Control Panel\DesktopRemembering Folder SettingsIf XP does not remember your folder settings, delete or rename the following registry keys[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ShellNoRoam\BagMRU][HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ShellNoRoam\Bags]Preventing Applications from Stealing the Focus.To prevent applications from stealing the focus from the window you are workingStart RegeditGo to HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Control Panel \ DesktopEdit the key ForegroundLockTimeoutGive it a value of 00030d40