Below is a step-by-step instructions for setting up direct cable connection in Windows 95 and/or Windows 98. For these steps to work properly you must have a Null Modem Cable, which can be purchased at a local retail store.
Your Null Modem Cable must be connected directly to each of the computers you plan to connect to, and you cannot have a Serial device currently connected to your computer, considering the port is going to be used for the Direct Cable connection.
Ensure that your Serial Ports are enabled in CMOS Setup. See our CMOS page for additional information on CMOS and information on getting into the CMOS setup.
For Direct Cable connection to work you must fist install the software used for the communication.
To install Direct Cable Connection click Start / Settings / Control Panel / Double-click on Add Remove Programs / Click the Windows Setup Tab / Double-click the communications icon / Check the Direct Cable connection box.
If this box is already checked, it is recommended that you uncheck the box and then place the check back in the box to ensure that the complete program is installed into the computer. Once completely installed, reboot the computer.
Once back in windows click Start / Settings / Control Panel / Double-click on Network / Click the button File and Print Sharing.
In File and print sharing Check the box "I want to be able to give others access to my files" also while in this window enable Print sharing. Click Ok, if Windows attempts to locate the drivers but is not able to, do this two times and reboot the computer again to ensure these settings are updated.
Once back into Windows, double-click My Computer / Click on the drive you wish to share your information on. Usually this would be Drive C: / Once the Properties window for the drive double-clicked on is open double-click the Sharing Tab / Choose the option for Shared As / Ensure a name is entered in Share Name / Click the apply button and reboot the computer to ensure the changes have taken affect.
Once the above steps have been completed you must then decide which computer would be host and which computer would be the guest. Once this is determined, first setup the Host computer by Clicking on Start / Programs / Accessories / Communications / Click on Direct Cable Connection.
In the Direct Cable connection box choose the option for Host, choose the communications port that you wish to set this computer to / if so desired specify a password / Click Next your computer will then wait for the guest computer to send signal to the Host computer.
Once the above steps have been completed, for the second computer in setting up and configuring the Direct Cable connection (other than step 6) Click Start / Programs / Accessories / Communications / Click on Direct Cable Connection. In the Direct Cable connection box choose the option for Guest, choose the communications port that you wish to set this computer to / Click Next and the computer will begin to look for the Host computer.
Once the Host and the Guest have been setup you should establish a connection; at this point you will be able to browse the hard drive that has been shared through Network neighborhood.
Additional information:
See document CH000600 for additional information and methods of copying information from one computer to another.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Getting into Windows Safe Mode
Windows XP users
If you are running Safe Mode because you cannot get into Windows you may want to first try loading the last known good configuration. Additional information about this mode can be found on document CH000626.
To get into the Windows 2000 / XP Safe mode, as the computer is booting press and hold your "F8 Key" which should bring up the "Windows Advanced Options Menu" as shown below. Use your arrow keys to move to "Safe Mode" and press your Enter key.
Note: With some computers if you press and hold a key as the computer is booting you will get a stuck key message. If this occurs, instead of pressing and holding the "F8 key", tap the "F8 key" continuously until you get the startup menu.
Trouble Getting into Windows 2000 or Windows XP Safe mode - If after several attempts you are unable to get into Windows 2000 or Windows XP Safe Mode as the computer is booting into Windows, turn off your computer. When the computer is turned on the next time Windows should notice that the computer did not successfully boot and give you the Safe Mode screen.
Windows Advanced Options Menu
Please select an option:
Safe Mode
Safe Mode with Networking
Safe Mode with Command Prompt
Enable Boot Logging
Enable VGA mode
Last Known Good Configuration (your most recent settings that worked)
Directory Services Restore Mode (Windows domain controllers only)
Debugging Mode
Start Windows Normally
Reboot
Return to OS Choices Menu
Use the up and down arrow keys to move the highlight to your choice.
If you are running Safe Mode because you cannot get into Windows you may want to first try loading the last known good configuration. Additional information about this mode can be found on document CH000626.
To get into the Windows 2000 / XP Safe mode, as the computer is booting press and hold your "F8 Key" which should bring up the "Windows Advanced Options Menu" as shown below. Use your arrow keys to move to "Safe Mode" and press your Enter key.
Note: With some computers if you press and hold a key as the computer is booting you will get a stuck key message. If this occurs, instead of pressing and holding the "F8 key", tap the "F8 key" continuously until you get the startup menu.
Trouble Getting into Windows 2000 or Windows XP Safe mode - If after several attempts you are unable to get into Windows 2000 or Windows XP Safe Mode as the computer is booting into Windows, turn off your computer. When the computer is turned on the next time Windows should notice that the computer did not successfully boot and give you the Safe Mode screen.
Windows Advanced Options Menu
Please select an option:
Safe Mode
Safe Mode with Networking
Safe Mode with Command Prompt
Enable Boot Logging
Enable VGA mode
Last Known Good Configuration (your most recent settings that worked)
Directory Services Restore Mode (Windows domain controllers only)
Debugging Mode
Start Windows Normally
Reboot
Return to OS Choices Menu
Use the up and down arrow keys to move the highlight to your choice.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Remote Desktop Connection
How to use Remote Desktop Connection (RDC)
If your home computer has Windows XP Pro (or Media Center Edition) installed, you can access it from any other computer running Windows from anywhere in the world using Remote Desktop Connection. Some versions of Windows, like 98, Me, 2000 and require software available from Microsoft.com:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/tools/rdclientdl.mspx
There are a few steps required to configure your home network to accept connections from outside computers and additional security measures required to keep your PC safe from people who might be scanning for computers with RDC installed.
Set A Complex Password
Remote Desktop relies on Windows XP passwords for login. If you don't currently have a password configured for your account, or if your password is something simple, change it. At minimum, your password should be 10-12 characters long, with a combination of numbers, letters and special characters. This password is no longer just designed to keep out your roommate or family members, it's going to keep the entire Internet from accessing your computer.
Change the password for your Windows user account from the Users section of the Control Panel.
Enable Remote Desktop Connections
The first thing to do is enable Remote Desktop on the machine you want to connect to. Open System Properties either by right clicking the My Computer icon in the Start menu and choosing properties or Windows Key + Pause/Break on your keyboard. Click the Remote tab in System Properties and check the box next to Allow users to connect remotely to this computer.
You can verify RDC is working by connecting from any other computer on your local network.
Configure Your Router
If your router still has the factory default password, change it. While it's unlikely anyone will find your router on the Internet, not changing the password is asking to have it hacked. A strong password of 10-16 characters is advised.
The next step in the procedure is to configure your router to allow inbound connections to Remote Desktop on your local computer. This requires mapping a port on your router to a port on your local computer. The process for forwarding a port varies depending on who made your router, but in general there are a similar series of steps. Linksys refers to the port forwarding page as Applications & Gaming, most other routers refer to port forwarding options as Virtual Servers. To forward a router port your need to configure the following details:
Application or Description field: RDC
Port Range Start: 3389
Port Range End: 3389
Protocol Type: Both (or TCP if a both option isn't available)
IP Address of your PC: Type ipconfig at the command line if you don't know this
Enable: check a box to enable the port forward
For security reasons, if you don't travel often, disable this router port when you return from your trip.
Change the Remote Desktop Listening Port
For added security of your RDC setup, you can change the default port Remote Desktop Connection listens on from the host computer. This prevents detection by anyone doing a routine scan for RDC. This is also convenient if you want to connect to more than one RDC computer remotely. For instance, I have 3 computers that never leave home. By default, RDC watches the same port on all computers, which means I'll either get a conflict of some kind or I won't be able to connect at all. An alternative is to redirect RDC traffic to each computer.
You can read more about the process in Microsoft Knowledge Base article 306759
To change the listening port, you need to modify the Windows Registry. Locate the appropriate Registry key using Regedit.exe:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\TerminalServer\WinStations\RDP-Tcp\PortNumber
From the Edit menu, click Modify and then click Decimal. Choose a new port number. In general, choosing a number between 49152 and 65535 will avoid conflict with any other apps on your system, but you could theoretically use any port on the system. Once you set the port number you also need to configure your router to pass the specified port to your computer.
To access your computer remotely, instead of typing just the IP address, you need to type the IP address followed by the port number like this: 192.168.1.1:50001
Test Your Connection
The real trick is you need to leave home to test your configuration, so you don't really know it works until you are in the field. You need to know the IP address provided by your ISP to make the connection (Find your IP address).
Visit a local coffee shop with WiFi to test the connection. Launch the Remote Desktop Connection client from Start > All Programs > Accessories > Communications.
Enter your home IP address and cross your fingers. If all went well, you'll see the Windows Login screen.
If your home computer has Windows XP Pro (or Media Center Edition) installed, you can access it from any other computer running Windows from anywhere in the world using Remote Desktop Connection. Some versions of Windows, like 98, Me, 2000 and require software available from Microsoft.com:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/tools/rdclientdl.mspx
There are a few steps required to configure your home network to accept connections from outside computers and additional security measures required to keep your PC safe from people who might be scanning for computers with RDC installed.
Set A Complex Password
Remote Desktop relies on Windows XP passwords for login. If you don't currently have a password configured for your account, or if your password is something simple, change it. At minimum, your password should be 10-12 characters long, with a combination of numbers, letters and special characters. This password is no longer just designed to keep out your roommate or family members, it's going to keep the entire Internet from accessing your computer.
Change the password for your Windows user account from the Users section of the Control Panel.
Enable Remote Desktop Connections
The first thing to do is enable Remote Desktop on the machine you want to connect to. Open System Properties either by right clicking the My Computer icon in the Start menu and choosing properties or Windows Key + Pause/Break on your keyboard. Click the Remote tab in System Properties and check the box next to Allow users to connect remotely to this computer.
You can verify RDC is working by connecting from any other computer on your local network.
Configure Your Router
If your router still has the factory default password, change it. While it's unlikely anyone will find your router on the Internet, not changing the password is asking to have it hacked. A strong password of 10-16 characters is advised.
The next step in the procedure is to configure your router to allow inbound connections to Remote Desktop on your local computer. This requires mapping a port on your router to a port on your local computer. The process for forwarding a port varies depending on who made your router, but in general there are a similar series of steps. Linksys refers to the port forwarding page as Applications & Gaming, most other routers refer to port forwarding options as Virtual Servers. To forward a router port your need to configure the following details:
Application or Description field: RDC
Port Range Start: 3389
Port Range End: 3389
Protocol Type: Both (or TCP if a both option isn't available)
IP Address of your PC: Type ipconfig at the command line if you don't know this
Enable: check a box to enable the port forward
For security reasons, if you don't travel often, disable this router port when you return from your trip.
Change the Remote Desktop Listening Port
For added security of your RDC setup, you can change the default port Remote Desktop Connection listens on from the host computer. This prevents detection by anyone doing a routine scan for RDC. This is also convenient if you want to connect to more than one RDC computer remotely. For instance, I have 3 computers that never leave home. By default, RDC watches the same port on all computers, which means I'll either get a conflict of some kind or I won't be able to connect at all. An alternative is to redirect RDC traffic to each computer.
You can read more about the process in Microsoft Knowledge Base article 306759
To change the listening port, you need to modify the Windows Registry. Locate the appropriate Registry key using Regedit.exe:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\TerminalServer\WinStations\RDP-Tcp\PortNumber
From the Edit menu, click Modify and then click Decimal. Choose a new port number. In general, choosing a number between 49152 and 65535 will avoid conflict with any other apps on your system, but you could theoretically use any port on the system. Once you set the port number you also need to configure your router to pass the specified port to your computer.
To access your computer remotely, instead of typing just the IP address, you need to type the IP address followed by the port number like this: 192.168.1.1:50001
Test Your Connection
The real trick is you need to leave home to test your configuration, so you don't really know it works until you are in the field. You need to know the IP address provided by your ISP to make the connection (Find your IP address).
Visit a local coffee shop with WiFi to test the connection. Launch the Remote Desktop Connection client from Start > All Programs > Accessories > Communications.
Enter your home IP address and cross your fingers. If all went well, you'll see the Windows Login screen.
Copying from Desktop to Laptop
How can i copy files from my windows xp desktop to my windows 98 laptop?
You can network the PC's together with one of three types of cables, a crossover ethernet cable or a usb cable, or a seriial port cable, designed for the same thing. My favorite new device is a usb thumb drive. If the laptop has no cdrw drive, ethernet port or usb port or serial port, then your pretty much limited to floppy. If you have one of the above ports, then hook up the appropriate cable, and run the network connection wizard on both computers.
You can network the PC's together with one of three types of cables, a crossover ethernet cable or a usb cable, or a seriial port cable, designed for the same thing. My favorite new device is a usb thumb drive. If the laptop has no cdrw drive, ethernet port or usb port or serial port, then your pretty much limited to floppy. If you have one of the above ports, then hook up the appropriate cable, and run the network connection wizard on both computers.
Friday, July 31, 2009
The Windows 98 Startup Disk
This article discusses the use of the Windows 98 startup floppy diskand an alternative boot disk to handle troubles in booting up theWindows 98 system.
Most of the discussion here apply equally tothe Windows 95 and Windows ME operating systems (OS) but there areminor differences from one OS to another.
The Windows Startup Disk: If you do not have the Startup Disk for your Windows 98 (or you have misplaced it since you made it when you installed Windows 9x on your system), this is the time to make one. It is conveniently done from Control Panel.
Control_Panel > Add/Remove Programs >Startup Disk
A surprising number of users don't have the startup disk handy and even those who have it have never used it, or do not know what it is for and how useful it is. If you have done it recently, you may remember that the Windows 9x installation steps always provide the option of creating such a diskette --- but never explains how to use it.
What's on the Startup Disk? The diskette is also called Emergency Boot Disk (EBD) is a replica of the contents of the directory at C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND\EBD.
The floppy disk is essentially a bare bones DOS 7.x system disk with various disk initialization tools, such as
FDISK.EXE FORMAT.COM SYS.COM
These tools allow you to initialize the hard disk prior to the Win 98 installation. But, in order to read the Win 98 Installation CD-ROM for the setup procedure, you need the capability of accessing the CD-ROM which often needs SCSI device drivers.
ASPI2DOS.SYS ASPI4DOS.SYS ASPI8DOS.SYS ASPI8U2DOS.SYS ASPICD.SYS BTCDROM.SYS BTDOSM.SYS FLASHPT.SYS OAKCDROM.SYS
Surprisingly, there is no software in Startup Disk which allows you to start Windows 98. The tools are good mostly to re-install the Windows 98 operating system from the CD-ROM. Although the Win 98 re-installation procedure would not normally delete user files on the hard disk, it is a very time-consuming process. It should be pointed out that on many occasions, there are steps you can take that are much quicker to make the system disk capable of rebooting into Win 98 system without a complete re-installation of the OS. But, the Startup Disk will not allow you to do so.
The Master Boot Record (MBR):
Every now and then, a Windows 9x system becomes unbootable for various reasons. The most common cause is probably the contents of the master boot record (MBR) of the boot drive (the first disk drive that is enabled) are not configured properly.
FDISK is the official tool to manipulate the contents of the MBR in Microsoft's OSes. The most well known "undocumented" feature (even Microsoft's page documents it) is to refresh the MBR by the following command.
FDISK /MBR
This command runs very quickly without fanfare: it does not even tell you whether or not the operation was successful. Also, it is a good idea to run FDISK (without arguments) and examine the first disk to make sure the first partition is a Primary DOS Partition and it is set as Active Partition.
It is unfortuante that FDISK allows you to make only the Primary DOS parition of the first disk drive an Active partition. So, even if your BIOS configuration menu has a feature to allow you to set the disk volume other than C: as the boot volume, it does not do you any good as long as you use FDISK because it refuses to make any other partition active.
An Alternative Boot Disk:
From time to time, for various reasons, the Windows 98 system disk gets slightly corrupted and becomes not bootable. It take only one crucial file to make the system fail to boot successfully into the Windows 98 environment. Anyway, it is very useful to have a bootable system diskette which allows you to not only boot into a DOS environment, but also reach all the way to the Windows 98 environment even on a volume which cannot otherwise boot itself to the Win98 world. Such a capability is sorely missing from the standard Win98 Startup Disk (a.k.a. EBD).
Note: This technique works with Win98, but NOT on Win ME.
How to make the Alternative Boot Disk:
Perform the following sequence to prepare the boot diskette from a command prompt (in DOS or in a DOS Box).
FORMAT A: /U /S
XXCOPY16 C:\MSDOS.SYS A:\ /H/R/Y
XXCOPY16 C:\CONFIG.SYS A:\ /H
ECHO C:\AUTOEXEC.BAT >A:\AUTOEXEC.BAT
Here, in this example, XXCOPY16 is used because it can be run either in the 16-bit or in the 32- bit environment. But, you may use XXCOPY (the 32-bit version) in a DOX Box of Win9x.
If XXCOPY/XXCOPY16 is not available, you need to perform extra steps (ATTRIB to manipulate the attribute bits first, and copy the file accordingly).
The forth line here is a quick way to make a one-line text file on A:. Of course, you may add other utilities to the diskette such as FDISK.EXE, FORMAT.COM, SYS.COM for your convenience.
If you are not familiar with XXCOPY16, it is available in the XXCOPY Freeware package.
Using the Alternative Boot Disk: This diskette allows you to boot into Win9x where the system disk at C: is not capable of booting itself.
This is usually a result of the partition that is assigned to C: is not an "Active" DOS Primary partition.
Additional note: This technique can be extended to a customized "multi-boot" scheme based on floppy disks.
For instance, I have a Japanese version of Win98SE which is installed on Drive E:. That is, when the particular version was installed, it was deliberately installed to E: so that E:\WINDOWS is the official windows system directory for that environment.
According to Microsoft's official "rule", only one kind of Win9x OS can exist on a system, (the dual-boot is possible with WinNT/2000/XP but not with another Win9x or ME), when I need to boot into the Japanese version of Win98, I use a specially made diskette which has its own unique MSDOS.SYS file which declares that the E: drive is the boot drive. Of course, you may acquire a specialized boot control software such as the System Commander that allows even more flexible booting option among many OSes. But, the alternative boot disk allows you to test the system and see which of the key files are causing a boot sequence problem.
From: Kan Yabumoto
Most of the discussion here apply equally tothe Windows 95 and Windows ME operating systems (OS) but there areminor differences from one OS to another.
The Windows Startup Disk: If you do not have the Startup Disk for your Windows 98 (or you have misplaced it since you made it when you installed Windows 9x on your system), this is the time to make one. It is conveniently done from Control Panel.
Control_Panel > Add/Remove Programs >Startup Disk
A surprising number of users don't have the startup disk handy and even those who have it have never used it, or do not know what it is for and how useful it is. If you have done it recently, you may remember that the Windows 9x installation steps always provide the option of creating such a diskette --- but never explains how to use it.
What's on the Startup Disk? The diskette is also called Emergency Boot Disk (EBD) is a replica of the contents of the directory at C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND\EBD.
The floppy disk is essentially a bare bones DOS 7.x system disk with various disk initialization tools, such as
FDISK.EXE FORMAT.COM SYS.COM
These tools allow you to initialize the hard disk prior to the Win 98 installation. But, in order to read the Win 98 Installation CD-ROM for the setup procedure, you need the capability of accessing the CD-ROM which often needs SCSI device drivers.
ASPI2DOS.SYS ASPI4DOS.SYS ASPI8DOS.SYS ASPI8U2DOS.SYS ASPICD.SYS BTCDROM.SYS BTDOSM.SYS FLASHPT.SYS OAKCDROM.SYS
Surprisingly, there is no software in Startup Disk which allows you to start Windows 98. The tools are good mostly to re-install the Windows 98 operating system from the CD-ROM. Although the Win 98 re-installation procedure would not normally delete user files on the hard disk, it is a very time-consuming process. It should be pointed out that on many occasions, there are steps you can take that are much quicker to make the system disk capable of rebooting into Win 98 system without a complete re-installation of the OS. But, the Startup Disk will not allow you to do so.
The Master Boot Record (MBR):
Every now and then, a Windows 9x system becomes unbootable for various reasons. The most common cause is probably the contents of the master boot record (MBR) of the boot drive (the first disk drive that is enabled) are not configured properly.
FDISK is the official tool to manipulate the contents of the MBR in Microsoft's OSes. The most well known "undocumented" feature (even Microsoft's page documents it) is to refresh the MBR by the following command.
FDISK /MBR
This command runs very quickly without fanfare: it does not even tell you whether or not the operation was successful. Also, it is a good idea to run FDISK (without arguments) and examine the first disk to make sure the first partition is a Primary DOS Partition and it is set as Active Partition.
It is unfortuante that FDISK allows you to make only the Primary DOS parition of the first disk drive an Active partition. So, even if your BIOS configuration menu has a feature to allow you to set the disk volume other than C: as the boot volume, it does not do you any good as long as you use FDISK because it refuses to make any other partition active.
An Alternative Boot Disk:
From time to time, for various reasons, the Windows 98 system disk gets slightly corrupted and becomes not bootable. It take only one crucial file to make the system fail to boot successfully into the Windows 98 environment. Anyway, it is very useful to have a bootable system diskette which allows you to not only boot into a DOS environment, but also reach all the way to the Windows 98 environment even on a volume which cannot otherwise boot itself to the Win98 world. Such a capability is sorely missing from the standard Win98 Startup Disk (a.k.a. EBD).
Note: This technique works with Win98, but NOT on Win ME.
How to make the Alternative Boot Disk:
Perform the following sequence to prepare the boot diskette from a command prompt (in DOS or in a DOS Box).
FORMAT A: /U /S
XXCOPY16 C:\MSDOS.SYS A:\ /H/R/Y
XXCOPY16 C:\CONFIG.SYS A:\ /H
ECHO C:\AUTOEXEC.BAT >A:\AUTOEXEC.BAT
Here, in this example, XXCOPY16 is used because it can be run either in the 16-bit or in the 32- bit environment. But, you may use XXCOPY (the 32-bit version) in a DOX Box of Win9x.
If XXCOPY/XXCOPY16 is not available, you need to perform extra steps (ATTRIB to manipulate the attribute bits first, and copy the file accordingly).
The forth line here is a quick way to make a one-line text file on A:. Of course, you may add other utilities to the diskette such as FDISK.EXE, FORMAT.COM, SYS.COM for your convenience.
If you are not familiar with XXCOPY16, it is available in the XXCOPY Freeware package.
Using the Alternative Boot Disk: This diskette allows you to boot into Win9x where the system disk at C: is not capable of booting itself.
This is usually a result of the partition that is assigned to C: is not an "Active" DOS Primary partition.
Additional note: This technique can be extended to a customized "multi-boot" scheme based on floppy disks.
For instance, I have a Japanese version of Win98SE which is installed on Drive E:. That is, when the particular version was installed, it was deliberately installed to E: so that E:\WINDOWS is the official windows system directory for that environment.
According to Microsoft's official "rule", only one kind of Win9x OS can exist on a system, (the dual-boot is possible with WinNT/2000/XP but not with another Win9x or ME), when I need to boot into the Japanese version of Win98, I use a specially made diskette which has its own unique MSDOS.SYS file which declares that the E: drive is the boot drive. Of course, you may acquire a specialized boot control software such as the System Commander that allows even more flexible booting option among many OSes. But, the alternative boot disk allows you to test the system and see which of the key files are causing a boot sequence problem.
From: Kan Yabumoto
How to Create a Windows 98 Startup Disk from MS-DOS
To make a Windows 98 Startup disk from MS-DOS, use the following steps:
1. Restart your computer, press and hold down the CTRL key until the Windows 98 Startup menu appears, and then choose Command Prompt Only from the Startup menu.
2. Insert a blank, formatted floppy disk into drive A.
3. Type the following commands, pressing ENTER after each command:
cd windows\command
smartdrv.exe
bootdisk a:
NOTE: Smartdrv.exe is not required to create a Windows 98 Startup disk. It is used only to speed the creation of the startup disk.
Follow the instructions on the screen to finish making the Startup disk.
1. Restart your computer, press and hold down the CTRL key until the Windows 98 Startup menu appears, and then choose Command Prompt Only from the Startup menu.
2. Insert a blank, formatted floppy disk into drive A.
3. Type the following commands, pressing ENTER after each command:
cd windows\command
smartdrv.exe
bootdisk a:
NOTE: Smartdrv.exe is not required to create a Windows 98 Startup disk. It is used only to speed the creation of the startup disk.
Follow the instructions on the screen to finish making the Startup disk.
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