50 Top Rated Articles, Tips and Tricks

50 most wanted Articles, Tips and Tricks on Petri.co.il by Daniel Petri

Based upon most updated statistics, these are the 50 top most requested pages on my site (updated January 2007):

Number 1: Forgot the Administrator’s Password?

Ok, so you say you forgot your Windows administrator’s password, huh? Oh well, it doesn’t really matter if you did or you just say you did. The fact is that you need to gain access to a computer and you cannot "remember" the administrator’s password.

How can you get out of this situation without formatting and re-installing the operating system?

Well, you can always try to remember the login password, or if that doesn’t work (you wouldn’t be sitting here reading my crap if you did remember, would you?) you can restore a backed up System State (in W2K DC) or a ERD (in NT 4.0) in which you do remember the password. The problem with doing so is that you’ll probably lose all of the recently add users and groups, and all the changed passwords for all of your users since the last backup was made.

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Number 2: Petri.co.il Forums

The Petri.co.il Forums are a gathering place for thousands of IT professionals and students alike. They are a place where one can post his or her question and expect to receive a full, professional, responsible and in-depth answer in a matter of minutes.

The forums are divided into several sections, including Server Operating Systems, Client Operating Systems, Security, Alcatel and other broadband modems, Scripting, Certification, Tip Posting, Hotfixes and Service Packs and many more.

The forums are open to all readers without any need for registration. However, posting questions or answering other people’s questions requires logging on to the forums. Registration is free and easy and it will allow you to become an active member of our growing community.

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Number 3: How to Write ISO Files to CD

ISO files are actually images of complete CDs compiles as one whole image, just like Ghost does for hard disks and partitions. ISO images can be loaded into several different CD recording software packages to create CDs.

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Number 4: Change the Serial in Windows XP

Because of changes in Windows XP Service Pack 1 (SP1), Windows XP-based computers that use a leaked product key that is known to be available to the general public may not be able to install SP1 or automatically obtain updates from the Windows Update Web site. For an easy and quick method of obtaining your own CD Key please read Quickly Retrieve Windows CD Key.

For example, you may experience the symptoms that are described in the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article when you install SP1 – The Product Key Used to Install Windows Is Invalidlink out ico

There are two (legal) methods that you can use to change the product key with volume licensing media after installation. You can use either the Windows Activation Wizard graphical user interface (GUI) or a Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) script.

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Number 5: How can I retrieve my Windows 2000/XP/2003 or Office 2000/XP CD Key?

Sometimes you might need to retrieve the CD Key used to install Windows in order to find out if it’s legally purchased, or just for safe keeping. I usually find myself in that position whenever I’m at a client’s location, trying to see if the copy of Windows 2000 he’s using is indeed legally registered. Luckily for us, some programs exist that can help you do just that – retrieve license information from the registry, and allow you to copy it for safekeeping or for documentation purposes.

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Number 6: Download Free Windows 2000 Resource Kit Tools

You can download the Windows 2000 Resource Kit software tools listed on this page for free and install them on your computer. These utilities can help you streamline administrative tasks such as managing Active Directory, administering security features, working with Group Policy and Terminal Services, automating application deployment, and other important jobs. Nearly 300 such tools are included on the Windows 2000 Server Resource Kit companion CD.

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Number 7: How can I optimize the Windows 2000/XP/2003 virtual memory (Pagefile)?

Memory tweaking is an important part of the System Administrator’s responsibilities. Having too much memory won’t hurt you, but this is something we cannot expect to have all the time. This page will give you some working tips on memory management for Windows 2000, Windows XP and Windows Server 2003.

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Number 8: Download the Full IE Package

Yes! First, download the IE6 SP1 setup program from HERE (481kb basic setup program. The full IE package might go as high as ~44mb depending upon your selection). This tip will let you customize the d/l parameters.

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Number 9: Install Windows XP Pro

When you run the Windows XP Professional Setup program, you must provide information about how to install and configure the operating system. Thorough planning can make your installation of Windows XP Professional more efficient by helping you to avoid potential problems during installation. An understanding of the configuration options will also help to ensure that you have properly configured your system.

I won’t go into that part right now but here are some of the most important things you should take into consideration when planning for your XP installation:

  • Check System Requirements

  • Check Hardware and Software Compatibility

  • Determine Disk Partitioning Options

  • Choose the Appropriate File System: FAT, FAT32, NTFS

  • Decide on a Workgroup or Domain Installation

  • Complete a Pre-Installation Checklist

After you made sure you can go on, start the installation process.

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Number 10: How to Install Active Directory on Windows 2003

First make sure you read and understand Active Directory Installation Requirements. If you don’t comply with all the requirements of that article you will not be able to set up your AD (for example: you don’t have a NIC or you’re using a computer that’s not connected to a LAN).

Note: This article is only good for understanding how to install the FIRST DC in a NEW AD Domain, in a NEW TREE, in a NEW FOREST. Meaning – don’t do it for any other scenario, such as a new replica DC in an existing domain. In order to install a Windows Server 2003 DC in an EXISTING Windows 2000 Domain follow the Windows 2003 ADPrep tip.

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See the rest (number 11 to number 50):

  1. Download the full IE package
  2. Windows XP SP2 Slipstreaming
  3. How to Install Active Directory on Windows 2003
  4. Pagefile Optimization
  5. Upgrade from Alcatel SpeedTouch Home to Pro
  6. Change Office XP CD Key
  7. Microsoft Software Update Services (SUS)
  8. Forgot the Administrator’s Password? – Reset Domain Admin Password in Windows Server 2003 AD
  9. Install and Configure Windows 2000 DNS Server
  10. Windows 2000 SP4 Slipstreaming
  11. Forgot the Administrator’s Password? – Alternate Logon Trick
  12. Tips And Tricks
  13. Install Windows Server 2003
  14. Install Windows 2000 Server
  15. Office XP SP3 Slipstreaming
  16. Quickly Find Local Open Ports
  17. What’s Port 445 in W2K/XP/2003?
  18. Configure SSL on Your Website with IIS
  19. Uninstall Windows Messenger in Windows XP
  20. Knowledge Base
  21. Upgrade from Alcatel SpeedTouch Pro to 510
  22. Configure Alcatel SpeedTouch Pro to Act as a Transparent Bridge
  23. Joining a Domain in Windows XP Pro
  24. Install Office 2003 Without Supplying the CD Key
  25. Configure SSL on OWA
  26. Off Topic
  27. Configure Alcatel SpeedTouch 510 for DHCP Spoofing
  28. Configure Alcatel SpeedTouch Pro to Act as a Transparent Bridge
  29. Upgrade from Alcatel SpeedTouch Pro to 510
  30. Reinstall TCP/IP on Windows XP
  31. Block Ping Traffic with IPSEC
  32. Change System Drive Letter in Windows XP
  33. Active Directory Installation Requirements
  34. Configure TCP/IP to use DHCP and a Static IP Address at the Same Time
  35. Install and Configure Windows 2000 DNS Server to Prepare for AD
  36. Add Command Prompt Here Shortcut to Windows Explorer
  37. Block Web Browsing with IPSEC
  38. Patches and Service Packs
  39. Windows XP SP1a Info
  40. Disable Windows Messenger in Windows XP

 

See them all right here: Tips and Tricks