IT Knowledgebase Articles

Microsoft Active Directory services in Windows 2000 replace the computer browser service used in earlier versions of Windows to provide the network basic input/output system (NetBIOS) name resolution. The browser service in Windows 2000 is provided for backwards compatibility with client computers that are running earlier versions of Windows. The primary function of the browser…

What’s the HCL? The hardware compatibility list (or HCL) provides a representative list of hardware peripherals that are compatible with the Microsoft Windows operating systems (e.g. Windows 98, Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000, Windows XP and Windows 2003). Microsoft has validated the compatibility of the hardware peripherals on an x86-based Windows hardware reference platform. Microsoft…

What is System Restore in Windows XP? System Restore is a component of Windows XP Professional that you can use to restore your computer to a previous state, if a problem occurs, without losing your personal data files (such as Microsoft Word documents, browsing history, drawings, favorites, or e-mail). System Restore monitors changes to the…

What is the System File Checker (SFC) command on a Windows 2000/XP/2003 computer? The System File Checker tool gives an administrator the ability to scan all of the protected files to verify their versions. The System File Checker tool also checks and repopulates the %SystemRoot%\System32\Dllcache folder. If the Dllcache folder becomes damaged or unusable, you…

What is the Shutdown Event Tracker on a Windows Server 2003? Shutdown Event Tracker overview Shutdown Event Tracker provides a way for IT professionals to consistently track why users restart or shut down their computers. It does not document why users choose other options, such as Log off and Hibernate. It gathers the reasons users…

If you’ve ever tried to help a novice user troubleshoot a Windows problem over the phone, you know how frustrating the entire process can be. It’s usually difficult for an inexperienced user to accurately communicate detailed configuration information, especially if the problem involves technically challenging areas such as hardware drivers or network protocols. Because you’re…

Looking for an overview of what’s new in Active Directory in Windows Server 2003? Daniel points out the highlights and noteworthy additions.

The Network Setup Wizard sets the proper permissions on shared folders, adds required keys to the registry, configures protocols and binds them to network cards, enables or disables the Internet Connection Firewall, and adjusts system policies so that file sharing works properly over the network. You should run the Windows XP Network Setup Wizard on…

Ok, so you have your ADSL (or Cable) connection ready and fired up. You’re planning on downloading four hundred fifty seven GB of MP3 files, and you think it’s going to take you less than 3 hours to finish downloading them all. Why is your connection so slow? Why did your ISP lie to you…

Sometimes you’ll find yourself on a stranger’s LAN and you won’t know the IP of the computer you’re using. This box should display your real Internet IP address: The Problem Opening up a Command Prompt window and typing the ipconfig command ipconfig /all (or Winipcfg if you’re at a Win9X computer) sometimes won’t help –…