Windows 2000 & XP resources

This page was written by Christopher Spry.

Index

1. Windows XP
2. Windows 2000
3. Help resources

1. Windows XP

Doug Knox XP tips, fixes and VB scripts
Kelly's Windows XP from A-Z web site
Microsoft have a portal (Desktop Center) on using Windows XP and Office XP with details of compatible software.
'PC Pitstop' have an online test to determine if your hardware can handle Windows XP.
Microsoft's 'XP PowerToys Fun Pack', Desktop Wallpaper Changer and Video Screen Saver

2. Windows 2000

Microsoft's 'SQL server 2000 software. SQL 'Tutorials'. Christopher Browne's guide to relational database systems including those for Linux.
Twocows list of Windows 2000 compatible software.
Wayne Maple's Windows 2000 resources.
'Network Windows Magazine' with links to resources
Windows 2000 Professional resources and Windows 2000, UK.
Windows 2000 services. A list and description of over 100 services by Microsoft.
Windows 2000 'Technical Library' and Windows 2000 Professional 'Resource Kit'.
'Hi Buddy Light' free replacement for WinPopup.
'WinMag.com' has a section on Windows 2000.

3. Help resources

Microsoft's Help and Support. It includes FAQs, troubleshooting and newsgroups for all its products.
- Windows Memory Diagnostic tests Random Access Memory (RAM) for errors.
Device driver development tools at Jungo Ltd.
Driver Files Net, download device drivers for computer components and for many other electronic devices.
Error codes. Microsoft provides a useful command-line tool called err.exe that can help you find the meanings of error codes. When you run err.exe and specify an error code, the program searches all the error-code definitions from the various header files that Windows uses to generate a list of possible error meanings. You can use err.exe in several ways. Entering the command 'err' with no parameters returns a list of all the header files that the command checks. If you run err.exe and specify an error code--for example 'err 1645' the output looks like this:
D:\temp\Err>
# for decimal 1645 / hex 0x66d : ERROR_INSTALL_REMOTE_PROHIBITED winerror.h # The Windows Installer does not permit installation from a # Remote Desktop Connection. # for hex 0x1645 / decimal 5701 : NELOG_NetlogonFailedToUpdateTrustList lmerrlog.h SQL_5701_severity_10 sql_err # Changed database context to '%.*ls'. # 3 matches found for "1645"
Notice that err.exe searches for the value you entered in both its hexadecimal and decimal forms.
'PC Mechanic'. Advice on how to build a PC, troubleshooting Windows etc. It includes reviews, downloads and shopping guides.
'Safari' computing technical book subscription service online at O'Reilly.
'The PC Guide'. Details of motherboards, BIOS, processors etc.
Tom's Hardware Guide. Guides on CPUs, storage, clocking, performance, chipsets etc. Advice on what to do if Windows XP fails to start.
ZDNet. Extensive hardware, software and Internet advice.

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