Ever wonder what run key to use to start a certain Windows function? tired of always having to figure out where to find what you are looking for ? Try these, useful run command keys to be typed at the “start-run” prompt. Enjoy !

To Access…. Run Command

Accessibility Controls

access.cpl

Accessibility Wizard

accwiz

Add Hardware Wizard

hdwwiz.cpl

Add/Remove Programs

appwiz.cpl

Administrative Tools

control admintools

Adobe Acrobat (if installed)

acrobat

Adobe Designer (if installed)

acrodist

Adobe Distiller (if installed)

acrodist

Adobe ImageReady (if installed)

imageready

Adobe Photoshop (if installed)

photoshop

Automatic Updates

wuaucpl.cpl

Bluetooth Transfer Wizard

fsquirt

Calculator

calc

Certificate Manager

certmgr.msc

Character Map

charmap

Check Disk Utility

chkdsk

Clipboard Viewer

clipbrd

Command Prompt

cmd

Component Services

dcomcnfg

Computer Management

compmgmt.msc

Control Panel

control

Date and Time Properties

timedate.cpl

DDE Shares

ddeshare

Device Manager

devmgmt.msc

Direct X Control Panel (If Installed)*

directx.cpl

Direct X Troubleshooter

dxdiag

Disk Cleanup Utility

cleanmgr

Disk Defragment

dfrg.msc

Disk Management

diskmgmt.msc

Disk Partition Manager

diskpart

Display Properties

control desktop

Display Properties

desk.cpl

Display Properties (w/Appearance Tab Preselected)

control color

Dr. Watson System Troubleshooting Utility

drwtsn32

Driver Verifier Utility

verifier

Event Viewer

eventvwr.msc

Files and Settings Transfer Tool

migwiz

File Signature Verification Tool

sigverif

Findfast

findfast.cpl

Firefox (if installed)

firefox

Folders Properties

control folders

Fonts

control fonts

Fonts Folder

fonts

Free Cell Card Game

freecell

Game Controllers

joy.cpl

Group Policy Editor (XP Prof)

gpedit.msc

Hearts Card Game

mshearts

Help and Support

helpctr

HyperTerminal

hypertrm

Iexpress Wizard

iexpress

Indexing Service

ciadv.msc

Internet Connection Wizard

icwconn1

Internet Explorer

iexplore

Internet Properties

inetcpl.cpl

Internet Setup Wizard

inetwiz
IP Configuration (Display Connection Configuration) ipconfig /all
IP Configuration (Display DNS Cache Contents) ipconfig /displaydns
IP Configuration (Delete DNS Cache Contents) ipconfig /flushdns
IP Configuration (Release All Connections) ipconfig /release
IP Configuration (Renew All Connections) ipconfig /renew
IP Configuration (Refreshes DHCP & Re-Registers DNS) ipconfig /registerdns
IP Configuration (Display DHCP Class ID) ipconfig /showclassid
IP Configuration (Modifies DHCP Class ID) ipconfig /setclassid

Java Control Panel (If Installed)

jpicpl32.cpl

Java Control Panel (If Installed)

javaws

Keyboard Properties

control keyboard

Local Security Settings

secpol.msc

Local Users and Groups

lusrmgr.msc

Logs You Out Of Windows

logoff

Malicious Software Removal Tool

mrt

Microsoft Access (if installed)

access.cpl

Microsoft Chat

winchat

Microsoft Excel (if installed)

excel

Microsoft Frontpage (if installed)

frontpg

Microsoft Movie Maker

moviemk

Microsoft Paint

mspaint

Microsoft Powerpoint (if installed)

powerpnt

Microsoft Word (if installed)

winword

Microsoft Syncronization Tool

mobsync

Minesweeper Game

winmine

Mouse Properties

control mouse

Mouse Properties

main.cpl

Nero (if installed)

nero

Netmeeting

conf

Network Connections

control netconnections

Network Connections

ncpa.cpl

Network Setup Wizard

netsetup.cpl
Notepad notepad

Nview Desktop Manager (If Installed)

nvtuicpl.cpl

Object Packager

packager

ODBC Data Source Administrator

odbccp32.cpl

On Screen Keyboard

osk

Opens AC3 Filter (If Installed)

ac3filter.cpl

Outlook Express

msimn

Paint

pbrush

Password Properties

password.cpl

Performance Monitor

perfmon.msc

Performance Monitor

perfmon

Phone and Modem Options

telephon.cpl

Phone Dialer

dialer

Pinball Game

pinball

Power Configuration

powercfg.cpl

Printers and Faxes

control printers

Printers Folder

printers

Private Character Editor

eudcedit

Quicktime (If Installed)

QuickTime.cpl

Quicktime Player (if installed)

quicktimeplayer

Real Player (if installed)

realplay

Regional Settings

intl.cpl

Registry Editor

regedit

Registry Editor

regedit32

Remote Access Phonebook

rasphone
Remote Desktop mstsc

Removable Storage

ntmsmgr.msc

Removable Storage Operator Requests

ntmsoprq.msc

Resultant Set of Policy (XP Prof)

rsop.msc

Scanners and Cameras

sticpl.cpl

Scheduled Tasks

control schedtasks

Security Center

wscui.cpl

Services

services.msc

Shared Folders

fsmgmt.msc

Shuts Down Windows

shutdown

Sounds and Audio

mmsys.cpl

Spider Solitare Card Game

spider

SQL Client Configuration

cliconfg

System Configuration Editor

sysedit

System Configuration Utility

msconfig
System File Checker Utility (Scan Immediately) sfc /scannow
System File Checker Utility (Scan Once At Next Boot) sfc /scanonce
System File Checker Utility (Scan On Every Boot) sfc /scanboot
System File Checker Utility (Return to Default Setting) sfc /revert
System File Checker Utility (Purge File Cache) sfc /purgecache

System File Checker Utility (Set Cache Size to size x)

sfc /cachesize=x

System Information

msinfo32

System Properties

sysdm.cpl

Task Manager

taskmgr

TCP Tester

tcptest

Telnet Client

telnet

Tweak UI (if installed)

tweakui

User Account Management

nusrmgr.cpl

Utility Manager

utilman

Windows Address Book

wab

Windows Address Book Import Utility

wabmig

Windows Backup Utility (if installed)

ntbackup

Windows Explorer

explorer

Windows Firewall

firewall.cpl

Windows Magnifier

magnify

Windows Management Infrastructure

wmimgmt.msc

Windows Media Player

wmplayer

Windows Messenger

msmsgs

Windows Picture Import Wizard (need camera connected)

wiaacmgr

Windows System Security Tool

syskey

Windows Update Launches

wupdmgr

Windows Version (to show which version of windows)

winver

Windows XP Tour Wizard

tourstart

Wordpad

write

MSTSC

remote dekstop session

I personally used many routers and I am always looking to better my home/office network. Today, a router hooked up to a well managed home network can connect all sorts of devices. In my house I currently have 2 desktops & 1 laptop at times, and PSP’s WII’s and XBOX. You don’t have to be a techie to agree that an always-on data stream is a network’s lifeblood, and a router is definitely the heart which pumps life throughout the system. The typical setup may not be quiet as extreme as mine but the fundamentals of setting up a router on a home network are the same. Most of all, anyone can setup their own network and make it secure from hackers and wireless signal snoops.

Step 1 – Pick your Router. Many options out there. I was looking for something with QoS Prioritization Technology, wired and wireless traffic are analyzed and separated into multiple data streams. These streams are then categorized by sensitivity to delay, so applications like VoIP, Video Streaming, and Online Gaming are given priority over Web browsing. I was also looking for a G and B band but also capable of running the newer N wireless technology. So again, Dlink has them , Belkin and Linksys are the major players for home routers, but there are others as well.

Step 2 – Setup. Typically the instructions only help you so much, CD included in the purchase or printed material in the box etc, but do try to follow them, at least for starters. If you have cable its easy plug and play business. If you have DSL or FIOS then you will likely need some kind of on the phone assistance from your provider, unless you have already that connection information needed from them. Like the connection type POE on the modem , id and password etc.
Some ip address which will give you direct router access if connected via laptop and a network cable or from a pc in your house are the following. 192.168.0.1 & 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.2.1. A lot of times the ip address is also written on the bottom of the device itself.

Step 3 – Change the network name immediately. Both the default local name and for your wireless SSID (service set identifier) NOTE- do not use your address such as 1123 My home, drive etc. Not to sharp !! use something easy for you to identify with. Then set security both for your device changes and wireless access (choose WEP or WPA) do not use names of kids or family alone, use them in conjuction with a number or #$%^ or combination of all.

Step 4 – Ensure your firmware is up to date with any manufacturer release.( back up your router settings wisely on a local computer, both your local configuration and wireless setup)

Step 5- Ensure all settings on the router are working for you. Check firewall settings, only change certain router defaults, I do not reccomend changing from default unless you are skilled about what you are about to change. Typically Forums are a big help in this or send me an email contact@tech-support-forum.com. I will try to assist.

Enjoy!!

Make your PC boot Faster!!

That is everyone’s dream I think. A computer is like a car, it will run sluggish if you don’t follow a certain maintenance….that will only prevent things from getting worse, so that is up to you. Here are a few tips and options.

Weekly would be nice to the following-
* Virus and spyware scan
* Do some kind of backup of critical personal files, pictures etc, possibly to an external drive
* Run Windows Update and install Critical updates and/or hardware updates.

Monthly-
* Update you programs to ensure you have the latest update from the vendor, typically program have a auto update or just visit their websites.
* Check for new drivers, typically Windows update should do that for you, or you could visit hardware manufacturer to ensure you have the latest driver for your particular operation system.

Yearly-
* Clean the inside of the pc case with a vacuum. Dust can kill electronic components. Ensure you are grounded and all cables are unplugged (use a wrist static free lanyard)
* Do memory check/test and also test other hardware component. Typically Microsoft offers a memory tester software; you can also obtain other utilities from various manufacturer to test these.