Windows XP Tips
User Level: Intermediate*
How do I remove Windows Messenger from my Windows XP computer?
By default Windows Messenger is set to run at startup. The procedure for removing Windows Messenger depends on whether your system has Windows XP Service Pack 1 installed.
To determine whether Service Pack 1 is installed follow these directions:
1) Click on Start
2) Right click on My Computer
3) Click on Properties
4) On the General tab, under System if the words "Service Pack 1" are listed you have the service pack.
Removing Messenger from computers WITHOUT Service Pack 1 installed
Make sure your Internet Explorer, Outlook Express, Windows Messenger and other programs are closed before doing this.
1) Click on Start and then Run
2) Type the following into the Run line:
RunDll32 advpack.dll,LaunchINFSection %windir%\INF\msmsgs.inf,BLC.Remove
3) Click on OK
Removing Messenger from computers WITH Service Pack 1 installed
1) Click on Start, Control Panel
2) Double click on Add or Remove Programs
3) Select Add/Remove Windows Components
4) Uncheck Windows Messenger
5) Click Next
6) Click Finish
7) Restart your computer
How do I setup Windows XP to automatically log me on to the computer at startup?
By default, Windows XP will automatically do this. However, if you have installed the Microsoft .NET framework or you have added other users, you will be prompted to log on to the machine using a logon box or the new Windows XP logon screen. To set an account to automatically logon:
1) Go to the Start Menu and the Run box.
2) Type in the following:
control userpasswords2
Click the "OK" button.
3) In the new window that appears select the account you wish to make the primary logon. Now uncheck the "Users must enter a username and password..." box.
4) Hit Apply and a dialog box will appear asking you to confirm the selected user's password. Click the "OK" button.
Your computer will now start with the specified account automatically. If it doesn't, you likely entered an incorrect password for the account.
German authorities arrested the author of the Sasser worm in the small town of Waffensen after being tipped off by Microsoft. The author, identified as 18-year-old Sven Jaschan, had recently graduated from vocational school and was looking toward a promising career in the computer industry. Recent discoveries point to the possibility that there were others who were involved in the creation of the virus. Two of those questioned by police indicated that Jaschan also may have also possibly been the creator of the Netsky virus, which has been plaguing systems over the last few months.