Automatic Updates options are greyed out?

Symptom

When you open the Automatic Updates tab in My Computer Property sheet, or from Control Panel, all of the Automatic Updates configuration options may be grayed out. This happens due to any of the following reasons:

1. You’re not logged on as Administrator (or equivalent)
2. Automatic Updates Policy is enabled
3. Automatic Updates (and Windows Update) access is blocked via Group Policy

Resolution

To make the Automatic Updates options configurable by the user (only for stand-alone systems), remove the restrictions 2 & 3 above.

• Click Start, Run and type REGEDIT.EXE
• Navigate to this location:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Policies \ Microsoft \ Windows \ WindowsUpdate \ AU

• In the right-pane, delete the two values AUOptions and NoAutoUpdate
• Navigate to this location:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Policies \ WindowsUpdate

• In the right-pane, delete the value DisableWindowsUpdateAccess

Using the Group Policy Editor – for Windows XP Professional

• Click Start, Run and type gpedit.msc
• Navigate to the following location:

=> Computer Configuration
==> Administrative Templates
===> Windows Components
====> Windows Update

• In the right-pane, double-click Configure Automatic Updates and set it to Not Configured
• Then, navigate to this location:

=> User Configuration
==> Administrative Templates
===> Windows Components
====>  Windows Update

• In the right-pane, set Remove access to all Windows Update features to Not Configured

More Information

Configure Automatic Updates corresponds to AUOptions registry value. More information on this Policy can be obtained from here

Remove access to all Windows Update features corresponds to DisableWindowsUpdateAccess registry value. Also, when this Policy is enabled, the following errors are shown when accessing the Windows Update, depending upon the way you access the Windows Update page.

Network policy settings prevent you from using Windows Update to download and install updates on your computer. If you believe you have received this message in error, please check with your system administrator.

or

Error Windows Update was disabled by your system administrator.

How to insert your signature in Yahoo

1. SETUP

First, your signature animation must be uploaded to online web space,
Your ISP normally provides you with free webspace please contact your
providers to obtain the URL of this space if you don’t already know it.
You can also get free image hosting from many online sources such as:

Obtain your animated signature file and upload to your selected webspace.

You will then need to know the URL (online address) of the image.
which will look something like: http://www.myspace.com/mysig.gif
where myspace.com is your selected image host.
and mysig.gif is the signature file we sent you that you should have uploaded.
If you view this address in your browser, you should see your animated signature.

SEE YOUR CHOSEN HOSTING PROVIDERS FAQ’s FOR FULL DETAILS

---

Sign into your Yahoo mail account.  

On the left of the screen select ‘Mail Options’ :

Then select ‘General preferences’ :

Click on “color and graphics” option, or that it is selected as shown:

And

Back in the ‘Mail Options’ screen select ‘Signature’.

Now follow these steps (make sure you know the online address
where your signature image is stored)

Select ‘Color and Graphics’ and make sure both
‘Add signature to all outgoing messages’ & ‘View HTML Source’
are checked as shown below

1. Within the window enter the following:

<DIV><BR>
<img src=”http://www.myspace.com/mysig.gif“>
</DIV>

using the URL where you uploaded your sig file

2. Leave the rest blank and

Thats all you need to do for the setup.

---

2. SENDING YOUR SIGNATURE

Click on [Compose].

Compose your mail in the usual way

You will not see your animated signature on screen but have faith, click on send, and the recipient will be able to view it (you can always check the [Sent] mail folder to be sure)……that’s it!

ENJOY!

Dawn Wilkins [mailto:wilkinsdw@yahoo.com]

I had the most wonderful experience with your co. and especially your technician, Anirban Mazumdar! My computer was SO infected! He repaired everything! It took longer than even he anticipated and he was so patient! Quite a knowledgeable staff! I will not go anywhere else for future tech support and shall tell all my friends how great your co. is

Thank you and good karma to all

Dawn Wilkins

STACEY KRUEGER [mailto:thebestbullies@comcast.net]

I would like to take a moment to write to you regarding my expereince with iyogi and more importantly, with Anirban Mazumdar. 

My Outlook Express was giving me problems.  He initiated our conversation by telling me that to remedy the problem would take 30 minutes.  Almost 4 hours later, he fixed the problem and was successful in working through what no one else was able to help me with.

He was completely professional…and.. very patient and nice.  I was very stressed out and nervous, having just paid for a service that I knew nothing about and he gave me the service, as well as the reassurances that I need.

I would highly recommend iyogi to anyone who was having difficulty with their computer.

Thank you for your help!!

My best,

Stacey Krueger

Reference Links

Reference Linkshttp://www.download.com CNET owned download Site

http://www.tucows.com TUCOS is another great source of good freeware and shareware

http://www.winsite.com Another source of freeware

http://www.simtel.net a worldwide distribution network of freeware and shareware

http://www.hotfiles.com – ZDNET owned site that covers many of the daily downloads of freeware and share

http://www.jsiinc.com/reghack.htm Excellent source of tips and tricks

http://www.informit.com/free_library/ Free online library

http://www.geocities.com/marfer_mvp/xp_notes.htm Has lot of good stuff on Windows XP.

http://www.aumha.org/ has all the important compilation of links related with Windows

http://www.winguides.com Windows Guide Network provides technical resources and support for tweaking, managing and securing the Windows operating system using the registry, scripting and security

http://www.pro-networks.org/XPMaNiA/index.shtml XP MaNiA website Has lot of good stuff on Windows XP.

http://www.bootdisk.com Great site, full of XP resources, FAQ’s, Links, Forums

http://www.pccomputernotes.com/ A free introductory level, online computer training course, providing tutorials on computer hardware, software, operating systems, and basic troubleshooting.

http://www.webtree.ca/  Lots of links to win98 and XP tutorial sites. Offers online assistance, software downloads and much more

http://www.windowsnetworking.com/ Features a wealth of tutorials on various Windows networking related topics such as setting up Windows NT/XP/2000/2003 networks, troubleshooting, connectivity and more. Also includes a comprehensive archive of reviewed networking software.

http://www.windll.com/ Useful links to various windows software, system files and driver files

http://www.tekguide.net/ The Internet’s IT Directory

http://www.tipsdr.com/links.html Welcome to our collection of Windows XP Links, all of these sites offer some good windows xp stuff, windows xp tips, windows xp software, windows xp themes or just a bunch of good windows xp links.

http://www.theeldergeek.com/ The goal of The Elder Geek is to provide useful information about Windows XP

http://www.lockergnome.com/ Lots of useful technology related information, links to many sites, software downloads, tips and much more.

http://www.bovistech.com/ Lots of useful information on boot disks, system files, and links

http://www.netadmintools.com/ Network administration tools, forums, newsletter and much more

http://www.experts-exchange.com/ You have come to the most powerful IT resource in the world. Access instant solutions for your most demanding IT related  problems. Our vast IT library puts more IT information at your finger tips. You are moments away from finding your solution.

http://www.leeindy.com/ Has Collection of Interactive Tutorials For Windows XP.

http://www.xptuneup.com/ THE WINDOWS XP PRO TIPS, TRICKS, SECRETS & TUNE-UP SITE.
This site brings you tips, tricks, and how-to’s on fine tuning system performance for Windows XP. Find solutions for slow boots, internet/network speed, Windows XP customization, security, and many common XP problems

Registry Patches

Control Panel Restore	Restoring Control Panel and its Applets.
Drag and Drop Fix ( 2000/XP)	Fixes the Drag and Drop Ability in Win XP.
Send To …. Fix	Restores the loss of “Send to …..” functionality that sometimes occurs in Win XP.
Enable CD AutoRun	This is the fastest way to turn AutoRun On.
Disable CD AutoRun	This is the fastest way to turn AutoRun OFF.
Restore JPEG Preview capability in Explorer.	JPEG preview capability is sometimes lost. This file stands a good chance of restoring it.
Disable Prefetch	The “prefetcher” is part of Win XP’s memory management at startup. This patch disables it.
Repair Disk Clean Up	Disk Cleanup in Windows XP hangs during the “compress old files” phase, locking up the computer. This patch usually fixes that problem.
Restore Missing CD Drive	The popular CDGONE patch. CD drives may vanish in Windows Explorer, Device Manager, etc. This patch and a reboot usually will restore the missing drives.
Download More Files….	IE 5.x for Windows 2000 and IE 6.0 for Windows XP only permit (by default) two files to be downloaded at the same time. This Registry patch changes the default to 10. Edit the hex value to any number you wish.
Content Advisor Reset	Reset Content Advisor Settings To Default
Cryptographic Service	Restore Cryptographic Services
XP Security Console	Doug’s Windows XP Security Console
Spystem32 Folder Fix	System32 Folder Opens Upon Boot
Disable Unread Mail Message	Disable Unread Mail Message on Welcome Screen.
Enable Task Manager	Registry Fix to Enable Task Manager.
Disable Task Manager	Registry Fix to Disable Task Manager.
Disable Messenger	Disable Windows Messenger Fix.
Show Recycle Bin	Show Recycle Bin Fix For Windows XP
“Warning you are in danger”	“Warning you are in danger” Reg Fix for Windows XP
No Desktop Fix	Restore Taskbar and Start Menu.
My Documents Fix	My Documents Folder Opens Upon Boot for Windows XP
Content Advisor Reset Tool	Content Advisor Reset Tool for Windows XP
Dell MyWay Search Assistant Uninstaller	Dell MyWay Search Assistant Uninstaller
HP’s Share-to-Web Software Fix	HP’s Share-to-Web Software Fix
Set Internet Explorer to Full Screen	Set Internet Explorer to Full Screen

Registry Patches

 

Keys for entering the BIOS

Computer Type	BIOS Setup Key(s) for Entry
Acer®	F1, F2, CTRL+ALT+ESC
AST®	CTRL+ALT+ESC, CTRL+ALT+DEL
Compaq® 8700	F10
CompUSA®	DEL
Cybermax®	ESC
Dell® 400	F3, F1
Dell Dimension®	F2 or DEL
Dell Inspiron®	F2
Dell Latitude	Fn+F1 (While Booted)
Dell Latitude	F2 (On Boot)
Dell Optiplex	DEL, F2
Dell Precision™	F2
eMachine™	DEL
Gateway® 2000 1440	F1
Gateway 2000 Solo™	F2
HP® (Hewlett-Packard)	F1, F2
IBM®	F1
IBM E-pro Laptop	F2
IBM PS/2	CTRL+ALT+INS after CTRL+ALT+DEL
IBM Thinkpad® (newer)	Start|Programs|Thinkpad CFG
Intel® Tangent	DEL
Micron™	F1, F2, or DEL
Packard Bell®	F1, F2, or DEL
Sony® VIAO	F2
Tiger	DEL
Toshiba® 335 CDS	ESC
Toshiba Protégé	ESC
Toshiba Satellite 205 CDS	F1
Toshiba Tecra	F1 or ESC

System Recovery on Compaq

The system recovery program offers two recovery options: Standard Recovery (non- destructive) or Full System Recovery (destructive). Both recovery options require the recovery CD-ROMs that came with your Presario desktop.

Recovery option	Description
Standard Recovery	This is a non-destructive recovery, which recovers factory- shipped programs, drivers, and the operating system without affecting any data files that you may have created since purchasing this PC. Some data files may be difficult to find after the system recovery, so it is best to back up all hard disk files before performing a system recovery.
Full System Recovery	This recovery function completely erases and reformats the hard disk. The program performs a full system recovery to reinstall the operating system, programs, and drivers from the recovery CDs. However, you must reinstall any software that was not installed on the computer at the factory. This includes software that came on the CDs included in the computer accessory box, and software programs you installed since your purchase

NOTE:

If your PC has a blank or corrupted hard disk, you can only use the full system recovery option.

Using System Recovery

Use the following steps to run the system recovery program. It may be helpful to print these instructions before beginning the recovery process.

If the computer works, you can back up all data files that you want to save onto removable media, such as CD-RW or diskette. Remove the backup CD or diskette you’ve made.

Change the boot order in the BIOS

1. Turn off the computer:

   • If the computer works, click Start , click Turn Off Computer , and then click Turn Off .
   • If the computer is not in Windows, press and hold the power button approximately five seconds until the computer turns off.
2. Disconnect devices that are connected to USB, Firewire, parallel and serial ports, except the keyboard, and the mouse.
3. Turn on the computer.
4. When the color screen with the logo appears, press the F1 key on the keyboard until Entering SETUP is displayed. (You only have a few seconds to press the F1 key before the normal startup process continues.) Wait until the BIOS setup program opens.
5. Press the right arrow key to select Boot .
6. Press the down arrow key to select Boot Device Priority , and then press Enter on the keyboard.
7. Change the first boot device to CD-ROM using one of these methods:

   • Press the down arrow key to select the CD-ROM item. Press the + (plus) key to move the CD-ROM item up until it is the first item in the list.
   • Press the down arrow key to highlight the First Boot Device selection. Press the + (plus) key until CD-ROM is the selection.
   When installation is complete, return the BIOS to the original setting.

Start the recovery

1. Press the Eject button on the top CD-ROM drive, and wait for the tray to open. Insert the System Recovery CD #1 and close the tray.
2. Press the F10 key to save the changes and exit BIOS.
3. With Yes selected, press Enter .
4. The recovery window automatically starts; wait for the onscreen instructions to display, and then follow the instructions:

   • If your PC hard disk is blank or corrupted, press R to perform a full system recovery. Insert the remaining CDs when directed.
   • For standard recovery:

     1. Press R , and then press the R key again.
     2. Click Next to proceed with the non-destructive system recovery.
     3. Click Yes to start the recovery. Insert the remaining CDs when directed.
   • For full system recovery:

     1. Press R , and then press the F key again.
     2. Click Yes to perform the full system recovery.
     3. Insert the remaining CDs when directed.
5. When the recovery program finishes, click Restart to restart the computer.
6. Before the computer restarts, the CD tray ejects. Remove the CD.

Return the BIOS to the previous setting

1. When the color screen with the logo appears, press the F1 key on the keyboard until Entering SETUP is displayed. (You only have a few seconds to press the F1 key before the normal startup process continues.) Wait until the BIOS setup program opens.
2. Press the right arrow key to select Boot .
3. Press the down arrow key to select Boot Device Priority , and then press Enter on the keyboard.
4. Return the first boot device to the original setting using one of these methods:

   • Press the down arrow key or up arrow key to select the CD-ROM item. Press the minus key ( - ) key to move the CD-ROM item down until it is the third item in the list.
   • Press the down arrow key to highlight the First Boot Device selection. Press the plus ( + ) key until Floppy is the selection.
5. Press the F10 key to save the changes and exit BIOS.
6. Select Yes and press Enter .

Complete the recovery

After the computer restarts, a series of startup screens appear. Complete Microsoft Windows setup as follows:

1. Complete the registration process, and then reconnect the devices that were disconnected earlier.
2. Reinstall software that did not originally come with the computer.
3. Write data files that were previously saved on the backup CD or diskette you made from the hard disk.

How to download Mozilla from the command prompt?

Start > Run > type cmd> type the following one by one in different lines.

ftp ftp.osuosl.org

anonymous

cd /pub/mozilla.org/firefox/releases/2.0.0.11/win32/en-US/

mget *.exe

“Firefox Setup 2.0.0.11.exe”

Search for Firefox Setup 2.0.0.11.exe and you will find it.

Common Mail Servers & Ports

In the old days all email server’s were left “open” basically allowing anyone to transmit email though them.  As spam has become more of an issues, most companies have begun to “close” their email servers.  When a server is closed it will only allow select people to send email by requiring a password.  For instance only registered users of EarthLink can send email through EarthLink’s servers.  If you are having trouble sending email from your phone please check with your ISP to see if they require “SMTP Authentication,”  if so you will need to enter your email username and password under the SMTP Authentication window during setup.
Cingular/ATT Wireless SMTP Server
CWMX.com	SMTP PORT: 25
To avoid headaches Cingular/ATT has provided an SMTP server to transmit outgoing emails from your phone.  This server will only accept e-mail’s from a Cingular phone and does not require user authentication.  You can use this outgoing server for most email clients which come pre-installed on a Cingular/ATT Phone.
Verizon Wireless SMTP Server
VZWMAIL.com	SMTP PORT: 25
Verizon Wireless has also provided an outgoing server (vzmail.net) However, you must register with vtext.com first and then follow these instructions: Set up an account with vtext.com and establish a username and password for the website. Select Advanced options for SMTP Select SMTP Authentication Under username enter yourphonenumber@vzwmail.net Under password enter your password for vtext.com
Common Mail Servers and Ports
ADELPHIA
POP3: mail.adelphia.net	SMTP: mail.adelphia.net
POP3 PORT: 25	SMTP PORT: 110
AT&T (Before the YahooDSL Merge)
POP3: postoffice.worldnet.att.net	SMTP: mailhost.worldnet.att.net
POP3 PORT: 25	SMTP PORT: 110
AOL	MUST BE AN AOL MEMBER
IMAP: imap.aol.com	SMTP: smtp.aol.com
IMAP PORT: 143	SMTP PORT: 587
Notes:
Recommend  using Cingular’s SMTP Server Must Normalize Logon Name (Remove any spaces from logon name, “John Doe” becomes “JohnDoe”)
BELL SOUTH
POP3: mail.bellsouth.net	SMTP: mail.bellsouth.net
POP3 PORT: 25	SMTP PORT: 110
COMCAST
POP3: mail.comcast.net	SMTP: smtp.comcast.net
POP3 PORT: 25	SMTP PORT: 110
COMPUSERVE
POP3: pop.compuserve.com	SMTP: smtp.compuserve.com
POP3 PORT: 25	SMTP PORT: 110
COX – California	Or Click Here For More
POP3: pop.west.cox.net	SMTP: smtp.west.cox.net
POP3 PORT: 110	SMTP PORT: 25
EarthLink
POP3: pop.earthlink.net	SMTP: smtpauth.earthlink.net
POP3 PORT: 110	SMTP PORT: 25 (w/ password)
Free Serve
POP3: pop.freeserve.com	SMTP: Cingular or Verizon
POP3 PORT: 110	SMTP PORT: 25
GOOGLE – Gmail
POP3: pop.gmail.com	SMTP: smtp.gmail.com
POP3 PORT: 995(SSL ENABLE) IMAP PORT: 993(SSL ENABLE)	SMTP PORT: 465 (SSL ENABLE)
Be sure to turn on POP access in Google.  See Step By Step  for Outlook for advice.
Hotmail / Windows Live
Hotmail uses the HTTP protocol for connecting you to your mailbox. If you want to send and receive Hotmail emails using an email client software, then your software must support Hotmail HTTP access for your email account.  Clients, such as Outlook Express or Microsoft Outlook, offer support for Hotmail accounts, so you only have to select HTTP when you are asked to select your email account type and select Hotmail as the HTTP Mail Service Provider. Typically you can access your Hotmail account through the WAP or HTTP browser on your phone.  You may want to sign up for a G-Mail or FreeServe Account to access mail via the POP client from your phone.
Lycos
POP3: pop.mail.lycos.com	SMTP: smtp.mail.lycos.com
POP3 PORT: 110	SMTP PORT: 25
Mail.com
POP3: pop1.mail.com	SMTP: Cingular or Verizon
POP3 PORT: 110	SMTP PORT: 25
MSN – See Hotmail
Netscape
POP3:pop.3.isp.netscape.com	SMTP:smtp.isp.netscape.com
POP3 PORT: 110	SMTP PORT: 25 (SSL ENABLE)
PRODIGY
POP3:pop.prodigy.net	SMTP:smtp.prodigy.net
POP3 PORT: 110	SMTP PORT: 25 (SSL ENABLE)
SPRINT PCS
POP3: pop.sprintpcs.com	SMTP: smtp.sprintpcs.com
POP3 PORT: 110	SMTP PORT: 25
TimeWarner – San Diego
POP3: pop-server.san.rr.com	SMTP: smtp-server.san.rr.com
POP3 PORT: 110	SMTP PORT: 25
VERIZON
POP3: incoming.verizon.net	SMTP: outgoing.verizon.net
POP3 PORT: 110	SMTP PORT: 25
Please see additional steps for using vzwmail.net
Windows Live – See Hotmail
Yahoo
POP3: pop.mail.yahoo.com	SMTP: smtp.mail.yahoo.com
POP3 PORT :110	SMTP PORT: 25
Note: You must subscribe to Yahoo’s Premium service to access your email via POP, free accounts can not use this option.