MS-Windows NT Tips

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Q: How do I turn off the print notification in NT 4.0? My Event Log is full of valid print s making it very difficult to see real messages.

A: Select the Printers program, choose File, Properties from the menu and then the Advanced tab on the properties screen, you can select the level of logging you need.

Q: How can I bypass the NT logon, so the system will logon when booted?

A: This does have a security implications of course, but it is possible. Firstly, the NT Resource Kit has an autologon program, alternatively you can make these changes to the registry, find the key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionWinlogon

Assign the correct domain and account name details to:

DefaultDomainName
DefaultUserName

Add DefaultPassword (data type REG_SZ) with the correct password.
Add AutoAdminLogon (data type REG_SZ) with the value of 1.

Q: Can I turn off the CD Autostart feature, I have to continually switch between a number of product CD's and I'm fed up with them starting up the Install programs each time.

A: The quick fix is hold down the Shift key while loading the CD. For a more permanent fix, set the value 0 (that's zero) to the registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesCdrom

Q: Can I change the logon bitmap?

A: Replace WINNT.BMP or WINNT256.BMP in the C:WINNT directory with the picture of your choosing.

Q:Can I update the repair directory unattended?

A:Type RDisk /s- at the command prompt. It updates your repair directory without any user convention. Try scheduling it on a regular basis. Some day you'll be glad you did.

Q:Can I access the SAM or SYSTEM keys of the registry?

A: Type AT [Time] Regedt32.exe /interactive at the command prompt. When RegEdt32 starts, the SAM and SYSTEM key are open for you. This only works when the scheduler service is running with the System account. A possible use for this is to audit the changes made to the administrator account, without auditing the changes to other users. Otherwise it's nice to finally see what's in there.

Q: Can I disable IP ports?

A: The advanced button at the TCP/IP Properties Window, brings you to a place where you can disable TCP/IP ports. Especially usefull if your network adapter is connected to the internet (do you want the world to use any port but port 80 ?).

Q:Is "Last logged on" information correct?

A: If you use NLTEST.EXE to find the last logged on info, don't forget this information is for the local server only. Other servers may also have logged in the users.

Q:Is there an alternative to logging in at the console for all applications?

A: The NT Resource Kit, provides you with the autoexnt.bat service. When started, this service starts the file autoexnt.bat. You can start the application from this batch file without the need for a locally logged on user.

Q:How do I batch up Yes and No answers for the NET command?

A: Net command comes with the parameters /Y and /N. Undocumented, but it's there. You can use the parameters /Y and /N to answer the Yes or No questions that come with some Net functions (For example: Net Share ... /delete).

Q: Can I change a user's registry settings remotely?

A: First make sure the user is not logged on. After that start Regedt32.exe and Highlight HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE . Select Load Hive from the Registry Menu. Open the file NTUser.dat in the user's profile directory. Give a name to the newly loaded Hive (like Temp). Now you van edit the registry settings that are found in that key. When your done unload the hive using the registry menu. After the user logs in again, the changed settings are found under HKEY_CURRENT_USER.

Q: How do I troubleshoot scheduled jobs?

A: Type AT [Time] cmd.exe /interactive at the command prompt. When the command prompt pops up, enter the exact command that is scheduled. This way you might get an idea of what's going on, because you will see the error messages. Also, never forget that scheduled jobs are actually run from the Winnt\System32 directory (default). When double clicking an item from your explorer however, your program or script will run from the directory where it's located. This often is the reason why double clicking works fine, but scheduling the same item, results in errors.