How to Use the SPCheck Tool in Windows XP

You can use SPCheck to determine the service pack level of various installed
components on Windows XP-based computers. SPCheck generates a report that lists
the origin of each file for each installed component. SPCheck reports the current
service pack level for the following components:
• Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)
• NWLink (IPX/SPX)
• Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP)
• Client for Microsoft Networks
SPCheck examines each component, one file at a time. SPCheck must run under a
security context that is equivalent to the local Administrator account. If SPCheck
does not run under this security context, files may be reported as missing even
though they are installed. SPCheck searches for files by using the PATH system
environment variable. If files are reported as missing (although they are installed),
make sure that the folder or folders in which the component is installed are included
in the PATH system environment variable.

Windows XP Stops Responding (Hangs) During Windows Shutdown

When you shut down your computer, Microsoft Windows XP may stop responding
(hang) while the following message is displayed:
Saving your settings.
When this occurs, you may be able to move the mouse pointer, but when you press
CTRL+ALT+DEL, nothing happens. This issue may occur only occasionally.
This behavior can occur if the Input Method Editor (IME) is installed on your
computer and is enabled for use in the Welcome Screen.

Managing Windows XP in a Windows 2000 Server Environment

Deploying clients running the Windows XP operating system into a Windows 2000
Server environment provides administrators with new options, policy settings, and
capabilities to manage desktops throughout an organization.
Intended for organizations that have already deployed or are planning to deploy the
Active Directory service, this article helps administrators manage policy settings for
computers running Windows XP, the successor to Windows 2000 Professional. Many
new features of Windows XP—such as Remote Assistance, Windows Media Player,
and Error Reporting—come with their own Group Policy settings that administrators
can use to customize and standardize configurations for users and computers across
the network.

One-Click Shutdown

If you have Clean Sweep Deluxe, Mike recommends that you disable it before
proceeding. Follow these directions to create a one-click shutdown shortcut:
1. Navigate to your desktop.
2. On the desktop, right-click and go to New, then to Shortcut (in other words,
create a new shortcut).
3. You should now see a pop-up window instructing you to enter a command line
path.
4. Enter one of these as the path:
o Use this path if your operating system is Windows 95, 98, or Me:
C:\windows\rundll.exe user.exe,exitwindows
o Use this path if your operating system is XP:
SHUTDOWN -s -t 01
If the C: drive is not your local hard drive, then replace "C" with the correct
letter of the hard drive.
5. Click the "Next" button.
6. Name the shortcut and click the "Finish" button.
Now whenever you want to shut down, just click on this shortcut and you're done.
Also, if you want to make life better and faster, you can right-click the new shortcut
you just made, go to Properties, and type in X (or whatever letter) in the Shortcut
Key box.

HOW TO: Enable Windows XP Automatic Wireless Network Configuration

This step-by-step article describes how to enable Windows XP automatic wireless
network configuration. Windows XP makes it easy to set up your computer for
wireless networking on any 802.11b standard wireless network.
Wireless networking is integrated into Windows XP and can be set up quickly with the
Windows XP automatic networking Setup. All you need is a 802.11b wireless adapter
installed on the mobile device, and an operating 802.11b standard wireless network.

You Cannot Log On to Windows XP After Running the Out-of-Box Experience

You may not be able to log on to your new Windows XP-based computer, or a
computer in which Windows XP was installed from an installation source created by
your administrator with Sysprep, after you run the Wizard, also called Out-of-Box
Experience (OOBE), that runs when you first turn on the computer. You may also
receive the following error message
System error lsass.exe:
When trying to update a password the return status indicates that the value provided
as the current password is not correct.
This problem occurs if your computer is restarted during the Wizard (OOBE). If this
occurs, OOBE cannot flush the Machine registry key before the computer is restarted.

MIRC Trojan-Related Attack Detection and Repair

UPDATE: As of September 6, 2002, reports of malicious activity that follow the
particular pattern that is outlined in this article have lessened significantly. The
Microsoft Product Support Services Security Team has modified this Microsoft
Knowledge Base article to reflect this information and to refine suggestions for
detection and repair criteria.
Microsoft has investigated an increase in malicious activity that tries to load code on
Microsoft Windows 2000-based servers. This activity is typically associated with a
program that has been identified as Backdoor.IRC.Flood.
By analyzing computers that have been compromised, Microsoft has determined that
these attacks do not appear to exploit any new product-related security
vulnerabilities and do not appear to be viral or worm-like in nature. Instead, the
attacks seek to take advantage of situations where standard precautions have not
been taken as detailed in the "Prevention" section of this article. The activity appears
to be associated with a coordinated series of individual attempts to compromise
Windows 2000-based servers. As a result, successful compromises leave a distinctive
pattern.