Show Computer Manufacturer and Support Information

Show Computer Manufacturer and Support Information (All Windows) Popular

This tip lets you include company and support information on the System Properties page in Control Panel. This is especially useful if you run a computer store and want your customers to be reminded where they bought their PC and where to get technical support.

To add the manufacturer and support information you need to create two new files in the Windows system directly, normally "C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM" for Windows 95, 98 and Me and "C:\WINNT\SYSTEM32" for Windows NT and 2000.

The first file is a text file called "OEMINFO.INI". To create the file open notepad and copy the template below, make any changes and save the file in the System directory.

OEMINFO.INI Template

[General]
Manufacturer=Your Company, Inc.
Model=Your Computer Model
SupportURL=http://your.support.site/
LocalFile=c:\your\local\support\file.htm

[Support Information]
Line1=first line of support information
Line2=second line
Line3=third line
Line4=fourth line
...
LineN=nth line
; Create as many lines as you need by incrementing the Line number

The other file you need to create is a logo file. This is a standard Windows bitmap file (172 x 172 pixels), saved as "OEMLOGO.BMP" in the Windows System directory.

Once you have created both these files open System Properties from Control Panel and your company information and logo will be displayed. The details you entered in the [Support Information] section will show up when you click on the Support Information button.

Note: To display a logo you must create a 172x172 (pixel) bitmap image and save it as OEMLOGO.BMP in the Windows system directory.

Re-Initialize Your Registry Without Rebooting

Re-Initialize Your Registry Without Rebooting (All Windows) Popular

Some registry changes require you to restart Windows before they are enabled. This tip lets you re-initialize your registry and refresh your desktop without having to leave Windows.

Save your work before attempting this tip!

Press CTRL + ALT + DELETE, to bring up the Windows task list. Highlight 'Explorer' and click on 'End Task', if the Shutdown screen is shown, click 'Cancel'. After a few seconds an error message will popup, click on 'End Task' and the Windows explorer will be reloaded along with any new registry settings.

For Windows NT or 2000, press Ctrl + Alt + Delete and select "Task Manager". Choose the "Processes" tab and locate the "explorer.exe" process, highlight it and click "End Process". Select 'File -> New Task', then enter 'explorer' and click OK.

Hint: For other ways to launch the task manager have a look at this article.

Make the Columns Fit

Make the Columns Fit (All Windows) Popular

Want to quickly see all the column in explorer without having to resize them individually? This tip does it for you.

Simple press CTRL + + (press the plus button twice on the numeric keypad), this will adjust the column width so you can view the info in each column.

This tip may also work with programs based on the Windows explorer interface. Try it out!

Note: You may have to expand the window borders to see all the columns.

Close Parent Windows Automatically

Close Parent Windows Automatically (All Windows) Popular

Have you ever had a screen full of explorer windows on your desktop after digging through heaps of directories? This tip lets you close the current window and all it's parent windows in one easy step.

To close a folder and all its open parent folders, simply press the SHIFT key while clicking on its Close box or alternatively press ALT + SHIFT + F4.

Expand and Contract Folders With Ease

Expand and Contract Folders With Ease (All Windows) Popular

It can be a time-consuming process to expand a folder by clicking on the (+) for each and every sub-directory. This tip lets you expand and contract them all at once, with one keystroke.

While in any application that is based on the explorer interface (e.g. Windows Explorer) simple highlight the parent folder you wish to expand and press '*' (asterix on the keypad) and all the sub folders will expand out, press '-' (minus on the keypad) and they'll all contract back again.

Hint: This works in regedit.exe as well!

Launch the Task Manager Quickly

Launch the Task Manager Quickly (Windows NT/2000/XP) Popular

Launching the Task Manager can sometimes be difficult depending on the situation. Some people didn't know that the Task Manager can actually be launched in at least three different ways to make it easier to use when you need it the most.

• First Method:
  Press CTRL + ALT + DELETE and click on the 'Task Manager...' button on the Windows NT Security dialog.

• Second Method:
  Right click on the Windows NT taskbar and chose 'Task Manager...'

• Third Method:
  Press CTRL + SHIFT + ESC and the Task Manager will be launched instantly.