The Essence of Computer Maintenance

Essence of Computer Maintenance

When should BIOS or CMOS settings be adjusted?

It is well known that performing BIOS or CMOS settings is a very important system initialization task manually carried out by the operator based on the actual condition of the microcomputer. In the following situations, BIOS or CMOS settings must be performed:

1. New Microcomputer Purchase

Even systems with PnP functionality can only recognize some peripheral devices, and basic information such as floppy disk and hard drive parameters, current date, time, etc., must be set by the operator. Therefore, newly purchased microcomputers must go through CMOS parameter settings to inform the system of the entire computer's basic configuration status.

2. Addition of New Equipment

Since the system may not necessarily be familiar with the new equipment, it must be notified via CMOS settings. Additionally, if an IRQ or DMA conflict occurs between the new equipment and existing devices, it often needs to be resolved through BIOS settings.

3. Unexpected Loss of CMOS Data

In cases where the backup battery fails, CMOS data is disrupted by viruses, or CMOS parameters are accidentally cleared, it often leads to unexpected loss of CMOS data. At this point, you can only re-enter the BIOS setup sequence to perform new CMOS parameter settings.

4. System Optimization

For parameters such as memory read/write wait times, hard drive data transfer modes, internal/external cache usage, energy-saving protection, power management, and boot order, the default settings in the BIOS may not necessarily be optimal for the system. In such cases, it often requires multiple experiments to find the best combination for system optimization.

Open the case, locate the battery on the motherboard, and disconnect its connection to the motherboard (i.e., remove the battery). At this point, CMOS will lose all stored information due to power loss. Reconnect the battery, close the case, and turn on the computer. Since CMOS is now blank, it will no longer request a password. Enter the BIOS setup sequence and select "Load BIOS Default" (load BIOS default values) or "Load Setup Default" (load setup default values) from the main menu. The former starts the computer in the safest way, while the latter allows your computer to perform at a higher level.

Clever Use of Debug to Clear CMOS Password

If you have forgotten the password to enter the CMOS setup sequence, besides using the jumper shorting method on the motherboard, you can also use software to clear it. Below, we introduce how to clear the CMOS password under DOS.

Under the DOS command prompt, there is an editor called Debug, which is a very useful tool. To start it, simply type the command `debug` in the DOS command prompt to enter the Debug editing interface.

After entering the commands, restart the computer to clear the CMOS password. Below are five command lines to clear the CMOS password.

Method One:

-o 70 16

-o 71 16

-q

Method Two

-o 70 11

-o 71 ff

-q

Method Three

-o 70 10

-o 71 10

-q

Method Four

-o 70 23

-o 71 34

-q

Method Five

-o 70 10

-o 71 ff

-q

Method Six

-o 70 90

-o 71 91

-q

Installing Windows XP under DOS

Under the DOS environment of Windows 98, you can install Windows XP. Insert the Windows XP CD, then enter MS-DOS from the Start menu. In the MS-DOS environment, type `g:\setup.exe` (where `g` is the CD-ROM drive letter).

If you want to install from pure DOS, you can start with a boot disk, first load `smartdrv.exe` (copy `smartdrv.exe` from the Windows 98 installation CD or the Windows directory of Windows 98 to the boot disk and run `smartdrv.exe` at the DOS prompt), then run `winnt.exe` from the `\i386` directory.

Using the System Restore Tool in DOS

After the system completes the POST sound, press the F8 key before the Windows welcome screen appears. Then choose Safe Mode with Command Prompt from the menu, log in as Administrator, and at the command prompt, type `%systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe`. Follow the on-screen wizard to restore the system to a previous normal state.

The Role of Explorer.exe in the System

In any Windows operating system, a process named `explorer.exe` runs when the system is operational. This process primarily handles displaying icons on the desktop and the taskbar, and it has different utilities in various systems.

Usage in Windows 9x

In Windows 9x, this process is essential for running the system. If you terminate the `explorer.exe` process using the "End Task" method, the system will refresh the desktop and update the registry. Therefore, this method can also be used to quickly update the registry.

To do this:

Press Ctrl+Alt+Del to bring up the "End Task" dialog box. Select the "Explorer" option in the dialog box and click the "End Task" button. A "Close Windows" dialog box will appear. Click the "No" button. After a moment, another dialog box will appear notifying you that the program is not responding and asking if you want to end the task. Click the "End Task" button to update the registry and return to the Windows 9x environment. This is much more convenient than restarting the system.

Usage in Windows 2000/XP

In Windows 2000/XP and other Windows NT kernel-based systems, the `explorer.exe` process is not essential for system operation, so it can be terminated using the Task Manager without affecting normal system tasks. Open the programs you need, such as Notepad, then right-click the taskbar and select "Task Manager". Select the "Processes" tab, choose the `explorer.exe` process in the window, and click the "End Process" button. All icons and the taskbar on the desktop except for the wallpaper (excluding Active Desktop wallpapers) will disappear. However, you can still operate all software normally.

If you want to run other software but the desktop is empty, don't worry; here are two ways to cleverly open other software:

First Method: Press Ctrl+Alt+Del to bring up the "Windows Security" dialog box, click the "Task Manager" button (or directly press Ctrl+Shift+Esc), select the "Applications" tab in the Task Manager window, click "New Task", and in the "Create New Task" dialog box, enter the path and name of the software you want to open.

You can also choose "File → Open" in the currently running software. In the "Open" dialog box, click the "File Type" dropdown list, select "All Files", browse to the software you want to open, right-click it, and choose "Open" from the shortcut menu to launch the software you need. Note that at this point, you cannot open software by clicking the "Open" button; this method applies to most software, except the Office series.

By terminating the `explorer.exe` process, you can free up approximately 4520KB of system-used memory, undoubtedly speeding up system performance and freeing up valuable space for users with resource constraints.

Note: After restarting the `explorer.exe` process, some software icons in the system tray may disappear, but the software is still running normally. If you find this inconvenient, you can reopen the software to display the small icons.

Issues with Folder.htt and Other Files

Q12.2: Recently, I found two files, `desktop.ini` and `folder.htt`, in all my computer's folders, and they cannot be deleted. Someone said it's a virus, and formatting the system and other partitions would solve it. However, I can't format everything since I need my data. What should I do?

A: Your computer might be infected with the VBS.KJ script virus. This virus is written in VBScript and spreads via email on the internet or through file infection. It consumes a large amount of system resources, slowing down the machine, and parasitically infects through Windows Explorer ("Resource Manager"). It generates `desktop.ini` and `folder.htt` files (with hidden attributes) in every detected folder. Moreover, the virus modifies many registry keys. Manual deletion is difficult, so it is recommended to use antivirus software to eliminate the virus, avoiding the need to format your hard drive and protecting your data. Kingsoft Company's anti-virus emergency response center offers a specialized tool called "New Happy Time," which is quite effective and provides free downloads. Download link: ftp://www.iduba.net/download/othertools/scanvbskj.exe (size only 56KB!).

Issues with Found.000 Folder

Q: Sometimes, I see a folder named `found.000` in the root directory of my C: or D: drives, containing files with the `.chk` extension. There are also many strange files ending in `fff` in C:\Windows, all with a size of 0 bytes. What are these files? Can I delete them?

A: The files with the `.chk` extension in the `found.000` folder are "recovered lost cluster files" generated after using the "Disk Defragmenter" utility to defragment the hard drive. The files ending in `fff` in C:\Windows are created by `mdm.exe` (Machine Debug Manager). The main task of `mdm.exe` is to debug (debug) application software, and during the debugging process, temporary files are generated. These files are not automatically deleted when the operating system shuts down, so the strange files ending in `fff` and the `.chk` files in the `found.000` folder are useless junk files that can be safely deleted without affecting the system.

However, as long as `mdm.exe` exists in the system, strange files ending in `fff` may reappear. You can prevent this by stopping `mdm.exe` from running. First, press "Ctrl+Alt+Del," select "mdm" in the "End Program" window, and click the "End Task" button to stop `mdm.exe` from running in the background. Then rename `mdm.exe` (located in C:\Windows\System) to `mdm.bak`. Run `msconfig`, deselect "Machine Debug Manager" on the Startup page, and click "OK" to exit `msconfig`. Restart the computer. Additionally, if you use IE 5.x, it is recommended to disable script calls (click "Tools → Internet Options → Advanced → Disable Script Calls") to prevent strange files ending in `fff` from reappearing.

Maximizing IE Display

Q: I am using Windows 2000, and after some time online, I noticed that IE could not maximize. Even reinstalling IE did not solve the problem. What should I do?

A: In the "Run" dialog, type `regedit` to open the Registry Editor, navigate to `HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main`, and delete the `window_placement` key. In `HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Desktop\Old Work-Areas`, delete the `oldworkarearects` key. Close the Registry Editor, restart the computer, and maximize the IE window twice (i.e., "Maximize → Restore → Maximize"). Restart IE again, and it should work.

MFM1992 File Issue

Q: A window icon named `mfm1992` appeared on my desktop, located in C:\Windows\Desktop, occupying 45056 bytes. What is this file?

A: `mfm1992` is a record file for the Chinese input method "Smart ABC." The appearance of the `mfm1992` file in your computer is because you used "Smart ABC" as the method for Chinese input. This should be considered a bug in the "Smart ABC" input method. The file can be deleted at any time without affecting the system, so there is no need to worry.

Usage and Companion Messages of Regsvr32

For self-registering Object Linking and Embedding (OLE) controls, such as Dynamic Link Libraries (DLL) files or ActiveX controls (OCX) files, you can use the Regsvr32 tool (`regsvr32.exe`) to register and unregister them.

Usage of Regsvr32.exe

Regsvr32.exe has the following command-line options: regsvr32 [/u] [/n] [/i[:cmdline]] dllname

/u - Unregister server

/i - Call DllInstall passing it an optional [cmdline];

when used with /u calls Dll Uninstall

/n - Do not call DllRegisterServer; this option must

be used with /i

When you use regsvr32.exe, it attempts to load the component and call its DllSelfRegister function. If successful, regsvr32.exe displays a dialog box indicating success. If unsuccessful, regsvr32.exe returns an error message that may include a Win32 error code. To check the list of Win32 error codes, refer to the Microsoft website below:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/en-us/netdir/adsi/win32_error_codes.asp

For example, to manually register the Sample.ocx ActiveX control, type the following command at the MS-DOS prompt:

c:\regsvr32.exe sample.ocx

Regsvr32.exe Error Messages

The following list explains regsvr32 error messages and possible causes.

Unrecognized flag: /invalid_flag

The entered flag or switch combination is invalid (refer to the "Usage of Regsvr32.exe" section in this article).

No DLL name specified.

No .dll filename was included (refer to the "Usage of Regsvr32.exe" section in this article).

Dllname was loaded, but the DllRegisterServer or DllUnregisterServer entry point was not found.

Dllname is not a .dll or .ocx file. For example, typing regsvr32 wjview.exe will generate this error message.

Dllname is not an executable file and no registration helper is registered for this file type.

Dllname is not an executable file (.exe, .dll, or .ocx). For example, typing regsvr32 autoexec.bat will generate this error message.

Dllname was loaded, but the DllRegisterServer or DllUnregisterServer entry point was not found.

Dllname may not have been exported, or there may be a corrupted version of Dllname in memory. Consider using pview to detect and delete the file.

Dllname is not self-registerable or a corrupted version is in memory.

For example, typing regsvr32 icwdial.dll returns this error message because the icwdial.dll file cannot self-register. If you suspect there is a corrupted version of dllname in memory, try restarting the computer or re-extracting the original version of the file. If you are running Windows NT, you may need to use the Kill or Pview tools from the Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 Resource Kit. For more information, click to check the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article:

197155 How to Terminate Orphaned Processes

OleInitialize failed (or OleUninitialize failed).

Regsvr32 must first initialize the COM library before calling the required COM library functions and uninitializing the library upon closing. If initializing or uninitializing the COM library fails, these error messages will appear. For example, the ole32.dll file may be corrupted or its version may be incorrect.

LoadLibrary("dllname") failed. GetLastError returns 0x00000485

In winerror.h, 0x00000485 = 1157 (ERROR_DLL_NOT_FOUND), indicating "a required library file for running this application is not found." For example, typing regsvr32 missing.dll returns this error message if the missing.dll file cannot be found.

LoadLibrary("dllname") failed. GetLastError returns 0x00000002

In winerror.h, 0x00000002 = 2 (ERROR_FILE_NOT