The Registry Keys and Their Subkeys

Tips and Tricks

Redetect Your Hardware
If you've looked at the hardware configuration entries in the Registry, you know that they're next to impossible to figure out. So what should you do if your hardware configuration seems to be completely messed up? Let the Hardware Wizard redetect it!

In the Control Panel, click on 'Add New Hardware'. Click 'Next' and choose 'Yes' to let Windows automatically detect the hardware that is installed in your computer. Follow the instructions as the Wizard works. If it doesn't find your hardware, then try removing it first from the Device Manager and restarting your computer. It should find your hardware on startup. Make sure you have your Windows Installation Disk and current drivers for the hardware you're reinstalling.

One stubborn network card I had to completely remove from its expansion slot. Restart the computer without it. Turn the computer off. Reinstall the card, and restart Windows, before it was recognized. Don't give up.

Add Sounds for Different Events in a Program
Ever notice that some programs have sound associated with a few of their events. You may get a "Tah Dah" when Windows starts up, or the sound of a flushing toilet when you empty the Recycle Bin.

Everyone knows you can change, and assign, these sounds to the particular events in the Control Panel under 'Sounds'. But, what if you want a sound associated with a different application's events.

In the Registry Editor, navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\AppEvents\Schemes\Apps . Right-click on the 'Apps' key and create a new subkey with the same name as the program. Create new subkeys under the program's subkey for each event, such as Open and Close. (Take a look at the other entries for events).

Close the Registry Editor. Now go into the Control Panel and double-click on 'Sounds'. Your program will show up in the list and you can change the sounds associated with each event. ... Thanks Justin. I haven't seen this one before.

Stop Those Programs From Starting
Sometimes, the number of programs or TSRs that show up in your system tray are ridiculous. These programs are taking up valuable resources, even if its only a small amount!

So you check your StartUp file to see if its there. Then you check the Win.ini file to see if you can get rid of the darn thing. Go to:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current-Version\Run

Maybe you'll find it there. Check out the other keys in this area that start with run also.

Also, look at:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current-Version\Run

In Windows 98 and ME, there's a great program that will help you out with this, right on the Start Menu. Just click on:

START/PROGRAMS/ACCESSORIES/SYSTEM TOOLS/SYSTEM INFORMATION

Under the TOOLS menu, there's a utility called System Configuration Utility. Click on that and choose the Startup tab. All the files you see with check marks are starting up automatically when Windows starts. To prevent them from starting, just remove the check mark.

Until next month...

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