suggestions?

[lib319]

I've just put xp pro onto my pc as part of a triple boot (pretty much just to get a feel for xp as I've never used it before) with 98se & 2000pro.

Does anyone have any suggestions for things to do with it to help me get my bearings? I mean taking advantage of all the bells and whistles etc, intersting tweaks, fancy stuff, themes(?), freeware addon downloads...etc

I don't know if I would make xp my primary OS (I spent 30 mins making it look like win98!) but I would like to see what it can do.

Anything considered!

cheers

lib

[Budfred]

Check out Black Viper's (http://www.blkviper.com/WinXP/servicecfg.htm) tweaks and suggestions....

[PrntRhd]

Obviously you don't need constant system restore images filling up your HDD, and don't need Xp phoning home instead of doing your work for you.

XpTweak UI and PowerToys are useful.

SP-1 and Windows Update patches are Critical. A proper software firewall is needed too, the one in Xp is pretty bad.

Obtaining proper drivers and hardware compatability are still major issues for me on my Xp notebook. Sharing files on a network can be an adventure too.

NAV2004 deactivation scare isn't making life easier either.

System restore has saved me twice so far, restored in the field in minutes when spooler got all balled up once, and when Adobe Reader 6.0 got everything balled up a second time. Just do a restore point before loading a big change and it gives you confidence.

[lib319]

Thanks for these, Black Viper's tweaks are very informative. What does XP phone home about? and should I be worried?!

Every OS I've installed I've put a control panel shortcut onto the quick launch toolbar, at first glance you don't appear to be able to do this in XP(?)

thanks again

lib

[shanmuga]

One way is,

Create a new tool bar on the task bar,
1. right click on the task bar
2. select toolbars,click on newtoolbar browse to ' my computer',
click ok.
3. Now drag control panel from the 'my computer' toolbar
to the quick launch bar.
4. If you dont want 'my computer' on the taskbar
reverse the 1st three steps.

[pave_spectre]

XP seems to try and 'phone home' about a great many things, even Windows Explorer can attempt to contact Micro$haft for no apparent reason.

Make sure to use a suitable firewall such as Kerio, Sygate or ZoneAlarm, to block unwanted applications from connecting to the internet.