Autoplay. This is what happens when you insert removable media (e.g., memory stick, iPod) or connect an external drive. Anyway, I find it really annoying. When I connect media, a window comes up that asks me what I want to do with that type of media (open folder, play, etc.). It gives you an option to not have Windows ask you this again, but that option has never worked for me. Anyway, I have found out that Microsoft has a little webpage where people have written little add-ons for XP, kind of like open source, except it's semi-sponsored by Microsoft. The page is called Microsoft PowerToys, which I know sounds a little dirty. Anyway, one of these PowerToys is "Tweak UI," and it is a little program that lets you set all of these options that you don't otherwise have access to, or that you have to edit your registry to set. I just downloaded Tweak UI (make sure you get the right one, there are two on the page, don't get the one for that special processor), ran the install, and then started Tweak UI from the new PowerToys folder in my Start menu. Then, once Tweak UI is open, select (in Tweak UI) My Computer, and then Autoplay, and then Drives. Unclick all of the drives. It looks like this...
Then go to Types and unclick all of the types. Then this will never annoy you again. I had to restart my computer for it to take effect. Oh, the types window looks like this...
There are lots of other fun looking things on PowerToys. For instance, they have this program that you can set to have your camera take photos at a set interval while you're gone (Webcam Timershot). You're probably not as paranoid as I am, but I'm sure while I'm gone that my landlord is breaking in and taking naps in my bed. If I had a webcam (which I don't) I could catch him in the act. Also, for you serious photogs there is a cool screen color control application (to calibrate screen color easiliy, I think), and a RAW file format viewer/printer. I haven't tried these other PowerToys, but maybe soon...
Second, I have always had conflicts between my XP-based wireless card controller and the Linksys controller that came with the card. And I always get confused, because one loads before the other, and the icons don't show up correctly, and then things get screwed up. I did a little research and found that you should only have one or the other controller running. The XP controller works better, I think. You can turn off your Linksys controller by going to Start -> Run -> type in msconfig and hit return. Select the Startup tab. Then look for your wireless controller. Mine says "Wireless G Notebook Adapter" and says linksys in the command column. It looks like this...
While you're at it, you can turn off the following if you don't want them running: MS Messenger (MSMSGS), Qucktime Startup Loader (qttask), annoying HP software that starts at startup for any of you with HP printers (HP Digital Imaging Monitor), annoying iTunes software that starts at startup for you guys w iTunes (iTunesHelper). I don't find that these things do anything helpful, but the make my system tray huge, and seem to slow down my computer. They certainly make my computer take like twice as long to start Windows. Anyway, if turning off any of this stuff causes problems (like your wireless internet doesn't work or something), you can just come back here and turn it back on.
How's that for two nerdy blog posts in a row?
It rained like an SOB last night. Serious serious lightning. I loved it.
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