A description of the differences between 32-bit versions of Windows Vista and 64-bit versions of Windows Vista

Architecture	Windows Vista, 32-bit versions	Windows Vista, 64-bit versions
System requirements	1-gigahertz (GHz) 32-bit (x86) processor or 64-bit (x64) processor, 512 MB of RAM	1-GHz 64-bit (x64) processor, 1 GB of RAM (4 GB recommended)
Memory access	A 32-bit version of Windows Vista can access up to 4 GB of RAM.	A 64-bit version of Windows Vista can access from 1 GB of RAM to more than 128 GB of RAM.
Memory access per edition	All 32-bit versions of Windows Vista can access up to 4 GB of RAM.	Windows Vista Home Basic - 8 GB of RAM Windows Vista Home Premium - 16 GB of RAM Windows Vista Business - 128 GB of RAM or more Windows Vista Enterprise - 128 GB of RAM or more Windows Vista Ultimate - 128 GB of RAM or more
DEP	32-bit versions of Windows Vista use a software-based version of DEP.	64-bit versions of Windows Vista support hardware-backed DEP.
Kernel Patch Protection (PatchGuard)	This feature is not available in 32-bit versions of Windows Vista.	This feature is available in 64-bit versions of Windows Vista. Kernel Patch Protection helps prevent a malicious program from updating the Windows Vista kernel. This feature works by helping to prevent a kernel-mode driver from extending or replacing other kernel services. Also, this feature helps prevent third-party programs from updating (patching) any part of the kernel.
Driver signing	Unsigned drivers may be used with 32-bit versions of Windows Vista.	64-bit versions of Windows Vista require that all device drivers be digitally signed by the developer.
32-bit driver support	32-bit versions of Windows Vista support 32-bit drivers that are designed for Windows Vista.	64-bit versions of Windows Vista do not support 32-bit device drivers.
16-bit program support	32-bit versions of Windows Vista support 16-bit programs, in part.	64-bit versions of Windows Vista do not support 16-bit programs.

Install Windows xp in less than 15 minutes

Now, this tip will be very helpful for those who frequently install windows xp operating system. Normally OS installation takes around 40 minutes to complete, but through this trick you can now save 10-15 minutes. This simple tricks goes this way.

1. Boot through Windows XP CD.

2. After all the files are completely loaded, you get the option to select the partition. Select “c”.

3. Now Format the partition, whether it is normal or quick with NTFS or FAT

4. Once the formatting is completed, All the setup files required for installation are copied. Restart your system by pressing Enter.

Now, here begins the Simple trick to save 10-15 minutes.

5. After rebooting, you get a screen where it takes 40 minutes to complete or finalize the OS installation.

6. Now, Press SHIFT + F10 Key ->  This opens command prompt.

7. Enter “Taskmgr” at the command prompt window. This will open Task Manager.

8. Click the Process Tab, here we find a process called Setup.exe -> Right Click on Setup.exe -> Set Priority -> Select High or Above Normal. Initially it will be Normal.

Thats it, no more work to do. Relax your self and see how fast the installation process completes

Internet Connection Sharing on Windows XP

Internet Connection Sharing on Windows XP

This trick shows you how to share your internet connections on multiple computers within a workgroup with Windows XP. Windows XP has a built-in feature that called "Internet Connection Sharing" (ICS) that allows home users to share their internet connections on multiple computers.
If you are not familiar with the network configurations, the easiest way to share your internet connection is to purchase a router or hub. Use this trick only if you don't have a router, or don't want to use a router, or if you just want to try out the feature.
A simple way to understand this feature is, you are making your host computer (the computer directly connects to the internet) functioning as a router for other computers.

What do you need?

• A "Host" computer that running Windows XP. This computer must have at least TWO (2) network adapters. One adapter - let's call it "Adapter #1" - connects to the internet and another, "Adapter #2", connects to a hub or directly to other computers.
• Client computer(s), which run any version of Windows. A client computer can be connected to the host computer directly by a cross-over cable or indirectly through a hub.
• This trick assumes that the host computer is connected to the internet and you are able to access the internet on this computer.

Configure the Host Computer

1. Logon the host computer as Administrator.
2. Click Start >> Control Panel.
3. Click Network and Internet Connections.
4. Click Network Connections.
5. Right-click the connection that you use to connect to the internet (the connection with Adapter #1). This connection can be either a high-speed internet connection or a dial-up connection.
6. Click Properties.
7. Click Advanced tab.
8. Under Internet Connection Sharing, select the Allow other network users to connect through this computer's Internet connection check box.
9. If you are sharing a dial-up Internet connection, select the Establish a dial-up connection whenever a computer on my network attempts to access the Internet check box if you want to permit your computer to automatically connect to the Internet.
10. Click OK. You'll reieve the following message:
    When Internet Connection Sharing is enabled, your LAN adapter will be set to use IP address 192.168.0.1. Your computer may lose connectivity with other computers on your network. If these other computers have static IP addresses, it is a good idea to set them to obtain their IP addresses automatically. Are you sure you want to enable Internet Connection Sharing?
11. Click Yes.

Configure the Client Computer(s)
To use the shared connection from the Host computer, a client computer must be configured with "Automatic IP address". The main configurations are:

1. Configure TCP/IP Automatic IP
2. Configure Internet Connection

The steps for the above two configurations are vary on different versions of Windows.
The following procedures are for Windows XP client computers.

Log on to the client computer as Administrator or as Owner. Click Start >> Control Panel. Click Network and Internet Connections. Click Network Connections. Right-click Local Area Connection, and then click Properties. Click the General tab, click Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) in the This connection uses the following items list, and then click Properties. In the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties dialog box, click Obtain an IP address automatically (if it is not already selected), and then click OK. Click Start >> Control Panel Click Network and Internet Connections. Click Internet Options. In the Internet Properties dialog box, click the Connections tab. Click the Setup button. The New Connection Wizard starts. On the Welcome to the New Connection Wizard page, click Next. Click Connect to the Internet, and then click Next. Click Set up my connection manually, and then click Next. Click Connect using a broadband connection that is always on, and then click Next. On the Completing the New Connection Wizard page, click Finish. Exit Control Panel and test the internet. You might need to restart the computer.

Burn CD without software in Windows XP

Burn a CD on Windows XP without using software

Windows XP comes with a builtin CD-copy feature that not many people are aware of. Although almost everyone has his/her favorite CD-copy software to stick with, it is still good to know about this CDR feature from Windows XP. You will find it very useful when you come to another PC that doesn't have a CD-copy software, and you can't just install your favorite software to it. With this feature, you can write some data or MP3 files to a CD/DVD, or erase a re-writable CD/DVD.

If you're using a Re-Writable CD (CD-RW), make sure the disc is blank. You might need to erase (or "format") it before use. For information how to erase a CD-RW on Windows XP without using any other software, see this article. 

Requirements: You need to enable the CD-R feature on Windows XP. If you haven't done so, see this article.

1. Insert a Formated-ReWritable CD or a Recordable (CD-R) disc into the CD drive.
2. From Desktop, double-click on "My Computer".
3. Navigate to the files/folders you want to copy to CD. Select them and press "Ctrl-c" to copy.
4. Browse back to the CD-ROM, and press "Ctrl-V" to paste. The files/folders will show up as temporary files/folders at this time.
   
   
5. On the left panel, select "Write these files to CD".
   
   
6. The window "CD Writing Wizard" appears with the default CD name. Change the CD name if you wish, then click "Next".
   
   
7. The "CD Writing Wizard" starts to write files/folders to the CD:
   
   
8. Once the writing process is complete, the wizard will disappear and the CD-Rom will be ejected.

Windows XP Secrets

Windows XP Secrets

Notepad Secrets

Create a log Open Notepad On the very first line, type in ".LOG" (without quotes) then press Enter for a new line Now you can type in some text if you want, then save the file. Next time when you open the file, notice its contents. Notepad automatically adds a time/date log everytime you open the file. Text becomes unreadable Open Notepad On the very first line, type in "dont eat the donut" (without quotes) then save and close the file. Note: the file should have only one line of the text above. Now, open the same file. You'll notice the text becomes unreadable squares. (try this with different text with the same format and length).

Paint Secrets

Create a trail image Open Paint, then open an image. Right-click on the image and select "Select All" Now hold the "Shift" key and move the image around. The image will be drawn with trail. 10x Zoom Open Paint, then open a small image. Select the zoom "Magnifier" tool. Windows Paint lists out the zoom options from 1x to 8x, but there is a 10x... After selecting the Magnifier tool, point the mouse right at the border line right under "8x" and left-click. There you go.. the hidden 10x.

Other Secrets

Where is the relaxing music that you've heard during Windows XP Installation? The file is in: C:\Windows\system32\oobe\images\title.wma

Game Secrets

Solitaire: Instant Win Press Alt + Shift + 2 to instantly win  Solitaire: Draw only 1 card (instead of 3) Hold down Ctrl + Alt + Shift then click on unopen cards to draw.  FreeCell: Instant Win Hold down Ctrl + Shift + F10 while playing, then click Abort. Now move one card.  FreeCell: Hidden Game Modes Go to "Game" menu choose "Select Game" Here you can choose from game mode 1 to 1,000,000. But -1 and -2 will also work (hidden modes)  Hearts: Show All Card Warning! this requires a modification on your registry. Be sure you follow the steps carefully. Damage your registry might damage your Windows. Open the "Registry Editor" by: "Start" >> "Run" then type "regedit" and press Enter Expand to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Applets\Hearts Right-click on the right panel and create a new String value with the name "ZB" Double-click to open this key "ZB" to edit its value. Then enter "42" and close the Registry Editor. Start Hearts and Press Ctrl + Alt + Shift + F12 to show all the cards  Minesweeper: Stop The Timer When you start to play a new game, the timer is ticking... Press Windows Key + D to show desktop. Now come back to the game by selecting it from the taskbar. The timer is stopped.  Pinball Unlimited Balls: Type bmax at a new game to get unlimited balls (no notification). Extra Balls: Type 1max at a new game to get extra balls. Gravity Well: Type gmax at a new game to activate Gravity Well. Promotion: Type rmax at a new game or while playing to get instant promotion and raising rank. Extra points with partial shots: Partially shot the ball just to pass the yellow light bars. There are 6 bars. With the first bar, you'll get 15,000 points, 2nd: 30,000,... Extra points with partial shots: Partially shot the ball just to pass the yellow light bars. There are 6 bars. With the first bar, you'll get 15,000 points, 2nd: 30,000,... Test Mode: Type hidden test with a new ball or new game. Now you can use your mouse to drag and move the ball where you want.