Windows XP 100 tips tricks (17)

How to Quickly Lock Your Computer and Use Other Windows Logo Shortcut Keys
This article describes how to quickly lock your computer as well as the other Windows logo shortcut keys that you can use.
Windows XP includes a new Microsoft Natural Keyboard shortcut to lock your computer.
Any other compatible keyboard that includes the Windows logo key and the Application key can also perform this task.
To use this shortcut:
· Press the Windows logo key + L.
The following list has different computer lock-up scenarios that are available to you, as well as other ways to lock the computer:
Fast User Switching Enabled
If the Fast User Switching feature is enabled and you lock the computer, you can observe the same behavior as if you switched users: The computer returns to the Welcome screen and other users can log on to the computer.
Fast User Switching Disabled
If the Fast User Switching feature is disabled and you lock the computer, the Unlock Computer dialog box is displayed that requires the current logged-on user to enter a password to unlock the computer.
Welcome Screen Enabled
If the Welcome screen is enabled, the computer can also be locked if you press Ctrl+Alt+Del (to open Task Manager), and then click Lock Computer or click Switch User on the Shut Down menu.
Note: The ability to observe "Lock Computer" or "Switch User" on the Shut Down menu is dependent upon whether or not the Fast User Switching feature is enabled.
Welcome Screen Disabled
If the Welcome screen is disabled, you can lock the computer if you press Ctrl+Alt+Del, and then click Lock Computer in the Windows Security dialog box.
In all of the preceding scenarios, the "Windows logo key + L" shortcut can lock the computer. If you do not have a password that is set for your user account, anyone can unlock your computer. To set a password for your user account: In Control Panel, double-click User accounts, select your user account, and then click Create a password.

Prevent a User From Running or Stopping a Scheduled Process in Windows XP
This step-by-step article describes how to prevent a user from running or stopping a scheduled process in Windows XP.
There are occasions where is not advisable to run a scheduled process before the intended date and time, or when an administrator doesn't want a user to add new scheduled processes to the computer. You can use the following procedures to enable maximum control over what can be done with the Scheduler service.
· Click Start > Run, type mmc, and then click OK.
· On the File menu, click Add/Remove Snap-in. On the Standalone tab, click Add.
· In the Available Standalone Snap-ins list, click Group Policy, and then click Add.
In the Select Group Policy object box, click Local Computer to edit the local Group Policy object, or click Browse to find the Group Policy object that you want.
· Click Finish, click Close, and then click OK. The Group Policy snap-in opens the Group Policy object for editing.
· Expand either the User Configuration or Computer Configuration branch, and then expand Administrative Templates, Windows Components, Task Scheduler.
· Double-click Prevent Task Run or End, click Enabled, and then click OK.

Use ClearType to Enhance Screen Fonts in Windows XP
This step-by-step article describes how to enable ClearType to sharpen fonts on your Windows XP display. ClearType enhances your display by smoothing the edges of screen fonts. ClearType works especially well on Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) devices, including flat screen monitors and laptop computers.
· Click Start > Control Panel > Appearance and Themes > Display.
· On the Appearance tab, click Effects.
· Click to select the Use the following method to smooth edges of screen fonts check box, and then click ClearType in the list.

How to Customize ClearType
You can adjust the contrast setting for ClearType for your personal preference.
Although there are no tools or settings in Windows XP for doing this, the following Microsoft Web site includes tools to turn ClearType on or off, and to adjust the contrast:
http://www.microsoft.com/typography/cleartype/cleartypeactivate.htmback to the top Display Appears Blurry ClearType is designed to enhance LCD displays. ClearType may appear slightly blurry on standard desktop monitors and on some LCD displays. You may be able to improve this by customizing ClearType as described in the "How to Customize ClearType" section of this article.
In rare cases, perceived blurriness is caused by a manufacturing anomaly on LCD displays in which the normal striping of red-green-blue is reversed with blue-green- ed.
Currently, there is no support in Windows XP ClearType to compensate for this anomaly.
This could be the problem in cases in which none of the ClearType contrast settings look good on a particular LCD display. In those cases, it may be best to turn off ClearType.

Color Setting Must Support ClearType
To use ClearType, you must have a video adapter and monitor that support a color setting of at least 256 colors. Best results are achieved with High color (24-bit) or Highest color (32-bit) support.
To change the color quality:
· Click Start > Control Panel > Appearance and Themes > Display.
· On the Settings tab, in the Color quality list, click a different color setting.

source:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/191328/Windows-Xp-100-Tips-Tricks