Windows XP 100 tips tricks (9)

Customize the Start menu
The Start menu gets more real estate in XP than in previous versions, and it's more customizable. To make the Start menu display only the applications you want, rather than the default determined by Microsoft:
· Right-click in an empty section of the Start menu's left column.
· Select Properties > Start Menu > Customize. Here you'll find a list of your most frequently used programs. (XP keeps track of what you use and what you don't, then updates this list dynamically).
Don't want your boss to know that Pinball, Solitaire, and Quake all make your list?
· Go to the General tab, click Clear List, and set the counter to zero.

Internet Connection Sharing
To enable Internet Connection Sharing on a network connection:
· Open Network Connections.
· Click the dial-up, local area network, PPPoE, or VPN connection you want to share.
· Then, under Network Tasks, click Change settings of this connection.
· On the Advanced tab, select the Allow other network users to connect through this computer's Internet connection check box.
· If you want this connection to dial automatically when another computer on your home or small office network attempts to access external resources, select the Establish a dial-up connection whenever a computer on my network attempts to access the Internet check box.
· If you want other network users to enable or disable the shared Internet connection, select the Allow other network users to control or disable the shared Internet connection check box. Under Internet Connection Sharing, in Home networking connection, select any adapter that connects the computer sharing its Internet connection to the other computers on your network.

Win XP Won't Completely Shutdown
· Go to Control Panel, then go to Power Options.
· Click on the APM tab, then check the "Enable Advanced Power Management support."
· Shut down your PC.
It should now successfully complete the Shut Down process.

Adjust Various Visual Effects
· Open up the Control Panel.
· Go under System and click on the Advanced tab.
· Click settings under Performance options.
You can now change various graphical effects (mainly animations and shadows).

Disable Error Reporting
· Open Control Panel.
· Click on Performance and Maintenance.
· Click on System.
· Then click on the Advanced tab.
· Click on the error-reporting button on the bottom of the windows.
· Select Disable error reporting.
· Click OK. Click OK.

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