Thought of the Day

“A goal is a dream with a deadline.”

Napoleon Hill

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Friday, June 25, 2010

Outlook file locations

The following is a list of data store and configuration files used by Microsoft Outlook. Some of the folders might be hidden folders. To view them, do one of the following:
Windows XP
Click Start, and then click My Computer.
On the Tools menu, click Folder Options, click the View tab, and then click the Show hidden files and folder option.
Windows 2000
Double-click My Computer on your desktop.
On the Tools menu, click Folder Options, click the View tab, and then click the Show hidden files and folder option.
Your configuration may not include all of the following files. Some files are created only when you customize Outlook features.
Outlook data files (.pst)
drive:\Documents and Settings\\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook
Offline Folders file (.ost)
drive:\Documents and Settings\\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook
Personal Address Book (.pab)
drive:\Documents and Settings\\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook
Offline Address Books (.oab)
drive:\Documents and Settings\\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook
Command bar and menu customizations (.dat)
drive:\Documents and Settings\\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook
Navigation Pane settings (.xml)
drive:\Documents and Settings\\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook\Outlook.xml
This file includes Shortcuts, Calendar, and Contact links.
Registered Microsoft Exchange extensions (.dat)
drive:\Documents and Settings\\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook
Outlook contacts nicknames (.nk2)
drive:\Documents and Settings\\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook
Rules (.rwz)
drive:\Documents and Settings\\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook
If you upgraded from a version of Outlook prior to Outlook 2002, you may have a .rwz file on your computer hard disk drive. The file is no longer needed and the rules information is now kept on the server for Microsoft Exchange e-mail accounts, and within the personal folders file (.pst) (Personal Folders file (.pst): Data file that stores your messages and other items on your computer. You can assign a .pst file to be the default delivery location for e-mail messages. You can use a .pst to organize and back up items for safekeeping.) for POP3 and IMAP e-mail accounts. You can delete the file.
If you use the rules import or export feature, the default location for .rwz files is drive:\Documents and Settings\\My Documents.
Print styles (Outlprnt with no extension)
drive:\Documents and Settings\\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook
Signatures (.rtf, .txt, .htm)
drive:\Documents and Settings\\Application Data\Microsoft\Signatures
Stationary (.htm)
drive:\Documents and Settings\\Application Data\Microsoft\Stationary
Custom forms
drive:\Documents and Settings\\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Forms
Dictionary (.dic)
drive:\Documents and Settings\\Application Data\Microsoft\Proof
Templates (.oft)
drive:\Documents and Settings\\Application Data\Microsoft\Templates
Send/Receive settings (.srs)
drive:\Documents and Settings\\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook
Message (.msg, .htm, .rtf)
drive:\Documents and Settings\\My Documents

wordle

Wordle: geekcomptips

http://www.wordle.net/
Wordle is a toy for generating “word clouds” from text that you provide. The clouds give greater prominence to words that appear more frequently in the source text

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

"The address list could not be displayed"

Symptoms : If you attempt to address a new message from your Contacts, you may receive the following error message:
The address list could not be displayed. The Contacts folder associated with this address list could not be opened; it may have been moved or deleted, or you do not have permissions. For information on how to remove this folder from the Outlook Address Book, see Microsoft Outlook Help.

Cause : This behavior can occur if the Microsoft Outlook Address Book is damaged.

Solution : To resolve this issue, remove and reinstall the Outlook Address Book. To do this:
Start Outlook.
On the Tools menu, click E-mail Accounts.
Click View or change existing directories or address books, and then click Next.
Click Outlook Address Book, and then click Remove.
Click Yes when you receive the prompt to confirm the removal.
Click Add.
Click Additional Address Books, and then click Next.
Click Outlook Address Book, and then click Next.
Click OK when you receive the message to restart Outlook.
Click Finish.
Click Exit on the File menu to quit Outlook.
Restart Outlook.
In the Folder list, right-click the folder that you want to use with the Address Book (for example, right-click Contacts), and then click Properties.
Click the Outlook Address Book tab.
Click to select the Show this folder as an e-mail Address Book check box (if it is not already selected), and then click OK

APPLIES TO
Microsoft Office Outlook 2003
Microsoft Outlook 2002 Standard Edition

Monday, June 14, 2010

Windows Xp Password Reset (Forgotten)



If that�s your only problem, then you probably have nothing to worry about. As long as you have your Windows XP CD, you can get back into your system using a simple but effective method made possible by a little known access hole in Windows XP.

This method is easy enough for newbies to follow � it doesn�t require using the Recovery Console or any complicated commands. And it�s free - I mention that because you can pay two hundred dollars for an emergency download of Winternals ERD with Locksmith which is a utility for unlocking lost Windows passwords. See here http://www.winternals.com/products/repairandrecovery/locksmith.asp

ERD is an excellent multi purpose product, but you should know it is not a necessary one if you have a healthy system and your sole problem is the inability to logon to Windows due to a forgotten password. Not necessary because you can easily change or wipe out your Administrator password for free during a Windows XP Repair. Here�s how with a step-by-step description of the initial Repair process included for newbie�s.

1. Place your Windows XP CD in your cd-rom and start your computer (it�s assumed here that your XP CD is bootable � as it should be - and that you have your bios set to boot from CD)

2. Keep your eye on the screen messages for booting to your cd Typically, it will be �Press any key to boot from cd�

3. Once you get in, the first screen will indicate that Setup is inspecting your system and loading files.

4. When you get to the Welcome to Setup screen, press ENTER to Setup Windows now

5. The Licensing Agreement comes next - Press F8 to accept it.

6. The next screen is the Setup screen which gives you the option to do a Repair.

It should read something like �If one of the following Windows XP installations is damaged, Setup can try to repair it�

Use the up and down arrow keys to select your XP installation (if you only have one, it should already be selected) and press R to begin the Repair process.

7. Let the Repair run. Setup will now check your disks and then start copying files which can take several minutes.

8. Shortly after the Copying Files stage, you will be required to reboot. (this will happen automatically � you will see a progress bar stating �Your computer will reboot in 15 seconds�

9. During the reboot, do not make the mistake of �pressing any key� to boot from the CD again! Setup will resume automatically with the standard billboard screens and you will notice Installing Windows is highlighted.

10. Keep your eye on the lower left hand side of the screen and when you see the Installing Devices progress bar, press SHIFT + F10. This is the security hole! A command console will now open up giving you the potential for wide access to your system.

11. At the prompt, type NUSRMGR.CPL and press Enter. Voila! You have just gained graphical access to your User Accounts in the Control Panel.

12. Now simply pick the account you need to change and remove or change your password as you prefer. If you want to log on without having to enter your new password, you can type control userpasswords2 at the prompt and choose to log on without being asked for password. After you�ve made your changes close the windows, exit the command box and continue on with the Repair (have your Product key handy).

13. Once the Repair is done, you will be able to log on with your new password (or without a password if you chose not to use one or if you chose not to be asked for a password). Your programs and personalized settings should remain intact.

I tested the above on Windows XP Pro with and without SP1 and also used this method in a real situation where someone could not remember their password and it worked like a charm to fix the problem. This security hole allows access to more than just user accounts. You can also access the Registry and Policy Editor, for example. And its gui access with mouse control. Of course, a Product Key will be needed to continue with the Repair after making the changes, but for anyone intent on gaining access to your system, this would be no problem.

And in case you are wondering, NO, you cannot cancel install after making the changes and expect to logon with your new password.

Cancelling will just result in Setup resuming at bootup and your changes will be lost.

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