NET WORKING

Remove the Inbox Icon
In build 347, one could simply drag the Inbox icon into the Recycle Bin and be done with it. In build 490 this doesn't work. Further, Microsoft says there is no way to remove the Inbox icon without removing Microsoft Exchange from the system. However, a reader submitted a procedure that does the trick:
  • Run the Registry Editor (REGEDIT.EXE).
  • Open HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ SOFTWARE\ Microsoft\ Windows\
  • CurrentVersion\ explorer\ Desktop\ NameSpace\.
  • Look for the key 00020D75-0000-0000-C000-000000000046, that has a default value of Inbox.
  • Delete the entire key (not just the default value), and close the Registry Editor.
  • Click on the desktop, and press F5 to refresh the desktop so that this change will take effect.


Control fonts in Internet Explorer
If you ever wanted control over the fonts used by Microsoft's Internet Explorer, here is the way:
  • Start the Regestry editor
  • Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE / Software / Microsoft / Internet Explorer / Styles
    1. A list of all the possible combinations will come up
    2. On the right panel is the Style Name on the left, followed by its value on the right.
    3. Double click on a Style Name and change its font, size, or weight.
    4. Repeat this for all the fonts available for the style you would like.
    5. There are 13 settings to change which only takes a few minutes.
  • In the above example, ArialSmall (on the left) was changed to use the Arial font (on the right). The defaul setting was the Times New Roman font.
  • Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER / Software / Microsoft / Internet Explorer / Styles
    1. Change the Default_Style_Sheet to be the one you just edited.
    2. In the example, it was changed from SerifMedium to ArialSmall
  • Restart the Internet Explorer to see your changes.
  • This allows you far greater flexibility in assigning fonts than any other browser that I am aware of. You can have one font for Heading 1 and another totally different one for Heading 2.
  • If you look around the registry, you will find other settings that can be changed.
  • Note: You do not need to exit Regedit for the changes to take effect.


Dialup scripting whiteout Plus!
You dont need MS Plus! for dialup scripting. If you have the Windows95 CD-Rom, you have the ability to use dialup scripting. BUT, versions do vary! First, determine the presence of the software. Use Explorer to confirm the path, Admin\Apptools\Descript, off the root of your Windows95 CD. Now to install dialup scripting:
  • Insert Windows95 CD
  • Run Control Panel and double-click "Add/Remove Programs"
  • Click "Install/Remove tab" then select the install button.
  • Choose "Browse" and set the "File Types to "All" on the Browse Window
  • Follow the path, Admin \ Apptools \ Descript and select "dscript.inf"
  • Dialup scripting will now install and be ready to use.
Additional text is provided on the CD. Launch default to your CD Drive and search for either "dialup.txt" or "slip.txt."

Dial-Up Scripting with the Plus! Pack
The Internet Jumpstart Kit that comes with the Plus! Pack allows you to script your Dial-Up Connections
  • Open up Programs / Accessories / Dial-Up Scripting Tool.
  • Select the provider (if you have more than one).
  • Type in the name of the script (end with .scp).
  • Click on the Edit Button. This will bring up Notepad.
  • Type in your script
Here is a sample script:
proc main
waitfor "login:"
transmit "your_login_name^M"

waitfor "password:"
transmit "your_password^M"

waitfor "TERM = (vt100)"
transmit "^M"

waitfor "your_logon_prompt"
transmit "ppp^M" (My provider requires "ppp" be typed in)

endproc
NOTES: Remember to turn off Bring up terminal window after dialing. You can initially have Step through script turned on for debugging. When it is correct, check Start terminal screen minimized. For a complete listing of all the scripting options, read SCRIPT.DOC in the \Programs\Plus! directory.

Organize Internet Explorer favoritestip
Try this tip if you are using The Internet Explorer that comes with Plus! Explorer has a favorites (bookmarks) menu. Click on open favorites then a window will appear with all your favorites. Right click, then select "New" then "Folder." Now you can create several folders in which to for organize your links! The folders containing the links will appear in the menu when you click on "Favorites."

Change your MTU settings for Win95 slip
To set the MTU use the following method:
  • Open Regedit
  • hkey_local_machine\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Class\NetTrans\000n
  • add a value, MaxMTU=16-bit integer
This 16-bit integer specifies the maximum size datagram IP that can pass to a media driver. SNAP and source routing headers (if used on the media) are not included in this value. For example, on an ethernet network, MaxMTU will default to 1500. The actual value used will be the minimum of the value specified with this parameter and the size reported by the media driver. The default is the size reported by the media driver.

Modifying Windows 95's TCP/IP Packet Size
Try editing the Registry, specifically this key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\VxD\MSTCP\ Create/edit the key "DefaultRcvWindow" with a string value set to the packet size, e.g. "8192".

Forgotten your Logon Password?
If you ever forget your Windows Logon Password, simply hit cancel at the logon screen. This will open the default desktop. Open Explorer and under the Windows directory, find the PWL file with your logon name. For example, if your logon name is "Bill," then there will be a file called bill.pwl. Delete this file. Go to Shut Down, and click on "close all programs and log on as another user". When the logon screen comes up, use the SAME logon name and put in a password. Windows will ask you to retype the password for verification. You are back in!!

Restrictions in Multi-user-systems
To get restrictions on your computer:
  1. open the Registry Editor
  2. Expand HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
  3. The following keys are ready to be changed:
    • Editlevel
    • NoClose (You cannot exit Windows 95)
    • NoDriveTypeAutoRun
    • NoFileMenu
    • NoRun (You cannot use the Run command from the Start menu)
    • NoSaveSettings
Restrictions are most needed in a multi-user-system. If you are using such a system, change HKEY_CURRENT_USER to HKEY_USER. Now you will have to expand the HKEY_USER\%USER%\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ Policies\Explorer where %USER% are the name of the user.

No Spell Checking in Exchange
No spell-check in MS Exchange? It is because MS Exchange requires a 32-bit spell-checker. MS Word's 16-bit spell-checker won't cut it with MS Exchange. Assuming you already have MS Office, you can get a 32bit spell-checker by calling Microsoft and asking for the "MS Office NT sidegrade." The CD-ROM sidegrade costs about $15.00. This will allow you to sidegrade your current MS Office to NT MS Office which is 32bit. Not only will your spell-checker work in Exchange, but Word will support long file names, all for 15 bucks! If you don't want to install the whole sidegrade and are just interested in the spell- checker, just install Word and select "Spell Check" as the only option to install.

Trace Internet Routes
Included with Windows95 is a program called "tracert.exe." Open a DOS window and type [tracert] [location name]. For example:
c:\tracert www.process.com
The location name can be any ip address or number. The program will trace the route from your internet provider to the location showing every computer system along the way. Watch as you jump across continents and oceans via satellites and high speed connections. When you can't connect to a site, it will show you if something is down along the way.

Unabridged version of Tips and Tricks for Windows 95 copyright © 1995 - 2001 Hanar Software, all rights reserved. Tips and Tricks for Windows 95 Abridged Internet Edition copyright © 1997-2001, Hanar Software and William Foard Publishing, all rights reserved. AmericaToday.com copyright © 1995 - 2001 William Foard Publishing. Microsoft, MS, Windows, and the Windows logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Microsoft Corporation in no way endorses or is affiliated with Tips and Tricks for Windows 95. All other trademarks are the sole property of their respective owner(s).