Chapter 15Maintaining and Troubleshooting

Windows 2000 and XP

MELJUN CORTESMELJUN CORTES

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Overview

In this chapter, you will learn to

Maintain Windows 2000/XP

Optimize Windows 2000/XP

Troubleshoot Windows 2000/XP

Maintaining WindowsCompTIA A+Essentials

Essentials

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Patches, Updates, Service Packs Windows updated regularly

Flaws, bugs, program errors found and corrected

Windows UpdateAllows automatic

updating of systemsover Internet

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Automatic UpdatesAutomatic (recommended)

Updates downloaded and installed automatically

Download updates for meUpdates downloaded but not installed

automatically

Notify meUser notified when updates are available

Turn off Automatic UpdatesNo automatic updates

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User Accounts and GroupsUser account needed to log on to system

Only account after install is Administrator

Groups used to assign rights and permissions to groups of users

Two groups created by defaultAdministratorsGuests (disabled by default)

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Users and Passwords (2000)Force user logon

Users must enter a user name and password

Administrator accountNot recommended for

regular useAdditional account created

for regular use

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Create New Users (2000)Access Users and Passwords applet from

Control PanelCreates user name and passwordCan add users to groupsStandard Users—Power Users group

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Managing Users in XPUsers and Passwords applet in

Control PanelSimilar to Users and

Passwords in 2000

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Managing Users in XPTwo possible logon screens

User name and Password boxesWelcome screen

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Managing Users in XPAccount types

Computer administrator (member of administrators group)

Limited account (member of local users group)

Accounts can be changed

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Fast User Switching

Allows users to switch between sessionsOne user doesn’t need to log off while

another user logs on

Both sessions active (though only one visible at a time)

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Password SecurityNever give out passwords over the phone

Use strong passwordsAt least 6 to 8 charactersInclude letters (both cases), numbers, symbols

Change passwords at regular intervals

Don’t write down passwords

Password reset disk can be used in XP

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Resetting Forgotten Passwords in Windows XPWindows XP allows the currently logged-on

user to create a password reset diskUse if the password is forgottenCan access any encrypted files after resetting

passwordIf an administrator resets your password, you’d

lose access to encrypted filesUser Accounts: in Control Panel, select your user

account, choose Prevent a Forgotten Password under Related Tasks and follow the wizard

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Disk MaintenanceWhen troubleshooting OS,

remember basic disk toolsError-checkingDisk Defragmenter

Disk CleanupHelps clean out junk files

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MaintenanceRegistry maintenance

Registry can get bloatedOlder tool from Microsoft named RegCleanNot updated for 2000/XPCan use third-party tool such as EasyCleaner

by ToniArts

SecuritySpyware/anti-virus/firewallIntegral part of computing todayCovered in more depth in Chapter 23

Optimizing Windows

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Installing or Removing SoftwareInstalling software

Most programs are distributed on CD-ROMs that make use of the Autorun feature

Or you could use the Add/Remove Programs icon in Control Panel

Removing softwareUse the uninstall option that is part of the

programOr go to Control Panel’s Add/Remove

Software applet

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Add/Remove ProgramsUninstall option

Control Panel

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Windows ComponentsMiscellaneous components can be installed

or uninstalledAccess from Add/Remove Programs

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Installing/Optimizing a DeviceSame in 2000 and XP

Driver UpdatesCan use Windows

Updates

Must use Custom option

Or check manufacturer Web site

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Driver SigningProcess of testing and verifying drivers

Windows Hardware Quality LabTests driversIssues digital signatures

Signed drivers“Designed for Windows 2000”“Designed for Windows XP”

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Unsigned DriversMany manufacturers issue drivers that

have not been tested & signed by MSWhen detected during a hardware install,

you’ll get the message shownCan choose Driver Signing Options

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Device Manager Can roll back faulty driver

1. Original driver installed2. Driver updated (with faulty driver)3. Driver can be rolled back to original

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Adding a New DeviceWindows usually automatically detects new

devices

If not, use the Add Hardware Wizard From Control Panel

From Hardware tab of System Properties

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Performance OptionsPerformance Options are under the

Advanced tab of My Computer Properties

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Resource TrackingCore Resources

CPUMemoryDiskNIC

Resource tracking toolsTask ManagerPerformance Console

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Task ManagerTo start Task Manager,

Press Ctrl-Shift-Esc or Ctrl-Alt-Del

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Performance ConsolePerformance Monitor contains two utilities

System Monitor snap-inTrack resource use and network throughputCollect and view real-time data about memory, disk,

processor, network, and other activity in graph, histogram, or report form

Performance Logs and Alerts snap-inCollect performance data from local or remote computersConfigure logs to record performance data and set system

alerts to notify you when a value is above or below a defined threshold

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Performance ConsoleAdd counter

Legend

Value bar

– Press Ctrl-H to highlight one set of data

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Objects and CountersAn object is a system resource

A counter tracks specific information about the object

Performance console includes System Monitor Shows real-time data on objectsClick the + to add counters for new

objects

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Performance Logs and AlertsPerformance Logs and Alerts allows you to

create a baseline or log

Record of anything that happens on your computer

Right-click Counter Logs and select New Log Settings

Give it a name and then make your choices

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Preparing for ProblemsTools to prepare for problems

System RestoreBackup and Restore WizardAutomated System RecoveryEmergency Repair DiskRecovery Console

SystemRestore

Backup/ Restore

ASR ERD Recovery Console

2000 Pro No Yes No Yes Yes

XP Home Yes No No No No

XP Pro Yes Yes Yes No Yes

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System RestoreSystem Restore enables you to create a restore

pointA copy of your computer’s configuration at a

specific point in time

Does not include data, only system configuration

To create a restore point Start | All Programs | Accessories | System Tools |

System Restore

A new restore point is automatically created whenever you install new software

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System Restore

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Backup and Restore WizardBackup program enables you to back up

and restore data and system filesBackup System State Data backs up the

Registry and other key system data

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Backup and Restore WizardAnother option

Windows 2000: Emergency Repair Disk (ERD)Stores a copy of the Registry in \WINNT\REPAIR

Windows XP: Automated System Recovery (ASR)Creates a backup of your system containing the system

partition and disks containing the operating system

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Recovery ConsoleRecovery Console offers a command-line

interface to help resolve issues such as faulty drivers

Access Recovery ConsoleRun Setup, select Repair and then Recovery

Console (lets you run it from the CD)

Or install to your hard drive and run \i386\winnt32 /cmdcons from your Setup CD

Troubleshooting Windows

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Failure to Boot Common errors

No Boot device Present NTLDR Bad or Missing Invalid Boot.ini

Your response

1. Attempt to repair2. Attempt to restore3. Rebuild

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Attempt to RepairThe Recovery Console is a text-mode

command interpreterSeparate from the Windows command

promptAllows you to gain access to the hard disk Limited access to NTFS and FAT volumesRequires an Administrator passwordStart and stop services, repair the master

boot record and boot sector, format volumes

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Recovery Console Commands

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Attempt to RestoreFor Windows 2000

Use ERDERD is available only if ERD disk was created

For XP use ASRASR Recovery is available only if ASR backup

was createdConsider ASR a last resortRestores to ASR backup point

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RebuildTry to back up or recover data first

Recover CDs or recovery partitions restore system to factory stateAll data is lost

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Failure to Load GUIDevice driver problems

Windows Stop ErrorBlue Screen of Death (BSoD)

Remove the device and reboot

RegistryBSOD with “Registry File Failure”“Windows could not start”

Restore the Registry (Last Known Good) and reboot

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Advanced Startup OptionsPress F8 after POST to launch Advanced

Startup Options Safe ModesEnable Boot LoggingEnable VGA ModeLast Known Good ConfigurationDirectory Services Restore Mode (Server

only)Debugging ModeBoot Normally (to abort advanced boot

options)

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Advanced Startup Options– Safe Mode

• Basic files and drivers are loaded with no network

• Can access Device Manager and restore points in Safe Mode

• Often works in response to BSoD

– Safe Mode with Networking• Networking capabilities added

– Safe Mode with Command Prompt

• Command prompt only

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Advanced Startup OptionsEnable Boot Logging

ntbtlog.txt is located in the windir folder (C:\winnt)

Enable VGA ModeLoad driver in standard VGA modeAllows correction of settings (refresh/resolution)

Directory Services Restore ModeDomain controllers only

Debugging Mode Rarely used

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Advanced Startup OptionsUse Last Known Good

If you install a new device driver, and Microsoft Windows 2000 restarts but the system stops responding

If you accidentally disable a critical device driver

Don’t use Last Known GoodWhen the problem isn’t related to Windows 2000

configuration changesAfter you log onWhen startup failures relate to hardware failures

or missing or corrupted files

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Troubleshooting Tools in the GUIOnce in the GUI, can use any tools we’ve

discussed or will discuss

Event Viewer

Device Manager

More

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Autoloading ProgramsMSConfig

Can set which programs and servers automatically start or don’t

Very effective when combating Spyware

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Services and System FilesServices

If critical services does notstart, Windows will give error

Common error: Service set to manual instead of automatic

System FilesDLLsProtected with System File Checker (SFC)SFC /SCANNOW will verify they are healthy

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