How the system boots up
1:02 AM | Author: Harpreet Singh Khandiyal


STEP 1:

Once the machine is powered on, it goes through a POST (Power-On Self-Test) sequence. The POST sequence displays information about the BIOS, and the amount of memory installed. The system will also attempt to initialize PCI cards. Once the POST sequence has completed, one can then see a basic table outlining the system configuration including disk information, and PCI card information.

STEP 2:

The system goes through the process of acquiring a DHCP address, normally referred to as DORA:
DHCP (D)iscover
DHCP (O)ffer
DHCP (R)equest
DCHP (A)cknowledge
If the system is able to acquire an IP Address successfully, then the networking configuration settings are populated, such as Default Gateway, DNS Servers, WINS servers and so on.
If the system is not able to acquire an IP Address, then the system will time out / fail trying to process various networking functions - including the application of group policies and even possibly logging on to the client machine.

STEP 3:

Let’s assume that the system has received an IP address from the DHCP server, now the DHCP Client service will try to register its IP Address with the DNS Server

STEP 4:

The system attempts to query DNS for a SRV record for a Domain Controller. If the system locates a domain controller it then begins the process of applying system-level domain and group policies.
If no DC can be located, then we are in another timeout situation where group policies will fail to apply.

STEP 5:

Once the computer settings are applied, the user logon prompt is displayed and the user enters their credentials

STEP 6:

If the system was able to contact a domain controller, then the logon is authenticated and user policies are applied. If the system was not able to contact a domain controller, the system may log the user in with cached credentials. Since no domain controller could be located, user GPO’s will not be applied.

Troubleshooting Boot-up Issues:

If there is any issues while booting the system, you can to boot the computer in a "Clean Boot" Mode and check if the issue still persists:

For a clean boot, please try these steps:
-Click on start, then click on run (if run is not available, incase of Windows Vista, then type run, in the start search box and hit enter).
-On the run window type "msconfig" (without quotes)
-Click on services tab, click on "hide all microsoft services", now click on disable all
-Click on startup tab, click on disable all
-Click on OK and restart the computer

One can also try to boot the computer in Windows Safe Mode, to diagnose the issue, to boot the computer in safe mode, While booting the computer keep tapping the "F8" key on the keyboard, till you see "Advanced Boot Options" and then using the arrow keys highlight "Windows Safe Mode" and then hit Enter.
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How to delete old System Restore Points in Vista
2:40 AM | Author: Harpreet Singh Khandiyal

There are cases when you run out of disk space in your system drive, and you desperately need to increase it. Uninstalling applications and deleting old files can be a start, but you might also need some quick disk space injection.

I run into this situation when I recently reformatted my home computer. They usually come from factory with only one partition, and you need to keep data and system files in the same volume (argh). The first thing I do when I put my hands on a new computer is to create separated volumes for system and data. But this time I miscalculated how much space my system drive would need, and I quickly run out of disk space in my C: drive.

I see some people disabling restore points to release disk space. Unless you’re really, really sure of what you’re doing, don’t do that! There are a couple of things you can do to release space quickly without having to take such drastic measures:

Option 1: Delete old restore points

One thing you can do to release disk space is to delete old System Restore and Shadow Copies. If you read this blog, you know I’m a System Restore super fan and I’m by no means suggesting that you disable System Restore. But if your system is stable, and you’re sure you won’t need any recent restore points, you can do the following:

1. Run Disk cleanup, and wait for it to calculate disk space.
2. In the second tab, More Options, under System Restore and Shadow Copies group, click Clean up. Vista will ask you if you’re sure. Be sure you’re sure, because this operation is not undoable.

Option 2: Resize your System Restore Points allocated size

If you’re interested in changing your System Restore allocated size, you can run the command (from an elevated command prompt)

vssadmin resize shadowstorage /on=D: /For=D: /MaxSize=10GB

In the case above, I was changing shadowstorage for my D: drive. Replace D: for your own system
drive letter.

Please consider that you might lose some older restore points if you decide to decrease allocated disk space. Also, if you allocate a space that is too small, you might not be able to save any restore points at all, and that would be the same as having it completely disabled. Be careful when reducing your System Restore Points allocated size.


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Clear the Past Items list in the Windows Vista Taskbar
7:12 AM | Author: Harpreet Singh Khandiyal
The Notification Area holds a past items list for Applications that once appeared on the notification area.As you can see in the screenshot below the past items are full of apps and programs which were runned quite some time ago. For instance the activation item which I ran the same day Vista was installed.

These items can be cleared by editing the following registry keyCode:
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\TrayNotify]IconStreams and PastIconsStream

To clear the past items do the following:
  1. Browse to the registry keyHKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\TrayNotify
  2. Then rename the key's IconStreams and PastIconsStream to IconStreams_2 and PastIconsStream_2
  3. Create 2 new Binary key's called IconStreams and PastIconsStream and give them the default value.
  4. Now delete the first 2 key's IconStreams_2 and PastIconsStream_2 (the ones you renamed)
  5. All you have to now is reload the registry by logging off and on or restart Windows Vista.After this the list should be blank and cleared.
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