DirectX 10 for Windows XP (RC2 XP Fix 3)

Remember this topic; 'DirectX 10 for Windows XP' ? That time DirectX 10 for Windows XP still in alpha version. Which is if you using it, under your own risk. Today new version has been released DirectX 10 RC2 XP Fix 3. Before this there is no exe installer, but now DirectX 10 for XP comes with more fun and easier. Latest DirectX 10 XP installer patch that easily installing all the important DirectX10 DLL on Windows XP 32. Meanwhile, this DirectX10 installer program support Windows 2000 and Windows 2003.

Follow this step by step how to install DirectX 10 for XP:

1. Download DirectX 10 RC2 XP Fix 3
Password: recnal.blogspot.com

2. Install it and follow the instructions (see picture below)

3. Click finish button

4. So as pictures show bellow, it's finish and your winxp now have DirectX 10.

Personal review:

Computer spec
- Intel Core 2 Duo 2.53GHz
- 3Gb DDR2 667
- XP 32bit
- 512mb / 128bit GeForce 8500 GT Super

After finish installed the DirectX 10, I try to find out what the different between DirectX 9 and DirectX 10 on my PC. So I try with 'Tom Clancy's Hawk' games. I realize the big different with smoke. It's more realistic. I'm surprise with that.

For gamers out there, you should try this DirectX 10 using on XP. It's cool and don't forget tell what different you got.

Tutorial: Fix Error(s) on HDD

There have 2 different ways to fix errors on hdd. From windows or from MS-DOS command prompt. Sometimes we can just using it from windows but sometimes need from dos.

How to fix error on harddisk drive from windows:

1. Click My Computer
2. Right click on partition you want scanned
3. Select Properties

(see picture below)

4. Click Tools > check now
5. Thick 2 boxes and click start button

(see pictures below)

- Do it same as step no.1 to no.5 for different partitions
- If C:\ system will restart and starting scanned. System will not scan in windows mode

Remember, we cannot always depend on windows only, some cases need scan from DOS. So this is the step by step how to do it.

Before we start, make sure your computer first boot is from cd-rom drive. Otherwise change it first and after that follow step bellow:

1. Insert cd windows xp in cd tray
2. Start computer and boot it (from cd-rom)
3. Press "R" for repair and press "1" (normally) and hit enter for password. If you have password, please key in, if not just hit enter.
4. At Prompt type this command

CHKDSK /P /R

(see picture below)

please using CHKDSK /P /R for repair errors otherwise system just scan not fix the problem completely

Step for change directory before scanned: (pic above)

Result after scanned at D:\

Ok, you should try this if your computer not working normal or cannot logon windows or always restart after logon windows. Anyway, this step good for maintenance too. I did this if I do maintenance on my computer (scan from windows). If your problem cannot logon windows, follow this step and type this command after scanning complete FIXBOOT C: and press enter.

p/s: For windows XP. not working on Win95/Win98/WinME

TrayIcon Problem Fix

I've got a few request regarding this little bug of Windows XP not showing the TrayIcon (LAN icon, Anti-Virus, Winamp Agent, Winrar Agent etc ) despite many programs are indeed running on the background thus driven me to write a little guide as how do we solve this. This problem became a common issue in XP nowdays by the way

These solutions applies to Windows XP Pro SP1, SP2, & SP3 but it may works on Home Edition as well. So lets get started shall we

Solution 1

This step involves modifying some registry value so it must be done correctly as any mistake could be catastrophic. To make things safer, i would suggest to use this small tool to point you to the correct key.

Download Goto.exe and save it at desktop. Run the tool, it will open up a small box, and copy-paste below text into the box.

HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-2000478354-1563985344-1417001333-1003\Software\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

Registry Editor will open and navigated to above location. Now click on 'Explorer' key, and you will see a string on the right pane with the name 'NoTrayItemsDisplay' . Double-click the string > Modify Binary > and put the value 00 00 00 00. If the string is not there, you have to create it. Right-click on empty space on the right pane, click New > DWord Value > name it NoTrayItemsDisplay. Now close Registry Editor and restart to see the changes

Solution 2

Download this little program called UnPlug n' Pray by Gibson Corps. What it does is it offers you the option to Disable Windows'
Universal Plug n' Play Service. This service is better leaving it disabled as this is also recommended by the FBI. And somehow, doing so will solve the problem with TrayIcon in many cases i've seen. Restart the PC after done using the program.

Note: The FBI's NIPC (National Infrastructure Protection Center) has apparently reversed their original opinion. They no longer assert that Microsoft's Universal Plug & Play services should be disabled for extra protection. The most recent update to their previous two notices — which did advise users to disable the UPnP services — no longer includes this advice.

As you will see below, we believe that the FBI's original security advice was correct. Leaving unneeded and potentially vulnerable Internet services running makes no sense. Doing so is foolhardy, pointless, and insecure. Why would you?

Solution 3

Download this simple file written by me.
XP-Policy-Default

After download, run the program and follow the instructions including 'Yes' when it prompt you for a restart. This solved alot of TrayIcon issues but its only meant for XP Pro.

Solution 4

Go to Start > Run > Type Services.msc
Scroll down and search for service SSDP Discovery Service, right-click the service and stop it. Then choose to disable this service.

Do the same for service Universal Plug & Play, Stop the service and set it to Disabled. Restart the PC after done with this step.

Solution 5

Download TweakUI.exe from Systernal.

Run TweakUI, and go to Taskbar & Start Menu. Make sure the option box for 'Show Taskbar & Notification Icons' is tick, and if it already selected, untick the box > Apply > OK > Exit TweakUI.

After that, run TweakUI again, go to that option again but this time tick the box and Apply > Exit. Maybe reboot is needed for the changes to applied.

Good luck folks !!

~ prepared by PirateCrew