How to Delete Stuck Print Jobs

Here's a BAT/CMD file that you can use on Windows 2000/NT/XP/Vista/7 that allows you to quickly delete stuck print jobs, delete the entire print queue.

1. Create a new BAT/CMD file on your desktop using Notepad.
2. Add the following content:
net stop spooler
del %systemroot%\system32\spool\printers\*.shd
del %systemroot%\system32\spool\printers\*.spl
net start spooler
3. Save the file and leave it on your desktop.

Optional:
If running Windows Server 2003, Windows SBS 2003, Windows Server 2008, Windows SBS 2008, or Windows SBS 2011 AND use Fax Services, then you need to add a couple of lines to the file:

net stop fax
net stop spooler
del %systemroot%\system32\spool\printers\*.shd
del %systemroot%\system32\spool\printers\*.spl
net start spooler
net start fax

Fix problems with Cut/Copy/Paste not working when using Remote Desktop

Occasionally when using mixed OS environments and running Remote Desktop Client between the computers, you might have an issue where Cut/Copy/Paste stops working, or only listens to local clipboard content. This seems to happen mostly when connecting to remote Windows XP computers. Here's a quick way to fix the problem (not a permanent fix unfortunately).

1. Create a BAT/CMD file.
2. Open file in Notepad or whatever editor you want to use, and add the following content:
taskkill /im rdpclip.exe
start rdpclip.exe
3. Save the file and leave it on your Windows XP desktop.

Next time the issue happens, run that file to fix the issue. It will only fix it during that Remote Desktop session.

How to disable Windows 7 Logon Background on Acer Aspire One netbook

I purchased a new Acer Aspire One netbook recently, and wanted to disable the Acer branded background that is shown when you get to the Windows 7 Logon Screen. Here's the steps to disable it (turning it back to default Windows 7 background):

1. Start -> search box, type in regedit and hit enter or click on it when it loads.
2. Navigate to HKLM->Software -> Microsoft -> Windows -> CurrentVersion -> Authentication -> Logon -> UIBackground
3. Change OEMBackground from 1 to 0.
4. Close regedit, and then log off. The registry key takes effect immediately.
   

How to fix Microsoft Security Essentials install error 0x80070643

I was working on a client's computer today that exhibited the following symptoms: Windows Updates not installing during each shutdown and could not install Microsoft Security Essentials. MSE installer would show error 0x80070643.

Things to check first:

• Make sure Windows Installer service is running. Set it to manual or automatic (doesn't seem to matter from what I can tell). Click Start if it is not running.
• Check the MSE installer log. Do a search for "return value 3".
  If found, look at the previous lines and see if they give you a clue as to the issue. In my case it said "Windows Installer error 1716". So that lead me to the following fix.

1. Start -> Run -> Regedit
2. Navigate to HKLM \ System \ CurrentControlSet \ services \ msiserver
3. Double left click on WOW64. Change 1 to 0.
4. Close regedit and reboot the computer.
5. Try Microsoft Security Essentials installation again.

Reset the admin password on a 3Com 3824 (3c17400)

How to reset a lost/unknown admin password on a 3Com 3824 Gigabit Ethernet Switch (p/n 3C17400):

1. Connect a null modem serial cable to the front Console port on the switch, and plug the other end of the serial cable into your laptop or desktop computer.
2. Run Hyperterminal or PuTTY. Set the COM port values to 19200 Baud, 8 Data Bits, No Parity, 1 Stop Bit, No (None) Flow Control.
3. Power up the switch. You should see a bunch of diagnostic information scroll by. Eventually your screen should go blank.
4. Press Enter on the keyboard a couple of times and you should get to a Login: prompt.
5. Type in recover as the username and the password. You should see a warning about resetting the switch and a countdown from 30 seconds.
6. Power off the switch before the 30 seconds countdown. Wait a few seconds and power on the switch.
7. You should see a bunch of diagnostic information scroll by again. Eventually you will be given a new prompt to change the admin password. Type in your new password. It becomes effective immediately.