This includes advanced tips on Explorer, file manipulation tricks, and undocumented interface tweaks. This is important, because most of the solutions hereafter make use of this knowledge. In addition to Registry basics, there are some advanced topics, such as effective searching techniques, finding the right Registry keys, and restoring a corrupted registry. The goal is to get the best possible performance from your system without spending a lot of money or time. If and when you decide to upgrade, you'll also find tips here to help make informed decisions.
Special detail is given to error messages, as well as hardware and software conflicts.
There's also a section on troubleshooting specific hardware components as well. More than just the basics, this chapter explores protocols, troubleshooting, and new technologies, such as virtual private networking and connecting a LAN to the Internet. In addition to a rapid introduction to both scripting platforms, you'll find advanced solutions, such as functions for registry access and file system access, and using scripts and batch files to solve a wide range of problems. The chapter is wrapped up with a look at the seemingly simply Scheduled Tasks feature, and how it can be used in conjunction with scripts for a truly automated environment. Appendix B covers DOS commands, which can be surprisingly useful in the Windows world.