Balloon Tips is a new & unique feature in Windows XP. They are used to catch the users attention about all possibly imaginable things happening in Windows XP. If you are annoyed by them like some of us are then you can disable the Balloon Tips via the registry. Go to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER Software Microsoft Windows CurrentVersion Explorer Advanced
Look for "EnableBalloonTips" and change the the DWORD of 1 to 0. Done.

This behavior occurs because the Universal Disk Format (UDF) driver (Udfs.sys) in Windows XP & Windows 2000 is unable to read certain data stored on the Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs Platinum Collection DVD. This problem does not affect any other DVD disks known to Microsoft at this time.

I just got my copy of Windows XP Pro today and had a little play with it. The installation was completed on my system in under 40 Mins (Windows 2000 Pro 45 mins) and once completed I was greeted by a flashy intro. Afterwards I began playing with - what to me looks likes a kiddies OS - and found that part of Direct X that comes with the OSand part of it is still beta. I found it by running the DXDIAG from the run command on the start menu, selected the tab to see what Direct X files were installed and came across this little suprise. The mfc42.dll is still a beta file. The others all say final retail but this one say beta retail. So what is M$ up to?

For those of you that have been waiting for the official release of PowerToys for Windows XP, it's here now:

PowerToys 939 KB Download - Warp2Search local download or visit the Microsoft PowerToys for Windows XP page

WinosCentral are reporting they had some inquiries about the supposed "SP1 for XP" that's been floating around the net asking if they knew if it was "legit" or not. MS has NOT released an SP for WinXP and will not for a few months. What they are doing is posting "Hotfixes" which deal with some of the problems they have found since the 8/28 OEM Gold release of XP. These are available via the XP Windows Update site and should only be gotten from MS itself.

But... there are those of you who just have to have it and for those I have a treat courtesy of WindowsXP.nu . Hit their page and about a 1/3 of of the way down you'll see what I'm talking about all packaged up all nice and neat just for anyone who really wants an early look at some of the fixes and of course you can try them if you want but as the site states it may make your XP PC MORE UNSTABLE so my recommendation is to stick with the MS Windows Update site as your source for updates and patches.

I know I've already posted this but hey some people missed it and it's a new link so there goes.

Today's the day Microsoft officially launched Windows XP and already NeoWin have found some new XP updates! LoL nice bugs.

So hit Read More for a list of updates so far.

Fix for the 'Works Marketing Feature' has stopped running message that appears when you boot your computer. For international versions of Works Suite 2002, Works Suite 2001 and Works 6.0.

Windows XP WorksFix.exe - 44 Kb 24 Oct 2001

For More Information

NeoWin are reporting that M$ have already updated their Windows Messenger from v4.5.0120 to v4.5.0121.

This update is across the board, for Windows XP as well as Windows 9x/NT/2000 versions.

Title: Downloaded Applications Can Execute on Mac IE 5.1 for OS X
Date: 23 October 2001
Software: Internet Explorer 5.1 for Macintosh
Impact: Run code of attacker's choice If this affects you read more!

Chaining Hotfix Installations Without QChain.exe Is not safe!!!

When you install hotfixes, if a file is locked or in use and cannot be replaced, it is placed in the Pending File Rename queue to be replaced after the restarts. The problem occurs in this scenario:

Ibelite have some great news they got their's hands on some Windows XP HotFixes SP1!Yeah baby.

Here's what they're saying:

This is HotFixes for still unreleased Windows XP :) Hotfixes are available from MS FTP server, but all files are password protected.
So, currenly it is not a free update, it will be free, but not now...
But if you're using Windows XP right now and can't wait for Service Pack 1 then our gift is for you!

Hit the read more button...

WinOsCentral know where u can get a copy of Media Player 8 XP for Win2K. LOL! Nice.

Here's what they're saying:

Another one of those "In case you missed it" files, this one deals with Media Player 8.0. Now as most of you know this is not going to be made available to the public and can only be had if you buy XP BUT WindowsXP (about half way down that page). has the "ripped" file (4+ MB) that you can install and use under Win2K.

Hey who said the best stuff wasn't free...

American users that want to show their patriotism will be glad to know Microsoft has just released a brand new 3D Screensaver for Windows XP. It shows a stars and stripes American flag waving in your screen.

Another update from Neowin!!! Keep it coming guys! This time it's MSN Explorer 7.0 Final!

Here's their saying:

MSN Explorer is Microsoft's all-in-one software that delivers everything you need to feel at home on the Web. E-mail, instant messaging, Web browsing, and more are integrated in a friendly program that works with your existing Internet connection, so get it today!

MSN Explorer is Easy, Exciting, and Personal!

Easily sign in and access your favorite MSN features from anywhere with access to the Web.
Enjoy exciting features including an integrated media player that offers a great new way to find and play music and video.
Keep in touch with your friends with e-mail and instant messaging.
Add up to nine people, so everyone in your family has their own e-mail, buddies, favorite sites and more.

Download: MSN Explorer 7.0 FINAL

NeoWin are reporting that English/U.S version of MSN Messenger 4.5 has officially been launched for Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000. The XP version will not be available till Thursday although NeoWin have been able to install this on XP and its working fine (with enabled alerts).

Update the XP version of Messenger 4.5 Final is available. So hit the Read More button for your download:

These are brought to you in association with NeoWin. Included in this release: Super Fast User Switcher
Powertoy Calculator
ALT-TAB Replacement
Virtual Desktop Manager
Phototoys
TweakUI 2.0
Command Window on Folder
Slideshow Generator
Maginifier
HTML Slideshow Generator
Timershot Note: Please uninstall any previous versions first and reboot! Download Now!

Some words from Andrew over @ Ibelite:
Today Microsoft has updated Windows Messenger 4.5 with tabs!! There are basically 3 tabs. You enable the third one yourself which is the CNBC MSN Money. 1st Tab - Contacts 2nd tab - Alerts 3rd tab - CNBC Money (stocks) View some screenshots about it by using the above link!

The new error reporting feature in Microsoft's new products?including Windows XP, Office XP, and newer versions of Internet Explorer?has prompted the US Department of Energy to release an advisory about the feature's security risks. The DOE advisory claims the information sent to Microsoft "includes a memory dump which may contain all or part of the document being viewed or edited." Obviously, that's bad. Read more over here! What do u think about this feature? Is it useful or are you sceptical about this function? Discuss in our forum here.
You don´t have to register to post your opinion.

With Windows XP officially being released Oct 25th, a lot of gamers will be asking themselves if XP is the way to go for gaming. The guys over at Gamespy have done some tests: "We've put it through the rigors of gaming and are quite pleased with the results..."

The Device Manager is a tool in Microsoft Windows for administrating device drivers. These drivers control how the hardware within the computer interactive with the computer's operating system. Whenever there is a problem with a device driver or physical hardware component, this manager will show a code with a little description. But due to the limited nature of this description, this is why this guide has been created. It has a list what the full code means as well as offering a solution to the problem. You can use the Device Manager to view device, change device properties, update device drives, configure driver settings and if necessary uninstall these device drivers. Also by using this guide you should be able to solve any problem with you computer drivers or hardware components. The information in this guide is for:

Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition
Microsoft Windows 98/ 98 Second Edition
Microsoft Windows 95/95A/95B/95C
Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
Microsoft Windows XP Pro Edition
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition

These error codes might be applicable to Windows XP Home and Pro editions too, but as yet has been untested. Mainly because this is the most stable from Microsoft yet!

Source: Go here for the list.
Written By Louis Green