1. EDITORS CORNER
   • It's A WinXP Special...
2. TECH BRIEFING
   • How to Secure an FTP Server on Windows XP Pro
   • How to Deploy Windows XP Images from Windows 2000 RIS Servers
3. NT/2000 RELATED NEWS
   • DHCP Clients Cannot Obtain an IP Address from the DHCP Server
   • Windows XP NTFS and Cluster Size
   • Windows XP Clients Cannot Connect to a Windows 2000 Terminal Services Server
   • Stop DSL Modems from Automatically Disconnecting
   • How to Prepare to Upgrade Windows 98 or Windows Millennium Edition to Windows XP
4. NT/2000 THIRD PARTY NEWS
   • Users Really Like iHateSpam
5. W2Knews 'FAVE' LINKS
   • This Week's Links We Like. Tips, Hints And Fun Stuff
6. PRODUCT OF THE WEEK
   • Build Your Own Combat Robot

It's A WinXP Special...

Hi All,

This issue is a special, and it's all about Windows XP for a change!

We'd love to know what time everyone really is losing due to spam. The numbers quoted in the press are all over the board. So let's ask the specialists. Here is your new SunPoll:

How much time do you lose per month due to junk email?

• Less than an hour
• About an hour
• Between 1 and 3 hours
• Between 3 and 10 hours
• More than 10 hours a month

Warm regards,

Stu Sjouwerman

How to Secure an FTP Server on Windows XP Pro

How to make the FTP Server available to Internet users? There are several ways to make an FTP server on the internal network available to users on the Internet. These methods are referred to as "Server Publishing". You can use a Windows XP computer running Internet Connection Services (ICS) to publish a server on your internal network. Let's take a look at a common scenario. You have a Windows XP computer connected to the Internet with an always-on cable or DSL connection. You have another computer on your private network also running Windows XP. You've installed the FTP Server on this internal network computer and put files into the FTP folder. Now you want Internet users to connect to the FTP Server through the ICS computer directly connected to the Internet.

You can do this with the Windows XP ICS! Here's how:

Go into the Network Connections window. You can get there from the Network applet in the Control Panel. Right click the network interface directly connected to the Internet and click Properties. Click on the Advanced tab in the connection's Properties dialog box. Put a checkmark in the Internet Connection Firewall checkbox. Always make sure the Internet Connection Firewall (ICF) is enabled when you connect a computer directly to the Internet. Click the Settings button, then click on the Services tab in the Advanced Settings dialog box. Now click the Add button.

This brings up the Service Settings dialog box. Type in My FTP Server in the Description of service text box. In the Name or IP address text box, type in the IP address of the computer on your private network that's running the FTP server. Since you're using ICS, it'll have an IP address like 192.168.0.x, where x is different for each machine on your network. You might want to manually assign the IP address the FTP Server already has, so that it doesn't change in the future. You can find out what IP address your FTP server is using by opening a command prompt at the FTP server and typing in the command ipconfig. That will give you the IP address the FTP Server is using. Back to the Service Settings dialog box, select the TCP option button. For the External Port and the Internet port, put in the port number you assigned to the FTP server on your internal network. Read this week's How To section to see how to change the listening port number. Click OK Click OK, and then click OK one more time! You might need to disable and enable the adapter after making the change. You can do that by right clicking the always-on interface.

The procedure is very similar for dial-up connections. However, there are problems with dial-up connections (and many always-on connections) because the IP address on the external interface of the ICS computer changes over time. Next week I'll share with you a cool way you can get around this problem by using something called a "dynamic DNS service". I've used one for years, and it works great. Make sure to tune in next week for the details. There you have it. Is server publishing in your future? Have any questions on the method I described above? If so, let me know! There are lots of ways you can publish services. Tell me how you do it, and tricks you've learned along the way. If you're having problems with server publishing, let me know about those too! I'll be sure to include what I learn from you in upcoming newsletters.

How to Deploy Windows XP Images from Windows 2000 RIS Servers

DHCP Clients Cannot Obtain an IP Address from the DHCP Server

Looks like there might be just a small problem with Windows XP and its DHCP client software. If you find that you're not able to obtain a new IP address when you move your Windows XP computer from network to network, it could be a problem with the DHCP client. Microsoft recommends troubleshooting the problem first. If that doesn't work, they suggest you get a fix.

Check it out here:
http://www.winxpnews.com/rd/rd.cfm?id=020625CO-DHCP_Server

Windows XP NTFS and Cluster Size

I've mentioned in previous newsletters that you might run into trouble with NTFS partitions with a small cluster size in Windows XP. The Windows XP setup utility offers to format a disk as NTFS. If you choose that option, it will create 512 byte clusters. A large disk with many files and 512 byte clusters can slow things down a bit. While there's no easy way to change the cluster size on disks you've already formatted, you can control the cluster size on new partitions. You can do this when you add a new hard disk, or if you have free space on an existing disk.. There are two ways to do this:

Use the Disk Management utility (diskmgmt.msc) to format the disk. You'll be asked for a cluster size at the end of the Wizard Open a command prompt and use the format command. The /A switch allows you to control the cluster size. Use the command format /? to see details on using this switch.

If you need to change cluster size on an existing partition, you can use the Paragon Disk Manager () or Partition Magic. You have to use a roundabout method with Partition Magic because you have to first convert the NTFS partition to FAT32, and then convert back to NTFS with a new cluster size.

Windows XP Clients Cannot Connect to a Windows 2000 Terminal Services Server

Windows XP comes with Remote Desktop Client software that allows you to connect to Windows 2000 and .Net Terminal Servers. Some of you might have noticed that when your users try to connect to a Windows 2000 Terminal Server, they get an error: "Because of a security error, the client could not connect to the terminal server. After making sure that you are logged onto the network, try connecting to the server again." The problem relates to the certificates used by the Terminal Services Licensing Servers.

Check out the Q article for details on how to fix:
http://www.winxpnews.com/rd/rd.cfm?id=020611CO-Terminal_Services

Stop DSL Modems from Automatically Disconnecting

You and the rest of the family are surfing along using your shared DSL modem. Then from out of the blue BOINK! The modem just disconnects for no reason. It could be a problem with the power management settings on the modem; it's just going to sleep on its own. Try this out for a fix:

Right click the My Computer icon on the desktop and click the Properties command. Click on the Hardware tab in the System Properties dialog box. In the Hardware tab, click on the Device Manager button. Click the "+" to the left of Universal Serial Bus controllers to expand that node. Double click on the USB Root Hub entry. Click on the Power Management tab in the USB Root Hub Properties dialog box. Remove the checkmark from the Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power checkbox. Click OK.

Now the DSL modem should work smooth as silk and not turn itself off when you're in the middle of a 50MB download!

How to Prepare to Upgrade Windows 98 or Windows Millennium Edition to Windows XP

Are you prepared to take the plunge? You know that we like to install Windows XP on a fresh partition that doesn't have any other data on it. But some people are bold, and like to do risky things, like upgrading a current Windows 98 or Windows ME installation. Yes, it can be done! But you have to be very, VERY careful. One wrong move and your data and programs will be history. Microsoft has put together a decent article on how to perform what we call an "in place" upgrade of Windows 98/ME.

Users Really Like iHateSpam

"I have to tell you. I NEVER wrote a response to an Internet company providing some type of service. I tried other anti-spam programs. They were basically worthless, unless you had DSL or Cable. This program is "BY FAR" the Best on the market. Especially for us stuck with 56k modems. It does not effect speed at all (that I can tell). The price is too cheap. It's worth more, but you don't need to pay it because this company must have the PERFECT business model to supply a Superior quality product at an affordable price and make money. Which is the American way. America Rules. Kill spam. We are too busy for that S**t.

P.S. If you like this endorsement, it surely needs editing, but I'm serious, GREAT JOB to your programmers, and visionary staff that produced this product. Finally, Special Thanks to Stu for responding to a couple questions. I had in minutes. I hope you get sleep !!!

Regards,
Doug Czark

This Week's Links We Like. Tips, Hints And Fun Stuff

Build Your Own Combat Robot

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Experience the excitement of building your own champion battling bot!

Build a powerful and invincible robot for full-blown competition or just for fun using this authoritative robot resource. This team of experts gives you an inside look at the innovative new world of robotic combat, explaining the origins of the sport as well as all the elements that go into constructing a fighting robot. You'll learn technical basics from motors and wiring to locomotion, and read builders' true stories from the front lines of robot competition. Whether or not you're mechanically-minded, you'll find this book both entertaining and informative. Fully capturing the spirit of the sport, this detailed guide shows you how an imagination and a few bits of metal can start you on your way to constructing your own champion bot.