Windows 95 Reference Materials

Websources

Date:    Mon, 23 Dec 1996 17:55:22 -0500
From:    Jaime Pujals Keyser <kermkill@COQUI.NET>
Subject: Re: REGISTRY

Well... About the registry I pretty much know what I have learned by trial
and error (mostly error) during my computing life but here is a nice Info
Page that could be usefull :)

http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Pines/2857/

Books:-

Purchase Locations:-

Using the Windows 95 Registry : Special Edition

Author: Jerry Honeycutt
Publisher: Que Corp
Phone:
Pages: Paperback, 782 pages
Price: $59.99
ISBN #0-78970-785-3

Synopsis:

Special Edition Using Windows 95 Registry covers the Windows 95 Registry and other advanced configuration and management issues. The CD contains 24 management utilities, sample files and system enhancements.

The Windows 95 Registry : A Survival Guide for Users

Author: John Woram
Publisher: Mis Pr
Phone:
Pages: Paperback, 350 pages
Price: $24.95
ISBN #1-55828-494-X

From the Publisher:

The Windows 95 Registry is your guided tour into the depths of the Windows 95 Registry. Read it carefully before you open the hood, for Microsoft's own cautions about the Registry must be taken very seriously. Altering Registry information can damage your system configuration beyond the point of a simple repair by re-booting. With John Woram at your side, you can proceed with confidence and easily fix whatever Windows 95 throws your way.

Excerpted from The Windows 95 Registry: A Survival Guide for Users by John Woram. Copyright 1996 by John Woram. Reprinted by permission of MIS:Press. All rights reserved: This section offers definitions of a few terms unique to the Registry. Because there are not that many of them, the definitions are listed here in the order in which they are likely to be encountered, rather than in the usual alphabetical sequence. Additional terms are defined in the chapters in which they are first used.

The Registry: Windows 95 writes much of its configuration information into the hidden SYSTEM.DAT and USER.DAT files, which are found in the C:\Windows folder. If the system is configured for multiple users, a separate USER.DAT file is created for each user, and each such file is found in the user's own custom Profiles area, as described in more detail in the "Custom Profiles" section of Chapter 4. These DAT files are referred to collectively as The Registry. Registry Editor: The Registry Editor is the Windows 95 utility used to edit the Registry's SYSTEM.DAT and USER.DAT files. For routine configuration changes, the Registry is automatically edited whenever the user makes changes via the Control Panel or from some other Windows 95 applet or application. Alternatively, the Registry's may be directly edited as described in Chapters 3 and 4. In conventional INI file viewing, it is always clear which file is open, because the user must load that file into an Edit utility, where its name appears in the editor's Title Bar. By contrast, the Registry Editor loads data contained in the two DAT files but does not identify either file by name. NOTE: Any change made via the Registry Editor takes place immediately, and the new information is written into SYSTEM.DAT or USER.DAT, as appropriate. The usual Save File operation is not required, and in fact is not possible. In order to undo a change, the appropriate line must be re-edited. HKEY: The Registry is divided into six sections, each identified as HKEY_SectionName, which immediately raises the question, what's an HKEY? In Microspeak, it is the programming handle to a key (hence, HKEY) in which configuration information is stored. Key: A key is the Registry analog to the folder (formerly, directory) seen in the Windows 95 Explorer. In fact, a folder icon appears next to each of the six HKEYs in the Registry. Subkey: Again following the Explorer model, a boxed plus sign to the immediate left of a Registry key indicates there are one or more subkeys (analogous to subfolders) contained within the adjacent key. Each subkey may contain its own subkeys, and so on for several levels. Like the six HKEYs, each subkey is represented by a folder icon. Key vs. Subkey: Because every HKEY and many subkeys lead to one or more additional subkeys, a tendency to describe the subkey, subsubkey, subsubsubkey, and so on must be avoided if at all possible. Accordingly, after any subkey has been introduced, it may subsequently be referred to as a key, while a key immediately below it is referred to as a subkey, until it becomes the focus of the discussion. Subkey Level: In a few cases, a key leads to a subkey with the same name, which may in turn lead to another subkey--again with the same name, as shown by the example in Figure 1.2. If it is necessary to clearly differentiate one such key from another, it may be necessary to refer to the level at which it appears in the key\subkey structure. The figure illustrates a worst-case example, in which a level-5 .Default key leads to a level-6 .Default key, which leads to a level-7 .Default key. As shown in the figure, My Computer is at level 0, the six HKEYs are at level 1, and the subkeys are at level 2 or greater. Verb: For reasons that are not entirely clear, the Microspeak Dictionary defines the type of action that can be performed on an object as a verb. Two common verbs are play and edit. The typical use for an object is called the primary verb. Double-clicking an object usually executes the action specified by the primary verb. Other verbs are secondary verbs. Many objects support only one verb.

Synopsis:

The Windows Registry is actually several files that maintain records of software and hardware settings for Windows. When something new is installed, the programs typically write information to the Registry, giving information as to what files they can open. This book promotes disaster recovery plans for what to do when the Registry becomes corrupt.

Inside the Windows 95 Registry

Author: Ron Petrusha
Publisher: O'Reilly & Assoc
Phone:
Pages: Paperback, 300 pages
Price: $32.95
ISBN #1-56592-170-4

Synopsis:

Schulman and Petrusha cover topics such as customizing your Windows 95 configuration with the registry, the role of the registry in OLE, Microsoft Office, networking, and Plug and Play, repairing a corrupt registry, remote registry administration, accessing the registry API from C, C++, VxDs, and Visual Basic, and differences between the registry in Windows 95 and Windows NT. An in-depth examination of remote registry access, differences between the Win95 and NT registries, registry backup, undocumented registry services, and the role the registry plays in OLE. Shows programmers how to access the Win95 registry from Win32, Win16, and DOS programs in C and Visual Basic. VxD sample code is also included. Includes diskette.

Windows 95 Registry Troubleshooting

Author: Rob Tidrow
Publisher: Que Corp
Phone:
Pages: Paperback, 321 pages
Price: $40.00
ISBN #1-56205-556-9

Synopsis:

The newest and most difficult aspect of Windows 95 is the Registry. Now, this handbook will help administrators master Registry concepts and properly plan and implement its features--including editing, customizing, migrating, and dealing with legacy systems. It also provides clear, detailed troubleshooting information.

Windows 95 Registry & Customization Handbook

Author: Jerry Honeycutt, A. Honeycut
Publisher: New Riders Publishing
Phone:
Pages: 430 pages
Price: $40.00
ISBN #0-78970-725-X

Synopsis:

Showing exactly how to tune and configure SYS and INI files for greater performance, here is an all-in-one guide to customizing and controlling all aspects of Windows 95 through the Windows 95 registry. Included is specific, step-by-step coverage of how to accomplish the most common--and most difficult--customization tasks.

Inside the Registry for Microsoft Windows 95

Author:Guenter Born, Gunter Born
Publisher: Microsoft Press
Phone:
Pages: ??? Paperback - Release Jan 97
Price: $24.99
ISBN #1-57231-424-9

Synopsis:

This authoritative overview covers one of the least-understood aspects of Windows 95--the Registry. This unique volume helps developers go deep into Registry features and issues.

Windows 95 Resource Kit

Author: None listed.
Publisher: Microsoft Press
Phone: 1.800.677.7377
Pages: 1350
Price: $ 49.95 (includes three 3.5 utilities disks)
ISBN # 1-55615-678-2

Summary:

Nearly 1400 pages of in-depth technical information on the planning for, migration to, installation of, configuration of and support of Windows 95; the brand-new Operating System from Microsoft. Written for the professional user, this is an invaluable resource, and is a completely worthy addition to your Windows 95 reference library.

The Kit includes detailed coverage of the following topics:

Installation * Networking * Systems Management * System Configuration * Communications * Windows 95 Reference * Troubleshooting * Windows 95 Registry * Command Reference

In addition, there are some pretty cool software utilities:

Resource Kit Online Reference * Log Viewer * Batch Script Editor * Enhanced Printer Troubleshooter * System Config. Backup Tool * Quick Resolution Changer * Emergency Recovery Utility * Animated Cursor Editor * Icon and .BMP Editor *

Anyone who's serious about Windows 95 should own this book!

Inside Windows 95

Author: Adrian King
Publisher: Microsoft Press
Phone: 1.800.677.7377
Pages: 476 pages
Price: $ 24.95
ISBN # 1-55615-626-X

Summary:

This is the Inside Story behind the development of Windows 95, and includes information on the philosophy, design, user interface, and system architecture, just to name a few topics that are explored in-depth.

Author Adrian King is a former Microsoftie, and because of that fact alone, his writing helps the reader to understand how Windows 95 will forever change the face of computing, and why Windows 95 works the way it does.

After a tour of the project goals, program features, and the evolving architecture of Windows, the book delves into the major components of this innovative new Operating System:

The Base System * The User Interface * Win32 API * Plug And Play * Multitasking * OLE * WinG * Applications and Devices *

If reading about the philosophies of the Graphical User Interface and Intel chip architecture is your thing, then have I got a book for you!

Totally worth owning just for the discussion of pre-emptive versus cooperative multitasking and multi-threading alone.

Windows 95 Secrets

Author: Brian Livingston
Publisher: IDG Books Worldwide
Phone: 1.800.762.2974
Pages: Not avail.
Price: $ 39.95
ISBN # 1-56884-453-0

Summary:

Brian Livingston is the author of "Windows 3.1 Secrets" and "More Windows Secrets," and co-author of "Windows Gizmos" by IDG Books. He is also an editor and writes the weekly "Window Manager" column for InfoWorld.

I have had the opportunity to scan through all three of his books, and I came to the impression that, for Windows 3.1, these books would have been valuable resources. But, since the world of computing has moved on, we will have to wait until the end of August to see if "Windows 95 Secrets" is worth owning.

I will say however, that after reading the last years' worth of his "Window Manager" columns, that if the book is as informative as his column is, then this will be a MUST HAVE book for everyone's Windows 95 reference library.

Will ship at the end of August 1995.

Software Developer's Guide To Windows 95

Author: Martin Heller
Publisher: John Wiley and Sons, Inc.
Phone: Not avail.
Pages: Not avail.
Price: $ 39.95
ISBN # 047-107-6716

Windows 95 Programmer's Guide

Author: Not avail.
Publisher: Microsoft Press
Phone: 1.800.677.7377
Pages: Not avail.
Price: $ 24.95
ISBN # 1-55615-834-3

Programming the Windows 95 Interface

Author: Nancy Cluts
Publisher: Microsoft Press
Phone: 1.800.677.7377
Pages: 425
Price: $ 34.95 (includes one CD-ROM Utilities disc)
ISBN # 1-55615-884-X

Summary:

For all you C and C++ Jockeys out there, here is a programming book to sink your teeth into! With this insiders guide, you'll be developing applications that sport all the new Windows 95 User Interface features.

Covers the full spectrum of User Interface issues: the new set of common controls, interface extensions, shortcuts, long file name support, as well as changes to the common dialog boxes, just to name a few. Book and CD-ROM include sample code in both C and C++, and includes a sample application that combines many of the brand-new interface elements.

The author is a writer in the Microsoft Developer Network's Development Technology Group.

Microsoft Developer Network

If all this tinkering with the Registry and the Registry Editor has got you all excited, then, please be aware that there is something called the Microsoft Developer Network. This is an exclusive membership program that streamlines your access to all the Microsoft development information and technology.

The Development Library is a quarterly CD-ROM, which delivers all the technical information that you need to program for Windows, while the Development Platform is a set of CD-ROMs that contain the complete Microsoft Development Tools library; including software development kits and device driver kits.

The Development Library CD-ROM contains about 1.5 gigabytes of compressed information, all full-text search capable. It contains information on all of Microsoft's development products and system software. Just the fact that it contains the full text of all the Microsoft Press books makes this worth it alone.

Look at it this way: If you purchased the books that have been listed in the Reference section of this FAQ, you could just about pay for the Development Library subscription in itself. The fact that all of those books (and all included software) will be on the CD-ROMs anyway, it made sense for me to get the CD-ROM subscription, because in the long run, it will be less expensive. And besides, it contains copious amounts of information!!

The Development Platform brings you a set of CD-ROMs containing the entire set of Microsoft Operating Systems and related Software Developement Kits and Device Driver Kits. Released quarterly, the Development Platform includes ßeta software as well, so you know that you are always working on the most current software.

The MSDN costs either $ 195 or $ 495 per year, depending on whether it's a Level One or Level Two membership. For more information, call the Microsoft Developer's Network at: (800) 426-9400 ext. 11771.

Be sure to ask for The Microsoft Developer Network Overview brochure, MSDN Development Library Demo diskette, and a copy of the latest MSDN News.

If you already know that you want to join MSDN, just get your credit card out, and dial (800) 759-5474.

Disclaimer

Copyright Notice ©

Windows95 (Win95-L) FAQ © 1996 PERMISSION:

Permission is granted freely to distribute this article in electronic form as long as it is posted in its entirety including this copyright statement. This article may not be distributed for financial gain. This article may not be included in any commerical collections or compilations without the express permision of the author, Hans Klarenbeek(hansie@wantree.com.au)