The problem: The default places bar sucks. I want to customize it.

How to change it.

1. Start

2. Type gpedit.msc

This opens up the Local Group Policy Editor. You can do cool things with this tool.

1. Navigate; User Configuration --> Administrative Templates --> Windows Components --> Windows Explorer --> Common Open File Dialog --> Items displayed in Places Bar

For Windows 8 Users; Navigate; User Configuration --> Administrative Templates --> Windows Components --> File Explorer --> Common Open File Dialog --> Items displayed in Places Bar

1. Double click and select the enable option.
2. Copy and Paste the directories you want quicker access to.
3. Done.

Notes

• Windows Vista/7 only. If your on XP, its time to grow up and move on.

• I tried this in Win7 Ultimate. I heard that the Local group policy editor is MIA in the Win7 "home" editions. Not sure if this is true or not. Don't care. I'm on Win7 Ultimate.

• [UPDATE 02/17/2013] - I upgraded to Windows 8, There is a minor change in step three. I have updated it accordingly. Instead of Windows Explorer, it is now File Explorer. All the steps are otherwise the same.

The problem

Project Reality crashes when starting up in Windows 8. The splash screen appears for a little bit then disappears. No sign of life from the game meaning that Task Manager shows that the game hasn't/isn't launched/launching.

My situation

I installed BF2 from the disc and skipped the patches and expansions. I then downloaded BF2 patch 1.5 and patched it without launching BF2 first. Then I tried launching Project Reality but it didn't work. I also tried launching BF2 and that didn't work.

My solution

Download and patch your BF2 install to patch 1.41 and then boot up BF2. It should work fine now. Login and load up a game if you want. Then patch the game to 1.5 and then try launching PR. It should work.

Get in touch with me if have other solutions to this problem.

The problem

The media keys / the function keys that your keyboard comes with stopped working for some reason. They worked before, but they stopped working after doing something.

The solution

HID (Human Interface Device) service stopped running. This services lets your keyboard do cool things. For whatever reason, it got disabled or turned off. My guess is that you installed a program or system update that disabled it.

How to turn it on

In Windows 7 or 8

1. Start --> Search
2. type services.msc and hit enter
3. Look for HID (Human Interface Device) service and turn it on. Go into the properties and set the option to auto start.
4. Problem solved. System reboot is not necessary.

Yes, this is possible. By default, #Windows will not allow the logon over a network with a blank password. There is a KB article that details how to allow blank passwords for network logons. You can disable blank password restrictions by using a policy. To locate and change this policy:

1. Click Start, point to Run, type gpedit.msc, and then click OK to start the Group Policy Editor.
2. Open;

• Computer Configuration
• Windows Settings
• Security Settings
• Local Policies
• Security Options
• Accounts: Limit local account use of blank passwords to console logon only.

1. Click Disabled, and then click OK.

Quit Group Policy Editor NOTE: By default, this policy is on (enabled). Under the cover, in Registry, this is controlled by

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetControlLsa]
"LimitBlankPasswordUse"=dword:00000000
 Therefore, alternatively, this can be achieved by directly setting 

LimitBlankPasswordUse to ``. Setting it to 1 will restore the default behavior.