computer hobbyist



Everybody is as self-righteous as hell, and I'm right about that.
Franklin's remark #6



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copy exchange version of "blowing in the wind" (EXE file)

view BASIC source code

JSBOX music generator (EXE file)

view BASIC source code

Here's something to try if these programs play too loud on your computer or don't play at all ...

If your computer doesn't have a separate volume control for PC speaker, along with CD and wav on advanced audio settings, here's something that might work, if you want to take the time to mess with it:

  • Enter the BIOS when booting up, usually by hitting the DEL or F2 key.
  • Page through the settings until you find "CLICK VOLUME"
  • Reset the click volume to lowest setting, just above DISABLED.
  • Save BIOS settings and exit.

This BASIC programmer knows of no way to decrease the volume of the PC speaker from within a program. Note that the PC speaker is usually separate from the PC audio system. The PC speaker is what sounds the initial beep when the computer boots.

fetch day of the week for a given date

fetch date of Easter for a given year

email the copy exchange

sample splash image

Example of a splash image file, the image that comes up when you boot. The image has 16 colors, indexed, and must be 640X480 pixels. (Linux specifcations are the same as those for Windows XP.)

The Copy Exchange

HOW TO AVOID WELCOME SCREEN AND USER LOGON ON WINDOWS XP BOOT.

(Not known to work on any other operating system besides Windows XP.)


By using this material you are acknowledging that you understand that the information presented here may be unworkable on your computer.

  • Start > Control Panel > User Accounts
  • Select "Change the way users log on or off"
  • Uncheck "Use the Welcome screen"
  • Close
  • Start > Run ...
  • Enter the following command: control userpasswords2
  • OK
  • "Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer" will be checked
  • In the box below is a list of administrators. Click and highlight the current preferred system administrator.
  • Uncheck "Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer"
  • Click Apply
  • A box will appear with the administrator name, requesting a password. If the preferred administrator is not given then cancel out and repeat the last previous steps.
  • Otherwise only enter a password if you already have one.
  • Click OK
  • Close
  • For the next steps you will need an image editor such as GIMP 2.
  • Select a JPEG picture to use for your boot splash image. Sample is provided.
  • Open picture editor.
  • Resize image to 640 X 480 pixels.
  • Image > Mode > Indexed …
  • Under Generate optimum palette change number of colors to 16
  • OK
  • Save as Boot.bmp in C:\windows\ - If propted use "RLE encode"
  • Bring up DOS prompt
  • Type CD\  <enter>
  • At C:\> attrib -r -h -s boot.ini
  • Exit DOS
  • Open NotePad
  • Open boot.ini
  • Save as boot.old
  • Clear document: Select all > <delete>
  • For a one harddrive system, copy in the following code:
    [boot loader]
    timeout=10
    default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
    [operating systems]
    multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Windows XP Professional     " /noexecute=optin /fastdetect /bootlogo /noguiboot
    The text between multi(0) and noguiboot needs to be on one line.
    C:\ = "MS-DOS     "

  • Click to view new BOOT.INI file - You can cut and paste the contents.
  • Save as C:\boot.ini
  • Close
  • Open DOS
  • Enter CD\
  • At C:\> attrib +r +h +s boot.ini
  • Exit DOS
  • To test reboot
  • You will be prompted as to whether you want Windows XP or DOS. Press <enter>
    The next screen should be your splash image.
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