This one comes in handy from time to time…
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Command Processor]
"DisableUNCCheck"=dword:00000001
It enables you to run a process defined by a UNC path through the command processor, or through your code (CreateProcess) for that matter.
Last week I decided to try some new demos out (now is a good demo season, in case you didn’t notice yet ;)). So I thought it would be not a bad idea to upgrade my graphics card driver to ensure I’d squeeze the maximum framerate out of my poor radeon 9800 pro. 
Of course, as with all ultra new drivers on old hardware, there start to be annoying side effects. This time it was a refresh rate problem. I run my desktop at 1280×1024@85Hz. After the upgrade, my card would think it switched to 85Hz while it surely was only firing at 60Hz! I could change back and forth between 60 and 85, and then it would be fine, but after the next reboot, I would have to do that again… quite annoying if you ask me. 
So after a few days, I thought, it can’t be that everyone is adjusting refresh rates after each reboot! Or, everyone is sane enough to not upgrade. Or, nobody still owns such a card. Or, everyone still owning one already died.
Anyway, I searched ATI/AMD’s knowledge base. No result. Then I went on to ATI’s forum. Does not exist. Then I googled for this problem. No-one cares. BUT, then I found a very interesting tool that fixed another annoying refresh rate problem. The one that you always get 60Hz in an opengl game, no matter what. So I thought, let’s give it a try. Oh btw, it’s name is ATI Refresh Fix(ARF).
First thing this program says at startup: “ERROR: native modes in modetable”.
One reboot later, my windows boots in 85Hz! Wooha! I love you, Voron!
=== checkpoint ===
Then I got this insane idea to try out the program for what it is actually made for! First, be sure I only get 60Hz in opengl game. Fire up WOP, 60Hz, check.
Now start ARF and see the interesting refresh rate list. Let’s try out the autoconfig button… Seems nice. Reboot. PEEEEUT. Windows doesn’t like it and I don’t get to see my desktop. Luckily, somehow, the ARF tool got loaded and detected the problem and suggests to restore the previous settings. Yay! Reboot. Hmpff, there seems to be a persistent problem… Even after manually setting all refresh rates to very safe values, using the registry cleanout, driver reinstall, driver reinstall fail, windows system restore point? nah, I’d rather not use that system f*ckup tool, some more driver reinstall problems … I finally manage to get in my original situation marked by check point.
And then I thought, let’s just keep it like that for now…
Yes, occasionally, you want to be able to create a user to give access to a network share, but the user does not need to be able to physically log on. Mostly, this works fine unless you want auto logon. Today auto logon got broken again because I added an extra user. So what to do?
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yes, that’s how Windows makes you jump like half a meter in the air after just having enjoyed a nice movie. Normally, all Windows sounds are disabled in my setup, they’re annoying. However, Windows still seems to find a reason from time to time to bug me with its beeps. Usually at a moment that I least expect it. ..
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Yesterday, I tried to copy something over network. Got the login prompt, entered my password… password wrong! I tried all kind of combinations, I was struck. I went to my profile settings to learn that I didn’t set a password yet, LOL. So I set my password, but on the next reboot I realise that the autologon feature does not work anymore, logical… (more…)