Filed under: Internet, Utilities, Windows, Microsoft
Microsoft releases Network Diagnostic Tool
by Jason Clarke Jul 26th 2006 at 3:05PM
Microsoft has released a utility to assist users in determining the cause of networking problems. Called Network Diagnostics for Windows XP, the utility aims to make detecting networking problems easier for home users. Of course, in true Microsoft fashion, everything about installing and actually using it is confusing. You'll want to read the knowledge base article about it first, but even that is less than spectacular. Here's what you need to know. When you download it (after jumping through the Windows Genuine "Advantage" hoops, grr) and go to run it, it will identify itself as a "hotfix". It's not a hotfix, it's a utility, but don't be alarmed if you see the word "hotfix".
Once you've got it installed, you'll probably wonder where the heck it is, as it doesn't show up in the Start menu or the Control Panel. At the bottom of the knowledge base article, it explains that the utility can be accessed via Internet Explorer's Tools menu, under "Diagnose Connection Problems..." (of course, why didn't I think of that!?), or run manually by clicking Start, Run, typing %windir%\network diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe, and then clicking OK.
Perfectly user friendly, no?
With Halloween fast approaching, it's a great time to get in some practice defending your territory against zombies. In Graveyard Shift, you take aim at zombies and other creepy-crawlies, blasting them into splatters of cartoony green guts. It's a casual first-person shooter, and it's very easy to get the hang of - use the mouse to aim, click to fire. Graveyard Shift has at least 15 levels, and it might even have some secret stages I haven't unlocked yet.
They key to getting good at Graveyard Shift is learning to use ...
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
dennis said 5:44PM on 7-26-2006
wow.. you want some cheese with that whine?
theres a REASON it was called a "hotfix", it wasnt meant to be a user friendly application that sits in your start menu. its meant to be a "hotfix" for IE, like an addon and as a supplement for support techs.
it is clearly NOT intended for the average user, they even mention themselves in the description:
"Typically you will do this along with a support professional, either on the phone or over the internet."
look, im all over for microsoft bashing where its due.. but gimme a break. this is just bashing for the sake of bashing...
Reply