Description of "nt_info"
------------------------

nt_info is a small tool to find out how Windows NT is configured.

I often have to work on computers I have not installed myself, and then
I need to find out what NT will behave like and if there are active
switches I don't want to have.
I've written this program to output all the interesting stuff as I don't
feel like digging through the registry ervery time.

You should be able to alter the output easily in case you want to have,
say, a list of installed drivers or services.

The output as now includes:

- whether "autoexec.bat" is parsed
"autoexec.bat" is by default parsed for compatibility with Win3.1; some
old software might need an environment variable or a path set there.
I consider this harmful as you have a path set to lots of directories
including DOS; you may end up running programs or using DLLs or ini-files
you never wanted to. Besides, a shorter path is faster.

- whether minimizing/restoring/maximizing windows are "animated"
This "feature" is an annoyance, and I switch it off as soon as possible.

- whether beeps and dragging full windows are on
Of minor importance, but still interesting

- whether a screensaver is installed and password-protected
Why this? Well, if it's not your computer and you are logged in by
someone, you better know the password if the saver comes up and wants
it and the person logging you in is elsewhere drinking coffee.

- if "active window tracking" is on
The window under the mouse gets the focus without need to click it to
the top; I like that. Sometimes called "X-mouse".

- "SnapToDefaultButton" and "SwapMouseButtons"
When a dialog pops up, the mouse pointer will jump to the "ok" button;
left & right button are exchanged. Irritating; switch off both.

- The "ErrorMode"
The default for every program if it doesn't use "SetErrorMode()". You
can switch off a lot of dialogboxes telling you files weren't found etc.

- Screen size and Number of colours
Well, I'm a resolution fan. I want 1280x1024 if possible.

- NT-version
Just to make sure what's running

- shell
I don't like explorer, and I replace it as soon as possible. Normally, I
use cmd.exe as shell.

- extensions to cmd.exe and completion char
Allow improved command line syntax; completion char allows you to type
the beginning of a file/directory and have NT complete it. Try a
completion char 0x09 (tab-key); type the first key of some file and
press TAB; boah ey, cute feature.

- Version info of a system dll
Just to make sure what's running

- System and Memory
To have an overview how fast the machine will work.
I normaly don't want the foreground process to be boosted (spoils
running behaviour; you cannot test your program if priorities change
as you move the mouse), and I like working set to be preferred over
cache.

- drives
Mostly to see how much space is left and how much space will be wasted
due to large clusters; and, of course, I need to know where is NTFS and
where is FAT.

- long names in FAT and short names in NTFS
Long names in FAT are stored as hidden volume labels, which is a bad
thing if you like a regular FAT structure; so get rid of it and don't
try to teach a frog how to fly.
8.3 Names are stored in NTFS in case a DOS-program running in NT
will need it; having two names per file slows things down considerably,
espacially in large directories; besides, I hardly ever use DOS-programs
in NT.
So generally it's sufficient to have only one name per file.

- Network
When using sockets, I like to ensure there is TCP/IP. Also, I need to
know the address and name/domain of my machine.


All the stuff is freeware; use it for whatever purpose you like.

Greetings,
	Bernd

email: bernd.luevelsmeyer@iplan.heitec.net
