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© 1997 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
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Introduction

For three years I have been attempting to complete this book. It all started with my initial introduction to Windows NT. It was Robert Skoglund who first introduced me to the uses of Windows NT as well as the career potential in training and consulting NT. He is brilliant consultant who lives in Florida along with the other 2/3 of the consultants and trainers of Microsoft Products.

I wanted to write a book that serves as a definitive reference for as many registry parameters as possible. As you will discover, the book has gone far beyond that. I discuss indirect issues relating to the registry including troubleshooting topics relating to backing up and booting. And don't forget that a book about Windows NT is not really a book about NT unless it discusses those infamous blue screens of death.

I have this saying that I tell all of my students when I am on the road: "Once a student, always a student." Many student take me up on it an they will send me e-mail from time to time asking questions about bugs, problems, and NT tweaks. I can't tall you how many times I have to refer to the registry due to Microsoft's knowledge base documentation, MS Press documentation, etc. After all is said and done, the student s will write back and ask, "It would be a lot easier if they [Microsoft] would just publish all of the entries, where to add them, why to add them, and include a little hand-holding along the way.

Intended Audience

This book is recommended for all Windows NT Support Professionals. While the registry has been helpful in troubleshooting, it should also help anybody who needs to implement changes to adjust the fine-tuning of Windows NT. All registry topics relating to Windows NT and the entire Back Office suite are discussed in this book.

Expectations of the reader

This book was not designed to serve as a be-all end-all reference to Windows NT, SQL Server, SMS Server, IIS, SNA, and Exchange Server. This a very focused book on the structure and entries in the Windows NT Registry therefore it is assumed that the reader already has a strong Windows NT foundation. I did not envision this to be "first" book on Windows NT. This would be the answer to the book searching, Internet-searching, and consultant searching for registry-specific information. When a specific topic is discussed in this book, the reader should probably refer to some additional documentation for understanding the concept and theory behind the topic. This book gives the intricate specifics. For example, in Chapter 12, the book discusses registry entries relating to the general networking services built into NT. Now, with this book already pretty long in its current state - if I were to write a lecture thoroughly explaining the network architecture of Windows NT as well as its many features of it networking services, McGraw-Hill and I would have to start discussing multi-volume sets.

Do not read this book from cover to cover. This is not bedside reading. This is designed to serve as a reference. I have, along with a very patient editing staff at McGraw-Hill, attempted to at least prevent this book from reading and flowing like a dictionary while it has in some places, taken on the role of a "Registry Dictionary."

Naming Conventions

This book uses many naming conventions that are specific to the subjects in this book. There will also be specific formatting for some of these conventions. For example, as you read through the various chapters, you will see a bunch of references in the following format:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\FileSystem

This refers to what is called as registry path. This is similar to a directory path. The example below:

FileSystem

Actually refers to a registry value. Those two aforementioned types are actually the most common types throughout the book.

It is also important to address a lot of "NT Lingo" that is out and about in the Windows NT Community. We use these a lot through the book in an "off the cuff" fashion. It is not to say that these are officially technical terms. They have just evolved into that. Here are some examples below:

Blue Screen of Death:Windows NT Kernel-Mode Crash
The Resource Kit:Utilities and Documentation Microsoft expects you to pay extra to obtain but should have included inherently with Windows NT.
Service Packs:Bug Fixes
Console CommandsDOS Commands
MS Batch CommandsDOS Batch Commands

The Organization of the Book

This book is divided up into three parts. The first part teaches you the registry. This will not just rehash the Microsoft built-in on-line help descriptions that first introduced you to the registry, but will go into a more comprehensive analysis of its structure and management. The second part begins the reference of entries relating to Windows NT. The section will have those references divided into categories by chapter. The third section is the reference for the Back Office products. Naturally, if you are reading this book cover to cover, you will have an excellent understanding of the registry well before you reach that portion of the book.

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