Answer Line: Stop Others From Altering Your Security Settings

Is there a way to prevent others from disabling my PC's security software, installing potentially harmful programs, and otherwise messing up my Windows configuration?

Arnoud Izerman, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

If they're set up right, Windows XP's Limited accounts ("Restricted" accounts in 2000) offer some protection, but I know of a program that protects better.

First, the XP way: Start by ensuring that yours is the only administrator-level account, and that the account has a password. Next, give all other users Limited or Restricted accounts: Select Start, Run, type control userpasswords, and press <Enter>. In XP, select the other administrator accounts one at a time, and click Change the account type, Limited, Change Account Type. Or click Create a new account and follow the steps, selecting Limited as the account type. In 2000 (and many XP systems in organizations), pick the account, and click Properties, Restricted user, OK, OK. Or choose Add and step through the wizard, selecting Restricted user when the option appears.

To protect your administrator account when you're not at your PC, right-click the desktop and select Properties, Screen Saver. Choose a screen saver (if you don't already have one). Set the Wait value to a time you can live with (a duration less than 5 minutes may get on your nerves), and check On resume, display Welcome screen. Click the Power button, then the Advanced tab. Check Prompt for password when computer resumes from standby, and click OK in both dialog boxes.

Only the administrator can install software, change power management settings, or run Msconfig. But other accounts can still run undesirable programs that don't require installation, possibly disabling your real-time antivirus protection, among other dangers. Salfeld Computer's User Control utility allows you to set all sorts of controls on individual users and groups. You can whitelist or blacklist programs and Web sites, block access to Properties dialog boxes, and log URLs visited and programs run.

Browse to www.salfeld.com to download the 30-day trial version (the program costs $30 to register).

Even Out the Volume

Are there any applications that I can use to "normalize" the volume of all the MP3 tracks in my music library at one time?

Tim Durham, Gainesville, Florida

Yes, but I advise against using these programs. Altering an MP3 or WMA file lowers the file's sound quality. Luckily, many music players can level the volume at playback. MP3 and WMA files contain a volume leveling value, but it has to be set. In Windows Media Player 10, press <F3>, click Advanced Options, and select New files and all existing files in library (slow) And Add volume leveling values for all files (slow). Now click Search, and when the search is done, click Close.

To make Windows Media Player use this setting during your audio-file playback, click Now Playing, press <Alt>-V to open the player's View menu, and select Enhancements, Crossfading and Auto Volume Leveling. Click Turn on Auto Volume Leveling. (You can scroll through the player's other enhancement settings, which include a graphic equalizer and play-speed settings, by clicking the left and right arrows.) You can also use Windows Media Player 10 to level the volume when you burn tracks to a CD (most burning applications will do this as well). Press <Alt>-T to open the Tools menu, and select Options. Click the Devices tab, and then double-click your CD or DVD drive. Select the Quality tab, make sure Apply volume leveling to music when it is burned Is checked, and click OK twice.

Msconfig Reference Site

I frequently instruct readers to select Start, Run, Type msconfig, press <Enter>, and click the Startup tab to stop certain programs from loading automatically with Windows. Figuring out which programs should or should not autoload isn't easy, however. Richard James of Meriden, Connecticut, recommends Sysinfo.org, which lists autoloading files, along with concise and direct descriptions that help you decide whether a .exe file should always be running. Visit Sysinfo.org to search for a file name.

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