There is so much information on Windows that more would seem superfluous. However, these are tips that aren't so easy to find when you need them in a hurry.
Make a Programme Start When Windows Boots
Open the Control Panel; Double Click Scheduled Tasks; Double Click Add Scheduled Task; follow the Wizard through. All you need to remember is to click the When my computer starts radio button and to assign a user with the right privileges to run the task.
Log in to a Remote Desktop
Microsoft's remote desktop technology is remarkably useful, if you have to work with several Windows machines at once. On XP, the Remote Desktop Handler is built in:
Start-->All Programs-->Accessories->Communications-->Remote Desktop Connection
Just provide the IP address of the computer you wish to access and log in to the machine when asked.
There's even a remote desktop link available, from Microsoft, for Apple computers running OS-X. Just do a web search for “Windows Remote Desktop OS-X” and your first result should be the Microsoft Mactopia page for the tool, which is a free download.
It appears that the only way to log onto a 'hidden' wireless network, i.e. a network that does not broadcast its SSID, is to unhide the network, log in once and then re-hide the network. This certainly applies to XP SP3 and probably to other versions of Windows. Microsoft have a tech library entry on the subject: bb726942.
The article goes to great lengths to explain why hidden networks are insecure. In fact, hiding your SSID is a good thing, as part of your security protocol. Obviously, a strong WAP key and MAC address filtering are also essential components.
In retrospect, it seems that the Microsoft argument is simply an excuse for the incorrect behaviour of their operating systems. After all, every other grown up operating system can handle connection to a hidden network gracefully.
