TROUBLE SHOOTING OF HARDWARE AND OS ~ TECH ERA

1. I suspect general motherboard failure.

Are the minimum things needed to boot present? A barebone working system includes a motherboard, processor, a full bank of memory, a video card, and a drive to boot off of. If these things are not there, it will not work. Are these things all properly connected?
Try removing everything else one by one and try to narrow down the problem.
Are the jumper settings correct? You must set jumpers correctly for processor type, speed, voltage, bus speed, etc. Consult the manual.
If you tried to streamline the BIOS, return all settings to default.
Is the motherboard in good shape? Any cracks, bent pins?
Is there enough power? If you are adding more or newer components to an old system, your power supply might not be powerful enough. A mainstream power supply is 230 or 250 watts.
Troubleshoot other hardware in computer.
Check around the net and see if there is a known "bug" on your particular motherboard. Check the manufacturer's web site to see if there are any updates for it.
If you recently had a bad rain storm with lightning and have no surge protection on the computer, you could also have a fried motherboard due electric surge.

2. System Loses Time, Settings, or gives Dead Battery errors.

This one's easy...the battery is dead! Replace it.

3. Battery Only Works Sometimes.

Sometimes the battery works fine. Then, sometimes you get errors, or your setting are gone and the computer forgets what time it is. In many cases, this is because the battery is getting low and is losing voltage. It could also be a bad connection between the battery and the motherboard.

4. I can't figure out how to get into setup

Every computer is different on what key combination will take you into it's setup program. It a factor of what BIOS version and maker you have. But, immediately after booting the machine, look on the screen for the keys to hit. In many cases this info is at the bottom of the screen. It will say "Press "X" to enter Setup" or something like that where "X" is the key(s) to hit.

5. I changed the CMOS settings and it doesn't show

When exiting the CMOS setup after changing settings, make sure you choose "Save and Exit" to leave. Choosing "Exit Without Saving" my accident will cause you to have this problem.

6. The motherboard is cracked

Well, unfortunately, this means you will have to buy a new board. You can't repair it. To prevent it in the future, make sure the motherboard has plenty of support to prevent flexing. And be careful when pressing cards into the board.

7. There's a bent pin on the board

If its just bent, carefully bend it back with pliers and the power turned off and unplugged. If its actually broken, there is nothing you can do. You will have to buy a new board, or if it still works, live with it.

8. The ZIF socket is stuck

I don't know how common of a problem this is, but I had it with one of my older boards, so it came to my attention. These sockets become stuck with the same CPU after many years. It is possible to remove it, but you risk breaking the socket. First, rock the lever back and forth a bit. It might loosen. Apply gentle pressure. Do not force it!

9. My cache is broken

The cache may be bad. Try narrowing it down by disabling it in the BIOS. If your problem stop, then the cache is to blame. If this isn't it, then make sure it is the right kind of cache, if you added it yourself. Is the cache inserted in the slot correctly? Check to see if you bumped anything else out of place when installing the cache.

10. I installed a Pentium Overdrive, and the cache broke

Sometimes, installing an Overdrive processor can result in the secondary cache being disabled. This is usually caused by a BIOS that is not compatible with the Overdrive processor.

11. How can I find the latest chipset drivers for my motherboard?

Downloading the updated drivers for your Motherboard will ensure its optimum performance as well as trouble-free operation. Updated drivers can also provide for additional functionality as well. Use the links below to identify and download the different motherboard drivers available.

12. Operating systems errors

When booting up to Windows XP you may get an error that reads: Unmountable Boot Volume.

This is probably because your boot.ini file is messed up. Here is a possible remedy:

Start Windows XP with the Windows XP CD in your CD/DVD drive.
Once you see the "Welcome to setup" message, press the letter 'R' on your keyboard to enter the Recovery Console.
Select the Windows installation to be repaired (you will need to know the administrator password.
You will then get a DOS prompt. from here, type: chkdsk /p [Enter]
When that is done type: fixboot [Enter]
Type: Y at the next prompt [Enter]
Then type: exit [Enter]
The system will now reboot into Windows.

If for some reason that didn't work, you can boot to the recovery console (example above).

Type: "chkdsk /r" [Enter]

When done type: exit [Enter].

This takes a bit longer, but the system should boot back into Windows.

13. My system reboots continuosly

There are many reasons a computer will continue to reboot itself. The usual reason is because when it reboots, it is attempting to repair itself. If it should continue to reboot you need to find out why. Below are some troubleshooting steps that should aid in your hunt to find the culprit:

1. Open the computer and remove all dust from the case. Often dust will create insulation and cause the computer to overheat. Overheating is a definite rebooting suspect.

2. Insure that all of the case fans are operating. You can do this just by sight and sound. Again, if one or more fans are not operating, this will cause overheating.

3. Test your RAM (Random Access Memory). There are many places where you can check to see if the memory you have is operating correctly. Here are a couple to choose from:

http://hcidesign.com/memtest/

http://www.memtest86.com/

4. Your power supply could be going bad.

5.Windows patches issues(Remove patches and turn off the windows update services).

14. ATX power supplies have a simple diagnostic circuit that you can use to determine if your power supply is good or bad. Here's how.

Tools needed: Voltmeter.

Difficulty: Average

Time Required: 5 minutes

1. Shut down your computer and open it up. Leave the power supply connected to the AC power cord.

2. Leave the power supply's master power switch on, if it has one.

3. Disconnect the ATX power connector from the motherboard. This is a wide, flat connector with two rows of pins and a locking tab.

4. Locate the pin connected to the gray wire. This is the PWR_OK pin.

5. Locate any pin connected to a black wire. These are the ground/earth pins.

6. Place the red (positive) probe of your voltmeter on the PWR_OK pin, and the black (negative) probe on any ground pin.

7. If the gray pin reads 2 volts or more, then the power supply passed its internal diagnostic. Your power supply is probably good.

8. If the gray pin reads much less than 1 volt, then the power supply is dead. Replace the power supply.

Tips: If the power supply tests OK, then your PC problem probably lies elsewhere.
Motherboards check the PWR_OK pin before they start up. If a power supply fails the test, then it cannot be used in an ATX computer system.

Some power supplies might not activate the PWR_OK pin properly unless they are under a slight power load. If the PWR_OK pin shows little voltage, try shutting down the PS and plugging a peripheral (CD-ROM, floppy, etc) into the power supply, then turn it back on and check the pin. If the PWR_OK pin shows voltage, then the PS is probably fine.

5. Test your Motherboard. Many Motherboard manufactures have their own testing software,

6. Checking hardware with known good hardware is a common troubleshooting method.

Note: Testing hardware can be very involved and can be very risky. Opening up your computer system is not for the beginner computer user. Be sure that you take every precaution when attempting any task involving opening your computer case.

How do I copy my music CD to my computer?

Place the audio CD into the CD-ROM
Start Windows Media Player and select "Copy from CD" from the menu on the left.
Once Media Player has updated the artists and track titles, select "Copy Music" from the top menu.

How do I format my hard drive under Windows XP?

There are several ways to format in XP:

During install
Using Diskmanagement under administrative tools
Using the recovery console
Using start run cmd then the format command.
Right click on the drive in explorer and select format.
Using a Win98 boot disk

Note: WinXP will not let you mess with the boot partition or system partition since both contain items required to boot and run WinXP. Thus, you should use the install process to format system and boot drive.

Here is the easiest way to perform a "Clean Install" of XP:

Using Windows XP CD:

Insert your XP CD in the drive while running your current installation of XP.
You will be given some options here. You can select:

Clean Install
New Installation
Advanced

...and others I believe. But since this tutorial teaches a Clean Installation of XP, select "Clean Install".

Put a checkmark in the box to "designate where you want to install XP" (or some such dialog). Typically, you will choose to install XP on your C: drive.
Next, you will need to select the file system you wish to use. I recommend selecting NTFS as it is more secure than the FAT32 system.
Setup will then format the partition you chose and then you can install XP clean on that partition. Be sure that if you have more than one partition, you select the correct one.
Install your Windows XP Operating System.

Using Windows 98 Boot Disk:

Get yourself a Windows 98 boot-diskette with fdisk. Delete all partitions and THEN boot from the CD. If XP's setup finds formatted partitions, it proceeds without user intervention. If it doesn't find any, setup will prompt you for partitioning and formatting.

I can't copy pictures to CD anymore

It could be that the Imapi burning COM service has been disabled. Here is how you can activate it:

Go to Start>> Administrative Tools>> Services.
Right-click IMAPI CD-Burning COM Service, and choose Properties.
Change the Startup Type to Automatic.
Select Start, and click OK.

Note: The Imapi burning COM service will also disable itself if you try to install a second burning software. This feature is designed to avoid a program conflict.

Warn before deleting option is not working

Q: I am running Windows XP Professional. Lately I have noticed that I am not given a prompt before deleting a file. I don't know why the setting has changed, but is there a way that I can restore this function?

A: Yes, simply right click on your recycle bin and select properties. You will now notice a checkbox at the bottom titled: Display delete confirmation dialog. Place a checkmark by clicking inside the checkbox to restore the confirmation dialog. Click OK when done.

Can I move my Windows XP installation to a new computer?

Moving an OEM version of Windows XP is not allowed because the OEM version is linked to the computer that it was installed to. But, if you are trying to move a non-oem version, it may be possible. Here's how:

Remove the original Windows installation from the old PC.
Begin the new installation on the new PC.
Once Windows XP detects a significant change ion the systems hardware, it will give you a prompt that includes a toll free number to call. Explain your situation to the Activation Center. They will ask for your CD key code so have that handy. Once they are clear on your intentions, they will give you a 42 digit activation code to enable the installation on the new PC.

20. How can I change the drive letter assignment?

Be sure that you are logged in as administrator, then got to Start>> Control Panel>> Administrative Tools>> Computer Management.
From the left pane of the Computer Management window, click Disk Management.
Right click the drive that you would like to change.
Select "Change Drive Letter and Paths" from the resulting menu.
Click the Change button.
Select a letter from the drop down menu.
Click OK.

Note #1: You may have to reboot your system for this change to take effect.

Note #2: You will not be able to change the letter of the boot partition.

21. Should I use NTFS or FAT32?

Question:

I have just purchased a new 320 GB external hard drive that connects via a USB port. It has come factory formatted using FAT32. I have heard that I should format the drive using NTFS. What is your opinion on this?

Answer:

Instead of just giving you my recommendation, let me try to explain the two file systems to help educate you on your decision.

Intro:

FAT32 (file allocation table) and NTFS (new technology file system) are two very different file storage methods. The current Microsoft operating system, Windows XP, can use either method and in fact, both FAT32 and NTFS can be used on the same computer and can easily transfer files between them. Usually, the only time that you will see this is when someone is using the FAT32 file system on a Windows XP application to store system recovery tools. The reason why they would use a FAT32 for this purpose is because NTFS cannot be booted from a floppy disc where FAT32 can be.

FAT32:

FAT32 was developed for use with the Windows 98, SE and ME operating systems. It still is available for use with Windows XP. Even though FAT32 can handle single partitions up to 2 terabytes, it can only handle file sizes of up to 4GB (which can easily be achieved by some backup programs). Security is also a huge consideration when considering using FAT32. Anyone on a network that is FAT32 formatted can easily delete data with little trouble. Generally speaking, the only time you would actually need to use a FAT32 system is when you are dual booting a computer using an older operating system.

NTFS:

NTFS was developed for the Windows NT (new technology) operating system and is used in Windows 2000 and XP. The focus of NTFS' development was stability and security. This file storage method has many benefits over the older FAT32 method:

Can handle single partitions of up to 8 petabytes (8,000,000,000,000,000 bytes).
File compression
Built-in security
Recoverability

All-in-all, NTFS is a much better choice for large volume drives. It accesses files much quicker than does FAT32 because of its file indexing method.

XP Shutdown Menu Format Changed

Question:

When I shutdown the computer a different style menu now appears (with the same options - standby, restart, shutdown). It looks more like the old style windows shutdown menu from windows 98.

This older menu has a "drop down" type selector for the item you want to select. The former (XP type) menu had 3 icons and you selected the item you wanted.

I remember when I had this problem on a different computer it seemed to happen after Windows XP downloaded and installed an update. I am not sure if that was the case here.

Answer:

Try this:

Go to Start>> Control Panel
Click User Accounts
Click "Change the way users log on or off"

Make sure the box next to "Use welcome screen" is checked.

23. No text displayed in Help and Support center index

Question:

When trying to access the help files in Help and Support, they are missing. How could this happen? Can these be restored?

Answer:

This problem exists because of an uninstalled Multilingual User Interface Pack (MUI). When the MUI is uninstalled, the Help and Support Center indexes are lost and are not recreated. To restore the help and Support Center Index, follow the procedure outlined below:

1. Open Notepad (Start>> Run. Type in: notepad.exe [Enter])
2. Copy and Paste the following code in to Notepad:

'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
' Help and Support MUI Install '
'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
Option Explicit

' Localizable text
CONST strProcess = "Processing MUI Cab for LCID: "

Dim objFSO, objHSCMUIFolder, objShell, objCab
Dim objLCID, objSubFolders,objFiles
Dim strHelpsvc, strHSCMUI, strMUILCID, strCab

Set objFSO = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
Set objShell = CreateObject("Wscript.Shell")
strHSCMUI = objFSO.GetSpecialFolder(0).Path & "\Pchealth\MUI"
strHelpsvc = objFSO.GetSpecialFolder(0).Path & "\Pchealth\Helpctr\Binaries\Helpsvc.exe "
set objHSCMUIFolder = objFSO.GetFolder(strHSCMUI)
set objSubFolders = objHSCMUIFolder.SubFolders
For each objLCID in objSubFolders
strMUILCID = objLCID.Name
set objFiles = objLCID.Files
for each objCab in objFiles
strCab = objCab.Path
if right(strCab,4) = ".cab" then
wscript.echo strProcess & strMUILCID
objShell.Run strHelpsvc & "/MUI_install " & strMUILCID & " " &_
strCab,,true
strCab = ""
' wscript.echo "Error code received: " & err.Number,,"Debug error check"
end if
next
next

3. Name this file: FixHSCMUI.vbs
4. Save the file to your Desktop
5. Next, run your newly created file. Go to Start>> Run. Type in: cscript FixHSCMUI.vbs [Enter] or click OK.

Note: You must be logged in as Administrator to run the script. Depending on your specific systems performance, this may take several moments to recreate all of the index files for all supported languages.

The tabs are missing from the Task Manager

Question:

My Task Manager usually opens with a series of tabs at the top. These tabs are now gone. The processes running are listed, but how can I get the other choices back?

Answer:

It sounds like you have accidentally placed your Task Manager in what is called, Tiny Footprint Mode. If you double click the grey area at the top of the window , the Task Manager will revert back to "normal" mode. Double clicking the grey area again will place it back in Tiny Footprint Mode.

Windows XP will not remember folder setting

Question:

I have been having trouble customizing my folders and making Windows remember the setting. It will remember it for a few days and then it loses its setting. Is there a way that I can make Windows remember the setting?

Answer:

Windows XP was designed to remember the settings for 400 folders by default. This is a very common problem among users as this setting is easily exceeded. In order to make Windows XP remember more folder settings a simple tweak in the Windows Registry is required. As always, be sure to make a backup copy before making any changes in the registry.

Increase Folder View Setting:

1. Go to Start>> Run. Type in: regedit [Enter] or click OK.
2. Navigate to the following registry key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell

3. Click once on the "Shell" entry to view its contents in the right pane.
4. Double click the "BagMRU Size" entry.
5. Tick the "Base" entry titled: Decimal, then in the "Value data:" box, increase the amount to 8000 .
6. Click OK
7. Repeat the steps above for the following registry key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ShellNoRoam

8. Exit the Windows Registry.

Windows will now remember 8000 folders instead of 400. 8000 is the maximum number of folders that Windows XP will remember. No performance issues should be noticed after this change.

Remove invalid program entries in Add/Remove Programs

Question:

I am trying to uninstall a program that I no longer use. I used the manufactures supplied "uninstall" method. After the uninstallation completed, I still notice the program in the Add/Remove Programs menu. I am not able to remove it from there either. How can I fully remove this program from my system?

Answer:

This is a fairly common issue caused by an incomplete uninstallation. Many times it is due to a poorly designed uninstall method. In order to remove the program, you will need to delete the entry from the Windows Registry. Prior to making any changes in the Registry, be sure to make a backup copy.

How to back up the Windows Registry

Invalid Entry Removal Instructions:

Go to Start>> Run. Type in: regedit [Enter] or click OK.
Navigate to the following registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall

Expand the Uninstall entry by clicking the "+" symbol.
Below, you will now see all of the programs listed in the Add/Remove Programs menu. At the start of the list, you may see many {GUID} entries (Globally Unique IDentifier) which are a random set of letters and numbers encompassed in brackets ({ }). In order to know what program these are, click once on the {GUID} and notice its "DisplayName" in the right pane (see fig.1).
If the invalid entry you are searching for is not one the {GUID} entries, keep scrolling the Uninstall list until you find it.
Once you have located the invalid entry, save the Registry entry to a file, then go ahead and delete the entry by simply right clicking it and select delete.

(Fig. 1)

Bytes heirarichal structure

1024	Ki	kibi-	K	kilo-
1024²	Mi	mebi-	M	mega-
1024³	Gi	gibi-	G	giga-
1024⁴	Ti	tebi-
1024⁵	Pi	pebi-
1024⁶	Ei	exbi-
1024⁷	Zi	zebi-
1024⁸	Yi	yobi-

1000	k	kilo-
1000²	M	mega-
1000³	G	giga-
1000⁴	T	tera-
1000⁵	P	peta-
1000⁶	E	exa-
1000⁷	Z	zetta-
1000⁸	Y	yotta-

27. Remove unwanted items in the Open With menu

Question:

When I right click a certain file, I have an option to "Open With", which lists programs available to open this file with. How can I remove certain programs from this menu list?

Answer:

This will require a registry tweak, please perform a registry backup prior to making any changes.

1. Go to Start>> Run. Type in: regedit [Enter] or click OK.
2. Drill down to the following registry key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts

3. Click once on the "FileExts" key to view its contents in the right pane. You will now see all of the applications for the Open With menu. Simply right click and select Delete for any menu item you would like to remove from the list.

Identify Processes in Svchost.exe

Question:

There are a number of processes running under SVCHOST.EXE in the taskmanager. How can I determine what they are running?

Answer:

-Windows XP Pro only-

Svchost.exe was created to check the services that must run each time the system is started. Svchost.exe is located here:

%SystemRoot%\System32 folder

It is common for multiple instances of Svchost.exe to be running at the same time. This happens because Windows will allow Svchost.exe to be started at multiple times per session. Each Scvhost group can contain separate services. This grouping of services allows for much better control and for a simpler debugging process.

If you would like to view the services that are running in each Svchost process, here's how:

1. Go to Start>> Run. Type in:cmd [Enter] or click OK.
2. At the command prompt type in: tasklist /svc >c:\taskList.txt

How can I tell if I have the "Corporate" version installed?

Question:

How can I determine which version of Windows XP is installed on my computer system? I would like to find out if I have the "corporate" version installed.

Answer:

1. Insert your Windows XP CD
2. Open Windows Explorer, then navigate to: D:\I386, click 'Setupp.ini'

Note the last 3 digits next to Pid (process identifier). The three digits signify:

xxxxx335 = Retail (A boxed (By Microsoft) Windows product purchased from a retail supplier.

xxxxx270 = Volume License. Which means this version has multiple copies for larger organizations.

xxxxxOEM = Original Equipment Manufactures who resell the Windows product using their own logo's.

Right click menu is gone in Start Menu Question:

Using my profile, when I right click the Program menu it flashes and then disappears. I then created a different profile and it shows up fine. Is something corrupt in my other profile?

Answer:

It looks as thought a setting has changed in your Start Menu settings. To change it back follow these instructions:

XP Start Menu:

Right click the Start button
Select Properties
Select the Start menu tab
Choose the Customize button
Select the Advanced tab
Scroll down Start menu items box and place a checkmark in the entry titled: Enable dragging and dropping
Click OK, then OK once again

Classic Start Menu:

Right click the Start button
Select Properties
Click the Start Menu tab
Select the Customize button
Scroll down Start menu items box and place a checkmark in the entry titled: Enable dragging and dropping
Click OK, then click OK once again

Unable to send HTML forms Question:

When I attempt to complete some online forms a dialog box appears as follows: “Your current settings do not allow you to send HTML forms.” I have searched, without success, through all of my security settings on the Internet as well for a clue to what these settings might be and where they are. Likewise, as far as I can tell, none of my installed applications seem to be implicated.

Answer:

It appears as though your security settings may be set a bit too high. Try this:

Open Internet Explorer
Go to Tools>> Internet Options>> Security Tab.
Temporarily move the Security Level bar from its Medium (default) setting to a Medium-Low position.
Click Apply, then OK.

Note: Once the form has sent, it is advisable to change your security setting back to its default position (Medium).

Monitor Blacks Out Question:

I'm not sure if it's a problem with my laptop computer or its monitor or a combination of both. The screen blacks out every few seconds, though the Windows seems to be operating underneath. I can get the screen back temporarily by pressing the function key + monitor icon, but the problem remains. It's neither a screensaver tuning on (It's set after 30 minutes) nor a virus acting out.

Answer:

The symptoms you are having suggests an overheating problem, probably caused by dust in and around the CPU fan. Here's how to do it without disassembling your whole laptop.

Tools needed:

Magnetized tiny phillips screwdriver.
Very small TORX or small flat blade screwdriver.
Heatsink paste (optional but recommended).

Instructions:

Turn off your system.
Turn it over and find the small square cover on the bottom that covers the CPU. When the laptop is upright this would be in the in the upper left corner of the computer.
Remove the four screws and remove the cover. You should see a small aluminum square, this is the heatsink and the clogged cooling fins.
You will need a little tiny TORX driver or a very small straight screwdriver to get these four screws of the cover out. Be careful where you put these screws as they are very small and easily lost.
You should see four screws across the top and bottom of the heatsink. Remove ONLY the four "outside" screws, do not remove the two screws in the middle of each edge. The heatsink will now lift off of the processor. Use a magnetized screwdriver and DO NOT DROP those little screws into the computer or you will have to remove the entire cover.
Notice how much gunk is on the fan end of the fins. Blow softly through the OTHER end of the fins and blow the crud out of there.
Put a small amount of heatsink paste on the CPU surface before replacing the heatsink.
Replace the screws holding down the heatsink and replace the CPU cover. You are done and should notice large volumes of only warm air from the vent now.

This should return your monitor back to normal operation.

Windows XP no longer communicates with printer Question:

All of the sudden, XP will not communicate with the printer. I can see that there are many print jobs in the queue, but when I try to cancel the print jobs, nothing happens. How can I remove the print jobs from the queue?

Answer:

There are a couple of things to try here:

Method #1:

Go to Start>> Run. Type in: services.msc [Enter] or click OK
At the Services console, scroll down the list of services until you find the "Print Spooler" service.

Note: A quick way to navigate through the Services is to click once in the right pane of the Services console and type the first letter of the Service you are trying to locate. In this case it would be "P". Windows will automatically scroll down alphabetically until it reaches the first Service that starts with "P".

Once you have located "Print Spooler", right click it and select "Stop".
Wait a few moments, then right click "Print Spooler" once again and select "Start".
Close the Services console and Administrative Tools.

Method #2:

Go to Start>> Run. Type in: net stop spooler [Enter] or click OK.
Go back to Start>> Run. Type in: net start spooler [Enter] or click OK.

In either method, when you return to the printers queue, any jammed print jobs should be cleared or you should have the ability to cancel the jobs now.

Note: In some cases, you may have to manually update the queue by selecting Refresh from the View me

Delay in viewing shared files

When trying to view shared files across a network, this process can take up to 30 seconds for Windows to accomplish. The reason for this is; Windows spends this extra time is to search the remote computer for any scheduled tasks. If you would like Windows to bypass this search process, here's how:

Go to Start>> Run. Type in: regedit [Enter] or click OK

Drill down to the following registry entry:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Windows/Current Version/Explorer/RemoteComputer/NameSpace

Click once on the "NameSpace" entry and find the following entry in the right pane:

{D6277990-4C6A-11CF-8D87-00AA0060F5BF}

Right click and delete this entry.

Note: Please be sure to export a copy of the Windows registry prior to making any changes to it.

Remove Task Pane in Folder Options Question:

When I open up My Documents, I am seeing a grey toolbar on the left that takes up about 20% of my screen. I do not have a use for this toolbar, can you tell me how to get rid of it?

Answer:

Yes, it is called the Task Pane and can easily be removed in Folder Options. Here's how:

1. Go to Start>> My Documents>> Tools>> Folder Options
2. In the General tab and under the Tasks category, tick the entry labeled "Use Windows classic folders".
3. To revert back to using the Task Pane, tick the entry labeled "Show common tasks in folders".

What's the difference between Windows XP Home and Professional editions? Windows XP Home Edition:

Experience more than you thought possible with your home computer and the Internet. Windows XP Home Edition brings dependability and simplicity to your personal computer. It includes a cleaner, more intuitive visual design, advanced digital media features that make working with digital photographs or playing digital music simple and fun, and many new Windows experiences to explore.

Contains basic support for security among multiple users.
Built-in support for peer-to-peer networking, but only for up to five computers.
The backup utility is not installed by default, but is included on the CD.

Designed for businesses of all sizes and for home users who demand the most from their computing experience, Windows XP Professional delivers the new standard in reliability and performance. It includes all the great features and new visual design of Windows XP Home Edition, plus premier security and privacy features, advanced recovery options, improved ability to connect to large networks, and much more.

Includes extended support for security between multiple users on the same machine.
Better support for peer-to-peer networking, plus support for joining a "Windows NT domain."
The backup utility is installed by default.

The Professional edition includes the following components not found in the Home edition:

Administrative Tools (in the Start Menu and Control Panel)
Automated System Recovery (ASR)
Boot Configuration Manager
DriverQuery
Group Policy Refresh Utility
Multi-lingual User Interface (MUI) add-on
NTFS Encryption Utilitiy
Offline Files and Folders
OpenFiles
Performance Log Manager
Remote Desktop
Scheduled Tasks Console
Security Template Utility
Taskkill
Tasklist
Telnet Administrator
Provides support for multi-processor systems (2 or 4 CPUs), Dynamic Disks, Fax.

Clean Out Windows Registry Question:

I need to clean out my Windows registry because over time I have noticed remnants of deleted programs are still in there. Is there and easy method of removing these items or a program that will remove these for me?

Answer:

There are many third party software on the market that will do the job that you require. One that I have used for several years and have been very satisfied with is a program called EasyCleaner. Best of all, it's FREE!

EasyCleaner is a small program which searches Windows' registry for entries that are pointing nowhere. Deleting these entries will speed your computer up. But as you already might know, deleting entries from registry can be dangerous for your computer, so it is wise to make a backup of your registry. EasyCleaner also lets you delete all kinds of unnecessary files like temps, backups etc. You can search for duplicate files and you can view some interesting info about your disk space usage! ToniArts may not be held accountable in any way if EasyCleaner affects your computer in a negative way. Here's a list of some features:

Finds invalid registry entries - deleting them speeds up your computer up to 20%!
Finds duplicate files - deleting them will free disk space!
Finds all unnecessary files like backups, temps etc.
Very user friendly!
Shows some interesting info about your disk space usage.
Very customizable.
Uses only little amount of recourses while running!
Huge help file which gives you every little detail about EasyCleaner!
And much more...

How do I backup the Windows Registry? Manually export a registry subkey

Prior to editing a registry key, it is very important to ensure that you export a copy of the registry key safely to a folder on your hard drive. In the event you should make an editing mistake, you can safely return your operating system to normal with this backup copy. Here's how:

Go to Start>> Run. Type in: regedit [Enter] or click OK.
Locate and click to select the subkey that contains the value that you would like to edit.
Go up to the "File" option and select "Export".
In the "Save in" text box, choose an easy to find location to save your copied registry information. In the "File name" text box, name this whatever you would like.
Click Save.

You can also use the Windows Backup utility. Here's how:
-XP Pro users only-

Note: If you are using the Backup Utility to back up system settings and data files, you will need to back up all of the data on your computer including the System State data. System State data holds registry information, Windows File protection and Boot files.

Be sure that you are logged in as Administrator.
Go to Start>> All Programs>> Accessories>> System Tools>> Backup.
Select Advanced mode
Click the Backup tab
Open the Job menu and select New
Using the checkboxes, select the drives that you would like to back up. You can also expand a drive to back up files and folders within that drive.
In the Backup Destination list, select the backup destination you would like to use.
Select Start Backup. You will now see the Backup Job Information dialog box.
If you have previously backed up this particular data, you will now be given a couple of options as to how you wish to deal with the current backup. You can:

Append this backup to the media
-or-
Replace the data on the media with this backup
Select Advanced
Select the "Verify data after backup" checkbox
You will now need to select the type of backup you wish to perform in the Backup Type box. Select one of the available options and a description of that backup type appears under "Description".
Click OK, then Start Backup. A backup progress dialog box will now appear.
Once the backup is complete, click the Close button.

Windows Backup Utility Installation:
-For XP Home Users-

Insert your Windows XP CD in to the CD-ROM Drive.
If the CD does not auto-start, you will need to go to: Start>> My Computer. Then, double click the CD icon.
A "Welcome to Microsoft Windows XP" screen should now appear. Select "Perform Additional Tasks".
Click on "Browse this CD".
Now in Windows Explorer, double click the "ValueAdd" folder.
Select "Msft", then Ntbackup.
Double click the file titled: "Ntbackup.msi"
The wizard will now install the Backup Utility.
When complete, click the "Finish" button.

Now that the Backup Utility is installed, follow the same instructions above for the XP Pro Users.

Missing System Restore Tab Question:

I had a virus and found instructions to disable system restore in order to rid the virus from my system. After disabling system restore, then running my virus scan, the system restore tab has disappeared from the system properties window. How do I get this back?

Solution:

In order to restore your system restore tab, you will need to edit the registry. Be sure that you make a backup copy of the registry prior to making any changes.

Go to Start>> Run. Type in: regedit [Enter]

Navigate to the following registry key;

HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\SystemRestore

Single click once on the entry; "SystemRestore" to empty its contents into the right pane.

Find the entry "DisableSR", right click on it and delete it.

Remote Desktop Connection Missing in Programs

I don't know why, but I have lost my remote desktop connection in programs. How can I return this to my programs?

From what you've described, you have lost your shortcut somehow. This can be recreated using the method listed below:

Using Windows Explorer, navigate to:

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories\Communications
Right click in the right hand pane and select New>> Shortcut.
This should launch the Create Shortcut Wizard.
In the Location text box, enter: mstsc.exe
Click Next.
Name the shortcut; Remote Desktop Connection
Click Finish.

Test the function of your new shortcut. sssss

What is the easiest way to set a restore point?

Create a Restore Point:

Go to Start>> All Programs>> Accessories>> System Tools>> System Restore>> Tick the entry titled "Create a Restore Point".
Click Next
Insert a description for your restore point, then click Create.

Enable or disable System Restore:

Go to Start>> Control Panel>> System icon
Select the System Restore tab.
Clear the "Turn off System Restore on all drives" check box to enable
System Restore, or select this check box to disable System Restore.
Click OK.

To delete older restore points, but leave the system restore turned on:

Go to Start>> My Computer
Right click the Drive in question>> Properties>> Disk Cleanup>> More
Options>> System Restore>> Cleanup.

How do I change the default user profile?

Q: I have recently created a second profile for my XP Home computer which I have given Administrator rights. I can't seem to figure out how I can make Windows recognize my new profile as the default one. It just boots directly to my first Administrator account. Can you assist me with making my second account the default one?

A: Sure, here's how:

Go to Start
Select Run
Type in: control userpasswords2
Press Enter
Click the user account that you would like to make the default account by clicking it.
Uncheck the checkbox titled: "Users must enter username and password"
Select Apply (enter the password if applicable)
Click OK to close the remaining windows

Unable to change desktop background

Q: After removing a nasty virus from my system, I am no longer able to change the desktop background. All I have is a blank screen. When I go to my display section, it shows the background that I would like to use, but I am unable to get it to load to the desktop. Is there a way that I can add this background back to my desktop?

A: Try this:

Right click an empty area of your desktop
Select Properties
Select the Desktop tab
Select the Customize Desktop button
Select the Web tab
Click to highlight each entry here except for "My current home page"
Uncheck the checkbox titled: "My current Home page"
Click OK
Now, try selecting the desktop background you'd like to use
Click OK

Desktop icons change to generic icons Question:

My Desktop icons have all changed into generic icons. How can I get the original icons back?

Answer:

You can try resetting the icon cache by making a change to the cache and then changing it back. Here's how:

Right click an empty area of your Desktop
Select Properties
Select the Appearance tab
Choose the Advanced button
In the "Item:" drop down menu, click the entry titled 'Icon'
Using the up or down arrows, change the number displayed
Click OK
Using the above instructions, change the value of step #6 back to its original position.

My Computer icon missing from Desktop Question:
For some reason the My Computer icon on my desktop has disappeared. Is there any way I can get it back?

Answer:
Sure, Right click an empty area of your desktop. Choose Properties>> Desktop tab>> Customize Desktop button>> General tab.

Place a checkmark next to the item that you would like an icon to appear on your desktop. Your choices are:

My Computer
My Documents
My Network
Internet Explorer

In this case, place a checkmark next to "My Computer".

My Picture Slide Show

Question:

I think there is a graphic program in XP Home that lets you view jpg and other images as a running "slideshow" but I cannot find it. Can someone point me in the right direction?

Answer:

Sure. very simple, here's how:

1. Save any photo's that you would like to have as a slide show in to your "My Pictures" folder.

2. Go to Start>> My Pictures

3. Select "Tools" from the toolbar and choose "Folder Options..." from the resulting menu.

4. In Folder Options, find the "Tasks" section and tick the radio button titled: Show common tasks in folders.

5. Exit all windows and go back to Start>> My Pictures

6. In the left pane you will now see a "Picture Tasks" menu.

7. Click the "View as a slide show" option to start your "My Pictures" slide show.

Can't Use Welcome Screen Question:

Not sure how it happened but my settings were changed to Classic mode but I want it back to Welcome screen.

I have tried going to User Accounts to change the way users logon and I get this message:

"Client Services for NetWare has disabled the Welcome screen and Fast User Switching. To restore these features, you must uninstall Client Services for NetWare"

I have looked around and tried to find the area to uninstall the client services for Netware but I can't locate it.

Answer:

Go to Start>> Control Panel
Select Network and Internet Connections
Click Network Connections
Right click on Properties and select the Network/Internet connection you use
Check each one individually by right clicking and selecting Properties
When you see the client services on Netware in the list of properties, click on it to remove the small 'X' Click nothing else at this point.
Now, scroll down and select Uninstall
Your PC should reboot with the old Netware logon. After it does, go back to Control Panel and click User Accounts and change how users logon.
You should now be able to re-establish the Welcome screen that Netware disabled.

Organize Programs within "All Programs"

Question:

With Windows 98 I was able to create folders within the "Programs" folder. Am I able to organize "All Programs" menu in XP?

Answer:

Sure. Here's how:

Right Click the Start tab
Select Explore All Users

This will open an Explorer window C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu

Here you are able to create folders or drag and drop files.

When you close the window they will be saved and show up when you click Start/All Programs again.

Single Click to Open Shortcuts Problem:

To choose a shortcut item, I have to double-click on it. There is a way to
modify things so I just have to single click to conjure up the shortcut.

Solution:

Start>> Run>> Type: control folders [Enter]
In the resulting Folder Options window and under the General Tab Select "Single-click to open an item (point to select)".
Then select either Underline icon titles consistent with my browser or Underline icon titles only when I point at them.
Click Apply then Click OK.

I am not able to empty items from my recycle bin

It may be that are using a 3rd party application such as Norton and you have the "Protect recycle Bin" feature activated. If you are not using such a utility, then you can use a simple registry fix below to repair/replace the recycle bin in Windows XP:

The Taskbar won't resize

Problem:

After dragging something to my Quick Launch taskbar, the taskbar doubled in size. I have the double-ended arrow at the edge of the taskbar but am unable to resize it back to its normal size. I have tried locking and unlocking the taskbar but nothing seems to be working.

Solution:

What probably has happened is that you have made the taskbar extra long by moving the "Dotted Line" too far to the right. To fix this, you will need to grab the bottom dotted line by using your left mouse button and move it up and closer to the left on the top. This will, in effect, make the Quick Launch bar shorter. Once you have moved the dotted line, you should be able to shrink the taskbar back to normal size.

I accidentally deleted my Recycle Bin, how do I restore it? Below you will find three methods of restoring your Recycle Bin to your desktop:

Method #1:

Right-click an empty area of your desktop
Select Properties
Click the Desktop tab
Click the Customize button
Click Restore Default
Exit all windows and restart your computer

Method #2:

Note: Be sure to make a backup copy of your registry prior to making any changes.

Go to Start>> Run. Type in: regedit [Enter]

Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace

Hold the mouse on NameSpace and right-click once. From the resulting menu, select Edit>> New>> Key

Copy and Paste the following Key code (including the brackets):

{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}

Press Enter on your keyboard, exit the registry editor and restart your system.

Dell Computer Not Keeping Correct Time

If your Dell computer is loosing time while the computer is turned on, You can run the following commands:

Start >> Run >> CMD Net stop w32time w32tm >> unregister w32tm >> unregister w32tm >> register Net start w32time

You can also download a Dell Patch to do the same process automatically.

56. What is the Recovery Console and how can I install it?

Answer:

The Recovery Console is a command line tool much like DOS. It is a valuable tool for troubleshooting or fixing Windows XP booting issues. The recovery Console can be used for other purposes such as:

· Copy, rename or replacing system files and folders

· Create and format addition drive partitions

· Enable or disable services

· Repair the file system

While you can always access the Recovery Console from the Windows XP CD, a better option is to go ahead and install it on to the operating system for quick access when needed. You will need about 7 megabytes of available hard disk space.

Here's how you can install the System Recovery tool:

1. Insert your Windows XP CD in to your CD-ROM

2. Once the installation options are displayed, click Exit

3. Go to Start>> Run. Type in : {E}:\i386\winnt32.exe /cmdcons (replace the "E" in the command line with your CD-ROM's drive letter).

4. Press Enter on your keyboard

5. Follow the onscreen prompts to install the Recovery Console

6. Restart your computer

The Recovery Console will now show in the available boot options.

To see all of the available syntax for the Recovery Console, click the Microsoft article link below:

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=314058

Files with .exe extension will not open

Question:

When trying to launch an application, I receive an error that states it cannot find the .exe file. It would open fine yesterday.

Answer:

Most likely, you have a virus that has made your .exe file associations corrupt. By downloading the following file, it will automatically reset your .exe associations back to their default settings in the Windows Registry.

Missing Administrative Tools in Start Menu

Question:

When I try to access the Administrative Tools in the Start Menu, the menu is empty. What could cause this and how can I restore them?

Answer:

Either the shell folder path for the Administrative Tools folder has somehow been reset incorrectly or the Administrative Tools were deleted accidentally.

To restore the Administrative Tools menu list, follow the directions below:

1. Be sure to make a backup copy of your registry prior to making any changes.
2. Go to Start>> Run. Type in: regedit [Enter] or click OK.
3. Navigate to the following registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders

4. If listed, right click and delete the registry entry titled: Common Administrative Tools
5. Navigate again, to the following registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders

6. Again, if listed, right click and delete the registry entry titled: Common Administrative Tools.
7. Exit the Windows Registry and restart Windows.

How can I recover emptied items from my recycle bin?

There is nothing within Windows that will recover a deleted file after the recycle bin is emptied. So the use of a third party software must be used.

The recycle bin is essentially a holding area. People often delete files accidentally which was one of the reasons why the recycle bin was created. It gives a file and a user a second chance.

When the recycle bin is emptied, the area occupied by the file or files is then marked available by the operating system. Theoretically, until the area is overwritten, the file can be recovered intact by a third party application. So, once you have discovered that you've deleted a file or files in error, you should stop writing data to your hard drive until your file or files are successfully retrieved.

You can try any of the following links for help:

My system shows I am missing some files, how can I replace them?

If you are missing files of a Windows component, then you can run the System File Checker. Windows File Protection only monitors and maintains XP system components. If it is a 3rd party application, you may need to reinstall that application to restore the missing files.

Method #1:

To run Windows System File Checker:

Go to Start>> Run, type in: sfc /scannow [Enter]

Windows may require you to insert your XP CD.

Method #2:

You can also use System Restore to recover your system back to date before the files were missing. To activate System Restore:

Go to Start>> All Programs>> Accessories>> System Tools>> System Restore.

I/O device error when trying to use your CD or DVD drive Question:

When trying to install software using my DVD-Drive, I insert the disk in to the drive and it just spins and does nothing else. I then get an error message:

"Only part of a ReadProcessMemory or WriteProcessMemory request was completed."

What could be causing this and how can I fix it?

Answer:

The error message is caused from Windows trying to use a transfer mode that your CD/DVD drive cannot recognize.

A more common error message that is seen when this issue arises is:

"The request could not be performed because of an I/O device error."

However, both error messages yield the same solution.

To resolve this issue, you will need to change the transfer mode in your IDE channel properties. Here's how:

Go to Start
Right click My Computer
Select Manage from the resulting menu
In the Computer Management window, select Device Manager
In the right pane, click to expand IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers
Identify your CD/DVD drive in the expanded menu and right click the appropriate drive
Select Properties
In the Properties windows, click the Advanced Settings tab
In the Transfer Mode box that represents your CD/DVD drive (typically Device 1), open the drop down menu and select PIO Only
Click OK and exit all windows.

If this does not resolve your issue, then you will need to go back using the above procedure and change the Device 1 in step #9 back to "DMA if available". Then, change Device 0 to "PIO Only" in the Transfer Mode box.

Device 0: Primary IDE Channel
Device 1: Secondary IDE Channel

Go to Start>> Run. Type in: regedit [Enter] or click OK.
Locate and click to select the subkey that contains the value that you would like to edit.
Go up to the "File" option and select "Export".
In the "Save in" text box, choose an easy to find location to save your copied registry information. In the "File name" text box, name this whatever you would like.
Click Save.

You can also use the Windows Backup utility.

Here's how:
-XP Pro users only-

Note: If you are using the Backup Utility to back up system settings and data files, you will need to back up all of the data on your computer including the System State data. System State data holds registry information, Windows File protection and Boot files.

Be sure that you are logged in as Administrator.
Go to Start>> All Programs>> Accessories>> System Tools>> Backup.
Select Advanced mode
Click the Backup tab
Open the Job menu and select New
Using the checkboxes, select the drives that you would like to back up. You can also expand a drive to back up files and folders within that drive.
In the Backup Destination list, select the backup destination you would like to use.
Select Start Backup. You will now see the Backup Job Information dialog box.
If you have previously backed up this particular data, you will now be given a couple of options as to how you wish to deal with the current backup. You can:

Append this backup to the media
-or-
Replace the data on the media with this backup
Select Advanced
Select the "Verify data after backup" checkbox
You will now need to select the type of backup you wish to perform in the Backup Type box. Select one of the available options and a description of that backup type appears under "Description".
Click OK, then Start Backup. A backup progress dialog box will now appear.
Once the backup is complete, click the Close button.

Windows Backup Utility Installation:
-For XP Home Users-

Insert your Windows XP CD in to the CD-ROM Drive.
If the CD does not auto-start, you will need to go to: Start>> My Computer. Then, double click the CD icon.
A "Welcome to Microsoft Windows XP" screen should now appear. Select "Perform Additional Tasks".
Click on "Browse this CD".
Now in Windows Explorer, double click the "ValueAdd" folder.
Select "Msft", then Ntbackup.
Double click the file titled: "Ntbackup.msi"
The wizard will now install the Backup Utility.
When complete, click the "Finish" button.

Now that the Backup Utility is installed, follow the same instructions above for the XP Pro Users.

What's the difference between Windows XP Home and Professional editions?

Windows XP Home Edition:

Experience more than you thought possible with your home computer and the Internet. Windows XP Home Edition brings dependability and simplicity to your personal computer. It includes a cleaner, more intuitive visual design, advanced digital media features that make working with digital photographs or playing digital music simple and fun, and many new Windows experiences to explore.

Contains basic support for security among multiple users.
Built-in support for peer-to-peer networking, but only for up to five computers.
The backup utility is not installed by default, but is included on the CD.

Windows XP Professional Edition:

Includes extended support for security between multiple users on the same machine.
Better support for peer-to-peer networking, plus support for joining a "Windows NT domain."
The backup utility is installed by default.

The Professional edition includes the following components not found in the Home edition:

Administrative Tools (in the Start Menu and Control Panel)
Automated System Recovery (ASR)
Boot Configuration Manager
DriverQuery
Group Policy Refresh Utility
Multi-lingual User Interface (MUI) add-on
NTFS Encryption Utilitiy
Offline Files and Folders
OpenFiles
Performance Log Manager
Remote Desktop
Scheduled Tasks Console
Security Template Utility
Taskkill
Tasklist
Telnet Administrator
Provides support for multi-processor systems (2 or 4 CPUs), Dynamic Disks, Fax.

Can't save .Gif or Jpeg files when right clicked.

This apparently happens when your IE Temporary Internet Files cache becomes stuffed. In IE, go to Tools >> Internet Options and on the "General" tab click the button marked "Delete Files" under the heading "Temporary Internet Files".

Another possibility:

If you are on AOL: under AOL settings, click on Internet Web Options. From there click on Browser Options. Lastly, Click on "Never compress graphics"

How can I retrieve my XP Product Key? The product key used to install Windows XP is present on your machine in a non-readable form. Click the "Download Now" button to install a tool necessary to view your key code.

The Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder is a freeware utility that retrieves your Product Key (cd key) used to install windows from your registry. It has the options to copy the key to clipboard, save it to a text file, or print it for safekeeping. It works on Windows 95, 98, ME, NT4, 2000, XP, Server 2003, Office 97, and Office XP.

(251k)

Download from : http://www.5starsupport.com/xp-faq/1-48.htm

Note: If Windows XP came packaged with your computer and is not the retail version (with box), the key recovered may not be your own machines key but the OEM's bulk install key.

How to remove XP Home Edition Question:

I have upgraded my system to XP Pro, but now when I boot the system, it gives me an option to boot to either Home or Professional. How do I remove the Home edition so that I am not given this option?

Answer:

Note: This assumes that if you select the Home edition at the boot option that it will not boot to Home edition.

Go to Start>> Run, type in: msconfig [Enter]

Select the boot.ini tab and click the "check all boot paths" button. It should allow you to remove the invalid option.

DLLuser32.dll Error Message

Error Message states:

The system DLLuser32.dll was relocated in memory. The application will not run properly. The relocation occurred because the DLL C:\windows\system32\HHCTRL.OCX occupied an address range reserved for windows system DLLs. The vendor supplying the DLL should be contacted for a new DLL.

Fix:

Windows last update and having REALTEC audio in a system makes this happen. To remedy this, run Hotfix KB935448 from Microsoft.

General Virus Prevention It is essential to the security of your computer system that you adopt a good security regimen. Below, you will find important steps that will help to keep your system secure:

Update and run your anti-virus program regularly and configure it for automatic updates if available.
Keep a firewall program installed, updated and with protection enabled at all times.
Keep your adware/spyware scanners updated and use them regularly. I recommend running two quality scanners (Adaware SE and Spybot Search and Destroy)
Adware/Spyware scanners can be downloaded for free right here at 5 Star Support.
Do not open files received by email or chat from unknown sources.
Do not open files that end with a double file extension (e.g. System.txt.vbs).
Do not download executable files on the Internet without scanning them first.
Keep your Windows Operating System updated with the latest security updates available. To install security updates, click the link below and install the security updates listed under Critical Updates.

http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com

When networking, be sure to password protect shared network drives.
Disconnect infected computers from a local area network (LAN) to avoid infecting your other computers.

Do I need a firewall and is XP's firewall OK?

Having a constant connection to the Internet while not running any security program is very risky. A common comparison is like leaving the keys in your car with the engine running and the doors unlocked while you run into the store. You may only be gone for a few moments and many times no one will notice. But, if you do this every day, it won't take long before your car is gone!

Hackers have software that combs the Internet for open (computer) doors. While some are simple nuisances that may play simple pranks, others are created with malicious intent. These more severe strains may attempt to delete information from your computer, crash it, or more commonly, steal personal information, such as passwords or credit card numbers. Some hackers enjoy nothing better than breaking into vulnerable computers. A firewall can help protect your computer against these and other security attacks.
If you have a dialup connection, then the XP firewall is probably good enough. Dialup connections are not easily attacked due to the online inconsistencies and the fact that the IP address is changed with each connection. Those connections that are full time, such as DSL or Cable are much more likely to be targeted. You should have a more reliable firewall, up-to-date and functioning at all times. I use, and recommend ZoneAlarm. But, there are many others to choose from, such as: BlackIce, eTrust, Fireball, Freedom/Hacker Stopper, F-Secure, Kerio, Look'n'Stop, McAfee, Norton, Outpost, Panda, PC-cillin, Preventon, PrivateFirewall, Sygate, Terminet, Tiny & Trustix.

System beeps 8 times.

Open the system and reseat the VGA card. Make sure it's sitting in it's slot properly.

System beeps 4 times.

Make sure that the VGA card is connected properly to the monitor cable, also this beep code on the AWARD BIOS system indicates loose VGA card and you may need to reseat it.

System emits long continueous beeps

Remove and Reseat the SIMMS.Also make sure that all the SIMMs in a bank are similiar. Try changing the order of the SIMMs to single out the bad SIMM

If your system doesn't recognize the additional Add-on cards then you should do following:

1. Make sure that the card is plugged in properly in the slot, if the need be please reseat the card and make sure that the card is configured for proper resources (if it's non-PnP card)

2. Try to flush the BIOS to see if that helps at all in detecting. (FLUSHING THE BIOS: Turn off the system. Hold down INSERT key and then turn on the system)

3. If the previous solutions do not help then take the card out and put it in another slot.

NOTE: If the card is detected in another slot then motherboard may be defective and needs to be replaced. If the card is not detected then the Add-on card may be bad.

How to determine if the memory sockets on the motherboard are bad:

1. If on the bootup the memory doesn't count up to the amount you have on the board then there is a possibility that the memory sockets on the board are bad. To isolate the problem down to the slot do following. Try switching the order of the SIMMs if the memory counts up to the same number as before then the problem may with the slot.

2. If during the HIMEM.SYS test the memory test fails then look at the memory address that it failed at and switch the order of the SIMMs. If the next the time the system gives a XMS Memory Test Fail Message look at the Memory address it failed at. If the address is the same as before then slot is bad and motherboard needs to be replaced. If the address is different then the problem is with the SIMMs.

3. If the customer has both BANKS full and if there is any kind of memory problems then swap the SIMMs from one bank to another and check to see if that solves it, otherwise the problem may be with the slots.

CMOS battery low error

If system displays CMOS BATTERY STATE LOW or if the system displays CMOS CHECKSUM ERROR then most likely the CMOS battery or R.T.C chip (Real Time Clock) is running low. On the new motherboards we have the R.T.C chip is soldered on board and therefore it is not replicable. If the problem like this occurs with new motherboard then you will need to replace the motherboard. Most of the early 486 motherboards had the CMOS battery and if the CMOS battery ran low on those boards we could send the customer external battery.

5 tips to maintain pc

1.Defragment your hard drive. As files are constantly added and deleted from your hard drive they become fragmented. In other words, the files are spread all over the available hard drive space. Defragmenting the hard drive moves them all close together again and reduces the time it takes for the hard drive to find them.

2. Empty the recycle bin. The files that you delete from your computer are all still present in the recycle bin. This is helpful especially if you deleted a file by mistake. If not, they are just taking up room. Delete them.

3. Empty the browser cache. This is easily done by clicking Tools in a Internet Explorer window.
Navigate to Internet Options, select Delete Files (under Temporary Internet Files.) Check delete offline content and click ok. If you like, you may also delete the cookies cache since it is right next to the delete files radio button. This will reduce the time it takes to open a site on the Internet, and free up hard drive space.

4. Run a virus scan on a weekly basis. You can schedule a virus scan for the early AM if you prefer. This will prevent the scanning program from slowing down your computer during the day when you will be most likely to use it.

5. Schedule your antivirus program to do viral signature updates on a weekly basis. If you are paranoid, do it once a day.

Get into the habit of taking care of these PC housekeeping chores on a regular basis, and your PC will stay in tip top shape.

1. Anti-Virus Programs – These programs search and assess the contents of each computer file then removes or destroys “virus signatures”, which are known to be harmful to your computer.

2. Patch up your System – This process involves fixing the operating system and restoring different functions of your computer. Most computer vendors offer patches that are designed to fix bugs in their products. This process is repeated until the patch fixes the problem completely.

3. Email Attachment Precautions – Most unsolicited items, such as exploding packages or letter bombs, can be sent through your e-mail. Take extra precaution in opening emails to prevent any harm your computer may receive.

4. Firewall Programs – Install and use a firewall program. These programs act as a guard to your computer when looking at network traffic received from or destined for other computers. The firewall program determines if certain traffic should be allowed to continue to its destination or stopped. These programs keep the unwanted out and permit only “healthy” traffic to enter and leave your computer.

5. Data Backups – It is important that back up your data in your computer’s hard disk, external hard disk drives or any removable media. This ensures each important data will not be harmed when computer problems arise.

6. Strong Passwords – It is important to mix up several numbers, symbols and letters to strengthen password safety. An ideal length of password is around eight or more letters, numbers or symbols.

7. Download and Installation – Be careful in accepting or downloading any material online to prevent virus attacks and computer hijacks.

8. Hardware Firewall – Hardware firewall, which works similarly to firewall programs, stands between your personal computer and the Internet.

6. Delay the Startup of Your Remaining Autoloading Programs

Even after you’ve disabled the autoloading of most programs, there still is room to improve. The thing is that when your PC starts up, all your startup apps are fighting to run at the same time, which creates a bottleneck. To mitigate this effect, you can delay the launch of each of your startup program by a few seconds or minutes. Startup Delayer is an awesome app that does this.

7. Tweak Windows’s Display & Animation Settings

Right-click on “My Computer” > Go to the “Advanced” tab and click on “Settings” under “Performance”. Now uncheck the checkbox next to “Animate windows when minimizing and maximizing”. Disabling them won’t make your PC behave quicker per se but it will fasten the minimizing and maximizing of windows.

8. Disable Desktop Shortcuts

Shortcuts on your desktop are a waste. Not only do they increase your computer startup time, they also are an inefficient way to open stuff. There are more efficient ways to access applications, such through the Start Menu, the Quick Launch menu, or through software such as Launchy. To hide desktop shortcuts, right-click on your desktop, go to “Arrange Icons by” and uncheck “Show Desktop Icons” by clicking on it.

Cannot detect properly sound card

Follow these steps to remove and reinstall sound card drivers.

Remove all sound card listings from device manager.
Remove any listings under Other Devices in device manager.
Click on refresh to re-detect sound card.
If prompted for drivers select disk provided by hardware manufacturer and insert the driver disk into the A drive.

No sound from audio cd’s

Check internal cable from CD-ROM to sound card.

Sound only from one speaker

Double click on the speaker icon on the right side of the task bar and make sure that all ballance controls are centered.

Check that all controls have the ballance slide bar in the center. To make sure that all controls are listed, click on Options and Properties and then check all the boxes.

Drive wont open or close

Does the CD-ROM drive light come on at all?

YES -

Make sure that data cable is connected properly.
Make sure that red stripe is aligned with pin 1 on both ends of cable.
Drive Carriage Mechanism may be bad.
To remove any CDs inside use paper clip in emergency access hole to open drive.

NO -

Check power connection to drive.
Make sure power cable is connected tightly.
Try a different cable from power supply.

TECH ERA

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TROUBLE SHOOTING OF HARDWARE AND OS

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