Computer Troubleshooting

Error Message:

"C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\AUTOEXEC.NT. The system file is not suitable for running MS-DOS and Microsoft Windows applications. Choose "Close" to terminate the application."

Solution:

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

In the resulting command prompt window, copy the following:

c:\windows\repair\autoexec.nt c:\windows\system32
c:\windows\repair\config.nt c:\windows\system32

You will need to press Enter after each line. Try to run your program. The issue should be resolved.

This is usually caused by connecting to your ISP while the Search Companion is open. This problem is found in the Windows XP English language versions only.

Possible Solution:

Reinstall the Search Companion Files:

1. Log on to the computer by using an account with administrator permissions.
2. Click Start>> Run. Type in: %systemroot%\inf [Enter]
3. Scroll the resulting list and locate the Srchasst.inf file. If it doesn't seem to be listed, try adjusting your folder options to view hidden files and folders in Windows Explorer:

* Open Explorer>>Tools>>Folder Options>> View tab.
* Tick the "Show hidden files and folders" entry.
* Apply the change and exit Explorer.

4. Right-click the Srchasst.inf file, and then click Install. Windows will now attempt to install the Search Companion files.

Note: You may be prompted for the Windows XP CD to complete the installation so please have it ready.

If this continues to occur after disconnecting from the Internet, it may be caused by corrupted files that have been cached. I have the three possible files that may be causing this listed below. Open them in notepad so that you can determine the source of the corruption.

* Balloon.xsl
* Bar.xsl
* Lclsrch.xml

If you get the error:

Windows could not start because the following files is missing or corrupt
\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM or \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SOFTWARE

1. Insert and boot from your Windows XP CD.
2. At the first R=Repair option, press the R key
3. Press the number that corresponds to the correct location for the installation of Windows you want to repair.
Typically this will be #1
4. Enter in the administrator password when requested
5. cd \windows\system32\config
6. Depending on which section was corrupted:
ren software software.bad or ren system system.bad
7. Depending on which section was corrupted
copy \windows\repair\system
copy \windows\repair\software
8. Take out the CD ROM and type exit

If you get an error regarding a missing or corrupt hal.dll file, it might simply be the BOOT.INI file on the root of the C: drive that is misconfigured

1. Insert and boot from your WindowsXP CD.
2. At the first R=Repair option, press the R key
3. Press the number that corresponds to the correct location for the installation of Windows you want to repair.
Typically this will be #1
4. Type bootcfg /list to show the current entries in the BOOT.INI file
5. Type bootcfg /rebuild to repair it
6. Take out the CD ROM and type exit

The advent of the Terabyte hard drive has many techies drooling about the endless possibilities in terms of the amount of data they can hold. Though still quite expensive, there are certain situations where such a huge drive would be advantageous such as with use in video and animation which tends to be quite hard drive space hungry. Bigger is better, right? Not always, for consider this, you may have a terabyte of data stored into a compact drive but what would happen to that very terabyte of information should your hard drive suddenly fail? Having several drives is still better due to the redundancy that exists, and is the reason why servers have several hard rives in a RAID configuration that has the ability to either have several hard drives having the same information, ready for hot swapping should the primary hard drive fail without much problems.
The lure of large drives is true and with their prices set to drop in the coming years, they would only increase in terms of size but the dangers rise along with that. A 100GB hard drive failing may have all your files and other information on your desktop but the terabyte hard drive you have installed in your home network may mean you and the rest of your family lose all of your iles and information, simultaneously.

If you get an error that NTOSKRNL not found:

1. Insert and boot from your WindowsXP CD.
2. At the first R=Repair option, press the R key
3. Press the number that corresponds to the correct location for the installation of Windows you want to repair.
Typically this will be #1
4. Change to the drive that has the CD ROM.
5. CD i386
6. expand ntkrnlmp.ex_ C:\Windows\System32\ntoskrnl.exe
7. If WindowsXP is installed in a different location, just make the necessary change to C:\Windows
8. Take out the CD ROM and type exit.

If you have FAT32 partitions, it is much simpler than with NTFS. Just boot with a Win98 floppy and copy the NTLDR or NTDETECT.COM files from the i386 directory to the root of the C:\ drive.

For NTFS:

1.Insert and boot from your Windows XP CD.
2.At the first R=Repair option, press the R key
3.Press the number that corresponds to the correct location for the installation of Windows you want to repair. Typically this will be #1
4.Enter in the administrator password when requested
5.Enter in the following commands (X: is replaced by the actual drive letter that is assigned to the CD ROM drive)

*COPY X:\i386\NTLDR C\:
*COPY X:\i386\NTDETECT.COM C:\

6.Take out the CD and type exit

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

1.Start Windows XP with the Windows XP CD in your CD/DVD drive.
2.Once you see the "Welcome to setup" message, press the letter 'R' on your keyboard to enter the Recovery Console.
3.Select the Windows installation to be repaired (you will need to know the administrator password.
4.You will then get a DOS prompt. from here, type: chkdsk /p [Enter]
5.When that is done type: fixboot [Enter]
6.Type: Y at the next prompt [Enter]
7.Then type: exit [Enter]
8.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.

The user is normally given the option of disabling Active Desktop through the display properties. This tweak removes the ability to disable Active Desktop.

Open your registry and find the key below.

Create a new DWORD value named "ForceActiveDesktopOn" and set the value to "1" to force the use of Active Desktop.

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]
Value Name: ForceActiveDesktopOn
Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value)
Value Data: (0 = default, 1 = enabled)

* This tweak will remove the Active Desktop options from Settings on the Start Menu.

Open your registry and find the key below.

Create a new DWORD value named "NoSetActiveDesktop", and set the new value to equal "1" to enable the restriction or "0" to disable the restriction.

Note: This restriction can be used either on a user by user basis by adding it to HKEY_CURRENT_USER or on a computer wide basis by adding it to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]
Value Name: NoSetActiveDesktop
Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value)
Value Data: (0 = disable restriction, 1 = enable restriction)

* This tweak allows you to have Active Desktop enabled, but to restrict any changes to the settings.

Open your registry and find the key below.

Create a new DWORD value, or modify the existing value called 'NoActiveDesktopChanges' set the value to equal '1' to enable the restriction.

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]

Value Name: NoActiveDesktopChanges
Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value)
Value Data: (0 = disable restriction, 1 = enable restriction)

* Features of the Windows Active Desktop can be selectively controlled by modifying options in the Windows registry. Following the instructions in this tweak.

Open your registry and find the key below.

Create a new DWORD value based on the options below, and set the new value to equal "1" to enable the restriction or "0" to disable the restriction.

NoChangingWallpaper - Disable the ability to change wallpapers.
NoComponents - Disable components.
NoAddingComponents - Disable the ability to add components.
NoDeletingComponents - Disable the ability to delete components.
NoEditingComponents - Disable the ability to edit components.
NoCloseDragDropBands
NoMovingBands - retrict adjustments to desktop toolbars
NoHTMLWallPaper - only allow bitmaps (BMP) as wallpaper

Note: These restrictions can be used either on a user by user basis by adding it to HKEY_CURRENT_USER or on a computer wide basis by adding it to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\ActiveDesktop]
System Key: [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\ActiveDesktop]
Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value)
Value Data: (0 = disable restriction, 1 = enable restriction)

Networking is a complex part of the computing and it covers the broader range of the IT industry. All the communication in the world including satellite communication, mobile communication, internet, telephones and WANs is due to the networking. There are two main types of the networking.

Local Area Network (LAN)

A local area network is relatively covers small space and provides services to a small amount of people. A local area can be divided into two major types, peer to peer and the client server. Depending on the number of the users a network is configured. Among the few examples of the peer to peer networks are small office network and home networks. On the other hand, in the client/server networking model all the client computers depends on the server for resources like (modem, printer, scanner, cd-rom) and they are connected with the server. The servers in the client/server networking model works in different capacities like single service server and multiple service servers.

Wide Area Network (WAN)

A wide area network is a network where are large number of the resources are deployed in a very wide geographically area. The best example of the WAN is the internet itself which is a largest network in the world.

In order for communication to take place between the computers the mediums must be used. These mediums can be cables, Routers, Repeaters, Ethernet, Protocols and switches etc. These different mediums make the data communication possible in different scenarios.

Types of WANs

There are two basic types of Widea Area Networking.

A computer network is set of computers and devices that are connected with each other. Examples of the networks are the Internet, local area network, Wide area network and satellite networks.

Centralized WANS:

A WAN that consists of a server or a group of servers in a central location to which client computers connect, the server provides the most of the functionalities of a network. Many banks, large stores, large schools and universities use centralized WAN. A centralized wide area network may have a number of the servers in the centralized location.

Distributed WAN:

A widea area network that consists of the client and server computers that are distributed throughout the WAN, the functionalities of the network are distributed throughout the WAN. The internet is an example of the wide area network.

The impact of Wide Area Networking on business

In this age of information, data communication (sending and receiving data) over a long distance is a necessity. There have been number of technologies developed that enable networks and their users to communicate with each other, and exchange data easily even if they are at the different end of the world. Geographical area is no more a matter in today’s communication age. Because of this the communication through WAN has been become vital. Wide area networks make it feasible for the companies to have a single network, which will connect their several offices and departments. Companies, banks, large organizations often have their offices spread over a large distance. Without wide area networking the people of a multinational organization can face difficulties to communicate with each. WANs are important in connecting institutes they are very far from each other.

The main purpose of the wan is to establish a secure, fast and reliable communicate channel among the people who are widely away from each other. Wide area networks are often privately owned networks. A wide area network uses many types of network devices such as WAN switches, access servers, CSU/DSU, modems, ISDN terminal adapters, routers, multiplexers, ATM switches and other networking devices. An example of the WAN is SURFnet, which is a research network and that connects the universities and research centers of the Netherlands with each other.

In this section you will learn the basic overview of the wan networking overview, wide area communication methods, lan, atm, sonets and x.25 protocols.. There are three basic types of computer networking LAN (local area network), MAN (metropolitan area network) and WAN (Wide area network). A wide area network is a geographically dispersed large network. A wide area network can be privately owned or rented. A WAN covers a large geographical area such as a city, province or a country.

A widea area network may consist of a multiple LANs or MANs. The world’s most popular wide arae network in the world is is the internet. WANs are the corporate network that utilizes leased lines.

Wide area networks generally utilize much expensive equipment. The main communication technologies that are included in the WAN are SONET, Frame Relay and ATM. The computers that are connected to the WANs are generally connected through the public networks and they can also be connected through the satellites.
WANs are used to connect the computers in the one part of the world with the other part of the world. So the users and computers from the different parts of the world can communicate with each other. Many WANs are generally built for one organization. Other types of WAN networking are the Internet service providers that connect the LANS or individual computers to the Internet. WAN networks are built using the leased lines and a router is connected to the one end of the WAN and a hub is connected to the other end.

With this hub a number of computers and other hubs and switches are connected. Among the other methods of building the WANs are the circuit switching or packet switching methods. The general protocols and the communication technologies that are involved in the overall wide area networking/communication are TCP/IP, SONET, MPLS, ATM and X.25, which closely works with frame relay. Typical a WAN consists of a number of interconnected switching nodes.

Following are the beep messages associated with the IBP bios.

1 short beep specifies a normal post
2 short beeps tells about POST errors that can be find on screen.
Continuous beeps indicates power supply and other cards errors.
One long and short beep indicates system board problems
3 long beeps defines keyboard errors
No system beep tells about power supply errors.

Due to privacy and security concerns, most people wish to delete and files from their computer. Usually this is simple, but at times you can face problems.If you selling your hard disk, you may wish to delete all files . Since most users use their computer while they are logged in as administrator, they should be able to delete any file on their hard drive.

How to delete websites visited from Internet Explorer/ browser history

Delete data and program files.

1.Sometimes, if there is an error during installation of a program, the delete option may not work. In such cases, you start the computer in the safe mode and try to delete files. If even this does not work, go to the MS Dos prompt and try to delete the file.

2. If a cookie is not getting deleted or changing its name , it could be Spyware and you may have to use Spyware removal tools.

3. Some files infected by viruses cannot be repaired by antivirus software , so they are quarantined to prevent further problems.

4. For a CDRW disc, data can be erased using software from Nero, Windows Media Player or Adaptec.

5. If a virus cannot be removed easily, formatting the hard disk may be the best option to erase all the data. However, if a hard disk is formatted many times (300-500 times), it may reduce the life of the hard drive. A Windows CD is required for formatting and reinstalling Windows OS.

6. Formatting the hard drive does not securely erase data and if you are giving away your hard drive, data recovery experts may be able to extract personal information from your hard drive. So if the data has to be permanently erased, an Eraser program can be used, which rewrites the hard drive with random data, so that the data stored originally on the hard drive cannot be recovered. A wipe program will overwrite with random data 7 to 35 times, so that no personal data can be retrieved.

7. When a file is deleted from a hard drive, only the location of the files on the master file table are marked as free. The deleted files remain on the hard disk till they are overwritten by new files.

Due to privacy and security concerns, most people wish to delete their surfing history and files from their computer. It also prevents problems due to virus , spyware and increases the computer speed. Usually this is simple, but at times you can face problems.

How to delete websites visited from Internet Explorer/ browser history

If you have Internet Explorer as your browser.
1. Click Tools and Internet Options on the drop down menu,
2. Click on the General Settings tab.
3. In the temporary internet files section , Click "delete cookies" (to delete cookies in cache)
4. Then click on "delete files" . This deletes the html pages and images you download that Internet Explorer saves on your hard disk. Deleting files may take time, if you have visited many websites. Wait till all the files are deleted, interrupting will cause partial deletion of files.
5. Then go to the history section, first "clear history" . Then set the "days to keep pages in history" at "0" . Click on apply to save this setting
6. Then click on "settings" , select "view files" click on top of page "edit" then click on "select all" then click on selected files, then click on "delete". There should be no files if step 4 has been done properly
7. Click on the General Content tab in the Internet Options menu.
8. Under Personal information, click on the AutoComplete box.
9. Uncheck "Web Addresses", "Forms" and "User Names and Passwords on Forms".
10. Click on "Clear Forms" & "Clear Passwords"
11. Click in the "Advanced" tab.
12. Go to the Security section and check "Empty Temporary Internet Files Folder When Browser is Closed" (This essentially does steps 3 and 4 every time you close your browser)

To clear your history from Mozilla Firefox:
1. Go to the "Tools" menu.

2. Select "Options" > "Privacy" > "History."

3. Click on "Clear." To completely disable the history function, set "Remember visited pages for the last X days" to zero ("0"). 4. Click "OK" to exit.
or Firebox * Either press Ctrl+Shift+Del or Click Tools=>Clear Private Data.
1 To pemanently stop saving data that you entered in search and form fields :
Goto to Tools=>options=>Privacy=>Saved... uncheck the "Save Information As I enter in Form and Search Fields"
your search or form entries will not appear anymore.

Google Toolbar :To clear your search history from the drop-down text box on the Google Toolbar:1. Click on the 'Google' logo to access the drop-down menu.
2. Select the 'Clear Search History' option. This will clear all the previous searches from the drop-down box.
All you recent searches on the toolbar will be cleared

This should be used only by experienced users, since making a mistake could damage your computer and you will lose all data
To delete the search tool in the start menu, Go to Start >> Run >> Type in REGEDIT
Navigate to the HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft\Search Assitant\ACMru
Your actual search list is kept there. Delete the actual text used for your searches, nothing else.

Other options for cleaning traces of online activity are CCleaner (Free)

Most important information, access to settings on a computer are password protected to prevent access by hackers and casual users of the computer. Many times, the user forgets the password. Some types of passwords can be easily reset like email passwords if you have provided the necessary information during signup, while others are more difficult to reset.

How to find out forgotten or lost passwords:

1. BIOS password : Disconnect the battery on the motherboard for 10 seconds, and reconnect it back. The default settings will be loaded in the BIOS.

2. ISP password: Many ISP's have a secret question which will allow you to reset the password. If this does not work, you can also contact the tech support. The tech support may require additional validation information. Instructions for resetting the password are usually sent to the alternate email id provided at the time of registration.

A similar procedure is to be followed for login based website. For paid subscription based websites, you may have to contact the webmaster by phone or email.

3.For resetting password of any user with a local account on a Windows NT4.0, Windows 2000, Windows XP and Windows 2003 based system, use the offline NT password and Registry editor

For resetting the password in an active directory, you can refer to this password recovery guide . This guide cannot be accessed using Internet Explorer, you will need to install an alternate browser like Firefox on your computer.

Another free utility used to reset the password is the live Linux distribution CD Austrumi

Download Austrumi Ver 0.9.2 from Sourceforge.

If you forgot the administrator's password for Windows NT or some versions of Windows 2000 - you can try this alternate logon trick for password recovery

Most free password cracking tools are Linux boot disks or CDs which read the registry. However the process may cause data loss.

List of various free tools for password recovery (the list seems to have been compiled 2 years ago, so check for the latest version)

4. If nothing works, you can try to guess the password using brute force/ dictionary attack on your system. This can be very time consuming.

Spam email or junk email is unwanted email received by the recipient. Almost every internet user will have received emails promising millions of dollars from corrupt politicians. A lot of time is wasted sorting through the email received and deleting spam email. By mistake, important mail also gets deleted at times. Many people use email programs with a spam filter, but this is not 100% accurate. While it is not possible to totally eliminate spam email, you can keep junk emails manageable.

How to fix it

1. Use different email ids for different uses. With people you know very well, you can give your main email id, for business purposes, you can create a separate id.

2. Sometimes your computer may be infected by a Virus, trojan or spyware. Whenever you are connected to the internet, thousands of emails may be automatically sent without your knowledge.

How to keep your computer virus free and download free antivirus software

How to remove spyware, trojans from your PC, Free spyware remover

Sometimes, your PC may not have any viruses or spyware. But if a friends computer is infected and your email id is in the address book, you will receive junk mail.

3. When you join any forum, mailing list or post on a message board, create a temporary free email id at yahoo, hotmail, rediffmail or other free email service. Many mailing list owners may resell your email id. Bots crawl message boards, gathering emails. If you receive too much spam, you can simply stop using the email id.

4. Remove your email id from your website. For contacting you, visitors to your website can use the contact form on the website. Also use a private who is service as far as possible for domain registration services.

5. Use a spam filtering software to separate out junk mail, but ensure that you have final control over the emails which are deleted. Most spam filters mark messages as spam based on certain words which are commonly used by spammers.

Working with a slow computer can be time consuming as programs/ applications take a long time to start. This problem is more pronounced in computers which have been used for 6 or more months.

How to fix it

1.Check the programs running in the background. Most computer users need only a few basic programs but many other programs are loaded as a default by the computer manufacturer. Many antivirus programs run in the background and slow down the computer.

Run msconfig and remove all programs which are not used. You will have to reset the computer. Also go to add/remove programs and remove all non-essential software.

2. Defragment your computer hard drive. Click on the "My Computer" icon on the desktop. (for Windows XP) and run disk cleanup first. Then go to Tools and Defragment the hard disk drives (HDD) on your computer. It is advisable to defragment the HDD at least once a week, especially if large amounts of data are being downloaded from the internet. Delete all cookies and downloaded files.

3. Ensure that there is sufficient free space on the HDD where the operating system is loaded. Free space is required as virtual memory. Delete all unwanted files and transfer all large files / folders to other data storage media.

4. You may have a virus, spyware, trojan or adware on your computer. First remove all spyware, adware and then run a free antivirus program . Most viruses can be cleaned or quarantined by antivirus programs

5. Ensure that the latest device drivers are installed on your computer. The latest device drivers are usually available at both the computer and component manufacturers website. If you are not using a particular device, you can disable it

6. If your computer does not have sufficient memory or the memory is damaged, your computer will become slow, so try to add more memory. Windows XP needs at least 128 MB RAM, but 512 MB RAM is recommended for optimum performance.

7. If none of the above options work, you may have to reformat the hard disk and install the operating system again.

Though CDs as a data storage media are more reliable than floppy disks, they are also prone to errors. Errors reading the CD can be due to problems with CD or the computer CDROM drive. Since a blank CD is cheap, it is recommended that you make multiple copies of your important data. It is not possible to read data from a badly damaged CD. A CDROM or CDRW drive problem could cause errors in reading CD like not showing any CD in the drive ("Please insert a CD into CDROM drive") , errors copying data from the CD .

How to fix a CDR drive problem.

1. Check if the IDE cable connecting the motherboard to the CDROM drive is fixed properly. Also try to connect the CDROM drive using a different cable.

2. Check for viruses, Trojans and Spyware. First check for and remove all spyware, adware and then run a antivirus program . Third party programs running in the background can also cause an error.

3. There may be a problem with the drivers. Go to device manager, uninstall the CDROM drive and then install it again. If this does not work, try getting updated drivers from the CDROM drive manufacturers website and reinstall them. For older versions of Windows, if the operating system is corrupted, you may get errors.

4. If the CDROM drive tray is not opening

a. Power supply cable to the CDROM drive may be loose or disconnected especially if the computer has been moved recently.

b. The eject button on CDROM drive may be malfunctioning, you still open the drive using the eject option in My Computer

c. A locking software may be installed, so reboot the machine.

5. The CDROM drive lens may be dusty or dirty. The lens can be cleaned using a q tip moistened with alcohol. Mini q tips are also available. If a brush based CDROM drive cleaning system is used, the hair on the brush should be very soft. If the hairs are hard, they can causes scratches on the the lens. CDs for cleaning may be used, but they are not always effective. For a DVD use a lint free optical cloth.

6. The data may not be properly written onto the CDs. When data is written to a CD ROM it has to be finalized (closed). All CD ROM drives may not be able to read an open CD. If the CD is burned at the fastest possible rate, the quality of the CD will be poor and it may not work on all CD drives. The slower the data transfer, the lower the chances of data corruption.

7. If you accidentally used a marker pen to mark the wrong side of a CD, the marking can be removed by isopropyl alcohol and a lint free cloth to remove the mark

8. Toothpastes, polishes and cleaners will fix scratches to some degree, but you have to be careful using them. Cleaners containing bleach can cause damage, while alcohol based cleaners do not cause much damage.

9. Most CD ROM drives available today have a one year warranty, so if it is still under warranty, you can get it replaced from the supplier.

Though CDs as a data storage media are more reliable than floppy disks, they are also prone to errors. Errors reading the CD can be due to problems with CD or the computer CDROM drive. Since a blank CD is cheap, it is recommended that you make multiple copies of your important data. It is not possible to read data from a badly damaged CD. A CDROM or CDRW drive problem could cause errors in reading CD like not showing any CD in the drive ("Please insert a CD into CDROM drive") , errors copying data from the CD .

How to fix a CDR drive problem.

1. Check if the IDE cable connecting the motherboard to the CDROM drive is fixed properly. Also try to connect the CDROM drive using a different cable.

2. Check for viruses, Trojans and Spyware. First check for and remove all spyware, adware and then run a antivirus program . Third party programs running in the background can also cause an error.

3. There may be a problem with the drivers. Go to device manager, uninstall the CDROM drive and then install it again. If this does not work, try getting updated drivers from the CDROM drive manufacturers website and reinstall them. For older versions of Windows, if the operating system is corrupted, you may get errors.

4. If the CDROM drive tray is not opening

a. Power supply cable to the CDROM drive may be loose or disconnected especially if the computer has been moved recently.

b. The eject button on CDROM drive may be malfunctioning, you still open the drive using the eject option in My Computer

c. A locking software may be installed, so reboot the machine.

5. The CDROM drive lens may be dusty or dirty. The lens can be cleaned using a q tip moistened with alcohol. Mini q tips are also available. If a brush based CDROM drive cleaning system is used, the hair on the brush should be very soft. If the hairs are hard, they can causes scratches on the the lens. CDs for cleaning may be used, but they are not always effective. For a DVD use a lint free optical cloth.

6. The data may not be properly written onto the CDs. When data is written to a CD ROM it has to be finalized (closed). All CD ROM drives may not be able to read an open CD. If the CD is burned at the fastest possible rate, the quality of the CD will be poor and it may not work on all CD drives. The slower the data transfer, the lower the chances of data corruption.

7. If you accidentally used a marker pen to mark the wrong side of a CD, the marking can be removed by isopropyl alcohol and a lint free cloth to remove the mark

8. Toothpastes, polishes and cleaners will fix scratches to some degree, but you have to be careful using them. Cleaners containing bleach can cause damage, while alcohol based cleaners do not cause much damage.

9. Most CD ROM drives available today have a one year warranty, so if it is still under warranty, you can get it replaced from the supplier.

No sound is heard on the new computer or after Windows has been reinstalled. Some computers do not have internal speakers, they have to be installed externally. The audio card is often integrated with the motherboard for computers from HP and Dell.

How to fix sound problems:

1. Check if the external speakers are connected properly. The speakers should be turned on and speaker volume should be set suitably, so that sound is audible. If the speakers are connected properly, check them on another computer. If the speakers are working properly on another computer, there may be a problem with the audio card. If not, you may have to replace the speakers.

2. If the sound problems occur intermittently, there could be a interrupt conflict problem. Uninstall the audio and sound drivers and restart the computer. The computer will automatically reinstall the required drivers and the problem will be resolved.

3. No sound is heard for a new computer. Find out the manufacturer of the audio card for the computer and visit the manufacturer's website. Download and install the latest drivers for the sound card. Sometimes, the drivers may be available with the motherboard/drivers CD.

4. The sound suddenly disappears - the audio drivers may get corrupted. Download the latest drivers from the manufacturer's website.

5.Check if audio has been enabled in the BIOS setting . All volume control settings in the control panel should be appropriate. Windows audio should be running in service. The sounds should not be muted in control panel.

You may need to recover data in 2 different cases - when there is a hard disk drive (HDD) failure or files have been deleted accidentally. If there is a mechanical failure in the hard disk, recovering data may not be possible, unless the mechanical problem is fixed.

How to fix it

1. Connect the problematic hard drive to a working computer as a secondary drive (slave). Start the computer and check if the drive is recognized during the POST. If it does not show up, there could be a mechanical problem in the hard drive, which has to be fixed first.

Download PC Inspector File Recovery software on the master drive, and run the software. While it usually fixes most problems, it may not work in a few cases.

Another free utility for recovering data from damaged FAT, FAT32 and NTFS partitions is the bootable Knoppix Linux distribution CD.

Download Knoppix Linux Distribution CD

Detailed instructions on how to use Knoppix to recover data

If you realize that you have accidentally deleted data from your computer.

1. Check the Recycle Bin. Unless you have emptied your recycle bin , the deleted file will be present and restoring it is simple. You can choose to undelete a single file or multiple files at a time.

2. If the recycle bin has been emptied and you have not written any more data on the hard disk, you can recover the file. When you delete a file, the file remains on the hard disk, only the record on the MFT (Master FAT Table) marks the file storage location as free. This "free" space is overwritten the next time a file is written onto the hard disk.

Copying a large file takes a long time since data is written on the hard disk, while deleting a file takes a much shorter time, since only the MFT is modified. Also do not defragment the hard disk, since data recovery will be difficult.Similarly if a partition is accidentally deleted, do not create a new partition.

Keyboards form part of the user interface and a keyboard problem can be very annoying. Some of the common keyboard problems are:

a. Some keys work, while other keys do not

b. A key comes out or is stuck

c. No character appears on the screen when entered on the keyboard

d. Keyboard test failure appears during startup or a series of beeps are heard when the computer is started

How to fix Keyboard problems:

1. Due to wear and tear, the keys for certain characters on a keyboard will wear out. This happens for more commonly used characters. If the problem is due to loose or improper contact, you can try to fix the key back. If this does not work, you can replace the key with a new key purchased from a computer store.

2. Sometimes the keyboard drivers can get corrupted.

Go to My Computer --->Hardware---->Device Manager and uninstall the keyboard. Restart the computer, the keyboard should get reinstalled automatically.

The keyboard should start working again.

3. Try to swap the keyboard with another keyboard which works properly on another computer. If the alternate keyboard has the same problem, there may be a problem with the keyboard circuit on motherboard.

If the alternate keyboard works properly, check if the keyboard cable is properly connected, whether wires in the keyboard cable are connected properly.

4. Open out the keyboard and check if the keyboard fuse is working. If the fuse has blown, replace it with another fuse of the same rating and size.

5. If you spill water or any liquid on the keyboard, switch off the computer immediately. Unplug the keyboard, turn the keyboard upside down and keep it out for drying either in the sun or under a fan. If some other fluid has been spilled on the keyboard, use a moist cotton swab or ear bud to wipe away the fluid. Only when it is completely dry, (it will take a minimum of 24 hours depending on the weather), connect the keyboard back to your computer.

Most laptops (notebook computers) available use Lithium ion rechargeable batteries since they have a low weight and discharge slowly when not in use. A six month battery will discharge by about 10% if not used and not connected to an ac power supply for a period of one week. However, they last for a shorter time compared to other batteries and can be dangerous when overheated.

How to fix common battery problems:

1. Due to a problem in the charger circuit, the battery status may be shown as charged to 100% , but the laptop may not work when the electrical power supply is switched off. No power will be actually stored in the battery. You may either have to

a. Replace the charging circuitry

b. Replace the motherboard

Both these options are expensive for a laptop.

2. If there are batteries are physically present in the laptop, but the battery indicator does not show the status of the batteries. There could be problem with the connectors between the batteries and the laptop. Clean the connectors to remove oxidation. Fix the batteries back and ensure that there is proper contact .

3. When not in use, the batteries will discharge slowly. The rate of discharge increase for higher temperatures and older batteries. If they are discharged below a particular voltage, the batteries will be permanently damaged.

4. The average life of a battery is 18 to 24 months. If a battery has to be replaced, get a new one from manufacturer, a second hand battery may not last for long .

To increase the life of the laptop battery

1. Keep the temperature of the batteries as low as possible. Use it only for short periods of time, to prevent overheating.

2. Use the AC power supply for the laptop as far as possible, as this will reduce the usage of the battery.

Nowadays, most external devices are conveniently connected to a computer using the USB ports. Some USB devices like flash drives should only be removed after stopping it, otherwise the USB device may be damaged and data lost. Some times, the USB device is not recognized by the computer due to a number of reasons.
How to fix USB device problems :

1. Check if the USB device is properly connected. Many times, if the contact between the connectors is even slightly lose, the device may not be detected. Check if the internal connectors to the motherboard are fixed properly.

2. Many USB devices work on the computer power supply, but a few have a separate power supply. In such cases, ensure that the USB power supply is switched on after making suitable connections.

3.Device drivers are usually provided separately on a CD, though some USB devices work with the default drivers available with Windows. The device drivers must be installed on your computer . Check for the latest versions of device drivers on the manufacturers website. Also ensure that the latest device drivers for your motherboard are installed.

4. Uninstall the USB device through device manager. Switch off the computer, unplug the USB device Check if the latest device drivers are installed and and restart the computer. Windows will automatically install the device drivers. Connect the USB devices again.

5. Many times USB devices, especially pen drives are faulty. In such cases, get a new device as a replacement from the manufacturer, if the product is under warranty.

6. Try connecting the USB device in Windows Safe Mode. If the device works properly in safe mode, but not normally, there may be a problem with some software installed on your computer.

7. Some times, you may have USB 2.0 hardware ports which are detected as USB 1.0 because of the Operating System Installed. Windows XP supports USB 2.0 only from Service Pack 1 onwards, so for older versions of Windows you may face this problem.

The computer mouse is the most extensively used user interface device and usually has to to be replaced or repaired first. A mouse with a trackball lasts for less than a year, if you use your computer for 8 to 10 hours a day. An optical mouse may work for a longer duration. Even products from large manufacturers like HP/Compaq Presario may not last for a long time. For one computer I purchased, they replaced the mouse 4 times in a period of 6 months! I was told by the service engineer, that this was a common problem for all computers of the particular model, a manufacturing defect. So if your computer is under warranty, and there is a problem with your mouse, it is advisable to ask the manufacturer to replace it.

How to fix problems in a computer mouse :

1. Many computer mouse problems are due to dirt, dust or some other obstruction. Clean the mouse, especially the lower surface where more dirt accumulates. Also clean the mouse pad.

2. Check if the mouse connectors are fitted properly especially the PS2 and USB connectors (for a laptop mouse).

3. The mouse drivers may be corrupted. Uninstall the mouse and restart the computer. The computer will automatically reinstall the mouse drivers. Also try to get the updated version of the mouse drivers from the manufacturers website.

4. Go to control panel and click on mouse icon. Check the settings, the double click and pointer settings should not be too fast or too slow. If there is a problem with the mouse buttons, you can interchange the primary and secondary buttons.

5. A new trackball mouse can be cleaned by opening it up and removing the lint. However, they do not last very long and are cheap (usually cost about 2$), so it is better to replace them.

Here’s how it works:

1. Install the upgrade version of Vista without entering the product key.
2. Wait until the Vista files have been copied across, start the installation again instead of activating it.
3. Completed.

That’s it.

Please keep in mind that this is in violation of Microsoft License Agreement. We highly recommend you to purchase a full version after 30 days trial.

Why would you need to kill a process in Windows XP or Vista? We sometimes need to stop a process to diagnose a system problem, such as removing Spyware or computer viruses. One of the easiest yet most efficient way to accomplish this is to use the built-in Task Manager in Windows XP or Vista. Here’s how you do it:

1. Press “Alt+Ctrl+Delete“, then click on “Task Manager“. You can also launch the Task Manager instantly if you press Ctrl + Shift + ESC simultaneously. This is much easier than accessing it from Ctrl + Alt + Delete or the taskbar. It works for both Windows XP or Windows Vista.
2. Select the process that you want to stop, then click on “End Process“.

It’s advised not to stop a system process. Stopping a system process can cause the computer to hang or freeze up.

Virus Name & Risk

1. Net-Worm.Win32.Kido.ih – Downloads computer files and blocks access to many legit websites.

2. Virus.Win32.Sality.aa – Installs itself and hides in program or data files. Blocks many websites, deletes PC files.

3. Trojan-Dropper.Win32.Flystud.ko - Keylogger tool used by hackers to break into a system and ultimately steal identity.

4. Trojan.Win32 .Autoit .ci – Tracks PC activity, including keystrokes and sends to hackers in order to steal personal info.

5. Trojan.JS.Agent.xy – Drive-by-download that has the ability to download spyware and viruses onto your PC.

6. Exploit.HTML.CodeBaseExec – Exploit that turns PCs into zombies, infecting other PCs in order to steal personal data.

With Windows 7, we used your feedback to make things even better. From switching between programs to recording TV, Windows 7 simplifies the way you use your PC—and the way your PC connects with the world.
Simplifies everyday tasks

Windows 7 makes the basics easier than ever. With HomeGroup, it’s simple to share music, documents, printers, and everything else with the other PCs running Windows 7 in your house. Windows Search frees you from the chore of hunting through folders and subfolders to locate your stuff. Better taskbar previews give you a great view of what's open, and Jump Lists show you recent files with a single right-click.

Works the way you want

It doesn’t matter how many neat tricks your PC can do if it’s not running as smoothly as you expect. So we designed Windows 7 to help your PC sleep and resume faster. Windows 7 supports the latest advances in PC hardware, like 64-bit computing and multi-core processors, and improved memory utilization helps your hardware reach its full performance potential.

Makes new things possible

Once you’ve got that simpler, faster PC, some cool new features would be great. Here you go: You'll be able to connect to networks—home, work, coffee shop—with a couple of clicks, and with Windows Touch (and the right hardware), you’ll soon be using your fingers to flip through files, work with pictures, and even “paint.”

Your computer's power supply is the single most important component in the case. But it's also the most boring, so when it comes time to skimp on costs, the power supply is often a generic or budget brand. Sometimes this is okay. But often the power supply acts erratic, causes restarts and errors because other components are not getting the consistent voltage they require. If you are experiencing problems you cannot quickly isolate, be sure to test the power supply and rule it out before spending too much money.

Tips on Troubleshooting a Power Supply

Most families have a other computers of similar size. Before you spend money on a tester or a new power supply, you might try just swapping in a power supply you know works. That is the low-tech solution, but it often takes a lot of extra effor that people aren't willing to expend.

Buy a Power Supply Tester

You can buy a power supply tester for relatively cheap. While a multimeter is a better overall solution because you can use it for other things, a power supply tester is a fast and easy way to tell if the PSU is good.

Check For Proper Voltage

Check the voltage setting on the back of the power supply. While this is not likely the problem, just confirm it is set correctly for your region. If the computer was recently moved, it's possible the switch was moved. 115v is typical for the United States.

Make Sure Power Supply Fan is Working

If you have an older PC, you should make sure the fan on the power supply is working. If it's not, you need to replace the power supply immediately. You can sometimes blow them out with compressed air, but if it is not spinning at all, the power supply must be replaced.

Is the Power Supply Powerful Enough?

Lastly, you should make sure your power supply is rated high enough for your needs. If you built the system a few years ago, you have probably added extra hard drives, a more powerful graphics card and maybe some new RAM. Make sure your power supply has enough voltage to handle it all.

Computer makes a beeping sound when switched on, the CPU and motherboard fans start , but there is no display on the monitor. Even after restarting the same problem occurs.

Fix it: Try to find the cause of the error . When a computer is switched on , the hardware runs a power on self test (POST). If any errors in the hardware are detected in this test, they are indicated by audio beeps or an error code is displayed on the screen. The sequence of beeps and error codes vary according to the manufacturer of the motherboard and should be noted down for troubleshooting the problem.

Power on self test beep codes

Beep codes and diagnostics for Award BIOS

American Megatrends (AMI) and Phoenix beep error codes.You are more likely to face this error , when you have not used the computer for a month or so, especially after the monsoon. In such cases, you can fix the problem yourself, instead of calling an expensive (and often unreliable) computer technician

1. Remove all the connectors for the mouse, keyboard, display and power cable from the CPU. Then remove the cover of the CPU. For most models of Compaq Presario/HP desktops, there is a single knob like screw, which can be easily removed by hand, even without a screwdriver. For assembled computer the layout may make troubleshooting difficult.

2. If you have not used the computer for a long time, there is likely to be a lot of dust on the motherboard. Remove the dust using compressed air. This is recommended by most troubleshooting guides on the internet , but compressed air is not available in most hardware stores in other countries. Instead, use a thick paintbrush , the kind used in painting classes taught in school . It will cost about Rs 15 and is available at most bookshops. The CPU and power supply fan will have the most dust.

3. After removing all the dust, plug back all the connectors and restart the computer. If the beeping sound persists, open up the computer again. Check if all the dust is removed.

4. Remove the RAM from the memory slot, remove all the dust and reseat it again. Remove all dust from the computer slot also, so that proper contact is made between the RAM card and the PCB. Take care to ensure that the memory is fixed tightly, else you could face a problem again.

5. In most cases, the problem is solved at this stage. If it still persists, a part may have got damaged, so you may have to get replacement parts according to the diagnostic code. If you have a spare computer, you could swap removable parts. In most recent model computers, most of the components are soldered onto the motherboard, so instead of repairing a part, it is better to get it replaced.

The monitor or display of a computer is the primary user interface. Monitor problems are some of the most common computer problems since the voltages inside a monitor can be as high as 10 KV. Many of the problems can be fixed yourself by simply changing the settings but in a few cases you may have to either replace or repair the monitor.

How to troubleshoot and fix computer monitor/display problems

1. The monitor/display flickers
Check the refresh rate. If the refresh rate is 50 Hz/ 60Hz (depending on which country you stay), it can be affected by interference from electrical power signals like those from fluorescent lamps . Increasing the refresh rate to 72Hz is recommended , since higher refresh rates reduce eyestrain and headaches

2. The display works fine initially, then after some time there are black lines on the screen and then the display disappears There is a problem with the copper windings in the CRT monitor which are getting heated. It is better to replace the monitor

3. For a new monitor, you get a blank screen or distorted image.Many monitors, especially LCD monitors, can only handle resolutions which are less than the native resolution, so set the resolution at the native resolution only. The native resolution of a LCD display is lower for smaller LCD screen sizes, typically 1024 X 768 for 15" LCD. CRT monitors have a better resolution than LCD displays

4. The display on the monitor is not steady
This is a result of power system interference from users of the power grid, particularly UPS, power tools and heavy machinery. Try changing the position of the monitor.

5. There is a shadow on the images on the display
Try reducing the contrast setting on your monitor.

6. Monitor becomes blank occasionally Could be a problem with the display card, check with another monitor. The monitor display cord and power cable should be fixed properly and there should be no loose connection.

7. Dark Spots on the Screen.
Move speakers and other magnetic devices away from the monitor.

8. Incorrect Colors - red may become dark brown, blue becomes purple.
Check your video cables and connectors for bent or broken pins and wires. Sometimes there may be a problem with your display card, which can be retuned using a software available with monitor technicians.

Corrupt Screen after Windows loads

Update System BIOS: contact your Reseller or System Builder.
Update Bus Master Drivers: contact your Reseller or System Builder.
Download the latest AGP Drivers: contact your Reseller or System Builder.
Download the latest Driver.

System locks when Windows loads

* Ensure BIOS settings are correctly. Try enabling/disabling these as indicated (some options may not be available on your system BIOS – refer to the system manual for more information).

Video Bios Shadow
Video Bios Cacheable
System Bios Cacheable
C8000 xxxxx Shadow **Try disabling these values**
Peer Concurrency PCI Streaming
Assign IRQ To VGA **Must be enabled**
VGA Palette Snoop **This must be disabled**
Reset Config Data
Enable ESCD
Power Management **Try disabling this**
Virus Checking **Try disabling this**
AGP Aperture set this to 64MB. If you have this much RAM or less, set it to half of the system RAM.
AGP Turbo **Try disabling this if there are problems with the card**
AGP Fast Writes **Try disabling this if there are problems with the card**
VGA boot from **Set to AGP instead of PCI**

1. Make sure that there are no other graphics cards or onboard graphics chips in your system. If possible, boot up in Safe Mode and then remove and reinstall the Detonator drivers.
2. Make sure that you have the latest motherboard drivers and BIOS. These can be obtained from your motherboard manufacturer.
3. Make sure that the AGP slot conforms to the AGP 2.0 specification, especially in terms of power coming through the AGP slot. Check with your motherboard manufacturer.
4. Disable sidebanding.
5. Are you overclocking either the Graphics Card or CPU? If you are, try resetting them back to their normal value, if it fixes the problem, you may need more cooling in your system.
6. Have you got an IRQ conflict with Graphics Card and another card in your system? The only device that can have the same IRQ is the 'IRQ Holder for PCI Steering'. If so, try assigning a different IRQ to that slot in the BIOS.

Many of the common computer problems like the blue screen or slow computer are due to defective computer memory - Random Access Memory (RAM). Some of the problems can be fixed yourself but in a few cases you may have to either replace or upgrade the memory.

How to troubleshoot and fix computer memory problems

1. Most problems are caused by incorrect installation of RAM. The memory modules should be fixed securely in the memory slot. They should be aligned properly with the notches in the slot. The retaining clips should be fitted properly. Memory modules inserted backward will cause permanent damage to both the memory module and motherboard.

2. If new memory (RAM modules) have been installed , check if the specifications match that of the RAM currently installed. For some motherboards, only identical memory modules can be installed in adjacent slots of a motherboard.

3. Check the computer manual and installation instructions of the memory being used. If there even a small problem in RAM installation, there could be errors

4. Remove the memory and again reset it. The problem may be due to loose contact and resetting will solve the problem.

5.Most memory banks have at least 2 slots for fitting memory modules. Try installing the memory module in another slot, it may start working.

6. Try installing some other memory module in the same slot. If the new memory module works, the old memory module is defective.

7. Sometimes if the computer power supplies are not outputting enough power, the memory bus may not receive enough power. So check if the power supply is working properly.

In wireless networks, each of the computers on the network have a wireless card and a router assigns network addresses to each of the computers. Wireless cards, routers should be compatible with 802.11g or 802.11n, cards with 802.11b are usually slower and cheaper For wireless internet the router is connected to the cable or ADSL modem with a standard Ethernet cable . After setting up the router, the computers will connect to the internet wirelessly. Usually the wireless signal is available for a distance of about 500 m from your router. To prevent misuse, you should encrypt your wireless network , using WEP or WPA.
How to fix errors in wireless networking :

1. Rebooting the router and computer may fix the problem. First switch off the router and restart after one minute. Connect it to the modem. Then restart the computer.

2. Bring another wireless device like a laptop into the room, check if you can connect to the internet. If you can connect to the internet using the other wireless device, there may be a problem with the wireless network card in your computer. Check if wireless networking is enabled in the computer. In some laptop models, there is a switch which enables wireless networking.

3. If no wireless device works with your router, check if the internet connection is established when the computer is connected to the router using a Ethernet cable. If the wired connection does not also work, there may be a problem with your router.

4. If the wired connection works, check the router settings using a web browser. Ensure that the wireless function is enabled. Verify that SSID is being broadcast.

5. Check if the SSID and WEP/WAP setting on your computer and laptop match. This is a common problem when the computer finds the wireless network but is unable to login.

6. Clear the existing connections on the DHCP table. Also ensure that MAC address filters are not enabled. If MAC address filters are to be enabled for security reasons, ensure that the physical address of the computers on the network are entered correctly.

A broadband connection can be shared between 2 or more computers using a router . Though wireless connections are becoming popular, a wired connection is usually more secure and faster. The router used for a wired connection is also cheaper. The WAN or internet port of the router is connected to the cable/ADSL modem. The computers on the network are connected to the LAN port. Though most routers can dynamically assign an IP address, for a small network, static IP addresses should be allotted to the computers minimize errors.

How to fix errors in sharing an internet connection between two computers :

1. Before changing the computer settings, switch off the modem and router. Then switch on the modem first, then switch on the router. Ensure that the modem signals are synchronous. Reboot your computers and check the internet connection.

2. Connect the first computer directly to the internet through the modem. If you can connect without any problem, there is a problem with the router or cable. Try interchanging the cable, to isolate the problem.

3. Repeat step 2 with the other computers in the network

4. If there is no problem with the direct computer internet connection, there could be a problem with the router settings or the cable connecting the router and modem. Try replacing the cable between the modem and router.

5. If the internet connection still does not work, connect the router to the first computer. Go to the router configuration setting . Ensure that the router is set to use the correct protocol for connecting to the modem. The protocol could vary according to ISP. Also check the user name, password and IP settings.

6. Uninstall the router configuration software and reinstall it again. If you can share files between the 2 computers using network neighborhood, the networking feature of the router is working properly. If not, use the Network Setup Wizard to reinstall the computers on the network.

Connecting 2 computers is convenient for transferring files, making backups of data, sharing resources like a printers and CD Writers. Multi-user games can be played over networked computers and a single internet connection can be shared between the computers. Depending on the resources available and applications, there are different methods for connecting 2 computers.

How to connect 2 computers :

1. Computers can be connected using wired technology using Ethernet cables, hubs, switches, routers , USB hubs or wireless technology using WiFi, Bluetooth or Infrared. Wired technology is more secure and reliable compared to wireless technology, but is also inconvenient and requires additional cabling.

2. A simple home network consists of 2 computers joined by a cable. Different types of cables can be used - an Ethernet crossover cable, Null modem serial or parallel cable or special USB cable. Ethernet crossover cables are the widely used for a high speed connection, since most computers have a built in network interface card (NIC) . The data transfer rate for serial or parallel cables is much lower than that of Ethernet cables.

3. Go to the control panel, select Network Connections and go to Network Setup Wizard. Both the computers should have the same workgroup name, if files and data are to be shared. Each computer should have a unique computer name. Run the Network Setup Wizard on the second computer also.

4. If a internet connection is to be shared between the 2 computers, you will have to enable the Internet Connection Service. Depending on whether the computer is directly connected to the internet you will have to choose between various options.

5. Enable file and printer sharing between the 2 computers. Restart the machine and the other computer will be visible on the network. If there is a problem with the Ethernet cable or connectors, there may be an error, so check the cable.

6. If a switch or router is available, one Ethernet cable should be connected from each computer to the hub or router. The Ethernet cables for connecting to a hub or router are normal cable and are different from crossover cables used for direct computer connection. Repeat step 3 on both computers. Hubs, switch or router should be used if the network is likely to be expanded in future.

The System Mechanic application provides the tools you need to keep your PC running in peak condition. Fix problems, clean out clutter, boost performance, eliminate crashes, and much more.

To follow are a few examples of what you can do in this one versatile product:
- View any problems detected by System Mechanic and decide which ones you want to fix.
- Enable ActiveCare to perform the automated housekeeping tasks that you specify.
- Remove performance drains and adapt settings to boost PC and Web speed.
- Compact, repair, and backup the vital system registry.
- Fix hard drive errors that cause computer crashes and lock-ups.
- Defragment hard drives to improve performance and extend the life of drives.
- Block hidden malware from altering your system settings.
- Repair security vulnerabilities that leave your system open to attack.
- Erase temporary and other junk files to reduce clutter and increase drive capacity.
- Delete the cookies you don't need, but keep the ones you find beneficial.
- Customize the behavior of over 100 Windows features.
- Access advanced tools for system troubleshooting and detailed configurations.

System Mechanic provides a wealth of tools to keep PCs running in peak condition. This versatile and easy-to-use product allows you to:
· Run system analyses to stay informed about your PC's condition.
· View any system problems detected by System Mechanic and decide which ones you want to repair.
· Enable ActiveCare to perform the automated housekeeping tasks that you specify.
· Select the exact repair and optimization tools that suit your needs, and run them when you want and how you want. One-click Power Tools and guided wizards allow you to:

Optimize
Eliminate performance drains and adapt settings to boost PC and Web speed.

Repair
Repair hard drive errors that cause computer crashes and lock-ups, and recover from disaster if your computer ever becomes severely damaged.

Clean
Erase temporary and other junk files to reduce clutter and increase drive capacity.

Protect
Eliminate dangerous spyware, block hidden malware from altering your system settings, and repair security vulnerabilities that leave your system open to attack.

Maintain
Monitor, control, and fine-tune settings so that your PC is tailored to your specifications. Diagnostic tools provide detailed system reporting and allow for advanced troubleshooting.

Power Tools
One-click Power Tools quickly optimize your system by performing a complete set of key functions in a single step

Fix, accelerate, maintain, clean up, and secure your PC in one easy step with PC TotalCare

The only tool you'll need to keep your PC running fast, smooth, and error-free. PC TotalCare combines all of the System Mechanic power into a single one-button interface for the perfect blend of absolute power and effortless simplicity.

System Mechanic's automated Wizards allow anyone to safely and easily maintain their PC without any technical knowledge required.

Increase performance up to 300% using the PC Accelerator Wizard
Use the PC Accelerator Wizard to get that "new computer" feeling back. Increase Internet speeds up to 300%, accelerate Windows startup, maximize the overall performance of your programs, and more.

Solve stubborn problems using the PC Repair Wizard
Automatically diagnose and fix hundreds of problems with hard drives, system components, installed software, hardware, and more. Use the built-in emergency rescue CD to revive downed systems and drives.

Keep Windows spotless with the PC Cleanup Wizard
Junk and obsolete files are hazardous to your system's health. Use the PC Cleanup Wizard to find and remove debris that has been left behind by untidy programs, system freezes, and sudden restarts.

Protect your system with the PC Security Wizard
Find and remove sneaky malware, and automatically repair dangerous Windows security flaws that leave you open to attack from computer enemies such as spyware, adware, viruses, hackers, and identity thieves.
http://www.softpedia.com/progDownload/System-Mechanic-Download-5140.html

You can download Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor directly from Microsoft website. This little app (6.59MB) is designed to help Windows XP users identify whether their PCs are ready for an upgrade to Windows Vista, which edition of Windows Vista meets their needs, and which features of Windows Vista will be able to run on their PCs. If you don’t have a recent version of MSXML, don’t worry about it. You would get prompted to download it during installation.

To install and run the core functionality of Windows Vista, you need:

* 800 MHz processor and 512 MB of system memory
* 20 GB hard drive with at least 15 GB of available space
* Support for Super VGA graphics
* CD-ROM drive

Home Basic, you need:

* 1 GHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor
* 512 MB of system memory
* 20 GB hard drive with at least 15 GB of available space
* Support for DirectX 9 graphics and 32 MB of graphics memory
* DVD-ROM drive
* Audio Output
* Internet access

Home Premium / Business / Ultimate, you need:

* 1 GHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor
* 1 GB of system memory
* 40 GB hard drive with at least 15 GB of available space
* Support for DirectX 9 graphics
* DVD-ROM drive
* Audio Output
* Internet access

Actual requirements and product functionality may vary based on your system configuration. Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor can help you determine which features and edition of Windows Vista will run on your computer. For optimal performance, minimum of 2 GHz CPU and 2 GB RAM are highly recommended.

Good luck and have fun with Windows Vista!

A slow internet connection can be frustrating as you waste a lot of time trying to open any web page and your internet connection may get disconnected in the middle of a download. Internet connections will be slower during the day, when most people access the internet at their workplace and at night. You can get the best speed early in the morning (between 2 am and 8 am) and on Sunday morning.

How to fix it

For a cable internet connection

1.Check if the hub/cable modem through which your connection is routed is working properly. Sometimes, there is a problem with a single port.

2. Check if you installed any firewall software. Some firewall software block the ports required by cable internet connection software for connecting with the server

3. Check whether the fiber optic cables are installed underground or overhead. Though manufacturers recommend different grades of cable for underground and overhead use, the same grade of cable is used for overhead cabling also by some companies. So a crow pecking at the fiber optic cable may damage it. Your cable operator will have to get the cable spliced , which may take time.

4. There may be congestion in the cable network, server (ISP) or bandwidth may not be available. You can only try to connect to the internet after some time.

5. Check for viruses, trojans and spyware, data may be transferred away from your computer without your knowledge.

Download free antivirus software

Download free spyware and adware removers

For a dialup internet connection (some of these solutions may also be applicable to DSL connections , since the same telephone wires are used)

1. Check if the connection between wires is proper. Sometimes, a connection is made by just removing the insulation from the wire, without crimping any connector. If the connection is loose, tighten it using a screwdriver. Remove multiple wires at a single connection and check if there is any improvement.

2. Remove all dust and any oxidation on the connecting wires. Also try interchanging the junction box at which the wires are connected.

3. Check if the wires in the junction box outside your house are fixed properly. Sometimes , pranksters either partially pull out the telephone lines or interchange them.

4. Check if your modem is working properly by using another modem or computer.

5. If it rains very heavily, due to the high level of humidity, all telephone lines in your area will be affected. You can either register a complaint with the telephone exchange (local office) or wait till the sun shines again.

6. If there is welding work being done in a nearby area, the electrical noise from the welding machine could distort the data signal. You may have to wait till the work is completed.

7. When there is a calamity or problem at the ISP's telephone exchange, you may get the message " all lines in this route are busy, please try again"

8. Sometimes, if the same internet connection is connected to 2 different machines and both the machines are switched on, you may not be able to connect to the internet. If you switch off one machine, you will be able to connect to the internet. This could be because the 2 machines have different internal modems.

9. If you get an error message "there is no dial tone", it means that either the telephone wire is not connected to your computer or the telephone line is dead. Connect the wire back to the internal modem in your computer or complain to the local telephone exchange if the phone is dead.

Follow the procedure below

1. Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to launch task manager

2. Click File | New Task

3. Now type regedit and click Ok

4. Browse the following registry path

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoft
Windows NTCurrentVersionImage File Execution.options

5. Under this registry path, you will see subkeys named explorer.exe and iexplorer.exe.
These keys must be pointing to files created by the virus that have been removed (virus/spyware); explorer32dbg.exe and iexplore_dbg.exe.

6. Delete the explorer and iexplorer keys entirely.

7. Close Registry and restart your computer

Svchost errors are commonly encountered by PC users and its solution can be quite complicated. A short for “service host”, Svchost is a critical component of the Widows operating system and it offers support to many significant Windows operations. You must not delete Svchost as it will bring your system to a grinding halt. Windows requires Svchost to run. Symptoms of Svchost errors may be one of the following:

• The system goes very slow and svchost.exe seems to be sucking up all of your RAM
• While starting up your system might throw out a svchost.exe error
• Your system crashes, reboots or gets a blue screen error after you log in.

A niggling problem in your Windows registry is directly responsible for Svchost errors as Svchost.exe operation is launched from the system registry. A corrupt file in the Windows registry causes these errors. Fixing these problems manually will leave you stranded with more troubles and you would end up messing with critical registry values. Therefore it is recommended that you use a program that can properly scan, diagnose, and fix the svchost error. A good registry cleaner could be the answer to your annoying Svchost errors, which would also tune up your computer.

Editing registry key can be very complicated and highly risky. Please do NOT try this unless you are absolutely positive that you might mess up the system, and as always, it’s highly recommended that you do a backup of the registry (or whole system) before making any modifications.

Since it would take hours to talk about the registry, I am just going through the very basic steps. You can always refer to the Microsoft website or books for full details. Here’s the most common steps you might ever need to know for basic troubleshooting:

For Windows XP:

1. In Windows XP, from Start, and then click on Run.
2. Type “regedit“, then click on OK.
3. Now it opens the Registry Editor.
4. You can easily navigate through the subkey if you know what you are looking for. Or, you can press “Ctrl + F” to locate the subkey that contains the value you want to edit. (F3 to Find Next)

For Windows Vista:

1. From Start, then type “regedit“.

2. Click on “regedit” on the search result to open the registry editor in Windows Vista.
3. Step 3 & 4 are the same as Windows XP (see above).