Windows problems and solutions. It's a sad fact of life that no Windows PC performs faultlessly over time. Many of these problems are outside your control, but others can be introduced through user error. It doesn't matter how much simpler Microsoft makes Windows with each successive release: problems, glitches and bugs will always be a part of it. Each month PC magazine from Future Publishing answer dozens of reader questions, so we've trawled our extensive archives and dug out 5. Windows problems. If you have a Windows Vista machine, it’s best to update to Windows 7 to get the full benefit of ReadyBoost. Also, with Windows 7, you can format the flash media in. Computer dictionary definition for what Windows Vista means including related links, information, and terms. Quick fixes for problems in XP, Vista and Windows 7. WinHlp32.exe is required to display 32-bit Help files that have the ".hlp" file name extension. To view.hlp files on Windows 8.1, you need to install this application. Where possible we avoid referring to software that promises to fix these; these . Instead we try to concentrate on explaining how to fix various problems using only the tools in Windows itself.
Missing Taskbar icons. Version: XP, Vista, 7. If icons have disappeared from the Taskbar's notification area, there are two things to try: first, press the Windows key and . If the problem persists in XP, and you can live without it, open the Add or Remove Programs Control Panel, click Add/Remove Windows Components, expand Networking Services, and untick . Then click OK > Next. PC won't sleep. Version: XP, Vista, 7. If your PC won't stay asleep it's often because a device is configured to bring it out of standby when triggered. Identify the culprit by pressing the Windows key and . Find any devices listed earlier, then double- click them and look for an Advanced or Power Management tab. Check if the device is allowed to bring the PC out of standby – if it is, untick all the boxes that wake it. Click OK, close Device Manager and test it worked; repeat the process if necessary. Quick fixes Version: XP, Vista, 7. Microsoft has developed the Fix It Center tool, which includes all of the automated fixes for various Windows problems it has released over the last few years. Download and install it from http: // fixitcenter. A list of available troubleshooters for your version of Windows will be listed; if one describes the problem you're having then click the Run button next to it and see if it can resolve your problem. Remove printer drivers Version: XP, Vista. To ensure all traces of an old printer are removed from your PC, open Printers or Printers and Faxes. Right- click blank space in the Printers Control Panel and choose Server Properties (in XP) or Run as Administrator > Server Properties > Continue (in Vista). Switch to the Driver tab – if your driver is still present, select it and click Remove. If you're using Vista you should leave . Click OK followed by Yes > Close. Verify system files. Version: XP, Vista, 7. The System File Checker (SFC) tool enables you to scan for – and replace – corrupt and missing fi les. If you use XP you can use it to scan your entire drive, while in Vista and Windows 7 it can verify individual fi les and folders too. If you have an installation CD, keep it handy in case it's needed. Step 1. In Windows XP Click Start > Run, type . Have your installation CD handy in case you're asked for it. Step 2. Vista and Windows 7 Click Start, type . Scan and replace Alternatively, type . Program compatibility problems. Version: XP, Vista, 7. If you have issues with a program check its website or Google the program's name, version number and your version of Windows to see if there are any issues with it. Avoid installing system software not listed as compatible with your version of Windows, otherwise try installing it as normal; if it fails, Windows 7 may offer to apply compatibility settings to it – see if these work. If the program installs but won't run, right- click its program shortcut and choose Properties > Compatibility Settings. Select your old version of Windows from the list and click OK. If this fails, try ticking . PC keeps rebooting after Windows Update. Version: XP, Vista, 7. If your PC gets stuck in a cycle of rebooting during the update process, you need to undo the updates using System Restore. If your computer came without a Windows disc, look for an option to access recovery options, or tap . In both cases, when the menu appears, choose System Restore to undo the update. System Restore not working. Version: XP, Vista, 7. If you're having problems restoring your computer to an earlier state, try booting into Safe Mode (tap . Windows Media Player missing songs. Version: XP, Vista, 7. Tracks missing from Windows Media Player? Try clicking Start > All Programs > Accessories. If you're using XP you should select the Command Prompt, or in Vista or Windows 7 right- click it and choose Run as Administrator. Switch to the folder containing your music using the cd command (for example, cd music cd my documents\my music), then type . Action Center. Version: 7. Click the flag icon in the Taskbar's notification area to access the Action Center. Here you can get an at- a- glance look at problems, plus launch a series of troubleshooters to help quickly fix the problems that plague you, without getting your hands dirty. Show printer ink levels. Version: XP, Vista, 7. If you've just upgraded to a new version of Windows and can't access your printer's ink levels, the bad news is that Windows installed a basic driver without the function. Check the manufacturer's site for a dedicated driver and – if it exists – install that. Fix Windows driver problems Version: XP, Vista, 7. Most hardware problems can be traced to the drivers, the software that enables them to work with Windows. When it comes to tracking down problems, the first port of call should be Windows' own Device Manager – here's how to troubleshoot problems using this useful tool. Step 1. Open Device Manager Press . Look for yellow exclamation marks next to troublesome hardware devices and double- click one. Step 2. Get error details Look on the General tab for an error code and description of the problem – if a troubleshoot button is present, click it to see if you can fi x the problem easily. Step 3. Search online If no fix is forthcoming, use the error details as part of your web search – try a general search first, then add your hardware's make and model if necessary. Resolve Ready. Boost conflict Version: Vista, 7. Your PC can only use one Ready. Boost device at a time, and some computers come with built- in flash memory already configured for use with Ready. Boost. To resolve this conflict click Start, rightclick Computer and select Manage, then under Storage choose . Look for a program called Intel Turbo Memory Console (type . Folder settings not remembered. Version: XP, Vista, 7. If you find you can no longer customise folders to look and behave how you want, the solution involves some editing of with two Registry subkeys – Bag. MRU and Bags – which are found in two separate locations: Shell and Shell. No. Roam under HKEY? No problem, just open the Microsoft Fix It Center tool (see tip three) and run the . This will do the hard work for you. PC keeps rebooting. Version: XP, Vista, 7. If your PC restarts unexpectedly after briefly displaying a blue screen, then it's encountered a STOP error. If this keeps occurring you need to identify it. In Vista and Windows 7 you can stop Windows automatically restarting from the Windows boot menu that should appear; if you use XP click Start, right- click My Computer and select Properties > Advanced tab. Click Settings under . Then search the web for these terms to hopefully find a solution. Blocked startup programs Version: XP, Vista, 7. If you get this message after starting Windows, it means one of the programs set to start with it is attempting to work with elevated privileges. This is symptomatic of older programs, so either source an update or an alternative program if you can. Right- click the message, choose . Then click Continue when prompted. Fix file- sharing problems Version: XP, Vista, 7. Verify your PCs are on the same network – wireless or wired – and all on the same workgroup (click Start, right- click Computer and select Properties; in XP you need the Computer Name tab). Is File and Printer Sharing enabled? Check from the Network and Sharing Center in Vista/Windows 7 – ensure your network is Home or Work. In Windows 7 click Choose homegroup and sharing options > Change advanced sharing settings; in XP right- click a folder and choose Properties > Sharing tab. Disable password protected filesharing in Vista or Windows 7 if sharing with PCs running XP, and check your firewall has placed your network in a trusted zone. Access denied error on system files. Version: XPNot long ago dealing with . Low memory error Version: XP, Vista, 7. Fix this problem by making sure Windows is set to handle your virtual memory settings; open the System Control Panel and either click . You need to verify that either . No sound in Windows Version: XP, Vista, 7. Before running the Microsoft Fix It Center tool (see tip three), open the . Create a repair disc Version: 7. If your PC didn't come with a Windows installation disc, click Start, type . Where's GPEDIT? Version: XP, Vista. If you're running one of the Home editions of Windows, you'll find the gpedit. If you're instructed to fix a problem using this tool and you're running Windows XP, visit here to find the equivalent setting in the Registry. Alternatively, for the Home edition of Vista you can download an Excel spreadsheet with the various settings from here. System Restore problems Version: XP, Vista, 7. Restore points are cumulative in reverse – each new one only saves what's changed – so old points rely on newer ones to work; if one corrupts then all older ones are lost. That means the older a Restore point, the less reliable it is, so avoid using anything but the most recent one. Open Disk Cleanup (Start > All Programs > Accessories > System tools) and – if prompted – choose . On the More Options tab delete all but the newest Restore point. If all else fails, disable System Restore and lose all Restore points, then re- enable it. For XP use the tool here; in Vista and Windows 7 open System Protection, untick all the boxes and click Turn off System Restore > Apply.
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