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Backup and Restore – Windows 7

Jun 20

Posted by Admin in Operating System, Windows 7 | No Comments

Backup and Restore in Windows 7 is a very powerful and easy to use. As explored later in this article, this utility is very comprehensive and can be customised as per your preferences.

Backup and Restore in Windows 7 provides following options:

  • Take a Simple Backup
  • Create a System Image
  • Create System Repair Disc
  • Simple Restore

Apart from these, you can customise Backups and Restores on your computer using following preferences:

  • Manage HDD Space used by your Backups
  • Schedule regular backups
  • Restore selective or all user specific data
  • Recover System Settings

Below is the Main Page for Backup and Restore in Windows 7, where you will get all the above mentioned options.

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 Let us now look at these options individually.

 

1. Simple Backup:

This is the easiest of the  backup options. It is very simple to use and you can backup your data in no time for future use. What’s more, you can set your preferences and save them. After that, it is going to be a Single Click backup.

Following is how you can save Backup Settings: 

Click on Change Settings option in the Backup section. This will open the Settings Wizard.

  • Choose the location for Backup files

          You can choose a location on your HDD, on a Network or on a External HDD. Choose the desired location and click on next.

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  • Choose the files you want to backup regularly

          Next the Wizard will prompt you to choose the files you intend to backup. You have option to let Windows choose the files or you can select them yourself. If you know what all files you intend

          to backup go for the second option (Let me Choose).

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  • Wizard will now prompt you for files and folders you want to include in backup list. From the computer directory, put a tick next to all the items you want to backup.

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  • The next page will prompt you to review and check your settings. If the settings are OK, click on Save settings and exit.

    

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You have now saved the settings which Backup is going to use every time you click on Back up Now.

In order to backup you data now, all you have to do is click on Back up Now. It will automatically backup your data based on settings you have chosen. Below is how Backup screen will look like once you start the backup.

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Hassle free upgrade from Windows XP to Windows 7

Oct 12

Posted by Admin in Operating System, Windows 7, Windows XP | No Comments


While the Windows XP users were left wandering by Microsoft through their product upgrade path for Windows 7, luckily there are others outside who understand the plight of end users. Microsoft has clearly stated that Windows XP users will not be able to upgrade to Windows 7 and will have to reinstall all their existing applications to work on Windows 7.

Laplink has a multi-purpose data and application movement tool that can make your transition to Windows 7 extremely easy. It’s simple steps do not require technical assistance and an average home pc user can follow the on screen prompts to backup and transition all applications to Windows 7. The tool basically allows you to select the applications that you wish to migrate and creates a small backup for these. After upgrading to Windows 7, you need to run the utility again and boom you are done. This tool supports all major application that a home/office user may have on their machines. This tool can also be used if you are planning to buy a new PC and were wondering how data and applications will be migrated. PC Mover can move data/applications across a network, Laplink USB cable, WET (Windows Easy Transfer) cable or any other removable media that can be used on both the PCs. What’s more, it also maintains user information and access control information. You can find detailed information on this tool on Laplink website.

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Tags: 7, application, backup, data, Microsoft, transfer, Upgrade, windows, XP

Windows 7 Hibernation Error: STOP 0x000000A0 Internal_Power_Error

Sep 3

Posted by Admin in Operating System, Troubleshooting, Windows 7 | No Comments


If you are using Windows 7, you may encounter a STOP error when you attempt to put your computer in Hibernate mode. This mode allows users to save battery / power on their laptop/desktop machine. This allows users to store the open programs and files status on the hard drive which is recovered instantly once you resume from the Hibernate mode.

This issue has been confirmed by Microsoft and happens if the current Hibernate file is not large enough to accommodate current memory contents.

If you encounter this issue, follow the simple steps below:

  1. Click on “Start” and click on “All Programs”. Now Click on “Accessories” on the Start Menu
  2. Right Click on “Command Prompt” and on the pop-up menu, click on “Run as Administrator”

If you are prompted to enter an administrator password, please type the password and/or confirmation for the same.

  1. You will now reach a command prompt window with a blinking cursor. On this screen type “powercfg /hibernate/size 100”
  2. It will take you back to a blinking cursor without any message. Now type “exit” to get out of command prompt.

 

These steps will resolve the issue by increasing the size of Hibernate file on your computer.

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Tags: Hibernate, Microsoft, STOP error, Windows 7

Upgrade to Windows 7 from Windows Vista gets stuck at 62%: Solution

Sep 3

Posted by Admin in Operating System, Troubleshooting, Windows 7 | No Comments


If you have attempted or are planning to upgrade to Windows 7 from Windows Vista, you may encounter an issue during the upgrade process. The upgrade may get stuck at 62% with no error messages. It will stay at 62% for a very long time.

If you encounter this situation, follow the steps below:

  1. Restart the computer. This step will roll back the upgrade and you will be able to boot into Windows Vista installation.
  2. Once on the Windows Vista desktop screen, Click on “Start” and Right Click on “Computer”
  3. On the pop-up menu, click on “Properties” and then click on “Advanced System Settings”
  4. On this System Settings screen, click on “Environment Variables” button

Vista System Properties

5. On the next screen, click on “New” button under “System Variables”

6. On the new window, you will see options to enter Variable Name and Variable Value. In these boxes, type the following information:

  1. Variable Name: MIG_UPGRADE_IGNORE_PLUGINS
  2. Variable Value: IphlpsvcMigPlugin.dll

Now click on “OK” and return to the desktop screen.

 

Now restart the upgrade process. This time it should go ahead with the installation process.

If you still face this issue, please leave a comment or submit the details using the “Request Solution” tab on this page.

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Tags: 62%, Microsoft, Setup, Stuck, Upgrade, Vista, Windows 7

Windows 7 Cracked

Aug 21

Posted by Admin in Operating System, Windows 7 | No Comments


Like Windows Vista, Windows 7 has been reportedly cracked by some Chinese blogs, before its retail release due in Mid September. This is a huge setback for Microsoft which has been reporting that their new Operating System scores high on security.

This hack has been created using an RTM (Release to Manufacture) version of Windows 7. Microsoft releases all its Operating Systems to computer manufacturers much before the retail release to ensure that manufacturers test their hardware with the new OS and are ready to provide computers to consumers with latest OS bundled at the time of retail launch. A Lenovo machine was apparently used to create this hack.

The leaked ISO image file was available on some chinese blogs and sites. It retrieves the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) SLP key along with the activation key to provide an activated copy of Windows 7. This happens because OEMs are allowed (in most cases) to sell pre-activated computer systems with specific SLP keys, common to all their systems. It has been said in these blogs that this is a master key and can be used to activate Windows 7 on any computer from any manufacturer.

Microsoft has confirmed the reports and communicated that they will blacklist the leaked key and will safeguard interest of genuine customers. Microsoft also said, again, that if Windows 7 is installed using this crack, it will be prone to virus and spyware infections and will not be able to install Windows updates and fixes.

Source: Neowin.net

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Tags: crack, hack, Lenovo, Windows 7

Remove Content Advisor password from Internet Explorer

Aug 13

Posted by Admin in Troubleshooting, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP | No Comments


Content Advisor option in Internet Explorer can be a boon and a big problem at the same time. In my last post, I mentioned how to set this up. This post is about getting rid of it. Though it can be misused, but this is purely for the purpose of administrators.

If you remember the password and want to remove the content advisor password, follow the steps below:

  1. Open the internet explorer window
  2. Click on “Tools” and from the drop down menu, click on “Internet Options“
  3. On the Internet Options window, click on “Content” tab
  4. Click on “Disable” button. It will prompt you for the password. Please enter the existing password and click on “OK“

If you intend to change the password, on the “Content Advisor” window, click on “General” tab and then click on “Change password“. You will be prompted to enter existing password and new password.

 

If you have forgotten the password, you can either use the “Hint” that Content Advisor would have prompted you to enter. If this doesn’t work or if you did not set up a hint, the process is a little more complex. You will have to play with Windows Registry to fix this. Follow the steps below to get rid of the Content Advisor password if you don’t remember the password:

  1. Click on “Start” button and on the start menu, click on “Run”. If you are using Windows Vista, type “Run” in the Search box and click on the RUN option after the search is complete.
  2. On the run box, please type “Regedit” and click on “ok”
  3. This will launch the registry editor window of Windows
  4. On the left pane of this window, you will see some entries with a “+” sign before them
  5. On this left pane, locate & click on the + sign next to “HKEY_LOCAL_Machine”
  6. On the expanded list, locate & click on the + sign next to “Software”
  7. On the next expanded list, locate & click on the + sign next to “Microsoft”
  8. On the next expanded list, locate & click on the + sign next to “Windows”
  9. On the next expanded list, locate & click on the + sign next to “Current Version”
  10. On the next expanded list, locate & click on the + sign next to “Policies”
  11. Under Policies tree, you will see a folder “Ratings”. Click on it.
  12. On the right pane of this window, you will see a key. Right click on the key and on the pop up menu, click on “Delete”
  13. Exit the registry editor window.

You have successfully deleted the password for Content Advisor. Now restart the comptuer and launch Internet Explorer again. Go back to “Tools”–>”Internet Options”–> “Content”–> “Disable”. It will prompt you to enter the password. Do not enter anything and click on “OK”.

This will resolve all your issues with Content Advisor feature in Internet Explorer.

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Tags: advisor, content, explorer, IE, internet, Microsoft, password, remove

Restrict web access for kids: Internet Explorer

Aug 13

Posted by Admin in Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP | No Comments


With internet becoming the backbone for education, a new problem has emerged in every home with Kids. How to restrict access to explicit content for kids? Microsoft has addressed this concern through a tool in Internet Explorer called “Content Advisor”. As the name suggests, it filters sites that contain content that you have specified and does not allow user to access such sites unless they have a password to allow access.

You can set this up very easily. Just follow the simple steps listed below to activate this on your computer:

  1. On the Internet Explorer window, Click on “Tools” and on the drop down menu, click on “Internet Options“
  2. On the Internet Options window, click on “Content” tab and then click on the “Enable” button
  3. On the “Ratings” tab on the next window, you will see a host of details that content advisor can work on to block any webpage access. There is a bar on this page, which is set to “None” which means no exception. You can move the bar to the right to decrease the level of restriction.

There is another tab “Approved Sites” on the Content Advisor window, that allows you to enter a list of websites that will be viewable irrespective of the type of content or rating of the website.

There is another tab called “General”. On this tab, you can see the following options:

a. Users can see websites that have no rating: This essentially means that if a website that is being accessed has no rating, it should be made visible. For details of rating system, click on the buttons–”Find Rating systems” or “rating systems”.
b. Supervisor can type a password to allow users to view restricted content: This allows users to gain unrestricted access for a specific session of Internet Explorer. If you close IE and reopen it again, the security will prompt for a password again. In case you select this option (Selected by default since administrators may want to retain access to restricted sites.)If a restricted site is accessed, user will get a prompt to enter a password. If incorrect password is provided, it will restrict the page view.
To create a password, click on the “create password” button and enter the password on both the boxes.

 Please ensure that the password is kept safe. Else you will not be able to get access to restricted sites yourselves.

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Tags: access, advisor, content, IE, internet, Microsoft, password, restrict

Identify Hardware components from Windows mode

Aug 13

Posted by Admin in Windows 7, Windows XP | No Comments


There are times when we format the hard drive, without realizing that it may be very difficult to install drivers for all the devices. Don’t worry, if you have done that, there is a way to identify the devices from within windows Operating System. Follow the steps below to identify the hardware:

On the Desktop screen, click on “Start” –> “Run“–> Type “devmgmt.msc” and click on “OK“. For Vista, on the quick search window type “devmgmt.msc” and click on it once vista shows the search results.
It will launch “Device Manager” window for you. Here you will see a list of devices with (+) sign next to them. For any device for which a driver is not installed will have a YELLOW exclamation or question next to them.
Locate the device that has the yellow mark and “Right Click on it“
On the pop-up menu, click on “Properties“
On the Properties window, click on the drop down box that says “Device description” and click on “Hardware IDs” on the drop down menu to select it.
You will see something like this when you select this option:
USB\VID_0A5C&PID_2110&REV_0100

USB\VID_0A5&PID_2110

Here, VID/VEN IDs denote Vendors. In this example, the VID is 0A5.

The device id is usually denoted through PID/DEV. Her the device ID is 2110.

7. Once you have these IDs with you, go to pcidatabase and search using Device ID. It will tell you which device is installed on your computer.

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Tags: device, drivers, hardware, howto, identify, Microsoft, Vista, XP

Windows Easy Transfer – Windows 7

Aug 12

Posted by Admin in Windows 7 | No Comments


Windows Easy Transfer is a tool provided by Microsoft (Now interated with their OS) which can be used to transfer files and settings from one computer to another. If you want to transfer whole of your data or just few selected files from one computer to another, this is the tool for you. What’s more, this tool can be used over different Windows based Operating Systems. I would be explaining this tool and its features in detail in this article.

 

Operating Systems which support Windows Easy Transfer:

  • Windows 7
  • Windows Vista
  • Windows XP
  • Windows 2000

 

What all can I transfer using Windows Easy Transfer in Windows 7?

 You can transfer almost everything, except Installed Programs/Applications.

You can transfer following:

  • Data stored in all the files and folders on your Computer.
  • User Account Specific Data
  • Music files, Videos and Pictures
  • User Settings, Windows Settings and Internet Explorer Settings
  • Emails, Email Client Settings and Contacts
  • Data and Settings related to Programs/Applications installed on your computer

 

What all modes can I use to Transfer Data using Windows Easy Transfer?

This is where it gets very easy…. Windows Easy Transfer provides you with lots of flexibility in how you want to move data from one computer to another.

You can use any of the following:

  • Easy Transfer Cable: This is easiest of the method. Transfer Cable is a USB cable which you can plug to both the computers and can transfer data peer to peer. You will first have to install a small software on both the computers, after that once you plug in this cable, Windows Easy Transfer wizard will start automatically.
  • Computers on a Network: You can also choose a Network location on your home network to transfer data to.
  • Removable HDD: You can transfer data to a exernal drive and then copy it on another computer.
  • CD/DVD: You can burn data on a CD or a DVD using Windows Easy Transfer and then move data to the other computer.

 

How to use Windows Easy Transfer in Windows 7 to move files and settings?

I have mentioned step by step process to use Windows Easy Transfer below.

  • Open Windows Easy Transfer. In order to do this, simply click on start and search for easy transfer as shown below.

                WET1          

  •  Alternatively, you can goto Control Panel —–> Getting Started —–> Transfer files and settings from another computer.

            WET2

 

  • You will get the Welcome Screen, Click next.

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  • Wizard will now give you option to choose Medium of Transfer. Choose the appropriate medium and click next.

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  • Next, wizard will prompt you to identify wether this computer is a new one or old. Definitions are below:

              New Computer: This is the computer to which you are transfering the files and settings.

              Old Computer: This is the computer from which you are transfering files and settings. (Choose This)

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  • Now Wizard will scan through you computer and display a list of use accounts that can be transfered. Put a tick next to items you want to transfer.

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  •  Wizard will now prompt you for a Password, put the password if you want to secure your transfer data. Ensure that you remember this password. You will not be able to complete transfer on your destination computer if you do not provide this password. (This password is optional, leave it blank if you want to)

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  • Now the last step, Wizard will prompt you to save the transfer file that it has created on to a location. You can burn this on HDD, CD/DVD.

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You are done with the first step of File Transfer. Move to your destination computer now and following following steps:

 

  • Run the Windows Easy Transfer for Windows 7 again.
  • Continue till step 5 as mentioned above.
  • Once you have chosen this as your New Computer, wizard will prompt you for location of Transfer files. Choose appropriate option from the screen (Snapshot below)

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              Now browse through the location where you have saved the transfer files. You can browse to a location on your HDD, CD/DVD also.

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  • Now choose what all items you want to transfer.

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  • Wizard will now transfer all the selected items. Once done, it will give you options to check what items were transfered.

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Cheers!!!    smileyface5

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Tags: backup, data, data backup, data move, data transfer windows 7, easy, transfer, Window 7, windows, Windows 7, windows easy transfer

How to Backup/Transfer data on Windows 7

Aug 12

Posted by Admin in Windows 7 | No Comments


Windows Vista provides you with some good utilities to accomplish following tasks:

  • Transfer data and user settings to another computer
  •  Backup data on your computer as a contingency plan

Below is how you can easily transfer data or back it up on Windows 7:

1. Transfer data and user settings to another computer:

Windows 7 provides you with Windows Easy Transfer. This utility gives you the capability of backing up your settings and user data on a medium(Exernal HDD, Flash Drive or DVD). After that you can restore these settings and user data on the new computer using the medium.

Search for Windows Easy Transfer in the Start Search box to access it.

2. Backup data on your computer:

For this you can use Backup and Restore Center in Windows 7. This utility is a step by step guide which will enable you to take one time backup or schedule a regular backup for your computer. Please ensure that you have saved any unsaved data and close all open documents before running this utility. Also, please keep in mind that data backed up on Windows 7 can be restore only on a computer running Windows 7.

Search for backup or Restore in the Start Search box to access this utility.

 

Hope this helps!!

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Tags: backup, backup data, data, data backup, easy, how, howto, to, transfer, Window 7, windows, Windows 7, windows easy transfer