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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 XP Error: STOP 0×000000024 or NTFS_FILE_SYSTEM

Sep 4

Posted by Admin in Troubleshooting, Windows XP | 1 Comment


You may encounter a blue screen stop error while starting your Windows Vista Operating System. This usually happens when the computer is unable to access booting files or the File System. If you encounter this message, follow the steps below:

  1. Restart the Computer
  2. Tap the “F8” key while the computer is restarting to get to the Startup Options screen
  3. From this options screen, use the arrow keys on the keyboard to highlight “Safe Mode” and then press “Enter” key
  4. Once you reach the desktop of your Windows XP computer, click on “Start”à “Run” and type “chkdsk c:/f” and press the “enter” key.

This will launch the disk checking wizard which will look at the Hard Drive on your computer for any bad sectors. If there are many bad sectors, you should take back-up of your data and replace the hard drive.

 

If above steps do not work, follow the steps below:

  1. Go to the “Safe Mode” as described above
  2. Double Click on “MY Computer” or click on “Start” and then click on “My Computer”.
  3. On the next screen, right click on the primary hard drive partition and on the pop-up menu, click on “Properties”.
  4. On the next screen, click on the “Tools” tab
  5. Click on “Check Now” button in the “Error Checking” box

Make sure that you check the option for “Scan and attempt recovery of bad sectors” on the Check Disk options screen. You can also select “Automatically Fix” file systems check box.

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Tags: 0x000000024, Error, Microsoft, NTFS_File_System, Stop, windows, XP

Windows XP does not start after installing Windows Vista as a dual boot option

Aug 17

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


You may be unable to log into Windows XP after installing Windows Vista and making your computer a dual OS / dual boot machine. This primarliy happens when Windows Vista is installed in unallocated space on the hard drive that existed in front of the Windows XP partition. To resolve this issue, follow the steps below:

(Please note that you will need administrative rights on your login to perform these steps.)

  1. Boot the computer into Windows Vista
  2. Right click on the “Start” button and on the pop up menu, click on “Explore“
  3. Click on ”Organize” option and then on the drop down menu, click on “Folder and Search Options“
  4. Click on the “View” tab
  5. In the advanced settings area, click “Show hidden files and folders“. Click on the checkbox next to “Hide extension for known file types” to uncheck it and then click on “Hide protected sytem files (Recommended)” to uncheck it. Click “yes” to confirm that you want to display operating system protected files and then click on “OK”
  6. Locate the Windows XP drive by using the “Computer” panel browsing (Start–>Computer)
  7. Now locate “boot.ini” file. Right click on it and click on “properties” on the pop up menu
  8. On the boot.ini properties window, click on Security tab and then click on “Advanced“
  9. Click on the “Owner” tab and then click on “edit“. If you get a prompt to enter administrator password, type your password to continue to the next step.
  10. In the change owner list, Click your alias or leave the default option selected. Now click on “OK” 4 times.
  11. Now right click on boot.ini file again and click on “Edit” on the pop up menu
  12. On this window, modify the Advanced RISC Computing (ARC) path to the correct Windows XP partition

These steps will solve your issues with Windows XP booting and allow you to enjoy both the operating systems compleltely.

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Tags: boot, dual, Error, issue, Microsoft, Vista, windows, XP

Windows Update Error 0×80073712

Aug 13

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


Microsoft has released 2 major security loophole fixes in past 2 months. This leads us to believe that the security risk in our daily computing life is increasing every day. To ensure that our computer remains safe from these unwanted threats, all of us want to keep our computer updated with latest updates from Microsoft. Unfortunately, windows updates are not 100% successful everytime on all the machines in the world. This is one of the most common error that is thrown to users who attempt to run Windows update manually or get this message after they restart the computer post automatic updates has finished installing the updates. To resolve this issue, follow the steps below:

  1. Browse to Windows Folder. This is usually c:\Windows
  2. Double click on the winsxs folder
  3. Locate the file pending.xml and rename it to pending.old
  4. Restart the computer and try installing the updates again

In most cases, during the rename process, you may get “Access Denied” message. If this happens, follow the steps below:

  1. Right Click on pending.xml
  2. On the pop up menu, click on Properties
  3. On the Properties window, click on Security tab
  4. On the Security tab, click on Advanced and then click on Owner tab
  5. In the Name list, click on “Administrator” or click on the “Administrators Group” and then click on OK.
  6. Click on “Add”
  7. On the “Enter the object names to select (examples) list”, type Everyone
  8. Click on OK
  9. In the “Group or Username list”, click on “Full Control”
  10. Click on OK

After the above steps, you will be able to rename the file “pending.xml”

I hope this will allow you to resolve this issue, if it ever occurs on your computer. Keep your computer updated & safe.

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Tags: Error, install, Microsoft, update, windows

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

Windows XP: Install NT Backup utility

Aug 13

Posted by Admin in Windows XP | No Comments


The default installation of Windows XP Professional will install NTBackup utility on the computer. However, this utility is not installed by default in Windows XP Home edition. Unlike common belief, this utility is available on the installation disc for Windows XP Home edition as well. Its not installed by default though. In today’s environment, where everyone tends to store critical information on computer, it is essential to have a backup utility.

If you are using Windows XP Home and interested in installing the backup utility, follow the steps below:

  1. Insert the Windows XP installation disk in the CD/DVD drive of your computer
  2. This should launch the Windows XP setup screen automatically. If this window does not appear, go to “My Computer“, right click on the CD/DVD drive and click on “AutoPlay” option on the pop up menu. This will launch the setup screen.
  3. On the setup screen, click on “Perform Additional Tasks“
  4. On the next screen, click on “Browse this CD“
  5. This will take you to a folder list where you will see a list of files and folders. On this window, double click on “VALUEADD” folder.
  6. In this folder, double click on “NTBACKUP”. This will launch the installation of Ntbackup utility
  7. Follow the installation steps and this will add this utility on your computer

Once installed, this utility will be available to you through Start–>All programs–>Accessories–>System Tools–>Backup.

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Tags: backup, install, Microsoft, ntbackup, Recovery, restore, utility, windows, XP

How to keep Windows XP machine healthy?

Aug 13

Posted by Admin in Windows XP | No Comments


Lot of us experience slow performance of our computer as we continue to use our machines every day. A lot of technical support requirement is generated due to slow performance of computers. Other than slow performance, there is that ever increasing security risk that is associated with various applications that we use everyday, such as Internet Explorer and Microsoft Office. Microsoft has provided tools with its Operating System to ensure that your computer stays healthy and gives you a long life of optimal performance.

Here is what you can do to keep your computer healthy:

  1. Click on “Start” button”
  2. Click on “Control Panel“
  3. On the Control Panel window, double click on “Scheduled Tasks“
  4. This will launch a Task Scheduler window. On this window, click on “Add Scheduled Task” and then click on “Next“
  5. On the list of applications, click on “Disk Cleanup” and click on “Next“
  6. From the frequency options, select “Weekly” and then click on “Next“. This will ensure that you get rid of unwanted files from your computer every week. Please note that whenever the task scheduler launches Disk Cleanup Wizard, it will give you options for the files to delete. Make sure you go through the entire list carefully to ensure that you don’t loose any information that you may need later.
  7. Select a preferred time and day when you would want your computer to run this wizard. Then click on “Next“
  8. It will prompt you for a username and password. Please enter your windows login details here. After entering the details, click on “Next“
  9. Click on “Finish” to complete the process.

The above process will only run disk cleanup every week. It is also recommended that you run Disk Defragment tool and Disk Checking tool every month. To Add Disk Defragment to the scheduler, follow the steps below:

  1. Follow the first 4 steps as mentioned above
  2. Click on “Browse” on the window where a list of applications is provided
  3. On the browse window, go to Windows –>System32–>defrag.exe
  4. Select the file above and click on “OK“
  5. Follow the steps listed earlier from point 6 onwards. The only difference will be the frequency. The frequency for this should be set up as “Monthly“

Follow the same steps for checking hard disk for errors every month. The only difference is that in Step 3, you will need to highlight the file “CHKDSK.exe“.

Once complete you have created a good maintenance plan fo your computer and your machine will not go into the never ending slow performance loop.

Other than this, you should also keep your Windows Update settings to “Automatic”. This means that whenever you connect your computer to internet, Windows Update will scan the system for latest updates and offer updates for download and installation whenver one is available. To do this, follow the steps below:

  1. Click on “Start“
  2. Click on “Run“
  3. On the Run box, type “sysdm.cpl” and click on “OK“.
  4. On the window that opens, click on “Automatic Updates” tab and select the option (Radio Button) “Automatic (recommended)“
  5. Click on “OK“

This will ensure that all security updates are installed on your computer.

I hope this will help you in keeping your computer healthy and problem free. Happy Computing.

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Tags: defragment, disk, healthy, Microsoft, performance, scheduler, slow, task, windows, XP

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

Automated System Recovery: Windows XP

Aug 13

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



Automated System Recovery (ASR) feature in Windows XP allows users to create backups to be prepared for a complete system crash situation. This helps in rebuilding the system from a scratch.

Microsoft recommends users to create ASR disks regularly to be prepared in case the system fails. This is the last resort after Safe Mode and other troubleshooting steps have failed.

The ASR wizard backs up system state, system services and other components of the Operating System. The restoration through ASR can be accessed by tapping F2 key when prompted.

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Tags: backup, boot, Recovery, restore, system, Windows XP