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Category: technical support

  • Windows 7 Startup Recovery feature






         
           A lot of times if Windows can’t boot properly because of a hardware change, unexpected shutdown, or other errors, it will come up with the Windows Error Recovery screen. This gives you the option to go into Startup Repair or try to boot Windows normally.

    This article works for Windows 7, but will not work for  Windows XP.



           If Windows won’t boot properly and doesn’t give you the Error Recovery screen, you can get into it manually. Power the computer completely down, and when you power it up again, keep hitting the F8 key until you see the Advanced Boot Options screen. Once you get to this screen, highlight Repair Your Computer and hit Enter.



           Now you have different System Recovery Options to choose from. Click on Startup Repair to begin the troubleshooting process as it can detect and fix problems.



    Startup Repair begins the scan and attempts to repair the system. Be patient while it finishes, sometimes it can take a while for it to complete.



    In this particular instance a System Restore is recommended. You don’t have to use this option, you can cancel it and allow the tool to keep trying to fix the issue.



    The System Restore process starts and returns system settings to a time when it worked correctly. You should have a few different date ranges to choose from, but you’ll want to select the most recent one.

        After it’s been restored, you’ll get a message indicating it was successful and you need to Restart.

             If the problem cannot be fixed, you’ll get a message indicating it can’t be fixed automatically, and you’ll get a summary of the error that can be sent to Microsoft. Depending on what the error is, sometimes you will get additional links to options or support. The manufacturer of the computer might also provide additional solutions.



    The option to send the error details to Microsoft.

    This article works for Windows 7, but will not work for  Windows XP.

  • How to Audit (log) Access to Shared Folder’s in Windows 7

    Information
    Auditing access to your shared folders makes it possible to keep track of what’s happening; who visits your shared folders, when, doing what. It might not be needed on a “Me and my laptop” networks, although in my opinion it adds a bit to general security of your system and network. When needed, the information is there. Auditing logs are very small files, taking almost no space on hard disk. Auditing does not “eat” the resources of your computer, does not make it slower.
    Auditing options can be edited using Windows 7 built-in Group Policy Editor, included in Seven Professional, Ultimate and Enterprise editions. There are also several third party alternatives, for instance ShareAlarmPro. This tutorial is however about how to do it with gpedit.
    This article works for Windows 7,may or may not work for Windows Vista and  Windows XP.

    Here’s How:
    1. Open Group Policy Editor by typing gpedit.msc to Start menu’s search field or Run dialog window and hit Enter
    2. Go to Local Computer Policy > Computer Configuration > Windows Settings > Security Settings > Local Policies Audit Policy, double click to open Audit Object Access
    3. Check both options (Success and Failure) under Audit these objects, click OK
    4. Close Group Policy Editor
    5. Open the Properties of a shared folder you want to audit, choose Security tab, click Advanced
    6. Choose Audit tab, click Continue
    7. Click Add, click Locations to choose from which location you want to audit, write the computer name and name of a user or group you want to audit, for instance PC-3\Administrators or XPPro-upstairs\Kari. Click Check names to “spellcheck”, to check validity of your input
    8. Click OK to close Select User or Group dialog, click OK to close Advanced Security Settings, click OK to close Folder Properties
    That’s it. To read audit log, open Event Viewer by typing Event Viewer to Start menu’s search field or Run dialog window and hit Enter. Go to Windows Logs > Security
    This article works for Windows 7,may or may not work for Windows Vista and  Windows XP.

  • How to Configure UAC to Require a Password for Administrator

    Information
    While the UAC prompts seen when using a standard account may require a password, this is not the case while using an admin account.
    Once logged into the Admin account, a user can change anything only by clicking Yes on a user account control box. Some security measure. By requiring a password on each UAC prompt you can add security to your administrator account(s).
    This article works for Windows 7 and Windows Vista but is not applicable for Windows XP.

    Here’s How:
     
    First, be sure that UAC (User Account Control) is enabled. Open the control panel, navigate to the User Accounts & Family Safety section, click on User Accounts, then click on Change User Account Control Settings. Be sure that the sliding bar is not on the lowest setting.
    Now that you’ve confirmed that UAC is enabled, you can enhance it.
    Open the start menu and go to the search box.
    Type in Local Security Policy, now hit enter.
    Once this program is open, navigate to Local Policies, then Security Options.
    Now scroll down until you see User Account Control in the name of the policies.
    Once you see them, find the two that say User Account Control: Behavior of the elevation prompt for…. Right click on them and click modify. Change the values to Prompt for Credentials. Exit the program.
    Now you will be greeted by a password prompt any time you do something that user account control deems a security action.
    This may happen more of less often depending on what level you set your UAC to. Personally, I have mine set to the top level, however that’s mostly due to the fact that I download a lot of “questionable” files from many different sometimes non reputable sources.
    If you wish to be able to adjust Windows settings without being prompted, then the two settings below the top will do. Use the second down if you wish to have the UAC dim your desktop, use the third down if you don’t.
    To confirm that you’re being prompted for a password, just set your UAC to the highest level and then attempt to access UAC settings again.
    This article works for Windows 7 and Windows Vista but is not applicable for Windows XP.

  • How to Restore the Windows 7 MBR (Master Boot Record)

    Information
    If you have been dual booting with Linux, then you probably know one of the Linux boot managers like Grub or LILO has been installed in the MBR of your hard drive. What can you do when you no longer want Linux on that hard drive?
    This tutorial will show you how to use your 7 DVD and BOOTSECT.EXE to restore the “bootsector code” of the MBR and allow you to begin booting to Windows 7 again.
    This article works for Windows 7 and Windows Vista but will not work for Windows XP.

    Tip
    You can use this method to update the bootsector code for Windows 7, Vista, XP, 2000 or switch between Bootmgr and NTLDR. Just check the Microsoft TechNet site for the correct command.
    Here’s How:
    1. Boot your computer to the Windows 7 DVD (or to a “Repair CD”). At this screen choose to install now.
    2. Select your language and click next.
    3. Click the button for “Use recovery tools”.
    4. Then select “Command Prompt”.
    5. When open, the command prompt will look like this:
    6. The command we will use, bootsect.exe, is in a folder (named boot) on the DVD.
    We need to know what drive letter has been assigned the DVD drive to access the folder.
    Code:
    Type: diskpart
    and press Enter
    Type: select disk 0 (zero)
    and press Enter
    type: list volume
    and press Enter
    In this screen shot, the 7 DVD is letter: G
             
    7. Use your DVD drive letter and
    Code:
    Type: exit
    and press Enter
    to close Diskpart
    Type: G: (use the letter of your DVD drive)
    and press Enter
    Type: cd boot
    and press Enter
    Type: dir
    and press Enter
    to verify that bootcect.exe is there (if you really need to)
             
    8. To restore the “bootsector code”:
    Code:
    TYPE: bootsect /nt60 SYS /mbr
    and press Enter
             
    NOTE:
    If this method fails to restore the MBR, you can try the bootrec command as it is also a tool for repairing the MBR.
    9. When completed successfully,
    Code:
    Type: exit
    and press Enter
    This will close the command prompt window.
    10. Now select Shut Down or Restart
             
    11. Then you can reboot your computer into Windows.

    This article works for Windows 7 and Windows Vista but will not work for Windows XP.

  • How to Use Private Character Editor in Windows 7


    The Private Character Editor is the lesser-known companion to Character Map. The program allows you to insert characters of your own design into text that you write. They can be linked to all fonts, a selected number of fonts, or just a single font.

    This article is applicable to Windows 7 and may or may not work for Windows XP.

    Here’s how:
    Begin by clicking on the start button and typing Private Character Editor into the search box and press enter/return. You will need to enter administrative credentials to continue. The following screen will appear:
    Click on OK. If you wish to design your own characters, you can do so in the grid shown below. When you have finished your design, proceed to the Save Character section.
    Click Edit and then click Copy Character…
    Choose the character you wish to copy, click on it to select it, and click OK.
    Click Edit and then click Save Character (alternatively, use the Ctrl + S shortcut).
    If you wish to create/copy further characters, click on View and then click Next Code (or use the Ctrl + N shortcut). The Prev Code (Ctrl + P shortcut) will then become available. You can copy/create further characters or edit existing ones.
    When you have finished copying/creating/editing characters, you need to link them so that you can access and use them. To do this, click on File and then click Font Links…
     
    For the default option of Link with All Fonts, simply click on OK. You may now close the Private Character Editor.
     
    To explicitly link with one or more font(s), click on Link with Selected Fonts, browse to the required font and then click Save As… Give the character an appropriate name and click Save. Repeat for all fonts that you want to link with. When you have finished, click on OK and then close the Private Character Editor.

    This article is applicable to Windows 7 and may or may not work for Windows XP.


    http://www.linkedtube.com/static/flash/player.swf?sum=How%20to%20Use%20Private%20Character%20Editor%20in%20Windows%207&btn=TechSupp247&txt=Windows%207%20Support&vis=always&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Ftechsupp247&vid=9mNZ4l9jxX4

  • BitLocker feature in Windows 7

               
     
            If you’ve got information on your PC that you need to protect, you can help prevent theft or loss by using BitLocker data encryption to put a virtual lock on your files.


    How can you help protect your data from loss, theft, or hackers? The answer: BitLocker. If you’ve got information on your PC that you need to protect, you can help prevent theft or loss by using BitLocker data encryption to put a virtual lock on your files.

    Improved for Windows 7 and available in the Ultimate edition, BitLocker helps keep everything from documents to passwords safer by encrypting the entire drive that Windows and your data reside on. Once BitLocker is turned on, any file you save on that drive is encrypted automatically.

    BitLocker To Go—a new feature of Windows 7—gives the lockdown treatment to easily-misplaced portable storage devices like USB flash drives and external hard drives.




  • Tech Update: Windows 7 on Gaming Deck

      
                As expected, Just when you thought you’d see every possible way to implement Windows 7. Technology evolution “CES” and a company called OCOSMOS. 

     
                    Engadget is reporting that an unknown company who made a vaporware splash in last years Consumer Electronics Show is getting ready to preview a handheld gaming device that runs a version of Windows 7. That’s right we are not talking about Windows Phone 7 it Microsoft Windows 7.

            It’s not a surprise that we favour Windows 7 as an operating system, but we are very wary of Windows 7 on any tablet-like devices and especially a gaming handheld. we just don’t see the point of this, but we will have to wait and see before making any judgement on their device. For right now, check the picture and the scant details. What are your thoughts on using Windows 7 on a portable gaming device?

  • Assigning Computer Name and Workgroup in Windows 7

    Assigning Computer Name and Workgroup in Windows 7

    Assigning computer name and workgroup in Windows 7 is highly recommended, because it allows other computers to access your computer to access shared file or printer easily by using computer name. 

    Note: Please note you need to assign unique computer name on each computer, but can group all home computers under same workgroup for easy access. Default workgroup in Windows 7 is WORKGROUP
    1) Go to Start, right click Computer and click on Properties.
    2) System Properties window will appear, and you can see the configured computer name and also workgroup. Just click Change settings to change those settings.
    Note: You can also click Advanced system settings to make similar change.
    3) System Properties window will appear. Select Computer Name tab and then click Change
    4) Proceed to key in new computer name and workgroup name in Computer Name/Domain Changes window. Finally click OK button to close all windows and restart your computer.
    Note: Make sure computer name is unique in your network, not more then 15 characters and avoid from using this characters for naming your computer: ` ~ @ # $ % ^ & ( ) = + [ ] { } | ; : , ‘ “ . / ?

  • Aero Shake and Tab Changing

    Changing different windows in windows 7 has got a new attractive way. The way we can change the windows or open windows be done in a very easier way. Press windows button on the key board and Press Tab which will change the windows in a very attractive way like this

    This Feature is called Windows Flip.

    There is another beautiful feature called windows Shake that will help us in hiding all the open windows except the active windows that we want.

    These are all the windows that are open.

    This is the only window that we will be left with when we shake it by holding the left mouse button on the top of it. This saves the time in closing or minimizing all the windows individually. It has improved the PC‘s look to a very large extent and made very attractive way. It is also available in vista computers but a lot of hardware acceleration needs it to make it work with out being hung up.

  • How to check the devices in Windows 7

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    Windows 7 has made the accessibility of devices more easier. Device Stage and the Devices and Printers folder are the optionsthat  made the searching for devices easier in windows 7.

    Device Stage

    When we plug something into our PC, we’ll see a menu of popular tasks for that type of device. For example if we plug-in the a

    ThumbDrive or a USB drive we will get a Auto Run like this.

    It gets better when Manufacturers can customize Device Stage, so for many devices including you’ll see status information and menu options tailored to your specific model—right down to a slick photorealistic mug shot.

    Devices and Printers

    The new Devices and Printers folder shows you the installed devices that are connected to your PC, making it a handy way to check on a printer, music player, camera, mouse, or digital picture frame (just to name a few).
    It’s also the place to add a new networked or wireless device and troubleshoot problems with a device or printer.