Category: technical support

How to Enable a Warning Message in Windows 7
How to Enable a Warning Message in Windows 7

Warning message is the message that comes exactly before logging into an User account on the Log On screen. This is just for the sake of displaying a message before somebody logs on to the computer.

This can be done in the following way:

Step 1: Open Registry Editor using the Command regedit in Run command.

Step 2: Navigate to the folder HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\Current Version\Winlogon — We need to click on Windows Logon folder then we
get list of options to the right.
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Step 3: Double click on the option LegalNoticeCaption and change the value put 
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some text in the place of Dialog Caption in the above figure.
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Step 4: In a similar Way do it for LegalNoticeText edit the text in the place of 
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Dialog Message.  
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This dialog box is presented to the user who tries to log on to the computer 
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after they press CTRL+ALT+DEL and before the logon dialog box is shown.
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January 7, 2011
Installing and updating drivers in 7

This guide is broken up into a number of parts:

Intro to drivers

Driver guidelines

Finding & updating drivers

Using Driver Sweeper

Device Manger updates

INTRO:

Drivers instruct Windows exactly what hardware you have and what it does, along with any specific features. Manufacturers usually release new drivers frequently to keep their products updated and add new features. Performance is also usually improved, so it is absolutely vital to keep all your drivers updated. Use a driver sweeper for some drivers too.

GUIDELINES:

Install them in safe mode if you can. Otherwise, use safe mode if a normal 7 install fails. If you’ve built a new pc, then you’ll most likely install the drivers in 7, not safe mode.

Don’t bother with driver programs. Get them yourself. Do you trust a random app to stick a driver in the right place and ensure its installed correctly on top of a driver install? Use them only – only – if you really can’t find drivers and then uninstall them.

Reboot. Always reboot after each driver. Even better after you install them, reboot again later in the day.

Make sure it matches your hardware and for laptops, the model, and whether its x86 or x64.

Create a folder in your browser with links to your hardware and check this once a week.

Use Driver Sweeper for your graphics card and sound drivers. This will clean up any leftover junk in safe mode.

Try and find WHQL – Windows Hardware Quality Labs – drivers that have been certified by Microsoft.

Keep a backup of the latest drivers on an external hard disk in case 7 dies. If you use a backed up image, then recent drivers are available.

FINDING & UPDATING DRIVERS:

Finding drivers is usually easy. First you need to find out what is in your pc. I’d recommend HWInfo32. Install it and open it. Note the chipset and BIOS type/date then close the summary window. Then open up the tabs:

The drivers you want to update:

Chipset

BIOS

NIC (Network Interface Device) for Ethernet and Wireless.

Sound

Graphics Card

DVD drive firmware if necessary

Anything proprietary if necessary, such as Webcam etc.

Once you know the drivers, google any with the manufacturer such as nvidia driver and then bookmark the link in a folder. Download the drivers and then reboot after each one. If you have any problems open a thread in the drivers sub-forum or PM me. The BIOS will be from the PC manufacturer or the motherboard manufacturer and chipset most likely from AMD, Intel, Nvidia, or SiS:

AMD

SIS

NVIDIA

INTEL

DRIVER SWEEPER:

Use Driver Sweeper if you are updating some drivers. Driver Sweeper is a program that will remove leftovers from key drivers, namely graphics and sound. The first thing to do is to ensure that you have new and possibly old drivers on hand. Also, if you have 2 graphics cards – I have Intel and Nvidia in my ultraportable – don’t do this. The manufacturer will most likely have different instructions. Otherwise, this should work, along with SLI/Crossfire. Uninstall the drivers from control panel with the exception of ATI drivers. If you have ATI run the new installer, uninstall the old drivers, reboot, and then use Driver Sweeper. Reboot into 7 again and then re-run the Catalyst installer, this time choosing to install the new driver. For anything else uninstall anything other related like control panels. Reboot at the end:

Reboot into safe mode and then run driver sweeper.

Select Analyse and then clean – choose the right drivers you want removed! It will be all of them, just select the right ones above. Reboot once more into safe mode and install the newest drivers. Then reboot into Windows. Use driver sweeper if it can clean up any of your drivers. This will most likely be sound and display, but the app is updated and some more support will come for other bits of hardware.

DEVICE MANAGER UPDATES:

In device manager, right click the device and select update, try the internet and then try choosing from installed drivers. Also, use the Unknown Devices app from Halfdone Development to identify any hardware (usually) that has a question mark.

Otherwise install any drivers over old ones unless you find different instructions for the piece of hardware. The .txt readme will have instructions or the site. Some installers uninstall old drivers, tell you to reboot, then run the installer again to install the new ones. After you install graphics drivers re-run the Windows Experience Index assessment. If you follow these simple steps your PC will run better and driver problems shouldn’t exist.. If you can’t get any 7drivers, then it might time for new hardware that has support.

November 15, 2010
No sound in Windows 7

Introduction

This tutorial is designed to help you identify and fix common sound problems in Windows, including no sound coming from your speakers or headphones. This tutorial doesn’t cover sound problems related to specific programs. Sound problems can be caused by cables that aren’t connected properly, corrupt drivers, incompatible drivers, sound settings, missing updates, and problems with your sound card.

How to use this tutorial

For best results, complete each step before moving on to the next one. Check for sound after each step before going to the next step.

Step 1: Check hardware

Many sound problems are caused by hardware that isn’t set up property. Here’s some information about how to check your sound card, verify that cables are plugged in to the correct locations, make sure the hardware has power, and check the volume.

Check your sound card

Check to make sure your computer has a sound card, or sound processor, and it’s working properly.

Do one of the following:

If you’re running Windows 7 or Windows Vista, click the Start button , click Control Panel, click System and Security, and then, under System, click Device Manager. If you’re prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

If you’re running Windows XP, click Start, click Control Panel, double-click System, click the Hardware tab, and then click Device Manager. If you’re prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

Double-click Sound, video and game controllers to expand that category. If a sound card is listed, you have one installed. If no sound card is listed, check the information that came with your computer to see if there’s supposed to be a sound card installed. If there should be a sound card installed, you’ll need to install one. For more information, see Install or remove a sound card.

Notes

If you think you have a sound card installed, but you don’t see it under the Sound, video and game controllers category, expand the Other devices category and check any devices listed there.

Laptops don’t usually have sound cards. Instead, they have integrated sound processors, which appear in the same category in Device Manager.

If there’s a yellow question mark next to the name of the sound card in Device Manager, there might be a problem.

Right-click the name of the sound card, and then click Properties.

Click the General tab, and then look in the Device status box to identify problems with the sound card.

If there’s a problem, you might need a new driver for your sound card. For more information, see “Step 3: Update drivers” in this tutorial.

Check if the cables are connected properly

Check to make sure all of the cables are plugged in to the correct locations, which might include speakers and headphones, HDMI cables, USB audio devices, and other audio devices.

Check power and volume

If you have speakers, make sure they’re plugged in to a working power source and turned on.

Make sure that your speaker volume or headphone volume isn’t muted or turned down too low. This is particularly important for laptops, which often have small speakers that can be hard to hear.

Windows 7 and Windows Vista

Click the Start button , click Control Panel, click Hardware and Sound, and then, under Sound, click Adjust system volume.

Move the slider up to increase the volume.

Make sure the Mute button isn’t turned on. If the button looks like this: , muting is turned off. If the button looks like this: , click it to turn off muting.

Notes

Some laptops have an external volume control. If you’re using a laptop, check the external volume control to make sure it’s not turned all the way down.

In some cases, you might have several volume controls to check. For example, if you’re using Windows Media Player, it has its own volume control; Windows has a volume control; and your external speakers have their own volume control. If any of these volume controls are set to their lowest setting, you will not hear any sound.

Step 2: Use a troubleshooter

A troubleshooter is an automated tool that can find and automatically fix some problems with your computer. Different versions of Windows use troubleshooters in different ways.

Run the first troubleshooter to diagnose and fix common sound playback issues, and then try to play an audio file. If the problem isn’t fixed, try the next troubleshooter to diagnose and fix common problems with hardware and devices.

Trouble Shooter 1

Trouble Shooter 2

Step 3: Update drivers

In order for Windows to recognize your sound card or sound processor, you must find and install a compatible driver. Most sound cards and sound processors require driver software to work properly. Outdated, incompatible, or corrupted sound card drivers can disrupt communication between the computer and the sound card.

If you recently upgraded from one version of Windows to another, it’s possible that the current sound card driver was designed for the previous version of Windows. If you’ve had recent power outages, viruses, or other computer problems, it’s possible that the drivers have become corrupted. Downloading and installing the latest sound card driver for your sound card can resolve these types of problems.

Here are three ways to find and install a driver:

Use Windows Update. You might need to set Windows Update to automatically download and install recommended updates. Installing any important, recommended, and optional updates can update system features and other software that might help to fix your sound problems.

Install software from the device manufacturer. For example, if your device came with a disc, that disc might contain software that installs a driver for the device.

Download and install the driver yourself. You can search for a driver on the manufacturer’s website. Try this if Windows Update can’t find a driver for your device and the device didn’t come with software that installs a driver.

November 12, 2010
Create, Delete and Modify User Accounts in Windows 7

Good to know Info

This will demonstrate how to create, delete, and modify user accounts in Windows 7.

To invoke the main User Accounts dialogue, follow one of the methods below:

Click the Start logo and typewrite User Accounts into the search box and press enter.

Click the Start logo and then click Control Panel followed by User Accounts and Family Safety and finally User Accounts.

Either method will bring up the following dialogue panel.

This article shows the dialogue panels after you have simply installed Windows 7.

Choice ONE

TO CREATE A USER ACCOUNT

1) Click on Manage another account. This gets up the following dialogue. Ideally you will see two accounts – the Administrator account and the Guest account which is disabled by default.

2) Click on Create a new account to bring up the following dialogue.

3) Type in the wanted name for the account and select the wanted account type (I recommend that only Standard user accounts are created) and then click on Create Account to get the following dialogue.

Choice TWO

TO MODIFY A USER ACCOUNT

1) Look Up the above image and click the name of the account that you wish to modify. Here I am going to modify the account that I have just created.

2) For this example, I am going to modify the picture. Click on Change the picture to bring up the following dialogue.

3) Click on the image that you wish to use and then click Change Picture. This change is exhibited in the image below. Note that I have also produced a password, and that Create a password is now Change the password.

PASSWORD MANIPULATION:
4) To change it, click on Change the password. This brings up the following dialogue.

5) Make any required changes and click Change password.

6) To get rid of it, click on Remove the password. This brings up the following dialogue.

7) Click Remove Password.

CHOICE THREE

TO DELETE A USER ACCOUNT

1) Click on the name of the account that you want to delete. This brings up the under mentioned dialogue.

2) Make the decision as to whether or not you want to preserve the user’s files, and then click on Delete Files or Keep Files as you prefer.

October 28, 2010
Turn the Guest Account On or Off in Windows 7

SELECTIVE INFORMATION:

If you require someone to have temporary access to your computer, you can turn on the guest account. Individuals utilizing the guest account can’t install software or hardware, modify settings, or produce a password.

This article will show how to turn the guest account on or off in Windows 7. By default the guest account is turned off in Windows 7.

Word Of Advice

Since the guest account permits a user to log on to a network, browse the Internet, and shut down the computer, you should turn off the guest account when it isn’t being used.

CHOICE ONE

Turn On Guest Account

1. Open the Control Panel (Click on start logo and click on Control Panel,All Items View).

2. Click on the User Accounts icon.

3. Click on the Manage another account link.

4. If prompted by UAC, click on Yes.

5. Click on the named Guest account.

6. Click on the Turn On button.

7. The guest account is now turned on. End the User Accounts window.

Choice TWO

Turn Off Guest Account

1. Open the Control Panel (Click on start logo and click on Control Panel, All Items View).

2. Click on the User Accounts icon.

3. Click on the Manage another account link.

4. If prompted by UAC, click on Yes.

5. Click on the listed Guest account.

6. Click on the Turn off the guest account link.

7. The guest account is right away turned off. Close the User Accounts window.

October 28, 2010
How to Add Additional Time Zone Clocks in Windows 7

Selective Information:

Windows 7 can exhibit up to 3 clocks unlike Windows Xp: One for the localized time, and Two for the time in other time zones of your choice.

This article will demonstrate how to add an additional Time Zone clock.

Here’s How to achieve that:

1. Left click on clock on the taskbar and click on Change date and time settings.

A) Go to step 4 below.

OR

2. Right click on Time on the taskbar and click Adjust Date/Time.

A) Go to step 4 below.

OR

3. Open the Control Panel in Classic View, and click on the Date and Time icon.

4. Click on the Additional Clocks tab.

5. Check “Show this clock to add a clock.”

NOTE: You can add one or both clocks.

6. Click on the Select time zone drop down arrow and choose one from the list you want to be exhibited on this clock.

7. Enter a display name for this clock.

NOTE: You can type up to 15 characters.

8. Click on OK.

October 27, 2010
How to Uninstall or change a Program

Selective Information:
You can uninstall an application or program off your computer if you no longer utilize it or if you want to free up space on your hard disk.

This will demonstrate how to use Programs and Features in the Control Panel to see, uninstall, change, or repair programs that are currently installed in Windows 7.

In Windows XP, this would have been in Add and Remove Programs rather.

Tip
If the program you desire to uninstall is not listed in Programs and Features, then it may not have been written for this version of Windows. To uninstall the program, check the data that arrived with the program, or go to the program publisher’s/manufacturer’s website. Most programs install automatically in the C:\Program Files folder (option 3 below). Search in this folder some programs also include an uninstall program that you can use.

Programs and features embedded with Windows 7 can be turned off in Windows Features.
If the program doesn’t uninstall completely the first time, sometimes running the uninstall program a second time will succeed.

If the previous choice doesn’t cultivate, attempt uninstalling the program while Windows 7 is running in safe mode.

If you installed the program recently, you can try using System Restore to return your computer’s system files to an previous restore point dated before you installed the program.

OPTION ONE

Using Programs and Features

1. Open the Control Panel (icons view), and click on Programs and Features.

2. Select a listed program to highlight it and see the accessible options on the toolbar for that program.

NOTE: The options will be either Uninstall, change, Uninstall/change, Repair, or modify/Repair. A program may not have all the options available for it.

If mouse is set to single click, then hover the mouse pointer over the named program to select it.
If mouse is set to double click, then left click one time on the listed program to choose it.

3. To Uninstall the Program

A) Click on the Uninstall or Uninstall/change (depending on the button displayed) toolbar button.

OR

B) Double click on the selected program.

OR

C) Right click on the chosen program, and click on Uninstall or Uninstall/change (depending on the pick available).

D) If you had only the Uninstall pick, then you may require click on Yes.

E) If prompted by UAC, then click on Yes (if administrator) or typewrite in the administrator’s password (if standard user).

F) Adopt the rest of the onscreen instructions to uninstall the program, then go to step 6.

NOTE: Some programs may require a restart afterward.

4. To modify the Program

NOTE: This will allow you to install or uninstall optional features of the program without uninstalling it. Not all programs use the modify button, and may offer only Uninstall.
A) Click on modify or Uninstall/modify (depending on the push button displayed) toolbar button.

OR

B) Right click on the selected program, and click on modify or Uninstall/modify (depending on the choice available).

C) Follow the rest of the onscreen instructions to change the program, then go to step 6.

NOTE: Some programs may require a restart afterward.

5. To Repair the Program

NOTE: Repair is usually used when you require corrupted files and settings substituted with original ones from the selected program’s installation program. Sometimes the entire program is just reinstalled with all files overwritten and settings returned to default for the selected program. Not all programs use the Repair button, and many of them will offer only Uninstall.

A) Click on the Repair or modify/Repair (depending on the button displayed) toolbar button.

OR

B) Right click on the selected program, and click on Repair or change/Repair (depending on the pick available).

C) Follow the rest of the onscreen instructions to repair the program, and then go to step

NOTE: Some programs may demand a restart afterwards.

6. When finished, close Program and Features.

OPTION TWO

Uninstall a Program through the Start Menu

NOTE: Some programs will add a shortcut in the Start Menu All Programs area that includes a pick to uninstall it.

1. Open the Start Menu and click on All Programs.

2. Click on the program’s folder to expand it.

3. If accessible, click on the program’s uninstaller shortcut

4. If prompted by UAC, then click on Yes (if administrator) or typewrite in the administrator’s password (if standard user).

5. Follow the remainder of the onscreen instructions to uninstall the program.

NOTE: Some programs may require a restart afterward.

OPTION THREE

Uninstall a Program through the Program Files Folder

NOTE: If the program is not named in Programs and Features (choice ONE) and is not in the Start Menu (option TWO), then you may be able to uninstall the program through the Program Files folder.

1. For 32-bit Windows 7, open the C:\Program Files folder, and open the program’s folder.

A) Go to step 3.

2. For 64-bit Windows 7, open either the C:\Program Files folder for a installed 64-bit program or C:\Program Files (x86) folder for a installed 32-bit program, and open the program’s folder (ex: picture-shark).

3. If available, click on the program’s uninstaller application file.

4. If reminded by UAC, then click on Yes (if administrator) or typewrite in the administrator’s password (if standard user).

5. Adopt the rest of the onscreen directions to uninstall the program.

NOTE: Some programs may require a restart afterward.

October 27, 2010
How to Uninstall Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1) Beta and RC

Information
Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1) Beta adds a clock time with an termination date of June 30, 2011 to your Windows 7. You will be reminded starting on March 30, 2011 about the termination date, but you will be able to use your system to assist beta test the SP1 beta until June 29, 2011. Later, you will need to either upgrade to the eventual edition of SP1 when released in the first half of 2011 or uninstall the Beta version of SP1 to be capable to utilize your Windows 7 again.

This article will demonstrate, how to uninstall Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1) Beta in case you have issues with operating the SP1 beta, before the SP1 beta dies, or you are installing the Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1) RC build.

For more info about Windows 7 SP1 Beta FAQ’s, see:

Microsoft Windows 7 SP1 Beta FAQ’s

To download and for more info about Windows 7 SP1 RC, see:

Windows 7 Service Pack 1 Release Candidate (KB976932)

Note
When you download and install the “Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1) RC”, it adds a watermark to your desktop letting you know that this is right away a evaluation copy of Windows 7.

Word Of Advice
You will have to uninstall Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1) Beta before you will be able to install Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1) RC.

Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1) RC will end running on November 30, 2011. Before this date, you will need to either upgrade to the final version of SP1 when released in the first half of 2011 or uninstall the RC version of SP1 to be capable to use your Windows 7 again.

OPTION ONE

Uninstall Windows 7 SP1 Beta or RC using Programs and Characteristics
1. Open the Control Panel (icons view), and click on Programs and Features.

2. Click on the View installed updates link in the left pane.

NOTE: If you don’t find Service Pack for Microsoft Windows (KB 976932) in the list of installed updates, or if the uninstall option is disabled, use System Restore to uninstall the service pack.

3. Click on Service Pack for Microsoft Windows (KB976932) to uninstall.

NOTE: You could also select Service Pack for Microsoft Windows (KB976932) and click on the “Uninstall” push button on the toolbar, or right click on Service Pack for Microsoft Windows (KB976932) and click on “Uninstall”.

4. Click on Yes.

5. Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1) Beta or RC will now start uninstalling. It will take a bit of time to complete.

6. When prompted, restart the computer to finish.

OPTION TWO

Uninstall Windows 7 SP1 Beta or RC using a Advanced Command Prompt
1. Open a elevated command prompt (Run as administrator).

2. In the elevated command prompt, copy and paste the command below and press enter.

Wusa.exe /uninstall /kb:976932

3. Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1) Beta or RC will now start uninstalling. It will take a bit to complete.

4. When prompted, restart the computer to finish.

OPTION THREE

Uninstall Windows 7 SP1 Beta or RC using System Restore

WARNING: Performing a System Restore will also withdraw any programs and revert any system changes that were made since you installed the service pack. System Restore will not affect any personal files in your user folders.

1. Do a system restore using a restore point that has the same date or before you installed the Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1) Beta or RC.

NOTE: The restore point created automatically when you installed the SP1 beta will be labeled either Install: Windows Update or Install: Windows 7 Service Pack 1.

October 26, 2010
Enable Windows 7 God Mode

Here’s a neat Windows 7 trick that’s mind blowing. It enables “GodMode,” a term devised by the fans of this trick, which provides a single place to access all Windows settings without needing to browse options and folders in the Control Panel.

Follow these simple steps to enable the God Mode:

      1.      Create a new folder.

      2.      Rename the folder to GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C} (You can change the “GodMode” text to anything you want, but the following period and code number are essential).

      3.      The folder icon will change — double click it to show the GodMode window:

      4.      The window shows nearly 50 sections with quick links to configuration options. Strictly speaking, it’s not a God Mode since all the options are available elsewhere. It’s more akin to an “all tasks” list — but you may find it easier than stumbling through Windows numerous screens and panels.

Note:

The trick appears to work on 32 and 64-bit versions of Windows 7. Vista 32-bit and Windows Server 2008 32-bit , However, it is known to crash 64-bit versions of Vista — and you may need to boot in safe mode or to the command line to delete the folder. Sadly, Windows XP does not have this feature.

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October 25, 2010
Get back the almighty Quick Launch bar

Windows 7’s new taskbar functions as a program launcher as well as task switcher. As a result, the old Windows XP style Quick Launch bar, the area on the left side of the taskbar that contained shortcuts for frequently used programs, has been banished. However, if you really miss the little applet, you can add it back.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Right-click the taskbar and choose Toolbars –> New Toolbar.

2 . You’ll be asked to select a folder for where the new toolbar should live. In the Folder text box at the bottom of the dialog box, enter this text:

%userprofile%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch

3. After you do that, click Select Folder. A link for the Quick Launch bar will be added to the taskbar. It will be on the right of the taskbar, just to the left of the Notification area.

4. It’s not particularly useful docked all the way to the right with no application icons showing, so we’re going to have to do a bit of work on it to make it useful. Right-click the taskbar and, in the pop-up menu, remove the check next to “Lock the taskbar.” Now right-click Quick Launch and remove the checks next to Show Text and Show Title.

5. Once you’ve done that, drag the vertical triple dotted line next to the Quick Launch bar to the left until you expose its icons. To prevent further changes, right-click the taskbar and check Lock the taskbar. You can now use the Quick Launch bar as you could in Windows XP and Vista, including adding icons to it and deleting them.

October 21, 2010