Category: windows 7 tips and tricks

How to Add or Remove a Windows Firewall Exception in Windows 7

Information:

This will show you how to add or remove a Windows Firewall program exception for each type of network location (ex: Private or Public) that you use in Windows 7. Some of these steps may or may not work on Windows XP.

Warning:

When you add a program to the list of allowed programs in a firewall you allow a particular program to send information to or from your computer through the firewall. Allowing a program to communicate through a firewall (sometimes called unblocking) is like opening a tiny door in the firewall.

Each time you allow a program to communicate through a firewall, your computer becomes a bit less secure. The more allowed programs your firewall has, the more opportunities there are for hackers or malicious software to use one of those openings to spread a worm, access your files, or use your computer to spread malicious software to others.

To help decrease your security risk:

Only allow a program when you really need to, and remove programs from the list of allowed programs that you no longer need.

Never allow a program that you do not recognize to communicate through the firewall.

Here’s How:

1. Open the Control Panel (All Items View).

2. Click on the Windows Firewall icon.

3. Click on the Allow a program through Windows Firewall link in the left blue pane. (See screenshot below)

4. Click on the Change Settings button. (See screenshot below)

5. To Allow or Unallow an Existing Exception –

A) On the left side, check the program exception Name box to allow, or uncheck to unallow through Windows Firewall. (See screenshot below)

B) If you allowed the program exception, then check (allow) or uncheck (unallow) the box for each Private or Public network location you want the program to have access through Windows Firewall. (See screenshot below)

6. To Add a Program Exception –

A) Click on the Allow another program button. (See screenshot below)

B) If the Program is Listed – (See screenshot below step 6D)

Click on the program to highlight it.

Go to step 6D.

C) If the Program is Not Listed – (See screenshot below step 6D)

Click on the Browse button.

Navigate to the program’s exe file location, usually in a C:\Program Files folder, and click on the program’s exe file to select (highlight) it and click on the Open button.

D) Click on the Add button. (See screenshot below)

E) Do step 5 to allow to unallow this program exception. (See screenshot below)

7. To Remove a Program Exception –

A) Click on the program exception name to select (highlight) it and click on the Remove button. (See screenshot below)

WARNING:

This will remove the selected exception immediately.

8. When done, click on OK. (See screenshot below either step 5B or 6E)

9. Close the Windows Firewall window. (See screenshot below step 3)

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November 22, 2010
How to Turn Windows Firewall On or Off in Windows 7

Information

Windows Firewall can help prevent hackers or malicious software from gaining access to your computer through the Internet or network.

This will show you how to to turn Windows Firewall On or Off for each type of network location (ex: Private or Public) that you use in Windows 7. Windows Firewall is turned on by default in Windows 7.

EXAMPLE: Windows Firewall On and Off

NOTE:

Notice that there is a option for Windows Firewall to be on or off with Private networks and Public networks. If you have Inactive showing on a network location, this means that you do not have a network connection for that type of network location. Active means that you do.

Here’s How:

1. Open the Control Panel (All Items View).

2. Click on the Windows Firewall icon.

3. Click on the Turn Windows Firewall on or off link in the left blue pane. (See screenshot below)

OPTION ONE

Home or Work (Private) Network Location Settings

4. To Turn On Windows Firewall –

A) Select (dot) Turn on Windows Firewall. (See screenshot below step 5)

B) If prompted by UAC, then click on Yes.

C) Check the Windows Firewall notifications settings you want. (See screenshot below step 5)

D) Go to OPTION TWO below.

5. To Turn Off Windows Firewall –

A) Select (dot) Turn off Windows Firewall. (See screenshot below)

B) If prompted by UAC, then click on Yes.

C) Go to OPTION TWO below.

OPTION TWO

Public Network Location Settings

6. To Turn On Windows Firewall –

A) Select (dot) Turn on Windows Firewall. (See screenshot below step 7)

B) If prompted by UAC, then click on Yes.

C) Check the Windows Firewall notifications settings you want. (See screenshot below step 7)

D) Go to OPTION TWO below.

7. To Turn Off Windows Firewall –

A) Select (dot) Turn off Windows Firewall. (See screenshot below)

B) If prompted by UAC, then click on Yes.

C) Go to OPTION TWO below.

8. Click on OK. (See screenshot above)

9. Close the Windows Firewall window when done. (See screenshot below step 3)

http://www.linkedtube.com/static/flash/player.swf?sum=How%20to%20turn%20On%20or%20Off%20windows%20firewall%20in%20windows%207%20&btn=TechSupp247&txt=TechSupp247&vis=always&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Ftechsupp247&vid=SQBaT4PUGxI

November 22, 2010
How to Change User Account Control (UAC) Notification Settings in Windows 7

Information

When turned on, User Account Control helps prevent potentially harmful programs from making changes to your computer in Windows 7 by notifying and asking you for permission before letting the program run or install.You dont have this feature in Windows XP.

This tutorial will show you how to change the User Account Control (UAC) for when to be notified about changes to your computer.

Warning

Turning off UAC by setting it to the lowest bottom level will also disable Protected Mode in Internet Explorer.

Through User Accounts

1. Open the Control Panel (All Items View).

2. Click on the User Accounts icon.

3. Click on the Change User Account Control settings link. (See screenshot below)

4. If prompted by UAC, click on Yes to approve.

5. Adjust the slider to the level of protection of how much you want to be notified from UAC. (See screenshots below)

6. Click on OK when done.

7. If prompted by UAC, click on Yes to approve.

8. If you have just turned UAC off, then you will need to click on restart the computer, or manually restart the computer, to apply the changes. (See screenshot below)

NOTE:

Simply turning on UAC or changing the UAC level without turning it off will not require a restart.

November 19, 2010
How to Activate Windows 7 Online

Information

Activation is the required process of ensuring that Windows 7 on your computer is genuine and used according to the Microsoft Software License Terms. This tutorial will show you how to activate Windows 7 online with your valid product key number.

To activate online, your computer will need an Internet connection.

Note

Genuine Windows is a recurring process that checks your product key to ensure it’s being used with the hardware it was paired with during activation. If the product key is found to be non-genuine, or not valid, it’s likely that the product key is either being used on another computer or is counterfeit. For more information about genuine Windows, go to the genuine Windows website for FAQ’s.

You might have to activate Windows 7 again if:

You uninstall Windows 7 on one computer and then install it on another. During installation, enter the product key that came with Windows. If automatic activation fails, follow the instructions that walk you through activating Windows by phone. You will have 30 days to activate Windows.

You make a significant hardware change to your computer, such as upgrading the hard disk and memory at the same time. If a major hardware change requires activating Windows again, you will be notified and will have three days to activate Windows.

You reformat your hard disk. Reformatting erases your activation status. In this case, you’ll have 30 days to activate Windows again.

A virus or malware infects your computer and deletes your activation status.

Warning

You must activate Windows 7 within the 30 days grace period after installation before it expires. When Windows 7 is activated, you’ll be able to use every feature of Windows 7.

If you chose to automatically activate Windows when I’m online when you set up your computer, automatic activation begins trying to activate your copy of Windows 7 three days after you log on for the first time. See METHOD ONE below.

If you install Windows 7 on a second computer, you must buy an additional product key number to activate the second installation to continue using Windows 7 on both computers.

EXAMPLE: Windows 7 Activated

OPTION ONE

Automatically Activate Windows 7

NOTE:

This is for when you are doing a clean install or Upgrade install of Windows 7.

1. When you get to this step during installation below, type in your valid product key number and check the automatically activate Windows when I’m online box.

NOTE:

Automatic activation will now begin trying to activate your copy of Windows 7 three days after you log on for the first time.

OPTION TWO

Manually Activate Windows 7

1. Open the Control Panel (All Items view), and click on the System icon.

A) Go to step 3.

OR

2. Open the Start Menu, and right click on the Computer button and click on Properties. (See screenshot below)

3. Under the Windows activation section at the bottom, click on the 30 days to activate. Activate Windows now link. (See screenshot below)

NOTE: If you did METHOD ONE above, then you will see 3 days to activate. Activate Windows now instead.

4. Select the Activate Windows online now option. (See screenshot below)

5. If prompted by UAC, then click on Yes.

6. Type in your valid Windows 7 product key number, and click on the Next button. (See screenshot below)

NOTE: You will not see this screen if you have entered your product key number during the clean installation or Upgrade installation of Windows 7, or if you did METHOD ONE above.

7. If successful, click on the Close button. (See screenshot below)

Note

If the product key is found to be non-genuine, or not valid, it’s likely that the product key is either being used on another computer or is counterfeit. For more information about genuine Windows, go to the genuine Windows website.

8. Windows 7 is now activated and genuine. (See screenshot below)

NOTE: Genuine Windows is a recurring process that checks your product key is being used with the hardware it was paired with during activation.

Tip

If online activation fails, then try to activate by phone instead.

November 19, 2010
How to Enable or Disable the Windows 7 Built-in Administrator Account

Information

Standard user (Users) – The standard account can help protect your computer by preventing users from making changes that affect everyone who uses the computer, such as deleting files that are required for the computer to work. We recommend creating a standard account for each user. When you are logged on to Windows with a standard account, you can do almost anything that you can do with an administrator account, but if you want to do something that affects other users of the computer, such as installing software or changing security settings, Windows might ask you with a UAC prompt to provide a password for an administrator account.

The default administrator account that is created during the installation of Windows 7, or setup already for you on a OEM (ex: Dell) computer, will have complete access to the computer and can make any desired changes. To help make the computer more secure, this administrator account may be asked with a UAC prompt to provide their password or confirmation before making changes that affect other users.

The built-in Administrator account is an account that has full access and permission on the computer, and will not be prompted by UAC.

This will show you how to enable or disable the built-in Administrator account in Windows 7.

Note

By default, the built-in administrator account is named Administrator, and is disabled.

Warning

If you enable the built-in Administrator account, it is recommended to create a password for it to help keep it secured.

OPTION ONE

Through Local Users and Groups

NOTE: This option will only be available in the Windows 7 Professional, Ultimate, and Enterprise editions.

1. Open the Local Users and Groups manager.

2. In the left pane, click on the Users folder. (See screenshot below step 3)

3. In the middle pane, right click on Administrator and click on Properties. (See screenshot below)

4. To Enable the Buit-in Administrator Account

A) Uncheck the Account is disabled box. (See screenshot below step 6)

B) Go to step 6.

5. To Disable the Buit-in Administrator Account

A) Check the Account is disabled box. (See screenshot below step 6)

6. Click on OK. (See screenshot below)

7. Close the Local Users and Groups window. (See screenshot below step 3)

8. Log off, and you will now see the built-in Administrator account log on icon added (enabled) or removed (disabled) from the log on screen. (See screeenshot below)

NOTE:

Click on the Administrator icon to log on to the built-in Administrator account.

OPTION TWO

Through a Elevated Command Prompt

NOTE:

This option can be used in all editions of Windows 7. If your Windows 7 uses another language than English, then you may need to translate the word administrator partof the commands below to your language to use instead.

1. Open a elevated command prompt.

2. To Enable the Hidden Built-In Administrator Account

A) In the elevated command prompt, type

net user administrator /active:yes and press Enter. (See screenshot below)

B) Go to step 4.

3. To Disable the Hidden Built-In Administrator Account

A) In the elevated command prompt, type

net user administrator /active:no and press Enter. (See screenshot below)

4. Close the elevated command prompt.

5. Log off, and you will now see the built-in Administrator account log on icon added (enabled) or removed (disabled) from the log on screen. (See screeenshot below)

NOTE:

Click on the Administrator icon to log on to the built-in Administrator account.

OPTION THREE

Through Local Security Policy

NOTE:

This option will only be available in the Windows 7 Professional, Ultimate, and Enterprise editions.

1. Open the Local Security Policy editor.

2. In the left pane, expand Local Policies, and click on Security Options. (See screenshot below)

3. In the right pane, right click on Accounts: Administrator account status and click on Properties. (See screenshot above)

4. To Enable the Hidden Built-In Administrator Account

A) Select (dot) Enabled. (See screenshot below step 6)

B) Go to step 6.

5. To Disable the Hidden Built-In Administrator Account

A) Select (dot) Disabled. (See screenshot below step 6)

6. Click on OK. (See screenshot below)

7. Close the Local Security Policy window. (See screenshot below step 2)

8. Log off, and you will now see the built-in Administrator account log on icon added (enabled) or removed (disabled) from the log on screen. (See screeenshot below)

NOTE:

Click on the Administrator icon to log on to the built-in Administrator account.

November 18, 2010
How to Use the BCDEDIT Command Line Tool

Information

This will show you how to use BCDEDIT in the command prompt and avoid the need of third party applications like EasyBCD.

Note

Bcdedit is a really powerful tool that Windows Vista and Windows 7 uses to manage the boot loader entries.

BCDEDIT needs a boot loader file to boot your system.

A boot loader is a file that contains necessary information that instruct the system how to boot/start an operating system.

Windows 7 and Vista bootloader file is \bootmgr

Windows XP bootloader file is \ntldr

BCDEDIT can support other bootloaders too, like grub for linux. You just have to place the bootloader file on the root of the boot manager partition. e.g. \grldr and you have a grub boot loader enabled.

Bcdedit edits a file called bcd , which is located in Windows 7’s hidden partition under \boot\bcd.

In Vista, its located under C:\boot\bcd.

Warning

You must be logged on in an administrator account to be able to do this tutorial.

To Use bcdedit:

1. Open an elevated command prompt.

2. Type bcdedit and press enter.

NOTE: By typing just bcdedit you just list your boot entries.

Example:

A boot entry consists of 4 main elements:

1. Identifier

The identifier is how the system has named the boot entry.

2. Device

The device is the drive or virtual image that the system will use to boot the boot entry.

3. Path

The path is the location on the device where the bootloader file is found.

4. Description

The description is the friendly name we give to our boot entry, e.g. “Windows 7“

You see next to the identifiers their UUIDs in {}. The UUID is the unique codename that the system gives to each boot entry and cannot be changed.

The standard identifier UUIDs are explained below:

{bootmgr} = the boot manager

{current} = the OS you selected to boot at startup.

{default} = the default OS selected to boot the PC.

{ntldr} = Windows Legacy OS Loader (for windows xp)

there are others like {memdiag} or {ramdisk} but they can’t be of much use right now.

Warning

IMPORTANT: make a backup of your bcd file first. To do that, type:

bcdedit /export C:\SAVEDBCD

This will create a file c:\savebcd which is your boot entry backup.

If you mess up, you can always undo changes by:

bcdedit /import c:\savedbcd

Now to see how we can control the above entries, here are some examples:

bcdedit /set {current} description “My edited Windows Boot Entry”

NOTE: This changes the title of the boot menu entry “{current}”.

bcdedit /set {ntldr} device partition=E:

NOTE: This tells bcd that Windows XP partition is drive E:

bcdedit /set {ntldr} path \ntldr

NOTE: This tells bcd that the ntldr file which is the winxp bootloader is on root folder “\” (of drive e: as stated above)

bcdedit /displayorder {ntldr} /addfirst

NOTE: This places Windows XP as the first OS on the menu list.

bcdedit /default {ntldr}

NOTE: This places Windows XP as the default OS to boot first with.

bcdedit /displayorder {33342343-3424-2342342342-2344} /addlast

NOTE: This tells bcd that the boot entry with UUID 3334… should be the last entry on the menu.

You can copy your existing VISTA or Windows 7 boot entry to another identical. Then you can change settings on the new entry to experiment. You will always have the first entry available, so it’s safe to play with.

bcdedit /copy {current} /d “New Windows 7 boot entry I just copied!”

this will give you a line:

NOTE: The entry was successfully copied to {4c21825f-e04b-11dd-b760-00195b61617a}. The {4c21825f-e04b-11dd-b760-00195b61617a} is the UUID of the new entry that the system just created. Yours will be different than mine! This is its identifier and you should use this to address that entry. Example:

bcdedit /set {4c21825f-e04b-11dd-b760-00195b61617a} numpoc 2

NOTE: This adds the 2 CPU Core support during boot, like you do in msconfig.

bcdedit /deletevalue {4c21825f-e04b-11dd-b760-00195b61617a} numproc

NOTE: This deletes the numproc parameter from entry {4c21825f….}

bcdedit /delete {4c21825f-e04b-11dd-b760-00195b61617a}

NOTE: This deletes the boot entry {4c21825f….} completely. In order to delete an {ntldr} entry, you must use the /f switch to force deletion: bcdedit /delete {ntldr} /f

You can always type just bcdedit to see your current settings.

What else can I do with BCDEDIT?

You can use BCDEDIT to alter any boot parameter , like you would in msconfig, only more. BCDEDIT works from booting with installation dvd too, so it can be handy for recovery purposes.

bcdedit /timeout 5

NOTE: This sets the wait-to-select-OS menu timeout at startup to 5 seconds . You will notice that I didn’t give a UUID above. If you omit the UUID, it applies automatically to the relavant UUID. So: bcdedit /timeout 5 is identical to bcdedit /set {bootmgr} timeout 5

Some more advanced examples:

bcdedit /set {current} detecthal yes

bcdedit /set {current} detecthal no

NOTE: The above commands sets the detecthal to yes or no for entry {current}

To create a new boot entry to load Windows XP from a partition on your disk:

NOTE: The example below uses F: as the Windows XP partition. Replace with your xp drive letter.

bcdedit /create {ntldr} /d “Windows XP“

bcdedit /set {ntldr} device partition=F:

bcdedit /set {ntldr} path \ntldr

bcdedit /displayorder {ntldr} /addlast

Note:

Final note: BCDEDIT works from installation boot dvd too. If you mess up with a setting and you cannot boot, just boot from DVD and enter Repair Computer, then go to command prompt and there you go. You can play again with bcdedit to restore your system back.

November 18, 2010
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