2016 - Archieve

Under the hood articles from the past.

Wednesday, 24 August 2016

Blue Screen of Death Fix Tricks



Blue screen error is one of the most common problems faced by many windows user either its windows 7 , windows 8 or 8.1 and windows XP. This is well known as Blue Screen Error of Death or BSoD.  The blue screen error is an error display by windows operating system after a crash of your system. This normally happens when a fatal error is occurs or maybe a virus messed up the registry or maybe a driver file is corrupt. Sometimes, the problem isn’t quite as serious or complicated as people think.

Some steps are here which can help you to troubleshoot your computer whenever you experience this blue screen error.

Disable Start up Programs
When you start your computer then many applications try to start at the same time, which might be cause of this error. In this case you need to disable all startup programs on your system. Follow the below steps to do that.
·         Open Run by pressing Windows key + R and type msconfig and then hit Enter.
·         Now switch to Start up tab and click on Disable all and then click on OK.
·         After that it will ask to Restart the system and restart your system.

Clean Registry Files
Registry files are considered to be the most important part of your computer. But sometimes this error occurs due to some bad and odd registry files. In this case you need to install a good registry cleaner and run to clean registry files which may be fix this problem. There are so many software’s available to clean registry files but I recommend to use Ccleaner and Advance System Care.
Use Advance Option
If you’ve tried everything up to this point and still face this problem then try this method.
·         Reboot your computer and press the F8 key before the Windows screen appears. This will boot the computer into the Advanced Options.
·         Now press the down arrow and select Last Known Good Configuration and press Enter.
·         This will revert to booting Windows using the last configuration where a successful boot took place. Many times this will fix this problem without any further issues.

Sourced from:- http://www.tricksforums.org/fix-blue-screen-error-of-death/
Fix BlueScreen Error of Death or BSoD

Thursday, 11 August 2016

What Is Blue Screen Of Death?



The blue screen of death — or BSOD — is always an unwelcome sight. BSODs appear when Microsoft Windows encounters a critical error it can’t recover from, requiring a reboot and possibly resulting in lost work.
A blue screen of death is the worst type of error a computer can experience, unlike an application crash, which doesn’t bring down the whole system. A BSOD is the result of low-level software crashing — or faulty hardware.

What Causes Blue Screens of Death

Blue screens are generally caused by problems with your computer’s hardware or issues with its hardware driver software. Standard software shouldn’t be able to cause blue screens — if an application crashes, it will do so without taking the operating system out with it. Blue screens are caused by hardware problems and issues with low-level software running in the Windows kernel.
A blue screen occurs when Windows encounters a “STOP Error.” This critical failure causes Windows to crash and stop working. The only thing Windows can do is stop the computer and restart it. This can lead to data loss, as programs don’t have a chance to save their open data — ideally, programs should continuously save their data so a blue screen of death or other type of error won’t result in data loss.

Useful Tips for Dealing With fix Blue Screen Of Death

BSODs have a variety of root causes, but these tips will help you deal with many blue screens:
  • Use System Restore: If your system recently started blue-screening, use System Restore to roll its system software back to a previous state. If this works, you’ll know that it’s likely a software problem.
  • Scan for Malware: Malware that digs deep into Windows and gets its hooks into the Windows kernel at a low level can cause system instability. Scan your computer for malware to ensure buggy malicious software isn’t causing it to crash.
  • Install Updated Drivers: An incorrectly installed or buggy driver can lead to crashes. Download the latest drivers for your computer’s hardware from your computer manufacturer’s website and install them — this may fix BSODs caused by driver problems.
  • Boot Into Safe Mode: If your computer is blue-screening every time you turn it on, try booting into safe mode. In safe mode, Windows loads only the essential drivers. If a driver you’ve installed is causing Windows to blue screen, it shouldn’t do so in safe mode. You can work on fixing the problem from safe mode.
  • Check for Hardware Problems: Blue screens can be caused by faulty hardware in your computer. Try testing your computer’s memory for errors and checking its temperature to ensure that it isn’t overheating.
  • Reinstall Windows: Reinstalling Windows is the nuclear option. It will blow away your existing system software, replacing it with a fresh Windows system. If your computer continues to blue screen after this, you likely have a hardware problem.
A computer in proper working state shouldn’t blue-screen at all, but no software or hardware is perfect. Even a properly functioning computer may blue screen on rare occasions for no apparent reason — possibly as the result of rare driver bugs or hardware issues.
If your computer is regularly blue-screening, you have a problem. If you encounter a blue screen once every two years, don’t worry about it.
Sourced From:- http://www.howtogeek.com/163452/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-blue-screen-of-death/

Wednesday, 20 July 2016

How To Fix The ‘Computer Not Booting Up’ Issue



You turn on your computer one day and Windows refuses to boot — what do you do? “Windows won’t boot” is a common symptom with a variety of causes, so you’ll need to perform some troubleshooting.
Modern versions of Windows are better at recovering from this sort of thing. Where Windows XP might have stopped in its tracks when faced with this problem, modern versions of Windows will try to automatically run Startup Repair.
These are some steps to fix that problem:- 

First Step -  Check the power cable. It may seem simple, but double-check that the power cable is plugged in and the outlet is working.

  • Plug the computer directly into the wall to see if your surge protector or power strip is the cause of the problem.
  • If you are using a laptop, make sure that the power adapter is securely connected.
Second Step -  Remove your laptop's battery and connect the power adapter. You can run your laptop without a battery inserted as long as you are plugged into a power source. If your laptop turns on when the battery is removed, something is wrong with the battery and you should contact the manufacturer for a replacement.


Third Step - Try a different monitor. If your computer is starting up but you can't see anything, there could be something wrong with your monitor. Double-check the monitor's connection, and try plugging in a different monitor if possible.

Fourth Step - Open the computer. In order to check the connections inside and to test the power supply, you'll need to open the case.
  • Remember to ground yourself with an antistatic wriststrap or by touching the exposed metal of the case before touching any internal components.
Fifth Step - Check your power supply cables. Ensure that the cables that connect your power supply (the box that your power cable is attached to) to your motherboard are securely connected.

Sixth Step - Test your power supply. Old power supplies have a tendency to fail, but testing them is a relatively straightforward process. Power supplies are the most common cause for problems with a computer's boot sequence.

Seventh Step - Replace your power supply. If your power supply doesn't work after testing it, you'll probably need to replace it in order to get your computer working again.

Eighth Step - Check for loose screws. If a screw has come loose in your case, it could be causing your motherboard to short out. Gently rock your case back and forth and listen for metal rattling. Either use your fingers or a long pair of tweezers to remove the screw from the case.
  • Look for any cables that have lost their protective coating, as exposed wiring may be causing a short as well. Replace any cables that have decayed too much.

Click the resources, for more details:- http://www.wikihow.com/Fix-a-PC-Which-Won't-Boot | Computer Will Not Boot Up

Tuesday, 5 July 2016

How To Remove Browser's Cache And Cookies


Step 1. Open your browser and click the hamburger menu in the upper right corner. Older versions of Chrome have a gears or wrench icon instead. 

Step 2. Click Tools > Clear Browsing Data from the drop down list.

Step 3. Select the time frame you want to delete. If you want to erase all your cookies, select the beginning of time.

Step 4. Check Cookies and other site and plug-in data. Check or uncheck other options as desired.

Step 5. Click Clear Browsing Data. Your cookies and other selected data are now cleared.


Chrome in Mobile
Step 1. Open Chrome on your mobile device and click the "hamburger" menu in the upper right corner. 

Step 2. Click "Settings".

Step 3. Click "Privacy."

Step 4. Click "Clear Cookies, Site Data". Confirm the follow up prompt.



Hope this will help you.

Friday, 1 July 2016

8 Ways To Fix A Slow PC/ Laptop


As with all PC issues, don’t be afraid to give your computer a reboot if something’s not working properly. This can fix quite a few problems and is faster than attempting to manually troubleshoot and fix the problem yourself.

Process 1. Find Resource-Hungry Programs

To find out, open the Task Manager. You can right-click your taskbar and select the “Task Manager” option or press Ctrl+Shift+Escape to open it. On Windows 8, 8.1, and 10, the new Task Manager provides an upgraded interface that color-codes applications using a lot of resources. Click the “CPU,” “Memory,” and “Disk” headers to sort the list by the applications using the most resources. If any application is using too much resources, you might want to close it normally — if you can’t, select it here and click “End Task” to force it to close.




Process 2. Close System Tray Programs

Click the up arrow icon near the system tray, right-click any applications you don’t need running in the background, and close them to free up resources.



Process 3. Disable Startup Programs

Right-click the taskbar and select “Task Manager” or press Ctrl+Shift+Escape to launch it. Click over to the Startup tab and disable startup applications you don’t need. Windows will helpfully tell you which applications slow down your startup process the most.


Process 4. Reduce Animations

To disable animation, press Windows Key + X or right-click the Start button and select “System.” Click “Advanced System Settings” on the left and click the “Settings” button under Performance. Choose “Adjust for best performance” under Visual Effects to disable all the animations, or select “Custom” and disable the individual animations you don’t want to see. For example, uncheck “Animate windows when minimizing and maximizing” to disable the minimize and maximize animations.




Process 5. Scan for Malware and Adware

To be extra safe, scan your computer with an antivirus program. You should also scan it with Malwarebytes, which catches a lot of “potentially unwanted programs” (PUPs) that most antivirus programs tend to ignore. These programs try to sneak onto your computer when you install other software, and you almost certainly don’t want them.




Process 6. Free Up Disk Space

If your hard drive is almost completely full, your computer may run noticeably slower. You want to leave your computer some room to work on your hard drive. Follow our guide to freeing up space on your windows PC to free up room. You don’t need any third-party software — just running the Disk Cleanup tool included in Windows can help quite a bit.


Process 7. Uninstall Programs You Don’t Use

Open the Control Panel, find the list of installed programs, and uninstall programs you don’t use and don’t need from your PC. This can help speed your PC up, as those programs might include background processes, autostart entries, system services, context menu entries, and other things that can slow down your PC. It’ll also save room on your hard drive and improve system security — for example, you definitely shouldn’t have Java installed if you’re not using it.



Process 8. Defragment Your Hard Disk

However, if you do have a mechanical hard drive and you’ve just put a lot of files on the drive — for example, copying a huge database or gigabytes of PC game files — those files might be defragmented because Windows hasn’t gotten around to defragmenting them yet. In this situation, you might want to open the disk defragmenter tool and perform a scan to see if you need to run a manual defrag program.




Source: http://www.howtogeek.com/228570/10-quick-ways-to-speed-up-a-slow-windows-pc/


Monday, 27 June 2016

How To Remove Viruses From Your PC/ Laptop



Has your computer been infected by a virus? Viruses and other malware can pose a significant security risk to your data and personal information, and can have a drastic effect on your computer's performance. They can be tricky to get rid of, since many are programmed to be extremely hardy. If your computer is suffering from a nasty infection, see Step 1 below to get rid of it.

Step 1. Backup your data. Before starting the virus removal process, make sure that all of your important data is backed up. This will ensure that nothing of value is lost if the computer has to be completely reformatted, and you can get back up and running with minimal time invested.

  • See this guide for detailed instructions on how to back up all of your important data.


Step 2. Check to ensure that other factors aren't causing your problem. Oftentimes a slow computer will give the impression that it is infected with a virus, when it may be an issue with memory, storage, adware, or a number of other factors. Failing hardware, especially hard drives, can significantly slow down your computer and corrupt files.
  • This guide contains a variety of tips to help speed up a slow computer.


Step 3. Gather your tools. You should already have an antivirus program installed, but if you don't there are a variety of both free and commercial products are available. Most paid programs have a trial period that will allow you to scan and remove viruses, so don't worry about cost and download the program that sounds the best to you. Popular options include Virus Vanish, Kaspersky, BitDefender, Antivir and Trend Micro. You should only have one of these installed at a time.
  • You will also need a few anti-malware programs. While lots of adware is technically legitimate, lots of it is shady as well. These programs may pick up things that your antivirus passes over. Popular options include Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and Hitman pro. Like antivirus programs, You should not have too many anti malware programs as they may slow down your PC, but unlike antivirus programs it is an option.
  • If your virus infection is preventing you from successfully downloading files, you will need to download them on another computer and transfer them via USB drive.

Step 4. Reboot in Safe Mode. In order for a virus to do anything, it needs to be run. Most viruses run themselves by attaching to startup services that load when Windows loads. Safe Mode only loads the most essential files for Windows to run, which should stop almost all viruses from activating. This will allow you to identify and remove them.





Step 5. Run your scans. Run a full system scan with your antivirus program. Quarantine anything that doesn't look right after the scan is complete (most antivirus programs have a quarantine function). After you are finished running the virus scan, run each of your additional anti-malware scans. Each program is capable of removing any infections it is able to find



Step 6. Test your computer. After the scans have all completed, reboot normally and test your computer's performance. Run your web browser and any other programs that you originally had issues with. If your infection is gone, you're done! If problems persist, read on to the next section.



Originally Sourced From: http://www.wikihow.com/Remove-a-Virus

Thursday, 23 June 2016

How to Fix Blue Screen of Death



Blue screen appears when we least expect it. Most of the times, it occurs when we are happily playing our favorite game or diligently working on the report due tomorrow. All of a sudden, the blue demon appears in front of you and it seems some sort of fatal and non-recoverable error has occur. At such point of time, you cannot do anything. You can cry or curse, but it won’t change the fact that your hard work has got disappeared. All of us dread seeing the blue screen of death. It is generally the result of a critical system error and your computer cannot keep on running when that occurs and instead crashes. Most of the problems occur due to bad drivers. Hardware problems such as corrupt memory modules or broken hard drive can be another reason.

A blue screen occurs when Windows encounters a “STOP Error.” This critical failure causes Windows to crash and stop working. The only thing Windows can do is stop the computer and restart it. This can lead to data loss, as programs don’t have a chance to save their open data — ideally, programs should continuously save their data so a blue screen of death or other type of error won’t result in data loss. A BSOD is the result of low-level software crashing — or faulty hardware.

# Repair Solution To Fix BSOD

When you get blue screen and then your computer immediately reboots without being able to read the text in the blue screen, follow the steps below.

Method 1: Using System Restore

1. Click on the Start button on the Taskbar.
2. Type “System Restore” (without quotes) in the Search box and hit Enter or,
3. Click on System Restore (when you see System Restore pop up in the list of search results).
4. Make sure the “Recommended restore” radio button is checked on the restore utility window.
5. Click on Next and follow the instructions given.

Note: There is the option on the restore utility to select “Choose a different restore point”. Unless you have a specific reason to select a different date and time than what Windows recommends, just select the recommended option stated in the steps above. If you choose to select another one, follow these steps:

1. Click on that desired date and time, and Windows 7 will perform a scan for any affected programs in that restore point.
2. Once completed, click Next and follow the instructions given.

Once you have selected the restore point, your system will start the restoring process, after which you will have to restart the system.

Method 2: Check memory problems

Memory management issues can also cause a BSOD in Windows 7. Thankfully, Windows 7 has a Memory Management Diagnostic tool that detects and solves problems related to system memory.

1. Click on the Start button on the Taskbar.
2. Type “Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool” or “Memory” (without quotes) in the Search box or,
3. Click on Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool (in the search results).
4. Click on “Restart now and check for problems (Recommended)”.
5. The system will restart, and you need to follow the instructions given on the screen.

Method 3: Remove unsupported devices

Unsupported hardware may also result in a BSOD error. The easiest solution to this problem is to uninstall such hardware. You can detect the hardware that’s creating the problem through the Device Manager in Windows.

1. Click on the Start button on the Taskbar.
2. Type “Device Manager” in the Search box.
3. Click on Device Manager (in the list of results).
4. Expand all categories in the hardware tree – (click the little arrow icons).
5. Look for devices that have a red cross (x) against their name. These devices are not supported by Windows 7 and may be one of the reasons for BSOD errors.
6. Right click on these devices, and select Uninstall.

A corrupt registry can also lead to BSOD errors in Windows 7. Suggestion is that you download a good registry cleaner and scan your system for registry errors. There are both free and paid versions available and they both have pros and cons. Most of the registry cleaners available are easy to install and operate.

The cleaning process is automated, and the programs also backup the registry before cleanup, which acts as a safeguard. You can restore the registry to its previous state if you encounter system errors after the cleaning process.

There’s really no need to panic when you see a BSOD error on your screen. Just stay calm and follow the checklist above to fix the error.