Has your video and sound become choppy? This could be because your IDE Primary and Secondary Channels have reverted back to PIO Mode instead of DMA Mode.
To see if this is your problem go to the device manager (right click "My Computer>Hardware>Device Manager) and expand the IDE selection. Right click the Primary and Secondary Drives and in the next box choose Advanced and look to see what mode it is in. (PIO or DMA) If it has reverted to PIO Mode then go to the following site and download the "reset DMA" script. Run it and if this was your problem it will be fixed when the computer reboots.
http://winhlp.com/node/10
Be warned that this could happen again. XP will revert back to DMA mode automatically after 6 CRC errors which could be caused by unreadable disks or files.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
How To Remove a CD/DVD When Your Tray Will Not Eject
Sometimes for one reason or another, your CD/DVD tray may fail to open. In this case it is very easy to remove it manually.
- First, get yourself a paperclip and straighten it out.
- Next look at your CD/DVD and just below the tray you will see a pin hole.
- Insert the straightened paperclip into the hole and you will feel resistance but keep pushing. This should pop the tray open for you.
- Be careful as the disk could still be spinning at a high rate and could be dangerous.
How To Tell How Hot Your CPU Is Running
Many computers have a problem with their processor's running too hot which can be caused by a few things. Once the processor exceeds a certain temperature, the computer will shut down to prevent damage. Although if this happens too much there is a danger in damage to the processor. Every time the processor overheats, damage can be done.
If the CPU's heat sink is plugged with dust, this can be a cause of the overheating issue. In this case you would blow out the heat sink with compressed air. This can be done while the processor is on the machine but for best results I suggest the fan and heat sink be taken off the processor and cleaned out. When putting it back together, be sure to clean any old thermal grease off the heat sink and processor and add new thermal grease.
Another cause could be a faulty processor or case fan. Be sure all fans in your computer are functional and if not replace them.
Be sure there is adequate circulation in your computer. Make sure there are no open slots in the back of the case and if there are then fill them with a blank. Be sure that the inlets and outlets on the front and the back of the case are free from dust as air can circulate.
Sometimes no matter what you do, your processor will run hot. AMD's are notorious for running hot. Follow the steps above and if you are still running too hot then add additional fans to the case if need be.
If you would like to monitor your CPU's temperature, there are many free utilities that will allow you to do so. CoreTemp and Speed-Fan are two good utilities.
If the CPU's heat sink is plugged with dust, this can be a cause of the overheating issue. In this case you would blow out the heat sink with compressed air. This can be done while the processor is on the machine but for best results I suggest the fan and heat sink be taken off the processor and cleaned out. When putting it back together, be sure to clean any old thermal grease off the heat sink and processor and add new thermal grease.
Another cause could be a faulty processor or case fan. Be sure all fans in your computer are functional and if not replace them.
Be sure there is adequate circulation in your computer. Make sure there are no open slots in the back of the case and if there are then fill them with a blank. Be sure that the inlets and outlets on the front and the back of the case are free from dust as air can circulate.
Sometimes no matter what you do, your processor will run hot. AMD's are notorious for running hot. Follow the steps above and if you are still running too hot then add additional fans to the case if need be.
If you would like to monitor your CPU's temperature, there are many free utilities that will allow you to do so. CoreTemp and Speed-Fan are two good utilities.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
How To Use System Restore
System Restore is a useful tool. If for one reason or another your computer has begun to have problems. System Restore may be able to get you back up and running. It allows you to roll back to an earlier date before the problem started. To access System Restore follow the steps below.
- Click "Start", then "Accessories", then "System Tools", and finally "System Restore"
- The System Restore box will come up and just follow the on screen instructions to roll back to an earlier time.
- during this process Do Not interrupt the process. The computer will reboot when it is done and will notify you when the restore is completely done.
How to enter "Safe Mode"
To enter "Safe Mode" in XP/Vista/Windows 7 follow the below steps.- Restart your computer
- As the computer boots up and you see your logo come on the screen begin tapping the "F8" key. You should get a black screen with white lettering
- Now using the up and down arrows on the keyboard move to "Safe Mode" or "Safe Mode With Networking" (if you need to access the internet while in "Safe Mode"
"Safe Mode" is a useful tool when diagnosing computer problems. It only loads the minimum required drivers and will allow you to further repair or diagnose your system.
How To Unhide Files In XP
Cant find files on your computer or can't access system files because they are hidden? Follow the steps below to unhide your files and see what you have.
Open Windows Explorer or click on "My Computer". Click on the "Tools" button at the top and then select "Folder Options".
The folder options box will appear. Click on the "View" tab.
Now scroll down and click "show hidden files or folder"
To hide these again, follow the steps in the opposite order.
How To Turn Off/On System Restore In XP
To disable or enable “System Restore” in Windows XP, follow the steps below.
Step1
Right click on “My Computer” and left click “Properties” (either on the desktop or under the start button or you can also access it through the “Control Panel” then select system)
Step 2
You should now see the System Properties box.
Step 4
Uncheck the box to turn off system restore on all drives to disable and do the opposite to enable.
Step1
Step 2
You should now see the System Properties box.
Step 3
Click on the “System Restore” tab.Step 4
Uncheck the box to turn off system restore on all drives to disable and do the opposite to enable.
How To Update Windows XP Manually
If you do not like using Automatic Updates from Microsoft and would actually like to see and choose what updates are installed, I will show you how to do this.
Open Internet Explorer. Click on the "tools" button at the top of the browser and choose "Windows Updates"
This will take you to the Microsoft Update site. You may be prompted to install an ActiveX control. Allow this to happen.
You will see two buttons on the screen. "Express" and "Custom". Choose "Custom". Your computer will be searched at this point to see what updates are available for your computer. Once this is done you will see a list come up of "Critical Updates". These should be installed but you can choose not to install any given update by unchecking it.
If you look over to the left hand menu, you will see "Recommended Updates" and "Hardware Updates" You can select any of these that you may want or select all. Once you are finished selecting, click on "Install Updates" at the top. Your updates are now being installed.
Open Internet Explorer. Click on the "tools" button at the top of the browser and choose "Windows Updates"
This will take you to the Microsoft Update site. You may be prompted to install an ActiveX control. Allow this to happen.
You will see two buttons on the screen. "Express" and "Custom". Choose "Custom". Your computer will be searched at this point to see what updates are available for your computer. Once this is done you will see a list come up of "Critical Updates". These should be installed but you can choose not to install any given update by unchecking it.
If you look over to the left hand menu, you will see "Recommended Updates" and "Hardware Updates" You can select any of these that you may want or select all. Once you are finished selecting, click on "Install Updates" at the top. Your updates are now being installed.
XP Clean Install
Windows Xp Clean Install Instructions
Note: You are following these instructions at your own risk and if your data is not saved before hand, you will lose it.
Note: You are following these instructions at your own risk and if your data is not saved before hand, you will lose it.Step 1
Save any documents you may want as doing a clean install of XP will wipe your hard drive clean.
Step 2
Make sure your computer’s CD/DVD drive is set as the 1st device in the boot order.
If it is not you need to change it in the system’s settings (bios). Entering the bios may differ from one computer to another but generally if you look as your computer starts up, on the logo screen it should display what key to press to enter the bios. (It is usually “DEL”, “F1”, “F2”, “F10”, or “F11”). Once in the bios, look for the boot order and follow the instructions in your bios to get it as the first boot device.
Step 3
Insert a genuine copy of XP and restart your machine. You will see “Press Any Key To Boot From CD……”. Press any key at this point.A blue screen will appear and begin loading files. Once the files have been loaded, the screen will say “To Install Windows Press Enter” Press “enter” at this point. The install will look for previous versions of Windows. To do a clean install you want to delete any existing partition or old install. If a previous version is found, press the “Esc” key. Then highlight the partitions and press “D” to delete. It will probably want you to confirm the deletions by pressing “L” then “Enter”. Do so at this time. The end result you should have is one partition left. Press “Enter” to install on this partition. Windows will then ask how you want to format your drive. For best results choose “Format NTFS” (Not the “Quick Format” but the Full Format). Windows will then begin formatting your drive.
Once the format process is complete, you will see files being copied to the hard drive. Once this is complete your computer will restart. When it restarts, be sure not to press any key when you see “Press Any Key To Boot From CD”. Just leave it alone and the install will continue.
Follow the on screen prompts to finish the installation. You will need your key code which is located on your machine (a 25 character set of numbers and letters) or your packaging the disc came in.
Step 4
Once the install is complete and Windows XP starts, be sure to load an anti-virus and to update the operating system using Windows Updates and install any programs you need at this point.
Note: If you currently do not have a Genuine copy of XP. You can click the image below to purchase one.
How To Test Your Computer's Hard Drive
I am going to tell you how to get a definitive answer as to whether your hard drive is good or bad. This step should be done first when you have a problem to rule out the hard drive. Otherwise you could be pulling out your hair thinking it is something else. On some computers, such as Dell, there is a built in diagnostics utility to test your hard drive. While this is better then nothing, I tend to like to use the manufacturer’s utility for that hard drive. Below are some of the addresses of some of the most popular hard drive manufactures, where you can download their utility. There are times, when you cannot access your operating system that you may need to use another computer to get these utilities and to burn them on bootable disks to use.
If you would like to use the built in utility (if your computer has one), restart your computer and for example with Dell you would press F12 when you see the Dell Logo appear. With Dell a screen will then appear and you can use the up and down arrows to select “Diagnostics”, “IDE Diagnostics”, etc. Depending on the computer the wording may be a little different.
Testing With The Manufactures Utility
Step 1
Find out the manufacturer of your hard drive. This can be done several ways. If you have access to your operating system, you can right click on “My Computer” (XP, Vista, Win 7), left click “Properties”. The system properties box will come up. Click on the “Hardware” tab (XP) then click on “Device Manager”, (Vista and Win 7, look to the left hand menu and choose “Device Manager”). Once the device manager is up, click the arrow next to “Disk Drives” to expand and you should see you hard drive listed.
If you do not have access to the operating system you can open your computer (if you are comfortable doing so) and look at the brand.
Step 2
Once you know your make of hard drive, go to the corresponding site to download the correct utility. See Below:
Seagate & Maxtor http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/support/
IBM/Hitachi http://www.hitachigst.com/support/downloads/
These are the most popular. You may have an off brand hard drive, if so, Google it to find the manufacturers site.
Step 3
Once the CD/DVD is made, simply put the CD/DVD in the machine to test and boot from it. If your CD/DVD drive is not already set to the 1st boot device, you will have to go in to your computers bios and change the boot order so that the CD/DVD drive boots first. Accessing the bios is slightly different on each machine. Look as your computer boots up. At the logo screen it should tell you what key to press to access your system settings. It is usually “del”, “F1”, F2”, “F10”, or “F11”
Once the computer boots from the CD/DVD, simply follow the directions on screen to test your hard drive.
Hope this helps.
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