1.

How to Disable Indexing Services

Here is another one I use. Indexing services is a small little program that uses large amounts of RAM and can often make a computer endlessly loud and noisy. This system process indexes and updates lists of all the files that are on your computer. It does this so that when you do a search for something on your computer, it will search faster by scanning the index lists. If you don't search your computer often, or even if you do search often, this system service is completley unnessesary. 1. Go to Start 2. Click Settings 3. Click Control Panel 4. Double-click Add/Remove Programs 5. Click the Add/Remove Window Components 6. Uncheck the Indexing services 7. Click Next That's it, you have now uninstalled the Indexing service, you system will not have more RAM and be more responsive.

2.How to Speedup Browsing Folders

You may have noticed that everytime you open my computer to browse folders that there is a slight delay. This is because Windows XP automatically searches for network files and printers when you open Windows explorer. To stop XP from doing this follow the instructions below. 1. Open My Computer 2. Click on Tools menu 3. Click on Folder Options 4. Click on the View tab. 5. Uncheck the Automatically search for network folders and printers check box 6. Click Apply 7. Click Ok 8. Reboot your computer Try it now, you will see a significant increase in speed.
3.Disable Unneeded Startup Services

To disable unneeded startup services for a safer, faster XP, use the "Services" Admin Tool (Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Services). If you are a single user of a nonnetworked machine, you can disable the following items, with no ill effect. Alerter Clipbook

Computer Browser Fast User Switching Human Interface Access Devices Indexing Service (Slows the hard drive down) Messenger Net Logon (unnecessary unless networked on a Domain) Netmeeting Remote Desktop Sharing (disabled for extra security) Remote Desktop Help Session Manager (disabled for extra security) Remote Procedure Call Locator Remote Registry (disabled for extra security) Routing & Remote Access (disabled for extra security) Server SSDP Discovery Service (this is for the utterly pointless "Universal P'n'P", & leaves TCP Port 5000 wide open) TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper Telnet (disabled for extra security) Universal Plug and Play Device Host Upload Manager Windows Time Wireless Zero Configuration (for wireless networks) Workstation __________________
4.Adding SafeBoot to the Boot Menu

Adding SafeBoot to the Boot Menu 1 Open a command prompt 2 Copy the current c:\boot.ini to another name (just in case) 3 With your favorite text editor, edit c:\boot.ini 4 Copy then edit the current boot line to another line. For example: multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Micro soft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect might copy and then change to: multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Micro soft Windows XP Professional Safeboot" /fastdetect 5 Start MSCONFIG 6 Click on the BOOT.INI tab 7 Highlight the second line with the additional name of Safeboot

8 Check the /SAFEBOOT box with option you want Minimal - Minimal set of drivers Network - With Network Support Dsrepair - Directory Services Repair Minimal (Alternate Shell) - Standard Explorer Desktop

5.Speed Up Boot-Time Connecting To LAN

Speed Up Boot-Time Connecting To LAN Sometimes when connected to a LAN the boot time can take a few minutes. Load times shouldn't be anywhere near that! Signs of this include the system seemingly freezes after logging in, your desktop showing up but for some reason you just can't click on anything or run things for a minute or two. This can be traced back to mrxsmb.dll by using bootvis.exe. This can of course be a number of other things but most of the time it's your file and printer sharing. 1. Right click on Network Places --> Properties 2. Right click on your Ethernet Adapter connection --> properties 3. Un-check "File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks" --> OK 4. reboot 5. If you need file or printer sharing, repeat the above, re-check the box and re-boot again __________________

If you are in a networked environment and browse via network neighborhood, this tweak is for you. It speeds up your network browsing experiance. Click Start | Run | Then type Regedit Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Windows/Current Version/Explorer/RemoteComputer/NameSpace Locate and delete this key {D6277990-4C6A-11CF-8D87-00AA0060F5BF} Reboot.
6.Check List For Windows XP/2000 System Crashes

Have you been experiencing random crashes in Windows XP or Windows 2000, and you can't find any reason for them? Windows XP and Windows 2000 are both supposed to be (and typically are) much more stable than Windows 9x/Me, but there are still things that can bring down the entire system in a heartbeat, displaying the BSD (Blue Screen of Death) or simply restarting. Go over this checklist and see if any of these apply to you.

Power Supply - a bad (or insufficient) power supply is the most common cause for random crashes, especially if you have a lot of cards, drives, or fans, or have a dual-processor motherboard. A 350W or 400W power supply is recommended if you're experiencing this problem. A mix of FAT32 and NTFS drives - If you have more than one hard disk, and there are different file systems on each one, try converting them all to NTFS. Audio Card Drivers - try removing your sound card, or at least uninstalling and then reinstalling the drivers. USB Hub - if you have a USB hub, try eliminating it and see if that solves the problem (especially if you have a USB-based Palm cradle and your system crashes every time you hotsync). Overheating - a computer will crash if the processor overheats. Make sure the CPU fan/fans are working, and that the processor temperature (read in the BIOS screen) is within normal limits. Make sure your computer case has adequate ventilation. Bad memory - a bad memory module can cause this problem. Try removing one of the modules to see if that solves the problem; rotate through all modules until you've found the culprit. Note that some computers require memory to be installed in pairs, so, for example, if you have four modules, you'll have to remove two (no more, no fewer) for this test. Note: these things aren't necessarily problems in and of themselves, so if you're not experiencing random crashes, don't waste your time solving problems that aren't there.

7.Increase your cable modem or DSL speed in XP

Increase your cable modem or DSL speed in XP This tweak is for broadband cable connections on stand alone machines with winXP professional version - might work on Home version also. It will probably work with networked machines as well but I haven't tried it in that configuration. This is for windows XP only. This tweak assumes that you have let winXP create a connection on install for your cable modem/NIC combination and that your connection has tcp/ip - QoS - file and print sharing and client for microsoft networks , only, installed. It also assumes that winxp will detect your NIC and has in-box drivers for it. If it doesn't do not try this. In the "My Network Places" properties (right click on the desktop icon and choose properties), highlight the connection then at the menu bar choose "Advanced" then "Advanced Settings". Uncheck the two boxes in the lower half for the bindings for File and Printer sharing and Client for MS networks. Click OK

1. From the windows XP cd in the support directory from the support cab, extract the file netcap.exe and place it in a directory on your hard drive or even in the root of your C:\ drive. 2. Next, open up a command prompt window and change directories to where you put netcap.exe. then type "netcap/?". It will list some commands that are available for netcap and a netmon driver will be installed. At the bottom you will see your adapters. You should see two of them if using a 3Com card. One will be for LAN and the other will be for WAN something or other. 3. Next type "netcap/Remove". This will remove the netmon driver. 4. Open up control panel / system / dev man and look at your network adapters. You should now see two of them and one will have a yellow ! on it. Right click on the one without the yellow ! and choose uninstall. YES! you are uninstalling your network adapter, continue with the uninstall. Do not restart yet. 5. Check your connection properties to make sure that no connection exists. If you get a wizard just cancel out of it. 6. Now re-start the machine. 7. After re-start go to your connection properties again and you should have a new connection called "Local area connection 2". highlight the connection then at the menu bar choose "Advanced" then "Advanced Settings". Uncheck the two boxes in the lower half for the bindings for File and Printer sharing and Client for MS networks. Click OK. 8. Choose connection properties and uncheck the "QOS" box 9. Re-start the machine 10. After restart enjoy the increased responsiveness of IE, faster page loading, and a connection speed boost.

8.It is connected to my router and has internet access but it will not connect to any webpage Start - All Programs - Accessories and right click on Command Prompt, select "Run as Administrator" to open a command prompt. Reset WINSOCK entries to installation defaults: netsh winsock reset catalog , Reset IPv4 TCP/IP stack to installation defaults. netsh int ipv4 reset reset.log, Reset IPv6 TCP/IP stack to installation defaults. netsh int ipv6 reset reset.log, Reboot the machine.

9.Error message when you start Windows Vista: "The Windows Boot Configuration Data file is missing required information Article ID: 927391 microsoft.com 10.IE it takes about 1 minute to finally start opening a home page go to Tools > Internet Options. Then, under the Advanced tab, in the "Reset Internet Explorer settings", hit the button labled "Reset..." 11.

USB device is not recognized

If your computer does not recognize the USB device, first try method 1 to work around this issue.

Method 1: Initiate recognition of the USB device by using Device Manager

To initiate recognition of the USB device by using Device Manager, follow these steps: 1. Click Start, click Run, type Devmgmt.msc, and then click OK. The Device Manager window opens. 2. Click to select your computer as the location for the scan. 3. On the Action menu, click Scan for hardware changes. 4. 5. Windows XP recognizes the new device. 6. Close the Device Manager window. If this method resolves the issue, you are finished. If this method does not resolve the issue, go to method 2.

Method 2: Disable power management of the USB hub

Note If you perform the following procedure, you may also reduce the battery life on a portable computer. Use this method if method 1 does not work. To disable power management of the USB hub, follow these steps: 1. Click Start, click Run, type Devmgmt.msc, and then click OK. The Device Manager window opens. 2. Expand Universal Serial Bus controllers. 3. Right-click a USB Root Hub in the list, and then click Properties. The USB Root Hub Properties dialog box is displayed. 4. Click the Power Management tab. 5. Click to clear the Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power check box, and then click OK. 6. Repeat steps 3 through 6 for each USB Root Hub in the list. 7. On the Action menu, click Scan for hardware changes.

8. 9. Windows XP recognizes the new device. 10. Close the Device Manager window. If this method does not resolve the issue, go to method 3.

Method 3: Restart the computer

To initiate recognition of the USB device, first unplug the USB device and restart the computer. Then, wait five to ten seconds before you plug the USB device into the computer or hub. Windows XP recognizes the new device.

12. Installation process

Installing Windows XP can take up to two hours. To make the process more manageable, it has been broken up into several sections.

To begin the installation

1. Insert the Windows XP CD into your computer and restart your computer. 2. If prompted to start from the CD, press Spacebar. If you miss the prompt (it only appears for a few seconds), restart your computer to try again. 3. Windows XP Setup begins. During this portion of setup, your mouse will not work, so you must use the keyboard. On the Welcome to Setup page, press Enter. 4. On the Windows XP Licensing Agreement page, read the licensing agreement. Press the Page Down key to scroll to the bottom of the agreement. Then press F8. 5. This page enables you to select the hard disk drive on which Windows XP will be installed. Once you complete this step, all data on your hard disk drive will be removed and cannot be recovered. It is extremely important that you have a recent backup copy of your files before continuing. When you have a backup copy, press D, and then press L when prompted. This deletes your existing data. 6. Press Enter to select Unpartitioned space, which appears by default. 7. Press Enter again to select Format the partition using the NTFS file system, which appears by default. 8. Windows XP erases your hard disk drive using a process called formatting and then copies the setup files. You can leave your computer and return in 20 to 30 minutes.

To continue the installation

1. Windows XP restarts and then continues with the installation process. From this point forward, you can use your mouse. Eventually, the Regional and Language Options page

2.

3.

4.

5. 6. 7.

appears. Click Next to accept the default settings. If you are multilingual or prefer a language other than English, you can change language settings after setup is complete. On the Personalize Your Software page, type your name and your organization name. Some programs use this information to automatically fill in your name when required. Then, click Next. On the Your Product Key page, type your product key as it appears on your Windows XP CD case. The product key is unique for every Windows XP installation. Then, click Next. On the Computer Name and Administrator Password page, in the Computer name box, type a name that uniquely identifies your computer in your house, such as FAMILYROOM or TOMS. You cannot use spaces or punctuation. If you connect your computer to a network, you will use this computer name to find shared files and printers. Type a strong password that you can remember in the Administrator password box, and then retype it in the Confirm password box. Write the password down and store it in a secure place. Click Next. On the Date and Time Settings page, set your computers clock. Then, click the Time Zone down arrow, and select your time zone. Click Next. Windows XP will spend about a minute configuring your computer. On the Networking Settings page, click Next. On the Workgroup or Computer Domain page, click Next.

To complete the installation

1. Windows XP will spend 20 or 30 minutes configuring your computer and will automatically restart when finished. When the Display Settings dialog appears, click OK. 2. When the Monitor Settings dialog box appears, click OK. 3. The final stage of setup begins. On the Welcome to Microsoft Windows page, click Next. 4. On the Help protect your PC page, click Help protect my PC by turning on Automatic Updates now. Then, click Next. 5. Windows XP will then check if you are connected to the Internet: If you are connected to the Internet, select the choice that describes your network connection on the Will this computer connect to the Internet directly, or through a network? page. If youre not sure, accept the default selection, and click Next. If you use dial-up Internet access, or if Windows XP cannot connect to the Internet, you can connect to the Internet after setup is complete. On the How will this computer connect to the Internet? page, click Skip. 6. Windows XP Setup displays the Ready to activate Windows? page. If you are connected to the Internet, click Yes, and then click Next. If you are not yet connected to the Internet, click No, click Next, and then skip to step 24. After setup is complete, Windows XP will automatically remind you to activate and register your copy of Windows XP. 7. On the Ready to register with Microsoft? page, click Yes, and then click Next. 8. On the Collecting Registration Information page, complete the form. Then, click Next. 9. On the Who will use this computer? page, type the name of each person who will use the computer. You can use first names only, nicknames, or full names. Then click Next.

10. On the Thank you! page, click Finish. 11. Windows XP setup is complete. You can log on by clicking your name on the logon screen. If youve installed Windows XP on a new computer or new hard disk drive, you can now use the File and Settings Transfer Wizard to copy your important data to your computer or hard disk drive.

13.Set up Windows XP for multiple languages

With Windows XP, you can set up multiple languages, and then switch between them with just two mouse clicks. If your computer is used in a multilingual household, you can configure each user account with a different language.

To add languages
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Click Start, and then click Control Panel. Click Date, Time, Language, and Regional Options. Click Add other languages. In the Regional and Language Options dialog box, on the Languages tab, click Details. In the Text Services and Input Languages dialog box, on the Settings tab, click Add. In the Add Input Language dialog box, click the Input language list and select your preferred language and dialect. If you want to change the standard keyboard layout, click the Keyboard layout/IME list and select a new keyboard layout. Then, click OK. 7. In the Text Services and Input Languages dialog box, on the Settings tab, click the Default input language list, and select the language you will use most often. The language you select as the default will display when you first start your computer. 8. To add additional languages, go back to step 5, or, if you have finished adding languages, click OK. 9. In the Regional and Language Options dialog box, if required, select the Install files for complex script and right-to-left languages and Install files for East Asian languages check boxes. 10. Click the Regional Options tab. Click the Standards and formats list, and then select your region. 11. Click the Location list, and then select your location 12. Click OK to save your settings.

To switch between languages

1. If more than one language is installed on your computer, Windows XP displays the Language Bar in the lower-right corner, near your system clock. The Language Bar shows the two-letter abbreviation for the language that is currently displayed. 2. Click the Language Bar button, and then select the language and dialect you want to use. 14. Move files and settings to a new computer running Windows XP

Transfer files and settings across a network or cable

If you bought a new computer and can run it at the same time as your old computer, you can use a home network or a cable to transfer your files and settings. To use a home network, connect both your old and your new computers to the network at the same time. If you can't connect both computers to your home network, connect a null modem serial cable (available at most electronics stores) to the serial ports on both computers. The process should take about an hour.

To prepare your new computer

If you have a home network, connect both your old and new computers to the network. Then log on to your new computer as an administrator. 1. Next, install any programs you use on your old computer. 2. Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click Files and Settings Transfer Wizard. 3. The Files and Settings Transfer Wizard appears. Click Next. 4. On the Which computer is this? page, click New computer. Then, click Next. 5. On the Do you have a Windows XP CD? page, you can create a Wizard Disk if you do not have the Windows XP CD available. If you have the Windows XP CD, click I will use the wizard from the Windows XP CD, click Next, and skip to the next procedure to run the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard on your old computer. Otherwise, continue with the next step. 6. Connect the removable media (such as an external hard disk drive, a USB flash drive, a memory card from your digital camera, or any removable media large enough to store your files and settings) to your computer. Click I want to create a Wizard Disk in the following drive. Select the removable media, and then click Next. 7. When prompted, click the option that describes the operating system running on your old computer, and then click OK. 8. When prompted to insert the removable media, click OK. 9. The wizard displays the Now go to your old computer page. If you are transferring files across a network, skip to the next procedure to run the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard on your old computer. If you are transferring files with a serial cable, click Next, and then continue with the next step. 10. On the Where are the files and settings? page, click Direct cable, and then click Next. 11. Connect your null modem serial cable to the serial ports on both your old and new computers. The serial ports are on the backs of the computers and have nine pins in two rows. 12. On the Set up your serial connection page, click Autodetect. Leave the wizard on this page while you continue the process from your old computer.

To run the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard on your old computer
1. Close any open programs. 2. Launch the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard. If you created a Wizard Disk, connect the Wizard Disk to your old computer. Click the Start menu, click My Computer, double-

click the Wizard Disk to display its contents, and double-click FASTWiz. Then, skip to step 6. If you did not create a Wizard Disk and have your Windows XP CD instead, continue with the next step. 3. Insert your Windows XP CD. If Windows XP Setup does not appear after 20 to 30 seconds, click the Start menu, click My Computer, right-click your CD drive, and then click AutoPlay. 4. The Welcome to Microsoft Windows XP page appears. Click Perform additional tasks. 5. Click Transfer files and settings. 6. The Files and Settings Transfer Wizard appears. Click Next. 7. On the Which computer is this? page, click Old computer. Then, click Next. 8. If you are alerted that the firewall is blocking the program, click Unblock. 9. The wizard displays the Select a transfer method page. If you are transferring files across a network, click Home or small office network, click Next, and then skip to step 12. If you are transferring files with a serial cable, continue with the next step. 10. On the Select a transfer method page, click Direct cable. Then click Next. 11. On the Set up your serial connection page, click Autodetect. Then, click Next. 12. On the What do you want to transfer? page, click Next. 13. If the Install programs on your new computer page appears, click Next. 14. The wizard will examine your old computer, which may take about an hour. You do not need to be present during this time. When it is finished, the Password dialog box will appear on your new computer, displaying a case-sensitive password. Type this password in the Password dialog box on your old computer. Then, click OK. 15. The wizard will transfer your files and settings, which may take an hour. You do not need to be present during this time. When the transfer is complete, click Finish on the old computer.

To complete the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard

1. After the wizard transfers your files and settings, click Finish. 2. When prompted, click Yes to log off. Then, log on again to access your newly transferred files and settings. 3. You are done transferring your files and settings, and can use your new computer. You should shut down your old computer, but keep it available for at least two weeks in case you discover a file that was not transferred.

Transfer files and settings using a shared folder or external hard disk drive
If you are reinstalling Windows XP on a single computer, or if you can't run your old and new computers at the same time, you can use the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard to store your information on an external hard disk drive. or in a shared folder on your home network. The entire process should take about an hour.

To run the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard on your old computer
1. Log on to your old computer. 2. Close any open programs. 3. Insert your Windows XP CD into your CD drive. If Windows XP Setup does not appear within 20 to 30 seconds, click the Start menu, click My Computer, right-click your CD drive, and then click AutoPlay. 4. The Welcome to Microsoft Windows XP page appears. Click Perform additional tasks. 5. Click Transfer files and settings. 6. The Files and Settings Transfer Wizard appears. Click Next. 7. On the Which computer is this? page, click Old computer. Then, click Next. 8. If you are alerted that the firewall is blocking the program, click Unblock. 9. Connect the removable media (such as an external hard disk drive, a USB flash drive, a memory card from your digital camera, or any removable media large enough to store your files and settings) to your computer. On the Select a transfer method page, click Other. Click the Browse button to select your removable media, and then click OK. Click Next. 10. On the What do you want to transfer? page, click Next. 11. The wizard will back up your files and settings, which may take an hour. You do not need to be present during this time. When the backup is complete, click Finish. 12. Now you can safely reinstall Windows XP. Then, continue the transfer process on the new computer.

To run the Files and Setting Transfer Wizard on your new computer
1. Log on to your new computer as an administrator. 2. Install any programs that you used on your old computer. 3. Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click Files and Settings Transfer Wizard. 4. The Files and Settings Transfer Wizard appears. Click Next. 5. On the Which computer is this? page, click New computer. Then, click Next. 6. On the Do you have a Windows XP CD? page, click I don't need the Wizard Disk. Then, click Next. 7. Connect the removable media to your computer. On the Where are the files and settings? page, click Other. Click the Browse button to select your removable media, and then click OK. Click Next. 8. After the wizard transfers your files and settings, click Finish. 9. When prompted, click Yes to log off. Then, log on again to access your newly transferred files and settings. 10. You are done transferring your files and settings, and can use your new computer.

15."Invalid Boot.ini" or "Windows could not start" error messages when you start your computer
When you start your computer after you upgrade to Microsoft Windows XP, you may receive one or both

of the following error messages Invalid Boot.ini Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: Windows\System32\Hal.dll

To resolve this issue, start the computer from the Windows XP CD, start the Recovery Console, and then use the Bootcfg.exe tool to rebuild the Boot.ini file. To do this, follow these steps: 1. Configure the computer to start from the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive. For information about how to do this, see your computer documentation, or contact your computer manufacturer. 2. Insert the Windows XP CD-ROM into your CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive, and then restart your computer. 3. When you receive the "Press any key to boot from CD" message, press a key to start your computer from the Windows XP CD-ROM. 4. When you receive the "Welcome to Setup" message, press R to start the Recovery Console. 5. If you have a dual-boot or multiple-boot computer, select the installation that you have to use from the Recovery Console. 6. When you are prompted, type the administrator password, and then press ENTER. 7. At the command prompt, type bootcfg /list, and then press ENTER. The entries in your current Boot.ini file appear on the screen. 8. At the command prompt, type bootcfg /rebuild, and then press ENTER. This command scans the hard disks of the computer for Windows XP, Microsoft Windows 2000, or Microsoft Windows NT installations, and then displays the results. Follow the instructions that appear on the screen to add the Windows installations to the Boot.ini file. For example, follow these steps to add a Windows XP installation to the Boot.ini file:

When you receive a message that is similar to the following message, press Y: Total Identified Windows Installs:1 [1] C:\Windows Add installation to boot list?

(Yes/No/All)

You receive a message that is similar to the following message: Enter Load Identifier This is the name of the operating system. When you receive this message, type the name of your operating system, and then press ENTER. This is either Microsoft Windows XP Professional or Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition.

You receive a message that is similar to the following:

Enter OS Load options When you receive this message, type /fastdetect, and then press ENTER. Note The instructions that appear on your screen may be different, depending on the configuration of your computer. 9. Type exit, and then press ENTER to quit Recovery Console. Your computer restarts, and the updated boot list appears when you receive the "Please select the operating system to start" message.
16. "Access is Denied" error message when you try to open a folder This issue may occur if the folder that you cannot open was created on an NTFS file system volume by using a previous installation of Windows, and then installing Windows XP. This issue may occur although you enter the correct user name and password. This issue occurs because the security ID for the user has changed. Although you use the same user name and password, your security ID no longer matches the security ID of the owner of the folder that you cannot open. For example, although you use the same user name and password, you may no longer have permission to open the folder after you complete the following steps: 1. Before you install Windows XP Professional, you change the actual location, or target location, of the My Documents folder to another volume. 2. You format the primary partition. 3. You install Windows XP Professional.

To resolve this issue, you must turn off Simple File Sharing, and then take ownership of the folder: 1. Turn off Simple File Sharing: a. Click Start, and then click My Computer. b. On the Tools menu, click Folder Options, and then click the View tab. Under Advanced Settings, click to clear the Use simple file sharing (Recommended) check box, and then click OK. Right-click the folder that you want to take ownership of ,and then click Properties. Click the Security tab, and then click OK on the Security message, if one appears. Click Advanced, and then click the Owner tab. In the Name list, click your user name, Administrator if you are logged in as Administrator, or c.

2. 3. 4. 5.

click

the Administrators group.

If you want to take ownership of the contents of that folder, click to select the Replace owner on subcontainers and objects check box. 6. Click OK. You may receive the following error message, where Folder is the name of the folder that you want to take ownership of: You do not have permission to read the contents of directory Folder. Do you want to replace the directory permissions withpermissions granting you Full Control? All permissions will be replaced if you press Yes. 7. Click Yes. 8. Click OK, and then reapply the permissions and security settings that you want for the folder and the folder contents. 17. Printer problems in Windows

Step 1: Check hardware

Many printing problems are caused by hardware that isn't set up property. Here's some information about how to plug cables in to the correct locations and make sure the printer has power.

Check if the cables are connected properly

Check to make sure that the printer's electrical cord is plugged in to the electrical outlet, and that the printer cable is properly connected from the printer to the computer.

A typical USB cable and port

Check the power

Check to ensure that the printer's power switch is turned on, or if you're printing to a shared printer or a printer on a network, make sure that all necessary computers, routers, and printers are turned on. If your printer or other equipment is plugged in to a surge protector or a backup power supply, make sure that hardware is plugged in and turned on as well.

Step 2: Use a troubleshooter

A troubleshooter is an automated tool that can find and automatically fix some problems with your computer. Printing troubleshooters can fix problems with installing a printer, connecting to a printer, and errors with the print spoolersoftware that temporarily stores print jobs on the computer's hard disk.

To run a printing troubleshooter

1. Click this button:

2. Fix this problem 3. In the File Download dialog box, click Run, and then follow the steps in the wizard.

Step 3: Update drivers

Most printers require driver software to work properly. Outdated, incompatible, or corrupted printer drivers can disrupt communication between the computer and the printer. If you recently upgraded from one version of Windows to another, it's possible that the current printer driver is 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 driver for your printer 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. Install software from the printer manufacturer. For example, if your printer came with a disc, that disc might contain software that installs a driver for the printer. 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 printer, and the printer didn't come with software that installs a driver.

To update drivers using Windows Update 1. Go to the Windows Update website.

2. Click Custom, and then wait while Windows looks for the latest updates for your computer. 3. In the left pane, click Hardware, click Optional, and then select any hardware driver updates for your computer. 4. Click Review and install updates, and then click Install Updates. 5. You should also install any High-Priority updates at this time. 6. 7.

Note

8. Some updates require you to restart your computer. 9. To download and install a driver yourself 10. If Windows can't find a driver for your printer, and the printer didn't come with driver software, you can look for a driver on the printer manufacturer's website. Driver updates are often available in the support section of such websites. 11. To locate the driver, find the manufacturer and model name or number of your printer, and then visit the Hardware and software vendor contact information website. Once you find your printer manufacturer, go to its website and locate and download the latest driver for your printer. 12. If you find an updated driver, follow the installation instructions on the website. Most drivers are self-installingafter you download them, you usually just double-click the file to begin the installation, and then the driver installs itself on your computer. 13. Some printers have drivers that you need to install yourself. If you download a driver that isn't self-installing, follow the steps below. 14. You must be logged on as an administrator to perform these steps. 1. Click Start, and then click Printers and Faxes. 2. Right-click the printer that you want to update, and then click Properties. 3. Click the Advanced tab, and then click New Driver. 4. Click Next, and then do one of the following: Click the appropriate printer manufacturer and printer model if the driver appears in the list. Click Have Disk if the printer driver isn't included in the list, or if you've received a new or updated driver on a disc from the printer manufacturer. Type the path where the driver is located, or click Browse to search for the driver, and then click OK. 5. Click Next, and then follow the instructions to finish installing the printer driver. 15. 16. 17. 18. How To Fix a Blue Screen of Death 18. 19. 20. A Blue Screen of Death, also called a STOP Error, will appear when an issue is so serious that Windows must stop completely. 21. A Blue Screen of Death is usually hardware or driver related. Most BSODs show a

STOP code that can be used to help figure out the root cause of the Blue Screen of Death. 22. 23.

24. 25. 26. Here's

How:

1. The most important Blue Screen of Death troubleshooting step you can take is to ask yourself what you just did. 2. Did you just install a new program or a piece of hardware, update a driver, install an update, etc.? If so, there's a very good chance that the change you made caused the BSOD. 3. Undo the change you made and test again for the STOP Error. Depending on what change you made, some solutions might include: Startup using Last Known Good Configuration to undo recent registry and driver changes. Use System Restore to undo recent system changes. Roll Back device driver to version prior to your driver update. 4. Verify that a minimum amount of free space is available on your Windows partition. Blue Screens of Death and other serious issues, like data corruption, can occur if there's not enough free space on your primary partition used for the Windows operating system. 5. Note: Microsoft recommends that you maintain at least 100MB of free space but I regularly see problems with free space that low. I usually advise Windows users to keep at least 15% of a drive's capacity free at all times. 6. Scan your computer for viruses. Some viruses can cause a Blue Screen of Death, especially ones that infect the master boot record (MBR) or boot sector. 7. Important: Make sure your virus scanning software is completely up to date and that it's configured to scan the MBR and boot sector.

8. Apply all available Windows service packs and other updates. Microsoft regularly releases patches and service packs for their operating systems that may contain fixes for the cause of your BSOD. 9. Update drivers for your hardware. Most Blue Screens of Death are hardware or driver related so updated drivers could fix the cause of the STOP error. 10. Check the System and Application logs in Event Viewer (7/Vista | XP) for errors or warnings that might provide more clues on the cause of the BSOD. 11. Return hardware settings to default in Device Manager. Unless you have a specific reason to do so, the system resources that an individual piece of hardware is configured to use in Device Manager should be set to default. Non-default hardware settings have been known to cause a Blue Screen of Death. 12. Return BIOS settings to their default levels. An overclocked or misconfigured BIOS can cause all sorts of random issues, including BSODs. 13. Note: If you've made several customizations to your BIOS settings and don't wish to load the default ones then at least try returning clock speed, voltage settings, and BIOS memory options to their default settings and see if that fixes the STOP error. 14. Make sure all internal cables, cards, and other components are installed and seated properly. Hardware that's not firmly in place can cause a Blue Screen of Death so try reseating the following and then test for the STOP message again: Reseat all internal data and power cables Reseat the memory modules Reseat any expansion cards 15. Perform diagnostic tests on all hardware you're able to test. It's highly likely that the root cause of any given Blue Screen of Death is a failing piece of hardware: Test your system memory Test your hard disk drive 16. If a test fails, replace the memory or replace the hard drive as soon as possible. 17. Update your BIOS. In some situations, and outdated BIOS could cause a Blue Screen of Death due to certain incompatibilities. 18. Start your PC with essential hardware only. A useful troubleshooting step in many situations, including BSOD issues, is to start your computer with the minimum hardware necessary to run the operating system. If your computer starts successfully it proves that one of the removed hardware devices was the cause of the STOP message. 19. Tip: Typically, the only necessary hardware for starting your PC through to the operating system includes the motherboard, CPU, RAM, primary hard drive, keyboard, video card, and monitor. 20. Tips: 1.

Find that hardware is the cause of your Blue Screen of Death? Try this:
Replace the hardware. Update the hardware's firmware. Make sure the hardware is on the Hardware Compatibility List.

 2.

Check with the manufacturer for support information.

Find that a software program is the cause of your Blue Screen of Death? Try this:
Reinstall the software. Check for and install any available program updates. Check with the developer for support information. Try a competing program.

3.

Is your PC restarting before you can read the STOP Code on the Blue Screen of Death?

4. Most Windows PCs are configured to reboot immediately after receiving a serious error like a BSOD. You can prevent this reboot by disabling the automatic restart on system failure option. 5. 6.