PC Troubleshooting

System restore disks are often included with retail packaged computers and can be created at any time with the software included with your computer. Restore disks are used to restore a computer to...

Microsoft's lineup of Windows operating systems continues to be the most popular computer operating systems. However, not all users are satisfied with Windows as many annoyances and Microsoft...

A boot virus is a virus that infects hard drives. Because of the nature of boot viruses, they are more dangerous than normal spyware, as they can ruin important files needed to run programs on...

Although Windows 2000 was constructed as an operating system for use on business computers, it has found an audience with home users who appreciate its no-frills approach to the Windows desktop...

When booting up a computer running Microsoft Windows, the operating system will automatically load necessary programs for the computer to run. However, many unnecessary programs can also be loaded...

There may come a time when you want or need to restore your HP Laptop to the original Windows Vista factory installation. Doing a system restore is a common recommendation made by H.P. tech...

If your computer has become unresponsive or is infected with a serious virus, you may find your only option is to reinstall the operating system. You can create your own operating system boot disk...

If your laptop is running slowly or not working properly, you can restore your laptop to the original factory settings. Every time you install something on your computer, even if you uninstall it,...

If there is a problem with your hard drive or with the boot sector on it, Windows may fail to load, displaying a blue screen with the message "Unmountable Boot Volume." Typically, when this...

Long-time computer users probably remember boot discs. These floppies could boot a working version of DOS straight from the disc itself---infinitely useful when a computer wouldn't boot. Today,...

Being unable to boot a computer can be one of the most frustrating experiences for a computer owner who wonders how she can troubleshoot a problem if she can't access the operating system. There...

Jef Raskin, who helped develop Apple's Macintosh operating system, once said, "Imagine if every Thursday your shoes exploded if you tied them in the usual way. This happens all the time with...

The easiest way to make a windows xp repair disk to help you get back online. A boot disk can be very helpful especially on windows xp.

When your Dell computer fails to boot into Windows, don't fret. Many of the causes of start-up problems are easily remedied with patience and proper troubleshooting. Simply approach the problem...

Computer memory or Random Access Memory (RAM) is a data storage interface between the processor (CPU) and all running applications including operating system (OS). RAM is among the most important...

A computer that boots up slowly is not only frustrating, but is also a time waster. There are a number of reasons for a computer booting up slowly---from too many programs loading to your...

At some point, you may have a computer shut down problem. Check your service pack downloads for the latest updates before beginning to troubleshoot this error. Visit...

If you find yourself stuck with a flashing cursor and no Windows start up disk, you are not alone. Many retail outlets don't provide disks and instead leave it up to customers to create boot...

Most operating system installations, and PC troubleshooting using special utilities, require rebooting the PC and running from a boot CD or DVD outside of the installed operating system. If you...

Having problems with your laptop is frustrating and scary at the same time. It is a scary situation where you feel that you might need to spend a lot of money just to get your laptop repaired or...

Updating BIOS (Basic Input Output System) is moderately easy, once you understand how the program allows your computer to operate. Before the operating system loads, the BIOS detects and...

The Microsoft Windows stop error screen, known to computer users as "The Blue Screen of Death," is displayed when a serious problem occurs and Windows cannot load properly. Identifying the error...

There are several ways hard drives can exhibit malfunctions. The most obvious way is that it can prevent you starting up windows initially. Other times it may seem that the system performance is...

Information on a computer's hard drive is organized and stored in the hard drive's partitions. Each partition contains a set of code in the first sector of the partition that the computer reads...

The first sector of a hard drive or disk is the Master Boot Record (MBR). The MBR has the data your computer requires regarding the partition sizes of the hard drive as well as the operating...

The Master Boot Record, or MBR, is computer code written to a designated section of your computer's hard drive. The code contains file system information that your computer needs in order to start...

The boot sector is an area on your computer's hard drive that contains specialized code needed to start Windows XP. If the boot sector is corrupted or damaged, you may no longer be able to start...

You may not be able to boot a computer running Windows Vista if the Boot Manager entry in the Boot Configuration Data store is deleted or changed, or if the Boot Configuration Data itself becomes...

The Master Boot Record is a set of code on a computer's hard drive that tells the computer's BIOS and operating system the location of all the files on the computer. If the Master Boot Record on...

The Windows registry is a critical data storage center for every version of the Windows operating system. It is where commands are stored for virtually every system function, so when one or more...

The IBM Lenovo laptops feature a security technology that interacts with the Lenovo Thinkvantage applications on boot up. This feature can provide additional security and support features for...

It can be tricky to diagnose a computer boot problem. Following certain procedures and rules can help with troubleshooting a computer boot issue. For one, always start with the simplest and...

Computer BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) problems can lead to everything from USB connectivity issues to a computer that simply won't boot. The BIOS is essentially your computer motherboard's...

Many repairs to a Windows XP/Vista based computer system requires that the computer be started in safe mode. For example, to remove spyware, malware, viruses or for troubleshooting and diagnostic...

The first rule to fixing any problem that happens to a system that has been working reliably is to ask, “What has just changed?” Usually you have installed new software, or you let your Anti-virus...

The Acer Aspire One is one of the latest lines of notebook computers produced by Acer, Inc. The Aspire One is one of Acer's primary low-end computers that is designed to compete with Asus and Dell...

If your computer stops working or your copy of Vista has brought your PC to a halt, you may need to use your recovery CD to fix faults in your operating system. Luckily, recovery CDs are simple to...

Safe Mode is a very useful diagnostic tool that allows you to thoroughly perform troubleshooting tasks, reliably install system drivers, or perform any maintenance tasks. Traditionally, you would...

Repairing a BSD to save your data and programs so they do not need to be reinstalled. This article is for fixing Windows XP whether you can boot into Safe Mode or not. If you can boot into Safe...

Occassionally when starting a Windows 2000 or Windows XP computer, the PC may display one of the following messages: Cannot find HAL.dll NTLDR is missing Display Windows progress bar and then...

One of Windows' troubleshooting features is the ability to select "safe mode" when anomalies happen with the computer reboot. Once selected, it is possible to correct problems, usually related...

Chrome.exe is a virus that installs itself as a process on your computer's hard disk. This means that it can run in the background of your computer and execute programs unprompted. Chrome.exe has...

During the life of your computer, you will probably experience problems with booting the operating system. These boot problems are often caused by newly installed hardware or software. Windows has...

The answer to many computer problems in not through an antivirus or a spyware blocker. In fact, you can fix your computer by yourself fairly easily and for free. A system restore lets you...

Trojan VND, or Trojan Vundo viruses are Trojan horse viruses. The viruses cause a variety of issues like pop-up ads for false anti-spyware programs that can infect your computer. Having a Trojan...

If you have a Windows operating system installed on your computer, it may sometimes be necessary to format your hard drive and start from scratch. This process, though it makes your computer run...

Over time, your computer's hard drive can become cluttered with unwanted software and malicious spyware or virus programs. If your PC takes an excessive amount of time to boot up or is no longer...

If you have gotten the BLUE SCREEN OF DEATH, then you might try this, however DO NOT TRY THIS IF YOUR SERIOUSLY CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR DATA. When I received the BSOD (blue screen of death),I was...

In some cases, a Compaq computer will freeze before it's able to start up. This means that it will either not power on at all, or it will power on but freeze before it can boot the operating...

When your computer starts up, it follows a very specific set of instructions every time. Based on the clues your computer gives you, if it has any problem during the start-up process you can...