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Articles found: 133

System File Corruption Errors SolvedMissing or corrupt system files can cause many problems when using your PC, from cryptic error messages to mysterious system crashes. If one of the key files needed by Windows has gone missing or become corrupt, you may think that the only way to rectify the situation is to re-install Windows. Fortunately, nothing that drastic …

Categories: Troubleshooting
Operating Systems: 98, me, 2000, XP
Reference: S12

Spyware: Easily Detect & Remove InfectionsIn simple terms, spyware is classified as software that makes unauthorised changes to your system, or behaves in a way that puts your security or privacy at risk. The concept of what spyware is has broadened somewhat over the years as new technologies have emerged and terms such as, badware, thiefware, and scamware have all …

Categories: Internet & Security
Operating Systems: XP
Reference: S13

Security: Essential Steps to Protect Your PCFlick through any newspaper these days and you’ll come across all sorts of headlines about hacking attacks, people being tricked, spyware threats, and much more. All this might well make you wonder where the real dangers lie for ordinary PC users. In this article, I’ll explain the most important things you need to know when …

Categories: Basics
Operating Systems: 7, 8, 10
Reference: S135

Shutdown Problems Solved in Vista & XPProblems that occur when your PC is shutting down may seem relatively minor: if the PC doesnt shutdown itself, simply kill the power. This strategy can cause problems, however, since your PC may be stuck at some point in the shutdown process before it has had chance to write data to disk, meaning that you …

Categories: Troubleshooting
Operating Systems: XP, Vista
Reference: S14

Shutdown Problems with Windows 98 and MeMost of the time your shutdown routine will run smoothly, but occasionally you will find that the message It is now safe to shut down your PC stays on your computers monitor indefinitely resulting in your computer hanging and refusing to shutdown. There are many reasons why this can start to happen. In this article …

Categories: Troubleshooting
Operating Systems: 98, me
Reference: S15

Startup Problem-solving with BOOT.INIThe Windows XP/2000 Boot Manager gets its information from the BOOT.INI file. All versions of the Windows Operating Systems (OS) installed on your system are registered and managed there. If you try to start your computer with a damaged BOOT.INI file, you will receive an error message such as Invalid BOOT.INI or Windows could not …

Categories: Troubleshooting
Operating Systems: 2000, XP
Reference: S16

Successfully Retrieving Your Lost DataIts very easy to accidentally delete a file on your PC. You can throw away days or even weeks of work with just one click of your mouse. Windows of course doesnt immediately delete any files that you have thrown away, but places them in the Recycle Bin, just in case you need to recover …

Categories: Troubleshooting
Operating Systems: 98, me, 2000, XP
Reference: S17

Sound Card Problems Repaired with EaseAlthough still called a sound card, your PCs sound capabilities are nowadays often built directly on to the motherboard, which means that problems caused by a badly connected hardware device are eliminated. Most people take their PCs sound card for granted: they simply connect a pair of speakers or headphones to their PC and hey …

Categories: Hardware
Operating Systems:
Reference: S18

Security: Keep Prying Eyes Away From Your PCSpying tools are becoming increasingly common on PCs, not only for company bosses to monitor their employees activities, but also for private individuals who want to track how their partners or children use the computer. These types of program run silently in the background while you work, monitoring every aspect of PC use whilst remaining …

Categories: Internet & Security
Operating Systems: 98, me, 2000, XP
Reference: S19

Security: Combat the Rootkit ThreatRootkits are the latest threat to your Windows security, and one of the most serious. They are small software programs designed to hide themselves and other files from the operating system so that you dont know that they are there. Usually this means that they take over core parts of Windows, so that whenever anyone …

Categories: Internet & Security
Operating Systems: XP
Reference: S20

Security: Essential Steps to Guard Against Identity TheftAlthough the Internet is an incredibly valuable tool, there are undeniable dangers associated with it. In addition to the risk of viruses and other types of malware, another potential threat exists in the form of identity theft. This is a particular problem when it comes to shopping online, but any site which asks for personal …

Categories: Internet & Security
Operating Systems: XP, Vista, 7
Reference: S21

System Problems Quick SolutionsYour Windows system may have been functioning perfectly for months when suddenly an irritating little problem manifests itself. It might not prevent you from using your system but its annoying all the same. Using the advice in this article you will be able to identify these problems and fix them, streamlining your Windows experience and …

Categories: Troubleshooting
Operating Systems: 98, me, 2000, XP
Reference: S22

Security: Prevent Webcam SnoopersIt is something of a rare occurrence, but it is entirely possible that the footage captured by your webcam is not only visible to you and the person you are having a video conversation with. Through the use of special software, hackers can intercept video feeds and view them on their own computer, or transmit …

Categories: Internet & Security
Operating Systems: XP, Vista
Reference: S23

Schedule Common Windows Maintenance TasksRemembering all of the essential maintenance steps that you need to perform to keep your PC healthy is a nightmare. From running your disk defragmenter and scandisk utilities to automatically cleaning up your hard drive, the duties of a Windows user are many and various. Whats more, forgetting to perform these tasks regularly can lead …

Categories: Basics
Operating Systems: me, 2000, XP
Reference: S25

Spyware: Getting to Grips with Windows DefenderWindows Defender is not an anti-virus tool. Microsoft provides a product called Live OneCare that fulfils this function. Instead, Windows Defender detects and removes spyware, adware and any other unwanted software. Microsoft has recognised that many users are plagued by software that is not necessarily malicious, but still untrustworthy and needs removing. When you have …

Categories: Internet & Security
Operating Systems: XP
Reference: S26

System Errors: Fixing Common Faults in WindowsWhatever version of Microsoft Windows you use, the chances are you have at some point run into system problems. These can range from annoying cryptic error messages that pop-up on the screen, to more serious issues that stop you from using your computer altogether. An operating system such as Microsoft Windows is an incredibly complex …

Categories: Troubleshooting
Operating Systems: XP
Reference: S28

Secret System Activities in WindowsWhen the hard disk LED is permanently flickering, or the egg timer is endlessly displayed, many users ask themselves what Windows is doing. You can uncover this secret yourself: in this article, we present professional tools that monitor and display all file system activities on your system in realtime. If you wonder which application has …

Categories: Troubleshooting
Operating Systems: XP
Reference: S29

Safe Mode Solve Startup Problems and CrashesIf your PC refuses to start or keeps crashing for some unknown reason, Safe Mode is often your last resort. In Safe Mode your system starts with a very limited version of Windows where most drivers and some settings are not loaded. This minimal configuration allows you to troubleshoot Windows and attempt to discover why …

Categories: Troubleshooting
Operating Systems: 98, me, 2000, XP
Reference: S3

Software Removal When Uninstall Wont WorkWith so many freeware and shareware programs available, your PC can become cluttered and slow. It is advisable to uninstall any programs that you never use, especially shareware programs whos trial period has expired, in order to speed up your system. Usually this is very easy; simply remove the program from the Add/Remove Programs control …

Categories: Troubleshooting
Operating Systems: 98, me, 2000, XP
Reference: S30

Perfect Management on WindowsWhen your PC loads Windows, various services are started in the background. These add extra features to Windows, for example, to allow you to print, connect to the Internet, or share files on a network. If a service doesn’t work properly, you will not be able to use its functions. A service that is faulty… …

Categories: Troubleshooting
Operating Systems: Vista, 7, 8
Reference: S310