Troubleshoot Windows

Author: shantanu

  • FIX : Documents stuck on print queue : Cannot delete Print Jobs Windows 7, Vista, XP

    FIX : Documents stuck on print queue : Cannot delete Print Jobs Windows 7, Vista, XP

    After reading this post you will be able to fix the problem where you give a print command & it gets stuck in the print queue & all the documents fail to print. When you try to cancel the print job or delete documents from the print queue, the documents/print job doesn’t get cancelled.

    Try the following to resolve the problem

    • Go to Control Panel ( Found in start menu )
    • Go to Devices and Printers
    • Double Click the Printer Name
    • Within the print queue press Cancel All or Right Click a particular document and click cancel/delete

    If this doesn’t solve it, try this:

    • Check if you printer has a Cancel or STOP button, Press it ( Refer your Printer documentation for using STOP/Cancel Button )
    • Turn your printer OFF, If it’s a USB device, try plugging your printer into another USB port. Then Turn it ON

    If this doesn’t solve it, try this:

    • Open Notepad & carefully select all the following text:
    • net stop spooler
      del %systemroot%\system32\spool\printers\*.shd
      del %systemroot%\system32\spool\printers\*.spl
      net start spooler
    • Right-click the text that you selected, and then click Copy.
    • In Notepad, right-click in the blank document, and then click Paste.
    • Carefully select (highlight) all the following text:C:\DeletePrintJobs.cmd
    • Right-click the text that you selected, and then click Copy.
    • In Notepad, click Save As on the File menu.
    • In the File Name box, right-click, and then click Paste.
    • Click Save.
    • Go to Start menu & in the start menu search box type CMD ( Right Click, Run as administrator )
    • type C:\DeletePrintJobs.cmd

    This will delete your printer spooler. Try this only if you are confident to do this opration. Use the comment section below to ask if anything is not clear enough.

    Last Method:

    • Go to, Control Panel
    • Program & Features
    • Uninstall a Program
    • Locate your Printer Driver/Software
    • Click on Uninstall.
    • Restart your computer
    • Either Insert the disc that came with your printer or download and install the latest drivers from your printer manufacturers website.
    • Check if you problem is resolved.
  • FIX : STOP Error : BSOD : kernel_data_inpage_error

    FIX : STOP Error : BSOD : kernel_data_inpage_error

    This guide can be used for resolving the STOP error with the keywords “kernel_data_inpage_error”. Here we have listed a few ways to resolve these type of Blue screen errors. After troubleshooting kernel data inpage error a few times, it seems like the cause of this error resides in memory. In these cases memory refers to both RAM and Hard disk drive in your system. It’s not at all necessary that your hardware has a problem, though it’s a possibility. This error might also occur due to a faulty driver software. To get to a conclusion whether you have a software or hardware error, that is causing this BSOD, try the following:

    Below is an example of the error you might be getting:

    Stop 0x0000007a ( XXXX XXXX XXXX )
    filename.sys – Address XXXXX

    • Use Windows Update to update your computer & drivers ( install all recommended and optional updates) ( optional updates most of the time have your device drivers )
    • If you don’t find new drivers on Windows update, go to your motherboard / Computer Manufacturer’s support site, Select your model / version –> download the Chipset , Display & communications / networking drivers and Install them.
    • Restart & check
    • If the problem still persists,
    • Go to Start menu and type CMD
    • Right click the Command (CMD) program that appeared in your start menu search results and click on run as administrator
    • now, type CHKDSK /p  & press enter.
    • After the scan is complete,
    • type, CHKDSK C: /f /r    (This will repair corrupted sectors )
    • Restart the system and check if the problem is solved.

    If not,

    • Follow this guide to check for Memory ( RAM errors ) CLICK HERE

    If, problems are found, replace your RAM modules, if you have multiple modules try taking all of them out and then test with one module at a time and check for errors. repeat the step with all modules.

    Last Step

    System Restore : Click here for the Guide to using System Restore

  • Windows Memory Diagnostic : Test your computer RAM for errors

    Windows Memory Diagnostic : Test your computer RAM for errors

    After reading this you will be able to find problems associated with your system/computer RAM. System RAM ( Random Access Memory ) plays a very important role in the functioning of your computer system. A healthy working RAM is responsible for a better performing & stable computer system. If there are some errors in your RAM module/modules that will certainly result in an unstable system that increases the probability of Data Loss. Many STOP or Blue Screen errors in your computer can be caused by faulty RAM.

    Windows 7 has a built-in tool to search for these errors. If an error is found you can decide to change the RAM module/s.

    To Use Memory Testing Tool in Windows

    If you can boot into Windows

    • Go to, The start menu
    • In the start menu search, type Windows Memory Diagnostic
    • Press Enter

    OR

    • Go to, Start Menu
    • Top right corner. select select large icons/small icons
    • Locate Windows Memory Diagnostic

    memory_diag

    Advanced options for running the Memory Diagnostics Tool

     

    It is recommend that you let the Memory Diagnostics Tool run on default settings. However, advanced users might want to adjust the tool’s settings :

    • When the Memory Diagnostics Tool starts, press F1.
    • You can change these settings settings:
    • Test mix. Choose what type of test you want to run: Basic, Standard, or Extended. The choices are described in the tool.
    • Cache. Choose the cache setting you want for each test: Default, On, or Off.
    • Pass count. Type the number of times you want to repeat the test.
    • Press F10 to start the test.

    If you are unable to boot into Windows

    • Press F8 at the time of boot ( just after pressing the power button on your computer )
    • Press the Down Button to select Advanced Start-up options
    • Select Windows Memory Diagnostic
    • Follow the on-screen instructions
  • Fix : Printer not working, Printing problems in Windows

    Fix : Printer not working, Printing problems in Windows

    After reading this post you will be able to fix some the problems with your printer or many sorts of problems that are producing  errors when your try to print a document in Windows.

    Some of these problems involve :

    • You are unable to install a printer, connect to a printer, or print more than one job at a time
    • You receive an error indicating your Print Spooler service is experiencing problems
    • You receive an error indicating your <PRINTERNAME> is not the default printer
    • You receive an error indicating: <PRINTERNAME> cannot be contacted over the network
    • You receive an error stating that your Plug and Play printer %PRINTERNAME% has encountered a driver problem
    • You cannot Print in Internet Explorer (CLICK HERE)
    • Your printer shows as offline, even when it is turned on.

    A few things to check :

    • If your printer is connected locally ( directly to your computer & not on a network), try checking the connection between your Printer & computer and make sure it’s not loose.
    • Check the cable connecting your printer and computer. Change if necessary, always keep a spare, change just to make sure the cable isn’t bad.
    • Follow the Printer Manual to make sure any error signal lights indicating a problem with printer are not lit. If they are check for problem associated with that light in the documentation that came with your printer.
    • Check for paper Jam/low cartridge.
    • If your printer is connected over a network, make sure your network is up and running. ( check Router/Access Point )
    • If you are using a print server to connect to the printer over a network, make sure the print server is working fine.
    • If the printer is attached to another computer over the network and then shared for users on a network, make sure the printer is printing directly on the system it is attached locally to.
    • Refer your documentation & press the printer demo print button to make sure that the printer hardware is working fine.
    • Make sure there are no print command in print queue that might be hanging the print jobs. To check, go to start menu –> Devices and printers –> double click your printer and check the print queue.
    • If you cannot print from Internet Explorer follow this guide, Click Here

    Else,

    Microsoft Fix IT

    fix-it

  • FIX: Laptop Charger Plugged in, not charging : Windows

    FIX: Laptop Charger Plugged in, not charging : Windows

    After Reading this you will be able to fix the issue, when your laptop/netbook or portable Windows machine does not charge your battery even when your charger is plugged in. Your battery continues to discharge or goes to a neutral state ( nor charging, nor discharging ).

    Possible Causes

    • Faulty Battery
    • Faulty Charger
    • Problem with a driver within Windows.( Go to end of this page )

    Resolution

    The First Basic step

    Remove your battery by following the documentation that came with your computer. Make sure you properly know how to remove and reinsert the battery before proceeding ahead with this operation. Check if the problem gets solved. If not, try :

    Check your Charger

    Make sure that your charger is working fine. Check for symptoms like burning smell or overheating charger.

    Checking Battery Health

    The First thing you should try is make sure your battery is in a healthy state. Follow this guide here to check if your battery is in a healthy state(CLICK HERE).

    Alternatively, if you portable computer came with a power manager installed. You search for an option there to check if you battery is healthy.

    Resetting your battery

    This feature is available in most of the power manager software available with your laptop/netbook/ultra portable. I personally have tried the reset feature in Lenovo power manager & it works like a charm. You can check your power manager software for similar feature.

    Replacing your battery

    If you are sure after following the battery health report and after resetting the battery that you have a faulty battery. Take your Computer to either a Authorized Service Center of your system Manufacturer or order a replacement battery from your Computer manufacturer’s support site.

    The Final Step

    • Go to Device Manager by typing Device manager in the start menu search box & open it from the list that appears in result window
    • deviceacpi.
    • Within Device Manager
    • expand the battery section
    • Right click Microsoft ACPI-Compliant Control Method Battery
    • Click on Uninstall
    • Restart your computer
    • Windows Will reinstall the driver automatically
    • Done.
  • FIX : Script Error in Internet Explorer error while printing

    FIX : Script Error in Internet Explorer error while printing

    After reading this post you should be able to fix an error generated in Internet Explorer while printing a page opened in Internet Explorer.

    The error might look like this, some lines may as well differ.

    An error has occurred in the script on this page.
    Line : XXXX
    Char: 1
    Error : Invalid procedure call or argument.
    Code: 0
    URL: res/ieframe.dll/preview.js.

    Note: Line no. could be anything.

    • Disconnect your printer from the PC & re-connect it.
    • Unplug the printer’s USB cable from your PC.
      If you have a wireless printer just turn the printer off.
    • Open Devices and Printers ( start menu –> devices and printers)
    • Right-click your printers icon and select Remove device.
    • Reconnect your printer to your PC using the USB cable or if you have a wireless printer turn the printer back on.
    • Click on Add a printer and follow the Wizard to Add the printer. ( Select Local printer and let Windows find the printer automatically)

    If the above steps don’t help:

    • Go to Start Menu
    • within the search box type Internet Explorer
    • Right Click the Internet Explorer Icon and click Run as Administrator

    If the above steps don’t help:

    • Go to Windows update by typing Windows update in Start menu search box and clicking the Windows update button.
    • There in the left pane click on check for updates
    • Go to Optional Updates –> check if a updated driver for your printer is listed there.

    Alternatively you can,

    • Go to your Printer Manufacturer’s support website
    • Download and Install updated drivers from there.
  • FIX : Windows Update stuck at an old date, not updating, updating but not reflecting as updated

    FIX : Windows Update stuck at an old date, not updating, updating but not reflecting as updated

    After reading this article you will be able to fix some problems that you might be having with Windows Update.

    Following are the type of problems that this article helps to solve:

    • Windows Update doesn’t seem to be working
    • Windows Updates itself but recent update is stuck at an old date
    • Windows update shows some unknown error after checking for updates

    Solutions

    Method 1

    • The first thing to check is your system time. Make sure the time zone you have selected within system date and time is correct and the date and time are set accurately.
      To change/check date and time:
      Go to control panel & click on Date & time –> Now click on change date and time or change time zone if you have selected the wrong time zone. Follow screenshots below:

    dnt

    To set date and time

    time

     

    To change Time zone

    timezone

     

    Method 2:

    Run Microsoft Fix it
    fix-it

    Click on the above logo to download Microsoft Fix it

     

    Method 3

    Empty the software distribution folder

    • Click Start, click Run, type services.msc, and then click OK.
    • Right-click Windows Update, and then click Stop.
    • Go to C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution folder. & select all everything inside and delete it
    • Make sure that the Windows distribution folder is empty.
    • Restart Windows update service in Services.msc
    • Restart the computer, and then run Windows Update again.

    In case method 3 fails:

    Method 4:

    Rename the Catroot2 folder

    To rename the Catroot2 folder, follow these steps:

    • Click Start, click Run, type cmd, and then click OK.
    • At the command prompt, type the following commands, and then press ENTER after each line:
      net stop cryptsvc
      ren %systemroot%\System32\Catroot2 oldcatroot2
      net start cryptsvc
      exit
    • Remove all tmp*.cat files from the following folder:
      %systemroot%\system32\CatRoot\{F750E6C3-38EE-11D1-85E5-00C04FC295EE}
      copy the bold line above and paste it into run ( Winkey+R) to open the location.

    Note: do not rename the Catroot folder.

    Method 5:

    Set Cryptographic Services to automatic

    Set Cryptographic Services to Automatic, and then try to install the program again. To set Cryptographic Services to Automatic, follow these steps:

    • Start the Administrative Tools utility in Control Panel.
    • Double-click Services.
    • Right-click Cryptographic Services, and then click Properties.
    • Click Automatic for Startup type, and then click Start.

    Note Windows 2000 does not list Cryptographic Services in the SERVICES Administrative Utility.

  • STOP error 0xFE Windows 7: BSOD after resuming from Sleep/ Hibernation

    STOP error 0xFE Windows 7: BSOD after resuming from Sleep/ Hibernation

    After reading this post you will be able to fix a STOP error or better called a BSOD error in your Windows 7 Computer. This error might occur when your have a USB streaming device connected to your computer & you put your computer to sleep or hibernation power state.

    Error code:

    STOP 0x000000FE (00000002, parameter2, parameter3, parameter4)
    BUGCODE_USB_DRIVER

    Cause

    This problem occurs when using a USB Streaming device with a driver that uses the USBCAMD2 Streaming driver library. Such drivers are not supported for use on Windows 7. The stop message indicates that the USB streaming device driver using USBCAMD2 submitted two IRPs to initiate Isochronous data transfers, both of which referenced the same USB Request Block to describe the Isochronous data transfers. This problem occurs because the USBCAMD2 Streaming driver library does not properly synchronize resumption of Isoch streams upon resuming from a system sleep/hibernate power state.

    Possible Resolution

    Use of AVStream is recommended over the older type USBCAMD2 driver that is not supported under Windows 7.

    The most simple step would be to head over the support website of your Device Manufacturer & Download and Install latest device drivers for your product.

    Note: First uninstall the previous driver by going to :

    • Control Panel
    • Programs & Features
    • Locate your device driver program
    • Click uninstall

    Now,

    • Restart your computer
    • Install the new device driver you downloaded of the support site.

    You can also use Windows Update to Update the device drivers

    OR

    Use Action Center to resolve your computer problems. To use Action Center, go to start menu and type action center.

  • Solution: Cannot Convert Basic Disk to Dynamic Disk

    Solution: Cannot Convert Basic Disk to Dynamic Disk

    After reading this post you will be able to fix the problems you might be having while converting a Basic Disk type to Dynamic Disk Type in Windows Disk Management.

    Introduction

    Basic Disk is an older disk format that is used by all version of Windows going back to windows 95, 98 etc. Even today the default disk type used in our computer system is Basic.

    Whereas,

    Dynamic Disk type is supported with Windows XP professional & above editions of Windows. Dynamic Disk supports stripped volume, spanned volume, mirror volumes, simple volumes and RAID 5. Dynamic Disk type also supports disk management without restarting your computer.

    Error Message says

    • Package Name is Invalid

    Cause

    • Computer Name Contains “ Double Byte Character”

    Workaround

    • Go to Start menu
    • Right Click Computer
    • Click Properties
    • Under Computer name, domain, and workgroup settings, click Change settings.
    • On the Computer Name tab, click Change.
    • Type a new name under Computer name, and then click OK.
    • Type a Simple Computer name
    • OK
    • Restart your Computer
    • Convert Basic Disk to Dynamic Disk

     

    Workaround

  • FIX Windows Media Player unable to play certain type of media files

    FIX Windows Media Player unable to play certain type of media files

    After reading this post you will be able play to almost all commonly found media files. There are a lot of media file extensions that requires certain codecs to open/play. Default Windows installation does not support all the formats due to certain limitations. Some people download and install VLC player to play their Media files. VLC player can be found here. Though to play your media files within Windows Media player you can follow the steps below:

    • Head over to this website & download k-lite codec package
    • Or go to www.bing.com and search for k lite codec package.
    • Download the package
    • Install the package using Default/typical settings.
    • Open Windows Media Player and play your favourite file type.
    • Enjoy

    Note: Scan the Installation/Downloaded files with a good Antivirus Software before Installing.