Category: Windows XP

Having trouble starting your Windows computer?

Are you searching for what to do when you cannot start Windows at all?

After reading this you will understand various system recovery options within Windows XP/7/8/8.1/10/11.

What to do When You Cannot Start Windows At All?

The System recovery options within Windows  include:

• Last Known Good Configuration
• Using Safe mode to start Windows
• Checking if Display Resolution is the problem
• Knowing the error before troubleshooting
• Using Start-up Repair
• Using System Restore
• Using Backup/Restore
• Checking Memory errors
• Finally Re-installing Windows

Last Known Good Configuration

To use this feature, press the F8 key while the system is booting up, Go to the Advanced Boot Options & from the menu select “ Last Known Good Configuration” and press Enter. If your computer system boots fine, you are successfully fixed it.

Using Safe Mode to start Windows

To boot into Safe Mode. Press the F8 key while the system is booting up. This will show you a menu, Select Advanced Boot Options, from the options therein select Safe Mode from the list and press Enter.

This will let you boot into safe mode that will enable Windows to boot only with some basic necessary files and drivers & disables everything that is not necessary for the system to boot. What this does is that it restricts any other program, let it be an Antivirus, display driver module, or any application running at startup, and gives us a fair idea of the problem & also lets us use system restore to restore the computer to an earlier time when your Windows was running fine. Safe Mode also lets us uninstall some unwanted programs or drivers that might be make the system unstable.

Checking the Display Resolution

Sometimes some bug or human error sets the Windows Display resolution to a value that your monitor cannot handle. In this condition, the system fails to boot as the monitor is unable to display that particular resolution transmitted by the Graphic/Display Adapter.

To fix this, Press the F8 key while the system is booting, and select “Advanced Boot Options”. From the menu that will be displayed select “ Low-Resolution video mode” or “Enable VGA Mode”.

This will set your resolution to a lower value & will fix any resolution-based problems. After booting into windows you can set your resolution to the recommended value* refer to the documentation of your monitor.

To Change Resolution

(Windows 7/Vista)

Right-click on the desktop and click on change resolution.

(Windows XP)

Right Click on Desktop-> properties –> adapters

Knowing the Error before troubleshooting

It’s always hard to troubleshoot any problem if you don’t know the cause of it. To know the specific error you have to disable “Automatic Restart on System Failure”.

To do that, Press the F8 key while the system is booting & select Advanced Boot Options. From the menu there select “Disable System Restart on System Failure”, this will enable you to look at the error next time it occurs and the computer will not restart automatically.

If It’s a blue screen Error or better known as BSOD, you can follow this post to resolve it.

Using Start-up Repair

Startup repair is a tool built into Windows 7 to help users fix the common problems that restrict the user from booting into Windows.

To use Startup Repair:

• Press the F8 key & select Advanced Boot Options. From the menu displayed there select Repair Your Computer

• When you select this option, the windows will continue to boot to the repair menu which looks like this:

• Now click on Startup Repair & follow the on-screen Instructions.

If Startup Repair does not solve your issue, you can also choose System Restore from the options shown above & restore your computer to an earlier time when it was working fine.

Click on System Restore, Select a Checkpoint from the calendar ( make sure you choose a date on which your computer was working fine ) & follow the onscreen instructions that appear.

Using Backup Restore ( System Image Recovery )

Refer to the screenshot above, Follow the steps that led to the above menu to appear & then select “System Image Recovery”.

Follow the instruction that appears on the screen.

What to do When You Cannot Start Windows At All: Windows Memory Diagnostics

Ram (Memory) plays an important role in the booting procedure. If your RAM is faulty, the computer system won’t boot properly.

To check for errors in your RAM

Refer to the screenshot above and select “Windows Memory Diagnostic”. This will check your RAM for errors. If errors are found you can simply get your RAM module replaced.

If nothing works out – Re-Install Windows

This post will help you fix an issue with your Windows based Computer, where, when you try to resize your folder view or even your Internet browser, the contents of that Window fade or let’s say turn translucent / transparent. Show Window Content while dragging, is a feature within Windows operating system that you can turn on or Off. But this particular problem can also occur due to some other reasons as well. Below are some of the possible solutions for this problem.

Troubleshoot Method 1 : Check Windows Settings

• Go to Control Panel
• Click on Small icons ( top right corner ) ( to enable All control panel items )
• Now, Click on Performance Information and tools
• Click on Adjust Visual Effects

• Now, Make sure that “Show Window Content While Dragging is checked”
• If it’s already checked, just Uncheck it.
• Click on Apply
• and now, recheck the checkbox to re-enable the feature.
• Click Apply and OK

If this does not solve your problem try:

Troubleshoot Method 2 : Checking nVidia Options

(Applies to nVidia Display card users only )

• Right Click on desktop
• Click on nVidia Control Panel

• Now, Make sure that the options as shown in the screenshot below is set to “Let the 3D application decide”

• Now,
• From the pane on the left hand side select Adjust Desktop size and position
• Make sure, Enable Desktop resizing checkbox in unchecked.

Troubleshoot Method 3 : Updating the Device Drivers

• First, Find out what Make and model your display /graphic card is.
• The most common ones are : Intel, nVidia and AMD ( ATI )
• You can refer your computer documentation or check the manufacturer’s support website to confirm your display card
• You can also check device manager ( control panel ) to check what Display adapter you have.

Now,

• To update the device drivers you can either :

• Go to the support website of your computer / display card / motherboard manufacturer and download / Install the drivers from there
• OR
• Go to Device Manager
• Expand Display Adapters
• Right Click the Adapter listed there & click on update driver ( make sure you are connected to Internet )
• Select Automatic method
• OR
• Run Windows Update and install all the recommended and optional updates

This post will help you fix an issue with your Windows PC where you get a Blue screen error / BSOD / Stop error with error code 0x00000050 (PAGE_FAULT_IN_NON_PAGED_AREA ). Now, there are quite a few explanations to this error type. This error might occur after you update your computer, or might occur when you install or update an antivirus/security program. Problems with display driver or a third-party search tool can also throw this error.

Below are a few methods to fix this type of error:

Method 1

• If you have just installed an antivirus / security program
• or
• You have just updated it and you got a Blue screen error
• The first thing to do is :
• Start your computer in Safe Mode ( press F8 at system startup, just after BIOS post display, and select safe mode)
• Now, keeping your activation information of your Antivirus / security program, simply uninstall the software by going to Control Panel –> ADD or Remove programs ( Windows XP ) or Programs and features ( Windows Vista, 7 )
• Restart your computer to make sure that Windows starts up normally.
• Go to Windows Update ( Control Panel )
• After the computer has been successfully updated,
• Restart your computer
• Install the Antivirus / Security program again.

A hotfix from Microsoft is available : KB976527

Method 2 : Updating the Display Adapter Drivers

• Follow the steps mentioned above to boot into Safe Mode
• Now, go to Device Manager ( Control Panel )
• Expand the Display Adapters section

• Right Click the listed device
• Click on uninstall.
• Restart your computer again in Safe Mode.
• Go to Device Manager and click on the Scan for hardware changes button

• The Display driver will install automatically
• Restart your computer in normal mode
• Connect to the internet and download / Install the latest available Display drivers from your motherboard manufacturer / System / Graphic Card Manufacturer’s support website.

Method 3 : Hotfix for another issue with same error mode from Microsoft

• Follow KB951418
• Use the download option in there to download and install the hotfix
• You should try this hotfix after reading the cause section within the KB article from Microsoft.

Method 4 : Checking for Faulty RAM modules ( Memory )

• If you are using Windows 7 or Vista, checking memory is quite easy
• Just Boot from the Windows Installation CD / DVD
• After the boot process completes
• Click on Repair your computer
• Now, Within the options listed
• Click on Windows memory Diagnostics
• This process will run for a while and will check if there is a problem in the installed RAM modules in your system.
• If a problem is detected, you should change the module to solve the problem

Method 5 : Updating the BIOS

Note: Updating the BIOS is a risky procedure, that, if not done correctly could harm your computer hardware. SO, DO this at your own risk. I shall not be liable for any damage to your computer by following the process mentioned below:

• Go to your system /Motherboard manufacturer’s support website
• Note down the exact model no. /Version no. / service tag or other necessary information that might be needed to pinpoint the exact BIOS for your system
• Download the latest BIOS and follow the instructions mentioned on your manufacturer’s support website for Updating the BIOS.
• Note: Read every safety precaution and steps mentioned in the manufacturer’s support website while updating the BIOS
• Also, Make sure that do not restart your computer in the middle of the updating procedure, even if, some for time the process might look hanged. Let it run and complete on it’s own. If it’s a desktop computer, make sure it has got a adequate backup power supply, in case the power runs out.

Please use the comment section to report any problems that you might face, I will try my best to help out.

This post will help you Turn off USB ports on your computer by a fairly simple trick. There are circumstances where you might wish to use some USB devices on your computer, but want to disable usage of USB storage devices such as USB Hard disk drives or USB Pen Drives. This tip will let you to continue using your USB based Peripheral Devices such as Printers, scanners or even Keyboard and mouse, but will only disable Storage devices. At the end of this post, we will discuss a few options that will let you disable complete USB access as well.

Editing your Registry

• Go to Run ( Windows Logo key + R )
• Type in Regedit

• You might have to press Yes
• Now,
• Expand HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
• Expand SYSTEM
• Expand CurrentControlSet
• Expand services

• Now,
• Locate USBSTOR
• In the right pane, Double click on Start
• Change the Value to 4

• Press OK
• Restart your Computer
• Again follow all the steps to re-check if the value has been changed to 4 or not, if not, Change it again.
• Restart your computer
• Now, none of the Mass storage devices you plug into your Computer won’t work.
• If, you wish to re-enable USB access, you can simply change the value back to 3

Disabling Other USB types

• Refer the screenshot below
• You can disable :

• USB Infrared Devices
• USB Hub
• USB Video Devices
• USB Printing Devices

• To disable any of the said devices, just click on the value as in the screenshot above
• Double Click on Start
• Change the Value to 4 and Press OK
• Restart your computer

In case of any questions or feedback, you can use the contact form or the comment section below.

This post will help you in fixing an issue with your Windows PC, where your customized folder view settings might not take effect or Windows might forget your folder view settings. The is a known problem with Microsoft Windows 7 , Vista and XP. Microsoft has released a Fix It solution for this issue. Below mentioned are the two methods which can help you fix this issue.

Method 1 : Microsoft Fix It

Method 2 : Involves Editing of Registry

Before using this method, it is recommended that you backup your registry using this guide

• Press Windows logo key + R ( to open run )
• Type in regedit
• Your system might ask your permission or password
• Now, navigate to the following & delete the registry entries (Delete the last entries highlighted below)

• HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags
• HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\BagMRU
• HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ShellNoRoam\Bags
• HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ShellNoRoam\BagMRU
• HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\LocalSettings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\BagMRU
• HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags

• Now, create the keys you deleted in the same location :

• HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\BagMRU
• HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Bags

• To make new keys, right click the shell folder & click on new –> keys ( refer screenshot below )

• Now, right click the Shell key
• Click on new
• Click on DWORD (32-bit) Value
• Name it BagMRU Size
• Now, in the right hand size pane, double click BagMRU Size
• Set the value to 5000
• Click ok
• Close the registry editor
• Restart your computer

This should fix the issue and Windows should now remember your folder view settings. If not, then go back to BagMRU Size and set the value to 10000 instead of 5000. If you face any further issues, feel free to contact me using the comment section below

This post will help you fix / troubleshoot an issue with your Windows PC, where, after login or at welcome screen your keyboard and mouse stops working. This can happen with either a USB interface keyboard / mouse or even with a PS2 Keyboard and mouse. Do remember that your keyboard will work in your BIOS & both your keyboard / mouse will work with a Live CD too. In some cases your Keyboard and mouse will start to work in Safe Mode.

The Methods mentioned herein are based on both the scenarios where your keyboard & mouse will or won’t work in safe mode

Method 1

• Sometime a LAN ( Network connection ) can be a culprit for this problem

• Disconnect your LAN ( network wire ) from your computer
• Start your computer
• Check if your keyboard /mouse are working
• If yes,
• Go to Command Prompt ( with administrator privileges )
• To know how to open command prompt with administrator privilege : Follow this article
• In the command prompt : type ipconfig /flushdns
• Also, use some means to connect to the internet (not on this PC)
• Download and install the latest drivers for your network adapter
• Also, Unplug & non-essential USB /HDMI or other peripheral device & check if your keyboard /mouse work

Method 2

• Enabling Legacy USB support in BIOS

• Enter your BIOS setup by pressing DEL , F2 or F10 ( or any other key which your computer specifies ) (Refer documentation)
• Now, Locate an option that says Legacy USB support  and set it to enable
• Also, make sure that your USB speed is set to high speed
• Make sure USB simulation is disabled

Method 3

• Updating USB / Chipset / Keyboard- Mouse drivers

• You can use some other means to connect to Internet
• Download and install the latest Chipset / USB drivers
• Also, if your keyboard /mouse require some specific drivers to run properly, make sure that you have installed those
• You can use Safe mode to uninstall the previous drivers & then boot into windows normally to update the newer drivers

Method 4 ( TIPS )

• Try setting your computer to High Performance in Power Options ( windows Vista, 7 , 8 ) (control panel –> power options )
• Go to Device Manager in Control Panel
• Expand Universal Serial Bus
• Right Click Usb Root Hub (all of them)
• Go to Power management tab
• Uncheck the box that says “Allow the system to turn off this device to save power”
• Click OK

Windows 8

• On the desktop
• Press Windows Logo Key + X
• Click on Command Prompt (Admin)

Windows 7 / Vista

• Go to start menu
• In the start menu search box, type : Command Prompt
• Right click the command prompt
• Click on Run as administrator

This post contains steps  to turn off the Autorun feature in Windows. Autorun feature allows any autorun enabled / programmed drivesto run the specific programmed instructions files when the drive is opened or inserted. This can be a fixed drive, a removable drive or any sort of disk drive. Many Malicious software programs use autorun to plant their files & code into your system. These set of instructions can be stored into a autorun.inf file in the root of the drive. By turning off the autorun feature you can, to an extent, avoid such malicious programs to infect your Windows PC.

Windows XP, Vista

Editing Your Registry

Note : Before Editing your registry, please backup your registry ( Follow this guide )

Now,

• Press Windows Logo Key + R to open RUN
• Type REGEDIT
• Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\Explorer\NoDriveTypeAutorun
• Right-Click the NoDriveTypeAutorun
• Click on modify
• Type 0XFF

Windows 7

Windows 7 Users can use Microsoft Fixit Tool to Enable or Disable Autorun

• To Enable Autorun Click here
• To Disable Autorun Click Here