Enabling / Disabling Windows Update

Windows Update.

For some of use, enables it to automatically update windows (auto update)is important while some of us think that auto update is a bugging program.
Since there are people asking about this, I'll try my best to explain and help regarding windows update.
Basically, to enable windows update in windows XP, we just need to :

1. Go to Start > Control Panel >Automatic Updates
2. In Automatic Updates, make sure the Automatic(Recommended) is selected to ensure that windows update will automatically update your windows in the days and time that you selected.
3. To disable this, you could select turn off automatic updates and update it manually.There are two more options about the update that you can select in there.
   
4. After you're done with the selection,click apply and OK.

If things were done and still it's not working....Try this.

1. Go to Start > Run
2. In Run, type " services.msc " (without the " ")
3. A window will pop up with a list of services that run in your computer.
4. Look for Automatic Updates and right click on it and pick properties.
   
5. To enable it(set it to automatically start during startup), go to "Startup type: "and select Automatic.
6. To disable it(disable it from automatically start during startup), in "Startup type:" select disable.
7. In "Service status:" you can manually Start, Stop, Pause and Resume automatic updates by pressing the buttons.
8. after done with it, click Apply and Ok.
9. Reboot.

If that also didnt help, try this one.

1. Go to Start > Run
2. In Run, type "regedit" (without the " ")
3. Then in regedit window, go to :
   

4. " HKET_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\NoWindowsUpdate " Windows Update will be disabled if this DWORD value is set to 1. Set it to 0 will enable Windows Update.

5. then go to" HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\WindowsUpdate\DisableWindowsUpdateAccess " set to 0 to enable windows update, and set to 1 to disable windows update.
6. After you're done with that, close all windows and reboot.

Hope this will help :)

Dead PC?No signal?

This is another computer problem that I want to discuss in here. When it happens....
You cant boot to your Windows..

There are several reasons that causes this. But the main reason is the monitor of your computer does not receive any signal from the PC...or in other word, motherboard.
But what causes the "main reason"?

• It might happen because of faulty monitor cable.
• Faulty graphic card.
• Insufficient Power.
• Faulty motherboard.
  

1.faulty monitor cable

You can check this by changing the monitor with other monitor.(borrow from your friends or etc...)or try your monitor at another computer.If this solve the problem, change your monitor cable or just buy a new one.

2.If that doesnt fix the problem..check your graphic card(PCI,AGP,PCI-e)for PCI graphic card, try to change the graphic card to another PCI slot.If it still doesnt work, change the graphic card.
(you can read about this in BIOS beep code in this page.It contains useful information regarding graphic card error and how to know when it happens)

3. And if that doesnt fix anything. This might be the reasons. I should put this at no. 1 but i thought you should read the above factors too.Insufficient power delivered by your computer power supply.

Usually this will happen when you add a new hardware to your computer(new HDD, DVD, CDROM, TV tuner, fans,new graphic card).The new hardware might use a lot of power so this causes the display adapter doesnt receive enough power from the power supply.
Sharing power with monitor also causes this. I highly not reccomend you to share your PC power supply with the monitor.Use the AC cable for monitor instead of the 2 connector cable that connect monitor to power supply.This will save a lot of power.

To investigate this problem, disconnect the new hardware or any hardware(HDD, DVD, exhaust fan,etc..) and try to turn on your computer,If it starts, the solution is..get a new power supply with bigger power rating.

If it doesnt fix, probably the problem is the motherboard or the power supply.try another power supply...if it doesnt help..its the motherboard.

Missing Icon in taskbar?

Have you ever noticed that small icons in the taskbar(next to the clock). It shows some program that's running and many of the program is launched automatically during start up.
For example, antivirus, winamp agent, sound,local area connection and etc. Some time, or most of the time, one or two of the taskbar icon disappeared.Have anybody faced this situation?
The program is still running, but yet the icon is not in the taskbar. This seems like a bug that's annoying for me. Especially if the missing icon is the antivirus or sounds. I usually use the icon as a shorcut to enable/disable the antivirus or adjusting the master volume.

There is a bug that caused this.We can fix this easily by:

1. Go to Control Panel >Add Remove Programs>Add/Remove Windows Component.
2. Go to Networking Services and click Details.
3. in the Details window, uncheck the "UpnP user interface"
4. close all windows and reboot.
5. Voila! no more missing taskbar icons. :)
   

Learn about virus detection and prevention

Here are some useful information about virus and how to prevent it before it infects our system. You should read this especially if you are using an old version or illegal copy of antivirus that are not up to date. :p

• Do not open any files attached to an email from an unknown, suspicious or untrustworthy source.
• Do not open any files attached to an email unless you know what it is, even if it appears to come from a dear friend or someone you know. Some viruses can replicate themselves and spread through email. Better be safe than sorry and confirm that they really sent it.
• Do not open any files attached to an email if the subject line is questionable or unexpected. If the need to do so is there always save the file to your hard drive before doing so.
• Delete chain emails and junk email. Do not forward or reply to any to them. These types of email are considered spam, which is unsolicited, intrusive mail that clogs up the network.
• Do not download any files from strangers.
• Exercise caution when downloading files from the Internet. Ensure that the source is a legitimate and reputable one. Verify that an anti-virus program checks the files on the download site. If you're uncertain, don't download the file at all or download the file to a floppy and test it with your own anti-virus software.
• Update your anti-virus software regularly. Over 500 viruses are discovered each month, so you'll want to be protected. These updates should be at the least the products virus signature files. You may also need to update the product's scanning engine as well.
• Back up your files on a regular basis. If a virus destroys your files, at least you can replace them with your back-up copy. You should store your backup copy in a separate location from your work files, one that is preferably not on your computer.
• When in doubt, always err on the side of caution and do not open, download, or execute any files or email attachments. Not executing is the more important of these caveats. Check with your product vendors for updates which include those for your operating system web browser, and email. One example is the security site section of Microsoft located at http://www.microsoft.com/security.

grabbed from McAfee :)

Tips on Upgrading Memory Modules (RAM)

Nowadays, the high demanding for RAM in software, OS or for gaming is a reality.
Back in the older days where CPU speed is just 133Mhz, and memory 16MB ram, 5GB of HDD...It's sufficient because in older days, most people use their computer for work purpose, writing, reading, e-mail and internet stuff.Even games on that time doesnt need "high-end" performance computer.

But now, computer is not just a working machine.We use computer as a multimedia machine, as a music machine, media center, communication and of course..for GAMING purpose. Besides gaming purpose, OS itself is one of reason why we must upgrade our memory.

" Operating systems and applications have grown more memory-hungry than ever" -CNET

Back in Windows 95, Windows 98..RAM capacity under 128Mb or just 64Mb is sufficient enough.Then comes Windows ME, 2000, XP. As i remember, Windows XP will run normal with a minimum 64Mb of RAM in the old days.When Vista arrive, the minimum requirement of RAM needed is 512MB!that's the minimum requirement?I'm sure that we don't want to be in the minimum line..cause I'm sure that we will face "slow-mo" things,process and many more.

Not to forget, If you are using a big big size of HDD, such as 100GB or 300GB you should consider upgrading your RAM if you are using less that 512MB of RAM. Nowadays RAM are in cheap in prices and memory packaging now lets you add more RAM in a matter of minutes.So, before buying or upgrading your memory you must know this :

• What are your memory capacity now?512Mb?1Gb?2Gb?
• What type of RAM your are using?What kind of RAM is compatible to your motherboard?
• What is the maximum capacity supported by your memory slots?
• RAM brand?Kingston?Kingmax?Apacer?Corsair?Geil?

These are some of question you should have in mind before upgrading your memory.

First of all, determining your present memory capacity.To do this, simply right click at My Computer in desktop, click properties.You can see the memory capacity in lower right of the System Properties window.


Next, what type of RAM you are using?

• Synchronous Dynamic RAM (SDRAM): SDRAM has been around for about five years and includes several versions, differing primarily in bus speed: PC66, PC100, and PC133. The numbers indicate each type's speed, as expressed in megahertz. While the higher-speed memory may seem the more appealing choice, your PC chipset ultimately makes that decision. Owners of older PCs that use 66MHz DIMMs, however, can save some money by upgrading with higher-speed modules. The new memory will work, but it won't run at full speed.

• Double-Data-Rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM): This is an enhanced version of SDRAM that effectively runs at double the bus speed of conventional SDRAM.

• Extended Data Out (EDO), Fast Page Mode (FPM): If your PC is more than five years old, it may use EDO or FPM memory. Although you can still find these legacy memory modules but usually priced significantly higher than most newer memory types.It's worth it because your system probably needs a lot more upgrades than just memory.

• Rambus Dynamic RAM (RDRAM): RDRAM, developed by Rambus and championed by Intel, is the latest high-speed memory technology. Pentium 4 PCs equipped with the Intel 850 chipset use RDRAM; newer Pentium 4 systems based on the Intel 845 chipset can use less expensive SDRAM or DDR SDRAM.

You can determine this by referring to your motherboard user guide or try to google for RAM identifier software from the net.I will post one if needed.Dont buy if you're NOT SURE what type of RAM you are using.Ask for help or just bring your computer to the shop.

Next, the maximum capacity that your motherboard can handle.Make sure that the new RAM doesn't exceed each slot's memory-capacity ceiling.

And finally, the brand.There are a lot of RAM out there and many brands.Each brand offers different prices, services, warranty.If you are using your computer just for typing, internet, watching movies and music purpose, go for the economical prize of RAM.I would recommend Kingston, Apacer and Kingmax.It will fit well.But if you are one multimedia designer, playing high graphic games, overclockers that desire speed, you should look for high performance RAM such as Geil and Corsair.Usually the RAM of high performance comes with a heat-spreading metal attached to the RAM.

It doesnt matter if you are a normal user or looking for high-performance RAM, but I highly recommend you to buy RAM with brand that already knewn for its quality.Never buy any cheap RAM with unknown brand.They might be cheaper but what about the quality?think for it wisely..

This will end here now...


But I'll post about "how easy it can be to install memory modules to their slots" in later blog. :)

Flash Drive Missing

"I plugged in my flash drive in USB, it recognizes it but there's no autoplay. So i checked in "My Computer" and... The flash drive is missing!What happen?I thought maybe the flash drive is broken so I rush to the nearest store and get a new Kingston Data Traveller 4GB. But the result is the same.Then I tested the two flash drive at another computer and it worked.Now, is the flash drive unformatted?or corrupted?or maybe my USB port is the problem...?"

There are several causes to this problem.Let's try to fix this step by step.Lets assume that USB port broken is the worst case.And please, no FORMATTING needed in this case(although you can format it using the technique I've posted recently on how to format external HDD but trust me it wont work). What went wrong? Before this you can use it but suddenly you cant.What is the last thing happened to your computer before it went wrong like that? Any last software you installed or uninstalled?

Any error found before that? Well, in this case I found that this guy has installed a virtual drive mounting software(Daemon, Alcohol, etc..) for gaming purpose.Then he uninstalled it wrongly and after that this happen.To fix this, you dont need a Windows CD or tools.what you should do is :

• Go to c:\windows\system32
• search for these files sptd.sys, secdrv.sys, sptd7021.sys
• delete all this file and reboot.

If you found that there is no sptd7021.sys, but sptd####.sys (#### means other number) and you are unsure to delete it, check for the file date. When it was created.If the created date is same as the two other file(sptd.sys and secdrv.sys), you can delete it. After reboot you can use your flash drive again :)

(note: If you are unsure about deleting them, try to make a backup by copying the files to other folder before deleting them.)

How to detect hardware problem by using BIOS beep codes

"beep......"

Everytime you turn on your computer, you will hear that sound coming from your pc(unless your BIOS speaker is broken).It is normal to hear a single beep during startup.But, what if...you hear more than 1 beep?That means, the BIOS is trying to tell you something is not right in there.If you could understand this "beep language", you could check for the problem itself before sending your computer to a pc repair shop. This beep is a code that tell you, from where the problem comes. Again, If you understand the code, you could DIY fixing your computer and save some money.

Every motherboard uses a different BIOS.You might want to check what type of BIOS you are using and here I will give some recommended website regarding BIOS beeping code.

• PCTECHBYTES
• Bios Central
• helpwithpcs

Good luck with BIOS code reading :)

FORMAT with Win XP cd

This is another way of formatting your HDD.This time, let's try formatting and installing OS(I choose Win XP for this).Let assume that you have a new HDD or a HDD with broken OS.You cant boot into Windows.This two cases is actually can be considered as same( if you want to solve the broken OS problem by formatting the HDD).Sometime, there are other options to solve problem #2(broken OS).You just need a little knowledge, confident and guts to do it.

Now, you should have a Windows XP cd, make sure it's not the upgrade version.You need a bootable Windows XP cd or else this wont work.And, the second important thing you should have is the "driver".We will need this to install most of your hardware in the computer(graphic card, sound card, blue tooth, card reader etc.)If you dont have a driver cd for your hardware, you will found some difficulties during the end of Windows installation.

Many people got panic or blurred when formatting their HDD with this technique because they're afraid of the black screen, blue screen, and etc.Dont get panic just because of that.You will find it easy to do it if you stick to the instruction given in the screen...

Here, link to this website here.This is the genuine way of installing a fresh Windows XP. Actually this is the correct way and I learn it from Microsoft itself.You just need to search for it. :)

FORMAT?!

"Dude..could you format my HDD?"

I've heard of that many times.I'll ask back with one question before I take the HDD.The question is, "Why?"

Usually, there are some answers for that question and reason that make people want to format their lappy or pc or HDD. :p
I found that common reasons why people want to format are:

1. OS problem.Cant start, boot, hang, stuck.
2. want to remove partition.
3. just for fun(this is real)

Okay..I'll stop here and start with the format stuff...I'll start with some lite formatting before we go through some serious formatting technique.
note:(click on the image thumbnail for bigger view)

Formatting An external HDD(for Win XP)

1. Plug in your USB external HDD.Wait for the hardware installation.
2. Make sure it is recognized before proceeding to the next step.
3. Click start>control panel>performance and maintenance>administrative tools>computer management.
4. In computer management window, click on "disk management" on the left part of the window.In here, all connected disk drive will be listed in the right window .

Check for the disk number(in red circle).In the above image, Disk 1 indicates the unformatted external HDD. Right click at the right side of disk 1(we call it status area) and pick "create partition".

4. If there is a a no entry things like this right click on it and pick "initialize disk".Initialize it to "Basic" disk type and you can proceed with partitions.

5. If the disk type is Dynamic, you must change it to Basic.To do this, right click on disk 1 and pick "revert to basic disk" from the options.Wait and it will change in a few seconds.

6. Now we can create a new partition in the disk drive.Right click on the right area of Disk 1 and pick "Create Partition.."

7. The "Create Partition Wizard" will appear and click Next.

!8. Select "Primary Partition" and click Next.Specify the partition size that you want.Click Next.

9. Assign a drive letter for this partition, click Next and select "Format this partition with the following settings".Choose a file system(FAT,FAT32,NTFS).

10.Then, click Finish to start formatting and after the process is done, the result should be something like this and make sure the Partition Status is Healthy. The new external HDD can be used now. :)

(note: images used in this post are'nt created by me.credit goes to the creator and Im using it so this post will be more easily understandable :) )

Something for Everyone

Do you own a computer or a notebook? If you have one or two or even more, You should read this.

Have you ever encountered some of this situation.

1. "dude...I got to format my computer ASAP, can you help?"
2. "I cant start my computer!! Every time I start it..it keeps beeping and the screen is black"
3. "I've bought new graphic card and a new HDD..err..but how to install it?if i send it to the PC shop..they will charge for it...help anyone?"
4. "Stuck, stuck, hang...whats happening to this junk...virus?"
5. "I bought new external HDD from low-cost shop..it says its not formatted..I plug it in the USB...blabla..ready to use....but..there's no new HDD in My Computer!..??
6. 6."My flashdrive doesnt work on my lappy anymore..It detects it..but not found in My Computer!!..but..i works on other computer..."

Well..many people might know how to solve this problems..but not all people...
The reason I'm writing this is because, I want to share something that could save every little dollar that you have from spending it at PC repair shop.

I'm a student in one University in Malaysia.I have a part time hobby.That is..repairing other student lappy or PC..or even installing computer parts for them..just for free..This is a confession.Sometime, I have 4-5 lappy under my bed that need to be repaired.Not repair actually, formatting or installing OS or driver conflict..

Instead of repairing it..I encourage them to start repairing it by themselves because most people just dont have the courage or confidence to start digging in what's inside their computer.I'm gonna reveal some DIY solving computer problem not the professional geek way...just home style..easy and simple way so that it will be easy enough to be understand by all.

I know that there are many other website or books out there that have this kind of tips/information but...give it a try.In Malaysia, a quick format at PC repair shop will cost you about RM40 to RM50(its about usd $12.50 to usd $15.50).You could save those pennys if you knew how to format it yourself....