External Drive Troubleshooting Steps

 WINDOWS

Check the Power Cable

• Check the power cables are well seated in the external drive (applies  only to 3.5” external drives), and also the AC socket you are connected to.
• Do no have the drive connected through a USB hub.. ensure it is connected directly to the PC or laptop. Similarly make sure the adapter is connected directly to an AC outlet, and not via an extention cord.
• If this is a 2.5” external drive, ensure the Y-cable is connected securely to the drive, and if necessary use both USB connectors . This will provide extra power. If you are connecting to a PC, use the USB ports at the back of the PC, and not any ports at the front. Again, do not connect via a USB hub, connect the drive directly.

Check the Data Cable

• If you are connecting to a PC (ie not a laptop) then ensure you are connecting to the USB ports at the back of the system, and not any at the front.
• Do not connect via a USB hub
• If this is a 2.5” product try using both USB connectors on the Y cable
• Try using a different USB port.

Check Disk Management
Even though you cannot see the drive on your desktop or in My Computer, we should check to see if the drive is recognised in Disk Management.
Right click on My Computer, and select Manage.
From the Computer Management window select Disk Management from the menu on the left.
In Disk Management check if you can see the drive.  If you can look at the partition on the drive then as new it will be labelled as FAT32, and should have a drive letter. It should also show the capacity of the drive, and be labelled Healthy.
If the drive does not say Healthy, or shows the file format as RAW, then the partition has become corrupt. It could also be corrupt if the bar above the drive is black and shows as Unallocated.
In this instance right click on the drive and select Delete partition. We can then right click on the drive again and select create partition. Follow the Wizard to create a Primary partition.
NB the drive will now have an NTFS partition on it, which whilst fine with Windows, will be unusable on a Mac. If you intend to use the drive with both a Windows PC and a Mac, then follow the link below to obtain a FAT32 formatting tool.
http://www.ridgecrop.demon.co.uk/index.htm?fat32format.htm

Check the drives status in Device manager :
Right click on My Computer, and select Manage.
From the Computer Management window select Device Manager  from the list on the left.
From the device list, expand the entry called Disk Drives. If the drive is detected by the system,
then there will be an entry here for your external drive.
If it is not listed under disk drives, expand the Other Devices entry and check if there is an entry for an Unknown Device.
Right click the Unknown Device and select Properties.
Under the General tab, it will probably state ‘This device is not working properly’ followed by either Code 28 or Code 10.
Code 10 would suggest a potential power supply issue (3.5” external drives”). If you have a second external drive with an equivalent power supply then you may try the second power supply.
If you do not have the option to try a different power supply, verify the problem by connecting to a different USB port, or if possible by connecting to a second PC.
If you still receive the same error code, then we would suggest creating an RMA and returning the drive under Warranty.
Code 28 would suggest a driver error.
Right click on the ‘drive’ entry in Device Manager and select Uninstall.
Remove the external drive, reboot the computer and reconnect.
If you receive the same error, do you have the opportunity to connect it to a second PC ?
If the drive fails on the second PC with the same error, then we would suggest raising an RMA and returning the drive under Warranty.

MAC
Check the power cable

• Check the power cables are well seated in the external drive (applies  only to 3.5” external drives), and also the AC socket you are connected to.
• Do no have the drive connected through a USB hub.. ensure it is connected directly to the PC or laptop. Similarly make sure the adapter is connected directly to an AC outlet, and not via an extention cord.
• If this is a 2.5” external drive, ensure the Y-cable is connected securely to the drive, and if necessary use both USB connectors . This will provide extra power. If you are connecting to a PC, use the USB ports at the back of the PC, and not any ports at the front. Again, do not connect via a USB hub, connect the drive directly.

Check the data cable

• If you are connecting to a PC (ie not a laptop) then ensure you are connecting to the USB ports at the back of the system, and not any at the front.
• Do not connect via a USB hub
• If this is a 2.5” product try using both USB connectors on the Y cable
• Try using a different USB port.

Check the Drive Partion using Disk Utilities

On a Mac PC the Disk Utility is used to verify that the drive is recognised by the system. Hitachi external drives (exc G-Technology products) are preformatted in FAT32 so that they can be used on both Windows and Mac PCs.
Click Go on the top menu bar, then choose Utilities, and Disk Utility.
If the drive had not appeared on the desktop, or if Disk Utility is showing  that the drive is formatted in a file system that is not recognised, then you can reinitialise the drive from within Disk Utility to a format that  the Mac will recognise.
Check System Profiler
The Mac System Profiler will show you whether the external drive is physically detected by the Mac.
Click on the blue Apple Menu in the top left corner of your desktop.
Select ‘About this Mac’ or ‘More Info’
When the System Profiler opens, click on ‘USB’
If your external drive is not listed, as a final step are you able to connect the external drive to a second Mac machine? If the problem follows the drive to the second Mac Pc, then the device may be faulty and you should request an RMA to return the drive under Warranty.

My Hitachi product is broken. How can I get a replacement or request an RMA?

A: To check the warranty status of your drive, and if necessary create an RMA, please visit the Warranty section of our website.

Where can I find information on RoHS compliance and Hitachi GST drives?

A: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies provides a web site specifically for RoHS/WEEE information:
RoHS/WEEE If you have further questions regarding RoHS/WEEE, please contact our Corporate Environmental Programs personnel at eppc@hitachigst.com.

How do I make an exact copy my old hard drive and put in on the new hard drive?

A: There are several alternatives available depending on your hardware platform and operating environment.
PCs
Symantec Norton Ghost
Acronis True Image
Miray HDClone Many laptops only have one internal drive bay. One solution is to mount the drive into an external enclosure and clone the drive. Apricorn and CMS both offer reasonably priced packages.

The advantage of using an external enclosure is that you can use your original drive as additional storage once the cloning process is complete.
Mac
The most popular software is Carbon Copy Cloner by Mike Bombich:
Carbon Copy Cloner

My drive became locked with a password or I forgot my hard drive password. How do I gain access to my data?

A: Unfortunately, there is no way to bypass the security password feature of Hitachi hard disk drives. If the password is not known or has been misplaced, Hitachi will not be able to assist in gaining access to the data on the drive.

Where do I find drivers for my Hitachi drive?

A: All operating systems (OS) have hard disk drivers built into the OS by default. No additional drivers are required for the drive itself.

If you are being asked for drivers by the installation software or your drive is not detected during the OS installation, you may need to download the most current version of your controller or motherboard drivers. To obtain the most current version of your controller or motherboard drivers, please contact the manufacturer of your controller or motherboard or visit their web site for more information.

Is it possible to obtain a firmware upgrade for my hard drive?

A: Generally, firmware updates are provided only when a firmware update is required to resolve a specific issue. If your hard drive is working normally, there is no need to upgrade the firmware.
If you feel a firmware update is necessary or you have a question about firmware,
In order for us to determine whether a firmware upgrade will be beneficial, please be prepared to provide a complete description of your system configuration, along with a detailed account of the problems you are experiencing. We will need the serial number(s) and part number(s) of the hard drive(s) in question and the current firmware level.
To obtain drive and firmware level information by using Hitachi’s Drive Fitness Test:

1. Click on the Utilities menu and select Drive Info
   
2. Scroll down until the firmware level (“Microcode level”) is displayed.
   

For more specifics about operating DFT, consult the Drive Fitness Test User's Guide.

How do I partition and format my new drive?

A: Depending on the operating system being used, there could be multiple steps involved in partitioning and formatting a drive.
For more information, please see our Partitioning and Formatting Reference Guide.

Where can I purchase Hitachi Global Storage Technologies hard disk drives?

A: You can find purchasing information and sales links in the Where to Buy section of our web site.

How can I test my drive to see if it is defective?

A: If you are experiencing problems with your drive or would just like to test the drive’s integrity, download and run the Hitachi Drive Fitness Test.

If possible, we recommend that you backup any important data before running the test. Run the quick test first. If you are experiencing problems, but receive the result 0x00 try running the Advanced Test option. When you have completed the test, please contact the Support Center with the results and our agents will be able to assist you on resolving the problem.

Use offline files

If you use files on a network, you understand how troubling it can be when the network goes down or you want to work offline at another location!

Windows 7 makes it easy for home or business users to take their online network content with them on the go, and makes the synchronization seamless when they connect back on!

If you’re using Windows 7, learn how to enable offline files below.

The main thing to remember with offline files is to just have it enabled. Once it is enabled, it will make a copy of the files you are working on to your local drive so you can continue to edit or reference them off the network. Once you desire to go back online, the files will be automatically synchronized together so both the network copy and the local copy on your machine are the same work!

To enable offline files, open your start menu using the Windows 7 start button on the task bar. Almost a tick above, in the search bar, type in “Offline Files,” and wait for the search results to open.

Click on Manage Offline Files with a green arrowed icon on the left and the first option allows the user to click to Enable Offline files. Simply select that and go through any account permission settings you have to and then click OK at the bottom to confirm.

Note: After you enable to files to be offline, the bottom to buttons are enabled which allow you to open the files that you are using offline or check how they will sync back into the network and if there any changes that will not synchronize or will create errors on the merge. The best practice when merging two files is to have a back up of both, try and merge, and if it is unsuccessful you still have both copies.

Lost Windows Recovery/installation Cd Disk How To Fix

But how do you restore your windows installation cd image from hidden partition?

We hope that is what he did, producer copy of Windows XP CD-ROM image on your hard drive. Hard drives are so large these days that it takes up little space and has some advantages speak in a second.

To determine if the image of the CD ROM will appear on your computer, look for a folder called I386. There may be different, but what interests us in the vicinity of 7000 contains the files that are two of them and Winnt.exe winnt32.exe. 

The I386 directory is typically one of the top-level directory on the CD-ROM distribution, but above is the directory that contains the distributed copy of Windows XP. Winnt.exe and Winnt32.exe are the DOS and protected mode setup programs, respectively. (You should only need this if you intend to see to reinstall Windows XP from scratch – I use it as an easy way that we have the correct directory.) Now that you know that the CD – What happens if ‘ image ROM calls following the CD-ROM?

Do not worry, it’s actually quite simple. Insert a rule, the "CD" message is only an OK button and "Cancel". Press OK, so you can not. In the next dialog box, called a rule, give the location of the CD-ROM, simply type the full path to the I386 folder have previously discovered.

That’s it. But it gets better. Windows remembers. Now that you mentioned, where the Windows installation CD-ROM is to remember, dass The next time you are in a situation that might require the installation CD of Windows is at first sight when he discovers what is not needed then to worry about asking.

Personally, I think the practical thing – so that even if I close my Windows CD I’m also on my hard drive and copy of Windows at this point you copy the first time you have requested. Then it is not necessary to think or to insert the CD. And this technique works for many other CD-ROM products, including Microsoft Office.

Auto Login Windows 7 Without Typing User Password

First, open the Run window by pressing the Windows key + R or launch the Command Prompt. Type one of the following two commands: netplwiz.exe or control userpasswords2. No matter which one you use, they have identical results and launch the same window.

Once you run the command, a User Accounts window similar to the one below will launch. There you will see the list of users registered on your PC. Select the user for which you no longer want to type the password in order to log in to Windows 7. Uncheck the option which says ‘Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer’ and click on OK.

Now you will be asked to type right  user password of the user twice. After done, click on OK.

The next time you will start Windows 7, you will be automatically logged on with the user you just selected. This user will become the default log on user to Windows 7.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

If you have multiple users on your PC, the definition of that definition could be a disadvantage. Windows 7 will still automatically connect to the user that you selected during this procedure. Sign in to join to have another user wait for Windows 7 to boot and connects you automatically to disconnect, then the other user you wish to register. If you set things on how they followed the same procedure and make sure you check the option which says ‘Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer’.

If  this Windows 7 PC has joined a network domain, such as a company network, this procedure will not work. In network domains, the policies regarding the log on procedure are set by the network administrator and cannot be overwritten by users. If you try this on your office computer, there is not way.

Recover Deleted Files In Windows 7

At times we delete files from our recycle bin and then we wonder how to recover deleted files in windows 7. The best thing to keep in mind is that a deleted file always exists somewhere on the hard drive, it is just a difficult task to locate those files if you do not know where to look for them.

If you cannot locate a file on your hard drive or if you have deleted it or perhaps modified it, it is still possible to recover that file from a backup. If you want to know how to recover deleted files in windows 7, you can restore it from a previous version.

There is a resource in windows 7 called previous versions which is a copy of a file or a folder which Windows saves as part of your back up system called a restore point. Previous versions are also referred to as shadow copies.

This is the next step you should take when you are learning how to recover deleted files in windows 7 if you have already perused the recycle bin and have had no luck finding deleted files within that folder.

There is still another possibility, if these do not work for you and that is using a software recovery program which locates and restores your deleted files for you. It is not possible to find a file just by looking for it once it has been deleted from the recycle bin because all identifying features are stripped from it, including file extensions.

This is how your operating system reuses space on your hard drive and it is also the reason why you will be able to recover the deleted file, just as long as you use the recovery software before you save more data to your hard drive.

There’s a lot of data recovery software available for instant download on the internet. The best ones also offer a free scan to inform you of which deleted files they’ve found. Theres a website that compares data recovery software side by side in an easy to read format. To find out which software made the top of the list head over to The Bestway Recovery Website.

Recover and Reset Password in Windows 7/Vista/XP/2003/2K/NT

Method 1: Take a rest, and try hard to remember the forgotten password

Sometimes, human beings are a bit “strange. You will not get the thing you need for urgency. Thus, a cafe, take a glance or even return after a few days, you may find that suddenly “remember” your Windows password.

Method 2: Try Blank Password Administrator Login Backdoor

In Windows XP (not Windows Vista as Administrator account is not enabled by default), is built in Administrator user account that has administrative rights, enabled by default, and no word password to protect access of the account was. If you have not changed the administrator password, and then try to connect to Windows XP without a password.

Method 3: Reset password from another user account with administrator credentials

If you can not connect to Windows using a special user account, but you can access another account that has administrative credentials, follow these steps on how to do the trick:

1. Log on to Windows by using another administrator account that has a password that you remember. You may need to start Windows in the safe mode.
2. Click Start, and then click Run.
3. In the Open box, type “control userpasswords2″, and then click OK.
4. Click the user account that you forgot the password for, and then click Reset Password.
5. Type a new password in both the New password and the Confirm new password boxes, and then click OK.

Method 4: Windows Password Recovery Tool 3.0

1. Download and burn the ISO file on to a CD or USB flash drive
2. Boot from the CD or USB flash drive
   

   NOTE:
   To reboot your PC with a CD/DVD disk, it’s necessary to change your computer’s setting to make it boot from the CD/DVD.

3. When the CD/DVD or USB disk boots, you’ll see Windows Password Recovery Tool 3.0 is initializing .
4. Select Windows installation to be processed
5. Select the user name whose password you want to reset and click “Reset” button to reset the password.
6. A message is displayed. Click “Yes” to confirm your action. Or, click “No” to undo your selection.
7. “Success” message is displayed after the user’s password has been successfully reset.
8. You have changed your forgotten password to a blank one. Remove the Windows Password Recovery Tool 3.0 bootable CD/DVD or USB Flash Drive and click “Reboot” button to reboot the computer. Now you are able to log into your computer without a password! .
9. Remove the CD or USB flash drive and reboot the computer.

Method 5: Windows Password Key 8.0

1. Download and burn the ISO file on to a CD or USB flash drive
2. Boot from the CD or USB flash drive
   

   
   

3. When the CD/DVD or USB disk boots, you’ll see Windows Password key 8.0 is initializing .
   
4. Chose Windows installation to be processed
   
5. Look the user name whose password you want to reset and type its number to reset the password.
   
6. A message is display. Type “Y” to confirm your action. Or, type “N” to undo your selection.
   
7. “Success” message is displayed after the user’s password has been successfully reset. You have changed your forgotten password to a blank one. Remove the Windows Password key 8.0 bootable CD/DVD or USB Flash Drive and click “Reboot” button to reboot the computer. Now you are able to log into your computer without a password! .
   
8. Remove the CD or USB flash drive and reboot the computer

Method 6: Windows Password Recovery 6.0

change your password in Windows 7.

Instructions

1. Step 1
   
   Click on the "Start" , which is the "Windows Orb" at the lower left, and choose Control Panel.
   
2. 
   
3. 
   
4. Step 2
   
   Click on the "User Accounts and Family Safety" heading in the Control Panel.
   Under the "User Accounts" heading, click on the link for "Change your Windows password."
   

1. Step 3
   
   This will take you to your User Account window. If you already have a password, you will see a link for "Change your password." If you do not already have a password, the link will read "Create a password for your account." Click that link to go to the "Change your password" window.
   
2. Step 4
   
   If you have a current password, type in your current password in the first text box, then type a new password and confirm.
   If you do not have a current password, just type in and confirm a new password.
   Note: You can choose to type a password hint, although this step is optional. Be aware that the password hint will be visible to all other computer users. To be more secure, choose a password and hint that cannot be easily guessed.
   Click the "Change password" or "Create password" button when ready. (This will depend on whether you had an existing password or not)
   
3. Step 5
   
   If your passwords do not match, you will be prompted to retype them.
   

1. Step 6
   
   You’re finished! You will now be prompted to enter your password every time you log into your computer.
   

Windows XP Warnings

Warning! #1

Should you do a repair install and is it the best choice?

A Repair Install is not foolproof and should not be considered the cure-all fix for non-boot situations. The below procedure applies only if you can still boot into Windows.

To prevent loss of data and/or program settings, perform the following before the Repair Install.

Manually delete the Undo_guimode.txt file from the Windows\System32 folder before you perform any of the actions that are listed in the "Symptoms" section of this article. To do this in Windows XP, type the following command at a command prompt:

del /a /f %windir%\system32\undo_guimode.txt

1. From the Start menu, click Run. 
2. In the Run dialog box, in the Open text box, type: cmd. Click OK.
3. Delete the undo_guimode.txt file. In the C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe dialog box, type: del /a /f c:\windows\system32\undo_guimode.txt. Press the ENTER key.

Also as a precaution the windows\system32\WPA.DBL  and WPA.BAK should be copied to a floppy before doing a repair install. For more information see Alex Nichol's  article on XP activation.

More articles to help prevent data loss.

Additional tips to perform before initiating the Repair Install.You should complete the basic requirements of backing up all files and folders that cannot be restored from other media. This includes passwords, applications purchased and downloaded from the internet without CD support, financial records and folders, digital images that cannot be replaced...............

Backup copies of your registry files (in the %systemroot%\Repair folder) are also replaced after the in-place upgrade is complete.  Copy these registry backups to another location before you perform an in-place upgrade/Repair Install.  You may need to use them after the in-place upgrade is complete.

It would also be a good idea to run the Files And Settings Transfer wizard F.A.S.T located on the XP CD.

If you made unorthodox registry changes with third party software, there is the potential of data loss from a Repair Install. Another consideration of concern would be a power failure during the repair install could render your system un bootable and result in loss of data.

The likelihood of you losing the files and folders is probably of minimal risk, but you have to expect the worst and make sure you are prepared for recovery.

If you are sure you have explored all other troubleshooting avenues, then proceed with the repair install.

If you get a warning message: "Setup cannot continue because the version of Windows on your computer is newer than the version on the CD."

You get this message when you use a pre-SP 1, SP2 XP CD on an XP installation that has been updated to SP1, SP2.

You have the options listed below.

1. Remove the SP 1, SP2 update if the option is available from Add/Remove.
2. Create a slipstreamed XP CD merging the SP1 or SP2 update.
   2a Autostreamer for creating a slipstreamed CD the easy way.
3. Purchase an XP CD with SP2 included.

Warning!! #2

If the Repair Option is not Available

What should I do? Most important do not ignore the information below!

If the option to Repair Install is NOT available and you continue with the install; you will delete your Windows folder and the Documents and Settings folders.  All applications installed that place keys in the registry will need to be re-installed and will require the original install media.

You should exit setup if the repair option is not available and consider other options. I have found if the Repair option is not available, you have a few paths I have listed below to try before XP  requires a Clean install.

Another option to consider (since the cost of 100 + gig hard drives has dropped to well under $75) would be to disconnect the current hard drive and install a clean XP from retail disks or restore media to a new hard drive. You can then connect the original hard drive after configuring the jumpers to a slave drive. You can retrieve important files. One thing to remember, if a hard drive has not been formatted or written over by reinstalling, the data is accessible. The less you access a hard drive after a non-boot episode; the better your chances of retrieving your data.

Very important!!

If you still have the ability to access the Windows XP installation, backup all important files not restorable from other sources before attempting any recovery console or other trouble shooting attempts.

Possible Fix by reconfiguring boot.ini using Recovery Console.

 1.Boot with XP CD or 6 floppy boot disk set.

 2. Press R to load the Recovery Console. 

 3. Type bootcfg. 

 4. This should fix any boot.ini errors causing setup not to see the  XP OS

      install. 

 5. Try the repair install.

One more suggestion from MVP Alex Nichol

"Reboot, this time taking the immediate R option and if the CD letter is say K: give these commands

copy K:\i386\ntldr C:\
copy K:\i386\ntdetect.com C:\

(two other files needed - just in case)

1. Type: attrib -h -r -s C:\boot.ini del C:\boot.ini

2. Type: BootCfg /Rebuild

which will get rid of any damaged boot.ini, search the disk for systems and make a new one. This might even result in a damaged windows reappearing; but gives another chance of getting at the repair"

Try the link below if the repair option is not available.

Warning!! #3

Updates must be applied before connecting to the internet after a repair install.

Reapply updates or service packs applied since initial Windows XP installation. Please note that a Repair Install using an Original pre service pack 1 or 2 XP CD used as the install media will remove SP1/SP2 respectively and service packs plus updates issued after the service packs will need to be reapplied.

Tips to Reclaim Disk Space

I often hear from computer users the complaint that the space on their hard-drive seems to be "shrinking", and sometimes they can't figure out why or what they can do to reclaim disk space.

Outlined in this post are are few useful suggestions on how you can help to reclaim disk space on your hard-drive(s).

Uninstall Programs:

Uninstall programs you don't use and you're sure that Windows doesn't need.
In Windows, click on Start, then open up your Control Panel. In the control panel click on the "Add or Remove Programs" in XP, or for Vista it should be under "Programs / Uninstall a program" or in classic view it's "Programs and Features".

After the list of installed programs loads in, scroll through the list and see if there are programs listed there that you don't use. If you're not sure of what a program is for or what it does, for the time being, I'd suggest to leave it alone as it could be an important program for Windows or some hardware to operate properly. You could do some research for what an unknown program is to get an idea of what it is for and if you need it on your computer or not.

So if you are sure it's a program you don't use or is not needed, click on it to select it, and often times a "Remove" or "Uninstall" button will appear that you can click on. After uninstalling the program(s), it's good practice to re-start the computer to help ensure all changes take effect and clean the memory.

Recycle Bin Tips:

Empty your recycle bin. Of course first be sure there's no files in it that you will need.

By default, the Windows Recycle Bin takes up around 10% of your hard-drive's space.
For instructions on how to reduce this wasteful setting and reclaim some of your HD space, visit the following link:
http://www.aokpc.com/recycling_bin.html

System Restore Tips:

System Restore can also take up a large chunk of disk-space over time and can grow way too large. To reduce this, you can check out the following site for instructions on how to do this.
For Windows Vista, visit the following link for details on how to do this:
http://www.vista4beginners.com/System-Restore-Space-Used

In XP, it's easier to do:
To resize windows restore, right click on “My Computer” and choose “Properties” then “System Restore“.
Click on “C drive” (the Drive that you want to resize) then “Settings..” button. On “Disk space usage”, move the slider to the left to decreace the amount of disk space for System Restore. The better size is about 1000-1500mb or may be less that it. Then “Ok” to confirm.

Delete User Account Temp Files:

As you use Windows and various programs on a user account, some temporary files and folders may automatically be created. However, these temp files are not always deleted when they are no longer required, and over time this can add up to a sizable amount of disk-space they use.

So here is a quick and easy way to access these temp file and then you should be able to safely delete them all.

Click Start, then select Run. Now enter the following command: %temp%

This should open up the Temp folder for your user account. You may see a list of folders and files within this Temp folder. These are all temporary folders and files that you can safely delete to reclaim some disk space. Don't delete the actual Temp folder itself, only all of the folders and files within it.

To select all of the files for deletion, click on the top file on the list to highlight it, now scroll all the way down to the last file, hold your Shift key, then click on the last file. This will highlight the whole list. Now right-click on any highlighted file and select "Delete". If a file is currently in use, perhaps an open program is currently using one of these temp files, then you may get a warning that you can't delete it. You can then skip that file, or close any applications running that may be using it then try again.

Once you choose to delete all of these file, they may be moved into your Recycle bin. Once they are in the Recycle Bin, then you can simply empty it to permanently delete these files and reclaim some disk space.

Crap Cleaner to Remove Junk Files:

I also suggest getting a good and free utility that can easily help clean up junk from your computer and regain disk space, CCleaner:
http://www.ccleaner.com/
It also has a nice registry cleaner feature too.

IE Temp Files Tips:

Also, if you use IE browser, reduce the storage size setting for temp files. From the Internet Explorer top menu bar click on "Tools" then "Internet Options". From the General tab, the section that reads "Temporary Internet Files", click on "Settings". You'll see a slider that reads "Amount of Disk Space Used". Move that slider more to the left to save disk-space. Then "OK" everything.

Defrag your Hard Drives:

As outlined in one of my previous posts. I'd suggest to run a disk-defrag on your hard-drive(s) about once a month or so to help reclaim some possibly wasted disk-space, as well it will help to keep things running more smoothly.
------------

Well, there you have it. After following these tips, you will probably have reclaimed a good chunk of your hard-drive space.
Cheers! :)

Remote Assistance a security risk.

By default, Windows XP and Vista has a "feature" enabled called Remote Assistance.

While this may come in handy for some company to allow remote technical support for their PC's, for the average home user this feature will probably never be used and is actually a security risk which may potentially allow an opportunity for hackers to gain access to their computers.

So I would recommend to turn-off this service to as another way to help improve security on your computer. Turning off this service may also help in adding a little bit of additional performance to your PC as well as it's one less unnecessary service that would be wasting some system resources otherwise.

For Windows XP, an easy way to do this is to click on the "Start" button, then select "Run", then enter in the following command: "sysdm.cpl" (without the quotes).

The System Properties control panel should appear. Click on the "Remote" tab.
You will see a check-box next to a sentence that reads "Allow Remote Assistance invitations to be sent from this computer". If there is a check-mark in the box, be sure to remove it so it's not checked. (See picture below of what this should look like):


Once you have ensured there is no check-mark in the box, then click "OK" to close.
Well, there you have it, just one more way to help keep your computer safer.
-------------------------------------------------
For Windows Vista, it's a similar procedure. You can do the following steps to disable Remote Assistance:

1. Click Start, and select Control Panel.
2. Within the Control Panel, System and Maintenance.
3. Click System.
4. From the list of tasks, click Remote Settings.
5. Under Remote Assistance, remove the check-mark beside the option to Allow Remote Assistance connections to this computer.
6. Click OK.

If for some reason you ever needed to enable the Remote Assistance feature again, simply go back into the System Properties again the same way and then add the check-mark in the box. But chances are if you're using a home computer, you'll probably never need to use this service.

Stay safe. Cheers!

Game Booster: Freeware Utility

If you like playing games on your PC, and you want to try and utilize every bit of power your system has to help improve gaming performance and speed, you can download a great little freeware utility called Game Booster. I use it on my PC while playing some games, and I often notice an improvement.

Here's a little more info on Game Booster and where you can download it for free:

Designed to help optimize your PC for smoother, more responsive game play in the latest PC games with the touch of a button, Game Booster helps achieve the performance edge previously only available to highly technical enthusiasts. It works by temporarily shutting down background processes, cleaning RAM, and intensifying processor performance. That means you can keep all the features of Microsoft® Windows Vista® and XP® ready for when you need them, but turn them off when you are ready to get down to serious business – gaming. Game Booster makes it simpler to enjoy the latest games and take your experience to a new level. All systems go!

You can download it at the following page:
http://www.majorgeeks.com/Game_Booster_d6148.html

Error message when you try to install Windows Vista Service Pack 1

Resolution

Restart your computer, and check Windows Update again to automatically install the System Update Readiness Tool for Windows Vista Note The System Update Readiness Tool for Windows Vista resolves part of the following error codes: 0x80070002, 0x8007000D, 0x800F081F, 0x80073712, 0x800736CC, 0x800705B9, 0x80070246, 0x8007370D, 0x8007370B, 0x80o7370A, 0x80070057, 0x800B01oo, 0x80092003, 0x800B0101, 0x8007371B If your error code is not listed, you should still follow the other resolutions that are listed in this article. The steps in this article are intended to address all error codes that can occur when you install Windows Vista SP1.

Restart the computer, and then follow these steps:

1. Click StartStart button, and then click All Programs.

2. Click Windows Update.

3. In Windows Update, click Check for updates in the upper-left corner.

4. Do one of the following:

• If you are offered Service Pack 1, install the service pack. If the service pack cannot be installed, go to the next troubleshooting method.

• If you are offered a tool to resolve your installation issue, run the tool. After you run the tool repeat steps 1 through 3.

When you are prompted to install Service Pack 1, install the service pack. If the service pack cannot be installed, go to the next troubleshooting method.

source: hubpages.com/hub/kbresolutions

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How To Use System File Checker Tool In Windows .

The System File Checker tool scans system files and replaces incorrect versions of the system files by using the correct versions.

To run the System File Checker tool, follow these steps:

1. Click StartStart button, and then type cmd in the Start Search box

2. Right-click cmd in the Programs list, and then click Run as administrator.

If you are prompted for an administrator password 0r for confirmation, type your password, 0r click Continue.

3. At the command prompt, type the following, and then press ENTER: sfc /scannow When the scan is complete, test to see whether the issue that you are experiencing is resolved.
Note If you encounter an error when you try to run the System File Checker, just ignore the error, and go to the next troubleshooting method. Some errors that you may encounter when you run the System File Checker may be resolved as soon as you successfully install Windows Vista SP1.

4. Follow the prompts to complete the system scan.
If Windows Resource Protection finds corrupted files and is unable to fix some of them, just go to the next troubleshooting method. Even if Windows Resource Protection finds corrupted files and is unable to fix some of them, you may still be able to successfully install Windows Vista SP1.
When the scan is complete, test to see whether the issue that you are experiencing is resolved

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Microsoft Is Fighting Back With Its Copetetiors

For 24 years, Microsoft held unquestioned supremacy in the personal computer business. But last year the maker of the Windows operating system started to look like a weary, at risk champ. Fueled by iPhone-mania and the iconic "I'm a Mac" TV ads, Apple was nearing a double-digit share of the PC market. At the same time, a new generation of sub-$500.000 "netbooks" that ran on the free Linux operating system was taking off.

Now, Microsoft has launched a determined counteroffensive. Its uncharacteristically cool TV ads emphasize the affordability of PCs vs. Macs. And it has started offering PC makers a version of Windows, normally around $70.00, for as little as $15.00 Mac sales are sliding, and Linux is disappearing from most netbooks. Researcher NPD says 95.00% of PCs with a small screen and a sub-$500.00 price tag run Windows today, up from 10.00% in early 2008. "Microsoft has driven Linux off the lot in netbooks," says Roger Kay, founder of tech research firm Endpoint Technologies Associates.

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and his top lieutenants say they're not done yet. They predict the introduction of the next Windows upgrade this fall will spark a renaissance in the company's flagship business. Named simply Windows 7, the program promises greater ease of use and reliability, rather than new bells and whistles. And while every major Windows overhaul in the past has required more powerful computers, Windows 7 can work with slower microprocessors and fit into less hard-drive space. That means it will run on a full range of PCs, including netbooks. "Although we make less per unit, we're making very decent money" on lower-price PCs, says Brad Brooks, Microsoft's corporate vice-president for consumer-product marketing.
Still, selling millions of copies of Windows 7 for $15.00 or so is hardly a positive trend. Microsoft investors are used to the massive profit margins that come with selling Windows for four times that amount. But Brooks says the company has found a way to attract new customers with cheap models, while minimizing price erosion. The secret is a new strategy behind its "Windows Anytime Upgrade."

EASIER UPGRADE
Because of the smaller size of Windows 7, three versions of the program will come loaded even on lower-end machines. If a consumer on a cheaper PC running the "Standard" version tries to use a high-definition monitor or run more than three software programs at once, he'll discover that neither is possible. Then he'll be prompted to upgrade to the pricier "Home Premium" or "Ultimate" version.

Microsoft says the process will be simple. Customers enter their credit-card information, then a 25-character code, make a few keystrokes, then reboot. Brooks says pricing hasn't been determined, but upgrading "will cost less than a night out for four at a pizza restaurant."
Even at Pizza Hut prices, it's a risky proposition. Consumers may not appreciate having to fork over more money to accomplish routine tasks. "It could create a backlash from consumers," says analyst Toni Sacconaghi of Bernstein Research. "Such a move could be viewed as a bait and switch." The current version of Windows, called Vista, also has different tiers, but few customers upgrade because it means ordering a DVD and going through a clunky installation.

The strategy had better work if Microsoft is to maintain its Windows franchise's high level of profitability. The business pulled in $13.00 billion in operating profits for the past fiscal year, on revenues of $16.90 billion. While the Linux threat may have cooled for now, reports have leaked out that major PC makers including Acer, Dell, and Hewlett-Packard are interested in using Android, another Linux-based platform championed by Google.

The leaks may well be a tactic to influence discussions Microsoft is having with PC makers over the pricing for Windows 7. Nevertheless, "Microsoft is trying to freeze average selling prices when everyone else is trying to go the other way" and lower prices, says Endpoint's Kay.
That's where the new ad campaign comes in. A year ago, the company devised a three-year strategy to reestablish the Windows brand with consumers. The latest ads, which feature volunteers who hunt for a laptop using money from what they think is a market-research firm, resonate particularly well with the thrifty mood of today's shoppers. In the first, a part-time actress named Lauren chooses a $700 laptop over a $2,700.00 MacBook. "I'm not cool enough to be a Mac person," she says. In the second, a techie named Gianpaulo picks a $1,500.00 PC. The third will feature a mother and her 11-year-old son, who opt for a Sony after the boy dismisses a pink PC and Macs, which can't run the Blu-Ray DVDs on which many games are printed.

Lauren has become a YouTube sensation, but Microsoft recognizes it still has work to do. "We're not cool yet. Trust me, my daughter tells me that every day," says Brooks. "But we're having a lot of fun telling our story. It's been a long time coming."

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Clean Your Computer Registry and optimize your pc

Ever wondered if you needed to start using a Registry Cleaner? The Microsoft Windows Registry is a very important part of your computer system, but it is also very complex. Your system is designed to store all settings from every program you have installed on your computer.

Over time, software’s and files can clutter and damage the registry, causing your computer to have errors, become crammed, and lose performance. Usually only a technician, or those with knowledge of the registry have the skills necessary to manually clean it. But even then, it takes them a ton of time.

A good Registry Cleaner program will automatically scan your computer for any problems and fix them instantly.

Finding such a program that works to optimize and speed up your computer, can sometimes be challenging and time consuming.

By the time I finally decided to clean up my system, my computer seemed like it had been drained of its energy. It took forever to upload web pages. Opening programs took minutes as opposed to seconds, and playing video files was often times a challenge, playing just seconds at a time. It can be frustrating to sit there and watch as this continues to happen over and ever.
So I was mentioning my computer problems to a friend. He works in the IT department at a popular University, and of course is very knowledgeable in anything to do with computers. He suggested I try a Windows Registry Fix.

So on his recommendation I downloaded the software, and performed the scan. To my amazement, my computer had 723 errors!!

After eliminating these errors, my computer ran so much faster. I continue to perform a scan every week, I'm now able to keep my system running efficiently and at optimal speed.
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms I mentioned above, or maybe something more serious, then I strongly suggest you try Registry Fix.

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IE8 removal option in Windows 7

IE8 removal option in Windows 7

Microsoft have revealed information about the ability to turn off certain applications, most notably Internet Explorer 8, in Windows 7 rollouts.

A posting on the Windows 7 blog confirmed that IE8 and Windows Media Player were among the applications that had made a list of features that users will be able to confiscate from view.

"Turning Windows features on or off has a long history in Windows, going back to the earliest days of the 32-bit code base. We've received a bundle of suggestions about features that you would like to turn on or off using your own criteria for choice. For Windows 7 we've engineered a more significant list of features, and worked to balance that list in light of the needs of the broad Windows platform as well," the blog post explained.

"We want to provide choice while also making sure we do not compromise on compatibility by removing APIs provided for developers. We also want to strike the right balance for consumers in providing choice and balancing compatibility with applications, and providing a consistent Windows experience."

The list has been extended since rumours about the option to remove Internet Explorer hit the internet last week, and screen grabs on the blog show a list including Windows Media Player, Media Center, DVD Maker, Search, Fax and Scan, and a number of other features such as the Virtual Print Driver.

However, applications selected from the list become hidden, rather than actually uninstalled. Microsoft said that this was necessary because removing one element of the operating system could create conflicts with other applications, possibly affecting their ability to function.

Comments posted in reply to the removal feature have been mixed. One reader wrote: "What I'd really like to see is Group Policy management of enabling/disabling these features. That would be so much more convenient than having to script the addition/removal of features on a large network."

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Change Local Security Settings In Vista

The Local Security Policy is a roster of security settings that you can use to configure Windows for stronger security than the standard Control Panel options allow. The security settings that you can change through the Local Security Policy include options to enforce password rules. For example, you can tell Windows to lock users out if they cannot type the correc account password within three attempts, as outlined here. Other password options that enable you to strengthen system security include Minimum Password Length and Password Must Meet Complexity Requirements.


Follow these steps to boost up security in windows vista

1) Click start
2) Type local security policy in the Search box.
The Start menu displays a list of programs
that match what you typed.
3) Click the Local Security Policy
link in the Start menu. The local security policy window opens
4) Double click account policies
5) Double click account lockout policies
6) Double click account lockout threshold.

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Download and install the Windows Vista SP1 Standalone package

Before you install the Windows Vista SP1 Standalone package, you have to determine whether your computer is running the 32-bit version or the 64-bit version of the Windows Vista operating system. If you are not clear about which version is running on your computer, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, type system in the Start Search box, and then click system in the Programs list.

2. The operating system appears as follows:
• For a 32-bit version operating system, 32-bit Operating System appears for the system type under System.
• For a 64-bit version operating system, 64-bit Operating System appears for the system type under System.

Download Windows Vista Service Pack 1

This method is rated:Easy.

Estimated Time: 29 minutes.

Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) was released on March 18, 2008. How to obtain the service pack The following files are available for download from the Microsoft Download Center.
Note If your language version of Windows Vista is English, French, German, Japanese, or Spanish (Traditional), install the Five Language Standalone package.

The Five Language Standalone package is smaller than the All Language Standalone package. Therefore, it is faster to download. If your language version of Windows Vista is not English, French, German, Japanese, or Spanish (Traditional), you might want to install the All Language Standalone package. Windows Vista, 32-bit versions:

Five Language Standalone package for English, French, German, Japanese, or Spanish (Traditional) DownloadDownload the Windows Vista Service Pack 1 Five Language Standalone (KB936331) package now. (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=B0C7136D-5EBB-413B-89C9-CB3D06D12674) Windows Vista, 32-bit versions: All Language Standalone package for all supported Windows Vista languages Download
Download the Windows Vista Service Pack 1 All Language Standalone (KB936330) package now. (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=F559842A-9C9B-4579-B64A-09146A0BA746) Windows Vista, 64-bit versions: Five Language Standalone package for English, French, German, Japanese, or Spanish (Traditional) Download

Download the Windows Vista Service Pack 1 Five Language Standalone for x64-based Systems (KB936330) package now. (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=874A414B-32B2-41CC-BD8B-D71EDA5EC07C) Windows Vista, 64-bit versions: All Language Standalone package for all supported Windows Vista languages Download
Download the Windows Vista Service Pack 1 All Language Standalone for x64-based Systems (KB93640) package now.

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New Feature In Windows 7 : Virtual WiFi Technology

After the research of almost a decade the researchers from the Microsoft support has released a new technology in the Windows 7 called as V WiFi (Virtual Wi-Fi). It is a technology which virtualizes wireless adapter into as many wireless adapter depending upon the requirement, and make the machine to think that it has many wireless adapter in it thus provides the ability to connect to multiple hotshots simultaneously i.e. it allows a single wireless adapter to act like two, two NIc in one machine.

This Virtual Wi-Fi feature will make it easier to set up a mesh network where every system in the network act as a repeater i.e. one adapter grabs a signal and another passes it another.

The Virtual Wi-Fi (VWIFI) feature has been included in Windows 7 for the first time which is in its RC1 Phase of evolution. Although no drivers are reportedly available to take advantage of the feature so this feature is still waiting to come out and play.

Some users wonder why more than one wireless card would be needed inside your computer. There are a very few circumstances where multiple wireless adapters would be needed. For instance, users could connect to one wireless network and use the virtual adapter to turn their machine into a hot spot that other computers could connect to and share the internet access.

Another good usage scenario for the technology would be connecting to a wireless network while also connecting to a wireless ad hoc network at the same time. Istartedsomething reports that supporting Virtual Wi-Fi is going to be a requirement for WLAN drivers sporting the Windows support Certification Logo. The drivers will be coming to add support for the feature.

The feature is described as, “On Windows 7 and later, the operating system installs a virtual device if a Hosted Network capable wireless adapter is present on the machine. This virtual device normally shows up in the “Network Connections Folder” as ‘Wireless Network Connection 2’ with a Device Name of ‘Microsoft Virtual WiFi Miniport adapter’ if the computer has a single wireless network adapter. This virtual device would be used exclusively for performing software access point (SoftAP) connections. The lifetime of this virtual device is tied to the physical wireless adapter. If the physical wireless adapter is disabled, this virtual device will be removed as well.”

The caveat to the technology is that only one virtual adapter can be created.

Source:
http://www.articlesbase.com/computers-articles/new-feature-in-windows-7-virtual-wifi-technology-940097.html

Have a Personalized Logon Wallpaper in Windows XP

Have you always wanted to have your image displayed as a log on banner whenever you start your PC? This article explains the exact procedure required to have your own photo or your pet's photo being displayed as one such banner. With this trick, you can have a personalized wallpaper which would appear before your log in screen each time you start your computer.

To use this trick, you need to have a bmp file. If your image is of any other format, you can save it in bmp format using MS Paint or Irfan View(To download Irfan View, visit 5 Essential Freewares for your PC).

Now that you have the bmp file, follow the steps given below.

1. Click on Start.
2. Click on Run.
3. Type "regedit" in the dialog box without quotes.
4. Navigate to HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Control Panel\Desktop.
5. In the right hand pane, double click on the value Wallpaper.
6. In the Value Data option, enter the full path to your bmp file you created to be your wallpaper. Example: For a file named image.bmp placed in Windows folder, type "C:\WINDOWS\image.bmp" without the quotes.
7. Double click on Wallpaper Style, and change its value to 2 to get a stretched image.
   
   

Close the Registry Editor and Restart the PC to apply the changes.

Once the changes are applied, each time you start your PC , you will see the log on wallpaper. To undo the trick, simply delete the address to your image in Step 5.

P.S: I have my photo as the log on wallpaper.  What is yours?