Device Manager is blank or empty - How to fix it?

Recently we have heard a problem with Device Manager and it shows blank or empty window when it opens. This behavior occurs if the Plug and Play service is turned off (disabled) or permissions in the registry for the Device Manager Key are corrupt.

Here is the solution for it.

Method1: Enable Plug and Play Windows Service

1. Click Start, click Run, type services.msc, and then click OK.
2. Double-click Plug and Play.
3. If you receive a Configuration Manager message, click OK.
4. In the Startup Type list, click Automatic, and then click OK.
5. Close Services.
6. Restart the computer.

Method2: Edit the registry permissions

Caution: Improper editing registry key may cause system instability. Hence, we highly recommend you to back up the registry settings before proceed.

1. Go to "Start", "Run", and type "regedit"
2. Navigate to “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Enum”
3. Right-click on Enum and choose Permissions.  
4. At this point you will probably notice there are no permissions on this key.
5. Click "Add" and add the group "Everyone" and the user "SYSTEM".
6. Select "Everyone" and check "Read" ONLY!
7. Select "SYSTEM" and check "Full Control".
8. Click the "Advanced" button and select "Replace permission entries on all child objects with entries shown here that apply to child objects".
9. Click OK and if a warning message comes up, just click OK
10. Close “regedit” and restart the computer

If you need more help post a comment here!

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Iceland theme for Windows7

The Iceland  theme for Windows7  featuring stunning images of the Icelandic landscape from photographer Hans Strand. It comes with twelve images featuring gigantic arctic waterfalls, glacial blue waters, majestic fjords, masses of green hills, cavernous craters, and active volcanoes.

Visit http://windows.microsoft.com/en-SG/windows/downloads/iceland-theme to Download the theme

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Problem Steps Recorder in Windows7

Problem Steps Recorder is a feature in Windows7 which lets you to automatically capture the steps you take on a computer, including a text description of where you clicked and a picture of the screen during each click. Once you capture these steps, you can save them to a file that can be used by a support professional or someone else helping you with a computer problem.

When you record steps on your computer, anything you type will not be recorded. If what you type is an important part of recreating the problem you're trying to solve, use the comment feature described below to highlight where the problem is occurring.

Some programs, like a full-screen game, might not be captured accurately or might not provide useful details to a support professional.

To record and save steps on your computer

1. Open Problem Steps Recorder (To start up Problem Steps Recorder type in “psr.exe” (no quotes) into the Start menu Search box)

2. Click Start Record. On your computer, go through the steps on your computer to reproduce the problem. You can pause the recording at any time, and then resume it later.

3. Click Stop Record.

4. In the Save as dialog box, type a name for the file, and then click Save (the file is saved with the .zip file name extension).

To view the record of the steps you recorded, open the .zip file you just saved, and then double-click the file. The document will open in your browser.

After recording and saving a .zip file, click the help down arrow, and then click Send to E‑mail recipient. This will open an e‑mail message in your default e‑mail program with the last recorded file attached to it.

To annotate problem steps

1. Open Problem Steps Recorder (To start up Problem Steps Recorder type in “psr.exe” (no quotes) into the Start menu Search box)

2. Click Start Record.

3. When you want to add a comment, click Add Comment.

4. Use your mouse to highlight the part of the screen that you want to comment on, type your text in the Highlight Problem and Comment box, and then click OK.

5. Click Stop Record.

6. In the Save as dialog box, type a name for the file, and then click Save.

To view the record of the steps you recorded, open the .zip file you just saved, and then double-click the file. The document will open in your browser.

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How to customize the keyboard shortcuts for your Applications

In my previous post we discussed about the common keyboard shortcuts. As I said earlier keyboard shortcuts are always a milestone to open application simply and quickly.  Here I would to share a trick which you can use to customize the keyboard shortcuts for regularly using application programs. So you can launch application when the combination of keys is pressed which you entered as the Shortcut Key for that application.

To create Shortcut key for any application in Windows:

1. Right click the program icon and select Properties.

2. Then select the Shortcut tab

3. Click in Shortcut key text box

4. Enter the keyboard shortcut for that program.

5. Press OK to exit

6. Use the Keyboard shortcut combo to launch the application.

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System Image Backup and Restore - How it works in Windows7?

For any reason if you’re no longer able to boot your windows operating system, you may need to do a complete re installtion. In windows7 have certain features, which help to restore your computer from a System Image. Here we can see System Image Backup and Restore in Windows7 and how it works. 

System image is an exact copy of a drive and it includes the system settings, programs, files and drives required for Windows to run.

First of all you should create a System image back up of your computer when it works fine. Later you can use this system image to restore the contents of your computer if your hard disk or entire computer ever stops working.

Warning:  When you restore your computer from a system image, it's a complete restoration and all of your programs, system settings, and files are replaced with those on the system image.

How to create a System Image?

1. Open Backup and Restore in Windows

2. In the left pane, click Create a system image, and then follow the steps in the wizard. If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

There are different ways to restore your computer depends the working status of your computer.

To restore using the Recovery Control Panel (recommended)

If your computer is still working you can follow the below steps.

1. Open Recovery

2. Click “Advanced recovery methods.

3. Click Use a system image you created earlier to recover your computer, and then follow the steps.

If your computer is not working or not booting up and you have Windows installation disc or a system repair disc, use this method to restore your computer.

To restore using pre-installed recovery options

1. Keep tapping the function key F8 as soon as you turn on the computer until you get the Advanced Boot Options screen

2. On the Advanced Boot Options screen, use the arrow keys to highlight Repair your computer, and then press Enter.

3. Select a keyboard layout, and then click next.

4. Select a user name, type the password, and then click OK. On the System Recovery Options menu, click System Image Recovery, and then follow the instructions.

To restore using a Windows installation disc or a system repair disc

1. Boot your computer from the Windows installation disc or a system repair disc

2. If prompted, press any key to start the computer from the installation disc or system repair disc.

3. Choose your language settings, and then click Next.

4. Click Repair your computer.

5. On the System Recovery Options menu, click System Image Recovery, and then follow the instructions.

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How to change Windows 7 Start menu to classic view

You may wonder when you try to change Windows 7 Start menu to classic view like in earlier version of windows because the Windows 7 doesn't have such options. Most of the users really like the look and flexibility of classic start menu instead of dual-column. There are number of third party applications are available to make classic start menu in windows7. Here I would like to share a free tool called Classic Shell.

Classic Shell is a tool that re-enables a collection of features that were available in older versions of Windows but do not exist in Windows Vista and 7.  It helps you to bring back the classic start menu for Windows 7 and it adds a toolbar for Windows Explorer and supports a variety of smaller features. You can download it from http://sourceforge.net/projects/classicshell/files/latest

At the same time you can use the dual-column Start menu by holding shift key and press the start button.

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REMOTE DESKTOP AND REMOTE ASSISTANCE

REMOTE DESKTOP

Remote desktop is a great feature in Windows.  Whether you need to connect to another computer in your network, or connect to your computer from anywhere there’s an internet connection, it’s an excellent alternative to more complicated remote connection methods.

How to Enable Remote Desktop?

1. Right click the Computer icon and select properties.

2. Click on Remote Tab

3. Select the radio button next to "Allow connections from computers running any version of Remote Desktop." 

Note: Alternatively, if you want to only connect to computer on your network- with higher security, you can check the radio button labeled "Allow connections only from computers running Remote Desktop with Network Level Authentication."  In choosing this option, you can even click the "Select Users" button to select specific users on your network to grant access to.

To Access Remote computer DESKTOP

1. Click Start and select Run or Search, then type the command “mstsc”

2. Type the name, or choose the name, of the computer you want to connect to.

3.  Click the "Options" button to change display settings and size, and click "Connect.

REMOTE ASSISTANCE

Remote Assistance allows users to get help with any desktop related problem without requiring a service call. The person should be a friend or technical support representative - in other words someone you trust. From Windows, a remote user can view the desktop and even use their mouse and keyboard to fix a problem. In the same way, users can connect remotely to anyone else’s computer once they are invited.

Remote Assistance does allow remote users to connect to your computer, with your permission. However, once that person is into your system they can look at files, delete files, and basically do damage to your computer. Be sure the person who remotely accesses your computer is someone you trust. At any point you can cancel the assistance and disconnect the remote user from your machine.

Setup access for remote assistance

        1. Right click the Computer icon and select properties.

        2. Click on Remote Tab

        3. Check Allow Remote Assistance invitations to be sent from this computer

        5. Click on Apply and OK.

How to Use Remote Assistance

1. Open the Start Menu and Select Help and Support.

2. From the menu, choose Use Windows Remote Assistance to get help from a

friend or offer help.

3. Choose either to Invite Someone or to Offer Help in the dialog.

4. Choose either to email them an invitation or to save the invitation as a text

file, which you can later transmit to them via an instant messenger program.

5. Create a password for the session. This password is not the administrator

password, but a password given for this specific session. It will expire after the

session invitation expires.

6. Click the Next button.

7. An email should pop up with the invitation and the file the remote user will

need to open to begin the remote use.

8. Send the email.

Accept an Invitation from a Friend or Colleague

1.       Open the email or invitation they sent.

2.       Double click the attached remote assistance support ticket.

3.       Enter the password provided.

4.       Begin exploring the remote desktop to fix the problem

Differences between Remote Desktop and Remote Assistance

Use Remote Assistance to give or receive assistance remotely. For example, a friend or a technical support person can access your computer to help you with a computer problem or show you how to do something. You can help someone else the same way. In either case, both you and the other person see the same computer screen. If you decide to share control of your computer with your helper, you will both be able to control the mouse pointer.

Use Remote Desktop to access one computer from another remotely. For example, you can use Remote Desktop to connect to your work computer from home. You will have access to all of your programs, files, and network resources, as if you were sitting in front of your computer at work. While you are connected, the remote computer screen will appear to be blank to anyone at the remote location who sees it.

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How to fix Windows Explorer has stopped working?

When working in Windows, you may receive the following error “Windows Explorer has stopped working.  Windows is restarting”. This issue can be caused due to Malware infection, system file or user profile corruption, and some applications or services running on your PC.

Resolution:

To resolve this issue you need to determine what is causing Windows Explorer to stop working. Try the troubleshooting steps below to help determine the issue.

Start Your PC in Safe Mode

First of all start your PC in Safe Mode and see if you can reproduce the error. After starting your PC in Safe Mode, work as you normally do and perform the same actions that you perform when getting the error. If you do not experience the same crashes in Safe Mode, it’s very likely a startup item is causing the issue. Do a Clean Boot and try to identify that which program or service causing the problem by enabling start up items one by one...

Advanced Boot Options in Windows – Safe mode

Perform Clean Boot in Windows

If you still receive the error in Safe Mode, go to the next section.

Scan your PC for Virus or Malware infections

Virus and Malware infections can cause problems with application performance. Use your favorite antivirus software to scan for any infections that might be hiding on your PC. If you don’t have an antivirus you can download free antivirus programs by following the link below.

Best Free Antivirus Program for your Windows

Create new user account in Windows

Create a new user profile and work on it as normally you do and check whether there is any problem. If you do not experience the same crashes in new user profile, the cause of the problem might be the user profile corruption. Back up your personal files and delete the corrupted profile once you configured the new account with your preferences.

 How to create new user account in Windows7, Vista and XP

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Run System File Checker (CFS) to check your files

Use System File Checker to scan your PC for missing or corrupt files. To do this, follow these steps:

Click Start, and then type cmd in the Search box or Run window.

In the results area, right-click cmd.exe, and then click Run as administrator. You may be prompted to type the password for an administrator account.

Click Continue if you are the administrator or type the administrator password and then, click Continue.

At the command prompt, type Sfc /scannow and then press ENTER.

The scan may take some time, so be patient. Windows will repair any corrupted or missing files that are found. If information from the installation CD is needed to repair the problem, you may be prompted to insert your Windows CD.

Restore your computer using Windows System Restore.

Restoring your computer may help you to solve the problem if it happens due to any software changes that you made recently.

System restore in Windows XP, Vista and 7

Repair or Reinstallation of Windows

The final solution is do a repair or reinstallation of windows.

Installation guide for Windows XP, Vista and 7

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