View Hidden Devices with Device Manager
Device manager lists all the devices installed on your system. But Device Manager may not be giving you the full story. By default, Device Manager hides certain devices, for example, some printers and non-PnP (non Plug and Play) devices. More ...
CD-ROM Problems
Most problems with CD-ROMs are caused by mishandling. Fingerprints and scratches on the surface of the CD cause electrical noise when read in the drive. Never touch the recorded surface of a CD-ROM, always hold it by the edges. More ...
Understanding the boot.ini File
Understanding each step in the boot process is important for troubleshooting Windows startup problems. Boot.ini is one of the first files to come into play in the boot process, therefore it's important to know how to edit, or should it become necessary, to replace the boot.ini file. More ...
System Restore: The Big Undo
System Restore is the ultimate band-aid fix for buggy Microsoft Windows. If you make a hardware or software change to your Windows Me or Windows XP system, and then it doesn't work right, System Restore acts like a giant undo. More ...
How to Troubleshoot and Repair Optical Drive
Because an optical drive is a mechanical device many of the causes of their failure will be physical. So the first thing you want to look for is a loose power cable or data cable. More ...
What Should be in a PC Technician?s Tool Kit?
If you're a computer enthusiast or an aspiring PC Technician, maybe you're wondering exactly what items you need to create a PC Technician?s toolkit. The toolbox itself should be a medium sized plastic toolbox. To fill the toolbox, start collecting the items listed below. More ...
Windows Don't Start Because of a Corrupted Registry
The registry is a bloated hierarchical database used as a central repository for almost all Windows configuration information. If areas of the registry related to hardware and security become corrupted, windows can't start and you lose access to all of your files. More ...
Video - Using the Problem Steps Recorder Tool
Problem Steps Recorder allows users to record the steps they're performing that are causing the problem. The steps are saved as screen shots in a file can be emailed to help desk personnel who can open the file in Internet Explorer and use it to help troubleshoot the user's problem. More ...
Printer Not Working? Six Things to Do to Fix It
Before you go pay someone to fix your printer, here is a list of things you can do if your printer is not working. Sometimes it is the simplest things which cause the printer to stop working and the simplest things which cause it to start working again. More ...
Buffer Underrun and Overrun Scenarios
This is not a how-to article about fixing buffer underrun and buffer overrun errors, but a basic description of what a buffer is, why we need buffers, and what causes buffer underrun and buffer overrun. More ...
Can't Detect a Hardware Device? - Try Resetting BIOS
Like any software, the BIOS can become corrupt. If the BIOS becomes corrupt, a hardware device may not operate properly, or a hardware device may be detected, or the computer may fail to start. More ...
Windows 10 Built-in Troubleshooters
Each of the troubleshooters included with Windows 10 launches an interactive problem-solving tool that steps you through diagnosis and resolution of common problems. More ...
