Computer Problems And Solutions

Problem -My computer is locking up
Solution - Ctrl-Alt-Del and then select - End Task.Continue doing Ctrl-Alt-Del until computer unlocks. It may be necessary to shut down the computer and reboot to get it to unlock.

Problem - Letters keep getting replaced in front of my typing
Insert key has been pressed.
Solution - Press "insert key" again.

Problem - I have lost my Windows task bar (The one with "Start" on it)
You accidentally hid your task bar, or someone did it.
Solution -Option 1: Go to bottom, top, or sides of the desktop screen with cursor arrow. The taskbar should reappear. Right click on the taskbar. The taskbar menu should appear. Click on "properties". In the new window that appears, make sure that "Auto hide" is not checked. If it is, click on the box to remove it.
Option 2: Go down to the bottom, top, or sides of the desktop and see if double arrows appear. Holding your left mouse button down, drag the taskbar out. Release your left mouse button and your taskbar should reappear.

Problem - My computer will not turn on
The switch in the back of the computer has been flipped to 0.The computer has a bad power switch.
Solution -Disconnect power cord from back of computer and reconnect after 20 seconds. Flip switch in back of computer to 1. Make sure electricity is getting to computer (surge protector is turned, outlet has power to it, everything is plugged in, etc.)

Problem - Printer (inkjet/laser) will not feed paper
Make sure paper is loaded correctly.
Solution-Remove all paper from paper tray and check for foreign objects (pencils, paperclips, and staples, kids toys).

Problem-Too many applications open at once You may need to defragment your computer's physical (hard) drives.
Solution- Make sure no other programs are open (NOTE: Your virus protection must be turned off during this process.) If problem persists on a regular basis, seek technical support.

Problem - Machine comes up in "Safe Mode"
Solution- Machine may have been improperly shut down several times. Problem can usually be fixed by going through the shutdown process and rebooting. If this does not work, you probably have a problem that will need technical assistance.

Problem - Computer says I have a virus
Virus protection software has picked up a virus.
Solution -
Follow provided instructions to remove virus. Reboot computer to see if it identifies any additional viruses.

Problem: My Control Panel is missing. What can I do to get it back?
Possible Solution: Click Start, Click Run, type Regedit (hit enter). Drill down to:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
Look for the value “NoControlPanel” If the Control Panel has been disabled, the value will be 01 00 00 00. To re-enable it, change the value to 00 00 00 00 or simply delete it.

Problem - Letters keep getting replaced in front of my typing
Insert key has been pressed.
Solution -
Press "insert key" again.

Problem - Taskbar is too big
You must have caught the bar and enlarged it without knowing.
Solution -
Place cursor on top edge of taskbar until you get a line with arrows on both ends. Holding your left mouse button, slide your mouse down and it will make your taskbar smaller. When you have reached the size you want, release the left mouse button.

Problem: When I use Windows Explorer it hangs when trying to delete or right a file or folder.
Possible Solution: If you have installed the Vividence player (MS site has a popup that asks if you want to take part in a usability survey, if you say yes, you will have had to install this ‘plug-in.’ – Uninstall the Vividence player.

Problem: Can anyone tell me how to add or remove entries that are listed when right clicking the start button? Is it a registry hack?
Possible Solution: Yes it is a registry hack.Go to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Shell
Everything in here is what is listed when your right click on the Start button. To remove an entry just deletes the Key.To add an entry, do this. (As and example I will add a Notepad option)
1) Right click on the "shell" Key and select New->Key.
2) Name the new Key "Notepad."
3) In the default string enter "Notepad" in the data field. (This is the name that will appear when you right click on the Start button.)
4) Right click on he "Notepad" key you just created and select New->Key and name the new key "command" 5) For the default string type in "c:\windows\notepad.exe" in the data field. (Enter whatever command you want to run when you click on the item, after right clicking on the Start button.) This is just and example of using the Notepad command, but you could really do it for any application on the windows system.

Problem: My internet explorer will not find any web pages. I can successfully ping from DOS, but in Windows, I cannot visit any web sites or
check e-mail.
Possible Solution: Here are two likely fixes:
1. Go to Control Panel Internet Options Connections LAN Settings
and clear all of the boxes.
2. Re-create the Winsock2 registry entries:
a. Un-install ICS (if installed).
b. Un-install Dial-Up Networking. Don't reboot.
c. Delete registry key HLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Winsock2
d. Re-install Dial-Up Networking. Reboot.
e. Re-install ICS (if desired).

Problem: How can I turn off my numlock when Windows ME boots?
Possible Solution: Copy and paste the following 2 lines into a Notepad file. Save the file as Numlock.vbs. Then create a shortcut to it in the Start Menu, Programs, Startup folder.
set WshShell = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
WshShell.SendKeys "{NUMLOCK}"

Problem: Even if I close all open Explorer windows before I restart, several reopen after the restart.
Possible Solution: This is a bug with ie6 beta. To fix it, open regedit, delete the key
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Restart
Commands

Problem: My image preview has just decided to stop previewing gifs.
Possible Solution: To repair image view: Start / Run:
regsvr32 thumbvw.dll
That should fix it

Problem: Why does my computer take forever to update hardware
information?
Possible Solution: This problem is caused by an incompatibility with Norton 2000 and Windows ME. Norton creates several thousand 0 byte files in your C:\Windows\Inf directory. You must delete these. More info on this problem and how to prevent it from occurring in the future can be found here:
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/nunt.nsf/docid/2000120915010309&src=w

Problem: I can only hear CD’s using Windows Media Player 7. No other software works when trying to play audio CD’s.
Possible Solution: Go into Control Panel, System, Device Manager, highlight your CD player, go into Properties. Under the Properties tab, enable Digital CD Playback.