The next time you are having trouble with your computer, use this checklist to troubleshoot the problem before you pick up your phone to call for help. Whether your processor slows down, starts behaving strangely of totally crashes, you may be able to get your PC back to peak performance with just a few basic troubleshooting tricks. Try this before calling the repair shop. Don’t ignore the problem; it’s not going to go away. But try these troubleshooting tricks before you call the expensive computer technician. Chances are that if you call the repair shop or the tech support hot-line, the person who answers your call will have less experience than you. Save yourself the time, inconvenience and expense by utilizing these 12 suggestions and procedures to dig out system misworkings, process shutdowns, and strange Windows actions independently. Never overlook what would seem to be the obvious.

The first thing to always do when experiencing any problem with equipment not starting or working as it should is to check for the usual disruptions: unplugged or loose cords or cables, a power outage that has occurred, or a monitor that should have been on but somehow got powered down. If none of the above seems to be the cause, try restarting your computer or modem. This easy step helps to fix several randomly occurring errors. You know better than anyone what the personality of your computer is, so ask yourself, “What has changed?” If you have installed a new hardware or software in the recent past, shut it down. Check for icons in the system tray to make sure that there is not a program running in the background. If the icon is present, just right-click the icon and select Exit or Close from the menu. Then try and look for a program listing under the Processes button in your Task Manager, then press the Ctrl,Alt and Delete buttons at the same time to open up the utility. You could also just uninstall the application entirely. If you have recently modified any of your device drivers, go back to the previous one by using the rollback function for Windows’ device drivers. You can find full instructions in Microsoft Knowledge Base 283657. Part One: Divide and Conquer. You can check if an auto-start application is causing the problem by opening the System Configuration utility (a.k.a. “Msconfig”) To turn off all startup programs, press the windows key and “R” key then type msconfig and press enter.

Click on Selective Startup under the General tab, then uncheck Load Startup Items. Inside the General tab, click on Selective Startup option and uncheck the box next to Load Startup Items. If the problem goes away, come back to Msconfig, click on Normal Startup inside the General tab, choose the Startup tab, and activate your autostart programs one by one until the problem occurs again, at which point of time you’ve located the source of the trouble. Software Explorer, which is part of Windows Defender, is designed to manage startup programs and it’s built right into Vista. Microsoft offers a free AutoRuns utility, which also runs in XP; this is much easier to use and less clumsy than Software Explorer. Strategies and techniques for troubling times: Always try System Restore once. If you don’t know what is causing your problem, and it just appeared recently, System Restore might be of use in restoring your PC’s function.

Click on the Start button, then All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, System Restore, in that sequence. From the options provided, select “Restore my computer to an earlier time” then click “Next” and simply follow the prompts that you will be given. See Woody Leonhard’s expert tips for even more information on System Restore in the February 16, 2006 paid version. A different profile may work. Log off of your account and log on again under an alternate one. If you can’t do that because you don’t have another account, then make a new one. A secondary account can be useful if you have a problem with your main account. Create a new user account by first opening Windows’ User Accounts Control Panel applet.

Then click on Create a new account and follow the steps that are displayed. In Microsoft Vista, you will have to click the add or remove user accounts, or manage another account, before you start to create a new account, hence if the problem doesn’t present itself in the other accounts, there is an error in your profile, in the HKEY_CURRENT_USER section of the Registry. You can use the second profile as your main user account, but you will still be required to reinstall some software and replace the custom settings from your original profile. Despite that fact, it is a better alternative to reinstalling Windows. Be sure to select the “Last Known Good” setting. After booting your computer, try pressing F8 before Windows starts if you cannot log into Windows.

Select “Last Known Good Configuration” option using arrow keys on the “Windows Advanced Options” screen. Selecting this will undo the latest changes made to your computer’s configuration. If using this option lets you restart Windows properly, you may have fixed the problem. It is not that Last Known Good Configuration can resolve every issue, but like many of these troubleshooting strategies, it’s worth attempting. Try Safe Mode resolution. If in any case Last Known Good Configuration fails to restart Windows normally, press the function key F8 on startup again to go back to the Windows Advanced Options Menu, but this time you need to choose Safe Mode (or Safe Mode with Networking if you need to access the Internet or a network resource).

Safe Mode can’t fix anything, but it will attempt to open Windows with some very basic drivers. The problem in your computer is likely to be a device driver if you can start Windows in Safe Mode. Once you know what the problem is, you can also use Safe Mode to fix it. There’s more about this in the next tip. Activate boot logging feature. If you think the problem might involve a specific driver or is related to your hardware, look through your Windows boot logs for detailed information. Pressing F8 during startup will open the Windows Advanced Options Menu, which is where you will find the option of enabling boot logging. In order to start Windows with boot logging activated, arrow down to select Enable Boot Logging and press the Enter key.

Pressing Win+R and then typing c:\windows\ntbklog.text and hitting enter will open up the log file. The boot log will add new information at the bottom of the file, so you will have to scroll down to see if it has added any helpful information. Keep an eye out for entries that might show a problem with loading a driver. When you log into Windows using the Safe Mode, it will show you a log of all drivers Safe Mode doesn’t use; thus this boot log is not really going to be of any use in determining which drivers may be causing the problem. Part Two: Divide and Conquer. Msconfig is a great tool to help isolate the problem if you think it is a driver or other system file. But first, a warning: Using Msconfig utility to temporarily deactivate Windows services will erase restore points made by System Restore. This method should only be used if you are absolutely sure that you won’t need any of the restore points that currently exist and the problem was not corrected by using System Restore. On the keyboard press Win+R, type the command msconfig, and hit the Enter key. Then find the tab that says “General”, choose “Diagnostic startup” and then click “OK”. Follow each of the steps in order to successfully restart your computer. If the problem goes away, you can add other system files back in with the Selective Startup option on the General tab to narrow down the possibilities and check whether the problem lies in System.ini, wini.ini, services, and so on.

When you have gotten your search nailed down to a particular area, get more refined by turning on specific items using the check boxes under the other Msconfig tabs. Get additional details from Windows. In some cases your system will automatically reboot when a crash occurs. You will be unable to check for possible reasons why you are auto rebooting because of this Windows feature. To stop auto restarts after your computer crashes, reboot and press F8 right before Windows load to bring you to the Windows Advanced Options Menu. By using the arrow keys, you will then be able to select Disable automatic restart on system failure. Choosing Properties, Advanced from the menu you get in XP when you right-click on My Computer will allow you to either turn the feature back on or off, depending on its current setting, without restarting your computer. Find the tab that says “Startup and Recovery” and then click “Settings”.

Under Automatic Restart, there is a checkbox that you can use to enable or disable the feature. In Windows Vista, press Start, type the command SystemPropertiesAdvanced, and hit Enter. Click on the Continue button when prompted to by User Account Control. After clicking the Advanced tab, choose Settings in Startup and Recovery. You can manage the Automatic Restart option by checking or unchecking the box below it. The next time you have an unexpected reboot, an error message should display on your screen with possibly the name of the file that may have caused this error. It might be helpful to do a Web search for the specific file name to find out more details. The possible components of the video driver you are using that might have caused your system to fail will be displayed by Windows. If the answer is yes, inquiring about recent driver modifications on the Website of your video card maker could be the answer.

Check your system files. Windows has a tool that allows you to check the integrity of the files it requires to function properly which you can use to examine, and replace files if required. System File Checker will examine your files and offer to replace with the original if any problem with an original file is found. Open a Command Prompt window with Administrator rights, type sfc /scannow, and hit the Enter key on the keyboard. You might need to insert your Windows installation CD for retrieval of the original file. There are two published articles available from Microsoft regarding the proper use of this tool: one covers its use in Windows XP and Server 2003, the other is a guide to using it in Vista. Consult a troubleshooter. It’ll be difficult if you’re a man – it’s like asking for directions. In certain cases, the troubleshooting guides in Windows Help can be helpful, although they can often miss the mark.

The guides can be accessed by choosing Start, then Help and Support. Look for some form of the word “troubleshoot”. Perform a distinct search for each of these terms since there is a high likelihood of getting differing results depending on the search term. Be tenacious, but have a get away plan. A long time acquaintance and exceptional troubleshooter told me, “When nothing has worked, fiddle with it.” Unrelenting pursuit The next time you are having trouble with your computer, use this checklist to troubleshoot the problem before you pick up your phone to call for help. Whether your processor slows down, starts behaving strangely of totally crashes, you may be able to get your PC back to peak performance with just a few basic troubleshooting tricks. Try this before calling the repair shop. Don’t ignore the problem; it’s not going to go away. But try these troubleshooting tricks before you call the expensive computer technician. Chances are that if you call the repair shop or the tech support hot-line, the person who answers your call will have less experience than you. Save yourself the time, inconvenience and expense by utilizing these 12 suggestions and procedures to dig out system misworkings, process shutdowns, and strange Windows actions independently. Never overlook what would seem to be the obvious.

The first thing to always do when experiencing any problem with equipment not starting or working as it should is to check for the usual disruptions: unplugged or loose cords or cables, a power outage that has occurred, or a monitor that should have been on but somehow got powered down. If none of the above seems to be the cause, try restarting your computer or modem. This easy step helps to fix several randomly occurring errors. You know better than anyone what the personality of your computer is, so ask yourself, “What has changed?” If you have installed a new hardware or software in the recent past, shut it down. Check for icons in the system tray to make sure that there is not a program running in the background. If the icon is present, just right-click the icon and select Exit or Close from the menu. Then try and look for a program listing under the Processes button in your Task Manager, then press the Ctrl,Alt and Delete buttons at the same time to open up the utility. You could also just uninstall the application entirely. If you have recently modified any of your device drivers, go back to the previous one by using the rollback function for Windows’ device drivers. You can find full instructions in Microsoft Knowledge Base 283657. Part One: Divide and Conquer. You can check if an auto-start application is causing the problem by opening the System Configuration utility (a.k.a. “Msconfig”) To turn off all startup programs, press the windows key and “R” key then type msconfig and press enter.

Click on Selective Startup under the General tab, then uncheck Load Startup Items. Inside the General tab, click on Selective Startup option and uncheck the box next to Load Startup Items. If the problem goes away, come back to Msconfig, click on Normal Startup inside the General tab, choose the Startup tab, and activate your autostart programs one by one until the problem occurs again, at which point of time you’ve located the source of the trouble. Software Explorer, which is part of Windows Defender, is designed to manage startup programs and it’s built right into Vista. Microsoft offers a free AutoRuns utility, which also runs in XP; this is much easier to use and less clumsy than Software Explorer. Strategies and techniques for troubling times: Always try System Restore once. If you don’t know what is causing your problem, and it just appeared recently, System Restore might be of use in restoring your PC’s function.

Click on the Start button, then All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, System Restore, in that sequence. From the options provided, select “Restore my computer to an earlier time” then click “Next” and simply follow the prompts that you will be given. See Woody Leonhard’s expert tips for even more information on System Restore in the February 16, 2006 paid version. A different profile may work. Log off of your account and log on again under an alternate one. If you can’t do that because you don’t have another account, then make a new one. A secondary account can be useful if you have a problem with your main account. Create a new user account by first opening Windows’ User Accounts Control Panel applet.

Then click on Create a new account and follow the steps that are displayed. In Microsoft Vista, you will have to click the add or remove user accounts, or manage another account, before you start to create a new account, hence if the problem doesn’t present itself in the other accounts, there is an error in your profile, in the HKEY_CURRENT_USER section of the Registry. You can use the second profile as your main user account, but you will still be required to reinstall some software and replace the custom settings from your original profile. Despite that fact, it is a better alternative to reinstalling Windows. Be sure to select the “Last Known Good” setting. After booting your computer, try pressing F8 before Windows starts if you cannot log into Windows.

Select “Last Known Good Configuration” option using arrow keys on the “Windows Advanced Options” screen. Selecting this will undo the latest changes made to your computer’s configuration. If using this option lets you restart Windows properly, you may have fixed the problem. It is not that Last Known Good Configuration can resolve every issue, but like many of these troubleshooting strategies, it’s worth attempting. Try Safe Mode resolution. If in any case Last Known Good Configuration fails to restart Windows normally, press the function key F8 on startup again to go back to the Windows Advanced Options Menu, but this time you need to choose Safe Mode (or Safe Mode with Networking if you need to access the Internet or a network resource).

Safe Mode can’t fix anything, but it will attempt to open Windows with some very basic drivers. The problem in your computer is likely to be a device driver if you can start Windows in Safe Mode. Once you know what the problem is, you can also use Safe Mode to fix it. There’s more about this in the next tip. Activate boot logging feature. If you think the problem might involve a specific driver or is related to your hardware, look through your Windows boot logs for detailed information. Pressing F8 during startup will open the Windows Advanced Options Menu, which is where you will find the option of enabling boot logging. In order to start Windows with boot logging activated, arrow down to select Enable Boot Logging and press the Enter key.

Pressing Win+R and then typing c:\windows\ntbklog.text and hitting enter will open up the log file. The boot log will add new information at the bottom of the file, so you will have to scroll down to see if it has added any helpful information. Keep an eye out for entries that might show a problem with loading a driver. When you log into Windows using the Safe Mode, it will show you a log of all drivers Safe Mode doesn’t use; thus this boot log is not really going to be of any use in determining which drivers may be causing the problem. Part Two: Divide and Conquer. Msconfig is a great tool to help isolate the problem if you think it is a driver or other system file. But first, a warning: Using Msconfig utility to temporarily deactivate Windows services will erase restore points made by System Restore. This method should only be used if you are absolutely sure that you won’t need any of the restore points that currently exist and the problem was not corrected by using System Restore. On the keyboard press Win+R, type the command msconfig, and hit the Enter key. Then find the tab that says “General”, choose “Diagnostic startup” and then click “OK”. Follow each of the steps in order to successfully restart your computer. If the problem goes away, you can add other system files back in with the Selective Startup option on the General tab to narrow down the possibilities and check whether the problem lies in System.ini, wini.ini, services, and so on.

When you have gotten your search nailed down to a particular area, get more refined by turning on specific items using the check boxes under the other Msconfig tabs. Get additional details from Windows. In some cases your system will automatically reboot when a crash occurs. You will be unable to check for possible reasons why you are auto rebooting because of this Windows feature. To stop auto restarts after your computer crashes, reboot and press F8 right before Windows load to bring you to the Windows Advanced Options Menu. By using the arrow keys, you will then be able to select Disable automatic restart on system failure. Choosing Properties, Advanced from the menu you get in XP when you right-click on My Computer will allow you to either turn the feature back on or off, depending on its current setting, without restarting your computer. Find the tab that says “Startup and Recovery” and then click “Settings”.

Under Automatic Restart, there is a checkbox that you can use to enable or disable the feature. In Windows Vista, press Start, type the command SystemPropertiesAdvanced, and hit Enter. Click on the Continue button when prompted to by User Account Control. After clicking the Advanced tab, choose Settings in Startup and Recovery. You can manage the Automatic Restart option by checking or unchecking the box below it. The next time you have an unexpected reboot, an error message should display on your screen with possibly the name of the file that may have caused this error. It might be helpful to do a Web search for the specific file name to find out more details. The possible components of the video driver you are using that might have caused your system to fail will be displayed by Windows. If the answer is yes, inquiring about recent driver modifications on the Website of your video card maker could be the answer.

Check your system files. Windows has a tool that allows you to check the integrity of the files it requires to function properly which you can use to examine, and replace files if required. System File Checker will examine your files and offer to replace with the original if any problem with an original file is found. Open a Command Prompt window with Administrator rights, type sfc /scannow, and hit the Enter key on the keyboard. You might need to insert your Windows installation CD for retrieval of the original file. There are two published articles available from Microsoft regarding the proper use of this tool: one covers its use in Windows XP and Server 2003, the other is a guide to using it in Vista. Consult a troubleshooter. It’ll be difficult if you’re a man – it’s like asking for directions. In certain cases, the troubleshooting guides in Windows Help can be helpful, although they can often miss the mark.

The guides can be accessed by choosing Start, then Help and Support. Look for some form of the word “troubleshoot”. Perform a distinct search for each of these terms since there is a high likelihood of getting differing results depending on the search term. Be tenacious, but have a get away plan. A long time acquaintance and exceptional troubleshooter told me, “When nothing has worked, fiddle with it.” Unrelenting pursuit has served me well in determining several computer issues. Try every solution you can think of, one right after the other, but keep in mind to go slowly and methodically so you can undo every attempted “fix” if it doesn’t work to solve the issue. For instance, when working with the Registry, take due care to use the File, Export command to backup the Registry branch you’re about to tweak. Obviously, anything that is subsequently added to the Registry such as keys or branches will not be included in your backup.

has served me well in determining several computer issues. Try every solution you can think of, one right after the other, but keep in mind to go slowly and methodically so you can undo every attempted “fix” if it doesn’t work to solve the issue. For instance, when working with the Registry, take due care to use the File, Export command to backup the Registry branch you’re about to tweak. Obviously, anything that is subsequently added to the Registry such as keys or branches will not be included in your backup.

Another excellent tool that’s freely available to Windows Vista administrators (or anyone else, for that matter) is the Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer (MBSA). This tool scans a system and quickly identifies security holes such as missing software patches or accounts with a blank or weak password.

Better yet, it recommends corrective action. The only bad news of sorts is that it’s not built into Windows Vista. You have to download this one from the Microsoft web site. The newest version of this tool at the time of this writing was released in May of 2008, Version 2.1. This updated version provides additional features which are detailed at the Microsoft website.

However, legacy Microsoft products are not supported by MBSA 2.1. Because of this, Microsoft has teamed-up with Shavlik Technologies to offer a free companion tool for MBSA 2.1. This will allow users of MBSA 2.01 to still receive security updates.

For the MBSA 2.01, the install steps are straightforward; just follow the steps in the wizard. During installation, the MBSA places a shortcut on the desktop by default. To launch the tool and perform a scan, follow these steps:

Double-click the desktop icon, and then, from the MBSA home page, choose Scan a Computer. Note here that admins can also use the MBSA to scan multiple computers in a network from a central location. In the Computer to Scan page, you should see the local machine listed if you’ve chosen the “Scan a computer” option. (The other selection produces a page from which you can select a range of machines.) Furthermore, the options in this screen let you specify exactly what components get checked during the scan. Once you verify the machine to scan, click the “Start scan” link. You’ll now see a Scanning page with a progress bar that can take several minutes to complete. When the scan finishes, you’ll see a report screen. As you can see, this provides extremely valuable information to administrators who are interested in doing everything they can to stop problems before they start. For example, the administrator of this machine has been very diligent about installing necessary software updates, it seems, and has gotten passing grades in most areas of computer security. But the MBSA scan generates a failing grade…how is this possible? The MBSA makes it easy to investigate the exact nature of the failing grade by clicking the “Result details” link, revealing the dialog box. In this case it reveales a very significant (yet usually hidden) threat: local user account passwords are weak, thus generating the failing grade.

If you’d like to get my book “Windows Vista Administration: The Definitive Guide” by Brian Culp, (or any of my other books and tutorials), you can pick it up at my website, http://www.TheAnswerHub.com or at most major book chains. In addition, I’m always happy to provide additional assistance for free (within reason, mind you…don’t go thinking this is some sort of a free ride). Visit me at my website and submit your questions to me. I’ll get back to you with an answer as soon as possible. Up Next: in the conclusion of this 5-part series, we’ll be discussing the removal of malicious software using the Malicious Software Removal Tool within Windows Vista.

HP is a recognized manufacturer, which deals in all kinds of computers, printers, scanners and other peripheral devices along with their accessories. It keeps on introducing latest technologies in its products, so as to give you a new experience every time.

HP has introduced innovation in mobile computing; there are some ultra portable models like Compaq Mini CQ10 series, Compaq Presario CQ61Z series and HP Pavilion dm3z series which are quite popular.

However, sometime you may face issues with your HP computer, when you need to implement the best troubleshooting technique. Some of the most random issues of HP computers are slow performance, blue-screen error, audio problems and low memory. On rare occasions, you may also face problems with installation of software and hardware devices on your HP computer.

You can follow some easy troubleshooting steps to enhance your computer’s performance and reduce the chances of blue-screen error. Mainly, these occur due to lack of memory. There are free utilities like Disk Cleanup and Defragmenter, which can delete unwanted files and generate extra space on your computer’s memory at no cost.

However, memory of your HP computer can also be flooded with some virus infected files. In this situation you can troubleshoot your HP computer by scanning with compatible antivirus software, such as Avast Free Antivirus, AVG Anti-Virus 9.0 and Norton Internet Security 2010.

At times, your operating system might also get corrupted. Follow the below troubleshooting steps to rectify/repair you corrupted Windows 7 OS:

Step 1. Insert a valid Windows 7 CD into the DVD drive and restart your computer.
Step 2. Change the boot order through BIOS, if required.
Step 3. Select the language you prefer and mention “Time” and “keyboard input”. Click “Next”.
Step 4. You will be getting three options, select “Repair Your Computer” followed by “Command Prompt” to run the effectual utility tool called “bootsect.exe”. It will repair your Windows 7 operating system.

To get real-time resolution for any issues related to your HP product, you can always contact some tech support organization. These organizations have a team of experts and proper technology, which make them capable of resolving any issue related to HP product with an ease.

In addition to being informative, your online computer repair session can save you both the efforts and money. As a sincere computer enthusiast, you cannot compromise your PC’s safety. When it comes to pesky technical errors, the ideal way to make sure your PC is protected against virus, spyware and other security threats.

Computer support technicians working with these online support resources are certified and hold immense expertise to offer you with computer help for your desktops, laptops, software, hardware and peripherals. This is why they are gaining in popularity with computer users as well as small businesses. These techs opt for the safest, easiest way to provide technical support right over the internet.

One of the biggest advantages of choosing online service is the convenience. You get everything done right before your eyes within minutes. No waiting around for your PC or taking appointments.

Well! You need to be highly meticulous while choosing your computer support provider. Your choice should be according to your business needs and personal computing requirements. However, every other computer support company provides same service. The only difference is the quality and the price. Make note of each and every detail before you subscribe.

Also, ensure to take a route of the vendor’s website before subscribing for the service. This will help you to have a fair idea about their services. Checking out the section containing frequently asked questions is also a good idea. Often, there are some questions which can be similar to your problem. You will get a ready made answer there.

If you are seriously thinking about buying online computer support services, think about pricing, delivery, and features offered. Then put them with your technology requirements. Don’t ignore the idea of shopping around and compare the services & prices. Some vendors may offer you a better and more cost effective support package, while some might rather charge additional for the same features and benefits.

If you know your requirements, you will be able to narrow down on the best. So be watchful while choosing your computer support partner. Make a thorough search on the Internet. Keywords like online computer support, online PC repair, PC repair services, troubleshoot PC online, and fix my PC etc can be highly useful.

Computer running very slow? There are millions of people just like you who are having to put up with a PC which won’t respond quickly and which will not load up very quickly at all. Fortunately, there are some easy ways to fix this problem which even a beginner can do.

The first thing you need to check for is the hardware of your computer. The ‘hardware’ that a computer has is basically all the components and physical pieces which make the computer work. The speed of your PC is directly determined by how much information your hardware can process at once, and the reason why many new PCs are expensive is because they can process a lot more information than older models, making them faster.

You should check the quality and specifications of your computer’s hardware to see if it’s able to run the system and software that you have on your computer. It’s often the case that many PCs older than 2 years need to have some upgrades in order to help them run as quickly as what they should.

Poor quality hardware is the biggest cause of a slow system but there’s another big problem that not many people know about. The other big reason why your computer might be running slowly is because of the “registry”. The registry is a database which stores information and settings for Windows, and is constantly getting corrupted and damaged. This makes Windows struggle to load a lot of the settings it needs, which makes it run slower and slower.

Not many people realize the significance of the ‘registry’ and hardly anyone actually knows it exists… but every time you use your PC, it’s being slowed down more and more thanks to an increasing number of registry files becoming damaged. This means that if you have a lot of corrupt registry files on your computer, you can actually make it run a lot faster by removing them all.

You can remove corrupt registry files with a ‘registry cleaner’, which is a software program designed for this job. Cleaning out these corrupt files will make your PC run faster and can even make it run like new. New computers run fast because they have new hardware and (more importantly) they don’t have any corrupt settings inside the registry, allowing Windows to open the files it needs instantly. This means that if you use a registry cleaner to scan through your system & clean up all of the damaged registry files, you could make your PC run as fast as it did when it was new.

Many computer users are victims of the false belief that the task of troubleshooting computer errors should be only undertaken by an expert. Well, certainly we should seek expert help in resolving complex computer errors, but many common computer errors can be easily resolved and do not require any expert help. In this article, we discuss how to troubleshoot one such common fix-it-yourself computer error known as DLL errors.

What are DLL files?

DLL files contain code or functions that are used by different applications to perform a particular function. A single DLL file can be used by multiple applications to perform the same function. Because there are thousands of DLL files present on a PC, the occurrence of a DLL error every now and then is pretty common. However, unlike other system errors, DLL errors are fairly simple to troubleshoot. Usually, DLL errors messages display a fairly illustrative DLL error message and tell the user the likely cause of the error.

Causes of a DLL error

Discussed below are common causes of a DLL error:

o Missing or Corrupt DLL file
o Malware infection
o Registry issues
o Outdated files

How to troubleshoot a DLL error

Depending upon the cause of the DLL error, you can use either of the following steps to fix the DLL error:

Reinstall the missing DLL file

You can usually fix the DLL error that occurs due to a missing DLL file by reinstalling the DLL. You must try to reinstall the application that generated the error to replace the missing file. You may also try to obtain the missing DLL file from a reliable source on the Internet.

Get rid of the malware that is causing DLL error

Many DLL errors, such as rundll errors occur due to malware infections. Malware programs, such as viruses and worms deliberately edit the codes embedded in DLL files and make them inaccessible. As a result, a DLL error is generated every time an application or the operating system tries to access the infected DLL file. To fix a DLL error that is caused by a malware infection, perform a full scan of your entire system to delete or quarantine the malware and repair the infected file. To prevent malware programs from breaching your system’s security in the future, install reliable antivirus and antispyware tools on your system.

Repair registry entries

The registry is the central repository of your system and stores important data, including entries related to all your DLL files. DLL errors, such as shell32.dll errors occur when the entries related to this file are damaged or incorrectly modified. To resolve such errors, you will need to repair their entries. However, editing registry entries is a highly technical job and should not be attempted if one does not posses the required expertise. We recommend that you use an efficient registry cleaning tool to repair the incorrect DLL entries within the registry. To repair damaged registry entries and to get rid of all the unwanted information accumulated in the registry, perform a registry scan using an advanced registry cleaning tool.

Update your drivers, software and operating system

Outdated files may also cause DLL errors on your system. To prevent this from happening, regularly update your drivers, software, and operating system with the latest security releases and updates that are released by their manufacturers.

While most small businesses really do need to find a good local computer consulting business to take care of their computer problems, there are some computer problems that are simple enough for even a technophobe to handle. At Computer Consulting 101, we’ve found there’s one very simple piece of advice that often doesn’t get communicated to non-technical small business end users: When in doubt, reboot first.

Seriously, while it may sound tremendously simple, end users often overlook it during typical computer panic attacks.

Anytime you’re about to consider an issue a real IT support problem and call your computer consulting vendor, always reboot first.

First, exit out of whatever files and programs that you’re working on. Then, run through a Shutdown and Restart sequence to reboot your computer.

If you suspect your computer problem involves something hardware-related, such as with your network card, modem, mouse, keyboard or sound card, you should even go one step further, before calling your computer consulting experts.

Go to your Start menu. Next, shutdown your PC. Then turn the power off for a minute or so… if you’re computer didn’t power itself off on its own. Then finally power your PC back up again and see if the problem resolved itself on its own. Many times a simple reboot is all it takes.

The Bottom Line

While this advice probably sounds very basic, at Computer Consulting 101 we’ve found that a substantial percentage (as many as 10-20% of problems) of trouble calls for IT support become unnecessary after a reboot. And of course, because you probably pay every single time you pick up the phone, why not conserve your IT budget for those projects that can help your company drive more revenue, improve productivity, reduce overhead, and boost your bottom line. Remember, before you call a computer consulting professional, reboot first…. so you can conserve your computer consulting budget for those problems that really require expert assistance.

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Today, in this highly technical world, everyone has a device close by at this very moment. Computers are basically found in many homes, offices and institutions around the world and no one would dare imagine what it would be like to have a malfunctioning or improperly working computer or laptop. It would be a terrible thing to think of in a world that recognizes the capacity of computers to organize tasks and handle jobs that were once too tedious and time consuming for people to do earlier. A good thing is that a PC technician is always there to provide essential support to those with PC problems. It is the task of the PC technician to solve computer problems and handle computer related malfunctions.

One of the major tasks of a technician is to repair and fix PC problems. The technicians are experts in handling highly technical computer issues. These issues include hardware malfunction, booting problems, Internet connection issues, and others. The PC technician is capable of providing services like PC clean up, virus and spyware removal, computer maintenance, data recovery and other tasks that are very technical and are too in depth to understand or analyze. If the computer is experiencing any of these issues or problems, the technician can help in assessing the gravity of the problem.

The PC technician also does upgrades. They can handle memory upgrades as well as installing new video cards sound cards or installing a faster and more efficient system depending on the user’s primary use of the computer. The technician can install essential software for system protection and maintenance. The PC technician also does proper installation and integration of the hardware to the system.

Aside from upgrades and troubleshooting, the PC technician can also handle computer networking elements. The technician can create the design and setup for the network and it could either be wired or wireless depending on what would work best on the room setup. The technician will also provide the necessary training to ensure that all members of the team or family know how to operate with the network and the things that can be done and that are not allowed when using the network. They also provide support whenever network errors occur. A good PC technician provides simplified technologies to clients to ensure that the network will run smoothly in the most advantageous ways.

The PC technician is also capable of providing data recovery tasks especially if the user accidentally deletes essential data or when the computer is reformatted. The technician is capable of recovering data and will provide tips and ways to properly backup the information somewhere else before the data is removed from the system. A technician can maximize the functionality of the computer with virus removals, and after the viruses have been removed, the technician will implement a better security system to prevent future infection from viruses. The PC technician is a great help in keeping the computers much safer and highly productive for future use.

He can give a lot of technical advice to the client in various things like Internet security, data storage, right use of various computer applications etc. This will work out to be a mutually beneficial relationship between the client and the service giver. All those who own a PC are bound to need PC repairs now and then, and for these repair requirements they would need a PC technician. While this is an indisputable fact a technician can do much more than repair a PC. So far as he has got a good rapport with the PC owner, he can forestall a lot of repairs by helping him to maintain the computer well.

One of the ways in which a PC technician can help is by emphasizing to the client the need for data protection. With relation to the Internet, there is a lot that a client has to know about firewalls, securing of passwords, problems with an unsecured router etc. If his PC technician can explain to him all these and guide him on how to use the Internet in a secure way, the computer owner will be able to prevent data exposure to a great extent.

In most cases, computer users try to get the help of a PC technician only when there is an emergency need for some PC repairs. Instead of that they can tie up with a technician, which can involve technical advice as well. Even if he charges a little extra for it, it will work out as a mutually beneficial package. Under this agreement, the technician can give his client detailed advice on the need for surge protection, power backup requirements, registry cleaning, virus protection, and the need to continuously back up data to save data.

The need for data backup can never be overemphasized. Data can be stored in external storage devices like eSATA or a USB flash drive. For those who find even this inconvenient, there are online provisions for data storage. A PC technician can obviously guide a computer owner on the advantages and disadvantages of using different data storage facilities and on the cost effectiveness of each.

Online data storing facilities have many advantages over external data storage devices. When the data is stored online, the user does not even have to carry a thumb drive in his pocket. There is no risk of mechanical injuries to the storage device as well. The data can be accessed from anywhere in the world and the user can work on any other computer if his own one is non-functional and in need of PC repairs.

Many of the online storage arrangements allow free storage of limited amounts of data and charge an annual or monthly fee for more storage. The computer can be programmed to back up data and store it at the site on a daily basis. Lots of computer users may not be aware of even such a provision, while others may not know how to program the computer for it. All these are arenas where a PC technician can help.

Another arena where a technician can help is in guiding the user to take advantage of the many inbuilt programs that a computer will have. Many users are either not aware of, or are not conversant with the programs. In short, a PC technician can help a computer owner in many more ways than doing PC repairs.

How familiar does the following sound? Your computer was working fine, but then suddenly started locking up (aka hanging or freezing), rebooting itself (crashing) or shutting down spontaneously? If you know only too well what I am talking about, then read on! Performing the simple steps below can fix the majority of lockup cases.

1. Check for recently installed software or hardware.

If the lockups started to happen after you installed a new peace of hardware, new software program, or new drivers, uninstall it and see if the problem goes away.

2. Run your antivirus program.

One of the first things to do in the case of sudden lockups is to run your antivirus program. Check your antivirus manufacturer’s website for updates and latest virus definition files. (This is absolutely necessary, outdated antivirus is not going to be of any use!) If you don’t have antivirus software installed – or if updates are unavailable – run one of the web-based antivirus scans that some major antivirus vendors like Trend Micro are offering for free. You can find a comprehensive list of available web-based scans and free antivirus programs on http://www.free-antivirus.info.

3. Run some good spyware removal tool.

If your machine is not infected with any viruses, it is still possible that it has some harmful adware or spyware is present. Download and run some good spyware removal tool such as AdAware or Microsoft AntiSpyware. Check http://www.free-antivirus.info for a list of free spyware removal applications.

4. Check for free hard drive space.

When no viruses are found, check out free hard drive space on drive C:. Make sure there is more than 20% of free space available; low disk space can lead to random lockups.

5. Check for overheating.

Overheating is another known cause of lockups. It can be caused by problems with fans inside the case, dust buildup, or other cooling problems. Make sure the power supply fan and CPU fan are running and free of dust buildup. You can check the temperatures inside the case by running Motherboard monitor
http://mbm.livewiredev.com
- make sure the temperatures are within the preset limits. Be very careful while cleaning inside the computer case (use plastic vacuum crevice tool) and NEVER OPEN THE POWER SUPPLY CASE as it contains high voltage.

6. Check the hard disk.

Check the hard disk – it is possible that its logical structure is corrupted. To check the disk for errors, right-click on the disk C: icon in “My Computer”, select the “Tools” tab, check all check boxes in the “Check disk options” field, and press the “Check now” button. It should ask whether you want to schedule the check next time you restart your computer – answer “Yes” and restart your PC. The check will be performed automatically after startup; it can take a while, so be patient. The program will attempt to fix some problems automatically – however, if the hard disk is failing physically, it will need to be replaced. It is also a good idea to run Disk Defragmenter (located in Start Menu > Programs > Accessories > System Tools) to optimize data placement on the hard disk for increased performance and reliability.

7. Check the memory.

Sometimes random lockups can be attributed to the computer memory (RAM) starting to fail. You can test the memory by running Windows Memory Diagnostic that can be downloaded from http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp. If memory problems are found, try re-seating the RAM (pull it out and plug it back in). If it doesn’t work, replace the defective RAM.

8. Check for other hardware problems (advanced users).

More hardware-related problems can be diagnosed by running hardware tests from the Ultimate Boot CD that can be downloaded from http://www.ultimatebootcd.com. However, you should only use it if you know what are you doing – some programs on that CD can be dangerous when used inappropriately (for example, some of them can wipe the contents of your hard disk).

9. Update Windows and drivers.

Some lockups can be caused by outdated software components – update your windows and drives by running a windows update: http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com (it’s good idea to run it regularly).

The above steps will help diagnose and eliminate the most common causes of lockups. Hundreds more of other possible scenarios need to be dealt with on a case-by-case basis, as it all goes down to your particular computer configuration. Asking on PC
troubleshooting forums/newsgroups should help you figure out solutions to not-so-obvious lockup cases.