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I’m assuming that the control panel problem started after you downloaded Free Registry Fix. When you install or remove a program or hardware, the computer updates the registry values for that component. As you add more to your computer, it gets cluttered with invalid and old entries. The system slows and you can get random error messages. Many techs swear by registry fix programs, and feel that you should run them on a regular basis. There are many different companies offering free downloads of registry fix software. That said, let’s take this problem in a few steps.

1. Try accessing your control panel a different way. Right click on the taskbar at the bottom of the screen. Click Start Menu then Customize. Click on the Advanced tab. Select ‘Display as a menu’ and then click Ok.

2. You can also run a System Restore to a point before this became a problem. Make sure your data is backed up before restoring, as anything after this date that you have created will be lost. You must have at least 200MB of free space on your computer to store the data as the program runs. Click on Start then All Programs. Click on Accessories and System Tools and then System Restore. Select a date to restore to and click Next. You will be asked to confirm that the correct restore point was chosen. Click Next. The computer will shut down and then reboot to the Restoration Complete page. Click Ok.

3. Are you getting a message that says “This operation has been cancelled due to restrictions in effect on this computer”? If you’re getting this when you try to access the Control Panel, it is a sign of malware, and you need to run aggressive antivirus software to isolate the problem. Run an updated version of your current antivirus software, and make sure your registry software is scanning for ‘nocontrolpanel’ entries. If that doesn’t work, there is a much longer suggestion for removing malware on this website:

http://forums.techguy.org/malware-removal-hijackthis-logs/674484-can-t-access-control-panel.html

Any of these should allow you to access your control panel and uninstall Free Registry Fix. Also, some uninstall programs do not go in the Control Panel and instead are located in the folder where the program is located. Look for an uninstall program in the folder where your registry software is located. Finally, the program may not have an uninstall utility at all in which case you might need a third party uninstall utility.

 It sounds as though you have a few things going on with your laptop and I don’t think any of it is due to your cousin’s battery. I’m wondering if it does the same thing if you take the battery out altogether and just run it using the power cord. If it does, then perhaps it was a fan problem that caused your laptop issues in the first place.

The usual symptom of fan failure is overheating and automatic shut down. This is one of the main problems that notebook users face. Make sure you don’t run your laptop on a soft surface such as a pillow or couch cushion - there needs to be some air circulating to keep it from overheating. Get a can of forced air and blow the vents that are found on the sides, back or bottom of the notebook. The back of the computer may have a series of ports that you can blow the dust out of too. You may be able to check the temperature on your laptop during a reboot. While it is booting up click Del or F8 to get into bios and check the temperature settings.

If it is simply a fan problem, it can be checked and fixed, but it is not really something for the do-it-yourselfer. This involves taking the computer apart and will definitely void all warranties. If you still want to give it a try, there are detailed instructions on this website:

http://lonewolf-online.net/computers/tutorials/dismantle-clean-hp-laptop/

Before you do anything to your computer, you should pull the hard drive so that you can get your information off of it. This involves taking the hard drive panel off the bottom of the computer and putting it into a USB 2.5″ disk enclosure. You can easily find one on the web for under $20. Here is an example of what you are looking for:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817193034

This device connects to another working computer so that you can access and save your files. If you don’t want to bother trying to fix the laptop and just want your files saved, this may be the best, cheapest and easiest option all around. Don’t forget to give the battery back to your cousin so that she can use her machine.

Try the Manufacturer Website First

The best place to look for drivers for any type of device is to go directly to the website for that computer or device. If you go to the Acer website then go to Service and Support. There is a link to the Driver Download section of the website. Click on this, choose your computer under “Select Product” and it will bring up a list of driver downloads that are available.

Upgrade Patch may be available

There is a CD-DVD upgrade patch for Windows Vista, which many people need. Be careful to download the correct driver for your operating system as drivers are OS-dependent. Choose the wrong one and it won’t work.  

If your Speakers Dont Work

Many times, after you have updated to Windows Vista Service Pack 1, there will be a problem with some of your high-end audio devices. People have found that their speakers no longer work after running this update. While it will usually work with analog devices, those that use hi-fi digital speakers will need some help. You can go to your manufacturers website like we’ve done here to download the needed driver updates or you can go to Microsoft directly at: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/search.aspx?displaylang=En .

Automatic Driver Updating is Simple

If you have better things to do than worry about updating your drivers on a regular basis, you can purchase a program like Driver Genius to do this work for you. These programs have access to huge driver databases and are very easy for users to understand. When you first download the program, you will have to give it some basic information about your computer and then it will do the rest for you.

Driver Genius is particularly good at checking for compatibility with Windows Vista. Free downloads are available but limited to scanning only. If you have a few extra dollars hanging around, it just might be worth parting with about 30 of them to get the full program and be able to cross one more thing off of your to-do list.

Fast, Easy Driver Update Scan

Download Driver Genius 8!  

This software is updated every day and has 1 Million+ drivers in its database.

Click Download link above to scan your system and download ACER drivers and all the latest driver updates for your system.

 Your Desktop background can be a personal photo, an image that came with Windows, or a single color.

There are two methods of changing your Desktop background in Windows Vista.

1. This is the “long way around.” Click on the Start button in the bottom left corner of your screen. Select Control Panel from the right set of options. A new menu will pop up. Select Control Panel Home on the left side of the menu, then click on Change Desktop Background (under the Appearance and Personalization heading).
2. This is the “shortcut” and is quicker! Right click on a blank spot on your desktop (not on an icon). When the small menu pops up, click on Personalize at the bottom. Then click on Desktop Background, the second option in the list.

Next, click on the image you want as your background. If the image you want is not listed (such as a personal photograph), click Browse. Search for and double-click on the image. It will automatically become your Desktop background and included in the list of background images.

When you size an image to fit the computer screen, it should not be distorted. Resolution refers to the sharpness of a picture and depends on the number of pixels, or units of color, within that image. The more pixels, the better the image and the more file space it takes. A resolution of 640 x 480 (width x length) is less sharp than 1600 x 1200 and will look “fuzzier.” When you change an image’s resolution, keep the width and length the same in relation to each other. For example, if you decrease the pixel width by half, do the same with the length. Keep in mind that extremely large photos used in this manner can slow down your PC.

A background image is centered with a solid color behind it, tiled in a repeating pattern, or stretched to fit the entire screen. To change the position of your background, look at the bottom of the Desktop Background menu. Under the title “How should the picture be positioned?” click on one of the three options, then select “OK.”

To change the background color from the Desktop Background menu, click on “Change background color” (next to the three positioning options). A menu of colors will pop up. Click on the desired color and select “OK.”

To change the background picture outside the Desktop Background menu, right click on the image file. Select the option “Set as Desktop Background” and it will appear.

You can find a wide variety of desktop backgrounds online. Be careful before downloading, however, not to become “victim” to spyware. Spyware programs are created to gather information about you to benefit the spyware creator. Websites offering free desktop background pictures are notorious for including pernicious adware. Use the tools at http://www.paretologic.com/ to scan any background file photographs you download.

Continuous Data Protection - Necessary for businesses big and small

Overview

Backing up data is a critical process that often fails despite good intentions. Globalscape’s Continuous Data Protection solves the problem of backups that didn’t happen or that failed to launch. Instead of relying on tapes and local media devices, count on a continuous backup solution - Continuous Data Protection!

Features

This product is ideal for organizations large and small who want real time backups, backups from multiple locations, version histories, and flexible recovery options without adversely affecting the network’s speed.

• Real Time Switchovers - Reduce downtime when a file server fails by switching to the backup server. When the original file server is back up and running, easily incorporate new changes through the “failback” feature.
• Version Histories and Snapshots - Older versions are stored making it possible to retrieve any version of the file desired. Likewise, snapshots allow you to view data from a particular time period without affecting the files themselves.
• Data Recovery - Several data recovery options are available including restoring data from disk, over the network, or over the Internet.
• Byte-Level Differencing - Only the actual bytes that are changed are transferred to the backup server, reducing bandwidth requirements
• Flexible - Whether you need to implement Continuous Data Protection over the Internet, through a VPN, or across a Firewall, this product offers the flexibility to do so.

Benefits

Because all changes are saved as they occur, you have the peace of mind knowing that should the server crash, all of your data is safe. Plus, recovery takes place nearly instantly when you switchover to the backup server. End users can continue working even as your IT team is working to repair the file server. Once the original server is back online, all of the changes in the interim are seamlessly integrated back into the system. In the past, a server crash caused significant down time. With Continuous Data Protection, data is always protected and available.

How it works

All changes are captured in real time, as they occur at the byte level. This means that only the changed bytes need to be captured and backed up - not the entire file. By using this technology, continuous data protection over networks, the Internet, and VPNs, is possible without maxing out the bandwidth.

Recommendations

If you want a reliable data backup solution for backing up large amounts of data across multiple locations, Continuous Data Protection is the obvious choice. If your company cannot afford any downtime should a crash occur, you’ll love the switchover and failback features.

Globalscape products

• Globalscape FileExpress

• Globalscape EFT Server

• Globalscape Secure FTP Server

• Globalscape Wide Area Services

• Globalscape CuteFTP

• Globalscape Continuous Data Protection

• About Globalscape the Company 

Feedback

Do you have experience with any Globalscape product? Please share your comments below …

Internet Explorer (IE) is a web browser created by Microsoft. Web browsers are software allowing viewing and interaction with web pages on the World Wide Web. IE has accompanied Microsoft Windows operating systems since 1995. It has been the most-used web browser since 1999 and in 2008 has a usage share of 74%. Usage share is the percentage of people using a particular web browser when they visit a certain group of web sites. This measure is similar to how television ratings are calculated, and developers of other web browsers will sometimes argue different numbers.

There are currently eight versions of Internet Explorer, the last being in beta status, or a “work in progress.” IE8 Beta is in test mode and is not error-free, but Microsoft heralds it as faster, easier to use, and more secure. A majority of current IE users, however, have either IE6 or IE7 on their computers.

Before you download a new version of IE, make sure it will be compatible with your computer’s version of Windows. Compatibility is like matching peaches to apricots and cars to minivans. The two have to be similar for them to work together. Check out the compatibility chart below:

If you have:                     You can download:

Windows Vista              IE8 Beta (Vista comes with IE7.)
Windows XP                  IE8 Beta (if you have Service Pack (SP) 2 or SP3)
                                        IE7 (with SP2 or SP3)
                                        IE6 is prepackaged with XP.

Windows 2000 IE 5.5 (It comes with IE 5.01.)

Once you’ve determined which version of IE you need to download, go to the following website:

www.microsoft.com/windows

Near the top of the page is a horizontal list of tabs. Click on “Downloads.” On the left side of the page, under the heading “Most Popular,” click on “View all Downloads.” You will see a list of all downloads available. If you need IE7 or IE8, they will likely be at the top of the list. If you don’t see the program you want, type the name of the program (such as “Windows Internet Explorer 7″) into the Search box near the top of the page, then click “Go.”

Once you locate the correct version of IE, click on the name. You will see a page chock-full of information about it, including quick details, an overview of the program’s functions and benefits, and program requirements. That last one is important! Double-check that your version of Windows is listed under the heading “Supported Operating Systems.” If not, don’t bother trying to download.

Microsoft makes downloading easy by providing directions on the page (under “Directions”). To begin downloading, click on the Download button near the top of the page. Then complete one of these two steps:

1. To start installation immediately, click “Open” or “Run this program from its current location.” Both allow you to start downloading immediately.
2. If you’d rather wait to download, click “Save” or “Save this program to disk.”

Once you’ve downloaded the program, an Internet Explorer tutorial will walk you through the few remaining steps.