System Restore

The easiest way to get to System Restore is through your All Programs. If this is how you are already doing it, bear with me just in case something is missing.

1. Go to Start, then click on All Programs.
2. Click on Accessories and choose System Tools.
3. Click on System Restore. You will see the Welcome screen. Click on ‘Restore my computer to an earlier time.’ Click Next.
4. You will see a Select a Restore Point page where you will select a date. Click Next.
5. You will confirm the date and click Next. The system will shut down and reboot where you should get a ‘Restoration Complete’ message.

This is the standard way to get into System Restore. If you can’t find System Restore using these steps, let us know which part is missing and we should be able to help you.

You can also get into System Restore by going to Start and then clicking on Run. At the prompt, type in: scanreg /restore (there is a space between scanreg and /). Click OK and then pick an earlier date.

One more way to find System Restore is to go to Start and then Run and typing in regedit at the prompt. Click Enter. Navigate to: HKEY LOCAL MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsNT\Current Version\System Restore. Look for Value DisableSR. If it is set to ‘1′, double click on it to set it to ‘0′.

Missing Restore Points

Can you find System Restore, but not your restore points? The Restore Point you want may be hidden. When in the Select a Restore Point page, make sure you have a check mark in the box that says, “Show restore points older than five days.”

Newer machines set restore points by default, but they will disappear if you run out of space on the system drive. It will delete all restore points in an attempt to free up space. You would have received a disk-space warning before the restore points were deleted. Once disk space is freed up, System Restore will start setting restore points again.

Likewise, depending on the storage limits set aside for specifically for restore points, once the space fills up, older restore points are deleted and replaced with new ones. You won’t receive a warning in this scenario.

Did you upgrade or install a new operating system? If you did, the restore points on the old system are automatically deleted and you can’t return to the old system to get them back.

If for some reason System Restore is completely missing on your computer, it is likely caused by a virus or .dll error. Are you getting any .dll error messages? That is another fix entirely, so let us know if you are.

After all of this, if your System Restore is still missing, you may need to manually adjust the problem, or if the problem is severe enough, reinstall your Windows operating system and start over.

Three primary reasons exist that can account for problems with the taskbar. They include:

• An accidental action by someone using the computer.
• A purposeful action by someone using the computer.
• A malicious program has entered the computer.

Try to Repair the Taskbar by Scanning for Viruses and Spyware

It is possible that a virus or form of spyware has infected your computer and disturbed the normal, functioning taskbar. Scan your computer with an anti-virus/anti-spyware application to remove any potential threats. Hopefully, this action will return your taskbar back to its normal existence.

Try to Repair the Taskbar by Booting Up into Safe Mode

If you are able to get the taskbar to work properly when you boot up into safe mode, then you should be able to retain that functionality once you reboot in regular mode.

Download “Taskbar Repair Tool”

In my search for answers, I came across a nifty little tool that can be used to repair problems with the taskbar. It is called “Taskbar Repair Tool” and it was developed for Kelly’s Korner. You can download it here: Taskbar Repair Tool. I haven’t tried it myself, so I can’t vouch for it, but it is mentioned all over the Web.

Fix Corrupted Registry Files Using RegCure

It is possible that the taskbar is acting up due to a corrupted or missing file in the registry. You can repair the registry by using a product called RegCure. This application will repair all detected errors within the registry instantly. To learn more about this application, visit this link: RegCure.

Start Menu Displays Black Bar in Windows Me

Some users of Windows Me have experienced problems with the Start menu bar disappearing and being replaced with a black bar. This can happen when items have recently been deleted from the start up menu or the size allotted for the Start menu is too small. The suggestion here is to add items in the Start menu to see if that fixes the problem.

Check Your Web Browser

You don’t say what browser you’re using, but trying a different one might help with your downloads hanging. If you’re not using it, try Firefox which has its own download manager.

Check Your Speed

It’s possible that your Internet connection is running too slowly and your downloads are being timed out before they are complete. There are many sites on the web that will run a quick diagnostic - try Speedtest.net or just Google ‘Internet speed test.’ This will tell you how fast your connection is and if you need to do something to speed it up. If you are using dial-up, you may need to switch to another connection method.

Wireless?

Are you using a wireless connection? Many things can interfere with a wireless connection at home. Check for distance issues as well as cordless phones or other devices that may be causing your Internet connection to hiccup.

Uninstall Network Devices

Sometimes uninstalling and reinstalling your Network Devices can cause downloads to run more smoothly. Find the Device Manager by following these steps:

1. Go to Start, then Control Panel.
2. Click on System.
3. Go to the Hardware tab and then to Device Manager. Uninstall the Network Devices (make a note of them so that you can easily reinstall them after you reboot).
4. Shut down the computer, and then power up again. Reinstall the drivers that you deleted and see if the hang ups have stopped.

Work Around

If you don’t download frequently, you can use a download manager to streamline the process if you can’t fix the source of the hangups. These don’t stop the computer from freezing, but they will allow you to resume the download right where you left off if you are having a problem. Most have a free trial so that you can see if they are working for you. Two to try are FlashGet and GetRight.

By optimizing your computer speed, connections and using a download manager, you should be able to download with minimal interruptions. If you are still experiencing computer freezing, let us know some more specifics, and we can help you further.

Check Mouse Issues

The first things to check are basic issues with the mouse. You don’t say whether the mouse is wireless or not, but this will apply in either case. Are all of the cables attached correctly? Have you tried a different USB port? Check to make sure that your mouse doesn’t need a new battery. Turn the power off on your computer, attach the mouse and then turn it on. Sometimes a system needs to have the power off when a mouse is attached before it will recognize it. Does your mouse have a reset button? A wireless mouse often has a reset button on the bottom - sometimes it says ‘connect’ on it. You may need to push it with a paperclip or pen. If you have a non-optical mouse, you may need to clean the ball. Often fuzz, dust, and lint accumulate, interfering with operations. Have you tried a different mouse - maybe one that isn’t wireless - to see if there is a problem with the unit itself? If a new mouse works, it may be easier to just replace the old one.

System Restore from Safe Mode

If none of these things work for you, the best thing to do is try a System Restore from Safe Mode. You can do this with just keyboard functions and bring your computer back to a time where the mouse was working.

1. Right after you turn the computer on, press F8 to get to Safe Mode.
2. Use the arrow keys to go to ‘Safe Mode with command prompt’.
3. You may need to select the operating system.
4. Log on as the administrator.
5. At the cmd prompt, type in: %systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe. Press Enter.
6. Follow the instructions to roll your computer back to an earlier time where the mouse was working.
7. The mouse should start after your system reboots.

Once you have mouse function back, you may want to check your mouse driver by going to Start and then Control Panel > Mouse. This solution should get you up and running in no time.

If you send a file to another computer, you are uploading the file. If you are moving the file from another computer onto your computer, you are downloading it.

User Permissions for Downloading and Uploading Files on Networked Computers

On networked computers, the user permissions are sometimes set up to prevent certain users from downloading anything from the Internet. If you believe this might be the case, then you need to contact the administrator of the network. Likewise, if you share a computer and do not have administrative rights, you may be restricted from downloading files.

Selecting Files to Download

Today, most websites have made it easy to download a file. You simply select the file that you want to download and either click on a live link. The link is usually the name of the file or the word “download.”  Usually, you also get a choice to either save the file or open it. In general, saving the file, scanning it for viruses, and then opening it is the best strategy. However, in order for this to work, a few things need to be in place.

Enabling Your Browser for Downloads: Security Settings

Microsoft Internet Explorer has security settings that disable the ability to download files. This could be the problem, so I think you should check whether downloads have been disabled by following these directions. Open Internet Explorer→ Click Tools→ Click Internet Options→ Click Security→ Select Internet zone and click Custom Level. At this point, a list of the available security settings for Internet appears. In IE 7, go to the Downloads section and make sure that File Download is marked enabled. In addition, go to “Launching applications and unsafe files.”

If these prompts are disabled, then you will not be able to download any files or launch the related .exe files once downloaded. Instead, enable file downloads and select “Prompt” for the launching applications and unsafe file settings. This setting prompt you with questions such as “Are you sure you want to download this file” or something to that effect. However, it also allows you to download and execute the files that you select.

Enabling Your Browser for Downloads: Enable ActiveX

In order to display and download files from the Web, it is important that ActiveX controls have been enabled. In order to do so, follow these directions: Open Internet Explorer→ Click Tools→ Click Internet Options→ Click Security→ Select Internet zone. Look for the slider bar and set it to the medium setting to enable downloads from the Web. Make sure that you click “OK” before exiting the window.

Enabling Your Browser for Downloads: PDF Files

In order to download Portable Document Files or PDFs, you need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. This is a free download that you get simply by visiting the Adobe.com website.

Enabling Your Browser for Downloads: Java

If the files that you want to download offer a prompt that you need to have Java in order to complete the download, you must have Java installed and enabled on your browser. In order to find out how to enable Java with your browser, visit this link to Java’s website for specific instructions by browser: Java.

What is Windows XP Service Pack 3?

Windows XP Service Pack 3, also referred to as XP SP3, is one of the Windows updates. This update is designed to offer security enhancements along with some improvements in performance and stability of the system. Essentially, this service pack provides the updates for Microsoft Office XP.

What Download Issue Exists with the Windows XP Service Pack 3?

Since Windows XP Service Pack 3 also includes the Office XP Service Pack 1 (XP SP1) and Office XP Service Pack 2 (XP SP2), it necessarily takes up a lot of computer resources. In fact, this update takes up so much space, that it typically removes the last System Restore Point from the computer in order to enable the Windows XP Service Pack 3 update to complete its installation. This is why you no longer have a system restore point to go to. Since the update has usurped your computer’s resources, it no longer allows for the creation of new system restore points.

Is It Possible to Uninstall Windows XP Service Pack 3?

Unfortunately, once you have installed Windows XP Service Pack 3, you may not be able to uninstall it, especially if there were space issues to begin with and the uninstall files (backup files) were not applied. Therefore, any issues arising from the installation may not be resolved by uninstalling this update.

How to Resolve the System Restore Problem Resulting from the Installation of Windows XP Service Pack 3?

In order to enable the saving of system restore points on your computer, you need to increase the allotted restore space on your system. You can do this by accessing your system restore settings. Ideally, this step should be taken before installing Windows XP Service Pack 3.

How to Access System Restore and Increase its Allotted Restore Space

To use system restore, follow this path:

Start→ All Programs→ Accessories→ System Tools→ System Restore. Next, in the dialog box that pops up, you should see a link on the left had side labeled “System Restore Settings.” Click on this. In the dialog box that pops up, you will see a slider bar allowing you to increase the allotted restore space. Increase this by sliding the bar to the right.

Because there are several different types of toolbars, I will briefly discuss the main types of toolbars and show you how to remove them. The first type is a built-in application toolbar such as the various toolbars (drawing tools, formatting tools, etc.) found in programs such as Microsoft Word. The next type is an add-on toolbar that adds-on to your Web browser such as the Google or Yahoo toolbar. Another type of toolbar is the operating system’s Taskbar. All of these toolbars can be adjusted or removed.

Removing Application Toolbars

Depending on the application you’re using, you can usually show or hide the various toolbars. In addition, you may be able to customize the toolbars to better suit your needs. Let’s use Microsoft Word 2007 as an example. First, Word 2007 has what’s called a Quick Access Toolbar in the upper left corner of the screen. Simply click the dropdown arrow to its right and add or remove checkmarks by the desired toolbars.

Another example is Internet Explorer. Go to the View tab where you’ll find Toolbars. Hover over Toolbars and a sub-menu appears where you can add or remove toolbars from display. This format (View > Toolbars) is typical of many different applications.

Removing Web Browser Add-on Toolbars

If you’ve added a toolbar to your Web browser such as Google Toolbar or Yahoo Toolbar, you can usually remove these just as you would any other program on your computer by going to the Control Panel and choosing Add and Remove Programs (in Vista, it’s called Programs and Features). Find the toolbar in the list and choose Remove.

Removing the Toolbars located within the Taskbar

While you won’t actually remove the Windows Taskbar, you can customize it as well as hide it from view. In addition, you can show or hide numerous toolbars within it such as Address, Links, QuickLaunch, and Desktop. First, right-click a blank area of the Taskbar. A sub-menu appears. From here, you can click Toolbars which will allow you to show or hide the different toolbars according to your preferences. Another option is to click on Properties where a dialog box offers even more choices. For example, you can opt to auto-hide the Taskbar as well as select or deselect toolbars for display on the Taskbar itself.

You were on the right track with System Restore - it is a good choice if your computer won’t boot. I’m not sure why it is not running properly - are you getting any error messages when it runs? Vista comes with System Restore which automatically sets restore points on your computer so that you can basically go back in time to a point where your computer was operating properly. You will lose any system settings that have been installed on your computer since the restore point, but your data should be fine.

System Restore should ask you to pick a restore point. Perhaps the restore point you’re choosing isn’t back far enough. Pick a restore point that is a little further back and see if the restore is successful.

Restore from CD

Was your laptop OEM, in that it came from the manufacturer with the operating system reinstalled, or did you install Vista yourself? If you have the original install CDs, you can do a System Restore from the CD which should work better. Put the CD in the drive and you will see the Vista screen. There are two choices that can help boot to Vista - Startup Repair and System Restore. I would start with Startup Repair and if that doesn’t work, try System Restore. When you remove the CD and start the computer, it should function normally.

If you have an OEM computer, the disks that ship with the laptop may not offer repair options, only a complete reinstall. If you reinstall or restore rather than repair, you may wipe all of the information off the computer and it will be restored to the state it was in when you ordered it. If this is the case, contact the manufacturer and see if they have OEM disks that will allow you to do a Startup Repair.

Restore from BIOS

If you can get into BIOS by pressing DEL, F2 or F8 (it varies from laptop to laptop). You can find a list of BIOS keys at the Tech Guy Forums. Once into BIOS, you can choose the last known configuration and that should get you to a point where Vista will boot.

If none of these suggestions work, then you need to play computer detective. There is either a problem with a corrupt file or a hardware problem. Search this site for troubleshooting hard drive corruption and hardware problems or write us back and we can take you further.

Using Paint to Print a List of Files on an External Hard Drive

Quite a few steps are involved in this strategy, but it’s really simple. Just read through it once before you begin and it should make sense. Open the hard drive that you want to access the files from in order to print them:

1. Click Start→ Click My Computer→ Double Click on the External Hard Drive to open it.
2. Locate and open the folder for the files that you want to print out.
3. On top of the box, select “View” and choose the “list” option.
4. Minimize the folder by hovering the cursor arrow on the border until you get a double headed arrow. Move the arrow inward and shrink the folder making sure the list is visible.
5. Simultaneously press both the “Alt” and “Print Screen” keys on the keyboard.
6. Next, you need to open the paint program, which can be accessed by following this path: Click Start→ Click Programs→ Click Accessories→ Paint.
7. Once this program is open, paste the files by selecting “Edit” and “Paste” or right click with the mouse and select “Paste.”
8. If you are prompted to enlarge the bitmap, select yes.
9. You can either save or print or both at this point.
10. Repeat as often as necessary to access each of the files that you want to include.

Using Software to Print a List of Files on an External Hard Drive

A number of different software applications are available for those who wish to print lists of the files that they have stored on a hard drive. I haven’t actually tried any of these so I can’t recommend one over another. You can do a Google search for the words “Directory Printer” and it will generate an entire list for you. Browsing through forums, I have seen mention of Karen’s Directory Printer, The JR Directory Printer, and Advanced Directory Printer. The first one is free.

Creating a Batch File to Print a List of Files on an External Hard Drive

Alternatively, if you want to learn how to do so, you can create a batch file and print that. This strategy seems like a lot more work than the other two options. Personally, I would stick to one of the other two strategies.

Microsoft Vista doesn’t have an application to make business cards built in. To design and print business cards you will need to get a specific software program. Windows Vista is an operating program, which means that it is a software program that is designed as an interface between the computer hardware, the applications that you run, and you. The operating system hosts applications, such as the design program that you want, and it makes it visual and accessible to the user. The operating system provides the graphics and the icons that make your programs and your computer useable. Windows Vista includes quite a few features, but they are designed to make your computer more user-friendly, not to perform other tasks.

Printing Business Cards

To design and print your business cards, you will need to download or purchase and install a design software program. In addition to operating systems, Microsoft also makes a software suite called Office, which includes a program called Publisher, and another called Word. If you bought the Microsoft Office Suite for your PC when you installed Vista, then you have these programs on your computer.

To find these programs on your computer, open the Start Menu, then All Programs, and then find either Word or Publisher in the list. You can take some time and look around in both these programs, perhaps make a draft business card, and see which program you prefer. If you don’t have the Office Suite, you can buy it, or you can download a 60-day free trial of either Publisher, or Word, or both. If you like the program enough, you might decide to purchase it later. Both programs are easy and intuitive to use. When you open Publisher, you can choose a business card template, and a wizard will guide you through the design process. You will also need a printer - color if you are designing a card other than black and white - and business card printing paper.

Business Card Stock

Most office supply stores carry business card stock made for today’s home printers. These are perforated sheets that you print on before separating into individual cards. Many word processors such as Microsoft Word have pre-made business card templates that match the popular business card stock types. For example, in Word 2007, you would go to the Mailings tab and select the Labels icon. Next, click Options and then select the vendor (such as Avery) followed by the product number which is found on the business card stock packaging.  

Windows Vista Manual

If you still want a manual for Windows Vista, which is not a bad idea to get the most out of your system, there is an online user’s guide website available here http://www.windowsvistauserguide.com/.