Every once in a while, my computer refuses to shut down completely. Sometimes, it simply freezes up and does nothing. Other times it starts to shut down and then suddenly restarts.

This can be so frustrating, but not as frustrating as not knowing what to do when the computer refuses to shut down. This problem of not knowing what steps to take to correct the situation might be a direct result of the fact that so many different circumstances can create a computer that refuses to shut down.

The first step that I might take when troubleshooting this problem is to close all running programs before attempting to shut the computer down again. Since one of my computers is more than a dozen years old, it needs a memory upgrade that I haven’t gotten around to completing yet. Upgrading the memory on a computer can help with some computer issues including shut down problems. Too little memory might cause the computer to freeze up. Therefore, upgrading your memory to a higher capacity could eliminate the problems with shutting down the machine

On random occasion, I set my computer to restart when I shut it down. So, I double check this feature whenever my computer reboots after I shut it down. System failures can also account for a reboot, so checking your system’s error log is another option.

Another one of the first strategies I take is to check that any current updates have been installed on my computer. Updates are often designed to resolve incompatibility issues or bugs so it’s essential to have these.

Since a variety of malware applications can create all sorts of problems with computers including shut down issues, another one of the first strategies I take is to run my anti-virus and anti-spyware software programs. Deleting anything that appears to have infected my computer might resolve the issue. If it doesn’t, then I need to move on to the next strategy.

Eliminating any unnecessary programs should not only speed up my computer’s processing, but also, it might resolve any issues with shut down. Cleaning up my computer is a task that occurs on a regular basis. Not only does it increase the computer’s processing speed, but also it minimizes incompatibility issues. Therefore, I am going to delete any old applications, documents, and files that I no longer need.

Checking to see if the computer errors that my machine experiences are occurring during the time that my machine has issues with shut down might also help to identify the problem. Once the errors are fixed, the problem might resolve itself.

If I need to shut down the computer manually by holding in the power button, it isn’t really a shut down issue. Rather, if that happens, it is a power down issue that you need to resolve. Additionally, shut down issues with specific operating systems might have a fix from the manufacturer, so checking their website is another viable option for resolving the issue.

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Windows XP Tips: How to Perform a Clean Install

Many Windows XP users perform a clean install once a year or so. This is a good idea for several reasons. You get a fresh copy of the OS – all of your changes, good or bad, are gone. All of the extra junk that you don’t need or want on your hard drive – old registry changes, for example, or spyware and adware – disappear. And you don’t have to worry about sluggish performance after a reinstallation, either.

And if you’re having major PC issues, the clean install is a somewhat-fast and fairly-easy way to fix things. This is often the last resort, but it’s sometimes the only thing that will save the PC.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to performing a clean install. This process will take some time – more than an hour in most cases – so plan ahead before you start this task. You’ll need the ability to work without interruptions or distractions, so try to plan for a time when you can be left alone to work.

Before You Start the Install:

Back up all of your important files. When you format the hard drive, you will lose everything. You should test your backups after you make them. Few things are worse than taking the time to save data, only to learn after the fact that the disc was corrupted, or that the data did not properly record.

Now, collect all the necessary discs. You will need your Windows XP installation disc and the product key. If you do not have the product key, then you cannot activate Windows.

You will also need the CD-ROMs that came with your hardware. This is particularly important for modems, monitors and other necessary devices.

Finally, make sure that you have the installation files or discs and registration codes for any software that you have on your system. You will have to reinstall and re-activate all of these programs, so make sure that you can do this before you eradicate everything on your hard drive.

Before you do anything else, double-check your work so far. Make sure that you’ve really backed up everything that you can’t afford to lose and that you have all the software and product keys that you’ll need to reinstall your favorite programs and hardware.

How to Perform a Clean Install of Windows XP

Put the WinXP installation disc in your CD drive and restart your computer. You will soon see a message stating that you should press any key to boot from CD. Press any key that comes to mind so that Windows will boot from the disc.

The Windows installation screen will come up soon. Press Enter to install Windows.

Press F8 to accept the Windows licensing agreement. (You might want to read first if you never have before. This agreement contains some interesting and very important information about what you can and cannot do with your copy of WinXP.)

Now Windows gives you a list of your current WinXP installations. You probably have just one. If not, use the arrow keys to select the XP installation that you want to wipe out and hit the Esc key to perform a clean install.

Part of installing a fresh copy of XP is deleting the old partition: the one on which XP currently resides. Now that you’re at this screen, use the arrow keys to highlight the partition that you want to erase (it’s usually the one that’s already highlighted, in fact) and press D to delete.

Hit Enter to confirm that you really want to delete the partition. Remember: you’re deleting everything, so you won’t be able to access the files and other data once they’re gone.

Now Windows will ask for another confirmation. Hit L this time.

Windows will delete the system partition. If you did not create any other partitions when you last installed WinXP, you should see only one entry: unpartitioned space. Make sure that this line is highlighted and then hit C to create the new partition.

In many cases, you’re best off using the default partition settings. This is not necessarily the case if you create other partitions on the hard drive, but most users will do just fine by hitting Enter to accept and use the defaults.

Now that the new partition is installed, you will see two entries: the new partition and unpartitioned space. Ignore the second one: highlight the first line (the new partition) and hit Enter to begin Windows XP installation.

Here is where the options become a little more complicated. You should see four options. The first two are for different types of quick installation. Ignore those: you want the standard installation.

You’ll see two different file system types: FAT and NTFS. The latter is usually best for WinXP: highlight that entry and hit Enter to move on.

You can hang out for a while now. Windows is copying and loading setup files. Then it will start the actual installation, which can take a while. Stay fairly close to the PC to make sure that everything goes as it should, but you don’t have to interact with the system for a while.

When WinXP requires your input, you can come back and select the options that you need. You will do things like set your time zone, tell WinXP what type of network connection you use, et cetera.

Eventually, you’ll reach the registration screen. This is optional. At some point, however, you will have to activate your copy of WinXP. You can do this via telephone or Internet, depending on your preferences.

Once you’re finished with all the setup tasks that you need to complete before WinXP is ready to run, the operating system will start. You should have a clean install that’s easy to use and ready to be changed according to your needs.

Now you can reload your saved files, install your hardware drivers and favorite programs and otherwise enjoy your newly-installed operating system.

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Will My Old Computer Games Run in WinXP?

So you were cleaning out your storage area and found a box of PC games that you used to play on your old computer. You remember all the fun that you had with these games: some were so great, in fact, that you want to play them again. (There’s a lot to be said for classics like Sim City 2000, after all!)

The only problem: you don’t actually have that old computer anymore. Now you’re running Windows XP. This OS is different from its predecessors – especially Windows 95 and Windows 98. How, you wonder, will your old games run on this newer computer?

The good news is that many of your old computer games can – and will – work with your PC. In most cases, you can have those games up and running in just a few minutes. Here’s what you need to do to enjoy those classics once again.

Ignore the operating system requirements printed on the packaging. Those were written before XP was released: hence, no WinXP listing. You do need to meet the minimum standards for hard drive space, memory, video card, et cetera. These requirements should not pose problems: you are, after all, on a newer system with better hardware.

Before you do anything, you should create a restore point. Windows XP lets you do this as often as you want. You need to create yours before you try to install anything. This lets you undo the changes – just in case something goes wrong. Backing up your crucial data isn’t a bad idea, either.

Pop the CD-ROM into the CD drive and see what happens. In the best-case scenario, the installation file automatically runs. In just a few minutes, you’ll be re-living the old days of PC gaming!

That, however, does not always happen. Many WinXP systems are clueless about older games: they’ll give you the PC equivalent of a blank stare when you try to install the programs. Don’t panic: you can still make this work. Before you give up, try these things.

• Manually run the installation/setup file. Just go to “My Computer” and double-click on your CD-ROM drive’s letter icon. The rest will probably take care of itself.
• Restart your computer. Sometimes this helps for one reason or another. In fact: most Windows glitches and problems are solved by rebooting.
• Make sure that the CD-ROM is clean and undamaged. If the CD is scratched or dirty, it might not work well. Clean up with a soft, lint-free rag and try again.

Sometimes a successfully-installed program will give you error messages. For example: in Sim City 2000, clicking on the “Help” icon might result in a dialogue box stating that you have to use a different version of the file. This is not a big deal: just click on “OK” and keep going. You’ll get your help file.

You can safely ignore most other error messages too – even the ones stating that your display settings are wrong. (Newer computers have much better graphics than the ones for which these games were originally designed: this can trick the software.) The computer will usually figure out what’s going on so that you can keep playing your game.

Not every older PC game is guaranteed to work with WinXP, but you should be able to play most of your favorites. Enjoy the nostalgic moment – or weekend, depending on how much you play.

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Windows Vista Customization – Five Must-Have Sidebar Gadgets

One of Windows Vista’s most immediately obvious features is the “Sidebar” – a taskbar, usually docked to the side of the screen, in which you can quickly and easily install “gadgets” – small applications that can help you automate some of your most common tasks. Although every user has a different recipe for the “perfect” gadget configuration, there are a few essential gadgets most users are going to want to get their hands on:

1) An RSS Gadget (and some good RSS feeds to go along with it) like Feed Headlines or News By Keyword.
RSS stands for “Really Simple Syndication” – just think of it as a way for you to get the news headlines you’re most interested in delivered (and constantly updated) to your desktop, with links to the full articles online. You can add newsfeeds from virtually any news provider, allowing you to tailor-make your news reading experience, or have the gadget search for feeds by keyword.

2) A freeware weather Gadget like Weather or MSN Weather.

Face it – unless you live on the North Pole you’re going to need to know what the weather’s like outside. A weather gadget on your desktop can serve as a virtual weather station, letting you know the temperature, forecast, and conditions – without you even having to look out the window.

3) A CPU / System Monitor Gadget like Multi-Meter or All CPU Meter.

Even if you think you don’t need one of these, you probably do anyway. A system monitor can tell you things about your computer you’ll probably want to know – like how much of your system’s RAM is currently in use (and how much is remaining) or how much processing power that Vista Aero theme you’ve got is using up.
 
System monitors come in all shapes and sizes – some display network bandwidth information, some display critical system information; you’d do best to pick the one that seems to correspond most to your level of ability. There’s no sense in inundating yourself with useless information. For the novice, try Multi-Meter. The more experienced user might prefer All CPU Meter, which displays more advanced system details.

4) A Package Tracking Gadget like Package Tracker.

If you’ve ever bought anything on Amazon.com lately, you’ll know how troublesome it can be to constantly log onto sites like FedEx.com and repeatedly type in a long tracking number to check your package’s status.

With a good package tracking gadget like Package Tracker, you can check the status of your packages as easily as glancing at your Vista sidebar – and the sidebar gadgets are occasionally faster to update package status than the shipping providers’ own website interfaces.  Packing gadgets can be invaluable to frequent Ebay users, online buyers and sellers, or corporate purchasing managers.
  
5) A note-keeping Gadget like Notes or Outlook Notes.
 
Sometimes, getting your word processor up and running just takes too long – you’ve got to type something and you don’t have any time to waste. Look no further than a note-keeping gadget like Notes or Outlook Notes, which work like a virtual notepad, allowing you to jot down quick records and store them for future use.

With the ability to run multiple instances of the same gadget, you could use a note-keeping Gadget to keep track of shopping or packing lists, recipes, or just about anything that pops into your head – it’s as easy as clicking the notepad in the sidebar and typing away. With no need to name or save files, a note-keeping Gadget makes the task of keeping your digital life organized significantly easier and less time-consuming.

With gadgets available to simplify Google searches, calendar-keeping, stock, package or flight tracking, remote desktop connections, even to convert RSS feeds into digitized speech, these five Gadgets only represent a jumping off-point; every user will have their own specific needs and preferences as to what belongs in the sidebar; fortunately, Vista users can connect to Microsoft’s Gadget repository and easily download and install new ones, or update Gadgets with new versions. Many options like opacity, size, location, and so on can be customized by right-clicking an item on the sidebar, and gadgets may even be “undocked” from the sidebar and place at the discretion of the user, anywhere on the desktop, allowing for almost infinite customization of the Vista experience.
As new are Gadgets released daily, Windows Vista users might someday need a gadget to control their gadgets – and some are already available. For the intrepid programmer, gadgets represent an opportunity to place their application on the desktop of millions; let’s just hope they haven’t come up with a Gadget to play computer solitaire.

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Windows Vista Password Tips

When your PC’s security is a concern, Windows Vista lets you assign user passwords to each account. This prevents unauthorized users from accessing your files and programs. But at the same time, these passwords can give you a lot of trouble. Sometimes you forget which password you’re using. Other times, you just need to change the current password. Vista makes all of your password-related chores fairly straightforward and easy. Here’s how to do pretty much anything that you want.

How to Make a Vista Logon Password
If your computer is not password protected, you should pick a secure password. This will keep people out of your account, which is necessary if you want to protect your files and personal data. Creating a Vista logon password is easy. Just follow these steps.

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