I am using a Sony VAIO VGN-FW12M model laptop from past two years. I lost the recovery disc and now I want to my device back to the factory settings. I tried pressing F10 while booting the system to get recovery and while starting the recovery process it says “copying file / folder failed.” Need help from you experts. Thanks.

A number of issues could be related to your problem when trying to access the recovery partition of your laptop. I’ll offer a few suggestions for resolving this problem accessing Sony VAIO recovery options along with a few additional options.

Recovering Sony VAIO to Factory Settings: Resolving Errors with the Recovery Process Including Malware and Registry Errors

Most Sony VAIO laptops include a recovery partition that allows you to restore the factory settings on it. Pressing the “F10″ key allows you to access it. The fact that your laptop isn’t allowing the recovery process to continue could indicate problems with the registry or the presence of malware.

To rule out problems with malware, run your anti-spyware/anti-virus application on your laptop to remove potential problems that might be causing the error that you are experiencing. To rule out registry-related problems, use a reliable registry cleaner to restore the laptop back to good working order. Once you have completed both of these tasks, try to access the recovery process again using the “F10″ key.

Recovering Sony VAIO to Factory Settings: Access Recovery Partition Through “Start”

While you should be able to access the recovery partition through completion, use this suggestion to open it. Chances are that it won’t change anything and you will still have the error, but you can always try it. Simply click on “Start.” In the “VAIO Central” window, click on the “support” option and select “recovery.” Follow the prompts and hopefully this strategy allows you to restore the laptop to factory settings.

Recovering Sony VAIO to Factory Settings: Resolving Errors with the Recovery Process and “Last Known Good Configuration”

 If you are still experiencing problems accessing the recovery process and getting it to run through completion, try resetting your laptop to the “last known good configuration.” Once you have completed that task, try accessing the sony VAIO recovery options again.

Recovering Sony VAIO to Factory Settings: Order New Recovery Disks

If all else fails, you also have the option to order a new set of Sony VAIO recovery disks (Recovery Media Kit) from Sony. Visit service and sales at Sony to access the Sony Direct Accessories and Parts Center website. You need to have your laptop’s model number in order to receive the correct set of Sony VAIO recovery discs. Once you are at the website, visit “List Parts and Accessories.” You will receive a series of prompts that take you through the ordering process. Just follow the directions. You can also call Sony’s customer service department and order the Sony VAIO recovery discs over the phone.

First, let me say that it isn’t necessarily that you are doing anything wrong. Different operating systems function differently depending on which version you are using along with the type of resources you have available as well as what you are attempting to do. I have seen the problem that you are describing on one of my older computers, so I am going to suggest trying the fist solution before attempting any of the others, as it is most likely going to be the one that works for you.

Typically, when you receive an attachment along with your email, you do need to exercise caution to make sure that you trust the source. Scanning it with a reliable anti-virus protection application helps to protect you. You should always complete this step before opening any attachment.

Opening PDF Attachments: Save the PDF File

Although this might appear to be quite a simple solution, it isn’t one that most people would think of trying first. The natural conclusion when an attachment fails to open is simple that you must be doing something wrong. Sometimes, the failure to open is just a little quirk that can be fixed with this suggestion.

Instead of attempting to open the PDF file attachment directly through your email, first save the PDF file to the hard drive. When you double click or right click on the PDF attachment, you should see an option to save the file to disk along with the option to open the PDF. Simply choose “save it to disk.” Make sure you look to see which location your PDF file will be saved at so you know where to find it.

Before you open the PDF file for viewing, scan the file with your anti-virus protection to ensure that it is clean. It should open easily for you now.

Opening PDF Attachments: File Association

Typically, you can see the file association for any attached files that you receive in your email. It is important to check for a PDF file association before attempting to open the file with Adobe Reader. Once you are sure that you are dealing with a PDF, the next step is to check that the application you are trying to use to open it is the correct one. When you attempt to open your file, you should receive an opportunity to select the application that you want to use. Take this opportunity to make sure that the proper application has been selected to do so.

Opening PDF Attachments: Updates and Installation

On the off chance that your Adobe Reader is in need of an update or it has not been properly installed, you can uninstall it and reinstall the application on your desktop computer.

Opening PDF Attachments: Alternative Applications

Adobe Reader does have a tendency to be a resource hog. Therefore, you might also want to consider using an alternative application to open PDF attachments. Both Foxit Reader and Sumatra can be used to open files with PDF file associations.

Lion.exe Files 

This is a tricky question to answer, since it seems that both valid and unsafe computer programs use lion.exe files. There are some threat reports issued about lion.exe files, but there isn’t a lot of information available about them, so I’m not sure what they are. This kind of file - one that isn’t connected to specific program and easily researched - is usually best avoided, unless you can figure out what it is and where it came from.

Right off the bat, you should think about a couple things that might help you figure out what these files are all about and how they came to be on your computer.

There is a computer game, called Lion, that uses lion.exe files. If you, or another user, have installed this game on your computer, then the files might be related and benign. If this is the case, then you are most likely getting the error message related to an outdated game driver, which can be remedied by updating the drivers for your graphics card and other game related devices.

You should also be aware that .exe files are related to executable applications, which means that they are program files and are usually set to run themselves automatically once installed. If you suspect the files are suspicious and unwanted, you should use Windows Add/Remove as soon as you can and try to delete all the related files. Most of the time malware files are resistant to easy removal, so you might have to try some more advanced methods to clean your system. The Filetonic article database contains several how-to articles that should be able to offer you some helpful options for a more thorough cleaning.

There are a lot of sneaky ways that malware programs get on our computers, but it’s a good idea to be careful whenever you allow an .exe or executable file to access your system. After you try to manually remove the files, run some full system virus and malware scans. Hopefully, this takes care of the unknown lion.exe files.

Good luck! ]]> http://filetonic.com/blog/2010/08/23/what-is-lionexe/feed/ http://filetonic.com/blog/2010/08/23/usb-flash-drive-failure/ http://filetonic.com/blog/2010/08/23/usb-flash-drive-failure/#comments Mon, 23 Aug 2010 23:19:14 +0000 Kate Dubensky http://filetonic.com/blog/2010/08/23/usb-flash-drive-failure/ I have a Medion 8 GB USB Flash Drive. I am using a Dell Windows 7 (64-bit) PC. Everything was okay until today. I downloaded a movie and checked the flash drive with Norton Antivirus. As usual, I had no viruses. However, the flash drive stopped responding. It flashes, but I cannot open it. My computer doesn’t even show it. It usually shows up as the I drive. I hear clicking sounds, like computer is trying to open it, but nothing is happening. Do you think it is broken? Do you think that plugging the flash drive into the USB port, and then rebooting the computer while the flash drive was in might cure the problem? Could there be a virus that caused Norton Antivirus to block the flash drive from being read by the PC? My other flash drives work fine.

Diagnosing a Failed Flash Drive

To take your question in a few different parts - in the first place I think yes, your flash drive could be broken. Like everything, flash drives have life spans, and if you have been using it to download, save and replace movies for a while, it might have just reached the end of its days. A quick way to test this theory would be to plug the flash drive into another computer and see if there is any response - if the drive is dead then the computer won’t be able to open it. Not fool-proof, but worth a try. Because other flash drives are working, it’s possible but unlikely, that you need to update your USB drivers.

Resolve the Issue with Windows Disk Management

Another possibility is that your Windows operating system has produced a glitch that is preventing the drive from being recognized - and, thus, opened. Sometimes Windows Disk Management assigns removable devices drive letters that are already being used by another device. In such a case, the computer won’t be able to access the drive. Since your computer was able to open your other flash drives it is unlikely that this is the issue, but worth a try to rule it out.

The utility you need to use to check this is Disk Management, as a precaution - it is always good to backup your files before tampering with disk and partition settings. In Windows 7, you can launch Disk Management through the Start Menu by typing diskmgmt.msc into the search box, then click the file that appears to open the tool. The specific drive assignments for port can vary between computers, so you might have to look around a bit, but you can make sure that the drive letter used for your USB port isn’t being used by any other device or drive. USB ports are commonly designated H or I.

Reboot the System, and the Flash Drive

To answer your specific question about rebooting with the flash drive attached - the online community jury is out. It is not inconceivable that a reboot could resolve the issue - but before booting with the flash drive plugged in, I would suggest a simple computer reboot and power cycle. To do this, turn the computer off, then unplug it from the power source completely. Let it relax for a few minutes, then reconnect and reboot.

I hope this helps!

What is Add-in Express?

Add-in Express is a private company that offers a variety of tools and solutions that have been developed based upon the Microsoft Office Suite. Developers might obtain this program to assist them with their work. The ADX extensions allow users to customize their folders for Outlook. It also allows them to use VCL and .NET controls, forms, grids, and components when using Outlook Explorer windows.

The Add-in Express Extensions Error

This seems to be quite a specialized type of OE error, so I am not surprised that you need help with it. The “Add-in Express Extensions Error” indicates that you are experiencing a problem with a secondary program, Add-in Express, that you have installed on your computer. It would appear that the problem could possibly be on their end rather than on your end since the message indicates an error with the Add-in express extension.

I suggest contacting the company from which you downloaded Add-in Express and request assistance with the problem. Information on their website indicates that the software is still under development as they are attempting to perfect it.

The Add-in Express Extensions Error: Installation Problems

If you have only recently installed Add-in Express on your computer, it is possible that your installation of Add-in Express did not go as planned. The download site asks that anyone downloading the software cleans their computer first in order to remove potential problems. Did you defrag your computer? Did you run a scan for spyware and viruses? If not, perhaps now would be a good time to do so. You can also try uninstalling and re-installing Add-in Express on your computer.

The Add-in Express Extensions Error with Outlook Express

You can also attempt to open Outlook Express while you are in “Safe Mode.” You’ll need to press and hold the “ctrl” button and click on the Outlook icon. If the problem still occurs, then you should uninstall and re-install Add-in Express.

My Pictures Task Bar

When you open the My Pictures folder in Windows Explorer, a task pane usually appears in the left side of the window. Within this task pane is a section labeled Picture Tasks where you’ll find the View as a Slideshow option. As you’ve discovered, this task pane doesn’t always appear.

Common Tasks

Before detailing the steps for restoring Picture Tasks, let’s first touch on Common Tasks. Picture Tasks is but one of a category of Common Tasks. Depending on the folder type opened, different options will be presented. For example, if you were to open the My Music folder, you’ll see a difference collection of tasks related to your music files. When the settings covering Common Tasks are changed, tasks can become mixed up or not appear at all.

Showing the Common Tasks Pane

In order to get your Picture Tasks section back, you will need to go to your computer’s desktop and then right-click the My Computer icon. Choose Properties. Next, click the Advanced tab and look for the Settings button in the Performance section. Click Settings and you’ll be taken to the Visual Effects tab of Performance Options. Select Custom and scroll through the list of options until you find “Use common tasks in folders.” Place a check mark next to that option and click OK to confirm your decision.

That’s it. Now you should see the task pane and Picture Tasks when you open your My Pictures folder.

Truevision TARGA Files

TGA files are high-end image files originally developed by Truevision for display on its graphic display cards and for use with its video software programs. Also known as TARGA (Truevision Advanced Raster Graphics Adapter), the TGA file format supports color maps, any image dimension, thumbnail images, gamma values, alpha channels, textual information, and data defined by the developer. Note: Truevision was acquired by Pinnacle Systems.

What Programs Use TGA Files?

Though the TARGA file format was originally designed for use with Truevision hardware and video software, it quickly became a popular format with video game developers and graphic artists. Several paint applications began using the TGA file extension. Today, many paint applications and CAD applications support TGA.

How to Open TGA Files

In order to open a TGA file, you will need a program that supports the TGA file extension. If you currently have Apple QuickTime Player installed on your system, use that program to open the TGA file. If not, consider downloading it as this is a free program that should open the TGA file without a problem. Other options such as Adobe PhotoShop CS5, Adobe PhotoShop Elements, Adobe Illustrator, and CorePaintshop Pro are commercial programs. If you have any of these installed, then go ahead and use your program to open the TGA file. If not, you might try GIMP, a free open-source image manipulation program from Gimp.org that supports the TGA file format.

If you simply need to view the file, QuickTime should be fine. If you need to edit the file, you’ll want to use one of the other programs as QuickTime Player isn’t designed for image editing.

With two free options (Apple QuickTime and GIMP) and numerous commercial programs supporting TGA files, you should be able to open your TGA file in no time.

To learn more about the TGA file format or any other file extension, check out Filetonic’s File Extension Library.

KHEDBC.DLL Errors

There doesn’t appear to be much information about khedbc.dll and its function. However, that doesn’t mean you’re out of luck. DLL files are system and program files known as Dynamic Library Link files. Think of DLL files like software building blocks. For example, common software functions like printing or uploading files to a server are used across multiple programs. Rather than creating these functions from scratch, developers often use DLLs. Windows computers are preloaded with hundreds of DLLs and many more are installed with other programs. Not only does this make it easier for developers to create programs, it makes the programs smaller because many of the components required are already on the users’ systems.

Problems arise when DLLs disappear or become damaged. This can happen in many ways including uninstalling other programs (and agreeing to remove “shared system files”), power surges, virus attacks, and accidental deletion.

Restoring DLL Files

There are several ways to restore DLL files. In your case, since this just happened a few days ago, the easiest option is to use System Restore (if enabled). System Restore takes periodic snapshots of your system files so that should something go awry, you can restore those files. What’s neat about this utility is it doesn’t affect your data. It simply rolls back your system to an earlier date when all of its system files were intact. Your data files remain safe and sound. You may need to reinstall any programs installed after the restore point as well as re-update your operating system and antivirus programs.

Go to Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Restore and choose a restore point from before the problem occurred. Follow the prompts and your problem should soon be solved.

System File Checker

Another option for restoring DLL files, is the System File Checker. Because many DLL files are considered system files, this tool is often effective at restoring them. Go to Start > Run and type in: sfc /scannow  

This tool scans your system to make sure all of the system files are present and in good condition. If not, for example, if an expected DLL file is missing, the tool will replace the missing or damaged file with a clean copy. You may be prompted to insert your Windows installation disk so that the utility can copy the missing file back into place or your computer may have a hidden partition containing Windows setup files. Have your disk handy just in case.

Software and DLLs

If you recently installed or uninstalled software just before the DLL went missing, it’s possible that either the new installation overwrote the DLL or the uninstall removed it. If you know which program it was, try reversing the process (either uninstalling or reinstalling).

Hopefully System Restore will be available to you and solve this pesky missing DLL file.

Rest assured, this is one of those easy problems to solve. Some companies forget that there are real people on the receiving end of software updates and forget to include details for those of us who like to know where everything is going. This is especially true for someone who is unused to dealing with zipped files.

What Are ZIP Files?

A ZIP file, sometimes referred to as a compressed archive file, is a single file that contains a number of compressed files. It is also possible that a ZIP file might contain only a single file. The files are compressed to make them smaller and easier to be transmitted electronically. Plus, only one download is needed to transfer all of the files.

Downloading Acer Updates

When you downloaded your selected Acer Updates, each one was placed into a folder that was created at the time of the download. Quite often, these files are stored on the desktop or in your documents folder. Most likely, you already know where the original ZIP file is stored since you are attempting to extract the compressed files stored in it.

Unzip Acer Updates

Once you begin the task of unzipping updates, the following scenario typically occurs. After clicking to extract the files, a dialog box pops open that asks you where you want to download the ZIP files. You should download the extracted files into the original folder that includes the original ZIP file.

Location for Acer Updates

In all honesty, it is up to you where you would like to download your Acer updates. My best suggestion is to extract all of the Acer update files into the folder that contains the downloaded ZIP file. The utility you are using to unzip the files should automatically list the location of the original ZIP file (Acer update) when it pops open as you attempt to extract the files. The option to choose a directory is intended for advanced users who might wish to save their files in a different directory. This isn’t actually necessary however.

Since you are missing the SHDOCVW.dll, you need to restore it. While this might appear to be a daunting task due to the fact that your Windows operating system is not loading up properly, it is possible to repair the problem without too much difficulty.

What is SHDOCVW.dll?

SHDOCVW.dll is used by a variety of Windows applications. It assists in networking operations and basic file additions.  Computers using Windows XP can experience this problem. Use one or more of the suggestions until you find one that works. The most difficult one is listed last.

SHDOCVW.DLL Not Found

When SHDOCVW.DLL is not found, the screen does not load up in the typical way since windows won’t start. This is because the error has prevented your Windows operating system from opening properly and Windows does not load icons.

What to Do When SHDOCVW.DLL Not Found: Safe Mode

Turn the power to the computer on and immediately begin to press the “F8″ key. Use your arrow keys from the keyboard to select “Last Known Good Configuration.” Press enter.

What to Do When SHDOCVW.DLL Not Found: Use Installation Disk

If you have an installation disk, you should be able to use that to turn the computer on. Turn the power on, insert the disk into the drive, hit the “ESC” key on the keyboard and then press the “F1″ key (when check system appears) to change the boot up option to CD drive. Choose to repair your operating system and follow the prompts given.

What to Do When SHDOCVW.DLL Not Found: Replace File

In order to fix your missing SHDOCVW.DLL and replace it, you will need to open a command prompt environment. Just follow these directions:

1)   First, turn on the computer’s power and begin to press the “F8″ key from the keyboard immediately so that it will open to the proper screen - the Windows Advanced Options menu.

2)   At this point, you can use the arrow keys on your keyboard to select “Return to OS.”

3)   Now select the option for Windows Recovery Console.

4)   As soon as the login prompt shows, you need to indicate the version of Windows that you have.

5)   Type in the password if you know it or press “enter” from the keyboard.

6)   Type in “diskpart” when the command prompt appears.

7)   Press “enter” from the keyboard.

8)   Depending on what appears next, complete one of the following:

ü       Volume Table- look for the drive letter next to your main drive so that you are sure to have the right one for later, then press the escape key on your keyboard.

ü       If a prompt for Diskpart appears- type in “list volume” without the quotes and press “enter” from the keyboard. Look for the drive letter next to your main drive so that you are sure to have the right one for later, then type “exit” without the quotes and press enter.

9)   Open a command prompt and type “cd X: \i386″ without the quotes and where you fill in the drive letter in place of the X.

10)                     Type “expand shdocvq.dl_x:\windows\system32″ without the quotes and where you fill in the drive letter in place of the x.

11)                     Press the enter key from the keyboard and type ” cd X:\windows\system32″ without the quotes. Replace the X with the drive letter.

12)                     Press the enter key from the keyboard and type “rename shdocvw.dl_shdocvw.dll” without the quotes.

13)                     Press enter.

14)                     Type exit.

15)                     Press enter.