A+ Guide To Managing And Maintaining Your Pc - Trouble Shooting Windows And Applications

Front 1

Action Center

Back 1

(Accessed) from the System window or Action center flag (used) to solve problems when installing a device or application, to solve problems with software and hardware and to get the history and current problems

Hint 1

in system window or action flag, solve problems with software and hardware (also when first installed),history of past and current problems

Front 2

Advance Boot Options Menu

Back 2

(Accessed) by pressing F8 when Windows first starts to load (Used) to help you troubleshoot boot problems. (Windows 7/Vista), In XP called Boot Options Menu

Hint 2

press F8 before load helps troubleshoot boot options, for Windows 7/Vista

Front 3

Back up and restore (Windows 7)

Back 3

(Accessed) in Windows 7 in start menu (Used) it to back up and restore user data and the system Image, and to make a rescue disc

Hint 3

Windows 7 back up and restore

Front 4

Backup and Restore (Vista)

Back 4

In Vista, this tool is called the back up and restore center. (Used) to back up and restore data and make a complete back up

Hint 4

Vista calls this back up and restore center

Front 5

Backup and Restore (XP)

Back 5

(Accessed) by typing ntbackup.exe. (Used) it to back up restore data and the system state

Hint 5

XP Back up and Restore (ntbackup.exe)

Front 6

Chkdsk (chkdsk.exe)

Back 6

(Accessed) enter chkdsk.exe at cmmd prompt (with parameters) (Used) to check and repairs errors on the drive. If critical system files are affected by these errors, repairing the drive might solve a startup problem. For Windows 7/Vista/XP

Hint 6

(chkdsk.exe) check and repairs errors on the drive, might solve start up problems.

Front 7

Chkdsk /f

Back 7

fixes errors on the disk (disk must be locked)

Hint 7

fixes disk errors

Front 8

Chkdsk /v

Back 8

displays the name of each file in every directory as the disk is checked

Hint 8

gives names of files that are checked while being checked

Front 9

Chkdsk /r

Back 9

Locates bad sectors and recovers readable information also gives additional analysis on physical disk errors

Hint 9

locates bad sectors and recovers readable information checks for physical errors also

Front 10

Chkdsk /x

Back 10

forces the volume to dismount first, (if necessary). All open handles to the drive are invalidated

Hint 10

forces the volume to dismount first

Front 11

Chkdsk /i

Back 11

use with NTFS only. performs a less vigrious check of index entries, which reduces the amount of time required to run chkdsk

Hint 11

only for NTFS, check index of entries, reduces amount time to run chkdsk

Front 12

Chkdsk /b

Back 12

NTFS only. clears the list of bad on the volume and rescans all allocated and free clusters. Use this after imaging a volume to a new hard disk drive

Hint 12

NTFS only. clears list for bad sectors on the volume. use after imaging a volume to a new hard disk drive

Front 13

Cipher (Cipher.exe)

Back 13

(Accessed) at cmmd prompt enter cipher. (Used) Log in as an administrator and use this command to decrypt a file that is not available because the user account that encrypted it is no longer available. Windows 7/Vista/XP

Front 14

Cipher /e

Back 14

encrypts the specific folders. Folders are marked so that files that are added to the folder later are encrypted too.

Hint 14

encrypts the specific folders, files that are added to the folder are also encrypted

Front 15

Cipher /d

Back 15

decrypts the specific folders.

Hint 15

decrypts folders

Front 16

Cipher /w

Back 16

write with pathname. (used) removes data on unused portions of the volumes

Hint 16

removes data and unused portions of the volume

Front 17

comparability mode

Back 17

(Accessed) from the action center or program files shortcut. (Used) resolves issues that prevent legacy application or drivers from working. Windows 7/ Vista (Program Compatibilty Wizard)

Hint 17

resolves issues that prevent legacy application or drivers from working

Front 18

Component Services

Back 18

(Accessed) in administrative tools list in control panel. Registers a component of an application with the system.

Hint 18

Registers a component of an application with the system

Front 19

Computer Management
(Compmgmt.msc)

Back 19

(Accessed) from control panel or Compmgmt.msc in cmmd prompt. (Used) to access several snap-ins to manage and troubleshoot a system.
Windows 7/Vista/XP

Hint 19

access several snap-ins to manage and troubleshoot a system

Front 20

Data Sources (ODBC)

Back 20

(Accessed) in admidstrative tools list in control panel (Used) install drivers so that an application can open a foreign drive data source.

Hint 20

install drivers so that an application can open a foreign drive data source

Front 21

Device Driver Roll Back

Back 21

(Accessed) from device manager. (used) it to replace a driver with the same one that would have worked before the current driver was installed.

Hint 21

replace a driver with the same one that would have worked before the current driver was installed

Front 22

Device Manager
(Devmgmt. msc)

Back 22

(Accessed) from the system window or system properties window (XP) (Used)to solve problems with hardware devices, to update device, and to disable and uninstall a device.

Hint 22

solve problems with hardware devices, to update device, and to disable and uninstall a device

Front 23

Disk Cleanup (Cleanmgr.exe)

Back 23

(Accessed) from a drivers Properties box or by entering Cleanmgr.exe in cmmd prompt. (Used ) to delete unused files to make more disk space available (little space causes boot problems).

Hint 23

delete unused files to make more disk space available

Front 24

Disk Defragmenter (Dfrg.msc or defrag.exe)

Back 24

(Accessed) by a drivers Properties box or defrag.exe in cmmd prompt. (Used) it to defragment a volume on a magnetic hard drive to improve performance

Hint 24

defragment a volume on a magnetic hard drive to improve performance

Front 25

Dfrg.exe for XP

Back 25

To open Disk Defragmenter XP: click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click Disk Defragmente

Hint 25

XP dfrg.exe

Front 26

Disk Defragmenter method 1

Back 26

Method 1: Use the Properties of Your Local Disk. Open My Computer.Right-click the local disk volume that you want to defragment, and then click Properties. On the Tools tab, click. Defragment Now Click Defragment

Hint 26

defrag method 1

Front 27

Defrg.exe /c

Back 27

defragments all local disks on the computer

Hint 27

defragments all local disks

Front 28

defg.exe /f

Back 28

Forces defragmentation of the disk when free space is slow

Hint 28

gives free space when disk is slow

Front 29

Disk Management (Diskmgmt.msc or exe)

Back 29

(Accessed) from the Computer Management Console, or Diskmgmt.msc at command prompt (Used) to view and modify partitions on hard drives and to format drives.

Hint 29

to view and modify partitions on hard drives and to format drives.

Front 30

File Signature Verification Tool (Sigverif.exe)

Back 30

(Accessed) at command prompt, enter Sigverif w/ parameters (Used) Searches for installed drivers that are unsigned stores results in \Windows\sigverif.txt . When a device driver or other software is giving problems use it to verify that the software has been approved by Microsoft

Hint 30

When a device driver or other software is giving problems use it to verify that the software has been approved by Microsoft

Front 31

Sigverif.exe /parameters

Back 31

/a shows extended version information. /h shows hidden files . /u show unsigned only . For Windows 7/Vista/XP

Front 32

Driver Verifier (verifier.exe)

Back 32

(Accessed) verifier.exe at command prompt. (Used) to identify a driver that is causing a problem. Puts stress on selected drivers, causes that driver with the problem to crash. Solves system lock-up errors or blue screen errors caused by a corrupted I/O device driver

Hint 32

identify a driver that is causing a problem. Puts stress on selected drivers, causes that driver with the problem to crash. Solves system lock-up errors or blue screen errors caused by a corrupted I/O device driver

Front 33

Error Reporting or Archived Messages

Back 33

(Accessed) For Windows 7 located in the action center. For Vista this is called Problems Reports and Solutions. Windows7/Vista keep a history of past and springs
solutions, XP does not (Uses) automated Windows service displays error message when an application errors occers.

Hint 33

automated Windows service displays error message when an application errors occers.

Front 34

Event Viewer (Eventvwr.msc)

Back 34

(Accessed) from the Computer Management console or in admidstrative tools (Used) check the Event Viewer logs for error messages to help you investigate all kinds of hardware, security and system problems

Hint 34

check the Event Viewer logs for error messages to help you investigate all kinds of hardware, security and system problems

Front 35

Group Policy (Gpedit.msc)

Back 35

(Accessed) enter Gpedit.msc, or use Computer management console. Only available in Business and Professional editions. (Used) to display and change policies controlling users and the computer.

Hint 35

display and change policies controlling users and the computer. Only available in Business and Professional editions

Front 36

Last Known Good Configuration

Back 36

(Accessed) Press F8 at startup and select from the Advance Boot Options (Used) When Windows won't start the normally and you want to revert the system to before a Windows setting, driver, or applications that is causing problems was changed

Hint 36

When Windows won't start the normally and you want to revert the system to before a Windows setting, driver, or applications that is causing problems was changed

Front 37

Memory Diagnostics (mdsched.exe)

Back 37

(Accessed) mdsched.exe in command prompt or System Recovery Options menu when computer is in Windows RE (only for Windows 7/Vista) (Used) to test memory

Hint 37

used to test memory

Front 38

Network and Sharing Center

Back 38

(Acessed) from taskbar or Control Panel (used) centralized location to manage network connections and network security (Windows 7/Vista)

Hint 38

manage network connections and network security for Windows 7/Vista

Front 39

Performance Monitor (Perfmon.msc)

Back 39

(Accessed) enter Perfmon.msc in command prompt (For Windows7/XP) and in reliability and Performance (Windows Vista) (Used ) to view information about performance to help you identify a performance bottleneck

Hint 39

to view information about performance to help you identify a performance bottleneck

Front 40

Programs and Features Windows

Back 40

(Accessed) from Control Panel (Windows 7/Vista) or Add or Remove Programs window (XP) (Used) to install,repair, or update software or certain device drivers that are causing a problem

Hint 40

install,repair, or update software or certain device drivers that are causing a problem

Front 41

Registry Editor (Regedit.exe)

Back 41

(Asscessed) Regedit.exe in command prompt (Used) to view and edit registry

Hint 41

view and edit registry

Front 42

Reliability Monitor

Back 42

(Accessed) Action Center (Windows 7) Reliability and Performance Monitor (Vista) (Used) to get history of past problems with a computer (Only for Windows 7/Vista)

Hint 42

history of past problems with a computer

Front 43

Resource Monitor (Resmon.exe)

Back 43

(Accessed) Task Manger or Action Center (Windows 7) Reliability and Performance Monitor (Vista) (Used) view performance of CPU, memory,hard drive and network

Hint 43

view performance of CPU, memory,hard drive and networ

Front 44

Runas (Runas.exe)

Back 44

(Accessed) enter Runas w/ parameters or shift/right-click choose Run as administrator or Run as different user from the shortcut menu (Used) to run a program using different permissions from those assigned to the currently logged on user

Hint 44

run a program using different permissions from those assigned to the currently logged on user

Front 45

Safe Mode

Back 45

(Accessed) at startup press F8 and select the option from the Advance Boot Options menu (Used) when Windows does not start or starts with errors. Safe mode loads the Windows desktop with a minimum configuration, you can solve a problem with a driver, display setting, or corrupted or malicious application

Hint 45

when Windows does not start or starts with errors. Safe mode loads with a minimum configuration, solve a problem with a driver, display setting, or corrupted or malicious application

Front 46

SC (SC.exe)

Back 46

(Accessed) enter SC w/ parameters. SC boot = indicates whether the last boot should be saved as the last known good boot configuration. (Used) to stop or start a service that runs in the background

Hint 46

stop or start a service that runs in the background

Front 47

Services (Services.msc)

Back 47

(Accessed) Services.msc in command prompt (Used) graphical version SC

Hint 47

graphical version SC

Front 48

Software Explorer

Back 48

(Accessed) from Windows Defender (Used) to view and change programs launched arty start up. (only for Vista)

Hint 48

view and change programs launched arty start up.

Front 49

System Configuration (Msconfig.exe)

Back 49

(Accessed) Msconfig.exe in Search box (Used) troubleshoot the startup process by temporarily disabling startup programs and services

Hint 49

temporarily disabling startup programs and services

Front 50

System File Checker ( Sfc.exe)

Back 50

(Acessed) enter Advice in command prompt w/ parameters. sfc /scannow = elevated command prompt, scan all system files and verify them.
sfc /scanonce= which scans files immediately after the next boot (Used) to verify the version of all system files when Windows loads. Useful when you suspect system files are corrupted.

Hint 50

verify the version of all system files when Windows loads. Useful when you suspect system files are corrupted.

Front 51

System Information (Msinfo32.exe)

Back 51

(Accessed) Msinfo32.exe in Search box (Used) to display information about hardware, applications, and Windows

Hint 51

display information about hardware, applications, and Windows

Front 52

System information (systeminfo.exe)

Back 52

(Accesses) systeminfo.exe at command prompt (Used) systeminfo.exe >Myfile.txt. you can print and use this to document information about the system

Hint 52

print and use this to document information about the system

Front 53

System Restore (Rstrui.exe)

Back 53

(Accessed) from the start menu, when loading safe mode, or from the System recovery options (Windows RE) (Used) to restore the system to a restore the system to a previously working conditions called a restore point. restores registry, some system files, and some application files. automatically created when Windows System Protection is on

Hint 53

restore the system to a restore the system to a previously working conditions called a restore point. restores registry, some system files, and some application files

Front 54

Task killing Utilities (tskill.exe or taskkill.exe)

Back 54

(Accessed) tskill.exe or taskkill.exe in command prompt. (only in windows business and professional editions) (Used) to stop or kill a process or program currently running. Useful when managing background services such as an email server or web server

Hint 54

stop or kill a process or program currently running

Front 55

Task Lister (Tasklist.exe)

Back 55

(Accessed) Tasklist.exe in command prompt. (Used) to list currently running processes similar to the list provided by Task Manger

Hint 55

list currently running processes similar to the list provided by Task Manger

Front 56

Task Manger (Taskman.exe)

Back 56

(Accessed) right click the task bar and select Start task manager. (Used) it to list and stop currently running processes, useful when you need to stop a locked up applications

Hint 56

it to list and stop currently running processes, useful when you need to stop a locked up applications

Front 57

Windows Defender

Back 57

(Asscessed) from control panel (Used) monitors activity and alerts you if a running program appears to be malicious or damages the system (only in Windows 7/Vista)

Hint 57

monitors activity and alerts you if a running program appears to be malicious or damages the system

Front 58

Windows File Protection

Back 58

(Used) Windows service that runs in the background to protect system files system and restore overwritten system files as needed

Hint 58

protect system files system and restore overwritten system files as needed

Front 59

Windows Firewall

Back 59

(Used) service that runs in the in the background to prevent or filter uninvited communication from another computer

Hint 59

prevent or filter uninvited communication from another computer

Front 60

Windows Update (Wupdmgr.exe)

Back 60

(Accessed) from start menu (used) to update Windows by downloading the latest patches from the Microsoft web site

Hint 60

update Windows by downloading the latest patches from the Microsoft web site

Front 61

Windows XP Mode

Back 61

(Used) Download and install on Windows 7 Professional and Ultimate editions to run legacy applications they won't work using Compatibility mode

Hint 61

run legacy applications they won't work using Compatibility mode