The first thing you should do is backup any important data, such as pictures, music files, favorites, and anything important that you've saved since purchasing the computer. All new data will be lost and the system will be returned to factory condition.
Next, you'll want to unplug any external devices, such as USB printers, cameras or scanners. These devices could interfere with the recovery process.
There are a couple of ways to reach the recovery screen. The easiest will be to tap the F10 key repeatedly when booting the PC. This will take you to a screen to begin the process. Or, once in Windows, you can go to Start>All Programs>HP Tools>HP PC System Recovery.
Follow the onscreen instructions. The process may take an hour or two depending on the size of the hard drive. Once complete, your HP computer should be reverted to the original factory condition.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Vista Startup Repair: FAQ
What is Startup Repair?
Startup Repair is a Windows Vista recovery tool that can fix certain problems, such as missing or damaged system files, that might prevent Windows from starting correctly. When you run Startup Repair, it scans your computer for the problem and then tries to fix it so your computer can start correctly.
Startup Repair is located on the System Recovery Options menu, which is on the Windows Vista installation disc. If your computer manufacturer has preinstalled recovery options, Startup Repair might also be installed on your hard disk. If your computer does not include Startup Repair, your computer manufacturer might have customized or replaced the tool. Check the information that came with your computer or go to the manufacturer's website.
How do I use Startup Repair?
If you have a Windows Vista installation disc, you need to restart (boot) your computer using the installation disc. If you do not restart your computer from the disc, the option to repair your computer will not appear.
If you have a Windows Vista installation disc:
1. Insert the installation disc.
2. Restart your computer.
Click the Start button , click the arrow next to the Lock button, and then click Restart.
3. If prompted, press any key to start Windows from the installation disc.
Note:
If your computer is not configured to start from a CD or DVD, check the information that came with your computer. You may need to change your computer's BIOS settings. For more information, see BIOS: frequently asked questions.
4. Choose your language settings, and then click ,Next.
5. Click Repair your computer.
6. Select the operating system you want to repair, and then click Next.
7. On the System Recovery Options menu, click Startup Repair. Startup Repair might prompt you to make choices as it tries to fix the problem, and if necessary, it might restart your computer as it makes repairs.
If Startup Repair is a preinstalled recovery option on your computer:
1. Remove all floppy disks, CDs, and DVDs from your computer, and then restart your computer.
Click the Start button , click the arrow next to the Lock button, and then click Restart.
2. Do one of the following:
* If your computer has a single operating system installed, press and hold
the F8 key as your computer restarts. You need to press F8 before the Windows
logo appears. If the Windows logo appears, you will need to try again by
waiting until the Windows logon prompt appears, and then shutting down and
restarting your computer.
* If your computer has more than one operating system, use the arrow keys
to highlight the operating system you want to repair, and then press & hold F8.
3. On the Advanced Boot Options screen, use the arrow keys to highlight Repair your computer, and then press ENTER. (If Repair your computer is not listed as an option, then your computer does not include Startup Repair as a preinstalled recovery option.)
4. Select a keyboard layout, and then click Next.
5. Select a user name and enter the password, and then click OK.
6. On the System Recovery Options menu, click Startup Repair. Startup Repair might prompt you to make choices as it tries to fix the problem and, if necessary, it might restart your computer as it makes repairs.
Are there problems that Startup Repair cannot fix?
Start up Repair cannot fix hardware failures, such as a failing hard disk or incompatible memory, nor does it protect against virus attacks. Startup Repair is not a backup tool, so it cannot help you recover personal files, such as photos or documents. To help protect your computer, back up your system and files regularly. For more information, search for "backup" in Windows Help and Support.
Start up Repair is not designed to fix Windows installation problems. For more information, see Troubleshoot Windows installation problems.
What if Startup Repair can't fix my problem?
If repairs are not successful, you'll see a summary of the problem and links to contact information for support. Your computer manufacturer might include additional assistance information.
Startup Repair is a Windows Vista recovery tool that can fix certain problems, such as missing or damaged system files, that might prevent Windows from starting correctly. When you run Startup Repair, it scans your computer for the problem and then tries to fix it so your computer can start correctly.
Startup Repair is located on the System Recovery Options menu, which is on the Windows Vista installation disc. If your computer manufacturer has preinstalled recovery options, Startup Repair might also be installed on your hard disk. If your computer does not include Startup Repair, your computer manufacturer might have customized or replaced the tool. Check the information that came with your computer or go to the manufacturer's website.
How do I use Startup Repair?
If you have a Windows Vista installation disc, you need to restart (boot) your computer using the installation disc. If you do not restart your computer from the disc, the option to repair your computer will not appear.
If you have a Windows Vista installation disc:
1. Insert the installation disc.
2. Restart your computer.
Click the Start button , click the arrow next to the Lock button, and then click Restart.
3. If prompted, press any key to start Windows from the installation disc.
Note:
If your computer is not configured to start from a CD or DVD, check the information that came with your computer. You may need to change your computer's BIOS settings. For more information, see BIOS: frequently asked questions.
4. Choose your language settings, and then click ,Next.
5. Click Repair your computer.
6. Select the operating system you want to repair, and then click Next.
7. On the System Recovery Options menu, click Startup Repair. Startup Repair might prompt you to make choices as it tries to fix the problem, and if necessary, it might restart your computer as it makes repairs.
If Startup Repair is a preinstalled recovery option on your computer:
1. Remove all floppy disks, CDs, and DVDs from your computer, and then restart your computer.
Click the Start button , click the arrow next to the Lock button, and then click Restart.
2. Do one of the following:
* If your computer has a single operating system installed, press and hold
the F8 key as your computer restarts. You need to press F8 before the Windows
logo appears. If the Windows logo appears, you will need to try again by
waiting until the Windows logon prompt appears, and then shutting down and
restarting your computer.
* If your computer has more than one operating system, use the arrow keys
to highlight the operating system you want to repair, and then press & hold F8.
3. On the Advanced Boot Options screen, use the arrow keys to highlight Repair your computer, and then press ENTER. (If Repair your computer is not listed as an option, then your computer does not include Startup Repair as a preinstalled recovery option.)
4. Select a keyboard layout, and then click Next.
5. Select a user name and enter the password, and then click OK.
6. On the System Recovery Options menu, click Startup Repair. Startup Repair might prompt you to make choices as it tries to fix the problem and, if necessary, it might restart your computer as it makes repairs.
Are there problems that Startup Repair cannot fix?
Start up Repair cannot fix hardware failures, such as a failing hard disk or incompatible memory, nor does it protect against virus attacks. Startup Repair is not a backup tool, so it cannot help you recover personal files, such as photos or documents. To help protect your computer, back up your system and files regularly. For more information, search for "backup" in Windows Help and Support.
Start up Repair is not designed to fix Windows installation problems. For more information, see Troubleshoot Windows installation problems.
What if Startup Repair can't fix my problem?
If repairs are not successful, you'll see a summary of the problem and links to contact information for support. Your computer manufacturer might include additional assistance information.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Fix for Error “Windows Resource Protection Could Not Start the Repair Service” When Running SFC in Vista
When you run the System File Checker using the /Scannow parameter from an elevated Command Prompt, the following error may occur. Additionally, you may experience problems running Windows Installer Setup files and installing fixes from Windows Update.
Windows Resource Protection could not start the repair service
This happens if the TrustedInstaller (Windows Modules Installer) service is disabled. Use these steps to reset the service startup type.
1. Click Start, type Services.msc
2. Double-click Windows Modules Installer
3. Set its Startup type to Manual
4. Click OK.
The TrustedInstaller service has full access to Windows Resource Protection (WRP) files and registry keys, and this services needs to be running in order to restore missing or corrupted WRP resources. The TrustedInstaller service starts on-demand when running the System File Checker.
Windows Resource Protection could not start the repair service
This happens if the TrustedInstaller (Windows Modules Installer) service is disabled. Use these steps to reset the service startup type.
1. Click Start, type Services.msc
2. Double-click Windows Modules Installer
3. Set its Startup type to Manual
4. Click OK.
The TrustedInstaller service has full access to Windows Resource Protection (WRP) files and registry keys, and this services needs to be running in order to restore missing or corrupted WRP resources. The TrustedInstaller service starts on-demand when running the System File Checker.
Can't open Control Panel in Vista/XP
I can't open Control Panel, it would open in a flash then gone. I can't change the printer settings.
Solution:
Click Start then at Start search or Run type services.msc. Then look for Software Licensing service, double click then click stop then start button.
Solution:
Click Start then at Start search or Run type services.msc. Then look for Software Licensing service, double click then click stop then start button.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
IP Address 169.254.0.0
You have probably picked up that IP address because a computer on your network cannot access the DHCP server and Windows has allocated this number.
The Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) has reserved 169.254.0.0-169.254.255.255 for Automatic Private IP Addressing. As a result, APIPA provides an address that is guaranteed not to conflict with routable addresses.
The Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) has reserved 169.254.0.0-169.254.255.255 for Automatic Private IP Addressing. As a result, APIPA provides an address that is guaranteed not to conflict with routable addresses.
Server Recovery Tips
Data disasters will happen. Accepting that reality is the first step in preparing a comprehensive disaster plan. Time is always against an IT team when a disaster strikes, therefore the details of a disaster plan are critical for success.
Here are some suggestions from Ontrack Data Recovery engineers of what not to do when data disasters occur:
1. In a disaster recovery, never restore data to the server that has lost the data - always restore to a separate server or location.
2. In Microsoft Exchange or SQL failures, never try to repair the original Information Store or database files - work on a copy.
3. In a deleted data situation, turn off the machine immediately. Do not shut down Windows - this will prevent the risk of overwritten data.
4. Use a volume defragmenter regularly.
5. If a drive fails on RAID systems, never replace the failed drive with a drive that was part of a previous RAID system - always zero out the replacement drive before using.
6. If a drive is making unusual mechanical noises, turn it off immediately and get assistance.
7. Have a valid backup before making hardware or software changes.
8. Label the drives with their position in a RAID array.
9. Do not run volume repair utilities on suspected bad drives.
10. Do not run defragmenter utilities on suspected bad drives.
11. In a power loss situation with a RAID array, if the file system looks suspicious, or is unmountable, or the data is inaccessible after power is restored, do not run volume repair utilities.
Here are some suggestions from Ontrack Data Recovery engineers of what not to do when data disasters occur:
1. In a disaster recovery, never restore data to the server that has lost the data - always restore to a separate server or location.
2. In Microsoft Exchange or SQL failures, never try to repair the original Information Store or database files - work on a copy.
3. In a deleted data situation, turn off the machine immediately. Do not shut down Windows - this will prevent the risk of overwritten data.
4. Use a volume defragmenter regularly.
5. If a drive fails on RAID systems, never replace the failed drive with a drive that was part of a previous RAID system - always zero out the replacement drive before using.
6. If a drive is making unusual mechanical noises, turn it off immediately and get assistance.
7. Have a valid backup before making hardware or software changes.
8. Label the drives with their position in a RAID array.
9. Do not run volume repair utilities on suspected bad drives.
10. Do not run defragmenter utilities on suspected bad drives.
11. In a power loss situation with a RAID array, if the file system looks suspicious, or is unmountable, or the data is inaccessible after power is restored, do not run volume repair utilities.
Outlook Inbox Repair Tool
The Inbox Repair Tool can be started with scanpst.exe. The location of this file is different for almost every version of Outlook and it sometimes also depends on which language of Outlook you have installed and even if you have it installed on a 32-bit version of Windows or 64-bit version of Windows.
You can use OutlookTools (free) to locate it for you. Below you’ll find an overview of the default locations of scanpst.exe throughout the versions of Outlook.
Outlook 2007
32-bit Windows; C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12
64-bit Windows; C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office12
Outlook 2003
32-bit Windows; C:\Program Files\Common Files\System\MSMAPI\\scanpst.exe
64-bit Windows; C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\System\MSMAPI\\scanpst.exe
Outlook 2002/XP
C:\Program Files\Common Files\System\MAPI\\scanpst.exe
Outlook 2000
C:\Program Files\Common Files\System\MAPI\\NT\scanpst.exe
Outlook 97 / Outlook 98
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Windows Messaging\scanpst.exe
Note 1: The is a number to identify your language of Office. You can find an overview of the numbers here. You need to look in the "LCID Dec" column for the correct number.
Note 2: When you connect to an Exchange server and need to check your local cache (ost-file) for errors you’ll need to run scanost.exe. You can find this in the same location as scanpst.exe except for Outlook 97/98/2000. These versions of Outlook don’t have the scanost.exe feature.
You can use OutlookTools (free) to locate it for you. Below you’ll find an overview of the default locations of scanpst.exe throughout the versions of Outlook.
Outlook 2007
32-bit Windows; C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12
64-bit Windows; C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office12
Outlook 2003
32-bit Windows; C:\Program Files\Common Files\System\MSMAPI\
64-bit Windows; C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\System\MSMAPI\
Outlook 2002/XP
C:\Program Files\Common Files\System\MAPI\
Outlook 2000
C:\Program Files\Common Files\System\MAPI\
Outlook 97 / Outlook 98
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Windows Messaging\scanpst.exe
Note 1: The
Note 2: When you connect to an Exchange server and need to check your local cache (ost-file) for errors you’ll need to run scanost.exe. You can find this in the same location as scanpst.exe except for Outlook 97/98/2000. These versions of Outlook don’t have the scanost.exe feature.
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