Thursday, February 28, 2013

Troubleshooting Internet Explorer Problems


Internet Explorer is the default web browser in the Windows operating systems. Although not the most popular internet browser around, it still is quite a capable one. Problems are quite common while using IE, and once you start using it, you will find that you need to spend more time fixing the problems it brings up, than browsing websites. The Microsoft support team has provided us with the following set of instructions, which will help you with resolving the problems in the Internet Explorer browser.

Instructions to resolve Internet Explorer issues
First of all, click on the “Start” button located in the lower left corner of your screen, and then click on the “All Programs” option. Choose the “Windows Updates” option, and then click on the “Check for Updates” option located on the left pane. A simple update process will suffice to resolve the issues in some cases.
Choose the “Start” option to open the Start Menu, and then type “msconfig” into the Search field. Click on the “Startup” to display all the startup programs in your computer. Disable all the programs that are unnecessarily run during the startup process. Make sure that you do not disable those programs that are vital for the computer startup process. Reboot your PC after this process.
Press "Ctrl-Alt-Delete" and then click on "Start Task Manager” option. From the list of running programs, choose the "iexplorer.exe” option, and then click on the “End Task” option. Ensure that you do not do this with the “explorer.exe” option, as it is a vital program.
Click on the “Start” button, and from the Start Menu; choose the “Computer” option. Move the pointer of your mouse towards the "OS (C:)" option, and then right click on it. Select the “Defragment” option from the menu. Repeat this process of defragmenting the hard drives with the other drives in your computer.
Restart your computer, and then check whether the program is working fine.
If the problems persist with the Internet Explorer browser, access the Microsoft Fix It Center, and download the Fix It program. Once this program gets activated, it will search for issues within the program and fix them automatically.
These are the instructions that you should follow in order to resolve the issues with the Internet Explorer browser. These simple and easy guidelines were provided by the excellent Microsoft support team and with the help of these steps, you will be able to get past any minor obstacles you might face.

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Fix Windows Update In Vista


The update feature in Windows operating system is a default setup and design to keep the operating system updated with the latest program updates and security features. The Windows Update program will look for new updates on Microsoft website when you wish to update a certain program. The interesting feature of Windows Vista updates is that you can manually check for updates anytime or set time for the program to check automatically at a regular interval.
It is quite common for all the systems or programs to succumb to errors at times. Windows Vista may encounter a wide variety of technical problems and unfortunately, as a result of this havoc,  Windows Update will fail to function properly. When you see such Vista problems, the first involuntary response will be a panic attack, which is followed by a certain amount of voluntary disappointment. But hey, you can easily fix the problem all by yourself by making use of the troubleshooting steps given below.
 steps you should follow while troubleshooting
Click on the Start menu located on the bottom of the screen and go to the option marked as All Programs.
Locate the Windows Update option and click on it. A screen will show up and click on the label Get updates for more products. The Windows will take some time to install the program. If no option shows up, the program is already installed in the system.
Check for any new update availability by clicking on the button Check for updates. If any error occurs during the program updates, close the dialog box.
Go to the Start menu again and to the Control Panel. Type in troubleshooter in the search field space and click on the option marked as Troubleshooting.
Under the System and Security, click on the label Fix problems with Windows Update. Any issue that exists with the Windows Update will be located. You will also be provided with the necessary solutions.
Close all the running programs and go to the Start menu. Click on shutdown and select Restart. The Windows Update will continue and finish any unfinished updates.
Go to Windows Update from the Programs and select Restore hidden updates. Download the past updates by clicking on Restore.
Again, click on Check for updates option and see that the program functions properly. Choose the programs you wish to update and click on Install.
These troubleshooting steps will fix any Vista problems associated with the Windows Update feature. The Vista Support center can also provide you with additional steps to fix the related problems.


Monday, January 21, 2013

How To Configure Microsoft Outlook On A Home Computer Using Internet Mail Service?


Microsoft’s personal information manager application, Microsoft Outlook, comes bundled with Microsoft Office suite. The ease of use and multiple functionality in Outlook helps users to handle their data and information more securely and safely. Although Microsft Outlook is mainly used as an email client application, it also includes additional features such as calendar, contact list, address book etc.
If you have email accounts in Yahoo, Gmail, Hotmail, etc. you can configure those in Outlook. By doing so you can easily access your account and download emails to your system;  this will also enable the offline reading of email messages.
In order to configure Outlook you need to make some changes within the Outlook Settings. Continue reading to know more about the same.
Instructions
First of all, you need to enable the option within your Internet Mail Service settings.
Now obtain the mail server type: POP3 or IMAP
When done, obtain the incoming and outgoing mail server settings. Usually the details about the incoming and outgoing server are provided by the email provider.
Now launch the Microsoft Outlook application on your computer by clicking the Outlook icon situated on your windows desktop screen.
Now tag along the tools tab situated at the main menu bar. This pulls down a tools menu with several options.
Now select the option labeled account settings from the pull down list.
Then you need to click the email option followed by clicking the new tab.
Provide your email address and password in the desired field. When done, put a check mark in the box next to manually configure server settings.
Once you finish the prior step, trigger the next button.
Now determines the type of mail server IMAP or POP3.
When done, input your incoming and outgoing server settings. Normally this setting is provided by the service provider. Once you finish this, trigger the next button.
Now trace the onscreen prompts to configure Microsoft Outlook with your webmail.
Finish of the procedure by hitting the finish button.
In order to download your emails, you need to trigger the send/receive option in the main Outlook window.
By making these changes in the Outlook settings, you can easily configure Microsoft Outlook with your Webmail.

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Tips To Keep Hold Of A Firefox Profile


The Mozilla Firefox web browser is regarded as a third generation browser packed up with options to customize its services.  The changes or modifications brought into the Mozilla Firefox web browser will be stored in the computer as a file or as it is better known, a profile. If you were to change your system or if you have to reinstall the Mozilla Firefox browser due to various reasons, running this file will bring back the customized settings as set by you on a previous occasion.
Whenever a Mozilla Firefox web browser is installed on a machine, a profile will be created to store the details of the settings applied which can later be shared with various other users with the help of LAN or a USB device. When reinstalled, this browser will lose the configuration parameters and will possibly result in crashing of the web browser if it has to run in tandem with other programs that requires settings customized according specifically for it. It’s better to keep save the Firefox profile to maintain these indispensable parameters of the Mozilla Firefox web browser. Just tag along the following instructions shaped out by the Mozilla Firefox support team to know more about this.

Instructions
Exit the Mozilla Firefox web browser that’s currently running on your computer.
Trigger the "Start" tab to bring on the "My Computer" tab to open up the Windows Explorer and then type in "C:%AppData%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles" into the address bar before engaging the "Enter" key on your keyboard.
Pick out the destination path of the file saved on your computer craft out a replica of that file and move it to an external drive or a USB device so that it will be secured.
Now just carry out a clean formatting and reinstallation of the Windows as well as other software including the Mozilla Firefox web browser.
Tag along the "Start" tab to bring on the "My Computer" to bring on the Windows Explorer and type in "C:%AppData%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles" into the address bar before hitting on the "Enter" key on your keyboard.
Pick out the destination path where you saved the Firefox profile on your system from "C:%AppData%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles".
Running that particular file will bring back the configuration parameters back to your Mozilla Firefox system.
Contact the Mozilla Firefox support team if you are encounter any problem while executing these instructions.

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Say Goodbye to mouse related issues


Hardware related issues are the ones that create a lot of frustration in a Windows users' mind. They are left helpless when they are having a faulty keyboard or a mouse. In fact, Windows by default can be used without the aid of a mouse with the help of short keys in the keyboard. However, the interesting part is that, most of the users don’t know these keyboard shortcuts. This quandary might be due to improper working of the mouse or can occur from software related issues. Normally an optical mouse stays away from troubles during its course of action, but it can also end up with errors.These errors can be fixed with a little amount of patience. Instead of calling up for help from a computer repair center, hang on to these instructions to get rid of the mouse related errors
Tips-
Making your mouse dirt free
If you are using the traditional roller mouse, turn your mouse around and take out the roller ball by twisting the ring counter fixed beneath it.
Now get some warm water to clean up this trackball and later dry it. Before replacing the trackball in to the roller case, make it dirt free using a cotton swab. Make sure that you have tightened the counter ring after keeping the trackball into the mouse.
Wipe out all the dirt from the surface of the mouse using a cotton swab dipped in alcohol. On the other hand if it’s an optical mouse just use a damp cloth to clean the laser tracker from dirt particles.
Fix for Mouse
Just check the mouse cable (USB cable or PS/2 cable) for possible bent or broken edges. If you haven’t found anything, then plug in the cable and power on your Windows machine.
Check whether it’s the problem with your computer.  Connect your mouse to any other PC and restart the system to check if your mouse is working. If it does, then it’s some error on your system that prevents you from accessing the mouse.
Hardware clash might be a possible reason for a faulty mouse. So uninstall the latest installed hardware from your PC and reboot your machine.
Installing the driver of your mouse is the best available options to eradicate 99% of errors.
For additional information, get support from any of the computer repair centers around your locality.

Thursday, November 29, 2012

How to configure Outlook and hotmail?


Hotmail is a web based email application operated by Microsoft. The features like unlimited storage and instant messaging services make it a favorite email application and it is the second largest web based email application. Microsoft Outlook is an email application which can be installed on your computer and can be used to integrate the emails of different emails accounts including Gmail, hotmail etc. You can also use Microsoft Outlook program as a personal information manager and it comes as a part of the Microsoft Office suite. It also have features like contact manager, journal, calendar etc.
In MS Outlook 2007, you have the option to manually configure your Outlook email setup or to use Outlook connector to connect to your Hotmail account. By configuring the Hotmail account in Outlook you can easily access your emails. You can also send and receive emails using your Outlook program.
If you want to manually configure your Hotmail account in your Microsoft Outlook, you can do it just by following few steps.

Steps to configure your Outlook
1) Launch your Microsoft Outlook program.
2) Now on the top of the page you can find the Tool bar. From the tool bar select the option “Tools”.
3) This will open a drop down menu from which you can select “Account Settings” and then select “New”.
4) Then you can select the option "Microsoft Exchange, POP3, IMAP or HTTP" for your email service and click on the option “Next”.
5) Now you will get a new window asking for some information. You have to type your full name, email address of your Hotmail account and your password. You will be asked to re-enter your password for confirmation. Enter it and click on “Next”.
6) Now the Outlook wizard will configure your email settings. You will be notified by a green check mark. This indicates that the configuration process is in progress.
7) Then you will get a message "Your HTTP e-mail account is successfully configured". Once you get this message you can click on the “Finish” button.

Now you have successfully configured your Outlook email setup to include your Hotmail account. If you are facing any difficulties in configuring your MS Outlook then you can make use of the Help options in the application or else you can contact Microsoft Outlook support. A dedicated team will be there at your service who will take care of this issue and configure the Outlook program for you.

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Guidelines for Disabling Windows Defender Updates


Microsoft conquered the software market by putting a start to the first Graphical User Interface in the history of computers, Windows Operating System. After starting the Windows platform series, Microsoft never had the chance to look back. Microsoft released many operating systems under the Windows banner, the most famous ones being Windows 98, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8. Microsoft is also famous for the Windows Help provided in their Websites.
Soon, security became an issue with computers, even with normal end users. The risk of Windows platform users being hacked and attacked made Microsoft think about security reforms in their platforms. Microsoft introduced many security updates in Windows XP service pack 1. Microsoft introduced the Windows Firewall in Windows XP, which controls the incoming and outgoing connections.
They also introduced another tool called Windows Defender in Windows XP, which checks for malwares, adwares and spywares. Windows Defender is a security in Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7. Windows Defender is a modified version of the Giant Anti-spyware; Microsoft bought this software from Giant Corporation. Windows defender has sole objective of scanning the resident computer for malicious programs, such as spyware, malware and adware, and remove or fix them if they are posing a threat.
All these software needs to be updated for proper functioning and by default property they updates automatically. In case of users who do not have Internet access, automatic updates of these programs become a hindrance to your daily work or assignment, as the updates of these software package can be annoying and time consuming. Microsoft, from time to time, releases updates for Windows Defender to increase the database for the program's malware definitions. Like every other program Microsoft's Windows Defender is no different, but with a few simple steps, you can turn off Windows Defender's automatic updates and remove disturbance caused. Windows Help also has contents on disabling Automatic updates.

Instructions for Disabling

1. Click on Windows Defender system tray icon at bottom right part of your screen. This will open the Windows Defender settings.
2. Click on the Tools link in the window, and then click Options in the drop menu. By doing this the Windows Defender options dialog will open.
3. Now uncheck the box aligned to Check for Updated Definitions before Scanning text and click on Save. If the Windows Defender prompts for Administrative Password, provide confirmation by entering the password. This will cause Windows Defender to stop auto updating.