When Windows works properly, it's relatively easy to ignore; you can concentrate on the work you're trying to do and forget about the plumbing inside your computer. But when something goes wrong, it often requires an experienced guide to solve the problem and restore the computer to working condition. Everybody who uses Microsoft Windows eventually has to deal with cryptic error messages, frozen screens, and other more or less dramatic problems. Windows troubleshooting is the set of tools and techniques that can identify the source of a problem and find a solution.
It's Never Done That Before is a guide to Windows XP troubleshooting for people who don't spend their lives fixing computer problems. It includes basic troubleshooting techniques, specific instructions for solving the most common problems in Windows XP, and more general information for finding and fixing more obscure ones. It also provides pointers to explanations of BIOS beep codes and blue screen errors, instructions for using the troubleshooting tools supplied with Windows XP such as Safe Mode and the Recovery Console, and advice for dealing with device drivers, the ROM BIOS, and the Windows Registry. Viruses, spyware, and Internet connection problems are all included, along with advice for getting the most out of the Microsoft Knowledge base and other online information resources, and dealing with help desks and technical support centers.
Chapter 1 TROUBLESHOOTING METHODS AND TOOLS
Troubleshooting Basics
Start with a Plan
Chapter 2 TYPES OF WINDOWS PROBLEMS AND FAILURES
No Power
Errors During Startup
Troubleshooting Windows Failures
Black Screens
Blue Screens
Everything Is Frozen in Place
Nonfatal Error Messages
Error Messages: Finding Translations from the Cryptic
What to Do When Windows Is Acting Oddly
Pop-up Ads and Redirected Web Pages: Your Desktop Under Attack
Hardware Problems
Internet Connection Problems
Local Network Problems
Where Do We Go from Here?
Chapter 3 WHAT TO DO WHEN WINDOWS WON'T START
The Windows Startup Sequence
So What Can Go Wrong?
Returning to the Last Known Good Configuration
Bypassing Windows with the Recovery Console
Safe Mode
The System Configuration Utility
The Boot Log: A History of Startup Programs
Chapter 4 BLACK SCREENS AND BLUE SCREENS
Black Screens
Blue Screens
Finding a Fix
Chapter 5 SOLVING DEVICE DRIVER PROBLEMS
Device Drivers
DLL Files
Diagnosing a Driver Problem
Where to Find New Drivers
Installing New Drivers
Returning to an Earlier Version
Storing and Organizing Your Drivers
Use Device Driver Rollback to Solve a Conflict
Chapter 6 USING THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE AND OTHER ONLINE RESOURCES
Try the Help Screens First
README Files
The Microsoft Knowledge Base
Hardware and Software Manufacturers' Websites
Newsgroups and Independent Support Services
Search Online for the Symptoms
Don't Panic (Yet)
Chapter 7 USING SYSTEM RESTORE AND OTHER ROLLBACK TECHNIQUES
Before You Try System Restore
Creating Restore Points
Returning to a Restore Point
Starting System Restore in Safe Mode
Chapter 8 UNDERNEATH IT ALL: THE BIOS
The Power-on Self Test
Changing the BIOS Settings
Opening the BIOS Setup Tool
Changing BIOS Settings
If All Else Fails, Return to the Default
Updating the BIOS
Chapter 9 THE WINDOWS REGISTRY: HERE BE DEMONS
Opening, Reading, and Editing the Registry
How the Registry Is Organized
Using the Registry to Repair or Modify Windows
Getting the Junk Out: Registry Cleanup Tools
Chapter 10 DEALING WITH INDIVIDUAL PROGRAMS AND FILES
The Program Won't Start
Reinstall the Program
A File Opens in the Wrong Program
The Program Freezes
I Can't Read a File
The File Won't Print
Chapter 11 SERVICE PACKS, PATCHES, AND OTHER UPDATES
When to Update
Finding and Installing the Latest Updates
What If an Update Creates Problems?
Updating the BIOS
Chapter 12 VIRUSES, SPYWARE, AND OTHER NASTIES
Protecting Your System
Viruses, Worms, and Trojan Horses
Antivirus Programs
Spyware
Identifying Malware
Stopping Break-ins: Firewalls
Chapter 13 INTERNET CONNECTION PROBLEMS
Isolate the Problem
My Computer Can't Find the Internet
The Computer Can't Find a Particular Website
Computer Connects When You Don't Want It to Connect
The Internet Disappears
Firewalls and Gateway Servers
Chapter 14 LOCAL NETWORK PROBLEMS
I Can't See Other Computers on the LAN
File Sharing Doesn't Work
I Can't Edit a File
Chapter 15 DEALING WITH HARDWARE PROBLEMS
Problems with New Hardware
Hardware Troubleshooting
Microsoft's Product Activation: Not a Big Deal
Chapter 16 TROUBLESHOOTING AND REPLACING HARD DRIVES
Restoring the Computer to Useful Operation
Installing a New Hard Drive
Replacing a Drive in a Laptop Computer
What About USB Drives ?
Recovering Your Data
Recovering Data from a Laptop Drive
Troubleshooting Hard Drives
Moving a Hard Drive to a New Computer
Problems with Other Storage Devices
A Few Last Words About Drives
Chapter 17 TROUBLESHOOTING AND REPLACING OTHER HARDWARE
Memory Problems
Replacing the Motherboard
Power Supply Problems
Mouse Problems
Keyboard Problems
USB and FireWire Problems
Printer Problems
Try Printing Some Test Pages
Monitor Problems
Audio Problems
Chapter 18 IF ALL ELSE FAILS . . . CALL TECH SUPPORT
Warranty Service
Try Your Help Desk First (If You Have One)
In-Laws and Other Informal Tech Support
Dealing with Microsoft Tech Support
Other Vendors' Tech Support
Don't Be Afraid to Escalate
E-mail, Bulletin Boards, and Other Ways to Avoid Talking to You
Chapter 19 CUTTING YOUR LOSSES: WHAT TO DO WHEN NOTHING ELSE WORKS
Preserving Your Data
Reinstall Windows
Using a Windows Recovery CD or a Hidden Partition
Reformatting the Drive
Chapter 20 THINGS TO DO NOW, BEFORE YOUR COMPUTER CRASHES
Back Up Your Data
Defragment Your Hard Drives
Check for Other Disk Problems
Create a Set of Utility Disks
Scan for Viruses and Spyware
Get Rid of the Dust
Clean Your Screen
Appendix DEVICE MANAGER ERROR CODES AND BIOS POST BEEP CODES
Windows XP Device Manager Error Codes
POST Beep Codes
Appendix FREE AND INEXPENSIVE SECURITY PROGRAMS FOR WINDOWS XP