Tech Tip of the Day: How to restore an iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch to Factory Settings

Description: If an iOS device begins to function improperly, restoring the factory settings will usually resolve the issue.

1. Connect the device to the computer with a USB cable, then open iTunes. (Note: This tutorial was done on a Mac computer, though the Windows version is entirely the same process)
   
   


2. Locate the device along the left column. This will open the main hub for all current actions that can be performed on the device.
   
   


3. Click "Restore" then continue through the prompts that follow. To back up all the information on the device, choose "Back Up" when the message appears
   
   
   
   


4. Once the backup has completed, it will begin to download the firmware to restore the device. It can take anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour depending on the internet connection.
   
   


5. When the download has completed, it will begin to restore the device. This process takes about ten minutes.
   
   


6. The device may reboot several times. This is normal.
7. Once the restore has successfully completed, iTunes will prompt to give the device a name and to choose how to sync new media.
   
   


8. Now, turn on the device and follow through the initial setup. If there is information to be restored from a previous backup, iTunes will automatically restore this when it syncs. The device is now ready for use.

For more assistance contact Technical Support here.

PC-101: How to use Windows DVD maker

Description: Introduction to Windows DVD maker.

1. To Open Windows DVD Maker go to:
   • Start
   • All programs
     
     
   
   
   • Windows DVD Maker
     
     
   
   
   • Windows DVD maker
   • Click on the "Add Items" button in the top left of the screen
     
     
   
   
   • This will give you a box to add videos and photos to the DVD
     
     
   
   
   • Click on the folder to the left and then the file name you want to add to your DVD project
   • You can add photos as well and they will form a slide show
   • Both your videos and photos will appear in the center with a length of time they will play
     
     
   
   
   • Now you will want to make sure that you have not exceeded the number of minutes for the DVD on the lower left and that you have given your project the name you want
     
     
   
   
   • Click the next button
   • Here you can choose a theme for your opening menu. Click the preview button to see the results of your choice.
   • Once you have finished the opening menu selection you are ready to burn the DVD
   • Click on the Burn button
     
     
   
   
   • The next screen will show the DVD being created.
     
     
   
   
   • When finished with this you can save your project and give it a name. Your DVD movie is now ready to be watched.
   
   

For more assistance contact Technical Support here.

How to use the Snipping Tool in Windows 7 to capture a screen shot

Description: Capturing a screenshot in Windows 7 has never been easier thanks to the Snipping Tool feature.

1. To open Snipping Tool, click Start » All Programs » Accessories » Snipping Tool
   
   


2. Once opened, click the New button in the Snipping Tool window to create a new screenshot. There are many different ways to capture, but the easiest is Rectangular Snip. This allows the selection to be manipulated in a rectangular fashion around the object to be captured.
   
   


3. Once selected, the cursor will form a set of crosshairs, meaning the selection process is ready to begin. Click and hold in top left corner of the object to be captured, and drag the mouse to the bottom right corner. This will turn the object from opaque, to solid, giving a visual confirmation that it was successfully selected.
   
   


4. When the mouse is released, a window containing a preview of the captured image will appear, providing the option to either re-capture the image or save it to the computer.
   
   


5. To save the image, click the Disk icon in the top left corner.

For more assistance contact Technical Support here.

How to use System Restore in Windows 7

Description: How to use Windows 7 System Restore to recover from software problems. A System Restore is used to recover from problems caused by software that was working a short time ago but has suddenly stopped working or is not working correctly. Windows 7 has the ability to make what are called "restore points" which make a snap shot of the programs and settings of the computer at a specific time. Win 7 does this automatically when updates are applied but it can also be done at any time a user wants to do this. The restore will go back to a previous registry, and to previous software that was installed before the restore point was made. System restore can be accessed through several paths.

1. The first is by using the search function found in Windows 7.
   • Click on Start
   • Type the word restore in the "search programs and files" field.
     
     
   
   
2. The Control Panel is another path.
   • Click on Start 
   • Control Panel 
   • In the top right, change view to small icons
     
     
   • Click on the System Icon (alphabetical order)
     
     
   • In the window that opens, look to the top left and choose System Protection
     
     
   • In the pop-up box choose the System Restore button
     
     
   
   
3. The repair section of the F8 menu is also a path.
   • Power off the computer
   • Press the power on button and immediately start tapping F8 about twice a second.
   • A black screen with white writing and several menu items will appear.
   • One item will be Repair Your Computer
   • Move the arrow buttons on the keyboard to highlight this and then choose the repair menu by pressing the Enter (return) key on the keyboard.
   • Choose System Restore from the list of options.
4. Using System Restore
   • There are two options on the opening screen:
   • Recommended restore  - This is the latest restore point that has been created.
     
     
     
     
     • Click on Scan for affected programs to see a list of programs that are known to have been changed since the restore point was made.
       
       
   • Choose a different restore point
     
     
   
   
   • This will be a list of all the restore points available.
     
     
   
   
   • First put a check in the box in the lower left "show more restore points"
   • Choose the restore point date to go back to.
   • Then click on "scan for affected programs"
   • A list of programs that will be changed or restored will appear.
     
     
   
   
   • Close the box and if this is the desired restore point, click next
   • A "confirm your restore point" box appears.
   • Click on the Finish button to complete this.
     
     
   
   
   • The computer will take about 5 minutes to finish this restore and the computer will reboot. When this is finished log back into the computer and test to see if the issue has been resolved.

For more assistance contact Technical Support here.

How to Use Recuva to Recover Lost or Accidentally Deleted Files

Description: This article outlines the process of using the Recuva Wizard to recover files which may have been accidentally deleted or lost as a result of a system crash.

Note: If you have not already Downloaded and Installed the Recuva software on your computer, please follow the following guide to do so before continuing: How to Download and Install Recuva on Your Windows OS Computer

1.  Start the Recuva Wizard by Clicking on the "Start" Button in the bottom left corner of your screen, then click on "All Programs" and on the "Recuva" Folder in the list. Then click on the "Recuva" Shortcut.
   • Click on the "Yes" Button in the User Account Control Window if one appears.
     
     
   
   
   • If the "Piriform Recuva" Window appears instead of the Recuva Wizard, start the Recuva Wizard by Clicking on the "Options" Button and then clicking on the "Run Wizard" Button in the "Options" Window.
2. Click on the "Next" Button to continue.
   
   


3. Select "Other" from the File type Options to show all Recoverable Files and Click on the "Nex" Button to continue.
   
   


4. Select "I’m not sure" from the File location Options to search your entire computer for Recoverable Files and click on the "Next" Button to continue.
   
   


5. Choose whether or not to perform a "Deep Scan" on your Computer and click on the "Start" Button to begin scanning your computer.
   • Enabling the "Deep Scan" Option will increase the chance of successfully recovering certain files, but it may dramatically increase the time required to complete the search.
     
     
   
   
6. Select the Files you would like to Recover by Clicking on the Checkboxes to the Left of their respective File Names. Click on the "Recover" Button to continue.
   
   


7. Select a Folder to which you would like to recover the files and Click on the "OK" Button to begin the file recovery process.
   
   
   
   
   • If you receive the following Warning, Click on the "Yes" Button to continue, or Click on the "No" Button to Select a Different Folder.
     
     
   
   
8. Click on the "OK" Button to complete the recovery process.
   
   
   
   
   • Your Recovered Files may now be found in the Folder you previously selected.

For more assistance contact Technical Support here.

How to Download and Install Recuva on Your Windows OS Computer

Description: This article outlines the process of downloading and installing the Recuva file recovery program on your Windows OS computer.

Background: Recuva is a "Freemium" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freemium) utility that helps users recover files which may have been accidentally deleted or lost as a result of a system crash. It is available as a free download at Piriform´s website (http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner/download) for the Windows 7, 2008 Server, Vista, XP, 2003 Server, and 2000 operating systems, including both 32-bit and 64-bit versions.

1. Go to the Recuva Download Page by Clicking on the following Link: http://www.piriform.com/recuva/download
2. Click on the "Download from Piriform" Link listed for the "Free" version of the Recuva software.
   
   


3. The Download should start automatically.
   • If the Download does not start automatically, Click on "please click on this download link" to start the download.
     
     
   
   
4. Run the Downloaded File to start the Installation Wizard.
   • Click on the "Yes" Button in the User Account Control Window if one appears.
5. Click on the "OK" Button to continue.
   
   


6. Click on the "Next" Button to continue.
   
   


7. Click on the "I Agree" Button to continue.
   
   


8. Select your preferred Install Options and Click on the "Install" Button to begin the installation.
   
   


9. Select your preferred Finishing Options and Click on the "Finish" Button to complete the installation.
   
   

For more assistance contact Technical Support here.