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.

Delete Restoration Data and Proceed to System Boot Menu Windows 7

A resume from hibernation is interrupted or fails to complete a resume. When you restart, the Windows Resume Loader appears.

1. When you restart your computer after a failed resume from hibernation you see the following window:
   
   
   
2. If you had any documents with unsaved changes you should try the "Continue with system resume" option. Use the arrow keys to highlight the option and press "Enter."
3. If it still fails to boot to Windows, turn the computer off and then on.
4. The Windows Resume Loader will come up again.
5. Make sure "Delete restoration data and proceed to system boot menu" is selected. If not, use the up and down arrows to highlight it and press "Enter."
6. Windows should start normally. Unfortunately, you may not be able to recover any unsaved changes to documents.

For more assistance contact Technical Support here.

Troubleshooting: Power-On-Self-Test Failures

Over the years, many customers have come to us after assembling their new computers and finding that their system will just not start up. Here are some things to double-check that we have found wrong before:

• Did you read the motherboard manual or Quick Start guide?


• Is the 115/230 Volt switch on the back of the power supply set to 115 Volts?


• Is the system getting power?
  
  
  
  • Do the fans start to spin when you press the power button?
  
  
  • Is there a power-indicator on the motherboard that lights up as soon as the power supply is connected and the power supply switch is turned on?
  
  
  
  


• Are all of the power supply plugs inserted into the motherboard? -- even that square one next to the processor socket?


• Does your video card require additional power connections?


• Is the RAM properly seated? If you are only using some of the available slots, are the modules in the same bank / channel?


• Is it the correct speed RAM?


• Is the heat sink firmly attached? (Many no-start or lockup problems have been found due to this error.)
  
  
  
  • Has heat sink compound been properly applied? (Stock heat sinks usually have phase-change compound pre-applied to the base. Many after-market heat sinks include a tube, bottle, or squeeze-packet of thermal compound. If no compound was applied, the CPU will overheat, even with the cooler correctly mounted.)
  
  
  • If your heat sink came with a protective film over the compound, did you remove it before installing?
  
  
  • If you have an after-market heat sink, is it seated squarely on the processor? Make sure it clears any system board components, connectors,
    or other obstacles that may be located near the CPU socket. If it has more than one or two lock-down points, make sure all are securely fastened down.
  
  
  • Intel stock coolers have lock-down pins that rotate 1/4 turn counterclockwise to release. These should be in the clockwise (locked) position.
  
  
  
  


• If you are using a separate video card with a motherboard that already has  integrated video -- is your monitor attached to the correct video connector?
  (The video card in the expansion slot should disable on board video automatically.
  If you don't see the POST screen or graphical splash screen at power-on, you can check this by attaching the video to the onboard connector. To test the base hardware, pull the video card and test with just the onboard video connected.)


• Did you double-check the front panel switch connections to make sure that they attach to the correct pins on the motherboard?


• If you have a reset switch, try removing this connection at the motherboard if there are separate connectors. Check for stuck reset or power buttons on the front of the case.


• Did you skip installing the standoffs and screw the motherboard directly
  to the chassis pan? (Don’t laugh; it’s been done more than once.)


• Try disconnecting any drives, USB, or other devices not specifically required for basic power on testing. You don't need to boot to a hard drive or optical disk, and USB devices may appear to be bootable media to the system. Once you have a successful boot with minimum hardware, then connect additional devices one at a time until you identify which one caused the POST failure.


• Are you getting any beeps? How many and what kind? Check your motherboard manual.

Only after thoroughly investigating these issues should you start suspecting one or more bad components.

Remember - check the obvious things first...
Is it turned on, plugged in, and set to the correct line voltage?	Are all power cables connected? Is the heat sink installed correctly and seated flat on the CPU with thermal compound? Is memory seated correctly?	Are the front panel connections on correctly? Try removing the reset button connection if these are separate connections.	Check your user manual for troubleshooting tips. Verify that the components like memory and CPU are compatible. Look for a table of POST beep codes if you get startup error signals.

The following table shows some of the more common beep code sequences generated by certain BIOS manufacturers. This is not all-inclusive, and may be different from your specific system board version or manufacturer - check your documentation to be sure.

Award / Phoenix BIOS beep codes:
Beep		Meaning
One short beep when displaying logo		No errors during POST (This is normal!)
Long beeps in an endless loop		No DRAM installed, DRAM not detected, or base 64MB memory bad
One long beep followed by three short beeps		Video card not found or video memory bad. (Note: Some video cards can generate this code if the monitor is not attached and/or turned on.)
High frequency beeps when system is working		CPU overheated. System running at a lower frequency.
Intel desktop beep codes:
Beep		Meaning
1 beep		No errors - normal startup
2 beeps (beep, beep, <pause>...)		No video detected (add-in card) or unsupported CPU
3 beeps (beep, beep, beep, <pause>...)		Memory error
High/Low beeps (warble)		CPU overheat or no CPU fan detected
Intel server board (SE7505VB2) beep codes:
Beep sequence:		Meaning
4, 3, 1, 2 beeps		No memory modules detected
4, 3, 1, 3 beeps		Mismatched memory installed (usually size of RAM modules, but can also be single-side vs. double side or configuration of RAM chip access)
4, 3, 1, 4 beeps		Paired memory required, not found. Check to make sure pairs of modules are installed in the same bank or channel.
4, 3, 3, 1 beeps		Memory error - row address bits
4, 3, 3, 2 beeps		Memory error - Internal bank
4, 3, 3, 3 beeps		Memory error - Timing
4, 3, 3, 4 beeps		Memory error - Registered CAS 3
4, 3, 4, 1 beeps		Memory error - Registered / NonRegistered mix
4, 3, 4, 2 beeps		Memory error - CAS Latency not supported
4, 3, 4, 3 beeps		Memory error - memory size not supported
1, 3, 4, 3 beeps		Memory error - base 4 MB

How to Install an Add-In Card

Increasing the productivity and functionality of your desktop computer doesn’t have to be limited to how many devices you can plug into the ports. Many motherboards and cases provide expansion slots that can be used to install additional capabilities like updated Graphics, TV-Tuners, Hi-Def Audio cards, and Video capture.

This guide will show you how to install an add-in card to your computer.

Note: Opening up a computer is not without some risk. Before beginning, make sure to completely power off and disconnect your computer from the wall and all other devices including the monitor, mouse and keyboard. Also remember to use an anti-static wristband, or mat to avoid Electro Static Discharge (ESD) which can damage your components.

1. Locate the slot in which you want to install the card. The diagram below shows a general location for PCI slots, and it may vary by motherboard. There may also be PCI-Express slots on the system, which will be labeled on the motherboard and in the manual.

2. Remove the metal expansion slot guard from the back of the case. Some are attached by soft metal and can be bent and removed, while others are attached with a screw at the top and will need to be removed that way. For more information, consult the manual that came with your computer case.
3. Align the card with the notches in the slot and insert the card vertically in to the slot, with the external ports aligned with the expansion slot on the back of the case. Moderate force may be necessary to get the card all the way in to the slot.
4. Screw in the metal bracket on the end of the card using the notch on the top aligned with the hole in the computer case. Some computer cases use a plastic latch system to hold the card in place. If this is the case, consult the manual that was attached with your computer case.

That’s it! Your add-in card is now installed.

Remember to consult the card manufacturers information on installing any software that came with the add-in card when you get back in to Windows.

How to Run System Restore in Safe Mode

This article shows how to run a system restore in safe mode. This is useful if there is a new infection on the computer, if it is not able to boot in to windows normally or for various other reasons. System Restore does not change any of your files, however any programs installed since the date and time that the computer will be restored to will need to be reinstalled.

1. Completely power down the computer; do not restart it yet.

2. Locate the F8 key on the keyboard:
 

3. Turn the computer on and repeatedly tap the F8 key on the keyboard at a rate of about twice per second, until the “Windows Advanced Boot Options” screen appears. If it fails to appear and the computer boots in to Windows, turn the computer off and try again.

 
4.Use the arrow keys to highlight "Safe Mode" on the list and press Enter.

5. Wait a few minutes as Safe Mode loads.
If Safe Mode fails to load, it indicates deep Operating System issues. It would be recommended at this point to take the computer in to your local Micro Center store or look in to a System Recovery to wipe out the system and restore it to the factory settings.

6. Once Safe Mode loads and an account is chosen, a prompt will appear based on your version of Windows:
    - Windows XP – A Yes/No window will appear. Click 'No' to launch System Restore. Skip to step 10.
    - Windows Vista/7 – A "What Is Safe Mode" box appears. Close this window and proceed.

7. In the bottom left corner of the screen, click on the Start button and then choose All Programs.

8. On the All Programs menu, locate the Accessories folder.

9. Within the Accessories folder, locate the System Tools folder and click System Restore, then wait a few minutes as the program opens.

10. Look at the recommended restore point and determine if the computer was working properly at that time. If it was, click on Next. If not, check the "Choose A Different Restore Point" option.
Note: The System Restore may look slightly different based on the Operating System in use.

11. On the next screen, verify that the settings are correct and click Finish to start the restore process. It may take upwards of 20 minutes to complete and will reboot one or more times during the restore process.

Malware ALERT: "Security Tool" Virus

Another fake anti-virus program called "Security Tool" has been identified as malware for Windows 7 machines. This software claims to work as a virus scan, and floods the system with bogus messages that your computer is infected with a virus. Similar to the ThinkPoint virus, Security Tool prevents you from running any other programs to fix the issue.

There are several options to remove this program permanently from your system. Microsoft provides a free Safety Scanner Tool to identify and remove malware from your Windows system. To use Microsoft's solution to virus removal, go to the Windows Live Protection Center and follow the instructions.

Another option is to go with the DIY method by removing the registry keys in your system files to disable the Security Tool permanently. To begin, follow these steps »

1. First disable the Security Tools program using the Windows Task Manager. Click CTRL + ALT + DEL.

2. Select the Processes tab in the Windows Task Manager.

3. Locate the Security Tools program. This program uses a set of random numbers in the title of the .exe file. Be cautious not to disable other essential programs.

4. Open the Registry Editor. Go to Start and type in REGEDIT in the search box.

5. In the Registry Editor window, locate the Security Tool keys by using this folder path:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Security Tool
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINES\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Security Tool

6. Select the registry key files. Click on Edit » Delete.

When purchasing a anti-virus program or any other software, check to make sure the manufacturer is legitimate before installing. Some examples of good anti-virus programs are: ESET NOD32, Symantec Norton Anti-Virus, McAfee Anti-Virus, and Webroot.

Reference.
Microsoft Forum. Security Tools Virus.
http://bit.ly/eauDbD

Microsoft Security. Malicious Software Removal Tool.
http://bit.ly/UurV3

Windows Live Protection Center.
http://bit.ly/3gyTe

Techjaws. How to Remove Security Tools Virus.
http://bit.ly/3x1BWO

Creating Recovery Media for Acer Computers

This guide shows how to create the recovery media for an Acer-brand computer.

Before you begin:

If you are creating recovery discs, ensure that you have several blank DVD±R discs. Note that you cannot use DVD±RW or DVD±R Double-Layer discs to create the recovery media.

Close all open applications on the PC. You will not be able to use the computer while it is creating the recovery media.

To create recovery media:

1. Click on Start and then All Programs.

2. Click on the Acer folder and then on the Acer Recovery Management. This will launch the Acer Recovery Management application.

3. Click on Create Factory Default Disc. The Create Backup Disc dialog box will appear and provide information on the number of blank media that is needed for the recovery media.

4. Insert a blank disc into the drive indicated in the Burn To list and click Start. The Acer Recovery Management application will be in the process of creating the recovery media.

5. The disc will be ejected whenever it has completed burning, if multiple discs are required insert a new disc when prompted and click Ok.

Optimizing your System with Disk Defragmenter

In Part 2 of optimizing your system, we are going to take a quick look at the Disk Defragmenter utility. This program helps to streamline your hard drive by moving stored data into sequential segments. When data is saved to a hard drive, the data is placed into sectors. As old information is deleted, these blank sectors can become scattered throughout the drive, and it takes longer for the hard drive to read and index the data. Disk Defragment moves the data sectors in order for optimal drive performance.

To start Disk Defragmenter, follow these steps:

1. Go to Start » Accessories » System Tools » Disk Defragmenter. Or type in Disk Defragmenter into the search box.

2. Select the disk that needs to be defragged (usually disk C unless a secondary hard drive is installed).

3. Click on Analyze Disk button. This function will generate a report showing whether the disk needs to be defragged or not.

4. If the Analysis report recommends defragmenting the disk, click on Defragment Disk. This process may take several minutes depending on the amount of data and size of your hard drive.

Disk Defragmenter can also be scheduled to run on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. At minimum, you should run Disk Defragmenter at least once a month to keep your computer operating smoothly. For more on info on defragmenting, go to Microsoft Support »


Reference:
Microsoft Support. How to Defragment your Disk Drive Volumes in Windows XP.
http://bit.ly/YerTy

Microsoft Support. Improve performance by defragmenting your hard disk.
http://bit.ly/h1AJrg

Optimizing your System with Disk Cleanup

Windows has several built-in tools that can help keep your system running smoothly. One of these tools called Disk Cleanup can remove extraneous files quickly from your computer. To start Disk Cleanup, follow these steps:

1. Go to Start » Accessories » System Tools » Disk Cleanup. Or go to Start, then type in Disk Cleanup in the search bar.

2. In the Disk Cleanup window, select the Files to Delete. Click OK.

The program will ask if you want to permanently delete the files. Click OK to begin the process. Take caution when choosing what files to delete – you cannot recover the information once removed.

There are other features of Disk Cleanup such as removing programs and system restore. The Programs and Features option links to the Control Panel where you can unnecessary software. The System Restore and Shadow Copies option removes any extra backup copies to save only the most recent. For more information, go to Microsoft Support »

Reference:
Microsoft Support. Delete files using Disk Cleanup. http://bit.ly/4ge7Dl
Microsoft Support. Disk Cleanup for Windows XP. http://bit.ly/1qBdrW