Tech Tip: How to fix Windows Updates for Windows 8

Description: This guide will walk you through the steps necessary to troubleshoot and resolve errors when Windows 8 is failing on installing an update from Windows Update.

First try this Microsoft Fix-It:

http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9830262
 

 If that doesn't solve the issue try the following:

1. Right click on the task bar and go to Task Manager. (Alternatively press Ctrl+Alt+Del and select Task Manager.)
   
   
   
   
2. Click on More Details at the bottom left and then click on the Services tab on the right.
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. Scroll down to wuauserv or Windows Update.
   
   
   
   
4. Right-click and go to Stop.
   
   
   
   
5. Now open up Computer by clicking Start and Computer.
   
   
   
   
6. Navigate to C:\Windows by double clicking on Local Disc C:\ and then Windows.
   
7. Scroll down until you see the folder SoftwareDistribution.
   
   
   
   
8. Rename the folder to something else: IE: SoftwareDistribution-OLD.
   
9. Now restart your computer and try Windows Update again.

For more assistance contact Technical Support here.

Tech Tip: How to install drivers manually for Windows 7 and 8 computers

Description: This is a guide on how to install drivers manually for Windows 7 and 8 computers.

Drivers are software that instructs the pieces of hardware in how to talk to each other. Sometimes a piece of hardware isn't working the way it's supposed to. Either it's a new piece of hardware that isn't installing properly or one that was corrupted by a virus or improperly updated software. In any case sometimes it becomes necessary to install a clean copy of the drivers.

To install a clean copy of the drivers follow these directions:

1. Open the Device Manager in Windows.

For Windows 7:
• Open the Start Menu.
  
  
  
  
• Where it says Search programs and files, type device manager.
  
• Select the Device manager from the options listed.
  
  

For Windows 8:
• Open the Start Screen.
  
  
  
  
• Type device manager.
  
  
  
  
• Select Settings on the right.
  
  
  
  
• Select Device Manager.
  
  
1. Find the name of the device that needs to be reinstalled. For this example it is NVIDIA GeForce 6600.
   
   
   
   
2. Search for the device on the internet with the word driver at the end as well as the version of Windows on the computer.
   
3. Select the manufacturer's website.
   
4. Find where it offers to download the drivers.
   
   
   
   
5. When given the option, select Save and save it to the external media (in this example, a USB drive).
   
   
   
   
6. Go back to the Device Manager. There, Right-Click on the device to install drivers.
   
   
   
   
7. Select Update Driver Software…
   
8. Select Browse my computer for driver software.
   
   
   
   
9. Select the Browse button on the right.
   
   
   
   
10. Select the location to which the drivers were saved and then OK.
    
    
    
    
11. Select Next.
    
    
    
    
12. The driver software will now install. This will put the best available version onto the computer.
    

For more assistance contact Technical Support here.

New features in the Windows 8.1 Start button

Description: This blog post gives a description of new functions in the Windows 8 start button.

Microsoft has an update of Windows 8 called 8.1. One of the most popular features on it is the re-addition of a Start button.
 
Some of the new features it comes with are:

1. It's a visible button that takes the user to the Start Screen with a left click.
   
   
   
   
2. Right clicking on it will provide a number of features such as:
   
   
   • Shut down options.
     
     
     
     
   • Quick and easy access to various Management features (e.g. Control Panel, Run window, etc.)
     
     

For more assistance contact Technical Support here.