Windows 7

Some Applications won't Play Sounds

  • Click the system tray volume icon, click 'Mixer', and ensure any volume slider for your application is set high enough and not muted. Also launch Control Panel, click 'Hardware and sound → Sound', right-click your default playback device (it has a green tick) and select 'Properties'. Click 'Advanced' and clear any settings in the Exclusive Mode box. Click 'OK', reboot and try again.

  • Firefox Won't Play any Sounds:
    • If you want Firefox to make a "click" sound effect when you click on a link, and to use other small sound effects when you browse web pages, try the Navigational Sounds extension.

      Unmute Firefox and Plugins
      1. Open Firefox and play contents that should play sound: an HTML5 video with audio track in this Firefox videos page, a Flash sound, etc.
      2. Click the volume icon in the Windows task bar.
      3. Click Mixer. The Volume Mixer window will appear.
      4. Make sure the Mozilla Firefox and plugin (such as Adobe Flash Player) sliders are not muted and are not at the bottom.
    Make sure that the audio device (such as speakers or headphones) are turned on and connected to the computer properly.

  • If it would say that a Sound Card was not installed:
    Try this before anything else:
    • Open Start menu, open control panel.
    • Scroll down to 'Device Manager', click 'View Hardware and Devices'.
    • Double click 'Sound, video and game controllers', then double click 'Realtek High Definition Audio'.
    • This will open the properties menu for your audio. At the top of the box, click 'driver'.
    • Finally, click the 'Disable' button, and then the 'Enable' button afterward to reset your audio system.


  • Check your Sound Card:
    Check to make sure your computer has a sound card, or sound processor, and it's working properly.
    1. ?Open Device Manager by clicking the Start button Picture of the Start button , clicking Control Panel, clicking System and Security, and then, under System, clicking Device Manager.? Administrator permission required If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
    2. Double-click Sound, video and game controllers to expand that category. If a sound card is listed, you have one installed. If no sound card is listed, check the information that came with your computer to see if there's supposed to be a sound card installed. If there should be a sound card installed, you'll need to install one according to the manufacturer's instructions.

      Remember:
      If you think you have a sound card installed but you don't see it under the Sound, video and game controllers category, expand the Other devices category and check the devices listed there.
      Laptops don't usually have sound cards. Instead, they have integrated sound processors, which appear in the same category in Device Manager.

      If there's a yellow question mark next to the name of the sound card in Device Manager, there might be a problem.
    1. Right-click the name of the sound card, and then click Properties.
    2. Click the General tab, and then look in the Device status box to identify problems with the sound card.
    3. If there's a problem, you might need a new driver for your sound card.

Open a File if I Get an Access Denied Message?

If you get a message denying access when you try to open a file, here are some options you can try:

  • Check the permissions of the file or of the folder the file is saved in. Here's how:
    1. Right-click the file or folder, and then click Properties.
    2. Click the Security tab.
    3. Under Group or user names, click your name to see the permissions you have.
      To open a file, you need to have read permission.
  • Check to see if the file is encrypted. Here's how:
    1. Right-click the file, and then click Properties.
    2. Click the General tab, and then click Advanced.
      If the Encrypt contents to secure data check box is selected, you need the certificate that was used to encrypt the file to open it. You should get the certificate from the person who created the file

A program is taking all of my CPU time

  • RESMON.EXE:
    aunch RESMON.EXE and find the rogue process in the CPU box. Right-click it and select 'Suspend process' to stop the program, then right-click and select 'Resume process' to start it again. Beware, this might crash the program and your system, so keep it as an absolute last resort.

  • Too Many Background Processes:
    A background process is a program that's running on your PC, even though it's not open in a window. A typical computer will have many background processes running at once, as Windows itself requires some to run. But as you install programs, over the years you may collect more and more, and eventually overwhelm your PC.
    You can check on this by opening Task Manager via a Windows Search for the same or by running taskmgr.exe. The Processes tab will appear by default, displaying not only overall CPU usage, but also the usage of each app. You should do this while no other programs are open to prevent confusion. Note the processes which appear to be using at least 10% of your processor's capability on a regular basis.

    Now, exit Task Manager and open msconfig.exe via Windows Search or the Run dialog. Go to the Startup tab and find startup items correlated with the items that you noted. Uncheck them, click okay, and then restart your PC. This will stop those programs from launching at boot.

  • Computer Trojan, Virus, Worm, Spyware or other malicious program:
    Computer Trojan's, Viruses, Worm's, Spyware, and other malicious programs designed to destroy or modify data on your computer or other computers attached to your computer or designed to attack other computers can utilize your system resources.
    Make sure you have a spyware program installed on your computer and that it is up-to-date. If you do not have a spyware program installed on the computer it is highly recommended you install one now.

  • Check Total CPU and RAM Usage:
    Right-click the Windows taskbar and select Start Task Manager.
    Click over to the Performance tab to view your computer's total CPU and physical memory (RAM) usage. The CPU usage history graph shows total CPU usage as well as separate graphs for each CPU's usage over time, while the Memory graph shows you total memory usage and how your memory usage has changed over time.
    If the CPU usage or Memory bars are completely full and your computer is running slowly, you should close some CPU or memory-hungry programs - check the processes list to see which those are - and free up resources. If your Memory and CPU usage are always high, you may want to upgrade your RAM or get a computer with a faster CPU to speed things up.

Get error Messages when I Install a Program

  • CCleaner:
    Check that the application runs on your version of Windows. Don't launch a program directly from a web page; save it to your desktop first, then run it as an administrator. Uninstall older versions of the program (or at least close them down) before you install the new one. Left over temporary files can sometimes cause installation problems too, so use CCleaner (http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner) to clean them up, then try again.

  • Error Messages when installing iTunes for Windows:
    The most common cause of the errors is an out-of-date or damaged version of Apple Software Update for Windows on the PC. If that's what is afoot, updating or repairing your Apple Software Update for Windows should get you past the errors.

    First, check to see if your Apple Software Update for Windows is up to date. In your Start Menu, click All Programs and then click Apple Software Update. In Apple Software Update, check to see if you are being offered a new version of Apple Software Update. If there's a new version of Apple Software Update showing in the list of available updates, select the Apple Software Update update and deselect any other software that may also be being offered to you at the same time. Now install the new version of Apple Software Update.

    If the new version of Apple Software Update for Windows installs properly, now try another iTunes for Windows update or install.
    If Apple Software Update does not appear under "All Programs" or no newer version of Apple Software Update appears in Apple Software Update, do a repair install of your Apple Software Update for Windows. First, restart your PC.
    1. If you're using Windows XP, go into your "Add or Remove programs" control panel. Select Apple Software Update, click "Change" and then click "Repair".
    2. If you're using Vista or Windows 7, go into your "Uninstall a program" control panel. Select Apple Software Update and click "Repair".
    If the repair install goes through properly, now try another iTunes for Windows update or install.
Note: a very similar error message during iTunes for Windows installs requires a different resolution.

If you receive the following very-similar error message:

There is a problem with this Windows Installer package. A DLL required for this install to complete could not be run.
  • Internet Explorer Installation Problems:
    The following updates must be applied before installing Internet Explorer 8:
    • If you are running Windows XP, install Windows XP Service Pack 2.
    • If you are running Windows Vista Service Pack 1 or Windows Server 2008, install the Application Compatibility Update (KB 957388).
    • If you are running Windows Vista without any service pack, install the Update for Windows Vista (KB 937287) and Application Compatibility Update (KB 957388).

Screen turns Blue and I have to Reboot

  • Use System Restore:
    If your system recently started blue-screening, use System Restore to roll its system software back to a previous state. If this works, you'll know that it's likely a software problem.

  • Scan your Computer for Viruses:
    Some viruses can cause a Blue Screen of Death, especially ones that infect the master boot record (MBR) or boot sector.

    Important:
    Make sure your virus scanning software is completely up to date and that it's configured to scan the MBR and boot sector.

  • Update Drivers for your Hardware:
    Most Blue Screens of Death are hardware or driver related so updated drivers could fix the cause of the STOP error.

  • BIOS Settings:
    Return BIOS settings to their default levels. An overclocked or misconfigured BIOS can cause all sorts of random issues, including BSODs (Blue Screen of Death).
    Note: If you've made several customizations to your BIOS settings and don't wish to load the default ones then at least try returning clock speed, voltage settings, and BIOS memory options to their default settings and see if that fixes the STOP error.

  • Essential Hardware:
    Start your PC with essential hardware only. A useful troubleshooting step in many situations, including BSOD (Blue Screen of Death) issues, is to start your computer with the minimum hardware necessary to run the operating system. If your computer starts successfully it proves that one of the removed hardware devices was the cause of the STOP message.
    Tip:
    Typically, the only necessary hardware for starting your PC through to the operating system includes the motherboard, CPU, RAM, primary hard drive, keyboard, video card, and monitor.

  • Use Action Center:
    Windows creates a report when certain hardware or software problems occur. Action Center can check whether there's a solution to a reported problem.
    To check for solutions
    1. Open Action Center by clicking the Start button Picture of the Start button, clicking Control Panel, and then, under System and Security, clicking Review your computer's status.
    2. Click Maintenance.
    3. Under Check for solutions to problem reports, click Check for solutions. Windows will notify you if there are any solutions to problems available for your computer.
Note:
Some problems and solutions can only be viewed and fixed by an administrator. Log on using an administrator account to view these problems.
  • Use Safe Mode to troubleshoot problems:
    1. Remove all floppy disks, CDs, and DVDs from your computer, and then restart your computer.
      Click the Start button Picture of the Start button, click the arrow next to the Shut Down button Picture of the Shut Down button, and then click Restart.
    2. Do one of the following:
      • If your computer has a single operating system installed, press and hold the F8 key as your computer restarts. You need to press F8 before the Windows logo appears. If the Windows logo appears, you'll need to try again by waiting until the Windows logon prompt appears, and then shutting down and restarting your computer.
      • If your computer has more than one operating system, use the arrow keys to highlight the operating system you want to start in safe mode, and then press F8.
    3. On the Advanced Boot Options screen, use the arrow keys to highlight the safe mode option you want, and then press Enter.
    4. Log on to your computer with a user account that has administrator rights.

When your computer is in safe mode, you'll see the words Safe Mode in the corners of your screen. To exit safe mode, restart your computer and let Windows start normally.

Can't Create a System Restore Point

  • System Restore Was Unable to Create a Restore Point:
    Here we tell you how to modify the registry. However, serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure that you follow these steps carefully. For added protection, back up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the registry if a problem occurs
    How to back up and restore the registry in Windows:
    1. Click Start, and then click Run.
    2. In the Open box, type regedit, and then click OK.
    3. Locate the following registry key:Note Your system registry may not contain the following entry. 
      HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\VxD\VxDMon
    4. Change the DelayFirstRstpt value from 1 to 0:
      • In the right pane, click DelayFirstRstpt.
      • On the Edit menu, click Modify.
      • In the Value data box, type 0, and then click OK.
    5. Restart your computer.
    6. Click Start, point to Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, click System Restore to start the System Restore utility, and then create a restore point.

System Component doesn't Work

  • Serious Windows problems could mean some system files are missing or corrupted. Click 'Start', type cmd, right-click 'cmd.exe' and click 'Run as administrator'. Then type sfc / scannow and press [Enter] to detect and repair any issues.

Still having problems!

  • There are lots more options you can try. For example, you can install any Windows updates, update your video card driver, remove plug-ins from applications or delete your temporary files. You can also right-click your drive in Explorer, then click 'Properties → Tools → Check now' to check it for errors.
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In this tutorial:

  1. Windows Quick and Easy Solutions
  2. Takes Long to Find Files
  3. Search Slow
  4. Some Applications won't Play Sounds