Windows 7 / Getting Started

Built-in Troubleshooting Packs

Windows 7 includes built-in troubleshooting packs to correlate to the top 10 categories of Microsoft support calls, including power efficiency, application compatibility, networking, and sound. Table-1 describes the troubleshooting packs that are built into Windows 7 or are currently available using the Windows Online Troubleshooting Service (WOTS). WOTS is a free online service that Windows 7 can use to download new or updated troubleshooting packs.

Table-1 Windows 7 Troubleshooting Packs

Troubleshooting PackDescription
AeroTroubleshoot problems that prevent your computer from displaying Aero animations and effects
Playing AudioTroubleshoot problems that prevent your computer from playing sound
Recording AudioTroubleshoot problems that prevent your computer from recording sound
PrinterTroubleshoot problems that prevent you from using a printer
PerformanceAdjust settings in Windows that can help improve overall speed and performance
System MaintenanceClean up unused files and shortcuts and perform other maintenance tasks
PowerAdjust power settings to improve battery life and reduce power consumption
HomeGroupTroubleshoot problems that prevent you from viewing computer or shared files in a HomeGroup
Hardware And DevicesTroubleshoot problems with hardware and devices
Internet Explorer PerformanceTroubleshoot problems that prevent you from browsing the Web with Internet Explorer
Internet Explorer SafetyAdjust settings to improve browser safety in Internet Explorer
Windows Media Player LibraryTroubleshoot problems that prevent music and movies from being shown in the Windows Media Player Library
Windows Media Player SettingsReset Windows Media Player back to default settings
Windows Media Player DVDTroubleshoot problems that prevent playing a DVD in Windows Media Player
Connection to a Workplace Using DirectAccessConnect to your workplace network over the Internet
Shared FoldersAccess shared files and folders on other computers
Incoming ConnectionsAllow other computers to connect to your computer
Network AdapterTroubleshoot Ethernet, wireless, or other network adapters
Internet ConnectionsConnect to the Internet or to a particular Web site
Program CompatibilityTroubleshoot a program that doesn't work in this version of Windows
Search And IndexingTroubleshoot problems finding items with Windows Search
Windows UpdateTroubleshoot problems preventing Windows Update from working correctly
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In this tutorial:

  1. Troubleshooting Hardware, Driver, and Disk Issues
  2. Windows 7 Improvements for Hardware and Driver Troubleshooting
  3. Windows Troubleshooting Platform
  4. Built-in Troubleshooting Packs
  5. Windows Troubleshooting Platform Components
  6. Creating Custom Troubleshooting Packs
  7. Running Troubleshooting Packs Remotely
  8. Windows 7 Reliability Monitor
  9. Windows 7 Resource Monitor
  10. Windows Memory Diagnostics
  11. Disk Failure Diagnostics
  12. Self-Healing NTFS
  13. Improved Driver Reliability
  14. Improved Error Reporting
  15. The Process of Troubleshooting Hardware Issues
  16. How to Troubleshoot Problems That Prevent Windows from Starting
  17. How to Troubleshoot Problems Installing New Hardware
  18. How to Troubleshoot Problems with Existing Hardware
  19. How to Troubleshoot Unpredictable Symptoms
  20. How to Diagnose Hardware Problems
  21. How to Use Device Manager to Identify Failed Devices
  22. How to Check the Physical Setup of Your Computer
  23. How to Check the Configuration of Your Hardware
  24. How to Verify That System Firmware and Peripheral Firmware Are Up to Date
  25. How to Test Your Hardware by Running Diagnostic Tools
  26. How to Simplify Your Hardware Configuration
  27. How to Diagnose Disk-Related Problems
  28. How to Use Built-In Diagnostics
  29. How to Use Reliability Monitor
  30. How to Use Event Viewer
  31. How to Use Data Collector Sets
  32. How to Use Windows Memory Diagnostics
  33. Memory Failures
  34. How Windows Automatically Detects Memory Problems
  35. How to Schedule Windows Memory Diagnostics
  36. How to Start Windows Memory Diagnostics When Windows Is Installed
  37. How to Start Windows Memory Diagnostics from the Windows DVD
  38. How to Configure Windows Memory Diagnostics
  39. How to Troubleshoot Disk Problems
  40. How to Prepare for Disk Failures
  41. How to Use ChkDsk
  42. ChkDsk Examples
  43. ChkDsk Syntax
  44. How to Use the Graphical ChkDsk Interface
  45. How to Determine Whether ChkDsk Is Scheduled to Run
  46. ChkDsk Process on NTFS Volumes
  47. How to Use the Disk Cleanup Wizard
  48. How to Disable Nonvolatile Caching
  49. How to Troubleshoot Driver Problems
  50. How to Find Updated Drivers
  51. How to Roll Back Drivers in Windows 7
  52. How to Use Driver Verifier
  53. How to Use the File Signature Verification
  54. How to Use Device Manager to View and Change Resource Usage
  55. How to Use Windows 7 System Restore
  56. How to Troubleshoot USB Problems
  57. How to Solve USB Driver and Hardware Problems
  58. Understanding USB Limitations
  59. How to Identify USB Problems Using Performance Monitor
  60. How to Examine USB Hubs
  61. How to Troubleshoot Bluetooth Problems
  62. Troubleshooting Tools
  63. DiskView
  64. Handle
  65. Process Monitor