Some Common Hard Disks Errors

The most common failure of hard disks is guided fault. That is hard disks not starting. When guided faults occur, there will be a lot of errors reminders prompted by the system. It is very helpful for solving the problems to read the following tips.

1.     Error Reminder: HDD controller failure

Error Cause: After the POST program sends the seeker command to the driver, it does not complete tasks within the specified time, which causes this error. When this problem occurs, it is likely that the hard disk has been damaged.

2.     Error: HDC controller fail

Error Cause: This type of failure is a hardware one. After the POST program sends out a RS command, the controller does not response within the prescribed time. It is likely that the controller is damaged or that the cable is not connected. In addition, this error may also occurs when the parameter settings of the hard disks is not correct.

3.     Error: Invalid Partition Table

After the active partition is found, the master boot program will determine the first byte of the remaining three entries is “0” or not. That is to confirm whether there is only one active partition or not. If one of the three is not a “0”, the system will prompt an error and crash. This is likely to happen when a third party software program is used to make several active partitions.

Optimize Hard Disk Space

With the popularity of wideband, many computer users want to download resources to enrich their hard drive. As a result, the hard disks would be filled up however spacious they are. If your hard disk space is limited, by optimization making the system consume less space, can effectively solve the problem of hard disk space shortage.

Disable system’s hibernation function

Similar to XP and Vista system, the hibernation file in Win 7 also takes up much space. Generally the sleeping function is rarely used. So if your hard disk space is not "rich", then you should consider disabling the hibernation feature. Open the "Run" window and input "cmd" command, press Enter to open Command Prompt Window and input "powercfg-h off" and press “Enter” to complete.

Delete useless system files

Some files in Win 7 system folder are of no use for most users. Users can delete these files according to their own need. If you do not know what files should be deleted and what should be kept, you can use tune up or optimization software, like Acebyte Utilities. Such software will tell you what files can be deleted and what cannot.

Clean up trash files

After system runs for some time, some unwanted cache files are generated. These files have no use but take up system space. Having these files cleared regularly can definitely release some space for the hard disk.

Compress "winsxs" folder

Many may not know that in the Windows directory of Win 7 the "winsxs" folder takes up about 4GB of space. However this folder cannot be deleted for it’s very important for the system. You can reduce the space it consumes by compressing it.

Find the "winsxs" folder, and move the cursor to the folder. Right click and select “Compress to folder” and wait till finish. During this process if prompts pop up indicating files in use, select "Ignore All" button.

After the compression, the size of “winsxs” folder is reduced by over 1GB, which can be described as remarkable.

After the above optimization, disk space occupied by Win 7 itself is reduced by at least 3GB. These optimization methods are relatively safe, not affecting the normal performance of the system.

Speed up Windows XP

Although more and more people use Windows 7 now, still many people are using Windows XP for its simple-to-use features. Here’s some ways on how to speed up Windows XP.

Registry optimization

1.      Enable CPU L2 Cahce

Go to the registry HKCU_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SYSTEM \ CurrentControlSet \ Control \ Session Manager \ Memory Management, and create a New Dword value:

You can set your CPU’s secondary cache to 256kb by modifying the Dword value and then restart your computer.

2.      Change disk cache

Disk cache is important for running Windows XP. It’s wise to set different disk cache for different memory.

Get to the registry HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SYSTEM \ CurrentControlSet \ Control \ Session Manager \ Memory Management \ IoPageLockLimit, and modify modify its hexadecimal value according to your disk memory to (64M: 1000; 128M: 4000; 256M: 10000; 512M or more: 40000) .

3.      Remove menu delay

To remove menu-delay can to a certain extent speed up XP. Modify the value in HKEY_CURRENT_USERControl PanelDesktop. Change the value of "MenuShowDelay" to 0. Restart your computer and the change will take effect.

4.      For Windows XP Professional Edition, cancel the reserved bandwidth

Because of special need for network of Professional Edition, a default 20% reserved bandwidth is set. For most individual users, the reserved bandwidth is useless. You can cancel the reserved bandwidth by using the Group Policy Editor.

Click "Start" → "Run", input the command “gpedit.msc” to open the Group Policy Editor. Find "Computer Configuration" → "Administrative Templates" → "Network" → "QoS Packet Scheduler" and select on the right “Retain the Bandwidth Limit", select "Properties" to open the image and select "Disable" button. This is good for Modem users for the release of the reserved bandwidth accelerates download and web browsing!

5.      Do not check scheduled tasks

Normally, when Windows XP connects to another computer, it will check all scheduled tasks on that machine. This process will make you wait 30 seconds. Find in the registry HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\RemoteComput-er\NameSpace. There should be a key {D6277990-4C6A-11CF-8D87-00AA0060F5BF}. Delete it and restart your computer. The speed will be improved significantly!

Optimize Your Computer

I believe that many computer users have encountered a trouble that the computer runs very slow. This is to remind you that the computer is taking too heavy a burden and you need to optimize the system. Here I provide 10 Tips for making your computer run more smoothly.

1.      Delete LJ files left by Internet access

Open the IE browser menu bar, select "Tools" and then "Internet Options". A dialog box appears and select "General" tab, click ​​the "Delete Files" button to delete the LJ files.

2.      Turn off all visual effects

The default XP visual effect is very beautiful, but also consumes system resources. Right click the "My Computer" icon. In turns select "Properties", "Advanced" tab "Performance" area, click "Advanced" button, click the "Visual Effects" tab and select "Adjust for best performance ".

3.      Shield CD AutoPlay feature

Input a command “gpeidt.msc” in “Run” to start “Group Policy”. In turns select "Computer Configuration", "Administrative Templates", "System", and "close play", set it to "Enabled". Then "Turn off Autoplay" for "All drives."

4.      Optimize startup

There is not much to say. Acebyte Utilities is recommended to optimize startup items.

5.      uninstall rarely-used applications

Be sure to perform "Add or Remove Programs" from “Control Panel” and select the unwanted program to remove. Remember not just to delete the folder where the program is installed.

6.      Delete the extra desktop theme

In the WINDOWS / Resources / Themes directory, delete all other files except Luna folder, Luna theme and Windows Classic.Theme.

7.      Disable dormancy.

Under dormancy state, the current session data will be stored to the C root directory file hiberfil.sys (hidden). The size of the file is the same to that of physical memory. Start “Power Option” from “Control Panel”. Click on "Sleep" tab, and then clear the "Enable Dormancy".

8.      Delete the Windows Help file

Few people will look at the program's help file. Open the directory “Windows / help”, select all and delete.

9.      Delete the driver backup

Open the Windows / DriveCache directory, select all and delete.

10.  Delete the backup files for Windows update

If there is no integration of the system is installed if the SP upgrade patch is not included when the system is installed. Then after installing SP1 and SP2, an upgrade file of several hundreds MB will be generated in the directory WINDOWS / ServicePackFiles. Delete it.

How to Encrypt files on XP

You have some very important folders or files that you do not want others have access to. Or you just want to keep a little bit of privacy. Here’s the ways how you can encrypt files from being seen by others.

Use WINRAR. It is very convenient and easy to operate. I believe you have installed this program on your computer. Here’s how:

1.      Right-click the folder you want to encrypt and then click "Add to archive".

2.      Select "Advanced" page, click "Set Password."

3.      In the blank text box, enter the password you want to set. Click "OK.

4.      Then click "OK".

5.      When you want to open the folder, double-click the folder, it pops up a dialog box allowing you to enter the password. Enter the password and click "OK."

6.      Later you can also add others files to the folder

It is very simple. By this way others cannot even see the title of the folder.

Encryption by using XP itself

1.      Open Windows Explorer.

2.      Right-click the file or folder you want to encrypt, and then click "Properties."

3.      Click "Advanced" in the "General" tab, Select "Encrypt contents to secure data" check box.

Please note the following five points when encrypting:

1.      To open the "Windows Explorer", click "Start → Programs → Accessories," then click "Windows Explorer."

2.      Only files or folders on NTFS partition volume can be encrypted, but not FAT.

3.      Compressed files or folders can also be encrypted. When a compressed file or folder is encrypted, it will be decompressed.

4.      Files labeled as “system” attribute cannot be encrypted, and files located in the Systemroot directory structure cannot be encrypted.

5.      When a folder is encrypted, the system asks if you want to encrypt its subfolders. If yes, then its sub-folders will be encrypted. Later any added files or subfolders will be automatically encrypted when added.

How to Solve the Problem of DLL Missing

DLL is short for Dynamic Link Library. In Windows, many application programs are not complete executable files. They are cut into separate DLLs which are placed in the system. When a certain application program is run, the corresponding DLL file is called. An application program can be controlled by several DLL files and a DLL file may also be used by several application programs. Generally, DLL files are stored in C:\Windows\System directory.

 

1.      Which program uses which DLL

Right-click the application and select "Quick View" command, in the “Induct Table" you will see the DLL files being used. Or you can see the use of DLL files through software like DLL Show.

2.      DLL file used by how many programs

Run “Regedit”, enter HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsrft\Windows\

Current-Version\SharedDlls subkey, the right window shows all the DLL files and their associated data, the number in brackets on the right illustrates the number of programs that are using the DLL. For example, “(2)” means the DLL is used by two application programs, and “(0)” indicates that the DLL is used by no programs.

3.      How to solve the problem of missing DLL files

Sometimes a certain DLL file is deleted by mistake, which may affect running of application programs. If a certain DLL is deleted, it system will report “DLL file lost” when starting computer. If you can determine the name of the file deleted, you can go to “Sysbckup” (system backup folder) to find the DLL file, and copy it to the System folder. If you cannot determine its name, you can go "Start / Run", input the “Msconfig” command, enter the System Configuration Utility Dialog Box, click to select "System.ini" tab, and find out the missing DLL file, and remove the tick of the DLL.

Common Problems Caused by Memory Failure

These problems frequently occur to your computer, crash, blue screen, not starting, not enter the operating system startup. In most cases, these problems result from damage of hardware like motherboard, graphic card etc. But of course they can be also caused by incorrect settings of software, and virus invasion. It is often very daunting to determine the specific reason, but in general memory failure, including memory damage, incompatibility, and memory slot damage, is the major cause of the problems mentioned above.

When computer memory is damaged, many problems will occur. But the following are the most common

1.      The computer does not start, along with “beep” alarm sound from the case. This is a symbol in BIOS that memory is damaged or memory is not detected.

2.      A blue screen occurs when installing Windows 2000 or XP, which can be directly determined to be caused by memory failure.

3.      The computer crashes or blue screen occurs when running Windows 2000 or XP. Note that though this problem is mostly caused by memory failures, still there are other possibilities, such as power, cooling and even virus problem.

4.      The computer crashes frequently when running high memory-consuming software programs, such as 3D games, test programs, Photoshop etc.