coursesession-306021-ms win 7 tune up pc

8/7/2019 CourseSession-306021-Ms Win 7 Tune Up Pc

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Microsoft® Windows® 7: tune up your PCWindows 7 is designed for efficiency and speed, but over time, any system can get bogged down. Inhis class, you'll learn how to fix common hardware and software problems in Windows 7. You'll also

ake a look at installing and removing applications, and determining what's running in the background.Finally, you'll pick up system configuration tips for better performance, regular updates and more.

Lessons

Introduction to computer maintenance1.In this lesson, you'll find out how hardware, the basic input/output system(BIOS) and the operating system work together, and what can happen if theydon't. You'll also learn which tools give you system information and canimplement PC repair when necessary.

Hardware, BIOS problems and device resources2.This lesson teaches you how to use Windows 7 and HP troubleshooting utilities.

You'll also dive deeper into the BIOS, and learn how to understand deviceresources and troubleshoot problems with display, sound and speaker settingsin Windows.

Going behind the scenes of Microsoft Windows 73.To use Windows 7 efficiently, you need basic conceptual knowledge about howit interacts with applications. This lesson shows you how to install and removesoftware, control background programs and manage which programs start whenWindows boots.

Keeping Windows 7 clean and updated4.This lesson brings you up to speed on how Windows 7 works with your hardware. You'll also learn how to keep Windows 7 in good health by gettingautomatic updates, configuring Windows Firewall and using antivirus software.

Troubleshooting common Windows 7 problems5.Troubleshooting computer problems can be a chore, but this lesson makes iteasy. You'll find out what to do when Windows 7 hits a snag, resolve problemswith applications and recover from bad registry edits and system crashes.

Optimizing Windows 7 by improving system performance6.This lesson teaches you how to boost the performance of Windows 7 with somesimple fixes and tweaks. You'll learn how to improve disk performance, optimizeyour display settings and eliminate desktop clutter.

ntroduction to computer maintenancen this lesson, you'll find out how hardware, the basic input/output system (BIOS) and the operating system workogether, and what can happen if they don't. You'll also learn which tools give you system information and canmplement PC repair when necessary.

Welcome to the class

f you want to learn more about your PC and find out how to fix some of themost common problems related to hardware and software, namely MicrosoftWindows 7, you're in the right place. This class also addresses variousWindows 7 problems and troubleshooting issues, discusses how to speed upWindows 7, covers configuration management best practices and digs intomany tips, tweaks and tricks.

This class is geared toward users who want to troubleshoot and optimizetheir personal computer using Windows 7 tools and utilities. The steps andscreen shots in each lesson are based on Windows 7 Professional.However, most of the information is applicable to other editions of Windows7.

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How this class works

This class consists of six lessons; each has an assignment and a quiz. Readhe lesson, complete its assignment and then test your knowledge by taking theuiz.

What this class covers

The basic principles of PC troubleshooting—focusing on the Windows 7perating system—are covered in this six-lesson class. Instead of takingotshots at specific problems, this class helps you develop a core set of toolsnd techniques you can use in any troubleshooting situation.

Here's what's covered in the lessons:

Lesson 1: Introduces you to hardware and software troubleshootingtechniques. You'll learn the essentials of maintaining your PC's hardwareand get an overview of important troubleshooting tools and utilities.

Lesson 2: Focuses on hardware troubleshooting. You'll dive into the BIOS,system resources, display problems and more.Lesson 3: Explores software maintenance and troubleshooting. This lessonwalks you through adding and removing applications and managingbackground tasks.Lesson 4: Focuses on keeping your system up to date and healthy. You'lllearn how to use Windows Update, and configure firewall, antivirus andantispyware software.Lesson 5: Helps you understand how to deal with application and systemcrashes and Windows 7 startup problems. You'll also learn how to useSystem Restore as a means of repairing your system.Lesson 6: Shows you how to truly tune up and speed up your PC bydefragmenting your hard disk, optimizing display settings, deleting

unnecessary files and more.

Throughout this class, we provide Flash examples. To view theseexamples, you need the Adobe Flash Player . Keep an eye out for noteswith links that say "See how to ____" or something similar. Some of thesefiles are very large and could take a while to appear or download if youhave a slow connection.

et's get started.

Understanding hardware, software and firmware

Maintaining and troubleshooting a PC generally involves four things: hardware,he BIOS, the operating system and applications. Perhaps you already knowwhat these items are; here's a review in case you don't.

The physical parts of a computer are known as hardware. Hardware includeshe monitor, system case, motherboard, keyboard, mouse and similar items.

Any part you can touch and see is a hardware component.

Hardware is just a heap of metal, plastic, silicon chips and electrical circuits. Itoesn't know how it should behave. For that instruction, it turns to software,

which is the programming code. Software is stored on a disk, such as a hardisk, flash drive, digital versatile disc (DVD) or compact disc (CD), until it'seeded, and then it's loaded into memory and executed.

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Perhaps you see the vicious circle here: Software must run from memory;however, memory is hardware and can't do anything until softwarecommands it. This situation is handled by a special category of softwarecalled firmware.

Firmware is software that's stored on a hardware chip. Its name comes fromhe fact that it's not exactly hardware and not exactly software—it's somethingn between the two. When the computer starts, a firmware chip called the basicnput/output system (BIOS) is accessed. Its low-level startup instructions areead into memory and processed, enabling the operating system (for example,

Windows 7) to load. The BIOS can be controlled by a BIOS setup program,which you'll learn about in Lesson 2.

There are two levels of software: the operating system and the applications.Windows is the operating system on the vast majority of computers; other

perating systems include Mac OS and Linux distributions. The operatingystem is in charge of the user interface—that is, accepting and processinguman commands—and talks to the hardware. An application runs on top of

he operating system and enables the user to perform a task, such as writing aetter or calculating a budget.

Now that you're familiar with the basic parts of a computer system—theardware, software and firmware—let's move on to some troubleshooting tools.

The next section covers the tools you need to troubleshoot hardware.

Your hardware troubleshooting toolkit

Before you learn how to diagnose the source of a problem, know whatquipment you need for troubleshooting hardware. Surprisingly few tools areequired to work on PC hardware. In most cases, the only necessary tools are

medium-sized flat and Phillips screwdrivers (for notebooks, you need very

mall screwdrivers). For most newer systems, you don't even need theseecause many companies use a tool-free chassis that has latches and thumbcrews.

Some screwdrivers have magnetic tips that keep you from dropping ascrew before it's in place. Never use a magnetized tool with a PC or workon a PC that's plugged in. Magnets and static electricity are the two biggesthazards when working on PCs. You should also avoid getting anyhardware wet.

Other tools you might want are a small flashlight, an antistatic wrist strap,ompressed air and masking tape. Use tape to hold cables where you wanthem temporarily (so they don't fall behind a desk, for example). You can alsoabel taped cables so you know which cable plugs into which connector.

You should also have a bootable optical disc or bootable flash drive for whatever operating system your PC uses. For Windows 7, use the originalWindows installation DVD, or a disc or flash drive you prepared from a

ownloaded ISO image.

Some systems that come with Windows pre-installed don't includeWindows Setup media. Instead, they provide a recovery DVD that either contains Windows Setup files or boots to a restoration program thatrecopies hidden Windows files.

Extras for pros

Jargon buster

A multimeter is a device that

measures volts, amps or ohms depending on how youset it. A digital multimeter isbetter than an analog one for working on computers.

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f you're responsible for troubleshooting and maintaining a large group of omputers, you'll find that your job is easier with a few extra tools. A prooolbox might contain a spring-loaded grabber (also called a part retriever), aigital multimeter, tweezers, a chip puller and a variety of screws. In addition,ou should have an assortment of extra cables, a mouse, a keyboard, aniversal serial bus (USB) CD/DVD drive, a USB flash drive or external hardrive and memory sticks.

Cleaning techniques

Cleaning supplies are a good addition to your hardware troubleshooting toolkit.Over time, PCs gather dust and dirt, which can affect hardware performance.You must clean your PC's components and remove dust from inside the case

t least twice a year.

Before cleaning any of the following items, always turn off your PC andremove the power cord from the wall outlet.

Your cleaning plan should include attention to each of these:

Monitor: Purchase special computer-cleaning kits or use a dampened lint-free cloth. Avoid using standard ammonia-based glass cleaners, and never use a liquid cleaner on a flat-panel monitor.Keyboard: Clean your computer keyboard by turning it upside-down andgently tapping the bottom to dislodge any particles between the keys. Spraycrevices with compressed air or use a specialized mini-vacuum to removedirt and dust.Mouse: Optical mice without a rollerball don't require regular cleaning. Toclean one with a rollerball, first unplug the mouse. Remove the ball from thebottom and use alcohol and a cotton swab to clean the ball and the internal

rollers.Cooling fan: The fan inside your PC accumulates dust as it cools the system.Remove dust on a regular basis by spraying compressed air inside the fan.PC internals: Compressed air can be used to blow dust from boards, power supply, fans and vents. If you prefer, a specialized PC vacuum can be usedto clean the PC internals.PC externals: Use a dampened cloth (wring well before use) and gently wipethe outside of the PC case, all attached cords and around connections.Printers, faxes and scanners: Because the makes and models of peripheralcomponents vary, search the manufacturer's website for specific cleaningsuggestions.

Now that you understand which tools you need and how to keep your hardware

lean and running smoothly, it's time to start troubleshooting.

dentifying the problem

So, what's the problem with your PC? The first step is to determine the source.You might have a hardware problem if any of the following situations exist:

The device doesn't seem to be getting power. Look for power lights andlisten for normal sounds of operation.The device is making a strange noise, such as grinding or whirring.

The PC sounds as if it's starting although there's no text on the screen.The BIOS and operating system don't see the device, although you've runthe Setup utility or installed its driver.One or more fans in the computer stop spinning.The PC runs fine for a few minutes, then locks up, or shuts down after warm-up.

t might be a BIOS problem if:

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Someone recently changed a setting in the BIOS Setup program.The hardware device you want to use is set to Disabled in BIOS Setup.You find information about a known problem with your PC that can becorrected by installing a BIOS update.

f any of the following are true, it might be a Windows system problem:

The PC seems to start up okay, with text on the screen, until it tries to loadthe Windows desktop.Error messages appear that aren't associated with any particular application,or when you first start Windows.

Windows locks up for seemingly no reason, regardless of the application. A specific device doesn't work in Windows although it appears to havepower.

t might be an application problem if any of these situations exist:

The problem occurs only when you try to run a specific application. An application terminates unexpectedly, with or without an error message.The computer locks up whenever you use a particular application.

Of course, the preceding list is an oversimplification. Real-life problems can bemessy and complicated, and might involve more than one component.

Earlier in this lesson, you learned about the tools you need to work with theardware components of your computer. Read on to find out which software

ools your computer already contains that can help you diagnose problems.

Using Windows 7 system tools

Now let's continue to build your toolkit by looking at software utilities you canse to gather information about your PC. You might need such information to

roubleshoot a problem yourself, or to communicate with a technical support

rofessional at a hardware or software company.

Windows System Information

n Windows 7, select Start, type system information in the search text box andhen select System Information from the resulting list. The System Informationwindow appears, much like the one depicted in Figure 1-1.

Figure 1-1: Windows 7 System Information window.

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You should see several categories on the left side of the screen. Click the plusign next to a category to expand it, displaying subcategories that enable youo view detailed information about your system. Use this information to identifyomponents and to determine which system resources those components aresing.

You'll learn more about this information and how to use it in Lesson 2.

Device Manager

System Information enables you to see device resource settings and status;owever, you must work in Device Manager to change them.

To enter Device Manager, select Start > Control Panel > System and Security.Click Device Manager in the System category. Alternatively, select Start, type

evice in the search text box and then select Device Manager from theesulting list.

By default, Device Manager displays a list of hardware categories, as shown inFigure 1-2. Expand a category to view the devices it covers, and then double-lick any device to view its properties. Most devices include a troubleshootingool that's available from their properties dialog box. You can change how thest is sorted by selecting a different view from the View menu in Device

Manager. Lesson 2 covers Device Manager and device configuration in detail.

Figure 1-2: Device Manager.

You've learned about the physical troubleshooting tools you'll need to work on



our hardware, in addition to some software tools that provide systemnformation. Next, you'll learn about administrative tools that come withWindows 7, which help you troubleshoot problems and maintain your system.

Using Windows 7 administrative tools

The Administrative Tools folder in Control Panel > System and Securityontains shortcuts to several utilities for troubleshooting and maintenance,

ncluding:

Event Viewer: This window provides a history of system events, such aserrors and warnings, as shown in Figure 1-3. Use it to get more detailedinformation about a failure than would normally be seen in an error message.

Figure 1-3: Event Viewer reports application errors in addition to displayingeneral system events.

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Performance Monitor: This window shows graphs of system-performancemeasurements, as shown in Figure 1-4, and enables you to customize themto see pertinent statistics.

Figure 1-4: The Performance Monitor window shows graphs of systemerformance indicators.

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Computer Management: This window is a multipurpose console providingaccess to Event Viewer and Performance Monitor, and to several other utilities. One utility is Disk Management, where you can partition, resize andformat new hard disks from within Windows 7, as shown in Figure 1-5.

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Figure 1-5: Disk Management displays disk partitions and enables you tomodify them.

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n addition, Windows 7 includes several command-line utilities you can run toheck network connectivity. A few of the most commonly used utilities are:

PING: This is one of the most useful network utilities because it testswhether you can reach another networked computer. It also reports on thegeneral speed or reliability of a network connection. To use PING, clickStart, type cmd in the search text box and then press Enter. In the commandwindow, type ping <ip address> or ping <domain name>.Ipconfig: If you get a timeout response to a ping command, it usually meansthere's a problem with the configuration of the computer's networkinginformation. To resolve this, issue the ipconfig/all command to view theconfiguration information.Tracert: This utility tracks the path data takes while traveling across anetwork or the internet, which is measured in hops (routers). This is useful infinding out why you can't reach another network or a website on the internet.

To use Tracert, type tracert <ip address> or tracert <domain name> in acommand window.

Now that you know the tools available to analyze your system, look at the built-n tools that help improve your system's performance.

Using computer maintenance utilities

When performing PC maintenance, you need utilities that can improve your ystem, not just analyze it. All of these utilities should be staples in your

rsenal of troubleshooting tools.

Windows Update

Windows Update is a utility that downloads and installs updates to your system,nd it's configured to run automatically by default in Windows 7 (for goodeason). You'll find out how to use Windows Update in Lesson 4.

Check Disk

n Windows 7, you use the Check Disk utility to scan your computer's hard diskor errors and try to correct them.

To run Check Disk, select Start > Computer, right-click your hard disk icon andhen select Properties. The Local Disk Properties dialog box appears. On theTools tab, click the Check now button under Error-checking. In the Check Disk

Understand User AccountControl (UAC)

Windows 7 includes asecurity system called UAC,which prevents a user frommaking unauthorizedchanges to a system. UAC iswhat prompts you to clickContinue or Yes whenperforming certain systemchanges. Although Microsoftwarns against it, you canadjust UAC to be less

intrusive. To do so, selectStart > Control Panel > User Accounts and Family Safety> User Accounts. Click theChange User AccountControl settings link. In theresulting window, move theslider bar down from the




ialog box, check one or both of the available options (Automatically fix fileystem errors and Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors) and then clickhe Start button.

A Windows message appears stating that the action can be performed onlyafter a reboot. To continue with Check Disk, click Schedule disk check. Theprocess resumes when you restart your computer. Depending on your system speed and hard disk capacity, this process could take severalhours. It's best to start this in the evening and let it run overnight.

Check Disk deals with two kinds of errors. The basic Check Disk operationnds and repairs logical errors in the disk's table of contents. These errors, if ncorrected, can cause problems reading and writing files and can even make

Windows 7 itself crash. Therefore, it's a good idea to run Check Disk once amonth or so (or immediately if you start experiencing errors and crashes inWindows 7).

The other error Check Disk addresses is a physical bad spot on the surface of he disk. It attempts to relocate any data stored on that spot, and then it markshe bad spot as unusable. This type of error requires a time-consuming search,

o Check Disk doesn't check this unless you mark the Scan for and attemptecovery of bad sectors checkbox in the Check Disk dialog box. Perform thisheck if you start experiencing errors reading or writing to the disk.

Disk Defragmenter and Disk Cleanup

Disk Defragmenter is a utility that rearranges fragmented files on your hard disko that as many files as possible are contiguous (not fragmented). Running

Disk Defragmenter regularly can improve the performance of your hard disk.The Disk Cleanup utility scans your hard disk for many types of files that are

enerally safe to delete, freeing up hard disk space. You'll learn more about

Disk Defragmenter and Disk Cleanup in Lesson 6.

So far in this lesson you've been introduced to many software tools availablehrough the Windows 7 operating system. Next, you'll examine some toolsvailable online.

default position and click OK.Be sure to carefully read thedescription of each UAC levelbefore making any changes.


Online troubleshooting resources

Truly great PC troubleshooters know they don't have to go it alone. The

nternet is an excellent resource for troubleshooting help, so take advantage of .

Your first stop should be the HP Customer Care website, which provides a vastrray of information to assist you, including drivers, troubleshooting informationnd numerous other self-help resources.

Here are some other places to visit on the internet:

To find these websites, just cut and paste the initial terms, such as Microsoft

Support Knowledge Base, into a web browser's search field.

Microsoft Support Knowledge Base: If any Microsoft product is a concern,this should be your first stop. Select the problematic operating system or application to read articles on related issues.Windows 7 Compatibility Center: Windows 7 works with most, but not all,hardware and software. Find out which hardware devices and softwareapplications you can use with Windows 7 at this website.






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AnswersThatWork.com: Valuable troubleshooting information is here,including a reference of task list programs and what they do.Tom's Hardware Guide: Professionals go to this site to learn and talk aboutPC hardware. It's a rich source of detailed information.ExtremeTech: Another high-end techie website for hardware enthusiasts. If you're past the basics and want to talk about expensive equipment,overclocking and new technology innovations, this is the place.

This is just a sampling; you can find many other resources on your own using aweb browser and the search words Windows 7 troubleshoot or Windows 7maintenance.

Moving on

n this lesson, you were introduced to many Windows 7 utilities that help youiew system information, monitor performance and maintain your PC. Inesson 2, you'll dive into hardware and BIOS maintenance and

roubleshooting, including a close look at device resources. Before you moven, don't forget to complete the assignment for this lesson and take the quiz.

Assignment #1

Here's where you get to practice much of what you learned in Lesson 1. To get the most out of his class, try as many of the following activities as possible:

Open Device Manager, and then look at the properties for at least three different devices.Open Administrative Tools from Control Panel > System and Security, and then look at thefeatures and options in Event Viewer, Performance Monitor and Disk Management (which isin Computer Management).Use Check Disk to check all your hard disks for errors.Visit the HP Customer Care website and browse the links to become familiar with the manyservices and features available to you.

Quiz #1Question 1:What should you always do before cleaning or working on PC hardware?

A) Read the hardware manual.

B) Call in a professional.

C) Turn off the PC and unplug the power cord.

D) Reinstall the operating system.

Question 2:Which of the following is an example of firmware?

A) The Microsoft Windows 7 operating system

B) A keyboard

C) The BIOS

D) A flat-panel monitor

Question 3:f your PC starts up properly but won't load the Windows desktop, what type of problem are you most likelyxperiencing?

) Hardware

B) BIOS

C) Windows system

D) Application

Question 4:To get access to utilities such as Event Viewer, Performance Monitor and Computer Management in Windows

, which feature do you select from Control Panel?

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) Network

B) System and Security > Administrative Tools

C) My Computer

D) System and Security > Diagnostics

Question 5:True or False: Check Disk scans your hard disk for unnecessary files and gives you the option to delete them.

) True

B) False

Hardware, BIOS problems and device resourcesThis lesson teaches you how to use Windows 7 and HP troubleshooting utilities. You'll also dive deeper into theBIOS, and learn how to understand device resources and troubleshoot problems with display, sound andpeaker settings in Windows.

Using Windows 7 troubleshooters and diagnostic utilities

Welcome back. In Lesson 1, you learned the essentials of PC hardware andoftware troubleshooting and maintenance. This lesson expands on thatiscussion by focusing on hardware and memory troubleshooting, and BIOSpdates.

Windows 7 troubleshooters

One of the best new additions to Windows 7 is the incorporation of built-inroubleshooters for all basic system capabilities, including hardware,etworking and applications. Windows 7 troubleshooters guide you through a

myriad of common problems and attempt to fix any issues.

To use a troubleshooter, select Start, type troubleshoot in the search text boxnd select Troubleshooting from the results list. The Control Panel

Troubleshooting window appears, as shown in Figure 2-1.

Figure 2-1: The Troubleshooting window displays categories of roubleshooters.

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Windows 7 provides troubleshooters across many categories: Programs,Hardware and Sound, Network and Internet, Appearance and Personalization,

nd System and Security. Just click the category that applies to the problemour PC is experiencing, select a specific troubleshooter and then follow therompts in the troubleshooter wizard to let Windows perform the necessaryhanges. If Windows cannot resolve a problem with your PC, theroubleshooter usually provides detailed instructions for you to do so. TheHardware and Sound troubleshooters are shown in Figure 2-2.

Windows 7 Action Center

A new feature of Windows 7is Action Center, whichpresents many maintenanceand security features all inone easy-to-use interface. Toaccess Action Center, clickthe flag icon near the rightend of the taskbar along thebottom of the Windows 7screen. You'll learn about Action Center in Lesson 4.








Linking to manufacturers' websites takes you outside the Hewlett-Packardwebsite. HP does not control and is not responsible for information outsidethe HP website.

Figure 2-2: The Hardware and Sound troubleshooters.

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See how to use a troubleshooter . (3.8 MB)

Problem Reports applet

Windows 7 includes a Problem Reports applet that assists users in identifying,iagnosing and resolving issues when applications or drivers fail to load or runroperly. If your PC experiences a problem that cannot be fixed immediately,

Windows generates a report and sends it to Microsoft to help resolve the

roblem. When a solution is available, a notification appears in Action Center.You can see a list of pending problems and view problem history through theProblem Reports window. To use this feature, select Start, type problemeports in the search text box and then select View all problem reports from theesults list. The Problem Reports window looks similar to Figure 2-3.

Figure 2-3: The Problem Reports window lists reports that are pending or thatave been sent to Microsoft.

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You can access the Problem Reports feature from the Action Center by typingroblem reports in the search field in the upper-right corner and clicking the

View all problem reports link that appears.

Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool


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The Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool checks your computer for memoryroblems. You can run the tool from the Administrative Tools window in Control

Panel (just click Windows Memory Diagnostic). A window appears, enablingou to restart your system immediately for testing or to schedule testing theext time you restart your system. Regardless of how you start it, the Windows

Memory Diagnostics Tool runs before the Windows 7 graphical user interfacetarts.

The Windows Memory Diagnostics Tool performs a battery of memory tests;

ou can configure which mix of tests to run and the degree of thoroughness:

Test Mix: Basic, Standard or ExtendedCache: Default (some test are run with cache on, some with cache off;doesn't change settings), On (turns on memory cache for all tests) or Off (disables memory cache for all tests)Pass Count: 0–99 (selecting 0 results in infinite test passes; press Esc tocancel)

Once the tests are completed, Windows will start automatically. If you'reotified of memory errors, you may need to contact your computer's

manufacturer or replace the bad memory module.

The next section walks you through some troubleshooting techniques usingdditional diagnostic programs, tools and services available on the HP

Customer Care website.

Troubleshooting with HP utilities and services

HP offers multiple layers of diagnostic programs, ranging from preloadedpplications to standalone utilities for its desktop and notebook computers. As preloaded application, HP offers its own full-featured hardware and system

iagnostic program—HP Total Care Advisor—on select desktop and notebookomputers. This program provides an integrated view of system information,uch as update information, system serial number and hardware status. Inddition, this program helps you discover what's wrong with your computer by

roubleshooting and isolating hardware issues. You can get information aboutour battery usage (on a notebook PC), get warranty information, manage and

monitor up to 15 printers, get system and firmware updates, back up your PCnd more.

Before using HP Total Care Advisor, you may need to relogon to your computer ecause this program requires administrative privileges. (Most homeomputers are already set with administrative privileges.) Close all open

rograms, such as your word processor, spreadsheet application or graphicsrogram. To launch HP Total Care Advisor, select Start, type total care in theearch text box and then select HP Total Care Advisor from the resulting list. Inddition, many HP computers include an HP Total Care Advisor icon on theesktop—just double-click it to open the program.

The HP Total Care Advisor main window contains tools for viewing informationbout your computer, diagnosing problems and getting help. Some of thetilities include PC Health & Security, PC Action Center, PC Help and Product

Showcase. There's also a search feature available for quickly findingnformation about the tools in HP Total Care Advisor.

Select a tab and then the tool that best matches the area with which you thinkhe computer is having a problem. If you're not sure or you're just curious abouthe health of the computer system, start with the PC Health & Security tab,which displays by default. To diagnose current computer problems and be

otified of potential problems, click the PC Health tool.








For additional troubleshooting information, visit the HP Support &Troubleshooting website.

HP Customer Care website

The HP Customer Care website, shown in Figure 2-4, has a number of toolshat can assist you in troubleshooting. From this website, you can begin todentify the source of your problem by entering your product number.

Figure 2-4: The HP Customer Care website.

Enlarge image

For example, to search for troubleshooting information related to an HPPavilion notebook PC, type pavilion and your product number in the space

rovided and click Next. On the results page, click the appropriate link toisplay information on that specific product. On the resulting product page, click

he Solve a problem link. You can also access driver downloads; setup,nstallation and configuration information; troubleshooting help, recommendedroduct maintenance routines and more on the product page.

HP provides additional tools for evaluating a system. Health Check isreloaded on all HP PCs, performs diagnostic functions and reports its results

hrough HP Total Care Advisor when Advisor is available on the system.Another option is the HP PC Tune-up Service, in which you give an HPechnician permission to access your computer over the internet. Theechnician runs a series of diagnostic tests on your computer, resolvesetected problems and makes system changes that boost the performance of our PC. This 24/7 service is available for a fee.

The HP Customer Care website is a great resource. You should check thereny time you're working on a problem with HP hardware. Other things you cano from the HP Customer Care website are update device drivers as well asour system BIOS. Read on to find out how.

Tools for power users: updating the system BIOS

Modern BIOSs aren't completely read-only; you can update them using apecial utility. This is good; otherwise, to update the BIOS you'd have toemove the BIOS chip from the motherboard and replace it.

Updating the BIOS is somewhat risky. If the computer's power goes off while you're updating, the BIOS chip's data can be corrupted and render the system unusable. Therefore, you should only update your BIOS if you're trying to fix a specific problem with your computer and suspect that

More on BIOS

The BIOS chip itself is read-only, but there's an additionalchip called complementarymetal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) that containsrandom access memory(RAM). That RAM remains


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an outdated BIOS is causing the problem. Always create a current systemimage first, or at least a full backup of data and settings.

BIOS updates are delivered in two ways. You can:

Download a setup utility that creates a boot disc or USB drive image, andthen boot from that media to update the BIOS.Download a setup utility that runs the update from within Windows 7.

You usually don't have a choice as to which method you use; the company

roviding the update decides this for you.

t's crucial that you get the BIOS update that's right for your system. It must ben exact match; otherwise, your system can become unusable. Therefore,heck the BIOS's current model and version number before you proceed.

Finding the current BIOS version

Open the System Information window (described in Lesson 1) by clicking Start,yping system information in the search text box and selecting System

nformation from the resulting list. Find and write down the BIOS information.

To obtain a BIOS update for an HP computer, perform the following steps:

Go to the Get software and drivers section of the HP Customer Care1.website, enter the model of the PC (for example, hp pavilion dv7t quad)and then click Next.Select a category from the resulting list, select your product and then2.click the link for your PC operating system (for example, MicrosoftWindows 7 (64-bit)).Find the BIOS update listed under the heading BIOS or BIOS - System3.ROM.

If a BIOS update is not listed, HP does not have a BIOS update posted for your PC at this time.

If a BIOS update is listed, click the download link to begin the file1.transfer to your PC.

Updating the BIOS

The instructions for downloading and installing BIOS updates vary. For mostPCs running Windows 7, download the file, double-click it and follow the

nscreen instructions.

Troubleshooting BIOS update problems

f a 251 or CMOS Checksum error occurs after installing the BIOS update,erform the following steps:

Restart the PC, and then enter the BIOS screen by pressing the F10 (or 1.other appropriate) key when the initial screen appears.Press the F5 (or other appropriate) key to load the default BIOS2.configuration.Select Yes by using the arrow keys, and then press Enter.3.Press the F10 key to save the settings and exit.4.Select Yes usin the arrow ke s, and then ress Enter.5.

powered by themotherboard's battery evenwhen the power is off. TheCMOS chip holds anyexceptions to the mainsettings you configure inBIOS Setup. As the PCboots, it first loads thecontents of the BIOS intomemory, and then it lets thevalues in CMOS overwrite

the BIOS values wherethey're different.

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When the BIOS update is complete, the new BIOS revision number is updatedn the Main BIOS screen.

Now that you've learned how to download and install a BIOS update, let's moven to another important area of PC troubleshooting: device resources usage.

Understanding device drivers and resources

A device driver is software that acts as an interpreter between the operatingystem and the device. Drivers help Windows communicate with and controlardware devices. Every piece of hardware requires a driver, but Windows

ncludes drivers for most essential components, so their implementation isargely invisible. For example, Windows includes keyboard, mouse and diskrivers, plus generic display drivers.

Windows can't possibly include drivers for every piece of hardware ever produced, so it relies on you to supply driver files for devices it doesn't

recognize and support automatically.

The driver for a device is usually bundled in its packaging on a CD or DVD. If he device is pre-installed when you purchase a PC, the necessary Windowsriver should already be installed as well. Most manufacturers update their rivers over time to correct errors, add new features or improve performance.

To obtain updated device drivers, check the device manufacturer's website.

For optimal performance, a device driver must be created for:

The exact type of hardware installed in your PCThe version of Windows you're running on your PC

f the driver doesn't meet these criteria, problems may occur—it's essential tobtain the right driver. Usually you can download current drivers from theardware device manufacturer's website if you don't have them on disc.

ook at the Driver tab in a device's Properties window to determine the age of his software. This information is very important when you search online for aewer driver. The older a driver is, the more likely it is that you'll find a newer eplacement online.

Device resources are parts of the system software that are dedicated to deviceommunication. These can include:

Interrupt request lines (IRQs): These are lines of communication to the CPU.Depending on the PC, there can be 16 or 24 of them. Many devices todaycan share IRQ usage.Input/output (I/O) addresses: These are memory addresses reserved for transferring data to and from a device.Memory addresses: These are memory addresses reserved for the device touse for activities other than I/O.Direct memory access (DMA) channels: These are pathways from a devicedirectly into memory, bypassing the CPU.

Not all devices require all four types of resources. (You don't need to knowwhich devices require which resources, because these assignments are usually

andled automatically. However, if devices are acting erratically, resourcesage could be the culprit.) You can tell which resources a device uses by

ooking at the Resources tab of its Properties dialog box. To access this dialogox, follow these steps:

Jargon buster

PCI is the modern standardfor expansion cards added toa PC. PCI Express is themore current implementationof the PCI card. ISA is theolder and now-obsoletestandard for doing the same.

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Select Start, type device manager in the search text box and then select1.Device Manager from the resulting list.Double-click the device with the properties you want to see, and then2.click the Resources tab. (Not all devices have the Resources tab. Toview resource usage for other devices, check the System Informationtool located at Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools >System Information.) Figure 2-5 shows the resources for a notebook PCdisplay adapter.

Figure 2-5: Viewing a device's resource usage.

A resource conflict occurs when two devices try to claim the same resource, or when there's not enough of a particular resource to go around. For example,when two devices both require exclusive use of a particular IRQ, a conflict

ccurs.

Windows 7 allocates resources automatically through Plug and Play (PnP), soou should seldom encounter a conflict. Also, the latest Peripheral Componentnterconnect (PCI) and PCI Express devices are much better at sharingesources than the earlier Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) devices were.

Next, learn how to identify and resolve resource conflicts.

dentifying and resolving resource conflicts

When you look at the list of hardware in Device Manager you might see aevice with a yellow circle and exclamation point on its icon: double-click it topen its Properties dialog box. Look at the General tab for the device's status. If

here's a resource conflict, it's reported here.

n a resource conflict at least two devices are involved. Usually, both will havehe same exclamation point indicator, though not always. To determine the

ther device involved in the conflict, you can look at the Resources tab in therst device's Properties dialog box for information.

Solving a resource conflict

ronically, although resource conflicts are less common on newer PCs, they're

Devices and Printers

The new Devices andPrinters applet gives you agraphical view of the devicesconnected to your computer,such as a monitor, a USB

flash drive, a headset and aprinter. It does not includedevices installed inside of your computer such as asound card or networkadapter, speakers attachedto the computer or PS/2 miceand keyboards. With Devices



lso more difficult to correct when they occur. On newer systems, a resourcemanagement scheme called Advanced Configuration and Power InterfaceACPI) handles resource assignments for hardware and usually won't allowhose assignments to be changed manually. Look back at Figure 2-5, for xample. The Use automatic settings checkbox is unavailable; this device'sesources can't be changed.

Generally, you should click the Troubleshoot button on the General tab in theevice's Properties dialog box, and then follow the prompts in the

roubleshooter. (Or just run a hardware troubleshooter from the

Troubleshooting applet as described earlier in this lesson.) However,ccasionally you have to modify the device's resource assignment.

To change a resource assignment (if possible), follow these steps:

From the device's Properties dialog box, display the Resources tab.1.Confirm which resource is causing the problem in the Conflicting devicelist.Clear the Use automatic settings checkbox, if possible. If you can't2.uncheck that checkbox, you can't manually change this device'sresources.

Open the Setting based on drop-down list, and then select an alternate3.configuration. Keep trying different configurations until the message inthe Conflicting device list changes to No conflicts, as shown previouslyin Figure 2-3.If none of the configurations worked in Step 3, try double-clicking the4.resource under Resource type. A dialog box might appear that enablesyou to manually change only that one resource's setting. Do so if possible.Close all open dialog boxes when finished, and reboot if prompted to do5.so.

Removing and redetecting a device

f the preceding method for changing resource assignments doesn't work, tryemoving one of the devices from Device Manager so Windows 7 is forced toedetect it. When Windows 7 redetects the device, it might assign differentesources.

To do this, follow these steps:

In Device Manager, right-click the device and then select Uninstall. If 1.asked to confirm, click Yes.

Select Action > Scan for hardware changes.2.

Disabling a device

Another way around a resource conflict is to disconnect or disable one of theevices. If it's a removable or unpluggable device, simply do that. However, if 's built into the motherboard, you might not be able to remove it physically.

f you can't physically remove a device and you no longer want it to operate inWindows 7, right-click the device in Device Manager, select Disable and then

lick OK.

Now that you've learned some general troubleshooting techniques, read on toearn how to troubleshoot specific problems with display devices.

and Printers, you can installdevices and printers, resolvesimple resource conflicts andeven access DeviceManager.

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Troubleshooting display problems

Now that you know a bit about resources and devices, let's spend the rest of his lesson looking at some specific troubleshooting examples that aren'tlways handled by the Windows 7 hardware troubleshooters.

Video card problems

When applications crash unexpectedly, the video card driver is a likely source

or such problems. Updating the video card's driver to the latest version canften stop crashes from recurring. Performing this update should be the firstourse of action for virtually every video troubleshooting scenario. HP computer wners should always check at the HP Software & Driver Downloads website

or an updated driver. If you can't find one there, check your video cardmanufacturer's website.

Signed drivers are certified to work correctly under Windows 7. With mostdevices, if an unsigned driver doesn't work, you can just remove it and try adifferent driver. However, the video card's driver is essential; without it youcan't see your screen (although you can always use the Standard VGA

driver as a workable if not pretty fallback). Therefore, only use signeddrivers for your video card.

f updating your video driver has no effect on the problem, perhaps the videoard itself is going bad, or the problem might be with the monitor. To tell theifference, isolate the problem by trying a different monitor or different videoard and seeing if the issue remains.

Adjusting the color depth

f photos look washed out and unrealistic, it's possible the color depth setting inWindows 7 needs adjusting. Fortunately, this is easy to remedy:

Right-click the desktop, and then select Personalize.1.Click Display, click Change display settings, click Advanced settings,2.click the Monitor tab, open the Colors list and then select a higher color quality, as shown in Figure 2-6. Click OK.

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Figure 2-6: Setting the color depth for Windows 7.

esson 4 covers color depth in a little more detail.

f you have a flat panel monitor, check the documentation that came with it toee which color depth the vendor recommends for your monitor.

dentifying your video card

Windows 7 doesn't natively support the 256-color mode unless the video cards incapable of higher modes. Therefore, if your display is set to 256-color,here's probably a deeper problem with your display. In the Screen Resolutionwindow (right-click the desktop and select Screen Resolution), click theAdvanced settings button, and then see which video card is reported on theAdapter tab. If it says Standard VGA or something similar rather than namingour actual video card, Windows 7 can't identify your video card.

To solve this problem, run the Setup software that came with your video card. If hat doesn't help, update the device driver. (In Device Manager, double-clickhe entry for your display adapter, click the Driver tab, and then click Update

Driver.) Many video adapter manufacturers also provide automatic detectionools that you can run from their website. Once you've identified your video cardmodel, you can download and install the latest driver.

nstalling a monitor driver

The monitor driver isn't really a driver in the same sense as the driver for aideo card. It's just an information file (.inf extension) that tells Windows 7 the

monitor's maximum capacities. Any settings from the Display Properties dialogox that the monitor can't support are eliminated. By default, Windows 7etects most monitors as PnP Monitor. The problem is that the maximumettings for that driver are rather low. You can make better settings available in

many cases by installing a driver for the actual monitor attached to the graphicsard.

Moving on



n this lesson, you learned about troubleshooting system hardware, the BIOS,evice resources and display problems. In Lesson 3, you'll become familiar with

he basics of operating systems and the differences among various editions of Windows 7. In addition, you'll learn how to install and remove applications, andontrol programs running in the background. Before you move on, complete thessignment and take the quiz.

Assignment #2

For this assignment:

Find out how to enter your BIOS program (by pressing F2, F8, F10, Esc or another key at1.bootup). Cursor through the BIOS Setup program to view information but don't make anychanges. Note the model and version number of your BIOS.Go online and determine whether a BIOS update is available. If you've experienced any2.problems with your BIOS (or if you require the update to upgrade a PC to Windows 7),consider installing the BIOS update as soon as possible.Review your devices in Device Manager to find and resolve any conflicts.3.Check your color depth setting in the Display settings (right-click the desktop, select4.Personalize > Display > Change display settings > Advanced settings and click theMonitor tab).

Quiz #2Question 1:Which of the following are categories of Windows 7 troubleshooters? (Check all that apply.)

) Programs

B) Hardware and Sound

C) Network and Internet

D) Appearance and Personalization

E) System and Security

Question 2:True or False: You should apply every BIOS update that becomes available for your computer, regardless of whether you're experiencing a problem.

) True

B) False

Question 3:Which of the following circumstances could cause a resource conflict? (Check all that apply.)

A) Installing two applications one after the other

B) Using Windows UpdateC) Two devices both want exclusive use of a particular IRQ

D) There's not enough of a particular resource to go around

Question 4:Which of the following tools should you use to disable a device?

A) Device Manager

B) Add/Remove Hardware

C) Windows Explorer

D) Disk Cleanup

Question 5:After deleting a device in Device Manager, if you want Windows 7 to scan for and locate your device again,what's the procedure?

A) Select File > Find new hardware.

B) Click the Driver tab, and then select Find Driver.

C) Select File > Options > Scan for hardware changes.



D) Select Action > Scan for hardware changes.

Going behind the scenes of Microsoft Windows 7To use Windows 7 efficiently, you need basic conceptual knowledge about how it interacts with applications.This lesson shows you how to install and remove software, control background programs and manage which

rograms start when Windows boots.

Understanding operating systems

n Lessons 1 and 2 of this class, you learned a lot about computer hardware.You'll find that hardware is fairly stable; the majority of problems lie with aystem's software, which includes the underlying operating system and other

nstalled applications. The operating system is the platform upon whichpplication software runs. Applications don't run directly on PC hardware; theyun on an operating system. Part of the operating system's job is to mediateccess to the hardware: it serves as an intermediate layer and translator etween the PC hardware and the programs you want to use.

An operating system serves these essential purposes:

Startup: The operating system loads itself into memory at startup, and thendecides which support files are required and loads them into memory too.Memory management: The operating system keeps track of what's stored inthe PC's RAM, and if memory gets full, swaps data between the hard diskand RAM. This way there's always enough space in RAM for the system tokeep working and programs to keep running.Human interface: The operating system provides methods for humans togive it instructions and supplies feedback from those instructions.Hardware interface: The operating system uses device drivers (software) totranslate commands between itself and the various parts of the computer, soit can tell them what to do.

Program execution: The operating system runs whatever programs the user requests and enables the user to interact with them.Monitoring: The operating system remains on the lookout for problems withhardware or software and reports them to the user as needed.

RAM is the main memory in a PC.

Now that you understand what the operating system is and what it does for ou, read on to learn about Microsoft Windows 7 features.


Exploring Windows 7 features

Windows 7 is one of the most popular operating systems in the world. Itandles all of the functions described on the previous lesson page very wellalthough not always perfectly). Here are some of the salient features of

Windows 7 as an operating system:

Graphical user interface (GUI): Windows 7 interacts with the user via agraphical interface controlled by the mouse and keyboard. Early operatingsystems, such as MS-DOS, were command-line operating systems. Theuser interacted with these types of systems via typed commands and text.

Multitasking: Windows 7 enables you to run many programs at once, each inits own window. Each program shares the available memory and CPU(central processing unit) time with the others.Device management: With Windows 7, each application doesn't need toknow how to talk to each piece of hardware; Windows does this for them.Customization: You can customize virtually every aspect of the Windows 7interface, from the display resolution and screen colors, to the preferredinternet connection method.











Understanding different Windows editions

Microsoft offers several editions of Windows 7, each of which offers 32- and 64-it versions. The three main editions are:

Windows 7 Home Premium is good for home PCs with basic computingneeds (email, internet browsing and document creation) and entertainmentneeds (music, videos, internet TV and regular TV, if you have a TV tuner adapter).Windows 7 Professional is good for home power users and small and large

business PCs, or for situations in which you need a lot of security, domain-based networking or mobile functionality.Windows 7 Ultimate is good for home PCs that interface with anentertainment center, mobile computers and users who don't mind payingmore for enhanced power and security features.

Two other Windows 7 editions include Starter, for netbook users, and Windows Enterprise, for large-scale businesses.

If you plan to upgrade your computer from an earlier version of Windows toWindows 7, visit the Windows 7 Compatibility Center to check that your

computer meets the requirements to run Windows 7.

You've learned some of the main features of Windows 7. Read on to learn howo manage the software that's running in the background on your PC.

Managing background applications

Normally, when a program runs, it displays an open window you can minimizer maximize. The program also appears as an item on the taskbar. In contrast,

background application runs on the PC without displaying any obvious signsf its activity, such as an open window or a taskbar indicator. A backgroundrogram might have an icon in the notification area on the right side of the

askbar, often with no other indication that it's running.

Use only necessary programs. Minimizing a program's window often doesn'ttop that program from using the computer's processor and memory. Beingonnected to the internet, listening to music and running virus scanners use a

ot of system resources. Try running virus scanners and other system toolswhile you're away from the computer. Work offline when convenient. Closing

rograms that aren't necessary helps Windows 7 perform more efficiently.

Many programs run in the background and serve important and legitimateunctions there, such as virus checking and internet connectivity. Parts of Windows 7 itself also run in the background. Therefore, you never want to

isable all background programs. You just need to be aware of what's runningnd be able to shut down anything you don't want or need.

Follow these steps to see what's running in the foreground and the backgroundn your PC:

Right-click the taskbar, and then select Start Task Manager. The Task1.Manager dialog box appears.The Applications tab displays any currently running programs, as shown2.in Figure 3-1.






http://www.microsoft.com/windows/compatibility/windows-7/en-us/default.aspx



Figure 3-1: Task Manager, Applications tab.

Click the Processes tab. This tab lists all the processes (that is,1.programs or pieces of programs) that are running. Some of them arepieces of the applications from the Applications tab, or pieces of Windows 7 itself; however, many of them are background processesand utilities, as shown in Figure 3-2.

Click the Show processes from all users button in Task Manager whenviewing the Processes tab. That way, you can see all processes running onthe PC, not just those that the current user is using. This provides a muchbroader view of what's going on with your PC.

Figure 3-2: Task Manager, Processes tab.

Close the Task Manager dialog box.1.

Viewing the notification area

The notification area appears on the right side of the taskbar. Sometimes it'salled the system tray, or just the tray. Standard icons displayed in the



otification area are the flag (to open Action Center), the power icon (onotebook PCs), the network or wireless icon and the volume icon. Windows 7roups other background program icons in a hidden area to keep theotification area clutter-free. Just click the up-facing arrow to display the hidden

cons, as shown in Figure 3-3. In this example, you see the hidden tray iconsor the Bluetooth device applet, Windows Update, an antivirus program, aointing device and a virtual machine program.

Figure 3-3: Viewing hidden icons in the Windows 7 notification area.

Here are some ways to put these icons to work:

Double-click an icon to perform the default action for the related program. Inmost cases, this opens a window for its configuration or use.Select a command from the right-click menu that closes or disables theapplication and removes its icon from the tray—until the next time you startyour PC (if it's set to load at startup) or until you restart that applicationmanually.

As software programs load, the number of small icons on the system trayncreases. Each of these small pictures represents a program running in theackground, and each one consumes valuable system resources. Move the

mouse pointer over each small picture to find out which program it represents.

You can increase system resources by stopping these tasks from loading or byhanging their settings. There are several ways you can do this because theserograms often start from various places on your PC. If the following methodson't apply to a specific icon, consult the application documentation or its

maker's website:

Select Start, type msconfig in the search text box and then press Enter.1.The System Configuration Utility window appears.On the General tab, select Selective startup.2.On the Startup tab, as shown in Figure 3-4, uncheck the check marks3.from tasks that don't contribute to the system or are otherwise unwanted

or unneeded. If you're unsure about a task, write down its name andresearch it on the internet. Don't remove a check mark if you don't knowwhat the task does.

You'll learn more about internet research in the assignment at the end of this lesson.



Figure 3-4: System Configuration Utility, Startup tab.

Enlarge image

You can lose important functionality if vital applications are left unchecked;this includes your antivirus software. Unlike uninstalling an application fromthe Programs and Features applet in Control Panel, you can just recheckthe startup application at a later time to re-enable it.

Click OK to accept the changes, and then restart the computer.1.If Windows 7 or other software stops working after a check mark is2.removed from a task you were unsure about, restart the computer andreverse these procedures to replace that check mark. Press F8 beforeWindows 7 starts to boot (after the computer has been turned on) to getinto safe mode.

You'll learn more about safe mode in Lesson 5.

After completing these steps, Windows 7 runs using Selective Startup. Thismeans Windows 7 prevents the selected programs from starting. If SelectiveStartup is disabled in the future, all of the selected programs will start again.

ater in this lesson, you'll find out about more strategies for backgroundrograms. First you need to know how to add and remove programs, because

hose skills are necessary to your arsenal of tools for dealing with backgroundrograms (well, the removing part at least).

You know how to determine which background programs are running on your ystem. Next, you'll learn how to remove programs you don't need, a satisfying

way to improve Windows 7 performance.

Adding and removing applications

Most applications are simple to install because they come on a self-running CDr DVD. You just insert the media into the drive and follow the prompts.

Therefore, you don't need much detail about installing applications.

Briefly, though, here are some tips for adding applications:

Some antivirus software falsely detects an installation program as a1.threat and won't let it run. If you have a problem with your antivirussoftware interfering with application installation, you need to disable ittemporarily before installing the new application. To disable antivirus




software, right-click the antivirus icon in the system tray, and then selectDisable or a similar command from the shortcut menu.

Don't exit or uninstall your antivirus software, just disable it temporarily. If you need to access the internet during application installation, be careful toaccess only trusted websites while the antivirus software is disabled.

Close all open applications before installing a new application.1.

To verify you're logged on as a user with administrator privileges, not2.limited standard user privileges, check your user account type propertiesin the User Accounts application in Control Panel.Re-enable your antivirus software by right-clicking the antivirus icon in3.the system tray, and then selecting Enable or a similar command fromthe shortcut. If this option does not exist, reboot your computer after installing software, and verify that your antivirus software wasautomatically re-enabled upon bootup.

Removing applications

There are several benefits to removing applications you don't need. One is thatou free up hard disk space. Another is that removing an application oftenemoves entries from the registry, and when the registry is smaller, Windows 7oads more quickly. Finally, if the application being removed was set to run inhe background, removing it prevents it from running there, further freeing upystem memory for running other things.

f you're unfamiliar with an application's purpose, do a quick search on thenternet to learn more about it. Never uninstall any application unless you'rebsolutely certain what the effects will be.

The registry is the main configuration file for Windows. It containsinformation about all the installed hardware and software. It loads itsinformation into memory each time the PC starts.

To remove an application, follow these steps:

Open Control Panel, click Programs and then click Programs and1.Features. The installed programs appear.Highlight an application you want to remove, as shown in Figure 3-5,2.and then click the Uninstall or Uninstall/Change button.

Figure 3-5: Select an application you no longer want and remove it.

Enlarge image




Different programs have different buttons. Some have an Uninstall/Changebutton, others have both Change and Uninstall buttons, and still othershave just an Uninstall button. These options depend on how the softwarewas written. If the program has a Change button, you can alter how theprogram is installed.

Follow the prompts that appear. If prompted to restart your computer 1.after removing a program, do so if you're done removing programs.

Click No if you want to remove more programs.

You've just learned how to remove programs that you don't need. Next, you'llearn how to remove background tasks.

Cleaning up your system's background tasks

When PCs start running poorly, most of the time it's because junk programs areunning in the background. The definition of a junk program is a matter of

pinion. Consider a program junk if you didn't install it on purpose, it doesn'telp you and it's taking up memory space.

How does background junk get into your system? There are many ways—herere a few:

Some legitimate applications install automatically loading components. For example, both Intuit Quicken and Microsoft Money install bill-reminder utilities in the notification area, which some people want and others don't.When you visit some web pages, a dialog box may pop up offering you freesoftware that purports to give you some benefit. If you accidentally click Yes,you've got junk installed. Such junk is usually adware or spyware.

Spyware is any software that gathers and transmits information withoutone's knowledge. Spyware programs usually track information about thewebsites visited, browser information, system information and your computer IP address (the number that represents a network device on theinternet).

Some of this unwanted junk can be removed through Programs and Featuresn Control Panel. It provides the cleanest removal, so try it first. There are other ways to get rid of unwanted applications that run automatically. In most cases,ou can right-click an icon in the hidden icons section of the notification area to

pen a menu. On the menu, look for a command such as Options, Properties,Preferences, Configuration or some other such item that might open a dialog

ox where you can set options for that program.

Beware of the wording in configuration boxes. Some applications permityou to disable the display of the icon in the notification area; however, doingso doesn't prevent the application from loading at startup. It merely hidesitself to make you forget it's there.

You can also check the Startup submenu (select Start > All Programs > Startup Sometimes shortcuts to programs are placed here to make them load attartup. To remove a program from this location, just right-click it and select

Delete. This doesn't uninstall the program; it only prevents it from being startedutomatically by Windows 7.

Some spyware is created to hide itself, so you may not be able to get rid of it








sing conventional methods. You should also run a spyware removal tool, suchs Microsoft Windows Defender or Norton Internet Security. You'll learn aboutpyware, and how to get rid of it, in Lesson 4.

So far, you've learned quite a bit about cleaning up the unneeded software thatuns on your computer. Next, you'll learn how to identify what's still running onour computer.

dentifying what's still running

After you've been through Programs and Features and all the available optionsn the notification area, you probably have a relatively clean system. Is therenything left you can do without? Let's see.

Close all open programs (you might want to print these instructions, sinceou're closing your web browser), and then do the following:

Right-click the taskbar, and then select Start Task Manager.1.Click the Processes tab.2.

Write down all the names of the running processes listed. (If you'd3.rather, maximize the Task Manager window, take a screen shot andsave it to a file instead.)Start your web browser again, go to AnswersThatWork.com or a similar 4.techie website and look up each item.If you find any that shouldn't be there (such as items for viruses,5.spyware or adware), highlight them and then move on to the nextsection.

Working with Selective Startup

Now that you know what processes are running behind the scenes, you canhink about disabling those you don't want.

The technique you're about to learn isn't particularly graceful—it's thecomputer equivalent of poking the programs with a sharp stick. It's better toremove items using their Properties, or using Programs and Features inControl Panel, whenever possible.

The System Configuration Utility, also known by its executable file name of

MSCONFIG, enables you to select individually each item that loads at startup.Or to be more precise, it shows you what's already loading at startup and

nables you to nix any individual items you don't want. MSCONFIG preventsWindows 7 from using all or individual programs.

The following steps are used to prevent all startup items from opening,including antivirus software and other software that may supply importantfunctions or services. Use this technique only for troubleshooting.

For troubleshooting purposes, use the following steps to prevent all softwarerograms from automatically opening when Windows 7 starts:

Select Start, type msconfig in the search text box and then press Enter.1.The System Configuration Utility window appears.Select Selective startup, and then ensure the Load startup items2.checkbox is checked. (The Load system services checkbox is alsoselected b default.








Click the Services tab, check the Hide all Microsoft services checkbox3.and then remove the check marks next to the remaining items in the list.When you're finished, click OK.4.Restart the computer for the changes to take effect.5. After the computer restarts, a message about using MSCONFIG may6.appear.To continue using MSCONFIG, click OK and then close the System7.Configuration Utility window (don't restart the computer). To prevent thepop-up message from appearing again, place a check mark next toDon't show this message again and then click OK.

After you've finished troubleshooting an issue, repeat these steps, replacingthe check marks to enable startup programs and services to start withWindows 7 again.

Exploring the system configuration tabs

You can also select a tab within the configuration software to prevent individualoftware items from opening with Windows 7. The following sections describewo of the tabs and the items listed on the tabs in the System Configuration

Utility window.

General

Use the General tab to control which programs launch when Windows 7 starts.The following selections appear on the General tab:

Normal startup: This setting instructs Windows 7 to open all softwareapplications that are normally scheduled to start with Windows 7.Diagnostic startup: This setting provides a command when Windows 7opens. Each software application scheduled to start with Windows 7 is

displayed, one at a time. Type a Y to open the listed software application, or type an N to prevent the listed software application from opening.Selective startup: Use this setting to prevent software applications of acertain type from starting. If you select a specific software application typeunder Selective Startup, all applications of that type will open with Windows7. For example, select Load startup items to open all items listed on theStartup tab.

Tools

This tab lists built-in system configuration and monitoring utilities, such asSystem Information and Event Viewer. To start one of the utilities, highlight it in

he list and then click Launch.

Moving on

n this lesson, you learned a little about the various Windows 7 operatingystems, and you found out how to add and remove programs, as well asackground applications. In Lesson 4, you'll learn how about Windows Update,ntivirus and antispyware protection and other techniques for keeping your ystem clean and healthy. Before you leave, complete the assignment and takehe quiz for this lesson.

Assignment #3


Go through the list of installed applications in Programs and Features, and remove any that you1.



don't want or need.Look in the hidden icons section of the notification area to see what's running in the background.2.Identify all the icons there.

ook for mouseover information when you move the cursor over each system tray item. (This actionsually identifies the program at work.) Right-click each tray item. Does it have a Properties, Settings or

About command? If so, here's another good way to see what's what.

Open Task Manager, and then look at the Processes tab. Click the Show processes from all1.users button. You can record those processes by writing them down, saving a screen capture of the Task Manager information or downloading and installing the Process Explorer tool from theMicrosoft website. Look up each process by name at a website such as the Windows ProcessLibrary, AnswersThatWork.com or a similar technical website to ensure they're all legitimate andshould be running.Use the System Configuration Utility (MSCONFIG) to disable any programs that load at startup2.that you don't want or need. Be careful not to disable anything you need, for example, the startupitem for your antivirus software.

Quiz #3

Question 1:Which of the following is not a characteristic of an operating system?

A) The operating system keeps track of what's stored in the PC's RAM.

B) The operating system loads itself into memory at startup.

C) The operating system decides which files are required and loads them into memory.

D) The operating system performs functions such as creating a spreadsheet or document.

Question 2:Which of the following are Windows 7 editions? (Check all that apply.)

A) Basic Professional

B) Home Premium

C) Professional

D) Ultimate

E) Media Center

Question 3:True or False: You should always disable antivirus software prior to installing an application.

) True

B) False

Question 4:True or False: You can remove all spyware programs using the Programs and Features Control Panel applet.

) True

B) False

Question 5:Which application enables Selective Startup?

) Windows Explorer

B) System Configuration Utility

C) Programs and Features

D) Scheduled Tasks

Keeping Windows 7 clean and updatedThis lesson brings you up to speed on how Windows 7 works with your hardware. You'll also learn how to keepWindows 7 in good health by getting automatic updates, configuring Windows Firewall and using antivirusoftware.

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ntroducing Action Center

Welcome back. Now that you understand the basics of hardware and softwareroubleshooting and maintenance, it's time dive into keeping your system up toate and healthy.

et's get started with a look at Action Center, which is accessible through theag icon in the notification area of the Windows 7 taskbar. Click the flag iconnd then select Open Action Center. Action Center is a clearinghouse for

ystem security, management and control tools in Windows 7. As Figure 4-1lustrates, Action Center combines what Windows Vista called the Security

Center (which shows up in Action Center as the Security heading) with variousystem maintenance tasks (which are displayed under the Maintenanceeading). From Action Center, you can check and modify security settings, run

Windows Update, access the Backup feature, get problem reports andeliability data, run troubleshooters, access recovery tools and much more.

Figure 4-1: The Security and Maintenance sections of Action Center.

Enlarge image

n Windows 7, you can work with Action Center either reactively or proactively.From a reactive standpoint, whenever various types of events occur or onditions are detected, Action Center flags you with alerts or calls to action soou can react to them. These include security issues, such as antivirus or ntispyware software that's turned off or out-of-date security databases, as wells system issues, such as solutions to problem reports received, pending

Windows Update updates and driver issues. You can respond quickly andasily through Action Center. Figure 4-2 shows an example of a driver issueotification.








Figure 4-2: Action Center notifies you of system problems that may need your ttention.

You can also use Action Center proactively, even when pending alerts or

ssues aren't flagged for a response. Just expand the Security or Maintenanceections (if necessary) to access various status information and activities, usehe Troubleshooting or Recovery links at the bottom of the Action Center window or click any of the options in the task pane on the left.

Now that you've taken a quick tour of Action Center, let's explore some of theools accessible in Action Center, beginning with Windows Update.

Using Windows Update

Windows Update is a web-based utility that checks the versions of your Windows files and hardware drivers and downloads and installs patches and

ther improvements on your PC. That way, you can easily keep up with themost recent improvements to Windows 7.

These updates fall into three categories:

Important updates: These provide critical patches and fixes to your system,such as security updates.Recommended updates: These provide non-critical benefits to your system,such as new drivers that provide additional features or fixes for your

hardware.Optional updates: These are similar to recommended updates but only serveto enhance your experience while working in Windows 7 and are notnecessary to install.

The Windows Update automatic check is enabled by default in Windows 7. Ithecks for updates to your system, and then downloads and installs importantnd recommended updates at 3:00 a.m. You can configure Windows Update toownload updates but let you decide if you want to install them, or just notifyou when updates are available and let you decide if you wish to download and

nstall them. The easiest course of action for most users is to automate thisrocess as much as possible by allowing Windows Update to download and

nstall all important and recommended updates. You can't get optional updatesutomatically—you must open the Windows Update applet and select whichptional updates to download and install.

Opening Windows Update

To use Windows Update, select Start > All Programs > Windows Update,elect Tools > Windows Update in Internet Explorer or open Action Center andlick the Windows Update link at the bottom of the task pane. The Windows

Update applet window informs you if updates are available, as shown in Figure-3.








Figure 4-3: Updates are available through Windows Update.

Click the <X> optional updates are available link, review available updates andnstall any you think you need. Figure 4-4 shows that Windows Update hasptional updates for Microsoft Silverlight, and there's a new driver available for

he network card.

You can also install important or recommended updates, or let WindowsUpdate install them automatically at 3:00 a.m.

Figure 4-4: Review available updates and select the ones to install.

Enlarge image

Changing Windows Update settings

As mentioned, Windows 7 is preconfigured to download and install importantnd recommended updates automatically. However, you might prefer Windows

Update to check for updates and notify you, enabling you to download andnstall them at your convenience. Why? Some newly installed updates

utomatically reboot the PC so the updates take effect immediately. Users whorequently leave unsaved documents open overnight, such as Microsoft Wordr Adobe Photoshop files, can lose that data when the PC reboots. Also, somesers, such as software developers or test engineers, need their systems toemain unchanged during development and testing phases. Changing the

Windows Update automatic installation settings gives users more control over heir environments.

To change Windows Update settings, open Windows Update and click theChange settings link in the task pane. In the Change settings window, open themportant updates drop-down list, as shown in Figure 4-5. You can change anyf the settings, but remember, you'll get the most protection from leaving

Windows Update at its default configuration.




Figure 4-5: Windows Update settings.

Enlarge image

See how to use Windows Update. (3.3 MB)

Now you understand Windows Update. Read on to learn how to configurenother essential security tool: Windows Firewall.

Configuring Windows Firewall

A firewall is a security system that masks some of the information that wouldnable a hacker to access your computer, making it more difficult to break in toour system. A software-based firewall to protect your computer system againstnauthorized use over the internet is included in Windows 7: it's called

Windows Firewall.

t's important for you turn Windows Firewall on and leave it on, unless youeplace this built-in program with some third-party alternative, such as Zoneabs ZoneAlarm or any internet security suite that includes a firewall (and mosto).

Windows Firewall is enabled by default on any network adapter or even a dial-p connection that connects to the internet. New to Windows 7 is its ability toeparately control Windows Firewall settings for private networks (such asome or work) and public networks (such as those at airports, libraries andther public places). By default, Windows Firewall in Windows 7 blocks all

ncoming connections from programs not on its allowed programs list, whether hat network is public or private.

Windows 7 and Windows Firewall impose more stringent security controlson a PC when it's connected to a public network, where the PC is exposedto increased security threats.

To check Windows Firewall for private and public connections, follow theseteps:

Select Start > Control Panel > System and Security > Windows Firewall.1.






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The firewall entries should have a green shield icon indicating Windows2.Firewall is turned on and protecting your system. Click the down arrow, if necessary, to display information details, as shown in Figure 4-6.

Figure 4-6: The green shields indicate a firewall is installed and working.

Enlarge image

If a red shield appears, as shown in Figure 4-7, Windows Firewall is1.turned off. If you aren't running any other software firewalls on your PC,click the Use recommended settings button to turn on Windows Firewall.

Figure 4-7: A red shield indicates Windows Firewall is turned off.

Many internet security software packages include a firewall, in addition tontivirus and antispyware software. In this case, the internet security software

urns off Windows Firewall and runs its own firewall. Security experts continueo recommend using one and only one firewall, even for Windows 7. To verify

hat a firewall is protecting your system, open Action Center and check theSecurity category. The Network firewall section displays which firewall isurrently protecting your computer.

Next, learn how to protect your PC from viruses and spyware.




However, here's a minor gotcha: If you already have a virus infection, you mighte unable to install antivirus software. Retroviruses can often prevent such

nstallation. So if you can't install antivirus software, try an online virus detectiontility to determine which virus(es) you have. Then run a free removal tool for ach virus from various places on the internet, including the Symantec website.

You can also review the information provided by HP on the Personal computingecurity center website for additional information on keeping your PC safe.

The latest versions of most antivirus programs have a pre-installation virusheck utility that runs during setup. So when you install from the CD/DVDersion of an antivirus program, you can check your system prior to installation.

If your antivirus software is installed and hasn't been updated, you canprobably download an update and run a complete system check even if youhave a virus. Viruses that disable your antivirus software usually disableonly the automatic-checking process.

An antivirus program is only as good as its last update. Good-quality antivirus

oftware comes with an automatic update component that checks theompany's website every day and downloads needed files. The list of virusesnd instructions for checking for them are called virus definitions.

What's spyware and adware?

Spyware is software that installs itself on your PC (usually without your onsent) and then hides, secretly gathering data about you and sending it backo its owner. This information can include shopping habits and even bankingccount information, credit card numbers, passwords and identity data. Adware

s a related product that pops up advertisements on your screen. Both can be

cquired when novices surf the internet and innocently click pop-ups andanners that offer some free service.

Most spyware surveys indicate as many as 90 percent of all PCs harbor one type of spyware or another, and nearly all PCs infested with one type of spyware are home to other types as well.

s your PC infested?

So how do you know whether your system has been infected with spyware?The following are just a few indicators:

Your computer is suddenly slower than usual or low on memory andresources.There's a sudden change in how your computer behaves.It takes much longer to perform common tasks or boot up your computer.Pop-up ads appear when you're not online.Your hard drive continually makes a working noise even when you aren'tusing the computer.Components of Microsoft Windows 7 or other applications don't worknormally.Settings in your web browser change, such as your home or search page,

and mystery items appear in your Favorites folder.

As with viruses, the key to protection is prevention: you must install anntispyware program on your PC to provide real-time protection for your ystem. Because no single antispyware program is 100-percent effectivegainst all known forms of spyware, most experts recommend using at least

wo forms of antispyware protection. Run one in the background at all times;onfigure the other to scan your system once a week or so to pick up things

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http://www.symantec.com/business/security_response/removaltools.jsp



hat the first package misses.

Antispyware options

Windows 7 comes equipped with an antispyware package called WindowsDefender. It makes a good backup antispyware program. However, for the best

rotection, turn to one of the three industry leaders: PC Tools Spyware Doctor,Webroot SpySweeper or Sunbelt Software CounterSpy. If you're in the marketor a do-it-all security suite with a best-of-breed antispyware component, tryNorton Internet Security or the most current version of McAfee Total Protection.These are commercial products that cost between $30 and $70 per year per PC. If you can't afford that, try Lavasoft Ad-Aware Free or Spybot-Search &Destroy for your primary antispyware program.

To run Windows Defender, click Start, type windows defender in the searchext box and then press Enter. Windows Defender is turned off by default, sohe first time you attempt to run it, a Windows Defender dialog box appears.Click the click here to turn it on link. The Windows Defender window appears.Open the Scan drop-down list on the menu bar, and then select Quick scan,Full scan or Custom scan.

Moving on

n this lesson, you learned how to keep your system updated and free of virusnd spyware infections. In Lesson 5, you find out how to recover from systemrrors in Windows 7. You'll also learn how to use safe mode to get into

Windows 7 when it won't start normally, and how to set and load SystemRestore points. Don't forget to take the quiz and complete the assignment for his lesson before you go.

Assignment #4


Open Action Center and familiarize yourself with the Security and Maintenance sections.1.Use Windows Update to check for optional system updates. Download and install any2.optional updates you think you might need.If you don't currently have antivirus software, at a minimum, download and install3.Microsoft Security Essentials, AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition or the trial version of Symantec Norton AntiVirus or McAfee VirusScan.Check your Windows Defender settings to ensure the program is constantly checking for 4.spyware. (Optional) Download and install another antispyware program and run it once a

week.

Quiz #4Question 1:True or False: Action Center gives you access to security and maintenance utilities.

) True

B) False

Question 2:

True or False: To install important and recommended system updates, you need to open Windows Update andhen click the Settings link.

) True

B) False

Question 3:Which of the following does a firewall protect your system against?



) Viruses

B) Worms

C) Patches

D) Hackers

Question 4:What is the best way to protect your system against viruses?

A) Install antivirus software and keep it updated.

B) Use Windows Update frequently.

C) Avoid sending email.

D) Avoid using applications such as Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel.

Question 5:True or False: Spyware takes account information, passwords and identity data from your PC and sends it to

nauthorized third parties.

) True

B) False

Troubleshooting common Windows 7 problemsTroubleshooting computer problems can be a chore, but this lesson makes it easy. You'll find out what to dowhen Windows 7 hits a snag, resolve problems with applications and recover from bad registry edits and systemrashes.

An overview of application problems

Welcome back. Now that you've completed all lessons to this point and knowow to diagnose and repair hardware problems and keep Windows 7 clean andpdated, it's time to turn to software troubleshooting. Applications will crash,

ock up, terminate unexpectedly or display scary-sounding error messages.

There's no simple fix or cure-all for application problems. However, you canse some basic strategies to minimize their occurrence and impact. In this

esson, you'll learn some of these basics.

An application crash occurs when the program stops working. You mighteceive an error message, or the program might just terminate unexpectedly.

Applications can crash-and-burn in many ways. Here are causes for theommon application crash:

STOP error: This is the most serious type of error. It shuts down Windows 7completely. You must restart. A bad hardware driver or a bad applicationusually provokes this error, which appears on a bright blue screen with tiny

white text at the top.Blue screen error (other than a STOP error): This is usually a GeneralProtection Fault error, in which an application tries to do something thatcompromises the stability of Windows 7 itself or of another application. Themost common cause for this kind of error is a bug in an application.

A "blue screen" is also a screen with a blue background, although it hasnormal-sized text, in the middle of the screen, rather than tiny text at thetop.

Illegal operation: This is a slightly less serious application error: theapplication has done something that caused itself to crash but hasn'tattempted anything that would harm Windows 7 or other applications. Thistype of error usually appears in a regular dialog box, and the program shutsitself down automatically. Application not responding: Sometimes there's no error message—theapplication just stops responding and won't close normally. An applicationbug can cause this; more commonly it's caused when Windows 7 gets toobusy.

Jargon buster

AutoSave is a feature in

some applications that savesyour work automatically in atemporary file as you work.Then if the program crashesand you haven't saved your work, that temporary fileopens when you restart theapplication and enables youto save your unsaved data.







Spontaneous termination: Sometimes an application just terminates. Nomessage, no nothing—it just quits. And you lose all your unsaved data.Ouch!

Some applications, such as Microsoft Word, have an AutoSave feature. It's aood idea to enable this so if an application terminates for any reason, you'venly lost a few minutes' rather than several hours' worth of work. If your pplication lacks AutoSave, you must periodically save your work yourself.

For additional information on troubleshooting an unresponsive application, read

he HP Customer Care Center document Windows 7 Locks Up, Freezes, or aBlue Screen Error Opens.

Now you know some of the causes of application crashes. Read on to learnow to deal with them.

Dealing with an application crash

There are two parts to dealing with application crashes: dealing with themmediate problem and fixing the root cause so it won't happen again.

Here's a general process for dealing with the application crash on-the-spot:

If the crashed program doesn't terminate itself automatically, terminate it1.using Task Manager (if possible). This is explained in the next section. After terminating the crashed application, save your work in any other 2.open applications and close them so the crashed program can't takethem down as well.If the crashed application supports AutoSave, such as Microsoft Word,3.rerun the application and see if it recovered your unsaved work. If it has,save it under a new name.

f you observe other applications behaving strangely after an application crash,lose all applications and restart the computer to reset the system to a stabletate.

Shutting down an application with Task Manager

When you have an application that doesn't respond and doesn't shut down,Task Manager can help you. There are three ways to get into Task Manager.Sometimes when one doesn't work (owing to the crash), the others will, so getamiliar with all of them:

Right-click the taskbar, and then select Start Task Manager.Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete. Select Start Task Manager in the resulting screen.Press Ctrl+Shift+Escape. The Windows Task Manager dialog box opens.

Task Manager incorporates numerous tabs. For application shutdown, you'reoncerned only with the Applications tab. Right-click the crashed applicationrom the list, and then select End Task. The crashed task probably has a statusf Not Responding.

Wait a few seconds (up to 30) for Windows 7 to shut down the task or display amessage that the application has stopped responding. In that message dialog

ox you can elect to close the application.

Restarting Windows 7 with Ctrl+Alt+Delete

f the s stem is still workin well enou h to restart normall , select Start > ri ht-






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rrow icon > Restart. However, if you can't get to that command for someeason, you can also get to the Restart command by pressing Ctrl+Alt+Delete.

Along with a variety of linked text options, two red icons appear in the lower-ght corner of the screen. Click the upward-facing arrow icon to open a sub-

menu, and then select Restart or Shut down.

Now that you know how to recover from an application crash, read on to learnow to fix the problem that caused the crash in the first place.

Fixing the root cause of application problems

f an application crashes once, it's no big deal; just reboot. However, if anpplication crashes repeatedly, you need to deal with the underlying cause of

he problem. There are many possible causes when applications crash:

Programming errors: No application is perfect, because no programmer isperfect. Sometimes these errors make the program crash only under specificcircumstances. You can check the application manufacturer's website for apatch or an update that solves the problem.Compatibility problems: Some applications don't work well with other applications. Perhaps one of them has a programming error that's onlyevident when the other one is running. Or perhaps they're both trying toaccess the same resource at the same time.Background application problems: Sometimes a problem can be caused bya compatibility problem between a background program and another application, or between two background programs. It might not be obviouswhen the issue is a compatibility problem if you forget that programs arerunning in the background.Windows version incompatibility with an application: An application writtenfor one version of Windows and run under a different version can sometimeshave problems that resemble programming errors. However, they're reallycompatibility issues between the application and Windows.Device driver problems: Applications interact with hardware via device

drivers. If an application doesn't like a certain device driver, it might crashwhen you try to use that device. For example, perhaps the applicationexpects the driver to behave a certain way, although the driver doesn't followthose rules.Corrupted files: If one or more of the files required for the application (or anyassociated files like device drivers) becomes corrupted on the hard disk (for example, through file system errors), it can make the application crash.

Troubleshooting the root cause of an application problem can be difficultecause many variables can be involved, and because many of them mask

hemselves by apparent indirection. When several background tasks andoreground applications are running simultaneously, if one of them crashes, theroblem could rest with the specific combination of software in use

compatibility issues), the application itself (defects), a conflict with a hardwareriver, a corrupt data file or any of various other circumstances—you get the

dea.

Therefore, it's often best to take a broad, general approach to treat applicationroblems, and hope to hit the target somewhere within that scope. Steps youan take along the path to a cure are:

Make sure Windows 7 is completely up to date. Select Start > All1.Programs > Windows Update, and then check for and install newupdates.Visit the application's website and download and install any available2.updates or patches. While you're there, read through the support sectionto look for any messages pertaining to your problem.Visit the website for the system's video card and download and install3.any updates or patches. Do the same for any other hardware theapplication uses.Try disabling one of the background programs to see if the problem4.








clears up. (Refer to Lesson 3 of this class for detailed information ondisabling background programs.) If it doesn't, re-enable that task, andthen disable a different one. Work through all of them in a systematicfashion (making a list might help) until you've eliminated backgroundapplications as the source of the problem or identified a conclusivesource.

Disable only one program at a time and test the change. If you disablemore than one, you won't know which of them caused the problem.

If the problem appeared recently on a system that had run the1.application in the past without problems, try using System Restore to goback to a point in time before the problem occurred. You'll find out howto use System Restore later in this lesson.If a recent application or driver upgrade is the apparent cause of system2.instability, try right-clicking the program folder or the individual files andselect Restore previous versions. This choice only appears if you'veinstalled a new driver.Uninstall then reinstall the application.3.

Using Windows XP Mode for legacy software

Windows 7 Professional and Ultimate editions enable you to install and runWindows XP Mode, a type of virtual machine that's designed to run softwarehat was written specifically for the Windows X environment.

ust search for and download Windows XP Mode from the Microsoft website,long with the accompanying Windows Virtual PC program. Both programs are

ree. Once you install the programs and start Windows XP Mode, you shoulde able to run your old application in Windows 7. The application will appear in

he Windows XP Mode window but run as if you were using a computer running

Windows XP.

Using the Windows 7 Program Compatibility troubleshooter

Windows 7 comes with a troubleshooter that helps you set up an application for ptimal compatibility. To use the Program Compatibility troubleshooter, follow

hese steps:

Select Start > Control Panel > Programs.1.Under Programs and Features, click Run programs made for previous2.

versions of Windows.In the first Program Compatibility troubleshooter screen, click Next.3.

f you click Advanced in the first screen and then Run as administrator, theroubleshooter may be able to identify and fix more issues than when runningnder standard user permission levels.

The troubleshooter scans your system, and then lists the installed1.programs. Select a program to troubleshoot in the list, and then clickNext.In the next screen, click Try recommended settings. (If you instead click2.Troubleshoot program, you'll be prompted to specify the problems youare having with the program, and can do so and finish thetroubleshooter from there.)The troubleshooter shows you which compatibility setting is applied.3.Click Start the program.If a User Account Control dialog box appears, click Yes. The program4.attempts to start.



In the Program Compatibility troubleshooter screen, click Next.5.If the program started properly, click Yes, save these settings for this6.program. Otherwise, you can select the option to try again or the optionto check online for other possible fixes.Click Close the troubleshooter, and then close the Control Panel7.window.

You've learned what to do to fix application crashes; however, what if Windows won't start at all? Don't panic—just keep reading.

Windows 7 startup problems

Now let's turn the attention to a different kind of problem: an error that occurss Windows 7 is starting up. A common reason for a failed system startup is aroblem with the hard disk.

This type of problem could be either a Windows error or an error involving onef the applications that runs automatically at startup. It's not always easy to tell

he difference. One way is to follow the procedure outlined in the precedingection: Disable one of the programs that loads at startup, and then test to see

f the problem goes away. (Use the System Configuration Utility, MSCONFIG,or this, as explained in Lesson 3.) If Windows 7 still doesn't start normallyecause of the error, go into safe mode and then use the System Configuration

Utility.

Safe mode and other alternative startup modes

Safe mode starts Windows 7 with a minimal set of drivers, and without anypplications loaded into the background. It's useful when the problem involvesomething that tries to load itself at startup, such as a background applicationr a device driver.

Once you enter safe mode, you can use MSCONFIG to prevent the problemrogram from loading into the background at startup (as in Lesson 3) or disable

he device for which the driver is causing a problem (through Device Manager,s you learned in Lesson 2).

You can't operate your PC normally in safe mode, or at least not very well.Many of the items you normally expect to have at your disposal aren'tthere, such as your CD/DVD drives and modem. Use safe mode only for troubleshooting, then reboot into normal Windows 7 operation.

To enter safe mode, you need to display the Advanced Boot Options menu atWindows 7 startup. After Windows 7 fails to start normally, it might display thismenu automatically the next time you try to boot. If it doesn't, press the F8 key

s the PC is booting. It can be tricky to press this key at just the right time. Youan't hold it down, or you'll get a Keyboard Stuck error message. Try pressingnd releasing F8 at one-second intervals starting at the moment the PC beginss boot sequence. If you see the animated Windows 7 splash screen, you've

missed it.

When the Advanced Boot Options screen appears, select Safe Mode. Windows boots into safe mode, which takes longer than usual to start up; this isormal.

Ordinarily, you'll use the repair tools or Last Known Good Configurationettings to fix any problems using safe mode. Follow the prompts to save your hanges and reboot your computer.

Using HP Customer Careresources

For more information onstartup failures, refer to theHP Customer Caredocument Windows 7 DoesNot Start .









A method similar to using Last Known Good Configuration is to set restoreoints using the System Restore utility. That's covered in the next section.

Creating and using restore points

The registry is a database of system settings that Windows 7 uses to start upnd to run the user interface and applications. It actually consists of several

les, although it appears as a single file when edited with REGEDIT, theRegistry Editor utility. The registry is essential for Windows 7 operation, andnly experienced users should edit it directly.

Every application and device in a system affects settings in the registry.However, it can get corrupted over time or through the installation of a bad

pplication or device. Fortunately, Microsoft created a program called SystemRestore. This program takes snapshots (backs up) of the Windows 7 registry,o if you have problems that involve registry settings, you can use System

Restore to revert the system to an earlier time prior to when problems began.

First, let's clarify what System Restore does and doesn't do. It's strictly aegistry and system settings backup. It doesn't back up data files or applicationles. You can't use it as a substitute for a data backup utility.

Here's an example. Suppose you create a restore point (or one is createdutomatically), install Microsoft Word 2007 and then create a document called

mportant.doc. The Word application crashes repeatedly, even after you reboot,nd then you roll back the system to the saved restore point and reboot. Wordo longer appears to be installed; however, your data file is still present. If youoke around on the hard disk, you'll find all the Word program files. System

Restore didn't delete any files; it just returned the registry to the state it was inefore Word 2007 installation.

Creating a restore point

Unless it's been set up differently or hard disk space is scarce, Windows 7utomatically creates a System Restore restore point every week and beforeou install new software and hardware. That way, if there's a problem withither type of installation, you have a simple way to get your system back to itsriginal state. Windows 7 retains restore points until the space reserved for

hem fills up, and then it deletes the oldest restore points as new restore pointsre created.

f you changed the settings for automatic creation of restore points, you canreate a restore point manually:

Select Start, type system protection in the search text box and select1.Create a restore point from the resulting list. The System Propertiesdialog box appears, as shown in Figure 5-1.








Repairing Windows 7

This section assumes that you have the following:

You have a problem with Windows 7 that you can't solve any other way.You have an HP computer with a Recovery partition, or you have a copy of the Windows 7 installation program on a genuine Windows 7 DVD or oneyou've built your own system repair disc.

To create a system repair disc, open Action Center, click Backup and Restoren the task pane and click Create a system repair disc. You may be prompted

o insert Windows 7 media if this utility can't find all the files it needs toomplete this task. Once the wizard begins just follow the prompts.

f you have an HP computer with a Recovery partition, you can run theRecovery utility at startup. To do this, reboot your computer, and then closelywatch the bootup screen. When prompted, press F1 (or whatever key is

isplayed) to enter Setup (the BIOS). In Setup, press the appropriate key (suchs F10) to enter Recovery and then follow the prompts to recover your system.

Put your Windows 7 DVD or the system repair disc in your PC, and thenestart. It should boot from the disc into the Windows 7 Setup program. (You

might have to go through a menu system for the recovery CD first.)

When you boot from the Windows 7 DVD, or start the Windows 7 Setuprogram, one of the first questions it asks is whether you want to install

Windows or repair an existing installation; you want to repair. Just follow therompts, and Windows 7 does its best to repair itself. The new Windows 7

nstallation media format also enables you to repair simple startup problems,heck system memory and perform a few other previously unseen tasks.

Reinstalling Windows 7

f repairing Windows 7 doesn't work for you, or if you can't do it for someeason, you can perform a clean installation.

With a clean Windows 7 installation, you usually reformat the hard disk, wipingverything off the disk and reinstalling Windows 7 from scratch. This eliminatesll the problems you've been having; however, it comes at a cost: you'll have toet up all your applications, hardware and settings from scratch. You mighteed to download new drivers for some of the hardware, and you'll definitelyeed to reconfigure your system for email, internet, networking and so on.

You'll also lose any data you've saved on your hard drive, so you should backp important files before reinstalling Windows 7.

This is a project not to be undertaken lightly.

f you have the recovery media that came with your PC or created your ownecovery disc set, it probably has an option for doing a clean installation thatestores the PC to its original factory configuration. If so, it'll be very easy toxecute—just a few clicks or key presses to get it started.

f all you have is a regular Windows 7 Setup DVD, boot from the DVD and thenerform a new installation of Windows 7. When asked on which partition andrive to put it, select the existing one and then select to reformat it through the

Setup program. From there, just follow the prompts.

It's highly recommended that you back up data files if possible. If the data

Booting to CD or DVD

If your PC doesn't boot to theCD or DVD drive, you mustgo into the BIOS Setup utilityfor the PC and set the bootorder so that it will look for boot files on that drive (this

process varies by PC). As thePC begins booting, watch for a message that says Press{key} for Setup. Because thisprocess varies, {key} may beEsc or F1 on your keyboard .Press it (quickly, before themessage goes away), toenter the BIOS Setup utilityfor the motherboard. Fromthere, carefully poke arounduntil you find a setting tocontrol which devices are

bootable and in what order.Make your CD drive thehighest-priority boot device,then exit. Save your changesand reboot.








files are located on the same drive and partition as the Windows 7operating system when you reformat, the data files are erased.

Chances are you'll never need to reinstall the operating system, although if andwhen you do, you'll be glad you know how.

Moving on

n this lesson, you learned how to cope when applications take a wrong turn.You learned how to shut down applications when they're not responding, andteps you can take to avoid problems in the future. You also learned aboutlternative boot modes for Windows 7 and how to repair and reinstall Windows. In Lesson 6, you'll learn about utilities to enhance system performance.

Assignment #5


Start any application on your computer and then open Task Manager.1. Pretend the application is locked up, and then shut it down using Task Manager.2.Close Task Manager.3.Restart Microsoft Windows using the sub-menu provided by pressing Ctrl+Alt+Delete.4.Create a restore point using the System Restore feature.5.Boot Windows into safe mode. Explore a bit. Examine which drives are available in Computer 6.(select Start > Computer), and then restart into normal Windows operation.(Optional) Create a system image of your Windows 7 system if you have adequate media.7.(Optional) If you have a Windows 7 Setup DVD, boot from it and examine the beginnings of the8.Setup utility. Don't actually reinstall Windows; abort the Setup after the first few screens, andthen reboot normally. Or, if you have a recovery disc, boot from it and read the introductoryscreens. Don't actually restore and recover your system using it; abort the process before itmakes any changes, and then reboot.

Quiz #5Question 1:Which are possible root causes for application crashes? (Check all that apply.)

A) Programming errors

B) Compatibility problems

C) Device driver problems

D) Corrupted files

Question 2:Which Windows utility do you use to shut down unresponsive applications?

) Task Manager

B) System Editor

C) Check Disk

D) Disk Cleanup

Question 3:True or False: You can use Windows XP Mode to run legacy programs.

) TrueB) False

Question 4:To boot into safe mode, select it from the menu that appears when you press ____ as the PC is beginning to

oot.

A) F1



B) F5

C) Esc

D) F8

Question 5:Which utility lets you use restore points to revert to an earlier version of the registry?

) Disk Cleanup

B) System Information

C) System Restore

D) Task Manager

Optimizing Windows 7 by improving system performanceThis lesson teaches you how to boost the performance of Windows 7 with some simple fixes and tweaks. You'llearn how to improve disk performance, optimize your display settings and eliminate desktop clutter.

A better system awaits you

Welcome back. Almost everyone wants a PC that runs better, right? Whether

ou'd like to make files open more quickly, create a more attractive Windowsesktop, or free up hard disk space, this lesson will help you out. Here, you'llearn some practically painless ways to improve your Windows 7 computingxperience.

Upgrading hardware

Although this lesson focuses on software improvements, don't forget thatardware upgrades can boost system performance more dramatically thanoftware tweaks. First ask yourself: How could my system be improved? Is itlow overall? Is it slow or choppy only when playing certain games? Is internet

peed unacceptable? Search for upgrades that address such specificoncerns.

Overall speed

Not enough RAM makes a system run more slowly than it would otherwise.Microsoft recommends 1 gigabyte (GB) to run Windows 7; 2 GB or higher will

elp the system run optimally. RAM is fairly inexpensive these days, and youan install it yourself or let a professional do it. Of course, a new centralrocessing unit (CPU) and motherboard improve overall speed as well;owever, if you're willing to incur that much expense, you might be better off

uying a new PC instead.

nternet speed

nternet speed is determined mostly by your connection, not by PC hardware.Therefore, any PC upgrades are unlikely to impact your internet experience. Go

roadband, if you haven't already. Cable and digital subscriber line (DSL) arehe best choices for residential users, and wireless routers let you access thenternet from anywhere inside the house without adding more wires. Manyusinesses use a T1 line or higher speed connection.

Even if you don't need or want any new hardware, plenty of tweaks areossible to pep up your PC. You'll learn about some of them in the remainder of

his lesson.

» HP Monitors

Defragmenting the file system






To understand fragmentation (and defragmentation) on a disk, you must know little about how a hard disk stores data.

Hard disk storage isn't necessarily physically sequential. Large files mightequire multiple storage areas on disk, known as allocation units. For example,uppose you have a spreadsheet file that takes up four allocation units on your ard disk. If the file system writes them out side-by-side on the disk, this file isontiguously stored. Then let's say you store something else on the disk, whichets placed next to the original spreadsheet file. When you go back and add

nother page to that spreadsheet, it now requires five allocation units.However, all allocation units immediately adjacent to the original file arenavailable, so the file system finds an empty allocation unit elsewhere on theisk where it stashes the extra piece. The spreadsheet file is no longer hysically contiguous on the disk: it's fragmented.

An allocation unit is the smallest unit of storage that can be addressed bythe operating system. Another name for it is cluster.

A fragmented file takes longer to read from the hard disk because the

ead/write head has to jump to multiple locations to pick up the constituentieces and reassemble them in RAM. Therefore, it's beneficial to defragmentour hard disk periodically. Defragmenting rearranges the physical ordering of le allocation units on the hard disk so that as many files as possible areontiguous (in other words, not fragmented).

Defragmenting disks is highly recommended for improving systemerformance. Some people never do this and their PCs continue to performretty well. If you want to wring every last bit of performance out of your PC,efragment your disks at least once a month.

To run Disk Defragmenter, select Start, type disk defrag in the search text boxnd then select Disk Defragmenter from the resulting list. The Disk

Defragmenter window, shown in Figure 6-1, indicates whether the utility is seto run on a schedule, and it displays the percentage of disk defragmentation for ach drive or partition. Click Analyze disk to determine if your disk needs to beefragmented.

Figure 6-1: The Disk Defragmenter window shows that this disk does not

equire defragmenting at this time.

Enlarge image

Windows won't defragment a disk unless at least 10 percent of the drive'storage space is free. Most experts recommend you permit a drive to becomeo more than 75 percent occupied. With 25 percent free space defragmentation

» Home servers and mediareceivers








ompletes faster, because files have room to move around during the process.

Defragmenting a disk

To defragment a disk, select a disk in the Current status list and then click theDefragment disk button. Don't use your PC while it's operating, because if it

etects changes on the disk it starts over. Also, depending on the size of theard disk and the level of fragmentation, this process could take some time.

Consider performing this process when you plan to be away from the computer or a while.

You've learned how to defragment your hard disk to improve PC speed. Next,ou'll learn how to adjust your display settings to achieve an optimal videoxperience.

Adjusting display settings

Windows 7 has four main display settings you can change: resolution, color epth, refresh rate and font size. Let's look at each of these separately.

The optimal display settings for your monitor may be different if you have aflat-panel monitor. Check the documentation that came with your monitor todetermine its optimal settings.

Resolution

Resolution is the number of pixels that make up the screen, where horizontalalues usually precede vertical ones. For example, the lowest resolution at

which Windows 7 operates normally is 800 x 600—800 pixels across and 600ixels high. That's a total of 480,000 pixels.

The Windows desktop expands itself to fit whatever resolution you select, soou always have a full background. Similarly, the taskbar always stretches allhe way across the bottom of the screen. Nearly everything else in Windows 7s measured in pixels. Therefore, the higher the resolution you select, themaller everything appears—the Start menu, dialog boxes and fonts changeize depending upon the resolution.

Your monitor has a maximum resolution it can support. If Windows 7 has

orrectly identified your monitor with Plug and Play, it's aware of your monitor'sapabilities and doesn't let you select a setting that it can't handle.

The video card also has a maximum resolution it can support; however, this ismore in terms of the video RAM available. The more RAM a video card has, the

igher the resolution it can support. The next section explains the equation for alculating that value.

Resolution is a matter of personal preference. There's no one best setting.It depends on your monitor size and your eyesight. However, lower

resolutions make the video card perform slightly better because it has todeal with less data. On the other hand, most flat-panel displays look bestwhen run at their native or maximum resolution. You must decide whatworks best for you.

To set screen resolution, right-click the desktop and then select Screen

Jargon buster

Hertz is a measure of cyclesper second. You might hear itused in terms of radiostations or electricity. In thiscase, however, it refers to thenumber of times per secondthe display refreshesindividual pixel locations or phosphors.

A pixel is an individually

addressable dot in a displaymode. Each pixel can beassigned a different color value.







esolution from the pop-up menu. Open the Resolution drop-down list, and thenrag the slider to change the resolution, as shown in Figure 6-2.

Figure 6-2: Changing screen resolution.

Enlarge image

Color depth

Color depth is the number of binary digits (bits) required to uniquely representhe color for each pixel, for example:

16-bit color requires 2 to the 16th binary digits which enables 65,536possible color values.32-bit color requires 2 to the 32nd binary digits which enables 4,294,967,296possible color values.

Higher color depth makes photos look better and more realistic. However, mostumans can't detect any differences between 16-, 24- and 32-bit color. At aigher color depth, the video card sends the monitor more data, which makes it

work harder and means it might not perform as well in some situations.Therefore, if your system's video performance isn't as good as you'd like, youan sometimes improve it by decreasing the color depth.

You set color depth in the Advanced settings window from the Display control.Right-click the desktop, select Screen resolution and then click AdvancedSettings. Click the Monitor tab in the resulting properties window, click theColors drop-down list and then select the color depth you want to use.

Refresh rate

The final piece of the display puzzle is refresh rate. This is mostly an issue onathode ray tube (CRT) monitors—that is, the traditional boxy kind, not the flat-anel LCDs. Refresh rate is the number of times per second that the phosphors

nside the monitor are hit with electrons to make them glow. If the refresh rate isoo low, you might notice your screen flickering or you may experienceyestrain from looking at it for a long time.

An LCD monitor has a refresh rate but it doesn't rely on phosphors, so it'smuch less of an issue.

Refresh rate is measured in hertz (Hz), and the maximum refresh rate isependent on the monitor's capabilities and on the resolution at which you'reunning the display. The higher the resolution, the lower the maximum refresh




ate.

To check your system's refresh rate, follow these steps:

Right-click the desktop, select Screen resolution and then click1. Advanced settings. Click the Monitor tab.Open the Screen refresh rate drop-down list, shown in Figure 6-3, and2.check the available settings. There's no one correct value, although 60to 75 Hz is a good "default" setting for most monitors. Lower refreshrates are generally better for the life of the monitor, although they mightnot look as good (flicker or flashing). Higher refresh rates look better andmake video games seem more responsive; however, they can be harder on the monitor and can induce noise. Check with the manufacturer todetermine the best refresh rate for your monitor—59 or 60 Hz is a typicalsetting for most LCD monitors.

Figure 6-3: Changing the refresh rate.

Click Apply, and then click OK again to apply the new setting. You'll1.probably notice immediately that your display looks more stable andsolid, although it might be hard to put your finger on exactly why that's

true.

If Windows correctly identifies your monitor, there's no danger in selectingthe highest available setting. However, if Windows doesn't identify your monitor correctly, there might be a setting on the list that's too high and candamage your monitor. To play it safe, go with a mid-range setting, such as60 Hz. To play it even safer, check the documentation for your monitor.

Font size

Sometimes screen resolution must compromise between workable viewingrea (the resolution) and the appearance of application windows, interactiveialog boxes and associated text information. You can enhance desktopppearance by adjusting font size dots per inch (dpi) to meld with your referred display settings, making otherwise illegible fonts highly readable.



Here's how:

Right-click the desktop, Personalize and then click Display.1.In the task pane, click Set custom text size (DPI).2.The Custom DPI Settings dialog box appears. Here you can start from3.the default scale (100%) and select larger increments from the drop-down list, or drag the ruler to specify your own custom font settings.

Now that your display looks as good as it can, let's focus on what you see onour desktop.

Cleaning up the desktop

Over time, a Windows desktop can get cluttered with shortcut icons for rograms you don't use.

The simplest way to get rid of these icons is to delete them. Select one andress Delete, or drag it to the Recycle Bin. You aren't deleting the programself—only the shortcut to that program. You can still run the program from the

Start menu.

n Windows 7, you can selectively show or hide active and inactive icons in theotification area (system tray) and select which toolbars appear. Although thisan't resolve storage space issues, it can resolve any display issues withoolbars and other icons that might inconvenience you.

To change icons that appear in the notification area, follow these steps:

Right-click the taskbar, and then select Properties. The Taskbar and1.

Start Menu Properties dialog box appears.Click the Customize button on the Taskbar tab. The Notification Area2.Icons window appears, listing taskbar icons.To change an entry, open its drop-down list, as shown in Figure 6-4.3.You can show or hide both icons and notifications, or show onlynotifications as they occur. You can also turn system icons on and off,restore default icon behaviors or even show everything, if you like.

Figure 6-4: Configuring icons that appear on the taskbar.

Enlarge image

When you're done, click OK.1.

» HP TouchSmart desktop

PCs








You should keep only those icons you use all the time on your desktop. Aluttered PC desktop is as bad for productivity as a cluttered desk in your ffice. Read on to learn how to declutter the rest of your PC.

Deleting unnecessary files

Disk Cleanup helps you save hard disk space by offering to delete files (either ours or everyone's files) it thinks you don't need. These files could include the

ontents of the Recycle Bin, temporary internet files and other folders.

To run Disk Cleanup, follow these steps:

Select Start, type disk cleanup in the search text box and then select1.Disk Cleanup in the resulting list.

If a Select Drive dialog box opens, pick the drive you want to clean andclick OK.

Disk Cleanup looks for files it can delete, and then lets you know which1.types of files you can delete and the amount of disk space this frees up,as shown in Figure 6-5.

Figure 6-5: Removing unnecessary files from your hard disk.

(Optional) Select a category, and then click View Files to see which files1.it has identified in that category. Clear the checkbox next to individualfiles or next to the entire category to leave those file(s) alone.Click Clean up system files to accept the recommendations.2.

You can do your own hard disk cleanups, of course. Just go through all your ocument files and delete any that you no longer want, or archive them to anptical disk or other backup device. Also empty the Recycle Bin regularly.








n addition to deleting unnecessary files, uninstall any applications you don'teed. Windows uses hard disk space for different types of operations, such asaching and virtual memory. The computer might not run reliably if free diskpace drops below 10 percent of total space. To see how much space remainsn your hard disk, click Start > Computer, and then view the bar graphs results

or each drive that appears in the Hard Disk Drives pane.

Use the Programs and Features applet in Control Panel to uninstall programsou no longer use. For a refresher, see Lesson 3.

Using the Performance Information and Tools applet

The Performance Information and Tools applet in Control Panel acts as alearinghouse for all kinds of important systems tools and utilities. As shown in

Figure 6-6, the home screen for this applet displays ratings for key systemomponents—processor, RAM, graphics (and gaming graphics) and primaryard disk—on a scale from 1.0 to 7.9.

Figure 6-6: The Windows Experience Index measures relative systemerformance for your PC.

Enlarge image

Windows 7 provides links to Help files that explain the rankings ("What dohese numbers mean?") and how to improve system speed ("Tips for improving

our computer's performance").

The task pane includes several links to tools that affect system performancend speed:

Adjust visual effects: Opens the Visual Effects tab in the PerformanceOptions dialog box; use this to adjust your system's graphical effects andbehavior. Turning on more effects looks nicer, but consumes moreresources; turning them off does the opposite. Adjust indexing options: Controls which files, or categories of files, areindexed on your disk(s) to speed up searches. This feature is explained inthe next section. Adjust power settings: Opens the Power Options applet, in which you canselect from different power plans. This feature is discussed later in thislesson.Open disk cleanup: Opens Disk Cleanup for removing unnecessary files. Advanced tools: Provides ready access to a smorgasbord of systemperformance reporting and management tools, including the Event Log,Performance Monitor, Resource Monitor, Task Manager, System








Information, Disk Defragmenter and more.

f you want to know or do more to help your PC work at its best, you'll want toxplore this tool thoroughly. Next, let's take a closer look at how to adjust

ndexing options.

Adjusting indexing options

When you click the Adjust indexing options link in the Performance and

nformation Tools applet, the Indexing Options dialog box appears. Use thisool to control which parts of the file system get indexed for searching. Clickinghe Modify button opens the Indexed Locations dialog box, which lists locationsn your computer that can be indexed, plus key applications such as Microsoft

Office Outlook or file collections such as Windows 7 Offline Files.

Although you can index entire disk drives, creating and maintaining largendexes can slow your computer and increase search times. It's recommendedhat you uncheck your system drive (usually C: on most Windows computers),nd think carefully before indexing any other hard disks in their entirety. Index

he folders where the good stuff is instead.

Windows 7 includes a terrific Help file for changing indexing settings. To accesshis file, select Start > Help and Support, and then type change advancedndexing options in the search box. There, you'll learn how to add file types tohe index, how to rebuild the index when it misbehaves, the ins and outs of ndexing encrypted files and how to change the location where the index istored.

Now that you've been introduced to indexing settings, let's move on to learnow to adjust power settings.


Adjusting power settings

Click the Adjust power settings entry in the Performance Information and Toolspplet, or right-click the power icon in the notification area and select Moreower options. The Power Options window appears. This controls the power lan in effect for your PC, and helps you to manage how your machineehaves when it's idle or unused. You can select from three power plans for a

Windows 7 PC:

Balanced (recommended): Strikes a compromise between high performanceand energy conservation

High performance: Focuses on raw performance over energy conservationPower saver: Focuses on energy conservation over raw performance

Windows 7 also provides advanced power settings controls for all three power lans. Click the Change plan settings link next to the current power plan toisplay the Edit Plan Settings window shown in Figure 6-7.











Figure 6-7: Modifying power plan settings.

Enlarge image

n general, high-end desktop computers often use the High performance plan,

mid-range desktop PCs and desktop replacement notebook PCs use theBalanced plan and notebook or netbook PCs operating on battery use thePower saver plan. Given rising costs for power and more attention to energyonservation, however, more companies and users are turning to the Balancedlan to help conserve energy while achieving workable performance from their

PCs.

Moving on

Congratulations on completing this class. We hope you found it useful andnjoyable, and that you're confident in troubleshooting and tuning your

Windows 7 system. You might even be able to help out your friends and familywith their systems. Before you move on, complete the assignment and take the

uiz for this lesson.

Assignment #6


Defragment your hard disk using Disk Defragmenter.1.Change the resolution of your display. If you don't like the new settings, restore the2.

original settings.Change the refresh rate for your monitor, if possible. Restore the setting when3.you're done.

If you have a flat-panel monitor, check the documentation for the proper monitor settings. When in doubt, consult the vendor website.

Use the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties dialog box to modify your notification1.area and toolbars on the desktop.Use Disk Cleanup to delete any unneeded files.2.Use any of the other tools and utilities discussed in the lesson, such as Indexing3.Options or Power Options, to learn more about their features.

Quiz #6Question 1:




What does Disk Defragmenter do?

A) Relocates file pieces into contiguous spaces

B) Checks disks for errors and fixes file system problems

C) Cleans up desktop shortcuts

D) Deletes unneeded temporary files

Question 2:Where in Microsoft Windows do you change display resolution and color depth?

A) Display resolution

B) Computer

C) System properties

D) Display properties

Question 3:Which display property is measured in hertz?

A) Screen resolution

B) Refresh rate

C) Color depth

D) Amount of video RAM

Question 4:Which utility cleans up unnecessary files on your hard disk?

A) Desktop Cleanup

B) Disk Cleanup

C) System Properties

D) Disk Defragmenter

Question 5:Which utility lets you view your computer's Windows Experience Index?

) Windows Explorer

B) System Information

C) Disk Cleanup

D) Performance Information and Tools applet

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