Google CloudPrint – Get the Print Job Done from Anywhere

If you get your printer connected to the Google Cloud service, you may get any print from a smart phone or your computer system. Modern printers may get automatically connected to Google Chrome. However, if you have a classic printer, you have to use the Google Chrome browser to connect to Google Cloud. You may enable Google CloudPrint in Google Chrome yourself or hire the services of a computer repair tech support.

• Step 1: You have to open the Google Chrome browser and then type chrome://settings/advanced in the location bar or the omnibar. Now the user must press the Enter key for opening the advanced settings page in the browser.

• Step 2: The user must scroll down the list of options available and click on the button labeled Sign in to Google CloudPrint.

• Step 3: For setting up Google CloudPrint, the user will be asked to sign in with his/her Google account. Now the users must type in their username and password and then click Sign In.

• Step 4: There will be a success dialog notifying that Google CloudPrint has been enabled on your system. The user may get a test page printed by clicking on the tab labeled Print a Test Page in order to check whether the service is working properly. The testing part is optional.

It will now be possible for the users to print to printers available on a certain machine using Google Docs for mobile, Gmail for mobile, and other options. For further assistance on PC issues, contact a service that offers PC solutions.

How to End a Not-responding Program in Windows 7

If you find that a program is not responding to your clicks, and a window is not coming to foreground and is also not maximizing or minimizing, you must know that the program is frozen. There will also be a not responding message visible in the window’s title bar. In this situation the user can terminate the program by using the Task Manager. Well, how do you go about it? There are several steps that can help accomplish this task, or you can also seek the services of an online technical support.

• Step 1: Right click on the task bar of Windows and choose the option Start Task Manager from the menu that pops up. This starts the Task Manager. For starting Task Manager, one can also hit the keys Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
• Step 2: Choose the tab labeled Applications when the Task Manager appears.
• Step 3: Now select the program that is frozen from the list. The user will find not responding in the Status for a program that is frozen.
• Step 4: Next you have to click on the button called End Task.
• Step 5: When you receive a prompt, you have to confirm that you want to close or terminate that program.

If you are facing problems, you can contact a remote PC support provider for further assistance in resolving your computer issues.

Let’s Enable the Multiple Tabs Close Warning in Firefox

If you use Mozilla Firefox and work by opening a lot of tabs and then suddenly make an attempt to close the main Firefox window, there will be a default message displayed that asks the user if he/she wants the browser to save the open tabs for the next time that the browser starts. If you had accidently checked the box that is labeled “Do not ask next time”, then the browser will not display this warning anymore. However, it is useful to have the warning come up whenever you try to close the main Firefox window, so you may enable it again.

• Step 1: Start the Mozilla Firefox window.

• Step 2: In the location bar the user must type “about:config” and then hit the Enter key.

• Step 3: Now Firefox will display a warning that says that your warranty may be void. It says that any change in the advanced settings could be harmful for the security, stability, and performance of this application.

• Step 4: The user must click on the button called “I'll be careful I promise!”.

• Step 5: Now in the “Filter” field, the user must type “tabs.warn”. There will be a preference called “tabs.warnOnClose”.

• Step 6: the user has to double click on “tabs.warnOnClose” and change the value to “true”. This will make Firefox show a warning when you close a main Firefox window next time.

• Step 7: Finally the user must restart the browser for helping the changes take effect.

Do the work yourself by following the above mentioned steps or may contact a remote PC support provider for online technical support.

Ways to update a sound card driver in Windows XP and Vista

If there is no sound on your PC, it is definitely a serious issue as you will not be able to enjoy computing to its fullest. Various reasons could cause sound problem in Windows. If you find all the cables are properly connected and still the problem is occurring, you can try updating the sound card driver. Don’t know how to update sound card driver in Windows XP and Vista? Don’t worry! The process is very simple and easy.

Given below are the step-by-step solution to update sound card driver in Windows XP and Vista

Step 1: Click Start, and click Control Panel.

Step 2: Double-click System and click the Hardware tab.

Step 3: Expand Sound, video, and game controllers.

Step 4: Double-click the sound card, and then click the Driver tab.

Step 5: Now click Update Driver.

Step 6: You need to follow the Hardware Update Wizard in order to update the sound card driver.

In Windows Vista

Step 1: Click Start, and click Control Panel.

• Step 2: Double-click System and Click the Hardware tab, and then click Device

Step 3: You need to insert an administrator password or for confirmation, type the password and click Continue.

Step 4: Click Sound, video, and game controllers to expand.

Step 5: Select the entry for your sound card, under Sound, video, and game controllers.

Step 6: Click the Driver tab and click Update Driver Software.

Step 7: You need to follow the Update Driver Software Wizard to update the sound card driver.

Further support could be availed from an online computer repair company.

How to Disable Tablet PC Input Panel in Windows 7

If you are using a desktop computer and are a Windows 7 operating system user, you have the option to use a tablet input device for writing directly in various applications, as if the user is writing with a pen. With the Tablet PC Input Panel, it is possible for the users to use the writing pad and convert their handwriting into the typed text. When the Tablet PC Input Panel begins, it starts on the user’s screen on the left side. If you want to disable the Tablet PC Input Panel from staying on your screen, there are steps you have to follow. If you are not an expert at using computers, you can also get the help of a remote PC support service.

• Step 1: Choose the “Tools” option in the Tablet PC Input Panel and then go to “Options”.

• Step 2: Make sure you select the “Opening” tab in the “Options” window in case it’s not selected already.

• Step 3: Now uncheck the checkbox which is labeled “Use the input panel tab”.

• Step 4: Finally click on “OK” for saving the settings.

If you have problems in disabling Tablet PC Input Panel, you can seek computer repair services online for assistance.

Steps to Show Windows Side by Side in Windows 7

If you have many windows open while working at the computer system, you may choose to see them all at once without having to switch between them one by one. This is made possible for all Windows 7 users; the operating system lets you see all the windows side by side. There are some steps that you can follow for enabling this, or you may also ask for the services of a remote PC support provider.

• Step 1: Open the windows you want to view side by side and ensure that none of those windows are minimized. Only the windows that are not minimized will be open for the side by side view

• Step 2: Right click on an empty area on the Windows taskbar and select “Show windows side by side” from the many options that are made available to you

Now all the windows that were not minimized will be visible on your screen together at once side by side and they will be resized accordingly. If you change your mind and wish to return to the normal way of showing the windows, then you just have to right click on the taskbar and select the option “Undo Show side by side” from the list. You may contact online computer repair services if this problem persists or for any other problems related to computers.

Changing the Recycle Bin Size in Windows XP

If you are worried about the decreasing disk space on your Windows XP computer system, know that you can make disk space by changing the size of the Recycle Bin. Yes, you heard that right; note that the Recycle Bin takes up a lot of disk space for storing the items that are deleted and no longer required by you. When running out of disk space, try reducing the maximum size of the Recycle Bin. There are steps that you can follow for changing the Recycle Bin size or you may also contact a computer repair service for assistance in case you are not too efficient handling windows XP operating system.

• Step 1: Right click on the Recycle Bin icon that is available on your desktop and then select “Properties” from the list of options available

• Step 2: In the Properties window that opens, the user must scroll the scroller towards the left side for decreasing the size that is taken up by the Recycle Bin.

• Step 3: Now click on OK for saving the changes that you have made.

The aforementioned steps should help you in creating more empty disk space; however if you are unable to change the size of the Recycle Bin, you may ask for an online technical support provider.

Tips to Manage Check at Boot Time Using chkntfs

Windows 7 users can do a check disk at the time of booting the computer system by using the chkntfs command. This becomes necessary when your machine is shutdown not in the appropriate manner and your disk is checked for errors when you start the machine the next time by the Windows checkdisk.

Note that when a non-removable disk is accessed in Windows, its dirty flag gets turned on in the Registry. The dirty flag gets turned off with Windows being shutdown properly. At the boot time if the dirty flag is found turned on by Windows, the checkdisk process for the disk starts automatically. The chkntfs command enables you to manage the dirty flag property.

• Step 1: At the command prompt, you can give the command “chkntfs X:”, where “X:” is actually the drive letter that checks for the dirty flag.

• Step 2: Now identify the AUTOCHK timer countdown that is visible at the Windows boot up when checking any disk for errors by typing the command “chkntfs /T”. The default time is 10 seconds.

• Step 3: You will be able to change the AUTOCHK timer countdown that is visible at Windows boot up by typing the command line “chkntfs /T:time”; here time is displayed in seconds. The default time is 10 seconds.

• Step 4: You may also schedule a drive to be checked at the next reboot. The command line in this case should be “chkntfs /C X:”; here “X:” is the drive letter of the drive that you want to schedule for checking.

• Step 5: For restoring all settings to default, the command line is “chkntfs /D”.

If you are still facing problems in check management at boot time, contact a Windows repair service for remote PC support.

How to Hide a Folder in Windows XP ?

When you are working on the Windows XP operating system and have an important folder which you do not want others to see, you can choose to hide it. Hiding a folder becomes essential when you are using a computer system that is used by others in the family or in your office. When you have the option to hide a folder, you can keep lots of private documents, pictures and other stuff stored in it.

The in-built options available in Windows Explorer will help you to hide a folder. You can contact an online technical support service for assistance or follow some simple steps to achieve the task.

Step 1: Open Control Panel and go to Folder Options. Another way to open Folder Options is to open any folder and then accessing Tools for going to Folder Options.

Step 2: In the folder options, you will find the View tab and click on it for selecting it.

Step 3: In the View tab, locate the option for “Do not show hidden files and folders” and click on it.

Step 4: Now click on OK for saving the settings.

Step 5: Now right click on the folder you want to hide and choose Properties from the list of options.

Step 6: in the Properties dialog that opens, you have to check Hidden and then click on OK for closing the dialog.

This should enable you to hide the folders you want to. If there are problems, you can contact any online computer repair service.

Steps to Displaying the Windows XP Control Panel as a Menu

You may be requiring the Control Panel often and are accessing the Control Panel icon from the Start menu every time. The Windows XP user may prefer a more efficient and different way for accessing the Control Panel items. It is possible for the user to display the Control Panel as a sub-menu on the Start menu. You can do this by following some steps or may choose to contact an online computer repair service provider.

• Step 1: Right click on the Start menu and then click on “Properties”

• Step 2: The “Taskbar and Start Menu Properties” window will open and you have to click on the “Start Menu” tab.

• Step 3: Now click on “Customize” and the “Customize Start Menu” window will be opened

• Step 4: Here you have to click on the “Advanced” tab

• Step 5: In the section labeled “Start menu items”, you need to select “Display as a menu” as a “Control Panel” option

• Step 6: Now you have to click on “OK” for exiting the “Customize Start Menu” window and then click on “OK” again. The “Taskbar and Start Menu Properties” widow will be closed.

The user now has to hold the mouse over the Start menu Control Panel icon and the sub menu will be shown. You will gain access to all the Control Panel items. If there is any problem, take the help of a technical support service.

Guide to Permanently Displaying the Date in Windows XP Notification Area

For displaying the date and the time in the Windows XP computer system taskbar, you have to expand the taskbar a bit. This can be easily done by dragging the top of the taskbar a little. If you are not experienced with using the computer, you may have problems in doing this and may require online technical support.

• Step 1: You have to unlock the taskbar before you make plans to expand it. Just right click on the taskbar and find out if the “Lock the Taskbar” option is checked; if it is, you must uncheck it by clicking on it.

• Step 2: You must also close any programs that may be running. This will leave the taskbar uncluttered and easier to manipulate.
• Step 3: You must move the mouse to the taskbar’s top edge till the cursor gets transformed into a double-ended arrow.

• Step 4: Now you must hold down the left mouse button and get the taskbar dragged upwards till the height is about twice its normal height.

• Step 5: The day as well as the date will be displayed below the Notification area clock now.

If you want the taskbar to have its original height, you must follow the afore-mentioned step 3 and just hold the left button of the mouse down and drag the taskbar edge towards the bottom of the screen. If you are still facing problems, you may contact an online computer repair service.

How to Fix Upside Down or Sideways Monitor Display

It may often happen that you have pressed some keys combination on the keyboard and the monitor display turns upside down or sideways. If you have no idea on how to fix it, you can rectify the display by following some steps or call an online PC repair service for assistance.

• Step 1: On the keyboard press the keys Control + Alt + Up arrow key. This is quite a common rotation key configuration and might solve the issue.

• Step 2: Find out if there is a graphics card icon in the Notification area near the Windows clock. If you can find it, right-click on the icon and you will get a “Rotation Settings” option. This option will enable you to get the normal display

• Step 3: Right click on your desktop and then click on Properties. Then open the “Display Properties” window.

• Step 4: Click on the Settings tab and then click the “Advanced” tab for gaining access to the monitor settings window.

• Step 5: Make the changes on the Rotation settings by selecting the 0 degrees or “normal” option and get the display upright.

• Step 6: Finally click OK for saving the changes and then exiting out of the open properties windows.

If you are still facing problems, contact an online technical support provider for help.

How to Capture Still Images from Windows Media Player

When you are trying to take a screenshot of Windows Media player at a time it is playing a video or a song, know that the under the Windows Media Player 9 and 10 category, the screen shot feature is built in for MPEG and MPEG2 content.

• Tip 1: You may just press CTRL-I together when your video or music is playing to get a screenshot of the Windows Media Player.

• Tip 2: Turn down the video acceleration that is used for creating the picture, in case you want shots of the Media Platter UI or of the whole screen. This disrupts the video performance, but if you want still shots, this should not be a problem.

• Tip 3: Go to tools in Media Player and select Options and click on the Performance tab.

• Tip 4: The performance page will have a Video Acceleration slider, which enables you to decrease the acceleration to none. Click on OK and close the media player.

• Tip 5: Open the file from where you want to take a still and press the ALT and the PrntScrn keys together for copying an image of the media player to the clipboard.

• Tip 6: Now open the Microsoft Paint program or any other image editing program. Go to edit and select Paste option.

If you find that problems still persist, you can contact an online computer repair service for tech support.

Process of Erasing Files from CD-RW Disc

Your computer system must be provided with a CD recorder for offering support to CD rewritable discs, if you want to erase the contents of the disc and reuse it. There are certain steps to be followed if you are using Windows XP and want to erase files from a readable and writable CD.

• Step 1: Double click on the My Computer icon; this icon is found on your desktop

• Step 2: In the My Computer icon, you have to right click on the CD recording drive and then click on Open option. Windows XP will show a temporary storage area where the files are kept before they get copied to the CD.

• Step 3: Look for the “Erase this CD-RW” option available in the CD Writing Tasks pane. There will be the “Welcome to the CD Writing Wizard” dialog box displayed.

• Step 4: Now click on Next and the “Erasing the CD” dialog box will appear. Note that the progress bar will display the progress of the process.

• Step 5: After the process is complete, you will receive a message in the notification area for using the CD-RW disc.

Before you try the above mentioned steps, make sure that the CD is erasable. If you find that the problems persist, you can contact an online computer repair service for tech support.

Steps to Fixing a Configuration Problem on an HP Computer

If there are configuration problems in your HP computer system, it can cause random errors, instability and several other problems in your machine. It is possible to fix a configuration problem on the HP computer system by using the System Restore utility. The System Restore has the ability to restore the configuration of your HP computer to a previous functioning state. There are some easy steps to do away with the configuration problems.

• Step 1: Click on the Start menu and then type “System Restore” into the search box

• Step 2: Now press the Enter key to open the System Restore

• Step 3: You have to click on “Use a different restore point” option from the window that opens

• Step 4: Next you need to select a date earlier to the time when the configuration problem arose on your HP machine. This will help restore the computer’s configuration to be as it was before the problem occurred; helping solve the issue.

• Step 5: Now click on the Next option to execute the automated recovery of the working configuration that is selected.

The afore-mentioned steps should help you solve the configuration problems on your HP computer. If you are still having problems, you can contact an online PC repair service for tech support.

How to Upgrade the Video Card

If you want to remove the old graphics card in your system and upgrade your hardware to a new video card, you have to follow certain steps.

•Step 1: Uninstall the drivers of the old graphics card in your computer. Now download the drivers of the new graphics card that you bought and then store them on your computer system.

•Step 2: Now remove the overclocks; these are set to increase the performance of your system by increasing the rate of the clock. You have to set the system to the original specifications and then turn off your computer system.

•Step 3: Make sure that the power cord is unplugged. Now open the cabinet and also search for the PCIexpress slot; this slot comes with a locking grip for mounting the graphics card.

•Step 4: Now you have to remove the older graphics card and mount the new video card. Make sure you store the older graphics card in an anti-static bag for using as a back-up.

•Step 5: Now you may switch on the computer system. Start the machine and install the drivers that you downloaded previously.

The video card or the graphics card is used for the purpose of ensuring good performance, supporting dual screens for games and driving a digital screen. If you still face problems with the up-gradation, you may contact a reputed computer repair service for online PC support.

How to Partition External Hard Drive in Mac OS X ?

For partitioning an external hard drive on a Mac OS X system, you need to get the external hard drive connected to your Mac by a Firewire cable or USB cable. There are some simple steps which you need to follow in order to achieve your task.

•Step 1: Remember to have a back up of all the data in the hard drive before you begin the partitioning process. Then you have to launch the Disk Utility program.

•Step 2: Choose the external hard drive volume from the list of existing drive volumes on the PC. Click the Partition tab on the right side of the application.

•Step 3: Now select the Volume Scheme from the drop down list and choose the number of partitions you want to create. Based on the number of partition volumes created, your external hard drive will automatically be divided into equal storage space and logical volumes.

•Step 4: Now click each of the volumes and provide a name. You must also choose the file system format for each of the volumes.

•Step 5: Click on Apply and get the volumes created.

If you are still facing problems in partitioning the external hard drive, you can contact a computer repair service for tech support.

How to Find Mac Address in Windows, Mac and Linux

The Media Access Control or MAC address acts as a unique identifier for every network adapter that is fitted in any device connected to the wireless network or Ethernet. The MAC address can be easily located on any operating system.
On Windows operating system

The MAC address can also be located on a Windows operating system like Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7.

•Step 1: Open a ‘Command Prompt’ after clicking on the start menu and going to Accessories on the Windows 7 and Windows Vista systems.

•Step 2: After opening the Command Prompt, type ‘cmd’ and then type in ‘ipconfig/all’.

•Step 3: You will get a list of details that will include the MAC address, which is listed as the ‘Physical Address’.

On a Mac operating system
You can also get the MAC address on a Mac operating OS X machine.

•Step 1: From the Mac menu, select the System Preferences.

•Step 2: Click on the ‘Network’ icon from the many icons in the window that appears next.

•Step 3: You will now get another window with several tabs, from which you have to choose the one with Ethernet written on it.

•Step 4: The MAC address will be shown as Ethernet ID.

•Step 5: Click on the Airport tab for getting the MAC address displayed as the AirPort ID.
On Linux operating system

The MAC address can be easily found on the Linux system.
•Step 1: Sign in as a root user .

•Step 2: In the command terminal, you have to type ‘ifconfig -a’.

•Step 3: There will lots of information displayed and the number which is listed as ‘HWaddr’ is the MAC address of the machine’s network adapter.

If you are still facing problems contact a remote computer Repair provider for assistance.

How to Solve Corrupted MS Access Unrecognized Database Format Error?

Damaged or corrupted MS Access database and also their components can happen anytime. Reasons like file system damage, application malfunctioning, software bugs, and concurrent modification are responsible for MS Access database corruption. The ‘Unrecognized Database Format’ occurs when you try to open an Access file in a previous version, or if you try opening a damaged/corrupted database.

Solution when error occurred due to attempting to open Access file in earlier version

•Step 1: Open the database; if you find that the database is shared, make sure it is not open.

•Step 2: Click on the Tools menu and select Database Utilities. Then click on Convert Database and then click To Access version file format; this MS Access version should be the one you want to convert the database to.

•Step 3: You have to type the name of the file in the File name box of Convert Database Into Dialog box and then save it

Solution when error occurred due to attempting to open a corrupted database

•Step 1: Close the database; make sure the database is not open if it is shared

•Step 2: Have a backup of the database

•Step 3: Now click on the Tools menu and then point to the Database Utilities. Also click on the Compact and Repair Database

•Step 4: In the Compact Database Into dialog box, ensure that you specify the name and the destination of the compacted Access file and then save it

In case problems persist, you may contact a remote computer repair provider for PC support.

How to Recover Your Deleted Files from Recycle Bin

The recycle bin acts like a safety net where the unnecessary deleted files are stored. You may delete those files from the Recycle Bin once you are sure that you will not need them. Know the steps that must be followed to derive a file back from the Recycle Bin.

•Step 1: Open the Recycle Bin by clicking on the Recycle Bin icon on the desktop

•Step 2: Locate the file that you want to recover from the Recycle Bin. Right click on the file after you have found it and you will get some options to choose from.

•Step 3: You will get an option that says ‘Restore’. This is the option that restores the deleted file to its initial destination folder and drive on the hard disk.

•Step 4: After restoring the file, it will be able to locate its way back to the folder and the drive, as it was prior to being deleted. Go to the hard disk drive and open the folder to find out if the deleted file has been restored to its original position.

If you have problems in recovering deleted files from the Recycle Bin, ensure that you call a remote computer repair provider for assistance.

5 Tips to Boost WiFi Signal on Your Laptop

For enhancing your wireless internet access experience, boosting up the WiFi signal is essential. There are certain steps that can help boost the WiFi signal reception. If you have some knowledge on the functioning of the home or office wireless networks, you can carry out the steps with ease.

1. A long range router can be used as the range of the wireless network depends on the router. This will enable the WiFi signal to carry over long distances.

2. The existing router must be replaced for boosting the WiFi signal reception on your laptop. The positioning of the router should be in such a way that it offers a greater range through the existence of minimum physical barriers to block the signals.

3. Check the manual settings for helping you increase the output power of antennas. This will give an automatic boost to the router’s coverage range.

4. You may try installing Wi-Fi signal boosters. There are antennas which can be connected to the router for enhancing the transmission range.

5. There are also Wi-Fi signal repeaters that can be installed when the expected coverage range far exceeds the normal range limit of the router. These repeaters efficiently transmit the signal again over long distances.

If there are problems in boosting the Wi-Fi signal or any other computer problems, you can contact a remote computer repair provider for assistance.

How to Install Device Drivers without the Setup File ?

Installing the device driver files without the ‘setup.exe’ file is possible. If you do not have a fast internet access, you will not be able to use the setup.exe file for installing the device driver files. Using the setup.exe file does not make sense if you have to use a dialup connection, as this may cost a lot to mega byte sized files.

If you have Windows installed, you may try out the following steps for installing the Device drivers

•Step 1: Right click the My Computer icon, and then select the ‘Device Manager’ (9x/Me) [Hardware=>Device Manager(2k)] tab.

•Step 2: Now double click on the device entry that requires the drivers installation. For instance, you may click on the ‘PCI Multimedia Audio Device’ option under the ‘Other Devices’ category.
•Step 3: You may now click on the Reinstall Driver button.

•Step 4: Now you will find that the Hardware Install Wizard dialog box has appeared.

•Step 5: All you have to do is follow the instructions provided by the Wizard and also give the correct driver path to the Hardware Install Wizard.

•Step 6: The task of the Hardware Install Wizard is to copy all the important files and then install it to your hard drive. This will complete the device driver installation.


These are the steps of installing device drivers without the set up file. If you still face problems to perform the task, you may contact the remote computer Repair provider for assistance.

How to Remove a Windows\System32\Config\System Error?

You get the Windows\System32\Config\System error popping up when your registry gets corrupted. If you want to solve this issue, you may try running a CHKDSK/p on your hard drive. The steps required to accomplish this is as follows.

• Step 1 : You need a copy of Windows XP installation CD. If you don’t have your own CD, you can borrow from a friend for using. This is what you need for starting your computer or booting up for starting the Recovery Console.

• Step 2 : Ensure that the BIOS in your machine is set for booting from CD-ROM instead of booting from your hard drive. This being done, insert in the CD-ROM drive your Windows install CD and then boot your machine.

• Step 3 : You will get the ‘Press any key to boot from CD…’ message, and then hit any key for booting from the Windows install CD. Now Windows will be loading its files and when it’s done, Windows will ask you whether you want to repair or install. Hit ‘R’ for accessing Recovery Console.

• Step 4 : When you are at the Recovery Console, you will be asked what install you want to get repaired by Windows. You may press ‘1’ as this is usually the first one. In case you had a password set when you initially installed Windows XP, you are required to type it.

• Step 5: After being logged on successfully, you will find yourself on C:\Windows; rename the old system file to SYSTEM.BAK if anything goes wrong.

• Step 6 : Now restart your machine by typing ‘exit’. On the computer starting up, do not press any key to continue booting using the hard drive.

If problems persist, you may contact a remote computer Repair provider for further computer help.

How to Test Computer Memory

You need to test your computer’s memory from time to time as when you are working on your machine, the computer’s memory is constantly in use and there are high chances of memory failure. Faulty memory can provide you a host of problems; so it is always advisable to perform a computer memory test.

Testing computer memory using software

In case you are using Windows Vista or Windows 7, you must already have an application known as Windows Memory Diagnostics, which is utilized for memory testing.

•Step 1: Type ‘memory’ by clicking on Start menu and then accessing Run. Test the memory after the application starts or later when you restart your system.
•Step 2: If you want a complete memory test, you have to select the particular option.

Testing computer memory using hardware

•Step 1: If you doubt that your machine is suffering from a faulty memory, you may get an additional memory from a different computer to use on your machine; this will help you detect if your memory is defective.
•Step 2: If your RAM is greater than what you usually need for daily use, you can remove a part of the RAM to find out if the faulty memory problem persists. Computers having 1 GB RAM have 2 sticks of 512 MB installed; remove 1 stick and see if it makes any difference.

These steps should help you identify a faulty memory. You can also opt for a remote computer repair provider for offering you tech support in detecting memory problems and repairing other computer problems as well.

7 Tips to open an .MDF file

The .MDF extension is a disk image format which is used when a backup of the data is made on DVDs and CDs. The .MDF files function like an actual disk, and do not require you to insert the disk in the system.

For opening an .MDF file you have to be careful that it does not risk the computer network, since these files are also used for spreading dangerous programs like computer viruses, spywares and malwares.

•Tip 1: You have to download one of the .MDF file openers, like MagicISO, Daemon Tools, Alcohol 120%, and IsoBuster. There are trial versions and free software downloads for you to use.

•Tip 2: After downloading, install the .MDF file opener. It will also be advisable to disable the option of having the .MDF file opener in your tool bar.

•Tip 3: Now go to .MDF file and click on open in the File dialog box. The .MDF file opener will be loading the appropriate disk image. The software also asks your confirmation on the file that you want to convert.

•Tip 4: You may also try dragging the .MDF file in the application window for opening the file.

•Tip 5: In case there are a number of files in a single folder, the files can be extracted for future use. Just right click on the folder containing the files and from the menu that pops up click on ‘Extract’.

•Tip 6: A file can also be copied with .MDF file opener. Drag the folder and drop it in the .MDF file opener for copying the desired files.

•Tip 7: Go to ‘Add File’ option in the File menu and select the file that you want to add. You may now click on ‘Open’ for returning to the original menu.

If you still have problems in opening an .MDF file, you may contact a computer repair provider for assistance.

How to Fix a Black Computer Screen

If your computer screen goes black randomly on starting up and when you are working, this can be a major issue as you don’t get to see anything. The reason for this can be a power problem or the video card that you have installed. Other reasons include defective RAM, lack of tight connections, and motherboard short circuit.

Now comes the fixing part; there are several steps to knowing what’s the problem and resolving the issue.

Step 1: If your computer screen goes black right after booting, hear the beeping sound that it makes. If the beep is single and short, try Step 2. In case there is a long beep or several beeping sounds, there may be a major issue.

Step 2: Single and short beeps may indicate loosely connected monitor cables, so check the connections. The video card connection and the power connection must be secure.

Step 3: You also need to check all the connections on your machine’s motherboard; for this, open the CPU case and make them firm if required. The video card as well as the other graphic cards must be well placed in their slots. Also check for loosely connected sound cards or graphic cards; as this may also lead to the computer screen going black on starting up.

Step 4: Check all the power supply connections including the monitor, CPU and other external devices.

In case the afore-mentioned steps do not help you, call a remote computer repair service for providing tech support.

How to Retrieve Deleted Files in MAC

We all delete files from our computer systems to create more disk space, but there are times when we want to get a file which we have already deleted. So what do we do then? Recovering deleted or lost data in MAC is not a difficult task; there are a few options that can help MAC users get the files they lost.

Know that when you are deleting a file, the file is just deleted from the directory of the file in your folders; the removed files are shifted to MAC’s Trash folder. Go to Trash folder and select the file by right clicking on it. Click on the Restore option that you get and your file will be retrieved back to their original folders.

Have you emptied or deleted your Trash or Recycle Bin folder? Don’t panic, there are still chances of retrieving deleted files in MAC through data recovery techniques. There are softwares to help recover deleted files in MAC OS X. The applications for recovering lost data from the recycle bin can be downloaded from the internet.

Files may remain in the system even after the Trash bin has been emptied, till they are not overwritten by other files. So, if you want to recover a deleted file from your emptied Trash folder, ensure that you stop doing whatever you are doing on MAC; this will help you avoid overwriting the deleted files.

There are several MAC users come across the same problem. If you face problems in recovering deleted files from MAC, you can ask for tech support from an online computer repair company.