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PC Notes (these have all been used and found to work)

Windows Installer CleanUp Utility

Microsoft has updated the Windows Installer CleanUp Utility. With the Windows Installer CleanUp Utility, you can remove a program's Windows Installer configuration information. You may want to remove the Windows Installer configuration information for your program if you experience installation (Setup) problems. For example, you may have to remove a program's Windows Installer configuration information if you have installation problems when you try to add (or remove) a component of your program that was not included when you first installed your program. Download the Windows Installer Cleanup Utility package now. (http://download.microsoft.com/download/e/9/d/e9d80355-7ab4-45b8-80e8-983a48d5e1bd/msicuu2.exe)

SLOW PC?

Slow PC, check what a memeory upgrade may do for you and your PC with the Crucial Memory Advisor Tool.

Denied Access to files?

Have a harddrive from another PC, i.e. when moving data from an old dead PC, where the folders and files are unaccessable, cannot have access, denied access, cannot be seen, etc..

Then gain access via an XP loaded PC and change the owner. See microsoft's How to take ownership of a file or folder in Windows XP and for XP Professional users, How to disable simplified sharing and set permissions on a shared folder in Windows XP.

Copying/Backing Up User Data

Best way to backup Window's User data is to use xcopy within DOS window.

e.g. Format with suggested switches - xcopy H:\Users\name G:\customer\name /v /g /f /s /h /x

Notes - Users Name may not contain spaces, therefore may folder may need renaming before copy commenced. Can use the MS-DOS RENAME command with a wildcard "?" to replace the "space" with a legal filename character "_".

For example: test file.txt

rename test?file.txt test_car.txt

How to Restore Dell Windows Vista PC to Factory Settings

NOTE This operation will erase all the data that you had stored in your computer including any software that you had installed, such as Word, Browsers, etc.

1- Burn all your important files to a CD or store on a memory stick. Remember you will lose each bit of information that you had stored in your computer including the programs that you had installed, such as Microsoft Office.

2 - Turn off the computer and then turn it on, or simply restart it.

3 - As soon as you see the Dell logo at the start, repoeatedly hit the F8 key until you see the menu screen that says "Repair your computer." Chose this option and hit Enter.

4 - Next you will see a prompt window giving you options to select the keyboard layout select from the drop-down menu "US" and click "OK." •6 On the next screen you will be asked to select the user ID and the password of your Windows Vista account. Select your user account, but make sure your user account has administrative functions. Type in your password. If you don't have a password, leave it blank and click "OK." •7 Now you will come to a window with multiple options. Choose the one at the bottom that reads, "Dell Factory Image Restore." If you are unsure at this point whether you want to go ahead and restore your factory settings you may click "Restart" or the "Shut Down" buttons at the bottom of this prompt window. The computer will restart your computer without executing this operation, and you will get your most recent settings back. Otherwise clicking "Dell Factory Image Restore" will generate an operation that will take about 45 minutes to complete.