How to enter the BIOS or CMOS setup

Because of the wide variety of computer and BIOS manufacturers over the evolution of computers, there are numerous ways to enter the BIOS or CMOS Setup. Below is a listing of most of these methods, as well as other recommendations for entering the BIOS setup.

Note: This document does not help if you cannot enter the BIOS or CMOS setup because of a password.

New computers

Computers manufactured in the last few years allow you to enter the BIOS setup using one of the five keys shown below during the boot process. Typically it is one of the first three keys.

• F1
• F2
• DEL
• ESC
• F10 *

* F10 is also used for the boot menu. If F10 opens a boot menu, your setup key is likely F2.

You will know when to press this key when you see a message similar to the example below as the computer is booting. Some older computers may also display a flashing block to indicate when to press the F1 or F2 keys.

Press <F2> to enter BIOS setup

Tip: If your computer is a new computer and you are unsure of what key to press when the computer is booting, try pressing and holding one or more keys on the keyboard to cause a stuck key error. Once you get this error, you should have the option to continue or enter setup.

Once you have successfully entered the CMOS setup, you should see a screen similar to the example below.

How do I change and save changes in CMOS setup?

Once in CMOS setup, the method for changing the settings often depends on the BIOS manufacturer. Typically you can change the settings by using the arrow keys to move to the option you want to change. Press Enter to select what to change and then use the arrow keys to select a new value. Some manufacturers may have you press the Page up and Page down keys to change the values.

Tip: All manufacturers list the steps on how to navigate on the bottom or right-hand side of the screen.

I cannot change the values to a setting I want to use.

If you are trying to change the clock settings, speed settings, or other setting and do not have an available option, it is because it is not supported by the motherboard. If you believe it should be supported, you may need a BIOS update.

Older computers

Unlike the computers of today, older computers (before 1995) had numerous different methods of entering the BIOS setup. Below is a listing of key sequences to press as the computer is booting to enter setup.

• CTRL + ALT + ESC
• CTRL + ALT + INS
• CTRL + ALT + ENTER
• CTRL + ALT + S
• PAGE UP KEY
• PAGE DOWN KEY

ACER BIOS

If your computer cannot boot or you want to restore the BIOS back to its bootable settings and your computer uses an ACER BIOS, press and hold the F10 key as you turn on the computer. While continuing to hold the F10 key, you should hear two beeps indicating that the settings are restored.

AMI BIOS

Older AMI BIOS could be restored back to bootable settings by pressing and holding the Insert key as the computer is booting.

BIOS or CMOS diskettes

Early 486, 386, and 286 computers required a floppy disk in order to enter the BIOS setup. These diskettes may be referred to as ICU, BBU, or SCU disks. Because these diskettes are unique to your computer manufacturer, you must obtain the diskettes from them. See the computer manufacturers list for contact information.

Early IBM computers

Some early IBM computers require you to press and hold both mouse buttons as the computer boots to enter the BIOS setup.

Other suggestions

Finally, if none of the above suggestions help get you into your CMOS setup, you can cause a stuck key error, which causes the CMOS setup prompt to appear and remain until you press a key to continue. To do this, press and hold any key on the keyboard and do not let go (you may get several beeps as you are doing this). Keep pressing the key until the computer stops booting and you have the option to enter setup.

How to enter the BIOS or CMOS setup

Because of the wide variety of computer and BIOS manufacturers over the evolution of computers, there are numerous ways to enter the BIOS or CMOS Setup. Below is a listing of most of these methods, as well as other recommendations for entering the BIOS setup.

Note: This document does not help if you cannot enter the BIOS or CMOS setup because of a password.

New computers

Computers manufactured in the last few years allow you to enter the BIOS setup using one of the five keys shown below during the boot process. Typically it is one of the first three keys.

• F1
• F2
• DEL
• ESC
• F10 *

* F10 is also used for the boot menu. If F10 opens a boot menu, your setup key is likely F2.

You will know when to press this key when you see a message similar to the example below as the computer is booting. Some older computers may also display a flashing block to indicate when to press the F1 or F2 keys.

Press <F2> to enter BIOS setup

Tip: If your computer is a new computer and you are unsure of what key to press when the computer is booting, try pressing and holding one or more keys on the keyboard to cause a stuck key error. Once you get this error, you should have the option to continue or enter setup.

Once you have successfully entered the CMOS setup, you should see a screen similar to the example below.

How do I change and save changes in CMOS setup?

Once in CMOS setup, the method for changing the settings often depends on the BIOS manufacturer. Typically you can change the settings by using the arrow keys to move to the option you want to change. Press Enter to select what to change and then use the arrow keys to select a new value. Some manufacturers may have you press the Page up and Page down keys to change the values.

Tip: All manufacturers list the steps on how to navigate on the bottom or right-hand side of the screen.

I cannot change the values to a setting I want to use.

If you are trying to change the clock settings, speed settings, or other setting and do not have an available option, it is because it is not supported by the motherboard. If you believe it should be supported, you may need a BIOS update.

Older computers

Unlike the computers of today, older computers (before 1995) had numerous different methods of entering the BIOS setup. Below is a listing of key sequences to press as the computer is booting to enter setup.

• CTRL + ALT + ESC
• CTRL + ALT + INS
• CTRL + ALT + ENTER
• CTRL + ALT + S
• PAGE UP KEY
• PAGE DOWN KEY

ACER BIOS

If your computer cannot boot or you want to restore the BIOS back to its bootable settings and your computer uses an ACER BIOS, press and hold the F10 key as you turn on the computer. While continuing to hold the F10 key, you should hear two beeps indicating that the settings are restored.

AMI BIOS

Older AMI BIOS could be restored back to bootable settings by pressing and holding the Insert key as the computer is booting.

BIOS or CMOS diskettes

Early 486, 386, and 286 computers required a floppy disk in order to enter the BIOS setup. These diskettes may be referred to as ICU, BBU, or SCU disks. Because these diskettes are unique to your computer manufacturer, you must obtain the diskettes from them. See the computer manufacturers list for contact information.

Early IBM computers

Some early IBM computers require you to press and hold both mouse buttons as the computer boots to enter the BIOS setup.

Other suggestions

Finally, if none of the above suggestions help get you into your CMOS setup, you can cause a stuck key error, which causes the CMOS setup prompt to appear and remain until you press a key to continue. To do this, press and hold any key on the keyboard and do not let go (you may get several beeps as you are doing this). Keep pressing the key until the computer stops booting and you have the option to enter setup.

How to enter the BIOS or CMOS setup

Because of the wide variety of computer and BIOS manufacturers over the evolution of computers, there are numerous ways to enter the BIOS or CMOS Setup. Below is a listing of most of these methods, as well as other recommendations for entering the BIOS setup.

Note: This document does not help if you cannot enter the BIOS or CMOS setup because of a password.

New computers

Computers manufactured in the last few years allow you to enter the BIOS setup using one of the five keys shown below during the boot process. Typically it is one of the first three keys.

• F1
• F2
• DEL
• ESC
• F10 *

* F10 is also used for the boot menu. If F10 opens a boot menu, your setup key is likely F2.

You will know when to press this key when you see a message similar to the example below as the computer is booting. Some older computers may also display a flashing block to indicate when to press the F1 or F2 keys.

Press <F2> to enter BIOS setup

Tip: If your computer is a new computer and you are unsure of what key to press when the computer is booting, try pressing and holding one or more keys on the keyboard to cause a stuck key error. Once you get this error, you should have the option to continue or enter setup.

Once you have successfully entered the CMOS setup, you should see a screen similar to the example below.

How do I change and save changes in CMOS setup?

Once in CMOS setup, the method for changing the settings often depends on the BIOS manufacturer. Typically you can change the settings by using the arrow keys to move to the option you want to change. Press Enter to select what to change and then use the arrow keys to select a new value. Some manufacturers may have you press the Page up and Page down keys to change the values.

Tip: All manufacturers list the steps on how to navigate on the bottom or right-hand side of the screen.

I cannot change the values to a setting I want to use.

If you are trying to change the clock settings, speed settings, or other setting and do not have an available option, it is because it is not supported by the motherboard. If you believe it should be supported, you may need a BIOS update.

Older computers

Unlike the computers of today, older computers (before 1995) had numerous different methods of entering the BIOS setup. Below is a listing of key sequences to press as the computer is booting to enter setup.

• CTRL + ALT + ESC
• CTRL + ALT + INS
• CTRL + ALT + ENTER
• CTRL + ALT + S
• PAGE UP KEY
• PAGE DOWN KEY

ACER BIOS

If your computer cannot boot or you want to restore the BIOS back to its bootable settings and your computer uses an ACER BIOS, press and hold the F10 key as you turn on the computer. While continuing to hold the F10 key, you should hear two beeps indicating that the settings are restored.

AMI BIOS

Older AMI BIOS could be restored back to bootable settings by pressing and holding the Insert key as the computer is booting.

BIOS or CMOS diskettes

Early 486, 386, and 286 computers required a floppy disk in order to enter the BIOS setup. These diskettes may be referred to as ICU, BBU, or SCU disks. Because these diskettes are unique to your computer manufacturer, you must obtain the diskettes from them. See the computer manufacturers list for contact information.

Early IBM computers

Some early IBM computers require you to press and hold both mouse buttons as the computer boots to enter the BIOS setup.

Other suggestions

Finally, if none of the above suggestions help get you into your CMOS setup, you can cause a stuck key error, which causes the CMOS setup prompt to appear and remain until you press a key to continue. To do this, press and hold any key on the keyboard and do not let go (you may get several beeps as you are doing this). Keep pressing the key until the computer stops booting and you have the option to enter setup.

CMOS

Alternatively referred to as a Real-Time Clock (RTC), Non-Volatile RAM (NVRAM) or CMOS RAM, CMOS is short for Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor. CMOS is an on-board semiconductor chip powered by a CMOS battery inside computers that stores information such as the system time and date and the system hardware settings for your computer. The picture shows an example of the most common CMOS coin cell battery used in a computer to power the CMOS memory.

A Motorola 146818 chip was the first RTC and CMOS RAM chip to be used in early IBM computers. The chip was capable of storing a total of 64 bytes of data. Since the system clock used 14 bytes of RAM, this left an additional 50 bytes of space that was available for IBM to store system settings. Today, most computers have moved the settings from a separate chip and incorporated them into the southbridge or Super I/O chips.

How long does the CMOS battery last?

The standard lifetime of a CMOS battery is around 10 Years. However, this can vary depending on the use and environment that the computer resides. When the battery fails the system settings and the date and time will not be saved when the computer is turned off until the battery has been replaced.

How to replace the CMOS battery

If your computer is losing its time or date settings, or you are receiving a message CMOS Read Error, CMOS checksum error, or CMOS Battery Failure, first try leaving the computer on for 24-hours. In some cases, this can charge the battery and resolve your problem. This fixes most CMOS battery issues on computers left without power for several months. If this does not resolve your problem follow the steps below.

Locate your CMOS battery

 

 

Caution: When inside your computer make sure you are aware of ESD and its dangers.

Open the computer case and find the battery on the computer motherboard, verify that it is accessible and can be removed. Today, most computers use a coin cell CMOS battery as shown in the picture.

Tip: Some CMOS batteries may be held down by a metal clip or bar. This clip just holds the battery in place and the battery can still be removed by sliding it under the clip. Do not bend this clip to get the battery out.

If you are unable to locate your CMOS battery refer to your motherboard or computer documentation or contact your computer manufacturer for additional assistance in locating it.

Note: With some computers you may need to disconnect cables, remove drives, or remove other parts of the computer to get full access to the CMOS battery.

Obtain battery information

Unfortunately, most manufacturers do not list the exact type and model of your CMOS battery; therefore, once you have located the battery, write down all information about the battery (Voltage, chemistry, wiring, and packaging). If possible, remove the battery and take it to the retail location.

Tip: The part number for this battery for most computers is CR2032.

• Additional buying information is on our battery buying tips page.

Removing the battery

Caution: When inside your computer make sure you are aware of ESD and all its potential dangers.

If your computer is using a coin cell battery removing the battery is relatively simple. Use your fingers to grab on the edge of the battery and pull it up and out of the container holding it. Some motherboards have a clip holding the battery down. If your computer has this clip you may need to use one hand to move the clip up and the other hand to pull the battery out.

Unfortunately, not all CMOS batteries are removable; some manufacturers only allow a replacement battery to be added. If your computer does not have a coin cell battery and you are not sure how to remove the battery refer to your motherboard or computer documentation or contact your computer manufacturer for additional assistance in removing the battery or how to insert a new replacement battery.

Users with computers that do not have removable batteries only options to install a new battery will most likely also need to set a jumper when adding the new battery into their computer.

Insert the new battery

After purchasing a new battery, remove the old battery and replace it with a new battery.

Enter CMOS values

Once the battery is replaced turn on the computer and resetting the CMOS values to the defaults. After the values have all been entered make sure to save the settings before exiting. Many CMOS setups allow you to press a key (such as F10) to save values and exit all in one action.

Bad hardware

If after following all the above steps you continue to experience the same error when your computer starts or your computer is still unable to keep the stored values you are experiencing a more serious issues. Most likely causes are bad power supply or bad motherboard.

ESC

 

 

1. Short for escape, esc is a key located on the top-left of a computer keyboard that allows a user to cancel or abort operations.

• Computer keyboard help and support.

2. Escape is also shorthand for an escape character, an escape is a single backward slash ( \ ) in Linux, programming, and regular expressions that perform a special function or to have a character treated as plain text and not a function. Below are some examples of how an escape could be used.

\*

The above example would treat the asterisk as a plain text asterisk and not as a wild card or metacharacter.

\.

This next example is similar to the first example because the period is also a wild card, which represents any single character. So, if you need match a period and not every character you must escape it.

\" or \'

The above example would treat the quote character as a quote character and not a beginning or end container. For example, in programming languages such as Perl this is required if you're printing text to a file or the screen that contains a quote. In other words, the command print "This is a \" quote."; would print This is a " quote without escaping the quote in the middle you would receive an error.

\

When a filename or directory needs a space in Linux you can use a backward slash followed by a space, to escape the space in a name. If this isn't done, Linux will treat anything after the space as an option or additional command.

\n

Finally, escape characters are also used in escape sequences, to create a function or command. For example, the above \n would create a newline character to the file or screen. See our escape sequence definition for additional examples.

3. Short for escalation, esc is used to describe or refer to an escalation number dealing with an important customer related issue

Top 10 Windows 8 tips and tricks

Update to Windows 8.1

Microsoft has released Windows 8.1, which is a free upgrade for anyone running Windows 8. This update addresses many of the problems users have had with Windows 8 and also adds a Start button. Visit Microsoft's Windows 8.1 page for the update.

Customize your tiles

 

Make the most of your Windows Start screen tiles by adjusting the sizes, where they are located, and what is listed.

• Move any tile by clicking and dragging the tile. While moving a tile, if you need a larger view of the Start screen move the tile towards the top or bottom of the screen to zoom out.
• Use your mouse wheel to scroll left-to-right through your tiles.
• Any Desktop shortcut or program can be pinned to the Start screen by right-clicking the icon and choosing Pin to Start.
• In the bottom right-hand corner of the start screen is a magnifying glass with tiles, click this icon to get a zoomed out view of your Start screen. In this view, if you right-click on a group of tiles you'll be given the option to name group, which can be useful if you have a group of related tiles (e.g. games). In this view, you can also click and drag a group to organize your tile groups.
• Create a new speed bump between tile groups by moving a tile to a speed bump.
• Resize any User tile or Live tile by right-clicking the tile and choosing resize.
• If there is a tile you want on your Taskbar, right-click the tile and choose Pin to taskbar.
• Show admin applications on the Start screen by clicking Settings in Charms, click Settings, and change the Show administrative tools from No to Yes.
• In Internet Explorer 10, you can also pin any of your favorite web pages to your Start Screen.

Windows 8 keyboard shortcuts

Knowing at least some of the Windows 8 keyboard shortcuts helps make your Windows 8 experience much more enjoyable. Try to memorize these top Windows 8 shortcut keys.

• Press the Windows key to open the Start screen or switch to the Desktop (if open).
• Press the Windows key + D opens the Windows Desktop.
• Press the Windows key + . to pin and unpin Windows apps on the side of the screen.
• Press the Windows key + X to open the power user menu, which gives you access to many of the features most power users would want (e.g. Device Manager and Command Prompt).
• Press the Windows key + C to open the Charms.
• Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings, which is the same Settings found in Charms.
• Press and hold the Windows key + Tab to show open apps.
• Press the Windows key + Print screen to create a screen shot, which is automatically saved into your My Pictures folder.

See our Windows shortcuts page for a full listing of all Windows shortcuts.

Know your hot corners

The corners on your screen are hot corners and give you access to different Windows features. Below, is a brief explanation of each of these corners.

Bottom Left-hand corner

The bottom left-hand hot corner of the screen allows you to access the Start screen, if you're in the Start screen and have the Desktop open, this corner opens the Desktop from the Start screen.

Tip: Right-clicking in the left hand corner opens the power user menu.

Top-left corner of the screen

Moving the mouse to the top-left corner and then down displays all the apps running on the computer. Clicking and dragging any of these apps to the left or right-hand side of the screen will snap that app to that side of the screen. Each of these open app icons can also be right-clicked to close or snap.

Right-hand side of the screen

On the full right-hand side of the screen will be given access to the Windows Charms.

Taking advantage of search

The Search in Windows 8 has been significantly improved when compared to all previous versions of Windows. To search for a file or run a program in Windows 8 from the Start screen just start typing what you're trying to find or want to run.

As you begin typing, the results will start appearing on the left-hand side. In addition to being able to search for files and run programs, the Search also supports limiting the search to apps such as Finance, People, Maps, Photos, Mail, Music, Videos, Weather, and much more. If what you are searching for is not a file or program, click on the app you want to use as the search. For example, if you were searching for "New York" and selected the Weather App you would be shown the weather in New York, NY.

By default, Search organizes the available Apps by how frequently they are used and then in alphabetical order. If you want to keep your favorite app at the top of the Search list, right-click the app and choose Pin. Pinning the app will lock it in place regardless of how often it is used. If there is an app you don't want (e.g. Finance) you can turn on and off any of the search apps through the PC settings, which is found under the Settings in the Charms.

Bonus tip: The Search is also found through Charms and can also be opened by pressing Windows key + F.

Running two apps side by side

Any app can be pinned to the left or right-hand side of the screen. For example, open the People app and then press the Windows Key + . (period) to move that app to the right-hand side of the screen, pressing the same keys again will move it to the left-hand side, and pressing the same keys again makes it full screen. While an app is pinned, any other app or program can be opened and loaded into the available space on the screen. For example, in the picture below, we've opened a browser window and have the People app running to monitor our social networks.

Any open app can also be pinned using your mouse by clicking at the top of the tile and dragging it to the left or right-hand side of the screen.

Bonus tip: The Desktop can also be pinned to the left or right-hand side of the screen.

Note: In order for snap to work properly your resolution must be at least 1,366 x 768.

Windows 8 Task Manager

The Windows 8 Task Manager has been significantly improved over previous versions of Windows. Some of the new changes include showing a total percent usage at the top of your Processes, which makes it easier to determine total memory and CPU usage, improved Performance graphs, a Startup tab to see startup processes and their impact to system performance, and the App history tab (as shown below) that gives you the total resources an app has used over a period of time. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to start exploring the new Task Manager.

Use a picture password to log into your computer

Windows 8 includes a new feature called Picture password, which allows you to authenticate with the computer using a series of gestures that include circles, straight lines, and taps. Enable this feature if you want a new way to access your computer or have a hard time with passwords.

1. Open the Windows Charms.
2. Click Settings and then More PC settings
3. In the PC settings window click Users and then select Create a picture password

Bonus tip: A four digit pin password can also be created and used to access your computer.

Take advantage of Windows 8 apps

Windows 8 comes included with several apps to help you get the most from your computer. Below are just a few of the included apps.

People

Microsoft touts the People feature in Windows 8 because they understand how many people are using social networks today. In the People feature you'll be able to connect your Windows computer to all the major social networks including Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. Once connected, you can pin the people app and monitor your social network (as shown below), use People in Search to find people, and get an overview of what is happening in all your social networks.

Reader

The Reader app gives you PDF support right out of the box.

SkyDrive

The SkyDrive app gives you access to the Microsoft cloud service SkyDrive, which allows you to store your photos, documents, and other files in the cloud and access or share those files with any computer with Internet access.

Store

Take advantage of the Windows Store and install one or more of the thousands of available apps designed for Windows 8. The Store is found in the Start screen, or use Search to search the Store app for any apps that you are trying to find.

Know the answers to common questions

Windows 8 is the biggest change to Microsoft Windows since the introduction of Windows 95, which was released all the way back in 1995. Since so many people have grown up with Windows, it can be difficult to transition to a new way of doing things. Below, is a short list of the most common questions previous Windows users have.

• How can I close an app in Windows 8?
• How do I sleep, restart, or shut down Windows 8?
• How do I get the start button back in Windows 8? 

Know the Jargon

Knowing all the new jargon introduced with Windows 8 help improve your familiarity with Windows 8 and make it a more enjoyable experience. Below, are just a few links to the most commonly used Windows 8 terms.

• Charms
• Lock screen
• Picture password
• Pin
• Power User Task Menu
• Snapped app
• Speed bump
• Start screen
• Tile, User Tile, and Live Tile
• Windows Store 

Battery

A battery is a hardware component that supplies power to a device, enabling that device to work without a power cord. Batteries are often capable of powering a laptop computer for several hours depending on how much power it requires. Today, many high-end devices such as computer laptops and cell phones use rechargeable batteries that allow a user to recharge the battery once depleted of energy. In the picture below, is an example of what a laptop battery may look like when removed from the laptop with a close-up of the battery rating.

Computer batteries

There are three computer batteries types used with computers. First, is the backup battery, which is commonly referred to as the CMOS battery. This battery is what holds your computer's settings, such as the time and date. This allows the computer to remember basic computer settings and the time and date without having to entering those settings each time the computer starts.

Next, the bridge battery is only found in portable computers as a temporary backup for the main battery. This allows the user to remove the main battery and replace it with a good battery without having to turn off the computer.

Finally, the main battery as explained in the first paragraph is also only used with portable computers as an alternate source of energy for when the computer is not connected to a standard wall outlet.

Battery technologies

There are different battery technologies that allow a battery to work. Below is a listing of some of the major types you're most likely to encounter.

• LI-ION (Lithium Ion)
• Li-polymer (Lithium Polymer)
• NICAD (Nickel-Cadmium)
• NIMH (Nickel-Metal Hydride)

Battery power icon option is grayed out in Windows

If you are looking to enable the battery power icon in the Systray, you should visit our questions and answers page dedicated to that subject. If you have already been to that page, but were unable to turn on the icon because the option was grayed out, the following steps should resolve your issue.

Warning: These instructions modify the Windows registry and as such, should be followed explicitly to avoid problems.

Windows 7 users

1. Click Start.
   In the Start Search field, type regedit.exe and then press Enter.
   If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type the password, or click Allow.
2. Locate and then click the following registry subkey:
   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\TrayNotify
3. In the Details pane, click the IconStreams registry entry.
4. On the Edit menu, click Delete, and then click Yes.
5. In the Details pane, click the PastIconsStream registry entry.
6. On the Edit menu, click Delete, and then click Yes.
7. Exit Registry Editor.
8. Restart the Explorer.exe process. To do these, follow these steps:
   1. Press CTRL+SHIFT+ESC.
   2. On the Processes tab in Task Manager, click the explorer.exe process, and then click End Process two times.
   3. On the File menu, click New Tasks (Run), type explorer, and then click OK.
   4. Exit Task Manager.
9. Once Explorer.exe has restarted, right click on the clock and choose "Customize Notification Icons."
10. Ensure that Power is set to "Show icon and notifications."
11. Click on "Turn system icons on or off."
12. Ensure that Power is set to "On."
13. Click on OK and close the Control Panel.

Microsoft DOS fciv command

About fciv

Short for File Checksum Integrity Verifier, FCIV is a Windows command line command that can be used to check the MD5 or SHA-1 file checksum cryptographic hash information.

Availability

The fciv.exe is an external command that is not pre-installed with any version of Windows, it must be downloaded from Microsoft.

Syntax

fciv.exe [Commands] <Options>

-add <file | dir>	Compute hash and send to output (default screen). dir options: -r : recursive. -type : ex: -type *.exe. -exc file: list of directories that should not be computed. -wp : Without full path name. ( Default store full path) -bp : specify base path to remove from full path name
-list	List entries in the database.
-v	Verify hashes. Option: -bp basepath.
-md5 | -sha1 | -both	Specify hashtype, default md5.
-xml db	Specify database format and name.

Examples

fciv hope.txt

Running the fciv against any file (in this case hope.txt) displays the File Checksum information similar to the example below.

//
// File Checksum Integrity Verifier version 2.05.
//
30ad2c562520d88d4e030fecf2f8c642 hope.txt

fciv hope.txt -both

Running the above command will give the output for both MD5 and SHA-1.

fciv -add hope.txt -xml hope.xml

Add the MD5 information of the "hope.txt" file to the XML hope.xml file. If the file does not exist a new file will be created. Below is an example of the XML file created using this command.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<FCIV>
<FILE_ENTRY><name>hope.txt</name><MD5>kS7IA7LOSeSlQQaNSVq1cA==</MD5></FILE_ENTRY></FCIV>

Voltage drop

 

1. Alternatively referred to as a brownout, dip, sag, voltage reduction, and voltage sag, a voltage drop is any decrease in voltage, typically under one second. Longer reduction in voltage is called undervoltage.

Power line sags often occur during the summer and when too much equipment is plugged into the same circuit. When this occurs your computer could experience such symptoms as the computer locking up, lost data, system crashes, and can also cause hardware in your computer such as the hard drive to fail.

Tip: If your area experience brownouts, we recommend purchasing a SPS or UPS for your computer and other essential equipment to help prevent any damage and corruption.

• Computer power supply help and support.

2. Linux command, see the Linux sag command page for further information about this term.

DIP

 

1. Short for Dual In-line Package, a DIP is a chip encased in a hard plastic casing with pins along each of the sides of the plastic casing. The picture is an example of a DIP found on a computer motherboard that has been soldered into place. Below is an illustration of a comparison between a DIP and a SIP that are not connected to any circuit board.

2. A dip may also refer to a voltage drop.

Executable virus

An executable virus is a non resident computer virus that stores itself in an executable file and infects other files each time the file is run. The majority of all computer viruses are spread when a file is executed or opened.

Macro virus

A MAC or Macro virus is a computer virus that spreads to other computers through software programs that utilize macros. For example, Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel are two popular and widely used programs that are capable of executing macros. Macro viruses written for these programs can spread by infecting other related documents each time the document is open. Because these files are commonly used and sent through e-mail, a computer network can be quickly infected by these viruses.

Logic Bomb

A logic bomb is a piece of code inserted into an operating system or software application that implements a malicious function after a certain amount of time, or specific conditions are met. Logic bombs are often used with viruses, worms, and Trojan horses to time them to do maximum damage before being noticed. They perform actions like corrupting or altering data, reformatting a hard drive, and deleting important files.

zoo

1. When referring to a computer virus, a zoo is a location, such as a website, that contains a collection of computer viruses.

2. Zoo is a computer filename extension and compression program.

Overwrite

1. In general, overwrite is a term used to describe when new information replaces old information or data.

2. One of two typing settings on a keyboard, overwrite mode allows new input to replace existing characters. The Insert keyboard key is commonly used to toggle this mode, enabling or disabling it. If you've overwritten any text it can be undone by using undo in most programs.

3. When referring to a virus, an overwrite virus is a computer virus that overwrites a file with its own code, helping spread the virus to other files and computers.

Polymorphic virus

A polymorphic virus creates an infection in a computer that is known as a polymorphic infection. A polymorphic virus is one that creates copies of itself, with variations in each copy to fool a virus detection program and user. The variations are typically different encryption methods in the virus file copies, which makes it more difficult for a virus detection program to detect and remove a polymorphic virus from a computer.

Polymorphic infections are difficult for virus detection programs to cleanse because one polymorphic virus could have hundreds or thousands of variants. Developers that design the detection programs have to write extra lines of code in order to make the programs better at detecting the virus infections. Even the best antivirus programs have trouble with detecting and cleansing polymorphic infections, although antivirus programs with heuristic do have a better time at detecting these types of viruses.

MBR virus

A MBR virus is a computer virus that modifies or infects the Master Boot Record, causing the computer to lose CD-ROM support or cause Microsoft Windows to run in compatibility mode.

Multipart virus

A multipart virus is a computer virus that infects the master boot record as well as executable files on the hard drive.

Non resident virus

A computer virus that does not store or execute itself from the computer memory. Executable viruses are an example of a non resident virus.

Stealth virus

A stealth virus hides itself from anti-virus software after infection, either by making the computer appear as though it has not lost any memory or that the file size has not changed.

Divide error

Note: This document also applies to the error messages "Divide by Zero", "Divide by 0" or "Divide Overflow" error messages.

The divide error messages are caused when the computer or software attempts run a process that attempts to perform a mathematical division by zero, which is an illegal operation. This error message could also be caused by a computer or software limitation or conflict with computer memory.

Hardware or software incompatibility

This issue can occur if software is being run on a computer that has hardware that is incompatible with the software. For example, this issue may occur with restore software designed for a specific computer and is being run on another computer or on the correct computer that has added hardware within it.

Ensure that the software that is being run on the computer is compatible with the computer and that the computer meets the system requirements and determine if there are updates or replacements to the software being used.

Error with autoexec.bat or config.sys

Users who are running Microsoft Windows 3.x can temporarily remark or remove any additional lines that may not be required in the autoexec.bat and config.sys

Users who are running Microsoft Windows 95 or Windows 98, it is recommended that they temporarily rename the autoexec.bat and config.sys to ensure that these files are not causing the issue. To do this, follow the instructions below:

1. Click Start, Shutdown, and Restart the computer in an MS-DOS mode.
2. Once at the MS-DOS mode, type:
   
   cd\ <press enter>
   ren autoexec.bat autoexec.ch <press enter>
   ren config.sys config.ch <press enter>
3. Once the files have been renamed, reboot the computer.

Additional help and information with the autoexec.bat and config.sys can be found on our autoexec.bat and config.sys page.

Note: if you are unable to get to an MS-DOS prompt or to Windows to rename or edit the files, boot the computer to an MS-DOS mode only.

Driver issue

If you are encountering a divide error within Windows, ensure that all computer hardware devices, such as the computer video card, sound card, network card or modem have the latest drivers and patches.

You can find a listing of computer drivers on our driver page.

Software issue

If the divide error is occurring while in a computer game or software program and the above recommendations does not resolve your issue, ensure that all software patches and upgrades have been obtained and applied.

In addition, ensure that another program that may be running in the background, such as a Virus protection program, is not causing your issue by End Tasking all background programs and TSRs.

External cache or 2nd level cache

If you are encountering the divide error in an older software program or game it can be caused by compatibility issues with External or 2nd level cache. Temporarily disabling this feature in CMOS Setup may resolve your issue.

Improper calculation

If you are performing a calculation in any program and experience a divide error, ensure that the calculation being performed is possible. Some programs are not capable of verifying the accuracy of a calculation and may perform an illegal instruction.

However, many programs, such as Microsoft Excel, will generate a #DIV!0 error indicating the formula or calculation is invalid or you are attempting to divide by zero.

Operating system issue

If you continue to experience a divide error while in Windows or in a particular software program and have followed each of the above recommendations, ensure that the issue is not being caused by the operating system by attempting to reinstall the operating system.

Hardware issue

Finally, if none of the above recommendations resolve or help to determine the cause of your issue the computer may have a hardware issue. When a Divide Error is encountered because of hardware it is caused by an issue with the computer Processor (CPU).

Vaccine

Alternatively referred to as inoculate, vaccine when referring to computers is another name for a software utility designed to protect computers from computer viruses. These software programs are more commonly known as an antivirus and anti-malware program

80486

 

A computer processor developed by Intel as an upgrade to the 386 processor series and commonly referred to as the 486 or i486. The 80486 has 8k of memory cache built into the processor with 32-bit databus architecture and was available in clock rates ranging from 20MHz to 33MHz. The 486 was available as either a DX or SX, the DX features a built-in coprocessor, the SX does not. In addition to the 486SX, a 486SX2 was also available and was capable of doubling the speed. The picture is an example of the Intel i486 SX processor with the OverDrive socket.

• In 1990 the 486SL was introduced and utilized less power than the 486 and is mainly used in portable computers.
• On April 1991 Intel released the 890486SX (codenamed P45 and P23) for $258.00 that ran at 16MHz, 20MHz, 25MHz, or 33MHz, a lower clock speeds than the DX.
• On March 2, 1992 the 486DX2 (codenamed P24 and P24S) was introduced and ran at double the clock rate of a 486. Thus, a DX2 on a system with a 33MHz bus would run at 66MHz. Alternatively referred to as the i486DX2.
• In 1994 the 486DX4 (codenamed P24C and P24CT) was introduced, it tripled the clock rate of the 486 and has doubled the cache (16k). If you had a 33MHz it would make it a 100MHz. Note: there is no 486SX4.

Issues relating to msgsrv32

• Tip: If you are unable to boot into Windows because of the MSGSRV32 error, follow the steps below in Windows Safe Mode.

Resource conflict or issue

Before attempting any of the below recommendations, verify the computer has no conflicts or errors in Windows Device Manager. If conflicts or errors are present, it is highly recommended that they be fixed first, as they could be causing your issue.

TSRs or other running programs

If you are encountering the MSGSRV32 error when attempting to open a program or perform a particular task on a computer, verify startup programs or other TSRs are not causing your issues by End Tasking all TSRs and closing all programs before running or performing the task generating your MSGSRV32 error.

Sound driver or sound card issues

Verify the correct audio devices in Multimedia by following the steps below:

1. Click Start, Settings, Control Panel, and then double-click the multimedia icon.
2. Verify that the playback device is set to the audio device in the computer.

Second, verify that your sound card has the latest drivers and updates installed from the computer or motherboard manufacturer (if onboard sound). A listing of computer sound drivers can be found on our sound card drivers page.

Onboard sound or video issue

• Troubleshooting on-board audio.
• Issues with adding new video card to computer that has on-board video.

MIDI device or codec issues

Verify that the computer has the proper MIDI codec and that no more than 11 MIDI devices are installed. To check this, follow the steps below:

1. Click Start, Settings, and then Control Panel
2. Double-click the Multimedia icon
3. Select the Advanced or Devices tab
4. Click the + next to "MIDI Devices and Instruments"
5. Verify that the correct codec is installed according to the sound card installed in the computer. In addition, verify that no more than 11 MIDI devices are listed below this category.

If more than 11 MIDI devices are installed or the improper codec appears to be installed, remove the improper codec or one of the MIDI devices. Note: if MIDI Express XT driver is installed, you may also want to remove this codec to help free up available space for additional MIDI devices.

Power Management or screensaver issue

If you are experiencing issues with MSGSRV32 after recovering from power management or when the computer has been idle for over 10 minutes, your computer may have issues with Power Management. To resolve these issues, try the below recommendations.

1. If any screensavers or CPU sharing programs such as SETI are running on the computer, temporally disable these programs to ensure they are not causing your issue.
2. If your issues persist, disable Power Management by clicking Start, Settings, Control Panel, and then Power. In the Power menu, disable or set the power settings to Off or Never. Once set, click ok or Apply and reboot the computer.

Microsoft Find Fast related issue

Ensure that Microsoft Find Fast is not being loaded in the startup group by clicking Start, Programs, and then Startup. If "Find Fast" or "Microsoft Find Fast" is listed, remove this program from automatically loading each time your computer boots; follow the steps below:

1. Click Start, Settings, and then Taskbar & Start Menu
2. Click Start Menu Programs tab
3. Click the Advanced button
4. Click the + next to Programs and then the + next to startup
5. Highlight the Find Fast icon and press the delete key on the keyboard.
6. Once removed, close out of all windows and reboot the computer to see if issue has been resolved.

Memory manager being used

If the computer has a memory manager installed such as QEMM, temporarily uninstall this program from the computer to ensure it is not causing your issue.

Issue with shell

If your are using a shell other than explorer.exe (standard Windows shell), the msgsrv32 error is being encountered because of the third-party shell. Temporarily disable or remove the third-party shell and use the standard Windows explorer.

Computer virus or back orifice

Errors relating to msgsrv32 can be caused by computer viruses, and in some cases back orifice, which is a hack utility used to gain access to an individual's computer.

Verify that you have the latest updates for your computer virus scanner and that no viruses have been detected on your computer.

• Computer virus information and help.

Other Software corruption

If you have attempted each of the above recommendations and your issue is not listed in the below specific MSGSRV32.DLL errors, your computer may have another software or data corruption causing the issue.

If you have not already attempted the recommendations on our basic troubleshooting page, try those recommendations now.

If you continue to experience issues it is recommended you format and reinstall the computer operating system.

Bad hardware

If after reinstalling the operating system you immediately continue to experience the MSGSRV32 errors, the computer may have bad hardware. If your sound card is not an onboard sound card and you are familiar with ESD, you may want to consider temporarily physically removing the sound card or DVD decoder cards and see if the issue persists.

Specific MSGSRV32.DLL errors

MSGSRV32.DLL caused a general protection fault in CM8330SB.DRV
MSGSRV32.EXE caused a general protection fault in CM8330SB.DRV
EXPLORER caused a general protection fault in CM8330SB.DRV
Iexplorer caused a general protection fault in CM8330SB.DRV

This issue is related to the C-Media 8330 sound card chipsets included in various computer sound cards and some modems. Verify with the sound card manufacturer, modem manufacturer, or, if you have an onboard sound card, the motherboard manufacturer, to see if any updated drivers or patches are available for your sound card and modem.

MSGSRV32 caused an invalid page fault in module Kernel32.dll during Microsoft Network (MSN) login or when attempting to open Internet Explorer or Microsoft Outlook

This issue may be encountered when the MSN password file is corrupt. To resolve this issue, follow the instructions below.

1. Click Start, Find, and then Files or Folders
2. In the Named field type:
   
   *.pwl
3. Verify that the Look in field is looking in the C: drive
4. Click Find Now
5. If files are found click Edit and click Select All.
6. Once all the files are highlighted, press the delete key.
7. Once the files have been deleted, reboot the computer, when the computer reboots, the pwl files should be recreated and you should then be able to log into MSN.
8. If this resolves your issue and you are running Windows 95, download the file mspwlupd.exe from our Windows 95 download page.

MSGSRV32 caused a general protection fault in KRNL386.EXE during windows install

This issue may be caused by a problem with the dblbuff.sys file. Microsoft has released a support fix for this issue, but to obtain the file you must contact Microsoft.

When browsing or installing device drivers, one of the following error messages occurs:
Msgsrv32 caused a General Protection Fault in module Kernel32
Msgsrv32 caused an invalid page fault in Msgrv32.dll
MSGSRV32 caused an invalid page fault in module Kernel32.dll
Msgsrv32 caused a General Protection Fault in Msgsrv32.exe

This issue may be caused by a problem with the msgrv32.exe file. Microsoft has released a support fix for this issue, but to obtain the file you must contact Microsoft.

Why do Windows programs stop responding

A computer, operating system, software program or driver may stop responding or cause other programs to stop responding because of several possible reasons, such as a confliction of software or hardware resources between two programs, lack of system resources, or a bug in the software or drivers.

To recover from a program that has stopped responding, press the Ctrl + Alt + Del keys on his or her keyboards to open the "Close Program" or "Task Manager" window, highlight the program, and click the "End Task" button to terminate the program. If another window opens, click the "End Task" button again to confirm stopping that program.

Note: It is important to realize that when a program stops responding any work that has not been saved will be lost when end tasking a program.

If you continue to experience programs locking the computer or stop responding we recommend you review our General Troubleshooting page for recommendations on steps that can be performed to help stop this issue from occurring.

Regaining computer hard drive space

 

Below is a full listing of steps on how you can regain or free up computer hard drive space on your computer. Click on one of the links below to jump to the steps for the operating system running on your computer.

Windows 98, ME, 2000, XP, Vista, and 7 users
Microsoft Windows 95 users
MS-DOS and Windows 3.x users

Windows 98, ME, 2000, XP, Vista, and 7 users

Run the Disk Cleanup option

1. Open My Computer.
2. Right-click on the hard drive that you want to regain hard drive space. For example, right-click on the C: drive.
3. Click Properties.
4. Within the General tab, click the "Disk Cleanup" button located next to the pie chart.
5. Once in the Disk Cleanup window check each of the boxes (except "compress old files") that are taking disk space and click Ok and then Yes if you want to proceed.

Compress?

When performing a Disk Cleanup you have the option to compress your hard drive. We strongly recommend users do not compress their hard drive or compress their old files.

Uninstall old programs or games no longer used

• Uninstalling Windows software.

Disable System Restore

Windows XP, Vista, and 7 users can also reduce the default space utilized by Windows System Restore and may be able to gain several gigabytes of hard drive space. See the steps below in customizing this feature.

1. Click Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools, and open System Restore.
2. Within the System Restore window, click System Restore Settings.
3. Within the System Restore tab, you can either check the Turn off System Restore on all drives to completely disable this feature, or click the Settings button and decrease the space usage, which is what we would recommend.

Additional suggestion for Windows 2000 and Windows XP users:

Window 2000 and Windows XP keeps all the necessary files needed to uninstall any of the updates ever installed on your computer. This could be dozens of updates that can take up several hundred and sometimes over a gig of space on your hard drive.

• What are the $NtUninstallKBxxxxxx$ folders in Windows?

Move the swap file

If you have more than one hard drive in the computer and the C: drive is the drive running out of space consider moving the swap file to another drive.

Disable hibernation

If you turn your computer off instead of using hibernation mode you can disable this feature to free up lots of space.

• How do I disable hibernation mode in Windows?

Microsoft Windows 95 users

Users can regain computer hard drive space by performing any or all of the steps below.

Clean up temporary files

1. Click Start and then Search or Find
2. In the "File type" text field type: *.tmp and verify the computer is looking at the C: drive or the drive that contains your operating system.
3. Search for files and delete each of the temporary files.

Delete chk files

Perform the same steps above, except search for *.chk and delete all of the found files.

Uninstall old programs or games no longer used

• Uninstalling Windows software.

MS-DOS and Windows 3.x users

Users can regain computer hard drive space by performing any or all of the steps below.

1. From the MS-DOS prompt, type del *.tmp /s and del *.chk /s to delete any temporary files on the hard drive.
2. Delete any software programs or games you are no longer using.

Windows restarts without warning

 

With the introduction of Windows XP Microsoft designed Windows to automatically reboot each time an error occurs such as a BSoD. Although this may be nice for errors that do not occur often, users who have a re-occurring error may want to identify the error to troubleshoot it. Below are the steps on how this feature can be disabled and enabled in Windows XP, Vista, 7, and 8.

1. From the Desktop right-click on My Computer.
2. Click the Properties option.
3. In the System Properties window click the Advanced tab or the Advanced system settings link.
4. In Advanced click the Settings button under Startup and Recovery.
5. In the Startup and Recovery window uncheck the Automatically restart check box.
6. Click Ok.

Now if the computer generates an error it should not automatically restart and should display an error message, most likely a BSoD.

• How do I fix the Windows blue screen errors?

Hardware issue or error

Caution: Some of the steps below require you open your computer. While in the computer, be cautious of ESD.

Any failing hardware component in your computer could cause your computer to unexpectedly generate an error or reboot without warning. If you have recently attempted to add a new hardware device, remove that device to make sure it is not causing your issues.

Make sure you are not encountering any hardware conflicts by viewing Device Manager for errors.

New drivers can also cause this issue, if you have recently performed any hardware driver updates you may want to try an earlier version of the drivers. Additional information and help with computer drivers can be found on our drivers page.

If you have updated drivers and removed any hardware that could be causing this issue and continue to experience random reboots, it's possible that the memory is bad in the computer.

• How can I test my memory to determine if it is bad?

Finally, hardware devices that are not installed properly in the computer can also cause random reboots. Make sure all the cables and expansion cards are connected properly to the computer. The best way to determine this is to disconnect and reconnect all cables and expansion cards.

Computer virus

Computer viruses such as the blaster virus are written to reboot your computer without warning. Usually these viruses make the computer reboot every 5, 10, 15 or 30 minutes after the computer has booted.

If you believe your computer may be infected with a virus or are uncertain if your computer is infected with a virus make sure your virus scanner definitions are up to date.

• How do I update my antivirus program?

Heat related issue

Many computer today are designed to turn off or automatically reboot if the computer, processor, or other device in your computer gets to hot. If you have heard any abnormal noises coming from your computer recently such as a high squealing this could indicate a fan may be failing in your computer.

First, verify the fan on the power supply is working by examining the back of the computer and seeing if the fan is moving and moving smoothly. For all other fans in the computer you need to either open the computer and verify all fans are working, e.g. processor fan and case fan.

A temperature gun like that shown in the picture can also be used to help gauge how hot components or integrated circuits are running the computer.

Tip: If your BIOS monitors the RPM of the fans enter CMOS Setup and verify it does not report any errors.

Note: If this is a laptop computer, there is still a fan located on one of the sides of the laptop that can be checked. Make sure this fan is blowing or that you can feel hot air coming from the laptop. You may also consider getting a cooler pad if you find your laptop is getting hot often.

• What temperature should my processor be running at?

Issue with operating system

If after following each of the above recommendations your computer still continues to reboot it is likely that you are experiencing a Microsoft Windows operating system related issue that cannot be explained. To help make sure this is the case try the steps below.

1. Reboot the computer and enter CMOS setup as the computer is booting.
2. After you have loaded the computer in CMOS setup let the computer sit.

If the computer does not reboot while letting the computer sit in CMOS it is likely that you are in fact experiencing an issue with Microsoft Windows and it is recommend that if you have followed all of the above recommendations that you reinstall Microsoft Windows

Computer turns off without warning

 

• Tip: This document is for computers that remain off and not computer's that turn back on (restart) or computer's that turns off almost immediately after they are turned on.

Caution: Some of the steps below require you open your computer. While in the computer, be cautious of ESD.

Heat related issue

A computer that turns off without warning is usually caused by a heat related issue. Many computers today are designed to turn off automatically if the computer, processor, or other device gets too hot.

Start by verifying the fan on the power supply is working by examining the back of the computer and seeing if the fan is moving and moving smoothly. For all other fans in the computer, you need to open the computer and make sure the fan are working. While in the computer example the processor fan (heatsink), video card fans, and case fans. If you have heard any abnormal noises coming from your computer recently such as a high squealing, this is also a common indication of a fan failure.

Tip: While inside the computer it may also be a good idea to clean the inside of the computer. Dust, dirt, hair, and other residue in the vents and on the fans can prevent proper air flow and heat the computer.

Tip: If your BIOS monitors the RPM of the fans, enter BIOS and make sure the BIOS does not report any errors. Software utilities such as SpeedFan can also be used to help monitor fans in your computer.

While inside the computer, it's also a good idea to verify the processor heatsink is properly connected by disconnecting and reconnecting the heatsink. If the processor heatsink is not properly attached or does not have a proper amount of thermal compound, the computer will overheat.

Caution: If you do remove the processor heatsink the thermal compound on the processor and heatsink should be cleaned and new thermal compound should be applied. Not reapplying new thermal compound could make issues worse since the bond between the CPU and heatsink would be broken.

• Is there a way to tell how hot my CPU is running?
• What should be the temperature of my processor?

Hardware issue or error

Any failing hardware component in your computer could cause your computer to unexpectedly turn off without warning. If you have recently added any new hardware remove it from the computer to make sure it is not causing the problem.

Tip: Before attempting to remove any hardware, make sure you are not encountering this issue because of hardware conflicts by checking Device Manager for errors.

If you have not recently installed any new hardware into the computer, the next best solution to determining if this is a hardware issue would be remove any hardware on the computer that is not needed. For example, remove your modem, network card, sound card, and any other expansion cards that are not needed for the computer to operate. Run the computer without these cards to see if they are the cause of your issue.

Problem with UPS or surge protector

Make sure any surge protector or Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) is not the cause of your problem by connecting the computer directly to the power plug outlet on your wall. Also, if you have a UPS that connects a USB cable to the computer to manage power saving features, make sure it is also disconnected from the computer.

If this resolves your problem, you may have a defective surge protector or UPS. In the case of the UPS, there may be other issues such as a UPS overload or UPS drivers reporting bad power situations that cause your computer to shutdown or the UPS to switch off. Make sure there are not too many devices connected to your UPS and if you are using any UPS software that it has all the latest updates installed on your computer.

Computer virus

Although not as likely as the above reasons, your computer to be infected with a virus or other malware that is designed to shut down your computer or turn it off. If your computer seems to be turning off when executing a certain program at specific times in the day, it could be infected.

If you believe your computer may be infected with a virus or are uncertain if your computer is infected with a virus, make sure your virus scanner definitions are up-to-date and it may also be a good idea to scan the computer for any other malware.

Issue with operating system

If after following each of the above recommendations your computer still continues to reboot, it is likely that you are experiencing a Microsoft Windows operating system related issue that cannot be explained. To help make sure this is the case, try the steps below.

1. Reboot the computer and enter CMOS setup as the computer is booting.
2. After you have loaded the computer in CMOS setup, let the computer sit.

If the computer does not turn off while letting the computer sit in CMOS, you are likely experiencing an issue with Microsoft Windows or your operating system and it is recommend you erase everything and reinstall Microsoft Windows.

Other failing hardware

If after reinstalling your operating system, or during the installation of your operating system, your computer turns off abnormally, it is very likely that other hardware is failing in the computer. Often this is RAM, CPU, Motherboard, Power Supply, or Video card (in that order).

• Steps on how to test your computer memory for errors.

If you have extra parts or have a friend or co-worker with a similar configuration that is willing to allow you to test their hardware in your computer, try swapping these parts to determine if they are at fault. Otherwise, you need to have the computer serviced.

How do I fix the Windows blue screen errors?

Before fixing a Microsoft Windows blue screen or blue screen of death error (BSoD), you must first identify what error it is, as there are multiple types of blue screen errors.

 

Note: If you are getting a blue screen and then your computer immediately reboots without being able to read the text in the blue screen, follow the steps below. If you're unable to get into Windows to perform the steps below, boot the computer into Safe Mode.

1. From the Desktop or in the Windows Start menu, right-click on My Computer or Computer.
2. Click the Properties option.
3. In the System Properties window, click the Advanced tab or the Advanced system settings link.
4. On the Advanced tab, click the Settings button in the Startup and Recovery section.
5. In the Startup and Recovery window, uncheck the Automatically restart check box.
6. Click Ok.

Blue screen errors

Windows NT, 2000, XP, Vista, and later versions of Windows have a blue screen error that's similar to the example shown below. These error messages often contain more detailed information, and will contain information that can be searched for and found. If you're not getting a blue screen error that looks like the example below, skip to the next Fatal exception section.

Note: If you are getting a solid blue screen with no white text, you are not encountering a BSoD. It's likely a problem with your video card, monitor, or other hardware. Follow the no display on monitor troubleshooting steps to diagnose this problem.

1. Identify the blue screen by locating a line containing all capital letters with underscores instead of spaces, such as the above example, BAD_POOL_HEADER. Write this information down. If you do not see anything written in all caps with underscores like this, skip this step.
2. Get either the STOP: error message at the top of the error, or in the "Technical Information:" portion of the error. For example, in the above error it's STOP: 0x00000019 ... write the first portion of this error message down.
3. Finally, if technical information is shown, write down the file and the address.

Once you have the above information, you can start troubleshooting the issue. Below are common blue screen errors and links to pages that contain the troubleshooting steps for some of these errors. If your error is not listed in the below section, search for the error you wrote down.

BAD_POOL_HEADER
DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL
DRIVER_POWER_STATE_FAILURE
INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE
IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL
NTFS_FILE_SYSTEM
PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA
STATUS_IMAGE_CHECKSUM_MISMATCH
THREAD_STUCK_IN_DEVICE_DRIVER
UNEXPECTED_KERNEL_MODE_TRAP
UNKNOWN_HARD_ERROR

Fatal exceptions

Many of the blue screen error messages you'll encounter with earlier versions of Windows will be fatal exception error messages or Fatal 0E messages. If your blue screen message starts out with A fatal exception 0E ... or An exception ..., you are encountering this error. For these blue screen errors, follow the fatal exception error troubleshooting steps.

Missing Microsoft Windows .dll files

 

This document is meant to be a solution for users who are encountering missing .dll errors or other error messages related to .dll files. Before trying the recommended resolutions to resolving these errors, we suggest if you're getting a single missing .dll error, that you search for that .dll file on Computer Hope.

For example, if you're getting an error similar to "Internet Explorer encountered an error in KERNEL32.DLL at 0137:BFF3191C", search for "kernel32.dll" to make sure a specific document has not been created for your issue. In some situations a .dll file error may be caused by a specific situation.

Search for .dll:

If the Computer Hope search does not return any results for your .dll file or you're encountering issues with multiple .dll files, continue reading our recommendations for resolving your issue.

Downloading a .dll file

In some situations, it may be possible to download or copy a .dll file from another computer onto your computer to resolve the issue. However, because .dll error messages are almost always a more serious issue, replacing the missing .dll file is only going to causes additional errors, try the below suggestions before trying to find a .dll file to download.

If you still want to try to download or copy a missing .dll file, unfortunately, Computer Hope does not have a library of downloadable .dll files; however, there are other sites that do offer this service. Click here to open an external search for missing .dll files.

Safe Mode

If you're encountering .dll errors that are preventing you from getting into Windows, to troubleshoot the computer, boot the computer into Safe Mode. Once successfully in Safe Mode, you can continue with the steps below.

If your computer boots normally and can bypass the .dll errors and still operate Windows, you can continue following the steps below.

Microsoft Windows XP and above users

If you're a Microsoft Windows XP or later Microsoft has included some tools that can help resolve .dll file errors; before trying any of the below recommendations you, may want to first try the below suggestions.

Restoring computer back to an earlier date

First, try restoring the computer back to an earlier date, this troubleshooting step is a quick and easy recommendation that can resolve lots of problems with Microsoft Windows computers.

Windows SFC command

Use the Windows XP SFC command to have windows scan and repair files; to run this command, follow the steps below. Additional information about the SFC command can be found on our SFC command page.

1. Click Start
2. Click Run
3. Type "sfc /scannow" and press enter.

Once the above steps have been completed, Windows will verify that all protected windows files are intact.

Issue with .dll files only with a specific program

If you're encountering the missing, corrupt, or other errors relating to .dll files only when you open or run a program, it's likely an issue with that program. Resolving program-specific errors can be much easier than operating system related .dll errors.

If the program you're attempting to run has worked in the past on your computer and has only recently started to get the .dll errors, reinstalling the program generating the errors will almost always resolve your problem.

Additionally, while reinstalling the program, it's also a good idea to check if updates or patches have been made available by the developer of your program. Updates are often found through the developer's website.

Recently uninstalled program

If you have recently uninstalled a program on the computer, that program may have removed a .dll file that is necessary for Windows or a Windows program to work properly.

If you've already tried the above recommendations, you may want to reinstall the program to get whatever file has been deleted back on the computer. If this resolves your .dll error message and you want to uninstall the program again, during the uninstall process, make sure that you click "No" or "No to all" when asked to delete a system file or any file that may be used by another program.

Recently installed program

If you have recently installed a program and after the installation began encountering your .dll error messages, we suggest you first check if updates are available for the program. In some situations, a program may need to be updated for it to work properly on your computer. Updates are often found through the developer's website.

If no updates are available for the program, try uninstalling the program to resolve the issue. If this does correct your issue, we suggest you contact the developer of the program for additional support on getting the program installed on the computer without it causing errors.

Virus, spyware, or other malware installed on the computer causing your .dll error

A virus, spyware, or other malware program to cause .dll errors; and therefore, we suggest users make sure to run a full virus and spyware scan on your computer.

Windows .dll error message or .dll errors when trying to do something within Windows and not a program

Microsoft Windows .dll errors or .dll error messages that occur when starting Windows or trying to do something within Windows, such as opening the Control Panel, can be more serious and unfortunately more difficult to resolve. For these errors we suggest you run through the basic troubleshooting steps for your operating system.

If running through these steps you encounter the same issues to resolve your .dll errors, we suggest you erase everything and reinstall Windows.

If issues continue after windows has been reinstalled or errors occur during the installation of Windows, it's possible that you may have a hardware issue that is the cause of all your problems.

Not a valid Win32 application

File is corrupt, bad, or missing

If the file or program you're attempting to run is corrupt or missing, Windows will be unable to execute the file properly and sometimes generate this error message.

Download files

If you downloaded this file and verified it is complete and compatible with your version of Windows, delete the file and try downloading and running it again. It's possible during the download that the file became corrupted.

Finally, if the second download does not work, try downloading the file from a different webpage. The person or company maintaining the website mistakenly uploaded a corrupt version of the file you are attempting download.

Installing a program from a CD or other disk

If you're attempting to install a program and are getting this error, verify that the CD is clean. If the CD is dirty or bad, you could get this error during the install or after the program has been installed because it was not copied properly onto the computer.

Running a program from the computer

If you're running the program from a shortcut on the computer, verify that the program is still on the computer. In some cases if the program is no longer installed on the computer you may get this error.

If the hard drive is corrupted or bad it can also cause working programs to fail either because not all the data can be read from the hard drive or because the program has become corrupted while on the drive. Run scandisk and defrag on the hard drive to check for any potential errors.

Long file name issue

Make sure the program or file you're attempting to run does not contain the same name as the long file name directory it is contained in. For example, executing a file named "program" in the "program files" directory can cause errors in some versions of Windows.

Additionally, if you're attempting to install a program and after the install the program does not work, you may also want to try installing the program in a different directory.

Bad file

Any file can be changed or renamed to be a .exe file. If you're downloading the file, make sure the file is supposed to be a .exe file and that it's not being changed. If you're attempting to create a .exe, file make sure you're compiling the file for Windows and never just rename a file to a .exe file. For example, renaming a .bat file to a .exe file will not make the file an executable file. For a file to become an executable file it needs to either be compiled or converted through a software program designed to convert the file.

File is not designed for your version of Windows

If you're trying to run a program that is not designed for your version of Windows you may get this error. Although many older programs designed to work in older versions of Windows will work with new versions of Windows, unfortunately, not all programs will work.

• If the program is an older MS-DOS program or early Windows program you may get this error.
• If the program is designed for a 64-bit version of Windows and you're running it in a 32-bit version of Windows, it will not work and generate this error.

Getting old MS-DOS games to run in Windows.

File is a virus, worm, or other malware file

This error can be generated by a file that is a virus, worm, Trojan, or other malware file. Often, this will be caused because the virus scanner installed in the computer will not allow the file to be installed or run. Try scanning the file to verify it is not a virus or infected.

If the file has been checked and is clean, it is still possible that the virus protection program or another program installed on the computer is causing issues during the install or execution of the program. Boot the computer into Safe Mode and try running the program; booting the computer into Safe Mode makes sure nothing is running in the background that could be causing this issue.

Hardware incompatibility

If you're getting this error during the installation of a program it's also possible that the CD-ROM drive or the drive you're installing the program from is not compatible with Windows or has drivers that are not compatible with Windows.