Selected Windows XP
Troubleshooting Guide
Compiled by: Jason M. Cohen To locate lost files:
Check these locations to locate lost files:
The My Documents folder
• ClickStart, and then click My Documents.
The default save location of the program you used to open or create the file
1. Open the program.
2. On theFile menu, click Save As.
This opens the program's default save location where the file was likely saved.
Perform a search
• ClickStart, click Search, and then do one of the following:
o To search for a document, clickDocuments (Word, Excel, etc.). o To search for another file type, clickOther files or folders.
For more information, click Related Topics.
The Documents and Settings\user name folder 1. ClickStart, and then click My Computer.
The systemroot\Windows\system32 folder 1. ClickStart, and then click My Computer.
2. Double-click the hard disk icon to display the contents of the root directory. For example, C:\ or D:\.
3. Double-click thesystemroot1folder, and then double-click system32. 4. In the systemroot\system32 folder, double-click the file or folder you want
to open.
The root directory
1. ClickStart, and then click My Computer.
2. Double-click the hard disk icon to display the contents of the root directory. For example, C:\ or D:\.
The folders of the program you used to open or create the file 1. ClickStart, and then click My Computer.
1
systemroot
2. Double-click the hard disk icon to display the contents of the root directory. For example, C:\ or D:\.
3. Double-click theProgram Files folder, and then double-click the file or folder you want to open.
For example, if you created a document in Microsoft Word, the file may have been saved in one of the folders associated with Microsoft Word. Related Topics
Diagnosing game controller issues
If a game port controller does not install properly, you can use Device Manager or the Hardware troubleshooter to troubleshoot the problem.
• If the controller appears inDevice Manager2, right-click the controller name and clickProperties. Problems and suggested actions are
displayed inDevice Status. For more information, click Related Topics.
• You can also use the Hardware troubleshooter to diagnose and solve problems with hardware devices such as game controllers. Start the Hardware troubleshooter.
Related Topics
2
Device Manager
An administrative tool that you can use to manage the devices on your computer. Using Device Manager, you can view and change device properties, update device drivers, configure device settings, and uninstall devices.
Fixing a printing problem
If you encounter difficulty printing, you can pursue a solution in a variety of ways. To find out more about a method, click it.
Use the Printing Troubleshooter
The Printing Troubleshooter asks you a series of questions to help narrow the possibilities that could be causing your printing problem. It then suggests a solution.
Step-by-step procedure
Get assistance on the Internet
Microsoft Product Support Services offers extensive assistance in solving printing problems. You can search for a printing solution, check for answers to frequently asked questions, and download printer drivers.
Step-by-step procedure
Consult the printer manufacturer
Ultimately, the manufacturer of your printer is the best authority for solving printing problems. Consult the documentation that came with your printer for possible solutions.
If you cannot solve the problem, contact the manufacturer directly. The
documentation likely has a support number you can call, or a Web site address. Many printers also have this information located somewhere on the printer, usually on the back or underside. You might also locate the manufacturer on the Web by using an Internet search site.
Windows File Protection
In versions of Windows prior to Windows 2000, installing software in addition to the operating system might overwrite shared system files such as dynamic-link libraries (.dll files) and executable files (.exe files). When system files are overwritten, system performance becomes unpredictable, programs behave erratically, and the operating system fails.
In Windows 2000 and Windows XP, Windows File Protection prevents the replacement of protected system files such as .sys, .dll, .ocx, .ttf, .fon, and .exe files. Windows File Protection runs in the background and protects all files installed by the Windows Setup program.
Windows File Protection detects attempts by other programs to replace or move a protected system file. Windows File Protection checks the file's digital signature to determine if the new file is the correct Microsoft version. If the file is not the correct version, Windows File Protection either replaces the file from the backup stored in the Dllcache folder or from the Windows CD. If Windows File Protection cannot locate the appropriate file, it prompts you for the location. Windows File Protection also writes an event to the event log, noting the file replacement attempt.
By default, Windows File Protection is always enabled and allows Windows digitally signed files to replace existing files. Currently, signed files are distributed through:
• Windows Service Packs
• Hotfix distributions
• Operating system upgrades
• Windows Update
Accessing System Restore
You must be a member of the administrator group on your computer to access the System Restore Wizard or change System Restore settings.
If you are an administrator and you cannot access System Restore Wizard or view System Restore settings, your domain administrator might have turned off System Restore by using system Group Policy. Contact your domain
administrator for more information.
There are three methods that you can use to access System Restore functionality.
• You can access the System Restore Wizard through theStart menu. To access the System Restore Wizard, clickStart, point to All Programs, point toAccessories, point to System Tools, and then click System Restore.
• You can accessSystem Restore through Control Panel. To open the System Restore Wizard, clickStart, click Control Panel, and then click Performance and Maintenance. Under See Also, click System Restore.
• You can accessSystem Restore through Help and Support Center. To access the System Restore Wizard, clickStart, and then click Help and Support. Click Performance and Maintenance, click Using System Restore to undo changes, and then click Run the System Restore Wizard.
For more information about System Restore, seeSystem Restore overview.
In order to install and run, System Restore requires at least 200 MB of available space on your hard disk (or on the partition where your operating system folder is located). If you do not have sufficient space available when the operating system is installed, System Restore is installed, but it is not activated. System Restore cannot be turned on until you make at least 200 MB of disk space available. When System Restore runs low on disk space, the monitoring of all drives is suspended. All drives are displayed as suspended in System Restore Status in Systems Properties in Control Panel. When System Restore is suspended, you cannot run the System Restore Wizard. If you attempt to run the wizard, a dialog box is displayed to inform you that System Restore is suspended. System
Restore automatically resumes monitoring when a minimum of 200 MB of disk space become available.
To make more disk space available, do one of the following:
• OpenDisk Cleanup. You can use Disk Cleanup to remove unneeded files.
• Open Add or Remove Programs. You can use Add or Remove Programs to remove programs or operating system components that you no longer use.
Notes
• To open Disk Cleanup, clickStart, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click Disk Cleanup.
• To open Add or Remove Programs, clickStart, click Control Panel, and then clickAdd or Remove Programs.
For more information, seeTo change System Restore settings.
Understanding System Restore
points are stored states of your computer.
You can also manually create restore points to record your computer state and settings before you make changes to your computer. This allows you to restore the computer to a previous state, by choosing a restore point on a date or time prior to when you made the change.
For example, if you accidentally delete monitored program files (such as files that have the .exe or .dll file name extensions), or monitored program files become corrupted, you can restore your computer to a state that existed before those changes occurred.
By default, System Restore monitors and restores all partitions and drives on your computer. It also monitors all installations of applications or drivers that users perform through delivery mechanisms such as CD-ROM, floppy disk, Systems Management Server (SMS), or IntelliMirror.
In some rare instances, during the restoration process System Restore restores a folder that has the same name as an existing folder. To avoid writing over the existing file, System Restore renames the folder by adding a numeric suffix to the name.
Restores your computer without losing your personal files
If a program was installed after the restore point that you are restoring to was created, the program might be uninstalled as part of the restoration process. Data files that are created with the program are not lost. However, in order to open the files again, you must reinstall the associated program.
Stores one to three weeks of past restore points
The actual number of saved restore points depends on how much activity there has been on your computer, the size of your hard disk (or the partition that contains your Windows XP Professional folder), and how much disk space has been allocated on your computer to store System Restore information. SeeTo change System Restore settings.
Locates dates associated with restore points
When you run System Restore, a calendar is displayed to help you find dates associated with restore points. If you don't use your computer every day, some days might not have any restore points. If you use your computer frequently, you might have restore points almost every day, and some days might have several restore points.
Ensures that all restorations are reversible
If you do not like the state of your computer after your restore it, you can undo the restoration or select another restore point. All successful restorations are reversible. All failed restorations are automatically reversed by System Restore.
Provides several types of restore points
The list below describes each type of restore point and how System Restore works with each type.
Initial System checkpoints
that time.
System checkpoints
System Restore creates restore points on a regular basis even if you have not made any changes to the system. System Restore automatically creates these restore points:
• every 24 hours of calendar time or
• every 24 hours your computer is turned on
If your computer is turned off for more than 24 hours, System Restore creates a restore point the next time you start the computer. The computer must be idle for a few minutes before System Restore creates a scheduled restore point.
Selecting a scheduled restore point restores Windows XP Professional and programs to the state they were in at that time. Any files with data file name extensions (such as .doc, .htm, .xls, etc.) and all files in the My Documents folder are not restored.
Program name installation restore points
When you install a program by using the latest installers such as InstallShield and Windows XP Professional Installer, System Restore creates a restore point. Use these restore points to track changes made to your system or to restore your computer to the state it was in before you installed the program.
To revert the changes made by a program that does not use one of the specified installers, select the most recent restore point before the program was installed.
Windows XP Professional automatic update restore points
If you use Windows XP Professional automatic updates to receive downloaded updates, System Restore creates a restore point before installing the updating software. If items are downloaded, but not installed, a restore point is not
created. A restore point is created only when the components start to install. Use these points to track changes you made to your system or if these updates might conflict with other products on your computer.
Manually created restore points
You can manually create your own restore points in the System Restore Wizard. When a created restore point is listed in the Select a restore point screen, it includes the name you gave it and is prefaced with the day, date and time it was created. You can create a restore point when you like the way your computer is functioning or before you make changes on your computer, like installing
programs, that might make your computer function differently. Restore operation restore points
Each time you perform a restoration, it is a change made to your computer. System Restore creates restore operation restore points to track the change and the restoration. You can select these restore operation restore points in the Select a restore point screen in the System Restore Wizard to undo the restoration.
Unsigned device driver restore points
When you perform a recovery usingthe Backup utility, System Restore
immediately creates a restore point before the process starts. If the recovery puts your computer in an undesirable state, you can select these restore points in the Select a restore point screen in the System Restore Wizard to undo the changes and restore your computer to the state that existed before you performed the recovery.
Notes
• If you restore to a restore point before a program was installed, that program does not work after restoration. If you want to use the program again, you must reinstall it.
• System Restore does not replace the process of uninstalling a program. To completely remove the files installed by a program, you must remove the program usingAdd or Remove Programs in Control Panel or the program's own uninstall program. To open Add or Remove Programs, clickStart, click Control Panel, and then click Add or Remove Programs.
• System Restore does not monitor or restore contents of redirected folders or any settings associated with roaming user profiles.
• System Restore monitors and restores only the partitions and drives that it is configured to monitor, not partitions or drives that are redirected or excluded from System Restore monitoring.
• If you have encrypted program files (such as files that have the .exe or .dll file name extensions), you can ensure that they can never be restored to a decrypted state. To do this, turn off System Restore before you encrypt your files or folders, and then turn System Restore on again after the files or folders are encrypted. Or, if you have already encrypted the files or folders, turn System Restore off and on again. When you turn off System Restore, you delete all restore points. The restore points that are created after System Restore is turned on again will not include times when the files were decrypted. Typically, you only encrypt data files, which are not affected by System Restore.
partial or infected state. If System Restore could not restore your computer to a previous state, and you suspect that one or more restore points contain infected files or have had infected files removed by the antivirus utility, you can remove all restore points from the System Restore archive by turning off System Restore and then turning it back on.
For more information about System Restore, seeSystem Restore overview. For information about using the System Restore Wizard, see Using the System Restore Wizard.
For more information about Encrypting File System, seeEncrypting File System.
Using Windows Update
You might need to be logged on as an administrator or a member of the Administrators group in order to perform some tasks.
Windows Update is the online extension of Windows that helps you keep your computer up to date. Microsoft offers important updates, which include security and other critical updates, to help protect your computer against new viruses and other security threats that can spread over the Internet or a network. Other updates contain enhancements such as upgrades and tools that can help your computer run more smoothly. Windows Update scans your computer and provides you with a tailored selection of updates that apply only to the software and hardware on your computer.
To find available updates
1. OpenWindows Updatein Help and Support Center.
2. On the Windows Update home page, clickScan for Available Updates.
Notes
Related Topics
Automatic Updates overview
With Automatic Updates, Windows routinely checks for updates that can help protect your computer against the latest viruses and other security threats. These high-priority updates are available through the Windows Update Web site and include security updates, critical updates, or service packs.
When you turn on Automatic Updates, you don't have to search for updates online or worry that critical fixes might be missing. Windows automatically
downloads and installs them for you, using a schedule that you determine. If you prefer to download and install updates yourself, you can also set up Automatic Updates to notify you whenever any high-priority updates become available.