I booted the PC using a diagnostic boot CD and ran memtest to check the RAM for errors. The RAM was error-free after the first 4 tests run under memtest so I went on to the next step of the repair process which is to attempt to get to the Repair Console (aka Recovery Options) so I can run chkdsk to check for file system disk errors.

Click Here For A Step-By-Step Recovery Console How-To

First I attempted to access the Windows Recovery Options by starting the computer and hitting the F8 key then selecting “repair your computer” but it froze up with a Blue Screen error. I next attempted to access the recovery Options by booting off the Windows DVD and that too gave me a Blue Screen error. At this point I wanted to see if the computer could run any Windows at all. I booted off a bartPE bootdisk and that too crashed immediately so this laptop was not going to start with any variation of Windows.

I next booted the computer using my diagnostic boot CD and ran a disk diagnostic which discovered a bad block at the beginning of the drive. I then processed the disk using a program which reconditions the disk by detecting and repairing all bad blocks. After the disk was reconditioned I rebooted the computer and Windows automatically launched chkdsk which repaired multiple disk errors in the file system. I then rebooted off of the Windows installation DVD and launched startup repair in Recovery Options. Once startup repair finished I was able to start Windows successfully multiple times and I then ran an aggressive disk defragmentation (defrag) to optimize the disk and test the fix.

The computer was running and starting up with no problems. The client was pleased with my work and that made me happy.

I’m a geek, I love fixing computers.

Call Manasota Geeks at 941-518-3079 if you need a computer geek in Sarasota, Bradenton, or Lakewood Ranch FL.

The Windows Recovery Options tools are:
Startup Repair
System Restore
System Image Recovery
Window Memory Diagnostic
Command Prompt

To get to the Recovery Options in Windows Vista and Windows 7:

Method 1:

1. Reboot your computer and repeatedly hit the F8 key.

2. Select “Repair Your Computer”.

3. Choose your language and keyboard settings and then click Next.

4. From the System Recovery Options menu, select one of the repair tools to run it.

Method 2:

1. Insert the Windows install DVD and turn on your computer.

* Note: If your computer is not configured to start from a DVD disk, check the user manual that came with your computer.

2. When prompted, press any key to start Windows from the installation disc.

3. Choose your language and keyboard settings and then click Next.

4. Click Repair your computer.

5. Select the operating system that you want to repair then click Next.

6. From the System Recovery Options menu, select one of the repair tools to run it.

Computer Problems? We Come To You!

WE ARE PLEASED TO SERVE YOU.
CALL: 941-518-3079

Our professional computer geeks will come to your home or place of business and solve all of your computer problems.  Our service area covers Sarasota, Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, Ellenton, Palmetto, Parrish, Sarasota County and Manatee County.  Manasota Geeks is the first choice for Sarasota laptop repair, desktop repair, mac repair and virus removal.  Call now: 941-518-3079

The first thing you should try is to end the program which has caused the freeze. You can do this by using a program that comes with Windows called Task Manager. Press CTRL+ALT+DEL (press Control, Alt and Delete at the same time) and Task Manager should open. Task Manager shows a list of all running applications. Look for any programs that say “Not Responding”. If any program is labeled “Not Responding” in Task Manager, Right-Click on the program in Task Manager and select “End Task” from the menu. This should close the running program. If a popup windows asks you to “End Now” or “Wait for the program to respond”, choose “End Now”. (You may lose any work you had open in this application).

If Task Manager isn’t working and you have no other way of closing the frozen computer programs then you should attempt to shut down the computer. To shut down when the computer is not responding, hold the power button in for about ten to fifteen seconds and the computer should power down. (You will lose any unsaved work you had open).

If the previous steps didn’t work, the last resort is to unplug the computer from the wall plug. (You will lose any unsaved work you had open). Once the computer has powered down you should be able to turn it back on and resume using your computer.

If you are still having problems with the laptop or desktop computer you should call Manasota Geeks at 941-518-3079 for an appointment to have an expert computer repair technician come to your home to fix your computer problems.

Manasota Geeks offers Lakewood Ranch computer repair, Bradenton computer repair and Sarasota computer repair. Computer problems? We come to you! Call Manasota Geeks Now: 941-518-3079

1. Right-Click on the Sound Icon located in the lower right corner of your desktop
(the icon looks like a small speaker).

2. Left-Click on Playback Devices from the menu:

3. Now the Sound Window will open, make sure the Playback tab is selected.

4. Right-Click on the HDMI Output playback device.

5. Left-Click on Enable from the drop-down menu.

That’s it, you should be enjoying HDMI audio from your computer to your TV.

Here a few simple steps to secure your wifi network:

Step 1. Open Your Router Settings Page

First you need to access your wireless router’s settings, usually you can do this by typing in 192.168.1.1 into your web browser and then enter the correct user name and password for the router (usually admin / password or admin / admin). This is different for each router so please refer to your router model’s user manual.

Here are direct links to the manufacturers’ support sites of some popular router brands:
Linksys (now Cisco), Cisco, Netgear, Apple AirPort, SMC, 3Com (now HP), Belkin

Step 2. Create a unique password on your router

Once you have logged into your router (step 1) you should change the default password of the router to something more secure. You can change your router’s password from the administration settings on your router’s settings page. The default values are generally admin / password or admin / admin.

Step 3. Change your Network’s SSID name

The SSID (or Wireless Network Name) of your Wifi Router is usually set as the brand name of the router (e.g., linksys, cisco, smc). Changing the SSID name of your network is always a good idea because you will always be certain that you are connecting to the correct Wireless network even if there are multiple wireless networks in your area. This setting is usually under the basic wireless settings in your router’s settings page.

Step 4. Enable Network Encryption

In order to prevent others from using your wifi internet connection you need to encrypt your wireless signals. To enable encryption on your Wireless network, open the wireless security settings on your router’s configuration page. Choose WPA or WPA2 encyption (we don’t recommend using WEP encryption) and enter a passphrase that will be used to access the secured wifi network.

Step 5. Connect to your Secure Wireless Network

Once you have enabled the security settings in your wireless router you need to add the new settings to your computers and other wireless devices so that they all can connect to the secured wifi network. You can select to have your computer automatically connect to the network so you won’t have to enter the SSID (network name) and passphrase every time you connect to the Internet. Your wireless network will now be a lot more secure and intruders may have a tough time intercepting your Wi-Fi signals.

Username: your main email account (include the @tampabay.rr.com)
SMTP (Outgoing) smtp-server.tampabay.rr.com
POP3 (Incoming) pop-server.tampabay.rr.com
Server Requires Authentication

These settings will work with iPad, Outlook Express, Thunderbird, Windows Mail or any other email program.

Username: your main email account (include the @comcast.net)
SMTP (Outgoing) smtp.comcast.net
POP3 (Incoming) mail.comcast.net
Server Requires Authentication
Outgoing SMTP Port: 587
Incoming POP3 Port: 110

These settings will work with Microsoft Outlook, Outlook Express, Thunderbird, Windows Mail or any other email client program.

Username: your main email account (do not include the @verizon.net)
SMTP (Outgoing) outgoing.verizon.net
POP3 (Incoming) incoming.verizon.net
Server Requires Authentication

These settings will work with Outlook Express, Mozilla Thunderbird, Windows Live Mail or any other email client program.