Friday, July 16, 2010

400 Bad Request/Bad File Request

Web errors offer little information as to why they happen and what to do to fix them. Moreover, any information they do offer can be quite cryptic and mired in technical jargon, usually undecipherable to the common user.

A common web error is the “400 Bad Request/Bad File Request” as it can often come from minor mistakes in the web address or the Uniform Resource Locator, URL. For many web servers, the URL must be exactly accurate in order to reach the page that is requested. The error will occur if there is an error in the spelling of the URL, including case sensitive characters. This means that all of the capital and lowercase letters in the intended URL must be the same as what the user enters into the address bar.

Essentially, what the 400 Bad Request is telling you is that there is some part of the URL that has been entered incorrectly. The web server hosting the site cannot find what you have requested. This gives the error the name of “Bad Request.” If you are entering a specific file path or name and have entered it incorrectly, you may get the “Bad File Request.” In fact, all 400 series of errors imply that the issue is with the user and so the solution must be with the user as well.

This can be difficult with longer URL addresses as many have long complicated strings of seemingly unrelated letters. Try to use hyperlinks directly by clicking on them wherever possible or by copying links and pasting them into the address bar instead of recalling them from memory, especially if they are these kinds of long complicated URLs.

The wrong punctuation can also cause this error as the web server hosting the page or file you are trying to access will read punctuation as letters. Keep in mind that these are considered letters in many different areas of computing.

Finally, you may not be authorized to view the specific file that you are attempting to access. However, in this case, you will usually receive a very specific 400 error message that states “403 Forbidden/Access Denied,” which refer specifically to this instance.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Blackberry Synchronization Errors

Synchronization software is almost deceptively complicated to create and make run effectively. The complications related to this type of software become more plentiful as the sophistication of both the computer and their synchronized peripherals increases. When many of us have mobile devices that approach the complexity and computing capacity of our desktops or notebooks, or even exceed those credentials, synchronization software is running to keep up.

Blackberrys are no exception. The many models under the Research in Motion brand comprise a market share of 41.6% of smart phones in the US market. To put this in perspective, Apple iPhone brand takes second place in market share with 25.3%. Most phone carriers will have two or three Blackberry models on their product line. Additionally, when users consider that many of the same or similar programs available on their computer operating systems are installed on their Blackberry, complications can arise.

Blackberrys practice a system called two-way mirroring. This means that programs subject to synchronization, such as e-mail and calendar programs, not only update data from the computer onto the Blackberry, but vice versa. Occasionally data will have to be either expanded or compressed to fit the operating system on both devices.

Most synchronization errors stem from incompatible versions of the Blackberry operating system and Blackberry manager on your computer. Make sure that all versions and patches are up to date. Blackberry also uses Intellisync software to sync devices. Issues can arise with this software in terms of data file paths and new versions.

If you are having issues with Intellisync, you may need to configure the software to be specific to your device. Select the option to configure the PIM, which is your archiving software. Once you have selected the relevant options to your device. Also be sure that the ability to see hidden folders in your documents as these folders will not be included in the sync, but may have relevant information that may cause issues with the sync.

Other sync issues may be with the specific programs themselves, so if synchronization issues persist, makes sure the programs on your computer are set up for hand-held device use. The programs on the Blackberry will be set to sync as a default.

Monday, July 12, 2010

DES is Turned Off, Press Any Key to Continue

Many users try to power down their machines as responsibly as possible by using the Start menu, clicking the “Shut Down” button and choosing the “Shut down” option and, once all programs have been closed, turning off the machine if applicable. But unexpected power offs happen. Power outages, tripped power cords and depleted laptop batteries don’t always allow users to treat their machines the way they would like. When a power off does happen, all users can do is hope they’ve saved their work and expect no complications once a new power source is found.

If your machine has a Gigabyte motherboard, you may encounter the error “DES is turned off, press any key.” DES stands for “Dynamic Energy Saver,” which is a background firmware program meant to optimize the use of your motherboard’s energy efficiency. However, if the machine is not shut down properly, the Energy Saver is not able to guide the energy efficiency necessary to safely power down. Simply put, during an unexpected shut off, the DES will automatically revert into off mode.

Unlike the dialog promises, the command of pressing any key will not work. At this point your only option will be to shut off the machine and try again. However, this error message and the corresponding unresponsive command will persist until some hardware modifications are complete.

Once the machine is off, remove the battery, which will disconnect any residual power source to the motherboard and reset the basic input/output system (BIOS) back to its default settings. This is necessary as a default setting for the DES system is to be on. The battery should be the only thing you remove. Once you start removing other cards and hardware components, a variety of errors can occur.

Replace the battery and turn the machine back on. It may need to restart in safety mode to ensure that Windows 7 starts properly. This should allow all of the default settings in both the operating system and the BIOS to repair itself.

After the machine has started normally and you have not gotten the DES error message, select the Start menu with the Windows 7 logo and find the Gigabyte program. Disable the Dynamic Energy Saver program to ensure that you do not get the same error message again.

Friday, July 9, 2010

Operating System Not Found

You can encounter the frustrating error of “Operating System Not Found” as soon as your machine starts up. It can also appear as “Missing Operating System” or “Setup did not find any hard drives installed on your computer.“ Often, it will not allow you to interface at all with any of the operating system functions. This means there is little that you can do as a user to correct the problem.

This usually happens to machines that have Windows XP installed. The error appears at the start up and does not allow further interaction with the interface of the machine. Users can take some relief that this error is likely not caused by something they did.

When this error appears, it means that there has been a problem with the firmware of the machine. Firmware is a type of electronic and computing system that in some ways could be thought of as software, but is typically much simpler and more integral to the operation of a machine than other software.

Setting the time on a microwave is a user interacting with firmware; the firmware of the microwave. The firmware tells the machine how long to operate for. However, it might be a stretch to call the time settings on a microwave “software.” In computing, the line between these two programming systems often blurs, but computers do have many programs that are clearly defined as software. For our purposes, we can think of software as a program where a change does not affect hardware. Any changes to firmware, however, can and often do affect the hardware.

All PCs have a protocol called a BIOS, which stands for “basic input output system.” The BIOS is part of the firmware of your PC. When you start your machine, you may see the Windows logo and status bars that indicate to you the machine is starting up. Inside the machine, however, is a very different story. This BIOS is connecting the hard disk where your information is stored to Windows XP, so you can access it.
The “Operating System Not Found” error can mean one of the following things:
  • The basic input/output system (BIOS) does not detect the hard disk.
  • The hard disk is damaged.
  • Your hard drive has a malformed master boot record, meaning that there has been a problem with the processes of your computer booting up.
Unfortunately, as this is an issue with the firmware, which can affect the hardware, some extensive physical repairs may need to be done. Check the physical state of your machine to make sure no liquids or dents are in the casing. Check for any exposed components, which may have become damaged. It may be necessary to contact the actual manufacturer of your machine instead of Microsoft and take it to one of their repair centers. Hardware damage can cause irreparable data loss, so back up often!

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

iPhone Error 0xE8000025

Most users probably have a lot of their personal and important information stored on their computer, but the iPhone promised to transfer much of this information to a user’s pockets with its impenetrable exterior and constantly evolving interface. Unfortunately, for many users though, the first time trying to transmit this information can cause the iPhone “0xE8000025” error.

When a user attaches the iPhone to their computer through a USB cable, iTunes, if not already opened should start up. Other programs will start up as well depending on the apps (applications) the user has downloaded onto his or her iPhone. These can include calendar programs and camera software. iTunes, however, is the main program responsible for transmitting music and apps updates. The user should be able to see his or her iPhone in the sidebar of iTunes and its progress when it is sync-ing with the program. This is when the error most often occurs.

The sync-ing software is complex and must ensure that all programs on the iPhone are compatible with all information on your computer. An outdated version of iTunes will not be compatible with the iPhone so a user will have to download a version of iTunes equal to or higher than 7.5. This is because iOS 3, and soon iOS 4 on the iPhone 4, are only compatible with later versions of iTunes. This causes the “0xE8000025” error.

The software can usually be downloaded directly from Apple for free. You may be notified of this the first time you connect the iPhone to the computer, as the iPhone will search for the correct version of iTunes. However, if you are using your iPhone on a different computer than you usually do, you will get the “0xE8000025” error, meaning that it cannot find the correct version and update your iPhone.

Also, to download apps, you must start an iTunes store account. If your account name has a character outside of letters, numbers and basic punctuation, iTunes will not be able to negotiate the updates for your iPhone as the sync-ing software does not know how to read this punctuation.

This error can be common for iPhone users, but is easily fixed by either updating your version of iTunes for free or changing your iTunes user account name to simple letters, numbers and nothing beyond basic punctuation.

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Wii Error Code 51330

Like many gaming consoles, the Wii console can be integrated with you home WiFi system. This integration is commonplace and allows online gaming as well as for users to connect with other gamers remotely. Wii allows you to create small avatars of yourself, known as Mii that can appear in the games of users all around the world.

However, like network connection errors with standalone computers, errors can occur with your Wii connection. A common error for Wii gamers is the Error Code 51330, which has to do with security settings of your WiFi network.

Currently, Wii is only compatible with an older security certification program, known as the Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP). If you have set your network access to a certification program called WiFi Protected Access (WPA), the network will have stricter security protocols as set-out by the IEEE 802.11 standards of WiFi protection. This update of the standards for WiFi connections was due to issues involving PC operating system compatibility and key attacks, which are not relevant to the Wii.

Your Wii broadcasts something called a Service Set Identifier (SSID), which identifies it to the router. Your Wii will only broadcast the SSID that is compatible with a WEP, which will cause problems if you have set your router to a WPA standard and password. These setting can be changed either by calling your service provider or by making the switch on your router. Of course, if you change this setting on your router, you will have to set other devices to WEP to make sure they will be able to connect as well.

Error Code 51330 can also be resolved without changing the actual settings of your router. Instead, you can enter the WEP password manually through your Wii’s settings. On the router menu, select the manufacturer of your router and match the router to the menu list.

Typically, if the Wii cannot negotiate this network compatibility, a restart of both the Wii and the router may resolve it to make sure the SSIID broadcast is clearer. The Wii should pick up the SSID automatically, but require a manual configuration of the settings by you.

Check the manual you received with your Wii to ensure that you have compatible hardware to gain WiFi access. The hardware should be able to resolve the issue as long as the WEP password is enabled.