Internet Explorer 9 Stopped Working Error

After installing the latest version of Internet Explorer, many people have had problems while trying to browse. Two of the most common complaints is that Internet Explorer 9 stops responding while moving from site to site or an error occurs when trying to launch IE9. In both of these cases, a pop-up window appears with the following message: “Internet Explorer has stopped working.”

When this pop-up window appears, Windows shuts down IE9 and attempts to find a solution to why the browser stopped responding. After searching for a solution, Windows notifies the user on whether the problem has been solved or not. The reason that this error occurs in the first place is due to IE9 entering into a loop that basically has no end. As a result, IE9 shuts itself down.

For obvious reasons, it can be very annoying to have your Internet browser constantly hanging or shutting itself down. The following steps should stop this from happening:

• After the error has been encountered, restart your computer
• Launch Internet Explorer 9 in No add-ons mode by completing the following:
• Click Start – All Programs – Accessories – Systems Tools
• Click Internet Explorer (No Add-ons)

If IE9 opens correctly and no error message is encountered, then it is likely that the error is being caused by an add-on. To determine which add-on is causing IE9 to crash:

• Close IE9 (No Add-ons) and launch IE9 as usual
• Click on Tools – Manage Add-ons to open the pop-up window
• Make sure that Tools and Extensions is highlighted and then change the drop down under Show to All add-ons
• Select all the add-ons by clicking holding down CTRL-A and clicking on an add-on in the list
• Click Disable all in the lower right corner and then close the pop up window
• Browse as usual and see if an error occurs

If you browse and have no problems, then at least one of the add ons is causing the error message. To determine which one, open the Manage Add-ons window and enable one add-on at a time. Once you have found the add-on causing the problem, you can delete it (and re-install if necessary).

iTunes Unknown Error 3194

The iTunes unknown error 3194 can appear for those who have an iPhone, iTouch or iPad. The downside of this error code is that there are a variety of reasons why it may appear, but the upside is that it is relatively easy to fix. In most cases, unknown error 3194 appears when firmware is being restored on an Apple device.

Anytime you try to restore a stock or custom firmware on an Apple device, iTunes sends a request to the Apple servers to verify the IPSW files associated with the Apple device and to sign the files with the Exclusive Chip ID (ECID) of the device being worked on. This is called the SHSH Blob. When new firmware is released by Apple, it can cause the Apple servers to stop signing the older versions, which results in the unknown error 3194 message.

As a workaround for this error, Cydia has created an SHSH blob caching server. If you run into the unknown error, you can correct it by pointing your iTunes towards Cydia’s servers instead of to Apple servers and save your SHSH blobs for your firmware there. To add Cydia’s SHSH caching servers, do the following:

• Download TinyUmbrella
• Install and launch TinyUmbrella
• Click on the Advanced tab
• Check the box beside “Set Hosts to Cydia on Exit”
• Click on Apply
• Reboot your device or computer

Once you have followed these steps, try to restoring your firmware. The unknown error code 3194 should no longer appear.

Blame it on the Storm

Has your computer stopped working properly? Often times a severe thunder and lightning storm can wreak havoc on your computer. Following a storm if you find that your computer is not working the way it was a few days prior, the damage from the storm could be the culprit. There are a few common issues that indicate that your computer may have suffered from lightning damage following a storm. Depending on the issue and the damage some of these errors are easily fixable while others may be a sign of more serious internal damage to your system. There are ways to prevent lightening damage to your system.

Here are a few common issues that result from storm damage:

• No power to your computer is indicative of power supply cord damage. Your computer fails to turn on when you boot up, or will turn on and shut off immediately.
• Motherboard damage. Your system is not displaying information correctly, is slow or
• Modem damage. You are unable to connect to the internet or your system is displaying error codes or freezing up during connection. .
• Processor damage. Your system may run much slower, you may find that you are missing files, receiving error messages when attempting to open certain programs.

The best thing you can hope for is that your power supply cord was fried. This is very common after a lightning storm and is something that you can repair yourself for a small price. If you have access to another power supply cord that you know is working properly, attempt to reboot your computer with the working cord and see if makes a difference. If the computer is still not working with the good cord the damage probably extended beyond the power supply.

You can pick up a new power supply cord for about $100.00 with universal tips that can be adapted to all of your computers. Replace your cord and hopefully this will work. If you do not have access to another cord and don’t want to purchase a universal before knowing if this is the issue you can take your entire hard drive and the cord to your local computer repair shop.

Most computer repair shops will allow you to take your hard drive into the shop and test it with a different cord for free, that way you will know right there if you have an internal issue that need repair by a technician. Issues with your motherboard, modem and processor may be mild and will probably require the assistance of a trained technician who can check the part for damage. It is possible that lightning did mild damage to a part and it can be repaired for a low cost. The probability is that if your system was fried by lightning the part that received the damage will have to be replaced completely which unfortunately can be costly and may run you the cost of a whole other computer. The best advice is to prevent this from happening by protecting your system from storm damage ahead of time.

Prevention:

• Ensure that you have a surge protector for your power supply.
• Always unplug your system off during a severe thunder and lightning storm. Do not just log off but rather shut your system down completely and unplug it to prevent lightening damage to the internal working of your computer.

ActiveX is Preventing a Website from Opening

ActiveX is a Microsoft technology that allows interactive content from the web to show up on your computer screen. ActiveX allows content such as music, videos and graphics to come alive using the features enabled in the ActiveX programs. Without ActiveX Windows users may not be able to utilize some of the technology available on certain websites.

Troubleshooting through the issue of ActiveX preventing you from opening certain websites is not as complex as you may think. Any roadblock can be frustrating when dealing with your computer time because it gets in the way of you doing what you need to do. For those of us that use our computers for enjoyment the last thing we want to encounter is an issue with one of the programs that we need to use to complete our task.

Simply put, you have to download ActiveX and then ensure that it is enabled on your machine before it will work. Users who do not have this feature will be prompted to download it. Even after download users may still have to either enable or allow ActiveX to run on your computer by following a series of steps.
If ActiveX is not on your system or not enabled you may get an error message that states “ActiveX is preventing the opening of this site,” “You are unable to open this site” or “This site might require the following ActiveX control.” If you do receive one of these errors you will know that you need to do something if you want to view the website. If ActiveX is not installed and you need it for a site you are trying to view the internet explorer information bar at the top of your screen will prompt you to install ActiveX and walk you through the following steps:

• Double click on the information bar across the top of your screen which will be prompting you to install ActiveX.
• Select Install ActiveX Control.
• Follow the steps as they are provided to you.
• When prompted to do so, click Install.

If you take the steps above and are met with failure you will have to ensure that ActiveX is enabled on your system. To enable ActiveX, take the following steps:

• Open your browser.
• Go to Tools.
• Click on Internet Options.
• Click on Security.
• Click on Custom Level.
• Under the ActiveX controls and plug-ins check the box that says Enable for Automatic prompting for ActiveX controls.
• You will then get a warning that asks “Are you sure you want to change the settings for this zone?” Click Yes.

While this process may seem tedious just to open up a program, Windows is trying to protect your system by sending these error messages and then allowing you the information to fix them if you should choose to proceed with opening the website that requires ActiveX. You should only have to install and enable ActiveX on one occasion and you should not be met with any error messages in the future.

iPhone Error 3 – Unable to Join a Network

iPhones are a great invention but not without their share of trouble. Much like computers, iPhones offer the best that technology has to offer but not without a certain share of headaches once in a while. Most would still agree that this high tech device is well worth the small issues that arise once in awhile.

Wi-Fi networks are the lifeblood of the iPhone and sometimes Wi-Fi networks fail, have issues or are clogged up preventing the iPhone user from connecting as they normally would. The error message “Unable to Join Network Failure” (error-3) is an example of one of those small headaches that will require some troubleshooting. Just as a PC fails to connect the iPhone uses the same type of connections and requires the same method of connection.

If your iPhone suddenly displays the “Unable to Join a Network” or Error 3 there are a few simple steps you can take to quickly get your trusty device back up and running to keep you connected. If you are connecting to your iPHone through a router or Wi-Fi setting, it is always important to know your SSID in the event that you have trouble connecting.

The first step you will want to take is to renew the hotspot’s DHCP lease. You can do this by taking the following steps:

• Tap Settings.
• Tap Wi-Fi Networks.
• Pick the network you are trying to connect to (i.e. Starbucks, Borders).
• Go to the DHCP panel.
• Click Renew Lease.

If this does not help you reconnect you should take the next steps:

Check the network name or (SSID) setting. SSID stands for Service Set Identifier which is the name of the network. The network and the device you are using must have the same SSID to allow the network and the device to properly communicate with each other. The SSID can be set manually or will be automatically entered if you leave the SSID blank. Make sure that it matches the network of the Wi-Fi or hotspot access point that you are using.

Check your iPhone security configuration to make sure that your WEP or WPA parameters match the access point. WEP stands for Wired Equivalent Privacy and WAP stands for Wi-Fi Protected Access both of which are part of the security settings.

To check your settings you can do the following:

1. Go to Settings
2. Wi-Fi Networks
3. Other
4. Under the Choose a Network tab
5. Enter or select the Wi-Fi Network Name (SSID)
6. Select your security setting
7. Enter your password

If all else fails you can try a different location or if you are connecting via a router you can contact the iPhone support for assistance with more troubleshooting options.

hpqste08.exe Error

The hpqste08.exe is a normal process that is installed onto your computer system for Hewlett Packard imaging. Most likely the software was installed on your computer system before you purchased it. The program itself is considered a non-essential process. This means that the computer can function properly without this file but some of the features related to digital imaging that you use on your computer may require this program to work properly. Errors generally occur when something goes wrong with the process or the originally installed file.

The hpqste08.exe error is not a damaging error nor is it a dangerous virus, spyware or malware but it may cause problems on your system if issues occur that corrupt the program. Generally fragmentation and errors may accumulate on any software that is installed. If this occurs it may cause the program to start showing error codes, running slow or simply stop working. hpqste08.exe errors may occur when something goes amiss with the program.

It is very common to receive a hpqste08.exe error and most people who have spent a few hours on the computer have probably encountered it at one time or another. While this error is annoying it is not necessarily harmful and doesn’t set you back hours trying to find a way to correct it. Generally errors will be the result of either conflicting software applications or applications such as HP imaging that has become fragmented or damaged in some way.

The best way to resolve an hpqste08.exe error is to first identify that the exe file is located in the correct place. It is common for malware to disguise itself as legitimate files and attach to your computer causing issues. While this particular error in its original form is not harmful you still want to ensure that the file is legitimate. You can do so by checking your task list. The common path for hpsqte08.exe is at C:\rogram Files\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqSTE08.exe.To check your task list you can press the ctrl+alt+del key. This will display your task manager. You can then click on the processes tab which will show all of the files that are running on your computer with exception of the DLL files. Check to ensure that only hpqste08.exe is located there. If you see something else that looks similar it you should delete it leaving only the exact file as specified above.

Next you should uninstall any programs or applications you are not currently using. These may be causing errors because they are interfering with the hpqste08.exe process. If you started receiving these errors after installing new software try uninstalling that software and reinstalling it. Once you do this restart your system.

One of these suggestions should assist you in resolving the errors related to hqqste08.exe, if not you can refer to your operating system support or Hewlett Packard support to assist with further troubleshooting options.

Apple iTouch Error 1604

It is not uncommon that you may receive an error code when trying to restore your Apple device. There are a few products known to be affected by this certain error code known as the Apple iTouch Error 1604.The products known to be affected are the iTouch, the iPhone and iTunes 7.4.3 and earlier.

When trying to restore your Apple iTouch you may one of the following message codes indicating that there is a problem:

• An unknown error occurred.
• Error 1604.
• The iPhone could not be restored.

If you receive one of the error codes listed above there are a few simple solutions you can try to quickly get yourself back on track. These are in no particular order. Once the issue resolves and the error code goes away you will not have to proceed with the remaining troubleshooting options.

• Update to iTunes 7.5 or later. This may resolve the error and you will not have to continue through the rest of the troubleshooting process.
• Restart your computer. Sometimes simply restarting your computer will resolve the issue.
• Try connecting your device to a different USB port and try again to restore your device in iTunes.
• Remove all of your extra USB devices and try restoring your iPod or iPhone directly from the port to the computer.
• Try restoring your device on a different computer to see if this works. If this does work there may be an issue with your computer or your USB connection.
• Create a new user account and then attempt to restore your device. This will determine if it is an account issue a computer issue or a device issue.
• Uninstall the apple mobile device support, apple software and iTunes. You can do this by going to your control panel add/remove programs and uninstalling these selections. Restart your computer and then download iTunes 7.5 or later. Get your device to the restore mode and open iTunes. Plug in your device and follow the steps to install iTunes.

Hopefully one of the options will resolve your issue and the error code will go away. If these steps do not successfully resolve the issue you should contact your Apple support to assist you.

Google Black Screen

The term BSOD holds a meaning that sends a shiver down the spine of most computer users. The acronym BSOD means either blue screen of death or black screen of death and never has anything good come out of getting to the bottom of this issue. Typically when you see any colored screen be it blue, black or red it means trouble.

We all are probably familiar with the issue and if we are lucky have not encountered it. Usually it occurs because of an issue with an operating system or a virus but not always. It seems that Google programs have become increasingly more familiar with the BSOD since the introduction of Google Earth. Luckily for Google users the BSOD that is associated with Google is less damaging than when it is associated with a problem in the operating system.

If you are using Google Earth on a Mac and end up with a colored screen or a blank screen it does indicate a problem, but a very benign one. Usually with a Mac it means that the Mac web browser is blocking your cookies. It tends to occur with Mozilla Firefox 1.0.7 and later and Safari 2.0.2 and later. A few simple steps will resolve the issue and eliminate the colored screen allowing you to be back in business.

To resolve the issue if you are using Mozilla Firefox, take the following steps:

• In Firefox, click on the Firefox menu.
• Click Preferences on the menu which will open a new window.
• On the left section of the window click Privacy.
• Check Allow sites to set Cookies.
• Click OK to save changes.

To resolve the issue if you are using Safari take the following steps:

• In Safari click on the Safari menu.
• In the menu click Preferences which will open a new window.
• Click Security.
• Make sure that under the Accept Cookies tab the Always or Only from sites you navigate to is selected.
• Click OK to save changes.

You should only have to make these adjustments only one time and it should eliminate the black screen when you use Google Earth.

The Endless Reboot Issue with Windows 7 Upgrade

The new Windows 7 operating system offers some great benefits but it does not come without its share of issues. Once you get through the small and annoying little bugs it seems that using Windows 7 is smooth sailing. Once of the complaints from many Windows 7 users is the endless reboots that seem to happen during the installation upgrade.

When attempting to upgrade to Windows 7 some users may experience one of the two common error messages.

• Windows 7 could not be installed.
• The previous version (Vista or XP or whatever version was being upgraded) has been restored.

Both messages indicate that there is a problem with the upgrade. These reboots could go on forever even if you stop the upgrade and restart your system. Users report that each time the system is rebooted Windows will automatically start the upgrade process again and the same error messages surface again and again. This process can go on and on until you do something to stop this vicious reboot cycle and finally complete the Windows 7 download once and for all.

Here is a quick fix for the Windows 7 endless reboot bug:

• Select your previous operating system from the boot menu at startup.
• Insert your old operating system installation disk into your drive.
• When the old operating system setup menu appears click Exit setup.
• Click Start.
• Click on All Programs.
• Click on Accessories.
• Right click and the Command Prompt.
• Choose Run.
• At the Command prompt type in D:/Boot/Bootsect.exe/NT60 All. (Note: You will want to replace the letter D with the letter of the drive that contains your installation disk if it is not D). This command should reset the parameters for your system to complete the installation.
• Reboot your system and try the installation process again.

These instructions should help you get past the reboot bug. If you do not have an installation disk or continue to experience problems with the upgrade you should contact Windows help and support.

Netsetup.cpl Error Code

The Netsetup.cpl usually offers the explanation of: an error occurred while Windows was working with the control panel file. It will usually read C:/windows?syste32/netsetup.cpl. This is a benign error message but annoying none the less. The nice thing is it is a very specific error with a very simple and specific fix.

The Netsetup.cpl error generally has two causes. It seems to be confined to users with Windows XP service pack 2 and is related to either an application from Verizon called IPMon32 or a Visual IP InSight application. IPMon32 is an application that is used by Verizon to provide the user with certain diagnostic tools. The Visual IP InSight Client is an application that deals with the Windows Dial-UP Networking. Interestingly both applications that cause the error message do not seem to effect the other applications but they have been said to be related in some way to spyware. Both applications are unnecessary to the workings of your system and take up an unusually large quantity of space.

Many users are not even aware that they have these applications installed on their system and in most cases they do not need either program for any reason. It makes sense to remove these programs especially if they are prompting an error message.

Take the following steps to disable the IPMon32 service:

• Go to your Start menu
• In the Run box type msconfig
• Click the Startup tab
• Uncheck IPMON32
• Click Apply
• Restart your computer

Next check your list of Programs to see if you have Visual IP InSight Client installed. If it is on your list of programs you will want to remove it. If it is not on your list you have taken all of the necessary steps to rid yourself of the Netsetup.cpl error message.

To Remove Visual IP InSight Client take the following steps:

• Go to Start
• Control Panel
• Add or Remove Programs
• Allow the list to populate this may take a few minutes
• Check to see if Visual IP InSight Client comes up on the list
• If it does highlight this program
• Click Remove if it is on your list, if it is not there exit the Control panel and you are finished with your task
• If you do remove the program proceed with exiting the Control Panel and restarting your computer

A Virus that Just Won’t Die

Many of us have had the experience of dealing with a particularly resilient computer virus. It’s bad enough that you got a pesky virus in the first place but when you have one that just won’t die it as if you are cursed. Unfortunately it is not uncommon to be plagued with a virus that comes back more than once, or even twice. It will continue to come back until you take steps to remove it once and for all. Sometimes your virus software just can’t get to the root of the virus.
When a virus infection returns before you throw in the towel or spend hundreds of dollars getting your computer cleaned and repaired you may want to take a few basic steps to see if you can kill the little bugger yourself first. After all; what have you got to lose?

Usually what happens is that your virus software will detect a virus and you take the steps to remove this. If you are using Windows operating system, it is naturally programmed to make a copy of your system in the event you have a problem and Windows does everything in its power to protect the restore points. A restore point is a place in the history of your computer that Windows can go back to in the event you get a virus. Since Windows can’t scan or alter the restore point in any way it is possible that even when you scan and remove the virus it was on your system at the point that Windows created a restore point. In this event it is possible that your system will get re-infected. This is unfortunate but true.

The main way to stop a virus from continuing to re-infect your system is to get rid of potentially infected restore points and then create new clean restore points. Take the following steps to do this:

• Locate your System Restore in your Control Panel. (The Windows operating system houses the system restore feature in the control panel under System Properties. It may differ slightly depending on your version of Windows).
• Delete the Restore Points.
• Turn the System Restore back on.
• Create a Restore Point, this can be any random date and time.
• Once you have created a random Restore Point open your virus software and scan your system for spyware or viruses.
• Clean the system if necessary.
• Delete the Restore Points again
• Then turn the System Restore back on.
• Create another random Restore Point.

This is one way to ensure that your restore point is clean and there is nothing preventing your system from being re-infested with a virus. It is always beneficial to do a deep scan of your system regularly or put the scan on a schedule as a protective measure against these pesky viruses. Now you know that if it reoccurs you need to take one more step to get rid of it.

Internet Explorer 9 Crashes on Startup

Microsoft’s latest release of Internet Explorer is version 9. It is available for use with Windows Vista or Windows 7. This version is said to be the best browser for Windows to date. Some of the benefits that Internet Explorer 9 has to offer include:

• Increased speed and optimal search performance.
• Simplified designs that include one click access to favorites and a combined search and address bar.
• Privacy controls that offer increased privacy for confidential information.
• Improved add on management that can tell you which add on is slowing down your browser performance.

While Internet Explorer offers an excellent browsing experience it does not come with out its share of problems. These problems are generally the result of incompatible add-ons, toolbars or display adapter which sometimes happens because of an incompatible or a dated driver.

Internet Explorer 9 has been known to freeze on startup or simply restart without an error message. This is a sure sign of a problem. Some users may receive one of the following error messages before the big freeze. “Internet Explore has encountered a problem and needs to close” or “Internet Explorer has stopped responding” are the two most common error messages.
Resolving the issues with Internet Explorer can be done by using one of both of the methods listed below. If the first does not work proceed to the second method.

Changing the Add-ons Mode

• Click Start
• Type in “iexplorer.exe-extoff”
• Press Enter

This opens Internet Explorer in Add-ons mode. If you do not receive any error messages during this step you can go ahead and disable the add-ons by taking the next steps.

• Open Internet Explorer.
• Click Tools on the right hand corner.
• Click Manage add-ons.
• Click on the Show drop down menu and select all add ons.
• Select the add–ons by using the check marks
• Click Disable in the information window.
• Exit the program.
• Restart Internet Explorer.

If changing the add on mode does not resolve the issue proceed with resetting the Internet Explorer Settings.

It is important to know that doing this will reset all of the settings you as a user have created and saved. This will include security, privacy browsing history and temporary internet files and cookies. It will keep the favorites and subscribed feed settings in tact.

Reset Internet Explorer Settings

• Click Start.
• In the Start Search Box type in “inetcpl.cpl”.
• Press Enter.
• When the Internet Options dialog box appears click on the Advanced tab.
• Click Reset under the Resent Internet Explorer settings.
• Click Reset again.
• Close the program when the settings have been reset.
• Restart your computer.

One of these two methods should prevent Internet Explorer 9 from crashing on startup allowing you to get the most from the new and improved browsing options.

What is the ieframe.dll Error?

DLL is the short version for Dynamic-link library. DLL is used by the Windows operating system to handle application data that make your programs such as MS office and Internet Explorer work properly. DLL is much like the library inside of your computer screen. When we want to run a certain program such as Internet Explorer, Microsoft will refer to DLL to figure out how to do it. Much like checking out a book from the library to figure out how to plant a garden, Microsoft checks with DLL to figure out how to run the selected program.

DLL has a big job inside of the hard drive. It is relied upon by the operating system to figure out where to go and what to do when a user opens a program. A DLL error can occur when the data in the library is corrupt, incomplete or missing. DLL errors can happen for a variety of reasons from simple routine use an outdated security or fire wall setting, installing an update or getting a computer virus.

The ieframe.dll error is associated with the Internet Explorer web browser. Knowing that it is associated with your browser helps to narrow down the reasons why the error is occurring. A browser error is easy to repair and generally does not mean that there is anything seriously wrong with your computer system.

If you receive an ieframe.dll error you can repair this yourself in a few easy steps. First, shut down and restart your system. If the error goes away on its own, consider yourself lucky.

If the problem persists, take the following next steps:

• Download and install the latest compatible version of Internet Explorer; this will depend on your operating system.
• Restart your router or the network that you use to communicate with the internet.
• Perform a virus scan on your system.
• Check to ensure that your firewall and security software is up to date. You may want to consider disabling the protected mode and phishing filter as this may contribute to the dll error.
• Delete your temporary internet files by going to Start, Accessories, System Tools, Disk Cleanup. Wait for the entire process to complete.
• Shut down and restart your system and see if the ieframe.dll error persists.

If these steps do not resolve the error you can replace the DLL by downloading a clean version of the DLL. To do this you can do an internet search for downloading DLL and follow the instructions. If you are not comfortable installing a clean version of DLL it is advisable to call Microsoft support or take your system to a trained computer technician.

The Meaning of the Red Screen for PS3 Users

Colors such as red, black and blue for computer users and PS3 users generally mean trouble. We have all heard of the red or blue screens of death when dealing with our PC’s. The same holds true for PS3 uses. The PS3 RSOD or PS3 Red Screen of Death is frustrating and confusing for many users. Just because you become a victim of the PS3 RSOD does not mean that you are not taking care of your electronics, sometimes it just happens without warning!

The best scenario when you encounter the PS3RSOD is that your unit is still under warranty and you can bring it right back to the place you purchased it and get either your money back or have it repaired. A less attractive and more costly solution is to bring it to a technician and pay for a repair that may take well over a week. Most of us are just not that lucky to have the red screen of death occur while the machine is still under warranty.

There are a few ways to cure the PS3RSOD by yourself. These methods have proven successful and won’t cost you anything but a little bit of time.

Reasons for the PS3 RSOD and a Few Easy Fixes

• Overheating is the most common cause for the red screen. Many users either have the console flat on the wall or the floor preventing air from circulating. Shut your system down and move it to allow some air to flow. This may require a permanent readjustment of where you have your console located.
• Dust accumulation is another common cause for the red screen. Just as overheating occurs because of the way the console is positioned, dust also accumulates and builds up. Dust the areas around your gaming device, this includes the fan area.
• Unplug the PS3 console and let it stand for at least 30 minutes. This is a good time to let it cool and check for dust and dirt particles. Give the console some time to cool down while you are giving it a good dust down.
• Plug your system back in after waiting at least 30 minutes. Check all of the cords and power supplies to ensure that they are secured and plugged in properly. It is quite possible that these simple steps will get rid of the red screen of death.

After trying these solutions, if you are still med with the PS3 RSOD it is possible that you may have a bad hard drive. You can borrow a hard drive and hook it to your console just see if the red screen still appears with a different hard drive. If the red screen is still present it is likely that there is significant damage done to either your motherboard or your hard drive. In this case you should consult with a technician to get the system repaired.

Help! I Can’t See My Files and Folders

Without our knowledge sometimes we turn on our computer system and everything looks different. Our toolbar is moved, our files are hidden, we can’t figure out where we saved a certain document. It is like we moved in the middle of the night and when we woke up everything changed. As we have said before the nice thing about computers is that they are smart but sometimes too smart and have a mind all their own.

How can I view my hidden files and folders? This is a question that most of us have asked ourselves in the past. It would be nice if the computer would just answer us, but unfortunately technology has not yet advanced to that level. It is an easy and quick fix to get back into your vision the files and folders that have seemed to hide themselves from you.

While this is a very basic problem but sometimes it’s the simple issues that cause us to spend more time figuring out than the more complex issues. Determine your operating system and follow the necessary steps to get to your hidden files and folders.

Windows XP and 2000, ME, NT, 98 and 95 Users

• Double click on My Computer
• Click Tools
• Click Folder Options
• Click View
• Under Hidden files and folders select Show hidden files and folders

Windows Vista Users

• Click on Start
• Click on Control Panel
• Click Appearance and Personalization
• Click Folder Options
• Click View
• Under Hidden files and folders select Show hidden files and folders

Windows 7 Users

• Click start
• Type Search in start search box
• Click Change to change your search options for files and folders
• Click on the View Tab
• Select the radio button labeled show hidden files folders and drives
• Remove the checkmark from the boxes labeled hide extensions for known file types and hide protected operation system files. These boxes should be unchecked.
• Click on Apply and then OK.

Does my PC Need a Memory Test?

It goes without saying that computers have a mind of their own or so it seems. There are so many factors that determine how a computer will act and function. The overall performance of a computer can be improved by determining if there is a simple internal problem that needs adjustment. Much like a human being, computer systems are complex and when they get rundown or something is out of whack the way the system functions is compromised.

The amount of memory that a computer has determines how much information can be stored and processed successfully. When the amount of information starts to exceed the amount of memory that the computer has you may start to see problems with the overall functioning of your system.

Sometimes the computer will simply let you know that you are exceeding the amount of memory you have on your system with a prompt that states “virtual memory is too low or “your system is running low on virtual memory”. You can consider yourself lucky when the system is actually telling you what the problem is and allowing you to fix it.

Other ways that you might determine that you have a memory problem is if your computer does one or more of the following:

• Opens and/or closes programs very slowly.
• The system is delayed in responding to your commands.
• The system runs slower and slower.
• Web pages are not displaying quickly.

There are ways that you can determine if your PC needs a memory test.

You can determine the amount of RAM that is needed to run your operating system and then check your system for the amount of RAM you currently have. Windows 7 is one of the largest operating systems that require 1mg of RAM; others require this amount when large gaming applications are also installed.

Windows Vista and Windows 7 offer a memory diagnostics tool that can be used to check your memory. To get to this tool go to Start, type memory in the run line and run the command following the prompts. You can restart the computer to run the memory test. Adding memory will require the assistance of a computer technician.

Memtest86 and DocMemory are both free software solutions that can test the memory on your PC. There are other solutions that may charge a small fee to use but can help you determine if your memory needs an increase. There is a difference between bad memory and not enough memory. A test will help you to determine which course of action you need to improve the functioning of your computer system.

What is a HASH Error?

The term Hash in computer language simply means an encrypted string of characters that converts large quantities of data into smaller sizes of data to streamline the process of getting to information. Hash errors are nothing more than system errors that alert the user that there is a problem with the inner workings of the computer system. A hash error generally means that there is something preventing the computer from understanding what is being asked of it. This lack of communication may be temporary or it may be require a permanent fix such as a registry repair.

There are several forms of hash error messages that may include; a system error code 15300, ERROR_HASH_NOT_SUPPORTED, ERROR_HASH_NOT_PRESENT, or “Hash generation for the specified version and hash type is not enabled on server”. A hash error is not as well known as many of the other system errors but is as easily fixable and preventable with routine computer maintenance.

Many system errors have the same common causes which include:

• Registry damage.
• Device Driver problems or conflicts.
• A virus or computer infection.
• Hardware malfunctions.
• Software file damage.

The best advice to avoid most system errors is to be proactive and ensure that your computer is always well protected and up to date with the most current versions of the applications you are using. Preventing errors in the first place saves time money and unnecessary frustration. If you are the victim of a hash error take the following steps:

• If you have just installed new software uninstall it and reinstall it.
• Make sure your system is updated with the latest applications for the software you are using and any fixes or updates to your programs should be downloaded. The best way to keep up with this is to download these when you are prompted to do so.
• Do a virus scan on your system and always ensure that your virus program is up to date.
• Never open files from unknown senders and scan all attachments prior to opening.
• Perform regular registry maintenance on your PC. Most computer errors do come from damaged or corrupted registries. Keeping your registry in good working order will eliminate many of the annoying system errors that pop up. There are many registry repair tools that can be downloaded for free.

In the event that theses steps do not work it is best to seek the assistance of a trained computer technician.

What is a NTLDR Error?

NTLDR is short for NT Loader which is a program loaded from the hard drive boot sector that helps the program load and displays the startup menu. NTLDR errors apply only to the Windows XP operating systems. Windows 7 and Vista do not utilize NTLDR.

The error will generally appear reading either “NTLDR is missing. Press any key to restart” or “NTLDR is missing. Press Ctrl Alt Del to restart”, or “Boot: Couldn’t find NTLDR. Please insert another disk”. The error usually appears after the computer is started and begins to load. The error occurs for one of the following reasons:

• The computer is trying to book from a hard or flash drive that it is not supposed to be booting from.
• The boot files or hard drive files are corrupt or not configured properly.
• There was an issue with an upgrade of the operation system.
• The BIOS is outdated.
• The IDE cables are damaged or loose.

Take the following steps in order to attempt to repair the NTLDR error.

• The first thing to do if you get an NTLDR error message is to shut down and restart your system. Sometimes the error is a fluke and restarting could be the only fix you need.
• Check all of your power cables. Ensure that they are tightly plugged in and in good working order.
• Back up all of your data and uninstall and reinstall a new installation of Windows XP. Removing Windows XP from your PC and installing it again from the beginning will be a sure fix that any issues with NTLDR will go away unless you have a hard drive issues or an outdated BIOS.

If you are uncomfortable or unfamiliar performing any of these options you should seek the expertise of a trained computer repair technician who can assist you with this process. If you continue to receive NTLDR errors after taking the steps above it may mean that your hard drive is corrupt and will need to be replaced.

iTunes Won’t Start

It seems that many people who have upgraded to Windows 7 have reported issues with installing iTunes after the upgrade. While the issue can be annoying, luckily with a few small steps this problem seems to go away, at least for most users.

If you find that you are unable to launch iTunes you first want to make sure that after you install Windows 7 you have the correct installer for iTunes. For example if you are on 64bit Windows 7 then you will need the 64bit iTunes installer. You can download the proper installer at http://support.apple.com/kb/DL925. Downloading the proper iTunes installer may be the answer to your problem.

Starting iTunes in compatibility mode may also make a difference. To get to compatibility mode take the following steps:

• Right click on the iTunes icon.
• Click on Properties.
• Go to the Compatibility Tab.
• Click Run this program in Compatibility Mode.
• Select your operating system from the dropdown field.

If this is not the answer to the problem you may be prompted to turn off compatibility mode. Follow the prompts to do so and if possible force quit iTunes by hitting CTRL + ALT + DEL at the same time.

• Click on Start Task Manager.
• Go to Applications.
• Go to the iTunes Application.
• Right Click.
• Select Go To Process and then End Process.

Once you have force quit the compatibility mode, restart your PC and see if you can now open up iTunes. Sometimes just simply restarting your PC may be the answer to the problem.
If these options don’t work you will want to try to reinstall the Apple QuickTime which is required for iTunes. You will want to have the version of QuickTime 7.6.4 or later. It is possible that QuickTime got corrupted somehow. You can download QuickTime by going to the following site: http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/. Once you download the program restart your computer and attempt to open iTunes.

It is very likely that one of the above solutions will be the answer to your problem, if not you can always contact the support offered with Windows 7 or from the iTunes site to assist with any further troubleshooting.

System Error 2146697211 MSN Chat History Error

There are literally thousands of system error codes that may occur while you are installing, running or utilizing an application on your computer system. While some system error codes can be corrected or repaired by the end user; which is you, others require a different level of involvement from a programming end.

System error codes are broad generalizations that help to pinpoint a problem with the internal workings of the computer system or program. The first step when you are faced with a system error code is to write down the information about the system error. This will help you to research the specific system error and decide if it is something that you can fix from your end or if you need to call in the expertise of a help line or customer support.

Lucky for you if you received an MSN chat history error it is an easy fix from your end. The MSN chat history error may appear in a number of ways. You may receive a system error message with the system error code 2146697211, or a message that states cannot view XML input using XSL system sheet, or the chat log will just fail to display. In any of these cases it may be caused by having Internet Explorer as a default browser or you need to repair the log. Regardless of the cause, the repair can be a quick and easy fix.

To repair the MSN chat log error take the following steps:

• Locate and download a MSN chat log error repair tool. These are free to download. You may go to http://www.RepairErrorInstantly.com/ttfi to download this tool.
• Install the tool after downloading it.
• Open the MSN chat log error repair tool and scan your computer using the tool.
• Click Fix once the scan is complete.
• This should take care of any future issues with your MSN chat history log.