pc health check

Windows Easy Transfer is a tool for transferring files and settings from one system to another running Windows. Not only this, you can transfer data from one user’s profile, or from multiple user accounts. It helps you to decide what to move to your new computer, which transfer method to use, and finally perform the transfer. When you are done with

transferring, it displays a reports of the transferred content. It also offers a list of programs that you might want to install on new computer.

Note: You cannot use this tool to move program files. It can transfer only data and program settings. You must then install your software programs on the new computer. Its also

not capable to transfer any system files such as fonts and drivers. You can transfer files and settings using a network, USB drive or the Easy Transfer cable. You can order this

cable on the Internet or contact computer manufacturer.



Upgrade Windows XP to Windows 7

You cannot upgrade Windows XP to Windows 7. However, you can use Windows Easy Transfer to transfer files and settings from Windows XP to Windows 7 on the same computer. For

this, you need to copy files to a removable media, such as an external hard drive or USB flash drive, or to a network share. Next, you will install Windows 7 and then migrate

your files back from the removable media onto your computer. When you are done, you must re-install your software programs again.

Copy files using Windows Easy Transfer on XP computer.

• Insert the Windows 7 DVD while running Windows XP.
• Open Windows Explorer by right-clicking the Start menu, and then clicking Explore.
• Browse to the DVD drive on your computer and click migsetup.exein the Support\Migwiz directory.
• The Windows Easy Transfer window opens.
• Click Next.
• Select An external hard disk or USB flash drive.
• Click This is my old computer. Windows Easy Transfer scans the computer.
• Click Next. You can also determine which files should be migrated by selecting only the user profiles you want to transfer, or by clicking Customize.
• Enter a password to protect your Easy Transfer file, or leave the box blank, and then click Save.
• Browse to the external location on the network or to the removable media where you want to save your Easy Transfer file, and then click Save.
• Click Next. Windows Easy Transfer displays the file name and location of the Easy Transfer file you just created.

Transfer files and settings on Windows 7 computer.

1. If you saved your files and settings in an Easy Transfer file on a removable media such as a USB flash drive or external hard drive rather than on a network share, insert

the removable media into the computer.
2. Click Start, click All Programs, click Accessories, click System Tools, and then click Windows Easy Transfer.
3. Click Next.
4. Click An external hard disk or USB flash drive.
5. Click This is my new computer.
6. Click Yes, open the file.
7. Browse to the location where the Easy Transfer file was saved. Click the file name, and then click Open.
8. Click Transfer to transfer all files and settings. You can also determine which files should be migrated by selecting only the user profiles you want to transfer, or by

clicking Customize.
9. Click Close after Windows Easy Transfer has completed moving your files.

Great success is achieved by Microsoft by reducing the boot timing for its latest operating system, Windows 7, to only 10 seconds. This is amazing, considering the fact that the BIOS has to turn on everything in the system from the CPU to hard drive, before the OS begins to load.

Windows 7 has achieved this feat of extremely low boot time by using a healthy hardware configuration. Moreover, most of the hardware manufacturing firms are paying more attention on cutting the boot time.

For example the Lenovo Group Ltd is making some remarkable changes like:

* Helps to prevent the BIOS phase from the loading of driver.
* Fixing the drivers of on-board hardware components that were cumulatively causing massive delays.
* Avoiding the loading of unessential application being included in the Startup programs. Using msconfig to disable stuff that runs on startup

Dell, Toshiba and HP are also on course to follow the same trend.

Windows 7 version works extremely good even in the case of multiple operating systems . If your hard disk has ample space then you can create a partition and dual boot your system. When you will turn on your computer, it will ask you about the option of OS.

If you wish to improve the boot processing then Windows 7 offers you some ultimate tools as mentioned below:

* Defragmenter should be used frequently.
* Defragment your Windows page file and registry as well.
* Check your hard drive from the temporary files frequently.
* Load up Windows faster by using Startup Delayer a free program that will speed up the boot time of Windows by delaying the startup of programs.
* MSCONFIG will help you keep a check on many of useless Startup programs.
* Use a program click memtest86 or Prime95 to check bad memories on your PC.
* Do check your BIOS version, if required update it.
* Run chkdisk to remove bad sectors in hard drive.

How to formate the ahrd disk and Insatll windows XP using windows XP setup programe. Here some steps are given below wich is help you to install windows XP.

Step 1: Partition the hard disk
a. Insert the Windows XP CD into your CD or DVD drive, or insert the first Windows XP Setup disk into the floppy disk drive, and then restart the computer to start the Windows XP Setup program.

Note If you are using the Windows XP Setup disks, insert each additional disk when you are prompted, and then press ENTER to continue after you insert each disk.
b. If you are prompted, select any options that are required to start the computer from the CD or DVD drive.
c. If your hard disk controller requires a third-party original equipment manufacturer (OEM) driver, press F6 to specify the driver.
d. At the Welcome to Setup page, press ENTER.

Note If you are using the Setup disks (six bootable disks), the setup prompts you to insert the Windows XP CD.
e. Press F8 to accept the Windows XP Licensing Agreement.
f. If an existing Windows XP installation is detected, you are prompted to repair it. To bypass the repair, press ESC.
g. All existing partitions and non-partitioned spaces are listed for each physical hard disk. Use the ARROW keys to select an existing partition, or create a new partition by selecting the non-partitioned space where you want to create a new partition. You can also press C to create a new partition using non-partitioned space.

Note If you want to create a partition where one or more partitions already exist, you must first delete the existing partition or partitions, and then create the new partition. You can press D to delete an existing partition, and then press L (or press ENTER, and then press L if it is the System partition) to confirm that you want to delete the partition. Repeat this step for each existing partition that you want to include in the new partition. When all the partitions are deleted, select the remaining non-partitioned space, and then press C to create the new partition.
h. To create the partition with the maximum size, press ENTER. To specify the partition size, type the size in megabytes (MB) for the new partition, and then press ENTER.
i. If you want to create additional partitions, repeat steps g. and h.
j. To format the partition and install Windows XP, go to step 2.

If you do not want to install Windows XP, press F3 two times to exit the Windows Setup program, and then do not follow the remaining steps in this post

To format the partition without installing Windows XP, use a different utility.

Step 2: Format the hard disk and install Windows XP
a. Use the ARROW keys to select the partition where you want to install Windows XP, and then press ENTER.
b. Select the format option that you want to use to format the partition. You can select from the following options:
• Format the partition by using the NTFS file system (Quick)
• Format the partition by using the FAT file system (Quick)
• Format the partition by using the NTFS file system
• Format the partition by using the FAT file system
• Leave the current file system intact (no changes)
Notes
• If the selected partition is a new partition, the option to leave the current file system intact is not available.
• If the selected partition is larger than 32 gigabytes (GB), the FAT file system option is not available.
• If the selected partition is larger than 2 GB, the Windows Setup program uses the FAT32 file system (you must press ENTER to confirm).
• If the partition is smaller than 2 GB, the Windows Setup program uses the FAT16 file system.
• If you deleted and created a new System partition, but you are installing Windows XP on a different partition, you are prompted to select a file system for both the System and Startup partitions.
c. Press ENTER.
d. After the Windows Setup program formats the partition, follow the instructions that appear on the screen to install Windows XP. After the Windows Setup program is finished and you have restarted the computer, you can use the Disk Management tools in Windows XP to create or format more partitions.

Programs may have program fixes applied to them to help them run without issues in a Windows operating system. However, you may want to disable a program fix on computers in your organization.

How to disable a program fix

To disable a program fix, use a test computer to determine the registry keys to create. You can then use these registry keys to disable the fix on other computers. To do this, follow these steps:
1. Install Microsoft Application Compatibility Toolkit 5.0 on a test computer. To download the Application Compatibility Toolkit 5.0, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
https://connect.microsoft.com/site/sitehome.aspx?SiteID=81

2. Click Start, type compatibility, right-click Compatibility Administrator in the results list, and then click Run as Administrator.
3. In the Analyze pane, expand Applications, and then click a program.
4. In the details pane, right-click the program for which you want to disable the fix, and then click Disable Entry.

Note This action creates a registry entry in the following registry subkey:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AppCompatFlags
The name of the entry is the GUID that represents the program entry in the Appcompat database. The entry type is DWORD, and the entry has a value of 0x77.
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 for all the program fixes that you want to disable.
6. Export the newly created registry entries to a .reg file. Then, deploy the .reg file to production computers.

Program Compatibility Assistant warnings
When you try to perform a silent installation or an automated installation of a program, the Program Compatibility Assistant may display a warning. Additionally, it may stop the installation. To allow for the automated installation of a program, you may want to disable this Program Compatibility Assistant warning.

How to disable a Program Compatibility Assistant warning

To disable a Program Compatibility Assistant warning, use a test computer to determine the registry keys to create. You can then use these registry keys to disable the Program Compatibility Assistant warning on other computers. To do this, follow these steps:
1. Run the affected program on a test computer.
2. When you receive the Program Compatibility Assistant warning message, click to select the Don't show this message again check box.

Note This action creates a registry entry in the following registry subkey:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AppCompatFlags
The name of the entry is the GUID that represents the program entry in the Appcompat database. The entry type is DWORD, and the entry has a value of 0x77.

Note The Program Compatibility Assistant warning appears only for a program that is not blocked from running.
3. Exit the program.
4. Note the registry entry that was created in step 3.
5. In the installation script, include steps to add the registry entry before the installation starts.

Before you begin to install Windows Vista, make sure that you have everything that you need for the installation. Make sure that your computer meets the minimum system requirements to install and run Windows Vista. Also, determine whether you must perform an upgrade or a clean installation of Windows Vista. Use the information in this section to help you make these determinations.

System requirements

The following list describes the recommended minimum hardware requirements for basic functionality of the different editions of Windows Vista. Actual hardware requirements vary, depending on system configuration and on the programs and the features that you install. If you install Windows Vista over a network, additional hard disk space may be required.

Windows Vista Home Basic

• 800-megahertz (MHz) 32-bit (x86) processor or 800-MHz 64-bit (x64) processor
• 512 megabytes (MB) of system memory

Note On system configurations that use system memory as graphics memory, at least 448 MB of system memory must be available to the operating system after some memory is allocated for graphics.
• DirectX 9-class graphics card
• 32 MB of graphics memory
• 20-gigabyte (GB) hard disk that has 15 GB of free hard disk space
• Internal or external DVD drive
• Internet access capability
• Audio output capability
Windows Vista Home Premium, Windows Vista Business, Windows Vista Enterprise, and Windows Vista Ultimate

• 1-gigahertz (GHz) 32-bit (x86) processor or 1-GHz 64-bit (x64) processor
• 1 GB of system memory
• Windows Aero-capable graphics card

Note This includes a DirectX 9-class graphics card that supports the following:
• A WDDM driver
• Pixel Shader 2.0 in hardware
• 32 bits per pixel
• 128 MB of graphics memory (minimum)
• 40-GB hard disk that has 15 GB of free hard disk space (the 15GB of free space provides room for temporary file storage during the install or upgrade.)
• Internal or external DVD drive
• Internet access capability
• Audio output capability

SUMMARY
You probably reached this article because Device Manager reported an error code, and you are not sure how to resolve it. In this Post, we will help you find your error code and suggest what you might try to correct the error in the next post.

If you are using Windows Vista, or another operating system other than the Windows XP versions listed in the "Applies to" section, please contact Support. For information about how to do this, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
http://support.microsoft.com/contactus

MORE INFORMATION
This section lists the error codes and possible resolutions for the error codes. The error codes are listed in numeric order.

Before you continue, make sure that you have the error code available. You can view the error code in the device Properties dialog box available in Device Manager. You can also resolve many of the errors within Device Manager.

To start troubleshooting, follow these steps:
1. Make sure that Device Manager is open, and that the device that has the problem is selected. You can perform some recommended resolutions through Device Manager.
a. Right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.
b. Select the Hardware tab, and then click Device Manager.
c. Double-click the device type that has the problem. For example, if you have problems with your modem, double-click Modems to see the devices in that category.

A list of devices appears. If a device has problems, the device has a red exclamation point next to it. If a device is unknown (usually because of missing drivers), the device has a yellow question mark next to it.
d. Right-click the device that has the problem, and then click Properties. This opens the device Properties dialog box. You can see the error code in the Device status area of this dialog box.
2. Use the Troubleshooting Wizard, if it is available, to help you diagnose and resolve your problem.
a. On the device Properties dialog box, click the General tab.
b. Click Troubleshoot to start the Troubleshooting Wizard. The wizard asks you some simple questions and provides a solution to your problem based on the answers that you provide. If the Troubleshooting Wizard is not available, go to step 3.
c. Follow the resolution steps provided by the wizard to resolve the problem.
d. Check the Device status area of the device Properties dialog box to see whether the error is resolved. If the error is resolved, you are finished. Otherwise, go to step 3.
3. If the Troubleshooting Wizard did not help you resolve your problem or was not available, locate your error code in this article.

Note If you cannot locate your error code in this article, contact Support. For information about how to do this, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
http://support.microsoft.com/contactus
4. Follow the recommended resolutions for that error code.
• Check the Device status area of the device Properties dialog box to see whether the error is resolved. If the error is resolved, you are finished.

• If the problem still occurs, unfortunately, this article did not resolve your problem. For your next steps, you may want to ask someone for help. Or, you may want to contact Microsoft Support to help you resolve this problem

INTRODUCTION
This article describes several causes and resolutions for a "Stop: 0x0000000A" error message that you receive either during or after the installation of Windows XP. This article is intended for advanced users.

SYMPTOMS
You receive a Stop error message with the following format during or after the installation of Windows XP:
Stop: 0x0000000A (parameter1, parameter2, parameter3, parameter4)
IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL
*** Address x has base at x - filename
In this Stop error message, each parameter is a hexadecimal number that refers to a specific issue:
• Parameter 1 - An address that was referenced incorrectly.
• Parameter 2 - An IRQL that was required to access the memory.
• Parameter 3 - The type of access, where 0 is a read operation and 1 is a write operation.
• Parameter 4 - The address of the instruction that referenced memory in parameter 1.
For example:
STOP 0x0000000A (0xBFD14AAC, 0x000000FF, 0x00000000, 0x8000F67C)
IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL
***Address 8000f67c has base at 80001000 - hal.dll

CAUSE

This Stop error message usually occurs during installation when there was an attempt in kernel mode to touch pageable memory at too high a process internal request level (IRQL). Typically, this error occurs when a driver uses an incorrect memory address. Other possible causes of this error include an incompatible device driver, a general hardware problem, or incompatible software.

RESOLUTION

When this Stop error message occurs, first try to resolve the issue by using the Windows Error Reporting tool that is automatically displayed when any error occurs. The Reporting tool sends an error report to Microsoft, and reports a fix or a workaround back to you immediately. If no fix or workaround is available, or if the fix or workaround reported by the tool does not resolve the error, then follow the methods in the "Advanced Troubleshooting" section.

ADVANCED TROUBLESHOOTING

This section includes two sections for advanced troubleshooting:
• If the error occurs during installation, go to the "Error occurs during the installation of Windows XP" section.
• If the error occurs after Windows XP is already installed, go to the "Error occurs after Windows XP is already installed" section.
You may find it easier to follow the methods if you print this article first.
Error occurs during the installation of Windows XP

If you receive a "Stop: 0x0000000A" error message during the installation of Windows XP, there might be a problem with the hardware components installed on your computer. First, make sure that your hardware is compatible with Windows XP by following the link in the "Make sure that your hardware is compatible" section. If your hardware is compatible, then follow the procedures to troubleshoot your hardware components in the "If your hardware is compatible, look for other hardware issues" section.
Make sure that your hardware is compatible
To verify that your hardware is compatible, make sure that it is listed on the latest Windows XP Hardware Compatibility List (HCL). Visit the following Microsoft Web site to view the list:
http://winqual.microsoft.com/HCL/Default.aspx?m=x (http://winqual.microsoft.com/HCL/Default.aspx?m=x)
If your hardware is not listed on the Windows XP HCL, consider obtaining hardware that is listed on the HCL. If you determine that your hardware is compatible, go to the "If your hardware is compatible, look for other hardware issues" section.

For more information, see the "Check System Compatibility" topic on the Windows XP installation CD or DVD to learn about potential software and hardware incompatibility.

If your hardware is compatible, look for other hardware issues
This section provides seven methods that you can use to troubleshoot and to isolate the issue by examining the hardware for potential problems.

Warning This article contains steps that may involve changing the BIOS or CMOS settings, or that may require you to make physical changes to your computer hardware. Incorrect changes to the BIOS of your computer can cause serious problems. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems that are caused by changes to the BIOS can be resolved. Change the BIOS settings at your own risk. If you want help with any of these steps, contact the hardware manufacturer. Making hardware or BIOS changes to your computer may invalidate your warranty. If you do not want to make hardware changes to your computer, take your computer to a repair center.
Prerequisite
Make sure that you have the Windows XP installation CD or DVD available. The following methods require you to use the Windows XP installation CD or DVD to start the computer.
Suggested materials
Before you start the troubleshooting steps, you may want to have the following available:
• Support documentation for any added hardware, adapters, or devices
• Contact information for any added hardware, adapter, or device manufacturers

Method 1: Specify the Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL)

Use this method first to try to resolve the Stop error message.
a. During the installation startup, press F5 when the "Setup is inspecting your computer's hardware configuration" message is displayed.
b. When you are prompted, make sure that you specify the correct computer type and Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL). For example, if you have a single processor, specify the "Standard PC" HAL.
c. Try to reinstall Windows XP.
• If this resolves the Stop error message and you successfully install Windows XP, you are finished.
• If this does not resolve the Stop error message, go to method 2.

Method 2: Turn off features in CMOS settings

Use this method when method 1 does not resolve the Stop error message.
a. Turn off all the following features in the CMOS settings of your computer. For instructions, see the hardware documentation or contact the manufacturer.
• All caching, including L2, BIOS, internal/external, and writeback caching on disk controllers
• All shadowing
• Plug and Play
• Any BIOS-based virus protection feature

b. Try to reinstall Windows XP.
• If this resolves the Stop error message, go to step c.
• If this does not resolve the Stop error message, go to method 3.

c. Try to isolate which feature is causing the error. To do this, re-enable each of these features one at a time, and then restart your computer after you re-enable each feature.
d. If you identify a problem feature, disable or remove it and contact the manufacturer to try to resolve the issue.

If this does not isolate a problem with a CMOS setting, but this does resolve the Stop error message and you can start your computer normally, it may be that a setting was preventing the installation. If this is the case, turn on the setting after you install Windows XP, you are finished.

Method 3: Check the computer RAM

Use this method when method 2 does not resolve the Stop error message. If you need help performing any of the following steps, see the hardware documentation.
a. Remove any mismatched memory SIMMs (the RAM) so that all the SIMMs operate at the same speed. For example, 60 nanoseconds (ns) or 70 ns.
b. Run a systems test on the memory, and remove any bad SIMMs.
c. Test by using different SIMMs if any are available.
d. Try to reinstall Windows XP.
• If this resolves the Stop error message and you successfully install Windows XP, you are finished.
• If this does not resolve the Stop error message, go to method 4.

Method 4: Remove any adapters and disconnect any hardware devices

Use this method when method 3 does not resolve the Stop error message.
a. Remove all adapters and disconnect all hardware devices that are not required to start the computer or to install Windows. This includes the following adapters and devices:
• SCSI devices
• IDE devices
• Network adapter
• Internal modem
• Sound card
• Extra hard disks (you have to have at least one to complete the installation)
• CD drive or DVD drive (if you are installing from the local hard disk)

b. Try to reinstall Windows XP.
• If this resolves the Stop error message, continue to step c.
• If this does not resolve the Stop error message, go to method 5.

c. Try to isolate which adapter or hardware device is causing the error. After you reinstall Windows XP, reconnect each adapter or hardware device one at a time. Restart your computer after you reconnect each.
d. If this isolates a problem with hardware, disconnect the adapter or device and contact the vendor to try to resolve the issue.

If this does not isolate a problem with hardware, but this does resolve the Stop error message and you can start your computer normally, it may be that some hardware was preventing the installation. If this is the case, reconnect the hardware after you install Windows XP, and then you are finished.

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