Distorted or Crackle Sound
July 27, 2008 | Leave a Comment
# Make sure your speakers are correctly connected to your computer.
On your speakers, find the cable that plugs into your computer. Make sure that the speaker cable is plugged into the speakers and the correct jack on the computer. For example, if the cable is a 1/8 inch cable, there should be a round jack for it on the back of the computer. If it is a USB cable, it will plug into any USB port on your computer.
# If the music in your library skips or the audio breaks up when you play it in Windows Media Player, there might be a problem with the audio driver installed on your computer. Typically, this type of problem only occurs toward the end of songs (in the last 20 seconds or so).
In some cases, you can work around the problem by disabling optional speaker effects that are collectively known as enhancements. If disabling speaker effects solves the problem, you might need to update your audio driver.
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Marc Liron – Microsoft MVP

What is Startup Repair?
July 20, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Startup Repair is a Windows Vista recovery tool that can fix certain problems, such as missing or damaged system files, that might prevent Windows from starting correctly. When you run Startup Repair, it scans your computer for the problem and then tries to fix it so your computer can start correctly.
Startup Repair is located on the System Recovery Options menu, which is on the Windows Vista installation disc. If your computer manufacturer has preinstalled recovery options, Startup Repair might also be installed on your hard disk.
If your computer does not include Startup Repair, your computer manufacturer might have customized or replaced the tool. Check the information that came with your computer or go to the manufacturer’s website.
Startup Repair cannot fix hardware failures, such as a failing hard disk or incompatible memory, nor does it protect against virus attacks. Startup Repair is not a backup tool, so it cannot help you recover personal files, such as photos or documents. To help protect your computer, back up your system and files regularly. For more information, search for “backup” in Windows Help and Support.
Startup Repair is not designed to fix Windows installation problems.
If repairs are not successful, you’ll see a summary of the problem and links to contact information for support. Your computer manufacturer might include additional assistance information.
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Marc Liron – Microsoft MVP

Disk Cleanup Tool Hibernation Error
July 11, 2008 | Leave a Comment
After you use the Disk Cleanup Tool in Windows Vista, you may experience the following symptoms:
# You cannot see the Hibernate option in Power Options.
# When you use the sleep feature, the computer does not recover its settings if power is lost.
This problem occurs when the Disk Cleanup Tool disables the hibernation file. The hibernation file must be enabled to access the hybrid sleep feature and the hibernation feature in Windows Vista.
When the hibernation file is disabled, and the hybrid sleep feature is enabled, a backup of open programs and open files will not be saved to the disk when you use the sleep feature in Windows Vista. Additionally, if the computer loses power while the Windows is in sleep mode, open programs and open files will not be recovered, and any unsaved work will be lost.
To resolve this problem in Windows Vista, run the powercfg -h on command at a command prompt to enable the hibernate feature and the hybrid sleep feature.
To run this command, follow these steps:
1. Click Start, click All Programs, and then click Accessories.
2. Right-click Command Prompt, and then click Run as administrator. If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type the password, or click Continue.
3. Type powercfg -h on, and then press ENTER.
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Marc Liron – Microsoft MVP



