We''re Sorry......

Dear Participants, 

We''re sorry that the e-mail id (itiq@jsnetworkers.com) to which you need to post your answers for IT IQ 01 was broken and we''re working on it. 

However the contest goes fine as declared. The only change is we request you to mail in your answers to itquest@jscloudsolutions.com.

Good Luck.

Test Your IT IQ

Test Your IT IQ - Winner will be awarded with T - Shirt

Hi all genius,


Its time, shall we go for a simple IQ test on your IT knowledge? Its fun to test and know where we stand. This evolution taken with serious mind set will improve your knowledge and help in getting a better job in the market.  

Cheers....!!!


Q1: What is Android ?

(a) Web Browser
(b) Mail Client 
(c) Operating System
(d) None of them

Q2: What is the default port of SNMP ?

(a) 161
(b) 8080
(c) 162
(d) 192

Q3: How many layers are in OSI Model ?

(a) 6
(b) 7
(c) 8
(d) 4

Q4: What does OSI Model Stand for ?

(a) Open Systems Interconnection
(b) Open Source Interconnection
(c) Open Systems Interchange
(d) None of them

Q5: Which Command is used to check ip address in Linux ?

(a) checkip
(b) ipconfig
(c) ifconfig
(d) Noe of them

Q6: On boot the computer outputs 1 long beep. The computer has an Award BIOS. What is the most likely cause of the problem?

(a) Keyboard
(b) Hard drive controller
(c) CMOS battery
(d) Processor
(e) Video Adapter
(f) Memory

Q7: What is the maximum speed of an Intel Pentium III Processor? 

(a) 700 MHZ
(b) 2.0 GHZ
(c) 1.0 GHZ
(d) 1.26 GHZ


Q8: Which of the following would not be considered an FRU?

(a) System board
(b) Floppy drive
(c) Any soldered IC
(d) Hard drive


Q9: Which RAID level provides the fastest read/write performance?

(a) 5
(b) 2
(c) 0
(d) 1
(e) 3

Q10: What is the standard memory address for COM1?

(a) 03F8
(b) 0278
(c) 02F8
(d) 03F7


Send your answers to : itiq@jsnetworkers.com

Subject Line should be: IT IQ 01 - (Your Name)

Make sure your answers reach us before October 25, 2012.

Winner will be awarded with T - Shirt

Note: If the winners is from outside India, he/she will be awarded with a $5 Gift Certificate from Amazon.com.

The decision of the judges will be final and binding and no queries shall be entertained. The Employees of J & S Corp can not Participate in this contest. Winner will be decided by lucky draw.

Basic Computer Troubleshooting Guide - II

Basic Computer Troubleshooting Guide - II

Think about what changed recently on your computer. 

Try to pinpoint when the trouble first started. Did the problem coincide with any recent changes?

1. Did you change any settings?  If you did you might want to change them back the way they were.
2. Any peripherals been added or removed recently (such as a printer or external Memory Card reader?)
3. Has anyone else been using your computer recently?
4. Have downloaded anything off the Web?  File sharing and free MP3’s are an easy way to get a virus on your machine. 

The computer is on but…

Everything on the screen is frozen and the keyboard and mouse are not responding.

Try tapping on the Num Lock key.  It’s located on the right-hand side of the keyboard above the number 7. While tapping the Num Lock key, notice whether or not the Num Lock light goes on and off. If it doesn’t, the computer is completely locked up.  You’ll have to REBOOT the computer.  If the light does go off and on, wait a minute before giving up hope.  It may come back to life on its own. 

  Pressing Alt + F4

If a software program stops working or freezes up, try pressing the ALT+F4 keys to close the window that you’re currently working in.  This can shut down a frozen window and bring the computer back to life.  If the keyboard is frozen as well, you’ll have to reboot.

The “Blue Screen” has appeared.

The dreaded “Blue Screen of Death”. There’s not a lot to be done except to reboot the machine.  If it keeps occurring, this is an indication of a major problem with the computer.

The computer is on, but there is no sound.

Is there a speaker icon next to the clock on the taskbar? (It’s in the lower right side of the screen)  If you can find it, double click the speaker icon to bring up the audio controls for the computer.  See if any of the volume controls have been muted or turned all the way down.  Uncheck any Mute boxes that are selected.

The computer is on, but the keyboard doesn't work

Swap the keyboard or try plugging the keyboard into another computer. If it doesn't work on the other computer, there is likely something wrong with the keyboard. If it does work on the other computer, there is likely something wrong on the computer or the connection to the computer.

CTRL-ALT-DEL

When you press the Ctrl-Alt-Delete buttons together, you will bring up a control panel where you can select “Task Manager” and see if any of the programs are shown as “not responding”.   You may be able to shut down the offending program from there.  If you can’t get to this screen, you’ll have to reboot.

Rebooting can do wonders.

Don’t just pull the plug!

A simple reboot may clear up the problem. Go to the Start Menu and select Shutdown. Didn't work? It's time to try a forced reboot — with, unfortunately, no way to save your work — by pressing the keysCTRL-ALT-DEL simultaneously twice in a row.

If that didn't work, you have no choice: you have to turn the computer off manually with the power switch. Hold the power button down (for  about 5 -10 seconds) and the computer will shut down.  Wait at least 10 seconds for the hard drive to stop spinning and then restart the machine.

If the computer starts up, start the applications you were using when the crash occurred. Some programs, like Microsoft Word, make timed backups of your work and may bring up recovered files. If the program notifies you that there is a “recovered document” save the file under a different name and compare them to your previously saved files.

Stumped? 

We J & S Networkers Help Desk Team is ready to assist you with computer problems.

Reach us 

@ 

sujiththyagaraja@gmail.com & joshuadevairakkam@inparadesia.com

Basic Computer Troubleshooting Guide

Hi all... We J & S Networkers are back with some basic PC troubleshooting tips and tweaks. We felt most of our viewers are interested in learning the PC troubleshooting and maintenance techniques. 

The arena of PC troubleshooting and maintenance seems to be huge always, however there is always a right way to nail down the exact area of problem which can be sought out at the glance.

Come Lets Dive into the fun of PC troubleshooting and maintenance.

Scenario 1: Can't start your computer? Check the basics.

1. Examine the cables, connectors, and power cords to make sure they're plugged in securely.  Often times a loose cable or connector (power, network, keyboard, mouse, speaker, monitor cable, etc.) is the cause of the problem.
2. If you're using a power strip or a surge protector, make sure it's on and that it works. Remember that a surge protector may not be working because it is designed to self-destruct. When an electric jolt is too much, your surge protector takes the hit saving your more expensive hardware from the voltage.
3. Try plugging something else directly into the electrical outlet to make sure there isn't a power problem.
4. Check to see if your monitor is on.  Sounds silly, but it has solved my own problem more than once.

Scenario 2: No its ON but cant connect to the internet ? 

1. Check to see if anyone else around you is having a similar problem. If so, there may be a service outage affecting a wider area

2. Check to make sure the network cable is connected to both the computer and the wall or modem. 

3. Check where the network cable connection is made to the back of the computer, you should see a little green light right where the cable connects.  If the light isn't on or flashing, then you are not getting a signal to the computer.  If rebooting doesn't fix it, contact the Help Desk or your ISP.

Error Messages - Write them down.

1. What tipped you off to the problem? Sometimes it's an error code or message displayed on screen. Be sure to write it down — it may describe the problem and how serious it is. Be sure to document the exact wording of any error messages.  This can make the job of the Help Desk much faster. 
2. Other times you get no warning — everything just freezes. Message or no message, be sure note what was going on when the problem occurred. Were you starting your computer? Were you on the Windows Desktop? Were you in a particular application? Surfing the Web?

Windows Server

Installation of Remote Desktop Services In Windows Server

Windows Terminal Services has come a long way since its infancy and has improved with every version of Windows, and Windows 2008 R2 is no exception.  There are even noticeable differences between Windows 2008 and Windows 2008 R2 and should be highly considered as a worthy upgrade for those currently running older versions of the Windows component.  I first began working with Terminal Server technologies back in the day of Win Frame which was a “special” version of Windows NT 3.5.1 that was developed by Citrix.  

This 3 part series will consist of the following articles and will provide you with step by step instructions in getting most of your Remote Desktop infrastructure in place.

• Part 1 – Installation of Remote Desktop Services
• Part 2 – Configuration of Remote Desktop Gateway and Remote Desktop Client
• Part 3 – Configuration of Remote Desktop Web Access

In Windows 2008 R2, Terminal Server and its underlying components is now referred to as Remote Desktop Services (RDS).  The below table is a snippet directly from TechNet outlining the renaming of Terminal Server and it’s services

Previous name (Windows 2008)	Name in Windows Server 2008 R2
Terminal Services	Remote Desktop Services
Terminal Server	Remote Desktop Session Host (RD Session Host)
Terminal Services Licensing (TS Licensing)	Remote Desktop Licensing (RD Licensing)
Terminal Services Gateway (TS Gateway)	Remote Desktop Gateway (RD Gateway)
Terminal Services Session Broker (TS Session Broker)	Remote Desktop Connection Broker (RD Connection Broker)
Terminal Services Web Access (TS Web Access)	Remote Desktop Web Access (RD Web Access)

Before delving into the step by step guide I will quickly highlight some of the enhancements and improvements that have been incorporated in this release;  This is by no means a comprehensive list, however I have provided a number of links at the end of this post to TechNet articles outlining What’s New in RDS

• Windows Server 2008 R2 is 64 bit only, meaning that RDS is also 64 bit.
• Forms based authentication for Remote Desktop Web Access
• Per user RemoteApp program filtering
• Enhancements to Remote Desktop Client experience such as multiple monitor support, Audio recording redirection and Audio and Video playback
• Windows Installer compatibility
• Introduction of Remote Desktop Virtualisation Host providing personal virtual desktops utilising Hyper-V (note: This technology will not be discussed in this series, however I will have a future post dedicated to this new inclusion)

Installation of Remote Desktop Services

So let’s begin the installation by Navigating to Start / Administrative Tools / Server Manager (This post is assuming that you already have a dedicated Windows 2008 R2 server setup)

Click on Roles located on the left navigation pane and then select Add Roles located on the right pane to invoke the Add Roles Wizard.

Click Next
Select Remote Desktop Services as the role to install on this server.

Click Next.
The below introduction to Remote Desktop Services is displayed. Microsoft have done a great job in providing administrators with thorough documentation pertaining to the role being installed.

Click Next.
This is a single server setup so I will select all of the role services for Remote Desktop Services excluding Remote Desktop Virtualisation Host (this will be covered in a future post). I have provided Microsoft’s description of each service in the table below;

Remote Desktop Session Host	RD Session Host, formerly known as Terminal Server, enables a server to host Windows-based programs or the full Windows desktop. Users can connect to an RD Session Host server to run programs, save files and use network resources on the that server
Remote Desktop Licensing	RD Licensing, formerly known as TS Licensing manages RDS CALs that are required to connect to an RD Session Host.
Remote Desktop Connection Broker	RD Connection Broker, formerly known as TS Session Broker, support session load balancing and session reconnection to the RD Session Host.
Remote Desktop Gateway	RD Gateway, formerly known as TS Gateway enables authorised users to connect to RD Session Host Servers over the Internet.
Remote Desktop Web Access	RD Web Access, formerly known as TS Web Access enables users to access RemoteApp and Desktop connection through Start Menu on a computer running Windows 7 or through a Web browser.

Adding the Remote Desktop Gateway and or Remote Desktop Web Access will prompt you to install other services that are prerequisites such as IIS.

Click Add Required Role Services
After you have the Selected Roles checked, click Next.
The below warning will appear advising that it is recommended to install the Remote Desktop Session Host prior to installing any “client” applications.

Because this is a new install of Windows 2008 R2, I can ignore this warning and click Next.

You will now be required to specify an Authentication Method for the Remote Desktop Session Host. The two options provided below are as follows.

Require Network Level Authentication: 
Select Remote Desktop Services as the role to install on this server.

This is more secure as user authentication occurs before a full remote desktop session is established, however it is only supported by Remote Desktop Client 6 and greater running on Windows Vista or Windows XP SP3 (Windows 7 is equipped with Remote Desktop Client 7) as they are the only current operating.

systems that support Credential Security Support Provider (CredSSP) protocol. Please be aware that the CredSSP is turned off by default on Windows XP SP3 and must be turned on via the registry. Please refer to the following Microsoft KB article for more details http://support.microsoft.com/kb/951608

Do not require Network Level Authentication: This is less secure because authentication occurs later in the connection process, however is supported by all Remote Desktop clients and all versions of Windows.
More information can be found in the following TechNet article, Configure Network Level Authentication for Remote Desktop Services Connections;http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc732713.aspx

We will select Require Network Level Authentication.

Click Next
Specify your Licensing Mode

Click Next
You will then be prompted to select user groups that you would like to provide access to the Remote Session Host Server. By Default, the “Administrators” group is added and I will also be adding a security group that I have created specifically for my Remote Desktop Users.

Users or User groups added in this section will be automatically added to the local Remote Desktop Users group.

Adding the Remote Desktop Gateway and or Remote Desktop Web Access will prompt you to install other services that are prerequisites such as IIS.

Click Next
The next screen will allow you to configure the client experience providing your end users with similar functionality and visual experience found from a Windows 7 desktop.

I will be selecting all 3 options provided, with one of the enhancements to Remote Desktop Services in R2 being the ability to provide users with a much better Video playback experience than in previous releases. It does so by offloading the actual video playback to the local graphics processing I will be selecting all 3 options provided, with one of the enhancements to Remote Desktop Services in R2 being the ability to provide users with a much better Video playback experience than in previous releases. It does so by offloading the actual video playback to the local graphics processing unit.

More information on Multimedia Redirection Improvements in Windows 7 and WS2008 R2 can be found here.

http://blogs.msdn.com/rds/archive/2009/07/24/multimedia-redirection-improvements-in-windows-7-and-ws2008-r2-part-1.aspx

Click Next
The next screen provides you with the ability to configure discovery scope for RD licensing. Following Microsoft’s recommendation, I will not configure a discovery scope for the license server and will utilise the inbuilt RDS Host configuration tool instead.

Click Next
The next screen provides you with the ability to configure discovery scope for RD licensing. Following Microsoft’s recommendation, I will not configure a discovery scope for the license server and will utilise the inbuilt RDS Host configuration tool instead.

Click Next
The next screen is requesting a server authentication certificate for SSL encryption. To simplify matters during the installation I will select create a self-signed certificate for SSL encryption and will discuss this in more detail in part 2 of this series.  Note that using a self-signed certificate will create additional administrative overhead for administrators as the certificate will need to be exported and imported to your remote desktop client computers.  Using a 3rd party certificate from a Trusted certificate authority will remove that administrative burden and provide end users with a seamless experience.

Click Next
The next screen introduces Authorisation policies for the RD Gateway. Recall, the RD Gateway is designed to provide users with the ability to log onto a Remote Desktop Host via the Internet and SSL. Windows 2008 first introduced the TS Gateway which incorporated 2 types of policies TS CAP and TS RAP. These have been superseded in Windows 2008 R2 with; you guessed it, RD CAP and RD RAP.

Here is a brief primer on the two:
RD CAP (Remote Desktop Connection Authorisation Policy): Here you will specify users and groups who will have the ability to connect to a Remote Desktop Gateway Server. With an RD CAP you can also specify conditions for specific users and groups such as, you can only connect to this RD Gateway if you are using a smart card.

RD RAP (Remote Desktop Resource Authorisation Policy): After providing users and groups the ability to authenticate with an RD Gateway, RD RAP provides you with the ability to specify which computers located in the internal network are accessible to your user groups.  This could be restricted to a number of Remote Desktop Servers depending on the user or  group authenticating.

Add your users and groups that you would like to connect through the RD Gateway as per the below screen capture.

The next part of the wizard is all about creating your RD CAP and RD RAP. Don’t worry too much if you don’t get everything right in the wizard as all of these options are configurable post wizard installation.

Notice, I have created a specific Active Directory Group called “Remote Desktop Computers” in which I have added computers with Remote Desktop enabled.

Click Next
The next part of this wizard provides you with a primer on Network Policy and Access Services.

Click Next

Leave Network Policy Server selected….

Click Next
The following screen provides you with an introduction to the Web Server Role that is required to be installed for Remote Desktop Web Access.

Click Next and Next again to accept the default role services options.

We are finally presented with a summary of the confirmed installation selections that we have made throughout this wizard. It is worthwhile printing and or saving this information via the available hyperlink to form part of your documentation.  Kudos to Microsoft who in my own opinion have done a great job with their wizard based installations which eases the usual configuration pains associated with such an install.

Click Install. The installation process will now begin and you will be presented with the installation results screen below notifying you of completion. Click Close and then restart your server to complete the process.

Upon shutdown, restart and logon, Windows will proceed with the installation and configuration of our roles and services.

That’s it for now.  In this first article of this series on RDS, we went through the process of adding and configuring the necessary roles and services associated with Remote Desktop Services via  Windows 2008 R2 Server manager.  In the next article, I will be discussing the Remote Desktop Gateway (RD Gateway) in some detail and will go through some of it’s configuration settings both at the server and remote desktop client level.

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Hard Disk Management

Hi all.... 

Lets learn how to improve the performance of our PC by files and folder management in our hard disk.

This is not going to be a general "Disk Management" utility check. Rather we now going to prepare a chart to locate the files, folders and apps which we installed in craze and forgot to use in long run. These unused apps sits in our HDD and just occupy space. 

The tool we're going to use here is "Primitive File Size Chart."

What does this tool do, how we're going to locate those scraps sitting for a long time in HDD........

Primitive File Size Chart is a simple utility that can help users of any level clean their hard disk of forgotten and unwanted files.


The tool scans a specific disk or folder and lists the largest files and folders within. The clean user interface displays the path, name, and size of each file and the name and size of each folder in sortable columns. The utility offers no Help file, although it arguably needs none. It is lightweight and does not install any files. It is so lightweight, in fact, that it shows up on neither the Task bar nor the Alt+Tab menu, making it difficult to find if you have more than one application window open. There's something to be said for such compactness, although we would have appreciated a way to copy or export the list of files.

Publisher's Description

Primitive File Size Chart is a simple tool that will analyze the specified disk or folder and show you 50 largest files and 50 largest folders. The result of this analysis will give you the idea about what occupies a lot of space on your disk. For example, it may be useful in case you need to free a lot of disk space. Among them there can be huge files you had no idea about or forgot to delete. Besides regular users, Primitive File Size Chart will be useful for professionals engaged in processing large arrays of video and audio files and also for system administrators. The program is absolutely free and does not require installation.

What's new in this version: Version 1.54 may include unspecified updates, enhancements, or bug fixes.

Where to get this tool:

http://download.cnet.com/Primitive-File-Size-Chart/3000-2248_4-10912498.html

Courtesy:

CNET | Download.com

Learn to diagnose and fixing computer problems yourself

Desktop Troubleshooting

You sit down at your desk, press your computer's power button, and nothing happens. You see no familiar flashing lights, hear no pleasant whirring sounds, and detect absolutely no signs of life.

Before turning to a high-priced technician or asking a consultant to take a look, follow our steps to solve the problem yourself -- or at the very least, narrow down its causes.

This article focuses on troubleshooting four common scenarios that occur with Windows-based desktops

1. Computer Won't Power Up
2. Computer Powers Up But Monitor Is Blank
3. Computer Won't Boot From Hard Drive
4. Windows Won't Boot or Crashes

To troubleshoot your computer, follow the steps in each section below in order, starting with the initial steps and moving on to the more advanced steps if you're comfortable doing so.

Before You Begin

If at anytime performing certain action makes you uncomfortable, call in someone with more expertise. And if you do decide proceed with any of our Advanced Steps, please keep the following considerations in mind:

• Prior to opening your computer's case, check to see if the machine's warranty is still valid. If so, send it back to the manufacturer for repair, as digging around inside the case can void the warranty. You may also try calling your PC's manufacturer for tech support, especially if you've already paid for it. Often, tech support can provide quick fixes or will replace faulty components that are still under warranty. Many manufacturers offer online chat, email support, and other options in addition to phone support.

• Before making any hardware adjustments, take the appropriate safety measures. First, purchase an antistatic wrist strap and mat. While static electricity might sound like an annoyance only, it can severely damage your computer's internal components. You'll also want to make sure that you and your machine are both properly grounded, so keep the computer plugged into the wall but the power switch turned off when working with its internal components. As a final precaution, remember to hold on to the metal part of the computer's case when handling any electrical parts.

• Although all computers contain most of the same core internal components (hard drive, processor, RAM, graphics card, etc.), the locations of those components can vary from machine to machine. Before you reseat, remove, or replace any internal components, arm yourself with a working knowledge of computer components, what they do, and how they interact with one another. (To learn more, read How Stuff Works' article How PCs Work.)

• Hardware, BIOS (basic input-output system, built-in software that controls the keyboard, mouse, display, and other hardware and functions), firmware, and other software tools vary by manufacturer. Keep all of your computer documentation, driver CDs, and warranty information in a safe place. Be sure to dig out your computer's manuals before changing any settings.

A Typical Motherboard

Note that the location of these components vary, depending on your motherboard.

Computer Won't Power Up

Initial Steps:

• Make sure that the PC's power cable is plugged firmly into a wall socket or power strip and that the power strip is on.
• Try plugging the PC or the power strip into another wall socket.
• Ensure that the power cable is firmly connected to the PC's power-supply outlet.
• Check to see that the power supply is switched to the "on" position.
• Make sure that the power supply is switched to the voltage appropriate to your region.
• Attach a working power cable to the PC's power supply and plug it in.
• Unplug all external devices from the PC -- including a CD drive or digital camera -- except the monitor. If the computer powers on without the devices, add the peripherals back in one at a time until you can identify the problem device.

If none of these steps solves the problem, check to see if your computer is still under warranty and send it back to the manufacturer. If the warranty has expired and you are comfortable doing so, proceed to the Advanced Steps below.

Advanced Steps:

• Unplug the computer and open the PC's case. Verify that the power supply is connected to the motherboard.
• Make sure that all internal cables are connected and that all of the PCI expansion cards and RAM chips are tightly seated.
• Examine the motherboard for noticeable signs of damage, such as cracks or burns. If you see problems, there's a good chance you'll need a new motherboard or a new computer. Consult a technician for further advice.
• Remove the RAM and PCI cards and unplug your hard drive(s). Depending on your drive, you'll see either a wide, flat, gray IDE cable; a thinner red Serial ATA (SATA) cable; or a round gray or black SCSI cable. Plug in the power cable. If the computer turns on, begin plugging in additional cables and modules until you identify the faulty component.
• Replace your power supply with a known working one or a with new one.

If none of these steps work, your motherboard or processor is likely fried. Consider taking it to a repair shop or replacing the computer altogether.

Case - II

Computer Powers Up But Monitor Is Blank

Initial Steps:

• Ensure that your computer can boot normally and that all of the usual power lights are on.
• Make sure that the monitor is plugged firmly into a working wall socket or power strip and that the power strip is on.
• Try plugging the PC or power strip into another wall socket.
• Verify that the monitor's power button is switched to the "on" position.
• Make sure the monitor's brightness and contrast controls are properly adjusted (check your monitor's manual for information on how to do this).
• Check to see that the monitor cable is plugged firmly into the back of the display and that the pinned end is tightly screwed into the computer's video output on the back of the case.
• Remove the existing cable and replace it with a known working monitor cable. Connect it to the display and to the computer.
• Obtain a working monitor and hook it up to your PC. If this display works, contact a technician or buy a new monitor. If the monitor does not work, your video card may not be working and you'll need to open the desktop's case.

If none of these steps solves the problem, check to see if your computer is still under warranty and find out how to send it back. If the warranty has expired, unplug the computer, open up the PC's case, and proceed to the Advanced Steps below.

Advanced Steps:

• Examine the video card for noticeable damage. If you spot defects or burnt components, you'll likely need a new video card.
• Reseat the video card.
• Inspect the RAM and all drive cables to make sure they are all tightly seated and connected. If you find loose components or connections, tighten them.
• If your display is still not working, contact a repair shop or consider replacing the video card (or try swapping in a compatible card). 

Case - III

Computer Won't Boot From Hard Drive (Doesn't Get to Windows Splash Screen)

Initial Steps:

• Make sure that there is no bootable media in your floppy or CD drive.
• Listen to make sure your hard drive is spinning. If you don't hear or feel motion, or if you don't see an error message on the screen, proceed to the Advanced Steps below.
• Remove all external drives or devices and try restarting the computer.
• If you receive a series of beeps or error messages, write them down, as they could be instrumental in diagnosing your problem. Beep codes vary by manufacturer, so consult your BIOS documentation for more in-depth info on what those beeps mean. (BIOS Central also has an exhaustive list of beep codes). Otherwise, proceed as follows:
• Enter your computer's BIOS (access key varies by machine; usually you'll need to push the F1 or Delete key as the computer boots) and write down the current settings before proceeding further.
• Keep an eye out for any built-in diagnostic tools; you might be able to find an error by using these.
• If no diagnostic tools exist, go to the BIOS's hard drive section and make sure it's configured as "Auto."
• If the BIOS has an autodetect feature, run it to make sure that it can actually detect your hard drive.
• If your BIOS has an optimized default option, try loading it and rebooting.
• If the BIOS has a failsafe default option, try loading it and rebooting.
• Attempt to enter your PC in Safe Mode. (As your computer boots, quickly press the F8 key.) If you can get in, run Windows' built-in diagnostic tool to check your drive for bad sectors and file system errors.
• While still in Safe Mode, scan your computer for viruses, Trojans, spyware, and other threats that could be causing problems.

If none of these steps solves the problem, check to see if your computer is still under warranty and find out how to send it back. If the warranty has expired, unplug the computer, open up the PC's case, and proceed to the Advanced Steps.

Advanced Steps:

• Make sure that the hard drive is firmly connected to both the power supply and the motherboard.
• Reseat the video card.
• Clear the CMOS by resetting the jumper on the motherboard. Before you do so, consult the motherboard or computer's documentation and be very careful while handling these components.
• If your computer has more than one stick of RAM, remove them all and try adding them back, starting with the slot closest to the processor. If the PC boots with one and not the other, you likely have a faulty stick of RAM.
• Make sure that the correct hard drive is set as the primary (master) drive and that the proper cable is connected. 
• Replace the hard drive cable(s) with known working ones.
• Remove the PC's main power supply and replace it with a known working one.
• If none of this works you may want to take the drive in for service or replace it altogether. If at all possible, back up your data first.

You might also find Smart Computing's BIOS troubleshooting guide helpful when dealing with a computer that won't boot from the hard drive.

Case - IV

Windows Won't Boot (After BIOS POST Has Been Completed) or Crashes

Initial Steps:

• Make sure that there isn't a disk in your floppy or CD drive.
• Remove external drives or devices.
• Enter the Windows Advanced Options menu by pressing the F8 key during the BIOS's Power-On Self Test (POST). Select the option for "Last Known Good Configuration." (Note: if this works, you will lose any recently installed software or newly created files.)
• Enter the Windows Advanced Options menu, boot into Safe Mode with networking, and perform a system restore.
• While in Safe Mode run your antivirus and anti-spyware programs. Remove any detected threats.
• If that fails, attempt to back up your data using back-up software, burn files to a CD, or consult a professional. You may eventually have to reformat your hard drive and reinstall Windows.

Advanced Steps:

• Enter the Windows Advanced Options menu and choose the option that enables the bootlog. Restart, then boot into Safe Mode to compare the new bootlog and the original one. If you get error messages that certain drivers aren't loading correctly, write those down, and update or remove the faulty devices via Windows' Device Manager. You can then reinstall the drivers manually or ask Windows to locate a driver for the device.
• Insert your Windows Emergency Startup disk or the original CD-ROM and go to the Recovery Console. From there, you can attempt to restore the master boot record, the first logical sector on your hard drive where the BIOS loads a program to boot your computer.