I needed to reinstall Windows Vista 32 bit for a client after a harddrive crash. After receiving the error (“Windows is unable to find a system volume that meets its criteria for installation“) I pulled my hair out for a bit, trying different BIOS settings. In the end it was simple: change the boot order in the BIOS so that the hard drive is first. I found this tip and couldn’t imagine it working. It did.

This system was a Dell Optiplex 755, though it may work on other Optiplex’s and other brands as well.  On Dell systems you can use F12 to select the boot device manually to boot to the install CD. I hope this helps someone!

In a previous posting, I ranted about how disappointed I was in the Tiger Direct store off I-85 in Georgia. They advertise as the “Largest Computer Store in the World,” and yet when you walk in, it fails to impress.

Now, I’ve become impressed. Not with their storefront, but for their ability to ship quickly to South Carolina. On two separate occassions I’ve placed orders for multifunction laser printers for clients. In one situation I placed the order at about 4:30pm in the middle of the week. I selected the cheapest shipping option available, and “Voila!” the printer arrived before lunch the next day. A second printer also arrived the next day in the afternoon.

The one thing I will say is that this isn’t TD’s only shipping facility, so some orders placed with normal shipping may in fact take several days. But due to my experiences in the past, I will continue to make Tiger Direct high on my priority list for future orders.

Want to browse their inventory? Check them out here:

If you are getting the error message below, try the solution below. I never thought it would work for me, but it did, like a charm.

“Windows Update cannot currently check for updates, because the service is not running. You may need to restart your computer.”

So here is the deal: Total hard drive failure on a 13 month old Toshiba laptop. I replaced the harddrive and ordered Toshiba recovery media. Toshiba’s media is loaded with bloatware, so it takes hours for the recovery to complete. Once complete the laptop was running beautifully, and I went to launch Windows Updates so that I could move on to another project. That is when I got the message.

I researched Microsoft’s site, Toshiba forums, and more. I kept stumbling across posts that referenced the Intel Rapid Storage Technology Driver (IRRT), but the posts all referenced extra large harddrives, over 500GB. Mine was only 350. I could also find no reference to this driver in my Device Manager. I didn’t think I’d need to update it if I couldn’t find it in the first place. The links went to an HP website, and this was a Toshiba.

I called Toshiba and they knew nothing about the issue, even though problems were commonly repeated on the Toshiba forums that Windows Updates would not run after using Toshiba Recovery Media.

Finally I reached out to Microsoft. Cherry Wang came to my rescue. Sure enough, she referred me to the HP (not Toshiba, not Intel, not Microsoft) website, and the following link:

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c02219204&cc=nl&lc=en&dlc=en&product

30 second installation, reboot, and Windows Updates are running flawlessly now.

I hope this saves someone the headaches I had yesterday. Good luck!

Call Brady, Computer Services is now offering business bundles to those who need regular computer or web help. The packages include:

10 hour/month package at a 10% discount
20 hour/month package at a 20% discount
30 hour/month package at a 25% discount

If extra hours are required in a given month then the additional hours will also be discounted by the discounts above.
The packages can be used for company setup, networking and wireless support, web page design, search engine optimization services, and more. This is ideal for companies that need ongoing support, but don’t require the services of a full-time IT professional.
These packages require a 6-month contract that can be renewed/extended at any time.
Please Call Brady at 335-8672 if you have any questions or would like him to come on-site for a site-review and needs analysis.

I took this salad to a work function. The recipe was shared after the event by one of my co-workers who labelled it “Brady Salad.” I’ve actually met people who have asked, “Brady, as in ‘Brady Salad?’” If you make this right, people WILL ask for the recipe.

Strawberry Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

aka “Brady Salad”

Dressing:
1/3 cup cider vinegar
2 TBSP lemon juice
3/4 sugar (or half cup, depending on sweetness preference)
1 tsp salt
1 c salad oil (Vegetable oil- don’t use Olive Oil, too heavy)
1 tsp dry mustard
1/2 tsp paprika
1 1/2 TBSP poppy seeds

Blend all together in a blender on low until evenly mixed. Don’t overdo with a high speed blender because the heat can change the consistency.

Salad
Pecans
Raman Noodles, broken up (discard flavor packet)
Spring Mix Greens (or Romaine or spinach- don’t use “head lettuce”
Sliced Mushrooms
Strawberries (if out of season try green apples, pears, or choose your own fruit)

Mix all together, use your own tastes with the toppings. We use lots of pecans and a full packet of Raman.

A customer recently brought in a Windows 7 laptop with a new battery and harddrive and asked that I replace both. After installing the OS I noticed that the battery was not charging. Hovering over the battery icon, it indicated “Plugged in, not charging.”

I reseated both the power cord and the battery without success. Finally, I went under Device Manager, expanded the Battery category, right click on “Microsoft ACPI-Compliant Control Method Battery,” and Uninstall. After uninstall, I shut the computer down, reseated the battery one more time (unplug the laptop, remove the battery, and plug it back in) and then powered the computer on.

It started charging again instantly. Woo-hoo!

“Largest Computer Store in the World.” This is what a dozen I-85 billboards claim for the new facility at Exit 137 in Jefferson, Georgia. Drive by the building on the Interstate and the building appears to be about 1/4 mile long. I couldn’t wait to check it out!!

Pulling into the parking lot I was anticipating something that would blow Best Buy out of the water and leave even a Frye’s store gasping for air. Walking through the door I was immediately underwhelmed.

The facilities for shipping products to TigerDirect customers are indeed huge, but you’ll never see any of that. Walking into the front door, the store appears to be about 1/4 the size of an average Best Buy store with comparable selection. Prices were not competitive on anything that I looked at except for HDMI cables (I got a 15 foot cable for under $8).

At checkout there was ONE cashier. When she had to do a price check it stood the line still for over 5 minutes to checkout, with no effort to open up additional lines.

Overall I was very disappointed. Don’t waste your time with this store. I’ll still use them for online shopping, but if you are looking for a stellar computer store experience track down a Frye’s instead.

I’ve seen a number of systems lately where viruses have hidden all files. Once the virus is resolved, we still had issues getting programs to show up under “Start: All Programs” on Windows 7 and Vista systems.

Wendy found the following yesterday which has made all the difference:

This is a manual fix for Vista/Windows 7 users:

1. Copy the entire content of this folder:
C:\Users\user_name\AppData\Local\Temp\smtmp\1
and paste it to this folder:
C:\Program Data\Start Menu

2. Copy the entire content of this folder:
C:\Users\user_name\AppData\Local\Temp\smtmp\2
and paste it to this folder:
C:\Users\user_name\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch

3. Copy the entire content of this folder:
C:\Users\user_name\AppData\Local\Temp\smtmp\3
and paste it to this folder:
C:\Users\user-name\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\User Pinned\TaskBar

4. Copy the entire content of this folder:
C:\Users\user_name\AppData\Local\Temp\smtmp\4
and paste it to this folder:
C:\Program Data\Desktop

– Note: The “Start Menu”, “Quick Launch” and “Desktop” folders are system folders. In order to see them, you need to Reconfigure Windows to show hidden files, folders. In Windows Explorer go to Tools > Folder Options and click on the View tab. Under Advanced settings > Files and Folders > Hidden Files and Folders, uncheck “Hide Protected operating system Files (recommended)” and hit Apply > OK. In order to access the “Start Menu” folder, you may need to “take ownership” of that folder as shown here.
»www.vista4beginners.com/Change-p···wnership

One of my client’s was sold on the Verizon 4G Mifi yesterday, and was told that it could replace her existing DSL connection at home for both her computer network and phones. She had some trouble setting it up so I went over to help out. I recommended that she keep her DSL in place for a week or two to ensure that the Mifi would perform as promised. Before the day was over she sent me this E-mail:

Thanks for your suggestion on giving the network a week before doing anything with the phones.  It’s only taken a day to decide this isn’t for us.  We used up 19% of our data allowance in the first 48 hours, the kids ipods are slow and get only 2 signal bars  upstairs, and it cut off a Netflix movie mid stream when I tried to connect something else.  The Verizon guy insists it’ll take 8 devices but I can’t get it to hold more than 5.

 So call me at  your earliest convenience.  I’d like to have you come back to reset up the old network before I take the MiFi back.  I’m home all day tomorrow.

It is great technology and does have its uses, but don’t get sold on using it for your primary network access. It just isn’t their yet.