Computer Troubleshooting Techniques

Common Troubleshooting Strategies and Techniques


The following article is based on years of experience.Being a good computer technician is based on experience but also in reading and research. I Challenge veryone not only PC technician can fix computer problems but you also can fix this problem just keep reading and keep searching from the internet Directron.com is one of the site how to fix computer problems. It is provided as a free service customers and visitor . Ho you are welcome to distribute these computer support tips free to your friends and associates as long as it’s not for commercial purposes and you acknowledge the source. . All of us will start from basic here are the basic troubleshooting techniques and Strategies in troubleshooting minor computer problems.


Here are five common-sense techniques and strategies to solve common computer hardware problems.


(1) Trial-and-error


Personal computers are highly modular by design. The most powerful trouble-shooting technique is to isolate the problem to a specific component by trial-and-error. Swap compatible components and see if the system still works. Try different peripherals on different machines and see if the same problem occurs. Make one change at a time.


(2) "It’s the cable, s—–."


More than 70% of all computer problems are related to cabling and connections. Ensure all cables are connected firmly. IDE and floppy ribbon cables and power cables can often go loose. Ensure microprocessor, memory modules, and adapters such as video card and sound card are inserted correctly and didn’t "pop-up" during transportation.


(3) Don’t be frustrated!


Don’t be afraid of computer problems. It is often the best opportunity to learn. Trouble-shooting is part of the fun of owning a computer. Imagine the satisfaction you could get by solving a problem yourself.


Of course the fun could ran out quickly once you are frustrated and have spent too much time on the same problem. If you feel frustrated, it’s time to leave it for a while and go back with some new ideas or call someone who can help. Rule of thumb: You shouldn’t spend more than three hours on the same problem at one time.


(4) Take notes!


Take notes of what you have done and all the error messages. You may need to use them later. For instance, when you see an unusual blue screen with an error message, copy the entire message onto a piece of paper. In many situations, that message may point to the right direction in getting the problem solved quickly.


(5) Take a look?


It’s OK to open a computer case and take a look inside. There is only 5V and 12V DC voltage supplied to the components outside the power supply. Those who have never seen the inside






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how to remove autorun.inf

Computer Virus attacks!


There’s a strain of computer virus that infects the file server and workstations of the computer laboratory of Hercor College, Roxas City, Capiz, Philippines. It hides itself by using the name ctfmon.exe (Ctfmon.exe monitors the active windows and provides text input service support for speech recognition, handwriting recognition, keyboard, translation, and other alternative user input technologies.) It was detected by TrendMicro 2007 as PE_VBAC.A virus and as MianCrypt.Gen virus by AVAST.


The said virus hides itself inside a folder named Recycled. The folder has a hidden/system/read-only attribute, that’s why you can’t see it if you will use the Search window. When your system is infected by the said virus, it infects every drive connected to your PC by dropping VCAB.DLL to the internet temporary folder and creating the CTFMON.EXE to folder Recyled & AUTORUN.INF to the root directory of every drive. That’s why when you connect your USB sticks to the infected PC it will be infected immediately, the USB disks will be the new carrier for the virus. The program runs every time you start your computer because it copy itself in the Startup folder of the Start Menu. It also run every time your insert the infected USB disk and it triggers every time you Double-Click the infected drive (bcoz of the AUTORUN.INF). The virus infects .EXEs and .DLLs.


To check if your system is infected by the said virus without using an antivirus, do the following steps:


Go to command prompt.
Type CD\ in drive C to go the root directory
Type DIR /AH and press ENTER key. This will display all hidden files in your drive C
If you see a file AUTORUN.INF and a folder Recycled, then your system is infected.
Try doing this to your USB drive and check if your USB stick contains the same folder and AUTORUN.INF, if it does then your system is really infected.
To remove it download and install a trial version of Trendmicro and scan your system.


To manually remove it (but i’m not recommending it especially if the infections of Bacalid is very high try using an anti-virus such as McAfee or TrendMicro’s PCCillin) follow the following steps (This is the step I take when i repair my computer without an internet connection. Note you should understand what you’re about to do, you try it at your own risk!)


Boot your system in Safemode
Go to command prompt, in Drive C do the following commands.
Type -> ATTRIB -H -R -S AUTORUN.INF then press enter
Type -> DEL AUTORUN.INF then press enter
Type -> ATTRIB -H -R -S Recycled then press enter
In Windows Explorer in Safemode, remove the folder Recycled in drive C use Shift-Delete to delete the folder.
Repeat Step 3 to 6 for all drives of your system including the USB drive.
Search for CTFMON.EXE in your system using the Search of Windows found in Start Menu. If you find a file that is not located in C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32, delete it immediately. Dont forget to empty the recycle bin afterwards (Usually the virus will copy itself in the Startup folder of the Startmenu. Check if the file is present there and delete it then.)
To disable autorun of drives (i.e. everytime you double-click a drive or cd or usb, it is auto open) follow the following step:


Click Start->Run->type REGEDIT.EXE
Go to this key from the register HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
Look for the entry NoDriveTypeAutoRun, double click the entry
Type a new value : 0FF (Hex) for the NoDriveTypeAutoRun, this will turn off the AutoRun for all drives, and press ENTER
Reboot the system.




Viruses that uses Autorun.INF


There are several viruses that uses the autorun.inf to spread itself such as the Bacalid (hides itself in ctfmon.exe) and the RavMon.EXE. These viruses set its file attributes to System+Hidden+Read-Only attributes so some anti-viruses will have a hard time detecting or finding them. These viruses save itself in the root directory of every available drives of the current infected computer and runs itself every time you Double-Click the drive. In USB Sticks and CDs that are infected by the virus runs automatically especially if drive autorun is enabled for the current drives (which is usually by default, autorun for drives are enabled).


Autorun.INF is usually used by CD Installers to autoplay their installations but Hard disks by default should not have AUTORUN.INF in the drive.


Now, it is possible that your computer is infected by those viruses if you try to display the content of the your computer through command prompt, using the dir /ah command. Y




Disable AUTORUN from Registry


Now you can disable the AUTORUN for all drives by configuring the registry. Open the registry by typing regedit.exe to the command prompt (if your still at the command prompt) or execute it in Run. Look for the HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer as shown below:


Double-click the NoDriveAutorun DWORD entry and type the value HEX: FF (255 in Decimal). (If the NoDriveAutorun does not exists, you can creat it by right-clicking the right side area of the regedit window, then click New->DWord Value -> type NoDriveAutorun) Close the registry and restart the computer. This procedure will disable all the autorun for all drives of your computer and at least will prevent the autorun function of infected USB drives or CDs and avoid the infection of viruses like the Bacalid and RavMon.exe

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Tips how to pass Computer Hardware Servicing or NCII

In the City of San Jose for me it is easy to pass the examination about Computer Hardware Servicing NC II more knowledge about (DOs) disk operating system commands, windows 98 and the windows 2000 DOS commands and uses. All questions are come from Windows 98 and Windows 2000, basic troubleshooting and networking. In hardware installation it is easy to pass more knowledge about dual boot using windows 98 and windows 2000. Peer to peer network using cross over connection on the UTP cable and the standard connection. After the crimping using the cross over and the standard connection you have to connect to another computer using the given IP address and Print a document that come from the server. And that’s all you are one of the passer for Computer Hardware Servicing Technician. These Tips can help you pass the examination. For more information contact me via email owboi77@yahoo.com


To all my readers about Computer Hardware Servicing almost 90% of those we read this article are passed on the examination. Although this is only a simple tips for all but surely guaranteed that it can help. Some readers mail me for some information about the examination about some question for interview i can give you also tips some common question for CHS intervew.

Facebook Scams You Need To Know About: The 9 Most Common Hacks and Attacks

Given Facebook’s fame, it was only a matter of time before con-artists brought their scams onto the network. Facebook today is infested with dozens of different scams, with increasing reports of users falling victim to foul play. If you’re an avid facebook user, here are 9 common scams that you should look out for, and avoid when they inevitably come your way.

1. Clickjacking

[Source: Cheerleaders Gone Wild Clickjacking Tempts Facebook Users]

Ever seen applications asking you to paste certain chunks of technical (and illegible) code in your browser address bar? This is essentially what clickjacking is; tricking you to paste harmful code in your browser that authorizes foreign access to your Facebook, baiting your curiosity with “Find out who is stalking you!” claims.

2. Fake Friend Requests

Ever get friend requests from strangers? That might be because programmed bots were created to expand a scammer's social network for personal gain. You might think it’s harmless to accept their request, but what you are unaware of is that they might be just looking to send you spam or viruses. We know it’s hard to turn down a friend request from a Megan Fox lookalike, but think about it, are you really that lucky?

3. Phishing

Phishing simply means an attempt to steal your important personal details (credit card info, passwords) by posing as an authorized or trustworthy site. Facebook has had several of such scams, including some tricky ones that resemble a facebook portal asking you to re-login. The best way to spot phishing sites is to look out for unusual-looking URLs in the address bar.

4. Malicious Pages, Groups & Events

Many scam pages exist solely to extract and collect personal information from you. Such pages and groups often try to trick you into inviting your friends to join them or participate in their quizzes (sometimes booby-trapped with phishing schemes) by offering you phony gifts and rewards. Some of these pages may be pose as authentic companies like Microsoft or Apple in order to gain your trust.

5. Fake “Team Facebook” Emails

The real Team Facebook always sends messages telling you they will never ask for personal information such as passwords, and they mean it. If you ever get an email or message from “Team Facebook” asking you for passwords, you can be sure they are looking to steal your personal information.

6. Worms & Viruses

For a content-rich network like Facebook, there are plenty of opportunities to lay mines for worms and other computer viruses. One such example is the koobface worm in 2008, which posed as links to Adobe Flash Player updates and were circulated to disastrous consequences. Although Koobface worms have mostly been stamped out, there are still cases of infection so watch out for those.

7. Western Union Money Scam

An extremely scary scam, this one poses as your friend, sending you a request to urgently transfer cash to him via Western Union (most commonly) or through other wiring services like PayPal. This is where it works best. How do you turn down a friend in need? You don’t, and your money gets stolen. Be very wary when you are asked for money. Tell your friend to call you personally if he needs it that desperately.

8. Unauthorized Surveys

It’s extremely common to take polls and quizzes on Facebook. Everyone does, and it’s not a surprise to see your friend update his status about how he is "Captain America of the Avengers”. It’s fun, but watch out for the kind of quizzes you are taking. Some surveys redirect you outside of Facebook, while others require you to enter personal details such as your contact number before you can view results. Reject these, as most of them are scams looking to get your personal details.

9. Harmful Apps

Harmful apps often look like they are the real thing. They disarm you with images and text that make them look authentic and harmless, whereas in reality they just want to trick you into “allowing” the app. Once allowed, the app now has liberty to send fake announcements and messages to your network of friends. Heard of the infamous “Facebook Shutdown” scam? This was how it originated.

10 Personal Details Revealed by Bill Gates — Including 1 Secret

Bill Gates needs no introduction. We all know he is the second richest man in the world and the co-founder of software giant, Microsoft. But did you know he was arrested for driving without a license when he was a teenager?

a recent interview with the Daily Mail , he gave interviewers a candid look into the life of a billionaire. Here are 10 things you didn’t know about Bill Gates.

1. His kids sing ‘Billionaire’ to poke fun at him

Jennifer, 15, Rory, 12, and Phoebe, nine, regularly tease their dad by singing the hit song by Travie McCoy and Bruno Mars. They’ve also introduced him to Lady Gaga, albeit only in parts.

“The 12-year-old is always worried about the nine-year-old listening to songs with bad words. So he’s like, “No! Skip that one!” So I only know some Lady Gaga songs”, said Gates.

2. His kids will only receive a small portion of his wealth as inheritance

His three children are rumoured to inherit ‘only’ US$10 million each. Although this was not disclosed in the interview, it’s probably about right. “It will be a minuscule portion of my wealth. It will mean they have to find their own way”, he said.

As a self-made billionaire, he feels that a solid education coupled with money to cover any health issues will be enough for his kids. He hopes that they will strike it big on their own efforts.

3. Bono may or may not have invited Gates backstage when U2 was performing in Seattle…

… But he certainly stayed in the Gates house that night.

4. He has given $28 billion to charity

He and his wife, Melinda, are the board trustees for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. They have given up to $28 billion to various causes. The main cause they are championing is to prevent Malaria in Africa. Gates decided vaccinating the world’s disadvantaged is a cost-effective, simple way to help the very poor.

“The motto of the foundation is that every life has equal value. There are more people dying of malaria than any specific cancer”.

5. His job is no longer at Microsoft

Gates has been very clear that his present involvement in Microsoft is limited. Instead, he has chosen to focus his time on his $37.1 billion charity foundation. And it seems unlikely that he will ever return to helm Microsoft.

He says, ‘My full-time work for the rest of my life is this foundation.’

6. People in Third World countries have no idea who he is.

It’s hard for the people in the third-world to be as awed by Gates. In fact, most don’t even know who he is.

“They don’t know who I am, because it doesn’t relate to their world. I went to one place with the chief minister and someone said, ‘Who is this guy?’ and the chief minister said, ‘This is a white-skinned guy I brought with me.’

7. His pride and joy is the Codex Leicester

This was one of Leonardo da Vinci’s notebooks. He bought it in 1994 for a cool $30.8 million.

‘I’m lucky that I own that notebook. I’ve always been amazed by Da Vinci, because he worked out science on his own’.

The avid reader mentioned that it would be one of the first things he’d take with him if his house were on fire. However, he does feel it’d be a waste if his famous art pieces and documents by Issac Newton and Abraham Lincoln should go up in flames.

8. He has a Twitter and Facebook account

But he’s been having problems with Facebook due to the sheer number of requests.

9. He let slip that Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg may be engaged to long-time girlfriend, Priscilla Chan

Gates referred to Chan as Zuckerberg’s fiancée during the interview. Oops.

According to Business Insider:

“Facebook’s head of communications Elliot Schrage suggested that Bill Gates was mistaken. ‘If [Mark is engaged, Bill Gates] knows something I don’t know. Gates’s communications guy just wrote to apologize for the misunderstanding.’”

10. He does not want a legacy

To quote the great man himself: “‘Legacy is a stupid thing! I don’t want a legacy. If people look and see that childhood deaths dropped from nine million a year to four million because of our investment, then wow! I liken what I’m doing now to my old job. I worked with a lot of smart people; some things went well, some didn’t go so well. But when you see how what we did ended up empowering people, it’s a very cool thing”.

The Hows and Whys of Computer Hacking

Gone are the days when hackers were obsessive little computer geeks, sitting alone in his bedroom, coding a virus that would unleash havoc in the computer world. In fact, modern hackers are a sociable bunch who make use of instant messaging and video chatting to ensure connectivity. Hacking conferences are lively affairs, where hackers share their latest achievements. The only entry-level requirements are an inquisitive mind and heaps of dedication to your craft. The initial lure of hacking is simply the sense of achievement felt from getting past the security hurdles on computers that are intended to thwart a vast majority of people. In addition, there's also the lure of the fact that machines will do what you tell them, without fail, again and again. Once mastered, it's a delicious power.
As systems advance, it essentially becomes easier to hack- modern computer systems are so complex that there is always a flaw to be exploited somewhere. Targets range from the easy- websites running outdated software- to the tough, complicated security systems. About half of the world is running on Microsoft's Windows XP, which is 10 years old and riddled with security lapses in its original form. Many of the copies used in the far east are pirated, and Microsoft refuses to let them be updated, which leaves the holes "unpatched", creating an easy backdoor for hackers. There exists widely distributed "hacking kits" that let would-be "l33t haX0rs" (elite hackers) target sites by clicking a few buttons.
Many start their hacking career by breaking into websites and defacing them, but this is regarded by their elders as the lowest form of hacking. Of course, getting caught is the ultimate humiliation. However, the more time they spend on it, the sooner they realize that a certain level of skills will make it possible to make money, either by stealing credit card details or by getting paid to create "malware" that could go for a high price.That might be programs that will silently take over a computer, or subvert a web browser so it goes to a particular site for which they get paid, or lace a website with commercial spam.
However, the distinction lies here: the commercial hackers do not go to conferences, and keep out of the public eye as far as possible, which can be hard when you are making serious money from it. They are the ones who the security and police services try very hard to keep their eyes on by any means possible, including infiltration and coercion. Some of the better hackers may be persuaded to work for governments. The suspicion is that in China the most successful are given no option.