Access Windows 8 Troubleshooters

With Windows in built troubleshooting wizards fixing system issues becomes very easy. For example fixing issues like slow performance, no internet connection, windows updates. This feature is also included in the Windows 8 PC version. They can be accessed pretty easily just need to get accustomed to Windows 8.

To access the library of Windows 8 troubleshooting wizards, follow these steps:

1. Type "troubleshooting" while on the Start Screen and select Troubleshooting
2. Swipe in from the right side of the screen to open your Charms bar (if using a mouse, hover on the top right corner of the screen and move the pointer down to open the Charms bar) then select Settings.
3. Alternately, press the Windows + I keys to go directly to the Settings Charm.
4. Select Control Panel. In the location bar at the top of the window, select the arrow next to Control Panel and select All Control Panel items, then select Troubleshooting from the list of items.
5. On the left side of the screen, select View all to get the full list of offline and online troubleshooting wizards. 

Windows 8 system requirements

The system requirement for Windows 8 generally match those for Windows 7. There is a change in processor requirements and some additional requirement for new features in Windows 8.

If you want to run Windows 8 on your PC, here's what it takes:

·        Processor: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster with support for PAE, NX, and SSE2 (more info)

·        RAM: 1 gigabyte (GB) (32-bit) or 2 GB (64-bit)

·        Hard disk space: 16 GB (32-bit) or 20 GB (64-bit)

·        Graphics card: Microsoft DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM driver

Additional requirements to use certain features:

·        To use touch, you need a tablet or a monitor that supports multitouch (more info)

·        To access the Windows Store and to download and run apps, you need an active Internet connection and a screen resolution of at least 1024 x 768

·        To snap apps, you need a screen resolution of at least 1366 x 768

·        Internet access (ISP fees might apply)

·        Secure boot requires firmware that supports UEFI v2.3.1 Errata B and has the Microsoft Windows Certification Authority in the UEFI signature database

·        Some games and programs might require a graphics card compatible with DirectX 10 or higher for optimal performance

·        Microsoft account required for some features

·        Watching DVDs requires separate playback software (more info)

·        Windows Media Center license sold separately (more info)

·        BitLocker To Go requires a USB flash drive (Windows 8 Pro only)

·        BitLocker requires either Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 1.2 or a USB flash drive (Windows 8 Pro only)

·        Client Hyper-V requires a 64-bit system with second level address translation (SLAT) capabilities and additional 2 GB of RAM (Windows 8 Pro only)

·        A TV tuner is required to play and record live TV in Windows Media Center (Windows 8 Pro Pack and Windows 8 Media Center Pack only)

·        Free Internet TV content varies by geography, some content might require additional fees (Windows 8 Pro Pack and Windows 8 Media Center Pack only)

To check if your PC meets these requirements, you can run the Upgrade Assistant.

How to troubleshoot a problem by performing a clean boot in Windows Vista or in Windows 7

Step 1: Perform a clean boot

• Log on to the computer by using an account that has administrator rights.
• Click Start, type msconfig.exe in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER to start the System Configuration utility.
• If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type your password, or click Continue.

Computer Does Not Boot to Microsoft Windows 7

Step 1. Verify the Computer Finishes Initial Power-Up (POST)

In many cases a computer will not attempt to hand off control to the operating system. If you power the computer on and you see a Dell logo screen with a bar at the bottom, and that bar fills up completely and disappears, then your computer has successfully completed POST.

Step 2. Check for Specific Error Messages

Capture the specific error code and search at Google, Microsoft or this website try searching for additional solutions on the Web.

Step 3. Run a Computer Diagnostic

To determine if your computer is experiencing a hardware problem, run the Diagnostics.
Everest Home Edition, complete system diagnostics software

Seagate Hard disk tools, hard disk diagnostics tools
Western Digital Hard disk tools, hard disk diagnostics tools

Step 4. Boot the Computer into Safe Mode

Try booting the system into Safe Mode to isolate the issue to be either Hardware   or Software related

• Start the computer. 
• Tap <F8> on the keyboard immediately after the manufacturer logo screen disappears until you see the Windows Advanced Options Menu on the screen.(If the Windows Advanced Options Menu does not appear, restart the system and try again.)
• Select Safe mode and press <Enter>. 
• Log on as the administrator or as a user with administrative access.

How Do I Fix the "hal.dll is missing or corrupt" Error Message?

Step 1: Repair the Windows Boot Configuration

The error hal.dll is missing or corrupt can usually be resolved by repairing the Windows boot configuration.

1. Restart the computer.

2. Tap the <F8> key during startup until the Windows Advanced Options menu appears.  (If the Windows Advanced Options menu does not appear, restart the computer, and try again.)

3. Press the <Down Arrow> key until Repair Your Computer is highlighted, and press the <Enter> key.

4.When the System Recovery Options window appears, click to select your language, and click Next.

5. Log in as a user with administrative rights, and click OK.  (The Windows Recovery Environment appears.)

6. From the Choose a recovery tool menu, click Startup Repair.  (Startup Repair proceeds to check the system for issues and resolve them.)

7. Once completed, click Finish.

8. Click Restart.

Step 2: If repairing the boot configuration does not resolve the problem, the operating system must be reinstalled.

Microsoft Windows Locks Up, Hangs Unexpectedly or an Error Occurs

Step 1: Search for Error Codes 

Windows may display an error code associated with the lockup or error. Use Google or Microsoft or Dell to search the error code or message displayed and select from the options to search for your specific issue.

Step 2: Run a Computer Diagnostic

To determine if your computer is experiencing a hardware problem, run the Diagnostics.

Step 3: Run Routine System Maintenance

Open the Performance troubleshooter by clicking the Start button, and in the search box, type troubleshooter, and then click Troubleshooting. Click View All and then click the checkbox to show online troubleshooters.The two troubleshooters are Performance and System Maintenance. 

Also, use the System File Checker to verify the system files and folders on your computer. To run System File Checker, click Start type cmd in the Start Search box in the Start menu and then right click on the cmd icon and then select Run as Administrator. In the Command Prompt window type sfc /scannow press Enter.

Windows 7 - Restore to Factory Settings (DELL)

Step 1:  Turn on the computer and press the <F8> key when the Dell Logo appears.

Windows 7 - System Repair from CD/DVD

Step 1: How To Boot From a CD, DVD, or BD Disc (follow link), or Press the <F12> key on Dell Logo and then in the One Time Boot Menu Select CD/DVD drive.

To start this Windows install insert the first CD or the DVD into the drive and start or restart your computer

Step 2: If an Operating System is already on the Computer then the following screen will appear stating "Press any key to boot from CD or DVD", hit any key on the keyboard to continue.

Windows 7 - System Restore from CD/DVD

Step 1: How To Boot From a CD, DVD, or BD Disc (follow link), or Press the <F12> key on Dell Logo and then in the One Time Boot Menu Select CD/DVD drive.

To start this Windows install insert the first CD or the DVD into the drive and start or restart your computer

Step 2: If an Operating System is already on the Computer then the following screen will appear stating "Press any key to boot from CD or DVD", hit any key on the keyboard to continue.

Windows 7- Clean Installation/ Re-installation

Step 1:  How To Boot From a CD, DVD, or BD Disc (follow link), or 

Press the <F12> key on Dell Logo and then in the One Time Boot Menu Select CD/DVD     drive.

Boot from the Windows Vista CD

To begin the Windows Vista clean install process, you will need to boot from the Windows Vista CD. Watch for a Press any key to boot from CD... message similar to the one shown in the screenshot.

Windows Vista - PC Restore to Dell Factory Image

Step 1:  Turn on the computer and press the <F8> key when the Dell Logo appears.

Step 2:  From the Advanced Boot Options highlight Repair Your Computer with the arrow keys and press <ENTER>.

Windows Vista - Startup Repair or Repair Installation from CD/DVD

Step 1: How To Boot From a CD, DVD, or BD Disc (follow link), or Press the <F12> key on Dell Logo and then in the One Time Boot Menu Select CD/DVD drive.

To start this Windows install insert the first CD or the DVD into the drive and start or restart your computer

Step 2: If an Operating System is already on the Computer then the following screen will appear stating "Press any key to boot from CD or DVD", hit any key on the keyboard to continue.

                

Step 3: Windows automatically run as the hard drive is blank, and will load files, this may take some time so be patient.

Windows Vista – System Restore if Unable to Boot to Windows

Step 1: How To Boot From a CD, DVD, or BD Disc (follow link), or Press the <F12> key on Dell Logo and then in the One Time Boot Menu Select CD/DVD drive

If an Operating System is already on the Computer then the following screen will appear stating "Press any key to boot from CD or DVD", hit any key on the keyboard to continue.

             

Step 2: Windows automatically run as the hard drive is blank, and will load files, this may take some time so be patient.

Windows Vista - Clean Reinstallation

Step 1:  How To Boot From a CD, DVD, or BD Disc (follow link), or 

Press the <F12> key on Dell Logo and then in the One Time Boot Menu Select CD/DVD     drive.

Boot from the Windows Vista CD

To begin the Windows Vista clean install process, you will need to boot from the Windows Vista CD. Watch for a Press any key to boot from CD... message similar to the one shown in the screenshot.

             

Step 2:  Windows will load files, this may take some time so be patient.

Windows XP - PC Restore to Dell Factory Image

Step 1: Turn on the computer.

Step 2:  When the Dell splash screen appears during the computer startup process, press and hold <Ctrl> and then press <F11>. Then, release both keys at the same time.

Step 3:  In the Dell PC Restore by Symantec window, click Restore. Alternatively, press <Tab> to highlight Restore, and then press <Enter>.

Step 4:  When a warning message appears stating that all data will be lost, click Confirm, or press <Tab> to highlight Confirm and then press <Enter>.

The Progress window will appear. Once the restore process starts, Dell PC Restore by Symantec usually takes about 8 to 10 minutes to finish.

When the restore process is complete, the following message will appear:

“The system recovery process was successful”

Step 5:  Click Finish or press <Tab> to highlight Finish and then press <Enter> to restart the computer. The software is now installed as it was when the computer was first received.

Windows XP - Startup Repair or Repair Installation from CD/DVD

A Repair Installation or Startup Repair of Windows is valuable when you need to reinstall important Windows files but keep all of your personal files and programs intact. A Repair Install can be thought of as a "copy over" of Windows. A Startup Repair is a smarter version of a Repair Install.

A Startup Repair or Repair Install is very often a relatively easy fix for many serious Windows operating system problems. Since these Windows repair options don't erase anything from your computer, they are simple ways to restore important Windows files. In general, a Startup Repair or Repair Installation of Windows is accomplished by running the original Windows setup process and choosing the correct installation method or diagnostic option.

Step 1: How To Boot From a CD, DVD, or BD Disc (follow link)

Step 2:  Boot From the Windows XP CD

To begin the Windows XP clean install process, you will need to boot from the Windows XP CD. Watch for a Press any key to boot from CD... message similar to the one shown in the screenshot above.

            

Step 3: Press F6 to Install a Third Party Driver

Windows XP – System Restore if Unable to Boot to Windows

Step 1: Turn off the computer.

Step 2: Turn on the computer and press the F8 key every other second until the Windows Advanced Options window appears.

Step 3: Press the <Down Arrow> key on the keyboard and select Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

Step 4: Press the <Enter> key on the keyboard.

Step 5: Log in as the administrator or as a user with administrator rights.

Step 6: At the command prompt (blinking cursor), type:

                           C:\Windows\system32\restore\rstrui.exe

              and then press the <Enter> key.

Step 7: If Windows XP has been reinstalled to a different location on this computer, change C:\Windows to the new path.

Windows XP – System Restore if Able to Boot to Windows

Step 1: Navigate to the Start -> Programs -> Accessories -> System Tools program group and choose System Restore.

Step 2: Choose the Restore my computer to an earlier time radio button and then click Next >.

Step 3: Choose an available date on the calendar on the left.

Note: Available dates are those when a restore point was created and are shown in bold. You can not use System Restore to undo Windows XP changes to a date that a restore point does not exist.

Step 4: Choose a specific restore point on the right.

Note: All restore points created on the date you selected in Step 3 will be listed here. This includes any restore points that you created, scheduled restore points that Windows XP created, and those created automatically during the installation of certain programs.

Step 5: Click Next >.

Step 6: Click Next > on the Confirm Restore Point Selection window to begin the System Restore.

Note: Windows XP will shut down to complete the System Restore so be sure to save any work you might have open in other programs now.

Important: System Restore will not revert any of your non-system files like documents, email, music, etc. to a previous state. These types files are completely unaffected by System Restore. If your intention with this tool was to recover a deleted non-system file, try a file recovery program instead of System Restore.

Step 7: System Restore will now restore Windows XP to the state that was recorded in the restore point you chose in Step 4.

Note: The System Restore process could take several minutes. Your computer will then reboot as normal when complete.

Step 8: Immediately after logging in after the reboot, you should see the Restoration Complete window.

Click OK.

Step 9: Windows XP will now continue to start.

Check to see if whatever Windows XP problem you were troubleshooting has been corrected by this System Restore.

If the problem still persists, you can repeat the steps above and choose another restore point if one is available. If this restoration caused a problem, you can always undo this particular System Restore

Windows XP - Clean Reinstallation

Step 1: How To Boot From a CD, DVD, or BD Disc (Link), or Press the <F12> key on Dell Logo and then in the One Time Boot Menu Select CD/DVD drive

Step 2:  Boot From the Windows XP CD

To begin the Windows XP clean install process, you will need to boot from the Windows XP CD.    Watch for a Press any key to boot from CD... message similar to the one shown in the screenshot above.

               

Step 3: Press F6 to Install a Third Party Driver

The Windows Setup screen will appear and a number of files and drivers necessary for the setup process will load.

How To Boot From a CD, DVD, or BD Disc

Booting from a CD, DVD, or BD is sometimes necessary to run advanced tools like memory testing programs and password recovery tools. You'll also need to boot from a disc if you're planning to reinstall Windows or run repair tools like a Startup Repair or Recovery Console.

When you boot from a disc, what you're actually doing is running your computer with a small operating system that's installed on the CD, DVD, or BD. When you start your computer normally, you're running with the operating system installed on your hard drive - Windows, Linux, etc.

Follow these easy steps to boot from a disc:

Here's How:

1.  Change the boot order in BIOS so the CD, DVD, or BD drive is listed first. Some computers are already configured this way but many are not.

If the optical drive is not first in the boot order, your PC will start "normally" (i.e. boot from your hard drive) without even looking at what might be in your disc drive.

Note: After setting your optical drive as the first boot device in BIOS, your computer will check that drive for a bootable disc each time your computer starts. Leaving your PC configured this way shouldn't cause problems unless you plan on leaving a disc in the drive all the time.

2.     Insert your bootable CD, DVD, or BD in your disc drive.