Fixed Windows update cannot currently check for updates because the service is not running. You may need to restart your computer

If you try to search for Windows Updates and you are using Windows Vista and above you may get this error:
"Windows update cannot currently check for updates because the service is not running. You may need to restart your computer"

There are two fixes that seem to solve this problem the last one worked for me.

1. If it was caused by a corrupt windows update folder then we need to rename it and then allow windows update to create a new fresh folder (note you will have to install a lot of updates again)

First step is to deactivate the windows update service you can do this by clicking on start and in the run/search box type in cmd  and then right click cmd and choose Run as Administrator.

When cmd opens type net stop wuauserv and press enter you will get a success message.

Leave cmd open for now you, can minimise it.
Lets go to My Computer and navigate to C:\Windows and find the folder named SoftwareDistribution,
right-click this folder and choose rename and name it SoftwareDistribution.old and press enter.

Next step is to go back to cmd and type the following net start wuauserv ,press enter and then type exit to close cmd for good.

You can restart the computer and see if it helped.

If you still have the same problem try the next procedure.

2.This involves updating the Intel Rapid Storage Technology Driver and you can download the file from here:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c02219204&cc=nl&lc=en&dlc=en&product
even though it's for HP , I have a Toshiba and it installed and worked fine since most laptops have the same Intel chipset.

Hope this helps anyone and good luck.

net stop wuauserv

net stop wuauserv

clicking on Firefox shortcut icon opens Internet Explorer browser instead.(solved)

When clicking on the mozilla firefox shortcut icon on the desktop or start menu Internet Explorer opens instead, also any links you try to open from programs such as messenger also open in Internet Explorer but in the homepage.
This was a tricky problem even reinstalling firefox didnt really solve it and all the shortcuts pointed to the correct path and firefox was my default Internet Browser.
The correct solution was to fix the Windows OS Default File Association types

You can download them here:
http://malwaretips.com/threads/default-file-association-fixes-windows-xp-vista-7-and-8-tested.12701/

I was using Windows Vista so I did all the registry fixes  like .exe, .com etc and after logging off and on again all was resloved.

5 things you should know before trying to fix your computer.

Let's face it everyone thinks they're a computer technician ,just need a screwdriver  patience and brains right?
Sometimes it's not as simple as it looks.
There a many factors and precautions to to consider before you even put that screwdriver in your hand.
I will list 5 important things that you should know before you even attempt to repair your computer.

1.One of the most important things is to have  a clean,clutter, hassle free workplace where you will be working on the computer.you need to place the side panels in one place ,computer parts and cables in another so make sure you have the space for it (and don't place it on the floor or carpet that's just silly.)
Also the right tools are handy to have too make sure the screwdrivers are the correct sizes and lengths too.
Using the correct tool for the job will make it much more pleasant.

2.ESD or ElectroStatic Discharge is how us humans can destroy and kill electronic components by just touching them.
Think of it as when rubbing your feet on the carpet and touching a metallic object like a door knob you receive a shock, though harmless to us can be deadly to the electronic components inside your computer (desktop or even laptop).
Before touching any component you have to either get an antistatic mat to place on your workspace ,ESD wrist strap to prevent you're body from sending any charge that will harm sensitive components.
If those items are not available then you can protect  the components  by touching anything metal on the computer case such as the power supply or chassis before touching anything electronic.
Remember to remove any fancy jewellery as well since this can cause ESD too.More info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrostatic_discharge

3.Turn off all power to the computer and remove any external cables such as the power cord ,printers ,modems ,network cables ,printers as these devices can still be holding current and you don't want any current when working on the inside of a computer.

4.Backup ,Backup ,Backup.
This is very important if you are doing a software repair as opposed to a hardware (physical) repair.
cleaning viruses, messing around with important system files if you're not too experienced can cause a nightmare instead of a solution, and you don't want to do backups when it's in nightmare mode trust me.

5.Research before you start to try and fix your computer yourself, will you be able to do it ,do you have the expertise, will you be able to finish once you start ,research online to similar problems that others are experiencing and see if their solutions apply to you and if they do can you do it yourself?
Compare repair costs if you fix it yourself will it cost you more than to have a qualified technician fix it for you?

These are 5 of the things that one should consider before trying to fix their own computers at home or even at work.Sure there are many more out there but these are straight forward guidlines that need to be followed and considered.

If you try to fix your computer yourself then all I can say is
Good Luck.


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Windows 7 64bit does not use all the memory installed

Had a laptop with windows 7 64bit edition and 4GB of Memory installed but the system would recognise 4GB but it said only 3GB is usable.
The problem here is that windows 7 has limited the usable memory to 3GB in the startup settings.
To fix this click Start ,type msconfig ,select the Boot tab and then select Advanced options , and uncheck the  Maximum memory option if activated click OK when done.
Then Apply and restart the computer.

Problem solved.

Windows 7 keeps reverting to 640x480 screen resolution

This one was a strange one every time you log into windows 7 the screen resolution would revert back to the lowest setting which in my case was 640x480 .
What was happening is that there is an option activated to boot windows 7 with a Base Video mode ,so even if you change the screen resolution back to what it was initially it would always revert back to 640x480 because that option is enabled.
To fix this click on Start ,type msconfig and in the General tab select Normal startup  ,Apply and restart.

Problem Solved.

Windows 7 does not autoplay CDs and DVDs

When inserting an audio, film, or software disk in windows 7 it no longer autoplays as before .
This is usually caused by a service that is not starting automatically, to resolve this do the following steps:

Click on Start then type services in the search box and select it when it is shown.
When the services window opens scroll down until you find Shell Hardware Detection double click it and change it's start-up to Automatic , click OK and then close the services window and restart windows.


Autoplay should now work.

 

Forum added to site.

Finally a forum has been added to the site where you can ask computer related questions and hopefully get the answers for them too.

click here to enter the forum