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Category: Windows

  • NovaPDF 7.1 Server Print Driver causes Windows 7 machines to crash or hang

    Background Windows Active Directory Domain with Server 2003R2 and 2008R2 domain controllers Windows XP Pro and Windows 7 Pro workstations Issue Some Windows 7 workstations are very unstable. Various applications frequently hangs. Often is not possible to kill not responding process in a task manager. Trying to reboot, machines hang while logging off, leaving user…

  • Windows 7 Libraries “some features are unavailable due to unsupported libraries locations. Click here to find more…”

    If you use Group Policy to redirect one of the Windows 7 Libraries to a network location, your clients may get a message “some features are unavailable due to unsupported libraries locations. Click here to find more…” Message appears when you open any folder in the affected library.This would happen if following is true: A…

  • Disable / Enable hibernation in Windows

    To Disable Hibernation Start > type cmd > right click on Command Prompt and click Run as AdministratorIn command prompt type powercfg.exe /hibernate off and press Enter.

  • How Long Since Last Windows Reboot

    Windows XP Open Command Prompt and run:systeminfoThis will return quite a bit of information. Scroll up and find line: System Up Time Alternately you can runsysteminfo | find “System Up Time”This will only return the system up time.

  • Allow Windows 7 Clients to Install Network Printer Drivers Without Providing Admin Credentials

    Domain users on Windows 7 machines are normally prompted for administrator password when installing network print drivers. If you trust drivers on your own server and don’t want to receive support calls every time user installs a network printer you can disable this behaviour using Group Policy: Computer Configuration > Policies > Administrative Templates >…

  • Windows 7 in VmWare ESXi 4.0 hangs on boot

    If you still use VMware ESXi 4.0 you may find that Windows 7 often hangs on boot displaying “Starting Windows” logo. This seems to be caused by Windows 7 startup animation. To fix this start Windows 7 in safe mode, open elevated command prompt and run:bcdedit /set bootux disabledThis will disable boot animation and allow…

  • Google Earth Panoramio Pictures Very Slow to Load

    Problem: Panoramio pictures in Google Earth take very long time to open or don’t open at all. During this time Google Earth application is not responsive.

  • Can’t remove printer drivers in Windows 7 – The Specified Printer Driver is Currently in Use

    Recently had to delete some network printers drivers on couple of Windows 7 machines.As usual went to Print Server > [computer] > Drivers > [driver] > Remove Driver PackageAfter confirming removal by clicking Delete was presented with an error message:Failed to remove driver [driver name]. The specified printer driver is currently in use.In Windows XP…

  • .mkv files – Change Audio and Subtitle Tracks

    MKV (matroska video) files often come with multiple audio and subtitle tracks. Not all video players allow to select which audio and subtitle track you want to play.Free Media Player Classic – Home Cinema is my favourite video player and it does allow to switch audio and subtitle tracks in .mkv files. You can download…

  • Install any version of Windows 7 using any version of Windows 7 DVD

    All Windows 7 DVDs contain all versions of Windows 7 (Starter, Home Basic, Home Premium, Professional to Ultimate edition), however they are normally restricted to install only single version.This done by a file ei.cfg located in /sources folder inside installation DVD. If you open this file in a text editor you will find text similar…

  • Windows 7 displays “please wait” during group policy software installation

    Windows XP workstations during GPO software installation normally displays “Installing managed software [Software-Name]“ Windows 7, however, by default only shows “Please Wait“I prefer more informative Windows XP approach. Users are less likely to complain about slow boot times when they see that computer is actually doing something, e.g. installing software. It also helps troubleshooting problems…

  • Run Firefox in safe mode (without add-ons)

    If you are having problems with Firefox one of the first things to try is starting Firefox in safe mode without add-ons as one of them could be causing your problems. Option 1: Make sure Firefox is not running Hold SHIFT key and double click on the Firefox shortcut on your desktop or in Program…