After installing Windows 7, you may experience an issue in which the screen(s) becomes completely blank directly after startup. This problem primarily affects multiple-monitor setups.
Fix In order to fix this issue, you first need to regain access to onscreen display. You can do this by either booting in safe mode (tap the F8 key on your keyboard repeatedly as the computer is starting up) or by temporarily disconnecting all but one of your monitors.
After you have started up and have access to your display, you will need to create a .bat file that kills the dwm process at startup. Follow these steps.
- Launch the Notepad application and create a new text document
- Type the following text into the document: taskkill /F /IM dwm.exe
- Save the file as displayfix.bat
- Copy this file to C:/ProgramData/Microsoft/Windows/Start Menu/Programs/Startup
- Restart
After you restart, Windows Aero may be disabled. To turn Aero back on, right-click on the desktop and select “Troubleshoot problems with transparency and other Aero effects” then enable Aero.
Filed under Windows 7 by on Apr 6th, 2009. 23 Comments. 
A number of Windows iTunes users have reported extremely poor performance from the application. Symptoms include long lags when clicking on items, delays before playback starts, slow launches and more.
Fixes
There are a few specific fixes that can provide a significant boost in iTunes for Windows speed.
Exclude iTunes library from antivirus software Launch your antivirus software package and exclude iTunes and the iTunes library (located in C:\Documents and Settings\yourusername\My Documents\My Music\iTunes) from the scanning routine. Because some iTunes library files are updated every several seconds, constant scanning by antivirus software can cause a massive slowdown.
Check for conflicts Use the instructions in this Apple Knowledge Base document to check for potential conflicts with iTunes. The suggested process involves using MSCONFIG to disable startup or system services that could be causing a slowdown, then re-enabling services one by one or in groups to check for recurrence of the conflict.
Add iTunes to firewall exceptions If you are experiencing particular slowness when accessing the iTunes store, try adding iTunes to the exception list in your Windows firewall. Instructions for doing so in Windows Vista are here, and instructions for Windows XP here.
You may also want to check any third-party firewall software and add iTunes to its exceptions list.
Turn off Genius It appears that that the iTunes Genius feature can cause slowness for some users. Try turning the feature off from the “Store” menu.
Update to the latest version Make sure you are using the latest version of iTunes, available from Apple’s Web site.
Filed under Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, iTunes by on Apr 7th, 2009. Comment.
Several users have reported an issue in which installation of Windows 7 fails, freezing on the “Completing Installation” phase.
Fixes
Disconnect external/internal devices The most common fix for this issue is to disconnect all external USB devices, excluding the keyboard and mouse, prior to installation. If installation still fails, try disconnecting the keyboard and mouse right before the freezing phase occurs.
Some users have also reported that they needed to disconnect internal third-party video cards or secondary (dual) monitors before installation would occur properly. The bottom line: get your system as close to bare-bones as possible prior to installation.
Turn on SATA AHCI Enter your system’s BIOS mode. This is accomplished by pressing a specific key repeatedly as soon as your computer is turned on (or right after it is restarted). For many computers, the key is F8, but it may be F1, F2, F10, the Delete (del) key or the Escape (ESC) key. Consult your computer or motherboard’s manual or try different keys until you find the right one.
Next check your HDD or storage settings–it may be set to “legacy device.” Change it to native SATA mode (SATA AHCI).
Filed under Windows 7 by on Apr 7th, 2009. 2 Comments.
A number of users have experienced problems updating to the newly released iTunes 8.1.1. Generally, when this issue occurs, installation appears to proceed normally but then delivers the error message “The installer encounted errors before iTunes could be configured. Your system has not been modified. To retry these operations at a later time please return to the installer again. Click Finish to exit installer.”
Fix
This problem can often be fixed by reinstalling the latest version of QuickTime via the following steps:
- Download the latest edition of QuickTime for Windows (make sure to pick the option without iTunes)
- Choose to save the file to your disk, then double-click the .exe file and install QuickTime
- After QuickTime is successfully installed, download iTunes again, choosing to save the file. Double-click the iTunes installer .exe and proceed with installation.
Other potential fixes for this issue include:
Run a disk check Disk errors, particularly in Windows XP, can prevent proper iTunes installation. See this Microsoft Knowledge Base article for instructions on performing a disk check/repair.
Use Windows Installer Cleanup Use the Windows Installer Cleanup tool to remove any references to Apple-related installation files (QuickTime, iTunes, etc.), then re-try using the aforementioned two-step method to reinstall QuickTime and iTunes.
Feedback? info@windowsfixup.com.
Filed under News, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, iTunes by on Apr 8th, 2009. 6 Comments.
The latest pre-release edition of Windows 7, build 7077, has been distributed to testers and subsequently leaked to various file-sharing services. Users of the new build report as dramatic speed boost relative to the prior build, particularly when launching applications and transferring files.
If you are having problems installing Windows 7, see our previous coverage for a fix.
We’ve also published fixes for the following Windows 7 issues:
Filed under News, Windows 7 by on Apr 8th, 2009. Comment.
Windows Explorer in Vista may sporadically display the message “Not Responding” during routine operation. This message is accompanied by a temporary freeze of Windows Explorer, or a complete lockup in which explorer automatically restarts or the explorer task must be ended using task manager (control+alt+delete).
Fixes
Run the system file checker tool Click Start then click All Programs. Go to Accessories and right-click “Command Prompt” then click Run as administrator. Enter the command sfc /scannow and press return. After the scan and repairs are complete, restart.
Check your antivirus software The presence of multiple, conflicting antivirus or anti-spyware/malware programs can cause this issue.
Pick one and only one package and make sure it is updated frequently. Installation of multiple anti-virus packages can create conflicts that might actually weaken your system’s immunity and can create stability and performance issues.
Your antivirus software may also be out-of-date or incompatible with Vista. Here’s a list of some compatible programs–make sure you are using the latest of edition of whichever you choose.
Create new administrator account Issues with your user account may cause the “not responding” issue to occur. Try creating a new user account and check for persistence of the problem:
- Open the control panel
- Go to User Accounts>Add User account>Create New “Admininstrator” Account
- Restart and login to the new account
- Check for peristence of the problem. If it is eliminated, transfer your old files from: C:\users\oldaccountname.
Filed under Windows Vista by on Apr 9th, 2009. Comment.
Several users have reported an issue in which Windows displays the message “Windows cannot connect to the printer. Access is denied” when attempting to add a new printer through the printer wizard, or suddenly after a system update or restart.
Fix
This issue can sometimes be fixed via the following process:
- Open the control panel and choose the printer section
- Choose “Add printer” then “Add a local printer”
- Click on “Create a new port” and choose “Local port”
- Click next, and you will be prompted for a port name. Type the following: \\computername\printername and apply the changes.
(where computername is the name of your computer and printername is the name of your printer.)
If you don’t know your computer’s name, click the start button then right-click on “computer” in Windows Vista and select properties (or right-click on “my computer” in Windows XP and select properties). The computer name will be displayed among the data.
To find your printer’s name, open the control panel then go to Printers and other
hardware>View Installed printers.
Filed under Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP by on Apr 9th, 2009. Comment.
Several users have reported receiving the error number 80244019 when attempting to use Windows Vista’s automatic update tool. This error can be the result of malware modification of DNS entries. It can be resolved by obtaining DNS entries automatically.
Follow these steps:
- Open the control panel
- Open the “Network and Sharing Center”
- Click “Manage Network Connection”
- Right-click on your current network connection’s icon and select “Properties”
- Click “Internet Protocol Versions 4 and 6 (TCP/IPv6 and 4)”
- Select “Obtain an IP address automatically and obtain DNS server addresses automatically” (Alternatively, you can click on the DNS section [under Advanced] and delete any DNS entries, which may be non-functional).
- Apply the changes
After completing these steps, restart and check for proper functionality of the Windows Update function.
Source: Microsoft
You should also take this time to install one, and only one strong anti-malware package. The presence of multiple packages can create conflicts that decrease system stability and can actually make your system more vulnerable.
Filed under Viruses/Malware, Windows Vista by on Apr 13th, 2009. Comment.
Perhaps one of the most frustrating times to experience a full system crash, accompanied by the blue screen of death (BSOD), is at startup. This issue typically occurs after a major system update or the introduction of some new third-party software or hardware to the system, and may display the error message “0x0000008E.” Fortunately, there’s a relatively straightforward process you can use to solve this problem in the majority of cases.
Follow these steps:
- Startup in safe mode (tap the F8 key on your keyboard repeatedly as the computer is starting up)
- Select a method of safe booting from the menu (first try with networking; if the crash still occurs, try without networking)
- Once the system has booted, click the Start button and type MSCONFIG then press enter in Windows Vista (in Windows XP, click the Start button, then click “Run” and type MSCONFIG then press enter)
- Go to the startup tab
- Uncheck any third-party and nonessential startup items–on most systems, this would include all items on the list. Apply the changes and press OK, then restart the system if it does not happen automatically. Startup normally (i.e. not in safe mode)
- If the blue screen does not occur, go back to MSCONFIG and start re-enabling items in groups. Enable a few items, then restart and check to see if the blue screen occurs. If it does, boot into safe mode again and disable some of those items then re-attempt a normal startup. Keep enabling items until you find the culprit, then leave that service turned off permanently or uninstall it.
Feedback? info@windowsfixup.com.
Filed under Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP by on Apr 13th, 2009. Comment.
Some users have reported an issue in which they are suddenly unable to play streaming Windows Media files from various websites. These include the Sirius and XM streaming sites as well as other outlets.
Fix
This issue can usually be resolved by simply setting Windows Media Player as the default playback program. This can be accomplished as follows:
- Click the Start button
- Go to Default Programs>Set Default Programs in Windows Vista (or All Programs>Program Access and Defaults in Windows XP)
- Set Windows Media Player as the default media player.
If the above process does not work, you may need to rename the folder “Windows Media” in %appdata%\local\microsoft then re-try streaming.
Feedback? info@windowsfixup.com.
Filed under Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, windows media player by on Apr 14th, 2009. Comment.