Using Windows Tools for Troubleshooting

Info

Level: Beginner
Presenter: Eli the Computer Guy
Date Created: May 17, 2010
Length of Class: 62 Minutes
Tracks

Computer Repair
Prerequisites

Familiarity with the Windows Operating System
Purpose of Class

This class teaches students how to use the tools built into the Windows operating system to troubleshoot and fix common issues
Topics Covered

Safe Mode and System Restore
Task Manager
Hard Drive Maintenance
Startup Services
Computer Management Console
Class Notes

Introduction
The tools built into Windows are invaluable for troubleshooting problems and are free.
Safe Mode and System Restore
System Restore can revert the configuration of a computer to a previous Restore Point.
Restore Points are created automatically
System Restore changes programs, but not documents/videos etc.
Safe Mode boots the computer with the least number of services possible. This allows you to basic work such as editing and deleting files.
To enter Safe Mode press the "F8" key continuously as the computer boots up.
Task Manager
To find amount of RAM in Computer and the Processor type RIGHT Click "My Computer" and select PROPERTIES
To Access Task Manager RIGHT Click the Task Bar at the bottom of the screen, and then select TASK MANAGER
Applications Tab shows you what applications are open and allows you to kill them
Processes Tab shows you all individual Processes and how many resources they are using. You can kill process from here.
Performance Tab shows how much of the CPU and RAM are being used.
Hard Drive Space
RIGHT Click on the Drive and Select PROPERTIES.
Disk Cleanup erases Temporary Files and empties the Recycle Bin
You need 10% free space on your hard drive for the computer to work properly
Startup Services
MSConfig allows you to disable programs and services that start when the computer does
To use MSCONFIG just open the START menu and then type MSCONFIG into the "run" bar.
Registry contains software and services that start when the computer starts. To get rid of them entirely you delete the registry keys.
To use Registry Editor you open the START menu and then type REGDIT into the "run" bar.
Delete Keys in both:
i. HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
ii. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
Leave Keys for AntiVirus software and printer software
Startup Folder contains applications that start when the computer starts
Go to START-ALL PROGRAMS and then RIGHT click on STARTUP folder. Delete any links or applications listed there
Computer management
To open Computer Management RIGHT click "My Computer" and select MANAGE
Event Viewer is used for system log files
Local Users and Groups allows you to change passwords, create users and change user group membership
Device Manager shows you how the operating system sees the hardware. It will tell you if there is a device driver problem, or if a piece of hardware is disabled
Disk management shows you the partitions and drives in the computer. This allows you to create and delete partitions, change drive letters and format disks.
Services shows you all the Services on the computer. Services can be started Automatically, Manually or be Disabled.
Final Thoughts...
CCleaner, Defraggler are good additional tools to use to maintain your PC.

[keikorono]

1:25   Safe Mode & System Restore
10:18 Task Manager
(13:54 Processor & RAM info)
19:57 Local Disk Utility
26:00 Startup Services/programs *  
37:00 Computer Management
53:10 Final Thoughts

[MrAlixsander]

I graduated last year as ( IT ) and I learned from this video more than the whole years that I have spent on my degree !!
thank you so much master for your time

[carrjohn]

Hi Eli my name is john carr I am retired 70 years old I live in Australia, I have thought about trying to find out more about computer I have been watching your videos & they are very good .I also looked at a couple of video's by other people but I have decided to stick with you because you are a very good teacher & very good at what you do I have never subscribed to any one before but I will now subscribe to your channel, once again you do great work thank you regards john carr

[MrNottaNoob]

i love the fact that you showed it all and explained it with detail. most youtubers of your category just show you how but never explain why it needs to be done and how it works. Life is way easier with understanding.

[massurname]

This is a perfect tutorial for beginners and for those who want to start a career in IT, these skills are essential!

[carlosmedina]

Eli
You are really an amazing teacher. I went to school to study computer repair & you have explained this bussiness so clearly that I am in awe! I have finally understand things that I never could grasp. thank you so much for this amazing video and your gr8 teaching skills.

[DeWaynesArtDreams]

I watched several Tech channels, and I've got to say I think yours is my favorite.

[cindyc]

I love this guy. He really tells clearly and thorough. the way he tells really catches my attention. I like to pick his channel over others.

[yenehetassefad]

The Best tutor I have ever seen! Please do more. You are so calm and take time on each topic, I love it

[haimlevy]

השעור הכי טוב שמצאתי היום, וכל היום חיפשתי והקשבתי לשיעורים.תודה אלי

[kittuvik]

i got an interview this friday in helpdesk/desktop support preparing for it , u gave me usefull information in Windows Troubleshooting .Thank u sooo much

[hermantamo]

Eli is a savior for the computer tech 🙌. Be blessed brother!

[princeukariwe]

Eli I doubt if there's any human as you. God bless u more

[miranda]

You make understanding computers much easier. Thank you.

[keymaster]

This is a great tutorial, but in terms of computer technology is pretty old. Most of it is still perfectly applicable, but one note of caution for people who aren't familiar with computer hardware: Although disk defragmentation is a standard part of maintaining an HDD (hard disk drives), SSDs (solid state drives) do not require disk defragmentation, and it unnecessarily degrades their performance over time.

[bleeper]

Good stuff man! I learned all this stuff years ago, but it's always good to review. I need to stay on top of my game being in the IT field! Thanks for sharing!!!

[shamamta]

Eli thank you for sharing this valuable information for free. I can't wait to get back to work on Monday! I've been on a help desk since December of 2018 and I wish I knew this information before starting.

[lawrenceb]

Knowing how to use "Safe Mode" is a must for any windows user. Heck, I tend not to have many issues, but the other day I enabled K-Boost through EVGA precision for my GPU.

Basically K-Boost is supposed to lock the clock of your GPU at the max boost/overclocked speed.

Well, little did I know the current Nvidia drivers don't play nicely with K-boost. I enabled it and rebooted my system as instructed... My computer refused to boot into windows. It would just crash.

I ended up having to load up "Safe Mode", and delete my GPU drivers. After that windows booted up fine, and I was able to reinstall my GPU drivers.

It was simple to do, and only took a few min... However, such a issue could be a showstopper leading to my system being a paper weight or a total OS reinstall if I hadn't know better. 

The way "Safe Mode" helped my issue was that K-Boost caused my drivers to be unstable. As long as windows attempted to load up my GPU drivers my system was not going to boot into windows. By going into "Safe Mode" and not loading unessential drivers I was able to get around the unstable graphics drivers and get into windows. Once in windows I was able to remove the now faulty drivers allowing my system to properly boot into windows next time around. 


**I really enjoy your videos. A lot of it tends to be information I'm aware of, but it's never a bad thing to revisit information and ideas you already knew. Heck, every now and then I find out things I didn't know, or gain a new understanding of things I thought I knew. 

[haimlevy]

Eli thank you i learned more with you in 1/2  hr than hrs with others.all ther best

[jimroadhers]

eli i have a goofy question, , , , i want the yellow highlight pointer for my xp pro...you are an awesome tech with really good teaching skills thanks jim