How to find drivers for Unknown Devices

Unknown Device Identifier

Unknown Device Identifier enables you to identify the yellow question mark labeled Unknown Devices in Device Manager and reports you with a detailed summary for the manufacturer name, OEM name, device type, device model and even the exact name of the unknown devices. With the collected information, you can contact your hardware manufacturer for support or search the Internet for the corresponding driver with just a simple click.

Download Unknown Device Identifier Now | 849 KB

Connect Two Computers using a Crossover Cable

 Connect two computers together without going through a wireless network?
You can network two computers and then share files and folders, by using a crossover cable.

Step 1 Configure IP Addresses

Usually, if you are using a crossover cable to connect two computers, the computers are not connected to a LAN network. In this case, you will need to configure static IP addresses for each computer.

You have to make sure that both computers have IP addresses that are on the same subnet. For example, if you give one computer an IP address of 192.168.0.1, then you should give the second computer an IP of 192.168.0.2.

If you used the above IP addresses, you should use a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0. If you use an incorrect subnet mask, the connection will not work.

Lastly, the value for the default gateway should be the same on both machines. You can pick which IP address you want to use, but use it on both computers for the default gateway. Below is how my setup looks for one computer:

Step 2 Crossover Cable

The second thing you need to verify is that you actually have a proper crossover cable. Basically, there are a few different types of crossover cables, but it's best to get the standard crossover cable where the green and orange pairs are swapped and the brown and blue pairs stay in the same position.


The only pins that need to be crossed are 1,3 and 2,6. So just check your cable on both end and make sure it matches the diagram.

Step 3 Local User Accounts

If you are having problems accessing files both ways, you may have to create a user account on each computer that has the same name and same password. This helps get past any kind of Access is Denied errors that may pop up.

Make sure the accounts are administrator accounts also! It's best to create a new account rather than rename a current account.

Step 4 Disable Firewalls

Finally, you should disable the firewall on both computers to ensure that none of the file sharing ports are being blocked. You can do this by going to Control Panel and then Windows Firewall. Click on Off.

System Restore Tool Displays a Blank Calendar in Windows XP

When you run the System Restore tool on a Windows XP-based computer, the calendar on the left side of the "Choose a Restore Point" window is not displayed.

This behavior can occur if the file association for Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) component (.htc) files is not in the registry.

To resolve this behavior, verify that the following keys are in the registry. If one of the registry keys is not present, create the key, and then add the values that belong to the corresponding key:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.htc
Value name: Content Type
Value data: text/x-component

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\.htc
Value name: Content Type
Value data: text/x-component

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\MIME\Database\Content Type\text/x-component
Value name: CLSID
Value data: {3050f4f8-98b5-11cf-bb82-00aa00bdce0b}

Create a second entry with the following values:
Value name: Extension
Value data: .htc

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{3050f4f8-98b5-11cf-bb82-00aa00bdce0b}
Value name ="Microsoft Html Component"

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{3050f4f8-98b5-11cf-bb82-00aa00bdce0b}\InProcServer32
Value name: Default
Value data: "C:\Windows\System32\Mshtml.dll"

Create a second entry with the following values:
Value name: "ThreadingModel"
Value data: "Apartment"

NOTE: This procedure assumes that Windows XP is installed in the C:\Windows folder. Make sure to change C:\Windows to the appropriate <windows_folder> if Windows XP is installed in a different location.

To merge all of the information at one time, you can copy and paste the following text into a text editor, such as Notepad, and then save it as a .reg file.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

   [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.htc]
   "Content Type"="text/x-component"
   @="htcfile"

   [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\MIME\Database\Content Type\text/x-component]
   "CLSID"="{3050f4f8-98b5-11cf-bb82-00aa00bdce0b}"
   "Extension"=".htc"

   [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{3050f4f8-98b5-11cf-bb82-00aa00bdce0b}]
   @="Microsoft Html Component"
   [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{3050f4f8-98b5-11cf-bb82-00aa00bdce0b}\InProcServer32]
   @="C:\\WINDOWS\\System32\\mshtml.dll"
   "ThreadingModel"="Apartment""

   [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\.htc]
   "Content Type"="text/x-component"
   @="htcfile"



Source

Panda USB Vaccine - Antimalware and Vaccine for USB devices

Panda USB Vaccine will help prevent malware from spreading from usb to pc
There is an increasing amount of malware which, like the dangerous Conficker worm, spreads via removable devices and drives such as memory sticks, MP3 players, digital cameras, etc.
Panda USB Vaccine is a free solution designed to protect against this threat. It offers a double layer of preventive protection, allowing users to disable the AutoRun feature on computers as well as on USB drives and other devices
http://www.pandasecurity.com/homeusers/downloads/usbvaccine/

Troubleshoot a Printer Spooler Missing Error

Instructions

1. Click the "Start" button and choose "Control Panel" from the list. Double-click the "Administrative Tools" icon. If that icon is not visible, click the "Classic View" option to display the full list of control panel icons.
2. Double-click the "Administrative Tools" icon, then double-click the "Services" icon. Scroll down to the "Print Spooler" service, and double-click it.
3. Use the drop-down box next to "Startup Type" to change the startup option to Automatic. Changing the service to automatic ensures that it will start each time the computer is restarted, and will remain running until it is manually stopped.
4. Right-click the "Print Spooler" service and choose "Start" to start the service manually. You can also simply reboot your computer and allow the service to start up automatically.
5. Send a print job to the printer and wait for it to print. If the job does not print, or if you get an error message, go back to the print spooler service and make sure it is running.

Other shortcut to open services.msc is:

Press windows+r keys .

on run type:  services.msc and press enter

Scroll down to "Print Spooler" services

Chane the startup option to Automatic

Click on Start and Apply

Install Windows xp in less than 20 minutes

Now, this tip will be very helpful for those who frequently install windows xp operating system. Normally OS installation takes around 40 minutes to complete, but through this trick you can now save 10-15 minutes. This simple tricks goes this way.

1. Boot through Windows XP CD.

2. After all the files are completely loaded, you get the option to select the partition. Select �c�.

3. Now Format the partition, whether it is normal or quick with NTFS or FAT

4. Once the formatting is completed, All the setup files required for installation are copied. Restart your system by pressing Enter.

Now, here begins the Simple trick to save 10-15 minutes.

5. After rebooting, you get a screen where it takes 40 minutes to complete or finalize the OS installation.

6. Now, Press SHIFT + F10 Key -> This opens command prompt.

7. Enter �Taskmgr� at the command prompt window. This will open Task Manager.

8. Click the Process Tab, here we find a process called Setup.exe -> Right Click on Setup.exe -> Set Priority -> Select High or Above Normal. Initially it will be Normal.

Thats it, no more work to do. Relax your self and see how fast the installation process completes

Windows Safe Mode Fixer

SMFixer is a handy and reliable utility designed to fix Windows Safe Mode issues.

Many viruses corrupt Windows Safe Mode so you cannot boot in safe mode to remove them. This handy tool repairs Windows Safe Mode and gives you back the full control over your computer.

How to use it? Click FIX button and your computer will restart immediately. Please save any unsaved work before you click FIX button. After restart hit F8 key to boot in Safe Mode.

Download Safe Mode Fixer

Recommended Power Supply Wattage Calculator

With ASUS Support

This power supply wattage calculator aims to provide a general idea for the selection of power supply unit based on the system configuration with all added-on devices and components. The recommended power wattage figure is calculated based on the peak or maximum utilization power consumption of installed devices or components. Please ensure to use power supply unit capable of outputting over the calculated recommended wattage to prevent system instability, random reset, unexpected shutdown, or similar problems caused due to insufficient power.

http://support.asus.com/PowerSupply.aspx?SLanguage=en


eXtreme Power Supply Calculator Lite v2.5

The eXtreme Power Supply Calculator contains 1050+ CPUs including latest processors from Intel and AMD, latest graphics cards from NVIDIA and AMD (ATI) and more!

The recommended total Power Supply Wattage gives you a general idea on what to look for BUT it is NOT a crucial factor in power supply selection! Total Amperage Available on the +12V Rail(s) is the most important, followed by the +5V amperage and then the +3.3V amperage.

eXtreme Power Supply Calculator Pro version contains Amperage per +12V, +5V and +3.3V power supply rails, recommended UPS rating, multiple video cards and more.

http://extreme.outervision.com/psucalculatorlite.jsp