How to Create a Bootable USB Device

Not all USB devices are created equal. The best way to create a bootable USB drive is to use a utility that writes the files to the device. You can not do this to an external USB hard drive, external hard drives take the same procedure that a normal hard drive does

To make a hard drive in an external usb enclosure bootable requires you to remove the drive and install it into a computer, this procedure is some what involved and will invalidate a warranty if it is a new device. Check the autoexec.bat and config.sys if you are loading any drivers, the path has to be C:\ because when you use the usb device to boot the computer it is the first drive that the BIOS will see

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How to Create a Boot Floppy

Boot devices are floppy, cd, usb, or an external hard drive that will start your computer if one of the following things has happened to the internal hard drive: Failure, corrupt, infected with a virus, OS blue screened. So there you are, you have an image of the computer hard drive the tech made when he setup your brand new system. Now it is a blank screen and you are wondering how you are going to get the image back on your system and get back to work.

To create an MS-DOS startup disk :
The MS-DOS startup disk you create will allow you to boot into MS-DOS.

• Insert a floppy disk into your computer's floppy drive.
• Open My Computer, and then click the floppy disk drive to select it.
• On the File menu, point to the name of the floppy drive, and then click Format.
• Under Format options, click Create an MS-DOS startup disk.
• Click Start.

Important : Creating an MS-DOS startup disk erases all information on the floppy disk.
Notes :
To open My Computer, double-click the My Computer icon on the desktop.
The MS-DOS startup disk only allows the system to boot into an MS-DOS prompt. The disk contains no additional tools.

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Windows Protection Error

When you try to shut down a computer that is running Win98 and the floppy drive light is on, you may experience one or more of these symptoms. You get error message : “Windows Protection Error,” or your computer may stop responding (hang) while displaying the “Windows is Shutting Down” message.

To resolve this problem, contact the manufacturer of your antivirus program to inquire about the availability of a fix for this issue. To work around this issue, configure your antivirus program not to scan floppy disk drives when you shut down your computer.

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A Fatal Exception

When you try to shut down your Win98-based computer with a Compaq FX-series monitor, you may receive an error message like this one. Error Message: “A Fatal Exception 0E has occurred at 0028:C001AEEB”

This solution, Get the most current version of the USB support software for FX-series monitors from HP/Compaq

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Warning SU0141

If you copy startup files to the floppy disk failed and you get error message: “Warning SU0141 - Setup could not copy files needed for your startup disk. You can still continue with Setup without creating the startup disk. Click OK to continue.”

This solution, Although the quickest solution is to skip the creation of a startup disk, this is also the riskiest path. Try changing to a new diskette, one without any existing data on it. Be sure the write-protect tab is set to the Write position by finding the sliding plastic tab and ensuring that it’s closed. If there’s an open space around the tab, slide it closed. If the procedure still fails, try cleaning out your floppy drive with a can of compressed air. If this fails your floppy drive may need to be replaced.

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Unable to Establish a Connection

If you’re sure that you have a valid Internet connection, yet you are receiving the above error message, your system clock may be incorrectly set, which causes the connection between your computer and the activation server to fail. You get error message : “Unable to establish a connection with the activation server. Please check your network settings and confirm that you are able to connect to the Internet, then try again.”

This solution, Double-click the time in your System Tray at the bottom right corner of your screen. Set your calendar and clock to the correct date and time, click OK, and try the activation again.

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Network Troubleshooting

By default, as soon as a comcommand window-based task finishes, the window closes itself. The problem error message : Many network troutroubleshooting explanations involve the use of IPCONFIG, an IP (Internet Protocol) diagnostic utility included in Windows. The utility runs in a command-line interface reminiscent of the Days of DOS, and we’ve heard many users express frustration over the fact that the command-line window disappears far too quickly to be of use.

To resolve problem, run a command line-based diagnostic tool, click Start, Run, and type in the appropriate command; click OK. To prevent the window from closing itself, preface the command with CMD /K. For example, to run IPCONFIG, click Start, Run. Type in cmd /k ipconfig and click OK.

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System Restart Has Been Paused

During hibernation, the computer accessed memory incorrectly. You get error message, “System restart has been paused: Continue with system restart. Delete restoration data and proceed to system boot menu.”

This error occurs on notebooks occasionally after returning from hibernation, the sleep mode in WinXP. There’s no option for returning to the Desktop, so you may lose your work. Use the option to Delete Restoration Data And Proceed To System Boot Menu, which will cause WinXP to reboot. Microsoft will fix this problem in a future WinXP update. For now you can set the power management features on your notebook to use standby mode but not hibernate, but only if the error occurs frequently.

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Bad Command Structure

You’ve discovered another minor bug in WinXP when you try to extract a compressed file but only if you type in a directory that does not exist on your computer. You get error message : “Bad Command Structure” error message occurs when you extract files from a compressed folder.

This solution, WinXP has built-in file compression capabilities. This error occurs when you right-click on a compressed file (with a .ZIP extension) and decide to extract the file. WinXP presents a dialog box where you can type in the directory for the extracted file. If you type in an invalid destination, you’ll receive an error that WinXP was unable to create the directory. Microsoft will undoubtedly address this problem in the next WinXP service pack

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Delayed Write Failed

You have selected the Enable Write Caching On The Disk option in your computer’s BIOS or you have used a 40-wire cable to connect a UDMA hard drive to your IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics) controller instead of an 80-wire, 40-pin cable. You get error message : “Delayed Write Failed” error when you manage files in WinXP

This solution, you should replace the 40-wire UDMA cable with the 80-wire, 40-pin cable (or bring the computer to a service shop to perform the replacement). If that doesn’t solve the problem, you should enter the BIOS (usually by pressing the DELETE key as the computer starts up) and disable the write-caching option. Using the BIOS on your computer incorrectly can cause new (and harder to diagnose) problems so you should consult the manual that came with your computer or call for technical support before enabling or disabling any other features. Make sure that if you do use the BIOS and disable disk caching that you save your changes in the BIOS

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WinXP is unable to access a core system file

One of the more common stop errors in WinXP, this problem occurs when you have run low on either disk space or system memory. You get error message : “STOP: 0x00000073 (0x00000001, 0xc000017d, 0x00000002, 0xfc96fcc0) CONFIG_LIST_FAILED”

To resolve this problem, you can do a search (Start and Search) to look for large files that you may have forgotten about, such as game files and large photos. Under Search, click All Files And Folders, click the What Size Is It? arrow, and then select Large (More Than 1 MB). Click Search and view the list by size by clicking the Size tab. Look through the largest files and delete the ones that are taking up unnecessary space

If system memory ran low and caused the error, you can usually solve the problem just by rebooting and running fewer programs at the same time. Upgrading your RAM is only important if you tend to multitask several applications at the same time

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System Restore Boot Errors

When you attempt to run System Restore, this error message may appear. You get error message : “System Restore cannot run until you restart the computer.”

Solution this problem, To fix this, restart the computer. If the error appears again, search the hard drive for the presence of the Wininit.ini file, and then rename it. To do so, follow these steps: Restart your computer in Safe or DOS Mode. Click Start. Point to Search. Click For Files or Folders. In the Named box, type wininit.ini.

In the Look in box, click Local Hard Drives. Click Find Now, right-click the Wininit.ini file, click Rename, and then type wininit.xxx. Click OK. Close the Find Files window, and then run System Restore again. If that doesn’t fix the problem, run the following command to repair the damaged portions of your Registry: scanreg /fix.

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Install Office 2003 on Windows 2000

You install Office 2003 on Windows 2000, have been corrupted or damaged and you get error message : “The MSIEXEC file is linked to missing export MSI.DLL:222.”

To resolve this problem, Update the installer files for Win2000. Surf to www.microsoft.com/downloads/release.asp?releaseid=32832&NewList=1, which contains links to the appropriate files and instructions for downloading and installing them. When you finish, try again to install Office 2003

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Cannot Overwrite XX

Windows will not allow you to overwrite a DLL file (represented by XX) that is currently in use. You get error message : Cannot overwrite XX: The specified file is being used.”

To resolve this problem : Copy the replacement DLL file to the Temporary directory, usually located at C:\WINNT\TEMP. Rename the DLL file in the C:\WINNT\SYSTEM32 directory by adding the word “old” to the file name (for example, Wininetold.dll). Click Start, Programs, Accessories, and Command Prompt. In the Command Prompt window, type the following after the command prompt, one line at a time, replacing DLLFILE with the name of the DLL file you copied to the temp directory. Press ENTER after each line. cd %SystemRoot%\temp copy DLLFILE %SystemRoot%\System32\exit. Restart your computer to apply the changes

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Replace an Existing File

You are trying to replace an file (represented by XX) without sufficient write privileges. You have error message : “Cannot copy XX: Access is denied. The source file may be in use.”

To resolve this problem, Rename the new file, so you won’t be overwriting an existing file.

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Hardware Failure in Port

Windows was unable to access or detect the modem. If it’s an external modem, it may be turned off, or the modem cable may be disconnected. You get error message : Error 692: Hardware failure in port or attached device.”

To resolve problem, If you have an external modem, be sure the power is on and the cable is firmly attached. Reset the modem, if needed. For internal and external modems, check the Windows Hardware Compatibility List. Contact the modem manufacturer for the latest drivers.

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Read Only Attributes

Error message may occur when you copy or move a file and the second when you try to save a read-only file from within an application. You get error message “XX This file exists with Read-Only attributes. Please use a different file name” or “Access to PATH\XX was denied.”

Solution this problem, Copy or save the file with a different name to avoid having to change the file’s permissions or find a system administrator to fix them for you. If you believe the file should not be set to Read-Only, contact your system administrator.

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Windows Print Spooler

Windows Print Spooler can cause this error if there are too many. Any error message : “An application error has occurred and an application error log is being generated. SPOOLSV.EXE Exception: access violation (0xc0000005), Address Parameter1.”

To resolve this problem, Remove the .SPL, .TMP, and any .SHD files currently in the print spooler directory. The default spooler directory is C:\WINNT\SYSTEM32\SPOOL\PRINTERS. After you remove the files, restart the print spooler. Any jobs in the spool directory will be lost. If you’re unable to delete the files, turn the print spooler off. To do this, click Start, Settings, and Printers. Right-click the appropriate printer and select Properties. Select the Advanced tab and disable print spooling.

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Installation Error Messages

Once upon a time, installing a new version of Windows could turn into a monumental chore fraught with errors and frustration. If you have problem with Error Message: “STOP: 0x0000000Airql_not_less_or_equal.” This error message is triggered when you are upgrading your system from Windows 98/Me to WinXP.

To resolve the problem, restart your computer, if the Setup program gives you the option to revert to your previous OS, take it. When your old OS (whether it’s Win98 or WinMe) restarts, uninstall any antivirus and boot manager software and “clean boot” your computer. A clean boot is a simplified boot sequence that prevents device drivers, startup programs, and other settings from loading at boot time

To clean boot in WinMe, click Start and Run and type msconfig in the Open textbox. Click the General tab and then click the Selective Startup checkbox. Under Selective Startup, click the checkbox to the left of each item to deselect the item. Then, click the Startup tab, find the *StateMgr entry in the list, and click its checkbox to select it. Click OK to accept your changes and click Yes when prompted to restart your computer.

To clean boot in Win98, the steps are fairly similar. To launch the System Configuration Utility in Win98, click Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools, and System Information. Click Tools and then click System Configuration Utility to launch the application. Click the General tab and deselect every item under Selective Startup by clicking each checkbox. Click OK to accept your changes and then click Yes when you are prompted to restart your system. After the computer clean boots, attempt the WinXP installation again

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Uninstall Bluetooth Authentication Agent

You have uninstalled the Bluetooth Authentication Agent, but a Bluetooth-related entry still exists in the WinXP Registry, you get error message : “RUNDLL Error loading irprops.cpl” error when you start WinXP

To solve the problem, remove the Bluetooth Authentication Agent using the Add Or Remove Programs control panel. Sometimes when you remove Bluetooth, the Registry entries still attempt to control authentication between the device and your computer. To remove the Registry entry, click Start and Run, type regedit, and click OK

Look for the following Registry entry: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENTVERSION\Run. Right-click BluetoothAuthenticationAgent and click Delete. Close Registry Editor and restart your computer. Use the WinXP Registry program as a last resort to troubleshooting the most arcane error messages

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