After a reinstall of an eMachines e3014 the sound driver was no where to be seen. The hardware appeared to be ATI SB400. A quick google didnt return much for the e3104 but there were a few hits for the ATI SB400.
Namely a HP driver that worked with the eMachine. The driver can be found here
If the pc is newly installed double click the .exe and let it install, it will fail with an error. Once it has failed it will have created a folder on your C drive called
C:\swsetup\sp31635
Go in here and you will see the drivers,
Go to Start, right click my computer and select Manage
Click on Device manager
Locate your audio device with no driver
Right click and select update driver
Browse to the location above C:\swsetup\sp31635
It will then take some time and install the driver for the sound card.
Jobs done! Sound works fine!!
* no responsibility is taken for any damage as a result of following the above advice!
Wednesday 19 October 2011
Tuesday 20 September 2011
Scan Computers Bolton
For approximately 10 years now I have been shopping at a place called Scan Computers in Bolton. www.scan.co.uk I cannot recommend them enough!
Customer service is second to none and the parts if in stock can be with you the very next day usually with a 1 hour time slot. For me this is essential as I need to work around the delivery and cannot be sat waiting all day for a parcel to arrive.
They stock all sorts of things for computers and the prices are very competitive in deed. They also offer a range of pre-built systems one of which I ordered last week. I went for the Scan Value V5 system. I ordered it on the Wednesday and it was delivered Thursday by DPD. The machine was well packaged and came installed with Windows 7 Home Premium OEM. All I had to do was input the License key from the pack install some anti virus and I was good to go. The price for the spec was excellent and it made a great machine for my customer.
I would recommend Scan for anyone who builds computers, is looking for replacement parts or simple a new machine that they want to last. You can Q Collect - ie order and pay online but then go and pick the items up (saves queuing in the shop as it can be very busy) or just order and then the items are delivered to your home or work.
Give them a try next time you are looking for something you wont be disappointed!
Scan - www.scan.co.uk
I am in no way affiliated with Scan nor do I work there this is simply my opinion based on my shopping experience over the last 10 years
Customer service is second to none and the parts if in stock can be with you the very next day usually with a 1 hour time slot. For me this is essential as I need to work around the delivery and cannot be sat waiting all day for a parcel to arrive.
They stock all sorts of things for computers and the prices are very competitive in deed. They also offer a range of pre-built systems one of which I ordered last week. I went for the Scan Value V5 system. I ordered it on the Wednesday and it was delivered Thursday by DPD. The machine was well packaged and came installed with Windows 7 Home Premium OEM. All I had to do was input the License key from the pack install some anti virus and I was good to go. The price for the spec was excellent and it made a great machine for my customer.
I would recommend Scan for anyone who builds computers, is looking for replacement parts or simple a new machine that they want to last. You can Q Collect - ie order and pay online but then go and pick the items up (saves queuing in the shop as it can be very busy) or just order and then the items are delivered to your home or work.
Give them a try next time you are looking for something you wont be disappointed!
Scan - www.scan.co.uk
I am in no way affiliated with Scan nor do I work there this is simply my opinion based on my shopping experience over the last 10 years
Microsoft will NEVER call you!
The amount of people that call me to say Microsoft has been on the phone and that they wanted ££££ to fix the problems.
MICROSOFT WILL NEVER CALL YOU! THEY SIMPLY DON'T CARE!!!!
It usually follows this process:
1) Phone rings "Hi its <insert name here> from Microsoft we believe you have been having problems with your computer? We can help you with this"
They then go on to explain that they need to access your machine so they can help you. Now lets pause here people. Do you think even if MS did this they would do it for free? No so why do you let them in! Would you not question the price first before handing over the controls to a stranger! You wouldn't hand over your car keys would you if some one said, "I am sure your wheel looked a little wobbly. Let me have a drive and I will tell you if it is"
Every machine has errors listed in the event viewer and most are harmless but to the untrained eye you might feel a little worried.
2) The user (YOU) gives them remote access to your machine so they can show you the errors mentioned above. Big mistake!!!! For the next hour they will do all sorts of things on the machine then eventually tell you that its £*** to fix it.
3) You scream in horror and state you cannot afford it
4) They damage your machine so it will not start
5) You ring me and explain what happened
6) I tell you it was a hoax and be grateful you didn't hand over your credit card details
Please please please do not fall for such scams people! it was in our local paper the other week as too many people are falling fowl of this scam
MICROSOFT WILL NEVER CALL YOU! THEY SIMPLY DON'T CARE!!!!
It usually follows this process:
1) Phone rings "Hi its <insert name here> from Microsoft we believe you have been having problems with your computer? We can help you with this"
They then go on to explain that they need to access your machine so they can help you. Now lets pause here people. Do you think even if MS did this they would do it for free? No so why do you let them in! Would you not question the price first before handing over the controls to a stranger! You wouldn't hand over your car keys would you if some one said, "I am sure your wheel looked a little wobbly. Let me have a drive and I will tell you if it is"
Every machine has errors listed in the event viewer and most are harmless but to the untrained eye you might feel a little worried.
2) The user (YOU) gives them remote access to your machine so they can show you the errors mentioned above. Big mistake!!!! For the next hour they will do all sorts of things on the machine then eventually tell you that its £*** to fix it.
3) You scream in horror and state you cannot afford it
4) They damage your machine so it will not start
5) You ring me and explain what happened
6) I tell you it was a hoax and be grateful you didn't hand over your credit card details
Please please please do not fall for such scams people! it was in our local paper the other week as too many people are falling fowl of this scam
Friday 25 February 2011
Windows product keys!!! Note it down!
How many of you have a laptop? I am typing this on a laptop! We've nearly all got one now and how many of you have taken a note of the Windows product key from the bottom of the laptop?
Without this key should you need to reinstall (and you do not have a recovery CD) you will not be able too! You would have to buy the operating system again!!
Take a note of it now and keep it safe, placing a small piece of cello tape over the key will keep it in tip top condition.
Without this key should you need to reinstall (and you do not have a recovery CD) you will not be able too! You would have to buy the operating system again!!
Take a note of it now and keep it safe, placing a small piece of cello tape over the key will keep it in tip top condition.
Tuesday 8 February 2011
Free Anti Virus Protection
There are many free Anti Virus programs out there and one I seem to find works is Microsoft Security Essentials. Its free for a start which is always good, its made by Microsoft - so what's the chance of it screwing up your machine? and its seems to do exactly what it says on the tin!
Down side it takes an age to scan, I mean soooooo sllloooowwww but it does detect viruses fair quick, as in - Pen drive in USB, installed BOOM VIRUS! detects it and removes it. Job done.
I suggest if you want to run the full scan pick a day say Sunday while you are having your tea and start it going. By the time you have had tea and watch Top Gear it will be done. If its a laptop leave it on the floor so you can see when it's complete. Once done repeat about once a month (ish).
Paid anti-virus? Some people say that they will be updated quicker should a threat be detected and this may be the case but I don't really do anything other than email, bbc web site, email again, (why is no one emailing me??) twitter, facebook (that's got it own issues right there) more email. So for me its fine. You might have different needs to way up the pros and cons of buying an anti virus compared to the free ones that are out there.
Way to avoid viruses? Be careful what emails you open, avoid "dodgy" sites (that covers a multitude of sins there) some facebook messages can link to viruses so if your friend suddenly posted something out of character or emailed you a "Click here for a million quid" think before you click!
If you want the free Microsoft Anti Virus head to google and enter "Microsoft Security Essentials" ensure you chose the right version ie: x64 or x86 depending on your computer.
Bodtree Systems - Catherine
The dreaded fake anti virus virus!
Now I get really annoyed at this virus/malware!! I go to so many people who have been the victim of this mindless malware.
How this virus, malware - pain in the bum ware what ever you want to call it works is this. Your surfing away and you navigate to a site, up pops a message saying something along the lines of " Your computer is at risk, let me run a free scan to help you with that" or something of a similar nature. You click on the ok button BANG you've done it, let it on your machine. By clicking on the pop up you have given it permission to install on your machine, hence the AntiVirus companies of the world struggle to stop it as YOU gave it permission!!!
If this pops up, right click your start bar, open task manager and kill the browser process you are using, so if it's Internet Explorer find the iexplore.exe in the list click it and end now. If its chrome, find chrome.exe and end it now. All else fails turn the machine off!
The virus is pure evil, once on it changes your browser settings to send you to their web site so you can have your credit card details stolen and even if you do "buy" it it still doesn't go away! They just buy something nice for themselves using your credit card details!
If you do happen to get attacked by it and are in a pickle, there are various programs to remove it, one I have seen is Super AntiSpyware - which is free for home use. You would of course have to put it on a memory stick and run it from there once logged in. But the neat thing about that program is it uses a strange name for its program so sas1234.com etc which is actually the .exe of the program so it usually runs ok as the virus is designed to kill. exe programs. Hence why you cant open task manager or any other .exe as it says they are the virus, when we know they are not!
Once removed make sure you run a full anti virus check with what ever program you are using to make sure its not hiding any where.
Microsoft also do the Malicious Software Removal Tool - although I have found this hit and miss with regards to finding them - you MUST run a full scan with this, quick scan finds nothing most of the time! Full scan can also take hours, so be prepared!
Bodtree Systems - Catherine
How this virus, malware - pain in the bum ware what ever you want to call it works is this. Your surfing away and you navigate to a site, up pops a message saying something along the lines of " Your computer is at risk, let me run a free scan to help you with that" or something of a similar nature. You click on the ok button BANG you've done it, let it on your machine. By clicking on the pop up you have given it permission to install on your machine, hence the AntiVirus companies of the world struggle to stop it as YOU gave it permission!!!
If this pops up, right click your start bar, open task manager and kill the browser process you are using, so if it's Internet Explorer find the iexplore.exe in the list click it and end now. If its chrome, find chrome.exe and end it now. All else fails turn the machine off!
The virus is pure evil, once on it changes your browser settings to send you to their web site so you can have your credit card details stolen and even if you do "buy" it it still doesn't go away! They just buy something nice for themselves using your credit card details!
If you do happen to get attacked by it and are in a pickle, there are various programs to remove it, one I have seen is Super AntiSpyware - which is free for home use. You would of course have to put it on a memory stick and run it from there once logged in. But the neat thing about that program is it uses a strange name for its program so sas1234.com etc which is actually the .exe of the program so it usually runs ok as the virus is designed to kill. exe programs. Hence why you cant open task manager or any other .exe as it says they are the virus, when we know they are not!
Once removed make sure you run a full anti virus check with what ever program you are using to make sure its not hiding any where.
Microsoft also do the Malicious Software Removal Tool - although I have found this hit and miss with regards to finding them - you MUST run a full scan with this, quick scan finds nothing most of the time! Full scan can also take hours, so be prepared!
Bodtree Systems - Catherine
Windows updates - why are they so important?
Often when visiting customers I notice that they have not been applying windows updates when asked to. If you do not know what windows updates are they are updates issued by Microsoft every Tuesday to fix holes that have been found in the operating systems. ie; Windows! These holes are usually used by hackers and malicious software to gain access to your machine, so by applying these updates you protect yourself from their attacks.
Updates either apply automatically and your machine will ask you to restart (you may have seen a box on Vista or Windows 7 asking you to restart or pros pone for 10 minutes) this means the computer has automatically installed the updates and rebooting allows it chance to apply the changes.
Windows XP updates
Windows XP displays the yellow shield in the bottom right hand corner by the clock and often pops up a message bubble to ask you to update. Click the message and follow it through. If you have missed many updates in Windows XP and do not have service pack 3 on the machine you can go ahead and install this which is a cumulative update so includes all previous updates before SP3. Once SP3 is on there will be several more to install, do these also. You will then be up to date. If you would like your computer to automatically install the updates or you would like to check your settings do the following:
Click Start
Move the mouse to "My computer"
Right click "My Computer"
Select "Properties" from the list (usually at the bottom)
This will open the properties window for the machine, here you will see how much RAM you have and what Processor your have. Notice the windows update tab at the top of the window, go ahead and click that.
You will be able to see what settings you are using, I bet it says install at 3am?? Who is up at 3am!! change the time to a time where you are using the machine and if needed a certain day. This way the updates will install when you choose them to!
If you are sat there thinking what on earth is windows updates...... click on start all programs and at the top there you will see Windows Updates, click that which will launch IE and take you to the Microsoft Updates site. Run the updates from there - chances are you have many to install!!
Updates in Windows 7
Windows 7 is a little different, as is Vista (but we wont mention the evil one (Vista) )
Here windows updates are on the start bar, click the start orb - all programs and you will find Windows Updates listed there. This will open a window on your computer showing you the updates status. 7 also has a habit of forcing updates on you, scenario......
You're heading out for the day just checking the traffic on Google, you click start shut down and notice the shield on the shut down button but click it anyway BOOOOOM windows updates install and your left stood there waiting for the machine to turn off so you can unplug it from the wall to save on the electricity bill. So annoying!!! You can click on the little arrow next to the shut down button and select the shut down from this menu this "should" not install the updates but instead shut down.
Another way is to go in to your settings and change it to "down load but let me choose when to install". But you must remember to install them manually or else you will end up with loads of updates to do!
Any issues with Windows Updates drop me an email!
If you ever find an error when checking for updates check your computer time and date. An error in either and the updates wont work!
Bodtree Systems - Catherine
Updates either apply automatically and your machine will ask you to restart (you may have seen a box on Vista or Windows 7 asking you to restart or pros pone for 10 minutes) this means the computer has automatically installed the updates and rebooting allows it chance to apply the changes.
Windows XP updates
Windows XP displays the yellow shield in the bottom right hand corner by the clock and often pops up a message bubble to ask you to update. Click the message and follow it through. If you have missed many updates in Windows XP and do not have service pack 3 on the machine you can go ahead and install this which is a cumulative update so includes all previous updates before SP3. Once SP3 is on there will be several more to install, do these also. You will then be up to date. If you would like your computer to automatically install the updates or you would like to check your settings do the following:
Click Start
Move the mouse to "My computer"
Right click "My Computer"
Select "Properties" from the list (usually at the bottom)
This will open the properties window for the machine, here you will see how much RAM you have and what Processor your have. Notice the windows update tab at the top of the window, go ahead and click that.
You will be able to see what settings you are using, I bet it says install at 3am?? Who is up at 3am!! change the time to a time where you are using the machine and if needed a certain day. This way the updates will install when you choose them to!
If you are sat there thinking what on earth is windows updates...... click on start all programs and at the top there you will see Windows Updates, click that which will launch IE and take you to the Microsoft Updates site. Run the updates from there - chances are you have many to install!!
Updates in Windows 7
Windows 7 is a little different, as is Vista (but we wont mention the evil one (Vista) )
Here windows updates are on the start bar, click the start orb - all programs and you will find Windows Updates listed there. This will open a window on your computer showing you the updates status. 7 also has a habit of forcing updates on you, scenario......
You're heading out for the day just checking the traffic on Google, you click start shut down and notice the shield on the shut down button but click it anyway BOOOOOM windows updates install and your left stood there waiting for the machine to turn off so you can unplug it from the wall to save on the electricity bill. So annoying!!! You can click on the little arrow next to the shut down button and select the shut down from this menu this "should" not install the updates but instead shut down.
Another way is to go in to your settings and change it to "down load but let me choose when to install". But you must remember to install them manually or else you will end up with loads of updates to do!
Any issues with Windows Updates drop me an email!
If you ever find an error when checking for updates check your computer time and date. An error in either and the updates wont work!
Bodtree Systems - Catherine
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