Windows Vista/7 Password Reset

Using the Windows Vista DVD, Boot to the WinRE. Choose the Command Prompt option.

You get X:\SOURCES>
Change the prompt by typing C: and Enter

Now change the prompt by typing the command CD Windows\system32
the Prompt should change to C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32>

NOTE: In case OS is Win7 & C: returns an error, Use D: instead 
Once there, type the following commands

ren cmd.exe cmd.old
ren magnify.exe cmd.exe
ren cmd.old magnify.exe

Restart computer

Click on Ease of Access centre left side bottom, check the Magnify Option and uncheck everything else and click ok. CMD window opens with the Prompt C:\Windows\System32

Type:
net user “<user account>” *
Press Enter
Note: Please ensure the username is put in quotes, then leave a space and type the Asterisk (*)

It will ask for a new password - Enter the new password
Press Enter

It will then ask to confirm the password - Confirm the new password
Press Enter

Note: No reboot is required; you can just close the command prompt and logon without a password.

Benefits: 
No need to activate hidden Administrator.
No need to walk customer through additional steps to reset password.
Saves a lot of time as no reboot required and no additional steps required.
One command reset’s password.

Touchpad may not work correctly on XPS13 L322x

Title : Touchpad not working correctly on XPS13 L322x

Problem:

·           Brief description of the problems

1.      Touchpad right click does not work after upgrading touchpad driver

2.      Touchpad right click does not work as “shortcut menu”

3.      Touchpad function “Tap to click” does not function

Discussion:

·           What are the problems that customer will or may see?

1.      User may find the right click on touchpad does not work

2.      User may find the right click on touchpad function as “left click”, not “shortcut menu”

3.      User may find “tap to click” does not function

·           What is the root cause?

1.      The registry are not installed correctly during Cypress touchpad driver installation

·           What is the customer impact?  .

1.      Poor touchpad user experience

Solution:

·           What is the solution?

1.    Users can install the same driver again to recover this issue for short-term solutions

2.    Open Touchpad property and manually correct the setting :

a.    On Buttons option, select the correct function for “Right button” drop down menu

b.    Go to Tapping option, select the “Tap to click” box

Quicker & easier way to access various features of Windows 8

Shortcut	Function
Windows Key + C	Displays Charms menu.
Windows Key + X	Brings up a menu of advanced system options, including Windows Control Panel, Command Prompt, Task Manager and File Explorer.
Windows Key + I	Displays the Settings menu for the current app. For example, if you’re in Internet Explorer 10, this key shows Internet options. If you’re on the Start menu, it shows general OS settings.
Windows Key + Q	Brings up the apps search menu that allows you to search your list of installed programs.
Windows Key + D	Activates desktop mode.
Windows Key + Tab	Brings up the Task Switcher and toggles between Windows 8-style apps.
Windows Key + H	Brings up Share menu for the current app. For example, hitting Windows Key + H in Bing Maps, lets you email or share map information on social networks.
Windows Key + M	Opens desktop mode and minimizes all windows.
Windows Key + W	Opens universal search menu and sets it to search settings.
Windows Key + F	Opens universal search menu and sets it to search files.
Windows Key + R	Opens Run menu where you can launch programs by typing in their executable file names.
Windows Key + E	Opens File Explorer to the “My Computer” view which shows all your drives.
Windows Key +Number Key (1-9)	Switch to desktop mode and make the Nth application on the task bar active where N is the number key you hit and 1 is the furthest taskbar icon to the left.
Windows Key + . (period key)	Docks the current Windows 8-style application to the right or left, depending on how many times you hit it.
Windows Key + Z	Brings up app menu, which shows contextual options for the active app.

Bypass Office 2013 streming installation

·        1   Navigate to http://www.office.com/myaccount and sign in.

·        2   Click on “Install from a disc” under Account Options

·        3   Select “I want to burn a disc, then click on the Download button.

   4   Once the download completes, mount the .img file and double click on the icon for         setup.exe

Fixing App Issues in Windows 8

In case if you get error messages while opening the apps. Please download the windows app troubleshooter from this link :

http://download.microsoft.com/download/F/2/4/F24D0C03-4181-4E5B-A23B-5C3A6B5974E3/apps.diagcab

; and run it…!

Restart the computer and the app problem should be fixed.

Dell 966 Printer Installation on Windows 8

While working with a Dell 966 Printer installation with Windows 8 please try the following steps which have worked on many occasions. Though the printer is not compatible with windows 8, we can still attempt the following steps to make it work.

1.     Download the printer removal utility and run it to ensure the removal of any traces of previous installation on the system for the printer : http://www.dell.com/support/drivers/us/en/19/DriverDetails/Product/dell-966?driverId=R152277&osCode=WV64&fileId=2731117043&languageCode=EN

2.     Restart the system after the removal and remove the device from the devices and printer list in the control panel if it is there.

3.     Download the Vista (X86 or X64 as per the OS architecture) driver instead of Windows 7 driver on the system and extract it in compatibility mode with Vista.

4.     Attempt the installation also in compatibility mode with Vista.

There are good chances that the procedure will work and will allow the installation of the printer with windows 8.

NOTE: It is imperative to keep the customer aware of the printer being incompatible with windows 8 and that the you will attempt the installation on “Best Effort” basis

Unable to restart Post updating Windows update----Update 1

On Windows 7 :

Issue : You receive an Event ID 55 or a 0xc000021a Stop error in Windows 7 after you install security update 2823324

Scenario A: Recovery steps for computers that have installed security update 2823324 but have not yet restarted

Option 1: Manually uninstall the Security Update

Option 2: Incorporate a command line uninstall in a custom script

Option 3: Run removal script remotely by using PSEXEC

Scenario B: Recovery steps for computers that have installed security update 2823324 and are now failing to start

Option 1: Recover the last Restore Point

Option 2: Uninstall security update 2823324 at the command prompt

Solution Steps: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2839011

On Windows 8 :

In case you end up with No boot issue post installing the Windows update , please follow the below steps

Try crashing the system by powering off at the Dell Logo to invoke the recovery options ,

1    Click next when you get Language options

2    Choose repair below the Install Button

3    Click Advanced troubleshooting steps

4    Click Command Prompt

5    Use the below commands to remove KB2808735

       Dism /image:C:\ /get-packageinfo /PackageName:Package_for_KB2808735~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~6.2.1.3 (to list is package is present)

dism /image:C:\ /remove-package /PackageName:Package_for_KB2808735~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~6.2.1.3 (to remove the package)

If the system is booting up

Go to the control panel and remove the KB2808735

Reset Windows Update History.bat

Came across an issue I was not able to install windows updates and getting error (80070003).

Now you cannot run Microsoft fixit on windows 8 so I got this utility which you can run and fix this issue.

Download it from the link below.

Reset_Windows_Update_History.bat

http://www.sevenforums.com/attachments/tutorials/215254d1338913046-windows-update-reset-reset_windows_update_history.bat

2. Save the .bat file to your Desktop.

3. Right click or press and hold on the downloaded .bat file, and click/tap on Run as administrator.

4. If prompted by UAC click/tap on Run, then Yes/Continue (if administrator) or type in administrator's password (if standard user).

5. You will now see an elevated command prompt open and run. When it's finished, it will close automatically.

6. Restart the computer afterwards and then re-download the updates.

Error installing Office 2013 from OEM link

When attempting to install Microsoft Office 2013, you may receive an error that says ”Windows cannot find C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office 15\clientx64\integratedoffice.exe“(screenshot below). To fix this problem, follow these steps.

1. Select Start, type regedit, then pressEnter.

2. Navigate to the following location.

§  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE

§  SOFTWARE

§  Microsoft

§  Office

3. Delete the 15.0 folder.

Now restart the computer and try to install Office 2013 again. You should be able to make it through without the error message interrupting your progress.

Another way to fix this, run the MS fix it with the link below.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2739501

Print Spooler issues

Issue: Print spooler missing in services.msc

1. Go to Programs and Features in Control panel > click Turn Windows features on or off

2. click + sign of Print services

3. Select LPD and LPR. You should remove Internet Printing Client. > restart your PC to ensure there is no error of spooler service.

4. Add your printer driver again.

If print Spooler still does not appear in Services, SFC /Scannow can be tried as well as there are advanced registry fixes that can be attempted like the one below:

PRINT SPOOLER

Issue: Print spooler missing in services.msc

Troubleshooting

If the print spooler entry in missing in service, Copy the file below and paste it into a notepad and name file spooler.reg on desktop and then double click on it.

It will create all the entries in registry and you will be able to find spooler entry in services.msc

Note: You need to restart the computer.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Spooler]
"DependOnService"=hex(7):52,00,50,00,43,00,53,00,53,00,00,00,00,00
"Description"="Loads files to memory for later printing."
"DisplayName"="Print Spooler Service"
"ErrorControl"=dword:00000001
"FailureActions"=hex:80,51,01,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,03,00,00,00,e8,47,0c,\
  00,01,00,00,00,60,ea,00,00,01,00,00,00,60,ea,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00
"Group"="SpoolerGroup"
"ImagePath"=hex(2):25,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,52,00,6f,00,6f,00,\
  74,00,25,00,5c,00,73,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,33,00,32,00,5c,00,73,\
  00,70,00,6f,00,6f,00,6c,00,73,00,76,00,2e,00,65,00,78,00,65,00,00,00
"ObjectName"="LocalSystem"
"Start"=dword:00000002
"Type"=dword:00000110

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Spooler\Parameters]

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Spooler\Performance]
"Close"="PerfClose"
"Collect"="PerfCollect"
"Collect Timeout"=dword:000007d0
"Library"="winspool.drv"
"Object List"="1450"
"Open"="PerfOpen"
"Open Timeout"=dword:00000fa0
"WbemAdapFileSignature"=hex:ee,77,f6,e4,05,9a,12,60,ce,fa,84,c7,a3,a5,c1,a1
"WbemAdapFileTime"=hex:00,99,f6,d2,64,9a,c4,01
"WbemAdapFileSize"=dword:00023e00
"WbemAdapStatus"=dword:00000000

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Spooler\Security]
"Security"=hex:01,00,14,80,90,00,00,00,9c,00,00,00,14,00,00,00,30,00,00,00,02,\
  00,1c,00,01,00,00,00,02,80,14,00,ff,01,0f,00,01,01,00,00,00,00,00,01,00,00,\
  00,00,02,00,60,00,04,00,00,00,00,00,14,00,8d,01,02,00,01,01,00,00,00,00,00,\
  05,0b,00,00,00,00,00,18,00,9d,01,02,00,01,02,00,00,00,00,00,05,20,00,00,00,\
  23,02,00,00,00,00,18,00,ff,01,0f,00,01,02,00,00,00,00,00,05,20,00,00,00,20,\
  02,00,00,00,00,14,00,fd,01,02,00,01,01,00,00,00,00,00,05,12,00,00,00,01,01,\
  00,00,00,00,00,05,12,00,00,00,01,01,00,00,00,00,00,05,12,00,00,00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Spooler\Enum]
"0"="Root\\LEGACY_SPOOLER00"
"Count"=dword:00000001
"NextInstance"=dword:00000001

Device Manager has a bang on USB-IF xHCI USB Host Controller on Inspiron 7720, 7520

Problem:             DevMgr has a bang on USB-IF xHCI USB Host Controller on  Inspiron   7720, 7520


Resolution:Downloaded the ff.:iusb3hub.infiusb3xhc.inffrom http://plugable.com/2012/12/01/windows-8-and-intel-usb-3-0-host-controllers


And paste in on the Usb extracted folder location under Dell > Drivers > Usb 3.0 Extracted Folder[Intel(R)_USB_3.0_eXtensible_Host_Controller_Driver\Drivers\Win7\x64\]

No ODD option in BIOS

How to add UEFI boot option?

1.      Attach the bootable device you want to boot, and power on system to enter BIOS setup menu.

2.      Go to Boot section and choose “Add Boot Option”.

3.      Type the Boot option name you want, and select the boot device you attach on system. (Below example is USB ODD.)

4.      Switch to “File Name” section and select the EFI file you want to boot. Then enter.

5.      Click yes to save the profile.

6.      The boot option will appear in UEFI Boot list under boot manager now.

7.      Enter boot manager via press F12, you can find the UEFI boot option as well.

Windows 8 hangs at Dell logo after Shutdown, Restart or Hibernation

Touchpad enabled with ZIG ZAG Gesture

Touchpad Enable (Zig-Zag)

Users may place one finger down anywhere on the touchpad surface and quickly swipe back and forth with at least 4 detected direction changes in quick succession to re-enable a touchpad that has been disabled via a keyboard hotkey, enable/disable button, or through software controls.  See figure 12.  The touchpad will be re-enabled when a user swipes a single finger back and forth on the touchpad surface with 4 detected direction changes in quick succession.  The Zig-Zag gesture shall not be used to re-enable a touchpad that is disabled due to a user enabling the Disable Touchpad when USB mouse present option. 

Figure 12: Zig-zag Gesture Definition

Once triggered, the zig-zag gesture shall:

·         Re-enable the touchpad before finger lift off so the user can see the pointer movement.

·         Trigger the touchpad enable pop-up message from the notification area on the desktop.

·         Not change the user settings for USB mouse detection.  If the user has selected to disable the touchpad on USB mouse detection, then the touchpad will only be re-enabled for the current session.  Once the system is shutdown and restarted, the touchpad will continue to disable on USB mouse detection.

.Net Framewok Error on Windows 8 Fresh OSRI Systems/OOBE Systems

On an OOBE system with Windows 8, it is likely that you get error related to missing .Net Framework while installing certain programs. In such cases DO NOT DOWNLOAD any version of .Net separately form MS Download center as .Net framewok is a part of Windows 8 installation package. In order to enable it, do the following

1.        Open “Control Panel”

2.       Click on “Program and Features”

3.       Click on “Turned Windows features on or Off” which is at the top left side.

4.       A new box will come up with the features that can be enabled/disabled. Expand the option which will have .Net framework with 3.5 listed there. There are two boxes in the expansion , check both of them and click on “Ok”. It will configure and may ask if you want to download it from Windows update. Allow the same. It is a large file and can take upto 30 minutes for the download and the installation to complete. Usually a restart is not required.

5.       Continue with the software installation and it will complete successfully.

This issue has been observed especially on fresh OSRI systems and while installing DDD. Important for a better resolution.

System stuck at Dell logo with spinning circle or black screen after Dell logo

 XPS 8500
 INSPIRON 2330
 INSPIRON 7520
 INSPIRON 5423

Things to remember

 Systems shipped with Windows 8 would have UEFI enabled and Secure boot enabled from factory
 Systems shipped with Windows 7 would have Legacy Boot enabled and Secure boot disabled
 The system will only boot with the Boot mode the OS was loaded in. Changing the settings would cause the system to give a BSOD or an error that no bootable device was found.

BIOS setting that work
XPS 8500 Bios Version : A09 (Windows 8)

SATA operations : RAID
Boot Tab
System mode state : User
Secure boot state : Enabled
Secure boot : Enabled
Secure boot mode : Standard
Load legacy EPROM : Disabled
Boot mode : UEFI


INSPIRON 7520 with SSD

SATA operations : Intel® Smart Response Technology (Default)
1. Change the SATA operations to AHCI from Intel® Smart Response Technology.
2. Hit F10 and select Save and Exit.
3. The computer would reboot a couple of times or get to a screen asking to select the Keyboard
layout.
4. Power off the computer and go the BIOS again.
5. Change the SATA operations back to Intel® Smart Response Technology
Boot Tab
Secure boot : Disabled
Boot mode : Legacy


INSPIRON 2330

Boot Tab
Boot mode : UEFI
Secure Boot Control : Enabled
Secure Boot mode : Standard
Load legacy EPROM : Disabled
Load Legacy : Never


Inspiron 5423

SATA operations : Intel® Smart Response Technology (Default)
1. Change the SATA operations to AHCI from Intel® Smart Response Technology.
2. Hit F10 and select Save and Exit.
3. The computer would reboot a couple of times or get to a screen asking to select the Keyboard
layout.
4. Power off the computer and go the BIOS again.
5. Change the SATA operations back to Intel® Smart Response Technology

The issue is seen on systems sent without a SSD and Windows 8 shipped from the factory.

Issue reported on :

·         INSPIRON 5720

·         INSPIRON 5323

·         INSPIRON 3520

·         INSPIRON 2330

The systems show the following symptoms:

·         System gets stuck at black/gray screen after Dell logo

·         F2 may not work to take the system to the BIOS

·         If F2 does not work the only way to go to the BIOS is through F12 >> Setup.

·         Even with Load Legacy option ROM enabled Legacy boot options i.e Hard drive, CD/DVD drive not available.

·         Setting the system to Legacy Boot mode with Load Legacy option ROM enabled does not bring back the Legacy boot options

·         Loading BIOS defaults gives an error that you do not have privileges to save changes (Would have to capture the exact message the BIOS shows)

·         If set to UEFI boot network boot is the only available boot option

·         The BIOS gives options to Add boot Option but we have no document to guide us with adding boot options.

·         Toggling between UEFI with secure boot enabled, UEFI with secure boot disabled and Legacy boot mode does not help

·         Changing SATA operations has not helped.

·         As suggested in one mail the system will boot from the ODD if the system is cold booted with the disc in the drive has not worked.( With the Resource disc/OS disc in the drive if he power off the computer and then power it on the system boots to the same black/gray screen and the F12 boot options show no change. Please check attached screen shot)

·         Diagnostics on all such systems passes with no errors.

Unable to see DVD drive as boot option

If unable to see the DVD drive as a bootable option in the F12 menu or in the BIOS, please try the following steps:

Current bios already support boot from ODD, but need customer did some setting in bios manually.

After setting change and saved, customer can boot from ODD without issue.

·         Go to  the BIOS

·         Go to the BOOT tab

·         Boot List Option è change to UEFI

Secure Boot   => change to disabled
Load Legacy Option Rom  =>change to enabled

In order to perform an OSRI, try the following steps

·         Make sure UEFI is enabled in the BIOS

·         Insert the OS media into the DVD drive (or plug the USB bootable device into the system) and then shut down the system (Critical Step)

·         Power the system up again, tap F12. The system should list the appropriate boot option