Recuva – A good utility to recover deleted files in your computer

Recuva is a freeware Windows utility to recover deleted files from your computer hard drive, memory card or an MP3 player.

Recuva recovery wizard guides you through the recovery process, letting you choose things like what sort of files you would like to recover and where to look for them. If you don’t know what to answer simply choose Show all files and Search everywhere on this computer, this will make Recuva search for all recently deleted files and list them in the interface.

How to download Recuva and install:

 Click this link for downloading Recuva

Save the downloaded exe file in your computer in the drive/folder of your choice.

Double click the .exe file to install Recuva utility in your system. The installation wizard would guide you for installation once to double click the .exe file.

Separate version is available at the developer’s site that is meant for portable drives. Go to this page for portable version

Winaudit (Get total information of the computer with one click)

WinAudit is a very useful small tool to get detailed analysis of our computer and all installed packages.

Download WinAudit

Courtesy : http://andheriho.blogspot.com/

How to Disable and Re-enable USB Storage Devices

As per the Microsoft knowledge base article 823732 which contains instructions on how to disable USB storage access for a certain group of users this diabling and re-enablement of USB ports is based on a simple registry entry.

To disable the access to USB port, in windows XP and 2000, follow the steps below
1. Click Start, and then click Run.
2. In the Open box, type regedit, and then click OK.
3. Locate, and then click the following registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\UsbStor
4. In the right pane, double-click Start.
5. In the Value data box, type 4, click Hexadecimal (if it is not already selected), and then click OK.
6. Quit Registry Editor.

To re-enable a disabled port, follow these steps below
1. Click Start, and then click Run.
2. In the Open box, type regedit, and then click OK.
3. Locate, and then click the following registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\UsbStor
4. In the right pane, double-click Start.
5. In the Value data box, type 3, click Hexadecimal (if it is not already selected), and then click OK.
6. Quit Registry Editor.

Windows 7 Trouble shooting

WINDOWS 7 Trouble Shooting - View

SYMPTOM / FIX TIPS (See my separate "TROUBLESHOOTING PC's" document for ideas not directly related to WINDOWS 7.)

ANY PROBLEM: Make sure the PC's Date and Time is set correctly. A wrong date can cause a myriad of problems.

AERO AND/OR TRANSPARENCY WON'T WORK: Make sure you have a video card that is

supported by Win7/Vista. If you cannot find a Win7/Vista video driver for your Video card

online, you may have to buy a new video card that has a driver available.

BOOT FAILURE

BOOTLOG:

If booting into Safe Mode works, use msconfig to create a bootlog on the next regular boot.

After failure, boot into safe mode or with a win98 Disk or DOS Disk and look at the bootlog file.

See what the last driver that started was. That driver or hardware device is what is failing.

STARTUP REPAIR: This is a WINDOWS 7 Recovery Tool that can be used to repair some

problems. It is best loaded from a WINDOWS 7 Install DVD. If you do not have one (as is most

common), try loading per the following Microsoft Article:

http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/5c59f8c1-b0d1-4f1a-af55-74f3922f3f351033.mspx

RUN CHKDSK FROM INSTALL DVD to scan & fix corrupted sysem files using a Windows 7 Install

DVD. Boot the Win 7 Install DVD and when asked, select Repair. Then when a menu comes up,

select command prompt. Enter chkdsk c: /f /r . If it says volume is locked, add the /x switch.

You can also use a UBCD4WIN BOOT CD, go to a command prompt and enter: chkdsk c: /x /f /r

(Note: When using UBCD4WIN, the main system drive may not be drive "c:". If not, use whatever letter is for the system drive in place of c: in the chkdsk command).

CHKDSK: TO ERROR CHECK THE HARD-DRIVES: Run this on all your hard-drives if you experience

any strange problems. See my WINDOWS 7 TIPS sheet for details on how to run chkdsk.

COMMAND PROMPT. If programs will not run from a Command Prompt, make you you first right-click on the Command Prompt Icon and select " topic above)

DESKTOP ICONS MOVING after reboot or refresh. Apparently this is a bug in WINDOWS 7.

Two tricks to try:

1. Try turning off "Align to Grid: (Right-click on Desktop > View > click on "Align to Grid", to

uncheck it). If you want the Icons lined up nicely again, turn on "Align to grid" and then turn it off

again. (Yes, I know that "Align to Grid" does not cause any problems in XP)

2. Here is a workaround. Download & install a free Utility called "Icon Restore 1.0" from

http://www.download.com/Icon-Restore/3000-2347_4-10163499.html . Then right-click most

any Icon on the Desktop and select "Save Desktop Icon Layout". Then when the bug shows up,

you can restore the Icon positions by right-clicking an Icon and selecting "Restore Desktop Icon

Layout". Not much of a fix but it helps. PS: This download works on all versions of Windows.

EVENT VIEWER

(Control Panel > System and Security. Under "Administrative Tools", click "View Event logs"). Look at both System and Application errors. The event viewer displays all errors detected by Windows 7.

INTERNET EXPLORER 8 (IE8):

Cannot connect to the internet or any strange problems. Try resetting IE back to factory defaults:

Open IE8 > Tools > Internet Options > Advanced Tab > click Reset.

Run as Administrator". See the Command Prompt Icon

Page 1 of 2

On the Reset IE Settings window, select Reset > click OK. When done, click close & restart

IE8.

SLOW TO START: There are problems with IE8 and SpyBot Search & Destroy. On the SpyBot

"Immunize" window, you need to remove all IE protections ending with the words (Domains) or

(Secure Domains). For more details, here is a link to the spybot forums:

http://forums.spybot.info/showthread.php?t=48815

MEMORY DIAGNOSTICS TOOL (Control Panel > System and Security > Administrative tools >

Memory Diagnostics Tool).

This Tool tests your RAM.

Click “Restart now and check for problems”. During the Restart, a set of memory tests will run. It could take 30 minutes or more to run. Do not interrupt the process!

When done, it will restart Windows and display test results in the Taskbar Notification Area.

NETWORKING ISSUES (See my separate "NETWORKING TIPS" document).

PING: UNABLE TO PING PC SOMETIMES: (Go to Device Manager > Network Card > properties).

Make sure any power saver modes are OFF

SLOW STARTUP (Slow to Boot):

Hold down the Shift Key while booting. This takes you to a semi-safe (diagnostic mode) mode.

Run msconfig or Starter. Try removing various programs from Startup.

SYSTEM FILE CHECKER : (SFC). This Utility will find missing or corrupt WINDOWS 7 System Files.

You may be required to insert your Windows DVD to continue the program. (Start > Run > enter: SFC

/scannow > OK). If it does not run, go the Command Prompt and run it from there. Note; If it runs successfully, you get no warm fuzzy messages. It just goes away.

SYSTEM HEALTH REPORT

(Control Panel > System and Security > Performance Information and Tools > Advanced Tools). Read the info on this screen and then click "Generate a system health report" . Best run by an Administrator Account.

Change how often AutoRecover saves in Microsoft Word

Definition: Autosave - Also known as AutoRecover, autosave is a feature included in software programs that will automatically saves the document you are editing in case the computer freezes or the power goes out. By default, many programs will autosave every 5 to 10 minutes if changes have been made in the file. The frequency of how often the program automatically saves can often be adjusted through the programs option menu.

If the computer happens to be shut off without the file being saved manually, when opening the program it should open the last autosave to help prevent all your work from being lost. However, any changes that were made after the autosave will be lost.

Answer:

By default, Microsoft Word will automatically save your document every 10 minutes in case something happens to the computer while working on a document. To change this setting follow the below steps.

Microsoft Word 2010

1. Click File and then Options.
2. Click Save
3. Increase or decrease the AutoRecover option.

Microsoft Word 2007

1. Click the Office Button.
2. Click Word Options
3. Click Save
4. Increase or decrease the AutoRecover option.

Microsoft Word 2003 and 2000

1. Click Tools and then Options.
2. Click the Save tab.
3. In the "Save AutoRecover info every xx minutes" increase or decrease the value.

Microsoft Word  (Mac OSX edition)

1. In the Word menu click Preferences.
2. Increase or decrease the AutoRecover option.

8 Tips to Take Control of Your Weight

Anyone who is overweight will testify that losing weight is not as easy as it seems. The people that are lean, or have gone from fat to skinny will say it’s just a matter of motivation and elbow grease. Although it is not as simple as that. Our environments have waged war on us. Their weapons are sedentary lives and trans fats of mass destruction. All is not lost though, here are some quick simple tips to get ahead!

1. Substitute Water. Our bodies are about 65-70% water. It follows that water would be not only essential, but the best possibly choice of liquids to ingest. In fact, our bodies will sometimes simulate a hunger response, when in reality the body is craving hydration. When hungry, drink a glass or two of water to check if it suppresses your hunger.
2. Chew Your Food. Chewing our food very slowly and deliberately has several benefits that are often overlooked. It gives us the ability to relax, and enjoy our meal. Slow chewing is the first, and highly important, step in a complex system of digestion. Besides, if we eat slowly, we might feel full before finishing the whole meal, and can leave the rest for the next meal.
3. Exercise daily. How silly of me to include something as obvious as exercise. I did a 30 day trial with waking up, and walking for 30 minutes first thing in the morning. My journal records that I was feeling amazing during the period of time that I was following this habit.
4. Publicize your intentions. Start a blog, join a forum, and have other people keep you accountable to help. Tell other people your plan, it would help you get the motivation to go with it!
5. Create a food schedule. Plan your day so that you’re eating at approximately the same time each day. This scheduling will incorporate itself into your circadian rhythm, and aid in digestion.
6. Do not over eat. Know your limit and stop eating when you are full. I have often been a victim of wanting to finish a meal so that it doesn’t go to waste. This has left me with many a stomach ache. Next time, doggy bag it for later, and don’t hurt yourself!
7. Choose your snacks wisely. Put down the Lays® and cheese puffs. Pick up the apple and baby carrots. Make the right decision, I know you can do it.
8. Lifestyle. Remember, it’s not about special diets, or special exercise programs. The real secret is in turning your health into a lifestyle, and focusing on this healthy lifestyle with every choice you make.

Facility to Pay Power bill online extended throughout the State (TN)

The facility to pay electricity bills online has been extended throughout the State. Till now, it was available in Chennai and Coimbatore.

Electricity Minister Arcot N. Veeraswami extended the facility at a function held at the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO) headquarters here on Wednesday. He also inaugurated the Electronic Clearing Service (ECS) facility for High Tension consumers.  Mr. Veeraswami told reporters later that the number of low tension consumers had gone up to 2.10 crores from 1.77 crores in the past five years.

Listing steps being taken by the TANGEDCO to simplify the payment of electricity bills, he said 50 post offices in the city were now accepting the bills. This would soon be extended to 900 post offices in the State. For consumers in remote villages TANGEDCO was collecting the payment using hand-held devices.

On payment through net banking, Mr. Veeraswami said the TANGEDCO had tied up with seven banks and was holding talks with five more.

Those who wanted to use credit cards would have to access the payment gateway of ICICI Bank and Axis Bank. A service charge of 2.09 per cent of the bill amount would have to be paid. In the case of customers using debit cards, flat rate of Rs.5 (up to power bill of Rs.500) and Rs.10 (exceeding Rs.500) would be charged. At present, 75,000 consumers – around two per cent of the total consumer strength of 40 lakh in the city – were using the online facility

Website :   http://www.tneb.in/