Ultimate PC Troubleshooting Guide

Vanquish Windows Worries

Everyone suffers through Windows errors, even yours truly. I get cranky, sure, but you don't see me switching to a Mac (yet). I'll show you the errors most people get, how to resolve them, and how to keep from getting them again. So sit down, take a breath, and read on.

Too-Fast Shutdowns

Trouble: When you shut down Windows, the system often hangs, leaving you with a blank screen and a flashing cursor.

Fix: Flashing cursors--sounds like another migraine attack. Thankfully, this isn't. The perpetrator is Microsoft's Fast Shutdown feature. Usually when you shut down your computer, Windows removes device drivers from memory. Windows 98 unceremoniously closes Fast Shutdown device drivers, and the more abrupt shutdown causes many applications to crash.

Disabling Fast Shutdown is easy: Select Start, Run, type Msconfig, and press Enter. Then select the Advanced button. Check Disable Fast Shutdown. Good news: If you use Windows 95 or 98 SE, you're exempt from this fast shutdown problem.

Virus Panic Attack

Trouble: Your PC might have a virus--and you're not running an antivirus utility.

Fix: Start panicking. (You'll do it even though there's no need yet; I always do the same.) Once you're calm and you have access to your browser and the Internet, head for HouseCall, Trend Micro's free virus scanner utility. After downloading a copy of this small program onto your PC, HouseCall scans your computer's hard drive, finding and removing pesky viruses.

Can't go online? You should have an antivirus utility running at all times. And if you've got one, dig out your virus program's rescue disk or your backup recovery disk. (You are backed up, right?)

The best advice? Preventive maintenance (like Kirk's advice in "Keep Your PC Neat and Tidy"): Always scan e-mail attachments and new downloads, back up your data at least weekly, and update your virus program often.

Get Files Back From the Dead

Trouble: You deleted a file and just realized that you need it for something.

Fix: Now you've done it. You were so sure you didn't want that file that you bypassed the Recycle Bin and permanently erased it by holding down the Shift key when you deleted it. Solution? Download a trial version of Ontrack's EasyRecovery. It resuscitates the first five lost-beyond-the-grave files. You can also buy EasyRecovery for $89, or get Lost & Found from PowerQuest for $70. Both programs bring deleted files back from the dead--even if you've already formatted your drive.

Fix Invalid Page Faults

Trouble: Windows calmly tells you 'Msgsrv32 caused an invalid page fault in module Kernel32.dll'. "What the hell does that mean?" you ask, grabbing a hammer.

Fix: Though it may appear capricious, Windows doesn't flash error messages willy-nilly. Unfortunately, the messages aren't explicit. So you need to note everything--and I mean everything, including changes or anything new--on your PC to diagnose the problem. Then visit the Knowledge Base page on Microsoft's Web site and see what it has to say about the error. I learned that the 'Msgsrv32' error might be caused by one of two events, depending on what's happened to your system.

If Windows recently crashed or your PC locked up, it's likely that your password list is corrupt. From the Windows desktop, press F3 and then type *.pwl into the 'Named' field and c:\windows into the 'Look in' field. In the list of found files, delete each file ending in .pwl (there may be more than one). Windows will re-create the files the next time you boot up.

On the other hand, if you're using Windows 95 and just recently installed a Plug & Play device, you may need a more current device driver. My buddy Kirk might suggest removing the device and fiddling with the Device Manager; I'd visit the hardware vendor's Web site, go to its support page, and look for an updated driver.

Lost and Found Device Drivers

Trouble: When you boot up your system, you get a lengthy error message explaining that Windows can't find a particular device driver, usually ending in .vxd or .386. Windows whines, telling you it needs that file but the file no longer exists.

Fix: Keep your fingers crossed, because if there was an interruption when you recently uninstalled a program or the process wasn't completed, this will be a snap. Reinstall the program, then uninstall it again, and reboot. Still getting the error message? If the file name ends with .386, go to Start, Run, type Sysedit, and press Enter. Select System.ini, then type the file name. Type a semicolon (;) at the beginning of the line that starts with 'device=', close Sysedit, and answer Yes when Windows asks to save System.ini.

This is hardware, Kirk's territory, but we have to do it: Reboot your PC and you should be home free.

If that file name ends with .vxd, however, your life just got complicated. You'll need to tinker with the Registry. First back up your PC, which saves a copy of the Registry. Go to Start, Run, type regedit, and press Enter. Select Registry and then Export Registry File, type regsafe in the 'File Name' field, and press Enter.

Next, select Edit, Find, and type in the exact name of the file in the 'Find What' field. Click Find Next, and when the search stops, delete the highlighted key--the name of the .vxd file. Press Enter to confirm and F3 to continue searching until the 'Finished searching through the registry' message pops up.

--Steve Bass