Windows built-in keyboard shortcuts

• Windows key or Ctrl + Esc =  To open windows start menu.
• F1 = To open help.
• F3 = To open search window when the cursor in on desktop.
• Windows key + F = To open search window.
• Ctrl + Shift + Esc = To open Windows Task Manager.
• Windows key + D = To minimize or maximize all opened windows to or from taskbar.
• Alt + Tab = Toggle between opened windows.
• Alt + F4 or Alt + Space Bar + C = To close the opened window.
• Alt + Space Bar + N = To minimize opened window.
• Alt + Space Bar + X = To maximize the application window.
• Alt + Space Bar + R = To restore the opened window.
• Alt + Space Bar + M = To move the opened window on the desktop.
• Shift + F10 = To open right-click menu options.
• Windows key + R and type "explore" and press Enter key = To open Windows Explorer.
• Windows key + R and type "Notepad" and press Enter key = To open Notepad.
• Windows key + R and type "Write" and press Enter key = To open Wordpad.
• Windows key + R and type "explore" and press Enter key = To open Windows Explorer.
• Windows key + R and type "iexplore" and press Enter key = To open Internet Explorer.
• Windows key + R and type "Winword" and press Enter key = To open Microsoft Word.
• Windows key + R and type "Excel" and press Enter key = To open Microsoft Excel.
• Windows key + R and type "Powerpnt" and press Enter key = To open Microsoft Powerpoint.
• Windows key + R and type "mspaint" and press Enter key = To open Microsoft Paint.
• Windows key + R and type "dfrg.msc" and press Enter key = To open Disk Defrag Tool.
• Windows key + R and type "calc" and press Enter key = To open Calculator.
• Windows key + R and type "cmd" and press Enter key = To open command prompt.
• Windows key + R and type "mplayer2" and press Enter key = To open Windows Media Player.
• Windows Key + Break = To open System properties.
• Windows Key + L = To lock the desktop.
• Windows Key + U = To open Utility Manager.

How to remove bad sectors from hard disk

Most people might have faced problems like CRC (Cyclic Redundany Check) or cannot open the files or programs properly. This is because the hard disk might have filled with bad sectors which makes your data unreadable or corrupt. Any data stored in bad sector is likely to be lost. Usually data spreads across the sectors of the hard disk. You get error message if you try opening a file when the data related to that particular file is stored in bad sectors. Bad sectors occur due to physical damage or magnetic head problem in the hard disk. This is an indication that the hard disk would crash soon.

The bad sectors can be recovered by Low Level formatting using DOS command utility "FDISK". You have to use Windows 98 bootable CD or DOS bootable floppy to boot the computer from DOS and type FDISK and press "ENTER" key. FDISK is a utility to create hard disk partitions and format the created partitions. It is always better to remove the bad sector filled partition and create partition again then format the partition using FDISK utility to remove bad sectors. You can use another DOS command SCANDISK to scan for bad sectors, but this command will mark the bad sector to be skipped so that no data is stored in bad sectors but the hard disk will continue having bad sectors.

Windows has built in tool to recover bad sectors. To access this tool, open "MY COMPUTER" and right-click on the drive and click on "PROPERTIES"or go to start and click on "RUN"or hold "WINDOWS" key and press "E" to open WINDOWS EXPLORER and right-click on the drive and click "PROPERTIES". Go to "TOOLS" tab and click on "CHECK NOW" under ERROR-CHECKING title to open CHECK DISK window select "SCAN FOR AND ATTEMPT RECOVERY OF BAD SECTORS".

There are many other tools available to fix or recover bad sectors. But I strongly recommend "HDD REGENERATOR" for recovering bad sectors. This tool will not skip or mark the bad sector, instead it will restore the bad sectors without changing or affecting the existing data thus making your data readable.

Mirroring or creating backup of your existing hard disk

Hard Disk Mirroring (also called as Disk Backup/Disk Cloning) is a process where you can create an exact copy of your existing primary hard disk including partitions to the new hard disk.All data including operating system, drivers, files and programs will be copied sector by sector to your new hard disk. In case if your existing primary hard disk fails you can use the mirrored hard disk to boot your computer. For mirroring a hard disk your need to have one extra hard disk with the same capacity or more. If not make sure that your new hard disk capacity should be more than the total size of all the files and programs (including all partitions) of your existing primary hard disk.

There are many tools available for disk mirroring. Almost all tools will allow you to assign partition size manually to your new hard disk while mirroring, but assigning partitions automatically by the tool is recommended. It is easy for the tool to create size of the partitions based on your existing partitions used space size.

Most popular tools are Acronis True Image, Easeus Disk Copy, HD Clone, Norton Ghost, Paragon Drive Backup and Ultimate Boot CD

How to create Windows Unattended Setup Disk

Unattended Windows Setup, as the names suggests Windows can be installed easily without user intervention. When creating unattended setup you can add as many programs you wish to be integrated along with Windows setup.Once the setup disk with is created, Windows with added programs can be installed without waiting for the user to enter all the details required during the installation process. For creating Unattended Setup Disk you should have Windows operating system CD/DVD, nLite or vLite program (to create unattended setup disk) and a empty media (CD/DVD).

Click here to find more details to create Unattended Windows Setup Disk. Or Click here for the procedure to create Unattended WindowsXP Setup Disk

Click here for the procedure to create Unattended Windows Vista Setup Disk.

Click here for the procedure to create Unattended Windows7 Setup Disk.

Computer turns off automatically

In most cases the computer turns off automatically due to hardware related issues.

• Check the power supply also called as SMPS (Switch Mode Power Supply) at the back side of the cabinet where you connect the power chord from main power board. If the power supply is overheated or the fan of the power supply is not rotating, then you have to replace the power supply.

• Check the heat sink fan placed on the processor. The fan should be rotating constantly when you switch on the computer. If not, check the heat sink fan power connection on the motherboard. Remove the fan power connection and plug it back. If still nothing happens, replace the heat sink fan. Remember to apply heat sink paste also called as heat sink compound solution between the heat sink fan and the processor in-case if you replace the fan.

• Clear all the dust occupied inside the computer. Turn off the computer and open the CPU cabinet and blow off the dust present in the cabinet and make sure that all the connections are intact before switching on the computer.

• Remove the RAM and clean it with soft cloth. Plug it back to the original position in the motherboard

• Check for any virus or spyware present in the computer by scanning with antivirus and antispyware. You can download free Avira Antivir Personal antivirus and Arovax Antispyware programs.

• There are chances of computer turning off automatically if some of your operating system files are corrupt. If so repair the operating system files using your operating system CD/DVD.