How to find out if my RAM is defective

How to find out if my RAM is defective

This is obvious you have to use a tool for performing ram test. The best diagnostic tool I know for the job is the free, bootable MemTest86. Since it's bootable, you need to put it onto removable media. You can download separate versions for installing the program onto a CD or on a USB flash drive.

The CD version comes as an .iso file. The USB version comes with a program that prepares a flash drive, so that it can boot your PC and automatically run MemTest86.

If you go with the USB version, you'll have to launch an .exe program in Windows, which brings up a busy and possibly intimidating little program. Don't worry; just go through the four steps onscreen. And don't use a flash drive with files that you need on it.

Once you've prepared the boot media, shut down your PC. Then unplug it, open it up, and remove all but one RAM module. If you're not sure how, check your manual. You may want to wear an anti-static bracelet for this job.

Then plug in your computer, insert the CD or flash drive (if it's not already inserted), and boot. You may be told to go into Setup because of the RAM change. Do so. Once there, check to make sure that it's showing the right amount of RAM, correct it if it isn't, then save and exit.

The PC will reboot again, and MemTest86 will start automatically. It will test all of your RAM, and when it's done (which could be an hour or more), it will start all over with a second pass. Just to be safe, I recommend three passes. Or you could start it before going to bed, and let it run all night.

If it finds something wrong, you know you have to replace that RAM module.

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How to set up a WiFi Router to use with your laptop

How to set up a WiFi Router to use with your laptop

Here is the process step by stem:

Step1. Turn off the power to your broadband modem.
Note: If there isn’t an on/off switch, remove the power supply to the device.

Step2. Connect the power adapter to the back panel of the wireless router.

Step3. Plug the adapter into an AC outlet.
Check that the power LED illuminates.

Step4. Connect an Ethernet cable to the broadband modem.

Step5. Restore the power to the modem.

Step6. Insert the other end of the Ethernet cable into the WAN (wide area network) port on the back panel of the wireless router.

Step7. Insert another Ethernet cable between LAN Port 1 (on the back panel of the wireless router) and any available Ethernet port on the NIC ( Network interface Card ) of the laptop, which you’re going to use to configure the WiFi system.

Step8.Shut down the laptop

Step9.Restart the laptop connected to the Wifi router.
Let Windows fully load.

Step10. Open your Web browser.

Step11. In the address bar of the browser, type the URL for the built-in setup screen of the wirelessrouter.


Step12. Press the Enter key.

Depending on your device maker, you may have to enter a user name such as admin (for administrator), and you may have to enter a password.

Consult the instructions for details. Once you log in, the home screen of the built-in setup system appears.

Warning: A typical automated process (wizard) includes the option to establish a password for control of your router. You should do so. This password is just to control settings made for the router.

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How to create bootable USB drive in Windows

How to create bootable USB drive in Windows

A common use of a bootable USB flash drive is to use it for booting into Windows. This can allow you to perform diagnostic on a computer that has hardware issues or can't boot into Windows. You can also use the flash drive to install windows instead of using the Windows installation CD.

This guide will outline making a bootable USB flash drive with Windows XP, Vista, and 7. Before we begin, it's important to note that the computer you want to use your bootable USB drive in will need to have the capability of booting to a USB drive. Most recent computers built since Windows Vista was released are capable of booting to a USB devices. Prior to the Windows Vista timeframe, it's hit or miss with motherboards.

To determine if a computer is capable of booting to a USB device, access the computer's BIOS and check the bootable device list. If a USB device is listed, set the USB drive to be the first boot device. If you do not see a USB device in the list of bootable devices, your BIOS is not capable of booting to aUSB device. (NOTE: You may need to have your USB flash drive plugged in when you access the BIOS).

Windows Vista and windows 7 Users.

To make the bootable USB drive for Windows Vista or Windows 7, you need to have Windows Vista or 7 installed on your computer. It is recommended that you have a flash drive of at least 4 GB in size, in order to store all the necessary files.

Note: Before you start, plug in the USB drive and backup any files you have stored on the USB drive. The drive will be formatted during this process and all files on it will be deleted.

Tip: You will need a Windows Vista or Windows 7 disc for these instructions to be successful.

1. Open an elevated Windows command line window by clicking Start, typing in cmd in the search text field, then pressing CTRL + Shift + Enter on your keyboard (at the same time). You can also access this by navigating to start, All Programs, Accessories, right-click with your mouse on the Command Prompt menu item and select Run as Administrator.

2. At the command prompt, type cd c:\windows\system32 to change the directory to the Windows system32 directory. Ensure your USB drive is plugged in and type DISKPART and press Enter. Then type LIST DISK and press Enter.

3. You will see a listing of the disk drives connected to your computer. Find the disk number of your USB drive and type SELECT DISK [USB disk #], where "[USB disk #]" is the disk # for your USB drive. It should now state that your USB drive is the selected disk. If you're not sure what disk is the USB disk, eject the USB drive, perform step number 2 again, connect the USB drive again, and compare the results. Usually the USB drive will be the last drive.

4. Type in the following commands, one by one, pressing Enter after each command.

Keep the command prompt window open, but you can minimize it for a little bit.

5. You will now need your Windows Vista or 7 Installation DVD. Put the DVD in your computer's DVD drive. Open up My Computer and note which drive letter is assigned to your DVD Drive and your USBflash drive.

6. Go back to the command prompt window and type in D: CD BOOT (substitute your DVD drive letter for "D:" if necessary) and press Enter. Type CD BOOT again and press Enter. Lastly, type BOOTSECT.EXE /NT60 H: (substitute your USB flash drive letter for "H:" if necessary) and press Enter.

7. The last step is to copy the entire contents of the Windows DVD to your USB flash drive.

Your USB flash drive is now set up to be a bootable USB drive for Windows Vista or 7.

Windows XP Users.

To make the bootable USB drive for Windows XP, it is recommended that you have a flash drive of at least 4 GB in size, in order to store all the necessary files. You will also need to download windows Server 2003 SP1 and a program called PE Builder (also known as Bart PE).

Before you start, plug in the USB drive and backup any files you have stored on the USB drive, to ensure you do not lose any of them.

1. Install PE Builder on your computer. For the sake of ease, install the program to a C:\PEBuilder folder. After you've installed PE Builder, create a folder titled SRSP1 in the PEBuilder folder.

2. Now you need to extract two files from Windows Server 2003 SP1. The filename is quite long, so it is recommended that you rename the file to something shorter, like WS-SP1.exe. Open a command prompt (Start > Run, type cmd and press Enter) and use the cd command to change to the folder where you downloaded the Windows Server 2003 SP1 file to (i.e. cd c:\downloads to change to the c:\downloads folder). Then, type WS-SP1.exe -x to extract the files. A window will open, asking where to extract the files. You can enter the same folder where the file was downloaded.
3. A new folder titled i386 will be created by the extraction process. Type cd i386 to change to that folder. You now need to copy the setupldr.bin file to the SRSP1 folder you created in the PE Builder folder. Type copy setupldr.bin c:\PEBuilder\SRSP1 to copy the file.

4. You also need to expand the ramdisk.sys file to the SRSP1 folder. Type expand -r ramdisk.sy_ c:\PEBuilder\SRSP1

5. Open My Computer and navigate to the c:\PEBuilder\SRSP1 folder and verify the two files are there.

6. Next, you need to create a compressed version of Windows XP using PE Builder. Make sure you Windows XP Professional CD is in your computer's CD drive, then launch the PE Builder program. In the Source field, type in the drive letter assigned to your CD Drive (you can check in My Computer if you are not sure) (e.g. "d:"). In the Output field, type BartPE. Make sure the None option is selected in the Media output section. Then click the Build button

A progress report will be displayed, showing the progress of the bootable image build. When the build process is complete, click the Close button.

7. Now, you can create the bootable USB flash drive. Open a command prompt again and type cd c:\PEBuilder to change to the PEBuilder folder. Make sure your USB drive is plugged in to your computer and type pe2usb -f e: (change "e:" to the drive letter assigned to your USB flash drive, if necessary) to create the bootable drive. You will be prompted to type YES to begin the process. When the process is complete, press any key to exit the program.

Your USB flash drive is now set up to be a bootable USB drive for Windows XP using the Bart PE interface.

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