Troubleshooting Windows Vista
From HowToGeek
This page will attempt to help you walk through troubleshooting any issue with your Windows Vista computer. You should start by choosing the problem area in the table of contents, and then go from there.
Contents |
Problems Booting Vista
Internet Connection Problems
Main article: Troubleshooting Internet Connection Problems in Vista
Internet Explorer Problems
- Most problems with IE are caused by add-ons causing problems. The first step is to start Internet Explorer in "Safe Mode", which you can find under Accessories \ System Tools in the start menu
- If Internet Explorer starts working in Safe Mode, then you know the problem is an add-on. Use the Tools \ Manage Add-ons menu to disable any add-ons that might be causing a problem, or disable all add-ons and enable them one by one until you find the problem.
- You can Reset All Settings to default by looking under Tools \ Options \ Advanced and clicking the Reset button.
- You can disable Receive Window Auto-Tuning, which often helps on wireless connections.
See Also
- Internet Explorer
- Troubleshooting Internet Explorer on Vista Locking Up or Running Slowly
- Disable Receive Window Auto-Tuning
Blue Screen of Death
Main article: Troubleshooting Blue Screen of Death
If you are getting the blue screen of death, the problem is most likely driver related.
- First, you'll want to write down the error message you are getting. If it flashes by too quickly, you should disable automatic reboot after blue screens.
- Now that you know what module is causing the problem, you'll want to figure out which device the problem is related to.
- Open device manager and see if there is an updated driver for that device, or check the manufacturer's site.
- If the driver has been recently updated, you can also roll back to the previous version.
Driver Problems - Devices not Working
Main article: Troubleshooting Devices and Drivers on Vista
- If the device is removable such as a USB drive, Mouse or LCD Monitor, does it work in another computer or another port?
- Open up Device manager and check to see if the device in question has an exclamation point next to it, indicating that it is either not functioning or the drivers aren't loaded.
- Check the driver version against the manufacturer website. You can also either upgrade or rollback the current driver through the right-click menu.
- Uninstall the device from Device Manager, and then restart your computer and it will be detected again.
Power Management - Hibernation/Sleep Mode
Main article: Troubleshooting Power Management on Vista
- If the problem is that your computer is waking up too frequently, you likely have a device set to wake the computer, such as the network card.
- If your computer won't go into sleep mode, there's either a service, application, or driver that is preventing it. Check event viewer for more details.
- Make sure that you have an updated BIOS, and that your BIOS settings are set correctly.
- If the USB mouse or keyboard won't wake the computer, you need to check your BIOS to make sure that wake on USB is enabled.
Windows Explorer Problems
Main article: Troubleshooting File System on Vista
- If explorer is locking up or hanging, the problem is likely caused by an add-on. Use ShellExView to enable or disable add-ons.
