After the Repair

My computer won't connect to the Internet. What now?

Turn your modem, router and computer(s) off. Wait 1 minute, then turn your router on, wait about 2 minutes then turn your router (if any) on, wait 1 minute then turn your computer on.

Where to change your login name password:

START > CONTROL PANEL > USER ACCOUNTS > CHANGE AN ACCOUNT > Pick and account to change > Change a password

I can't seem to find some of my files?

Don't forget that you can click START > SEARCH > then type in part of the name of a file that you are looking for. Right click and then select "Open file location". Take note of where it's located.

Some critical data such as email and browser data resides in hidden folders. In order to view these folders (and their contents) you must configure Windows to display hidden files and folders in this manner....

START > Control Panel > Folder Options > View tab > Select the radio button next to "Show hidden files and folders"

Also visit this page to view common storage locations of various files.

When I first turn on my computer I get warnings that no antivirus software is installed, yet you installed Security Essentials. Why is this happening?

It is “normal” for Microsoft Security Essentials to display a pop up in the bottom right hand corner at start up saying that your computer is essentially at risk because antivirus software in not installed (in reality antivirus software IS in fact installed). Also at startup the Security Essentials task bar icon will appear red in color until it finally starts and then turns green. The reason for these warnings is that the Windows “Security Center” service checks to see if any antivirus software is running BEFORE Security Essentials gets a chance to fully launch. The less RAM memory installed on a computer, the longer it will take for Security Essentials to turn on. If the Security Essentials task bar icon remains red for a while, you can click it to manually start it, or it may ask you to check for a virus definition update.

Sometimes when I turn on my computer it is very slow and sluggish?

By default Windows checks for and may download and install critical updates every day at 3 AM. If you don't turn on your computer until the next day at 6 in the evening then that's when this process will happen. These updates usually happen in the "background" without you knowing, but if you hold your mouse over the task bar (bottom right hand corner) a pop up may display letting you know. Antivirus software (such as Security Essentials) also checks for updates in the background. These updates are a necessary evil! Do not disable or stop them.

How to protect from virus infections: CLICK HERE

Where is my old desktop background?

This is one thing that inherently gets changed back to the factory default settings after a basic Windows reinstall. Before reinstalling Windows, and if your computer properly boots to the desktop, the "Files & Settings Transfer Wizard" can be used to backup and migrate many of your settings to the new Windows installation. However if the "Files & Settings Transfer Wizard" does not work properly (due to system damage), or if the computer won't even boot to the desktop, then Palisades Computer Repair does not migrate settings such as desktop background settings, mouse speed, taskbar settings, etc. Instead you will need to reconfigure your computer if you are not happy with the settings that get installed by default.

My monitor resolution is all out of whack! Help!

Simply move your mouse over an empty part of the desktop, then RIGHT click "Properties", then the "Settings" tab, then adjust the screen resolution bar. Note that proportions (dimensions) do not constrain equally when you adjust this bar, so KEEP TRYING all of the settings until your stumble upon one that looks best. This is especially true if you have a wide screen monitor and the picture looks "stretched" - keep trying all of the settings.

How do I delete files that won't delete? Try this tool called File Unlocker

CLICK HERE to read more about the inherent "disruptions" that occur after reinstalling Windows.