My computer running Windows 7 indicated that new updates were available and proceeded to install these when I shutdown the computer. However, the next day when I started the computer it got stuck at the screen saying “Preparing to configure Windows. Please do not turn off your computer”. Since I could not proceed past this point I had to start Windows in Safe Mode and complete a System Restore. This successfully restored the computer to a working state, but the next time I shutdown and then started the computer Windows kicked off the same update, again getting stuck at the “Preparing to configure Windows” screen. What are my options for avoiding this problem? Should I backup all of my data and reinstall Windows? (more…)

When I download photos from my digital camera into Windows 7 it automatically copies the photos into some mysterious location, rather than prompting me for the location to where I would like the photos stored. As a result I cannot seem to find the photos! When attempting to re-download the photos a second time a message appeared saying “No new photos detected” and does not allow me to re-download the photos. Previously with Windows XP I was able to tick the photos that I wished to download, and they were downloaded into the My Pictures folder, but it seems to be much more automated and confusing in Windows 7. How can I locate the existing downloaded photos and prevent this problem from occurring in the future? (more…)

I have succumbed to the iPad phenomenon and purchased a new iPad 2. While I am very pleased with the device I have found that it will not charge when plugged into a USB on my desktop PC (quite a new computer running Windows 7). One person said that it should charge and another said that the USB port was the problem. However, looking on the internet seems to indicate that many other iPad users around the world have experienced the same problem. It is being suggested that the power output from a USB port is insufficient to charge the iPad, although some have suggested that there are some models of Apple computers that will charge an iPad. Is this an issue you have come across and is there a solution? (more…)

On starting Microsoft Office and some other programs the Windows Installer appears and seems to reinstall the program. How can I stop this from occurring as it slows down the opening of these programs and is quite frustrating? The computer is running Windows 7. (more…)

Whenever I open Windows Media Player 12 in Windows 7 a message appears saying “Windows Media Player has encountered a problem and needs to close” and then closes. Because Windows Media Player is integrated into Windows 7 I cannot find a method to reinstall the program. I have tried some other media playing applications but similar problems happen – they produce an error message and do not correctly start. The computer was originally running Windows Vista but has since been upgraded to Windows 7. (more…)