Feb 26, 2009

Fix System Files in Vista

Some times when your windows systems starts to give errors the cause may be corrupt windows system files. Many a times when we install third party software they replace some system files which starts the problem. But there is no way to repair these files individually or know which file got corrupted.

Fortunately Microsoft has included an application called System File Checker which does the job of finding these corrupt files and also gives the option to repair them.

There are 2 options that can be used from the SFC.exe application. One option is just to verify if the files are corrupted or not and the other option is to verify and repair those files. Here is what you need to to.

--- Go to Run and type cmd

--- Once cmd is open type sfc /? to see all the options that are provided with it.

--- You can choose the option to verify only by tyoing directly in cmd as follows
sfc /VERIFYONLY
This verifies the files and reports any corrupt files.

--- Other option is sfc /SCANNOW which will verify and then repair the corrupt files.

--- For replacing any file you will be asked to insert the Windows CD/DVD and sfc will continue its work. Progress bar will show the work being done.

That's it your systems files will be restored to original.

This will also work with earlier versions of windows. Like for fixing system files in Windows Xp and more

Feb 7, 2009

Fix Invalid Security Certificate Error in Firefox

If you happen to visit sites with self signed security certificates you will notice a error in firefox saying


This site uses an invalid security certificate.

The certificate is not trusted because it is self signed.

(Error code: sec_error_untrusted_issuer)

Firefox shows this message many times while you browse that site. Fortunately there is a way to add the certificate of that site manually. Here is how to do it.

--- Go to Tools --> Options in the menu bar of firefox.

--- Now click on the Advanced tab

--- Now click on the Certificates tab and then on the View Certificates button.
--- Now click on the Add Exception. You will see the following screen.

Here add the site you want to get the certificate to. Then click on get certificate. Firefox will check for the certificate and show it.

--- Now select Permanently store this exception and then press Confirm Security Exception.

That's it you will no longer get the self signed security certificate error for that site. You can also add other such sites following the above steps.

Feb 4, 2009

Fix 'BOOTMGR is Missing' During Vista Boot

If your system showed the message "BOOTMGR is Missing" when you boot it, then the problem is with your boot sector and it can be fixed so no need to worry. Only thing you need is your bootable Windows Vista DVD. Now to fix the BOOTMGR file.

--- Insert the Vista DVD in your DVD drive and restart your PC. When asked to boot from the DVD do it.

--- Once you reach the setup screen choose the language you want and click next.

--- On the next screen you will see an option the bottom of the window saying 'Repair your computer' Click on it.

It will check on which partition Vista is installed. Select the one you want to repair and click next.

--- Now select the Startup repair option in the next screen that appears. as shown below.

--- The process will repair your system. After the repairing is finished you will be asked to reboot.

--- You can also use command prompt to repair the boot manager. To do this click the command prompt option in the window shown in the above image.

--- When Command Prompt opens type this command and hit enter


--- After this reboot your system and get the Vista DVD out from the drive. You will be able to boot into your Windows Vista system again.

Feb 2, 2009

Increase Max Connections in IE

If you are using Internet Explorer as your default browser you should know that whenever IE downloads files from a single server it allows only two files at a time. This limit is not imposed by the software but it is because of the web standard.

This can be changed because its only a software setting and it can be increased to 8-10 connections to make the downloads faster.

Just a registry edit is required for this. Do the following.

--- Go to registry editor by typing regedit by Run box.

--- Now in the left pane locate the entry
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings

--- Now in the right pane look for the entry MaxConnectionsPerServer. If its not present then create it by right clicking in empty area in right pane and then selecting New--> 32 bit DWORD value and give the name MaxConnectionsPerServer.--- Similarly look for the entry MaxConnectionsPer1_0Server or create it as said above.

--- Now to edit their values double click on them one at a time and select decimal as the Base and add a value of greater thatn 2 like 8. This is shown in the image below.--- Now close the registry. Restart your system. You will experience better speed in Internet Explorer.