When your computer’s driver is missing a base system device, it can cause your computer to stop working correctly, or even altogether. This often happens as a result of downloading updates to your drivers, or changing operating systems. Don’t fret, though; it is possible to figure out which devices your drviers are missing and restore them to working order.

Driver Missing Base System Device

1. First, refer to the following web-link to find the model number and product number of your system.

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?tmp_renderType=findModel&cc=us&dlc=en&docname=c00033108&lc=en&os=4062&sw_lang

2. Once you have found the model and product numbers, open Start

3. Type devmgmt.msc and press enter. Select Devices from the main menu.

4. Double click a device; choose the details tab, and then the hardware IDs from the drop-down. It will look like the following:

PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_4370&SUBSYS_3091103C&REV_02

PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_4370&SUBSYS_3091103C

PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_4370&CC_040100

PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_4370&CC_0401

5. Using the model number, product number, and the device IDs, you should be able to find the appropriate driver to download online. Most PC brands provide a website from which you can download the right drivers for a base system device, such as HP’s page.

Need Computer Help?

If you are still receiving this error after following the above directions, use TalkLocal to get in contact with local professionals immediately. We will connect you with up to three professionals in your area in just minutes, so you can get the right help when you need it.

What is it?

BSOD (blue screen of death) is an error screen that pops up in computers using Windows OS when a critical error occurs.  They appear when some underlying problem causes the system to crash. The software issues that cause blue screen errors usually relate to hardware problems in the operating system. The term is named after the color of the screen when the error is generated. BSOD is also officially known as a “stop error”.

What does it do?

The biggest problem faced by users during a BSOD error is loss of data. All unsaved data is lost when a BSOD error occurs. Even if the program auto saves data, sometimes only partial data recovery is possible. These errors also affect the computer’s overall performance and cause lags in loading time, start up, and shut down.

Why did it show up?

– If any of the computer’s drivers are corrupt or out of date and are asked to perform a particular task, they will cause critical errors, which in turn cause BSOD.

– Registries are sets of instructions sent between programs and applications on the computer. If these are corrupted or deleted, it can cause BSOD.

– If the RAM is corrupted, it will lose information stored on it. If windows tries to access this lost information, it can result in BSOD.

How do I fix it?

When the BSOD appears, users can be in 2 situations :

1. If Windows can be started:

– Undo recent changes using System Restore.

– Use the Action Center to check for solutions to problems.

– Check Windows Update for software updates.

– Search for drivers on the manufacturer’s website.

– Use safe mode to troubleshoot problems.

– Check your computer for hard disk and memory errors.

2. If Windows cannot be started at all:

– Try to start Windows in Safe Mode.

– Use Startup Repair to fix Windows startup files.

– Undo recent changes using System Restore.

– Restore your computer using a system image backup.

– Reinstall Windows 7.

Need More Help with BSOD?

Use TalkLocal to be connected with up to three computer repair technicians in your area in just minutes. We will find the right professional to help you and send them your way, for free! Use Talk Local Today.

It probably seems like a thing of yesterday when someone mentions a floppy disc. But if you run into a box full of those black and beautiful, 3.5” floppy discs that you stored your images from your old digital camera in, you feel a pang of nostalgia that modern computers don’t have disc drives.

So if you wish to retrieve data from old floppy discs, without a computer with a disc drive, what do you do? Well, you’re in luck because there are ways you can transfer data from floppy disk, without having to scour the antique shop for an old, big burly Compaq.

Get an External Disc Drive

These days, it is really easy to find an external disc drive on eBay and other places. In fact, they cost just about $15 to $20. Now that’s an amount you can easily spend for those priceless memories. All you need to do is plug it in and you can transfer all of your data yourself. It gets really simple once you get the right device.

First, you need to determine what kind of floppy disc you are dealing with. It could be a 5.25-inch floppy disc for Mac or a 3.5-inch Windows PC disc. Accordingly, you can get an external disc drive for your collection of floppies.

File Transfer Services

If you look online, you will come across a few websites that let you convert your floppy disc data. FloppyDisk.com and RetroFloppy.com are a couple of these. These websites help convert old files to formats new computers can read for a fee of about $6-$7 per disc.

Public Library

Another option you could try is going to an old, big public library, as it is most likely to have old computers that still have disc drives. You can easily retrieve data from your floppy discs on these computers and then use one of the aforementioned file transfer services to have them converted to a compatible format.

Get Professionals to Transfer Data from Floppy Disk

No matter what you try, sometimes you may not be able to successfully transfer the data. In such a situation, it is best to consult a professional for the job. TalkLocal can help you find professionals who can transfer all of your data in no time. We make sure to connect you to the best professionals in your area.

Malware, which is short for malicious software, is any unwanted software that can harm a computer system or the data stored on a computer. Spyware is a type of malware that is deployed to a computer over the Internet without notice to or consent of the user, which basically tracks the user’s surfing behavior and sometimes gathers personally identifiable information about the user, and then provides all of this data to a third-party server.

So, Are Cookies Malware?

If you’re asking yourself, “Are cookies malware?”, then the answer is definitely no. In the first place, a cookie is not software. It’s just a small text file that contains details about your visit to a website. If you agreed to have that website remember your login details, then the cookie will contain that information as well your preferences so you don’t have to keep on entering information to the site whenever you return to it.

In this case, which is normally how cookies are used, cookies are good and help make a better Web browsing experience. They are also used to get feedback about the performance of a site and are very important for e-commerce sites to remember what products you looked at and added to your cart.

So What’s the Big Deal?

Why, then, are cookies malware to some people? Cookies are sometimes considered malware when they are used maliciously by third parties to track your online activities, usually for the purpose of targeted advertising. Again, tracking cookies and cookies in general will not be able to run any program or cause your computer to crash or hack your online accounts, or cause any such harm to your system.

However, if have any concerns about using cookies, you can control how your browser accepts or blocks cookies. You can delete cookies on your Mac or PC by changing the cookie preferences of your Web browser. Each browser will have different specific steps to configure the level of cookie acceptance.

Need Computer Help?

If you’re having malware problems with your computer or any other concern that requires the help of a professional, we can match you with qualified computer technicians servicing your area as fast as a few clicks of a mouse. When you need a pro, make it your first step to use TalkLocal, and we’ll take care of the rest.

Hardware elements that do not function properly are a real source of frustration for most people who use a computer on a daily basis. While some problems are easy to detect and solve, others are much more complex and require the skills and the in-depth knowledge of a computer repair expert. When it comes to troubleshooting an unrecognized mouse, you don’t necessarily need professional services to overcome this technical obstacle. Just follow a few simple steps to be able to use a fully functional mouse in no time.

Identifying the Nature of Your Problem

What kind of problem are you dealing with? Is your pointer moving erratically in different areas of your computer screen? Is the pointer unresponsive when you touch the mouse and move it in different directions? Does your pointing device stop working all of a sudden? Identify the real cause of your problem; it could be your mouse, but it could always be your USB port.

Different Methods to Troubleshoot an Unrecognized Mouse

Connect your device to a different USB port and see if it works. If it doesn’t, connect different USB devices to the same port. If other USB devices function flawlessly, then your mouse is definitely the one and only problem.

Start by replacing its old batteries and remember to resync your device after installing new batteries. If the device still doesn’t work, try to test it on a different computer. If the mouse is still not recognized in the new environment, then undoubtedly, the device is defective and should be replaced with a newer one.

Ask an Expert

Troubleshooting an unrecognized mouse is not a complicated task; however, numerous people prefer to contact a computer repair expert when they are forced to deal with such an unpleasant, stressful problem. When it comes to software and hardware issues, it is always easier to rely on expert advice and professional services. Rest at ease, knowing that you could always find the very best computer repair experts in your area with just a little bit of help from TalkLocal, your free connection to local professionals.

Overwhelmed by so many tempting options, most inexperienced buyers have a hard time trying to identify the very best laptop photography 2012. After all, with so many confusing features and technical specifications, how could one make a smart decision without counting on the vast experience of a skilled computer repair specialist? Keep reading to discover accurate info on some of the most recommended laptops for high-quality photography.

Start by evaluating your real needs

Want to make a great investment? In this case, start by analyzing your real necessities and requirements. Don’t buy a product solely based on its glossy display and sleek design. If you have a genuine passion for photography, choose to purchase a laptop with a top-rated screen, enough storage, and maximum graphic punch.

Now you have access to a wide range of relatively affordable laptops matching this description, so don’t hesitate to compare prices and features before placing a certain product into your shopping cart.

Find the most remarkable products

If you’re really interested in finding the best laptop photography 2012, don’t try to cut corners; choose to pay the right price for cutting-edge technology. What does this involve?

– A killer graphics processing unit (GPU), perfect for graphically intense assignments

– A large, bright display (a 17.3-inch screen could be considered a great alternative at hand by most photographers)

– And pre-installed software enabling users to start photo editing sessions as soon as possible, like the Adobe Premier Elements 9 or the well-liked, extremely popular Adobe Photoshop Elements 9, for instance.

HP Envy 7 comes along with these great extras, making it a great pick for passionate photographers.

If you’re a big fan of the sophisticated Apple products, you probably know that the MacBook Pro is equipped with the useful iPhoto – an excellent program allowing users to organize and edit all of their photos.

Get help today

Are you worried that you might not have what it takes to identify the best laptop photography 2012 on your own? In this case, take the easy way out and ask for expert guidance today. Contact skilled computer repair experts by relying on TalkLocal, your free source of information, enabling you to meet reliable experts operating in your area.

System Restore is a tool that automatically monitors and records any changes that are made to the core Windows system files and to the registry. If a change causes your system to function incorrectly, System Restore will allow the user to “roll back” to a time when the system worked correctly.

Safe Mode is a special way for Windows systems to load when there is a critical problem that interferes with normal operations. In the event of a critical error, users are likely to use System Restore to fix the problem. To use System Restore in Safe Mode simply follow the steps outlined below.

How to Use System Restore in Safe Mode

1. Restart your computer, and then press and hold F8 during the initial startup. This will start your computer in safe mode with a Command prompt. A bootup screen will appear and prompt you to make a selection.

2. Use the arrow keys to select the Safe mode with a Command prompt option, and press Enter.

3. If you are prompted to select an operating system, use the arrow keys to select the appropriate operating system for your computer, and then press ENTER.

4. Log on as an administrator or with an account that has administrator credentials. If there is only one user account on your computer (such as for a personal laptop), log on as normal.

5. At the command prompt, type %systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe, and then press ENTER.

6. Follow the instructions that appear on the screen to restore your computer to a functional state. This should allow you to resume normal use of your computer without sacrificing vital data.

Need Computer Help?

If these steps do not solve your problem, you may want to consult a computer repair professional. TalkLocal is a great tool to help you find reliable computer repair professionals in your area! We will connect you with up to three professional in just minutes.

Nowadays, watching movies from your computer on your television is very easy to accomplish, and many people choose to do it instead of using traditional DVDs. Read along if you need to know how to connect computer to TV.

Connect Computer to TV

1)  Determine what kind of outports your computer has. It usually has VGA outports.

2)  Determine what kind of video inports your television has. Usually, this will depend on what kind of television you have. Newer television sets will have different and newer kinds of inports.

3)  Select the right kind of cable to connect your computer to your television set. The outport of your computer has to match the inport of your television set. If the outport of your computer and the inport of your television set are different, you will need an adapter cable for this. These can be purchased at any computer store.

4)  If you don’t already have one, you will need to purchase an audio cable.

5)  Next, you will need to shut down your computer.

6)  After that, you need to disconnect the monitor of your computer.

7)  Position your computer next to your television set while leaving your keyboard and your mouse near your television set.

8)  Connect the outports to the inports.

9)  After that, if you needed the audio cables, connect the 3.5mm audio cables to the audio jack of your television set.

10)  Next, set your TV to the incoming mode from your computer. You may need to consult your television’s user manual for this.

11)  Turn on your computer.

12)  The last step is to adjust the screen resolution, if needed. This is important if you want to fully enjoy the viewing quality of your television and computer connection.

Need Help Connecting Your Computer to Your TV?

If you’re still having trouble, contact TalkLocal today and we’ll be glad to assist you in finding professional help for your computer troubles!

Finding the best laptop designed to address all your needs optimally can be quite challenging, especially when you’re forced to analyze a plentitude of appealing options. If you are interested in the very best brand laptops, keep reading to find out how to narrow down your search and invest in a first-class product that will never let you down.

1) Establish some basic selection criteria

These days, you have the opportunity to choose from several categories of laptops, serving different purposes, displaying different features, and responding to various aesthetic requirements. In this context, you have to know exactly what you’re looking for.

Do you want to go for a great laptop with a sleek design? Would you purchase one weighing less than 5 or 6 pounds? If you are always on the run and portability is your main selection criterion, opt for a 13- or 14-inch model. In case you want to pay the right price for a complete package, the highly sophisticated MacBook Air 13-inch could be the best candidate due to its superior touchpad, amazing design, responsive keyboard and its premium sharp screen; not to mention the fact that it weights only 3 pounds, so you could carry it around without complaining about back pains.

2) Analyze product features and price tags

Buying a new laptop is a big investment, especially if you’re willing to pay what it takes to explore the advantages of cutting-edge technology. Shop around, and don’t hesitate to compare price tags and features until you finally manage to narrow down your search and identify the most advantageous offers.

There are a few features that any great laptop should display, like, for instance, a wide, brilliant screen, a great keyboard with powerful tactile feedback, at least 8 or 9 hours of endurance, attractive design, remarkable performance, all this and more for a ridiculously low price, preferably under $600. Samsung Chromebook Series 3, Dell Latitude 3330, and Acer Inspire M5 are awesome alternatives for those who are looking for best brand laptops that are affordable.

3) Ask an expert

Undoubtedly, it is difficult to find the very best brand laptops without expert advice. When in doubt, don’t hesitate to contact gifted, experienced computer repair experts operating in your area. Find the best ones with help from TalkLocal, your number one source of information allowing you to meet hundreds of professionals operating in different fields of activity who live and work in your area.

System Restore is a program in Windows that restores your computer back to a previous state. This is used for situations such as when downloaded software or malware has negatively affected your computer. There are many problems that stop the system from not working. So if you’re asking, “Why is System Restore not working?” don’t worry, there are solutions to solve these problems.

Malware or Software Conflict

System Restore is usually disabled during a malware attack. Some software can also prohibit system restore from working properly.  In Safe Mode, only core drivers are activated, leaving most malware inactive. Also, most software is inactive. To activate safe mode at boot:

1. Restart the computer.

2. Press F8 as the computer boots up. This should take you to the Boot Setup screen.

3. In the boot list select Safe Mode with No Networking.

To activate safe mode in normal mode:

1. Search for “run” in the Start menu search box.

2. Select Run.

3. Type in “msconfig” in the run box and press “Ok”.

4. Select the boot tab.

5. Check the “Safe Boot” and press “Ok”.

If System Restore works, then activate your virus scanner to detect any malware. If there is no malware detected, then there is a software conflicting with System Restore. If there is software or a software update that has been downloaded recently, use System Restore to return your computer to a state before that software was downloaded.

Disk Space

The restore point may not be created if the disk space for the program is full. There are two ways to fix this problem, either by increasing allocated space or deleting restore points. To increase space for system restore:

1. Search “Create a restore point” in the start search box and select it.

2. Click “Configure”.

3. Under “Disk Space Usage” click and move the bar to the right to increase the available space for system restore.

Restore Points

To delete restore points:

1. Search “Disk Cleanup”.

2. Right Click on “Disk Cleanup” and select “Run as an Administrator”.

3.  Select the “More Options” tab.

4. Under “System Restore and Shadow Copies” select “Clean up”.

Still Need Computer Help?

If this does not work, a computer repair specialist may be needed. To find a computer repair professional, just use TalkLocal. We will connect you to the best computer repair companies in your area for free. We’re the experts at finding the right experts!