Computer Troubleshooting/Help Master Thread

[etech0]

I'd appreciate if you can be a little more detailed, I'm a n00b, hope you don't mind.

First, you install windows 7 and activate it. Now, Windows 7 or newer gets a free upgrade to Windows 10. After you do that, your computer will be registered (not sure if that's the right term) with Windows 10, so you can do a clean install of 10 from a DVD or USB, and you won't need to activate it again.

[avromie7]

First, you install windows 7 and activate it. Now, Windows 7 or newer gets a free upgrade to Windows 10. After you do that, your computer will be registered (not sure if that's the right term) with Windows 10, so you can do a clean install of 10 from a DVD or USB, and you won't need to activate it again.

Yes it will be registered with Microsoft as licensed for Windows 10

[etech0]

Yes it will be registered with Microsoft as licensed for Windows 10

Thanks!

And it was mentioned upthread (maybe by you ) that the registration doesn't go on the hard drive, but somewhere else on the computer, so that if you put in a new hard drive it will still be registered.

[avromie7]

Thanks!

And it was mentioned upthread (maybe by you ) that the registration doesn't go on the hard drive, but somewhere else on the computer, so that if you put in a new hard drive it will still be registered.

Correct it goes by the other hardware like the motherboard
ETA: that's why it you move the hard drive to a new computer it won't be licensed

[TorontoGuy]

Correct it goes by the other hardware like the motherboard
ETA: that's why it you move the hard drive to a new computer it won't be licensed

Isnt the activation stored in the registry as a key, which is on the HDD? As far as I can remember Windows generates a key based on the hardware IDs of several pieces of hardware, and then after registration it creates a new key which is calculated using the hardware key and the activation code. Occasionally Windows checks to make sure that the mathematical calculation still equals the value of the second key.

[DanH]

Isnt the activation stored in the registry as a key, which is on the HDD? As far as I can remember Windows generates a key based on the hardware IDs of several pieces of hardware, and then after registration it creates a new key which is calculated using the hardware key and the activation code. Occasionally Windows checks to make sure that the mathematical calculation still equals the value of the second key.

Windows 10 has new form of activation which saves your HWID on MS servers.

[tec]

I have an hp Envy and already a few times when I shut down it says "shutting down" and the screen goes blank but the computer just doesn't shut down and I have to hold the power button down to shut it?
Any ideas what the problem might be?

[etech0]

I have an hp Envy and already a few times when I shut down it says "shutting down" and the screen goes blank but the computer just doesn't shut down and I have to hold the power button down to shut it?

+1
Since I upgraded to Windows 10

[pixi]

Many times my laptop is suddenly shutting down like I would of pressed the power off button . Any idea why this happens ?

[aygart]

Many times my laptop is suddenly shutting down like I would of pressed the power off button . Any idea why this happens ?

Shutting down or restarting? Restarting can be caused by automatically installed updates.

[tec]

+1
Since I upgraded to Windows 10

Is it not good for the laptop to force close it?

[pixi]

Shutting down or restarting? Restarting can be caused by automatically installed updates.

Shutting down

[DanH]

I have an hp Envy and already a few times when I shut down it says "shutting down" and the screen goes blank but the computer just doesn't shut down and I have to hold the power button down to shut it?
Any ideas what the problem might be?

+1
Since I upgraded to Windows 10

It's a known issue.  IIRC the fix was playing around with virtualization in bios.

eta:
see http://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Boot-and-Lockup/Windows-10-will-not-shut-down-completely-Power-light-stays/td-p/5180111
especially page 26

[DanH]

Shutting down

Is it overheating?

[pixi]

Is it overheating?

No! 

[bb1836]

I'm having an issue with one of my computers. its a Toshiba Satellite E45W-C and it keeps randomly dropping the Wi-fi or not picking it up at all. i think its time i uninstalled and reinstalled the internet driver. consequently when i bought the computer it only came with Win 8 with an option to download Win 10 onto it. when i did that i first started having this issue and quickly learned that others were having this same issue. it soon stopped becoming an issue so i ignored it for the time. its almost a year later and I'm having this issue again. has anyone else had a similar experience and can s/o pls help me through this process. thank you so very much!

[pixi]

Many time when I try to delete a file I get this error "the action cannot be completed because the file is open in another program"  I made sure this file isn't  open no where, I have windows 10 . any idea what to do ?

[Yehuda25]

Many time when I try to delete a file I get this error "the action cannot be completed because the file is open in another program"  I made sure this file isn't  open no where, I have windows 10 . any idea what to do ?

http://www.afterdawn.com/software/system_tools/misc_system_tools/unlocker_portable.cfm

[Work-for-ur-muny]

Many time when I try to delete a file I get this error "the action cannot be completed because the file is open in another program"  I made sure this file isn't  open no where, I have windows 10 . any idea what to do ?

Some times if you have preview mode on in file explorer and that particular file is selected with its content displayed in the preview pane.

[pixi]

Some times if you have preview mode on in file explorer and that particular file is selected with its content displayed in the preview pane.

Makes sense , how do i turn it off ?