Windows 8.1 Store Broker (wshost.exe): High CPU Usage

OS: Windows 8.1 System: Microsoft Surface Pro 2 Issue: “Store Broker” starts up by itself without accessing the Microsoft Store and uses 35% of the CPU. Solution Open Task Manager and end the “Store” and “Store Broker” tasks. Open File Explorer and go to the C:\Users\{User}\AppData\Local\Packages\winstore_cw5n1h2txyewy\LocalState directory, where {User} is the name of the user … Read more

Offline (The disk is offline because it has a signature collision with another disk that is online)

System Dell OptiPlex 760 Desktop OS Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit Issue I replaced a drive that had Windows Vista Business 32-bit so that I could do a clean install of Windows 7 and still keep Vista just in case. After Windows 7 was fully installed, I hooked up the original hard drive using an Apricorn … Read more

Windows Store App: “Your PC isn’t connected to the Internet.”

OS: Microsoft Windows 8 Professional (64-bit) System: Lenovo ThinkPad X220 Tablet Symptom Network connectivity and Web browsing are working properly. Only the Windows Store App has a problem and displays the following message:  “Your PC isn’t connected to the Internet.” Solution Open a Command prompt Clear the Windows Store app cache by running: WSReset.exe The … Read more

PNG images are not displayed in Internet Explorer

Symptom In Internet Explorer, PNG images on a Web page may not display. Instead, a placeholder (red X), may appear in place of the PNG images, but all other image types are displayed. Solution If PNGs display when logged in as an Administrator, then try restoring the default security templates for the affected user: Log … Read more

Unidentified Network – Local Only Access

Alternate title: Unable to Connect to the Internet OS: Windows Vista Business Router: Linksys BEFSR41, and Cisco Problem Description Upon connecting to a new network, “Access” in Network and Sharing Center indicates that the connection is “Local Only” instead of “Local and Internet.” Windows Vista firewall is enabled, but no recent changes were made System … Read more

Show Extensions for Known Files Types

I like to see the file extensions. I want to know while file types I’m looking at, regardless of whether the thumbnail icon is correct or not. In Windows Explorer, choose Organize > Folder and Search Options. Click the View tab in the Folder Options dialog box. In Advanced Settings, deselect Hide Extensions For Known … Read more

HyperTerminal is no longer part of Windows

OS Windows 7, Windows Vista According to Microsoft, “HyperTerminal is no longer part of Windows.” Purpose of HyperTerminal HyperTerminal is a terminal emulation program that supports communications over TCP/IP networks, Modems, and serial COM ports. I use HyperTerminal to connect, via the serial port, to the console port on Cisco switches and routers. This lets … Read more

Built-In Tools

OS Windows 7 Problem Steps Recorder (psr.exe) You can use Problem Steps Recorder to automatically capture the steps you take on a computer, including a text description of where you clicked and a picture of the screen during each click (called a screen shot). Once you capture these steps, you can save them to a … Read more

Create a Restore Point for Windows 7

OS Windows 7 I recommend that you create a restore point before you install applications and device drivers. Here are the steps to do so: Click on the Start button and right-click on “Computer” Select “Properties” from the Context menu to get to the System area of Control Panel Click on the “System Protection” link … Read more