Gadgets Not Loading or Missing from The Desktop

If Windows Gadgets are not loading or are missing from the Desktop, try the following: Use Task Manager to end the sidebar.exe process Right-click on the Desktop and select Gadgets from the Context Menu to restart sidebar.exe Microsoft recommends disabling the Windows Sidebar and Gadgets because of security concerns. Microsoft Security Advisory (2719662): Vulnerabilities in … 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 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

Cisco VPN Client Installation Terminates With Error 28000

Program: Cisco VPN Client v5.0.07.0290OS: Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bitComputer: Lenovo X220 Tablet After upgrading from Windows 8 Pro to Windows 8.1 Pro, the Cisco VPN NIC driver stopped working.The driver wouldn’t update via Device Manager. I uninstalled the Cisco VPN Client 5.0.07.0290 then rebooted the computer. When I tried re-installing the Cisco VPN Client 5.0.07.0290, … 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

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

Unable to Print Multiple Copies

OS Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit Printer Lexmark T640 Go to: Start Button > Devices and Printers Right-click on the printer and choose “Printing Preferences” from the context menu that pops up Click on the “Output Options” tab Change “Output to:” from “Verify Print” to “Printer” Click OK Other Possible Fixes (These did not work for me, … Read more

The file AdobePDF.dll on Windows Vista CD-ROM is needed

OS Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit Application Adobe Creative Suite 3 (CS3) Web Premium Issue During the installation of Adobe CS3, a dialog box for Adobe Acrobat 8 Professional displays the following: File needed The file ‘AdobePDF.dll’ on Windows Vista CD-ROM is needed. Solution On the Adobe CS3 DVD, copy AdobePDF.dll_64 from \Adobe CS3\payloads\AdobeAcrobat8en_US\Data1.cab to the … Read more

Windows 7 XP Mode without Hardware Virtualization

System Dell OptiPlex 760 Desktop OS Windows 7 Ultimate, 64-bit Update May 2010: The current versions of Windows XP Mode for Windows 7 no longer requires hardware virtualization. Windows XP Mode and Windows Virtual PC on Windows 7 requires a processor capable of hardware virtualization, with AMD-V, Intel VT or VIA VT turned on in … Read more