If you have Windows 8 and you haven’t upgraded to Windows 8.1, then you may find it fairly hard to shut down your computer and find yourself needing computer help. The update to this operating system added back a button to make shutting down easy, but the original Windows 8 can be somewhat difficult, especially for those who are just starting to use it. You really can shut down your machine without computer help. You just need to know what to do.
You can most certainly make things much simpler if you upgrade to Windows 8.1. There were several changes included in this upgrade so that your computer will work better, and it is recommended that you go ahead and do this. If you have Windows 8, then it is free to upgrade to Windows 8.1 and you should be able to do so without the need for computer support.
However, if, for one reason or another, you wish to stay with Windows 8, then here are the steps you can take in order to shut down or restart your machine.
Computer Help: Simple Steps for Shutting Down Windows 8
The first place where you can perform a shutdown is from the start screen. That’s the screen your computer likely starts up to and it will show tiles with various apps on them. The easiest way to recognize this screen, though, is that it will say “Start” across the top left side of the screen. From this screen, if you look over to the right, you will see what looks like a power button. If you click on this, you can choose to shut down, restart, or do other things. When you click on the shut down option, you can choose shut down and your machine will turn off.
There are times when you may not see the power button because you are using Windows 8 in mobile device mode. Some tablets and hybrid laptop/tablets will use mobile Windows 8. Don’t worry. You can still shut down without computer help and you don’t need a computer repair service to replace that power button. Just follow these steps to shut down.
- Swipe from the right to open the charm bar.
- Click on the settings button.
- Click on the power button that will appear under settings.
Then, you can choose shut down just as you would have from any other power menu. You can also choose restart from this button if you need to do this as well.
Windows 8 can be confusing because it is completely different from its predecessors. However, as you come to learn its controls, you should have no problems doing what you want. If you have not upgraded to Windows 8.1, then you can use the steps above to shut down your computer when needed. Of course, if you have any issues, then be sure to get computer help Dave's Computers. Through remote support, we can rectify many issues that may be plaguing your machine.
If you found this article helpful, be sure to share it through social media by clicking below.When you create a recovery drive in Windows 8, you can use this to reach advanced startup options when something is going wrong. These advanced options include command prompt, system restore, automatic repair, refresh PC, and more. This can provide you a way to diagnose problems with your computer so that you don’t necessarily have to contact computer support services right away.
To create this Windows 8 recovery drive without computer help, you will need a 500 MB (at minimum) capacity flash drive. This will be your recovery disc and you need to use it for this alone and nothing else. Here are the steps you need to take to create a recovery drive without the need for a professional computer repair service.
Creating a Windows 8 Recovery Drive Without the Help of Computer Support
Begin by opening the control panel. To do this, open the charm bar on the right hand side of the screen and choose settings, then control panel.
Once you have accessed the control panel, click on the link for system and security. After that, choose action center and then recovery. If you have your icons set up in a certain way, then you may not see system and security at all, allowing you to straight to choosing recovery. If you have trouble finding this, then contact a computer support service.
After clicking on recovery, you will see a link for something that says create a recovery drive. You will have to choose the flash drive specifically as your recovery point. Make sure you have all other external drives disconnected so that you nor the computer gets confused.
If you see a checkbox that says copy the recovery partition from the PC to the recovery drive, make sure it is checked.
Then, click next. The recovery drive wizard will search for your drive and then you can choose USB flash drive from the next screen. Then, click next and then click the create button. You will have to wait a few moments while Windows creates the recovery drive and you will eventually see a message saying the recovery drive is ready. You can then click the finish button.
Now, you will have a recovery drive that you can use if your computer starts acting strangely. You will be able to boot up your computer through that drive so that you can run various diagnostics and determine what may be wrong with the machine, Make sure you label your recovery drive properly and then store it in a safe place.
If your computer is causing problems, there are times when you will be able to diagnose the issue without computer support. If you have created a recovery drive, this could be very helpful. If you continue to have problems, or if the recovery drive is not working properly, then be sure to contact Dave's Computers. We offer remote computer support for a variety of different computer issues and we will be glad to help you.
If you found this article helpful, then be sure to share it by clicking links below.One of the big changes that Windows 8 included was a Start Screen, which features apps sorted in different orders depending on how you set everything up. However, not everyone likes the Start Screen simply because they would rather go directly to their desktop. If you want to do this, then there are simple steps you can take without the need for computer help.
This only works if you have the Windows 8.1 upgrade, so if you don’t have Windows 8.1 yet, this would be a good time to download and install the updates.
Before you make this change, ask yourself, do you ever want to boot to the Start Screen? Remember that it is very easy to get right to the desktop from this screen. All you have to do is click on desktop in your list of apps. However, if you are certain you always want to go directly to the desktop, then follow these steps and contact computer support if needed.
Computer Help Tips: How to Boot to the Desktop in Windows 8
Begin by going to your control panel. You can get to it through the charm bar on the right hand of the screen. Just open the charm bar, click on settings, and then choose control panel. If you are unsure of how to get to the charm bar, be sure to contact a computer help service for advice.
Once you have the control panel open, go to Appearance and Personalization. If you have your icons set up in a certain way, you may see Taskbar and Navigation. If you do, then you can skip the next step.
After you have clicked on Appearance and Personalization, then click on Taskbar and Navigation next.
Once you have this window open, then click on Navigation, which will appear as a tab at the top of the window. You will want to look for a checkbox that says “When I sign in or Close All Apps on a Screen, Go to the Desktop Instead of Start.” This should be the checkbox that you ensure is marked.
Then, click ok so that you can confirm that you want to make this change. Keep in mind that even with this change, you will still be able to access the Start Screen whenever you would like. It is still readily available. However, your desktop will be the first thing you see when you log in, which can be the preference of many people.
With these steps, you shouldn’t necessarily need any computer repair service. However. If you run into any trouble, just contact a professional computer help company for advice.
You don’t have to keep going to the Start Screen whenever you log in to your computer, and when you get this set up, it will stay that way every single time you start up the computer from now on.
If you have trouble with your computer in any way and you need remote computer help, then be sure to contact us at 908-428-9558
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There are many different times that you might find it useful to start a computer in safe mode. It may be that something isn’t working quite right and you need to run diagnostics and locate the issue. If you have a virus on your computer, sometimes, the only way to get rid of it will be to run a virus scan in safe mode. Because this mode is so important, knowing how to get to it without a computer repair service can be very helpful. That way, you may be able to troubleshoot some of your own issues before you have to contact the professionals for assistance.
Computer Repair Guide: How to Access Safe Mode
Getting to safe mode will depend on what version of Windows you have, so the first thing you need to do is find that out. Once you know whether you have Windows Vista, 7, or 8, then you can locate the right instructions. If you have Windows 8, then you will find the computer help you need here.
Starting Windows 8 in safe mode is completely different from anything you may be used to because you can no longer press F8 during startup like previous versions allowed. So, scrap any idea you may have had and get computer support if you find it especially difficult to get to safe mode in this version of Windows.
You will need to get to Advanced Startup Options. There are different ways to do this, but the easiest is to follow these directions.
- Locate one of the power icons. In Windows 8.1, it is available from the start menu at the bottom left of the screen. In Windows 8, go to the Start screen and look at the top right.
- Hold down the Shift key while you click on the Restart choice in the power menu.
- This should open Advanced Startup Options
After you have accessed this menu, then you will need to choose Startup Settings, which will open a submenu. From here, you will be able to restart in safe mode through these steps:
- Click on the Restart button to the right.
- Your computer will reboot in Startup Settings.
- Then, you can choose Enable Safe Mode from your options.
This will put your computer in Safe Mode. You also have options to enable safe mode with networking or with command prompt. These are advanced options you may not need, but could be helpful if you are working with a computer repair service.
While it may seem more difficult to get to Safe Mode in Windows 8 or Windows 8.1, you can still access this mode if you need to run diagnostics before you contact a computer support service. Whenever our machine starts acting strangely, then Safe Mode can be very helpful to ensure you figure out what is wrong before you contact a computer repair service. If you have any trouble beyond this, be sure to contact at 908-428-9558 so that we can offer computer repair and remote support options.
If you found this article helpful, then be sure to share it below.Let’s say something went wrong with your computer and you need to reinstall Windows 8. Everything is going good so far in the installation, but then the computer asks for your product key and you have no idea where it is. Whenever you install almost any type of software to your computer, you do need that product key, but you wouldn’t be the first person to lose it. If you need it to install Windows 8, and you cannot place your hands on it, there are a few different ways you may be able to access it without having to contact computer support.
To begin with, look for your email confirmation where you purchased Windows 8. If you still have that email, then the product key should appear right in it. You shouldn’t need any computer help to search your emails, but if you do, a professional should be able to help you find the archived email you need. If this doesn’t work, then try the next step.
Consider using a product key finder program. This program will be able to go through your Windows registry and find the product key that was used when you originally installed Windows 8. This will only work if you were using a valid, proper product key, but it should have no problem opening it. Contact a computer support service if you need help choosing this type of software.
If these two options don’t work, then it may be time to contact a computer repair service. If Windows 8 has already been on your computer and it was a valid copy, then a computer support professional should have no problem helping you locate the product key.
If you are able to locate the product key, you will need to make sure you write it down specifically and exactly so that you will have it available when you need it. The product key will have 25 letters with four different dashes, so it looks like this:
xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx
You need to write it down just as it appears, whether it has letters or numbers. Make sure to pay attention to any capitalization as well. Once you have the product key written down, do not get rid of it. If you ever need to reinstall Windows, you will need it again and you certainly won’t want to have to contact computer support yet again because you lost that product key time after time.
Need More Computer Help? Contact Dave's Computers
It can be hard to keep up with software product keys, but this is important information to keep on hand. Whenever you need to reinstall that software, you will have to enter that product key again. However, if you lose the number, it isn’t the end of the world. There are steps you can take to recover the information. If you go through the steps and you are still having difficulties then a computer support service will be able to help you. Whatever problem you may be having, contact us at 908-428-9558 for assistance.
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If you have Windows Update set to automatically run, you probably already know the hassle of waiting on it to do its job. The good news is that when it is updating, it is doing great things for your computer, like installing patches and safety measures to protect your machine. However, what happens when it completely freezes up? This generally happens when the updating process is in shutdown or startup and it can leave you wanting to pull your hair out. Before you call for computer help, though, let’s talk about some things you could do to deal with the issue.
How to Know That It Is Frozen
There are certain messages you will see during Windows Update, and if they don’t seem to go away anytime soon, this could be a sign that the computer is frozen up. It’s a good idea to note if you have seen any of these messages so that you can report them to computer support if you decide to call the professionals. The most common times it may freeze include:
- “Preparing to Configure Windows”
- “Configuring Updates”
- “Installing Update”
There are several things that could be causing Windows Update to freeze, and you need to make sure it is truly stuck before you try to do anything or contact computer repair services. If nothing goes on with your computer for more than three hours and if the hard drive activity light is doing nothing, then the computer is likely frozen.
The Steps to Take
If it is, before you contact computer help, try doing this:
Press control + alt + delete and see if your computer will do anything. You may be able to log in as normal at this time.
If that doesn’t help, then hold the power button until the machine turns off and then power it back on.
If for some reason, the computer is still having problems, then it is a good idea to start it in safe mode and do some diagnostics to determine what may be causing issues. It may be that in diagnostic mode, the update will be able to finish on its own.
If worse comes to worst, then you may need to do a system restore on your computer to a time before you started the Windows Update. In this case, you can try the restoration process on your own, or you could contact computer help for advice on how to do this. If the computer is having serious issues, then you may need to do the system restore from safe mode or from advanced startup options.
Windows Update normally does a good job at getting patches and important updates to your machine. However, there are some cases when it may freeze up. Before you panic, ensure it actually has frozen and then go through the steps above. If none of this works, then contact a computer support service. Here at computer-help.com, we will be glad to assist you with many of your computer issues, including problems with Windows Update.
If you found this blog helpful, then be sure to share it below.When you upgrade your operating system, one of the first things you will find is that not all hardware will continue working properly. That’s because the drivers currently in use by that hardware are not designed to work with Windows 8 or Windows 8.1. Of course, that can bring on a big hassle and it can be kind of frightening if you don’t know what’s going on. Don’t worry. Before you make the decision to call a computer repair service, you may be able to locate and download the drivers you now need. It isn’t nearly as difficult as you may imagine.
So, what can you do? To begin with, you will have to track down the drivers for your computer’s specific needs, and these can vary depending on the manufacturer and the hardware installed within the machine. Of course, there is no way to list every single driver out there, so here are some of the most common along with links so that you can access the drivers quickly and easily. If you have trouble with any of these, then you can always contact a computer support service.
One more note: when you are seeking out the driver you need, look for Windows 8 or Windows 8.1. If there is a specific driver for Windows 8.1, then use that one. If there is only one labeled Windows 8, then this is the one you will need.
- If you have an Acer device, whether it is a laptop, a tablet, or a desktop, then you will need to update drivers based on your device specifically. You can find the drivers and information you need by going to acer.com/worldwide/support/download.htm. There is a limited number of Acer devices that do not support Windows 8, so you may wish to check on this before you purchase the operating system upgrade.
- If you have an AMD video card, then you will need to ensure you have the proper driver for this as well. You can find the drivers along with release notes at AMD Support
- If you have an ASUS device, then you may need new drivers for your motherboard. Not all motherboards by ASUS will support Windows 8.1, but you can find the information at event.asus.com/mb/windows_8/.
- Canon printers and scanners will need new drivers for Windows 8 and Windows 8.1, but the driver should be provided through Microsoft and you should be able to download them via Windows Update.
- Dell computers and laptops may need their own set of drivers, which you can find at dell.com/support
- If you have an HP desktop, laptop, or printer, then you may need new drivers for Windows 8. You can find the drivers you may need at www8.hp.com/us/en/support.html.
- Intel offers different products including motherboards, chipsets, graphics cards, and more. You may need to download drivers for all of these and they should be available through Windows Update.
Of course, there are many other things that may require drivers, and the best way to find them is to go to the manufacturer website. If you have any trouble, then contact a computer help service. You can get in contact with us at the contact us button at the bottom of the page and we can provide for many of your computer repair needs.Windows 8 certainly shook up the computer world because it was so different from any of the previous operating systems. Of course, as with anything new in the technology world, there would soon be things that needed to be tweaked, changed, and updated so that the operating system would work better for users. That’s why Microsoft released Windows 8.1.
This is considered the first of the major updates for Windows 8, and it is free for anyone who already has that operating system. So that you don’t find yourself calling computer help every time you find something new with this update, here are some tips that will help you understand it better.
It’s Just a Service Pack with a New Name
To begin with, understand that it isn’t something fully new and different. If you remember from previous versions of Windows, service packs would be released from time to time. This Windows 8.1 update is no different from one of those service packs. Microsoft just changed the name. So, don’t think you have to get computer support because your machine is about to change drastically. Most of the changes are subtle nuances that will make your life easier.
On the same note, at this time, Microsoft has announced no plans for another update, but instead will release small patches on Tuesdays of each week.
Your Options
If you already have Windows 8, then the 8.1 download is available free to you right from the Microsoft store at www.microsoftstore.com. There are two versions: pro and standard, and you will need to choose the one that matches your current Windows 8 version.
If you don’t yet have Windows 8, then don’t worry. You can buy a full standalone version of Windows 8.1 so that you can bypass the first of the operating systems. If you have trouble purchasing and downloading, that would be a good time to get computer help.
The Changes
Now, let’s talk about changes. Windows 8.1 essentially changed things to make the use of Windows easier for you. It offers changes like the following:
- It added a start button (which we were all glad of).
- It allows people to boot directly to the desktop instead of the start screen.
- It has full integration with SkyDrive.
- It comes with Internet Explorer 11 already built in.
- It allows all PC settings to be handled in the control panel.
- It allows start screen customization.
- It comes with more built-in apps.
In addition, Windows 8.1 includes integration for 3D printing if this is something that piques your interest.
The best thing about Windows 8.1 is that it will make your life easier, and that means fewer calls to a computer repair service. So, if you haven’t upgraded yet, then now might be the right time.
Of course, if you have difficulties with Windows 8.1 or your computer in general, then some of these issues can be rectified with remote computer help so that you don’t have to do a thing to get the repairs needed. Contact us at the bottom of the website so that we can help you with your computer problems.
Hardware on your computer uses drivers to work properly. These drivers are updated for a number of different reasons, such as malfunctions, new operating systems, new features, and security issues. If you have an old driver, then you may find that components of your computer will not work properly. Additionally, sometimes, drivers become corrupted, which can result in issues as well. Before you contact a computer support service, consider ensuring the problem doesn’t have to do with an out of date or bad driver. Updating this is quick and simple, and all you will need to do is follow a few steps that start with determining what driver you have in the first place.
If you have Windows 7, then this tutorial can help you. If you have a different version of the operating system, then keep in mind that you will need to locate the device manager on your computer. If you are unsure of how to do this, then contact a computer support service.
If you have Windows 7, though, then follow these steps to get the information you need.
- Click on the start button at the bottom left of the screen.
- In the start menu, choose control panel.
- In control panel, choose device manager.
- In the device manager, you will see main categories for the different types of devices you may have on your computer. You will need to look for the specific devices by clicking on the > symbol that appears beside each main category.
- When you locate the device you need to find out the driver number for, right click on it. You will see a small menu come up, and choose properties from this menu.
- When you open the properties window, there are a few tabs you could choose from. Click on the tab labeled driver.
Once you open the driver tab, you will see different bits of information about the device drivers, and then the actual driver version information as well. There are two things you should note: the driver version number as well as the driver provider. Of course, you will need to know the provider so that you can go to the right company in order to download the proper drivers. You may also want to make note of the driver date. That way, when you look into a newer version of the driver, you can make sure it actually is newer. You definitely don’t want to install an older version. If you accidentally do download an older driver and you are unsure of what to do, then a computer repair service will be able to help you with the problem.
There are a few reasons why you may need the driver version number, so if you have trouble with this process, and you need computer help, then don’t hesitate to contact at the bottom of the website. We can help you locate the driver version and even update the drivers as needed. We also offer a variety of different remote computer support options.If you do very much with your computer, then there are different kinds of software you may wish to download. However, with so many viruses and malware floating around, you may be afraid to do so. The good news is that you don’t need computer help to download software safely. You just need to know the correct steps to follow in order to protect your machine while getting access to the software you need.
To begin with, understand that the software itself isn’t usually the culprit that could be causing your computer problems. In fact, the software could be fantastic, but the site that hosts it could be filling the download with malware, and that’s the problem that will often require a computer repair service.
With that in mind, let’s talk about some steps you can take to safely download software without worrying about problems and without the need for computer help.
- Make sure you use common sense. Only download if you feel the software is coming from a trusted source. If it comes from an email link and you don’t know where the email itself came from, it’s time to be wary. Trust your gut and you can avoid many problems.
- Look for trusted software referral websites. Instead of seeking out the software on your own, you can look for services and websites that list good options. That way, they will have already done all of the hard work and weeded out the problems. Then, you can just pick the option you want without feeling like you need to call computer support.
- Know what you are downloading. There are different terms that can be confusing and may lead you down the wrong path:
- Freeware would be software that is completely free to use. Plenty of them are upstanding, but often, the freeware will have the most problems with malware.
- Trialware would be software that only gives you a free trial for a certain period of time. After that, you will need to pay.
- Commercial Ware – This would be software that costs money to even download. Most people would prefer to buy this kind of software simply because they feel it can be more trustworthy.
Don’t immediately write off free software because there are plenty of good options. Just be more careful before downloading it.
- Don’t fall for advertisements. How often do you see a pop-up or an ad saying that you can download software to make your machine run quicker or to clean it of viruses? The problem is, these ads belong to malware the vast majority of the time. Use your research skills to find software and don’t just blindly follow an ad.
If you follow these tips, then you will be able to download software safely. And, of course, if you do have any problems and you need computer help, then we will be readily available at Dave's Computers. We can offer remote support services if you accidentally do download malware onto your computer and if you are facing many other computer issues.
📞 Call Dave's — 908-428-9558