Control panel tool and commands

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How to detect and clean a virus, spyware, or other malicious software in the operating system?

1. Open and run the installed security or antivirus software.
   IMPORTANT:
   
   • If multiple security or antivirus software applications are running, they may conflict with each other, thus leaving the system unprotected. If this is the case, uninstall all but one of the applications, preferably the one that originally shipped with the computer.
   • If there is no security or antivirus software installed, we recommend that you download and install the Microsoft Security Essentials software. Other free third party security and antivirus software applications may also be available, but cannot be specifically recommended.
   • If model-specific information is required to complete any of the steps in this solution, refer to the operating instructions supplied with the computer. Manuals are available online through the Manuals/Specs/Warranty link on this page.
2. Update the security or antivirus software to include the latest definitions.
3. Follow the security or antivirus software instructions to complete a full system scan. If the security or antivirus software itself has not been corrupted by the infection, the software should be able to identify and then either quarantine or remove the virus infection.
4. If you are unable to access or use the security or antivirus software, restart the computer to Safe Mode and attempt to use the software again.
5. If you are unable to use the security or antivirus software in Safe Mode, perform a System Restore back to a date when the computer was working properly, and then attempt again to use the software to detect and clean the virus.
6. If the security or antivirus software has also been corrupted by the infection, it may not be able to complete a full system scan or to remove the virus infection, even after performing a System Restore. If this is the case, contact the security or antivirus software manufacturer for any further assistance they may be able to provide.
7. If all other steps have failed to remove the virus infection, then it will be necessary to perform a full format recovery of the computer.
   IMPORTANT:
   
   • If a data backup procedure was not performed prior to the virus infection, then performing one now has the potential to include the virus infection within the backup

How to defragment the hard drive using Disk Defragmenter in Microsoft® Windows® 7?

1. Click Start, click All Programs, click Accessories, click System Tools, and click the Disk Defragmenter icon.
   NOTE: If prompted for an administrator password or a User Account Control prompt is displayed, type the appropriate password or click Yes.
2. In order to determine if the disks needs defragmenting, in the Disk Defragmenter window, click the Analyze disk button.
3. In the Disk Defragmenter window, to immediately begin defragmenting the hard drive, click the Defragment disk button.
4. Once the Defragmentation procedure is complete, click the Close button.

How to delete temporary files from the computer hard drive?

1. Run the Disk Cleanup utility from Start menu.
2. Click to check Temporary Internet Files checkbox.
3. Click OK button.

How to clear browser cache or temporary Internet files in the Mozilla® Firefox® browser?

1. Open the Mozilla Firefox browser.
2. On the menu bar, click Tools and then click Options.
3. In the Options... menu, click the Privacy tab.
4. On the Privacy tab, click the Clear Now... button.
5. In the Clear Private Data window, click to check the box next to Cache and then click the Clear Private Data Now button.
6. In the Options window, click the OK button.

Recover and reinstall drivers and apps in Sony Vaio

Turn all beeps off

You can get rid of all the beeps of your machine..
These for the steps :

• Start > Run or press 'Windows R'
  
• Type Regedit in Run.
• Left corner, expand HKEY_CURRENT_USER by double clicking it.
• Then expand Control Panel
• then Sound
• Make the Beep value under the Data tab as NO

that's it!!

Forgot account login password.

• Restart your system.

• When you see the blue screen, press the ( F8 ) key about 3 times a second.

• You should get the Windows startup menu. Use the (Up or Down) arrow keys to highlight (SafeMode).

• Press (Enter) on (Safe Mode), then press (Enter) on (Windows XP).

The system should boot to Safe Mode.
Once you are at the Account Log on Screen, click on the icon for the user account with administrator rights, or click on the icon for the administrators account.

Note: For Home the Administrator account isn’t normally shown & in Safe Mode you have to press Ctrl+Alt+Delete keys twice to show. For PRO you can do this in normal mode

When the system has booted to the desktop, use the following steps to change the accounts password.

• Click Start, Control Panel, Administrative Tools.
• Click Computer Management.
• Double click Local Users and Groups, double click the folder Users.
• Right click on the account name that is locked out, and click on Set Password.

You may get a warning message about changing the password, simply click proceed.
Leave the New Password box blank, also leave the Confirm Password box blank.

• Click OK, and OK again.
• Then close all Windows, reboot the system and try to log in.

There are also applications that can recover the password for you.

If the above information does not help in recovering the password, the only option left is to format the hard drive then reinstall Windows and the system software.