Description of the Low Disk Space Notification in Windows XP

SUMMARY
When a Windows XP-based computer is running low on disk space, you receive a "Low Disk Space" message that, when clicked, starts the Disk Cleanup Wizard. This article describes the conditions in which you receive the "Low Disk Space" message.

Additional Info: Important This section, method, or task contains steps that tell you how to modify the registry. However, serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure that you follow these steps carefully. For added protection, back up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up and restore the registry, When free disk reaches 50 MB, you receive the following message for 30 seconds, every five minutes, until free space is above 50 MB:

• You are running very low on disk space on [drive]. To free space on this drive by deleting old or unnecessary files, click here. When free disk space reaches 200 megabytes (MB), you receive the following message for 10 seconds, once per session: You are running out of disk space on [drive]. To free space on this drive by deleting old or unnecessary files, click here.
• When free disk space reaches 80 MB, you receive the following message for 30 seconds, every four hours, twice per session: You are running very low on disk space on [drive]. To free space on this drive by deleting old or unnecessary files, click here.
  
  Note There is a registry value you can set to disable this feature.
  To disable low disk space checks, follow these steps, log off, and then log on again: Follow these steps, and then quit Registry Editor:

1. Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then click OK.
2. Locate and then click the following key in the registry: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
3. On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click DWORD Value.
4. Type NoLowDiskSpaceChecks, and then press ENTER.
5. On the Edit menu, click Modify.
6. Type 1, and then click OK.

Blank Screen or Blue Screen of Death (BSOD)

This is a very common problem with any desktop or laptop of any brand, no matter how old or new a computer is. If you encounter this problem, do not panic, Just follow the below steps.
However, the below mentioned solutions are for Hardware issues. For software related issues, please look forward for my next blog.

Scenario 1: When I start my computer, I see no display, no lights. The computer dies on me.

Resolution:

STEP 1: Power Supply: Verify that the monitor has proper power supply and the power cord is firmly attached to your computer. (Issue resolved >Yes) (No> Perform Step2)
STEP 2: Power Drain: - Shut down your computer or turn it off physically and unplug all the power chords from the wall socket and from the computer (remove the battery in case of laptops). Then simply press and hold the power button of the computer for 30-60 seconds. Now, plug in all the power chords and restart your computer. (Issue resolved >Yes) (No> Perform Step No.3)
STEP 3: Bios Default: Sooner you press the power button to start the computer, keep tapping the BIOS KEY of your computer, until you see BIOS SCREEN. (F10 for hp computers). If you see your Bios screen, (for hp computers) click on Yes > Press F9 one time and click on YES again> Press f10 one time and click on YES. This will change the BIOS settings of your computer and restarts on its own.
Generally, all the power related issues are resolved by performing the above troubleshooting steps.

Scenario 2: When I start my computer, I see a blank (black or blue) screen with out any errors or any dots. However, I find the blue lights on the computer turned ON.

Resolution:

STEP 1: Power Drain: - Shut down your computer or turn it off physically and unplug all the power chords from the wall socket and from the computer (remove the battery incase of laptops). Then simply press and hold the power button of the computer for 30-60 seconds. Then plug in all the power chords and restart your computer.
99% of these kinds of issues are resolved by Power Drain. This will not only resolve this issue but also enhance the performance of your computer.
However, if the issue still exists: then perform STEP 2.
STEP 2: Hard Drive Self Test: This would let you know the status of the hard drive of your computer. Shut Down your computer and restart. Sooner you press the power button to restart, keep tapping the BIOS KEY of your computer, until you see BIOS SCREEN. (F10 for hp computers). If you see your Bios screen > select Diagnostics by using the arrow key > select Quick and comprehensive HDD test. Allow the test to run and it will give you a quick result.
If the result says:
FAILED: It means that the hard drive of your computer is gone BAD and needs to be replaced.
PASSED: It means the hard drive of your computer is good. Perform STEP 3.

STEP 3: HARD DRIVE RESEAT:

For laptops: Unplug all the power chords from the laptop. Remove the battery from the laptop. Check for the part which is generally located in the lower right hand side on the bottom panel. This part has an image which resembles 3cds together and has 2 screws on it. Loosen the screws to open the cover. Sooner you open the cover; you’d find a plastic flip attached to the hard drive. Pull the plastic flip gently to pull the hard drive out. Once you take the hard drive out from the panel, Place it back in the similar position as it was placed before. Close the cover and tightened the screws. Put the battery back in and restart the laptop.

For Desktops: Unplug all the power chords from the desktop. Open the tower (computer case) by loosening all the screws. Unplug the cables which connect the hard drive and the computer. Take it out and put it back after some time. Close the cover of the tower and restart the computer.
Hard drive reseat should resolve the issue.

Scenario 3: When I start my computer, I see a blank screen with a white dot in the upper-left corner of the screen.

Cause: This issue may occur if you are using an Accelerated Graphic Port (AGP) video adapter but your AGP slot has not been configured to accept the video adapter.

Important Note: Internal computer components may be damaged by static electricity, use of too much force for removal or insertion, or the use of inappropriate tools. If you are not familiar with computer hardware installation, DO NOT ATTEMPT on your own.

Resolution:

For Desktops:
STEP 1: Shut down your computer, and then unplug it from the wall socket.
STEP 2: Open your computer case, and then remove the AGP video adapter.
STEP 3: Insert the PCI video adapter card into the first available PCI slot.
If the above steps do not resolve your issue, then perform STEP 4.
STEP 4: Install the Drivers for Graphic cards from the manufacturer’s installation CD or website.

For Laptops:
STEP 1: Open the Graphic Card compartment by loosening screws.
STEP 2: Firmly push down on your video card so that you are sure that it is making contact with all of the contacts in the slot. If you computer was jumped and the screw that holds it down was not tight enough it could have come loose.
STEP 3: Reseat the Graphic Card.
If the above steps do not resolve your issue, then perform STEP 4.
STEP 4: Install the Drivers for Graphic cards from the manufacturer’s installation CD or website.


Scenario 4: When I start my computer, I see the welcome screen. However, after that the screen turns black. All the lights glow on the computer.

Cause: Generally this happens because of static electricity or when the monitor settings are not properly configured.

RESOLUTION:

STEP 1: Power Drain: - Shut down your computer or turn it off physically and unplug all the power chords it from the wall socket and from the computer (remove the battery incase of laptops). Then simply press and hold the power button of the computer for 30-60 seconds. Then plug in all the power chords and restart your desktop.
STEP 2: Brightness & Contrast - Check the brightness and contrast controls on the monitor. It might have gotten bumped or changed accidentally.
For Desktops: Press Menu button of the Monitor to check the display settings.
If this does not resolve the issue, perform STEP 3.
STEP 3: Power Options: For Vista OS: Turn on the laptop and keep tapping f8 to go to SAFE MODE.
Once you are in Safe Mode, Click on START> CONTROL PANEL> CLASSIC VIEW> Here check for POWER OPTIONS (This Icon resembles a Battery and a Power chord) > Select a Power plan > Here, under Preferred Plans always select HIGH PERFORMANCE option> Click on Change Plan Settings under High Performance Option> Now, you would see TWO Options> POWER and BATTERY> Select a drop down under both the options to make it NEVER SLEEP> then click on APPLY.
Once you change these settings for power options> restart your computer.

How to configure the Windows Mail client for Vista (formerly known as Outlook Express)

Here is how to configure the Windows Mail client for Vista (formerly known as Outlook Express) to use with your Aplus.Net email accounts:

1. Open Outlook Express, and from the Tools menu select Accounts.

2. Click the Add button.

3. Now, select Email Account and click Next.

4. Type in your Display Name: this is the name that your recipients will see in the "From" field of e-mails that you send. Click Next.

5. Enter your complete email address and click Next. Please make sure to replace "yourdomain.com" with your actual domain name in all examples below.

6. Select POP3 as Incoming e-mail server type.

• Incoming mail server: mail.yourdomain.com.
• Outgoing mail server: smtp.yourdomain.com.
• Check the box next to Outgoing server requires authentication. Click Next.

Important: You may also choose to use the SMTP server of your ISP. However, if you decide to use Aplus.Net’s SMTP server as shown above (smtp.yourdomain.com), please make sure that the SMTP server is enabled for the particular email box:

• How do I enable SMTP service using the Aplus.Net Control Panel?

7. Enter your complete email address in the E-mail username text field and your email account password in the Password text field.

8. Click Next and then - Finish.
9. Now, select your e-mail account from the list on the left and click on Properties.

10. Next, select the Advanced tab. Set the Outgoing mail (SMTP) port to 465 and check the box next to This server requires a secure connection (SSL).

11. Click Apply.
12. Finally, click OK and then - Close.

Introduction

Hi All,

My name is Obaid and I'm here to troubleshoot and resolve all your personal computer issues. Let the issue be with be with your Laptop, desktop, printer or even a server. I can resolve all. I worked with Hewlett Packard as a SENIOR TECHNICIAN and resolved hundreds of Software and hardware issues. It was incredible to be a HP certified technician because I could help hundreds of computer users with their issues. It give me such a pleasure helping people around. Hence I finally decided to help people who cannot approach me directly with their computer related issues.

Now that you have me online, please feel free to contact me if you do not find a solution to your issue from this blog.

Happy Blogging !