Keeping your hard drive clean is important in maintaining computer performance and running speed.  Follow these simple steps to clean your computer’s hard drive:

1. To start, do a Windows Update on your laptop.
2. Go to the Start menu, All Programs, Accessories, and in System Tools, select the Windows Update option.
3. Make sure you get all available security updates.
4. To make sure automatic updates are on, go to your Control Panel.
5. Select Performance and Maintenance.
6. Go to System.

While You’re at it, Clean up Your Temporary Files
While you’re in the Control Panel, select Internet Options.  Delete temporary files and cookies to clear up disk space.  Also, going to the Start menu and selecting Search, if you select All Files and Folders and type “tmp” and search.  Delete all temp files on your computer.  When you’re done, empty the recycle bin.

Disk Checks, Defragmenting, and Computer Clean Up
Next, perform a disk check, defragment, and disk cleanup on your hard drive.  To do this:

1. Go to My Computer.
2. Right-click on the C: drive, select properties.
3. On the General tab, next to the pie chart showing how much disk space you are using, click the Disk Cleanup button.
4. When the cleanup is done, delete the suggested files and empty the recycle bin again.
5. Still in the properties for the C: drive, select the Tools tab.
6. In turn, perform the Error Checking option and the Disk Defragment option.

Keeping Your Computer Clean
Perform this simple system cleanup to leave your PC running more smoothly by clearing up disk space and correcting errors on your hard disk.  Avoid the need to clean your computer in the future when you download and utilize a good registry cleaner.  The registry cleaner will perform many of the tasks you had to do manually with a system cleanup.

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If you experience a parse error, chances are either you have delved into the world of writing code or you are trying to install Windows XP from a CD.  In either case, a parse error can be a major interruption to your work.  Fixing an error like this should go along with basic computer maintenance to keep your computer running at peak efficiency and top speeds.

Fixing Parse Errors

A couple of different scenarios could be happening here.  The word parse comes from the Latin root for part of speech and generally refers to checking computer code for syntax errors (things that are basic to the formatting of the code or more simply, how it is notated).

Usually errors of this type refer to missing punctuation such as colons, brackets, or semicolons.  If you are using a program such as Silverlight or another similar program and experiencing a parse error, try searching the program manufacturer’s website for support or browsing support forums.

Another common type of parse error has been encountered when trying to install the Windows XP operating system (OS) onto a computer using a CD.  In this instance, the error appears with the words “Manifest Parse error: Invalid at top level of document.”

It seems that a number of these CDs contain a corrupted CONTROLS.MAN file that needs to be replaced before the OS can be installed.  Instructions for doing this can be found by searching for “manifest parse error.”

Speeding Up Your PC

When fixing these errors it is doubly frustrating if you have to wait forever for your computer to load programs, save files, and finish other tasks.  If your computer crashes and gives you the blue screen of death along the way, you will probably lose your data and need to start over.  If you have been experiencing a general onslaught of computer errors, then fixing your parse error will be even more difficult.

In order to make sure that your computer is able to do the things you ask of it, you need to make sure you are performing routine maintenance on various aspects of your PC.  Defragment the hard drive weekly, keep anti-virus software up-to-date, and run the Check Disk tool.  All of these things will help to prevent general computer errors so that you can smoothly deal with parse errors on your web page, blog, or when installing an OS.

Need More Help?

If your computer is still behaving strangely or suffering from slow processing speeds, you probably need to add a registry cleaner to your maintenance regimen.  Your registry can become clogged with obsolete information and corrupted entries making it hard for programs to perform tasks like fixing a parse error.  Help your computer fix that parse error by running a registry cleaner that will speed up your PC and keep it error-free.

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The cetihpz error cetihpz://errors/blank.htm is a common error associated with Hewlett Packard (HP) printers and scanners.  The error appears as a blank blue window that says cetihpz://errors/blank.htm.  It appears whether your computer is offline or on, cannot be exited, and will reappear every time your PC is rebooted.

Don’t Worry: Cetihpz Error is Harmless
One positive piece of information: the error is harmless.  The citehpz error cetihpz://errors/blank.htm will not affect your PC in any way, negative or positive.  It is merely a DLL communications error that occurs when your computer tries to search the Hewlett Packard website for updates.  Little is known about this error and why it occurs other than the fact that it is harmless and, most importantly, it is fixable.

Remove Cetihpz Errors
To effectively get rid of this annoying window, it’s as simple as uninstalling your current HP printer or scanner, rebooting, then reinstalling.  To do this, follow these easy instructions:

1. On your start menu, open Control Panel.
2. In the Control Panel window, select the Add or Remove Programs icon.  It may take a few minutes for your computer to populate the list of programs.
3. Search the list for your HP printer or scanner, and uninstall all software, users guides, and auxiliary programs.
4. Reboot your computer.

Your computer should be free of that little blue screen and at this time, you can reinstall your printer/scanner safely.  In some cases, merely updating your printer or scanner’s driver can solve the cetihpz://errors/blank.htm error.

Avoid cetihpz erros and similar errors on your PC when you download and utilize a good registry cleaner.  A registry cleaner will fix errors on your computer’s hard drive and prevent headaches from having to figure out how to fix them yourself.

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Shliwapi.dll errors have a wide ranges of causes and effects.  Today, they are often an inconvenience when using Microsoft Internet Explorer or some other program.  But some people who have experienced problems with this file have had such a hard time accessing their computers, they had to entirely reload Windows onto them!

Fortunately, shliwapi.dll errors don’t have to mean the end of your computer.  Here are the most common procedures to use to fix this kind of problem (this applies to many other .dll errors as well).

Start Windows in Safe Mode if you can’t get Windows to start normally.

In some cases of shliwapi.dll error, Windows may not be able to start properly at all–but you can often start Windows in safe mode instead.  If this is the case, you will likely be given this option when you turn your computer on.

To be honest, this is probably the best way to start Windows even if it’s not giving you trouble at start-up, if you’re dealing with a shliwapi (or any .dll file) error.  This is easy to do.

• Press F8 when you first see the Windows log appear on your screen.
• Select “Safe Mode” from the menu, if given more than one choice.
• Wait for the files to load (you will likely see the names of several files zoom up your screen).
• Proceed to take care of the error.

A few steps you can take to recover your shliwapi.dll file .

• If you feel like you may have accidentally deleted the file when you cleaned out your computer, check your recycle bin.  If you find it there, simply restore it and restart your computer as you normally would.
• Some “freeware” or “shareware” open-source registry cleaners work clumsily on Windows computers and occasionally delete files that they shouldn’t.  If you have recently used one of these, proceed as though you had accidentally deleted it yourself.
• If neither of those steps are useful, use System Restore.  This will undo any recent changes you have made, restoring your computer to a previous configuration.  Select this option from “System Tools” under the “Accessories” folder in the Start or All Programs Menu.
• You may also want to run an anti-virus program at this time.

Maintain your computer with a quality registry cleaner.

There are plenty of free “open source” registry cleaners floating around the internet.  While their authors’ intentions are good, these cleaners aren’t generally able to match up to more professionally funded ones.  Fix shliwapi.dll errors (and other registry errors) with professional software built just for that purpose.

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Found sistray.exe on your computer and don’t know if it should be there or not?  Don’t fret–you’re not the only one.  Fortunately, this program is usually harmless.

Sistray.exe helps with your graphics and is completely harmless–99% of the time.

SiS stands for Silicon Integrated Systems.  The SiS Mirage 3 integrated graphics chip allows computers to smoothly run 3D gaming graphics.  It enables the graphics card to switch clock settings automatically from 3D to 2D, which saves on CPU resources.

Sistray.exe makes it show up in the system tray on your computer.  This is the bar at the bottom-right of your windows screen that shows various icons (such as the Battery icon on laptops, and the Speakers/Volume icon on almost every windows computer in the world).

A malicious file also poses as this file.

It’s not a very common occurrence–but it does happen.  There is a Trojan virus called Prova that has a file called sistray.exe.  The file information will of course not list it as a virus.

How can you know if this file is “the real deal” or not?  Right-click on the icon or the file’s listing in your file manager.  Click on “properties” or “about” to see who or what program owns the file.  If a program other than Silicon Integrated Systems claims it, you may have a malicious file on your hands.

Anti-virus and anti-spyware programs do not take care of the whole problem.

If the sistray.exe file on your computer is from a rogue piece of software, then you definitely should run an anti-virus program to remove the Prova Trojan!

Unfortunately, anti-virus programs often do not clean up the mess that malicious software leaves behind.  You may still have problems with your Windows registry.

The Windows registry is a database that coordinates all of your system’s process files with one another, and with your computer hardware.  Without it, your computer would take way too long to perform even the simplest operation.

Unfortunately, programs like Trojan horses and viruses often leave this database damaged and “confused.”  Even non-malicious programs can leave behind “junk” in the registry when they don’t properly uninstall (many don’t).  The registry also becomes clutter through normal use, by no fault of the computer owner.

Regular application of a registry cleaning program will fix sistray.exe errors, as well as any other errors or damaged files.

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Trying to finish a task, like saving a final version of a PDF file or something similar, is not fun when you come across an “out of memory” error.  In order to keep from seeing the “out of memory” error and keep your programs functioning efficiently, follow a few of our guidelines.

Memories…  When You Run out of Memory

There are various types of memories–physical memory, random-access memory, and virtual memory–which all work together to store your data and allow you to access it.  The physical memory stores your files, the random-access memory (RAM) helps you retrieve what you need quickly, and the virtual memory, a quirky combination of RAM and physical memory, extends the amount of RAM you have into the physical kind to allow you to run more and bigger programs.

In order to stay on top of how much memory you need, you can do a few things to monitor the amount you are using.  First, if your machine is running more slowly than it used to, Microsoft says this can be a tip-off that you are getting low on space.  Also, that CTRL-ALT-DEL combo will bring up Windows Task Manager, which will show you how much memory you’re using with any given combination of programs.

Types of Memory Errors and What to Do

Various scenarios can trigger an “out of memory” error.  It might be that you have simply used up what you have, in which case, the easy solution is to get more.  This may be in the form of physical disk space (install another hard drive?) or allowing more RAM space on your disk (which can be configured).

Sometimes an “out of memory” error really means you have too much of one type of memory.  If your machine is set to have too much RAM, then not enough virtual memory will be available for larger tasks like saving files to the physical memory.  For a detailed instructions to reconfigure this, search the Microsoft Support Center.  But be warned, it involves editing the registry–make sure you’ve backed up the registry first.

So You Think You Have a Memory Error

It may be that the signs you’re noticing are not really “out of memory” errors after all.  Unless you actually have had an “out of memory” error message occur on your PC, it may be that the slowness you are experiencing is actually a symptom of registry errors lurking on your machine.

Since no tools are included with your PC to clean out the registry, it holds onto old data and errors until you do something about it, which slows the computer down.  Run a registry cleaner to fix the “out of memory” error and remove computer slowness.

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We want you to get the most from your computer, to optimize computer performance to the level that you won’t want to go back to living with the slow-running, average machine that you’re working with now.  So here are some tips to optimize computer performance and get you the speed you need.

First Steps toward Computer Optimization

The very first thing we recommend is to make sure that your anti-malware programs are up-to-date.  This can include virus protection, spyware protection, and other security threat prevention programs.  Depending on what you use your computer for, you may need to consider a firewall program.

Whatever your protection, make sure the updates do not expire, because new viruses and spyware are being created all the time, and old software simply will not find the new bugs.

Next, get into a routine of backing up your files regularly.  It doesn’t matter what system you pick (manual, an internet storage company, a software program).  What matters is that you do it.  Not only will this protect you from a loss of data, but it should get you deleting obsolete files and programs as you notice them, which will free up space on your computer, boosting speed and performance.

Clean House to Boost Performance

Your PC comes with various tools built in that will increase efficiency and optimize performance.  One such tool is the Disk Defragmenter.  Fragmentation is the name given to the process of breaking down files into chunks that fit the blocks of available space on your hard drive.  It takes a computer longer to access files that have been fragmented because the disk has to spin to several places to retrieve one file.

Running the Disk Defragmenter will put the files back together and leave the empty space all together to prevent further file fragmentation. (Run a search of your computer to find this tool, since its location varies depending on what version of Windows you’re running.)  Of course, as more programs are deleted, space frees up in inconvenient places again, so this is something to do monthly.

The Check Disk program is another tool provided with your PC.  This one repairs errors on your hard disk that may be caused by improper shut downs or program crashes.  These errors can lead to further errors.  So, in order to keep your computer performing optimally, you’ll need to fix the errors as they come.  Microsoft recommends doing this once a week.

Realize Your Need for Speed

Finally, to really boost speed, run a registry cleaner to optimize computer performance and target the errors on your Windows registry.  These errors can be responsible for a host of error messages and symptoms.   With a clean registry, your computer will run faster than you can remember!

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If you’ve had your computer for more than a couple of months, you’re probably at the point where you want to speed up loading time for your programs or your computer in general.

Defragment your hard drive.

It’s easy to defragment your hard drive–and this can really speed up loading for your files, programs, and operating system.  Fortunately, this is just about the easiest maintenance you can perform on your computer.

• Click on the Start menu.
• Select “Accessories” (you may have to click on “All Programs” to see this).
• In the Accessories menu, select “System Tools”
• Click on the Disk Defragmenter
• Run it!

Do this at least once a month.  If your computer sees heavy use, go ahead and run it every week or two, even if it tells you that you don’t need to.  This will speed up loading for everything on your computer and help keep it running smoothly.

Root out all spyware from your system!

These days, spyware is just a fact of life for most people.  It doesn’t have to be.

Spyware eventually appears on most computers as a way for advertisers to keep track of various marketing information.  Some spyware is actively dangerous to your computer, while other spyware “merely” slows your computer down.

There are a variety of anti-spyware programs on the market today. Some offer free versions, while others are free (with a donation box, of course!)

Download one or two of these programs and run them every week or so.  Every time you catch and delete a new spyware program, you’ll be glad you did.

Make sure your registry is clean and in good working order.

Spyware, adware, and other malicious programs can leave errors on your computer that anti-spyware and anti-virus programs do not remove. These problems usually reside in the Windows registry, which is a routing database for all the “action” files for all of your programs.

Malicious programs often leave behind their malicious traces in this database, as anti-spyware and anti-virus programs do not also act as registry cleaners.

In addition, this database can become cluttered and damaged from a variety of factors over time.

A cluttered, damaged, or out-of-date registry is the most common culprit for slow-loading, slow-running computers.  Most reputable registry cleaners offer free scans to anyone interested.  Speed up loading times on your computer by scanning your computer today!

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Is the need to repair your taskbar a serious problem?  Usually, it really isn’t.  The thing is that it is detrimental to the functionality of your computer.  It’s not unusual for people to be running twelve different items in their taskbar that they are cross-referencing all at the same time.

Reset Taskbar to Default with Drag and Click

The taskbar relocation is usually just a snafu that you created without even realizing it.  You can easily fix it with a drag and click.  When you drag and click the taskbar, it doesn’t drag and click like a picture or a text box.  It will go from Point A and when you let go, reappears at Point B.  There are no tracer lines to show you the journey on the way.

All you need to do is put it back in its place, and then you can “Lock the Taskbar” in place by right clicking in the taskbar and making sure the function is checked.

Run Your Security Programs

Sometimes when you get the taskbar moved back into place, it doesn’t solve the underlying problem.  Trojans, viruses, and malware can still be lurking around.  The only way to tell is to run your anti-virus and anti-spyware programs and rule out or take care of anything that could harm your computer.

Taskbar Toolbar is Grayed Out

If you are trying to reset the settings on your toolbar, you can right click on the taskbar and review your toolbar options.  If the Toolbar sub-menu options are grayed out, you may have a restriction placed on the Start Menu through the Group Editor or the registry may have some faulty keys.

To fix this, you can open the registry editor and find the following keys:

• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Policies \ Explorer
• HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Policies \ Explorer
• Export these keys and back them up.  Right-click and delete “NoCloseDragDropBands”.
• Restart Windows.

Fix the Faulty Registry Key

If you don’t feel good about editing your registry, don’t feel bad.  Even computer techs don’t want to go this route.  If you were to take your computer to shop, they would probably do the same thing that you could do from home.  Download and scan with an advanced registry cleaner.

You can repair the taskbar, fragmented files, corrupted files, and anything else to do with registry maintenance from your house.  Just don’t wait too long.  If you are dealing with a computer crash, you will have to take it into the shop.

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When your computer encounters an ODBC error, you want it gone quickly and accurately.  Waiting around for a computer tech to fix your ODBC error does not fall into this category.  Here are a few ways to address this error without leaving your home.

Causes of an ODBC Error

Microsoft explains that this error is a result of a registry error combined with an attempted installation of Microsoft Office XP or one of the MS Office XP programs.  The registry error may be a result of a previous deletion of a Corel program such as WordPerfect.  Occasionally, this program takes a couple of necessary registry keys with it upon deletion.

To brush up on the term “registry,” let us remind you that the Windows registry contains hundreds of files that pertain to user settings, program settings, and various other bits of data that allow your computer to function.  Without essential files (those are the “registry keys”), certain programs will not run or even install.  Sometimes a registry error can even be responsible for a total computer crash.

Options to Resolve the Error Quickly

Download MDAC 2.8: This is a program that checks your computer for certain components it may be missing such as the registry keys pertinent to MS Office that have gone MIA.  Obtain this program from the Microsoft Download Center.

Reset Registry Keys with mdac.inf File: Your computer actually already contains the file that can fix the ODBC error.  You will probably be asked to insert your Windows CD that came with your computer, though.  Detailed instructions can be found on Microsoft’s website.

Once you have installed this file and restarted the computer, you may need to modify the registry to create new registry keys, depending on what type of Windows installation you have on your PC.  This is a difficult business since one wrong edit may create a host of other problems or even render the computer inoperable.  Make sure to back up the registry before attempting this step.

Import Registry Keys from Other Computer: It is possible to import complete and functional registry keys from another computer on your network or to create a network with another computer for this purpose.  Complete instructions for this method can also be found online.

Clean Up Registry with Registry Cleaning Software:  This option is the best for the least-technically-inclined among us.  If you shudder at the thought of a registry, much less “editing” it, then this is for you.  Fix your ODBC error and knock out the hundreds of additional errors that are undoubtedly lurking on your PC all at once.

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