The offerings will replace the current Y series models that the company has on sale, a lineup that includes the Y470 and the Y570.

Starting with the Y480, it will feature a 14-inch high-definition display checking in with 1366×768 resolution, a GeForce GT 650M for high-performance gaming, up to 1TB of HDD storage, up to 8GB of DDR3 RAM, a speedy Intel Core family processor (up to an Intel Core i7), integrated DVD reader/writer or Blue-ray Disk drive, as well as JBL speakers with Dolby Home Theater V4 – a feature that should please audiophiles.

Lenovo's IdeaPad Y480

The Y480 also has a 6-cell battery on board which will give users around 5 hours of battery life.

So, as you can see, Lenovo is packing quite a bit of hardware in there for an affordable price making the Y480 a nice option for those that love quality audio and gaming, but don’t want to break the bank.

The Y580 has nearly the exact same features as the Y580 but it offers a larger screen a 15.6-inch HD display to be exact, that will give those looking for something a bit bigger.

Lenovo's IdeaPad Y580

It will also employ a more powerful GTX660M graphics card from NVIDIA. It also checks in a little heavier than the Y480, as you might expect, and weighs 2,7kg as a opposed to the 2.2kg weight of the Y480.

Both laptops will feature Windows 7 as their operating system.

In addition, they will both have a bunch of pre-loaded software on board including Adobe Reader, Google Chrome, MS Office 2012, and more.

Lenovo Announces IdeaPad Y480 and Y580 Laptops is a post by Adam Mills from Notebooks.com.

The Windows Memory Dump Screen

The appropriate name for this screen is ‘Memory Dump.’ It is rare on Windows these days, but it does happen occasionally. The common trigger for it is when an application or driver try to access a location in memory they do not have permission to access. This usually happens due to a poorly written device driver or application.

Common culprits:

• Video Card
• Network Adapter
• Faulty Memory Modules
• Faulty/Failing Hard disk
• Antivirus utility
• Attached devices (external USB hard disk)
• Antivirus or any application or utility that needs low level access in the operating system such as the kernel (the heart of Windows).

Diagnosing the problem.

Restart: By default, Windows 7 should automatically restart when a BSOD occurs. If it restarts and boots up normally then, you can check the Event Viewer and Action Center (see below) to see what might have caused the problem.

The Memory Dump screen will usually provide solutions you can attempt to resolve the problem with, while also providing information about what might have caused the problem. In the screen shot near the start of the article, you will see suggestions for what might be causing the problem and a recommendation to update the driver or disable it. The Memory Dump provided some technical information as to what system file is associated with this problem. In my case, its luafv.sys. Of course this is cryptic, but you might be able to resolve it, although you might not get far since it would make more sense to a software engineer. The first thing I will do is a web search to find out what luafv.sys is.

Here is what the web search results found:

luafv.sys (LUA File Virtualization Filter Driver) file, which is part of User Account Control.

Resolution:
Search your computer for luafv.sys, and make sure, it’s located in C:\Windows\System32\drivers folder.
You need to enable view of hidden, AND system files before you start search. If you have User Account Control turned on, try to turn it off, and see, if it helps with crashes.

Of course, not all Memory Dump issues are that easily resolvable. Others might be hardware related. Here are some things you can try:

If you continually experience a Blue Screen, it could be hardware added to the system recently, such as a USB printer. Remove it to see if the error reoccurs. The SCSI card in your System Unit many not have a compatible driver. If you have recently upgraded your graphics card, try reinstalling the old card and see if it resolves the problem. If the computer repeatedly displays the Blue Screen and you have tried everything, such as removing any external hardware devices with exception to the keyboard, mouse and monitor – try removing PCI cards. You should run hardware diagnostics supplied by the system manufacturer. For details on these procedures, see the owner’s manual for your computer.

Update BIOS:

Your computer just might need a special kind of update to work reliably with Windows 7. BIOS updates, although recommended as a last resort, can improve compatibility with installed or upgraded devices such as a video card or externally attached peripherals. BIOS updates are normally available from the manufacturer’s website. If you built your system yourself, the first place to check is the motherboard manufacturer’s website and search for the model number.

The Windows Event Viewer can help find what might have caused the problem, if you are able to successfully boot to the Windows desktop. Click Start, type: event viewer, then hit Enter on your keyboard. Expand Windows Logs and look through the log for the most recent error, this will compose information in the General pane indicating what might have caused the error.

Use the Windows Action Center:

Using the Windows Action Center can also provide information about an application or hardware device that might be causing system instability along with a solution.

To resolve a faulty system service problem as indicated by the action center: Disable the service and confirm that this resolves the error. If so, contact the manufacturer of the system service about a possible update.

If the error occurs during system startup, restart your computer and press F8 when you see a character-mode menu that displays the operating system choices. At the resulting Windows Advanced Options menu, choose the Last Known Good Configuration option. This option is most effective when only one driver or service is added at a time.

Resolving an antivirus software problem:

Disable the antivirus program, restart, and confirm that this resolves the error. If it does, contact the manufacturer of the program about a possible update.

Check your hard disk for errors:

Run Chkdsk /f /r to detect and repair disk errors. You must restart the system before the disk scan begins on a system partition. If the hard disk is SCSI, check for problems between the SCSI controller and the disk. You can learn more about how to run Check Disk here.

Faulty Memory

If you have recently upgraded the memory modules it’s a possibility that either the memory modules faulty or loose and need to be fitted properly. It’s useful, then, to check your memory modules for errors.

To access the System Recovery Environment in Windows 7, simply boot your PC, and just before the system loads the Windows operating system; hit the F8 key on your keyboard. This will launch the Advanced Boot Options menu. There you will see a new option for Repair Your Computer. Select this option and hit Enter on your keyboard.

On the system recovery screen, click Windows Memory Diagnostics Tool. Your computer will be restarted and the test will be run. If you are unable to boot into Advanced Boot Options, try booting from the Windows 7 installation DVD.

If an issue is discovered, it is possible that one of the memory modules is faulty. If you have recently installed new memory modules, check to make sure they are matching pairs and they are running at the same speed. One of the memory modules could be defective, so try booting with a single module at a time to see which one it could be.

Software:

If you have recently installed any programs since you started experiencing Blue Screens, try uninstalling the programs to see if it resolves the problem. If you are unable to boot into Normal Mode, try booting in Safe Mode, then remove the program.

Another thing to do in Safe Mode is disable Start Up items to see if any of them make a difference.

Reinstall Windows 7:

This is a tough one and the last recommendation when you have exhausted all other options. To avoid deleting your data, try doing a custom install over the current installation, that way, you can recover your data from the Windows.old folder. To do that:

• Boot from the Windows 7 DVD
• Click Install Now
• Accept the License Agreement
• When the option is displayed to select an installation type, click (Custom Advanced)
• Select the disk partition where you would like to install Windows 7 and click Next.

You will receive the following warning:

The partition you selected might contain files from a previous Windows Installation. If it does, these files and folders will be moved to a folder named Windows.old. You will be able to access the information in Windows.old, but you will be able to use your previous version of Windows.

At this point do NOT click anything named Format or Delete or Partition. This way even doing a custom install, your personal files are still preserved. Click OK.

Setup will now start the installation. During the installation, your machine will be restarted several times.

When the installation is complete, you will complete the Out of Box experience of having a new system, such as selecting your machine name, creating a username, password, and setting up your time zone. You can then proceed to download the latest updates for Windows and reinstall your applications and drivers.

You can then recover your personal files from the Windows.old folder and reinstall all your applications and drivers as detailed here.

If you continue to experience Blue Screens, this could be a serious sign of hardware failure, such as your hard disk or motherboard going bad. Take your computer to a reputable PC Repair Shop for further analysis and diagnosis. Write a note detailing all the steps you have already taken and make sure you have copies of your recovery software for the PC Repair Technician along with any documentation that came with your computer.

The Technician might also need access to your user account to make changes. I suggest you setup an account with Administrator privileges so they can effectively carry out their task.

How To Diagnose and Resolve Blue Screens of Death (BSODs) is a post by Andre from Notebooks.com.

Unfortunately, sound may stop working in Windows 7 for a number of reasons. Because sound is an important part of using your computer, we take a look at resolving common sound problems in Windows.

The first thing I always recommend users try is check if the speaker attached to their computer is not turned on or turned down, this can be an obvious ‘duh’ moment, but it happens on numerous occasions to the best of us. So check that first before doing anything drastic.

If you are using a laptop, you can check the volume control in the Notification Area of Windows to see if it’s turned down. Most laptops also have an embedded function key, for example, Fn + Function key used to mute or turn on the volume, you can also check this to see if it might be preventing you from hearing sound.

Windows 7 Audio Troubleshooter

If the above tips don’t resolve these common sound problems, its time to move on to the next solution, the Windows 7 Audio Troubleshooter, which can help you try to automatically resolve problems with audio.

Click Start, type: troubleshooting.

Hit Enter on your keyboard.

This will open the Troubleshooting Control Panel item. Under Hardware and Sound click the link to Troubleshoot Audio Playback.

This will start the audio troubleshooting wizard, click Next to start it. It will go through a series of diagnostics test to see what might be preventing audio playback or what is not running such as the Windows Audio service. If it still does not resolve the problem, then we need to go on to some manual options.

Check the Windows Audio Service

The Windows Audio service manages audio for Windows-based programs. If this service is stopped, audio devices and effects will not function properly. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.

Click Start, type: services

Hit Enter on your keyboard.

Scroll down to Windows Audio, right-click it and click Properties.

Under the General tab, make sure that the Startup type: is set to Automatic If it isn’t do so and click Start under Service status then click Apply and OK. Check to see if Audio is working again.

Update Audio Drivers

When you upgrade from a previous version of Windows, this can sometimes break drivers. If you recently upgraded to Windows 7 and audio is no longer working, you probably need to install an updated driver. The first place you can check is Windows Update. Click Check for Updates and look for any audio related updates for your hardware. If there none available, you need to check the manufacturer’s website.

If you were previously running Windows Vista, you could try using the Windows Vista driver in Windows 7 since they share the same driver model. Try installing the same Windows Vista driver using Windows Troubleshooting. Right-click on the driver executable/installer file –> click Properties and select the Compatibility tab; click the check box before Run this program in Compatibility mode for option and select Windows Vista in the list-down box. Then try installing the device driver via Run as administrator.

For more, check out this article about How To Install, Update and Troubleshoot Hardware in Windows 7.

Plug in Headphones

My brother recently updated his DELL Inspiron laptop running Windows 7 RTM to Windows 7 SP1. After upgrading he realized that audio playback wasn’t working anymore. We tried what seemed like every possible solution, including the ones above, but none worked.

On a whim I decided to plug in my head phones, I could hear sound, but none was coming from the built in speakers. I unplugged the speakers, restarted to continue troubleshooting the problem, to my surprise, I started hearing audio from the built in speakers again.

What seemed to have happened is plugging in the head phone diverted the sound signal from the external speakers but there are times when unplugging the head phones from audio jack does not return the signal to the built in speakers. So by plugging in the head phone into the sound jack will sometimes resolve this type of problem.

Hopefully these tips can help you resolve any problems you might have with audio in Windows 7.

How to Troubleshoot Sound Problems in Windows is a post by Andre from Notebooks.com.

Installation

This involves setting up the hardware and preparing it for use. All hardware products require a small piece of software called a driver, which contains a collection of instructions it provides to Windows with the information about how the hardware should be used and configured. In Windows 7, you can install a hardware product in a number of ways, the easiest is by using Devices and Printers located on the Start menu.

New in Windows 7, Devices and Printers provides a visual collection of all devices installed and connected to your computer, such as Web Cams, your system unit, printers and even your smart phone or mp3 player. If you would like to  install a device, click the Add a device button on the command bar.

This will start the ‘Add a device’ wizard. As you can see, I don’t have any newly detected devices, which means, if I am installing a printer or a phone, I need to connect the device first, then turn it on.

Some hardware devices only require that you connect the device. From there Windows will automatically find a driver and install it or the device will install the driver.

When you receive an error message like the one above, it means Windows does not have a built in driver for the device you are trying to install, or the current driver is not compatible with the version of Windows you are using. To fix this, you need to go to the manufacturer’s website and obtain a compatible driver.

Updating drivers

Updating a driver is not necessarily about resolving compatibility issues, updating drivers can also provide enhancements, increased reliability of the device as well as better security. The best place to obtain updated drivers for a device is the manufacturer’s website.

Drivers can normally be found in the Software or Downloads section of a web site. Finding the right drivers means you must first search for the model device you are seeking drivers for. You can start by going to the Support section of the website. For this first example I am looking for driver software for my Nokia 3120 cellular phone.

To quickly find the drivers for your device, you can refine results by using the websites Search feature. In the above example, I simply enter the model number which filters to the particular model I am looking for. Once you have found the device you are looking for, click it, this will take you to the applications summary page.

Click the Software link for the device and you should be taken to a page with all available updates and drivers for that device.

Click the download link and save the driver software to your hard disk.

Updating computer hardware drivers

Lets take a look at updating the drivers for our computer. There are a variety of computer brands and models out there. So, searching for updated drivers might not be the same across manufacturers. Again, you can normally start by looking in the Downloads section of the website. For this example, I am searching for updated drivers for my brother’s Dell Inspiron 640 M laptop.

You can start by looking for the Support section of the website. Most manufacturers will make it easy to find by providing a direct link to the drivers and downloads section of their website. Once you have found it, click it.

Depending on the manufacturer, the requirement to download drivers for your computer might be a bit different, but the information is often easy to find. For instance Dell uses a combination of methods. You can use the Service Tag found on the bottom of a laptop or at the back of a system unit to go right to the downloads section, enter a serial number or just the model of your machine. You can also find such information in your owner’s manual.

For this scenario, I will use the Model number of the machine.

Dell’s website uses a bread crumb menu approach to finding the drivers for your system. First, you start by selecting your form factor, this can be either a desktop or laptop.

The next step is to select the product line, manufacturers offer a wide variety of choices that target certain markets, whether it’s a large enterprise, consumer or small business. In my case, the laptop my brother uses is a Inspiron, so I will select that from the product list.

Finally we arrive at the section where we select our model number. The model number can be easily identified with the product line, in my case it’s a Inspiron 640m. Once you have found it, click it then click Confirm which will take you to the download section for this particular model.

Another step you might be required to accomplish is identifying the installed operating system. This will help to ensure that you download the right drivers for the version of Windows you are running. Sometimes there are no native drivers for the operating system you are running. In the case of this Inspiron laptop, it was manufactured in June of 2006 and originally came preloaded with Windows XP Home, fortunately, it was tagged as Windows Vista capable. Since there are no Windows 7 native drivers, the next best option is to use Windows Vista drivers, they might not be the latest, but Windows Vista and Windows 7 share the same driver model, so they should work just fine.

Once you have found the driver you need, click the Download button and save it to your hard disk and proceed to install when complete.

Windows Update

Microsoft also provides driver updates through its Windows Update service, so you can always check there for updates to common hardware devices such as your printer, network adapter, or even your video card. To use Windows Update, click on the Start menu and type Windows Update. rom there you can check for important and optional updates.

Troubleshooting

When you encounter a problem installing a hardware device, it can be attributed to a number of reasons:

• Incompatible driver – the driver software does not work with the version of Windows you are running and you need to obtain a new version. Sometimes updates to an operating system can break a driver that was previously compatible with the operating system. The best thing to do is check for the latest driver. If none is available, there is another option, which is not guaranteed but can work in some cases, its called Troubleshoot Compatibility.

To install a driver using Troubleshoot compatibility, point to where the driver files are located, right click the setup.exe or .msi file and click Troubleshoot compatibility.

This will start the Program compatibility wizard.

You will be given a couple of choices, the first being Try recommended settings that the operating system thinks will be suitable for this device driver. Or you can manually select the option to troubleshoot the program. For the purposes of this article, I will select Troubleshoot program

If you have determined the program worked in an earlier version of Windows, check that option and click next.

Select the version of Windows the driver worked under then click Next

Click Start the program to see if the driver installs

• Administrative privileges – drivers interact at a deep level of the operating system called the Kernel, which is the heart of Windows. Accessing this area of the system requires Administrative privileges. Because of changes to how Windows handles certain drivers, certain drivers might not have the right to access the kernel since they have not adopted the new model of writing drivers. Fortunately, Windows 7 includes work arounds for this.

Simply right click the driver setup file or .msi file and click Run as administrator. This will give the software driver all the privileges it needs to install properly so you device can function without any limitations.

The ultimate reality of hardware compatibility is that sometimes, we have to let go. Yes, that HP Deskjet you bought in 1997 is certainly a work horse, but because of advances in operating systems and manufacturers own desire to innovate and offer support options for newer model devices, support for older ones have to be discontinued to reduce the cost which can even be a burden for large hardware and software companies. Microsoft has tried to ease compatibility with Windows 7 by offering these many solutions.

I personally have benefitted from using Windows XP Mode, a free download for customers running Windows 7 Professional or Ultimate edition. With it, I am able to use my HUAWEI modem which has compatibility issues with Windows 7 64 bit, so I am able to surf the Internet and still benefit from the advantages of running Windows 7.

How To Install, Update and Troubleshoot Hardware in Windows 7 is a post by Andre from Notebooks.com.

Yes, that’s right, a new MacBook. Why you ask? Well, there are several reasons that Apple will launch an actual product and not some a wireless way to pay for products, using technology which won’t likely be included in the next iPhone and all signs point to a new MacBook.

5 Reasons Apple’s Surprise is a New MacBook

The MacBook is a year old on May 18th – The current MacBook was announced a year ago, and based on upgrade cycles it is one of the oldest MacBooks in recent history. Only the original MacBook Air held a longer time between upgrades, clocking in at 499 days according to the MacRumors Buying Guide.
The MacBook is 5 years old this Month - The first MacBook, which replaced the iBook, was announced 5 years ago in May. At the time, the White and Black MacBooks where a diversion from the standard notebooks with an island style keyboard, glossy display and the famous Apple magnetic latching system. Many of these features have jumped from the MacBook to the rest of the notebook market, leaving the Macbook of a year ago behind the PC competition.
The MacBook is Normally Updated in May – Take a look back at MacBook upgrades and you’ll see that May is a popular month for bringing changes to the MacBook. While we have seen some of the biggest changes come in October, it would be very surprising for the MacBook to go another 150 days until an upgrade.
The MacBook Looks Dated – The MacBook doesn’t stand out nearly as much as it used to. The white polycarbonate look looks like something from 2006 and at over an inch thick it isn’t as sexy looking as the rest of the Apple Notebooks or even the PC competition. Set the MacBook next to the $100 cheaper Toshiba Satellite E305 and pick a winner based on looks. Odds are you’re wondering if you can put a Hackintosh version of OS X on the Satellite E305.
The MacBook Needs New Tech – It’s not just looks, Even the low-end PC competition is running circles around the MacBook which is due for a bump up to Intel Sandy Bridge processors by now. We could also see Apple including a Thunderbolt port on the MacBook.

What to Expect from a New MacBook

While we haven’t had any recent leaks, we would expect the MacBook would get a new thinner and lighter look, possibly even with a new aluminum exterior to match the current MacBook Pro and MacBook Air lines. The move to aluminum is less likely, but not out of reach.

Additionally, we expect to see Sandy Bridge processor options from Intel. It is likely that the new MacBook would include a Core i3 2nd Generation processor with integrated graphics, rather than the faster Core i5 options available in the MacBook Pro lines. We expect the base RAM size to stay at 2GB and there’s only a small chance we’ll see the starting hard drive size will jump up to 320GB.

Is a New MacBook Apple Store’s 10th Anniversary Surprise? [5 Reasons] is a post by Josh Smith from Notebooks.com.

Google Chromebook Models, Pricing and Specs

The new Google Chromebooks will be available from Best Buy and Amazon.com and prices start at $349.99. The Chromebooks are note yet available for preorder, but you can sign up at Amazon to be notified when the Chromebooks are available to order.

Samsung Chromebook

The Samsung Series 5 Chromebook comes in two models, a WiFi only Chromebook which retails for $429 and a WiFi+3G model which is $499. The 3G model will include 100MB of broadband from Verizon Wireless per month, operating on the Verizon 3G network.

Samsung Series 5 (Samsung Chromebook) Specs:

• 12.1″ (1280×800) 300 nit Display
• 3.26 lbs / 1.48 kg
• 8.5 hours of continuous usage
• Intel Atom Dual-Core Processor
• Built in dual-band Wi-Fi and World-mode 3G (optional)
• HD Webcam with noise cancelling microphone
• 2 USB 2.0 ports
• 4-in-1 memory card slot
• Mini-VGA port
• Fullsize Chrome keyboard
• Oversize fully-clickable trackpad

Acer Chromebook

The Acer WiFi Chromebook looks like it will only be available from Amazon and will retail for $349.99. At this time, the Acer notebook has no mobile broadband option. The Acer notebook has a smaller display and lighter weight, but similar specs to the Samsung Series 5 Chromebook. One notable difference is the inclusion of a HDMI port instead of a Mini-VGA connection.

Acer Wi-Fi Chromebook Specs:

• 11.6″ HD Widescreen CineCrystal LED-backlit LCD
• 2.95 lbs. | 1.34 kg.
• 6 hours of continuous usage
• Intel Atom Dual-Core Processor
• Built in dual-band Wi-Fi and World-mode 3G (optional)
• HD Webcam with noise cancelling microphone
• High-Definition Audio Support
• 2 USB 2.0 ports
• 4-in-1 memory card slot
• HDMI port
• Fullsize Chrome keyboard
• Oversize fully-clickable trackpad

Chromebook Offline Access

In case you missed it, the two cheapest Chromebooks won’t have mobile broadband built in. Don’t worry though, the new Chromebooks will allow for offline access to your Gmail, Calendar and Docs. As Warner Crocker explains at GottaBeMobile this is an incredibly important change to the concept or “web only” which recognizes the fallible nature of mobile connections and consumer desire to have offline access in certain occasions.

What to Expect with Your Chrome Notebook?

The Chromebooks will include many of the features we were expecting from the original launch, but we have highlighted some of the major Chromebook features you will experience if you purchase a Chromebook.

Instant Web - Boot in 8 seconds and start searching

Always on Connectivity – 100MB of 3G included with 3G models.

Online Backup and Convenience – Your documents, settings and more are stored in the cloud so if you lose the Chromebook, just grab a new one and get going

Web Apps – Access to web apps that let you play games (Angry Birds!), work in spreadsheets, edit photos and more.

Automatic Updates – When you login the Chromebook will automatically update your apps. No need to click yes and get pestered to restart.

Built in Security – The Google Chromebooks include sandboxing, data encryption, and verified boot to help protect you from malware.

Google Chromebook Gallery

Samsung and Acer Google Chromebooks Launch June 15th: Details, Specs & Pricing is a post by Josh Smith from Notebooks.com.

For me personally, I decided to do a clean install on my laptop since I have been beta testing the Service Pack 1 release of Windows 7 for a while now. Instead of restoring my Windows 7 RTM image, I would instead create a Backup and a Windows Easy Transfer .MIG file with all my personal files and settings. For me this was also an opportunity to re-evaluate my current setup. Do I need all the applications I now have installed? For you, it could be a great way to setup Windows 7 the best way, configure it the way you want to and create a nice backup of the installation for future purposes. Well, lets jump into it!

Step 1: Find all those applications disks, serials and hardware drivers

When planning a reinstallation of Windows, gather all important software first

This is a common mistake people make when they decide to reinstall Windows. They often just pop the Windows upgrade disk in and blow out the current installation, call it a day then complain the next day that Windows lost all their programs and they can’t get their current programs and hardware to work.

The first thing you should do before starting a reinstallation is to make a small inventory of all the current applications you have installed, the ones you use the most and the ones you think you can discard. You can use Programs and Features in Windows 7 to see a list of all the applications you have installed, then you can categorize by Last Used On, see below.

Right click the Column bar, then click More…

Then click the check box for Last Used On then click OK

The next step is to click the Last Used On header column to show a list of all your most recently used applications. You can make an exception for driver related software such as Modem or Video driver utility programs. Select the programs you no longer need and click Uninstall/Change on the command bar.

A list of all my most recently used programs.

Common locations on the system unit where you can find your Windows product key

Step 1A: In regards to Windows, if you purchased an Upgrade license and not the full version license, you might need to reinstall the qualifying license first. For example, if you upgraded from Windows Vista, you will need to reinstall Windows Vista then upgrade to Windows 7. It’s a chore because Windows needs to do a validation check to see if you qualify for the upgrade rights. I will be looking at a workaround in a future article. If Windows 7 came with your computer or you need to find the qualifying product serial, look on the chassis of the machine, either side, the top or the bottom (for laptops).

The same principle applies to software such as Microsoft Office. If you purchased a Microsoft Office upgrade license, when you decide to reinstall it, you will need to present the qualifying product as proof of purchase to qualify for the upgrade. So if you were previously running Office 2003 and purchased an upgrade license for Office 2007, you will need to have that Office 2003 disk nearby to do the validation check. Another common mistake users make is thinking that you can use a Windows product key to install and activate Microsoft Office and vice versa. You cannot do this, Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office are two distinct products developed by Microsoft Corporation. Both products use their own unique product keys for activation.

If you use programs such as Adobe Creative Suite or Apple iTunes, you should consider deactivating and deauthorizing each respective program first. Also, make sure your iTunes Library is backed up.

To deactivate an Adobe program, open the application, click Help > Deactivate… follow the on screen instructions

To deauthorize Apple iTunes, open the application, click Store > Deauthorize This Computer… follow the on screen instructions to complete the deauthorization. The reason why you should do this, iTunes might think you have installed iTunes on another computer. The software provides up to 5 authorizations, not deauthorizing can cause problems when you decide to authorize additional computers in the future since there will be no way authenticate that previous systems are no longer being used.

Additional resources for iTunes users

iTunes: Back up your iTunes library by copying to an external hard

How to back up your media in iTunes

Where to locate product keys?

Product keys can often be found inside or on the back of the product packaging. If you purchased Microsoft Windows or Microsoft Office digitally, check your email since it would have been emailed to you. If you have somehow lost the email, you will need to contact the Microsoft Store to find out if they have a record of your purchase. If the programs are installed and you had entered your Windows product key during activation, you can use one of the following programs to retrieve the product keys before you attempt the reinstallation:

Here are four utilities, all of which will may display your product keys if they are still there:

If none of these options are available to you, then the unfortunate truth is, you will need to purchase a new full version license.

Where to locate Hardware Drivers?

A very important part of setting up Windows successfully is having the right drivers. Windows 7 installs the most common out of box drivers, but if you have unique hardware devices such as a multi-function printer or other devices, make sure you have drivers on hand to reinstall when needed.

Some common drivers I recommend you obtain prior to reinstalling are Network Interface Card (NIC) drivers such as Ethernet, Wireless Adapter, Wireless/Wired Router, Video Drivers and Audio Drivers.

After you setup Windows, you will most likely need to connect to the Internet to download updates for Windows and your programs. Ethernet and Wireless Adapter drivers may be needed in this case which is why I recommend putting those on  a thumbdrive for easy access.

To make sure you have the right version, check the manufacturer’s website. If you are using a name brand laptop such as a Dell, just go to the manufacturer’s website, look for the Drivers and Downloads section of the website, enter the computers model number or service tag and click search. This will present all the drivers for your system model. Download all necessary drivers and store them safely until needed.

Examples of popular driver disks you will need

Other drivers such as your chipset driver might be handy too, especially if you are using integrated graphics, network and onboard audio, the chipset driver provides the communication between all the components in your system with processor and memory such as your audio device, video card and network interface card. You can often found this on the motherboard or recovery disc that came with your computer. If you are not able to find updated or Windows 7 native drivers for some of your hardware components, you can also try Windows Vista native drivers which will work most often.

Step 2: Do some house cleaning.

Over the years, we tend to store a digital copy of  almost everything we own. While we enjoy archiving and having instant access to the information from years ago, sometimes its best to re-evaluate the need to have it all stored on our hard disk. Instead, storing some of those old documents you rarely access or those old digital photographs you only look at once in a while on an external hard disk might be best.

This is also a good time to look for redundant files. Do you need to have 4 different versions of your resume? My recommendation is to just delete the older ones and keep the latest version. Another area to look at is email, do I need to have 10 years worth of email on my hard disk? Do I need to have all those contact files? What this also does is reduce the complexity and time it takes to backup your most important files which we will discuss next and guarantees that you will restore just what you need after setting up Windows.

Duplicate files are also an issue, I use this handy program called DoubleKiller to weed them out.

Step 3: Backup, Backup, Backup!

An External Hard disk is an important investment when planning a backup

I can’t stress enough how important a step this is. Losing access to programs or drivers can be an inconvenience, even a temporary one, but to lose years of work such as documents, photos, videos, emails is not a good thing. Make sure you have all that information backed up safely.

The best way to do this by using an external hard disk. Just leave CD’s and DVD’s out of the options for backup, they are inconvenient, unreliable and can be easily damaged. External hard disks are affordable, robust and offer lots of storage to backup GB’s or even TB’s of data you might have accumulated over the years.

There are multiple methods of doing a backup in Windows 7. The first one I recommend is the standard Backup which backs up all your personal files and settings. The next one is System Image, another reason why External hard disks are recommended because what it does is creates an exact replica of your installation. So, if something goes wrong with the reinstallation, you can always restore your backup and you are back in business. The other option is Windows Easy Transfer, this is quite similar to Backup, but is narrow in its capabilities. I have also discovered it has issues backing up Microsoft Outlook .PST folders and you cannot specify specific locations in the system you want to backup, it only does common directories such as the User folder and shared folder. I recommend you use both Backup and Windows Easy Transfer to compliment each other. For instance, you can use WET to do the backup of common user folders and Backup unique directories where you might have data stored.

You can learn more about how to do a back up here

You can learn more about how to use Windows Easy Transfer here

How to backup your Microsoft Outlook email, calendar and contacts

• Using the Microsoft Outlook Personal Folders Backup tool
• How to back up Outlook e-mail messages
• How to Backup Personal folders in Outlook 2007/2003/2002 - The Personal Folders Backup download creates backup copies of your .PST files at regular intervals, in Outlook 2002 and later versions, making it easy to keep all of your Outlook folders safely backed up.
• Outlook Backup Tutorial
• Outlook Password Help

Step 4: Decide which architecture of Windows 7 you want to install (32 or 64 bit)

Like I have been saying, the opportunity to reinstall Windows 7 gives you some choices. If you initially installed the 32 bit version of Windows 7, you might have upgraded your installed memory since then or plan to. If you are running 4 GB or more RAM, you can effectively take advantage of it by using 64 bit Windows 7. First you must ensure that all your drivers and applications are compatible.

To determine this, use the free Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor provided by Microsoft. Also check the manufacturers/developers website for all your applications and hardware devices. If your computer came with 64 bit Windows 7 installed or you installed that initially, you might not be seeing the immediate benefits and would prefer to downgrade to the 32 bit architecture. This is especially true if you only have 1 to 3.2 GBs of RAM installed. It’s also likely that system performance can greatly improve running the 32 bit version.

Note: If you do decide to downgrade to Windows 7 32 bit, you will need to backup your files manually to an external hard disk, not by using Windows Easy Transfer. This is because Windows Easy Transfer backups from within Windows 7 64 bit are not backward compatible with Windows 7 32 bit.

Step 5: Starting the installation.

The first thing you should do is disconnect any non-essential devices. This might interfere with setup. So things such as printers, external hard disks, scanners or any other device that is not needed (apart from your mouse and keyboard) should be disconnected. If you plan on moving from one architecture, 32 to 64 bit or vice-versa, insert the Windows 7 disk, restart the computer, make sure your DVD drive is set to boot from the disk.

In this case, I will be reinstalling the same edition and architecture.

Click Start, type: reinstall windows

Hit Enter on your keyboard

This will open the Recovery Control Panel item.

Next, click the link Advanced recovery methods

Click the option ‘’Reinstall Windows (requires Windows installation disc)’

This process will do a standard clean installation, I won’t go over the entire process since Notebooks.com has already documented the process here. Our intention though is to do a clean install, which means, nothing will be left on the drive. To be clear Programs, Drivers will need to be reinstalled and your personal files and settings will need to be restored. If you have not backed up your files and downloaded your drivers, please go and do it first and remember, back up to an external hard disk.

Make sure you have your Windows 7 installation disk, insert it when prompted, then click Yes.

You will be asked if you want to backup your files first. Windows 7 will intelligently detect if there were any backups done as you can see in the above screenshot.

When you are ready, click Restart to begin the reinstallation process.

When the computer starts, you will be prompted to boot from the Windows 7 DVD, click any key to do so. Windows 7 will load files on your hard disk to assist with the installation.

We have now arrived at the Setup screen, here you will select your Language if the option is available, time and currency and keyboard. After doing this, click Next.

To begin the installation, click Install Now

Accept the End User License Agreement then click Next

Click the Custom (advanced) option, we will be configuring the hard disk.

Select the partition on which Windows 7 will be installed, then click Drive options (advanced)

If there is more than one drive listed, it likely means, one is a Recovery partition and the other is the System Partition. Avoid formatting or deleting the Recovery partition, select the system partition where Windows 7 is installed and click Format.

You will be warned that all data on the drive will be destroyed. Again, make sure all your files, settings are backed up. Make sure you have downloaded all necessary drivers, have all application disks near by. If you are unsure, click cancel, and then click Next. This will do is create a Windows.old folder with the previous installation still intact so you can recover any missing files.

The installation is now in progress. Once complete, you will go through the Out of Box Experience which involves joining a wireless network, a homegroup if available, entering your user name, password, name of computer, date and time and configuration of common settings. Please see previous Notebooks.com article for instructions here

After installation is complete

• The first thing you should do is install an Antivirus Utility. I personally use the free Microsoft Security Essentials, but there are others out there such as AVAST! Home or AVG. Make sure it is the most up to date version.
• If you are unable to connect to the Internet, make sure your Network Interface Card, Wireless Adapter, Router drivers are installed. Again, these drivers should have already either been downloaded or you have the driver disc ready for reinstallation.

Run Windows Update, a fair amount of updates have been released for Windows 7 since it came out. I recommend, just for convenience purposes, if you must reinstall Windows 7, wait until Service Pack 1 is released which should be very soon. This can reduce a significant amount of downtime, since all you will need to do is reinstall Windows 7 form your disk, then install the Service Pack.

Avoid installing driver updates for hardware, just install security updates first. If you encounter problems installing updates, you can learn more about resolving it here

• Finish installing any addition drivers needed to have a functioning system. I would recommend you do next after this is to create a System Image of the installation. What this will do is create a backup of the installation, so you could use it in the future as a way to reinstall Windows 7 quickly without starting from scratch. You can learn more about doing this here
• After you have backed up the installation, you can start restoring your personal files and settings, either from a Backup or from a Windows Easy Transfer file, whichever method you used. Windows Easy Transfer should give you a report of which applications you will need to reinstall. Learn more here
• Reinstall your applications. I suggest you try creating system restore points in between each configuration. So, after you had installed the drivers successfully, restored personal files and settings, create a new system restore point each time, it can be a life saver, trust me.
• Reconnect any external devices you were using, try doing it one at a time then restart, just in case one causes a system instability. If it does, it likely means you need to update the driver.
• Reactivate Windows, this can be done by Internet, especially if you are reinstalling Windows on the same machine, the same applies for Microsoft Office. If you encounter any problems reactivating Windows, please review the following Notebooks.com article here for tips and solutions to common activation problems in Windows.

Now, this is a lot to digest when considering a reinstallation, so its best you don’t do this when you are in the middle of a project or working on something important. Do it when you have some off time, focus on certain things over a period of time such as gathering reinstallation disks, drivers, backing up files and settings. It is also best if you can have a backup system on hand you can use during the down time. With careful planning, this should be a fun and easy to do project itself and it will save you some money compared to carrying your computer to a repair company and it will enhance your computing skills.

How to Reinstall Windows 7 From Scratch: An Effective Method for a Clean Install is a post by Andre from Notebooks.com.

CPU-Z is a freeware program that gathers information on some of the main devices of your system and reveals all kinds of information about your hardware.

CPU-Z is a really handy tool when you need to upgrade your memory and you don’t know what type you use. Witht he click of a button you can figure out what kind of memory to buy when upgrading your system.

CPU-Z can also provide the following information:

CPU: Name and number, Core stepping and process, Package, Core voltage, Internal and external clocks, clock multiplier, Supported instructions sets, Cache information etc

MainBoard: Vendor, model and revision, BIOS model and date, Chipset (northbridge and southbridge) and sensor, Graphic interface

Memory: Frequency and timings, Module(s) specification using SPD (Serial Presence Detect) : vendor, serial number, timings table

System: Windows and DirectX version.

Overall CPU-Z is a great free tool to get to know your computer better.

PhotoCredit : SnapFile

Get to know your PC with CPU-Z is a post by Rajesh from Notebooks.com.

Are you a Gmail user?  Of course you are.  Most people are now a days.

Are you a  hardcore, use it everyday, shortcut-using Gmailer?  If so, the Gboard may be the device for you this Christmas.

This device is a USB keyboard with all of the Gmail shortcuts.   Now the keyboard only shows 19 of the 69 shortcuts, but they are the ones that are the most used by just about everyone who is a Gmail user.

There is no special software or drivers to install when using the Gboard, however users need to first enable keyboard shortcuts within Gmail’s settings before using it.  How is that for a simple set up?

Google tried to help the Gmail community a while ago when it offered a set of shortcut stickers users could place on their keyboard to help with all the shortcuts.  It didn’t go over as well as expected.  However, the Gboard has appeal to new users who aren’t familiar with all the shortcuts.  Users will just have to punch a key, as opposed to remembering 60+ key combinations.

The Gboard is going for the low price of $19.99, it might just be that great stocking stuffer you are looking for this Christmas.

Thanks to CNet for the information.

Gboard- Google shortcuts with USB style now available is a post by Amy from Notebooks.com.

Of major manufacturers, Asus and Toshiba scored the highest in terms of reliability, with HP coming in dead last thanks to an abysmal failure rate of 25.6% in year 3. Premium brands such as Apple and Sony scored above average with respective failure rates of 16.8% and 17.4%.

What does this mean for your next notebook purchase? Well, it all depends on how you use your notebook. Squaretrade was not able to provide usage statistics of the failed notebooks in their care but my personal experience has been that notebooks which are used in mobile settings have a higher incidence of failure. That’s not to say a laptop used primarily on your couch, like my parent’s Gateway, won’t fail from simple around the house use; just that I see more failures from notebooks that do a lot of traveling.

You can minimize the risk to your notebook by using a protective bag and avoid using it in hazardous locations; like near drinks. Since 10% of the failures where accidental you can greatly improve the odds of your notebook living a long life by carrying it carefully and not spilling a drink onto the keyboard!

Before you purchase an extended warranty on your next notebook you should ask yourself whether or not the extra expense is worth it. In general many of the extended warranties offer limited value on netbooks and other sub $500 computers because they cost so much and add little value. You also need to read the fine print and see exactly what a warranty covers because when you need your waterlogged notebook fixed no one is going to care that the salesman told you water damage was covered if it isn’t in the paperwork. If you want protection without paying for an extended warranty you can save yourself some money, literally, by creating your own extended warranty fund.

Image Credit (Flickr user S Baker)

Crash and Burn: 1 in 3 Notebooks fail within 3 years is a post by Josh Smith from Notebooks.com.