iTunes 11 for Windows interface resetting to defaults

Problem: Recently iTunes 11 on my Windows 8 notebook started to show the Welcome screen and reset the interface to defaults whenever I opened it.

Solution: Delete all files in "C:\Users\Username\AppData\Local\Apple Computer\iTunes" and adjust interface settings one last time.

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How to run an offline chkdsk scan on Windows 8

Problem: If you issue the "chkdsk c: /f" command in order to run an offline chkdsk scan on Windows 8, it will accept the command, but when you reboot the computer, chkdsk will not run.

Because of ReFS, you should not need to run an offline chkdsk scan anyway. However, there are times we simply just need to run it to rule out file and file system corruption.

Solution: Disable Fast Startup: Control Panel > Power Options > Choose what the power buttons do > Change settings that are currently unavailable > Disable Turn on fast startup (recommended) > Save changes.

Issue the "chkdsk ,drive_letter>: /f" command and reboot. You should be able to see the offline chkdsk scan progress messages below the Windows (or computer manufacturer) logo while the computer is booting up.

Fast Startup does allow for a faster bootup, so you really should turn it back on when finished with the chkdsk scans :)

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How to enable telnet (client or server) on Windows 8

• Control Panel > Programs and Features > Turn Windows features on or off
• Select Telnet Client and/or Telnet Server
• Click OK, finish Wizard, reboot computer

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How to embed entire files into a Microsoft Word document

In order to attach an entire file to a Word document, so the readers can download and save that file to their workstations:

1) Open the main document in Microsoft Word.
2) Click the Insert menu to display inserting options.
3) Choose Object.
4)This will open a dialog box. You are presented with two tabs: Create New and Create from File.
a. Create New allows you to create a new document or even image of your choosing from the list within that tab.
b. Create from File allows you to browse to a file you have already created.
5) Choose Create from File and click Browse to locate your file.
6) You have several options as to how to insert your file.
a. If you do not check the check boxes below Browse, the entire contents of your document will be displayed within your current document.
b. If you check the box, Link to File, you insert the entire contents of the file, but can click the link to open the file separately in its own window or application. For instance, inserting an Excel document will display the spreadsheet. When you click on the spreadsheet, it will open in Excel as a separate document.
c. If you check the box, Display as Icon, only an icon will appear in your document. This option allows you to change the icon and its caption. Clicking the button, Change Icon will give you the opportunity to change the caption to something other than the file path. For instance, you may have a spreadsheet as Figure 2. You can change the caption to Figure 2, so readers know what they are clicking. Upon clicking the icon, the file opens in its appropriate application.

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How to lock Function keys as multimedia control keys on Dell notebooks

In order to lock the keyboard Function (Fn) keys permanently as multimedia control keys on Dell notebooks, you need to access the System Setup utility while the notebook is booting up.

As soon as the system starts, press the F2 key until the blue "BIOS" Setup Utility screen is shown. Under System Configuration, edit the Function Key Behaviour value. Exit using the Esc key and make sure you save the changes.

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How to fix error 0x800F0818 when installing Windows Server SP1

This fix should work on all Microsoft Windows versions that are experiencing error 0x800F0818 when installing SP1.

1. Find CheckSUR.log in C:\Windows\Logs or in a subfolder.
2. Open the log file and find which files under c:\Windows\servicing\packages are corrupted.
3. Download the KB hotfixes that relate to each corrupted package.
4. Take ownership of the packages folder with the following command: "takeown /F c:\Windows\Servicing\Packages /D y /R"
5. Make sure your user has Full Control to c:\Windows\servicing\packages.
6. Delete the .mum and .cat files for each corrupted package from c:\Windows\servicing\packages.
7. Extract the files from each KB hotfix and copy the .mum and .cat files for each package to c:\Windows\servicing\packages.
8. Try installing SP again.

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How to extract files from hotfix packages using the command line

Microsoft Hotfix Installer (.exe)
setup.exe /t:C:<target_dir> /c

Microsoft Update Standalone Package (.msu)
expand -F:* update.msu C:<target_dir>
cd <target_dir>
expand -F:* update.cab C:<target_dir>

Microsoft Patch File (.msp)
msix patch.msp /out C:<target_dir>
msix.zip

Windows Installer Package (.msi)
msiexec /a setup.msi /qb TARGETDIR=C:<target_dir>

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