Tag Archives: Microsoft Vista

Toshiba laptop built-in webcam problems

Toshiba laptop built-in webcam problems

Problem: Toshiba laptop Camera Assistant Software on Vista (or similar) is no longer working. When you try to run the application you get an error along the lines of:

‘Access violation at address … in module ‘CEC_MAIN.exe’. Read of address …’

‘Cannot open file C:\Program Files\Camera Assistant Software for Toshiba\NewSkin1\active.bmp’

This is a problem that only applies to a small amount of people but it’s one that is also difficult to fix as most of the information you’ll find from a Google search is confusing.

As always, make sure that you have backed your computer up etc. before attempting any of the solutions listed here. If you’re unsure about your abilities, please get an expert to do it for you. Also, I can’t guarantee that anything here will work as it uses third party software.

  1. Re-install the webcam drivers: Open ‘Control Panel’ and go to ‘System’ then ‘Device Manager’.
  2. Under ‘Imaging devices’, right-click ‘Chicony USB 2.0 Camera’ and select ‘Update driver software’.
  3. Select ‘Browse my computer for driver software’ then ‘let em pick from a list of device drivers installed on my computer’.
  4. Select ‘USB video device’ then click next.

This will re-install the drivers on your computer.

If this doesn’t work, try re-installing the Chicony Camera Assistant software:

  1. Download the Camera Assistant Software from the Toshiba website: https://bds.tjpntuw.updates.toshiba.com/Downloads/Production/tjpntuw/2009/10/03/035225_20.24.43.TC40054600D.exe
  2. Install the software and then you may need to reboot (don’t forget to bookmark this page first if you need to 🙂

Everything should be working again now 🙂

How to speed up Vista instantly

How to speed up Vista instantly

If you’re using Vista, you may have noticed how heavy it is in hardware-resource terms.

If you’d like a faster computer and are prepared to compromise on the aesthetics, here is a very simple and quick way to get things moving more quickly. This method will also give you the reassurance of knowing that you can undo any changes you make by following the same instructions:

  1. Click on the windows button at the bottom left of the screen
  2. Right-click on ‘Computer’ in the right-hand column on the start menu
  3. Select ‘properties’ from the new pop-up menu

    Click the Windows button then right-click 'Computer' and select 'properties'

    Click the Windows button then right-click 'Computer' and select 'properties'

  4. From the new ‘system’ window select ‘advanced system settings’ from the left-hand column

    Select advanced settings from the left-hand column

    Select advanced settings from the left-hand column

  5. From the new system properties window select the third tab labelled ‘Advanced’

    From the new system properties window select the third tab labelled ‘Advanced’. Select the ‘settings’ button under ‘performance’

    From the new system properties window select the third tab labelled ‘Advanced’. Select the ‘settings’ button under ‘performance’

  6. Select the ‘settings’ button under ‘performance’
  7. From the new window, under the ‘visual effects’ tab, you now have the options to:
  • ‘Let Windows choose what is best for my computer
  • ‘Adjust for best appearance’
  • ‘Adjust for best performance’
  • Or select the options individually yourself (‘Custom’)
Choose your performance options

Choose your performance options

Select the ‘Adjust for best performance’ then click OK. This may take a few moments while your computer applies the new settings. To revert to the original or default settings, follow the same instructions above but choose option ‘b’ in step 7

Setting up a computer from new

Emergency computer reset

Computer reset lever

I’ve just set up a new laptop for someone and thought to myself that it might be interesting to write a short list of the changes I make and the software I install during the process.

The problem with new computers these days is that they arrive pre-installed with all sorts of software you didn’t ask for and don’t need. Whilst this software more-than-likely subsidises the cost of the new computer, it’s something that I’m personally not a big fan of – it slows down your computer and there are often better free versions of this commercial software available.

The last 5 or 6 laptops I’ve bought have all been Toshiba because I like their reliability and I currently buy from Insight as their prices and service are very good (Prior to that it was eBuyer)

Insight laptops don’t tend to arrive with too much pre-installed software, unlike a certain other larger mail-order computer supplier I could mention, so it’s not too time consuming to sort out.

This particular laptop is a Toshiba running 32 bit Windows Vista Business

  1. Firstly, I connect to wireless internet (if available). If you’re installing the operating system too, XP prior to Service Pack 2 doesn’t have wireless internet support as standard so the best thing to do is download XP Service Pack 3 network install version to a flash drive (or disk) and install before you’re able to connect wirelessly. Of course, you could connect with a cable if you preferred but I find them so 1990’s
  2. Secondly, I download Google Chrome Browser and install. This browser is miles ahead of it’s nearest competitor and I don’t use anything else these days for day-to-day browsing. When installing, I set as default browser. I also install flash player browser plug-in at this time. This is something that is not essential but will probably need to be done at some time.
  3. Thirdly, I Download Revo Uninstaller free version and install. This is a great utility for removing applications from your computer as it will also remove left-over registry entries and files
  4. I download (but don’t install yet) Microsoft Security Essentials. Free software and currently, the best option for your virus and malware protection, IMO.
  5. I remove McAfee anti-virus using Revo Uninstaller.
  6. I install the Microsoft Security Essentials I downloaded earlier. Once installed, update and run the ‘quick scan’ finish installation.
  7. Run Widows Update until all updates have been installed
  8. Download and install Ccleaner. This free utility has some very useful little features that should come in handy, firstly;
  9. Run Ccleaner and navigate to Tools/Start-up. Disable or delete any items you don’t want to start-up when the computer starts
  10. Open Revo Uninstaller and uninstall and application I don’t want

This is the basic list above. Below are a few other optional steps:

  1. Install Microsoft Office. Once installed, update.
  2. Download and install Skype. Couldn’t do without this application!
  3. Download and install AL Show free version. A great little media player
  4. Download and install Bullzip PDF printer free version. Installs as a printer and allows you to create PDFs using the normal ‘print’ command

Hope this helps?

Microsoft SQL Server update problem

Q. I am unable to install the Microsoft SQL Server 2005 update KB970892 on windows Vista. What should I do?

A. You’ll need to edit your registry for this one so, as ever, back everything up first. If you’re not sure what you’re doing, seek professional technical help first!

  1. In the ‘Run’ box, type in ‘regedit’ (or navigate to C:\Windows\regedit.exe)
  2. Navigate to ‘HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Microsoft
    SQL Server\MSSQL.1\Setup\’
  3. Right-click on ‘Resume’ in the right-hand column and select ‘Modify’
  4. Change the ‘value data’ from 1 to 0 then click ‘OK’
  5. Re-boot and then re-install the update