Help line: Check drivers for updated operating system – Houston Chronicle
Q: Since upgrading from Windows Vista to Windows 7, I no longer get audio from videos I watch, such as those on Huffington Post or YouTube. I get audio for various computer generated sounds, and introductory commercials on videos, but not the audio that should play while the video is running. How can I get this functionality back?
A: When you upgrade your operating system, whether on top of the existing one or as a completely new install, you may find that you need to go in and reinstall or update certain device drivers.
Windows 7 has built in drivers for many, but not, all hardware devices. This means that you may have some very basic video, network and audio functionality, but may be missing some features that are provided by dedicated device software specific to your computer.
Once you complete your Windows upgrade, you should visit your computer manufacturer's website and download and install the appropriate device drivers for your computer and the version of the operating system you have installed. This will ensure that you are getting the most out of your hardware and will also help ensure that everything works correctly.
Q: I got hit with something called Windows Restore, which I have managed to get rid of, but now all of my Start menu items are gone. How can I get these back?
A: Windows Restore looks very official and once your computer is infected with this virus, it starts reporting all kinds of errors and suggestions for fixing them. All of these warnings are completely bogus and only lead to more trouble as you click on the various links provided.
One of the more dastardly things this virus does is change the file attributes of all your computer files and sets them to "Hidden," which makes them invisible to you unless you have your folder settings set to display hidden files and folders.
And because all of your files are hidden, you are unable to see items in your Start menu and you may also notice that you don't see any files when using Windows Explorer.
I've run across this particular virus twice in the last week.
Both times I was able to use MalwareBytes to remove the virus and then use System Restore to reset the computer to a functioning state from before it was infected. System Restore changed all the file attributes back to what they were supposed to be, hiding files that were supposed to be hidden and displaying files that should be visible.
But I have heard from others who were hit by this virus and couldn't get System Restore to reset their file system.
If you find yourself in this position, I suggest using a program called unhide.exe that I found at download.bleepingcomputer.com/grinler/unhide.exe.
When you run unhide.exe on your computer, it will unhide every file on your computer, even the ones that are supposed to be hidden.
I don't recommend this as a permanent solution.
Once all of your files are visible you should then find the ones you want to keep (pictures, documents, email archives, etc.) and copy them off to a CD, DVD or external hard drive for safekeeping.
Then reload the computer using your recovery software. This will ensure all traces of the virus are gone once and for all.
If you have been hit by this virus and need help getting rid of it, you will find detailed removal instructions in an article called Remove Windows Restore (Uninstall Guide). It is located at bleepingcomputer.com/virus-removal/remove-windows-restore.
Write Jay Lee at helpline@chron.com. You can view more questions and answers at the Help Line Blog at blogs.chron.com/helpline. Lee co-hosts the radio show Technology Bytes from 8-10 p.m. Wednesdays on KPFT 90.1 FM. The program is also available on the Internet at www.geekradio.com. Lee cannot personally answer all reader questions.
This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read the FAQ at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php#publishers. Five Filters featured article: If At First You Don't Succeed - Four Decades Of US-UK Attempts To Topple Gadafi.
