Thursday, March 31, 2011

How to Restore an iPhone That Hangs on the Apple Screen

8:40 AM Posted by Ariana 2 comments

How to Restore an iPhone That Hangs on the Apple Screen

by Dan Stone, Demand Media



Resetting or restoring an iPhone can fix boot-screen hang-ups.
Resetting or restoring an iPhone can fix boot-screen hang-ups.

If your iPhone has hung up on the Apple Screen when booting, perform a battery-cycle reboot, or a "reset," to get the device to fully shut down and load iOS again. Resetting is different from restarting the phone because the device does not fully power down when simply restarting. If the iPhone continues to hang up when you turn it on, the phone can be fixed by entering recovery mode, or DFU mode, and performing a restore. Restoring an iPhone clears all of the saved data and apps on the device.
Step 1
Press and hold the "Home" and "Power" buttons at the same time, and wait for the screen to go black. The process should take about 10 seconds.
Step 2
Wait for the iPhone to restart. If the phone doesn't restart on its own, press and hold the power button again
Step 3
Let the iPhone load iOS. If the phone doesn't load into iOS after 10 minutes, the phone will likely need to be restored to work again.
Step 1
Open iTunes on the computer, and connect the iPhone to the USB adapter.
Step 2
Press and hold the "Home" and "Power" buttons on the iPhone for 10 seconds.
Step 3
Let go of the "Power" button, and continue to hold the "Home" button for another five seconds. The screen should remain black. If the phone pops-up with a message saying "Plug into iTunes," the process should be repeated again from step 2.
Step 4
Click "OK" on the pop-up window on the computer that indicates "iTunes Has Detected an iPhone in Recovery Mode" to start the iPhone restoration process. An iTunes restore will return the iPhone to the newest version of iOS available for the device.
Step 1
Connect the USB cable to the computer and load iTunes.
Step 2
Press and hold the "Home" and "Power" buttons at the same time for 10 seconds to force the iPhone to shut down.
Step 3
Release the "Power" button, and continue to hold the "Home" button.
Step 4
Connect the USB cable to the iPhone.
Step 5
Continue holding the "Home" button until a message pops up about detecting a device in recovery mode.
Step 6
Release the home button, and click "OK" on the iPhone.
Step 7
Follow the on-screen instructions to recover the iPhone.

Things Needed

  • Computer
  • ITunes software
  • USB connection cable

Tip

  • If the phone takes five or more minutes to load into iOS and performs choppy after a reset, the phone is likely experiencing issues with iOS. To fix an iPhone experiencing this problem, back up the phone in iTunes, restore the phone to factory settings and restore the phone to the backup point in iTunes to keep from losing all of the data stored on the device.

Warning

  • Restoring an iPhone without performing a backup beforehand will permanently erase all data stored on the device.

About the Author

Dan Stone started writing professionally in 2006, specializing in education, technology and music. He is a web developer for a communications company and previously worked in television. Stone received a Bachelor of Arts in journalism and a Master of Arts in communication studies from Northern Illinois University.

Photo Credits

  • Matt Cardy/Getty Images News/Getty Images

Monday, March 28, 2011

How to Solve iPhone 5 Rear Camera Problems?

9:55 AM Posted by Ariana 5 comments
One of the core features offered in iPhone 5, is its rear camera, and this is because it offers its users exceptional photography due to high image quality offered by Apple. The camera is surely exceptional as compared to a good number of Smart phones. Encountering rear camera problem in your iPhone 5 is really a common thing, but the best thing is that normally these issues are resolved with the help of workaround methods, and you don’t need to go with a hardware solution. Hardware solution is always considered as the last option when all the workaround methods fail.
Let’s have a look at some of the most common iPhone 5 Rear Camera problems and their solutions:

 Problems

  • Screen goes black.
  • iPhone 5 camera shutter not opening.
  • Camera hangs.
  • Camera not saving pictures.
  • Blurred picture.

Workaround

  • Reset your phone and check.
  • Uninstall any third party camera app and check.
  • For Blurred picture, clean rear camera lens and check, as sometimes the reason of blurred image is only dust over the rear camera (if that doesn’t work then try cleaning your 5S camera from inside as well.)
  • Upgrade your iOS and check (Should be considered as the last resort, do it if Hardware solution doesn’t solve the problem)

Reasons of Problems

  • Any camera app might be corrupt that is causing this problem.
  • Dust over rear camera causing blurred screen.
  • Rear camera has become faulty.
  • Water or physical damage.
  • Lose connection of your rear camera with on-board connector.
  • Dry soldering of the on-board connector.
  • Camera IC might be faulty.

Hardware Solution

iphone 5 rear camera
  • Unplug and plug rear camera and check.
  • Change camera and check.
iphone 5 display connector ic
  • Clean Camera on-board connector and check.
  • Re-solder on-board cam connector.
  • Heat all the components around rear camera on-board connector.
  • Remove and then again connect camera connector IC (mentioned in above figure). If that doesn’t solve the problem then replace it.
  • If you don’t have another Camera connector IC with you then all you have to do is to short the two terminals of the connector IC with the help of a jumper.

All of the above steps will surely help you in solving iPhone5 rear camera in the most effective manner. If you are lucky enough than workaround methods will be able to resolve your problem, else you might need to have some soldering experience in order to get tings fixed on your own.

Windows 8.1: Frequently Asked Questions

9:24 AM Posted by Ariana No comments

Windows 8

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Windows 8.1: Frequently Asked Questions


Windows 8.1: Frequently asked questions

Windows 8.1 is a free update for Windows 8 tablets and PCs. It includes a number of new features and design elements that will make Windows 8 easier to use. We'd like to offer you a brief overview of Windows 8.1 and try to answer some questions you may have at this time.

How much does it cost?

If you already have Windows 8, Windows 8.1 is a free update for your device.
If you're upgrading your PC from an older version of Windows, you can purchase Windows 8.1 from a retail store orfrom Microsoft for $119.99. Before you purchase it, you should make sure your computer meets the hardware requirements.

How do I get Windows 8.1?

If you buy a new Windows computer or tablet, Windows 8.1 will most likely come pre-installed. You won't need to do anything to install it.
If you already have a Windows 8 device, it may be updated automatically. You can also update it manually. To do this, open the Windows Store app from the Start screen, then locate and select Update Windows. Review this page from Microsoft if you're having trouble updating to Windows 8.1.

What's new in Windows 8.1?

When Windows 8 was released in 2012, many users complained that it was difficult and confusing to use, especially compared to older versions of Windows. Windows 8.1 includes a number of improvements and features to address some of these issues. Below are some of the most helpful and notable features:
  • Start Button: Windows 8 replaced the traditional Start menu with the Start screen and removed the Start button from the Desktop. Windows 8.1 adds the Start button back to the Desktop. Clicking the Start button on the Desktop will launch the Start screen, which you'll use to open programs and search for files.
  • Boot to Desktop: Rather than launching the Start screen when you turn on your device, Windows 8.1 now gives you the option to boot directly to the Desktop, much like older versions of Windows. This is especially helpful if you're not interested in using the Start screen very often.
  • Snap Start Screen Apps: Windows 8 introduced full-screen apps for the Start screen, but it did not allow you to view more than two apps at once. Windows 8.1 allows you to view several different Start screen apps and snap them to different parts of the screen. Traditional desktop apps still work the way they did in earlier versions of Windows: They'll appear in individual windows that you can move and resize.

I have Windows RT. Can I get Windows 8.1?

Yes, you can download an update to the equivalent Windows RT version (Windows RT 8.1).

I have Windows 8 Pro. Can I get Windows 8.1?

Yes, but if you use Windows 8 Pro or Enterprise at work, you may need someone from the IT department to install the upgrade on your computer. It will not be available as an update in the Windows Store.

Will my apps still be there after I upgrade?

Most apps you previously had installed on your Windows 8 computer will still be there once you upgrade to Windows 8.1. Some Start screen apps, like Mail and Calendar, will be updated automatically when you upgrade. You will also need to reinstall any apps you previously downloaded from the Windows Store.
If you're upgrading from Windows 7, your apps should still be there after you upgrade. If you're upgrading from an older version, such as Windows Vista or earlier, you will need to reinstall your old apps.

Will my apps still work after I upgrade?

Almost all apps installed on Windows 8 should work correctly in Windows 8.1. If not, the app's developer will likely release an update to address the issue.
If you are upgrading from Windows 7 or Vista, most of your apps should still work. However, if you're using an older version like Windows XP, there's a good chance some of your apps will not be compatible with Windows 8. A simpleGoogle search will often be enough to tell if an app will be compatible in Windows 8.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Windows 8.1 Features

7:47 AM Posted by Ariana 2 comments

Windows 8.1 is the most recent operating system designed byMicrosoft. Windows 8 introduced a lot of new changes, and many people found it difficult to use. Windows 8.1 is very similar to Windows 8, but it addresses some of the problems people had with Windows 8.
There have been many different versions of Windows over the years, including Windows 7 (released in 2009), Windows Vista (2006), andWindows XP (2001). While previous versions of Windows mainly ran on desktop and laptop computers, Windows 8 is also designed to run on tablets. Because of this, the interface has been simplified so it will work with touchscreens.
An operating system manages all of the hardware and software on a computer. Without it, the computer would be useless. To learn more about how operating systems work, check out Understanding Operating Systems and Getting to Know the OS in our Computer Basics tutorial.

How is Windows 8 different from earlier versions?

There are many new features and changes in Windows 8, both small and large. These changes include a redesigned interfaceonline features, and improved security.

Interface changes

The first thing you'll notice about Windows 8 is that it looks totally different from previous versions of Windows. The all-new interface includes features like the Start screenlive tiles, and hot corners.
  • Start screen: The main screen you'll use is called the Start screen, and it displays all of your apps as tiles. You can personalize your Start screen by changing the color scheme, choosing a background image, and rearranging your tiles.
    Screenshot of Windows 8
  • Live tiles: Some apps use live tiles, which let you see information without even clicking on the app. For example, the Weather app displays the current weather on its tile, and you can click on it to see more details.
    Screenshot of Windows 8
  • Hot corners: You'll navigate through Windows 8 by using hot corners. To use a hot corner, just hover the mouse in the corner of the screen, and it will open a toolbar or tile that you can click. For example, to switch to another open app, you can hover the mouse in the top-left corner and then click. If you're using a tablet, you'll swipe from the left or right instead of using hot corners.
    Screenshot of Windows 8
  • Charms bar: Many of your computer's settings are now found in a toolbar called the Charms bar. You can access it by hovering in the top-right or bottom-right corner of the screen. If you're using a tablet, you can swipe from the right to open the Charms bar.
    Screenshot of Windows 8

Online features in Windows 8

Many people are starting to save their files and other information online (also known as the cloud). One way to do this is with Microsoft's OneDrive service (previously call SkyDrive). Windows 8 is designed to connect seamlessly to OneDrive, as well as to other online services like Facebook and Twitter.
  • Sign in with Microsoft account: Instead of creating an account on your computer, you can sign in with your free Microsoft account. This will bring all of your OneDrive files, contacts, and more into your Start screen. You can even sign in to a different computer that has Windows 8, and all of your important files will be there.
    Screenshot of Windows 8
  • Social networking features: You can connect your Facebook, Twitter, and Flickr accounts to Windows 8, allowing you to see your friends' updates directly from your Start screen or from the built-in People app.
    Screenshot of Windows 8
To learn more about Microsoft's online services, check out our Microsoft Account and OneDrive and Office Online tutorials.

Friday, March 18, 2011

Windows 8 Personalizing Your Desktop

10:57 PM Posted by Ariana No comments

Personalizing your Desktop

Windows 8 makes it easy to customize the look and feel of the Desktop view. In this lesson, you'll learn how to access the Personalization pane, which allows you to customize the theme, background image, and color of your Desktop. You'll also learn how to adjust your font size and text display.
Any changes you make to the appearance of the Desktop will not affect the Start screen. Check out our lesson on Personalizing Your Start Screen to learn more.
  • To access the Personalization pane, right-click anywhere on the Desktop, and then select Personalize from the drop-down menu. The Personalization pane will appear.
    Screenshot of Windows 8
Click the buttons in the interactive below to learn more about using the Personalization pane to customize the appearance of the Desktop view.

Font size and text display settings

You can also use the Personalization pane to customize the font size and text display. Again, it's important to note that these settings will only affect the Desktop view, not the Start screen.

To change the font size:

If you have difficulty seeing the text on your Desktop, you can increase the font size. Increasing the font size will also increase the size of icons and other items on your Desktop.
  1. Locate and select Display in the lower-left corner of the Personalization pane.
    Screenshot of Windows 8
  2. The Display settings will appear. Choose the desired size. Note that a larger size may interfere with the way some items appear on the screen.
  3. Click Apply to save your changes.
    Screenshot of Windows 8
  4. You may need to restart your computer for these changes to take effect.
    Screenshot of Windows 8

To adjust ClearType settings:

ClearType helps improve the readability of text on LCD monitors and screens.
  1. Locate and select Display in the lower-left corner of the Personalization pane. The Display settings will appear.
    Screenshot of Windows 8
  2. Select Adjust ClearType text from the left-navigation menu.
    Screenshot of Windows 8
  3. The ClearType Text Tuner dialog box will appear. Follow the instructions, choosing the text that appears best to you.
    Screenshot of Windows 8
  4. When you are done selecting text, click Finish. The ClearType settings will be applied.
    Screenshot of Windows 8