Troubleshoot problems with DVDs and movies in Windows Media Center
Here are solutions to some common problems with playing DVDs and viewing movie information in Windows Media Center. Why doesn't digital audio work for DVD? Why is the DVD video distorted? Why doesn't a DVD play? What happens if the DVD has a different region code and does not play? Why doesn't movie information or cover art display in Windows Media Center? How can I change the program that AutoPlay opens when I plug in a device or insert a disc?

---

Burn a CD or DVD in Windows Media Center: frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some common questions about burning CDs and DVDs in Windows Media Center. What types of CDs can I burn in Windows Media Center? What types of DVDs can I burn in Windows Media Center? On average, how much video can I fit on a recordable DVD when burning a video DVD? What determines how long it will take to burn the DVD? Why does a notification appear that says the quality will be reduced when I add a few video files to a video DVD? Why am I asked if I want to skip a file when burning an audio CD?

---

Erase a CD or DVD
Certain kinds of writeable CD and DVD discs can be erased and written to many times. If you have a CD-RW, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, or DVD-RAM disc and you use the Live File System file format, you can delete one or more files to make more room on the disc.

---

Play special features on a DVD
Windows Media Player provides you with special features when you play a DVD that supports the special features. For example, you can set parental controls to prevent a child who uses your computer from playing a DVD that contains inappropriate content. Or you can change the camera angle or play special features on a DVD.

---

Close or finalize a CD or DVD
Before you can use a recordable disc (such as CD-R, DVD-R, or DVD+R) formatted with the Live File System format in other computers and devices, you need to close the current disc session to prepare the disc for use. By default, Windows closes your disc automatically when it is ejected.

---

Burn a CD or DVD in Windows Media Player
You can use Windows Media Player to copy music, pictures, and videos from your library to a blank CD or DVD. This process is known as burning.

---

Burn a CD or DVD in Windows Media Center
You can burn many different types of CDs and DVDs in Windows Media Center. This lets you decide what type of DVD or CD you want to create, based on how and what you want to use to play the content after it is burned to a disc.

---

Start Windows Media Center automatically when Windows starts
You can have Windows Media Center start immediately every time you start Windows.

---

The Start menu
The Start menu is the main gateway to your computer's programs, folders, and settings. It's called a menu because it provides a list of choices, just as a restaurant menu does. And as "Start" implies, it's often the place that you'll go to start or open things. Use the Start menu to do these common activities: Start programs; Open commonly used folders; Search for files, folders, and programs; Adjust computer settings; Get help with the Windows operating system; Turn off the computer; Log off from Windows or switch to a different user account.

---

Burn a CD or DVD in Windows Media Player: frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some common questions about burning CDs or DVDs in Windows Media Player. What can I burn? What types of CDs or DVDs can I burn? What is a data disc? Is that the same as an MP3 disc? Can I burn the contents of a one disc, such as a music CD, a data CD, or a data DVD, directly to another disc using the Player? How do I burn music to a portable music player device? How can I burn movies to a DVD? Why do the songs on the data disc I burned play in a different order than the list I created? Why doesn't the disc I burned play in my CD player? Why doesn't this blank disc work for burning? How do you erase an already-burned CD? Why do one or more of the items in the burn list have an Information button next to them? Why can I play and add certain songs to the burn list, but can't burn them to a CD? How do you acquire burning rights for protected songs? Why are there occasionally long gaps between songs on the CDs I burn? How can I tell if a custom burned CD is an audio or a data disc? How can I tell if my CD drive is a CD burner? How do I get a CD burner? How can I find out the status of the disc I am burning? Why doesn't the Player recognize my USB-connected burner? Why am I asked if I want to skip a file when burning starts? How do I save my burn list? What does it mean when the Player states it is "inspecting" after I click Start Burn?

---

Start your computer in safe mode
Safe mode starts Windows with a limited set of files and drivers. Startup programs do not run in safe mode, and only the basic drivers needed to start Windows are installed. Safe mode is useful for troubleshooting problems with programs and drivers that might not start correctly, or that might prevent Windows from starting correctly. If a problem does not reappear when you start in safe mode, you can eliminate the default settings and basic device drivers as possible causes. If a recently installed program, device, or driver prevents Windows from running correctly, you can start your computer in safe mode and then remove the program that is causing the problem.

---

Burn a CD or DVD
If your computer includes a CD or DVD recorder, you can copy files to a writeable disc. This process is called burning a disc. By default, Windows burns discs in the Live File System format, but you can also choose to burn discs in the Mastered format.

---

Format a CD or DVD
Before you can copy files to a CD or DVD, the disc must first be prepared using a process called formatting. There are several ways to format a CD or DVD disc. Your choice of format determines which computers and other devices will be able to read the disc.

---

Desktop basics
If you want to learn your way around Windows Vista, this demo is a good place to start. You'll discover the basics of using the Start menu, the taskbar, the desktop, and Windows Sidebar. These four areas help you access and interact with your programs, files, and folders.

---

Customize the Start menu
Organizing the Start menu can make it easier to find your favorite programs and folders. learn how to: pin a program icon to the Start menu, remove a program icon from the Start menu, move the Start button, clear recent items from the Start menu, adjust the number of shortcuts for frequently used programs, customize the right pane of the Start menu, restore Start menu default settings, search for programs from the Start menu, add the Run command to the Start menu.

---

Which drivers get loaded in safe mode?
Safe mode starts Windows with only the basic drivers and services listed here. Learn: Devices and drivers that start in safe mode; Windows services that start in safe mode; Network-related devices and services that start in Safe Mode with Networking.

---

What's new with the Start menu?
The Start menu has a new search feature so you can easily find the programs or folders you're looking for. The information is organized more efficiently than in previous versions of Windows, and there are new buttons for locking your computer or putting it into a low-power state called sleep mode. Of course, the Start menu is still the place to find and organize your program shortcuts and links to favorite places. It's also still the place to turn your computer off or log off.

---

Firewall FAQ
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about firewalls. What is a firewall?Why do I need a firewall? How can I tell if my computer already has a firewall? How can I tell which version of Windows I'm running? How do I start using the firewall in Windows Vista or Windows XP? How does Windows Firewall work? What else do I need besides a firewall? Should I use a firewall if I have more than one computer in a home or small office network? Should I turn on Windows Firewall on all computers on my home network? My computer is part of a large business, school, or organizational network should I turn on the firewall? I have Windows Vista. Can I use a firewall other than the built in firewall? Should I use both the built in firewall and a software firewall from a different company? Should I use Windows Firewall on a computer that is also behind a hardware firewall? What does Windows Firewall protect against? What doesn't Windows Firewall protect against? Will a firewall protect my wireless network? Some of my games and other programs seem to have stopped working after I turned on Windows Firewall. Why? I am unable to establish a Remote Assistance connection in Windows XP after turning on Windows Firewall, could this be related? Where can I get more information about the Windows Firewall and firewalls in general?

---

Change settings for burning a CD or DVD in Windows Media Player
There are a number of settings you can customize to make burning in Windows Media Player work better for you.

---

Change Windows to Classic view
Classic view gives Windows the look and behavior of earlier versions. You can change just the Start menu or Control Panel to Classic view, or use the Windows Classic theme for a broader change. You can also change your folders to Classic view, which turns off the Navigation pane, Preview pane, and toolbar in all folders. This setting gives you more room to display files because it hides panes you might not need. Learn how to:change the Start menu to Classic view, change the Control Panel to Classic view, change the theme to Windows Classic, change folders to Classic view.

---

Troubleshoot Windows installation problems
Here are solutions to some common problems with installing Windows. I do not have a product key. I get a message saying there is a problem copying files. My computer won't start from the Windows installation disc. My computer stops responding during installation and displays a blue or black screen or a screen that doesn't change. An error message appeared during installation. A program or a device doesn't work since I upgraded to Windows Vista. I need help installing or upgrading to Windows Vista. My computer loses power during installation. My monitor does not display a clear image, or has no image, since I installed Windows. My computer cannot play sound since I installed Windows. I can't upgrade to Windows Vista from my language version of Windows XP. I can't find the answer to my problem in this topic.

---

Windows Sidebar: frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some common questions about Windows Sidebar. What is Windows Sidebar? How do I open Sidebar? Can I customize Sidebar? Can I change the width of Sidebar? What are some of the gadgets that come with this version of Windows? Can I install more gadgets? How do gadgets work? Can I remove gadgets? Can I resize gadgets? Can I build my own gadgets? How can I stop Sidebar from opening automatically when I start my computer?

---

Play a CD or DVD in Windows Media Center
If you want to control Windows Media Center with a remote control, an optional Windows Media Center remote control is required. Using Windows Media Center, you can play audio and data CDs, as well as video and data DVDs. This lets you enjoy both commercial CDs and DVDs, as well as CDs and DVDs that you have created.

---

Advanced startup options (including safe mode)
The Advanced Boot Options menu lets you start Windows in advanced troubleshooting modes. You can access the menu by turning on your computer and pressing the F8 key before Windows starts.Topics covered:Repair your computer; Safe mode; Safe mode with networking; Safe mode with command prompt; Enable boot logging; Enable low resolution video (640 480); Last Known Good Configuration (advanced); Directory services restore mode; Debugging mode; Disable automatic restart on system failure; Disable Driver Signature Enforcement; Start Windows normally; as this helpful?

---

Publish a movie in Windows Movie Maker
When you finish working on a project, you can publish the project as a movie. A movie is a Windows Media file with a .wmv file name extension or an Audio Video Interleaved (AVI) file with an .avi file name extension. When you publish a movie in Windows Movie Maker, you can share it with others in a number of ways through your computer, on a recordable CD, on a recordable DVD, as an attachment in an email message, or on videotape in a DV camera .

---

Change the Start menu to Classic view
The Classic view of the Start menu might be familiar if you've used earlier versions of Windows.

---

Play games in Windows Media Center
Windows Vista, together with its media partners, offer on-demand online games that you can play on your Windows Media Center computer. The additional icons that appear in Online Media on the start screen in Windows Media Center vary by country/region.

---

What happened to the Run command?
The Search box that appears on the Start menu in this version of Windows provides much of the same functionality as the Run command. However, the Run command is still available if you prefer to use it. You can even add it to the Start menu for easier access.

---

Windows Mail: Setting up an account from start to finish
Setting up your email is a bit like setting up a new computer: You do it only once. After you configure your email accounts in Windows Mail, you never have to hassle with it again unless, of course, you open a new email account.Windows Mail allows you to send and receive messages from multiple email accounts. You can set up Windows Mail to work with many types of providers, from the biggest, most popular email services all the way down to the smallest Internet service provider (ISP).

---

What to do if Windows won't start correctly
Because troubleshooting system problems is a complex process, and hardware and software configurations can vary greatly, there are many approaches you can take to fixing problems that might prevent Windows from starting (booting) correctly. Here are some tools you can use and strategies you can try:

---

Add or remove Recent Items on the Start menu
Recent Items, which is located on the right side of the Start menu, displays a list of the files that you've used recently. You can open a file from this list by clicking it. Recent Items appears on the Start menu by default, but you can remove it, which will stop Windows from compiling a list of your recently opened files. If you want to begin compiling a list of your recently opened files again, you can add Recent Items back to the Start menu.

---

Set up Windows to automatically play CDs and DVDs
You can set up your computer so that when you insert a CD or DVD, it will play automatically and you won't have to select your preferences every time.

---

View a video using the entire screen in Windows Media Player
You can watch a video, TV show, DVD, or song with a visualization in Windows Media Player in full-screen mode. When the Player is in full-screen mode, you can control playback with either the on-screen controls that appear on top of the video or you can use the buttons and other controls on a compatible mouse.

---

Disc burning: frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some common questions about burning a disc. Why are there two different ways to format a disc? How much hard disk space do I need to burn a disc? Can I choose where the disc image is stored? If I have more than one writeable drive, how do I set one as the default for burning discs? Do I need to close or finalize my disc when I'm done burning? How many times can I close a disc, reinsert it, and then burn more files in a new session? Can I burn a disc using an existing ISO image? Can I make additional copies of a disc I just burned? How do I copy a disc? How do I make a music or a video disc that will work in a CD or DVD player? I'm trying to burn a CD or DVD over Remote Desktop Connection, and I dont see the AutoPlay dialog box or option to burn a CD or DVD. How can I burn a disc over Remote Desktop Connection ?

---

What are the system recovery options in Windows Vista?
The System Recovery Options menu in this version of Windows contains several tools that can help you recover Windows from a serious error. You can perform repairs to the files that Windows uses to start itself, perform a restore operation using System Restore, and restore your entire computer and system files using backups that you have made previously. The System Recovery Options menu is on the Windows installation disc. The menu might also be installed on your hard disk if your computer has preinstalled recovery options.

---

Install a display language
You can change the language Windows uses to display text in wizards, dialog boxes, menus, and other items in the user interface. Some display languages are installed by default; others require you to install additional language files. Before you can install a display language, you need access to the language files. These files can be on your computer, on a computer on your network, or on your Windows DVD; or they can be downloaded from the web. For more information, see How do I get additional language files?

---

Which CD or DVD format should I use?
Which format you should use is determined by the computer you're going to use to read the information after it's saved. Pick the appropriate disc and format for your needs: Find the example in the table below that best describes your situation. Then insert the recommended kind of disc and choose the appropriate format when you prepare your disc for burning. The following table describes the different CD or DVD burning situations you might encounter and provides advice about which format to use.

---

Troubleshoot problems in Windows Media Player
Here are solutions to some common problems with Windows Media Player. How do I contact technical support for Windows Media Player? Is there a newsgroup that focuses on using Windows Media Player? How do I display detailed information about the Player components and codecs installed on my computer? I encountered an error message. How do I find out what its error code is? How do I learn more about a particular error message? When I click the Web Help button, nothing happens. Why? Why does a red or blue button appear beside some items in the library or List pane? How do I troubleshoot problems with audio or video playback? How do I troubleshoot problems with burning a CD or DVD? How do I troubleshoot problems with codecs? How do I troubleshoot problems with the library? How do I troubleshoot problems with media information, such as song names and album art? How do I troubleshoot problems with media usage rights and protected files? How do I troubleshoot problems with playlists? How do I troubleshoot problems with sync?

---

What is User Account Control?
User Account Control (UAC) is a feature in Windows that can help prevent unauthorized changes to your computer. UAC does this by asking you for permission or an administrator password before performing actions that could potentially affect your computer's operation or that change settings that affect other users. When you see a UAC message, read it carefully, and then make sure the name of the action or program that's about to start is one that you intended to start .

---

How to Extract Files from the Vista Installation DVD
This will show you how to extract original files from the retail Vista installation DVD. You can then use these extracted files to replace missing or corrupted system files in your current Vista installation.

---