Windows | MSI HQ User-to-User FAQ https://forum-en.msi.com/faq/ Here you will find most answers that are asked many times before. en-ca svet@forum.msi.com Copyright 2026 Intel Smart Connect https://forum-en.msi.com/faq/article/intel-smart-connect https://forum-en.msi.com/faq/article/intel-smart-connect

Intel Smart Connect Technology


Function Explained:


Intel Smart Connect Technology allows user to be able to receive mails using Microsoft Outlook or social media such as facebook and/or Twitter to receive updates with the latest status even under Sleep mode. 


System will automatically wakes up after a specified period of time to access the internet to retrieve updates and then will automatically goes back to sleep mode thus allowing user to always see the latest status once he/she returns.

 

 

 



 

 

 

Supported Table:

*Z68 chipset on Cougar Point

How to test Smart Connect：

 

Bios Setup

1.       Go to Settings à Advanced à  Intel® Smart Connect Configuration à

Intel Smart Connect Technology = Enabled

Windows Setup:

1.       Install Intel® Smart Connect Technology 2.0 x86(x64) driver and restart the system.

1.       Click start and enter “Regedit”

1.       Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Intel\Intel Smart Connect Technology\Always Updated

4、Add the name [WhiteList] using Multi-String Value。

Value data need to input Outlook.exe and iexplore.exe

5、Add [LoggingEnabled] using DWORD(32-bit) Value，Value data input 2

6、Add [LoggingLevel] using DWORD(32-bit) Value，Value data input 10

And restart system.

7、Execute the Intel Smart Connect Technology

Enable Updating，set the time to 5 minutes to auto update the system every 5 minutes。

8、Open Outlook and set the “Send and Receive” to 1 minute.

 

9、Go to S3 mode。

 

10、After system enters S3 mode, send E-Mails to your Outlook。

Note: When system wake up every 5 minutes, it will automatically refresh and update your

System to the latest status, You will see that the CPU fan will rotate upon system auto wakeup but monitor display will still stays in blank screen and then the system will automatically goes to sleep mode again.

。

11、Manually wake up system and check your Mail should already been downloaded

to your Inbox Email.

 

12、Under Intel Smart Connect Technology Configuration, selecting Advanced mode allow

You to configure when want to use the Intel Smart connect function，when the time sets is outside of the setting configuration, system will only update the system status every 2 hours。

13、You could find the log file under C:\ProgramData\Intel\iSC (which records info like

When the system enters S3 mode, when did the system wakeup etc.。)

]]> Sat, 22 Sep 2012 02:03:24 +0200 How to get help with BSODs (Blue Screens) and random restarts https://forum-en.msi.com/faq/article/how-to-get-help-with-bsods-blue-screens-and-random-rest https://forum-en.msi.com/faq/article/how-to-get-help-with-bsods-blue-screens-and-random-rest

A random restart of your PC, or an appearance of the dreaded 'blue screen of death' usually indicates some kind of hardware problem with your PC.

To help determine the cause of the restarts, you need to stop the PC from automatically restarting when it crashes.

Windows 2000 / XP
Right-click My Computer, select Properties, click on Advanced tab, then click on Settings button under System Startup & Recovery, and untick the Automatically Restart box under System Failure:

Windows Vista / 7
Right-click Computer in Start Menu, select Properties. Click on Advanced System Settings to the left, then click on Settings button under System Startup & Recovery, and untick the Automatically Restart box under System Failure:



Now instead of restarting, next time your PC crashes, you will see the STOP error screen, also affectionately known as the 'Blue Screen Of Death' (or BSOD for short), similar to this:



The most useful bits of this screen for us here is any ERROR_MESSAGE_LIKE_THIS, the STOP error code, and any listed driver failure

Also you can search www.microsoft.com with the STOP error code and find troubleshooting tips and advice


If you are encountering this kind of problem, please start a new topic in the correct hardware area of this forum, and make sure you list your hardware details in your forum signature, as well as the details that you can obtain from your STOP screen error message. please provide as much background information as you can leading up to the occurence of your problem, and you will get much better help that way!

biggthumbsup

Useful links:

 ]]> Sat, 19 Mar 2011 20:04:21 +0100 How to install Windows 7 or Vista from a USB drive https://forum-en.msi.com/faq/article/how-to-install-windows-7-or-vista-from-a-usb-drive https://forum-en.msi.com/faq/article/how-to-install-windows-7-or-vista-from-a-usb-drive This is even easier than installing Windows XP from a USB drive, and will also reduce the time taken to install Windows 7, it took me about 15 minutes!

The advice in the guide is also applicable to installing Vista.

You need basically:
  • a USB flash drive at least 4GB in size
  • a genuine Windows 7 (or Vista) DVD disc

To sum up:
  • Format your USB drive, with the NTFS filesystem
  • Open Command Prompt as an administrator, and run the Bootsect.exe program off the Windows Vista/7 CD to make the USB drive bootable
  • Copy the contents of the Windows Vista/7 DVD to the USB drive
  • Restart your PC, press F11 (or whichever key it is) to access the Boot menu, and select your USB drive to boot from

Full guide here:
http://www.intowindows.com/how-to-install-windows-7vista-from-usb-drive-detailed-100-working-guide/


Alternatively, if you have a downloaded Windows 7 ISO disk image file, you can use Microsoft's own USB DVD Download tool to make a bootable USB drive:
http://emea.microsoftstore.com/UK/en-GB/Service-Centre/Windows-7-USB-DVD-Download-Tool
 ]]> Sat, 19 Mar 2011 20:07:30 +0100 How to repair a Windows XP install https://forum-en.msi.com/faq/article/how-to-repair-a-windows-xp-install https://forum-en.msi.com/faq/article/how-to-repair-a-windows-xp-install
Sometimes it is necessary or desirable to repair your Windows installation.  For instance, you might see Windows showing unusual or unexplained slowdowns, failures to boot, devices no longer working like they used to, etc.

The following step by step procedure shows you how to do the repair.  Note, that you will need the CD key that came with your Windows disk to complete this procedure. 

1.  Make sure boot order in BIOS is set to floppy (if you have one), cd/dvd, and then the HDD your original Windows was installed on.

2.  Insert your original Windows CD into your cd/dvd drive (a slipstreamed cd with SP will also workif you have one).  If the Windows Installion menu appears, select Install Windows.

3.  If that menu does not appear, go to Start, Turn Off Computer, and then select Restart.  After the POST, you will see a prompt, "Press any key to boot from cd..."
so press the space key (any other key will also work).

4.  Let Windows setup continue.

5.  After a short while you will see an option to repair your Windows using the Recovery Console.  Do NOT select this option.  Just continue.

6.  Soon after this you will see a message "Searching for a previous Windows Installation".

7.  When Setup finds your previous Windows installion you will be given an option to Repair that installation.  Follow the prompt on the screen, i.e, press R to repair.

8.  Now just let setup continue until it is complete and you see your desktop.

9.  Then, go to Windows Update (Start, All Programs, Windows Update) and let it search for and install any available service packs, and/or other updates.

10. Lastly, if you have any drivers that are wish to use other than the ones in Windows, just install them in the normal fashion.

Now your Windows is repaired and fully updated, and hopefully the problems you saw previously have been fixed.
]]> Sat, 19 Mar 2011 20:12:08 +0100 How to add a second hard drive for storage https://forum-en.msi.com/faq/article/how-to-add-a-second-hard-drive-for-storage https://forum-en.msi.com/faq/article/how-to-add-a-second-hard-drive-for-storage So you've added another hard drive to your system... its detected correctly in BIOS, and when you boot into Windows its listed in Device Manager, but it is not visible in My Computer and you can't save anything to it because Windows doesn't see it?

Well, if its not partitioned and formatted in a format that Windows recognises, then of course it won't! laugh

Its very easy to do, and as this gets asked so many times, here's a brief step by step guide. (The screenshots are shown from Windows 7, but will appear identical in Windows Vista, and very similar in Windows XP with some different wording)

First of all, right-click Computer in your Start Menu or desktop (My Computer in Windows XP), and in the pop-out menu, select Manage.



This will open up the Computer Management console. In the left-hand pane, under Storage, click on Disk Management (Drive Management in Windows XP). This will then bring up a list of all storage drives connected to your computer, and in the lower half you can visibly see what partitions are on each drive.

Your new drive will be shown here, but it will show as 'Unallocated' (RAW in Windows XP).



Right-click anywhere in the Unallocated space, and in the pop-out menu, select New Volume ('Create partition' in Windows XP). This will open a wizard to help you create and format a partition.

First of all, you can select how big your partition is, if you want to make more than one. By default, it will select the size of the whole drive.

Next you can assign a drive letter. Remember, if you don't assign a drive letter, then the partition will be hidden from Windows.

Next, is where you format your partition. Best leave it at the default setting of NTFS. You can also name your new partition here if you like. A quick format usually suffices, so leave that box ticked.

Click Finish in the next screen, and your partition will be created and formatted.



And your new drive is ready to be used in Windows! Hat-tip
 ]]> Tue, 22 Mar 2011 20:31:53 +0100 Intel Rapid Start https://forum-en.msi.com/faq/article/intel-rapid-start https://forum-en.msi.com/faq/article/intel-rapid-start Intel® Rapid Start Technology User Guide

Intel® Rapid Start Technology enables your system to get up and running faster from even the deepest sleep, saving time and power consumption. Feel secure knowing that your system will resume to working condition in the event of unexpected power loss while in sleep mode.
System Requirements:
For a system to support Intel Smart Response Technology it must have the following:
• Intel® Z77/H77/Q77 Express Chipset-based desktop board
• Intel® Core™ Processor in the LGA1155 package
• Solid State Drive (SSD)
• Hard Disk Drive (optional for Intel Smart Response Technology)
• Operating system: Microsoft Windows 7* (32- or 64-bit edition)
• Intel Rapid Start Technology software

Setup Guide

Operating System Installation

Note: If installing the operating system (OS) on the solid state drive (SSD), ensure that there’s enough partition space left on the SSD to create a Hibernation Partition. Size of the Hibernation Partition must be equal or larger than the amount of system memory.
1. Install Windows 7 on the SSD. If you plan to implement Intel Smart Response Technology, then install the operating system on the hard disk drive (HDD) instead.
Note: Instructions for enabling Intel Smart Response Technology will not be covered here. Please complete the setup for Intel Smart Response Technology before proceeding with Intel Rapid Start Technology.

2. Install all required device drivers. Do not install the Intel Rapid Start Technology software yet.

Configure Intel Rapid Start Technology in BIOS Setup (Visual BIOS)

3. Press the F2 key during boot to enter the Visual BIOS.

4. Click the button for Advanced Setup, and then click Power.

5. Locate the setting for Intel Rapid Start Technology, and click the check box to enable it.

6. Set the option for Hibernation Timer to Immediately.

7. Press the F10 key to save settings, exit BIOS, and restart the computer.

Alternate Steps to Configure Intel Rapid Start Technology in BIOS Setup (non-Visual BIOS or Classic Mode)

8. Press the F2 key during boot to enter the BIOS setup.

9. Scroll to the Power menu.

10. Set the option for Intel Rapid Start Technology to Enabled.

11. Set the option for Hibernation Timer to Immediately.

12. Press the F10 key to save settings, exit BIOS, and restart the computer.

Create a Hibernation Partition on the SSD

13. In the operating system, click the Windows Start button.

14. In the Search box, type in cmd.exe.

15. Right-click on the cmd tool and select Run as administrator.

16. A command line utility will open. Type in diskpart.exe and press Enter.

17. At the DISKPART> prompt, type the following commands, in the order shown:
DISKPART>list disk


DISKPART>select disk X
(X is the disk number where you want to create the store partition. Refer to results from “list disk” for exact disk number. Disk must be an SSD)

DISKPART>create partition primary size=Y000
(Y is the size in GB for the partition. For example, for 8 GB, the value should be 8000. The value of Y should be equal or larger than the amount of memory in the system)

DISKPART>detail disk

DISKPART> select Volume Z
(Z is Volume of your store partition. Refer to results from “detail disk” for exact volume number)

DISKPART>set id=84 override
(The id must be set to 84)

DISKPART>exit

18. Go to Control Panel > System and Security > Administrative Tools > Computer Management > Disk Management.

19. Confirm in Disk Management that there is now a Hibernation Partition on the SSD with the correct size specified earlier.



20. Close Disk Management and restart the system for the BIOS to identify the existence of the newly created hibernation partition for Intel Rapid Start Technology.

Installing the Intel Rapid Start Technology software

21. Run the setup.exe file from the Intel Rapid Start Technology software package.

22. Complete the installation process.

23. Once installation is done, click the Task Bar on the bottom right of the desktop and look for the icon for Intel Rapid Start Technology Manager. Click to launch the tool.



24. Check that the status for Intel Rapid Start Technology is On.

25. Ensure that the Timer is set to On and the slider bar is at position 0. This ensures the system will immediately begin utilizing Intel Rapid Start Technology once the system is put into sleep (S3) mode.



Testing the Intel Rapid Start Technology

26. Click the Windows Start button, and then click Sleep. This will put the system into S3 state.

27. Observe that the system will go into sleep mode, and then quickly wake up again before going into sleep state again. This is normal behavior as the system first transitions into the S3 state (per the OS), and then Intel Rapid Start will wake the system up and move it into the S4 state.

28. The system is now in the S4 state as it cannot be woken up using USB devices such as USB keyboard or mouse.

29. Press the Power Button to resume the system.

30. Observe that the system resume time is as fast as a wake from S3.


* Other names, brands, and logos may be claimed as the property of others.
Intel, the Intel logo, Intel Core, and Core Inside are trademarks of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries.
Copyright © 2012 Intel Corporation. All rights reserved.


Source:
http://download.intel.com/support/motherboards/desktop/sb/rapid_start_technology_user_guide.pdf ]]> Sat, 22 Sep 2012 03:11:35 +0200 Why didn't my notebook come with Windows, only FreeDOS? https://forum-en.msi.com/faq/article/why-didnt-my-notebook-come-with-windows-only-freedos https://forum-en.msi.com/faq/article/why-didnt-my-notebook-come-with-windows-only-freedos
There are a number of reasons for this:
  • it reduces the wholesale cost of the notebook.
  • it allows resellers and distributors to install their own localised version of Windows for languages that MSI HQ do not use (or understand).
  • it gives end-users the choice to purchase and install the version of Windows they choose, or use an existing Windows licence they may have. Or install Linux. Wink

Either way, if you purchase a MSI notebook that does not come with Windows pre-installed, only 'FreeDOS', then it is YOUR responsibility to purchase or use an existing valid legal licence for Windows and install it yourself. Alternatively, for an additional cost, you can ask your reseller if they can provide the notebook with Windows pre-installed.

If your reseller didn't make it clear enough in their advert that no operating system was provided, and you are not happy with your product as a result, then that becomes a matter for you to take up with your reseller, not MSI. ]]> Sun, 08 Apr 2012 16:13:39 +0200