If you are using your Google Chrome browser and suddenly notice a constant flickering after you’ve upgraded your Windows 10 computer, read on as this post will help you sort out the issue. A lot of users have reported this screen flickering issue in Chrome after having upgraded their devices to a recent Windows 10 build. The bizarre thing about this problem is that it only affects the Google Chrome browser and when it occurs, the Chrome browser will start to flash or flicker.
According to users who experience the problem in Chrome, it seems to get worse when they try to play videos on YouTube or other streaming sites. To resolve this problem, many users tried to use Chrome in Incognito Mode, cleared the browser cache as well as cookies. They even tried resetting the browser settings and reinstall Chrome but nothing seems to work. Worry not though as there are still other options you can try to fix the problem and they’re easy ones so you’ll have no problem following them.
The screen flickering problem in Chrome appears to be related to the Windows background and color settings as well as incompatible display drivers. This is why it is advised that you have both the video card drivers and Chrome browser updated to prevent the same problem from happening again.
To get started troubleshooting the screen flickering issue in Chrome, refer to the following options.
Option 1 – Try modifying the background and colors settings
Tap the Win + I keys to open the Settings app.
From Settings, go to Personalization to load the Background Preferences and if this window does not appear, just select the Background option from the left side panel.
Next, select a Solid Color as the new background from the drop-down menu.
After that, check if the problem is fixed. This should be fixed especially if the one that’s causing screen flickering is the Windows automatic background switching.
Once you’ve selected the Solid color as the background preference, go to the Colors tab under Personalization. This will open a new window and from there, check the box of the “Automatically pick an accent color from my background” option.
Now close the Settings app and open Chrome again.
Option 2 – Try to update or rollback the Graphics driver
You can try to update your Graphics card driver using the Device Manager in your computer to resolve the blank dialog boxes problem or you can also go directly to the website of your graphics card manufacturers like NVIDIA, Intel, or AMD and go to the section called Drivers then check if there’s a new available update – if there is, download and install it.
To update your Graphics driver via Device Manager, refer to these steps:
First, boot your computer into Safe Mode.
After that, tap the Win + R keys to launch Run.
Type in devmgmt.msc into the box and tap Enter or click OK to open the Device Manager.
After that, a list of device drivers will be displayed. From there, look for the Display Adapters and click on them.
After that, right-click on each entry under the Display Adapters and select the “Uninstall Device” option from the menu.
Now restart your computer.
After restarting your computer, go to the Settings app and Check for Updates in the Windows Update section.
Note: If updating the Graphics driver didn’t fix the problem, you can also try to roll back to its previous version and see if that helps.
Option 3 – Try to disable the Hardware Acceleration
For better performance, Google Chrome uses the Hardware Acceleration by default. Unfortunately, there are just some cases when your hardware, GPU to be specific, might not be able to cope with the requirements, resulting in the black screen issue. And if this is your case, you should try to disable the hardware acceleration from your Google Chrome browser settings panel. To do so, follow the steps below.
Open the Google Chrome settings page.
Click on the Advanced button to get more options.
Look for the option called “Use hardware acceleration when available” and then disable it by toggling the button to the left.
After that, check if the screen flickering issue in Chrome is fixed.
Option 4 – Try to disable “Smooth Scrolling” in Chrome
Disabling “Smooth Scrolling” in Chrome might also help you fix the issue. To do so, follow these steps:
Open Chrome and type “chrome://flags” and hit Enter.
Next, look for a flag named “Smooth Scrolling”. You can scroll down until you find it or search it in the Search Flag bar. Note that Smooth Scrolling is enabled by default in the newer versions of Chrome.
After that, select the drop-down menu and select Disabled.
Error code 0x801901F7, also known as “The Server Stumbled” error because it shows a message saying “The Server Stumbled. We all have bad days” is associated with Windows Store. Server Stumbled Error 0x801901F7 is an error related to the MS server. The error occurs due to damaged registry files, malware, virus, and corrupted data. You should fix this error to prevent a system crash or a BSOD error. There are some things you can do to fix it. These are not so complex. So, anyone can try these methods to fix error 0x801901F7.
Common Symptoms for error 0x801901F7:
Problems with Windows startup
System becomes very slow or the system freezes
Blue screen of death appears
Windows fails to start some process due to Stop error code 0x801901f7
Solution
Error Causes
This error is generally caused by corrupt registry files.
Virus infection can cause this problem.
Outdated driver, missing .DLL files may also cause this error.
Microsoft server overload may cause this problem as well.
Incorrect configuration may cause this problem.
Further Information and Manual Repair
To fix error 0x801901f7, there are four methods listed below. Some might work for you and some might not. Please try all of them to fix this error.
Method 1:
Basic method to fix error code 0x801901F7: Resetting Windows Store Cache
Most of the time clearing or resetting the cache helps. It doesn't always work, but you should try this first before moving on to some advanced methods which are mentioned below.
To reset the Windows Store cache please follow the simple steps below
Open RUN by searching or pressing "Windows Key + R"
Type "wsreset.exe" and press Enter or click on OK.
Windows Store will open automatically along with a command prompt.
This will reset Windows Store and you might see it loading as it should.
This method might work but if it fails to solve Error 0x801901F7 then follow the method below.
Method 2:
Advanced method of fixing error code 0x801901F7: Deleting Windows Store database file.
By using this method, you will be deleting the database file for Windows Store. This file is located on your C drive or the drive where you installed your Operating System. Follow the steps below.
Navigate to C:WindowsSoftwareDistributionDataStoreDataStore.edb.
Delete DataStore.edb file from there.
Now Open Windows Store and see if you still get error code 0x801901F7.
The Datastore.edb file that you deleted will be automatically created once you perform Step 3 which is launching Windows Store.
If you still cannot get this error away then Close Windows Store and Reboot your PC then Launch Windows Store Again.
Method 3:
Modifying Windows update properties:
Perform the steps below only if the above-mentioned methods fail. You will be tweaking a few things in the Windows update to see if it helps.
Open Task Manager by right-clicking on Taskbar, then click on Task Manager.
Go to Services Tab. Click on Open Services at the very bottom of the Window.
Now a new window will pop up. Scroll down & find "Windows Update" from the list.
Double click on Windows update to open up its Properties.
Now from the Startup Type drop-down list, select Automatic. Click on Apply, Start, and then Ok.
Now you need to perform just one more step. Reset Windows Store again (Refer to method 1 for Steps). This should fix your Windows Store error that shows The Server Stumbled with 0x801901F7 Error Code.
Method 4:
If the error is due to a problem with a driver, then follow the method below to uninstall the current driver:
Open the Run command and type “sysdm.cpl” in the text box.
Click Enter.
Open the Hardware tab on the system properties dialog box.
Then press on Device Manager.
Double press on Device type and then press on the hardware device that is reporting error code 0x801901F7.
Go to the Driver tab and press on Uninstall button to uninstall the device driver completely.
Now, install the new driver on your computer.
Restart your computer.
Run virus scan of your PC
Try using a different USB port.
If you do not possess the technical expertise required to accomplish this yourself or do not feel comfortable doing so, download and install a powerful automated tool to get the job done.
Spying via some malicious app on the target phone is not a new thing but it can be very uncomfortable and even against the law in some countries.
Infecting the target phone can be done in various ways, another person can intentionally download and install applications on it, and you can install them via some phishing attacks or by an online scam. Once installed this piece of software presents a very serious invasion of privacy since it can track text messages, track phone location in real-time, record calls in real-time, eavesdrop on calls, take control of the camera and microphone, and many other applications.
Here are some common symptoms of mobile phones infected with spyware.
Symptoms of spyware
Random reboots Slow performance Strange text messages Overheating Unusual high data usage Non-familiar apps in the app list The fast drain of the battery Long shutdown time Strange interference and sounds during calls Signs of activity during standby mode
If your phone exhibits any of these symptoms you might have a spyware app installed and running on it.
Common spy apps
There are many apps that have been designed to spy on people that can be downloaded in the app store or on Google Play today. Most of these spyware apps are aimed at parents wanting to keep an eye on and protect their children. However, these can be used by anyone in order to spy on a target person via their phone.
Below is a list of common apps that can be used to spy on you. Many spyware apps require a phone to be ‘jailbroken’ or ‘rooted’ before being installed, this is when the phone’s operating system is changed to allow the phone to become unlocked and customizable.
mSpy : An undetectable spying app for iOS devices. It can be used to read your chats, see your location, view your email, check your call history, record your keystrokes, and more.
Spyera : This app requires rooted and jail-broken iPhones to work. It can go undetected and monitors phone calls and your call history. It even allows call recording and eavesdropping on live calls.
Flexispy : Flexispy prides itself as the #1 phone monitor for parents and can monitor everything from calls to social texts.
Umobix : This powerful spyware app has a dashboard that allows users to easily monitor someone’s location, calls, texts, keystrokes, all major social media, and more. You can detect Umobix because it heats up the infected phone and greatly affects the battery life of the infected device.
Ikey Monitor : Although it requires the device to be rooted for Android or jailbroken for iPhones, this spy app captures keystrokes, passwords, and screenshots, allows for call recording and supports multiple languages.
Clevguard : Available for both iOS and Android, Clevguard allows users to track GPS and Wi-Fi locations, capture screenshots remotely, and more. Due to a recent update, the spy app drains the target phone’s battery significantly.
Remove spyware from your phone
If any of the beforementioned apps are present on your phone you need to remove them right away.
Go to your phone settings and remove the malicious applications, then download some protection suite and scan the whole phone for any other trace of software remains or other malware apps.
Code 34 is one of the several Device Manager error codes. This error code indicates that a hardware device on your PC is not properly configured.
This usually occurs when the device installed on your system is a non-plug and play. Non-plug and play devices don’t configure automatically and require manual configuration from the users end.
Error code 34 is usually displayed in the following format:
“Windows cannot determine the settings for this device. Code 34”
Solution
Error Causes
Error code 34 may be triggered due to several reasons like:
Improper device configuration
Missing or outdated drivers
Device Manager error codes like code 34 are easy to fix. These error codes don’t indicate any serious PC problem, nor are they fatal like blue screen of death error codes.
Nonetheless fixing it immediately is advisable to ensure the proper functioning of the plugged-in hardware device. If you don’t resolve it, you may not be able to use the device.
Further Information and Manual Repair
When PC users experience error codes like code 34, they instantly think of hiring a professional for repair especially if they lack technical understanding.
If you are not a technical whiz and you are also thinking of hiring a professional for the repair job, then don’t! Here’s why, to begin with, Device Manager error codes can be resolved easily, better yet you can fix it by yourself without spending a dime even if you are not technically sound.
To help you, below is a list of easy and effective repair solutions for error code 34. Try them to resolve the issue.
Method 1 - Configure the Device by Using Device Manager
This is one of the best ways to resolve error code 34 on your system. The procedure will take 5 to 7 minutes. Simply follow the steps illustrated below to configure the problematic device on your PC.
First off, go to the start menu
Now type Device Manager in the search bar and press enter to continue
Now in the Device Manager locate the problematic device and click on it
Click on the resources tab to change the resource settings
Now click on the Use Automatic Settings check box
After that click on the Settings based on the tab and then click on the hardware configuration of the device you want to change
Press resource type in the resource settings box to make further changes
Once that is done, click change settings and type a new value for the resource type
Method 2 - Consult the Hardware Manufacturer for Resource Settings
You may not be able to configure resource settings for some devices in such an event it is advisable to consult your hardware manufacturer. Your hardware manufacturer can provide you with specific resource settings. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to repair error code 34.
If the error continues to persist even after device configuration, then the problem may be linked to driver corruption. In that case, try method 3.
Method 3 - Download DriverFIX to Update Drivers Automatically
Whether code 34 is caused by outdated or corrupted drivers, simply download DriverFIX to resolve. DriverFIX is an advanced and user-friendly software program deployed with an intelligent programming system.
The software scans your PC to detect all problematic drivers. It finds and matches the latest and compatible versions and then updates the drivers accordingly that too automatically and on a regular basis.
Click here to download DriverFIX to repair Device Manager error code 34 on your PC automatically.
Entry Point not found dll errors are common in Windows PC. These errors indicate poor PC maintenance. An entry point is basically the memory address inside the dynamic link library. It contains the call being made.
A dynamic link library on the other hand is a collection of small programs which use and request this call to run and load programs successfully on your PC. However, when this process is unable to be executed successfully, you come across ‘entry point not found dll’ error messages.
Solution
Error Causes
Generally speaking, some of the typical causes of ‘entry point not found dll’ errors are:
Missing, corrupted, and damaged dll files
Registry overloaded with invalid entries
Disk fragmentation
Viral infection
It is advisable to resolve these ‘entry point not found dll’ errors on your PC immediately because dll errors can cause you a great deal of inconvenience as you may be locked out and unable to access your desired programs.
Furthermore, if dll errors are left unresolved, such errors can expose your PC to serious threats like system failure, system damage, corruption, and crash.
Further Information and Manual Repair
Though ‘entry point not found dll’ errors are critical errors but the good news is that these can be easily resolved. To fix dll errors on your PC, you don’t always have to hire a professional technician or be a computer programmer yourself.
Here are some of the best DIY (do it yourself) ways to resolve ‘entry point not found dll’ errors on your system:
1. Reinstall the Deleted Program
This method to resolve ‘entry point not found dll’ error code is very basic. It is advisable to uninstall and then reinstall the deleted program to retrieve the missing or deleted dll files. Here’s why: dll files are shared files. There are multiple programs on your PC that may be using one type of dll file to load.
Now when you uninstall a program that you no more need on your PC, chances are that it may also delete that particular dll file. And when this happens the other programs supported by the deleted dll file are unable to load.
Therefore, in such an event the best way to retrieve the missing dll file is to uninstall the program that displays the errors message and then reinstall it. This will help you restore the missing dll file and run the program successfully.
2. Install an Antivirus and a Registry Cleaner
As mentioned above, ‘entry point not found dll’ errors indicate poor PC maintenance. If you don’t maintain your system, the registry overloads with bad and invalid entries, redundant and obsolete files, junk files and cookies. These files acquire a lot of space which damages dll files and the registry.
Furthermore, due to data volume overload and less storage space, files are then saved in different places.
This is also known as disk fragmentation. When these files are called, it takes a lot of time for the disk to consolidate fragmented data and execute the function successfully.
To resolve these issues, you need to clean and restore the registry. Though this can be done manually it may be slightly complicated and time consuming therefore it is advisable to install and run a registry cleaner.
Restoro.
In addition to this, due to poor PC maintenance, viruses and malware can also enter your system unknowingly through file downloads and phishing emails.
These can also damage dll files. To remove viruses and malware from your PC it is important to run an anti-virus. Instead of downloading both tools separately on your system, we recommend Restoro.
This is a multi-functional and advanced PC fixer embedded with an intuitive algorithm and a user-friendly interface. It includes multiple utilities including a powerful antivirus, a high functional registry cleaner, and Active X controls and class scanner. It also functions as a system optimizer.
By running this software on your system, you can easily scan all registry issues and viruses simultaneously.
It repairs the damaged registry and dll files, removes unnecessary files and all types of malicious software. It is compatible with all Windows versions. It is easy to use and high on performance.
It is a one-stop solution for all ‘entry point not found dll’ errors on your PC. In just a few clicks you can resolve system errors and optimize your PC performance dramatically.
Click here to download Restoro and resolve ‘entry point not found dll’ errors.
As you know the Windows 10 operating system is has a lot of features and some of them are related to turning off your computer in different ways in order to save power at different levels. These particular features are Shut down, Restart, Hibernate, and Sleep. However, there are times when you might encounter some issues when using any of the aforementioned features. One of these issues is when your computer shuts down instead of going to Sleep.
This issue could be caused by several factors including a bug related to the Intel Management Engine Interface or IMEI driver as well as any misconfiguration in the power settings of the BIOS or UEFI. If your computer is going through this problem, read on as this post will guide you in fixing it.
There are several potential fixes you can try to fix the problem. You can try to check the Sleep Advanced Settings or run the built-in Power troubleshooter or run the Power Efficiency Diagnostic Report. In addition, you can also try to troubleshoot the problem in a Clean Boot State or reset or update the BIOS.
Option 1 – Check the Sleep Advanced Settings
Click on the Windows key and type “control panel” in the field and select the related search result.
Next, select the Security and Maintenance option and click on the Power Options.
After that, you have to select the Change Plan Settings but keep in mind that this option is barely readable so you need to read each option carefully.
Now click on the Change advanced power settings button and a new window will appear.
Then look for the “Sleep” option and expand it. Make sure that the “Allow hybrid sleep” option is on.
Reboot your computer and check if your computer now functions properly. If it still didn’t work, you may have to reverse the changes you’ve made.
Option 2 – Try to run the Power troubleshooter
The next thing you can do is to run the Power troubleshooter. To do so, follow these steps:
Go to Settings and navigate to Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
After that, look for the “Power” option from the given list of built-in troubleshooters and click on it.
Next, click on the “Run the troubleshooter” button to run the Power troubleshooter.
Once the troubleshooter is done identifying the problems, follow the next on-screen instructions to resolve the problem.
Option 3 – Troubleshoot Sleep Mode issue in a Clean Boot State
The issue with Sleep Mode might be caused by some third-party programs installed on your computer. This program might be the one that puts your computer to sleep and so to isolate this possibility, you have to put your PC in a Clean Boot State using the steps below.
Log onto your PC as an administrator.
Type in MSConfig in the Start Search to open the System Configuration utility.
From there, go to the General tab and click “Selective startup”.
Clear the “Load Startup items” check box and make sure that the “Load System Services” and “Use Original boot configuration” options are checked.
Next, click the Services tab and select the “Hide All Microsoft Services” check box.
Click Disable all.
Click on Apply/OK and restart your PC. (This will put your PC into a Clean Boot State. And configure Windows to use the usual startup, just simply undo the changes.)
After that, try to put your computer to sleep again.
Option 4 – Try to run the Power Efficiency Diagnostics Report
You could also try to run the Power Efficiency Diagnostics Report to fix the problem. This tool is helpful and will help you analyze the status of the battery but note that this can be quite overwhelming especially if you’re not well-versed in this matter.
Option 5 – Try to update the BIOS
Updating the BIOS can help you fix the ATTEMPTED_WRITE_TO_READONLY_MEMORY BSOD error but as you know, BIOS is a sensitive part of a computer. Even though it is a software component, the functioning of the hardware depends on it largely. Thus, you must be careful when modifying something in the BIOS. So if you don’t know much about it, it’s best if you skip on this option and try the other ones instead. However, if you are well-versed in navigating the BIOS, then follow the steps below.
Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
Next, type “msinfo32” in the field and press Enter to open System Information.
From there, you should find a search field on the bottom where you have to search for the BIOS version and then press Enter.
After that, you should see the developer and version of the BIOS installed on your PC.
Go to your manufacturer’s website and then download the latest version of BIOS on your computer.
If you are using a laptop, make sure that you keep it plugged in until you have updated the BIOS.
Now double click on the downloaded file and install the new BIOS version on your computer.
Now restart your computer to apply the changes made.
Note: If updating the BIOS didn’t help, you might want to consider resetting it instead.
If you have a laptop that is slowing down and some usual tasks are sluggish you probably mean that it is time to change it and get a new one. Altho it is a good solution and it will guarantee that you will be able to do your tasks with more speed and comfort, straight purchasing is not always the best thing to do.
There are things you can do and some upgrades that are cheaper and will bring your laptop back into the game and extend its usage for a few more years.
1. Clean it
The most common issue for slowing down of computer is dust and dirt that accumulates over time and usage. If the laptop has not been properly cleaned in a while, cleaning it and placing new thermal paste on the CPU can do wonders. If you are not keen on doing this yourself or do not possess the required skillset take it to your local IT center for cleaning.
2. Uninstall software that you are not using
Various software can have speeding effects on computers, it can have some services running in the background and thus take precious resources slowing the whole system. If you are not using software, uninstall it.
3. Do not install the latest software
If you are using your computer for basic tasks there is no really need to install the latest and best. A lot of new software will require new hardware and things that offer are not so much better nor even required to justify the upgrade. Let us take office, for example, if you are using it to just write some text and not using any advanced options there is really no need to switch to a newer version, the old one will do just fine tasks that you are in need of.
4. Replace HD
Now this fits in the domain of upgrading your hardware but still it is much cheaper than replacing the whole laptop. Windows 10 works much better with SSD and SSD itself is faster than your standard HD, especially if it is slower model spinning in only 5400RPM. Operation of HD replacement is simple and straightforward and anyone can do it but the benefits of replacement will be visible right away. With a new SSD instead of an old mechanical one, you will have the feeling that you actually bought a new laptop.
5. Add more RAM
This is basically the last thing you can do in order to speed up your old laptop that will not break your bank account. Upgrading RAM was always the thing that can push your computer to have more power and to behave better while you are doing tasks. One important thing here is to first see how much RAM you have in your computer. If you are packing already 8GB then upgrading will not do much but if you have only 4GB, raising it to 6GB or 8GB will be beneficial. Also, check if the model of the laptop supports more RAM in the first place.
Conclusion
We have covered here a vast array of options in order to get your laptop back into the game with variability between hardware upgrades to taking care of your software. Whatever option you choose to do it will speed up your computer but among all of them, replacing the hard drive will do the most.
Sometimes we need and want some apps that are not part of the official Amazon Appstore but having their Fire TV stick prevents us from installing anything that's not in their store, or does it?
You can quickly "jailbreak" given stick and unlock additional installations via different providers. Although the term jailbreaking is associated with illegal and hacker activities rest assured that in this case there is nothing illegal about this procedure and that you are entirely safe.
Jailbreaking process
In order to do this procedure firstly you will have to allow the installation of apps obtained from outside the Amazon Appstore. To do this open the settings menu on your Fire TV Stick and inside settings choose My Fire TV. On the My Fire TV page select Developer Options and inside select Apps From Unknown Sources. The prompt screen will open, choose Turn On to activate the option.
APK installation is enabled now and the next step is to download an app like Downloader that will allow you to get your favorite apps. Downloader is free to download manager fully available on the Amazon Appstore and with it, you can download any kind of file to your device including APKs.
Once installed open the Downloader app and type in the URL or search term in order to find your application of choice but please do get all of your APK from trusted sources in order to avoid exploits and getting malware.
Taking information from the internet or from other sources usually involves selecting the text, copying it into the clipboard, and then pasting it into your file. In today's modern applications pasting text will most of the time take its formating with it.
By formatting what I am talking about are parameters like font size, line breaks, hyperlinks, font styles, etc. and sometimes you do not want any of these in your file, you would like and prefer to have just plain text so you can format it as you wish.
In order to paste just plain text instead of using the CTRL + V keyboard shortcut, press CTRL + SHIFT + V instead. This shortcut will paste the only text into your file.
Shortcut and Microsoft Word
Leave it to Microsoft to make its shortcut not work in their application. In Microsoft Word, you can only use the standard CTRL + V shortcut, if you press CTRL + SHIFT + V nothing will happen. So in order to paste the only text into a word document, choose to paste special > text only
Other applications
I have tried CTRL + SHIFT + V in various applications like photoshop, illustrator, InDesign, visual studio code, slack, discord, WordPress installations, etc and only one that has not worked for me was Word and office in general so you are safe to use this trick and have desired results.
If you have been using Windows for quite some time now then you’re probably aware of the BIOS or UEFI password. This password lock is the one that ensures you enter the set password even before your Windows PC boots up. However, there’s just one downside with the BIOS or UEFI password – there is no recovery option, unlike your Microsoft account. Worry not though for this post will guide you on how you can set or recover a BIOS or UEFI password on your Windows computer.
The BIOS or UEFI passwords are stored at the hardware level which means that unless the OEM wants or has configured a way to recover the password, it is pretty much impossible to reset it. There are times when they are so strict that the only way to get through it by contacting customer care. Note that any Windows computer with this lock can’t be unlocked by trying to reinstall Windows.
In this post, you’re going to have to remove the CMOS battery temporarily, clear unknown BIOS/UEFI passwords using the bios-PW website as well as call customer care. For more details, refer to the options provided below.
Option 1 – Remove the CMOS battery temporarily
In case you didn’t know, every motherboard comes with a CMOS battery which helps the computer system to keep the clock ticking and in making sure that the BIOS settings are not lost when the computer is powered down. Every time a computer is turned on, the CMOS battery ensures that the information is available for the computer to boot up. So when you remove the CMOS battery temporarily, say about 30 seconds or a minute, the settings will be lost. There are some motherboards that are built-in ways that when you remove the battery for long, it will reset everything including the password for the BIOS or UEFI.
Option 2 – Clear the unknown BIOS or UEFI passwords using a bios-PW website
If the first option didn’t work, you can try using this BIOS Password website at http://bios-pw.org/ to clear the password.
When prompted by the BIOS, enter the wrong password a couple of times as doing so will lock you out of the system.
After that, you will see a new number or code on the screen which will include a message about System Disabled [XXXXX] Service TAG [YYYYY].
Next, open the BIOS Password website and enter the XXXXX code in it and make sure to tap the Shift + Enter keys or just enter.
Now it will open multiple unlock keys which you can use to clear out the BIOS or UEFI lock on your Windows PC.
Option 3 – Call the customer care
If the second option still didn’t work, you have to call customer care and follow their suggestions for they will walk you through fixing the problem using the service tag or might suggest that you visit a service center to make things easier for you.
Note: You also have the option to set a BIOS or UEFI password. Although it isn’t recommended, you still can do it if you really want to. Remember that the BIOS or UEFI interface varies from OEM to OEM so you must find something related to either PASSWORD or SECURITY. You will have the following similar options:
Supervisor password – it’s the same as the master password that can change important system settings.
User password – with this password, any user can change minor settings.
Master password – you can use this password for a hard drive or as a general password.
There are several OEMs that offer micro-control where you have to enter the BIOS password. For instance, you’ll have the option to skip for a normal restart, or when you select a boot device while you might have to enter the password for unattended reboots or when your PC is powered on, etc.
And if you are here to remove the password, you need to find a remove password option in the same section. You will be prompted to enter the set password once and if it’s correct, it will remove the BIOS password. After that, you have to save and exit the BIOS then restart your computer and check if the settings are properly applied.
What is Search.schooldozer.com? And how does it function?
Search.schooldozer.com is a browser extension that functions as a search engine. It is developed and maintained by “Schooldozer”. It claims to improve users’ browsing experience by providing them with improved search results. However, it does not really do the things it claims to do. In fact, they’re quite the opposite ones – instead of improving the browsing experience, it makes users’ browsing experience unsafe and full of sponsored content. This is in contrast to what it states in its Privacy Policy:
“Install applications the easy way and without the hassle, using the Schooldozer downloader. The Schooldozer platform stems from years of experience with installing applications, resulting in a highly optimized process, yielding faster downloads, better user experience, and more successful installations.”
In addition, once installed Search.schooldozer.com is installed, it will change the default settings of a browser such as the default search engine, homepage, and new tab page. This is why security experts regard this browser extension as a browser hijacker and a potentially unwanted program. The modification of the browser's settings allows it to control users’ browsing by redirecting them to sponsored sites as well as deliver sponsored content from its affiliated sites in order to gain profit via pay-per-click marketing. And if you think that the ads it displays are harmless, think again for some of these ads can redirect you to suspicious websites that might contain harmful content. What’s more is that this browser hijacker can also keep track and monitor all your browsing activities in order to obtain your browsing data like search queries, what sites you always visit, browsing history, browser type, OS version, and so on. The information collected is then used and may even be shared with its affiliated third parties to deliver more customized and personalized advertisements.
How is Search.schooldozer.com distributed over the web?
Like a typical browser hijacker, Search.schooldozer.com is distributed using the software bundling method where several unknown and unwanted programs are bundled in a software package. Thus when you install any software bundle, make sure to always opt for the Custom or Advanced installation setup rather than the quick setup to avoid installing unwanted programs like Search.schooldozer.com.
To remove Search.schooldozer.com from your computer, follow the removal guide below carefully.
Step 1: Start the removal process by closing all the browsers infected with Search.schooldozer.com. If you’re having a hard time closing them, you can close them using the Task Manager just tap on Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
Step 2: After you open the Task Manager, go to the Processes tab and look for the infected browser’s process and end it.
Step 3: Then close the Task Manager and tap the Win + R keys to open Run and then type in appwiz.cpl to open Programs & Features in Control Panel.
Step 4: From there, look for Search.schooldozer.com or any unfamiliar program that could be related to it under the list of installed programs and once you’ve found it, uninstall it.
Step 5: Edit your Hosts File.
Tap the Win + R keys to open then type in %WinDir% and then click OK.
Go to System32/drivers/etc.
Open the host file using Notepad.
Delete all the entries that contain Search.schooldozer.com.
After that, save the changes you’ve made and close the file.
Step 6: Reset all your browsers to default to their default state.
Google Chrome
Launch Google Chrome, press Alt + F, move to More tools, and click Extensions.
Look for Search.schooldozer.com or any other unwanted add-ons, click the Recycle Bin button, and choose Remove.
Restart Google Chrome, then tap Alt + F, and select Settings.
Navigate to the On Startup section at the bottom.
Select “Open a specific page or set of pages”.
Click the More actions button next to the hijacker and click Remove.
Mozilla Firefox
Open the browser and tap Ctrl + Shift + A to access the Add-ons Manager.
In the Extensions, menu Remove the unwanted extension.
Restart the browser and tap keys Alt + T.
Select Options and then move to the General menu.
Overwrite the URL in the Home Page section and then restart the browser.
Internet Explorer
Launch Internet Explorer.
Tap Alt + T and select Internet options.
Click the General tab and then overwrite the URL under the homepage section.
Click OK to save the changes.
Step 7: Hold down Windows + E keys simultaneously to open File Explorer.
Step 8: Navigate to the following directories and look for suspicious files associated to the browser hijacker such as the software bundle it came with and delete it/them.
%USERPROFILE%Downloads
%USERPROFILE%Desktop
%TEMP%
Step 9: Close the File Explorer.
Step 10: Empty the contents of Recycle Bin.