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6 colors of Western Digital

I must admit that I am a big Western Digital fan, I have been using their hard drives really long time and I must admit that I am very happy with their products. Sometimes they could be a little more expensive than other drives on market but security and performance are on their side. If you ever wanted to purchase Western Digital or WD hard drives or you are considering getting one, no doubt that you have come across their color cryptic line of products.

1TB Hard drive can come in 6 different colors in your search products query and if you are not familiar with the WD color coding of hard drives you might be a little lost as to which one is right for you and what are the differences. This article is made to explain exactly that, what are WD colors representing so you can choose the right one for your needs.

Western Digital has decided to use color codes in order to mark their series of disks which means that each color represents different hard drive series and it is made and aimed for different use, we are going to explore in detail each series below:

WD BLUE

Blue series is all around typical hard drive made and meant for daily use in desktop computers for all kinds of tasks. You can use it in casual gaming or for storage, its purpose is tailored for all-around casual daily users.

WD RED

WD Red HDD is designed for NAS and RAID systems. Its purpose is to be turned 24/7 who ever need access to it. Get this series if you need to have constant access to files or if you need a reliable RAID hard drive.

WD GREEN

Green series of the hard drive is manufactured for low power consumption and for storage, they are meant to be used for storage and not accessed regularly.

WD PURPLE

Purple line of hard drive products is designed solely for video surveillance systems. Instead of having a preference on reading data like WD RED, the PURPLE series is given preference on writing, constant writing to be more precise.

WD BLACK

The black series is made for an external storage medium with high performance. Due to the high performance, WD Black hard drives are much popular among photo editors and high-end gamers.

WD GOLD

WD Gold HDD provides a long-term cold storage medium. Therefore, this series of Western Digital hard drives are suitable for data centers. These hard drives can handle many sophisticated systems simultaneously and work well with different servers

That's it, I hope that you have now a more clear understanding of the WD color-coding of its hard drive series. As always thank you for reading and I hope you will have a great day.

If you would like to read more helpful articles and tips about various software and hardware visit errortools.com daily.

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Cannot save media from Microsoft Photos
The Microsoft Photos app is a useful tool that allows users to view, edit, as well as create videos on their Windows 10 computers. Although it works just fine most of the time, there are some instances when you might encounter some issues when using it. One of these issues is when you cannot save media from the Photos app after you’ve edited an image. This is most likely related to a permission issue. However, according to some users, they got the error where the edited media file can’t be saved. When you encounter this kind of error, you will see the following error in your Photos app:
“It looks like you don’t have permission to save changes to this file. Try saving a copy instead.”
There are several options you can explore to resolve this error. You can try updating the Microsoft Photos app or verify the ownership of the destination folder. You can also re-register and reinstall the app. For more detailed instructions, make use of the options provided below.

Option 1 – Try to update the Microsoft Photos app

The first thing you can do to fix the problem is to update the Microsoft Photos app.
  • Open the Microsoft Store and click on the three horizontal dots for the menu located on the top right portion of the window to see the options.
  • Next, select Downloads and updates and then click the Get updates button in the top right. This will install any pending updates for all the apps including the Microsoft Photos app using the Microsoft Store.

Option 2 – Try to verify the ownership of the destination folder

The next thing you can do to fix the error is to verify the ownership of the folder because chances are, the location where you’re trying to save the file might not have enough permissions to read and write the file to the disk. Thus, you need to take ownership of the folder by following these steps:
  • Type “command prompt” in the Windows Search bar and then right-click on the relevant search result and select “Run as administrator”.
  • After that, if a User Account Control or UAC prompt appears, just click on Yes to proceed.
  • Next, type and enter this command: TAKEOWN /F <path>
  • Note that the <path> is the location of the folder or file in File Explorer.
  • Now type and enter this second command: ICACLS <path> /grant administrators:F
  • Finally, once the command has been executed, restart your computer and then see if you can now access the folder or file.

Option 3 – Try resetting the Photos app

If the first option of restarting the background process of the Photos app didn’t work for you, you can try to reset the Photos app so that it will use the default factory settings. Note that this option works when you are experiencing this issue after making a couple of changes in the Photos app.
  • To get started in resetting the Photos app, open the Windows 10 Settings.
  • Then go to Apps > Apps & features.
  • After that, scroll down until you see the Photos app option – click on it and open its Advanced options.
  • From there, you will see the Reset button, click on it and click and then click on it once more to confirm.
Note: The process may take a couple of minutes to complete. Once it’s done, open the pictures again using the Photos app.

Option 4 – Try reinstalling the Photos app

If none of the first two options given above worked, then you might want to consider reinstalling the Photos app. Unlike what most users think, it isn’t really that hard reinstalling preinstalled apps as you have the Windows PowerShell for that. To use this program in reinstalling the Photos app, follow these steps:
  • Open the Windows PowerShell program with admin privileges and key in the following command:
Set-ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted
  • After that, execute this second command to re-register and reinstall the Microsoft Photos app.
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)AppXManifest.xml"}
Note: In the command given, do not forget to replace the “PackageFullName” with the actual package name for the Photos app. After executing the command, it will uninstall the Photos app from your computer so you need to install it again from the Windows Store by simply looking for it. Once you found it, just click on install to start the installation process.
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Fake Windows 11 installers come with malware
Being in the Microsoft Windows insider program will let you get a hands-on new Windows 11, but some people just want Windows 11 without being in the insider program. Well, people beware! It was detected that some groups have been releasing fake Windows 11 installers with malware into them. There’s one malicious file called 86307_windows 11 builds 21996.1 x64 + activator.exe. Based on the filename, one might guess that it includes Windows 11 build 21996.1, and on top of that, there’s something in it that will automatically activate Windows for you. It comes in at 1.75GB, so for some people, that might seem reasonable. It starts out looking like a normal installer, and then there’s a second installer that calls itself a download manager. If you accept the nonsense agreement that’s included, you get a bunch of malware. This is just one example of malicious installers running amok internet, but there are more of them with different software placed inside. Malware can be anything from adware to a Trojan virus. The adware usually isn’t super dangerous. It’s just malware that’s meant to inject your PC with advertisements. Viruses can be more of an issue, and they can be harder to get rid of if your machine is infected. Windows Defender does a good job of getting rid of this stuff. The only problem is that if you’re downloading Windows 11 from shady sources, you’re probably already set to click through the dozen or so warnings that pop up telling you not to install it. The solution will be to get Windows from a trusted source of roll inside the insider program and get it from Microsoft directly.
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Upcoming comic book movies with release dates
upcoming comic moviesThe World of Superhero movies has gone through some interesting variations, from good ones to bad ones, from big-budget ones to small ventures, even from large well-known characters to niche ones. No matter what you think of some of them no one would disagree that since the release of Iron Man and starting Marvel cinematic universe superheroes movies exploded in popularity. Following the Superhero craze, let’s see what is coming up in comic books transferred to big screens with their release dates.

List of upcoming movies

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Sept. 3, 2021 Trailer Venom: Let There Be Carnage, Oct. 15, 2021 Trailer Eternals, Nov. 5, 2021 Trailer Spider-Man: No Way Home, Dec. 17, 2021 Trailer Morbius, Jan. 28, 2022 Trailer The Batman, March 4, 2022 Trailer Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, March 25, 2022 Thor: Love and Thunder, May 6, 2022 DC League of Super-Pets, May 22, 2022 Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, July 8, 2022 Black Adam, July 29, 2022 Trailer Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse 2, Oct. 7, 2022 The Flash, Nov. 4, 2022 The Marvels, Nov. 11, 2022 Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, Dec. 16, 2022
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Fix NVIDIA Control Panel Access denied
As you know, the NVIDIA Control Panel is the central control panel for all devices that run the graphics drivers manufactured by NVIDIA. This control panel comes bundled with the drive package itself which is why there is no need for users to download it or update it separately. However, recently, some users reported that when they tried to make changes to the configuration in the NVIDIA Control Panel, they were unable to do so and encountered an error message instead saying, “Access denied. Failed to apply selected settings to your system”. If you also got the same error message, then you’ve come to the right place as this post will walk you through fixing this error in the NVIDIA Control Panel. There are several suggestions given in this article to fix the error. You can try to run the file named “nvcplui.exe” as an administrator or restore the most recent version of the folder where the aforementioned file is located. You could also try to restart NVIDIA’s process or restart the NVIDIA Display driver service or update the NVIDIA drivers in your computer. For more details, refer to each one of the options given below.

Option 1 – Try running the nvcplui.exe file as an administrator

  • Tap the Win + E keys to open File Explorer and navigate to this path: C:/Program Files/NVIDIA Corporation/Control Panel/Client
  • After that, look for the exe file and right-click on it, and then select the Run as administrator option.
  • Next, select Yes if a User Account Control or UAC prompt appears.

Option 2 – Try to restore the most recent version of the folder

The next thing you can do to fix the error is to restore the most recent version of the folder where the nvcplui.exe file is located. Keep in mind that this option is tricky so you have to be careful.
  • Tap the Win + E keys to open File Explorer.
  • Next, navigate to this path: C:/ProgramData/NVIDIA DRS
  • From there, right-click on the DRS folder and select Properties.
  • After that, go to the Previous Versions, System Protection, or System Restore tab in the Properties window.
  • Now restore the most recent version of the contents inside that folder. This will revert the old working configuration of DRS.

Option 3: Restart the process of the NVIDIA Control Panel

  • Tap the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys to open the Task Manager.
  • After opening the Task Manager, look for the process named NVIDIA Control Panel Application.
  • Once you found it, expand it and right-click on the NVIDIA Control Panel sub-process, and click on End Task.
  • Now try opening the NVIDIA Control Panel from the Start Menu and see if it now works fine or not.

Option 4: Restart the NVIDIA Display Driver Service

  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • Then type “services.msc” in the field and hit Enter to open the Windows Services Manager.
  • After opening the Services window, you will see a list of services. From there, look for services named “NVIDIA Display Container LS” and double click on it to open its Properties.
  • Now make sure that the service is Started. If it isn’t, you need to start it, otherwise, you need to Stop it and Start It again. You also have to make sure that the Startup Type is set to Automatic.
  • Do the same for the NVIDIA LocalSystem Container service.
  • Restart your computer and check if the problem’s fixed.

Option 5– Try updating the drivers from the official site of NVIDIA

If both the first and second given options didn’t work, you can also try updating the drivers from the official NVIDIA website. And in case you don’t know the type of Nvidia graphics card that your computer is on, follow the steps below:
  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • Next type in “dxdiag” in the field and click OK or hit Enter to open the DirectX Diagnostic Tool.
  • From there, you can see what type of Nvidia graphics card that your system is on.
  • Take note of your graphics card information and then look for the best drivers for your operating system. Once you’ve downloaded and installed the file, restart your PC.
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How to Fix Sndvol32.exe Error

What Is Sndvol32.exe Error?

Sndvol32.exe is actually an important part of the Windows operating system. Responsible for managing the sound-card volume and running programs properly, the problem occurs when error messages appear. The user will be unable to listen to music on the system. Usually, Windows XP users encounter the Sndvol32.exe error.

Solution

Restoro box imageError Causes

Sndvol32.exe error can be caused by any one or several of the reasons listed below.
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  • Damage to the DLL file due to spyware or virus infection
  • Improper removal of software
  • Unintentional overwriting on the DLL file by a mismatched version
  • Obsolete hardware drivers
  • Several obsolete/invalid registry entries
  • Corrupt registry entries
Regardless of what triggers the Sndvol32.exe error, it is of utmost importance to take immediate measures to fix the problem and to keep it from occurring again.

Further Information and Manual Repair

If you are looking for ways to fix this error manually, the Windows functionality of System Restore will come into play in this particular scenario. In case the error is caused by a damaged or corrupt file, performing System Restore is an ideal choice as it will allow you to not only get a fresh copy of the operating system, it will be possible for you to remove the error at the same time as well. The procedure for performing System Restore is outlined below as follows.
  • Click on the Start menu and type ‘System Restore’ in the search box.
  • When the icon for ‘System Restore’ appears, click on it.
  • Now type ‘Restore’ in the search box that appears on the start menu.
  • The window for the System Restore center will now appear.
  • Now you have two options. You can either opt for “Recommend Restore” which is the case where the system itself will choose a restore point for you or you can select “Choose a different restore point”. Users are advised to choose the latter option as it is more customizable.
  • Users can now select from a list of restore points that have been created before. If you observe closely, you will realize that one of the restore points is prior to the occurrence of the Sndvol32.exe error.
  • Click on the restore point. Once you have confirmed your selection, your system will restart and it will roll back to its previously selected restore point.
One recommendation is to perform the system restore in Windows Safe Mode. This is just to ensure that the System Restore is performed smoothly and any potential problems are kept at bay.
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Star Wars movies & series, chronological order
Besides Star Trek, Star Wars was one of my favorite movie franchises, as a kid, it was the first movie I have seen in Theatre and over the years I have rewatched and reached each entry in the franchise. It has significantly grown over the years, sometimes for worse, sometimes for better but what it always did is explored and expanded lore, characters and brought stories interesting and original enough. The Series has always been original and innovative enough with interesting characters and locations and it managed to capture the imagination of many viewers around the globe. If you or someone else is watching the franchise for the first time it is recommended actually to watch everything how it was released because of some information that is spoiled in prequels that could spoil some interesting revelations later. But if you have already watched everything and would like to follow the story from the beginning to end we are presenting you with the list of all TV series and movies in tar Wars canon in their chronological order so you can enjoy some good character developments and see the whole story unfold how it was meant to be. In the following list, as told, we are including TV series (both released and currently in production) in the Star Wars canon.

Chronological order of Star Wars franchise:

Star Wars: The Acolyte Acolyte is upcoming TV series exploring times in the old republic and the rise of the dark side within Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace The first movie entry in the franchise introducing some key characters who will go through various adventures yet to come Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones Continuation of story and deepening of the plot laid out in the previous movie Star Wars: The Clone Wars Animated TV series exploring war in more detail, set in the period between episodes 2 and 3, before series there is clone wars full length animated movie titles simply as Star wars clone wars serving as a pilot to series. Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith Last movie in so-called prequel trilogy finishing some stories and finalizing some character arcs Star Wars: The Bad Batch Upcoming animated series Bad batch will focus on few troopers find their way in changing the galaxy Solo: A Star Wars Story Story of everyone loved Han Solo character, this origin story will introduce you to some key characters in the later entry of series Obi-Wan Kenobi Upcoming series that will focus on everyone's favorite JEDI master Obi-Wan Star Wars Rebels Animated series exploring first sparks of forming rebel alliance against dreaded empire Andor Upcoming series set five years before the events of Rogue One, the series follows rebel spy Cassian Andor during the formative years of the Rebellion. Star Wars Rogue One Full feature movie setting up events for episode 4 Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope First Star Wars movie, little outdated today with special effects but with a strong story and introducing some new characters which will become main icons of franchise Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back Arguably the best movie in the whole series, leaning more to serious note and darker than previous entries. Besides Episode 3 this is the most serious and dark movie of the series. Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi Last movie entry in the so-called original trilogy, finishing some stories and wrapping up one era. Star Wars The Mandalorian Set after episode 6 show focuses on a Mandalorian bounty hunter character following his adventures in the galaxy. The Book of Boba Fett Upcoming Mandalorian spin-off TV series focusing on Bobba Fet, one of most loved bounty hunter characters in the Star Wars universe Ahsoka Star Wars: Ahsoka is an upcoming live-action television limited series exploring the character of Ashoka Tano first seen in Clone Wars Rangers of the New Republic Set within the timeline of The Mandalorian, Rangers of the New Republic is a new upcoming live-action series. Star Wars: Resistance Animated series exploring resistance against first-order setting up events to be followed in the newest trilogy of movies. Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens First full feature movie set in the post-empire era introducing new characters and bringing back some fan favorites. Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi The second movie in the last order trilogy, continuing stories of previously establishes characters Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker Last entry in new order trilogy of movies, finishing some open stories and concluding arcs for characters previously introduced in Force Awakens. That's it, chronological order of canon TV shows and movies of the Star Wars franchise. We are sure there will be more movies and shows in the future and someday we will revisit this list to include them as well. Until then, may the force be with you. If you would like to read more helpful articles and tips about various software and hardware visit errortools.com daily.
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Quick Guide to Fixing Error Code 29

What is Error Code 29?

Code 29 is a Device Manager error commonly seen whenever a hardware device driver reports a problem. This error code indicates that the resources needed for operation are not available.

The computer hardware basically requires drivers to interface with the operating system. Drivers comprise multiple components and are supplemented with other resources provided by the BIOS (a physical chip on the motherboard).

The BIOS contains a set of basic input and output instructions for the computer system to boot, load drivers, and more.

Its firmware provides resources that drivers require to interface with other essential components. However, when the firmware fails to provide the requested resources, the device drivers stop functioning; this results in error codes like code 29.

Error code 29 is usually displayed in the following format:

“This device is disabled because the firmware of the device did not give it the required resources” Code 29

Solution

driverfix boxError Causes

Error code 29 may be triggered due to several reasons. These include:

  • Outdated drivers
  • Corrupted drivers
  • BIOS misconfiguration
  • The device firmware is corrupt
  • Previous attempt to update the driver failed

To avoid inconvenience and to ensure your computer keeps working at its optimal pace, it is recommended that you repair error code 29 on your PC immediately. Delay may limit you from using certain hardware attached to your system properly.

Further Information and Manual Repair

To repair error code 29, you don’t have to hire a professional and spend hundreds of dollars. Here are some quick and effective DIY methods that you can try to resolve this issue in minutes even if you don’t have any technical background.

Method 1 - Reboot Your PC

Sometimes, error codes like code 29 may pop up on your computer screen due to some temporary glitch with the hardware. Rebooting can resolve the issue easily.

Therefore, before you do anything, try restarting your PC. It could be all you need to repair code 29. However, if the error code continues to persist, try the other methods given below.

Method 2 - Clear the CMOS

This may sound technical but it isn’t. To begin, with CMOS is an acronym for Complimentary Metal Oxide Semiconductor.

It is a term that is used to describe motherboard memory that contains the BIOS settings. Clearing CMOS helps reset the BIOS settings to their default manufacturer levels. It’s easy to do and is an effective troubleshooting step to resolve error code 29.

To do this, simply:

  1. Enter the BIOS setup utility  by restarting your PC
  2. Watch for an entering setup message
  3. Enter the BIOS access key. Usually, the key is F2 or F12. However, the key may differ from manufacturer to manufacturer. You may want to check the manufacturer’s website first to find out the BIOS access key before you restart your PC.
  4. ‘Reset BIOS settings’ to their default factory levels.

Method 3 - Enable the Device in the BIOS

Error code 29 may appear if a device is disabled. In such a scenario, simply follow the same steps as discussed in method 2, and in the advanced BIOS settings, look for disabled devices.

Enable the devices in the BIOS so that you use them easily.

This will hopefully resolve the issue. If it doesn’t, then this means the error code 29 is caused by either corrupted or outdated drivers. Try method 4 to resolve this issue successfully.

Method 4 - Identify the Problematic Device Drivers and Update them

Whether the error code 29 is caused by a misconfigured, corrupted, or outdated driver, simply update the new driver version to resolve. When doing it manually, you will first have to find and identify the problematic device drivers in the Device Manager.

You can access the Device Manager by going to the start menu and then simply typing Device Manager in the search bar.

Access the Device Manager and the properties to identify problematic drivers. Problematic drivers are normally displayed with a yellow exclamation mark.

Once you have spotted problematic drivers, simply update new drivers to resolve them. Though there is nothing technical about it but it may be time-consuming.

Method 5 - Install Driver Assist to Update Drivers Automatically and Regularly

A good alternative to manual driver update is DriverFIX. Simply download and install DriverFIX on your PC to update all problematic drivers in seconds. This is a cutting-edge program designed to resolve all kinds of device driver problems.

It is user-friendly and compatible with all Windows versions.

The intelligent programming system deployed inside this software program enables it to identify and detect all problem drivers automatically thereby sparing you from the hassle.

Furthermore, it also matches the drivers with the latest and compatible versions and updates them on a regular basis.

It takes the guesswork out of finding misconfigured and corrupted drivers and fixes driver-related problems and error codes like code 29 right away.

Click here to download DriverFIX to repair Device Manager error code 29 on your system without any hassle.

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Add app shortcut on the context menu

Sometimes, some applications after they are installed will put their shortcut in the context menu (right-click on desktop) for easy access, most of the time these are some system tied applications like AMD and Nvidia control panels or archives like WinRAR or 7ZIP but it can happen even for some usual application to do this.

Windows contex menu

There are some applications that you use frequently and they could be worth putting in the context menu, if you want to avoid clutter on the desktop or in the taskbar this is the third place that you should consider placing shortcuts.

Doing this will require some playing and tweaking in the Windows registry editor so be careful when editing the registry since bad entries can lead to system crash or instability. Follow step-by-step instructions.

Adding apps to the context menu in the registry

Creating entry

Open the registry editor by searching Regedit and pressing enter than inside of the registry editor search for the next key:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shell

Select shell and right-click on it, hover over New and in the submenu click on Key. In the next step, you need to name a key, this name will be the thing that will be shown in the context menu when you right-click on a desktop so type in the name that you would like or the name of the application that you wish to add to the menu.

If you wish you can even add a keyboard shortcut to launch this specific application. To do this select entry that you have created and edit the default value, inside the edit string in the Value data field type first & and after that key that you would like as a shortcut. Now after right click if you hit your shortcut key app will be launched right away.

Adding command

The next task is to create a command key that will actually hold the command to launch the application. Right-click on the entry that you have created, hover over New, and click on Key.

Next, you’ll need to create the command key that will actually hold the command used to launch the application. Right-click on the new Notepad key, and then choose New \ Key from the menu. Name this key 'command', all in lower case and without hyphens.

Now in order to finish setting the launcher, you need the full path of the file that you would like to run. Locate your file in file explorer or in another tool and copy its path by SHIFT + right-clicking on the file itself and choosing copy as path option.

Now click on the command key and double click on the default key on right to edit it, inside the field value data paste your path to executable. close and save the registry and you are done.

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DownSpeedTest Removal Guide

DownSpeedTest is a Browser Toolbar Extension for Google Chrome that allows users to test their internet speed and convert files, however this speed test does not show proper values, nor even close.

Upon installation DownSpeedTest will replace your default New Tab page with its own Search Engine “MyWay.com” or “Search.MyWay.com”. This Search Engine camouflages itself as a “Enhanced Google Search Engine”, but all it does is allow more room for easier ad injection. In the background, this extension monitors user browsing behavior and records visited links, viewed products, clicked links and time spend on websites. This information is later used for Ad targeting.

While browsing the internet with this extension enabled you will experience additional ads, sponsored content, and even pop-up ads on some occasions. Due to its information mining behavior and aggressive ad placement, DownSpeedTest had been marked as a Browser Hijacker and it is recommended for removal.

About Browser Hijackers

Browser hijacking is a type of unwanted program, commonly a web browser add-on or extension, which causes modifications in the browser’s settings. There are lots of reasons why you may experience a browser hijack; but commercial, advertising and marketing are the major reasons for their creation. These are typically used to force hits to a specific site, manipulating web-traffic to generate ad-revenue. Even though it might appear naive, these tools are made by malicious people who always try to take full advantage of you, so that hackers could earn money from your naive and distraction. In a worst-case scenario, your browser could be hi-jacked to download malicious software that can do a lot of damage to your laptop or computer.

How one can know whether the browser is hijacked?

When your web browser is hijacked, the following might happen: your browser’s homepage has been reset to some unknown webpage; new bookmarks pointing to porn websites have been added to your bookmarks; the default browser configurations are modified and/or your default web engine is altered; you see unwanted new toolbars added; unstoppable flurries of pop-up ads show up on your computer screen; your browser gets slow, buggy, crashes regularly; you can’t navigate to specific internet pages, such as security software related websites.

How does a browser hijacker infect a computer?

Browser hijackers infect computers via malicious e-mail attachments, downloaded infected documents or by visiting infected internet sites. They can be included with toolbars, add-ons, BHO, plugins or browser extensions. Also, some freeware and shareware can put the hijacker in your PC through “bundling”. Browser hijackers could record user keystrokes to collect potentially important information leading to privacy concerns, cause instability on computers, significantly disrupt user’s browsing experience, and ultimately slow down the system to a point where it becomes unusable.

How you can fix a browser hijack

One thing you could try to eradicate a browser hijacker is to find the malware in the “Add or Remove Programs” list of the Microsoft Windows Control Panel. It might or might not be there. When it is, uninstall it. However, most browser hijackers are difficult to eliminate manually. Regardless of how much you attempt to get rid of it, it might come back over and over. Amateur PC users should never try for the manual form of removal methods, since it demands in-depth system knowledge to perform fixes on the system registry and HOSTS file. Anti-malware software is really effective when it comes to picking up and eliminating browser hijackers that regular anti-virus application has overlooked. If you’d like to get rid of persistent hijackers effectively, install the top-rated Anti-Malware software Safebytes Anti-Malware. Use a system optimizer (like Total System Care) along with your anti-malware software to fix various registry issues, remove system vulnerabilities, and improve your computer performance.

What To Do If You Cannot Install Any Anti-Malware?

Practically all malware is bad and the consequences of the damage could differ according to the specific kind of malicious software. Some malware is created to interfere with or block things that you’d like to do on your PC. It may not permit you to download anything from the web or prevent you from accessing a few or all of the internet sites, especially the anti-malware websites. So what you should do if malware prevents you from downloading or installing Anti-Malware? There are a few actions you can take to circumvent this problem.

Install the anti-virus in Safe Mode

Safe Mode is a unique, simplified version of Microsoft Windows in which only essential services are loaded to counteract viruses and also other problematic applications from loading. If the malware is set to load immediately when computer starts, switching into this mode may prevent it from doing so. To start the computer into Safe Mode, press the “F8” key on the keyboard just before the Windows logo screen shows up; Or after normal Windows boot up, run MSConfig, look over “Safe Boot” under the Boot tab, and then click Apply. Once you are in Safe Mode, you can try to install your antivirus application without the hindrance of the malicious software. Following installation, run the malware scanner to get rid of most standard infections.

Download the anti-malware program using a different browser

Web-based malware could be environment-specific, aiming for a particular web browser or attacking particular versions of the browser. If you’re not able to download the security program using Internet Explorer, it means virus is targeting IE’s vulnerabilities. Here, you should switch over to an alternative web browser such as Chrome or Firefox to download Safebytes Anti-malware software.

Install anti-malware on a thumb drive

Another solution is to save and operate antivirus software tool completely from a Pen drive. Follow these steps to use a USB flash drive to clean your infected PC. 1) Make use of another virus-free computer to download Safebytes Anti-Malware. 2) Insert the USB drive on the same system. 3) Double click on the downloaded file to run the installation wizard. 4) Choose the USB flash drive as the location for saving the software file. Follow the instructions to complete the installation process. 5) Now, plug the USB drive into the corrupted computer. 6) Double-click the Safebytes Anti-malware icon on the pen drive to run the application. 7) Run Full System Scan to identify and clean-up of all types of malware.

Protect Your Computer & Privacy With SafeBytes Anti-Malware

If you’re planning to purchase anti-malware for your computer, there are lots of brands and utilities for you to consider. A few of them do a good job in getting rid of threats while many will harm your PC by themselves. You need to select one that is trustworthy, practical and has a good reputation for its malware source protection. While thinking about the dependable programs, Safebytes Anti-Malware is certainly the strongly recommended one. SafeBytes anti-malware is a reliable software that not only secures your system permanently but is also very user friendly for people of all skill levels. Through its cutting-edge technology, this software will help you protect your PC against infections brought on by different kinds of malware and other threats, including spyware, adware, viruses, worms, trojans, keyloggers, potentially unwanted program (PUPs), and ransomware.

SafeBytes has great features when compared with other anti-malware programs. The following are some of the features you might like in SafeBytes Anti-Malware.

Live Protection: SafeBytes provides complete and real-time security for your computer system. This tool will continuously monitor your PC for any suspicious activity and updates itself regularly to keep abreast of the latest threats. World-class AntiMalware Protection: With a critically acclaimed anti-malware engine, SafeBytes offers multilayered protection which is made to find and remove threats which are hidden deep in your computer’s operating system. Safe Browsing: Safebytes assigns all sites a unique safety ranking that helps you to have an idea of whether the webpage you’re just about to visit is safe to view or known to be a phishing site. Lightweight: This program is light-weight and will work quietly in the background, and will not affect your computer efficiency. 24/7 Online Technical Support: Support service is available for 24 x 7 x 365 days via email and chats to answer your queries. SafeBytes can keep your PC safe from latest malware threats automatically with very little input needed from you again. Once you have installed this software, you no longer have to worry about malware or any other security worries. You will get the very best all-around protection for the money you pay on SafeBytes anti-malware subscription, there’s no question about it.

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

To get rid of DownSpeedTest manually, go to the Add or Remove programs list in the Control Panel and select the offending program you want to get rid of. For internet browser extensions, go to your browser’s Addon/Extension manager and choose the plug-in you intend to disable or remove. You’ll likely also want to reset your web browser. To ensure the complete removal, manually check your hard disk and computer registry for all the following and remove or reset the values as needed. Please be aware that this is for skilled users only and might be challenging, with incorrect file removal causing additional system errors. In addition, some malware is capable of replicating itself or preventing deletion. You’re suggested to do this procedure in Safe Mode.
Files: %USERPROFILE%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\DownSpeedTest %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\DownSpeedTest %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\DownSpeedTest %LOCALAPPDATA%\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Sync Extension Settings\maoffpmgdffbgbncadalkhfhmlfihkgk %UserProfile%\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Sync Extension Settings\maoffpmgdffbgbncadalkhfhmlfihkgk %LOCALAPPDATA%\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\maoffpmgdffbgbncadalkhfhmlfihkgk %UserProfile%\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\maoffpmgdffbgbncadalkhfhmlfihkgk Registry: HKEY_CURREN_USER\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\Browser Helper Objects\5818CEA7-889D-459A-9A75-889E1298A892 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\Stats\5818CEA7-889D-459A-9A75-889E1298A892 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\Stats\481F6B47-2AD8-4C6A-8554-A2897E6CF900 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\Stats\1AAB982B-77D7-44F1-B305-8909DAC045F2 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\Settings\5818CEA7-889D-459A-9A75-889E1298A892 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\Settings\481F6B47-2AD8-4C6A-8554-A2897E6CF900 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\Settings\1AAB982B-77D7-44F1-B305-8909DAC045F2 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Approved Extensions, value: 1AAB982B-77D7-44F1-B305-8909DAC045F2 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\CA6A7AB9-F4B5-4D50-B5D2-33E996549AE3 HKEY_CURREN_USER\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar, value: 1AAB982B-77D7-44F1-B305-8909DAC045F2 HKEY_CURREN_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar, value: 1AAB982B-77D7-44F1-B305-8909DAC045F2 HKEY_CURREN_USER\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Tracing\DownSpeedTest_RASMANCS HKEY_CURREN_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Tracing\DownSpeedTest_RASMANCS HKEY_CURREN_USER\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Tracing\DownSpeedTest_RASAPI32 HKEY_CURREN_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Tracing\DownSpeedTest_RASAPI32 HKEY_CURREN_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\LowRegistry\DOMStorage\downspeedtest.dl.myway.com
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Signs of a dying graphic card
Can graphic cards wear out over a longer period of time? Recent studies and experience from crypto miners say no but they can die due to different reasons like improper use, low cleaning habits, factory mistakes, etc. Many gamers and people who use GPU intense applications tend to think that some glitches and hiccups in the software are a sign that graphic card is dying out and that it is time to be replaced. Altho this could be true in many cases these kinds of behavior are mostly due to old drivers and software issues. Older cards can produce these kinds of results due to their old age and new software is often more demanding than these cards can handle. So in order to diagnose and be sure that your GPU is indeed dying out lookout for these signs.

The Main Signs of a Dying GPU:

The Computer Crashes and Won’t Reboot

If your computer shutdown while working in the graphic application or while playing the game and the monitor loses signal there is a high chance the graphic card is soon going to be gone. Some motherboards have hardware detection failure and can signal immediate fail. If when turning your computer ON you are greeted with a blue screen with the message that the signal can not be found or you do not have picture at all it is most likely that GPU has failed.

Graphic Glitches While Playing Games

If you are playing the game and all of sudden you get off-color pixels, screen flickering, strange graphic behaviors, random artifacts, or similar and that keeps repeating in multiple games it is likely that GPU days are coming to an end.

Abnormal Fan Noise or Performance

Fans are an essential part of cooling the GPU and over time if they are intensively used they could wear out and need replacing. If however you have not noticed and have not replaced the fans card can sustain overheating damage. Many cards have cooling fans that are designed to spin at a higher RPM only when the GPU is under load. It prevents bearings in the fans from dying prematurely, so don’t worry if one of your fans is inactive while you are browsing the web. However, when you play games that utilize software that your card isn’t built to support, the bearings in the fans wear out faster. Once the fans stop working under load, the graphics card can quickly die.

How to Diagnose a Dying Graphics Card

Presented next are essential steps in order to recognize a dying graphic card.

Check Motherboard Error Codes

Many motherboards today completely shut down a component that is no longer working. If your graphics card has died completely, this may be one of the easiest ways to tell. If your motherboard doesn’t have display codes, you can try testing the card in a new system.
  • Open the computer case: Use your screwdriver to remove screws on the side panel and gently slide it back.
  • Locate the error code display on your motherboard: If you have a motherboard with error codes, they should appear near an outer corner.
  • Try to reboot your computer: Record each error number you see after you boot your computer.
  • Consult the motherboard manufacturer manual for error codes: Open the manual and locate the list for your error codes. If the code matches a graphics processing unit error, your video card could have died.

Check Hardware for Damage or Debris

A graphics card that has damage or debris on the physical parts might quickly overheat and kill the card.
  • Remove the screws holding the GPU in place: There are typically one or two screws holding the card to a bracket on the case.
  • Unhook the power cords from the GPU and pull the release tab: Remove the power cords from your GPU by pushing in their tabs and gently rocking them out. Once you remove each cord, gently push or pull up on the release tab near the motherboard.
  • Inspect the GPU for damage/debris: Check the card for any dirt or debris buildup and clean it out with a Q-tip. You can replace broken fan pieces from the manufacturer.

Test Your GPU Under Load

Download GPU stress-testing and heat-monitoring software.
  • With the card installed, run a stress test.
  • As you are running the stress test, run heat-monitoring software: With the stress test running, check your heat-monitoring software for GPU overheating. Any reading over 80 degrees Celsius is too hot.
  • Check device manager for outdated drivers: If your GPU is clean, but still running too hot, your software drivers are not installed correctly. To check, type in “device manager” at the bottom of your desktop and click on Device Manager. Find your display adapter and right-click on it to see if it’s working. If your drivers are not working correctly, it is indicated here usually. However, the driver may appear to be functioning even if it says otherwise in the properties.

Keep your graphic card drivers updated

When you don’t have the right driver installed, graphics cards can quickly burn up, and their cooling components may fail faster. That’s why you should always keep drivers updated for each new game you install or play. Older games may also release new software patches, so your GPU drivers should be updated accordingly.
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