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Apple, Windows, or Linux machine

In today's IT world, if you want a computer for typical day-to-day actions and gaming, there are 3 primary ways you can go. An Apple computer with its proprietary hardware and operating system or a typical machine with Windows or Linux operating system.

Each system has both advantages and disadvantages and picking the right one might be difficult for some users. From hardware differences to specific software and operating system, each system is aimed at a different type of work, and in this article, we will explore each one and help you in choosing the right one for you.

Apple ecosystem

apple MAC studio

Apple has managed to create a unique ecosystem of its own devices, from its iMac desktop computers to more professional MAC studio and power MAC and all the way to tablet iPad and iPhone are powered by Apple's own operating system that connects all of these devices into one large system. So if you really need one singular ecosystem this is a huge advantage.

The ecosystem on the side, MAC computer systems are great, some would argue best for coding, design, video work, and sound editing. MAC M2 chip is optimized for all of these tasks and a specially tailored operating system is just the icing on the cake. Specific Apple-made software like a logic pro or final cut also helps a lot to position MAC systems on top of the line.

Reading all of this you might think hey this is the computer for me, it does everything! Sadly the truth is not like that. The first thing that is difficult on MAC systems and a maybe big reason that it is not so adopted outside professional working environment is lack of games. If you are a gamer or plan on using MAC for gaming, well I have some bad news. The second big turn-off is that MAC systems tend to be more expensive than PC systems, yes components are of higher quality but rest assured that you will pay for also for branding.

Get MAC as your workstation for serious work and for good tech support, if you need a plain home computer keep reading.

Windows PC machine

Windows surface pro

There is no better feeling than assembling your own computer, tweaking hardware to make a monster and despite haters hating, Windows is the best all-around operating system on the market. It is supporting the largest variety of hardware and the largest variety of software.

The best platform for serious gaming and streaming Windows machine has cemented itself as a multimedia powerhouse. But, this kind of computer is not alien to being also a professional machine, you can practically do everything that you can do on Apple or Linux machine inside Windows, yes some things might require extra steps or will be slightly slower but in the end, being able to do anything is the greatest strength of Windows machine.

Of course, every system has its flaws and Windows is not immune to that. One of the biggest is being the operating system for every hardware ever made and every software as well while keeping legacy support for old software and hardware, basically, its biggest strength is in the same time its biggest weakness leading to sometimes stability issues. Also being able to place any kind of hardware can also lead to the same stability issues. Executing something a little slower than other systems and having some extra steps can also be looked upon as weaknesses.

Linux system

Linux machine

First and perhaps for some people, the biggest advantage of the Linux operating system is its price, it is completely free! Other advantages include the great server and networking included in the OS itself, the large amount of customization, and unmatched stability. The ability to write scripts inside the OS terminal is also a great thing and coding is much more streamlined and friendlier than on other machines.

The power of Linux is the ability to change anything, even on the system layer, no other operating system will let you change the basic functionality of the OS itself while Linux will let you do this. It is also the only operating system you can fully use by booting it up from a USB stick and having the same experience as it was installed on a local hard drive. Among other OS mentioned earlier, Linux is by far the lightest one, taking the smallest amount of memory among the three.

The bad side of the Linux machine is the steep learning curve, among the three mentioned operating systems rest assured Linux is the most difficult to learn and be comfortable in it. The operating system will require you to know the hardware and how computers work in order to fully use its potential. Other things that place it behind are not so wide hardware support compared to Windows and the somewhat confusing distro model.

Linux versions come in form of different distro packages and first-time users will face many of them being left in awe of which one to choose. Also installing drivers and software via a package system can also be a tedious task as well, often being that some version of the driver will not work on the newer version of the Linux distro.

Get a Linux machine if you are well versed in computer technology, if you want great customization of the OS itself or if you do not want to spend money on OS and software since almost entire Linux software is open source.

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Windows won’t go Sleep, Legacy Kernel Caller
If the display of your Windows 10 computer turns on all of a sudden no matter how put it to sleep over and over again, it always wakes up, read on as this post will guide you in resolving this peculiar issue. In case you don’t know, the Windows 10 computer Sleep state is made in such a way that if it’s really important, it wakes up. You may have configured this kind of behavior or there could be some hardware component that’s interrupting its Sleep state. Thus, this post will give you some troubleshooting tips to fix the Sleep state issue caused by the Legacy Kernel Caller. The Legacy Kernel Caller points to the external hardware that’s causing your Windows 10 to wake up even when it’s in a Sleep state. Step 1: Find out what’s keeping your computer from going to sleep. To figure out what really is keeping your computer from going to sleep, you can execute the “powercfg –requests” command instead of checking the power configuration of your computer. This command will look for requests from applications and drivers that prevent the computer from turning off the display or from going to sleep. To execute the command, simply open Command Prompt and type “powercfg –requests” and hit Enter. After that, you will see part of the result that looks like this:
“SYSTEM [DRIVER] USB AUDIO DEVICE An audio stream is currently in use [DRIVER] Legacy Kernel Caller.”
Step 2: The next thing you have to do is remove all the external hardware connected to your computer. In this step, you have to disconnect external hardware from your computer. Based on reports from users who experienced the same issue, the “TV card” is the culprit so make sure you remove that one. Once you’ve removed it, open Command Prompt and run the “powercfg –requests” command again and you’ll see that the “Legacy Kernel Caller” will no longer be on the list. In addition, your computer will get into its regular sleep mode once the hardware is removed. Once you do that, the driver gets hung and won’t release the power request despite being used. Step 3: Try using the request override option The powercfg command also offers a request override option which allows users to disable the requests from applications and services to wake the computer from sleep mode. To run this command, simply open Command Prompt with admin privileges. After you open Command Prompt, type the following command and hit Enter to disable requests from applications and services that causes the computer to wake from sleep state.
Powercfg -requestsoverride Driver "Legacy Kernel Caller" System
Step 4: Check the streaming and media applications You also have to check if your computer is running an audio or video service in the background. In such cases, your computer won’t be able to go to sleep mode if these services are running in the background. You might have noticed that when you play a video or audio, your computer never goes to sleep. And if you have put it to sleep in between watching the video, then it’s probably why your computer is waking up. Thus, you have to stop these services. Step 5: Check the devices that can wake your computer If you didn’t see the Legacy Kernel Caller in the result after you execute the ”powercfg –requests” command, then you can try to execute the following command instead.
powercfg –devicequery wake_armed
After you enter this command, it will give you a list of all the devices that can wake your computer. So if there is anything other than the mouse, keyboard, touchpad, you have to check the power configuration of that device. To do that, go to the Device Manager and disable the device’s “Allow this device to wake the computer” option in its Properties Step 6: 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.
On the other hand, you could also run the Power Troubleshooter to resolve the Sleep state issue. This built-in troubleshooter will automatically fix any power-related issues in your computer.
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Creating a new Windows 10 user account
When we purchase a computer, usually it is meant to be used by one person. Sometimes we would like to share our computer with other people, with friends and family members but we would also like to keep some privacy for ourselves in the process. Lucky for us Windows 10 will let us create multiple user accounts which then can be used by other persons with their own settings, documents, etc. The only requirement is to already have one user account which is automatically created when Windows is installed. This guide will lead you step by step in the creation of a new user account within Windows 10, so grab your favorite drink, and let's begin.

Creating new account

First thing is to click on the windows icon on the bottom left and open start menu, from start menu click once on settings. Windows 10 Star menu with marked settings iconWhen the settings window opens, choose ACCOUNTS on it. Windows settings accounts section selectedWindows will then go to the accounts settings page. Within that page, click on the Family & other users to open the setting for the chosen section on right. On the right settings, screen navigate to the lower section and click once with the left button on add someone else to this PC When add someone else to this PC is clicked, pop up window will appear which will ask you to provide the persons email address and later on the password of his/her Microsoft account, after the required information is provided you are done, a new user has been added and he can use his Microsoft credentials on the login screen to use this computer.

Setting up a user without Microsoft ID

However, if you do not wish to add a new user via his Microsoft login credentials or the person does not have them, on the pop-up window click on I don't have this person's sign-in information. User account no informationThis will open yet another pop-up giving you the option to create a Microsoft account for this person, to use a phone number instead of a Microsoft account, or to create a new email address for the user. Any of these options will create a new user for this computer with provided credentials but there is the last option at bottom of the pop-up which will allow you to create a local user only without a Microsoft account. This user will be able to use this computer, will not be able to transfer his document through various devices like he/she would if using a valid Microsoft account but it could use the computer and personalize it fully to his/her liking. user account new account without ms idOnce the link is clicked, you will be presented with a floating window requiring you to input needed information in order for the account to be created. You will need to provide username, password, and answers to 3 security questions. user account create an accountOnce all information has been provided, click on next and your new non-Microsoft local user has been created. Now when you click on Family & other users you will see that Windows has added a new user with the provided name to this computer. If you wish, you can add another user in the same manner, following the previous steps. Microsoft Windows does not have a limit for how many users can be on one computer so feel free to create as many as you like.

User account options

Now, clicking on the existing created user will open user options. From there you will have options to remove the user, therefore removing him/her from this computer, note that removing the local user will remove permanently his/her settings and they would not be able to be restored, or you can change the user account type. User account new accountClick on Change account type. User account account typeUnder account type, you will have the option to promote this user to an administrator if you wish or you can leave it as a standard user.
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How to Remove RelevantKnowledge From PC

RelevantKnowledge is a potentially unwanted program. It is typically bundled by 3rd-party installers and download managers that include other potentially unwanted programs (PUPs). In most cases, the installer will present the user with an RK survey at the end of the setup in order to relate the user’s future behavior to various questions.

From the published: RelevantKnowledge is an online market research community consisting of over 2 million members worldwide, which provides insight into how its members interact with the Internet. In exchange for an agreement to have their Internet behavior monitored, computer users who join RelevantKnowledge are offered various value propositions, including the ability to download screensavers or other software offerings, entry into sweepstakes, and a host of other benefits.

Multiple anti-virus scanners have detected possible malware in RelevantKnowledge.

About Browser Hijackers

If you’ve ever downloaded software via the internet (shareware, freeware, etc,), it’s quite possible you’ve unintentionally installed unwanted programs on your PC. Potentially Unwanted Programs (PUP), also referred to as Potentially Unwanted Applications (PUA), are applications that you never wanted in the first place and often come bundled with freeware. Once installed, the majority of these applications can be tough to get rid of and become much more of an annoyance rather than a necessity. It is clear by its name – unwanted applications – but did not really constitute “malware” in the traditional sense. This is because, the majority of PUPs get into a computer not because they slip through the security holes, for instance, but because the users have got installed them themselves – 100 % unknowingly needless to say. A PUP might not be regarded as malicious or dangerous but nevertheless, it is a common reason for clunky OSs; some PUPs are a lot more aggressive by deliberately slowing down your PC.

The harm unwanted programs could do

PUPs come in various forms. Typically, they could be seen in adware bundlers that are known to use aggressive and misleading advertising. The majority of bundlers install many adware programs from a number of vendors, each of which features its own EULA policy. Safebytes Anti-Malware totally eradicates this threat and safeguards your computer against PUP or adware infection. Additionally, the majority of free programs nowadays come with a few unwanted add-ons; in most cases a web browser toolbar or browser modification such as a homepage hijacker. They can modify browser settings, change the default search engine, replace the default home page with their own websites, slow down internet speed, and also will damage your system as well. PUPs carry a dangerous bite if left unchecked. The most detrimental part of installing a PUP is the spyware, adware, and keystroke loggers that might hide inside. These are programs that don’t really do anything good for you; in addition to taking up space on your hard disk drive, they also slow down your PC, often modify settings without your authorization, the list of frustrating features goes on and on.

Tips on how to avoid getting a PUP

• When installing anything on your personal computer, always study the fine print, including the license agreement. Do not accept terms of use that are for bundled programs. • Use ONLY custom or manual install method – and never thoughtlessly click Next, Next, Next. • Use good antimalware software, such as Safebytes Anti-Malware which offers real-time protection against PUPs. • Think carefully before you download any kind of shareware or freeware. Turn off or get rid of toolbars and browser extensions you don’t actually need. • Always download applications from the original website. The majority of PUPs find their way onto your laptop or computer is via download portals, so steer clear of it entirely.

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

Viruses may cause a lot of damage to your personal computer. Some malware is meant to interfere with or block things that you want to do on your computer system. It may well not allow you to download anything from the net or stop you from accessing some or all websites, particularly the anti-malware sites. If you are reading this article now, you’ve probably realized that virus infection is the real cause of your blocked internet connectivity. So how to proceed if you need to download and install an anti-malware program like Safebytes? Although this kind of problem can be harder to get around, there are a few actions you can take.

Download the application in Safe Mode with Networking

In Safe Mode, you may change Windows settings, un-install or install some applications, and remove hard-to-delete viruses. If the malware is set to load automatically when the computer starts, shifting to this mode can prevent it from doing so. To start the computer into Safe Mode, press the “F8” key on your keyboard just before the Windows boot screen appears; Or right after normal Windows boot up, run MSCONFIG, look over “Safe Boot” under Boot tab, and then click Apply. As soon as you reboot into Safe Mode with Networking, you can download, install, and update anti-malware software from there. Right after installation, run the malware scanner to eliminate standard infections.

Use an alternate web browser to download antivirus software

Web-based viruses could be environment-specific, aiming for a specific internet browser or attacking specific versions of the browser. The most effective solution to overcome this problem is to go with a browser that is well known for its security measures. Firefox has built-in Phishing and Malware Protection to keep you secure online.

Install anti-malware on a USB drive

Another option is to save and operate an antivirus software tool entirely from a Flash drive. Do these simple actions to clean up your infected PC using a portable antivirus. 1) On a virus-free computer, download and install Safebytes Anti-Malware. 2) Insert the USB drive into the clean PC. 3) Double click on the downloaded file to open the installation wizard. 4) Select the drive letter of the flash drive as the location when the wizard asks you exactly where you would like to install the antivirus. Follow the directions to complete the installation process. 5) Transfer the thumb drive from the uninfected computer to the infected PC. 6) Double-click the Safebytes Anti-malware icon on the pen drive to run the application. 7) Simply click “Scan Now” to run a complete scan on the affected computer for malware.

Protect Your Computer & Privacy With SafeBytes Anti-Malware

Want to download the best anti-malware software program for your laptop? There are lots of applications on the market that comes in free and paid versions for Windows systems. A few are really worth your money, but many aren’t. You need to pick a tool that has got a good reputation and detects not only computer viruses but other types of malware also. Among few good applications, SafeBytes Anti-Malware is the highly recommended program for the security-conscious individual. SafeBytes antimalware is a highly effective and user-friendly protection tool that is suitable for end-users of all levels of IT literacy. After you have installed this application, SafeByte's sophisticated protection system will make sure that no viruses or malware can seep through your PC. SafeBytes has excellent features when compared to other anti-malware programs. Here are some popular features present in this tool: World-class AntiMalware Protection: Safebytes is made on the best virus engine within the industry. These engines will detect and remove threats even during the early stages of a malware outbreak. Real-time Active Protection: SafeBytes delivers complete and real-time security for your laptop or computer. They’re highly efficient in screening and getting rid of numerous threats because they’re constantly revised with the latest updates and safety measures. Internet Security: Through its unique safety score, SafeBytes informs you whether a site is safe or not to visit it. This will ensure that you’re always certain of your safety when browsing the net. Very Low CPU and Memory Usage: This program is not “heavy” on the computer’s resources, so you will not notice any overall performance difficulties when SafeBytes is operating in the background. 24/7 Online Technical Support: SafeBytes provides 24/7 technical support, automatic maintenance, and upgrades for the best user experience.

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

If you wish to manually remove RelevantKnowledge without the use of an automated tool, it may be possible to do so by removing the program from the Windows Add/Remove Programs menu, or in cases of browser extensions, going to the browsers AddOn/Extension manager and removing it. You will likely also want to reset your browser. To ensure the complete removal, manually check your hard drive and registry for all of the following and remove or reset the values accordingly. Please note that this is for advanced users only and may be difficult, with incorrect file removal causing additional PC errors. In addition, some malware is capable of replicating or preventing deletion. Doing this in Safe Mode is advised.

The following files, folders, and registry entries are created or modified by RelevantKnowledge

Files: File%COMMONPROGRAMSRelevantKnowledgeAbout RelevantKnowledge.lnk. File%COMMONPROGRAMSRelevantKnowledgePrivacy Policy and User License Agreement.lnk. File%COMMONPROGRAMSRelevantKnowledgeSupport.lnk. File%COMMONPROGRAMSRelevantKnowledgeUninstall Instructions.lnk. File%PROGRAMFILESRelevantKnowledgechrome.manifest. File%PROGRAMFILESRelevantKnowledgecomponentsrlxg.dll. File%PROGRAMFILESRelevantKnowledgecomponentsrlxh.dll. File%PROGRAMFILESRelevantKnowledgecomponentsrlxi.dll. File%PROGRAMFILESRelevantKnowledgecomponentsrlxj.dll. File%PROGRAMFILESRelevantKnowledgeinstall.rdf. File%PROGRAMFILESRelevantKnowledgerlcm.crx. File%PROGRAMFILESRelevantKnowledgerlcm.txt. File%PROGRAMFILESRelevantKnowledgerlls.dll. File%PROGRAMFILESRelevantKnowledgerlls64.dll. File%PROGRAMFILESRelevantKnowledgerloci.bin. File%PROGRAMFILESRelevantKnowledgerlph.dll. File%PROGRAMFILESRelevantKnowledgerlservice.exe. File%PROGRAMFILESRelevantKnowledgerlvknlg.exe. File%PROGRAMFILESRelevantKnowledgerlvknlg64.exe. File%PROGRAMFILESRelevantKnowledgerlxf.dll. Directory %COMMONPROGRAMSRelevantKnowledge. Directory %PROGRAMFILESRelevantKnowledgecomponents. Directory %PROGRAMFILESRelevantKnowledge. Registry: Key mkndcbhcgphcfkkddanakjiepeknbgle at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREGoogleChromeExtensions. Key RelevantKnowledge at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionWinlogonNotify. Key rlvknlg at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftESENTProcess. Value 3C5F0F00-683D-4847-89C8-E7AF64FD1CFB at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMozillaFirefoxExtensions. Value %PROGRAMFILESrelevantknowledgerlvknlg.exe at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMControlSet001ServicesSharedAccessParametersFirewallPolicyStandardProfileAuthorizedApplicationsList. Value %PROGRAMFILESrelevantknowledgerlvknlg.exe at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMControlSet002ServicesSharedAccessParametersFirewallPolicyStandardProfileAuthorizedApplicationsList. Value %PROGRAMFILESRelevantKnowledgerlvknlg.exe at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMControlSet003ServicesSharedAccessParametersFirewallPolicyStandardProfileAuthorizedApplicationsList.
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Windows can’t stop your Generic volume device
One of the issues with external storage devices is that unplugging them right away without using the “Safely Remove Hardware” feature is not safe and doing so could lead to data corruption and data loss. However, in some cases, even when you use the “Safely Remove Hardware” feature, you could get an error that says:
“Windows can’t stop your ‘Generic volume’ device because a program is still using it. Close any programs that might be using the device, and then try again later.”
It is possible that the system is still using the external device – for instance, a copy operation might still be in progress, or Windows is still indexing the contents of the drive in the background or it could also be that the drive is not configured to be quickly removed. To fix this error, there are a couple of suggestions you can try. You can try to close all the open programs and file explorer windows, or you could also configure the Device Removal Policy or change its file system to FAT32. In addition, you can also try to change its drive letter or use the DISKPART utility to get the drive to be offline or simply manage the hogging process that prevents it from being safely removed. Follow each one of the given potential fixes below to resolve the error when using the Safely Remove Hardware feature.

Option 1 – Close all the open programs and File Explorer windows

The first thing you have to do to resolve the error is to close any open programs as well as File Explorer windows. This is because there are some programs and File Explorer instances that could be using the external device in the background which explains why you’re getting the error when you try to safely remove your device.

Option 2 – Try to configure the Device Removal Policy

The next thing you can do is to configure the Device Removal Policy. How? Refer to these steps:
  • Open File Explorer and right-click on the drive where you encountered the error.
  • Next, select Properties from the context menu.
  • After that, navigate to the Hardware tab and select the disk drive where you got the error under the “All disk drives” section.
  • Then select Properties under the Device Properties section. This will open a new mini window and from there, select Change Settings on the bottom portion of the window.
  • Now navigate to the Policies tab and select the “Quick Removal (default)” option under the Removal Policy section.
  • Click on the OK and Apply buttons to save the changes made and then see if the error is now fixed.

Option 3 – Try to manage the hogging process

You could also try managing the hogging process to get rid of the error.
  • Tap the Ctrl + Shift + Esc key combination to open the Task Manager.
  • Then look for the running processes and programs that are hogging your USB storage device. If there is a program that’s using your device, it will hog on some Disk or CPU while transferring data and interacting with the device which is why you’re getting an error when you safely remove the device.
  • Next, select the concerned processed and right-click on each one of them, and then select the End Task or End Process option. You can also restart the Explorer.exe process and see if that helps.

Option 4 – Try to change the drive letters

  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run utility and then type “diskmgmt.msc” in the field and click OK or tap Enter to open Disk Management.
  • Next, look for your USB storage device using the drive letter that’s assigned to it. Right-click on your device and select the “Change Drive Letter and Paths…” option.
  • This will open a mini window and from there select the drive letter you want to change and click on the Change button.
  • After that, another smaller window will appear where you’ll have to select the new drive letter from the drop-down menu.
  • Click OK and if you got a warning prompt, just click on Yes.
  • Now restart your computer.

Option 5 – Try using DISKPART utility to get the drive to be offline

The next thing you can try to resolve the issue is to use DISKPART. Refer to the given steps below to do so.
  • Tap the Win + R keys to launch Run and then type “cmd” in the field and tap Enter or click OK to open an elevated Command Prompt.
  • Next, type and enter this command to execute it: diskpart
  • The command you entered will initiate the DISKPART utility. After that, type and enter this second command: list disk
  • Next, type and enter this third command: list volume
  • The commands you just executed will help you in either listing all the Disk connects or all the partitions on those disks formed and from there, you need to select one command depending on the “list” command you entered. You can execute either of the two following commands:
    • select disk #
    • select volume #
  • After that, it will select the Disk or Partition you want to select.
  • Now type either one of the following commands:
    • offline disk #offline volume #
  • The command you entered will mark the selected disk is Offline. Afterward, try to safely remove your USB Storage device. Just remember that when you plug it back in again, you have to carry out the same method except for the last given command as this time you will have to enter either of these commands in order to get your USB storage device back online:
    • online disk #
    • online volume #

Option 6 – Try to change the file system to FAT32

If you keep getting this error on a particular USB device, you might have to format the disk and change its file system to FAT32. Make sure that you copy its contents safely into another location before you format the disk. Keep in mind that formatting the disk will remove all the contents of your drive.
  • Open File Explorer and right-click on the drive where you got the error and then select Format from the context menu.
  • Next, in the newly opened mini window, select the FAT32 (Default) option from the drop-down menu under File System.
  • Now check the Quick Format checkbox and then click on the Start button to start formatting your drive.
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Fixing netio.sys Blue Screen error in Windows
One of the most important components of a computer in the network. The network, with the help of network devices, makes it possible for all kinds of devices to exchange information. One of the files associated with the network driver is the netio.sys file. It is a system file used by third-party programs to interact with the devices on the network. If you encounter a Blue Screen of Death error that’s related to the netio.sys file then you’ve come to the right place as this post will guide you in fixing it. Here are some of the Blue Screen errors related to the netio.sys file:
  • KMODE EXCEPTION NOT HANDLED
  • PAGE FAULT IN A NONPAGED AREA
  • IRQL NOT LESS EQUAL
  • SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION
  • DRIVER IRQL NOT LESS OR EQUAL
  • SYSTEM THREAD EXCEPTION NOT HANDLED
To fix the netio.sys Blue Screen errors on your Windows 10 computer, you can check out each one of the following suggestions.

Option 1 – Try to use the System File Checker

One of the built-in tools in Windows that you can use to fix Blue Screen errors is the System File Checker. This built-in command utility can help you restore corrupted or missing files as well as replace bad and corrupted system files. Chances are, the netio.sys file might be corrupted so to fix it, use System File Checker.
  • First, right-click on the Start button and click on the “Command Prompt (Admin) option.
  • Next, type in the sfc /scannow command and hit Enter to execute it.
The command will start a system scan which will take a few whiles before it finishes. Once it’s done, you could get the following results:
  1. Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations.
  2. Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them.
  3. Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them.
  • Finally, restart your computer.

Option 2 – Try checking the Memory for any errors

The first thing you can do to check the memory for errors is to run the CHKDSK utility. The CHKDSK utility repairs hard drive errors that might be causing the problem.
  • You need to open “This PC” first.
  • And then right-click on your operating system partition for Windows.
  • Next, click on Properties and navigate to the Tools tab.
  • After that, click on the Check button under the Error Checking section.
  • A new mini window will appear and from there, click on Scan drive.
  • Now let it scan your disk drive partition to check for errors and then restart your computer.
After running the CHKDSK utility, it’s now time to fix issues with your RAM by running the Memory Diagnostic tool. This tool in windows can help resolve the Blue Screen errors related to the netio.sys file by checking and automatically fixing any memory-based issues. To run it, refer to these steps:
  • Tap the Win + R keys to open Run and type mdsched.exe and hit Enter to open the Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool.
  • After that, it will give two options such as:
    • Restart now and check for problems (Recommended)
    • Check for problems the next time I start my computer
  • Once your computer has restarted, perform a basic scan or you could also go for the “Advanced” options such as “Test mix” or “Pass count”. Simply tap the F10 key to start the test.
Note: After you select your preferred option, your computer will restart and check for memory-based issues. If it finds any issues, it will automatically fix them and if there’s no issue found, then it’s most likely not a memory-based issue so you should try the other options given below.

Option 3 – Try to update or rollback or disable Network drivers

You might also want to update, roll back or disable your Network drivers to resolve the netio.sys Blue Screen errors.
  • Tap the Win + R keys to launch the Run window and then type in the “mdsched.msc” command and hit Enter to open the Device Manager window.
  • Under the Device Manager, you will see a list of drivers. From there, look for the Network Adapters and expand it.
  • Then right-click on each one of the Network drivers and depending on your preference, you can either select “Update driver”, “Disable device” or “Uninstall device”.
  • After that, restart your PC and see if it helped in fixing the netio.sys Blue Screen error.

Option 4 – Perform System Restore

Performing System Restore can also help fix BSOD errors, including the ones related to the netio.sys file. To run System Restore, follow the steps below.
  • First, tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • After that, type in “sysdm.cpl” in the field and tap Enter.
  • Next, go to the System Protection tab then click the System Restore button. This will open a new window where you have to select your preferred System Restore point.
  • After that, follow the on-screen instructions to finish the process and then restart your computer and check if the problem is fixed or not.

Option 5 – Run the Blue Screen Troubleshooter

Troubleshooting Blue Screen of Death errors wouldn’t be complete without the Blue Screen troubleshooter. As you know, it is a built-in tool in Windows 10 that helps users in fixing BSOD errors like Storport.sys. It can be found on the Settings Troubleshooters page. To use it, refer to these steps:
  • Tap the Win + I keys to open the Settings panel.
  • Then go to Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
  • From there, look for the option called “Blue Screen” on your right-hand side and then click the “Run the troubleshooter” button to run the Blue Screen Troubleshooter and then follow the next on-screen options. Note that you might have to boot your PC into Safe Mode.
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Selected boot image did not authenticate Error
If you are using UEFI and you encountered an error message that says, “Selected boot image did not authenticate”, then read on as this post will show you what to do it fix it. This kind of error indicates that UEFI is having an issue in figuring out if the boot image has tampered with. UEFI offers Secure Boot and if the boot image seems to be invalid, you won’t be allowed to boot into your computer. Aside from that, it could be that you may be using endpoint encryption and the software can’t validate the certificate. To fix the “Selected boot image did not authenticate” error in UEFI, you need to first check if the error has given any reference to any software that you might have for encryption. If it has, then you need to disable the Encryption tool to resolve the problem. In addition, you could also try to disable Secure Boot or perform Startup Repair in case the disabling Encryption tool didn’t work. For more details, make sure to use each one of the options provided below as a reference.

Option 1 – Try to disable the Encryption tool

The first thing you can do to fix the “Selected boot image did not authenticate” error is to disable the Encryption tool. Many users reported that some encryption tools like the ESET Endpoint Encryption won’t let them boot into the computer if the system manufacturer does not include the correct certifications as a part of the UEFI BIOS. And since there is no way to bypass this, you have to disable Secure Boot in order for you to boot into your computer.

Option 2 – Disable the Secure Boot in the BIOS

Disabling the Secure Boot in the BIOS settings is definitely recommended to resolve the error. To disable Secure Boot, here’s what you have to do:
  • First, boot your computer into Windows 10.
  • Next, go to Settings > Windows Update. From there, check if there is anything that you have to download and install if you see any available updates. Usually, OEMs send and update the list of trusted hardware, drivers, and operating systems for your computer.
  • After that, go to the BIOS of your computer.
  • Then go to Settings > Update & Security > Advanced Startup options. If you click on Restart Now, it will restart your computer and give you all the advanced options.
  • Next, select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options. As you can see, this screen offers you further options including System restore, Startup repair, Go back to the previous version, Command Prompt, System Image Recovery, and UEFI Firmware Settings.
  • Select the UEFI Firmware Settings which will take you to the BIOS.
  • From there, go to the Security > Boot > Authentication tab where you should see Secure Boot. Note that every OEM has its own way of implementing the options so it varies.
  • Next, set Secure Boot to Disabled and set Legacy Support to On or Enabled.
  • Save the changes made and exit. Afterward, your computer will reboot.

Option 3 – Try to run the Automatic Repair Utility

If disabling Secure Boot did not fix the problem, you might also want to run the Automatic Repair utility in fixing the error. To do so, follow the steps below.
  • You can start by booting into the Advanced Recovery Mode.
  • After that, select Troubleshoot > Startup Repair.
  • Next, follow the on-screen instructions that appear on the screen and finish the Automatic Repair process.
  • Now check if the block is gone once the reboot is completed.
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How to Fix Hal.dll Error Code

Hal.dll Error - What is it?

Hal.dll error is a type of dynamic link library error that is common in Windows. Hal.dll is the critical file in all Windows installations and the error occurs when this file cannot be correctly loaded. Hal is the abbreviation for ‘Hardware Abstraction Layer’. Communication between Windows and different PC hardware is facilitated with this file. The error causes inconvenience and hampers your ability to use the hardware. The error message is displayed in either one of the following formats:
  • "Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: C:Windowssystem32hal.dll. Please re-install a copy of the above file."
  • "Cannot find WindowsSystem32hal.dll"
  • "C:WindowsSystem32Hal.dll missing or corrupt: Please re-install a copy of the above file."

Solution

Restoro box imageError Causes

Hal.dll error occurs due to multiple reasons. These include:
  • BIOS are not configured properly
  • Damaged hard drive
  • Hal.dll file is missing, damaged, or corrupt
  • Viral Infection

Further Information and Manual Repair

To fix and resolve the Hal.dll error code on your system, you don’t always have to hire a professional technician for the job. Though Hal.dll error is critical but easy to resolve, here are some solutions that you can try to fix it right away even if you don’t have any technical expertise.

1) Restart Your PC

Sometimes this can be a temporary error, so try restarting your PC. If the error is resolved then that’s great. However, if it still persists, then try other solutions.

2) Change the Boot Order

The underlying cause for the Hal.dll error is often not properly configured BIOS; if this is the cause, simply change the boot order of the bootable devices like your hard drive. The BIOS setup utility is used to change boot order settings. This can be done by restarting your PC. Once you restart, press F2 to enter the setup. Now go to SATA operation and change RAID AHCI to RAID ATA. Save changes and then exit. By doing so, you will be able to re-configure the BIOS and resolve the error.

3) Use BOOTMGR

Another way to resolve is to update the volume boot code to use BOOTMGR. To do this, access advanced startup options, open the command prompt and type bootsect command and then press Enter. Run the command and then you’ll get the following message: C: (\?Volume{37a450c8-2331-11e0-9019-806e6f6e6963}) Successfully updated NTFS filesystem bootcode. Bootcode was successfully updated on all targeted volumes. After that close the command prompt. This is most likely to resolve the error.

4) Repair Registry With Restoro.

In case the error is still not fixed, then this means that the problem is bigger than you thought. It may be due to hard drive failure, viral infection, or sometimes because of hal.dll file corruption. In the event of these error causes, it is recommended to download Restoro. Restoro is an advanced, next-generation, and multi-functional PC repair tool embedded with numerous utilities like a registry cleaner, an antivirus, and a system optimizer. The registry cleaner utility:
  • Scans for all registry issues
  • Wipes out the unnecessary files saved in the hard drive like the junk files, cookies, internet history, and temporary files
  • Cleans the disk
  • Repairs damaged and corrupt files
  • Restores the registry
The antivirus utility scans and removes all malicious software from your PC including viruses, Trojans, malware, adware, and spyware. Simultaneously, it also boosts the speed of your system. It is safe and efficient PC repair software. It has simple navigation and a user-friendly interface. Whether you are using Windows 7, 8 or Vista, it is compatible with all. It can also be used on Windows XP. Click here to download Restoro and resolve the Hal.dll error today!
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How to turn off check boxes in File Explorer
By default inside Windows 11 in File Explorer, once the file is selected, the small check box will appear beside it on left indicating visually that the file is selected. Older users will remember this feature from old Windows Vista and the feature itself is great if you are on some sort of touch device and need to select multiple files. windows 11 File ExplorerHowever, if you are working on a computer with a keyboard and mouse this feature might annoy you and seem like something that is not needed. Like many things inside Windows 11 this feature also can be customized and turned OFF if you do not want it. In this guide, we will see how to turn these boxes off. Microsoft has somewhat hidden this feature but luckily it is not difficult to find it if you know where to look.

Turning check boxes OFF

  1. Open File Explorer (if you do not have an icon on your Taskbar, right-click on the Start button and select File Explorer from the menu)
  2. Click on View on the top toolbar
  3. Select Show
  4. Uncheck Item Check Boxes
That is everything that needs to be done, after the checkbox is unchecked all check boxes from File Explorer will disappear. If you wish to turn boxes back ON, just follow the steps and check the box beside Item Check Boxes.
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How to Fix Windows 8 Error 0x80070490

Error Code  0x80070490 - What is it?

Error code 0x80070490 occurs in versions of Windows including Windows 8 or 8.1 and Windows 7 or Windows Vista. This error often arises when users attempt to install updates via Windows Update or Microsoft Update.

The main reason for the error relates to the Component-Based Servicing (CBS) manifest which has become damaged. When the error occurs, the Windows device is unable to successfully install updates.

Solution

Restoro box imageError Causes

Error code 0x80070490 might appear for various reasons but is most prominent in the following cases:

  • Attempts to install Windows 8 or 8.1
  • A corrupted Component-Based Servicing (CBS)

Further Information and Manual Repair

The solutions for error code 0x80070490 vary so users may need to attempt each solution to find the best results.

  1. Repair Corrupted Windows Files with System File Checker

The System File Checker (SFC.exe) is a Windows-based utility that enables users to check and repair corrupted or damaged system files. It can also restore missing systems files which can be the cause of errors such as error code 0x80070490.

To repair files, begin scan by swiping the right edge of the screen then opening the search box. Type Command Prompt, right-click this option, then select Run as Administrator. Once the scan begins, wait for the process to be completed then restart your device. Check if the error is resolved by reattempting updates. If error code 0x80070490 in Windows 8 or 8.1 persists on your device, proceed to the solution below.

  1. Perform Clean Boot

A clean boot is one of the best ways to reduce conflict among files – an issue that may arise whenever users update, install or run programs on their Windows device.

To run a clean boot, your device reboots using limited drives and programs. The process allows you to identify which conflict among programs is causing errors on your Windows device.

You can access the clean boot tool by entering msconfig in the search box. Select Services, then System Configuration. Check the Hide all Microsoft services checkbox then select Disable all. Next, go to the Startup tab, click and open Task Manager. After selecting the Startup tab, make sure you right-click each startup program. Click Disable from the context menu then close Task Manager when done. Select OK on the System Configuration menu then restart your machine to clean boot Windows 8 or 8.1.

If the clean boot successfully identifies and resolves issues with corrupted files, you will be able to access updates using Windows Update or Microsoft Update. Error code 0x80070490 will no longer occur. But if that proves unsuccessful, other options are available below including running Windows Update Troubleshooter.

  1. Run Windows Update Troubleshooter

This method can provide a simple solution for users as it verifies whether your Internet connection, network adapter and Windows Update services are functioning properly. However, if you are uncertain as to whether you will be able to troubleshoot, seek assistance from a qualified Microsoft technician.

To run Windows Update Troubleshooter, simply download from Microsoft’s website. Be sure you are downloading the tool recommended for your operating system, in this case Windows 8 or 8.1. After you download Windows Update Troubleshooter, run it to enable the tool to check for and resolve update issues on your device.

  1. Use DSIM or System Update Readiness Tool

The System Readiness Tool or DSIM is another method you can use to correct issues related to error code 0x80070490. This tool checks problems on your system that might prevent your computer from performing Windows updates including issues related to damaged system files.

Once you download and install this tool, it will be able to run automatically. The process may be technical, however, requiring specialized knowledge to successfully download and run the tool. Consider getting assistance from an IT professional in this case. Also, check Microsoft's online resources to download the tool.

  1. Use an Automated Tool

Having an automated tool at hand will enable users to always be prepared. Download a powerful automated utility tool to provide solutions whenever error codes or other problems affect your Windows 8 device.

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How to Fix Run Time Error 429

Runtime Error 429 - What is it?

Error 429 is a type of runtime error. It sometimes occurs when you use the new operator or the CreateObject function in Microsoft Visual Basics to create an instance of a Microsoft Office application. The error code is displayed on your computer screen in the following format:

Runtime Error ‘429’: Active X component Can’t Create Object

Solution

Restoro box imageError Causes

The runtime error code 429 is triggered for several reasons. These include:
  • Mistake in the application
  • Incorrect system configuration
  • Missing ActiveX components in the application
  • Damaged Active X and class application components
  • DLL required by the application is damaged
  • Active X object was not registered properly
  • Corrupted applications
  • Corrupted Windows registry
  • Class ID issues
The runtime error code 429 not only causes you inconvenience as it hampers your ability to access programs but delays in repairing this error code can lead to serious PC damages such as system freezes, crashes, and failures.

Further Information and Manual Repair

To resolve the runtime error 429 on your PC, try the following recommended solutions:

1. Re-register the Application Causing the Error

Identify the Office application causing the error and re-register it. For instance, if Office Excel is the prime cause of the error message pop up, simply re-register it. Click on the start menu and then run. Then type this in “: C:/Program Files/Microsoft Office/Office/Excel.exe /regserver” and press OK. This will hopefully resolve the issue.

2. Go to The Microsoft Windows Script Update Page and Download Microsoft Updated Installation File

This will also assist you in repairing runtime error 429. Simply follow the installation wizard and update your MS Office Applications. The corrupted files and missing components in them would be easily corrected by the update file. However, if this doesn’t work, then this means that the cause is more crucial than you think. It is either related to damaged Active X objects or a corrupted Windows registry.

3. Repair the Active X objects and the Registry

To repair both the registry and the Active X objects in one go, it is advisable to download Restoro. This is an advanced, next-generation, highly and multi-functional PC repair tool. It is deployed with powerful and numerous utilities like a registry cleaner, Active X and class scanner, privacy error detector, and system stability module. The registry cleaner embedded in this repair tool enables you to wipe out obsolete, unnecessary, malicious, and invalid files and registry entries saved in the registry. It frees up your disk space, repairs damaged DLL files and the registry thus resolving the runtime error 429 on your system. The Active X object and Class feature identifies and scans Active X issues on your PC and resolves them right away. Besides this, with this error tool, you can also scan for viruses and also improve your PC performance.

Why Total System Care?

Total System Care is a one-stop solution to resolve all kinds of PC-related issues including the runtime error 429. To run it on your system, you don’t have to be a computer programmer. It is very easy to operate. It has easy navigation and a user-friendly interface. There is nothing complex about it. It is safe and efficient. It resolves all PC issues in a few seconds. You can run it in the background while performing other tasks on your system. Furthermore, it is compatible with all Windows versions. Click here to download Total System Care and resolve the Runtime Error 429 on your system today.
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