What Is Phishing And How Can You Protect Yourself From It?
Ever gotten an e-mail offer that seemed just a little bit too good to be true? Might’ve been a phishing attempt! These are everywhere and can come in many different forms.
So what’s phishing exactly, how can you detect it and how can you keep safe?
What is phishing?
Phishing (pronounced like fishing) is a type of cyberattack that tricks the user into trusting the source and revealing sensitive information. Fishing being the perfect analogy, the bait is a legitimate-looking site, e-mail or file and when you take a bite, your identity, banking information and much more can be revealed and stolen.
Credit Anne Nygård on Unsplash
Some phishing attempts are incredibly obvious, others are super elaborate. Like with most types of malware, cybercriminals have become extremely well-versed in phishing and anyone can fall for it. To help you recognize and avoid it, we’ll take you through a couple of phishing types and give you tips on what to do if faced with them.
Phishing techniques
E-mail phishing
This is actually the most common type of phishing. A cybercriminal creates an e-mail containing stuff like attractive offers, legitimate-looking attachments or links and makes it appear as though it’s coming from a trusted source.
Credit Justin Morgan on Unsplash
For example, it looks like it’s coming from your bank or your favorite retailer. The logo looks legit and the structure of the e-mail seems familiar, so you might get tricked into clicking on whatever clickable content is in it.
Unfortunately this exposes your device to malware that hands your data off to the hacker, who can decide what to do with it further.
SMS and social media phishing
Like the above example, you could be approached with lucrative offers or links via text messages or social media messages. Typically, the messages seem relevant to the user as they will be made to look like they’re related to apps or services you’re using.
Voice phishing
Voice phishing attacks are schemes that appear as though they’re coming from a credible number. Normally, you’ll get a call about something related to credit cards or taxes to get you into a state of worry, leading you to disclose personal information on the phone.
Spear phishing, whaling and BEC
Spear phishing normally targets specific individuals within a company who are likely to have access to sensitive data. Spear phishers spend time collecting information they can use to reach out to the individual looking as trustworthy as possible. They’ll typically lead with something relevant, for example mentioning an upcoming company event, and make a seemingly legitimate request.
Whaling is a more elaborate form of spear phishing, which targets people in even stronger positions such as executives or high-value individuals. The ultimate goal is to get them to transfer financial or other sensitive information that can be used to compromise the entire business.
Credit Azamat E on Unsplash
BEC, or Business e-mail compromise, is a specific spear phishing technique carried out via e-mail. While there are many ways this is done, most commonly you’ll see instances where the phisher poses as a CEO or similar executive, or as a lower-level employee in specific positions (e.g. sales managers or financial controllers).
In the first situation, the impersonator reaches out to employees requesting them to transfer certain files or pay invoices. In the second situation, the phisher takes control of the employee’s e-mail account and sends false instructions to other employees in order to obtain data and information from them.
What can you do?
There are many ways you can be aware and spot a phishing attempt. Here are some tips:
Always check the sender’s address in your e-mails, even when they seem to come from a familiar source.
In any instance where payment information is requested, be very, very careful.
If you are receiving attachments you never asked for and definitely didn’t expect, better not click on them.
Beware of content that transmits a sense of urgency (sales deals, urgent updates to login credentials, etc.).
Bad spelling and grammar are usually a telltale sign of phishing.
Links that look shortened (e.g. Bit.ly) or just suspicious in general - if you have a bad feeling, do not click on them.
If you are receiving threats, you probably shouldn’t be clicking on anything in that message.
Always examine first-time senders in detail.
Block suspicious e-mail addresses, numbers and social media accounts.
If you are receiving a coupon for free stuff… You aren’t.
If you’re being asked to update your payment details by a service you use, such as Netflix, chances are it’s an impersonator.
Those are some of the ways to identify and prevent phishing attacks. However, sometimes phishers disguise themselves a little too well or a misclick happens and there you go - you’ve been exposed to malware.
Credit FLYD on Unsplash
This won’t happen if you invest in powerful protection software from the get-go, though. A good antivirus program like Bitdefender will keep you safe from becoming a victim of phishing scams. In fact, it will protect you from malicious attacks overall.
Be it your household or your business you’re concerned about, there are a bunch of different packages and options available, providing different kinds of cybersecurity services. That’s the only way you can ever really be sure you aren’t at risk of a digital attack.
Summary
Have you ever been targeted by phishers and didn’t know that’s what it was until you read this article? Many can relate. Protect yourself before it’s too late!
In case you don’t know, there is a built-in tool in Windows 10, known as Reliability Monitor that provides a day-to-day snapshot of the health of your system. It warns users of any looming issues or disasters before your computer breaks down finally. So obviously, Reliability Monitor is useful, however, there are times when it could behave incorrectly. For instance, it might fail to show you any updates even when they are installed. Thus, if you experience any malfunctions with the Reliability Monitor tool in Windows 10, read on as this post will guide you in updating or working in Windows 10.
To fix the problem with the Reliability Monitor, there are several fixes you can check out. You can try to enable the data collection for Reliability Monitor or reset it, as well as put your computer in a Clean Boot State. For more information, refer to each one of the options given below.
Option 1 – Try to enable the Data Collection for Reliability Monitor
The Reliability Monitor tool uses data provided by the RAC Agent scheduled task and it will start to display a Stability Index rating and specific event information 24 hours after the system installation. The RACAgent scheduled task, by default, runs after the operating system is installed. And if it is disabled, it must be manually enabled from the Task Scheduler snap-in for MMC or Microsoft Management Console. Thus, you need to enable the Data Collection for Reliability Monitor to fix the problem.
Option 2 – Try to reset the Reliability Monitor
The next thing you can do to fix the issue with the Reliability Monitor might want to reset it to resolve the problem. If the Reliability Monitor is already open, you have to close it and open it again. After the reset is done, it may take up to 24 hours for the Reliability Monitor to display results again. This should fix the problem.
Option 3 – Troubleshot the problem in a Clean Boot State
There are some instances that some conflicting programs installed in your computer might be the one that’s causing the Black border issue. To identify which program is causing the problem, you need to put your computer in a Clean Boot State. To do so, follow the steps below.
Log onto your PC as an administrator.
Type in MSConfig in the Start Search to open the System Configuration utility.
From there, go to the General tab and click “Selective startup”.
Clear the “Load Startup items” check box and make sure that the “Load System Services” and “Use Original boot configuration” options are checked.
Next, click the Services tab and select the “Hide All Microsoft Services” check box.
Click Disable all.
Click on Apply/OK and restart your PC. (This will put your PC into a Clean Boot State. And configure Windows to use the usual startup, just simply undo the changes.)
From there, start to isolate the problem by checking which one of the programs you installed recently is the root cause of the problem.
In Installing or upgrading your Windows 10, there really is no guarantee that everything will go smoothly as there are times you encounter errors like the “ We couldn’t install Windows 10, 0x8007002C - 0x400D ” error message among other Windows update/upgrade errors. When you encounter this particular error message you will the following message on your screen:
“We’ve set your PC back to the way it was right before you started installing Windows 10.0x8007002C-0x400DThe installation failed in the SECOND_BOOT phase with an error during MIGRATE-DATA operation”
This kind of Windows upgrade error indicates that some of the files needed for the installation are locked out for some reason and that Windows was not able to migrate them to a new version. It could be that your computer does not have sufficient space for those files. Thus, no matter how many times you try to upgrade your computer, you always end up going back to the previous version of Windows. To fix the “0x8007002C – 0x400D, The installation failed in the SECOND_BOOT phase with an error during MIGRATE-DATA operation” error, here are some suggestions that might help:
Option 1 – Disable your antivirus program
There are times when the antivirus program installed in your computer blocks file access and even disk access. Thus, disabling the antivirus program or any security software installed in your computer is always a good idea you can try when the Windows Update process does not go smoothly. So before you try updating your computer again, make sure to disable the antivirus or security program and once the Windows Update is done, don’t forget to enable the antivirus program back again.
Option 2 – Perform a Disk Cleanup to free up disk space
Chances are, some unnecessary files in your computer might be interrupting the installation process which explains why you’re getting the “0x8007002C – 0x400D, The installation failed in the SECOND_BOOT phase with an error during MIGRATE-DATA operation” error instead so you need to perform a Disk Cleanup in order to fix the problem.
In the Cortana Search box, type “disk cleanup” and click on the related search result.
Then select the disk you want to clean and click OK.
Wait for the process to be completed and then restart your PC and try to install the Windows upgrade again.
Option 3 – Get rid of any file protection software
The Windows setup migrates the folder from one version to another during the upgrade. However, if some of your folders, if not all, are protected using some file protection software, then Windows won’t succeed in moving the folder and you will encounter this Windows upgrade error instead. Thus, you need to unlock all those protected files or better yet uninstall the file protection software after you remove the locked files. After that, try installing the upgrade again.
Option 4 – Rename the SoftwareDistribution folder
The Software Distribution folder in the Windows operating system is a folder that can be found in the Windows directory and is used to store files temporarily which might be required to install the Windows Update on your PC. Thus, it is required by the Windows Update and maintained by WUAgent. Aside from that, it also contains all the Windows Update History files and once you delete them, you will most likely lose the Update history. As a result, the next time you run the Windows Update, it may result in a longer detection time.
Open the WinX Menu.
From there, open Command Prompt as admin.
Then type in the following command – don’t forget to hit Enter right after typing each one of them.
net stop wuauservnet stop bitsrename c:windowsSoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.bak
After entering these commands, it will stop the Windows Update Service, the Background Intelligent Transfer Service, and rename the SoftwareDistribution folder.
Next, got to the C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution folder and get rid of all the folders and files thereby tapping the Ctrl + A keys to select them all and then click on Delete. Note that if the files are in use, you won’t be able to delete them.
Once all the contents in the Software Distribution folder are deleted, restart your PC and then go back to Command Prompt and input the following commands again.
net start wuauservnet start bits
Since the folder has already been flushed, it will be populated afresh the instant your restart your computer and open Windows Update.
Option 5 – Run the DISM tool
As mentioned, the “0x8007002C – 0x400D, The installation failed in the SECOND_BOOT phase with an error during MIGRATE-DATA operation” error might also be caused by corrupted files in the computer. Thus, you can try using the DISM tool to repair them. Running the DISM tool can repair the Windows System Image and Windows Component Store in Windows 10.
Open the Command Prompt as admin.
Then type in this command: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Do not close the window if the process takes a while as it will probably take a few minutes to finish.
Option 6 – Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter
Running the built-in Windows Update troubleshooter could also help you resolve this particular Windows upgrade error. To run it, go to Settings and then select Troubleshoot from the options. From there, click on Windows Update and then click the “Run the troubleshooter” button.
You also have the option to run Microsoft’s online troubleshooter which could help you fix Windows Update errors including the “0x8007002C – 0x400D, The installation failed in the SECOND_BOOT phase with an error during MIGRATE-DATA operation” error.
Windows 10 error code 0x8024002e is related to the Windows update service. When you see the error code displayed on your screen, it means that the Windows update service has been blocked or not working. As a result of this error code, your computer might lag and the system may freeze while performing normal operations. The error may read as follows:
“There were some problems installing updates, but we’ll try again later. If you keep seeing this and want to search the web or contact support for information this may help: (0x8024002e)”.
Common symptoms include:
Slow computer performance
System freezes while performing normal operations or freezes while multitasking
BSOD error is showing
Some unwanted files get opened automatically
Updating is not possible
Solution
Error Causes
This error code appears because of the following reasons:
Incomplete installation of the Windows operating system
Incorrect registry entry
Corrupt or damaged system files
The computer has come under a virus attack
Miscommunication between the computer and the Windows Automatic Update service
The decline in RAM or outdated Hard Disk Drive
Further Information and Manual Repair
Method 1:
Remove any external media connected to the computer
Crash reboot your PC 2 to 3 times.
Now check if you are still having the problem.
If the problem still persists, try the following methods if you are able to boot to the desktop and check for the problem.
Method 2:
Changing Windows Update property to automatic:
You might see this error if your Windows update property is set to manual. Follow the steps below to change it to automatic.
Open Task Manager.
Click on the Services tab. Find “Open Services” at the bottom of the window.
A new window will pop up. Scroll down and find “Windows Update” from the list. Double click on the Windows Update. It will open its properties.
Select Automatic for ‘Startup Type.’ Click Apply, Start, and OK.
Now, try the Windows Update and check if you are still getting the error message. If the problem isn’t resolved, reboot your PC for the changes to take effect and then try again.
Method 3:
Disable Antivirus program:
If you have any antivirus installed on your PC, you might need to disable it first and see if that helps. Although, most of the antivirus makers have made changes to work smoothly with Windows 10, it is a new Operating System and some antivirus may cause conflict.
Disable the antivirus and check for updates to see if it is preventing you from updating your system and displaying the error code 0x8024002e.
Method 4:
Run inbuilt Windows update troubleshooter. Follow the steps given below:
Press Windows + W keys on your keyboard to enable the search option.
In the Search box type Troubleshooting.
Click on View all
Click on Windows update and follow the prompts to run the troubleshooter.
If the issue persists, try Method 5
Method 5:
Run the System File Checker tool (sfc.exe):
Open Command prompt.
Type sfc /scannow and hit Enter.
The sfc /scannow will scan all protected system files and replace corrupted files with a cached copy that is located in a compressed folder at %WinDir%System32dllcache.The %WinDir% has the Windows Operating System folder. For example, C:\Windows.
Do not close the Command prompt window until the verification is 100% complete. The command prompt will show the scan results when it is done. After it is done, you may receive one of the following messages:
“Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations.” This means you do not have any missing or damaged system files.
OR you may receive a message saying:
“Windows Resource Protection could not perform the requested operation.”
To resolve this problem, run the System File Checker in safe mode and make sure that the PendingDeletes and PendingRenames folders exist under %WinDir%WinSxSTemp.
OR you may also receive a message saying, “Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them. Details are included in the CBS.Log%WinDir%LogsCBSCBS.log.”OR you may receive a message saying, “Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them. Details are included in the CBS.Log%WinDir%LogsCBSCBS.log.”
If you encounter a Windows Update error with an error code 0x80070652 and an error message saying, “ERROR_INSTALL_ALREADY_RUNNING”, then it indicates that there was a previous Windows Update that was not installed successfully. This kind of Windows Update error typically happens when it gets stuck and so to resolve it, here are some suggestions that might help.
Option 1 – Restart your computer and try installing the Updates again
You can restart your computer and then try installing the updates once again. There are instances when a simple restart resolves Windows Update errors. Thus, after you restart your computer, check for updates once again and see if you’re still getting the error or not.
Option 2 – Try running the Windows Update troubleshooter
You might also want to run the Windows Update Troubleshooter as it could also help in fixing Windows Update error code 0x80070652. To run it, go to Settings and then select Troubleshoot from the options. From there, click on Windows Update and then click the “Run the troubleshooter” button. After that, follow the next on-screen instructions and you should be good to go.
Option 3 – Try downloading the Windows Update that failed
If the Windows Update that has failed is not a feature update and only a cumulative update, you can download the Windows Update and install it manually. But first, you need to find out which update has failed, and to do so, refer to the following steps:
Go to Settings and from there go to Update and Security > View Update History.
Next, check which particular update has failed. Note that Updates that have failed to install will be displayed under the Status column which has a label of “Failed”.
After that, go to the Microsoft Download Center and look for that update using its KB number and once you find it, download and then install it manually.
Note: You can also use the Microsoft Update Catalog, a service from Microsoft that provides a list of software updates that can be distributed over a corporate network. With the help of this service, it can be easier for you to find Microsoft software updates, drivers as well as fixes.
Option 4 – Try to restart the Background Intelligent Transfer Service
The Background Intelligent Transfer Service or BITS is a part of the Windows Update service and is the one that manages the background download of Windows Update, as well as scans for new updates and so on. And if Windows Update is experiencing some problems, you can try restarting BITS but make sure that you have admin privileges to do so.
Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
Next, type “services.msc” in the field and hit Enter to open Windows Services.
From the list of Services, look for the Background Intelligent Transfer Service and double-click on it to open Properties.
After that, you need to set the Startup type to “Automatic (Delayed Start) and click on Apply.
Now click the Stop button to stop BITS and then click the Start button to restart the service.
Click OK to save the changes made and then restart your PC.
Option 5 – Try to update Windows after a couple of minutes or an hour
There are times when the issue is from Microsoft’s end. It could be that there’s some issue with Microsoft’s server so it would be better if you give it a couple of minutes or an hour or so before trying to run Windows Update again.
If you receive an error message that says, “Entry point not found, The procedure entry point could not be located in the dynamic link library” on your Windows 10 PC, then you will find this post useful for this will provide you some potential fixes to fix the error.
This kind of error can occur if a program fails to locate the DLL library that it needs in order to run. It can also occur if the library is not in the specified directory in the path or if the DLL file has gone missing or has become corrupted.
To fix the “The procedure entry point could not be located in the dynamic link library” error, check out the following options given below.
Option 1 – Try to reinstall the program
The first thing you can do to resolve the error is to uninstall the program that throws the error and download its latest version from its official site and then install it again.
Option 2 – Run System File Checker scan
If reinstalling the program didn’t work, you can also try running the System File Checker or SFC scan to fix the error. System File Checker is a command utility built into your computer that helps restore corrupted files and missing files. Refer to the following steps to run it:
Hit the Win + R keys to launch Run.
Type in cmd in the field and tap Enter.
After opening Command Prompt, type in sfc /scannow
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:
Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations.
Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them.
Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them.
Reboot your computer.
Option 3 – Try checking the details in the Event Viewer
The Event Viewer can also help you resolve the error as it contains detailed information about the error that could help you pinpoint its root cause and resolve it.
Option 4 – Try to re-register the problematic DLL file
You may have to re-register the ntdll.dll file using the regsvr32.exe before you can successfully install the program and fix the error. The Regsvr32 tool is a command-line utility that can be used to register and unregister OLE controls like DLL and ActiveX (OCX) controls in the Windows operating system. Follow the steps below to use it.
Open Command Prompt as admin from the WinX menu.
Next, type the following commands in the elevated Command Prompt and hit Enter to execute the command. This will re-register the affected DLL file using the Windows operating system tool, regsvr32.exe.
exe /[DLL file]
exe [DLL file]
Note: Replace “[DLL file]” with the name of the DLL file that was pointed out in the error.
After you execute the given commands, you should see a message saying, “DllRegisterServer in vbscript.dll succeeded” if the Regsvr32 tool was able to run successfully. After that, try to install the program again and see if it now works.
Option 5 – Try to replace the DLL file with a trusted source
First, you need to get the new DLL file from another computer with preferably the same file version number.
After that, you need to boot your PC into Safe Mode and navigate to the paths listed below and then replace the file using a USB drive or other external storage devices.
x86: This PC > C:/Windows/System32
x64: This PC > C:/Windows/SysWOW64
Next, type “cmd” in the Cortana search box and right click on Command Prompt, and select “Run as administrator” to open it with administrator privileges.
Now type the “regsvr32 ntdll.dll” command and hit Enter.
Restart your PC and check if the error is now fixed.
Option 6– Try to scan your computer using Windows Defender
It is also possible that the DLL file might be infected with malware or virus which could explain why you’re getting the error. Thus, you have to scan your computer using security programs like Windows Defender.
Tap the Win + I keys to open Update & Security.
Then click on the Windows Security option and open Windows Defender Security Center.
Next, click on Virus & threat protection > Run a new advanced scan.
Now make sure that Full Scan is selected from the menu and then click the Scan Now button to get started.
World of Warcraft had been released on November 23, 2004, and even today it is the most successful MMORPG ever made. Some say that it was the right timing, others say it was Blizzard's history and its fans, it is even spoken that marketing team has responsibility for WOW's success. Whatever the reason may be, the fact remains that WOW is a really fun game to play. In this article we will cover the annoying issue of World of Warcraft's lost connection to the game server and how can you fix it. Please be aware that before you try any fixes go to the official World of Warcraft website and check to see if the server maintenance is not underway. If this is the case, you will have to wait for servers to come back online after the maintenance.
Keep reading and try provided solutions as they are presented to fix this issue and continue gaming.
Nvidia GeForce RTX is a high-end professional visual computing platform created by Nvidia, primarily used for designing complex large-scale models in architecture and product design, scientific visualization, energy exploration, and film and video production. Nvidia RTX enables real-time ray tracing.
Historically, ray tracing had been reserved for non-real-time applications (like CGI in visual effects for movies and in photorealistic renderings), with video games having to rely on direct lighting and precalculated indirect contribution for their rendering.
RTX facilitates a new development in computer graphics of generating interactive images that react to lighting, shadows, and reflections. RTX runs on Nvidia Volta-, Turing- and Ampere-based GPUs, specifically utilizing the Tensor cores (and new RT cores on Turing and successors) on the architectures for ray-tracing acceleration.
Advantage in games
With incredible lighting and shadows, reflection, better smoke, and water effects, and more, RTX has managed to place awesome real-time effects on your desktop all that’s to Nvidia technology behind it.
Of course, in order to harvest this kind of technology and features game itself needs to support and have RTX in it, you can not turn RTX in just any game, the game itself must have technology build in it.
Therefore we are bringing you the list of all RTX games you can find currently on the market so you can enjoy at the moment best graphics a PC can offer
This is a typical system error code. It stops your ability to run or load programs on your PC. The error message is displayed in the following format:
‘Windows cannot verify the digital signature for this file.
A recent hardware or software change might have installed a file that is signed incorrectly or damaged, or that might be malicious software from an unknown source.’
Solution
Error Causes
Error 577 may be triggered due to several reasons. However, the most common causes of this error include:
Device Driver Conflicts
Hardware Malfunction
Viral Infection
Windows Registry Corruption or Damage
Software File Corruption or Damage
Error 577 can prove to be fatal if the underlying causes are related to viral infection or registry corruption.
Further Information and Manual Repair
To resolve error 577 on your PC, you don’t have to hire a professional and spend hundreds of dollars on repair. The process for fixing this error is simple and easy.
Here are some of the best and efficient methods to repair error 577 - no technical expertise is required.
Method 1 - Check and Update Device Drivers
If the problem is triggered by the outdated or corrupted driver for the device reporting the error then it is advisable to update the driver.
To do this, first, uninstall the corrupted driver and then reinstall the latest version.
For this simply click the start menu, go to the control panel and then click Performance and Maintenance, and then System. In the new window, you will then see a tab called Hardware and the Device Manager.
Double click on the device whose driver you need to uninstall. Click on the properties window with a tab marked driver. Then click on the driver you want to uninstall. To activate changes reboot your PC.
Now reinstall the latest and updated version of the driver uninstalled using the Plug and Play feature.
Method 2 - Scan For Viruses
System error codes like 577 can also pop up if your PC is infected by viruses. Viruses enter through phishing emails and downloadable files from unreliable websites.
If the reason for error 577 is a viral infection, then simply install a powerful antivirus, run it to scan your entire PC. Remove all the viruses and malicious programs immediately to resolve.
If the issue still persists, then try method 3.
Method 3 - Repair the Registry
Sometimes registry corruption can be the underlying cause for error 577. The registry is the part that saves all activities performed on the system.
It stores both important and unnecessary files like junk files, cookies, and bad registry entries. If these files are not removed from the registry frequently, they accumulate and corrupt the registry which then generates system error codes.
To resolve and repair the registry in seconds, simply download Restoro. This is a user-friendly PC Repair Tool embedded with a registry cleaner. It wipes away all unnecessary files corrupting the registry and repairs it.
Click here to download Restoro.
In your Graphics Settings, select r5apex.exe and change the Graphics performance preference to Classic App, set it to High Performance, and then launch the game as an administrator when you want to play.
Inside the Nvidia Control Panel, click “Manage 3D Settings”, and select Apex Legends and change it to “Prefer Maximum Power”
You can also change “pre-rendered frames” to 1, but it will make you lag just a tiny, tiny bit.
Turning the shader cache on can help improve FPS, but on some systems, it may cause additional negative performance changes.
If you have the ability to use G-Sync, use that as well (Only available on some monitors and graphics cards)
From the task manager, change the priority of r5apex.exe to “High” and close out of other applications.
Update your graphics drivers.
Ensure your PC complies with the games minimum system requirements:
If you have or are currently getting a troublesome error saying, “The boot selection failed because a required device is inaccessible” when you boot your computer, then continue reading as this post will give you some suggestions that may help you resolve the error.
This pesky error pops up during the booting process of your computer and prevents you from booting to your Windows 10 PC and displays the error message on a black screen instead. To fix this problem, here are some suggestions you need to check out.
Option 1 – Try checking the boot order in BIOS
Turn on your PC and repeatedly tap the Setup key right away about once every second until you see the Computer Setup Utility or the BIOS settings.
Then use the right arrow key to select the Security menu and then use the down arrow key to select the Secure Boot Configuration option and then tap Enter.
Just a heads up, before you can use Secure Boot Configuration, a warning will pop up. Simply tap F10 to continue to the menu. After opening it, use the down arrow key to select Secure Boot and then the right arrow key to set the setting to Disable.
Next, select the Legacy Support option using the down arrow key and then the right key to set the setting to Enable.
Now tap F10 to confirm the changes and then use the arrow key to select File menu and then the down arrow key to select Save Changes and then Exit and tap Enter to select Yes. From there, your computer should restart and once it does, use the power button to switch it off.
If you are now able to boot from your hard drive, you need to know which option to choose once the boot menu pulls up. Refer to the steps below to easily boot from your hard drive.
Tap the power button to boot your PC. Once your PC starts, a message will appear indicating that the boot mode has now changed.
Next, you’ll see a security screen displaying a four-digit code. Type in this four-digit code and tap Enter.
After that, tap the power button to turn the computer off and wait for a couple of seconds and then turn your PC on and tap the ESC key right away repeatedly until you see the Startup menu.
Now tap F9 to open the Boot Menu and use the down arrow key to select the hard disk and make sure to select it by tapping Enter on your keyboard.
Restart your PC and check.
Option 2 – Try running the DSKCHK Check from the Recovery Media.
The DSKCHK utility scans your hard drive for any errors, bad files, or corrupt sectors so this should help in fixing the problem.
The first thing you need to do is to download the Media Creation Tool from Microsoft and then open it after the download. The file should be “MediaCreationTool.exe”.
Then tap Accept to agree to the terms and conditions and then from the initial screen, select the “Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC” option. Keep in mind that the language, architecture, and edition of the bootable drive will be selected based on your PC’s settings but you have to uncheck the Use the recommended options for this PC in order to choose the correct settings for your own computer that’s getting the error.
Now click Next and then click the USB drive or DVD option once prompted to select between USB or DVD depending on what device you are using to store this image on. Then click Next and select the required drivers from the list of storage devices currently connected to the computer.
Click Next. After that, the Media Creation Tool will proceed to download the files needed to install and create the installation device.
The next thing you have to do is to insert the installation drive.
After that, you will see the “Choose your keyboard layout” window so select the one you prefer and then the Choose an option screen will pop up.
Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Command Prompt. After opening Command Prompt, input the following command and hit Enter.
CHKDSK /R /X C:
Now boot your PC without the recovery drive and check if the problem’s fixed or not.
Option 3 – Try resetting the BIOS
Open the computer case and then look for the battery in the motherboard. If you can’t find it, you can seek out the motherboard or computer documentation of your PC as well as browse the web or contact the manufacturer for further assistance.
Removing the battery should be easy especially if your computer uses a coin cell battery. Just use your fingers to grab on the edge of the battery then pull it up and out of the socket that’s holding it in place.
Keep the battery removed for about 10 minutes and then insert it back and try booting into the BIOS.
Option 4 – Try using the Startup Repair
Inject the installation drive you created earlier and boot your PC.
Select the keyboard layout from the Choose your keyboard layout window.
From there, the Choose an option screen pops up. Navigate to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Repair.
What is RTX