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My device used to work, but now it doesn’t

So you just have turned your computer ON only to find out that your device which was working perfectly yesterday is not working anymore. This situation can be very stressful and disappointing but do not despair, before you toss your device through the window know that this kind of behavior can be traced back to a software issue.

In this article, we will give you hints on what to do and where to pay attention when something like this happens so you get the device back in working order.

  1. Check if it not a hardware malfunction

    To save yourself time and unnecessary frustration with juggling through Windows first inspect the device to be sure that indeed it is working properly, check all led lamps which could indicate that the device is working and receiving power, and if it is an internal device try opening the case and visually check if there are signs of working like rotating fans or led lamps on it.

  2. Check Cables

    If it is an external device that has stopped working try checking power cables and cables which go to your computer, see if they are tightly connected. If it is an internal device also check cables, nudge them and if possible disconnect and clean them.

  3. Disconnect and reconnect the device

    Try this solution to see will Windows register the device again and start it.

  4. Update Windows

    If there is a Windows update not installed, install it and see if the device will start working.

  5. Update device drivers

    Go to device manager and update the device driver to its latest version or go to the manufacturer's site and download the latest driver version.

  6. Reinstall the device

    In the device manager, uninstall the device driver and reboot Windows. When Windows boots it will recognize the device and install the necessary drivers for it.

  7. Disable antivirus and firewall

    Sometimes antivirus can prevent certain devices from working properly, especially if they rely on some system files to which antivirus or firewall has cut access. Try disabling your PC protection to see if this will resolve the issue.

  8. Use dedicated error software

    Use DRIVERFIX to automatically search and fix driver issues.

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Downloads folder loads slowly in Windows
If you are frequently experiencing slow loading of folders in your Windows 10 computer, Downloads folder for instance, then you’ve come to the right place as this post will help you resolve such issue. Slow loading of folders is a common problem faced by many users even when they are using the latest hardware like SSDs. So if you experience the same thing, be it with the Downloads folder or other folders on your computer, there is a way to resolve that issue and make the folder load faster. Slow-loading means when you attempt to open the folder, it takes a couple of seconds before it displays its contents. In such cases, you’ll see a green loading address bar that says “Working on it” which can get quite annoying especially if you are in a hurry. And if you notice that this only happens in the Downloads folder, there certainly is something wrong. This kind of problem can occur on SSDs and normal hard drives. The main reason behind the occurrence of this problem is that the folder may have been optimized for viewing photos or other media formats which is why it takes quite longer than usual to load all the files and their thumbnails. However, since the Downloads folder usually contains all kinds of files like documents, zip files, audio/video files, etc. there is no need to optimize this folder for media files only because doing so is only going to make the Windows File Explorer slow in loading the folder’s contents and thumbnails which does not exist for many files.

Option 1 – Configure the Downloads folder

  • Right-click on the Downloads folder or the folder you’re having trouble opening.
  • Then click on Properties and go to the Customize tab.
  • After that, click on the “Optimize this folder for” option in the drop-down menu.
  • Next, select General items from the drop-down which might have been set by default to Pictures or Video.
  • You also have the option to apply this template to all the subfolders, that is if your folder has any subfolders.
  • Now apply the settings and restart Windows Explorer.
Note: Once you’ve completed the steps above, it should now make the folder content display a lot faster than before. Now try to open the Downloads folder which would not take much time as you will see the changes right away.

Option 2 – Run CHKDSK to check your disk for errors

When it comes to some issues concerning the hard drive or removable devices, there is a utility in Windows that might help which is called “chkdsk”. This error check utility can help with several issues in the system including File System Error -2147219196.
  • Tap the Win + S keys to open the Search box.
  • Then type “command prompt” in the field and from the search results that appear, right-click on Command Prompt and select “Run as administrator”.
  • After opening an elevated command prompt, copy and paste the following command and hit Enter:
chkdsk /r /f
  • Now if you are prompted to run CHKDSK after your reboot your PC, just tap Y and reboot your PC.
  • If CHKDSK is not able to find any errors, tap the Win + E keys and navigate the access window. From there, right-click on the concerned drive and click on Properties.
  • After opening Properties, click on the tab Tools and then click on the “Check” button under the Error-checking section.
  • Wait until the process is completed and then restart your computer.
  • Once your computer has restarted, try accessing the file and check if the error persists.
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Taskbar has disappeared from the Desktop
As you know, the Taskbar is one of the integral parts of the Windows desktop and it has been there since the release of Windows 1.0 and up until now with Windows 10. Since then, Microsoft has been modifying the Taskbar with a new design which makes it a home for new features such as Windows Search, Task View, and many more. However, there are times when you may that the Taskbar has disappeared or has stopped responding. If you experience either one of these scenarios, read on as this post will walk you through what you can do to resolve the problem. Here are some suggestions you can check out to resolve the issue with the Taskbar in Windows 10 but before you proceed, make sure that you create a System Restore point first. To do that, follow these steps:
  • In the Start search, type in “create a restore point” and click the entry “System Properties”.
  • Next, select the main system drive under Protection Settings and click on the Configure button.
  • After that, select the “Turn on system protection” option and then click on the Apply and OK buttons to save the changes made.
Once you’ve created a System Restore point, refer to the troubleshooting steps below to fix the Taskbar in Windows 10.

Option 1 – Try to restart the Explorer process

This may sound really basic but it actually is a proven method to fix the Taskbar issue. So if anything gets stuck on the system tray or the Taskbar, you can always fix it by restarting the explorer.exe. How? Refer to these steps:
  • First, right-click on the Taskbar and select the Task Manager.
  • After opening the Task Manager, go to the Processes tab and look for the process named “Windows Explorer”.
  • Then right-click on that process and select the option to Restart. Afterward, you should now be seeing the Taskbar as this will reload the whole Windows Shell.

Option 2 – Unhide the Taskbar using the Settings app

It is possible that the Taskbar could be hidden so you can try to unhide it using the Settings app.
  • Tap the Win + I keys to open Settings.
  • After that, go to Personalization > Taskbar.
  • From the main section, make sure that the “Automatically hide the task in desktop mode” is toggled to the off position. However, if it’s already off then proceed to the next options below.

Option 3 – Make sure that you are not in Tablet Mode

Since Windows 10 is designed to work on both desktop and mobile devices, it could be that your computer has slipped into Tablet Mode which explains why you’re not seeing the Taskbar. To check if your computer is really in Tablet Mode, follow these steps:
  • Go to the Start menu and select Settings.
  • Next, select the System setting and from the left pane select the Tablet Mode.
  • From there, make sure that the buttons next to the options given below are set to the off position:
    • Hide app icons on the taskbar in tablet mode
    • Automatically hide the taskbar in tablet mode

Option 4 – Try to check the Projection Settings

You might also want to check the Projection settings as it could be the reason why Taskbar has disappeared.
  • Tap the Win + P keys to open the Windows Projection settings.
  • Next, make sure that you select the “PC screen only” option and then check if your Taskbar has now appeared or not.
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Fix CHKDSK is not available for RAW drives
One of the most useful tools you can use to repair bad or corrupted sectors in the hard disk of your computer is the CHKDSK utility. However, there are also instances when this Disk Checking tool could encounter some issues and one of them is the error that states, “The type of the file system are RAW, CHKDSK is not available for RAW drives”. This kind of issue is due to the RAW file format which is not recognized by the Windows operating system that you’ve installed which explains why you’re getting this error when running the CHKDSK utility. You can also encounter this error in case there is something wrong with the drive encryption. To fix this error, you have to change the File System of the drive. How? Refer to the steps given below. Step 1: The first thing you need to do is create a bootable Windows 10 media. Step 2: After that, click on Repair your computer on the first Windows 10 installation setup window. Step 3: Next, you have to select the operating system partition from the given options and then click on Next. Step 4: Now select Command Prompt from the System Recovery Options box and then type the following command and tap Enter to initiate the Diskpart utility inside Command Prompt.
diskpart
Step 5: Afterwards, type in either of the following commands to help you in either listing all the Disk connects or all the partitions on those disks formed.
diskpart or list volume
Step 6: Next, you need to select any of the two given commands below depending on the list you entered on the previous step.
select disk # or select volume #
Step 7: After you enter the command, it will select the Disk or the Partition you want to select. Now you have to type and enter the following command to clean your drive.
clean
Step 8: Now enter any of the two following commands.
list disk or list volume
Step 9: Then type the next command below to create a specified partition.
create partition primary
Step 10: Once done, type in the following command to select the newly created partition.
select partition 1
Step 11: Next, type the following command to mark the selected partition as active.
active
Step 12: Finally, restart your computer to successfully apply the changes made and then see if it has fixed the problem or not.
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How to Resolve HP Printer Spooler Not Running Error

HP Printer Spooler Not Running - What is it?

If you have the HP printer, then you may come across this error. HP Printer Spooler not running errors does not mean there is anything wrong with your printer. It indicates printer driver issues.

Solution

Restoro box imageError Causes

There can be multiple causes behind the HP printer Spooler not running error code such as:
  • The poor or unsuccessful printer driver installation
  • Invalid registry entries
Though this is not a critical error code as it does not pose serious damage threats to your PC, however, it is advisable to resolve it as it can cause you a great deal of inconvenience especially if you want to take out printouts every now and then.

Further Information and Manual Repair

Here are some ways you can try to resolve HP Printer Spooler Not Running Error on your system: 1. Reinstall the HP Printer driver on Your System
  • Simply go to the control panel and then click on the Device Manager option
  • Once you click it you will see details pane with a list of devices. Now simply click on the printer, to reinstall the driver software.
  • Double click on it to open the properties dialog box
  • After that click on the driver tab and then click update driver
Once you update the driver, try using the Printer to see if it works. Sometimes you may come across a pop-up displaying the following message: ‘Driver installed correctly, Device is ready to use however, you may not see the printer under the printer’s pane. This triggers registry issues. 2. To resolve registry issues, install Restoro on your system. This is a highly functional registry cleaner integrated with a powerful antivirus. It helps resolve registry issues, malware, and guarantees system optimization. This feature-filled tool is the answer to all your PC-related issues. Restoro is a next-generation PC repair software that extends outstanding usability and helps PC users resolve errors efficiently. Its simple navigation and user-friendly interface make it so easy to use that even novice users can also work around it and repair issues without any hassle or difficulty. It’s a smart and intuitive in-built registry cleaner that wipes out all the unnecessary and obsolete files on your hard disk. This includes junk files, internet history, invalid registry keys, and files from the uninstalled old program versions. Sometimes the files from the uninstalled programs hamper your ability to update new program versions thus leading to unsuccessful driver installation. Nonetheless, all such files are removed in seconds with this helper and you are then ready to reinstall the driver. This registry cleaner cleans the clutter from your hard disk and optimizes your system's speed, lowering your PC boot time significantly. Total System Care can be used on all Windows versions To fix the HP printer spooler not running error on your computer, simply click here to install Restoro. Run it to scan for the error and fix it in seconds. Once the issue is resolved, update the printer driver. You’ll see the driver will be updated successfully and the HP printer will also appear in the printer’s panel. By installing Restoro on your system, you can also resolve several other issues like privacy errors triggered by malware and virus infections. With this tool, you will not have to download and run a separate anti-virus on your system.
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Fix Windows Update Error 0x80244007
Getting errors while trying to update your Windows 10 computer is not an uncommon occurrence. Although some of them are easy to fix, there are others that need a lot of time and research in order to resolve. One of these tough Windows Update errors is Error 0x80244007. This kind of Windows Update error halts the process of Windows Update and a simple system restart won’t help much to fix it. When you encounter this Windows Update error, you will see a description that says, “SOAP client failed because there was a SOAP fault for reasons of WU_E_PT_SOAP_* error codes”. One of the main causes of such an error is that Windows was not able to renew the cookies for Windows Update. To fix this error, here are some suggestions that might be useful.

Option 1 – Clear up temporary or junk files

The error could be caused by some temporary or junk files in your computer and so you need to clear them up to fix the problem. You can achieve that using the Storage Sense feature.
  • Open Setting > System > Storage from the WinX Menu.
  • From there, you will see a list of all the local and connected storage devices along with the details on the free space. Make sure that Storage Sense is on.
  • Next, find a link that says “Free Up Space” and click it to open.
  • After that, a screen which is the built-in program in Windows 10 will appear and will scan your computer for the following junk files so you can free up disk space:
    • Windows Upgrade Log Files
    • The system created Windows Error Reporting Files
    • Thumbnails
    • Temporary Internet Files
    • Previous Windows Installation Files
    • Delivery Optimisation Files
    • DirectX Shader Cache
  • Choose the files you want to get rid of and then click on the remove files option. Note that you’ll have an idea of the total size as you select any of the junk files listed above.
  • Now go to the “Free Up Space Now” section and click the Clear Now button. This will get rid of all the temporary or junk files in your computer and should hopefully fix the Windows Update error 0x80244007.

Option 2 – Try running the Windows Update troubleshooter

Windows 10 have various troubleshooters that can help you resolve many system issues. So if you’re dealing with Windows Update errors like Error 0x80244007, you can run the Windows Update troubleshooter to resolve it. 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 to reset the Windows Update components

If by any chance that the second option didn’t work, resetting the Windows Update components could also help you resolve the problem. How? Refer to the following steps:
  • Open Command Prompt with admin privileges.
  • After that, type each one of the following commands and hit Enter after you key in one after the other.
    • net stop wuauserv
    • net stop cryptsvc
    • net stop bits
    • net stop msiserver
Note: The commands you entered will stop the Windows Update components such as Windows Update service, Cryptographic services, BITS and MSI Installer.
  • After disabling WU components, you need to rename both the SoftwareDistribution and Catroot2 folders. To do that, type each one of the following commands below and don’t forget to hit Enter after you type one command after the other.
    • ren C:WindowsSoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
    • ren C:WindowsSystem32catroot2 Catroot2.old
  • Next, restart the services you’ve stopped by entering another series of commands. Don’t forget to hit Enter after you key in one command after the other.
    • net start wuauserv
    • net start cryptsvc
    • net start bits
    • net start msiserver
  • Close Command Prompt and reboot your PC.
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Setup Voice control in Windows11

Computer voice control has moved a long way from its beginning routes and in today's age controlling your PC with voice is truly a reality and fully possible. Voice control is taking up the steam in everyday life, from simple commands in cars, Alexa, smartphones, TVs, etc. to modern computers.

voice control

Windows 10 has introduced voice control into PC with Cortana even during the installation process but a lot has changed from having a virtual assistant in begging days and in today's modern Windows 11 OS. You can now freely open apps, move, copy delete files, and even dictate in order to create a word document.

However, in order to take this advantage, you will need to turn it off first since it is disabled by default. Of course, you will need a microphone and some spare time to train Windows in understanding you properly.

Setting up Voice Control

Just like in Windows 10, in Windows 11 voice control is also in accessibility options and the first step is to turn ON Windows Speech Recognition.

Click on the Start button and type Settings into the search bar, click on Open, or press ENTER. On the left side of the settings, window locate and click on Accessibility. On the right part once Accessibility is selected scroll down and find a section titled Interaction and click on Speech. Turn on the switch next to Windows Speech Recognition.

A pop-up will appear that will lead you through the rest of the setup and that's it.

Improving Voice Control

In order to make your voice control better, if you are not satisfied with the results, you can sample more of your voice into the algorithm to tune it more to your liking. Sadly this option is still deep in Control Panel.

Click the Start button and type in Speech recognition into the search bar, look for the search result with Control Panel displayed under it, and click on Open. Click on Train Your Computer to Better Understand You and follow the instructions.

The process will probably take a few minutes. The more data you provide to the speech recognition model, the more accurate it will be when interpreting your instructions. You can train the model multiple times, and each time you do, it should improve the accuracy.

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Fix DRIVER_VERIFIER_DETECTED_VIOLATION
Driver Verifier is a built-in tool in Windows 10 that monitors device drivers on your computer, if it detects issues with drivers, it will attempt to fix the issue. If you are encountering Blue Screen for a Driver and after running Driver Verifier you get another with message DRIVER_VERIFIER_DETECTED_VIOLATION ten follow this article step by step in order to solve it. There is a chance that you will maybe even have to do this in safe mode, if that is your case, login into safe mode and proceed, otherwise proceed normally.
  1. Update Device Drivers

    the most common issue with the blue screen is old Drivers, in most cases, graphical drivers, update all Drivers with the latest versions and see if this will resolve the issue.
  2. Stop or uninstall Virtualization software

    Virtua machine software is a great way to have a safe environment and to experiment while preserving your Windows installation intact, however sometimes due to the nature of these applications they can be a case for blue screen errors. Stop virtualization software to see if it will remove the issue. If that is the case, try another virtualization application
  3. Disable Driver Verifier

    Press ⊞ WINDOWS + X to open the secret menu Click on Command Prompt (admin) Inside command prompt type: verifier and press ENTER Select the Delete existing settings radio button Click Finish Reboot your computer
  4. Reset Driver Verifier

    Press ⊞ WINDOWS + X to open the secret menu Click on Command Prompt (admin) Inside command prompt type: verifier /reset and press ENTER Reboot your computer
  5. Use system restore

    Rollback Windows to the previous state where everything was working fine.
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A Quick Guide to Resolving Error 0x80070003

Error 0x80070003 - What is it?

Error 0x80070003 is a type of Windows file backup and restore error code. This error occurs when you copy files or try to create backup and restore files and folders by using Windows Backup and Restore. This error stops you from using browse for files or folders. It hampers your ability to browse and restore files in the File Restore Wizard on your PC.

Solution

Restoro box imageError Causes

Error 0x80070003 may occur due to numerous reasons such as:
  • Registry files are corrupted and damaged
  • Missing directories
  • Boot sector corrupted
  • Outdated drivers
  • Faulty software installation
  • Malware infection
  • Improper maintenance and incomplete installation

Further Information and Manual Repair

Here are some manual and easy do-it-yourself methods that you can try at home and resolve the issue on your own and save hundreds of dollars that you would be otherwise spending to hire a professional for the job.

Method 1 - Use Search Functionality in the File Restore Wizard to restore files

To work out and resolve error 0x80070003 on your system simply use the search functionality in the File Restore Wizard to locate and restore the files. This can be done by going to the start menu and then click on search. Now enter the keywords in the search for box and then click search again. Click to select the files that you want to restore from the list and then click OK. This will help you restore the files and resolve the issue.

Method 2 - Recreate the Missing Directory

If the re-parse point is deleted, then you will have to recreate the missing directory. The deletion of the re-parse point can be identified if the error code is displayed in this format ‘Filename: C:\Myfolder\11111.txt, Error: the system cannot find the path specified (0x80070003)’. To resolve, simply follow the path that is pointed out in the error and create the corresponding folder. Create the folder Myfolder in Drive C. Then try the restore operation again. Now click to clear the Restore the files to their original subfolders check box and then run the File Restore Wizard. This is most likely going to resolve the issue.

Method 3 - Scan for Viruses

Sometimes error 0x80070003 may occur due to malware. This stops you from creating file backup and restore files. If this is the cause then simply download and run an antivirus to remove malware programs on your PC.

Method 4 - Clean and Repair the Corrupted Registry

Error 0x80070003 can be triggered due to registry corruption. If this is the cause then simply download Restoro. This is a user-friendly and powerful multi-functional PC Fixer integrated with a registry cleaner. The registry cleaner scans for all registry-related errors, wipe out all unnecessary and junk files, and also cleans and repairs the damaged registry in seconds. Click here to download Restoro and resolve error 0x80070003 today!
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A Guide to Fixing 0x80042109 Error Code

0x80042109 - What is it?

0x80042109 is a Microsoft Outlook error. The 0x80042109 error code occurs mostly while sending emails. The error message is often displayed in the following format:

“Sending reported error (0×80042109): Outlook cannot connect to your outgoing (SMTP) e-mail server.”

Solution

Restoro box imageError Causes

It is not easy to narrow down the cause for the error code 0x80042109. This error can occur due to many reasons. This includes:
  • Corrupt emails and PST files
  • Incorrect Outlook account settings
  • Unavailability of the mail server
  • Incomplete Outlook installation
  • Spyware or viral infection

Further Information and Manual Repair

To resolve the 0x80042109 error code on your PC, here are some easy and effective DIY solutions you can try:

Method 1 - Check Mail Settings

Check your mail settings to see if your outgoing server SMTP is selected or not. If it is not, then it could be the reason for the issue. To check mail settings and select the option, here’s what you need to do:
  1. Click Tools, select Account Settings, and then POP 3 account and click change.
  2. Now check your name field and email address.
  3. Check the incoming and outgoing mail server fields and make sure that it is correct.
  4. Now click on the outgoing server and make sure that the option ‘My Outgoing Server (SMTP) requires Authentication is selected.
  5. After that, click Advanced and tick the option that says ‘This server requires an encrypted connection (SSL).
  6. Now click OK to confirm settings.

Method 2 - Reinstall Outlook on your PC

The error may also occur due to incorrect Outlook installation. Therefore reinstall it on your PC. To do this first you will have to uninstall the software and then re-install it. Once the software is reinstalled try sending the email again. If it is sent successfully, then this means the error is related to incomplete installation. However, if the error still persists then it is advisable to restore the points by going to the System Restore option and choosing the option ‘Restore My Computer to an Earlier Time’ point. This will revert the changes.

Method 3 - Try Disabling Firewall

If you have firewall program installed on your PC, then try disabling it and then send an email through your Outlook account.

Method 4 - Scan for Viruses

Another way to resolve the error code is to scan for viruses. Viral infection and spyware and also affect your Outlook account and activities. However, installing an antivirus on your PC may slow down its performance as such programs are notorious for doing that. Therefore, it is advisable to download Restoro. Restoro is a next generation and a highly advanced PC Fixer embedded with powerful and multiple utilities including an antivirus and a system optimizer. Its intuitive algorithm enables it to scan your entire PC and remove all kinds of malicious software affecting your system including malware, adware, spyware, viruses and Trojans. The system optimizer utility works simultaneously and ensures your PC performs at its optimum speed. It is safe, bug-free, and efficient. It has a user-friendly interface which makes it simple and very easy to operate. You can download it on all Windows versions. Click here to download Restoro to resolve error 0x80042109 today!
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Software review series: HWiNFO
HWiNFO (Hardware Information) is a professional hardware information and diagnostic tool supporting the latest components, industry technologies, and standards. It's targeted to recognize and extract the most possible amount of information about computer hardware which makes it suitable for users searching for driver updates, computer manufactures, system integrators, and technical experts too. Retrieved information is presented in a logical and easily understandable form and can be exported into various types of reports. System health monitoring and basic benchmarking available too. If you would like to read more helpful articles and tips about various software and hardware visit errortools.com daily.
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