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What is and how to Remove Shortcut Virus

Shortcut virus is an easily spreadable and annoying combination of Worm and Trojan that hides all of your files and folders and then replaces them with shortcuts that look identical to replaced files and folders.

Shortcut virusOnce disguised it will wait patiently for a user's click and once that happens it will replicate itself and further infect the system. This rapid spread can lead to stolen personal data, some system hick-ups, and other system-related issues.

This malware mainly affects physical file transfer devices like for example and most USB drives, hard drives, and SD memory cards and it can easily transfer itself to the computer.

The advantage of this shortcut virus comparing it to others is that it is mostly undetected by a vast variety of antivirus software. So running just anti-virus software maybe not be enough to remove it from your system. Luckily for all unfortunate users that have caught this annoyance, it can be easily removed fully manually in a short time.

How to Remove Virus from USB and other removable media

Firstly plugin USB, SD, or removable drive. The infection will transfer to your computer when the infected drive is plugged in so before we go to clean the computer itself, clean each removable drive that you have. Also know that infection will spread from computers into removable devices as well if it is not cleaned.

Open the File Explorer and remember under which letter is removable drive registered. Open Command prompt but with administrator privileges and go to infected rive by typing its letter followed with “:” (for example D:) and press ENTER

Once you have successfully gone to infected drive type in command prompt:

Attrib -s -r -h /s /d *.*

This will unlock all original files back into removable storage, next copy all files to your computer, and format the removable drive. Once the format is complete, unplug the removable device. Continue to clean all devices with the same method.

How to Permanently Remove a Shortcut Virus from Your PC

Now once we have cleaned all removable devices it is time to fully clean the PC

Firstly open the task manager ( CTRL + SHIFT + ESC ), in the process tab find wscript.exe or wscript.vbs, right-click on it (or both if present), and select End Task. Now close the task manager and press Start. Inside start typing in registry editor to search for it and once found open it.

Find the following key inside the registry editor:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Run

In the right panel, look for any strange-looking key names, such as odwcamszas, WXCKYz, OUzzckky, etc. For each one, run a Google search to see if it's related to shortcut viruses.

If any returns a positive match, right-click on them and select Delete. !!! Accidentally deleting an important key can cause Windows to become unstable, so double-check everything !!!.

Close the Registry Editor

Now press ⊞ WINDOWS + R to open the run dialog and type in it Msconfig followed by ENTER. Once the System Configuration window opens go to the Startup tab. In the Startup tab, look for any strange-looking .EXE or .VBS programs, select each one and click Disable. Close the Window.

Once again open the run dialog and type inside %TEMP% and press ENTER in order to open the Windows temp folder. Inside this folder delete everything.

Next in the File explorer go to

C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup

Look for any strange-looking .EXE or .VBS files and delete them.

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Fix Windows 10 Error Code 0x800703e3

Error Code 0x800703e3, What is it?

Error Code 0x800703e3 is an error that arises on Windows 10, as well as on many of the past versions of the Windows operating system, dating back to Windows 7. It is an error that is associated with a number of different causes, and therefore, there are many different ways to attempt to resolve the error.

Common symptoms include:

  • Programs running slowly or locking up
  • Computer freezing or going to a blue screen
  • Report of an error message

In most cases, users experience Error Code 0x800703e3 when they attempt to install new software or upgrade their programs and operating systems on their Windows machine. Error Code 0x800703e3 is fairly simple to fix and many of the methods used do not require advanced computer skills or knowledge. However, if you have any difficulty in implementing the steps below on your device, it is recommended that you contact a qualified computer repair technician to assist you.

Solution

Restoro box imageError Causes

There are a number of different causes for Error Code 0x800703e3. The most common ones that Windows users experience are:
  • Incomplete installations interfering with system files
  • Outdated operating system or programs
  • Updates left unfinished for long periods of time
  • Manual cancellation of the installation process
  • Malware or viruses
  • Corrupted files in the operating system
  • Redundancy in the installations of a program on the device

Further Information and Manual Repair

As there are many different things that can cause Error Code 0x800703e3 to appear on your Windows device, there are many methods that you can use to attempt to resolve the error. While many of these are easy to complete for basic users, some of the methods below require familiarity with advanced computing techniques. If you have trouble using the methods below, contact a qualified Windows repair technician.

Here are the top ways to resolve Error Code 0x800703e3:

Method One:  Update Your Device Drivers and Registries

The best place to start in resolving Error Code 0x800703e3 is to open up your settings for your drivers and check to see if any updates are necessary. After updating your drivers, it is important to restart your computer to allow any changes to take effect.

Secondarily, you can also run the Windows Registry Repair tool to see if there are any system files in your library that can be fixed, removed, or added automatically by the repair wizard. Again, it is important that you restart your computer after the tool has finished its scan and repair process to ensure that all necessary changes become fully active and recognized by the system.

Method Two:  Check for System and Program Updates

If it has been a while since you last updated your software and operating system, open up the settings for your system updates. Always restart your computer after a system update has been completed to allow the necessary changes to take effect.

Remember that it is important to regularly update both your Windows operating system and your programs to ensure that there is not a backlog of updates to be completed.  This can help to keep your computer in optimum health and eliminate future errors during installations and standard operation of your computer.

Method Three:  Restore Your System

In some cases, the best way to address Error Code 0x800703e3 is to reinstall the Windows operating system on your machine. If the core issue of the error is that there is a missing or damaged system file, this is the best way to address the problem quickly and efficiently. Before you attempt to reinstall the Windows operating on your machine, make sure that all of your programs and information have been backed up in a secure manner so that you can restore these items after the installation is complete.

Method Four:  Remove Recently Added Programs

If you just began to experience the error after installing a new program, try removing the new program from your machine using the “uninstall” process, then restart your computer.

If you have any difficulty in completing the above methods on your own or if the problem has not been fully resolved using these methods, get in touch with a certified Windows technician who can help you to fix the issues at hand and get your computer up and running again.

Method Five: Use An Automated Tool

If you wish to always have at your disposal a utility tool to fix these Windows 10 and other related issues when they do arise, download and install a powerful automated tool.
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Protestware, what it is, and why it is a bad thing

The author of the famous software library mode-ipc that gets over a million downloads per week found that it has some questionable code inside. The code itself behaves like this: if it finds out that your location is within Russia or Belarus it will try to replace the contents of all files on the computer with a heart emoji.

One important thing is that we here are not supporting the current Ukrainian situation and are against any type of violence or war but we also do not support this kind of behavior as well. If we look at this only from a technical perspective, we would then classify the mode-ipc library as malware and a harmful piece of code no matter the motivation behind it.

code block

So this so-called protestware is well basically malware, but not always, it will protest when certain conditions are met. The issue with this is that companies and users should not be placed under harm if they do not share the personal view of the code author. Imagine if, for example, I would publish code to delete all pictures from your computer if my code found out that you do not like metal music. I guess you not liking metal music and war in Ukraine are two very different things but the source is the same, unreliable code that invades your privacy in order to serve one purpose, punishment for disagreeing with my personal views and that should not be allowed.

Not all protestware are equal, some will not harm your computer on purpose, they will just annoy you with some messages like viruses did in their infancy stages, others might place some developer sanctions but no matter the outcome basic principle is the same, it does something without user consent and without informing the user that something like that might happen.

On the internet, many blog posts and discussions were open about this issue and its morality. Discussion is still active with different takes on the situation and how to prevent it. Our take on this matter is that professional developers should have standards and not submit to doing harm for the sake of personal views and feelings.

In the long run, this kind of behavior and practice can only harm developers involved in this kind of entanglement. Infected libraries will in time stop being used since people would not trust them and authors will have a stain on their name as impulsive or not trustworthy.

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Media Player cannot burn some of the files
If you encounter an error while trying to burn files to a CD or disk on your Windows 10 computer, stating, “Windows Media Player cannot burn some of the files”, read on as this post will guide you in fixing the error. Here’s the complete error message:
“Windows Media Player cannot burn some of the files. To investigate the problem, click the icon next to the files in the burn list.”
As you know, the Windows Media Player helps you burn songs or audio files to CD or disk but it does not always end up successfully as you could encounter some setbacks such as this particular error. Usually, this kind of issue occurs if an audio file does not comply with some restrictions so the Windows Media Player pops up this error instead. You can encounter this error message if:
  • You include a file that’s not an audio file.
  • If the total time limit exceeds 80 minutes (even though a CD has 700 MB storage capacity, you can’t burn audio of more than 80 minutes long)
To resolve the error, you have to remove the unsupported files from the burning list, change the burning speed or execute some tweaks in the Privacy settings. For more details, refer to the instructions provided below.

Option 1 – Get rid of the unsupported files from the burning list

You must get rid of the unsupported files from the list of files to burn. This list can be found on the right-hand side of the Windows Media Player. One of the indications that a file is causing problems is when there is a white cross in a red circle next to the file. You can simply click on that icon to remove the file from the burning list. Once you’ve gotten rid of all the unsupported files, try to burn your files to the CD or disk once more.

Option 2 – Try to modify the Privacy settings

In case you don’t know, the Windows Media Player comes with privacy settings that help you in various situations. However, on rare occasions, those settings could also trigger errors and this might be the one that’s causing the “Windows Media Player cannot burn some of the files” to pop up. Thus, you can try disabling these options to resolve the error. How? Refer to these steps:
  • Open the Windows Media Player.
  • Then go to Tools > Options. If you aren’t able to find the Tools menu, just tap the Ctrl + M keys. On the other hand, you can also tap the Alt key to display the menu options.
  • Once you’ve opened the Options window, go to the Privacy tab where you can the “Enhanced Playback and Device Experience” section.
  • In this section, you can find the following options. Make sure to disable them all.
    • Display media information from the Internet
    • Update music files by retrieving media info from the Internet
    • Download usage rights automatically when I play or sync a file
    • Automatically check if protected files need to be refreshed
    • Set clock on devices automatically
  • After you disable the options listed above, click on the Apply and OK buttons to save the changes made and then try to burn the files again.

Option 3 – Try to change the burning speed

Since the burning speed is set to fastest by default, you can try to change the burning speed to resolve the problem. All you have to do is open the Options window and then go to the Burn tab. From there, select either Medium or Slow burning speed and save the changes made. Now try to burn your files to the CD or disk once again.
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Fix 0x80070037: The specified network ...
If you are trying to copy a file but suddenly encountered an error message saying, “An unexpected error is keeping you from copying the file”, then you’ve come to the right place as this post will help you resolve the problem. This error comes along with another message that states, “Error 0x80070037: The specified network resource or device is no longer available”. This kind of error occurs when the power supply to the external device is weak and causes the device to be disconnecting and reconnecting consistently. To fix this problem, you need to check out the potential fixes provided below.

Option 1 – Try to physically check the USB ports

You need to check the USB ports as there could be some ports that are loose or damaged physically which affects the overall performance of the port. You could also try to change the USB port since modern computers have a variety of USB ports. So if your USB drive supports USB 3.0 or 3.1, make sure that you plug it inside a USB 3.0 or 3.1 ports. If you’re not sure which port, just keep in mind that the USB 3 port is usually blue or you can also use your computer’s documentation or manual as a reference to locate it.

Option 2 – Check the connected cables physically

Aside from the USB ports, you also have to check the physical status of the connected cables because if there are damaged ones, just like with USB ports, it would also affect the overall connectivity of the device with the computer. So if you notice some irregularities in the connecting cable physically, you might have to buy another one and replace it and then see if it fixes the problem or not.

Option 3 – Update or reinstall the Universal Serial Bus Controller driver

Since it could be a driver issue, you can try to update or reinstall the Universal Serial Bus Controller drivers using the Device Manager. Refer to the following steps:
  • First, click the Start button and type “device manager”.
  • Then click on the “Device Manager” from the search results to open it.
  • From there, look for the “Universal Serial Bus controllers” option and then right-click on each one of the USB drivers and select the Update Driver from the menu.
Note: If it is a regular USB drive, then it will be listed as a USB Mass Storage Device but if you have a USB 3.0 device, then look for a USB 3.0 Extensible Host Controller.
  • Restart your PC and then click the “Search automatically for updated driver software” option.
Note: If updating the USB Controller drivers didn’t work, you can try to reinstall them instead.

Option 4 – Try connecting to a slower USB port

If connecting your device to USB 3.0 or 3.1 ports didn’t work, you might want to try connecting it to a slower USB port this time. There are times when the device is not capable of supporting the higher power supply from a USB 3.0 or 3.1 port which is why the weak circuits do not work properly. Thus, try connecting your device to a USB 2.0 port and check if your device is now working.

Option 5 – Try to turn off the Power Saving option

You could also try to turn off the Power Saving option to resolve the problem. All you have to do is switch to Power Management after you select the Properties of the USB device and from there, uncheck the “Allow the computer to turn off the device to save power” option. On the other hand, if you are using a laptop and did not use the USB device for a long time, then it could be powered off. This will ensure that the system does not turn off the USB device.

Option 6 – Try to connect your device to another computer

It is also possible that your computer does not support your device. To check that possibility, you can try connecting your device to a different computer and see if it is working without any issues. If it is, then you need to get another device that’s compatible with your computer.

Option 7 – Try to use a different device

You could also try using a different device and connect it to your computer. This will help you figure out if your device is damaged or not. So if the other device you connected is working just fine, then you might have to replace your device with a new one or consult an expert and have it repaired if possible.

Option 8 – Run the Hardware and Devices Troubleshooters

  • The first thing you need to do is click on Start and then on the gear-like icon to pull up the window for Settings.
  • After opening Settings, look for the Update and Security option and select it.
  • From there, go to the Troubleshoot option located on the left-hand side of the list.
  • Next, select Hardware and Devices from the list and open the Troubleshooter and run it. Once it is doing its job, wait for it to complete the process and then restart the system.
  • After the system restarts, check if the problem’s now fixed. If not, refer to the next option given below.
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Completely Remove SafeSearch Guide

SafeSearch is an ad-supported, cross web browser plugin for Internet Explorer and Firefox/Chrome. The browser extension will modify the default or custom settings of the browser including the home page, search settings, and in some cases will modify Internet Explorer’s load time threshold, place a lock file within Firefox to prevent changing settings as well as disable the browser’s Content Security Policy in order to allow for cross-site scripting of the plugin. For these reasons, it has been classified as a browser hijacker.

From the publisher: SafeSearch created by AVSoftware is the unique search engine that filters malicious sites or sites with bad reputations. Every website is weighted on several critical factors – vendor reliability, child safety, privacy issues, user opinions, and ratings.

SafeSearch has been found to be bundled with 3rd party software and malware and therefore is not recommended to keep on your computer.

About Browser Hijackers

Browser hijacking is amongst the internet’s constant problems that target browsers. It’s a kind of malware program that directs web browser requests to some other malicious sites. They’re created to disrupt browser functions for several purposes. Typically, the idea is to force users to visit certain websites that are trying to improve their visitor traffic and produce higher ad revenue. Even though it might seem naive, all browser hijackers are damaging and therefore always regarded as security risks. Furthermore, hijackers can make the entire infected system vulnerable – other dangerous malware and viruses will take hold of these opportunities to intrude into your PC effortlessly. Browser hijacking symptoms There are several signs of web browser hijacking: home-page is changed; you see new unwanted bookmarks or favorites added, usually directed to advertisement-filled or pornography websites; the main web browser settings are altered and undesirable or insecure sites are added to the trusted websites list; you notice many toolbars on your internet browser; unstoppable flurries of pop-up advertisements show up on your PC screen; web pages load very slowly and at times incomplete; you cannot visit specific sites like homepages of security software.

So how does a PC get infected with a browser hijacker?

Browser hijackers infect computers in numerous ways, including via a drive-by download, a file-share, or an infected e-mail. They could be included with toolbars, add-ons, BHO, plugins, or browser extensions. Also, some shareware and freeware can put the hijacker within your computer through “bundling”. An example of some notorious browser hijacker includes Conduit, Anyprotect, Babylon, SweetPage, DefaultTab, Delta Search, and RocketTab, but the names are continually changing.

Browser Hijacker Malware – Removal

Certain hijackers could be removed simply by uninstalling the related freeware or add-ons through the Add or Remove Programs in the Microsoft Windows control panel. However, the majority of hijacking codes are certainly not simple to remove manually, as they go much deeper into the operating system. Moreover, manual removal expects you to perform several time-consuming and intricate procedures that are tough to conduct for novice computer users.

What you can do if Virus Stops You From Downloading Anything?

Malware can cause all kinds of damage once they invade your PC, from stealing your personal information to erasing data files on your PC. Certain malware variants alter internet browser settings by adding a proxy server or modify the computer’s DNS settings. In these instances, you will be unable to visit certain or all of the websites, and thus not able to download or install the necessary security software to eliminate the malware. If you are reading this, you may have got infected by malware that stops you from downloading a computer security program like Safebytes Anti-Malware. Even though this type of issue will be tougher to get around, there are a few actions you can take.

Install antivirus in Safe Mode with Networking

Safe Mode is actually a unique, basic version of Windows where only minimal services are loaded to counteract malware and other troublesome applications from loading. In case the malware is set to load automatically when PC boots, switching into this particular mode may well prevent it from doing so. In order to get into Safe Mode or Safe Mode with Networking, press F8 while the system is booting up or run MSCONFIG and locate the “Safe Boot” options under the “Boot” tab. Once you reboot into Safe Mode with Networking, you can download, install, as well as update anti-malware software from there. At this point, you could run the antivirus scan to remove computer viruses and malware without hindrance from another application.

Switch over to an alternate browser

Malicious program code might exploit vulnerabilities in a particular browser and block access to all anti-malware software websites. If you suspect that your Internet Explorer has been hijacked by a computer virus or otherwise compromised by hackers, the most effective approach is to switch over to an alternate web browser such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Apple Safari to download your favorite security program – Safebytes Anti-Malware.

Install security software on a flash drive

To successfully eliminate the malware, you might want to approach the issue of installing an antivirus software program on the affected PC from a different perspective. Do these simple measures to clean up your infected computer using a portable antivirus. 1) Use another virus-free PC to download Safebytes Anti-Malware. 2) Mount the pen-drive onto the same system. 3) Run the setup program by double-clicking the executable file of the downloaded application, which has a .exe file extension. 4) Select the USB drive as the location when the wizard asks you exactly where you would like to install the application. Follow the on-screen instructions to finish the installation. 5) Transfer the flash drive from the uninfected PC to the infected computer. 6) Double-click the antivirus software EXE file on the thumb drive. 7) Click on the “Scan Now” button to start the virus scan.

Ensure the Safety of Your Computer by Installing SafeBytes Anti-Malware

If you’re looking to install an anti-malware application for your computer, there are numerous tools in the market to consider but you just cannot trust blindly anyone, irrespective of whether it is a free or paid program. Some of them are good but there are several scamware applications that pretend as authentic anti-malware software waiting to wreak havoc on the computer. When searching for an anti-malware program, choose one that provides solid, efficient, and full protection against all known computer viruses and malware. When considering the dependable software programs, Safebytes AntiMalware is certainly the strongly recommended one. SafeBytes can be described as a powerful, real-time anti-spyware application that is made to assist regular computer users in safeguarding their PC from malicious threats. This tool can easily identify, remove, and protect your computer from the latest malware intrusions such as spyware, adware, trojan horses, ransomware, parasites, worms, PUPs, along with other potentially harmful software applications. SafeBytes anti-malware comes with a myriad of enhanced features that sets it aside from all others. Here are a few popular features present in this software: Anti-Malware Protection: By using a critically acclaimed malware engine, SafeBytes gives multi-layered protection which is designed to catch and eliminate threats that are hidden deep inside your computer system. Real-time Active Protection: Malware programs trying to get into the computer are identified and stopped as and when detected by the SafeBytes active protection shields. They’re highly efficient in screening and getting rid of various threats because they are continuously revised with the latest updates and safety measures. Safe Web Browsing: SafeBytes provides an instant safety rating on the web pages you are about to visit, automatically blocking risky sites and ensure that you’re certain of your safety while browsing the net. Low CPU and Memory Usage: This software is lightweight and will work quietly in the background, and will not have an effect on your computer efficiency. 24/7 Customer Service: SafeBytes provides 24/7 technical support, automatic maintenance, and updates for the best user experience.

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

If you wish to manually remove SafeSearch 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 SafeSearch

Files: C:Program FilesPrimesoftSafeSearchsafesearch.dll C:Program FilesPrimesoftSafeSearch_safesearch.dll C:Program FilesPrimesoftSafeSearchaanyvkcf.exe C:Program FilesPrimesoftSafeSearchsafesearch.exe C:Program FilesPrimesoftSafeSearchrgzcdhtn.exe Registry: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRunaanyvkcf HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRunSafeSearch HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRunrgzcdhtn HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwarePrimeSoft HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareSafeSearch HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT.QSCH HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTQSCH File HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTSafeSearch.SafeSearchBHO HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTSafeSearch.SafeSearchBHO.1 HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000001 HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTInterface28E6CCE2-3F2C-4B3D-9CB4-2FC8715A3ECE HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTTypelib82E9DE01-D860-40E4-B9C1-91F0E8272962 HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTTypelibCB5006EE-F57D-4116-B7B6-48EB564FE0F0 HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTmimedatabasecontent typeapplication/x-QSCH HKEY_USERS.defaultSoftwareNetscapeNetscape NavigatorTrusted External Applications%System%aanyvkcf.exe=yes HKEY_USERS.defaultSoftwareNetscapeNetscape NavigatorSuffixesApplication/x-QSCH HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerToolbar00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000001 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionUninstallaanyvkcf HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionUninstallrgzcdhtn
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Fix rtf64x64.sys Blue Screen error on Windows
rtf64x64.sys Blue Screen error happens in random intervals but it is a regular occurrence, it can happen when playing games, when watching movies, or even when the computer is idle. in this article we will guide you on how to resolve this error from the most simple steps you could take and do not worry, altho the error seems dreadfully and scary, it is nothing to worry about. If you can boot Windows normally after error great, proceed with instructions, else reboot into safe mode or use installation media to boot.
  1. Use official Microsoft online troubleshooter Microsoft has an online blue screen troubleshooter that was made specifically for this kind of situation. Go to Troubleshoot screen error and answer questions needed. Most of the time this will be enough to solve any blue screen issue.
  2. Update network and sound drivers How is this error traced back to Realtek devices, go to the Realtek website and download drivers. Install them and reboot the system.
  3. Use a dedicated software solution DRIVERFIX is an application made for these and other kinds of driver issues and problems, it is one click automated solution for driver fixing. Visit the Driverfix site and download the application
  4. Perform system Restore If you have not managed to fix the issue with previous steps roll back to a previous restore point when everything was working.
  5. Replace network or sound card If everything failed including system restore then it is likely that it is a hardware malfunction. Replace faulty components and you should not receive errors anymore.
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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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Guide to Patching Error Code 34

Code 34 - What is it?

Code 34 is one of the several Device Manager error codes. This error code indicates that a hardware device on your PC is not properly configured.

This usually occurs when the device installed on your system is a non-plug and play. Non-plug and play devices don’t configure automatically and require manual configuration from the users end.

Error code 34 is usually displayed in the following format:

“Windows cannot determine the settings for this device. Code 34”

Solution

driverfix boxError Causes

Error code 34 may be triggered due to several reasons like:

  • Improper device configuration
  • Missing or outdated drivers

Device Manager error codes like code 34 are easy to fix. These error codes don’t indicate any serious PC problem, nor are they fatal like blue screen of death error codes.

Nonetheless fixing it immediately is advisable to ensure the proper functioning of the plugged-in hardware device. If you don’t resolve it, you may not be able to use the device.

Further Information and Manual Repair

When PC users experience error codes like code 34, they instantly think of hiring a professional for repair especially if they lack technical understanding.

If you are not a technical whiz and you are also thinking of hiring a professional for the repair job, then don’t! Here’s why, to begin with, Device Manager error codes can be resolved easily, better yet you can fix it by yourself without spending a dime even if you are not technically sound.

To help you, below is a list of easy and effective repair solutions for error code 34. Try them to resolve the issue.

Method 1 - Configure the Device by Using Device Manager

This is one of the best ways to resolve error code 34 on your system. The procedure will take 5 to 7 minutes. Simply follow the steps illustrated below to configure the problematic device on your PC.

  1. First off, go to the start menu
  2. Now type Device Manager in the search bar and press enter to continue
  3. Now in the Device Manager locate the problematic device and click on it
  4. Click on the resources tab to change the resource settings
  5. Now click on the Use Automatic Settings check box
  6. After that click on the Settings based on the tab and then click on the hardware configuration of the device you want to change
  7. Press resource type in the resource settings box to make further changes
  8. Once that is done, click change settings and type a new value for the resource type

Method 2 - Consult the Hardware Manufacturer for Resource Settings

You may not be able to configure resource settings for some devices in such an event it is advisable to consult your hardware manufacturer. Your hardware manufacturer can provide you with specific resource settings. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to repair error code 34.

If the error continues to persist even after device configuration, then the problem may be linked to driver corruption. In that case, try method 3.

Method 3 - Download DriverFIX to Update Drivers Automatically

Whether code 34 is caused by outdated or corrupted drivers, simply download DriverFIX to resolve. DriverFIX is an advanced and user-friendly software program deployed with an intelligent programming system.

The software scans your PC to detect all problematic drivers. It finds and matches the latest and compatible versions and then updates the drivers accordingly that too automatically and on a regular basis.

Click here to download DriverFIX to repair Device Manager error code 34 on your PC automatically.

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Fix PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA 0x00000050
If you suddenly encounter the PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA Blue Screen error then it means that your computer is under a heavy load. And if you look closely, you’ll see that it has a bug check value of 0x00000050. This kind of Blue Screen error also indicates that invalid system memory has been referenced. It could be that the memory address is wrong, or that it is pointing at freed memory. The PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA Blue Screen error occurs when the requested data is not found in the memory. As a result, the system generates a fault which normally indicates that the system is looking for data in the paging file. However, in this case, the missing data is identified as being located within an area of memory that cannot be paged out to the disk. This Stop error might be caused by a buggy system service, antivirus program, a corrupted NTFS volume, or faulty hardware. So if you’ve recently added hardware, you can try removing it and then check. If the problem still persists, refer to the suggestions given below to fix the problem.

Option 1 – Run Memory Check to test your memory

  • Tap the Win + R keys to open Run and type 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
  • Select the option you prefer and afterward, check if the Blue Screen error is now fixed.

Option 2 – Run a System File Checker scan

You can also try to run a System File Checker or SFC scan in order to scan your computer for corrupted files that might be the cause behind the PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA Blue Screen error. Once it finds any corrupted system files, it will automatically fix them. To run System File Checker, here’s what you have to do:
  • Tap Win + R 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:
  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.
  • Restart your computer after the scan is completed.

Option 3 – Disable Automatic Paging File Size Management

  • Right-click on This PC located on your desktop.
  • Next, click on Properties and then click on the Advanced System Settings.
  • Go to the Advanced tab and then click on the Settings button under the Performance section.
  • Afterward, a new mini window will appear and from there, go to the Advanced tab.
  • Then click the Change button under the Virtual Memory section. Once you do, another mini window will appear.
  • Now uncheck the “Automatically manage paging file size for all drives” option.
  • After that, you have to increase the Page File size by doubling the amount of memory allocated by default in the text field. For instance, the paging size given is a minimum of 16MB and so you have to change it to 32MB. And since the recommended value is 1907MB, you can make its maximum size around 4000MB. By doing so, it will allocate more space for paging into individual drivers.
  • Now click OK, close all the open windows and then restart your PC.

Option 4 – Update the Device Drivers

Updating the Device drivers can also help you fix the PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA Blue Screen error. To do so, follow the steps below.
  • Tap the Win + R keys to launch Run.
  • Type in devmgmt.msc into the box and tap Enter or click OK to open the Device Manager.
  • After that, a list of device drivers will be displayed. If you see a red or yellow sign that shows up against the driver, right-click on the driver and select “Update Driver Software”.
  • Select the “Search automatically for updated driver software” option and then follow the instructions to complete the process.
  • Restart your PC and then check if the Blue Screen error is now fixed or not.

Option 5 – Perform a System Restore

Performing System Restore might help you in fixing the PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA error. You can do this option either by booting into Safe Mode or in System Restore. If you are already in the Advanced Startup Options, just directly select System Restore and proceed with the next steps. And if you have just booted your PC into Safe Mode, refer to the steps below.
  • 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 6 – Try disabling your antivirus programs

There are instances when antivirus programs trigger Stop errors like PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA. Thus, you can try disabling your antivirus programs like Windows Defender or other third-party programs if you’re using one.

Option 7 – Use the Blue Screen Troubleshooter

The Blue Screen troubleshooter is a built-in tool in Windows 10 that helps users in fixing BSOD errors like PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA error. 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.

Option 8 – Disable Memory caching in the BIOS

You can also disable memory caching in the BIOS to fix the PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA error.
  • Open the BIOS Setup screen.
  • Next, go to Advanced > Cache Memory and then disable it.
  • Tap the F10 key to save the changes made and restart your computer.
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Quick Fix Guide for STOP 0x00000014 Error

What Is STOP 0x00000014 Error?

0x00000014 error is actually an error that is always displayed on a STOP message.

It is also known as Blue Screen of Death, abbreviated as BSOD. When this error occurs, the message that is displayed to the user either says ‘STOP: 0x00000014’ or states ‘CREATE_DELETE_LOCK_NOT_LOCKED’. It is crucial to fix this error to ensure your program is functioning appropriately. If this error message is not rectified, you might be opened to other error messages, such as error code 0x000000d1

Solution

Restoro box image Error Causes

As far as the causes of STOP 0x00000014 error are concerned, this error usually occurs when a device driver or hardware problem occurs. This error may also occur if users attempt to run some specific application or update or modify an existing application. When a 0x00000014 error occurs, the operating system restarts to disable the PC from performing any further.

Without taking into consideration the causes of its occurrence, it is crucial to make sure that the 0x00000014 error is fixed as soon as possible to eliminate any undesired inconvenience in the future.

Further Information and Manual Repair

A lot of times when an operating system tries to recover from the STOP 0x00000014 error, the user is prompted that Windows has recovered from an unexpected shutdown.

However, if Windows fails to recover on its own, manual repair has to be performed.

While there are several ways this error can be fixed, some of the most effective and efficient ways of troubleshooting the 0x00000014 error are listed below as follows.

  • Restart your computer. Often simply restarting the computer can help eliminate the problem.
  • If restarting the system doesn’t help, find if you have recently modified or altered any hardware or driver. It is possible that the 0x00000014 error has been caused by the recent modification. Undo the changes and find out if the error occurs again. If it doesn’t, it is highly likely the issue has been resolved.

However, if the error persists, some solutions that may work are outlined below.

  • Start your system using the Last Known Good Configuration. This will undo any changes in the driver and recent registry.
  • Another solution is to manually perform System Restore. This will also return the system back to its former state.
  • Another idea that my work is to use roll back the device driver. When the driver will return to its previous version, the problem will easily be resolved.

To keep the 0x00000014 error from occurring in the future, it is advised to unplug any newly installed hardware or reinstall any deleted software.

If you're not tech-savvy and wish to get this error code rectified in a jiffy, download a powerful automated tool and perform a computer scan.

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