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Where can you get computer viruses & malware

From their infant stages to modern days, computer viruses were always kind of here. From simple ones that were annoying with playing speaker sounds and throwing messages on screen to more malicious ones capable of deleting and encrypting files. In today's modern world it is very important to protect yourself, modern viruses are not a joke anymore and they are aimed to create serious damage to computer systems.

Where can you get computer viruses & malwareThey can encrypt files in order to make you pay for a decrypter, they can straight up delete files or even cause some hardware damage. Like mentioned before protecting yourself is important, but protecting does not mean only having antivirus software installed, information, where are common places in which they lurk and could be picked up, is also very important. That is why we are exploring in this article the most common place where you can pick viruses or other malware.

Downloading Programs

Programs that contain the downloadable files are the commonest source of malware such as freeware, worms, and other executable files. Whether you download an image editing software, a music file, or an e-book, it is important to ensure the reliability of the source of the media. Unknown, new, or less popular sources should be avoided.

Pirated or Cracked Software

Are you aware of software cracking? Well, every time you open cracked software, your antivirus software might flag it as malware as the cracks consist of malicious scripts. Always say “No” to cracks as they can inject malicious script into your PC.

Email Attachments

Anyone can send you an email attachment whether you know them or not. Clicking on unknown links or attachments can harm your device. Think twice before clicking anything and make sure that file type is not ‘.exe’.

Internet

One of the easiest ways to get a virus on your device is through the Internet. Make sure to check the URL before accessing any website. For a secured URL always look for ‘HTTPS in it. For example, when you click videos published on social media websites, they may require you to install a particular type of plug-in to watch that video. But in reality, these plug-ins might be malicious software that can steal your sensitive information.

Booting Data from Unknown CDs

Malicious software can get into your device through an unknown CD. A good practice to be safe from malicious infection is to remove CD when your device is not working at all. Your system could reboot the CD if it is not removed before switching off the computer.

Bluetooth

Bluetooth transfers can also infect your system, so it is crucial to know what type of media file is being sent to your computer whenever a transfer takes place. An effective armor would be to allow Bluetooth connectivity with only known devices and activate it only when required.

Unpatched Software

Often overlooked, unpatched software is also a leading source of virus infection. Security holes in software are exploited by attackers and are unknown to software makers until the attackers release them in the form of zero-day attacks. It is therefore recommended to install software updates as soon as they are available on your PC.

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How to Fix Error 1005 Access Denied
Recently, some users reported that they were unable to access a website and only got the Error 1005 Access Denied instead. Specifically, users experience this issue when trying to open the Crunchyroll website – one of the largest anime and manga websites. This particular error is encountered not just on Crunchyroll but on a variety of websites like blogs, video streaming, forums, and so on. Here’s the full context of the error message:
“Error 1005 Access Denied – The owner of this website has banned the autonomous system number (ASN) your IP address from accessing this website.”
Usually, this error occurs when the website administrator decides to block an IP address or IP range. To fix this error, here are some suggestions you can try:

Option 1 – Uninstall the VPN service you are using or use a different provider

If you are using a VPN service, you might want to uninstall it. As mentioned, website administrator blocks IP ranges if they notice any malicious activities and because of this, your IP address might fall into the banned range even if you didn’t do anything at all. To uninstall the VPN service, follow the steps below.
  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box
  • Then type “appwiz.cpl” in the field and hit Enter to open the Programs and Features in Control Panel.
  • From there, look for the VPN service you are using, select it and then click on Uninstall to remove it.
  • After that, restart your computer and try to install the latest version of the program again. It should work now. If not, proceed to the next available option below.

Option 2 – Try disabling the Proxy server

There are some users who reported that they’ve fixed the problem after they’ve disabled the use of a proxy server using the built-in way. Follow the steps below to disable proxy server.
  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • Then type “inetcpl.cpl” in the field and hit Enter to pull up the Internet Properties.
  • After that, go to the Connections tab and select the LAN settings.
  • From there. Uncheck the “Use a Proxy Server” option for your LAN and then make sure that the “Automatically detect settings” option is checked.
  • Now click the OK and the Apply buttons.
  • Restart your PC.
Note: If you are using a third-party proxy service, you have to disable it.

Option 3 – Use the Google Public DNS

You might want to change your DNS to Google Public DNS as it could also help you in fixing the ERR_CERT_COMMON_NAME_INVALID error in Chrome. To do so, follow the steps below.
  • The first thing you have to do is right-click on the network icon in the Taskbar and select Network and Sharing Center.
  • Next, click on the “Change Adapter Settings” option.
  • After that, search for the network connection that you are using to connect to the internet. Note that the option might be “Wireless Connection” or “Local Area Connection”.
  • Right-click on your network connection and click on Properties.
  • Then select the new window to choose the “Internet Protocol 4 (TCP/IPv4)” option.
  • After that, click on the Properties button and click the checkbox in the new window for the option “Use the following DNS server addresses”.
  • Type in “8.8.8.8” and “8.8.4.4” and click OK and exit.

Option 4 – Try contacting the website administrator

If the first three given options didn’t work, you might want to consider contacting the website administrator especially if you’ve already determined that the issue does not occur due to a VPN or proxy server that you’re using. This option can be quite tricky since you won’t be able to submit a contact form since you’re banned from accessing the website but you can contact the admin via the form section if available.
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Windows computer shuts down instead of Sleep
As you know the Windows 10 operating system is has a lot of features and some of them are related to turning off your computer in different ways in order to save power at different levels. These particular features are Shut down, Restart, Hibernate, and Sleep. However, there are times when you might encounter some issues when using any of the aforementioned features. One of these issues is when your computer shuts down instead of going to Sleep. This issue could be caused by several factors including a bug related to the Intel Management Engine Interface or IMEI driver as well as any misconfiguration in the power settings of the BIOS or UEFI. If your computer is going through this problem, read on as this post will guide you in fixing it. There are several potential fixes you can try to fix the problem. You can try to check the Sleep Advanced Settings or run the built-in Power troubleshooter or run the Power Efficiency Diagnostic Report. In addition, you can also try to troubleshoot the problem in a Clean Boot State or reset or update the BIOS.

Option 1 – Check the Sleep Advanced Settings

  • Click on the Windows key and type “control panel” in the field and select the related search result.
  • Next, select the Security and Maintenance option and click on the Power Options.
  • After that, you have to select the Change Plan Settings but keep in mind that this option is barely readable so you need to read each option carefully.
  • Now click on the Change advanced power settings button and a new window will appear.
  • Then look for the “Sleep” option and expand it. Make sure that the “Allow hybrid sleep” option is on.
  • Reboot your computer and check if your computer now functions properly. If it still didn’t work, you may have to reverse the changes you’ve made.

Option 2 – Try to run the Power troubleshooter

The next thing you can do is to run the Power troubleshooter. To do so, follow these steps:
  • Go to Settings and navigate to Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
  • After that, look for the “Power” option from the given list of built-in troubleshooters and click on it.
  • Next, click on the “Run the troubleshooter” button to run the Power troubleshooter.
  • Once the troubleshooter is done identifying the problems, follow the next on-screen instructions to resolve the problem.

Option 3 – Troubleshoot Sleep Mode issue in a Clean Boot State

The issue with Sleep Mode might be caused by some third-party programs installed on your computer. This program might be the one that puts your computer to sleep and so to isolate this possibility, you have to put your PC in a Clean Boot State using 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.)
  • After that, try to put your computer to sleep again.

Option 4 – Try to run the Power Efficiency Diagnostics Report

You could also try to run the Power Efficiency Diagnostics Report to fix the problem. This tool is helpful and will help you analyze the status of the battery but note that this can be quite overwhelming especially if you’re not well-versed in this matter.

Option 5 – Try to update the BIOS

Updating the BIOS can help you fix the ATTEMPTED_WRITE_TO_READONLY_MEMORY BSOD error but as you know, BIOS is a sensitive part of a computer. Even though it is a software component, the functioning of the hardware depends on it largely. Thus, you must be careful when modifying something in the BIOS. So if you don’t know much about it, it’s best if you skip on this option and try the other ones instead. However, if you are well-versed in navigating the BIOS, then follow the steps below.
  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • Next, type “msinfo32” in the field and press Enter to open System Information.
  • From there, you should find a search field on the bottom where you have to search for the BIOS version and then press Enter.
  • After that, you should see the developer and version of the BIOS installed on your PC.
  • Go to your manufacturer’s website and then download the latest version of BIOS on your computer.
  • If you are using a laptop, make sure that you keep it plugged in until you have updated the BIOS.
  • Now double click on the downloaded file and install the new BIOS version on your computer.
  • Now restart your computer to apply the changes made.
Note: If updating the BIOS didn’t help, you might want to consider resetting it instead.
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Best free & paid eMail clients in 2021
Having an eMail in today's modern world is no longer a privilege or being geeky, it has surely become a necessity. From Facebook to LinkedIn or Steam many services today require you to have an account in order to use them, and in order to create an account, you need working eMail. That being said many people today have several eMail accounts, one for social media, one for work, maybe even one for very close friends and family. How creating eMail today is completely free we might end up with several eMail accounts. eMail clients have also evolved much since their first days and became more than just applications for receiving eMails, today they can take various different tasks having additional features built into them like calendar, batch eMail processing, etc. Taking all of said into account I am presenting to you within my personal opinion some of the best eMail clients starting with free ones.

Best free eMail clients

Google Gmail

https://gmail.com gmail eMail clientIt would be very difficult to even start a free eMail list without mentioning Google's Gmail. Introduced all the way back in 2004 as an invite-only service it became over time the most popular email platform largely due to the fact Google is offering free eMail accounts. There are a lot of good things to be said about Gmail itself, most of the area is clutter-free and the largest space is reserved for eMail itself letting users focus on what is important. WEB client itself means that you do not need to have any application installed on your device, altho via Google chrome, you can use Gmail offline offering you flexibility if needed. The ability to connect and manage other accounts like Outlook, Yahoo, etc is just making Gmail even more attractive, and the snooze feature is a really neat little detail that will pause eMail notifications if you need to focus on other things. Lack of organizing messages into folders is a little confusing since Gmail offers its own unique label system but sometimes I need to have old reliable save eMail to folder. All in all, Gmail is a great service and it offers a great eMail on the go experience.

Mail eMail client

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/mail-and-calendar/ mail eMail appFree Windows eMail client simply called Mail is what was once outlook express. Mail itself has the ability to work with other popular accounts like Google Gmail account, Yahoo, iCloud etc. How it comes with Windows OS and it integrates very well with Microsoft Calendar, this eMail client is for many the first choice. On the negative side, I might say this is a strip-down version of Outlook which is paid solution so some features are missing if we would compare the two. Overall, a simple and nice eMail client worth your time, especially if you are on the Windows platform.

Mozilla Thunderbird

https://www.thunderbird.net mozilla thunderbird eMailGreat eMail client matching in functions against paid and premium solutions of big tech companies. Fueled with plenty of customization options and reskinning ones this eMail client offers a lot for its free price tag. It is also fueled by Mozilla community focusing on privacy and security. It can work with any mail service and it is lightweight with a clean look, altho the look itself can be heavily customized. The bad side is that client itself relies on email services to provide cloud-based emails, so if you are receiving your email via a service that does not have a cloud-based service in itself all of your received emails will be locked to the computer where you have received them. Also customizing it can be sometimes a little too technical for the average computer user. All in all, Thunderbird is one great eMail client and it would be a shame not to use it because of its technical side, if you need a reliable and secure eMail client on a single machine, look no further than Thunderbird.

Paid eMail clients

Microsoft Outlook

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/ microsoft outlookOutlook comes as a part of the Microsoft Office suite and as one of the oldest eMail clients, it is still widely popular and adopted through many users and businesses. It has tight integration with all Microsoft services and full integration with Calendar making it one of the if not the best eMail client out there. Outlook also has a free online service completely free for personal use as well. The downside is that you can not get it as a separate product if you want a business version other than as a part of the Office suite. The final verdict would be that this is perhaps the best eMail client out but the big downside is that there is no desktop version outside the Office suite.

eM Client

https://www.emclient.com/ em clienteM Client offers a wide array of features, including a calendar, contacts, and chat. Support is provided for all the major email services including Gmail, Yahoo, iCloud, and Outlook.com. The latest version also offers PGP encryption, live backup, basic image editing capabilities, and auto-replies for Gmail. Its automatic system makes it very easy to get emails from other services since there is no manual setting, all that is needed is to type in your email and eM Client will do everything else automatically. A one-time purchase is not pricy and it could offer some features that some free clients are missing. Go check it out with a free trial and see if it is for you.

Mailbird

https://www.getmailbird.com mailbirdThis eMail client's main focus is the simplicity of use with visual appeal while tackling multiple eMail accounts. It has many built-in apps along with a customizable interface. Unlike some more Microsoft-centric email clients, Mailbird Business supports a diverse range of integrated apps, including WhatsApp, Google Docs, Google Calendar, Facebook, Twitter, Dropbox, and Slack, all making for a better-streamlined workflow. The downside of this client is the yearly subscription plan. I think people, in general, want to get away from software subscription plans so I will include this as a downside but bear in mind it is downside just in terms of a business plan not in the client itself.

Inky

https://www.inky.com/ inky eMail clientInky is eMail client if you are looking for security. It uses AI along with machine learning in order to block all types of phishing attacks that can get through to other clients. The proprietary machine learning technology can literally read an email to determine if it has phishing content, and then is able to quarantine the email or deliver it with the malicious links disabled. It also takes things a step further and offers an analytics dashboard, which allows an administrator to see patterns of attacks based on dates, or targeted users. The downside is that client itself is so much focused on security that sometimes some nonsecurity features get overlooked and provide a poor experience but if you need a good and greatly secured eMail client Inky is one to check out.
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DRIVER_UNLOADED_WITHOUT_CANCELLING_PENDING_OPERATION
If you encounter the DRIVER_UNLOADED_WITHOUT_CANCELLING_PENDING_OPERATION Blue Screen error with an error code of 0x000000CE then it means that a driver failed to cancel the pending operations before unloading. Some of the driver files that might be the culprit include the intelppm.sys, intcdaud.sys, tmxpflt.sys, mrxsmb.sys and asusptpfilter.sys. This kind of Blue Screen error occurs when the driver failed to cancel lookaside lists, worker threads, DPCs, and other items before unloading. You can usually identify which driver file is triggering the BSOD error in the BSOD error itself since its name would be printed on the blue screen and stored in memory at the location (PUNICODE_STRING) KiBugCheckDriver. Refer to the possible solutions given below to fix the DRIVER_UNLOADED_WITHOUT_CANCELLING_PENDING_OPERATIONS error.

Option 1 – Perform a System Restore

Performing System Restore might help you in fixing the SYNTP.SYS Blue Screen 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 2 – Disable the BIOS Memory options

Disabling the BIOS Memory options such as Caching and Shadowing can help you in fixing the DRIVER_UNLOADED_WITHOUT_CANCELLING_PENDING_OPERATIONS Blue Screen error. All you have to do is enter the BIOS first and then use the Arrow and Enter keys to select your choices. And if you can’t seem to find it, look for specific instructions from your OEM or you could also look out for instructions from the manufacturer of your motherboard.

Option 3 – Update or rollback your device drivers

If the first option didn’t work for you, then it’s time to either update or roll back the device drivers. It is most likely that after you updated your Windows computer that your driver also needs a refresh. On the other hand, if you have just updated your device drivers then you need to roll back the drivers to their previous versions. Whichever applies to you, refer to the steps below.
  • Open the Devices Manager from the Win X Menu.
  • Then locate the device drivers and right-click on them to open the Properties.
  • After that, switch to the Driver tab and click on the Uninstall Device button.
  • Follow the screen option to completely uninstall it.
  • Finally, restart your computer. It will just reinstall the device drivers automatically.
Note: You can install a dedicated driver on your computer in case you have it or you could also look for it directly from the website of the manufacturer.

Option 4 – Try to run the CHKDSK utility

Running the CHKDSK utility might also help you resolve the DRIVER_UNLOADED_WITHOUT_CANCELLING_PENDING_OPERATIONS Blue Screen error. If your hard drive has issues with integrity, the update will really fail as the system will think that it’s not healthy and that’s where the CHKDSK utility comes in. The CHKDSK utility repairs hard drive errors that might be causing the problem.
  • Open Command Prompt with admin privileges.
  • After opening Command Prompt, execute the following command and hit Enter:
chkdsk /f /r
  • Wait for the process to be completed and then restart your computer.

Option 5 – Run the Memory Diagnostic Tool to check for Memory leaks

  • 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
  • Once your computer has restarted, perform a basic scan or you could also go for the “Advanced” options such as “Test mix” or “Pass count”. Simply tap the F10 key to start the test.
Note: After you select the option, your PC will restart and check for memory-based issues. If it finds any issues, it will automatically fix them and if there’s no issue found, then it’s most likely not a memory-based issue so you should try the other options given below.

Option 6 – Try analyzing the Memory Dump Files

You can also try to analyze the Memory Dump files as it can help you identify the root cause of the DRIVER_UNLOADED_WITHOUT_CANCELLING_PENDING_OPERATIONS error.

Option 7 – Try checking the Registry settings

You might also want to try disabling the concerned driver file if it is mentioned in the Stop error. For example, if the stop error mentioned the “intelppm.sys” driver file then you have to disable this driver file since it is most likely the culprit. To do that, follow the steps below.
  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • Next, type “Regedit” in the field and hit Enter to open the Registry Editor.
  • After that, go to the this registry path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SYSTEM > CurrentControlSet > Services > Processor
  • From there, double click on Start and change its value to “4”.
  • Now go to this path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SYSTEM > CurrentControlSet > Services > Intelppm.
  • Set its value to “4” and then restart your computer to apply the changes made.

Option 8 – Run the Blue Screen Troubleshooter

The Blue Screen troubleshooter is a built-in tool in Windows 10 that helps users in fixing BSOD errors like DRIVER_UNLOADED_WITHOUT_CANCELLING_PENDING_OPERATIONS. It can be found on the Settings Troubleshooters page. To use it, refer to these steps:
  • Tap the Win + I keys to open the Settings panel.
  • Then go to Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
  • From there, look for the option called “Blue Screen” on your right-hand side and then click the “Run the troubleshooter” button to run the Blue Screen Troubleshooter and then follow the next on-screen options. Note that you might have to boot your PC into Safe Mode.
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Fix Page Fault in Non-Paged Area in Windows 10
Page Fault in Non-Paged Area is a blue screen error usually happening with faulty drivers but it can come from different issues like faulty RAM. In this short article, we will cover usual ways on how to approach and solve this error.

Solving Page fault in Non-Paged Area

Page Fault in Non-Paged AreaRollback using system restore

Simple and easy solution, roll back to the previous system restore point where Windows was stable and working.

Fix Page Fault in Non-Paged Area using device manager

  1. Press ⊞ WINDOWS + X to open the hidden menu
  2. Click on device manager
  3. Find a device with a question mark and right-click on it
  4. Click on the rollback driver button

Fix via command prompt

  1. Press ⊞ WINDOWS + X to open the hidden menu
  2. Click on command prompt (admin)
  3. Inside command prompt type in SFC / scannow and press ENTER
  4. Wait for the process to be finished and then reboot the PC

Fix via DISM tool

  1. Press ⊞ WINDOWS + X to open the hidden menu
  2. Click on command prompt (admin)
  3. Inside command prompt type in DISM /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth and press ENTER
  4. Wait for the process to be finished and then reboot the PC

Page fault in Non-Paged Area via a dedicated tool

Sometimes manual and provided solutions just simply cannot cut it because the issue is triggered also with something else and not just a single issue. Use DRIVERFIX to fix this specific issue with a single click.
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Your account has been disabled error
If you are trying to log into your user account on your Windows 10 computer but encountered an error message instead that says, “Your account has been disabled, Please see your system administrator”, read on as this post will guide you on how you can fix this problem. In this kind of scenario, you won’t be able to access your data unless you have access to the administrator account. This problem could be caused by several problems. It is possible that malware has infected your computer and has changed some settings in your computer, especially if your system has been under a malware attack not too long ago. The malware could’ve changed the “Account is disabled” option. The only thing you can do to resolve this kind of problem is to log into your computer using another administrator account and then change the setting. However, if you don’t have a second administrator account, you can just enable the built-in hidden administrator account on your computer. You shouldn’t have any problem enabling the hidden administrator account as it is quite easy when you can log into your account. And in this post, you will be guided on how you can enable the hidden administrator account using the Registry Editor to fix the “Your account has been disabled, Please see your system administrator” error.

To get started, follow the instructions given below.

  1. First, you need to start your computer and ensure that you are on the error screen. From there, you will see the Power options located on the right-hand side.
  2. Click on the Power options and tap and hold the Shift key and then select Restart.
  3. After that, the Advanced Boot Options will appear and from there select Troubleshoot > Command Prompt.
  4. Next, you have to select your user account and enter the user account’s password to open Command Prompt.
  5. After opening Command Prompt, open your screen and type “Regedit” and then tap Enter on your keyboard.
  6. Now select the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE in the Registry Editor and go to File > Load Hive.
  7. Afterward, you have to open the Windows installation drive and go to the location – WindowsSystem32Config
  8. From there, you should find a file named “SAM” – select this file and click the Open button.
  9. Next, you have to enter a key name. You can just input whatever you prefer.
  10. Once done, navigate to this path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINEkey_nameSAMDomainsAccountUsers
  11. From this path, you will see a key named “000001F4” – select this key and double click on the “F” entry that you can find on the right-hand side of the screen.
  12. After that, look for the value data line labeled “0038” which should show 11 in the first column. You have to replace it with 10.
  13. Once done, click on the OK button and close the Registry Editor and the Command Prompt to restart your computer.
  14. Now once your computer has restarted, sign in to the Administrator account and open the Computer Management window. You can just search for it using the search bar in the Taskbar.
  15. After you open Computer Management, go to Local Users and Groups > Users – where you can find all the user accounts. Look for your deleted user account and right-click on it and select Properties and then unmark the checkbox that says “Account is disabled”. This should fix the problem.
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Specified service does not exist, 0x80070424
Every now and then, the Windows Installer can also encounter some problems or glitches. One of these problems is where the Windows Update Standalone Installer, Windows Defender as well as Windows Firewall throws an error message that says, “The specified service does not exist as an installed service, 0x80070424”. This type of error can actually affect various applications on your computer so you have to fix it as soon as you can. Although there is no clear reason for what really causes this error, there are various suggestions you can try to fix it.

Option 1 – Try to run the Windows Update troubleshooter

Windows 10 have various troubleshooters that can help you resolve many system issues. So if you’re dealing with errors “The specified service does not exist as an installed service, 0x80070424”, 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 2 – Try to reconfigure the Windows Time Service

  • In the Start Search, type “command prompt” and right-click on Command Prompt from the search results.
  • Then click on the “Run as administrator” option to open Command Prompt with admin privileges.
  • Now execute each one of the given commands sequentially and hit Enter right after you type each one of them.
    • net stop W32time
    • exe /unregister
    • exe /register
    • net start W32time
  • After executing the given commands above, wait until it says, “W32Time successfully registered”.

Option 3 – Try to restart related Windows services

  • First, type “command prompt” in the Start Search and right-click on Command Prompt from the search results.
  • Then click on the “Run as administrator” option to open Command Prompt with admin privileges.
  • Now execute each one of the given commands sequentially and hit Enter right after you type each one of them.
    • SC config wuauserv start= auto
    • SC config bits start= auto
    • SC config cryptsvc start= auto
    • SC config trustedinstaller start= auto
Note: The commands you’ve just executed will make sure that the required Windows services are available.

Option 4 – Try to download and install the Windows Update Agent

You might also want to download and install the latest Windows Update Agent as it could also help you resolve the “The specified service does not exist as an installed service, 0x80070424” error.

Option 5 – 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 and then check for updates on your computer and see if the error is resolved.

Option 6 – Try running the Windows Firewall troubleshooter

You could also try to run the Windows Firewall troubleshooter as it might also help you fix the problem. This could help in repairing and fixing Windows Firewall issues automatically. Check if it’s available for your Windows.
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Fix cannot load the Device Driver Code 38
Each you connect time external devices like scanners, printers, and the likes to a Windows 10 computer, the device either pushes the drivers through the USB or any other port, or you are expected to install the drivers through external media. In both cases, the driver will be loaded into the system, allowing you to use the device. However, it doesn’t always go smoothly as you could encounter some errors like the “Windows cannot load the Device Driver for this hardware because a previous instance of the Device Driver is still in memory ( Code 38 )”. If you encounter such an error in the Device Manager, then this means that a previous version of the device driver is still in memory and that each time the device is used, that previous version is loaded into memory and then unloaded which triggers the “Windows cannot load the Device Driver for this hardware because a previous instance of the Device Driver is still in memory (Code 38)” error. This kind of error occurs if the operating system loads the unwanted driver or if it fails to unload the driver. It could be that there is an obsolete version of the driver that’s still installed in the system or it could also be that you need to update your USB drivers as they could be outdated or the problem could also be due to some third party program that is interfering with the installation. Whatever the cause is, here are some suggestions you can check out to resolve the problem.

Option 1 – Uninstall previously installed drivers and reinstall their latest working version from the manufacturer’s website

The first thing you can do is to uninstall the drivers that are currently installed on your computer and then reinstall their latest working versions from their official sites. This kind of error is commonly encountered while loading drivers for scanners and printers. This is due to the fact that their drivers and software come along with a package which is usually in external media like CD or DVD. So when you install the software package, there’s a possibility that a newer version has been launched by its manufacturer. When that happens, you have to uninstall the previously installed driver package and then download the drivers from the manufacturer’s website and install them.

Option 2 – Run the Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter

  • 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.

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 – Restart your computer in a Clean Boot State

If the first three given options didn’t work and you still see the error when you connect external devices, you can try putting your computer in a Clean Boot State and then try connecting them again.
  • 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.)
  • Now try to connect the external devices and check if the error is now gone.
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How to Fix Fmod.dll Error Code

Error Fmod.dll - What is it?

This is a type of DLL error code. DLL is the abbreviation of Dynamic Link Library. DLL files contain small programs which are similar to executable files. One DLL file may be used to load and run several programs. Fmod.dll is created by Electronic Arts Inc. and associated with Crysis. This file is developed for the Windows OS. This error code occurs when you are unable to access, run and load programs supported by Crysis on your PC. Fmod.dll error code message is displayed in different formats such as:
  • "Fmod_event.dll not found."
  • "The file fmod_event.dll is missing."
  • "This application failed to start because fmod_event.dll was not found. Re-installing the application may fix this problem."
  • "Cannot start Crysis. A required component is missing: fmod_event.dll. Please install Crysis again."
  • "Fmod_event.dll Access Violation."
  • "Cannot register fmod_event.dll."
  • "Cannot find C:\Windows\System32\fmod_event.dll."
Error Fmod.dll may pop up when you start-up or shut down the PC or even during the installation of a program.

Solution

Restoro box imageError Causes

Narrowing down to one cause for Fmod.dll error code is impossible virtually because this error may result due to different reasons on your system. Some of the common causes associated with this error code are:
  • Viral Infection
  • Hardware failure
  • Missing, Corrupt, or Deleted Fmod.dll file
  • Improper program installation
  • Registry issues
No matter what the underlying cause of the reason may be, it is recommended to resolve the issue immediately to avoid serious PC threats.

Further Information and Manual Repair

To resolve this error on your system, try the methods discussed below:

Method 1 - Check the Recycle Bin

As mentioned above, Fmod.dll is a DLL file that is used to run and load a variety of programs on your system. There is a possibility that you uninstalled a program that was supported by the Fmod.dll file and accidentally deleted it. In such a scenario, the easiest way to resolve the Fmod.dll error code is to re-install the deleted file from the recycle bin. For this, go to the recycle bin and search for the file. If you find it reinstall if you can’t then simply download the Fmod.dll file from a reliable website.

Method 2 - Scan for Malware

Malware usually enters through phishing emails and downloads. These malicious programs then hide in your system disguising as either DLL or EXE files. The occurrence of fmod.dll file error may be due to malicious programs hiding in your system. Therefore scan your entire PC with a powerful anti-virus. An antivirus detects and removes all malicious software programs such as viruses, malware, Trojans, spyware, and adware. Try this, to resolve error code Fmod.dll and see the results.

Method 3 - Fix Hardware Problems

Fmod.dll file error may also pop on your screen due to hardware failure. If this is the reason, then we advise you to use the Device Manager an in-built tool in Windows 7 and 8 to fix hardware failures. For this go to the start menu then control panel. Now click on the ‘hardware and sound link’ and then click on the Device Manager. If you find any devices in red exclamation point, then this means this device is problematic. Uninstall the driver for that hardware device and then update the driver. Install the latest version to resolve. Remember, hardware problems are mostly related to outdated drivers.

Method 4 - Restore Points

Use System Restore, an in-built utility also known as the recovery tool, to restore points and ensure your PC is back to its previous working condition before the error code occurred. Simply put, it helps undo recent changes. You can find the System Restore tool in the System Tools folder.

Method 5 - Clean and Repair the Registry

The registry is that part of your PC that stores all the information, activities performed, and files including the junk files, invalid keys, bad entries, and cookies. When these files accumulate on your PC, they take up all the registry space and corrupt the important system and DLL files also stored in the registry, thereby generating such errors. Now you can clean the registry manually. But this process can be time-consuming and slightly technical, hence we advise you to download Restoro. This is a PC Fixer integrated with a registry cleaner. It is easy to use deployed with an intuitive interface. The registry cleaner scans the entire PC and removes all registry errors. It wipes out all the obsolete files and repairs the damaged DLL and system files. Click here to download Restoro.
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Fix nVIDIA driver issues in Windows 10
nVIDIA is one of the behemoths of the GPU world, but that not means that they are perfect and that they do not make mistakes, throw WIndows in the mix, and sometimes you have issues with your nVIDIA display drivers for various reasons which could get very unpleasant. But do not worry, we have your back and in this article, we will focus and help you to resolve common nVIDIA driver issues. So sit back and let's start with the repairs.
  1. Rollback to the previous driver and stop automatic updates.

    nVIDIA sometimes publishes really messy drivers which can really cause some serious issues, if by any chance you managed to be unlucky enough to get this kind of driver, do not despair, roll back to the previous working version and wait for the fix. To stop Windows from doing automatic driver updates, navigate to Control Panel > System & Security > System > Advanced System Settings > Hardware > Device Installation Settings. Then choose "No (your device might not work as expected)". Once you have turned off automatic driver updates, uninstall your current driver and install the previous version from the official nVIDIA website. Reboot your system
  2. Reinstall nVIDIA driver

    Reinstalling the driver might fix the issue if by any chance driver files got corrupted during download for example. First, you will need to delete some files in order to perform a clean installation. Log in as administrator if you are not one and delete following files and folders: C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\nvdsp.inf fileC:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\nv_lh fileC:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\nvoclock fileC:\Program Files\NVIDIA Corporation\C:\Program Files (x86)\NVIDIA Corporation\Reboot your system Start driver installation again, choose custom installation, then clean install.
  3. Update driver in the Device Manager

    If driver updates for any reason can not work via the official install package from nVDIDA, try updating the driver in the Device Manager Navigate to Device Manager, expand graphic adapters, right-click on your nVIDIA device and click on update driver. Reboot your system
That's it, 3 solutions on how to remove, reinstall and update your nVIDIA driver, thank you for reading and I hope to see you again.
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