Error 1753 Demystified & The Quickest Fix Ever!

When your computer boots up or when it just woke up from sleep but it suddenly encounters a Blue Screen of Death error, saying, “HAL INITIALIZATION FAILED error with STOP CODE 0x0000005C”, then read on as this post will give you some fixes that might help in resolving the problem. You will see the following error message on your computer’s screen when this error pops up:

“Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart. We’re just collecting some error info, and then we’ll restart for you. If you’d like to know more, you can search online later for this error: HAL_INITIALIZATION_FAILED HAL INITIALIZATION FAILED 0x0000005C”

This kind of Blue Screen error indicates that there is a hardware or device driver problem in your PC. Aside from that, it also signifies that the initialization of the Hardware Abstraction Layer or HAL has failed. This happens only during the relatively short period that the Windows operating system is being initialized, specifically during phase 4 of Windows startup. What’s worse about this kind of Stop error is that it does not just go away after a computer reboot. You may have to boot your computer into Safe mode with Networking using the Advanced startup options which you can access by tapping the F2 or F8 key. Once you’ve accessed the Advanced startup options, follow the fixes prepared below.

Option 1 – Run CHKDSK command to repair hard disk errors

Running the Chkdsk utility could help you resolve the HAL INITIALIZATION FAILED error with STOP CODE 0x0000005C. 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.

• After you access the Advanced Startup options, select Command Prompt by using the arrow keys on your keyboard.
• After opening Command Prompt, execute the following command and hit Enter:

chkdsk /f /r

• The command you entered will scan the hard disk for any errors and will automatically fix it if it finds some issues. Wait for the process to be completed and then restart your computer.

Option 2 – Run the DISM tool

If the first option didn’t work, then running the Deployment Imaging and Servicing Management tool can help you resolve the HAL INITIALIZATION FAILED error as it will repair the Windows System Image as well as the Windows Component Store in Windows 10.

• After you access the Advanced Startup options, select Command Prompt by using the arrow keys on your keyboard.
• Next, type in this command: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
• Do not close the window if the process takes a while as it will probably take a few minutes to finish.

Option 3 – Update the Device drivers

• Tap the Win + R keys to launch Run.
• Type in 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. Look for the device driver you and then select either “Update driver” or “Uninstall device”. And if you find any “Unknown device”, you need to update it as well.
• Select the “Search automatically for updated driver software” option and then follow the instructions to complete the process.
• If you have chosen to uninstall the driver, follow the screen options to complete the process and then restart your PC.
• Connect the device and Scan for hardware changes – you can see this option under Device Manager > Action.

Option 4 – Try removing any external hardware

You might also want to remove any connected devices and external hardware in your computer as it might help in fixing the BSOD error.

Option 5 – Disable Fast Start-up

If you want your computer to boot faster, then you might have enabled Fast Start-up. This feature is ideal for computers that are using a hard disk drive. However, turning on this feature also means that when the computer boots, it might lag some drivers that are loaded when it initially boots up. Thus, it might be the potential cause of the UNEXPECTED STORE EXCEPTION BSOD error. Thus, you need to disable Fast Start-up. To do that, follow these steps:

• Boot your PC into Safe Mode.
• Then tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
• Next, type in “control” to open Control Panel.
• After that, select Hardware and Sound and click on Power Options.
• Select “Choose what the power buttons do” from the left side menu pane and click on Change settings that are currently unavailable.
• Afterward, uncheck the “Turn on fast startup (Recommended)” entry and click on Save Changes.
• Now restart your PC for the changes to take effect and then check if the problem’s fixed afterward.

Option 6 – Disable your antivirus program

There are times when the antivirus program installed in your computer blocks file access and even disk access. Thus, disabling the antivirus program or any security software installed in your computer is always a good idea you can try when the Windows Update process does not go smoothly. So before you try updating your computer again, make sure to disable the antivirus or security program and once the Windows Update is done, don’t forget to enable the antivirus program back again.

Option 7 – Perform a Clean Boot

There are some instances that some conflicting programs installed in your computer might be the one that’s causing the HAL INITIALIZATION FAILED error. To identify which program is causing the problem, you need to put your computer in a Clean Boot State. To do so, follow the steps below.

• Log onto your PC as an administrator.
• Type in MSConfig in the Start Search to open the System Configuration utility.
• From there, go to the General tab and click “Selective startup”.
• Clear the “Load Startup items” check box and make sure that the “Load System Services” and “Use Original boot configuration” options are checked.
• Next, click the Services tab and select the “Hide All Microsoft Services” check box.
• Click Disable all.
• Click on Apply/OK and restart your PC. (This will put your PC into a Clean Boot State. And configure Windows to use the usual startup, just simply undo the changes.)
• From there, start to isolate the problem by checking which one of the programs you installed recently is the root cause of the problem.

Instaling and removing applications from your Windows can sometimes leave some traces that are unpleasant and can cause annoyances. One of these annoyances is the program in the startup section of the task manager.

If you ever opened task manager and went into the startup section trying to disable some of the startup items on your Windows boot there might be a chance that you have experienced and seen a program without any icon or information about it just sitting there.

This is due to some applications being removed from the system but for some reason, it still shows itself in startup and it is quite annoying. So here we will show you how to get rid of this annoyance so your startup is clean again without junk in it.

Removing a program from startup

Locating the source of the issue

The first thing of course is to open the task manager itself and navigate to the startup tab. Inside the startup tab right-click on the column header and tick or enable Startup type and command line. Now you will see the location of the supposed file (that is missing or you could just go there by right-clicking on the item, but here it is greyed).

99% of the time startup type will be registry since the file is missing, if it was a file fix would be just to simply delete the file in the folder but since it was installed and not properly removed registry key is still present but the file cannot be found. After confirmation that the file is indeed missing and that the startup type is registry open the registry editor by typing Regedit in search and pressing enter.

Removing the key from registry

Inside Registry editor navigate to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run. Inside on right part, you will see all auto-start entries added by installed applications.

Locate one that is causing issues by comparing its path with the path inside the task manager command line and delete the key. Once the key is deleted right-click on RUN on the left part and choose HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE to quickly jump on that key location and repeat the process of key deletion if needed. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE will delete startup entry for all users and sometimes entry will not be present here since the application is not installed for all users or there are no other users on the machine.

After the procedure is finished, reboot your systems in order to apply changes.

Windows 10 is by far the most personalized Windows so far, most of its personalization comes from him learning our habits on computers and setting future experiences taking them into account. One of these things that Windows likes to set for us is also the default printer. The default printer is set as one which is most used but sometimes we do not want that, we might like to use another printer as default despite Windows choosing one for us. Never worry, setting default printer is easy and this guide will take you to step by step journey of how you can do it in 5 min on your personal computer. Let us begin: First thing is to click on the windows icon on the bottom left and open start menu, from start menu click once on settings. When the settings window opens, choose DEVICES on it. Once the device window opens, click once on printers and scanners, and on the right window go to the bottom and uncheck Let windows manage my default printer. Unchecking that box will let Windows know that we do not wish anymore for him to set our default printers according to their use. Once the checkbox is clear go up to your printer list and click on the printer you wish to use as the default one. I will choose Microsoft Print to PDF as my default printer and click on it. Once the printer is clicked option menu will appear. When the option menu appears under the printer name, click on Manage which will take you to the printer management screen. When you are on the manage screen, click on the Set as default button, and you are done.

There are times when you see a message in Windows Defender saying, “The Threat Services has stopped, Restart it now” when you try to use it. This kind of error is usually fixed by simply clicking on the Restart now button. However, if the error still appears even after you restart your computer and you see another message that says, “Unexpected error, Sorry, we ran into a problem”, then continue reading as this post will guide you in resolving this issue in Windows Defender. Before you proceed with the given fixes below, you have to create a System Restore point first. This way, you can always undo any changes you’ve made in case something goes wrong.

Option 1 – Make sure that the Windows Defender Services are started

The Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection service is the one that protects your computer from advanced threats by monitoring and reporting security events that happen on your computer. This is why you have to make sure that this, as well as other required services in Windows Defender, are set to their default values and are started. To do so, follow these steps:

• In the Cortana search box, type “services” and click on the Services icon to open the Services Manager. Alternatively, you can also tap the Win + R keys to launch the Run prompt and then type “services.msc” in the field and hit Enter to open the Services Manager
• After opening the Services Manager, look for the following services and make sure that their Startup type is set to their default values:
  • Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection Service – Manual
  • Windows Defender Antivirus Network Inspection Service – Manual
  • Windows Defender Antivirus Service – Manual
  • Windows Defender Firewall Service – Automatic
• You can right-click on each one of the listed services and then select Start to start them.
• And if some of the services don’t have their default values, just double-click on the Services to change the Startup types and select the correct option from the drop-down menu of the Startup type under the Properties box.
• Next, set up the Startup type of these services to Automatic and then click on the Start button if the services are not running yet.
• Now click on the Apply and OK buttons to save the changes made and then see if it fixed the problem or not.

Option 2 – Try modifying some entries in the Windows Registry

If the first option didn’t work in fixing the problem, you can try to alter some entries in the Windows Registry using the Registry Editor.

• First, tap Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
• Then type “Regedit” in the field and hit Enter to open the Registry Editor.
• Next, navigate to this registry path: HKLMSoftwarePoliciesMicrosoftWindows Defender
• From there, look for the “DisabledAntivirus” and “DisableAntiSpyware” DWORDS from the right pane and change each one of their values to “0”. On the other hand, if you don’t see any of these DWORDS, you can create them instead and give each one of them a 0 value.
• To create a DWORD, simply right-click on any empty space and select New > DWORD. Then name them both as “DisabledAntivirus” and “DisableAntiSpyware”.
• Afterward, set the value of the newly-created DWORDS to 0.
• Now exit the Registry Editor and reboot your PC to apply the changes made and then check if it has fixed the error in Windows Defender or not.

If your Windows 10 computer slows down, the first thing you can do is to check the status of the resource usage in the Task Manager. In such cases, it shoots up to even 1000% which causes the system to either hang or freeze since some programs are using a major chunk of system resources. And this is the case with msrtn32.exe. Msrtn32.exe is a malicious file that may try to steal your digital currency. It can get installed on your computer when you install a browser plugin or extension that can modify the default settings of browsers, the content of web pages, search results, as well as display tons of intrusive ads. So if you see msrtn32.exe under the Processes tab of the Task Manager If you see msrtn32.exe under the Processes tab of your Task Manager, refer to the suggestions given below to get rid of it and restore your computer’s normal function. Before you proceed, take note that this executable file is found in the following location:

C:/Program Files(x86)msrtn32

Option 1 – Delete the folder where msrtn32.exe is located

The first thing you can do is to go to C:/Program Files(x86)/msrtn32. From there, look for the malicious executable file and delete its folder. If you are not able to delete the folder, make sure that you’re logged in as administrator and then try again.

Option 2 – Try scanning your computer using Windows Defender

Since you are dealing with a malicious file, if you weren’t able to delete the folder where the file is located, you can scan your computer using the built-in Windows Defender program and then eliminate the malicious file. Follow the steps below to do so:

• Tap the Win + I keys to open Update & Security.
• Then click on the Windows Security option and open Windows Defender Security Center.
• Next, click on Virus & threat protection > Run a new advanced scan.
• Now make sure that Full Scan is selected from the menu and then click the Scan Now button to get started.

Keyboard shortcuts are undeniably one of the most utilized ways and are helpful in maximizing productivity through the various applications at top speed in Windows 10. It offers the option to create custom keyboard shortcuts that allow users to launch apps, and even websites, instantly. There are already tons of keyboard shortcuts that are built-in in Windows 10 but in case you don’t know, you can actually create new ones. Doing so is not a difficult task and in this post, you will be guided on how you can exactly create custom keyboard shortcuts in your Windows 10 computer. Most users would create desktop shortcuts or pin the apps in the taskbar to speed up the process of working on their computers. It is an easy task to do since you can easily do it by dragging an app from the Start Menu to the desktop or by simply right-clicking on the executable app and selecting the “Create Shortcut” option. However, doing so would take physical effort and there are times when you have to minimize all the apps to get to the desktop so you can click the shortcut and this is where the Custom Keyboard Shortcuts come in handy. You can create Custom Keyboard Shortcuts in Windows 10 for various programs – from the traditional desktop apps to the new universal apps – you can fling in a shortcut so that you can instantly open them faster compared to when doing it manually and besides this also wouldn’t affect any of the ongoing system activity. To get started, you need to follow the steps provided below carefully.

To add Custom Keyboard hotkeys to a program and website desktop shortcuts, here’s what you have to do:

Step 1: First, you have to right-click on the app or website and select Properties. Step 2: After that, go to the Shortcut tab and from there, you will see the “Shortcut key” textbox which allows you to enter a new or custom keyboard shortcut for the app or website. Step 3: In the textbox field, input your preferred letters to set up the new hotkey. Keep in mind that this custom shortcut has to be combined with the Ctrl + Alt keys which means that if you want to select “N”, you have to tap the Ctrl + Alt + N keys. Step 4: Once done, click on the Apply and OK buttons to save the changes made and then close the window. Step 5: After that, tap the newly created keyboard shortcut, Ctrl + Alt + N keys again to open the app or website you’ve set up earlier.

To add Custom Keyboard hotkeys to a desktop app or an independent program that can be installed using direct download, here’s what you have to do:

Step 1: First, open the Start Menu and look for the icon/tile of the required app in the menu. However, if you are not able to find the desired app, then just click on the All Apps option to navigate through all the apps that are installed on your PC. Step 2: Once you find the app, just right-click on it and select More and then click on the “Open file location” option. Step 3: This will open a new window with the shortcut icon. Right-click on the app’s shortcut icon and select Properties. Step 4: This will open the Properties window where you can add the shortcut combination. Keep in mind that just like the previous method, the custom shortcut has to be combined with the Ctrl + Alt keys. For instance, if you select E, then you also have to set a keyboard shortcut that includes Ctrl + Alt, so it will be, Ctrl + Alt + E. Step 5: Once you’re done, click on the Apply and OK buttons to save the changes made. You should now be able to use the custom shortcut key you’ve set.

The Motitags toolbar browser add-on was created by Mindspark Inc. and is compatible with Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox. It claims to enhance users’ Internet browsing experience by enabling smileys within popular email clients such as Gmail, Yahoo!, AOL, and Outlook Live. While such added functionality may seem useful, Internet users should be aware that this browser plugin is categorized as a Browser Hijacker due to its behavior.

When installed this extension changes your default search engine, the home page, and new tab to MyWay.com, and while installed it gathers user browsing data and sends it back to Mindspark servers. This data is later used to inject additional unwanted ads into the user’s browser search results.

About Browser Hijackers

Browser hijacking is actually a type of unwanted software program, often a web browser add-on or extension, which then causes modifications in the web browser’s settings. Browser hijacker malware is developed for a number of reasons. These are generally used to force hits to a specific website, manipulating web traffic to generate ad revenue. It could seem harmless, but the majority of these websites aren’t legitimate and could pose a serious threat to your online safety. In a much worst case, your internet browser could be hi-jacked to open up your computer to a host of additional computer infections.

How one can identify a browser hijack

There are several signs of browser hijacking. Here are a few of them: the home page of your browser is changed unexpectedly; you get re-directed to websites you never intended to visit; the essential web browser settings are altered and unwanted or unsafe resources are added to the trusted websites list; discover new toolbars that you didn’t add; endless pop-up adverts show up and/or your web browser popup blocker is disabled; your browser gets sluggish, buggy, crashes frequently; you can’t navigate to certain internet pages, for example, security software related websites.

So how does a browser hijacker infect a computer?

Browser hijackers infect computers via malicious email attachments, downloaded infected files, or by going to infected sites. Many internet browser hijackings come from add-on software, i.e., toolbars, browser helper objects (BHO), or plug-ins added to browsers to provide them extra capabilities. Browser hijackers sneak into your pc in addition to free software application downloads that you unwittingly install along with the original. An example of some infamous browser hijacker includes Babylon, Anyprotect, Conduit, SweetPage, DefaultTab, RocketTab, and Delta Search, but the names are often changing. Browser hijacking can bring about severe privacy problems and also identity theft, affect your browsing experience by taking control over outgoing traffic, drastically slows down your PC by consuming lots of resources, and result in system instability also.

Getting rid of browser hijackers

Some browser hijacking could be easily stopped by discovering and eliminating the corresponding malware program through your control panel. But, most browser hijackers are difficult to eliminate manually. No matter how much you try to eliminate it, it can return over and over. Rookie PC users should not try for the manual form of removal, since it needs thorough computer knowledge to perform fixes on the system registry and HOSTS file. Professionals always recommend users to remove any malware including browser hijacker with an automatic removal tool, which is easier, safer, and quicker than the manual removal technique. Safebytes Anti-Malware has a state-of-the-art anti-malware engine that will help you stop browser hijacking in the first place, and clean up any existing issues.

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

Malware could potentially cause all sorts of damage once they invade your computer, starting from stealing your private details to erasing data files on your computer system. Some malware sits in between your computer and your internet connection and blocks some or all sites that you would like to visit. It might also prevent you from installing anything on your PC, particularly anti-virus programs. If you’re reading this, you probably have infected by malware that prevents you from downloading a computer security program such as Safebytes Antimalware on your PC. There are a few options you could try to get around with this particular obstacle.

Install in Safe Mode

If the malware is set to load automatically when Windows starts, entering Safe Mode could block this attempt. Only minimal required programs and services are loaded whenever you start your personal computer in Safe Mode. To start your Windows XP, Vista, or 7 computers in Safe Mode with Networking, please do as instructed below. 1) At power on/start-up, press the F8 key in 1-second intervals. This would conjure up the Advanced Boot Options menu. 2) Choose Safe Mode with Networking with arrow keys and press Enter. 3) When you are into this mode, you will have online access again. Now, get the virus removal application you want by using the web browser. To install the program, follow the directions within the setup wizard. 4) Right after the software is installed, allow the scan run to eliminate viruses and other threats automatically.

Use an alternate web browser to download security software

Malicious code could exploit vulnerabilities on a particular internet browser and block access to all anti-virus software sites. The most effective way to avoid this issue is to choose a web browser that is renowned for its security features. Firefox contains built-in Malware and Phishing Protection to keep you safe online.

Install security software on a USB drive

To effectively eliminate the malware, you need to approach the problem of installing an anti-virus software program on the infected PC from a different angle. Follow these steps to run the antivirus on the affected computer. 1) Download Safebytes Anti-Malware or Microsoft Windows Defender Offline onto a virus-free computer system. 2) Plug the pen drive into the uninfected computer. 3) Double click on the downloaded file to open the installation wizard. 4) Choose the USB stick as the destination for saving the software file. Follow the instructions on the screen to finish up the installation process. 5) Disconnect the flash drive. You may now use this portable anti-malware on the infected computer. 6) Double-click the anti-malware program EXE file on the USB flash drive. 7) Run Full System Scan to detect and get rid of all sorts of malware.

Benefits and Features of SafeBytes Security Suite

To protect your laptop or computer from many different internet-based threats, it is very important to install an anti-malware program on your PC. However, with so many anti-malware companies in the marketplace, nowadays it’s difficult to decide which one you should obtain for your laptop. A few are very good ones, some are ok types, and some are simply just fake anti-malware applications that could damage your computer themselves! When looking for an anti-malware program, pick one which gives reliable, efficient, and total protection against all known viruses and malware. One of the highly recommended software by industry analysts is SafeBytes Anti-Malware, a popular security application for Microsoft Windows. Safebytes is one of the well-established computer solutions companies, which provide this complete anti-malware software. Using its cutting-edge technology, this application can assist you to eliminate multiples types of malware such as viruses, PUPs, trojans, worms, ransomware, adware, and browser hijackers.

SafeBytes possesses a variety of wonderful features that can help you protect your laptop or computer from malware attack and damage. Below are some typical features found in this application:

World-class AntiMalware Protection: Built upon a greatly acclaimed anti-virus engine, this malware removal application can find and remove numerous stubborn malware threats like browser hijackers, PUPs, and ransomware that other typical anti-virus applications will miss. Real-time Threat Response: SafeBytes gives complete and real-time security for your computer. They’re extremely effective in screening and getting rid of numerous threats since they’re regularly improved with the latest updates and alerts. “Fast Scan” Features: Safebytes Anti-Malware, using its enhanced scanning engine, provides ultra-fast scanning which can quickly target any active online threat. Website Filtering: Through its unique safety ranking, SafeBytes notifies you whether a site is safe or not to visit it. This will ensure that you’re always certain of your online safety when browsing the internet. Light-weight: The program is lightweight and can run silently in the background, and will not have an effect on your PC efficiency. 24/7 Premium Support: SafeBytes provides you with 24/7 technical support, automatic maintenance, and software upgrades for the best user experience. Simply put, SafeBytes has developed a meaningful anti-malware solution that is aimed to protect you against various malware. Malware issues can become a thing of the past when you put this tool to use. So if you’re seeking the very best malware removal application out there, and when you don’t mind shelling out a few bucks for it, go for SafeBytes Anti-Malware.

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

If you wish to manually remove Motitags without using an automated tool, it may be possible to do so by removing the application from the Windows Add/Remove Programs menu, or in cases of browser extensions, going to the browsers AddOn/Extension manager and removing it. Additionally, it is advised to factory reset your web browser to its default state to fix corrupt settings. Finally, check your hard drive for all of the following and clean your computer registry manually to get rid of leftover application entries after uninstalls. Please remember that only advanced users should try to manually edit the system files simply because removing any single vital registry entry leads to a serious issue or even a PC crash. Moreover, certain malicious programs have the capability to defend against its removal. Carrying out this in Safe Mode is recommended.

You probably heard about switches for LAN but not a lot of people heard about KVM switches. So what exactly is KVM switch?

If we look at the name, it is a shortcut for Keyboard, Video & Mouse and the original idea was to have multiple computers but one keyboard, mouse, and monitor. These peripherals would be connected to the KVM switch and other computers could all use one set of these on the fly when needed.

The technology behind the switch is a little interesting since it will actively fake signals to other computers that are not using peripherals. Once they are switched to them the transition is smooth and not noticeable. In old days these switches were more important than today since on every mouse or keyboard disconnection you had to reboot the computer, and although today that is not the case CPU will still detect disconnection and on the next connection it will run through the ID of the device and try to use the existing driver and if peripheral was connected in other USB port, it will install the same driver but connect it to the new USB port.

This type of reconnection can slow down work and place unnecessary load on the CPU so that is why KVM will fake connection in order to make switching externals on the computer smooth and in nick of a time.

Modern KVM switch

These days modern KVM switches will offer you more options than just being able to switch between keyboard, mouse, and monitor. Modern switches now offer Lan, audio, and many more various options.

There are also different kinds of switches offering you only one option, like for example just a Video switch that will let you use one monitor on three computers and many more other specialized options.

Software switches

So far we talked about Hardware switches, a real device being able to take peripherals into it and switch computers on the fly. On the other line, we have software switch solutions that will have specific software installed on all computers and have it run at all times, and switching between them will be through specific software.

There are two very good and main advantages of using software solutions instead of a hardware one. First, of course, is the price, since the most popular Synergy is an open-source solution, completely free of charge. The second big advantage is that software switch is not limited to how many computers can you use. Hardware switches tend to go to a large number like 16 but if you have a large cluster of computers over a LAN, let's say 30 then the box solution might be difficult.

On the other hand software solution will switch only keyboard and mouse since each other computer will have to have some screen on it in order to work. Both solutions have their strong advantages and disadvantages and it is up to you to choose one that best suits you.

Conclusion

If you are multitasking with a lot of computers or just need your peripherals from time to time to connect to another machine then the KVM switch is something that you might find the use of. Just be aware that if you go for some cheap switch you might experience some lag on your peripherals, but if that is not a concern you can get hardware one for as low as $50 USD.

Users who constantly use graphic-intensive applications like games or any video-rendering software need to control how their graphics card is used. There are some who always toggle their Graphic Quality settings to get the Frames Per Second or FPS up. While some tend to adjust the size, orientation, scaling, and other display settings in order to use their PCs in a more efficient way or to simply work better. And in all of that, that’s where the NVIDIA Graphics Card comes into the picture. Take note that this software only works on PCs which has NVIDIA Graphics Card attached to them. Thus, if you use another Graphics Card then this post is not for you, otherwise, proceed reading to know what you can do if the NVIDIA Control Panel is not opening on your Windows 10 PC. Here are a couple of things you can try if the NVIDIA Control Panel is not opening, not responding, or not working:

• Restart the process of the NVIDIA Control Panel
• Restart the NVIDIA Display Driver Service
• Update your NVIDIA Display Drivers

For more details, refer to the instructions provided below.

Option 1: Restart the process of the NVIDIA Control Panel.

• Tap the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys to open the Task Manager.
• After opening the Task Manager, look for the process named NVIDIA Control Panel Application.
• Once you found it, expand it and right-click on the NVIDIA Control Panel sub-process, and click on End Task.
• Now try opening the NVIDIA Control Panel from the Start Menu and see if it now works fine or not.

Option 2: Restart the NVIDIA Display Driver Service

• Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
• Then type “services.msc” in the field and hit Enter to open the Windows Services Manager.
• After opening the Services window, you will see a list of services. From there, look for services named “NVIDIA Display Container LS” and double click on it to open its Properties.
• Now make sure that the service is Started. If it isn’t, you need to start it, otherwise, you need to Stop it and Start It again. You also have to make sure that the Startup Type is set to Automatic.
• Do the same for the NVIDIA LocalSystem Container service.
• Restart your computer and check if the problem’s fixed.

Option 3: Try updating the drivers from the official site of NVIDIA

If both the first and second given options didn’t work, you can also try updating the drivers from the official NVIDIA website. And in case you don’t know the type of Nvidia graphics card that your computer is on, follow the steps below:

• Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
• Next type in “dxdiag” in the field and click OK or hit Enter to open the DirectX Diagnostic Tool.
• From there, you can see what type of Nvidia graphics card that your system is on.
• Take note of your graphics card information and then look for the best drivers for your operating system. Once you’ve downloaded and installed the file, restart your PC.

mixGames is an Extension for Google Chrome that adds “Games:” functions to Google Chrome. In our testing, this function did not work and only redirects you back to the extension page. There are two variations of mixGames: mixGames Search, which changes the Chrome homepage to one managed by their own advertising-driven search; and mixGames Start, which changes the homepage in Chrome. These extensions utilize Searchalo to change search engine functions from the default or user-set preferences to Yahoo, injecting additional advertising. Due to the browser function modifications, mixGames is classified as potentially unwanted and is flagged for detection and optional removal by some Antivirus programs.

About Browser Hijackers

Browser hijacking is a common type of online fraud where your web browser configuration settings are altered to allow it to do things you do not intend. They are created to disrupt web browser programs for a variety of reasons. These are typically used to force hits to predetermined sites, manipulating web traffic to generate ad revenue. Nevertheless, it isn’t that innocent. Your internet safety is jeopardized and it is also extremely annoying. What’s more, hijackers can make the entire infected system fragile – other dangerous malware and viruses would use these opportunities to get into your system very easily.

Indications of browser hijack

There are various symptoms that could indicate a browser hijacking: 1. the browser’s home page is modified 2. new bookmarks pointing to pornographic websites are added to your favorite pages 3. the main web browser settings are modified and unwanted or unsafe resources are added to the trusted websites listing 4. you’re getting new toolbars you have never noticed before 5. your browser will display constant pop-up windows 6. your internet browser starts running sluggishly or exhibits frequent errors 7. you cannot go to certain sites like home pages of antivirus software.

Exactly how browser hijacker finds its way onto your computer

Browser hijackers infect computers by numerous means, including through a file-share, a drive-by download, or an infected e-mail attachment. Many internet browser hijackings come from add-on programs, i.e., browser helper objects (BHO), toolbars, or plug-ins added to web browsers to give them extra capabilities. A browser hijacker can be installed as a part of freeware, demoware, shareware, and fake programs. A good example of a well-known browser hijacker is the latest Chinese malicious software known as “Fireball”, which has infected 250 million computer systems globally. It works as a hijacker but can be turned into a full-functioning malware downloader later on. Browser hijacking can cause severe privacy problems and even identity theft, disrupt your web browsing experience by taking command over outbound traffic, substantially slows down your personal computer by depleting a lot of resources, and result in system instability at the same time.

How you can fix a browser hijack

Some hijackers can be easily removed by uninstalling the free software they were included with or by eliminating any extension you’ve recently added to your browser. But, the majority of hijacking codes aren’t easy to remove manually, since they go deeper into your operating system. Besides, browser hijackers can modify the Windows registry therefore it can be quite hard to restore all of the values manually, especially if you’re not a very tech-savvy individual.

How To Install Safebytes Anti-Malware On An Infected PC

All malware is bad and the consequences of the damage will vary according to the specific kind of malware. Certain malware types modify web browser settings by including a proxy server or change the computer’s DNS settings. In such cases, you will be unable to visit certain or all internet sites, and therefore unable to download or install the required security software to remove the infection. If you are reading this, you may have affected by a virus that stops you from downloading a computer security application like Safebytes Anti-Malware. Do as instructed below to remove malware by alternate methods.

Get rid of viruses in Safe Mode

In Safe Mode, you could modify Windows settings, uninstall or install some applications, and remove hard-to-delete viruses. In the event the malware is blocking internet access and affecting your computer, running it in Safe Mode allows you to download anti-malware and run a diagnostic scan while limiting possible damage. To get into Safe Mode or Safe Mode with Networking, press the F8 key while the PC is starting up or run MSConfig and find the “Safe Boot” options in the “Boot” tab. Once you are in Safe Mode, you can try to download and install your antivirus software program without the hindrance of the malware. Following installation, run the malware scanner to get rid of standard infections.

Switch over to an alternative browser

Some malware only targets specific internet browsers. If this sounds like your situation, make use of another internet browser as it could circumvent the computer virus. The ideal way to avoid this issue is to pick a web browser that is well known for its security features. Firefox contains built-in Malware and Phishing Protection to keep you secure online.

Create a portable USB antivirus for removing malware

Another option would be to make a portable antivirus program on your USB flash drive. Do these simple steps to clean up your affected computer using a portable antivirus. 1) On a clean computer, download and install Safebytes Anti-Malware. 2) Plug the USB drive into the uninfected computer. 3) Double-click the executable file to open the installation wizard. 4) Choose the drive letter of the pen drive as the location when the wizard asks you where you want to install the antivirus. Follow activation instructions. 5) Transfer the flash drive from the clean PC to the infected PC. 6) Double-click the EXE file to run the Safebytes program from the pen drive. 7) Run Full System Scan to detect and get rid of all types of malware.

Protect Your Computer & Privacy With SafeBytes Anti-Malware

These days, an anti-malware tool can protect your computer from different kinds of online threats. But how do choose the best one among several malware protection software that’s available on the market? You may be aware, there are lots of anti-malware companies and tools for you to consider. Some are well worth your money, but most aren’t. You have to be very careful not to choose the wrong application, especially if you purchase a paid software. Among few good applications, SafeBytes Anti-Malware is the highly recommended program for the security-conscious user. SafeBytes anti-malware is a powerful, very effective protection software intended to assist users of all levels of IT literacy in identifying and removing harmful threats out of their personal computers. Using its outstanding protection system, this software will quickly detect and remove the majority of the security threats, which include browser hijackers, viruses, adware, ransomware, PUPs, and trojans. SafeBytes anti-malware takes PC protection to a whole new level with its enhanced features. The following are some of the best ones: World-class AntiMalware Protection: Using its enhanced and sophisticated algorithm, this malware removal tool can identify and eliminate the malware threats hiding in your computer effectively. Active Protection: SafeBytes delivers complete and real-time security for your PC. It’ll constantly monitor your pc for hacker activity and also provides users with superior firewall protection. Website Filtering: Through its unique safety rating, SafeBytes alerts you whether a site is safe or not to visit it. This will assure that you’re always certain of your online safety when browsing the web. Faster Scan: This tool has one of the fastest and most efficient virus scanning engines in the industry. The scans are very accurate and take a short amount of time to complete. Low Memory/CPU Usage: SafeBytes is really lightweight software. It consumes an extremely small amount of processing power as it works in the background therefore you will not see any computer performance problems. 24/7 Assistance: You can get totally free 24/7 technical support from their computer experts on any product queries or computer security issues.

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

If you do not wish to use malware removal software and like to remove mixGames manually, you may accomplish this by going to the Windows Add/Remove Programs menu in the control panel and removing the offending program; in cases of browser extensions, you could uninstall it by going to the browser’s Add-on/Extension manager. It is also suggested to factory reset your browser settings to their default state. Lastly, examine your hard disk for all of the following and clean your Windows registry manually to remove leftover application entries following an uninstallation. But bear in mind, this is a complicated task and only computer experts can perform it safely. In addition, certain malware is capable of replicating or preventing deletion. Completing this task in Safe Mode is recommended.