Error code 0x803f7001 results when users fail to update their Windows operating system. This often occurs when they seek to update from Windows 8 or 8.1 to Windows 10. Users will be able to identify error code 0x803f7001 because of the following common symptoms which occur:
Inability to upgrade your Windows operating system to Windows 10
Message box with error code 0x803f7001
Solution
Error Causes
The causes for error code 0x803f7001 are usually associated with the use of an unlicensed version of Windows 8 when upgrading to Windows 10. In such cases, the error code occurs when there is no valid Windows license or product key on your device.
Further Information and Manual Repair
To fix error code 0x803f7001, users may not necessarily need technical knowledge or the help of a Windows repair technician. Usually, the process is simple and can be resolved with the use of a valid product key. However, if users have trouble implementing the instructions found in the manual repair methods listed below, contact a Windows repair specialist for help or use an automated tool that provides the best solutions for problems like error code 0x803f7001.
Method One: Use a Valid Product Key
A product key is a 25-character code that enables users to activate their Windows operating system. To successfully activate your operating system and resolve error code 0x803f7001, enter the product key in the correct order. Once you have a valid product key in your possession, begin to resolve the error code by following the instructions below:
Step one: Click the Start button then select Settings
Step two: Select Update & security then Activation
Step three: Click the Change product key
Step four: Type in your valid product key. (Ensure you include the 25 characters of your product key in the correct order.)
Once you type in the valid product key, you should be able to successfully upgrade to the latest version of Windows. However, this method is only effective if the error code 0x803f7001 on your device is caused by issues related to the product key.
If the error code reappears after attempting manual repair method one, move to the next manual method suggested below.
Method Two: Reinstall Genuine Version of Windows 8
This method is crucial for you to perform if method one was not successful. Begin the reinstallation process by ensuring you have a genuine version of Windows 8. After reinstalling this version of your Windows operating system, attempt to upgrade to Windows 10 by following the instructions below:
Step one: Type Settings in the search box near the Start button or click the Start button and select Settings
Step two: After clicking Settings, select Update & Security
Step three: Select Windows Update then the Check for updates tab
Step four: Activate Windows 10 update
If this method is successful, you will no longer see error code 0x803f7001 pop up in a message box. You will also be able to access Windows 10, and all the benefits it provides users, on your device.
Method Three: Install an Automated Tool
Automated tools help PC users eliminate common issues such as Windows error codes. To address or rectify error codes like error code 0x803f7001 download a powerful automated tool on your machine. This tool enables users to access quick solutions. It also scans for and corrects issues that may result in error codes or poor PC performance.
Stop 0x00000000 error code is a type of a Stop error popularly known as a blue screen of death error code. This is a critical error.
It can pop up while loading or using the Windows program on your PC. When this error occurs, the computer screen turns blue and you, the user, get locked out of the program. Furthermore, it can also result in sudden system shut down or system freeze.
If not fixed timely, the error may start to pop up more and more frequently which then may lead to complete system corruption and system crash.
Solution
Error Causes
The two most common causes for the STOP 0x00000000 error code are:
Malware infection
Registry corruption
This is a fatal system error and must be resolved immediately. Delay may lead to system crashes and data loss. And recovering lost data is not easy.
Further Information and Manual Repair
Though this is a fatal error the good news is that it is easy to resolve. To repair the STOP 0x00000000 error on your system, here are some methods that you can try:
Method 1 - Use System Restore to Bring Your Computer Back to its Previous State
To resolve this error on your system, try using the System Restore tool. Use this tool to bring your computer back to its previous state. The Windows System Restore utility is one of the most valuable recovery tools.
To use it, simply type System Restore in the search box. Once you find it, click on it and select a restore point to bring your PC back to its normal state. To activate changes, reboot the PC.
Method 2 - Scan for Viruses
If the underlying cause of the Stop 0x00000000 error code is related to malware infection, then you must download a powerful antivirus to resolve it. Run it to scan your entire PC.
Make sure you remove all types of malware including adware, spyware, viruses, and Trojan. Once your PC is malware-free, the error will be fixed in no time.
Method 3 - Clean and Repair the Registry
The registry is an important part of the PC. It stores practically all the activities you perform on your system.
It saves all the files including both important and unnecessary files such as junk files, cookies, internet history, bad and invalid entries. If these obsolete and unnecessary files are not deleted frequently and keep on accumulating it takes up all the registry space and corrupts it.
This results in registry errors like runtime and BSoD errors and sometimes may also lead to disk fragmentation.
To resolve it is advisable to repair the registry. This can be done manually but that will take too much time and also require technical expertise. However, another way to resolve it is to download Restoro.
This is a user-friendly PC Fixer with a powerful registry cleaner. It removes all obsolete and unnecessary files, cleans the registry and repairs the damaged files, thereby removing the error right away.
Click here to download Restoro and resolve Stop 0x00000000 today!
If you have the HP printer, then you may come across this error. HP Printer Spooler not running errors does not mean there is anything wrong with your printer. It indicates printer driver issues.
Solution
Error Causes
There can be multiple causes behind the HP printer Spooler not running error code such as:
The poor or unsuccessful printer driver installation
Invalid registry entries
Though this is not a critical error code as it does not pose serious damage threats to your PC, however, it is advisable to resolve it as it can cause you a great deal of inconvenience especially if you want to take out printouts every now and then.
Further Information and Manual Repair
Here are some ways you can try to resolve HP Printer Spooler Not Running Error on your system:
1. Reinstall the HP Printer driver on Your System
Simply go to the control panel and then click on the Device Manager option
Once you click it you will see details pane with a list of devices. Now simply click on the printer, to reinstall the driver software.
Double click on it to open the properties dialog box
After that click on the driver tab and then click update driver
Once you update the driver, try using the Printer to see if it works. Sometimes you may come across a pop-up displaying the following message: ‘Driver installed correctly, Device is ready to use however, you may not see the printer under the printer’s pane. This triggers registry issues.
2. To resolve registry issues, install Restoro on your system.
This is a highly functional registry cleaner integrated with a powerful antivirus. It helps resolve registry issues, malware, and guarantees system optimization. This feature-filled tool is the answer to all your PC-related issues.
Restoro is a next-generation PC repair software that extends outstanding usability and helps PC users resolve errors efficiently.
Its simple navigation and user-friendly interface make it so easy to use that even novice users can also work around it and repair issues without any hassle or difficulty.
It’s a smart and intuitive in-built registry cleaner that wipes out all the unnecessary and obsolete files on your hard disk. This includes junk files, internet history, invalid registry keys, and files from the uninstalled old program versions.
Sometimes the files from the uninstalled programs hamper your ability to update new program versions thus leading to unsuccessful driver installation. Nonetheless, all such files are removed in seconds with this helper and you are then ready to reinstall the driver.
This registry cleaner cleans the clutter from your hard disk and optimizes your system's speed, lowering your PC boot time significantly. Total System Care can be used on all Windows versions
To fix the HP printer spooler not running error on your computer, simply click here to install Restoro. Run it to scan for the error and fix it in seconds. Once the issue is resolved, update the printer driver. You’ll see the driver will be updated successfully and the HP printer will also appear in the printer’s panel.
By installing Restoro on your system, you can also resolve several other issues like privacy errors triggered by malware and virus infections. With this tool, you will not have to download and run a separate anti-virus on your system.
if you were following our articles you are aware that Windows 10 has a build-in-game mode that you can summon
by pressing ⊞ WINDOWS + G. But did you know that you can use this to capture and record your screen?
Hello and welcome to another great tutorial about how to get the maximum out of your Windows 10, today our topic will be recording your screen using Windows 10 game mode.
In order to start recording first, we need to bring game mode by pressing ⊞ WINDOWS + G
In the Game Bar overlay screen, look for the “Capture” window.
If you don’t see it, click the Widget menu icon on the left. It looks like several lines with bullet points to their left.
A drop-down list will appear; click “Capture.” The “Capture” shortcut may also be in the Game Bar toolbar.
Look for the “Capture” widget window in the overlay. There are four buttons on the Capture widget (from left to right):
Screenshot: Takes a screenshot of the active window.
Record last 30 seconds: Creates a recording of the previous 30 seconds.
Start recording: Starts recording your active window.
Turn on the mic while recording: If this option is enabled, Windows 10 will capture audio from your computer’s microphone and include it in the recording.
You’ll notice text underneath the buttons. This is how you’ll know what the active window is, aka what will be recorded. For example, if you’re browsing the web, it will show the title of the open tab.
To start recording your screen, you must first decide whether you want to use your mic, which is useful if you’re trying to explain something on the screen.
Next, simply click the Start Recording button.
The screen recording will begin, and you’ll see a little toolbar appear in the corner of the screen. It will show the running time of the recording, and it also has buttons to stop recording and toggle the microphone.
When you’re finished, click the Stop icon to end the recording.
From the Capture widget, click “Show All Captures” to see your recording.
Your recording will be at the top of the list. Click the folder icon to see all recordings and screenshots in File Explorer.
These recordings are stored under your Windows user folder at C:\Users\NAME\Videos\Captures by default.
As we near the end of 2022 we look at the current best antivirus software for popular platforms, why they are the best, and why you should get them.
Avira, a great free Antivirus
Avira has been around a long time with its free antivirus version of the larger protection suite. It had its ups and downs but the latest versions are really great. With high-speed scans and low system impact, Avira antivirus is really one of the best free antivirus software currently on the market.
The software itself has also received UI & UX updates making it straightforward and easy to use. The virus scanning engine is the same as in paid version that ranks among the top engines in the world for this type of work. The package also gives you some great browser protection and a good firewall as well, there is really no excuse to skip on this if you want a free solution.
The only thing that we would say is not so great in Avira is reporting some false positives, sometimes even for MS updates, it is rare but it can happen.
Malwarebytes, a powerful Windows antivirus
Malwarebytes Premium is easy to use, simple antivirus solution that shies away from complicated UI, and simply put, it just works. Its scanning engine is well-known and places among the top and best in the world often finding some malware that other can miss.
Another great thing is its integration with Windows itself, it is one of the rare applications that can and will work incredibly well beside your typical Windows protection tools so you can have both of them running at the same time.
Installation and running are really simple and every typical PC user will find it as easy as walking in the park. On the other hand, sadly system impact is a little high and it will have issues running on lower-end systems due to its memory requirements.
Intego MAC Internet Security X9, the best Mac antivirus
Gone are the days when MAC had no virus issues, since MAC rose in popularity among the users, also rose the number of viruses and malware. The system itself has some great protection built it inside but for more security and better control of it, you will need a third-party dedicated solution.
Intego was made by Mac antivirus experts who have been building this kind of software last 25 years. The interface is easy to use and premade presets are really helpful, but the security suite can also be customized to fit your needs and desires.
Since this is only available as a security suite, you are getting a firewall and some other security tools along with your antivirus that will run as a part of it.
The bad side is that scans can sometimes run slow, most of the time they are OK in terms of speed but occasionally they can switch to slower speeds and impact scanning time to some annoying times. Also, there is no webcam protection nor VPN service included where others on this list have them.
Bitdefender mobile security: best Android protection
While protection is not only needed for your gaming or workstation, software suites that are dealing with mobile and tablet security exist. The best of them is the Bitdefender antivirus mobile suite. Low on system resources and low on performance impact with the really great virus detection rate Bitdefender is at the top of suites for your phone.
Consistent high virus detection packed with low battery impact is great but the suite comes with tons of other tools as well like browser security tools, email protection, and real-time link and notification protection.
The application will always scan each file and newly installed application in the background and alert and cut off any found threat. App itself is easy to install and use and most of the time it will do everything in the background for you but offer you customization if you need it.
The package also includes VPN and application lock that will let you protect the critical applications from being accessed as well as an online account scanner. Anti-theft and anti-loss tools, which allow you to find, remotely lock or wipe a stolen or lost device, add yet another layer of protection.
One thing that is missing from this great package is fraudulent call protection. Newer Android phones have this feature inside but it would be nice if Bitdefender had it as well.
Bitdefender, the best antivirus software
Now that we have covered specific cases of each platform, there is one player that has all of them covered and with a quality product, that player is BitDefender and it is great. Personally, this is my protection suite of choice and as I type this it is running in the background.
Bitdefender has it all, low system impact, as a matter of fact, it is one, if not, the lowest performance impact engine on the market currently and that is packed with a great and highly consistent virus & malware detection suite. Along with real-time malware protection, browser security, and anti-spam tools, you also get anti-phishing defenses, ransomware protection, and a strong firewall.
Bitdefender scores are very high in both the zero-day threat and real-world protection tests at AV-Test, an established organization that tests antivirus software. Despite being tested against tens of thousands of well-known and widespread malware threats, the software consistently achieves a 100% blocking rate.
The suite also comes with a restricted free VPN and with parental controls as well. Webcam and microphone protection are also included in the suite and on top of all, it has great pricing plans and constant discounts.
BitDefender is really a great package and it might sound too good, but after years and years of personally using it I have not had single malware or virus issue, the only thing that I would put as a negative is that system is severely slowed down when system scans are performed so be sure to run or schedule them when you are not using your computer. This, of course, can put some people off and I will admit it is a serious drawback but for me, the security of my workstation is more important than leaving the computer for 20 or so minutes in order to perform a full scan of the system.
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.
They 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.
The TWCU.EXE or TP-LINK Wireless Client Utility is a configuration application required to run wireless adapters successfully. The TP-LINK Wireless Client Utility application only exists on computers that are using the TP-LINK adapters. Upon the installation of this application, the service will be automatically added to the Windows service list that will continuously run in the background.
The Twcu.exe is placed at the C:\Program Files\TP-LINKTP-LINK\Wireless Utility folder and is used by TP-LINK to connect to the internet. The name of the main executable file is twcu.exe and can be viewed in the Services tab of the Task Manager. If you are one of the users who just upgraded to Windows 10 from the previous Windows versions, then you’ll most likely see an error saying, “Failed to load the library file!” that has something to do with twcu.exe or TWCU. This error pops up when you go to your desktop and every time you log into your Windows 10 PC.
Like pointed out, this error is related to the TP-LINK Wireless Client Utility and every user who is using the TP-LINK Wireless Client Utility is experiencing this problem which may be due to some compatibility issues especially when you start getting this error right after you upgraded to Windows 10. To fix this problem, follow each one of the options given below.
Option 1 – Try running in Compatibility Mode
The best thing you can do is to run the TP-LINK Wireless Client Utility in the compatibility mode since the problem is due to some compatibility issue. To run this utility in the compatibility mode, here’s what you have to do:
Look for the TP-LINK Wireless Client Utility which should be located on your desktop.
Once you find it, right-click on it and select Properties from the context menu.
After that, go to the Compatibility tab and mark the checkbox for “Run this program in compatibility mode for:” and from the drop-down list, select either Windows 7 or Windows 8.
Click the Apply button and then click OK to save the changes made and check if it has resolved the issue or not.
Option 2 – Try troubleshooting compatibility
This option is almost the same as the first one except it is an alternative way of fixing the TP-LINK Wireless Client Utility in case the first one didn’t work. In this option, you will troubleshoot the compatibility issue of the TP-LINK Wireless Client Utility.
Look for the TP-LINK Wireless Client Utility which as mentioned, is on your desktop.
Then right-click on it and select the “Troubleshoot compatibility” from the context menu.
After that, click on the “Try recommended setting” option. Once the process is done, the error message should be gone.
Error Code “Windows 10 isn’t activated after upgrading for free” – What is it?
Windows 10 isn’t activated error occurs when Windows users attempt to upgrade to Windows 10 for free and end up in a non-activated state. It is a Windows 10 activation error affecting PC owners who attempt to upgrade their Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 operating systems. A message box will appear with the following message: “Windows 10 isn’t activated after upgrading for free from Windows 7 SPI or Windows 8.1 update.”
Common symptoms of this error code include the following:
Inability to upgrade for free to Windows 10
The appearance of activation error code in the message box
Solution
Error Causes
To understand the cause of this activation error, users will need to understand activation within Windows. Activation is a process that allows Windows to verify that you are upgrading your operating system based on the Microsoft Software Licensing Terms. These terms specify, for instance, the number of devices upon which you can use Windows.
Once you have a genuine copy of Windows and you are following the terms mentioned earlier, you should be able to activate and complete the upgrade to Windows 10. However, the activation fails when these conditions are not met. Note also that the error may occur if users fail to upgrade to Windows 10 before reinstalling, requiring them to repeat the installation process by first going back to the previous version of Windows present on their system. Once the upgrade process is not done as should, you might encounter other Windows 10 errors such as error code 0xc0000142
If you see this error code, “Windows 10 isn’t activated after upgrading for free” proceed to rectify it using manual repair methods below.
Further Information and Manual Repair
To fix this activation error code in Windows 10, users will need to employ at least one manual repair procedure. This process can successfully be completed by non-technical Windows users. However, you may also consider getting assistance from a Windows repair technician if you are not certain you have the requisite skills needed to complete the manual repair tasks below.
The main methods to resolve the error code “Windows 10 isn’t activated after upgrading for free from Windows 7 SPI or Windows 8.1 update” is as follows:
Method One: Manually Activate Windows
If you attempted upgrading for free to Windows 10 and ended up with the activation error you will need to first perform a manual activation. Follow the steps below to complete the process.
Step one: Tap or click the Start button
Step two: Select Settings then Update & security
Step three: Select Activation
Step four: Once activation status is Connect to the Internet to activate Windows, click or tap Activate
The steps above enable users to successfully activate Windows 10 if the issue involves a connection problem. However, if Windows is not activated, it may mean your copy of Windows is not genuine. This may require you purchase a copy of Windows to rectify the issue. However, if you have a genuine copy of Windows proceed by applying the steps found in method two.
Method Two: Use Product Key to Verify Copy of Windows
A valid product key is one way you can verify your copy of Windows is genuine. This will enable you to complete activation and allow you to access the free upgrade to Windows 10. Follow the steps below.
Step one: Click or tap the Start button
Step two: Select Settings then Update & security
Step three: Click Activation
Step four: Select Change Product Key then type in the product key. (Ensure you type the 25 characters in the correct order.)
Method Three: Use an Automated Tool
Error codes in Windows often occur due to poor maintenance of one’s PC. To improve your system and reduce your machine’s risk of experiencing error codes, download a powerful automated tool. This tool is both powerful and user-friendly, making its benefits accessible to even the most non-technical Windows users.
A lot of Windows 10 users have reported recently that their computers are frequently crashing with a Blue Screen error with an error code “VIDEO_DXGKRNL_FATAL_ERROR”. This kind of Stop error appears not so often and its bug check value of 0x00000113 is an indication that there is some violation in the Microsoft DirectX graphics kernel subsystem. This error also occurs when there is a corrupted driver that interferes with the GPU’s normal functionality.
According to some security experts, this kind of error is reported to only occur in Windows 10 PCs. Users started getting this error right after a large Windows Update. The cause of this error might have something to do with a violation in the DirectX graphics kernel subsystem where there could be a bad DirectX install or some corrupted Dynamic Link Library or DLL. Aside from that, the error might also be caused by the Nvidia driver which might have crashed or it could also be that there is an intermittent power supply. Moreover, an outdated BIOS as well as a third-party security program might be the ones behind this Blue Screen error. Whichever the case may be, you need to fix the VIDEO_DXGKRNL_FATAL_ERROR BSOD error by following the instructions given below carefully.
Option 1 – Try checking if the NVIDIA graphics card is enabled and update it as well
Although the problem is quite massive, the fix could be as simple as enabling the NVIDIA graphics card if it turns out to be disabled. There might be some strange reason why your graphics card disables itself. Thus, the best and first option you can try is to check if the NVIDIA graphics card is enabled or not. To do so, follow these steps:
Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
Then type “devmgmt.msc” in the field and hit Enter to open the Device Manager.
After opening the Device Manager, look for the Nvidia graphics card option among the list of device drivers. Once you found it, check if it is enabled or not. If it’s not enabled, you should see a gray arrow pointing downwards. Right-click on the card and select Enabled.
Next, right-click on the graphics card once more and click on the Update Driver Software option and then click on the “Search automatically for updated driver software” option.
Option 2 – Update or uninstall third-party security program
As mentioned, the VIDEO_DXGKRNL_FATAL_ERROR Blue Screen error might be caused by a third-party security program that’s installed on your computer. So you have to either update it or uninstall it to resolve the issue.
Option 3 – Check the power supply for any inconsistency
The Blue Screen error might also be caused by an intermittent power supply. If there is any intermittent changes between the main supply and the battery power, it might lead to bad contact on your supply to the charger and thus, causes the VIDEO_DXGKRNL_FATAL_ERROR Stop error to appear. So to check if this scenario is applicable to you, you have to monitor your computer for any frequent changes between the power supply and the battery power. If you see that the supply is displaying power On and Off, see if the same goes when the power supply is disconnected. However, if it does not occur, you might have to purchase a new power adapter cable and replace the one that you have right now.
Option 4 – Reinstall the Graphics card drivers
Tap Win + R to open Run then type “devmgmt.msc” in the field and hit Enter to open the Device Manager.
From there, look for the Display adapters and uninstall each one of the graphics card drivers by right-clicking on them and selecting the Uninstall device option.
After uninstalling the graphics card drivers, close the Device Manager and tap Win + R to open Run once again.
After that, type “appwiz.cpl” in the field and hit Enter to open Programs & Features in the Control Panel.
Next, look for any program that’s related to your GPU manufacturers like Nvidia, AMD, or Intel. Right-click on any GPU-related entry and click on Uninstall to uninstall them and then follow the next on-screen instructions that appear afterward.
Now restart your computer.
Once your computer has restarted, go to the GPU manufacturer’s website and download the latest driver version for your graphics card model and then install it.
Restart your computer once again. That should fix the problem.
Option 5 – Try checking if there are any BIOS updates available for your PC
Updating the BIOS may help you resolve the BSOD error. You can just go to the OEM’s website as they offer utility software that can download BIOS firmware and update it without any problem. BIOS updates usually offer enhancements and fixes to some issues like this one.
Option 6 – Perform a System Restore
Performing a System Restore on your computer can also help you fix the VIDEO_DXGKRNL_FATAL_ERROR Blue Screen of Death 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.
Today we will be solving the Device not found 3F0 error which is a common error, especially among HP (HP Pavilion G6), Lenovo, Acer, and Dell laptops/desktops. This error occurs when the computer is turned ON and when the system is about to boot. It can happen on windows 7, 8, or 10. When a mentioned error occurs one of the following messages will be displayed on your screen:
“No bootable device – insert boot disk and press any key”
“No Boot Device Found. Press any key to reboot the machine”
“Boot Device Not Found. Please install an operating system on your hard disk. Hard Disk (3FO)”
“No boot device is available”
The most common reasons for 3F0 error to occur is:
Using the unbootable device or disk to boot from.
If the bootable hard drive you are using might have corrupted or damaged somehow.
MBR or boot sector is damaged on the bootable hard drive.
If your system has gone through a virus or malware attack.
The wrong boot order in the BIOS.
Hard disk connection problem.
System files or boot files unknowingly damaged.
Corrupt hard drive partitions.
Now all of these being said let us go through some of the solutions and fix this dreaded error in order to get your computer back in working order:
1: Change Boot Order
This is well, the most simple solution and the easiest one, try to change the boot sequence in the BIOS settings of your motherboard. Sometimes most easier solutions can provide great results and solve our problems. If sadly this fails and the issue persists move to the next solution.
2: Perform a Hard Reset
Performing hard reset can often solve issues, to perform a hard reset do the following:
Turn off the computer and unplug the power adapter. If there is a removable battery, it should also be removed.
Then disconnect all peripherals, including the removable hard drive, etc.
then
Press and hold the power button for 15 seconds to drain all remaining power.
Insert the battery, and then re-plug the AC adapter into the laptop.
Press the power button to turn on the computer.
Once the computer starts up properly and the startup menu appears, use the arrow keys to select “Start Windows normally” and then press Enter.
Reconnect everything back of your peripherals.
If by any chance problem still persists follow the next step:
3: Test Hard Drive Using HP Diagnostic Tool
Use the built-in tool in the Hp device to solve the issue:
Turn on your computer and keep pressing the Esc key until the menu appears on the screen.
Next, press the F2 key.
Choose the Components Tests option from the HP PC Hardware Diagnostics menu.
Select Hard Drive from the Component Tests menu.
Click on the Quick Test, then click on the Run once button.
If there are still any issues with your hard drive, then run the Extensive Test.
4: Restore BIOS Default Settings
Press the Power button to start the computer, and immediately after this, repeatedly press the F10 key to enter the BIOS setup menu.
To load and restore BIOS Setup Default settings, press F9 on the BIOS setup menu.
Once loaded, press F10 to Save and Exit.
Select yes, and then press Enter when it says Exit Saving Changes.
5: Reconnect Your Hard Drive
Turn the computer off and remove the power cable.
If you have a removable battery, take it out
Disconnect your hard drive and then connect it back.
Reassemble your computer and turn the computer on to see if it fixed the issue.
6: Fix and Rebuild Damaged MBR
Boot from the original installation DVD (or the recovery USB)
At the Welcome screen, click Repair your computer.
Choose Troubleshoot.
Choose Command Prompt.
When the Command Prompt loads, type the following commands: bootrec /FixMbr bootrec /FixBoot bootrec /ScanOs bootrec /RebuildBcd.
7: Fix Operating System
Prepare a Windows installation disc, CD/DVD or USB flash drive and connect it to your PC.
During the installation process, launch Command Prompt.
In Windows 7, under the System Recovery Options tab, click Startup Repair.
In Windows 8 and Windows 10, click Repair your computer, then select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Automatic Repair (Windows 8) or Startup Repair (Windows 10).
Windows defender error 0x800700AA, service can not be started comes when the user is trying to run Windows defender scan on their system.
This kind of behavior happens for two reasons mostly, third-party application conflict or corrupted system files.
In this article, we will tackle both scenarios and provide you with solutions in both cases.
Third-party application conflict
In this rare scenario when Windows defender can not start scan due to conflict with installed service or application in the system solution is quite simple. Restart your PC into safe mode and run the scan from there. In a safe mode environment, minimum drivers and services are only loaded eliminating any conflicts that might occur when everything is booted. If Windows defender can not run the scan in safe mode and you get the same 0x800700AA error then you can eliminate application conflict as a reason and move to the next solution which will tackle corrupted system files. If you, however, managed to run a scan then you have a rare third-party application conflict, you can boot normally into windows and try to eliminate one by one to see which one is causing the issue. The safest bet would be to start with security software because most of the time that is what causes conflicts in running services and applications.
Corrupted system files
If the previous solution has not provided you with results then you have system file corruption that needs to be fixed. Move from one solution to another as presented below:
Run SFC scan
SFC scan is a built-in Windows tool for solving corrupted system files issues, it is fully automated and does not require from the user any kind of knowledge or information. To run it and scan the system do the following:
Press ⊞ WINDOWS + X to open the secret menu
Left-click on the command prompt (admin)
In command prompt type SFC /SCANNOW and press ENTER
Wait for the process to finish, do not interrupt it and once it is done, restart your computer
Run DISM scan
DISM scan is similar to SFC scan but it tackles different types of system file corruption and it is recommended to run it also after SFC has been completed. Please note that for DISM scan to be successful you will need a stable internet connection since DISM will replace corrupted files with new ones downloaded from Microsoft. To run it do the following:
Press ⊞ WINDOWS + X to open the secret menu
Left-click on the command prompt (admin)
inside command prompt type: exe /online /cleanup-image /scanhealth followed by ENTER, then type: Dism.exe /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth also followed with ENTER.
Leave scan to finish and reboot your PC