Fixing the No Audio Output Device is Installed

Logon.scr Application Error - What is it?

To understand Logon.scr application error, it is first important to understand the function of logon.scr. Logon.scr is an important file that is located in the Windows\System32 folder. It guarantees Windows systems stability. Logon.scr application error occurs when logon.scr file gets corrupt. It is a common system error that can happen in most Windows platforms. It usually pops up during system start-ups and when trying to launch certain programs. Some of the common systems of this error code include: system halt, freeze, no application icons are visible on the desktop, random blue screen of death and system performance decreases dramatically.

Solution

Error Causes

Two of the most common causes of logon.scr application error is:

• Corrupted and damaged logon.scr file
• Viral infection

It is advisable to fix this error code immediately because it leads to serious damages. It is fatal and can result in a system crash; therefore resolve it right away.

Further Information and Manual Repair

To resolve this issue on your computer you don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars to hire a professional for the job. The good news is that it can be repaired easily and does not require any technical expertise. Here are some of the most effective and easy DIY methods to resolve the error on your screens.

Method 1 - Replace the Damaged and the Corrupted Logon.scr File

Whether the file gets corrupted or is accidentally deleted, the best way to fix the issue is to download the Logon.scr file again from a reliable website and install in the following location C:\Windows\System32. Alternatively you can also get the file copy form another proper functioning computer by using flash drive if you don’t have an internet connection to download the logon.scr file online.

Method 2 - Restore Points by Applying System Restore of Windows

Another way to resolve this is to restore points to bring back your system to the previous state before the error occurred. To do this, simply click the start button and type ‘System Restore’. Now click System Restore in the result and click next. Select the restore point in the list and click the next button to proceed. To activate changes reboot your PC.

Method 3 - Scan and Remove Viruses

If Logon.scr application error still persists, then it could be due to viruses. To resolve, install a powerful anti-virus. Scan your entire PC and remove viruses.

Method 4 - Repair the Registry

Corrupt and damaged Logon.scr file also triggers issues with the registry. DLL files and other important files like Logon.scr application files may get damage due to too many bad and invalid registry entries. Registry stores all the activities performed on the PC including unnecessary files like junk files and cookies. If these are not removed timely, these files accumulate and corrupt important files. Therefore, to fix the error it is advisable to clean and repair the registry. The best way to go about is to download Restoro. This is a user-friendly and multi-functional PC Fixer deployed with a registry cleaner. It scans for all registry errors and removes all the invalid entries. It cleans the registry and repairs the damaged files thereby resolving the issue in seconds. Click here to download Restoro and resolve the Logon.scr application error now!

Converters Now developed by Mindspark Interactive is a Browser Extension for Google Chrome and is promoted at their website like a very useful tool for converting PDF and Doc files, alongside with dictionary, and other useful tools. While this might appeal to you the extension hijacks your New Tab page, changing it to Search.MyWay.com

While active, this extension monitors user’s online activity, recording visited websites, clicked links, bought products, and other browsing information. This information is later forwarded or sold to Mindsparks ad network to better deliver user Targeted Ads.

Browsing the internet with ConvertersNow will result in displaying additional ads, sponsored content, and sometimes even pop-up ads injected into various pages or websites throughout your browsing sessions. CovertersNow has been marked as a Browser Hijacker by several anti-virus programs and it is marked for removal.

About Browser Hijackers

Browser hijacking is actually a type of unwanted software, commonly a browser add-on or extension, which then causes modifications in the web browser’s settings. There are plenty of reasons why you may experience a web browser hijack; however commercial, advertising, and marketing are the major purposes for their creation. Usually, the idea would be to force users to visit particular websites that are aiming to improve their site visitor traffic and generate higher ad income. Though it might appear harmless, these tools were created by vicious individuals who always try to take advantage of you, so that they can easily earn money from your naivety and distraction. Browser hijackers could also let other vicious programs without your knowledge further damage your PC.

How you can recognize a browser hijack

Signs that an internet browser is hijacked include: the home page of your respective web browser is changed all of a sudden; your web browser is constantly being redirected to pornography websites; default web engine is changed; you are finding new toolbars you haven’t witnessed before; unstoppable flurries of popup ads show up on your computer screen; your web browser starts running sluggishly or presents frequent glitches; Inability to navigate to certain sites, particularly anti-malware and also other security software websites.

So how does a computer get infected with a browser hijacker

Browser hijackers could use drive-by downloads or file-sharing networks or even an e-mail attachment in order to reach a targeted computer system. Many web browser hijackings come from add-on applications, i.e., browser helper objects (BHO), toolbars, or plug-ins added to browsers to provide the extra features. Also, certain freeware and shareware can put the hijacker inside your computer through the “bundling” technique. Some of the most well-known hijackers are ConvertersNow, Conduit Search, Babylon Toolbar, OneWebSearch, Sweet Page, and CoolWebSearch. Browser hijackers might record user keystrokes to collect potentially important information leading to privacy issues, cause instability on systems, drastically disrupt user’s browsing experience, and eventually slow down the PC to a stage where it becomes unusable.

Removal

Some hijackers could be removed by deleting the freeware they were included with or by eliminating any extension you’ve recently added to your computer. Having said that, most hijackers are quite tenacious and need specialized applications to eradicate them. Furthermore, manual removals require deep system knowledge and therefore can be very difficult task for beginner computer users. You might opt for automatic browser hijacker removal by just installing and running efficient anti-malware software. If you want to eliminate persistent hijackers quickly and effectively, install the top-rated, award-winning Anti-Malware tool Safebytes Anti-Malware.

What To Do If You Cannot Install Any Anti-virus?

Malware can cause several kinds of damage to computing devices, networks, and data. Certain malware goes to great lengths to prevent you from installing anything on your computer system, particularly anti-virus software. If you’re reading this article now, you might have perhaps recognized that a malware infection is the cause of your blocked web traffic. So what to do when you want to download and install an anti-malware program such as Safebytes? Although this kind of issue will be tougher to circumvent, there are some actions you can take.

Install in Safe Mode

If the malware is set to load immediately when Windows starts, entering safe mode could block the attempt. Since only the minimal applications and services start-up in Safe Mode, there are seldom any reasons for issues to occur. You will have to do the following to remove malware in Safe mode. 1) At power-on/startup, hit the F8 key in 1-second intervals. This should bring up the Advanced Boot Options menu. 2) Make use of the arrow keys to choose Safe Mode with Networking and hit ENTER. 3) When this mode loads, you will have an internet connection. Now, use your web browser to download and install Safebytes. 4) After installation, do a complete scan and let the software program remove the threats it finds.

Download the security software using a different internet browser

Certain viruses may target vulnerabilities of a specific browser that obstruct the downloading process. If you’re not able to download the security software using Internet Explorer, this means malware may be targeting IE’s vulnerabilities. Here, you must switch to another web browser like Chrome or Firefox to download the Safebytes application.

Create a portable USB antivirus for removing viruses

Another way is to download and transfer an anti-malware program from a clean PC to run a scan on the infected computer. Try these simple steps to clear up your affected computer using portable anti-malware. 1) Download Safebytes Anti-Malware or Microsoft Windows Defender Offline onto a clean PC. 2) Insert the pen drive on the same computer. 3) Double-click on the downloaded file to run the installation wizard. 4) Choose the drive letter of the USB drive as the location when the wizard asks you where you would like to install the anti-virus. Follow the instructions to complete the installation process. 5) Now, plug the pen drive into the infected system. 6) Double-click the EXE file to open the Safebytes tool from the pen drive. 7) Simply click “Scan Now” to run a complete scan on the infected computer for malware.

Benefits and Features of SafeBytes Security Suite

In order to protect your personal computer from a variety of internet-based threats, it’s important to install an anti-malware program on your personal computer. But with countless numbers of antimalware companies out there, these days it’s hard to decide which one you should buy for your personal computer. A few of them do a good job in eradicating malware threats while many will ruin your PC by themselves. You need to pick out a tool that has got a good reputation and detects not only computer viruses but other kinds of malware also. When considering trustworthy software programs, Safebytes Anti-Malware is undoubtedly the strongly recommended one. Safebytes is one of the well-established PC solutions firms, which offer this all-inclusive anti-malware program. Using its outstanding protection system, this utility will automatically detect and eliminate most of the security threats, which include viruses, adware, browser hijackers, PUPs, trojans, worms, and ransomware.

There are lots of amazing features you will get with this particular security product. Listed below are some of the highlighted features included in the product.

Anti-Malware Protection: Using a critically acclaimed anti-malware engine, SafeBytes offers multilayered protection which is designed to catch and eliminate threats which are concealed deep in your PC. Live Protection: SafeBytes provides real-time active supervision and protection from all known computer viruses and malware. It will constantly monitor your pc for hacker activity and also provides end-users with advanced firewall protection. Safe Browsing: Through its unique safety score, SafeBytes notifies you whether a website is safe or not to visit it. This will make sure that you’re always certain of your safety when browsing the world wide web. High-Speed Malware Scanning Engine: SafeBytes’s very fast malware scanning engine cuts down scan times and extends battery life. At the same time, it’ll effectively detect and remove infected files or any internet threat. Lightweight: SafeBytes is a lightweight application. It consumes a very small amount of processing power as it works in the background therefore you won’t observe any computer performance difficulties. 24/7 Online Tech Support: You can get high levels of support 24/7 if you are using their paid software. To conclude, SafeBytes Anti-Malware is pretty great for securing your computer against all sorts of malware threats. There is no doubt that your computer system will be protected in real-time once you put this software program to use. For top protection and the best value for money, you can’t get better than SafeBytes Anti-Malware.

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

If you’d like to carry out the removal of ConvertersNow manually instead of employing an automated tool, you may follow these steps: Proceed to the Windows Control Panel, click on the “Add/Remove Programs” and there, choose the offending program to remove. In case of suspicious versions of web browser extensions, you can easily get rid of them via your browser’s extension manager. It’s also advised to factory reset your web browser to its default condition to fix corrupt settings. If you decide to manually delete the system files and Windows registry entries, use the following checklist to make sure you know precisely what files to remove before executing any actions. But bear in mind, this is often a tough task and only computer professionals could accomplish it safely. Furthermore, certain malicious programs are capable to defend against its removal. Doing this malware-removal process in Safe Mode is recommended.

Error Code 0x80070005 – What is it?

Error code 0x80070005 is also known as the “Access Denied” error code because it prevents Windows users from accessing updates on their machines. This error code exists due to a lack of permissions on one’s system files or registry, permissions which are necessary for the updates via Windows Update to complete successfully. Error code 0x80070005 affects multiple versions of the Windows operating system including Windows 8, 8.1, and Windows 10.

Solution

Error Causes

The lack of files or registry permissions which result in the presence of error code 0x80070005 on your device may occur based on several reasons. The most common of these relates to the existence of malware programs on your machine. Malware can disrupt and change system files which are required for the update process to occur. Thus, this error code requires a systematic approach to first find missing or corrupt files, as well as cleaning up malware programs that could be preventing your machine from accessing updates.

Further Information and Manual Repair

Windows 10 users can repair error code 0x80070005 by implementing manual repair procedures. These procedures include the installation of tools like SubInACL.exe which enable users to access information about registry keys and files, thus detecting issues that may be preventing them from completing the update process in Windows Update.

These manual repair methods are listed below with clear instructions that even average Windows users can understand and follow. However, if you attempt the procedures and experience any issues that prevent you from successfully fixing error code 0x80070005, contact a Windows repair technician. Also, consider downloading an automated tool since these tools often help users fix PC performance issues that cause error codes to occur within various versions of the Windows operating system.

Method One: Log on as Administrator to Install Updates

By logging on as an administrator, Windows users may be able to access updates via Windows Update and thereby fix error code 0x80070005 in Windows 10. Follow the steps below to complete this manual repair method.

• Step one: Click the Search bar near the Start button
• Step two: Type User Accounts in Search
• Step three: Select User Accounts
• Step four: Click Manage User Accounts, then type in password if prompted to do so

Once you are logged on as an administrator, go to Settings to access Windows Update. You will be given the option to install the latest updates. Select this option and wait for the process to be completed. If error code 0x80070005 reoccurs, however, you will need to proceed to manual repair method two which requires that you scan for malware.

Method Two: Scan for Malware

This method is very simple. As you scan for malware on your machine, you will be able to detect any malicious programs that may be preventing you from installing updates on your device. This will in turn enable Windows users to clean up their system, fix the error code, and prevent others from occurring.

First, be sure you have a viable antimalware program on your machine. Scan for viruses and other harmful programs using this third-party software. Another option is to run Windows Defender on your machine.

Once you’ve completed the scan and error Code 0x80070005 moved any malware that may be present, attempt to install updates via Windows Update. If the problem causing error code 0x80070005 in Windows 10 is resolved, you will be able to install the updates. However, proceed to the next manual repair method if the error code remains on your device after you have scanned and removed malware programs.

Method Three: Install SubInACL Tool

The SubInACL tool enables Windows users to access security details and other information regarding files and registry permissions. Use this tool to fix files and registry permissions by following the instructions below.

• Step one: Download the SubInACL tool via Microsoft’s official website
• Step two: Run program as administrator
• Step three: Restart machine
• Step four: Go to Settings, Update & security, then Windows Update
• Step five: Reattempt installation of updates

Once you’ve been able to run the SubInACL tool and fix files or registry permissions, your machine should be able to access updates. If error code 0x80070005 reoccurs, however, you may need to contact a Windows repair technician to verify if issues unrelated to permissions are causing the error code to occur.

Method Four: Download an Automated Tool

If you wish to always have at your disposal a utility tool to fix these Windows 8 and other related issues when they do arise, download and install a powerful automated tool.

If you have received a BSOD error message that says, “Tcpip.sys”, read on as this post will show you how you can fix the problem. The “Tcpip.sys” means Transmission Control Protocol over Internet Protocol. It is a library of a set of rules that are used to interconnect different devices all over the internet. The Tcpip.sys file is a driver and if a BSOD error message includes this one, it could only mean that the driver file is corrupted or incompatible with your system or there are some conflicting programs installed in your computer. To fix this error, you can try the following workarounds. Make sure to carefully follow each one of them.

Option 1 – Check for conflicting or incompatible programs by putting your PC in a Clean Boot state

As mentioned, the “tcpip.sys” BSOD error might be caused by some problematic programs that clash with your existing operating system. Several users reported that numerous programs that are supposedly designed to enhance computer performance are causing conflict in the system instead. 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” checkbox 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” checkbox.
• 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 putting your PC in a Clean Boot State, try creating a system restore point and see if the problem still occurs. Clean Boot troubleshooting is designed to help you isolate the problem. For you to execute a clean boot troubleshooting, you must do a couple of actions (the steps are given above) and then restart your PC after every action. You might have to disable one third-party app after the other to really isolate the issue. And once you’ve narrowed down the problem, you can either disable the third-party app that’s causing the problem or remove it. Note that you must switch your PC back into the Normal Startup mode after you’re done troubleshooting the problem. Here’s how you can do it:

• From the “Start” menu, go to System Configuration.
• After that, switch to the General tab and click the option for “Normal Startup”.
• Next, go to the Services tab and clear the checkbox for “Hide all Microsoft services”.
• Then find and click “Enable all” and if prompted, you have to confirm.
• Afterward, go to the Task Manager and enable all the Startup programs and confirm the action.
• Restart your PC when prompted.

Option 2 – Disabling Antivirus Software

There are cases when the “tcpip.sys” BSOD error is caused by the antivirus program installed in your computer that’s blocking some essential operations. Because of this, the operating system fails which throws up the BSOD error. As you know, the antivirus program is designed to protect the computer and monitor every action in the system. However, there are instances when the antivirus program gives false positives and shuts down some modules even if it’s harmless. So this could be the case for the “tcpip.sys” error. To verify if the problem is indeed caused by the antivirus program in your computer, you need to temporarily disable it. After you’ve disabled it, restart your PC and then check if the problem’s fixed or not.

Option 3 – Try to update all your Drivers

From time to time, drivers get corrupted or outdated so it’s no surprise that they conflict with the operating system and cause errors like the “tcpip.sys” BSOD error. To fix the problem, you need to update all your drivers especially the network driver since the “tcpip.sys” error is closely related to this driver. Follow the steps below to update your drivers.

• Tap the Win + R keys to launch Run.
• Type in devmgmt.msc into the box and tap Enter or click OK to open the Device Manager.
• After that, a list of device drivers will be displayed. If you see a red or yellow sign that shows up against the driver, right-click on the driver’s name and select “Update Driver Software” or “Uninstall”. 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.
• Restart your PC.

Note: You also have the option to go directly to the website of your graphics card manufacturer and check if there’s a new update – if there is, download it. After that, you could also check if there’s a new update of the game you’re getting the issue of the black bar.

Recently, a number of users reported that they weren’t able to download anything from the internet after they’ve updated their Windows 10 computers. This kind of problem occurs because of some Internet options settings located in the Control Panel. Based on the reports, this issue has been known to occur in all kinds of browsers and not only on Microsoft Edge. Not being able to download anything from the internet is a huge problem since almost everything is wrapped around the internet. To resolve this problem, here are some suggestions that you can try.

Option 1 – Temporarily disable Firewall and third-party antivirus

Firewall and antivirus programs are known to block files the instant it detects a threat to the system. However, there are some cases when it can also block a file even when it’s a safe one. Thus, your antivirus or firewall programs might be the reason why you can’t download anything on your Windows 10 computer. To isolate the issue, you need to temporarily disable both the Firewall and antivirus programs and then check if you can now download anything from the internet. Do not forget to enable them again as disabling them can leave your computer vulnerable to cyber threats.

Option 2 – Try changing the Internet Options settings

According to users, changing the Internet Options settings helped them resolve the problem. There are times when the drive location in your Internet Options settings is not the system drive, chances are, it will cause the error to pop up which is why you need to make sure that it’s correct.

• Go to Control Panel and search for Internet Options and open it.
• Next, go to the General tab and click on Settings.
• From there, check if the drive location is “C:”. If it is, close the window, otherwise, click on the “Move folder…” option, and then select your preferred folder under drive C: and click OK.
• Now restart your computer and check if changing the Internet Options settings helped in fixing the problem.

Option 3 – Try clearing browser data

There are instances when browser data can cause issues in downloading files online. And so you can try to clear your browser’s data. This might be a very basic solution but oftentimes it works in fixing this kind of error. Follow the steps below to clear the data in your browser.

• Open your Google Chrome browser.
• After that, tap the Ctrl + H keys. Doing so will open a new panel that allows you to delete the browsing history and other data in your browser.
• Now select every checkbox that you see and click on the Clear browsing data button.
• Then restart your Chrome browser and check if you can now open any website or not.

Option 4 – Get rid of any conflicting browser extensions

• Open Chrome and press Alt + F keys.
• Go to More tools and click Extensions to look for any suspicious browser extensions or toolbars.
• Click the Recycle bin and select Remove.
• Restart Chrome and press Alt + F keys again.
• Proceed to On Startup and mark Open a specific page or set of pages.
• To check if the browser hijacker is still active, click Set pages, if it is active, overwrite the URL.

Option 5 – Try to remove Proxy

Removing the Proxy might also help you in fixing the connection issue in Cortana. Here’s how you can do it:

• 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 6 – Try reinstalling your browser

If none of the options given above worked in fixing the problem, you can try to reinstall your browser. There are times when the browser wasn’t installed properly which can cause several issues like not being able to download anything from the web. Thus, reinstall your browser and see if that helps.

Microsoft has started building a unified store with Windows 8 and later with Windows 10 in order to make it easier for users to get safer and more modern applications for their Windows 10 devices. This unified store is called the Microsoft Store which is tied up with the Windows Update. The delivery for them both are quite similar which is why they also have some common errors as well as fixes for them. So in this post, you will be guided on how you can fix error 0x80246019 for both Microsoft Store and Windows Update in your Windows 10 computer. The error 0x80246019 might be caused by corrupted system files or missing ones or be due to some glitch in the component services and other possible causes but whatever the cause is, you can fix it with the help of the following fixes, make sure to follow each one of them carefully.

Option 1 – Reset Windows Update components

• 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.

Option 2 – Toggle the Windows Insider Program settings

This option is only applicable to you if you are a part of the Windows Insider Program. If you are, then follow the steps below.

• First, you have to open Settings and go to the Update & Security section.
• From there select the Windows Insider Program.
• After that, select the “Stop Insider Preview builds” option and then restart your computer.
• Now open the Windows Insider Program again and check if it fixes error 0x80246019 or not.

Option 3 – Run the System File Checker Scan

System File Checker or SFC is a built-in command utility that helps in restoring corrupted files as well as missing files. It replaces bad and corrupted system files with good system files that might be the cause why you’re getting error 0x80246019. To run the SFC command, follow the steps given below.

• Tap Win + R to launch Run.
• Type in cmd in the field and tap Enter.
• After opening Command Prompt, type in sfc /scannow

The command will start a system scan which will take a few whiles before it finishes. Once it’s done, you could get the following results:

1. Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations.
2. Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them.
3. Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them.

 Reboot your computer.

Option 4 – Run the DISM tool

You can also run the DISM Tool as it helps in repairing the Windows System Image as well as the Windows Component Store in Windows 10. Using this built-in tool, you have various options such as the “/ScanHealth”, “/CheckHealth”, and “/RestoreHealth” which could help in fixing error 0x80246019.

• Open the Command Prompt with admin privileges.
• Then type in the following commands and make sure to hit Enter right after you type each one of them:
  • Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
  • Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
  • exe /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 5 – Try to reset the Microsoft Store cache

Just like browsers, Microsoft Store also caches as you view apps and games so it is most likely that the cache is no longer valid and must be removed. To do so, follow the steps below.

• Right-click on the start button and click on Command Prompt (administrator).
• Next, type in the command, “wsreset.exe” and tap Enter. Once you do, the command will clear the cache for the Windows Store app.
• Now restart your PC and afterward, try opening Microsoft Store again and then try to install your app or update your computer again.

Option 6 – Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter

You might also want to run the Windows Update Troubleshooter as it could also help in fixing error 0x80246019. 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.

AudioToAudio is a browser extension for Google Chrome developed by Mindspark Inc. This extension allows users easy access to popular audio converting websites.

When installed, it changes the default search engine, home page, and new tab to MyWay.com. While active AudioToAudio gathers user browsing activities such as, but not limited to: visited websites, clicked links, search queries. This data is later used/sold by the Mindspark ad network to better target ads. While browsing the internet with this extension enabled, you will see additional injected ads, sponsored content (such as links to web pages, banner ads, affiliate shop links, etc), and even pop-up ads from time to time if the regular ads are blocked. AudioToAudio has been marked as a Browser Hijacker by several anti-virus applications and is marked for removal by most of them.

About Browser Hijackers

Browser hijacking is a form of unwanted software, commonly a web browser add-on or extension, which causes modifications in web browser’s settings. They are created to interfere with browser functions for various purposes. Typically, hijackers are developed for the benefit of cyber hackers often through revenue generation from forced ad clicks and website visits. However, it isn’t that innocent. Your online safety is compromised and it is also extremely annoying. Some browser hijackers are programmed to make particular modifications beyond the browsers, like changing entries in the computer registry and letting other malware further damage your computer.

How to determine if your browser has been hijacked

When your web browser is hijacked, the following might happen: 1. your web browser’s homepage is suddenly different 2. you get re-directed to sites you never meant to visit 3. The default search page of the web browser is changed 4. discover new toolbars that you simply did not add 5. you see numerous ads pop up on the web browsers or computer screen 6. webpages load slowly and often incomplete 7. Inability to navigate to certain websites, especially antivirus and also other computer security software sites.

How they infect computers

There are many ways your computer or laptop can become infected with a browser hijacker. They usually arrive by way of spam email, via file-sharing networks, or by a drive-by-download. They can also be deployed via the installation of an internet browser toolbar, extension, or add-on. A browser hijacker could also come bundled up with some free software that you unknowingly download and install the browser hijack, compromising your PC security. Some of the most well-known hijackers are AudioToAudio, Babylon Toolbar, Conduit Search, OneWebSearch, Sweet Page, and CoolWebSearch.

Removing browser hijackers

Some hijackers could be removed by just uninstalling the related freeware or add-ons through the Add or Remove Programs in the Microsoft Windows Control Panel. But, the majority of hijackers are quite tenacious and require specialized applications to eliminate them. Novice computer users shouldn’t ever attempt the manual form of removal, as it requires thorough computer knowledge to carry out repairs on the computer registry and HOSTS file. Browser hijackers can be effectively removed by installing and running anti-malware software on the affected PC. Safebytes Anti-Malware has a sophisticated anti-malware engine to help you prevent browser hijacking in the first place, and mop up any existing issues. In addition to anti-malware, a system optimizer tool, similar to Total System Care, could help you resolve Windows registry errors, eliminate unwanted toolbars, secure online privacy, and increase overall computer performance.

How To Get Rid Of Malware That Is Preventing Anti-Malware Installation?

All malware is bad, but certain types of malware do more damage to your computer than others. Some malware types alter internet browser settings by including a proxy server or change the PC’s DNS settings. In these cases, you will be unable to visit some or all internet sites, and thus not able to download or install the required security software to remove the malware. If you are reading this article, you probably have got affected by malware that prevents you from installing a computer security program like Safebytes Anti-Malware. There are a few actions you can take to get around this problem.

Install in Safe Mode

In Safe Mode, you are able to modify Windows settings, un-install or install some applications, and remove hard-to-delete viruses and malware. In the event the malware is blocking access to the internet and affecting your PC, running it in Safe Mode allows you to download anti-malware and run a diagnostic scan whilst limiting possible damage. In order to enter into Safe Mode or Safe Mode with Networking, press the F8 key while the PC is starting up or run MSCONFIG and locate the “Safe Boot” options in the “Boot” tab. Once you are in Safe Mode, you can attempt to download and install your anti-malware software without the hindrance of the malicious software. Now, you can actually run the antivirus scan to remove computer viruses and malware without any interference from another application.

Switch over to a different web browser

Malicious code could exploit vulnerabilities in a particular internet browser and block access to all anti-virus software websites. If you suspect that your Internet Explorer happens to be hijacked by a computer virus or otherwise compromised by cybercriminals, the best plan of action would be to switch to an alternate browser like Chrome, Firefox, or Safari to download your favorite computer security program – Safebytes Anti-Malware.

Install and run antivirus from your Thumb drive

Here’s another solution which is creating a portable USB anti-virus software package that can scan your computer for malicious software without needing installation. Adopt these measures to use a USB drive to fix your infected computer system. 1) Download Safebytes Anti-Malware or MS Windows Defender Offline onto a virus-free computer system. 2) Mount the USB drive on the same computer. 3) Double-click the executable file to run the installation wizard. 4) Choose the USB flash drive as the destination for saving the file. Do as instructed on the screen to finish up the installation process. 5) Transfer the USB drive from the uninfected PC to the infected computer. 6) Double-click the EXE file to open the Safebytes tool from the thumb drive. 7) Run Full System Scan to detect and clean-up up all types of malware.

Protect Your PC and Privacy With SafeBytes Anti-Malware

If you’re looking to install an anti-malware application for your computer, there are several tools in the market to consider but you should not trust blindly anyone, irrespective of whether it is paid or free software. A few of them do a good job in removing malware threats while many will damage your computer by themselves. When searching for an antivirus tool, purchase one that offers reliable, efficient, and complete protection against all known viruses and malware. When considering commercial anti-malware software options, most people choose popular brands, like SafeBytes, and are very happy with them. Safebytes is among the well-established computer solutions companies, which provide this all-inclusive anti-malware application. Through its cutting-edge technology, this software will help you protect your PC against infections brought on by various kinds of malware and other threats, including spyware, adware, computer viruses, worms, trojan horses, keyloggers, potentially unwanted program (PUPs), and ransomware.

SafeBytes anti-malware takes computer protection to a whole new level with its advanced features. Here are a few of the good ones:

Robust, Anti-malware Protection: Safebytes is built on the very best virus engine within the industry. These engines can find and eliminate threats even during the early phases of a malware outbreak. Real-Time Protection: Malware programs trying to enter the computer are identified and stopped as and when detected by the SafeBytes real-time protection shields. This software will constantly monitor your PC for any suspicious activity and updates itself regularly to keep abreast of the constantly changing threat scenarios. Internet Security: Safebytes assigns all websites a unique safety rating that helps you to get an idea of whether the webpage you’re going to visit is safe to browse or known to be a phishing site. Lightweight: SafeBytes is a lightweight application. It uses up a really small amount of processing power as it works in the background so you’re free to use your Windows-based computer the way you want. Premium Support: For any technical problems or product guidance, you may get 24/7 professional assistance via chat and e-mail. Overall, SafeBytes Anti-Malware is a solid program since it has loads of features and could detect and eliminate any potential threats. You now may realize that this tool does more than just scan and eliminate threats from your computer. So when you want advanced forms of protection features & threat detections, purchasing SafeBytes Anti-Malware will be well worth the money!

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

If you’d like to carry out the removal of AudioToAudio manually rather than utilizing an automated software tool, you can follow these simple steps: Go to the Windows Control Panel, click on the “Add/Remove Programs” and there, select the offending application to uninstall. In case of suspicious versions of web browser plugins, you can easily get rid of them through your browser’s extension manager. You may also want to reset your home page and search engine providers, as well as clear your browser cache and cookies. If you decide to manually delete the system files and registry entries, utilize the following checklist to ensure that you know exactly what files to remove before undertaking any actions. However, this can be a tricky task and only computer professionals could carry it out safely. In addition, some malware is capable of replicating or preventing deletion. It is recommended that you do the removal procedure in Safe Mode. For more information and manual removal instructions visit www.ErrorTools.com Download Safebytes Anti-Malware: https://errortools.com/download/safebytes-anti-malware/ AudioToAudio is a browser extension for Google Chrome developed by Mindspark Inc. This extension allows users easy access to popular audio converting websites. When installed, it changes the default search engine, home page, and new tab to MyWay.com. While active AudioToAudio gathers user browsing activities such as, but not limited to: visited websites, clicked links, search queries. This data is later used/sold by the Mindspark ad network to better target ads. While browsing the internet with this extension enabled, you will see additional injected ads, sponsored content (such as links to web pages, banner ads, affiliate shop links, etc), and even pop-up ads from time to time if the regular ads are blocked. AudioToAudio has been marked as a Browser Hijacker by several anti-virus applications and is marked for removal by most of them.

A not long time ago we had an article about the deep WEB and dark WEB here on errortools.com explaining its origins and its purpose. The article can be found here if you are interested: https://errortools.com/windows/what-is-deep-and-dark-web/ Now at this point in time, we want to present you with 15 great Deep WEB sites that could offer you some information not found anywhere else, that could offer you some privacy, or simply to have some fun and safely explore how it is like to be part of deep WEB. Take notice that for successful visiting of given sites you will need to have installed TOR browser. More about Tor browser itself can be found here: https://errortools.com/blog/software-review-series-tor-browser/ and its official website for download here: https://www.torproject.org/download/ Make sure that you copy the onion link and paste it into your TOR browser in order to access the site. That being said, let’s begin.

Mail2Tor

http://mail2tor2zyjdctd.onion/ If you want secure and private ways of sending your emails then look no further. Mail2Tor uses a webmail client and encrypts each email received or sent, combine that for not storing IP addresses and you have a private and safe environment for your emails.

The Hidden Wiki

http://zqktlwiuavvvqqt4ybvgvi7tyo4hjl5xgfuvpdf6otjiycgwqbym2qad.onion/wiki/index.php/Main_Page The Hidden Wiki is the go-to site if you want to explore more of deep WEB since it is the site of collected .onion sites. Think of it as a registry of onion sites that want to be accessed publicly but offer anonymity.

TorLinks

http://torlinksd6pdnihy.onion/ TorLinks is another site focusing on .onion site listings. Site themselves are divided into categories and are easy to find. Take note that .onion sites come and go so make sure to visit frequently both The Hidden Wiki and TorLinks in order to be updated.

Torch Search Engine

ttp://xmh57jrzrnw6insl.onion/ Torch is the oldest and most well-known search engine for dark web links, with its database of over a million .onion websites there is a chance that you will find what you are looking for on it.

DuckDuckGo

http://3g2upl4pq6kufc4m.onion/ Integrated into TOR itself as a default search engine DucDuckGo has proven itself to be a great competitor and challenger to Google. But unlike Google, DuckDuckGo will not track you nor store your search activities making it a great general private search engine.

Facebook

https://www.facebookwkhpilnemxj7asaniu7vnjjbiltxjqhye3mhbshg7kx5tfyd.onion/ Yup, Facebook has its own .onion version of its popular platform. Now since Facebook itself is a social media platform anonymity is out of the question but with .onion routing, you can have and maintain a Facebook account from locations where you normally could not like in some countries where Facebook.com is banned.

Galaxy3

http://galaxy3bhpzxecbywoa2j4tg43muepnhfalars4cce3fcx46qlc6t3id.onion/ Galaxy3 is also a social platform, the site is mostly populated with code experts and other individuals posting all kinds of stuff.

The Dark Lair

http://vrimutd6so6a565x.onion/index.php/Board Dark Lair was the first image exchange website that evolved into a social network. One difference from the other two mentioned is that you can engage in the website without registration as an anonymous user.

Pro Publica

https://www.propub3r6espa33w.onion/ The aim of the five-time Pulitzer Prize winner ProPublica is “To expose abuses of power and betrayals of the public trust by government, business, and other institutions, using the moral force of investigative journalism to spur reform through the sustained spotlighting of wrongdoing.” It’s the first major online publication to have a .onion address. The non-profit newsroom is funded by organizations such as the Sandler Foundation and has made countless contributions to the fight for free speech and privacy.

Soylent News

http://7rmath4ro2of2a42.onion/ Soylent news is an onion site that well brings news. The difference from other sites of the same content is that Soylent news is community moderated without any big names involved so it is authentic in its content.

CIA

ttp://ciadotgov4sjwlzihbbgxnqg3xiyrg7so2r2o3lt5wz5ypk4sxyjstad.onion/ Tor’s history is an unlikely tale. It was created by the U.S Navy with the purpose of helping informants in foreign nations to communicate safely over the Internet. The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), in that spirit, released a .onion site so that people from across the globe can browse their resources securely and anonymously.

Secure drop

https://secrdrop5wyphb5x.onion/ Secure drop is a platform for changing leaked information and for journalists to communicate with their leads in private. It is used by Washington Post, Pro Publica, and The Guardian.

Hidden Answers

http://answerszuvs3gg2l64e6hmnryudl5zgrmwm3vh65hzszdghblddvfiqd.onion/ Hidden Answers is Reddit or Quora of the dark web but as in the spirit of the dark web, all discussed topics and stories are in total anonymity.

SCI-HUB

http://scihub22266oqcxt.onion/ With over 50 million research papers in the domain of science shared freely, Sci-Hub eliminates all barriers of free knowledge and offers a unique approach to education and scientific information.

Smartmixer.IO

http://smrtmxdxognxhv64.onion/ Smartmixer is a bitcoin mixer. The service scrambles your bitcoin with other users making your purchases completely anonymous. And that's it. 15 dark WEB onion sites you need to visit. I hope that you enjoyed the list and found something useful in it. Also, note that onion links can change overnight so if any of provided links do not work just go to DuckDuckGo and search for the site with the onion at the end.

If you have or are currently getting a troublesome error saying, “The boot selection failed because a required device is inaccessible” when you boot your computer, then continue reading as this post will give you some suggestions that may help you resolve the error. This pesky error pops up during the booting process of your computer and prevents you from booting to your Windows 10 PC and displays the error message on a black screen instead. To fix this problem, here are some suggestions you need to check out.

Option 1 – Try checking the boot order in BIOS

• Turn on your PC and repeatedly tap the Setup key right away about once every second until you see the Computer Setup Utility or the BIOS settings.
• Then use the right arrow key to select the Security menu and then use the down arrow key to select the Secure Boot Configuration option and then tap Enter.
• Just a heads up, before you can use Secure Boot Configuration, a warning will pop up. Simply tap F10 to continue to the menu. After opening it, use the down arrow key to select Secure Boot and then the right arrow key to set the setting to Disable.
• Next, select the Legacy Support option using the down arrow key and then the right key to set the setting to Enable.
• Now tap F10 to confirm the changes and then use the arrow key to select File menu and then the down arrow key to select Save Changes and then Exit and tap Enter to select Yes. From there, your computer should restart and once it does, use the power button to switch it off.

If you are now able to boot from your hard drive, you need to know which option to choose once the boot menu pulls up. Refer to the steps below to easily boot from your hard drive.

• Tap the power button to boot your PC. Once your PC starts, a message will appear indicating that the boot mode has now changed.
• Next, you’ll see a security screen displaying a four-digit code. Type in this four-digit code and tap Enter.
• After that, tap the power button to turn the computer off and wait for a couple of seconds and then turn your PC on and tap the ESC key right away repeatedly until you see the Startup menu.
• Now tap F9 to open the Boot Menu and use the down arrow key to select the hard disk and make sure to select it by tapping Enter on your keyboard.
• Restart your PC and check.

Option 2 – Try running the DSKCHK Check from the Recovery Media.

The DSKCHK utility scans your hard drive for any errors, bad files, or corrupt sectors so this should help in fixing the problem.

• The first thing you need to do is to download the Media Creation Tool from Microsoft and then open it after the download. The file should be “MediaCreationTool.exe”.
• Then tap Accept to agree to the terms and conditions and then from the initial screen, select the “Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC” option. Keep in mind that the language, architecture, and edition of the bootable drive will be selected based on your PC’s settings but you have to uncheck the Use the recommended options for this PC in order to choose the correct settings for your own computer that’s getting the error.
• Now click Next and then click the USB drive or DVD option once prompted to select between USB or DVD depending on what device you are using to store this image on. Then click Next and select the required drivers from the list of storage devices currently connected to the computer.
• Click Next. After that, the Media Creation Tool will proceed to download the files needed to install and create the installation device.
• The next thing you have to do is to insert the installation drive.
• After that, you will see the “Choose your keyboard layout” window so select the one you prefer and then the Choose an option screen will pop up.
• Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Command Prompt. After opening Command Prompt, input the following command and hit Enter.

CHKDSK /R /X C:

• Now boot your PC without the recovery drive and check if the problem’s fixed or not.

Option 3 – Try resetting the BIOS

• Open the computer case and then look for the battery in the motherboard. If you can’t find it, you can seek out the motherboard or computer documentation of your PC as well as browse the web or contact the manufacturer for further assistance.
• Removing the battery should be easy especially if your computer uses a coin cell battery. Just use your fingers to grab on the edge of the battery then pull it up and out of the socket that’s holding it in place.
• Keep the battery removed for about 10 minutes and then insert it back and try booting into the BIOS.

Option 4 – Try using the Startup Repair

• Inject the installation drive you created earlier and boot your PC.
• Select the keyboard layout from the Choose your keyboard layout window.
• From there, the Choose an option screen pops up. Navigate to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Repair.

If you have a dual monitor setup on your Windows 10 computer and you mostly use the second screen when you are presenting something, this makes the Taskbar completely unnecessary and is not really required. So if you are using your computer generally and do not want the taskbar on your second screen, read on as this post will guide you in disabling Taskbar on your second display. The good thing is, Windows comes with a built-in feature to disable Taskbar on your second screen or projector connected to your computer. In this post, you will be guided on how you can hide or disable the Taskbar from the second monitor in Windows 10. This post is coming in handy especially if you are using projectors or multiple displays. Refer to the steps given below to disable Taskbar on the second display in Windows 10. Step 1: Go to Settings and click on Taskbar from the left menu. Step 2: After that, scroll down to lo look for Multiple Displays. Step 3: Next, turn off the toggle labeled, “Show taskbar on all displays”. Note: After completing the steps given above, it will disable the Taskbar on all the secondary displays. Bear in mind that these settings will work only if you are running a second screen in Extended mode. Contrariwise, if you are in the Duplicate mode, this setting will not work but you can always set your Taskbar to Autohide so that it won’t be displayed.

On the other hand, if you are facing some issues in finding which screen is primary and which one is secondary, refer to these steps:

Step 1: Go to Settings and select System. Step 2: Next, from the left menu open Display. Step 3: From there, select the desired display and make it the primary one as required by your setup.