Fix ERR_SSL_VERSION_INTERFERENCE on Chrome

The Free Wifi Hotspot is offered to users that own a laptop and a desktop PC that has a wired connection to the Internet and no WiFi modem. The Free Wifi Hotspot is said to help users share their Internet connection with mobile devices that support the 2G/3G/4G/USB tethering connectivity. However, users will need a 2G/3G/4G modem attached to the computer/laptop with access to the Internet if they intend to benefit from the Free Wifi Hotspot software. Additionally, the Free Wifi Hotspot may collect data like your Internet history, downloads log, and software configuration for product placement optimization. PC users that run the Free Wifi Hotspot software may be shown pop-up windows with marketing materials from time to time and maybe redirected to promotional offers.

Several anti-virus applications have flagged Free Wifi Hotspot as a Potentially Unwanted Applications and may come bundled with other PUP-s that may harm your computer or steal some information, due to these risks it is marked for optional removal.

About Potentially Unwanted Applications

Everybody has experienced it – you download a piece of free application, then you see some unwanted applications on your computer or find a strange toolbar has been included with your browser. You didn’t install them, so how did they appear? These unwanted applications, which are referred to as Potentially Unwanted Programs, or PUPs in short, typically tag along as a software package when downloading the application and can ruin your PC or cause major annoyances. PUP does not involve malware in the traditional sense. The reason is, the majority of PUPs end up in a computer not because they slip through the security holes, for example, but because the users have got installed them themselves – totally unintentionally needless to say. A PUP might not be regarded as malicious or harmful but nonetheless, it is a standard reason for clunky OSs; some PUPs are a lot more aggressive by deliberately slowing down your computer or laptop.

How does unwanted software impact you?

Unwanted programs come in many forms. Usually, they can be seen in adware bundlers that are known to utilize aggressive and misleading advertising. The majority of bundlers install many adware programs from several vendors, each of which has its own EULA policy. Safebytes Anti-malware totally eliminates this threat and safeguards your machine against PUP or adware infection. The PUPs likewise get installed into your computer in the form of browser add-ons and toolbars. They will modify web browser settings, change the default search engine, substitute the default home page with their very own websites, slow down browsing speed, and also will ruin your system also. Potentially unwanted programs apply aggressive distribution methods to get onto your personal computer. The worst part of installing a PUP is the spyware, adware, and keystroke loggers that may hide inside. These are software programs that don’t do anything good for you; in addition to occupying space on the hard disk, they will also slow down your PC, often change settings without your approval, the list of troublesome features goes on and on.

Tips on avoiding PUPs

• When installing anything on your desktop, always read the fine print, like the license agreement. Do not accept terms of use that are for bundled programs. • Don’t accept standard, express, default, or any other installation settings which are recommended. Always opt for “custom” installation. • Make use of an antivirus program to boost your protection. Anti-malware programs like Safebytes Anti-malware has got real-time features that will block PUPs before they harm your computer. • Avoid adding freeware software you won’t make use of. Nowadays ‘freeware’ isn’t actually freeware – but ‘crapware’ bundling nonsense. • Always download programs from the original website. Most PUPs find their way onto your PC is through download portals, so avoid it entirely. Comply with these tips and you will almost never get potentially unwanted programs on your computer.

How To Get Rid Of Malware That Is Blocking Antivirus Downloads?

Every malware is bad and the level of the damage can vary greatly depending on the type of malware. Some malware sits in between the computer and the internet connection and blocks some or all websites that you really want to check out. It will also block you from adding anything to your PC, especially the anti-virus program. If you’re reading this, you may have affected by a virus that prevents you from downloading a security application such as Safebytes Anti-Malware. There are some options you could try to get around with this particular issue.

Use Safe Mode to resolve the problem

In the event the malware is set to run at Windows startup, then booting in safe mode should avoid it. Since just the bare minimum programs and services launch in “Safe Mode”, there are rarely any reasons for conflicts to happen. Listed here are the steps you need to follow to boot into the Safe Mode of your Windows XP, Vista, or 7 computers (check out Microsoft site for directions on Windows 8 and 10 PCs). 1) At power on, press the F8 key before the Windows splash screen starts to load. This will conjure up the “Advanced Boot Options” menu. 2) Make use of the arrow keys to select Safe Mode with Networking and hit ENTER. 3) When you are into this mode, you should have access to the internet once again. Now, use your browser normally and navigate to https://safebytes.com/products/anti-malware/ to download and install Safebytes Anti-Malware. 4) Following installation, run a complete scan and allow the program to delete the threats it detects.

Switch over to some other internet browser

Certain malware might target vulnerabilities of a particular web browser that obstruct the downloading process. If you suspect that your Internet Explorer happens to be hijacked by a trojan or otherwise compromised by cybercriminals, the most effective thing to do is to switch to an alternate browser such as Chrome, Firefox, or Safari to download your chosen security application – Safebytes Anti-Malware.

Install security software on a USB drive

Another solution is to download and transfer antivirus software from a clean PC to run a scan on the affected computer. Abide by these steps to run the antivirus on the infected computer. 1) On a virus-free PC, install Safebytes Anti-Malware. 2) Plug in the pen drive to a USB slot on the uninfected computer. 3) Double-click the Setup icon of the antivirus software to run the Installation Wizard. 4) Select the flash drive as the destination for saving the software file. Follow activation instructions. 5) Now, insert the thumb drive into the infected system. 6) Double click the Safebytes Anti-malware icon on the pen drive to run the application. 7) Click “Scan Now” to run a complete scan on the infected computer for viruses.

SafeBytes Anti-Malware Benefits

If you are looking to download anti-malware software for your PC, there are lots of tools on the market to consider however, you should not trust blindly anyone, regardless of whether it is free or paid software. Some are very good ones, some are decent, and some are just bogus anti-malware software that will harm your computer themselves! You should opt for a tool that has gained a good reputation and detects not only viruses but other kinds of malware too. On the list of recommended software by industry leaders is SafeBytes Anti-Malware, a popular security application for Microsoft Windows. Safebytes is one of the well-established PC solutions companies, which provide this complete anti-malware software program. When you have installed this software, SafeByte's state-of-the-art protection system will ensure that no viruses or malware can seep through your computer.

SafeBytes anti-malware provides a plethora of enhanced features which set it apart from all others. Below are some of the best ones:

Live Protection: SafeBytes offers an entirely hands-free active protection and is set to monitor, block, and get rid of all computer threats at its first encounter. They’re very efficient in screening and getting rid of different threats because they are continuously revised with new updates and safety measures. World-class AntiMalware Protection: This deep-cleaning anti-malware program goes much deeper than most anti-virus tools to clean out your computer. Its critically acclaimed virus engine finds and disables hard-to-remove malware that conceals deep inside your personal computer. Safe Web Browsing: SafeBytes checks and provides a unique safety rating to every single website you visit and block access to webpages considered to be phishing sites, thus safeguarding you from identity theft, or known to contain malware. Lightweight Tool: SafeBytes is a lightweight and easy-of-use antivirus and antimalware solution. As it uses minimum computer resources, this program leaves the computer power exactly where it belongs to: with you actually. Fantastic Technical Support: Expert technicians are at your disposal 24/7! They will promptly resolve any technical issues you may be encountering with your security software. SafeBytes can keep your PC protected from most advanced malware threats automatically with almost no input needed from you again. Once you’ve downloaded and installed SafeBytes Anti-Malware, you will no longer need to bother about malware or other security worries. If you want sophisticated forms of protection features & threat detections, buying SafeBytes Anti-Malware could be worth the dollars!

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

If you’d like to perform the removal of Free Wifi Hotspot manually instead of using an automated software tool, you may follow these steps: Go to the Windows Control Panel, click the “Add or Remove Programs” and there, select the offending application to uninstall. In case of suspicious versions of browser extensions, you can actually remove them via your web browser’s extension manager. You’ll probably also want to totally reset your internet browser to its default configuration settings. To ensure the complete removal, manually examine your hard drive and Windows registry for all of the following and eliminate or reset the values accordingly. Please remember that only professional users should attempt to manually edit the registry because incorrect file removal leads to a major problem or even a computer crash. Furthermore, certain malware is capable of replicating itself or preventing deletion. It is advisable that you carry out the removal procedure in Windows Safe Mode.

As you already know, the Windows Update mechanism in Windows 10 is a bit complex as it depends on thousands of files and services in order to properly function. There are DLL files and services that support this mechanism’s proper functioning. And so if there is any malfunction with any of these files or services, it will result in some errors when running Windows Update. One of these errors is the error code 0x8e5e0147 which has the following error message: “There was a problem installing some updates, but we’ll try again later. If you keep seeing this and want to search the web or contact support for information, this may help – Error 0x8e5e0147” To fix this error, there are several methods you can try. You can run the Windows Update troubleshooter or reset the Windows Update components manually or clear the SoftwareDistribution folder and install the update manually. You could also reset the Windows Update Agent to default using a command in PowerShell.

Option 1 – Try to run the Windows Update troubleshooter

The first thing you can do to fix the Windows Update error code 0x8e5e0147 is to run the Windows Update Troubleshooter. To run it, go to Settings and then select Troubleshoot from the options. From there, click on Windows Update and then click the “Run the troubleshooter” button. After that, follow the next on-screen instructions and you should be good to go.

Option 2 – Try to reset the Windows Update components

If by any chance that the third option didn’t work, you can also try resetting the Windows Update components as it could also help you resolve the Windows Update error. How? Refer to the following steps:

• Open Command Prompt with admin privileges.
• After that, type each one of the following commands and hit Enter after you key in one after the other.
  • net stop wuauserv
  • net stop cryptsvc
  • net stop bits
  • net stop msiserver

Note: The commands you entered will stop the Windows Update components such as Windows Update service, Cryptographic services, BITS and MSI Installer.

• After disabling WU components, you need to rename both the SoftwareDistribution and Catroot2 folders. To do that, type each one of the following commands below and don’t forget to hit Enter after you type one command after the other.
  • ren C:/Windows/SoftwareDistribution/SoftwareDistribution.old
  • ren C:/Windows/System32/catroot2/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 3 – Try downloading and installing the Windows Updates manually

Windows Update error code 0x8e5e0147 might be due to a Windows Update that has failed. So if it is not a feature update and only a cumulative update, you can download the Windows Update and install it manually. But first, you need to find out which update has failed, and to do so, refer to the following steps:

• Go to Settings and from there go to Update and Security > View Update History.
• Next, check which particular update has failed. Note that Updates that have failed to install will be displayed under the Status column which has a label of “Failed”.
• After that, go to the Microsoft Download Center and look for that update using its KB number and once you find it, download and then install it manually.

Note: You can also use the Microsoft Update Catalog, a service from Microsoft that provides a list of software updates that can be distributed over a corporate network. With the help of this service, it can be easier for you to find Microsoft software updates, drivers as well as fixes. Option 4 – Try to reset the Windows Update Agent Since you can’t update the Windows Update Agent on your Windows 10 computer manually, you can try resetting it instead and you can do it using the Reset Windows Update Agent tool which you can download from the official Microsoft website. This tool allows you to:

• • Scan all protected system file and replace the corrupted one’s (sfc /scannow)
  • Scan, detect, and repair corruptions in Windows system image
  • Clean up superseded components
  • Reset Windows Update components

• Change invalid values in Windows Registry
• Delete temporary files

Moreover, this tool also allows you to carry out these operations:

• Open Internet Explorer settings
• Search for Windows Updates
• Explorer for local or online solutions
• Restart your computer

Windows 10 setup is a bit complicated which is why it’s uncommon to encounter errors along the way. One of these errors you can encounter when running Windows Setup is the error code 0x80070006. If you are trying to fix this error, you’ve come to the right place as this post will guide you on how to do so. When you get the error code 0x80070006, you will see the following error message:

“Windows cannot install required files. Network problems may be preventing Windows from accessing the file. Make sure the computer is connected to the network and restart the installation. Error code: 0x80070006.”

As stated in the error message, this kind of error in Windows Setup is due to an unstable or unreliable network connection. Such problems can also be triggered by network hardware which includes the network adapters and the network routers. To fix this error, you need to check your internet connection and router or run the built-in network troubleshooter. You could also try using a different USB port or recreate a bootable USB drive as well as get a new Windows image file.

Option 1 – Try checking your internet connection and router

As mentioned, this Windows 10 setup error could be due to an unstable internet connection. To fix it, the first thing you have to do is to check the status of your internet connection and see if it is stable and has enough speed to run the setup. If it’s slow, then it’s no wonder that the setup process failed. To fix that, you can try to reboot your router from its admin panel or you can just turn it off manually and then turn it back on after a couple of seconds. In addition, you also have to check if it’s plugged in properly.

Option 2 – Try to run the Network Adapter troubleshooter

The next thing you can do is to run the Network Adapter troubleshooter. This built-in troubleshooter can help resolve any network issues. It can reset the adapters, remove cached settings, and many more. To run it, follow these steps:

• Go to Settings > Update & security and from there select Troubleshoot.
• Next, scroll down and select the “Network Adapter” option from the right pane.
• Then click on the Run Troubleshooter” button.
• After that, your computer will check for any possible errors and will pinpoint the root cause of the problem if possible.

Option 3 – Try to use a different USB port

You might want to check the integrity of the USB port where connected the device if you are using a bootable USB storage device to run the setup for Windows 10. All you have to do is switch the USB port or try to use another bootable USB device and see if it fixes the problem.

Option 4 – Try recreating the Windows 10 installation USB

Recreating the Windows 10 installation USB might help in fixing the problem. You can use a USB drive to do so but make sure that it has a great read-write speed. Follow the steps below to recreate Windows 10 installation USB”

• Click this link and then click the Download Tool Now button.
• Next, click the “Use the tool to create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file)…” option and follow the next given instructions on the screen.
• Now select the ISO file option in step 5.
• After that, you should now have an ISO file.
• Next, go to the location where you’ve downloaded the ISO file.
• Then right-click on the Windows 10 ISO file and select the Open with option and then select File Explorer.
• Now click on “setup.exe” and follow the next instructions that appear on the screen. When asked, you have to select either Nothing (clean install) or Keep personal files only option. Take note that you must not select the “Keep personal files, apps, and Windows settings since it doesn’t really work.

Option 5 – Try getting a new Windows image file

If none of the four given options above worked, you might want to get a newer installation image using the Windows Media Creation tool. After that, create the bootable USB drive and once completed and then try to run the Windows 10 setup again.

If you continuously encountered the “VirtualBox FATAL: No bootable medium found, System halted” error when you try to install Windows 10 in VirtualBox, read on as this post will give you some potential fixes to resolve the problem – you will be guided on how to choose the ISO image to fix this error in VirtualBox. This kind of error is a very common one especially if you have a corrupted ISO file or if you have not selected an ISO file for your virtual machine. Like pointed out, this error pops up when you have a corrupted ISO file or if the ISO file is not attached to the virtual machine. You have to select the ISO file while you create the virtual hard disk, else, you will most likely face this problem, and to fix it, you need to download fresh Windows ISO, create a new IDE Controller, assign Windows ISO to the IDE Controller and then boot your virtual machine. For detailed steps, follow the instructions below but before you start, make sure that you have a valid and uncorrupted Windows ISO. Step 1: First, you need to open the VirtualBox program on your computer and select the virtual machine. Step 2: Next, click on the Settings button or you can also right-click on the virtual machine and select Settings from the context menu. Step 3: Once you’re in the Settings panel, go to the Storage section and from there, create a Controller: IDE. Step 4: To create a Controller: IDE, click the Add new storage controller icon and select the “Add IDE Controller” option. Step 5: After that, click the Add optical drive icon and click on the Choose disk button. You will then see all the attached and non-attached ISO files. However, you have to add the new ISO file that you just downloaded. Step 6: To add the new ISO file, click the Add button and select the ISO file and then select the .iso file from the Non Attached section. Step 7: Now click the Choose button and afterward, make a checkmark in the Live CD/DVD checkbox and then select the IDE Primary Master from the drop-down menu of the Optical Drive. Step 8: Once you’re done, save the changes made and try booting into your virtual machine again.

Rapid Media Converter is a Potentially Unwanted Program that usually comes bundled with other unwanted software. Many users reported being unaware they had installed the application. It also generates additional advertising, and for this reason, it is classified as Adware and flagged for optional removal by several AVs.

From the Author: Howard Software / Applon runs off an ad-supported platform. During general internet usage on sites where Applon Support operates, users may see advertisements in form of shopping results and new tabs. The type of ad is dependent on the content of the page as you generally browse the internet. Applon is not related to or endorsed by the underlying website. These advertisements will be identified with the Applon Name or Logo.

About Browser Hijackers

Adware is programs created to show advertisements on users’ PCs with or without their consent. A kind of malware, it comes bundled up with the software application that a person either installs or accesses. Shareware or free software programs are generally packaged with adware. When adware penetrates your computer without you knowing and transfers information about you or your PC to 3rd parties, then it happens to be spyware. Other sorts of adware might take control of your internet browser and redirects you to websites that you don’t really want to check out. Adware is a common problem in most computer systems and these are really detrimental to your device. Adware/Spyware is usually downloaded and/or installed accidentally by users while exploring the net and people face lots of difficulties at the same time when it comes to removing adware from their computers. Adware could be dangerous for computer users in numerous ways. It could cause advertisements (popups, ad banners, and in-text) to show up constantly when you’re online or perhaps disrupt your computer experience when not connected to the net. When infected with adware for a long time, your computer will perform at slow processing speed, take a longer time to start up and shut down, easily get frozen up while loading websites, and even get the blue screen of death (BSOD). More often than not, adware is a legitimate revenue source for many companies that offer software to customers at zero cost. But adware generated advertisements tends to be more aggressive than normal ads which can greatly impair system performance or possibly result in a total crash. The adware will damage your PC should you allow it on your personal computer for a long period. A sensible way to block adware from corrupting your PC is to employ a reliable antimalware program such as Safebytes Anti-Malware on your computer. This software will give complete all-around protection to make sure that your laptop or computer doesn’t get infected again with spyware and adware. Take the following measures to prevent adware from overtaking your system: Downloading software online should come from trustworthy websites and also be selective about what you install on your computer; Always read the end-user license agreement (EULA) of any application you plan to install; Beware of clickable ads particularly those that advertise special deals, coupons, or any other suspicious deals.; Avoid installing toolbars, because toolbars from less reputable websites always contain adware, which might slow your PC and in some cases infect your computer outright.

What to Do if Malware Stops You From Downloading Antivirus?

Every malware is bad and the extent of the damage will vary greatly with regards to the type of infection. Certain malware goes to great lengths to prevent you from installing anything on your computer system, especially antivirus software. So what you should do when malware prevents you from downloading or installing Anti-Malware? There are a few fixes you could try to get around with this particular obstacle. Start Windows in Safe ModeIf any virus is set to load immediately when Windows starts, getting into Safe Mode may block the attempt. Since just the minimum programs and services launch in Safe Mode, there are hardly any reasons for conflicts to happen. Listed here are the steps you have to follow to start into the Safe Mode of your Windows XP, Vista, or 7 computers (visit Microsoft website for instructions on Windows 8 and 10 PCs). 1) At power-on/startup, tap the F8 key in one-second intervals. This should bring up the Advanced Boot Options menu. 2) Use the arrow keys to select Safe Mode with Networking and hit ENTER. 3) As soon as this mode loads, you should have the internet. Now, make use of your web browser normally and go to https://safebytes.com/products/anti-malware/ to download and install Safebytes Anti-Malware. 4) Following installation, do a complete scan and allow the software program to delete the threats it detects.

Obtain the anti-malware software using an alternate browser

Some malware only targets specific web browsers. If this is your situation, utilize another browser as it could circumvent the computer virus. If you appear to have a trojan attached to Internet Explorer, then switch to an alternate web browser with built-in security features, such as Firefox or Chrome, to download your preferred anti-malware program – Safebytes.

Create a bootable USB anti-virus drive

Here’s another solution which is using a portable USB antivirus software that can scan your computer for malware without the need for installation. Adopt these measures to run the anti-virus on the affected computer system. 1) On a clean computer, download and install Safebytes Anti-Malware. 2) Connect the USB flash drive to a USB slot on the clean computer. 3) Double-click on the downloaded file to run the installation wizard. 4) Choose the USB flash drive as the destination for saving the software file. Follow the on-screen instructions to finish the installation. 5) Transfer the USB drive from the uninfected computer to the infected computer. 6) Double-click the EXE file to open the Safebytes program from the thumb drive. 7) Click on the “Scan Now” button to begin the malware scan.

SafeBytes AntiMalware Overview

Are you looking to download the best anti-malware software program for your laptop or computer? You can find many applications in the market which come in paid and free versions for Microsoft Windows systems. A few of them do a great job in eliminating malware threats while some will harm your PC by themselves. You must be careful not to choose the wrong application, especially if you buy premium software. While considering the trustworthy programs, Safebytes Anti-Malware is certainly the highly recommended one. Safebytes is among the well-established computer solutions firms, which provide this all-inclusive anti-malware application. With its most advanced virus detection and repair technology, this software will help you protect your PC against infections brought on by different kinds of malware and similar internet threats, including adware, spyware, computer viruses, worms, trojan horses, keyloggers, ransomware, and potentially unwanted program (PUPs).

SafeBytes has fantastic features when compared with various other anti-malware programs. The following are some of the good ones:

Robust, Anti-malware Protection: Built on a highly acclaimed anti-virus engine, this malware removal application has the capacity to find and remove several stubborn malware threats like browser hijackers, PUPs, and ransomware that other common antivirus software will miss. Live Protection: SafeBytes provides totally hands-free live protection and is set to observe, prevent and eliminate all threats at its first encounter. It’ll regularly monitor your pc for hacker activity and also provides end-users with sophisticated firewall protection. High-Speed Malware Scanning Engine: SafeBytes Anti-Malware has a multi-thread scan algorithm that works up to 5x faster than any other anti-malware software. Safe Web Browsing: SafeBytes checks the links present on a webpage for possible threats and informs you whether the website is safe to check out or not, through its unique safety ranking system. Light-weight: This program is light-weight and can work quietly in the background, and that does not have an effect on your PC efficiency. 24/7 Customer Support: For any technical queries or product support, you can obtain 24/7 expert assistance through chat and email. To sum it up, SafeBytes Anti-Malware is really great for securing your computer against all sorts of malware threats. There is no doubt that your computer will be protected in real-time as soon as you put this software program to use. For top protection and the best value for your money, you can’t get better than SafeBytes Anti-Malware.

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

If you don’t want to use malware removal software and prefer to get rid of Rapid Media Converter manually, you might do so by going to the Add/Remove Programs menu in the control panel and removing the offending software; in cases of web browser extensions, you can remove it by going to the browser’s Add-on/Extension manager. You will definitely also want to reset your web browser. To be certain of complete removal, find the following Windows registry entries on your system and delete it or reset the values appropriately. Please keep in mind that this is for advanced users only and could be difficult, with incorrect file removal causing additional system errors. Additionally, certain malicious programs have the capability to defend against its removal. Doing this in Safe Mode is advised.

Having any kind of hardware malfunction is not a pleasant place to be. Even a minor malfunction like a broken key on a keyword can introduce certain bad feelings, frustration, and difficulty in working. So, what are your options when the dreaded key on the keyboard breaks? From my point of view, there are three options that could be accomplished in order to continue working.

1. Replace broken keyboard with the new one

   Yes, the best and most expensive solution, just bite the bullet and buy a new working one.

2. Replace key with another key

   So you broke some key, if you can replace it with another key which you do not use, this option will work only tho if the broken key is not Space bar, enter or similar with specific shape and size.

3. Remap key

   use Windows power tools to remap key function to another working key

There you go, three options to continue working with a broken key on the keyboard.

During Windows 10 installation, you will see all the beautiful user interfaces, however, what’s more, important are the drivers, your processor, and free storage disk in order for the installation to be successfully completed. So if you are getting the CompareExchange128 error during the installation of Windows 10, this means that the CPU lacks a very important instruction known as “CMPXCHG16B”. Thus, if you don’t have CMPXCHG16B, then it will result in the CompareExchange128 error when you install Windows 10. In fact, CMPXCHG16B, PrefetchW as well as LAHF/SAHF is a criterion for you to be able to use Windows 10 64-bit version when upgrading from an earlier version of Windows. So what exactly is the CMPXCHG16B instruction? The CMPXCHG16B instruction is the one that performs an atomic compare-and-exchange on 16-byte values. This instruction can also be referred to as “CompareExchange128”. The atomic compare-and-exchange means that the CPU compares the contents of a memory location with a given value. So if the values are the same, it modifies the contents of that memory location to a new given value. Note that this kind of issue only happens to the 64-bit Windows 10 version and the only way to resolve it is by getting an update on the hardware level from the OEM. On the other hand, if nothing really works, it’s maybe time for you to get a new CPU but before you resort to that, in the meantime, you can try following the options given below to fix the CompareExchange128 error during the installation of Windows 10.

Option 1 – Try to update the BIOS and Chipset Drivers

One of the best things you can do to fix the CompareExchange128 error is by updating the BIOS and chipset drivers which is why you need to check if your OEM has an update available for your computer’s BIOS as well as the related chipset drivers. But before that, you need to first check the BIOS version. To do so, follow these steps:

• Type “msinfo32” in the search bar and hit Enter to open the System Information Tools.
• After opening the System Information Tools, check the BIOS version.
• Then take note of that BIOS version. You also need to use the BIOS utility that came with your computer and use it for the upgrade. Note that it is different for every computer and if you don’t have it, you can just go to the OEM website and see if there is an option to download it there.

Option 2 – Try to downgrade to the 32-bit Windows 10 version

If option 1 didn’t work as the BIOS update is not available, you can also try downgrading to the 32-bit version of Windows 10. Keep in mind that this will bring restrictions on the amount of RAM installed and other places but that won’t be a problem as you can still switch.

Option 3 – Try buying a new hardware

If none of the first two options didn’t work for some reason then maybe it’s time for you to purchase new hardware especially if your computer is way too old. In such cases, it’s better to buy new hardware or better yet, a new computer that can keep up for the next couple of years.

BigTech platforms Google and Facebook were hit with a series of antitrust lawsuits by the US federal government and states on charges they are operating monopolies and abusing their power. Below is the status of the cases, as well as government probes of Apple and Amazon in their current states

Two lawsuits against Facebook

In a defeat, Judge James Boasberg said the Federal Trade Commission, which had sued Facebook in December asking that Facebook be forced to sell WhatsApp and Instagram, failed to show that Facebook had monopoly power in the social-networking market, among other problems. However, the FTC could file a new complaint by July 29. He threw out a related state lawsuit entirely, saying that the attorney's general had waited too long. They are looking at their options.

Four lawsuits against Google

The US Justice Department sued Google in October, accusing the $1 trillion company of illegally using its market muscle to hobble rivals. A trial date was set for September 12, 2023. A lawsuit by 38 US states and territories accuses Google of abusing its market power to try to make its search engine as dominant inside cars, TVs, and speakers as it is in phones. This was consolidated with the federal lawsuit for purposes of discovery. Texas, backed by other states, filed a separate lawsuit against Google, accusing it of breaking antitrust law in how it runs its online advertising business. Dozens of state attorneys general sued Google on July 7, alleging that it bought off competitors and used restrictive contracts to unlawfully maintain a monopoly for its app store on Android phones.

Justice Department investigates Apple

This probe, revealed in June 2019, appears to focus on Apple's app store. Some app developers have accused Apple of introducing new products very similar to existing apps created by other developers and sold in the Apple Store, and then trying to banish the older apps from the store because they compete with Apple's new product. Apple says it seeks to have only the highest-quality apps in the app store.

Justice Department probing Facebook and Amazon

In July 2019, the Justice Department said it was expanding its Big Tech probes to include "search, social media, and some retail services online", an apparent reference to Facebook and Amazon.

Federal Trade Commission on Amazon

In its investigation of Amazon, the FTC is likely looking at the inherent conflict of interest of Amazon competing with small sellers on its marketplace platform, including allegations that it used information from sellers on its platform to decide what products it would introduce.

Skinning of applications is not new to PC users, but did you knew you could skin Steam? With skin, you can customize the UI and style of the client to what you want making it more personal and to your liking. First thing is to find the skin that you would like to install. There are a lot of sites where you could find custom made Steam skins but we would recommend steamskins.org The site itself is organized in tabs with different sections, once you click on the tab you will get a list of skins available for chosen section. If you click on the skin you will be taken to skin page detail where you can find what skin is aiming for, its legibility, a record of how the skin has been altered over time, or some mix of these aspects. Note that some skins might have issues like some buttons might be missing from big picture mode but so far none of the skins has any kind of client breaking feature, only functionality one.

Downloading skin

Once you have chosen desired skin and while on the skin details page, scroll to the middle of the page just above the Related Skins sections with two options: Direct Download and External Download. Now usually I would recommend Direct download but in this case, I would advise going with External Download for the simple reason that the External link will send you to the developer's website where there is a higher chance to get the latest updated skin.

Installing it in Steam

Once the skin is downloaded you will first need to create a skin folder inside your Steam installation location. Navigate to your Steam installation folder (default: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam) and create a new folder inside it. Give new folder name Skins and confirm. Extract the skin zip file in the newly made folder. Once the file is extracted you can delete the ZIP file if you wish. Go to your Steam client and go to Steam>Settings. In settings select Interface on the left bar and on the right part then click the Select the skin you wish Steam to use the drop-down menu and select the skin that you wish to use. Confirm and restart your Steam client

Reverting to old skin

If you found skin unappealing or, unfortunately, has some functions missing you can always choose another skin or revert back to default Steam skin. Default Steam skin is named in the drop-down menu as < default skin >.

What is 0x0000007B Error?

0x0000007B is the most common Windows stop error. The error is displayed on the blue-colored screen which is also called the blue screen of death. You may receive a 0x0000007B error message during Windows XP setup or while running the setup program. The message is often displayed as ‘a problem has been detected and Windows has been shut down to prevent damages’ or ‘inaccessible boot device error’.

Solution

Error Causes

The 0x0000007B error code is usually triggered by:

• Poor Window XP installation
• Registry corruption
• Device Drivers Issues
• Boot sector viruses

Further Information and Manual Repair

The 0x0000007B error makes your system vulnerable and reduces its speed significantly. And besides, you can’t run the programs smoothly on your PC either. Therefore, it’s advisable to fix the error right away. To fix and repair the 0x0000007B error successfully, you must first understand the cause of the error. Let’s take a look at all the solutions available to fix the 0x0000007B error.

Cause: Boot Sector Viruses

Solution: If your computer is infected with boot sector viruses, then you will first have to download a powerful antivirus. After downloading the antivirus program, run it on your PC to check your computer for viruses. Delete the viruses found and click the repair option. Sometimes even an antivirus program may fail to remove the virus and repair the system. In such cases, you must repartition and format your hard disk and also reinstall Windows XP.

Cause: Device Driver Issues

Solution: Device driver issues may occur if the boot controller is not properly configured or the driver is not up to date. If device driver configuration is the cause of the 0x0000007B error on your PC, then all you need to do is restart your PC, and while restarting press F8 to go to the advanced boot options. Now choose the ‘Last Known Good Configuration’ option. After selecting it, boot into windows and then perform a system restore. Now go to Device Manager and perform a driver rollback to reinstall the drivers. This will resolve the configuration issues. However, if you need an updated driver, all you need to do go on the web and download software to update the driver. It is advisable to download software from the manufacturer’s website in order to successfully update the device driver.

Cause: Poor Windows Installation

Solution: In this case, you will have to perform a Windows start-up repair. To do this: boot Windows XP from CD. Press ‘enter’ at setup Windows Screen when prompted. Then press R to repair Windows Installation. This procedure will not delete any user data and files. In fact, it will copy only the original Windows files over the bad or existing ones. Some of the best ways to avoid Ox0000007B blue screen errors are

• To scan for viruses every time you use your PC
• Never open web pages, emails, or download content that you think looks suspicious because that’s probably a virus.
• Always keep your computer updated.