Fix HIDCLASS.sys failed Blue Screen Error

If you encounter the “Diskpart failed to clear disk attributes” error when you try to change the read-only state of a storage device using the Diskpart application and the request is denied, worry not for this post will give you a couple of fixes to resolve the problem. As you know, Diskpart is used for resolving read-only storage devices by changing their attribute via the command line. So if it is not able to change the attribute of the storage device, then you will most likely encounter an error such as this one. This kind of error is not uncommon and as long as there are no damaged physical attributes, you can resolve it right away. There are tons of reasons why you’re getting this error while using Diskpart, it could be that the storage device has a physical write-protected switch or the disk is hidden or has bad sectors. It could also be because the storage drive might be in RAW format or that you are running the Diskpart application without admin privileges. Whatever the cause may be, here are some options you can try to fix the problem but before you proceed, make sure that you log on to your PC as an administrator.

Option 1 – Check if there is a physical switch on the storage device

There are some USB devices and SD card readers that have a write-protected physical switch that disables all the writable options on the storage device and so if it is turned on, Diskpart won’t be able to change the disk attribute to writable. To check, simply look for the physical switch on both sides of the device and once you found it, make sure that it is toggled off and then plug the storage device back in then try running Diskpart once again.

Option 2 – Modify the WriteProtected key in the Registry Editor

Before you proceed, you have to create a System Restore Point first.

• Tap the Win + R keys to open Run and type “Regedit” in the field and hit Enter to open the Registry Editor.
• Next, navigate to the following path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetControlStorageDevicePolicies

• After that, look for the “WriteProtect” registry entry which is located on the left side of the window, and then double click on it.
• Change its value to “0” and click OK to save the changes made and exit the Registry Editor.

Option 3 – Run CHKDSK to check the drive for errors

When it comes to some issues concerning the hard drive or removable devices, there is a utility in Windows that might help which is called “chkdsk”. This error check utility can help with several issues in the system including the “Diskpart failed to clear disk attributes” error.

• Tap the Win + S keys to open the Search box.
• Then type “command prompt” in the field and from the search results that appear, right-click on Command Prompt and select “Run as administrator”.
• After opening an elevated command prompt, copy and paste the following command and hit Enter:

CHKDSK [volume [[path] filename]] [/F] [/V] [/R] [/X] [/C] [: size]]

Note: In the command given above, “[/F]” will try to fix the system errors while “[/R]” will be the one to fix the bad sectors.

• Now if you are prompted to run CHKDSK after your reboot your PC, just tap Y and reboot your PC.
• If CHKDSK is not able to find any errors, tap the Win + E keys and navigate the access window. From there, right-click on the concerned drive and click on Properties.
• After opening Properties, click on the tab Tools and then click on the “Check” button under the Error-checking section.
• Wait until the process is completed and then restart your computer.

Option 4 – Clear the attributes on RAW

• Tap the Win + S keys then type “diskpart” in the field.
• Click the Diskpart application and if a User Account Control dialog box pops up, click Yes to proceed.
• After opening an elevated Command Prompt, type in the commands listed below and make sure to tap Enter right after you key in one command after the other.
  • list volume
  • select volume ‘n’ (In this command, you have to replace ‘n’ with the volume number of the drive)
  • format fs=fat32 quick (In this command you also have the flexibility to change the format to ‘ntfs’ or ‘exfat’)
• After executing the commands given, unplug the removable storage device and wait for a couple of seconds and then plug it back in.
• Now try any normal write operations and see if the error no longer appears.

Option 5 – Try checking the hardware components

On the other hand, it is also possible that the issue has something to do with a hardware problem and so you need to check the hardware components on your computer to determine that.

For PC users that are blind or have low vision, the Narrator accessibility feature in Windows 10, lets you use your PC without a display or mouse to complete common tasks – it reads and interacts with things on the screen, like text and buttons. The narrator can be used to read and write an email, browse the internet, and work with documents. In Windows 10, there are a lot of options for Narrator that you can customize. You can change its keyboard shortcuts, personalize Narrator’s voice, enable Caps Lock warnings, and more. You can choose the voice for the Narrator, adjust the speaking rate, pitch, and volume. To change the default audio output device used to play the voice of the Narrator in Windows 10:

• Press the ⊞ WINDOWS + I
• From the Settings menu, click Ease of Access.
• Click Narrator on the left pane.
• In the Narrator window, on the right pane, toggle the button to On to enable Narrator if required.
• Scroll down to the Personalize Narrator’s voice section.
• For the Select where you hear Narrator’s voice option, click the drop-down and select the audio output device you want from the list. Please know that you will not be able to choose if you do not have multiple audio output devices connected to your Windows 10 computer.
• Exit Settings when done.

If you would like to read more helpful articles and tips about various software and hardware visit errortools.com daily.

What is BuzzDock?

Buzzdock is a browser extension. Buzzdock will be automatically enabled on IE and Chrome following installation, and you may begin using Buzzdock with no further action required. If you elect to optimize Buzzdock performance, the settings preferences of your browser may be adjusted after installation. This browser extension changes your default search provider to Buzzdock.com custom search. It displays additional unwanted ads, banners & sponsored links on web pages that you visit, and it hijacks your browser home page. This browser extension has been flagged as malware by many anti-virus scanning programs.

About Browser Hijackers

Browser hijackers (sometimes called hijackware) are a type of malicious software that modifies web browser configuration settings without the user’s knowledge or consent. These hijacks are rising at an alarming rate worldwide, and it could be actually nefarious and sometimes dangerous too. They’re created to interfere with web browser programs for many different reasons. In most cases, hijackers are made for the benefit of online hackers often through income generation from forced ad clicks and site visits. Nonetheless, it’s not that harmless. Your online safety is jeopardized and it is extremely irritating. They not only screw up your browsers, but browser hijackers can even modify the computer registry, leaving your PC susceptible to other attacks.

Symptoms of browser hijacker malware

There are several signs that indicate the web browser is hijacked: 1. the home page of your browser is changed unexpectedly 2. you find new unwanted bookmarks or favorites added, typically directed to ad-filled or porn sites 3. The default search page of your web browser is changed 4. you see unsolicited new toolbars added 5. you notice a lot of pop-ups on your computer screen 6. your web browser gets slow, buggy crashes frequently 7. you are prohibited access to specific web pages, including the site of an anti-malware software firm like SafeBytes. Exactly how browser hijacker finds its way onto your computer system Browser hijackers infect computer systems in numerous ways, including through a file-share, a drive-by download, or an infected email. They are usually included with toolbars, BHO, add-ons, plug-ins, or browser extensions. Browser hijackers sneak to your computer along with free software downloads also that you unknowingly install alongside the original. Some of the most well-known hijackers are BuzzDock, Babylon Toolbar, Conduit Search, Sweet Page, OneWebSearch, and CoolWebSearch. Browser hijacking can cause severe privacy problems and even identity theft, affect your web browsing experience by taking command over outbound traffic, substantially slows down your computer by consuming lots of resources, and result in system instability as well.

The best ways to get rid of browser hijackers

Certain browser hijacking can be quite easily corrected by discovering and removing the corresponding malware application from your control panel. However, most hijackers are hard to remove manually. No matter how much you try to get rid of it, it may keep returning over and over again. You should consider doing manual fixes only if you’re a tech-savvy person because there are potential risks associated with fiddling around with the system registry and HOSTS file. Browser hijackers could be effectively removed by installing and running anti-malware software on the affected PC. Safebytes Anti-Malware can counter relentless browser hijackers and provide you proactive computer protection against all kinds of malware. Together with anti-malware, a system optimizer program, similar to Safebytes Anti-Malware, can help you correct registry errors, remove unwanted toolbars, secure online privacy, and enhance overall system performance.

Find Out How to Get rid of Malware that is Blocking Websites or Preventing Downloads

Malware could cause all sorts of damage when they invade your computer, starting from stealing your personal information to erasing files on your PC. Some malware sits in between the computer and the internet connection and blocks a few or all internet sites which you want to visit. It might also block you from adding anything to your system, especially anti-malware applications. So what should you do when malicious software prevents you from downloading or installing Safebytes Anti-Malware? There are a few fixes you can attempt to get around with this problem.

Boot Windows in Safe Mode

The Windows OS includes a special mode called “Safe Mode” where only the minimum required programs and services are loaded. In the event, the malicious software is set to load automatically when the computer starts, shifting to this mode may well prevent it from doing so. To get into Safe Mode or Safe Mode with Networking, press the F8 key while the computer is booting up or run MSCONFIG and find the “Safe Boot” options in the “Boot” tab. After you restart the PC into Safe Mode with Networking, you could download, install, as well as update anti-malware software from there. Right after installation, run the malware scanner to eliminate standard infections.

Use an alternate internet browser to download the anti-malware application

Malicious program code might exploit vulnerabilities in a specific browser and block access to all antivirus software sites. In case you suspect that your Internet Explorer has been hijacked by malware or otherwise compromised by online hackers, the best plan of action would be to switch to an alternate internet browser like Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, or Apple Safari to download your favorite computer security program – Safebytes Anti-Malware.

Create a portable USB antivirus for removing malware

Another way is to download and transfer an anti-malware program from a clean PC to run a scan on the affected computer. Adopt these measures to run the antivirus on the affected computer. 1) Download Safebytes Anti-Malware or Windows Defender Offline onto a clean computer. 2) Plug the Thumb drive into the uninfected computer. 3) Double-click the executable file to run the installation wizard. 4) Pick a USB flash drive as the location when the wizard asks you where you intend to install the software. Follow the directions to finish the installation process. 5) Transfer the thumb drive from the uninfected computer to the infected PC. 6) Run the Safebytes Anti-malware directly from the pen drive by double-clicking the icon. 7) Run Full System Scan to identify and clean-up up all types of malware.

A Look at the Best AntiMalware Program

If you’re looking to download an anti-malware application for your PC, there are various tools out there to consider however, you just cannot trust blindly anyone, irrespective of whether it is free or paid software. Some of them are excellent, some are ok types, and some will harm your PC themselves! You need to pick a tool that has gained a good reputation and detects not just computer viruses but other types of malware as well. Amongst few good programs, SafeBytes Anti-Malware is the highly recommended program for the security-conscious individual. SafeBytes anti-malware is a trustworthy tool that not only secures your PC completely but is also quite user-friendly for people of all skill levels. This software could easily detect, remove, and protect your computer from the latest malware threats including spyware, adware, trojan horses, ransomware, worms, PUPs, along with other possibly damaging software programs. There are numerous great features you will get with this security product. The following are some of the great features included in the software. Robust Anti-malware Protection: With its advanced and sophisticated algorithm, this malware removal tool can find and eliminate the malware threats hiding within your PC effectively. Live Protection: SafeBytes gives real-time active monitoring and protection against all known computer viruses and malware. This software will continuously monitor your PC for any suspicious activity and updates itself regularly to keep current with the constantly changing threat landscape. Website Filtering: Safebytes assigns all websites a unique safety score that helps you to get an idea of whether the webpage you are going to visit is safe to view or known to be a phishing site. Low CPU and Memory Usage: SafeBytes is really a lightweight application. It consumes an extremely small amount of processing power as it runs in the background so you’re free to use your Windows-based PC the way you really want. 24/7 Online Tech Support: For any technical issues or product support, you could get 24/7 expert assistance through chat and email. To sum it up, SafeBytes Anti-Malware offers great protection combined with an acceptable low system resources usage with both great malware detection and prevention. You now may understand that this particular software does more than just scan and delete threats from your PC. For optimum 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 wish to manually remove BuzzDock without the use of an automated tool, it may be possible to do so by removing the program from the Windows Add/Remove Programs menu, or in cases of browser extensions, going to the browsers AddOn/Extension manager and removing it. You will likely also want to reset your browser. To ensure the complete removal, manually check your hard drive and registry for all of the following and remove or reset the values accordingly. Please note that this is for advanced users only and may be difficult, with incorrect file removal causing additional PC errors. In addition, some malware is capable of replicating or preventing deletion. Doing this in Safe Mode is advised. The following files, folders, and registry entries are created or modified by BuzzDock

What Is 0xc000001d Error?

The 0xc000001d error is a common yet critical error that can occur when Windows is damaged or fails to work as a result of either missing system files or corrupt system components. This error can be extremely dangerous to Windows as it can inflict major damage to data and component files.

Error Causes

A 0xc000001d error code can occur because of a number of reasons, of which corrupt registry files are the most common, and about 94% of the time, this results in the error. However, virus infection or an adware or spyware invasion can also result in this error. Outdated drivers and missing DLL files can also be critical and will lead to this error causing major damage to computer files. Contrary to popular belief, incomplete installation and unfinished uninstalls can also because of this error. Other causes include improper shutting down of computers and improper hardware or software deletion.

Solution

Further Information and Manual Repair

Because of this 0xc000001d error code, Windows can fail in starting some processes and the system’s performance can significantly slow down. In some cases, Windows has problems starting up and the system can freeze. Lastly, this error code can even result in the Blue screen of death error message, just like other critical Windows errors. If any of the above problems and symptoms occur in your PC, then you should immediately seek to resolve this problem. In order to resolve this 0xc000001d error code or repair the corrupted and damaged Windows files, you will need a 0xc000001d repair tool. There is more than one method of treating this kind of error code, and here is how you can manually do it:

• Start the computer and log in as administrator
• Go to the start button and select All Programs. Go to Accessories, System Tools, and then System Restore
• Click on System Restore and in a new window, select the ‘Restore my computer to an earlier time’ option and click Next
• On the new confirmation window that appears, click Next
• Restart your computer after the restoration has been completed

Another way to manually repair this 0xc000001d error code is to:

• Manually edit the Windows registry
• Update all the drivers for the device

Upgrading your Windows computer may not always go as expected as you could end up getting some error messages along the way. One of the error messages you can encounter is the “STOP 0XC000021A or STATUS_SYSTEM_PROCESS_TERMINATED” error. This error indicates that is some security issue within the Windows operating system. It could be that the system files have an issue and they have been modified incorrectly. Although this does not necessarily mean that malware is behind the modification, one of the applications you installed recently might have something to do with the problem. The application might have modified or corrupted some of the core system files. When you encounter this error, you will see a blue screen along with the following error message:

“Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart. We’re just collecting some error info, and then we’ll restart for you. (0% complete) If you’d like to know more, you can search online later for this error: 0xc000021a”

This error pops up when a user-mode subsystem like the WinLogon or the Client Server Run-Time Subsystem or CSRSS has been compromised fatally and security can no longer be guaranteed in the system. Thus, the operating system switches to kernel mode, and Windows won’t be able to run without the WinLogon or the Client Server Run-Time Subsystem. This is why it’s one of the few cases where the failure of a user-mode service can shut down the system. To resolve the issue, here are some fixes that might help.

Option 1 – Uninstall programs you installed lately

• In the search box, type in “control” and then click on Control Panel (desktop app) among the search results.
• After that, select Programs and Features from the list which will give you a list of all the programs installed on your computer.
• From there, look for the concerned program and select it and then uninstall it.

Note: If you have downloaded the app from the Windows Store, you can simply right-click on it from the application list and then uninstall it.

Option 2 – Perform System Restore

Performing System Restore can also help you fix the “STOP 0XC000021A or STATUS_SYSTEM_PROCESS_TERMINATED” error. You can do this option either by booting into Safe Mode or in System Restore. If you are already in the Advanced Startup Options, just directly select System Restore and proceed with the next steps. And if you have just booted your PC into Safe Mode, refer to the steps below.

• Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
• After that, type in “sysdm.cpl” in the field and tap Enter.
• Next, go to the System Protection tab then click the System Restore button. This will open a new window where you have to select your preferred System Restore point.
• After that, follow the on-screen instructions to finish the process and then restart your computer and check if the problem is fixed or not.

Option 3 – Run the System File Checker or SFC 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 to good system files that might be the cause why you’re getting the “STOP 0XC000021A or STATUS_SYSTEM_PROCESS_TERMINATED” error. 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.

Option 4 – Rebuild the BCD and fix MBR

Rebuilding the BCD can help you in fixing the “STOP 0XC000021A or STATUS_SYSTEM_PROCESS_TERMINATED” error.

• You can start by booting into the installation environment for Windows 10 from an installation media.
• After that, click on Repair your computer and on the blue screen, select Troubleshoot and then select the Advanced options menu.
• Next, select Command Prompt and type in the commands below one by one, and tap Enter right after you do so.
• exe /FixMbr
• exe /FixBoot
  • exe /RebuildBcd

The commands you entered should rebuild the BCD and repair MBR.

Option 5 – Run the CHKDSK utility

You can also run the Chkdsk utility to resolve the problem. If your hard drive has issues with integrity, the update will really fail as the system will think that it’s not healthy and that’s where the Chkdsk utility comes in. The Chkdsk utility repairs hard drive errors that might be causing the problem.

• Open Command Prompt with admin privileges.
• After opening Command Prompt, execute the commands listed below, and don’t forget to hit Enter right after you type in each one of them.
• chkntfs /t
• chkntfs /t:10

We have all been there, unfortunately, the application freezes, and sometimes it can even freeze whole windows. Well if the whole Windows freezes because of the application there is not much we can do except hard reset but if only the application freezes we can still kill it and return the PC in working condition. The first thing you can try is to press ALT + F4, this shortcut is for closing the program, if the application is frozen Windows will try to close it when using this shortcut, and if it succeeds you will find yourself on the desktop environment in Windows with non-responsive application taken care of. If however, this fails and the application is not closed, try ending it in the task manager. To open task manager press CTRL + SHIFT + ESC, locate unresponsive application select it, and click on the end task button on the bottom right.

As you know, the Office Language Packs need to be installed right after installing Office. It also has to be on the correct version of Office so if any of these conditions are not met, you will most likely get error codes 30053-4 or 30053-39 when you install a language pack in Microsoft Office. If you are currently facing this error, read on as this post will help you fix the problem. Here’s the full context of the error message:

“Something went wrong, Sorry, installation cannot continue because no compatible office products are detected.”

When you have to work on two different languages, that’s where the language packs come in handy. You might have to work on one language but when it comes to proofreading or help, you need another language. Note that some language accessory packs offer partial localization which is why some parts of the Office might show the default language. If you are using Office 365 or Office 2019, 2016, 2013, or 2010, you need to go to the language accessory pack page from office.com and select your language. Once you see the download link, click on it to start downloading the pack. It includes the display in the chosen language, proofing tools for the selected language, as well as the Help in the selected language. Once the installation is complete, follow each one of the given options below to configure the language accessory pack properly.

Option 1 – Select Editing and Proofing language

• You need to open any Office program and navigate to File > Options > Language.
• From there, you need to make sure that the language you want to use is in the list under the Choose Editing Languages section.
• After that, you can add or remove the language that Office uses for editing and proofing tools.

Option 2 – Configure the Display and Help languages

In this option, you can change the default display and help languages for all the Office applications so whatever you choose will be used for all the buttons, menus, and support of all the programs. After you select the language, restart all the Office applications to apply the changes made successfully. On the other hand, if you are using Office volume license versions, note that only an administrator account can install this if you are using the Volume License version of Microsoft Office 2016. You have to download the ISO image of the language packs, language interface packs, and the proofing tools from the VLSC or Volume Licensing Service Center. This process can be quite complicated so you might have to go to the docs.microsoft.com page to be guided accordingly. After you installed everything correctly, the error code 30053-4 or 30053-39 should now be fixed.

Steam Autumn sale is still raging and other storefronts like EPIC and GOG have also had their go, and as the year slowly closes we reflect on the best games released this year.

The games presented are not in any particular order and as sales are still raging pick one for you for a good time.

F1 Manager 22

If you are into formula racing this new manager is something we will wholeheartedly recommend. How it has been a very long time since a good F1 manager has been released this one is breath of fresh air. Masterfully done and fun to play, also licensed with real teams and cars get it here: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1708520/F1_Manager_2022/

Stray

I like cats, but this game is on another level from its competitors. Unique approach, great storyline, and of course orange cat as the main character! Set in a cyberpunk environment following the story of some unfortunate androids you can do most cat things like playing in boxes, etc but essentially the game is a puzzle platformer which in my opinion is a great thing. Meow your things and get the game while it is discounted: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1332010/Stray/

Neon White

Mirror's Edge was the very unique game when it was released introducing parkour into the gaming world, and Neon white brings it one level up. With competitive parkour FPS gameplay this game is great for killing some time and competing with your friends but most of all it is fun to play experience. Get it here: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1533420/Neon_White/

Teenage mutant ninja turtles: Shredder's revenge

Shredder's revenge is a love letter to classic beat-them-up games found in old dusty arcades back in old times. Fast frenzy action, pixel art graphics, and tons of fun!!! Get it now and start partying like it was 1980: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1361510/Teenage_Mutant_Ninja_Turtles_Shredders_Revenge/

Tiny Tina's Wonderlands

This game needs to be experienced in order to fully grasp its magnitude and quirkiness. From the creators of borderlands comes a new IP fusion of fantasy, guns, and crazy ideas all wrapped into an action RPG looter shooter with a recognizable borderlands style of graphics. https://store.steampowered.com/app/1286680/Tiny_Tinas_Wonderlands/

Norco

Winner of multiple awards, Norco is a classic point-and-click adventure game with a great sci-fi story with a lot of environmental focus. Story and atmosphere are the main selling points for the game and if you enjoy good stories with interesting characters give this one a go: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1221250/NORCO/

Final Fantasy 14: Endwalker

Expansion for Massive multiplayer online roleplaying game brings so much to the table that we just could not oversee it and place it aside. Technically not full standing game since it is the expansion it still delivers on many fronts and since it is supposedly the last expansion now is the best time to pick it up and give a final fantasy 14 a go: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1592500/FINAL_FANTASY_XIV_Endwalker/

Elden Ring

Of course, the list would not be complete if we did not include Elden ring, a great example of how a difficult but well-executed game can go over and beyond. With a story on par with great epics and compact as in dark souls, this title will provide you with many hours of gameplay and content. https://store.steampowered.com/app/1245620/ELDEN_RING/

Error Code 0x8007267C – What is it?

Error code 0x8007267C is specific to Windows 10. This error is triggered when no DNS server is currently configured in your network settings during the Activation process. If you are fairly confident in your ability to address command-line tools and networking issues, you can follow the steps below to try to remedy the error code on your own. If not, you may need to contact a qualified technician in order to resolve the error successfully.

Solution

Error Causes

The cause of Error Code 0X8007267C within the Window 10 system is fairly straightforward. Windows Activation requires a valid DNS server to be configured in order to complete the Activation process; if one is not available or properly configured, then you may see this error code and Activation will fail.

Further Information and Manual Repair

The following methods may help you to resolve this error, but you’ll need to have some familiarity with command-line tools to complete the steps successfully. If these methods do not work or if you are uncomfortable in using the command prompt, you may need to consult a technician to fully resolve this particular error code on the Windows 10 system.

Method 1: Register a DNS server within your network properties and test the connection.

In order to resolve this error code, client connectivity to a DNS server must first be established. The following steps may help you to determine the root problem with your connectivity status:

1. Open a command prompt, after which you'll run IPCONFIG /all
2. Verify the following values: The IP address that has been assigned, the DNS server, the subnet mask, and the default gateway. Compare each to ensure that all are set with the values that correspond to your specific environment
3. Check for basic IP connectivity to the DNS server using the PING command. In using the PING command, utilize the address of the DNS server found in Step 1

ping <DNS Server IP address>

If basic connectivity to the DNS server in question is failing, then you will need to resolve that issue before going further in the process.

After troubleshooting the above basic connectivity issues to the DNS server, you can reattempt Windows Activation by using the command below from within an Elevated Command selection:

cscript windowssystem32slmgr.vbs -ato

If the steps above did not work for you, you may want to try the steps found in method 2.

Method 2: Use phone-based authentication with a MAK (multiple activation key).

If a DNS server is not connected to your network, you can use an alternative method to complete the Windows Activation process. Bypass Method 1 by using a MAK product key instead to activate the volume license installation. Certain MAK product key providers have a variation on the specific key numbers that you will need to use. If you are using TechNet media or MSDN media, you will have to change the product key listed to the product key provided. The product keys provided by either TechNet media or MSDN media for Windows Server 2008 or for Windows Vista Enterprise will be the MAK product key that you will enter in a later step.

Like the previous method, you will need to have some familiarity or confidence in your ability to operate Command Line tools before proceeding. Once you have found your MAK product key, you’ll need to open a command prompt and use the following command to change the product key to match the MAK product key, which should look something like the example below:

            slmgr –ipk xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx

After completing the product key change, use the following command to initiate the phone activation wizard, thereby completing the activation of the system:

            slui 04

The activation wizard should be able to walk you through the remainder of the process in a step-by-step manner. In addition to appearing as an error code in Windows 10, this particular error may apply to multiple versions of Windows, including:

• Windows 7 Enterprise
• Windows 7 Enterprise E
• Windows 7 Enterprise N
• Windows 7 Professional
• Windows 7 Professional E
• Windows 7 Professional N

Steps to address the error code may be different in any of these other versions of Windows. If you have difficulty in resolving the error effectively, seek professional technical help.

If you have been using Windows for quite some time now then you’re probably aware of the BIOS or UEFI password. This password lock is the one that ensures you enter the set password even before your Windows PC boots up. However, there’s just one downside with the BIOS or UEFI password – there is no recovery option, unlike your Microsoft account. Worry not though for this post will guide you on how you can set or recover a BIOS or UEFI password on your Windows computer. The BIOS or UEFI passwords are stored at the hardware level which means that unless the OEM wants or has configured a way to recover the password, it is pretty much impossible to reset it. There are times when they are so strict that the only way to get through it by contacting customer care. Note that any Windows computer with this lock can’t be unlocked by trying to reinstall Windows. In this post, you’re going to have to remove the CMOS battery temporarily, clear unknown BIOS/UEFI passwords using the bios-PW website as well as call customer care. For more details, refer to the options provided below.

Option 1 – Remove the CMOS battery temporarily

In case you didn’t know, every motherboard comes with a CMOS battery which helps the computer system to keep the clock ticking and in making sure that the BIOS settings are not lost when the computer is powered down. Every time a computer is turned on, the CMOS battery ensures that the information is available for the computer to boot up. So when you remove the CMOS battery temporarily, say about 30 seconds or a minute, the settings will be lost. There are some motherboards that are built-in ways that when you remove the battery for long, it will reset everything including the password for the BIOS or UEFI.

Option 2 – Clear the unknown BIOS or UEFI passwords using a bios-PW website

If the first option didn’t work, you can try using this BIOS Password website at http://bios-pw.org/ to clear the password.

• When prompted by the BIOS, enter the wrong password a couple of times as doing so will lock you out of the system.
• After that, you will see a new number or code on the screen which will include a message about System Disabled [XXXXX] Service TAG [YYYYY].
• Next, open the BIOS Password website and enter the XXXXX code in it and make sure to tap the Shift + Enter keys or just enter.
• Now it will open multiple unlock keys which you can use to clear out the BIOS or UEFI lock on your Windows PC.

Option 3 – Call the customer care

If the second option still didn’t work, you have to call customer care and follow their suggestions for they will walk you through fixing the problem using the service tag or might suggest that you visit a service center to make things easier for you. Note: You also have the option to set a BIOS or UEFI password. Although it isn’t recommended, you still can do it if you really want to. Remember that the BIOS or UEFI interface varies from OEM to OEM so you must find something related to either PASSWORD or SECURITY. You will have the following similar options:

• Supervisor password – it’s the same as the master password that can change important system settings.
• User password – with this password, any user can change minor settings.
• Master password – you can use this password for a hard drive or as a general password.

There are several OEMs that offer micro-control where you have to enter the BIOS password. For instance, you’ll have the option to skip for a normal restart, or when you select a boot device while you might have to enter the password for unattended reboots or when your PC is powered on, etc. And if you are here to remove the password, you need to find a remove password option in the same section. You will be prompted to enter the set password once and if it’s correct, it will remove the BIOS password. After that, you have to save and exit the BIOS then restart your computer and check if the settings are properly applied.