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Windows could not start Update service

If you got an error message saying, “Windows could not start the Windows Update service on Local Computer, Error 87. The parameter is incorrect” while you were trying to start the Windows update service on your computer, then this post could help you resolve the problem. Along with this error, you might also get any of these error codes such as 0x80240034, 0x80244019, 0x80070643, and so on. Aside from these error codes, you will also notice that the Windows Update service has been stopped.

To fix this issue, here are a couple of suggestions that might help but before you go on, you need to create a System Restore point first.

Option 1 – Try checking Services Dependencies

Dependencies of a Windows Service in Windows 10 are when windows services depend on other services. Such is the case with the Windows Update service – it also depends on three different services such as the Remote Procedure Call or RPC service, DCOM Server Process Launcher, and the RPC Endpoint Mapper. Meaning to say, if two of these services are not working as expected, then the dependant service will also be affected. This could be the reason why the Windows Update service could not start.

  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • Next, type “services.msc” in the field and hit Enter to open Windows Services.
  • From the list of Services, look for the following services:
    • Remote Procedure Call (RPC) Service
    • DCOM Server Process Launcher
    • RPC Endpoint Mapper
  • After you find these services, double click on each one of them and check whether the Startup type for all is set to Automatic and the Service status is set to Running or not.
  • If the service status is not running, then click the Start button. Afterward, check if you can now run the Windows Update service.

Option 2 – Check the Background Intelligent Service and the Cryptographic Service

  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • Next, type “services.msc” in the field and hit Enter or click OK to open Services.
  • From the list of Services, look for the following services and make sure that their Startup type is as follows:
    • Background Intelligent Transfer Service – Manual
    • Cryptographic Service ­– Automatic
  • After that, check if the Service status of the listed services above is set to Running. If they’re not, click on the Start button to start these services and then check if you can now enable the Windows Update service or not.

Option 3 – Reset Windows Update components

If the first two options did not work then you might want to reset the Windows Update components manually. Follow the steps below to reset them.

  • 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 4 – Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter

If resetting the Windows Update components didn’t work, you could also try running the Windows Update Troubleshooter as it could also help in fixing any issues related to Windows Update including this one. 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 5 – Try removing a value from the Windows Registry

If running the Windows Update troubleshooter didn’t help and you receive a message instead saying, “Service Registration is Missing or Corrupt”, you can try to remove a value from the Windows Registry.

  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • Then type “Regedit” in the field and hit Enter to open the Windows Registry.
  • Next, navigate to this path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsSelfHostApplicability
  • From this path, look for a value named “ThresholdOptedIn” and if you find it, delete it.
  • Exit the Registry Editor and see if you can now enable the Windows Update service.

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Fixing the We can’t find a USB flash drive
One of the preferred ways to upgrade Windows 10 is by creating a bootable USB drive. However, you might change your mind when you encounter an error during the Windows 10 Setup that says, “We can’t find a USB flash drive”. Worry not for this error can be fixed using some suggestions that will be provided in this post. The funning thing about this error in Windows setup is that the computer says it’s not there when it’s clearly there. To fix this problem, you need to check if the USB device is accessible on your computer or you can also try a different USB device. In addition, you could check if there are any issues with both the USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 ports as it could be the reason why you’re getting the error or fix the bad sectors in the USB drive as well as see if the USB drive is set as the primary drive.

Option 1 – Try to check if the USB is accessible on your PC

The first thing you can do to resolve the problem is to check if you can access your USB device from your computer. All you have to do is open File Explorer and check if the USB device is listed there or not.

Option 2 – Try to connect a different USB device

The next thing you can do to fix the error is to try connecting a different USB device, specifically the one that has more significant storage space. You also have to make sure that it’s working on a different PC.

Option 3 – Fix any issues with the USB 3.0 and 2.0 ports

Although the USB 3.0 ports are compatible with the USB 2.0 ports, it does not necessarily mean that there wouldn’t be any problem when you use them which is why it’s best to fix any issues in them or better yet, use a compatible drive.

Option 4 – Try to fix the bad sectors in the USB drive via CHKDSK

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”. To use it, follow the steps below.
  • 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 5 – Try checking if the USB is set as the primary drive

You might also want to check if the USB drive is set as the primary drive because if it is, then it won’t appear on the list. It could also be that the USB drive has a primary disk in it. To undo it, you need to use the DISKPART utility.
  • In the Start Search, type “command prompt” and right-click on Command Prompt from the search results, and then select the “Run as administrator” option.
  • Next, execute the “diskpart” command to initiate the DISKPART utility.
  • After that, type the “list disk” command and tap Enter to display the list of disks on the computer. You have to take note of the drive number or letter of the concerned USB drive.
  • Once done, type the “select disk <X>” command where X is the drive letter or number and tap Enter.
  • Then execute the “list partition” command to see the list of all the partitions in your computer. It should be listed as 0, 1, or 2. 0 is the primary partition.
  • Now type the “select partition 0” command and tap Enter and then type “delete partition” to delete the selected partition.
  • You can do the same to the other partitions as well and when you’re done, execute the format command to turn the USB drive into a standard one.
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Repairing a corrupt Group Policy in Windows
If you recently made some changes in your Windows 10 computer using the Group Policy Editor but they were not reflected and you got errors instead, it could be that your Windows computer wasn’t able to read the Group Policy file (registry.pol). To resolve this kind of issue, you have to repair the potentially corrupted Group Policy using the options given in this post. .As you know, Group Policy is a feature in the Microsoft Windows Active Directory which allows an admin to make changes in the features on Windows PCs that are on the network. So if the modifications you just made weren’t successfully applied, then there could be something wrong with the registry.pol file on the client or it could also be that the Group Policy folder is missing. To fix this issue in the Group Policy, you need to refer to the given suggestions below and make sure that you have admin privileges as you execute them.

Option 1 – Try to delete or recreate the missing registry.pol file

The entire settings of the Group Policy are stored in the registry.pol file so if it went missing, all the changes you make will not be reflected. The good thing is that you can recreate it but if the file exists and is corrupted, you need to delete it first before you recreate it.
  • First, go to the C:/Windows/System32/GroupPolicy/Machine location.
  • And from there, check if the registry.pol file exists or not. If it’s there, just delete it permanently by tapping the Shift + Delete keys.
  • Now it’s time to recreate the file. Just open Windows PowerShell with admin privileges by tapping Win + X + A keys.
  • After opening PowerShell, type this command: gpupdate /force
  • The command you entered will recreate the registry.pol file and will refresh the Group Policy. Restart your computer.

Option 2 – Try recreating the secedit.sdb file

The security settings of Group Policy are stored in the secedit.sdb file so if you made some changes to security and they weren’t reflected, you can try to delete and recreate the secedit.sdb file instead of deleting the Group Policy file. All you have to do is navigate to the C:/WINDOWS/security/Database folder and look for the secedit.sdb file and rename it or move it to another folder. After that, restart your computer. Once your computer has restarted, the secedit.sdb file will be created again.

Option 3 – Try to reset the Group Policy to default

You can also try to reset the Group Policy back to its default state. There are several ways you can do that. You can either use the gpupdate or the secedit command in the Windows PowerShell to do that. Resetting the Group Policy will resolve any issues that could be caused by its current settings.

Option 4 – Try to perform System Restore

System Restore can also help resolve the Group Policy issue. It could be that prior to the issue, you’ve made some changes in the system that might have affected the Group Policy. To undo these changes, perform System Restore.
  • First, 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 5 – Use the DISM tool

You can also try running the Deployment Imaging and Servicing Management or DISM tool. This tool will repair the Windows System Image as well as the Windows Component Store in your Windows 10 computer. So if there are any missing or corrupted folders and files, the DISM tool can restore and repair them. As a result, any system consistencies and corruptions will be fixed. To run this tool, follow these steps:
  • Tap the Win + X keys and click on the “Command Prompt (Admin)” option.
  • After that, input each one of the commands listed below sequentially to execute them:
    • Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
    • Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
    • Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
  • Once you’ve executed the commands given above, restart your computer.
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Headphone jack is not working on a laptop
In some cases, a couple of Windows 10 laptops, especially the newer ones that run the NVIDIA RTX series GPUs have been experiencing some problems, particularly with their headphone jacks which seem to be malfunctioning even though the internal speakers works just fine. And despite having all the drivers updated to their latest versions, the problem still occurs. According to security experts, this kind of problem occurs on laptop computers that are manufactured by MSI and since there is still no workaround or reliable fix released by the company, in this post you will be guided on how you can resolve the problem with the headphone jack. So if you are using a laptop made by MSI and are experiencing the same issue, then you’ve come to the right place. There are several potential fixes you can check out to resolve the problem, you can try to force reboot your computer or clean your headphone jack and then plug it back in properly. In addition, you could also try to update your Audio drivers or set your headphone as default. For more information, follow each one of the given options below.

Option 1 – Try to force reboot your computer

The first thing you can do is to force reboot your computer as this simple fix could help in fixing the problem. This option is quite simple, just make sure that before you do it, you have to save all your work.
  • First, turn on your computer and press and hold the power button for at least 30 seconds. You might notice the screen flashing or making any changes, just ignore it.
  • After that, plug out and plug in your computer and automatically turn it on.
  • Once done, check if the headphone jack is now working fine.

Option 2 – Try to clean the headphone jack and plug it properly

The next thing you can do to fix the problem is to clean your headphone jack and plug it back in properly. Make sure that you use a cotton swab in cleaning the headphone jack as there are instances where some dust might have settled in the port which results in issues like your headphone jack no working.

Option 3 – Try to update, rollback or reinstall the Audio driver

If the glitch in your audio has something to do with software, chances are it might be related to the audio driver – it could be that the newest version of your Windows 10 does not work well with the old version of the driver. This is why you have to update your audio driver to the newest available version.
  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box and then type in MSC and tap Enter or click OK to open the Device Manager.
  • Expand the section for the outdated device drivers.
  • And then select the outdated driver(s) and right-click on it/them.
  • From the drop-down menu, select the Update Driver option and follow the on-screen instructions to install the latest version of the driver.
  • Then also click on the option, “Search automatically for updated driver software.
  • Restart your PC after the installation.
Note: If updating or reinstalling the Audio driver didn’t work, you can go to the website of MSI and look for the support section where you can download the drivers for your computer. You just need to take note of your PC’s correct model and model number so you can find the appropriate driver.

Option 4 – Try to set the headphone as the default device manually

There are times when you plug a headphone, it does not toggle the default audio device. Thus, to fix this issue, you have to set the default audio device to the headphones manually. To do that, follow these steps:
  • First, right-click on the volume icon located on the system tray.
  • Next, select the Open sound settings option to open the Sound section in the Windows 10 Settings app.
  • From there, select the Control Panel for Sound on the rightmost column. This will open a new mini window.
  • After that, select your headphone under the Playback tab and click on the Set default button.
  • Once done, click on Apply and then OK buttons to save the changes made.

Option 5 – Try to run the Playing Audio Troubleshooter

Since the Windows 10 operating system has the Playing Audio Troubleshooter, you can use this troubleshooter to try and fix the problem with the headphones. You can access this tool in the Control Panel or in the Taskbar Search and even on the Troubleshooters page of Windows 10.
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Android malware spies while posing as a Update
New malware with extensive spyware capabilities steals data from infected Android devices and is designed to automatically trigger whenever new info is read to be exfiltrated. The spyware can only be installed as a 'System Update' app available via third-party Android app stores as it was never available on Google's Play Store. This drastically limits the number of devices it can infect, given that most experienced users will most likely avoid installing it in the first place. The malware also lacks a method to infect other Android devices on its own, adding to its limited spreading capabilities. However, when it comes to stealing your data, this remote access trojan (RAT) can collect and exfiltrate an extensive array of information to its command-and-control server. Zimperium researchers who spotted it observed it while "stealing data, messages, images and taking control of Android phones."

What happens when malicious software is installed

"Once in control, hackers can record audio and phone calls, take photos, review browser history, access WhatsApp messages, and more," they added. Zimperium said its extensive range of data theft capabilities includes:
  • Stealing instant messenger messages;
  • Stealing instant messenger database files (if the root is available);
  • Inspecting the default browser's bookmarks and searches;
  • Inspecting the bookmark and search history from Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Samsung Internet Browser;
  • Searching for files with specific extensions (including .pdf, .doc, .docx, and .xls, .xlsx);
  • Inspecting the clipboard data;
  • Inspecting the content of the notifications;
  • Recording audio;
  • Recording phone calls;
  • Periodically take pictures (either through the front or back cameras);
  • Listing of the installed applications;
  • Stealing images and videos;
  • Monitoring the GPS location;
  • Stealing SMS messages;
  • Stealing phone contacts;
  • Stealing call logs;
  • Exfiltrating device information (e.g., installed applications, device name, storage stats).

How does it work?

Once installed on an Android device, the malware will send several pieces of info to its Firebase command-and-control (C2) server, including storage stats, the internet connection type, and the presence of various apps such as WhatsApp. The spyware harvests data directly if it has root access or will use Accessibility Services after tricking the victims into enabling the feature on the compromised device. It will also scan the external storage for any stored or cached data, harvest it, and deliver it to the C2 servers when the user connects to a Wi-Fi network. Unlike other malware designed to steal data, this one will get triggered using Android's contentObserver and Broadcast receivers only when some conditions are met, like the addition of a new contact, new text messages, or new apps being installed. "Commands received through the Firebase messaging service initiate actions such as recording of audio from the microphone and exfiltration of data such as SMS messages," Zimperium said. "The Firebase communication is only used to issue the commands, and a dedicated C&C server is used to collect the stolen data by using a POST request."

Camouflage

The malware will also display fake "Searching for the update.." system update notifications when it receives new commands from its masters to camouflage its malicious activity. The spyware also conceals its presence on infected Android devices by hiding the icon from the drawer/menu. To further evade detection, it will only steal thumbnails of videos and images it finds, thus reducing the victims' bandwidth consumption to avoid drawing their attention to the background data exfiltration activity. Unlike other malware that harvests data in bulk, this one will also make sure that it exfiltrates only the most recent data, collecting location data created and photos taken within the last few minutes. If you would like to read more helpful articles and tips about various software and hardware visit errortools.com daily.
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Fix Setup has failed Error in Windows
If you encounter the “Setup has failed to determine supported install choices” error when trying to downgrade or upgrade your Windows 10 computer, this signifies that there are some compatibility issues with the installation process and that Windows was not able to either downgrade or upgrade to another version. Usually, this error occurs when you are using the built-in options in Windows 10 upgrade or downgrade to another version of Windows. This option is mostly used as it keeps the user settings as well as data intact. Thus, you need to keep in mind a lot of parameters before you proceed with the installation because if there is any conflict in the process, you certainly won’t be able to downgrade or upgrade your Windows computer. To resolve the issue, here are some suggestions that might help.

Option 1 – Try running in Compatibility mode

This is the first thing you can try to resolve the issue instead of going right ahead on making a bootable device. So if you are downgrading Windows, you can try to run the installer in the compatibility mode for that specific Windows version.
  • Look for the setup file.
  • Once you find it, right-click on it and select Properties from the context menu.
  • After that, go to the Compatibility tab and mark the checkbox for “Run this program in compatibility mode for:” and from the drop-down list, select either Windows 7 or Windows 8.
  • You also have to check the “Run as administrator” option.
  • Now click the Apply button and then click OK to save the changes made and check if it has resolved the issue or not.

Option 2 – Option 2 – Try troubleshooting compatibility

This option is almost the same as the first one except it is an alternative way of fixing the “Setup has failed to determine supported install choices” error in case the first one didn’t work. In this option, you will troubleshoot the compatibility issue.
  • Look for the setup file.
  • Then right-click on it and select the “Troubleshoot compatibility” from the context menu.
  • After that, click on the “Try recommended setting” option. Once the process is done, the error message should be gone.

Option 3 – Try to use the setup file instead of an image

If you are running the Windows ISO image for the installation, you can try running the setup file instead. This is because when you try to install Windows from an image file directly, it has to be loaded into a virtual CD drive first, and then from there, further operations are carried out. And so, you can just bypass this mechanism to avoid getting the “Setup has failed to determine supported install choices” error.
  • First, you need to extract the disk file to an accessible location.
  • After that, go to Sources > Setup.exe.
  • Now run the setup file to upgrade or downgrade the Windows version. Just make sure that you do run the setup file as an administrator.

Option 4 – Try to do the upgrade or downgrade in a Clean Boot state

Putting your PC in a Clean Boot state can also help when you want to upgrade or downgrade your version of Windows without any trouble because, during this state, you can start the system with a minimum number of drivers and startup programs that will surely help you in isolating the root cause of the issue.
  • 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 that, try to install the Windows Updates or upgrade again.

Option 5 – Try to use the Media Creation tool

The Media Creation tool in Windows allows you to use the ISO installation file to make a bootable device that you can use to install Windows on your PC. Note that this is kind of different from the usual installation process as it could erase your computer’s current settings and data on the primary drive. Thus, before you proceed, you need to backup all your data into some removable drive and then use the Media Creation Tool to make a bootable drive.
  • After making the bootable drive, you need to plug it into your computer and then reboot.
  • Next, tap the F10 or Esc key to open the boot options.
  • Now set the boot priority of the removable drive the highest. Once the setup comes forth, follow the next onscreen instructions and install Windows without any problems.
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Fix Chrome ERR_BAD_SSL_CLIENT_AUTH_CERT
The Google Chrome browser checks the SSL Security Certificate of the website that you are trying to open. However, if Chrome is not able to check the certificate then you might encounter an error related to the SSL Certificates which you might face when browsing the web. This particular error is the ERR BAD SSL CLIENT AUTH CERT error which is caused by many factors such as the computer’s Time, Cached Data is corrupt, Date is out of sync, as well as third party software installed in your computer is the one that’s blocking the site and many more. The ERR_BAD_SSL_CLIENT_AUTH_CERT error might also be coming from the website’s end. It could be that the server is rejecting the certificate the client website is sending. The certificate might have already expired or the server may not trust its issuer – whichever the case may be, here are some options you can check out to fix the error.

Option 1 – Sync Date and Time

The first thing you can try is to sync the Date and Time of your computer as the wrong Date and Time settings are one of the most common causes of connection problems like the ERR_BAD_SSL_CLIENT_AUTH_CERT error. This is because of the incompatibility between the SSL Certificate validation date and the System Clock. Thus, you have to sync your System Clock. Refer to the steps below to do so.
  • Right-click on the Taskbar and click on the Adjust Date and Time option.
  • Next, click on the Sync Now button to synchronize the Date and Time with the Microsoft Servers.
  • Now make sure that the Time Zone that’s set on the same page is correct.

Option 2 – Try clearing the browser data

There are times when some data in the browser is conflicting with the loading of the website and triggers errors like ERR_BAD_SSL_CLIENT_AUTH_CERT. 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 in Google Chrome. 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 3 – Try to check and fix any possible conflicts with third-party programs

Third-party programs like internet protection software could be interrupting the connection and causing the error. For some unknown reason, your antivirus program or firewall might be detecting the webpage you are trying to open as malicious or with less credibility which is why it is blocking the browser from opening the website. To fix that, if you have third-party programs installed like VPN, security software, or any add-on, or firewall, you can disable them temporarily and see if it fixes the problem and you’re able to pull up the website. After a while, you have to enable them back and configure their settings so that the website won’t get blocked again.

Option 4 – Try enabling SSL 3 / TLS and disable QUIC Protocol

If you were using Google Chrome when you got the ERR_BAD_SSL_CLIENT_AUTH_CERT error, then you need to follow the protocol fixes for SSL3/TLS and QUIC which are usually some of the reasons that cause the SSL version / Cipher Mismatch. It also has a few fixes for Windows 10 computer where you can clear the certificates and make sure that your computer date and time is in sync with your time zone and so on. If you were using Edge or Internet Explorer when you got the error, then you have to follow the steps below.
  • Type “Internet” in the search box of your browser. After that, you should see the Internet Options from the search results.
  • Next, open the Internet Properties window and switch to the Advanced tab and then scroll down to the Security section.
  • From there, check the “Use TLS 1.1” checkbox as well as the “Use TLS 1.2” checkbox and then click OK to save the changes made.
  • Restart the browser.
On the other hand, if you were using Firefox when you go the error, here’s what you have to do.
  • Open Firefox and in the address bar, type “about:config” and hit Enter.
  • If a warning appears, just click on the “I accept the risk!” button to proceed.
  • Next, type in “TLS” in the search field and hit Enter.
  • Then look for “security.tls.version.min” and double click on it and set its integer value to 3 to force the protocol of TLS 1.3.
  • Now click OK and restart Firefox and do the same thing with SSL.

Option 5 – Try to update Google Chrome

You might also want to try updating your browser to its latest version and have it installed in your computer. After you install the update, check if you can now open the website you were trying to open earlier.

Option 6 – 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.
Note: If removing the browser extensions or toolbars didn’t work, you can also try to reset your Google Chrome browser.
  • Open Google Chrome, then tap the Alt + F keys.
  • After that, click on Settings.
  • Next, scroll down until you see the Advanced option, once you see it, click on it.
  • After clicking the Advanced option, go to the “Restore and clean up option and click on the “Restore settings to their original defaults” option to reset Google Chrome.
  • Now restart Google Chrome.
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Complete Ethernet cable guide

In today's modern world many households have internet access, most of the connection nowadays is done via Wi-Fi or wireless but there is a high probability that you have also a few devices connected via cable. There are of course many disadvantages and advantages between cable connection and wireless connection.

lan network cables

The main advantages of a hard cable connection are of course faster speed and stability compared to Wi-Fi. But if we look into the cables themselves there is also a big difference between them. Not all cables are the same and quality as well as speed vary a lot between them. Choosing the right cable is essential in order to make a maximum of your internet and we have some great tips and explanations of what cables do so you can make the right choice and enjoy your full internet potential.

Not all cables are the same

Cheap cables and expensive ones are not the same no matter what everyone tells you. The old proverb you get what you pay is true and more expensive cables will be made from better materials and will have a higher transfer rate.

Quality network cables are separated into different categories with proper markings and when buying one you should always look for these markings on the cables themselves, do not buy cables that do not have markings since they will often provide lower transfer rates or will not be shielded from outside influences resulting in packet drops and instability in a network.

Categories and what they mean are:

  • Cat-5 with a maximum speed of 100Mbps, typically unshielded.
  • Cat-5e with a maximum speed of 1Gbps, available in both shielded and unshielded varieties.
  • Cat-6 with a maximum speed of 10Gbps for runs under 55 meters (around 180ft), available in both shielded and unshielded varieties.
  • Cat-6a with a maximum speed of 10Gbps, shielded.
  • Cat-7 uses a proprietary GG45 connector rather than the standard RJ-45 connector seen on other cables for speeds of 10Gbps, shielded.
  • Cat-8 with a maximum speed of 25Gbps (Cat-8.1) or 40Gbps (Cat-8.2) at a distance of around 30 meters (around 100ft), shielded.

Unless stated, these standards are typically rated at their quoted speeds for a run of around 100 meters (around 330 ft) and use a standard RJ-45 Ethernet connector. Each generation of cable is designed to be compatible with the generations that came before it, so it’s possible (for example) to use a Cat-6a cable with a router that only supports speeds of 1Gbps.

Shielded cables

When purchasing higher quality cable you might not be able to choose if you have shielding or not since some standards like Cat-6a, Cat-7, and Cat-8 are always shielded. But if you do not have the need for these and you are satisfied with Cat-5e for example you can choose.

Shielded cables are a little more expensive but they will provide you with a coating that will eliminate interference from outside waves making cables more reliable. Of course, if the cable will go through a room that does not have many radio waves or some other interferences then buying a shielded cable is a waste of money.

Cable platings

Usually, there are two types of connector platings on connectors, silver, and gold, and people usually think that gold is much better but there are major differences between silver and gold platings and truth to be told there is no better one, both are different and should be considered depending on your need.

Silver plating will provide you with faster speed since its conductivity is larger than gold, but gold is slower on the oxidation front so its life span is longer. On the other hand, if your cables are always connecting and disconnecting gold will be first to be scrubbed off from the surface since the gold coating is much thinner.

Overall if you would only connect cable once and have slower internet than cable capacity gold is the way to go, in another case if you would use the cable as always connecting and switching and your internet plan is the same as cable transfer capacity you might want to go with silver one.

Cable material quality

Network cables are made from copper, your standard conduction material but even here there are differences in quality and therefore the chance of pocket losses over it. More quality less loss and more stable connection and this will depend on the purity of copper that is used in the cable itself. More purity in copper, more stability, simple as that.

Conclusion

So as you can see, there are a lot of different things that will influence your pick of proper network cable but the overall best advice is to get one that will fit well into your needs and setup. pair it up with your router and your internet plan since just simply buying something that you can not use is really a waste of money.

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IW Unicorn and Scorpion PC Chair cockpits
Recently on errortools.com, we were talking about Cooler Master’s Orb X gaming chair that is an absolute beast and an amazing product. One downside of Orb X is its price. IW product line is somewhat competing with Orb X with a much more affordable price aiming to probably take customer base with lower income but offering them a great experience as well. The first thing you will notice is a different design and somewhat feeling of cheaper quality if you compare it to Orb X but that is quite reasonable considering the chair itself is around 3.5 times cheaper than Orb X which really puts it in range of everyone can get it. But does a much cheaper price means low quality? Let’s explore.

IW Unicorn

IW unicornThe 2021 CLUVENS BRAND newly issued model UNICORN has fully electrical tilting capabilities to 160 degrees, Reading light-two LED & RGB illumination lighting, manual open/close keyboard tray, and armrests. This model is suitable for home and office, and also gaming computer work environments. It offers functions that enable the user to experience unprecedented comfort and quasi total immersion through strategically positioned 1-3 monitors, audio systems, and accessories. The result is a complete computer office, ergonomically optimized, with a minimal footprint that improves overall performance and productivity and health and comfort. Sitting on a chair can help a lot for relieving health problems like lower back pain, herniated discs, sciatica, and neck pain and also enhance performance and viewing effects.

More Luxury and More comfortable:

Equipped with Luxury feeling reclining Gaming chair made with high-density Mold Shaping Foam and superior quality PU leather with very comfortable texture, electrical recline to 128 degrees, and more to 160 degrees for the flat position for the user.

More High-End Setting and more High-tech:

Manual push for open / close of big sized (87x34cm) Self-Balancing Keyboard tray, adjustable with 20cm distance range with Electrical control for the height of roof arm & monitors. Electrical control for reclining Zero Gravity position or even flat position, Manual adjusted Feet pedal for a more comfortable position for feet. Using a High-Quality PU leather Gaming chair that has Heat/Massage functions with it! The IW-Unicorn monitor mounts allow the use of a single monitor up to Ultra-wide 49” or 43” in size or triple monitor setups up to 3 x 29” other monitors configurations are available upon request. (VESA standard)

IW Scorpion

IW scorpionScorpion is basically a premium version of Unicorn with being able to hold more weight, having cup holders on the armrest, etc. The look is also similar with Scorpion being more sinister-looking but overall Steel frame and chair are the same.

Conclusion

Sadly I have not personally experienced neither of these products including Orb X but from all information I have found and looked over, I would say these products are not trying to compete with each other. Although Products are similar in nature, Orb X is aimed at hi end-users focusing on privacy and robustness while IW is filling the gap of users that would like an advanced chair but are not willing or ready to shell hi amount of money for it offering advanced chairs with advanced features in somewhat affordable price.
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How to remove Sadooma from your PC

Sadooma is a Browser Extension for Google Chrome. This extension offers users the ability to search for any trending news on the web.

This extension changes your default search engine to Yahoo, and while active it changes the displayed ads on your browser, allowing it to make revenue on every ad you click. While this is not inherently malicious, the extension redirects your search to its servers first before forwarding it to yahoo and displaying search results. The information that is sent back to the servers contains your browsing data & visited web pages. As this represents a security and privacy risk, Sadooma is classified as a browser hijacker for its potentially unwanted functions and poor user experience. From the Author:
We’ve got what you need! If you are like us, addicted to interesting viral content, you’ve reached the best place for this. Sadooma will help you to find what is trending right now on the internet in an easy and immediate way. Privacy – We don’t share your information with others. Trending Content – New viral content every day Up to Date – We update sources to keep things fresh. Made with Love – Our content is safe and suitable for all ages.

About Browser Hijackers

Browser hijacking is a type of unwanted software, commonly a browser add-on or extension, which then causes modifications in the web browser’s settings. Browser hijackers can do more than simply modifying home pages. It redirects you to the sponsored sites and inserts advertisements on the internet browser that helps its creator generate earnings. A lot of people think that these types of sites are legitimate and harmless but that is not true. Nearly all browser hijackers pose an existent threat to your online safety and it is vital to classify them under privacy dangers. In a much worst case, your web browser could be hijacked to download malicious software that will do a lot of damage to your computer.

Indications of browser hijack

There are many symptoms that point to a browser hijacking: you see unauthorized modifications to your web browser’s homepage; you get re-directed to sites you never intended to visit; default web engine is modified; you’re getting browser toolbars you haven’t noticed before; your internet browser will display constant pop-up windows; your web browser starts running slowly or presents frequent errors; You can’t access certain websites, particularly anti-virus websites.

How they get into your computer or laptop

Browser hijackers infect computers via malicious email attachments, downloaded infected computer files, or by visiting infected sites. Many web browser hijackings originate from add-on software, i.e., browser helper objects (BHO), toolbars, or extensions added to web browsers to give them extra features. Browser hijackers sneak to your computer along with free software application downloads that you unknowingly install alongside the original. An example of some well-known browser hijacker includes Conduit, Anyprotect, Babylon, SweetPage, DefaultTab, RocketTab, and Delta Search, but the names are regularly changing.

Removal

Certain browser hijacking could be quite easily stopped by finding and removing the corresponding malware application from your control panel. But, the majority of hijackers are really tenacious and require specialized applications to remove them. You should think about undertaking manual repairs only if you’re a tech-savvy individual, as potential risks are associated with fiddling with the system registry and HOSTS file. You might opt for automatic browser hijacker removal methods by simply installing and running a reliable anti-malware application. One of the top tools for correcting browser hijacker malware is SafeBytes Anti-Malware. It can help you remove any pre-existing malware in your computer and gives you real-time monitoring and protection from the latest internet threats. Together with the anti-malware tool, a system optimizer will help you in removing all linked files and modifications in the computer registry automatically.

What To Do When You Cannot Install Any Antivirus?

All malware is inherently dangerous, but certain kinds of malware do a lot more damage to your computer than others. Some malware variants modify internet browser settings by including a proxy server or change the computer’s DNS configurations. In such cases, you’ll be unable to visit some or all websites, and thus unable to download or install the required security software to clear out the computer virus. If you are reading this, you may have infected by a virus that prevents you from downloading computer security software like Safebytes Anti-Malware. Although this sort of issue will be difficult to circumvent, there are some steps you can take.

Make use of Safe Mode to resolve the problem

In Safe Mode, you could adjust Windows settings, un-install or install some programs, and eliminate hard-to-delete malware. If the malicious software is set to load immediately when the computer starts, switching into this mode may well prevent it from doing so. In order to enter into Safe Mode or Safe Mode with Networking, press the F8 key while the computer is starting up or run MSCONFIG and locate the “Safe Boot” options under the “Boot” tab. Once you are in safe mode, you can try to download and install your anti-malware software program without the hindrance of malicious software. After installation, run the malware scanner to eliminate most standard infections.

Switch to some other browser

Malicious code may exploit vulnerabilities on a specific internet browser and block access to all anti-virus software websites. When you suspect that your Internet Explorer happens to be hijacked by a computer virus or otherwise compromised by hackers, the best plan of action is to switch to a different internet browser such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Apple Safari to download your chosen security application – Safebytes Anti-Malware.

Install and run anti-virus from your Thumb drive

Another solution is to save and run an antivirus program entirely from a USB drive. Try these simple actions to clear up your infected PC using a portable antivirus. 1) Make use of another virus-free PC to download Safebytes Anti-Malware. 2) Plug the Flash drive into the clean computer. 3) Double-click the Setup icon of the antivirus software to run the Installation Wizard. 4) Select the drive letter of the flash drive as the location when the wizard asks you where you would like to install the anti-virus. Follow the on-screen instructions to finish the installation process. 5) Remove the pen drive. You may now use this portable anti-malware on the infected computer. 6) Double click the Safebytes Anti-malware icon on the flash drive to run the program. 7) Run Full System Scan to identify and get rid of all kinds of malware.

Let's Talk About SafeBytes Anti-Malware!

If you are looking to download the anti-malware program for your computer, there are several tools in the market to consider however, you cannot trust blindly anyone, no matter whether it is paid or free program. Some of them do a great job in getting rid of malware threats while some will affect your PC themselves. You have to purchase a tool that has got a good reputation and detects not just viruses but other sorts of malware as well. One of the recommended tools by industry analysts is SafeBytes Anti-Malware, the safest program for Microsoft Windows. SafeBytes anti-malware is a powerful, very effective protection software made to assist users of all levels of IT literacy in finding and removing malicious threats out of their personal computers. Using its cutting-edge technology, this application will help you get rid of several types of malware including computer viruses, PUPs, trojans, worms, ransomware, adware, and browser hijackers. There are many great features you’ll get with this security product. Below are some of the highlighted features included in the tool. Real-time Threat Response: SafeBytes provides round-the-clock protection for your PC restricting malware intrusions instantly. It will regularly monitor your laptop or computer for hacker activity and also provides users with advanced firewall protection. World-class AntiMalware Protection: Safebytes is made on the best virus engine in the industry. These engines will find and get rid of threats even during the early phases of a malware outbreak. Faster Scanning: This software has got one of the quickest and most effective virus scanning engines in the industry. The scans are very accurate and take a short amount of time to complete. Safe Web Browsing: SafeBytes provides an instant safety rating on the web pages you are about to check out, automatically blocking unsafe sites and make sure that you’re certain of your online safety while browsing the net. Lightweight Tool: SafeBytes is a lightweight and user-friendly anti-virus and antimalware solution. Since it uses minimal computer resources, this application leaves the computer’s power exactly where it belongs to: with you actually. 24/7 Online Technical Support: You could get high levels of support round the clock if you’re using their paid software. To sum it up, SafeBytes Anti-Malware is pretty great for securing your laptop or 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 to use. So if you’re trying to find a comprehensive antivirus program that’s still simple enough to use, SafeBytes Anti-Malware is exactly what you will need!

Technical Details and Manual Removal (Advanced Users)

If you don’t want to use malware removal software and prefer to eliminate Sadooma manually, you could do so by going to the Add/Remove Programs menu in the Control Panel and removing the offending software; in cases of browser add-ons, you may uninstall it by visiting the browser’s Add-on/Extension manager. You might even want to reset your browser settings, as well as clear your web browser cache and cookies. In order to ensure the complete removal, manually examine your hard disk and registry for all the following and eliminate or reset the values as needed. However, editing the Windows registry is actually a complicated job that only advanced users and professionals should try to fix it. In addition, certain malicious programs have the capability to defend against its deletion. You are encouraged to do this procedure in Safe Mode.
Files: %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Google\ Registry: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
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Fix FAULTY_HARDWARE_CORRUPTED_PAGE
If you got the FAULTY_HARDWARE_CORRUPTED_PAGE Blue Screen error on your Windows 10 computer then it is most likely caused by various factors. It could be caused by an incomplete installation or uninstallation of some applications or program, or it could also be caused by some exploit that intervenes with the normal functioning of the computer, as well as bad sectors on the hard disk, damaged system files, malfunctioned system drivers, modified Windows Registry files, or a Blue Screen occurrence during a Windows Update and many more. Getting this bug check means that a single-bit error was found on this page. It also indicates that this is a hardware memory error and to resolve it, you need to follow the suggestions laid out below but before that, it is recommended for you to create a System Restore Point first so that if anything goes wrong, you can always go back to the previous state.

Option 1 – Run a Memory Check to test RAM

Since the problem might have something to do with hardware memory, you need to test RAM by running a Memory Check using the Windows Memory Diagnostic. Refer to these steps to do so.
  • Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  • Then type “mdsched.exe” in the field and hit Enter to open the Windows Memory Diagnostic.
  • After that, the Windows Memory Diagnostic will give out two options such as:
  1. Restart now and check for problems (recommended)
  2. Check for problems the next time I start my computer
  • Select any of the given options. After that, your computer will restart and check for memory-based issues upon the restart. If there are any issues, it will automatically them.

Option 2 – Run the System File Checker

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 the FAULTY_HARDWARE_CORRUPTED_PAGE Blue Screen 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 3 – Check for conflicting or incompatible programs by putting your PC in a Clean Boot state

As mentioned, the FAULTY_HARDWARE_CORRUPTED_PAGE Blue Screen 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.)
  • From there, start to isolate the problem by checking which one of the programs you installed recently is the root cause of the problem.

Option 4 – Update or rollback drivers

If the first few options didn’t work for you, then it’s time to either update or roll back the device drivers. It is most likely that after you updated your Windows computer that your driver also needs a refresh. On the other hand, if you have just updated your device drivers then you need to roll back the drivers to their previous versions. Whichever applies to you, refer to the steps below.
  • Open the Devices Manager from the Win X Menu.
  • Then locate the device drivers and right-click on them to open the Properties.
  • After that, switch to the Driver tab and click on the Uninstall Device button.
  • Follow the screen option to completely uninstall it.
  • Finally, restart your computer. It will just reinstall the device drivers automatically.
Note: You can install a dedicated driver on your computer in case you have it or you could also look for it directly from the website of the manufacturer.
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