How to Stop Your PC Crashing at Startup

Ophtek, pc crash, pc startup, startup problems, , ,
24
Nov 2020

It’s highly frustrating when a PC crashes during the startup process. However, there is always a reason behind every crash and this means it can be fixed. 

All we want at the beginning of each day is an easy start, so a PC which boots up quickly with no problems is a big help in this respect. But a PC which struggles to startup correctly can seriously set you back. Not only does it leave your frustration levels skyrocketing, but it puts the brakes on your productivity. A PC, of course, is a complex device and occasional problems should be expected. Thankfully, PCs operate on logic, so rectifying a startup problem is simply a case of identifying where this logic has failed. 

The Most Common Startup Problems 

To help you overcome your startup woes, we’re going to examine the most common reasons why your PC is crashing at startup: 

  • No Bootable Medium: If you are confronted by a black screen containing a message along the lines of “No Bootable Medium Found” then you are going to have a problem. What it means is that your PC is unable to boot from the hard drive it is programmed to. It could be that the order in which your PC is designed to boot from has become corrupted e.g. your PC heads straight to your D: drive rather than the C: drive. This can easily be checked and amended in your PC’s BIOS setup – this can be accessed by pressing a designated F key as your PC powers up. 
  • Missing Files: If Windows is missing just one file then it can cause major problems for your PC. So, if a file has been mistakenly been deleted or moved from its correct location, it’s likely that problems will be around the corner. And this can include issues with your startup process. The simplest way to deal with these incidents is by repairing your Windows installation. In Windows 10 this can be initiated by running the ‘Reset This PC’ tool. However, it’s likely you will need to boot Windows in Safe Mode to access this if you are already having startup issues.
  • Malware: There are many types of malware which can cause your PC to crash during startup, so it’s important to consider this. Naturally, the only way to remove this problem is by removing the malware. But how can you do this when you can’t get into Windows? Well, again, this is where Safe Mode comes in. Although Safe Mode only gives you limited access to normal Windows operations, it does give you access to antivirus software. Therefore, you have the chance to eliminate any malware and restore your startup.
  • Hard Drive Data Cable: Your PC needs to be able to access your hard drive in order to boot up Windows, but problems can quickly occur if this access is restricted. And a failed hard drive data cable is one of the surest ways for this to happen. If your PC is regularly freezing at startup or entering reboot loops then it makes sense to try replacing this cable. If this solves the problem then you are good to go and, if it doesn’t, then you can investigate further solutions. 

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals. 

 

 

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The Best Built In Windows Tools You Need to Know About

Ophtek, Windows 10, Windows Startup, Windows Startup Repair, Windows System Information, Windows Task Scheduler, Windows Tools, , , , , ,
17
Nov 2020

Windows is an incredibly powerful operating system, but most users are unaware of just how much it can do; this extra power is down to some hidden tools. 

If you take a look through the folders on your PC that contain Windows then it quickly becomes a bewildering spectacle. In among all the various Windows applications there are .dll files (don’t ask!) and text files full of binary code and gibberish. And that’s why most people spend little time sifting through the less explored corners of their PCs. But hidden within Windows are a number of innovative and helpful tools. These can boost your productivity and enhance your PC’s performance. 

The Built In Tools You Need  

It’s a rare individual who can afford to turn down increases in productivity and PC performance, so it’s time to familiarize yourself with: 

  • Startup: In Windows 10 you can find the Startup tool within Windows Task Manager. All you have to do is click the Startup tab to discover which applications begin loading as Windows starts booting. From here you can use the tick boxes to control what does and doesn’t load at startup. So, for example, you could ensure that valuable processing power is concentrated on loading up essential programs such as Windows Updates rather than Spotify.
  • System Information: It’s always important to know the basics about the PC you’re working with. This allows you to determine what your system is capable of as well as aiding IT professionals in diagnosing solutions. And System Information is the quickest way of gathering all this information together. This tool can be accessed in two ways: Firstly, you can type msinfo32 in to the ‘Run’ box when you hit the Windows key. And, secondly, you can access it by opening Administrative tools in control panel. Either way you are presented with a wealth of information on your system.
  • Task Scheduler: Workplaces are busy environments and it’s easy for simple tasks to be missed. But this doesn’t need to be a problem when you have Task Scheduler on your side. A simple but useful tool, Task Scheduler allows you to put automatic processes in place e.g. display alerts at specific times or schedule your antivirus program to scan.  Task Scheduler can be found within Administrative tools or by typing taskschd.msc in the ‘Run’ box.
  • Startup Repair: There’s nothing worse than a below-par startup process. Sometimes it can simply be slow and other times it can generate endless error messages. Thankfully, Startup Repair can help to eliminate this. If you’re in Windows then you need to hold the Shift key as you click on the Restart button to take you to your boot options. If your PC is failing to get as far as Windows it should present you with your boot options after two or three attempts. From boot options you should go to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Repair. The process is automatic and any problems should be fixed by the tool. 

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals. 

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How to Fix the Most Common Printer Problems

fix printer, Ophtek, Printer Security, printer vulnerability, Printers, ,
10
Nov 2020

Times may change, but the humble printer is still an important tool in business. But, as with all technology, printers can fail and need repairing.

Luckily, some of the most common printer problems can be fixed without the help of a technician. However, understanding how to fix these problems is crucial to your success. And humans don’t come pre-programmed with a list of printer malfunction solutions. But, thankfully, you can learn how to solve these printer problems relatively quickly.

All you have to do is take a quick look at our guide on how to fix the most common printer problems.

Fixing Your Printer

It’s always frustrating when you hit the print button and your printer does nothing. The accompanying red error light serves only to compound this frustration. But you don’t need to remain frustrated for long. Some of the simplest solutions can be found below:

  • Paper Jams: There’s nothing worse than the sound of paper scrunching up in a printer. It’s even worse when you’re trying to print something urgently. We’re all familiar with having to carefully remove sheets of jammed paper from printers, but you can do a lot to avoid it in the first place. Start by making sure that your paper tray is not overfilled, in fact, try to always under fill its capacity by 5 – 10%. It’s also vital that your stack of paper is carefully squared as it’s put into the tray, loose sheets can soon cause havoc. 
  • Slow Printing Speeds: A printer which churns out pages at the speed of a sloth is a cause for concern. But it’s a problem you should be able to fix quickly. If you’re printing wirelessly then try moving closer to your router. It’s also possible that your printer simply isn’t able to meet your productivity needs, especially if you’re working with an older printer. However, by printing in draft mode you will be able to speed up the printing process until you have a new printer. 
  • Streaks and Lines on Printouts: It’s irritating when you print out a document only to find that it’s covered in streaks and lines. You want your document to look its best and not like something printed in the 1970s. The most common reason for these defects is down to a blocked print head. Luckily, many modern printers have an in-built ‘head cleaner’ function which can quickly be activated. Just check your printer manual for the best advice on cleaning the head. 
  • Printer Not Connecting to WiFi: The magic of WiFi has meant that wireless printing has never been easier. But when your printer fails to connect it’s enough to make you scream. You don’t have to fret too much though. Firstly, make sure your printer is within range of your router. Secondly, try resetting your devices in order to bring them back online. And, finally, check that your printer drivers are fully up to date. This strategy gives you the best change of solving any connectivity issues.

Not every printer problem can be solved in-house, otherwise there would be no need for technicians. Nonetheless, the advice above should prove invaluable in fixing the most common printer problems.

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

 

 

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Understanding the Basics of Botnet Attacks

botnets, Hackers, Online Security, Ophtek, PC Maintenance, Security, Updates, , , ,
03
Nov 2020

The internet has connected us to each other in a way we would have thought impossible a few decades ago. But these massed connections can be very dangerous.

The beauty of the internet is that one PC can connect to another PC with relative ease. And these connections allow us to pool resources, share information and provide services. The foundations of almost every web service are based upon collections of PCs all working together to deliver an end result. These are often automated tasks that allow a website to continue operating correctly. But the fact that these PCs are generally left to their own devices means they aren’t actively monitored. And this situation makes them a security risk.

Known as botnets, these collections of PCs can have their cumulative power put to use for the gains of hackers.

What are Botnet Attacks?

While most botnets combine harmless coding with hardware, malicious botnets are another matter. A malicious botnet can gain access to your PC via two methods:

Regardless of the strategy involved, the end result is the same: an infection which adds your PC to the hacker’s botnet. Naturally, the more PCs added to the botnet, the more powerful it is. And, with the infection in place, the hacker will have full control of your PC. This allows them to carry out the following tasks:

  • Spread across the rest of your organization’s PCs by executing malware in order to swell the numbers of the botnet
  • Loading fake adverts in your internet browser designed to trick you into providing financial details to malicious websites
  • Use the cumulative processing power of all the PCs in a botnet to carry out DDoS campaigns in order to take websites down
  • Generating spam emails to be automatically sent from your organization’s email server

How Can You Protect Against Botnets?

As you can tell, a botnet attack will do your organization no favors and will cause untold damage to other businesses it targets. Therefore, you need to put these precautions into place:

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

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