Nigerian artists are now increasing their net worth by leveraging the art world’s lucrative pivot to non-fungible tokens (NFT). According to reports, this move to NFTs is happening despite the Nigerian central bank’s renewed anti-crypto stance. NFT Bubble Concerns As a recent CNN report explains, growing interest in NFTs from Nigerian artists comes alongside warnings of a potential downturn in sales. For instance, Bitcoin.com News has already reported that NFTs sales plummeted by 90% since the market’s record sales on May 3. The same report also revealed that the number of active NFT wallets dropped from 12,000 per day to 3,900, which is a loss of close to 70%. Similarly, Bitcoin.com News has reported extensively on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s renewed drive against cryptocurrencies that started after it issued an order directing financial institutions to end business relationships with crypto entities. Still, in spite of these concerns, some Nigerian artists insist that NFTs have become an important part of the art scene. For instance, Osinachi, who according to CNN is a former librarian and one of Nigeria’s most bankable digital artists, explained how NFT markets have picked up since 2019. Osinachi said: I went in and explored the marketplaces and it wasn’t until 2019 that the markets picked up and we saw the boom. The pandemic helped because collectors couldn’t go to physical galleries, so a lot of them discovered the NFT space. And then (from) 2020 to 2021, the Christie’s auction happened and everybody’s screaming NFTs. Osinachi now says “he can command up to five figures for his NFT works” and he suggests that his ability to “put my work in a place where many people would see it” is helping to drive up his earnings. Not Everyone Is Optimistic NFT excitement notwithstanding, not everyone shares Osinachi’s optimism. Ferdy ‘Ladi Adimefe, the founder and CEO of Magic Carpet Studios, believes many artists cannot enter this space as they still face many economic barriers. He explained: I think African artists are fast embracing the NFT space and getting on board, but let’s not also forget that the continent has quite a number of people who are still not within the data economy. Another artist, Kenyan Rich Allela, laments the fees on NFT trading platforms and lack of technical know-how as the other key barriers to entry. In the meantime, Adimefe says he is now creating workshops and platforms “where we can help traditional artists to start acquiring the digital tools through which they can now digitize and monetize their art.” It remains to be seen, however, if such workshops can lead to increased NFT participation by African artists.

Andreessen Horowitz, the Silicon Valley venture capital firm founded by Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz, has announced the launch of a $2.2 billion crypto fund. The firm is “radically optimistic about crypto’s potential to restore trust and enable new kinds of governance.” Andreessen Horowitz Launches $2.2 Billion Crypto Fund Andreessen Horowitz announced the launch of a new $2.2 billion crypto venture fund Thursday. The Silicon Valley venture capital firm, also known as “a16z,” was founded by Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz in 2009. Chris Dixon, Katie Haun, and Ali Yahya, partners on the crypto team at Andreessen Horowitz, explained the new fund in a blog post titled “Crypto Fund III.” They wrote: The size of this fund speaks to the size of the opportunity before us: crypto is not only the future of finance but, as with the internet in the early days, is poised to transform all aspects of our lives. “This fund allows us to find the next generation of visionary crypto founders, and invest in the most exciting areas of crypto,” the a16z partners explained. “We invest in all stages, from early seed-stage projects to fully developed later-stage networks.” Haun told CNBC Thursday that the fund is not a hedge fund but a venture fund. She clarified that the fund invests in tokens and protocols as well as businesses. The company’s first crypto-focused fund was launched three years ago during a crypto winter when the value of bitcoin plunged roughly 80% from its 2017 highs. The partners further detailed: We believe that the next wave of computing innovation will be driven by crypto. We are radically optimistic about crypto’s potential to restore trust and enable new kinds of governance where communities collectively make important decisions about how networks evolve, what behaviors are permitted, and how economic benefits are distributed. “That’s why today we’re pleased to announce a new $2.2 billion fund to continue investing in crypto networks and the founders and teams building in this space,” the partners emphasized

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is seeking a trial attorney to help with the federal executive agency’s Digital Currency Initiative. The DOJ posted a job listing on the justice.gov web portal and the hired individual is expected to serve as an “expert on digital currency and blockchain technologies for the criminal division.” DOJ’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section Needs a Digital Currency Trial Attorney The DOJ’s criminal division aims to hire an experienced and permanent attorney to work at the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section (MLARS) located in Washington, DC. Remote attorneys will be considered if they qualify for the Digital Currency Initiative (DCI) job listing. MLARS’ main goal is to “take the profit out of crime” and it accomplishes this mission in various ways. The new hire will help bolster the MLARS mission in criminal prosecutions, forfeiture actions, investigations of financial institutions committing money laundering, transgressions against the Bank Secrecy Act, U.S. sanctions, alongside cybercriminals, and the drug cartels. Not only is the person applying expected to “serve as a subject matter expert on digital currency and blockchain technologies for the criminal division” but the individual must also develop and execute “training and educational materials relating to digital currency.” Moreover, the applicant is required to have “extensive knowledge” in regard to crypto assets and blockchain technology and knowledge of money laundering and asset forfeiture law. The starting annual salary for the DOJ’s new crypto position is $144,128 with a cap at $172,500 per annum. The individual should have a background in “investigating criminal matters” and “sensitive law enforcement techniques.” Furthermore, five years minimum experience as a criminal prosecutor or trial attorney is mandated as well. “Periodic domestic and international travel may be required,” the DOJ announcement concludes.

While bitcoin miners in China have been scrambling, second-hand markets offering cryptocurrency mining rigs from ASICs to GPUs have been exploding with an excess surplus. Additionally, the ASIC manufacturer Bitmain suspended machine sales on Wednesday, ceasing international spot deliveries. Official Crypto Mining Rig Dealers Are Either Sold-out or Suspending Deliveries, Second-Markets Explode With Mining Products and Low Prices per Hash Ever since the crackdown in Sichuan, the number of miners fleeing mainland China seems to have increased a great deal. Bitcoin’s overall hashrate has dropped below 100 exahash per second (EH/s) and remains just under that metric on Thursday morning (EST). There’s been a number of developments since the initial crackdowns in five different provinces, including pools losing hashpower and mystery hashrate returning. Another thing that’s happening right now is the excess crypto mining rig surplus that’s appearing on second markets. The superabundance of cryptocurrency mining machines on second markets can be seen on marketplaces like Alibaba, JD.com, Tmall, and more in China. An abundance of mining rig surplus can also be seen on marketplaces dedicated to the western hemisphere as well. An excess of application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) and graphics processing units (GPUs) can be found on Ebay and Amazon. Prices are much lower per unit and per hashrate, in comparison to ASIC and GPU prices 60 days ago. Since the recent crackdown in China, second-market stock has spiked a great deal more and prices per machine are much lower. A report from the South China Morning Post (SCMP) indicates that GPUs made by Asus and Nvidia have seen prices plummet by two-thirds from the product’s price highs two months ago. For instance, a vendor on Tmall (an online JD.com subsidiary) was selling an Nvidia Quadro P1000 model for 2,429 yuan ($376), after Quadro P1000 prices were over 3,000 yuan ($500) during the crypto market’s price highs. The Asus RTX3060 dropped from 13,499 ($2,087) on the JD.com franchise store Tmall to 4,699 yuan ($726). Similarly, ASICs are also in excess, and the price per hashrate is much cheaper than when the crypto bull market was going parabolic. The surplus of ASICs includes brands like Bitmain’s Antminer series S19 and S19j, Microbt’s Whatsminer series M30S and M30S++, Innosilicon’s Terminator series, and Canaan’s Avalonminer series 1246 and the 1166 Pro. Of course, older machines like Bitmain’s popular S9 series are far more abundant than the next-generation miners mentioned above. While the hashrate has plummeted and BTC’s price has dropped over 40% since the highs two months ago, bitcoin mining, in general, is still quite profitable. A 100 terahash per second (TH/s) rig, manufactured by Bitmain or Microbt, can get a person $17 per day per machine. That 100 TH/s profit calculation figures for BTC’s current exchange rate on Thursday — $0.12 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) and over 3,200 watts of energy pulled off the wall per machine. Older machines won’t process at 100 TH/s, but any machine with over 20 TH/s and that uses roughly 1,530 watts of energy, can still make $0.50 per day after electricity costs ($0.12 per kWh)

ExzoCoin is a blockchain project promising to make cryptocurrencies easily accessible to everyone. Among the services being developed by the ExzoCoin team are a decentralized exchange, a launchpad and a solution for the healthcare sector. ExzoCoin Will Bring Back Trust to Crypto ExzoCoin is developing a number of innovative tools to achieve its mission of making cryptocurrencies accessible to anyone, anywhere, and at anytime. The ecosystem will be powered by the EXZO utility token – a voucher and a loyalty reward system that enables individuals to gain access to the platforms and services. The decentralized exchange (DEX) mobile app and wallet from ExzoCoin will be launching in four to six weeks from now on Android and iOS devices. It will provide access to over 2000 altcoins. Users will enjoy safety and security through verified DOXXED developers on the platform with a verified symbol. The app will also feature a developers voting system, featured projects, and new product Launches. By the end of the year ExzoCoin will be developing the launchpad and incubator for new projects. This is a platform for initial liquidity offerings (ILO) for DOXXED and verified developers that have passed the verification system. It will feature an anti-bot system, an anti-rug pull system and cross-chain liquidity pools. ExzoCoin has also begun developing a blockchain solution to be implemented into the healthcare and private data sectors that will have smart contracts and sharding. The blockchain will consist of an integrated genetic deep learning algorithm that will enable quicker, lower-cost transactions. Companies will utilize the EXZO utility token to convert their data into non-fungible tokens (NFTs) that can then be managed and tracked from user to user. This will increase the overall security and privacy of data within different market sectors that utilize healthcare or encrypted data. The team will also be working on enhanced charting systems in the future as well. To learn more about the project visit the ExzoCoin website, follow the team on Twitter and join the community on Telegram.

A Blue Screen of Death, technically known as a stop error, is never a happy experience for Windows users. Your computer crashes without warning, losing your work, or other data in the process. The faulty hardware corrupted page error is one such critical error that can strike without warning. Here's how you fix the faulty hardware corrupted page stop code for good. What Is the Faulty Hardware Corrupted Page Stop Code Error? The faulty hardware corrupted page error (Windows stop code 0x0000012B) covers several different hardware issues, but refers to a single-bit error. A single-bit error occurs when a single bit (a minute piece of data) is incorrectly changed during the transmission of data. While it sounds like a tiny issue, the result can cause your system hardware to malfunction, resulting in the faulty hardware corrupted page stop code. There is good news and bad news. The good news is that there are several fixes available for the faulty hardware corrupted page stop code. The bad news is that Windows stop code 0x0000012B can indicate your system hardware is failing. Specifically, the stop code is often associated with faulty RAM. You can check your RAM and other hardware issues with these fixes for the faulty hardware corrupted page stop code. 1. Restart Your Computer If you haven't already, restart your computer. Although infuriating to hear, "Have you tried switching it off and on again" really does fix a lot of problems. Before delving into the more advanced fixes, restart your computer and see if that resolves the issue. 2. Reseat Your Hardware As the faulty hardware corrupted page error relates to your system hardware, a common fix is reseating your system hardware. If you knock or bump your system accidentally, you might jolt your RAM or graphics card out of position. You'll need to get inside the case of your PC or laptop to reseat the hardware. Please be aware that this will void your manufacturer's warranty in certain cases, so proceed with caution. 3. Run SFC The faulty hardware corrupted page stop code can indicate issues with your system files. The Windows System File Check (SFC) is an integrated Windows system tool you use to check your Windows installation files for errors. Before running the SFC command, you need to check that it is completely functional. You don't want SFC to miss an error because it wasn't working properly, to begin with. To do this, we use DISM, the Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool. Like SFC, DISM is an integrated Windows utility with a wide range of functions. In this case, the DISM Restorehealth command ensures that our next fix will work properly. Work through the following steps. Type Command Prompt (Admin)in the Start menu search bar, then right-click and select Run as administrator to open an elevated Command Prompt. Type the following command and press Enter: DISM /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth Wait for the command to complete. The process can take up to 20 minutes, depending on your system's health. The process seems stuck at certain times, but wait for it to complete. When the process completes, type sfc /scannow and press Enter. 4. Run CHKDSK Like SFC, CHKDSK is a Windows tool you can use to verify your Windows 10 file system. Wondering what the difference between CHKDSK and SFC is? CHKDSK scans your entire drive for errors, while SFC scans Windows system files specifically. Run it from the Command Prompt, and use the CHKDSK scan to find the problem and fix your machine. Type command prompt in your Start menu search bar, then right-click the best match and select Run as administrator. (Alternatively, press Windows key + X, then select Command Prompt (Admin) from the menu.) Next, type chkdsk /r and press Enter. The command will scan your system for errors and fix any issues along the way. 5. Check Your Drivers At times, a new Windows drive will upset your hardware and cause a fault. Windows 10 now handles most driver updates, so faulty drivers are becoming less of an issue. But that doesn't mean a dodgy driver cannot come and cause havoc. You can see a list of recent Windows driver updates in the Update & Security settings page. Press Windows Key + I to open the Settings panel, then select Update & Security > View update history. You can find any driver updates here. Now, type device manager in the Start menu search bar and select the best match. Head down the list and check for an error symbol. If there is nothing, your driver status is likely not the source of the issue. Several tools let you update all of your system drivers at the same time. The usefulness of these tools is debatable, especially as many try to force you to pay for freely available drivers. If you would like to know more, check out the best free tools you can use to fix any Windows 10 issue. 6. Check Your RAM Using MemTest86 The Windows Memory Diagnostic tool is a Windows system tool you can use to analyze your RAM for errors. However, it isn't the best option for the job. That title goes to MemTest86, a free, standalone memory testing tool for x86 machines. You boot MemTest86 from a USB flash drive (or bootable disc) and leave it to check your system RAM. A MemTest86 takes a while to complete. For a full evaluation of your RAM, you should run at least two passes (that's two complete cycles). As a single pass can take hours, the analysis process can take a while. However, MemTest86 will uncover any serious RAM issues during the process, so it is worth the wait. Head to the MemTest86 download page and download the Image for creating bootable CD (ISO format). Next, you need to write the MemTest86 ISO to a USB flash drive. Check out this list of free tools to make a bootable USB flash drive. Download a tool from the list, burn MemTest86 to your USB flash drive, then shut down your system. Now, reboot your system while pressing the button for your Boot Selection menu (usually F10, F11, DEL, or ESC), then select the bootable MemTest86 USB flash drive. The memory test will start automatically. Fixing the Faulty Hardware Corrupted Page Like many things Windows 10, a Bluescreen of Death is never nice---but there is often a simple resolution. The best thing to do is attempt to reseat your RAM and graphics card before attempting any of the additional fixes. Sometimes the simplest fixes have the greatest effect!

Has your Windows computer suddenly crashed, stopped working, or is refusing to boot? If so, you might encounter the "Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart" error. This is a common and generic PC error, often referred to as the "blue screen of death". We're going to talk you through every step of this error: what it means, how to know what your specific PC problem is, and how to fix that issue. What Is the "Your PC Ran Into a Problem and Needs to Restart" Error? Above is a picture of the "Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart" error screen. It's often called the "blue screen of death" (or BSOD) error---you can figure out why! This example says, "We'll restart for you". The screen might also say "We're just collecting some error info, and then we'll restart for you". This error screen usually happens when your computer has shut down or restarted unexpectedly, or if something is stopping it booting. At the top of the screen is a sad face, followed by the problem message. Next, a line reads: For more information about this issue and possible fixes, visit https://www.windows.com/stopcode Type this URL into your internet browser and it'll take you to Microsoft's support page. Since these errors can occur for a variety of issues, the support on this page is generic rather than specific to your problem. You can also scan the QR code (that's the section on the bottom left) on your phone to be taken to the same page. The most pertinent part of this screen is at the bottom where it lists a "Stop code". In our example, the stop code is "BAD_SYSTEM_CONFIG_INFO". Yours might be something different. That's because a stop code is an identifier that helps understand why you received this error in the first place. You should write down this stop code so that you can refer to it later. If you're in an organization, take this stop code to your local administrator so they can help diagnose the problem. If you're a home user, contact Microsoft support, follow their automated help, then when you get through to an agent you can give them the stop code. There are hundreds of possible stop code errors. Some other examples are: CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED SYSTEM_THREAD_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL VIDEO_TDR_TIMEOUT_DETECTED PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION DPC_WATCHDOG_VIOLATION How to Fix Specific Stop Code Errors We have written articles on how to fix specific stop code errors. If you see your error listed below, click it to visit that article. If yours isn't listed, keep reading for some general troubleshooting advice. SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION / class="st">0x0000003B WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR / 0x0000124 CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED / 0x000000EF UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME / class="st">0x000000ED MEMORY_MANAGEMENT / class="st">0x0000001A How to Fix a "Your PC Ran Into a Problem and Needs to Restart" Error As discussed, there are so many reasons why you might see a "Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart" error, which means it's not possible to provide the guaranteed solution. However, there are things that are more likely to cause these errors. As such, follow these troubleshooting steps and it might fix the problem. 1. Unplug External Hardware Have you recently plugged in a new external drive, mouse, keyboard, or similar to your computer? If so, this could be causing the problem. Unplug everything that you don't need and see if the problem goes away. If it does, plug one device in, restart, and see if everything remains stable. Repeat this process until you identify the faulty hardware, then contact the manufacturer. 2. Uninstall Recently Added Software Software that you download and install can cause unexpected problems. If you receive the blue screen error after you have recently installed something, you should remove it. This can often happen with antivirus software. To uninstall a program, press Windows key + I to open Settings. Click Apps. This brings up a list of all your installed programs. On the Sort by dropdown, click this and change it to Installation date. Now the most recently installed programs will appear at the top. To remove one, select it from the list and click Uninstall. 3. Rollback Drivers A driver is a piece of software that helps Windows 10 control hardware. For example, your graphics card, printer, and network adapter all use drivers. Drivers update periodically to ensure compatibility with the latest version of Windows 10. However, sometimes a driver update can break your system. As such, you may need to roll back a driver update---that is, go back to a previous version. To do this, press Windows key + X and click Device Manager. This tool shows categories like Display adaptors and Monitors, which you can double click to expand and see the devices within. Right click a device and click Properties > Driver. Look at the Driver Date, as this will tell you when the driver was last updated. If the date coincides with when you started having trouble, click Roll Back Driver (if available) or Uninstall Device (the device will reinstall when you restart). 4. Update Windows 10 Windows 10 should keep itself updated automatically, but there might be an update in the download queue that hasn't processed. Keeping Windows 10 updated is important because it means you will benefit from the latest features and bug fixes. Your blue screen error might be happening because of software or hardware incompatibility that has been solved in a recent update. To check, press Windows key + I to open Settings and click Update & Security > Check for updates. If there are any updates, follow any prompts to download and install them immediately. More Help and Troubleshooting Tips If the advice above hasn't helped you get rid of the "Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart" error, don't worry. We have a whole other guide packed with more support on how to solve the blue screen of death. Analyze Your Blue Screen Error With Advanced Tools Hopefully, this has helped you understand the meaning of the "Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart" error and guided you towards relevant support.

Windows crashes---whether they come as a blue screen of death or totally locked-up system---are extremely frustrating. Not only do you lose the work you had open, but troubleshooting the reason that Windows crashed can be difficult. When crashes happen, you'll probably wonder how to prevent these issues in the future. Let's look at the most common reasons for a Windows crash, and what to do when Windows keeps crashing. 1. RAM Problems Because your computer keeps important data in RAM, issues with your memory can cause Windows to crash. Error names like Fatal Exception Error usually pop up when Windows tries to retrieve data from memory but can't do so properly. If this keeps happening, your RAM may be failing. You can use a free tool like MemTest86 to see if there are problems with your RAM. It's also worth making sure that your RAM sticks are seated properly in their slots. Note while insufficient RAM can cause your system to grind to a halt, it usually won't cause Windows to crash. If you're sure that RAM isn't the culprit, sometimes a motherboard problem can result in similar issues. 2. Driver Issues Drivers are specialized pieces of software that allow Windows to interface with the various hardware connected to your computer. Most of the time, drivers install and update automatically when you connect a new peripheral or run Windows Update. However, when drivers go bad, they can cause serious problems. Manually installing the wrong driver, or updating to a buggy version provided by the manufacturer, are common ways for this to happen. When troubleshooting the blue screen error, keep an eye out for mentions of any specific hardware, as it may be the culprit. It's also a good idea to open the Device Manager (accessible by right-clicking the Start button) and check for any warning symbols, which represent hardware conflicts. 3. A Failing Hard Drive Image Credit: Vincent Botta/Unsplash If the storage drive (whether a hard drive or solid state drive) in your computer is going bad, you may experience Windows crashes. This might manifest itself through crashes that only happen when you try to open specific files, which indicates that a certain section of the drive is dying. For an older HDD, a clicking sound is another telltale sign of a failing drive. Because Windows needs to access files across your storage disk to run properly, it can crash if the disk can't read those files. If this sounds like your problem, find out what to do about a dying hard drive---certainly back up your data as soon as possible! 4. An Overheating Computer Too much heat causes major problems for the sensitive components inside your computer. A system that runs too hot for a long period of time might become permanently damaged. To combat this, your computer will often shut itself down when it gets too hot, usually resulting in a Windows crash. An overheating problem can have many sources. If you have a desktop, make sure that your case has enough ventilation. You should also check to make sure that all fans inside are working properly and that the heatsinks aren't loose. Be sure to clean your computer regularly to remove excess dust, too. If you use a laptop, try to avoid placing it on your lap or on surfaces like blankets, which can block the system's cooling sources. See our tips on preventing computer overheating for more advice. 5. Malware Infections Malicious software, including viruses, Trojans, and other unwanted junk, can wreak havoc on your system. While troubleshooting Windows 10 crashes, it makes sense to run an anti-malware scan to rule out any foul play. Scanning with the built-in Windows Defender is a good first option. For a second opinion, we recommend installing the free version of Malwarebytes and running a scan. If you find any malware, hopefully the crashes will subside after removing the infection. 6. Registry Damage The Windows Registry is a huge database of information where Windows and programs store data. Because of regular addition, removal, and changes to Registry entries, there's potential for its contents to get screwed up. Some Registry misconfigurations are minor, but others can completely crash Windows. This is why we recommend avoiding Registry cleaners, as they most often cause more harm than good. And if you ever read a guide that recommends changing a Registry value, be careful that you don't change anything else while inside. If you suspect that a damaged Registry is the source of Windows crashing, there's unfortunately not much you can do aside from resetting Windows 10. 7. Software Conflicts Most software errors don't bring about a Windows crash; they only affect the app in question. However, sometimes particularly bad software crashes can lock up the entire system. If Windows crashes when you open a certain app, you should try reinstalling the software to see if it fixes the problem. In case you think Windows 10 itself is freezing your system, find out what to do when Windows 10 locks up. 8. Power Issues If you've eliminated other possibilities, there's a chance that your Windows crashes are happening due to the power going into your PC. Typically, this is caused by a faulty power supply. If your computer's power supply is damaged, the flow of power might fluctuate or become too weak. This can, of course, cause your computer to crash. Replacing the power supply is the best way to troubleshooting this. Another power-related issue is the setup in your home. An overloaded circuit, faulty wiring, or having your computer plugged into a bad power strip can all cause crashes due to power issues. To test this, try moving your machine to another room and see if the problem persists. 9. Running an Unsupported Windows Version We've assumed that you're troubleshooting Windows 10 crashes above. However, if you're running an older version of Windows, that may contribute to your problem. Windows 7 and older are no longer officially supported by Microsoft, meaning they don't receive updates for security and stability any longer. Because of this, you may find that older Windows versions crash more often. You should update to Windows 10 as soon as possible so you're on a supported platform. Speaking of this, for best results on Windows 10, you should make sure to install Windows updates, which can often fix stability problems that lead to crashes. However, sometimes installing the latest major update for Windows 10 right away can lead to instability on its own. If you recently updated Windows 10 and started experiencing crashes, head to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery. There, you can go back to the previous version of Windows 10. Why Does Windows Keep Crashing? Now You Know We've looked at what causes Windows 10 to crash most often. As you've seen, a lot of them are related to hardware, whether it's an incompatible driver, failing component, or too much heat. It's often difficult to diagnose these issues, but by checking them against these causes, you can hopefully nail down your problem.

It's a frustrating problem when your PC randomly turns on from sleep. Not only does this waste power, but it might wake you up if you sleep near your computer. If you have problems keeping your Windows 10 system in sleep mode, we're here to help. Let's look at why your computer randomly turns itself on, and how to stop your computer from waking up without your say-so. Check for Wake Devices in the Command Prompt To figure out why your computer randomly turns on, you can first use a few Command Prompt commands to get an idea of what's going on. To open a Command Prompt, right-click on the Start button (or press Win + X) to open the power user menu. There, select Command Prompt (or Windows PowerShell; either will work). Enter the following command: powercfg –lastwake This will show you the last device that woke your PC up from sleep. if you see something like Wake History Count - 0 as in the screenshot below, Windows doesn't have a record of what it was. This can happen if you just rebooted your PC. Next, you should try the following command: powercfg –devicequery wake_armed This one displays all the devices that are allowed to wake your PC from sleep. It's common to see your mouse and keyboard listed here. If you don't want a device to have the authority to wake up your PC, use the following command to disable it, replacing the text in brackets with the name of the device. We look at a more user-friendly way to do this below. powercfg -devicedisablewake [DEVICE NAME] Review More Sleep Info in Event Viewer For a bit more information on the latest sleep event, you can open the Event Viewer in Windows. Search for it in the Start menu for easy access; once it's open, select Windows Logs > System in the left sidebar. From there, click Filter Current Log in the right sidebar. In the filter window, click inside the Event sources box and select Power-Troubleshooter. You can use the Logged dropdown at the top to set a time frame if you want, then hit OK. After this, you'll see a list of events showing when Windows woke up from sleep. Select one to get more info about it, including exactly when it happened. Check the Wake Source inside the box to see what caused it. This may say Unknown, which obviously isn't much help. But if there's a specific cause here, you'll know what to look for going forward. Use the Device Manager to Disable Wake-Ups Using the information you gained from the Command Prompt and Event Viewer, you can now hopefully prevent your computer from turning on during sleep mode through the Device Manager. To open it, right-click the Start button (or press Win + X) and choose Device Manager from the list. This utility shows all devices connected to your PC, but not all of these have the ability to wake up your computer. You'll want to check the ones revealed by the commands above. Devices under Keyboards, Mice and other pointing devices, and Human Interface Devices are the most common culprits. Expand those lists and double-click on an entry to open its Properties window. If there's more than one entry, you may have to check each one individually. Unfortunately, devices don't always include their model name, and you'll likely see multiple devices if you've connected more than one in the past. In the Properties window for your device, you should see a Power Management tab at the top. Select this, then uncheck the Allow this device to wake the computer box and hit OK. This prevents your mouse, keyboard, or other device from waking up Windows from sleep. Repeat this process for any devices that you also want to disable. While you most likely won't bump your keyboard by accident (unless your pet activates it), the mouse is a much more common problem. A particularly sensitive mouse can wake up your computer from a small shake of your desk or the floor. Thus, it's a good idea to prevent your mouse from waking up the PC. Even if you disable every device's ability to wake up your computer from sleep, you can still wake it up using the power button. It's up to you whether you want to keep another device enabled for this purpose. For troubleshooting purposes, it's best to disable everything to start. Stop Network Wake-Ups While poking around in the Device Manager, you should be aware of another common culprit: your computer could be waking up from its network connection. Most modern systems include a feature called Wake-On-LAN. This allows you to turn on your computer from anywhere in the world. Which using Wake-On-LAN can be beneficial, it might also malfunction and cause your computer to wake up randomly. If you don't care about this feature, try disabling it to see if your sleep issue goes away. In the Device Manager, expand the Network adapters section and look for your connection adapter. This feature is almost always used with wired connections, so look for an entry containing Ethernet Connection or similar. In its Properties window, switch to the Power Management tab again. Depending on your adapter, you may have a simple Allow this device to wake the computer box---uncheck it if so. However, other network adapters will have a list of options. In the below example, unchecking each of the boxes under Wake on LAN will disable the feature. Turn Off Scheduled Task Wake Timers The Windows Task Scheduler lets you set routines to run automatically on your system. While this is convenient, some tasks are set up to wake the computer so they can run. Even if you never set a task up manually, there's a chance that some app is waking up Windows so it can check for updates or similar. You can dig through the Task Scheduler by hand, but that's not necessary. Instead, toggling a simple option in your power plan will disable tasks from waking up Windows. To access this, head to Settings > System > Power & sleep. On the right side, click Additional power settings to open the Control Panel page for Power Options. There, click the Change plan settings link next to your current power plan. On the resulting page, select Change advanced power settings to open a new window. Finally, expand the Sleep item, followed by Allow wake timers. Change this to Disable and hit OK. Now, Windows will no longer wake up for scheduled events. For best results, you should repeat this for each power plan. That way, you won't start having problems again if you switch plans. Disable the Scheduled Maintenance Feature Windows 10 has moved so many preferences to the Settings panel that you probably haven't visited the Control Panel much. As it turns out, a lesser-known feature from Windows 8, called Automatic Maintenance, is still there in Windows 10. This can wake up your PC on its own, so you should disable it if your problem hasn't gone away. To check it, type control panel into the Start menu to search for and open it. If you see Category in the top-right, click it and change to Small icons. From there, choose Security and Maintenance. Expand the Maintenance section and find Automatic Maintenance, then click Change maintenance settings underneath it. Make sure the Allow scheduled maintenance to wake up my computer at the scheduled time box is unchecked. Scan for Malware At this point, it's worth running an anti-malware scan to make sure you don't have something malicious waking up your system. While all malware acts differently, there's a chance that it's set to wake up your system in order to phone home or take some other action. You can scan with the built-in Windows Defender. For a second opinion, download the free version of Malwarebytes and run a scan with that. Hopefully you don't have anything hiding on your system, but it's worth checking if you still can't explain the wakeup behavior. Stop Your Computer From Turning Itself On Hopefully, one of these tips helped you solve the problem of your PC turning on randomly. This issue can have many causes, so it's often difficult to troubleshoot. After making the above changes, if the problem still occurs, you may need to run through the first steps again to diagnose what device is still waking up your PC.

When was the last time you cleaned your keyboard? It's not something we think about as we clean up our homes, but it's a good idea to keep on top of your keyboard hygiene. Let's explore why you should clean your keyboard and how to do it properly. Why You Should Clean Your Keyboard First, keyboards aren't the cleanest object in your home or office. Lots of crumbs from computer-side snacks work their way among the keys and build up underneath them. As a result, holding a keyboard upside-down can dislodge some nasty morsels from the past. It's so bad that the keyboard can be a safe harbor for germs. Time reported on how 27% of keyboards in the office have an ATP count of 300 or higher, which means they have "high levels of contamination." The keyboard tends to go under the radar when people clean their office space, allowing germs to flourish on and around the keys freely. General Precautions When Cleaning a Keyboard Before you learn how to clean a computer keyboard and eliminate all that grime, take a moment to remember the precautions for cleaning a keyboard. 1. Unplug the Keyboard From the Computer First, ensure no power is going through the keyboard while you clean it. Unplug the keyboard from your computer while you clean, as this keeps you safe from both electrical problems and accidentally typing nonsense as you clean. Of course, if you're using a laptop, this is a little harder to do. As such, it's best to power off the laptop and unplug it from the mains before you start cleaning. 2. Overturn the Keyboard Over a Suitable Dirt Catcher You can get rid of some larger specs of dirt with minimal effort. Position the keyboard over a bin or sink, then give it a strong shake. This easy trick should clear out any big particles before you begin the proper cleaning procedure. 3. Remove the Keys Carefully If you need to remove the keys on your keyboard before you start, be careful when popping them off. Forcing them too hard will cause more issues than a dirty keyboard. If you want, you can try a special key removal tool that makes the task easier. We recommend the WASD Keyboards Wire Keycap Puller Tool for this. WASD Keyboards Wire Keycap Puller ToolBUY NOW ON AMAZON How to Clean a Keyboard Now that we've broken down why you should clean your keyboard, as well as some important safety tips, it's time to choose your weapon of choice. There are several options available, so take a read of them all and pick out the one that fits your needs best. 1. Blast Dust With Compressed Air One of the most-loved accessories for anyone who hates dust on their electronics, compressed air is the best way to clean a keyboard that has accumulated a thin layer of grime. Compressed air is what it sounds like; a can of air that keeps its contents under a high amount of pressure. When you press the stopper at the top, the compressed air rushes out and blasts the dust in front of the nozzle. This is used to dislodge dirt from electronics, such as the insides of computers. One of the best aspects of compressed air cans is how compatible they are with other components. These Rosewill Compressed Gas Dusters are great for cleaning out keyboards, but you can use it to clean other electronics such as the inside of your PC. Rosewill Compressed Gas Duster, 10 oz Canned Air Multipurpose Computer Keyboard Cleaner Spray (2-Pack), Ozone Safe - RCGD-18002BUY NOW ON AMAZON If you're an avid console gamer, be sure to keep that can of compressed air handy. It's one of the best ways to clean the dust from your PS4, which is important if you want to keep your consoles cool. 2. Removing Dirt With Keyboard Cleaning Slime Slime sounds like the last thing you want to put onto a grimy keyboard, but cleaning slime really helps. A good cleaning slime product aims to be the right amount of sticky. It's gooey enough to catch all the dirt and lint on your keyboard, but not sticky enough to gum up your keyboard or your hands. You press it down over your keyboard keys, then peel it off to remove all the gunk. This ColorCoral Cleaning Slime is a great starting point for a beginner. It's cheap, easy to use, and doesn't get your hands sticky. It has a nice lemon scent that keeps things smelling fresh. While it won't be effective versus dust underneath the keys, it's great for a quick and easy surface-level clean. Cleaning Gel Universal Dust Cleaner for PC Keyboard Cleaning Car Detailing Laptop Dusting Home and Office Electronics Cleaning Kit Computer Dust Remover from ColorCoral 160GBUY NOW ON AMAZON If you're feeling adventurous, you can even make your own at home. There are several clever ways to put DIY cleaning slime to use, so consider this if you like the sound of keyboard cleaning slime. 3. Achieving a Deep Clean With Rubbing Alcohol If you want to learn how to clean a sticky keyboard, compressed air and cleaning slime aren't good options. To give your keyboard a deep clean, you'll need something strong. Rubbing alcohol (scientifically called "isopropyl alcohol") is your best choice for cleaning your keyboard. Make sure you choose a solution that's at least 70 percent alcohol to give it the power to kill off any germs. Rubbing alcohol is the trickiest of the keyboard cleaning methods. Take a cotton swap stick (e.g. a Q-tip), dip it in the liquid, then brush against the side of the keys. You may need to remove each key to get a thorough clean. As such, while it's not easy-to-use like compressed air or slime, it's the best method for stubborn dirt and stickiness. 4. Sterilizing Your Keyboard From Bacteria and Viruses We briefly mentioned above how rubbing alcohol can help defeat bacteria and viruses. While it does do the job, you may not want to treat your entire keyboard with strong alcohol. Fortunately, there are other ways you can clean your keyboard from germs. First, if you've ever wondered if you can use Clorox wipes on a computer keyboard, you're in luck. Give the keyboard a wipe-down and don't be afraid to remove keys to clean the whole surface better. Just be sure you don't use any cleaning wipes that contain bleach, as this can do more damage than good. You can also use a UV-C sterilizing wand to clean your keyboard. These emit ultraviolet light which damages bacteria and viruses to the point where they die off. The American Journal of Infection Control tested UV light effectiveness on hospital keyboards and found them a useful way to clean a keyboard with minimal interruption. If you're interested, you can pick up a UV wand from stores like Amazon. For example, the Hygea Steri Wand is budget-friendly and works well on keyboards. How to Clean a Laptop Keyboard With regular keyboards, it's easy to pry off the keys and clean among the gaps. If you're using a laptop, however, there's a good chance that they're embedded into the system and harder to clean. Double-check to see if you can pry the keys off. We don't advise you do a few test tugs on the keys; instead, look up your laptop manufacturer's documentation to see if they have any advice on cleaning the keyboard. If they don't, it's best to leave the keys on and play it safe. Once you've checked, shut down the laptop and unplug it from the power supply. Then, follow the manufacturer instructions if you have them. If you don't, use keyboard cleaning slime to get rid of the larger particles, and isopropyl alcohol for more stubborn stains. You can also turn the laptop upside down and give it a shake to dislodge dirt. Do it over a sink or bin to catch all the dust that falls. As well as being hygienic, cleaning up the keys is one of the key tips for fixing faulty laptop keyboards. It's worth trying if your keys aren't working as they used to. How to Clean a Mac Keyboard If you want to know how to clean a MacBook keyboard, Apple has documentation explaining things. In short, they advise against cleaning solutions that use a lot of moisture and aerosol sprays. As such, it's best to use the advice they give on the website; lightly wet a lint cloth, and wipe it over the surface of the keyboard. For dried-on dirt, you'll have better luck using a cotton swap stick and isopropyl alcohol; ensure the swab isn't soaking with the alcohol before you clean, or you'll do more damage than good. Interestingly, this is similar advice that Apples gives for cleaning an iPhone speaker. Giving the phone a clean is one of the ways to fix a faulty iPhone speaker, so be sure to keep these cleaning tools handy. How to Clean a Mechanical Keyboard Mechanical keyboards can be a little trickier than membrane keyboards, given the complex switch mechanisms under each key. For an ideal clean, grab a key remover, some cotton swabs, and some isopropyl alcohol before starting. First, take off all the keys on the keyboard. Be careful, though; if you can't remember the exact layout of the keys, take a photo first or find an image of it so you can put the keys back correctly. If you don't, typing might get a little trickier afterward! Then, take the swabs and alcohol and gently clean around the keys and the switches. If you like, you can prepare a bowl of warm soapy water and leave the keys in it for a few hours; just be sure to dry them properly before you put them back. Spills are the biggest problem with mechanical keyboards. If you spill a liquid on your mechanical keyboard, try not to tilt it, as the spillage may get inside the key mechanisms. Instead, remove the keycaps and gently mop up any liquid you find among the keys. Afterward, perform a deeper clean with isopropyl alcohol to remove any stickiness. Giving Your Computer a Spring Clean Keyboards naturally gather grime, but people often neglect this when cleaning. Now you know why you should clean your keyboard, as well as how to. After you're done cleaning your keyboard, why not clean your iPhone too.

Windows 10 occasionally runs into difficulties: unresponsive windows, high CPU usage, high disk usage, suspicious apps, etc. When that happens, the Windows Task Manager is your first line of attack. Although Windows 10 brought with it some upgrades to the Task Manager, it is still lacking. Which is why you should try an alternative task manager. The Windows Task Manager alternatives below are more advanced, more powerful, and, best of all, available free of charge. Why not give these advanced task manager replacements a try and see which suits you best? 1. Process Explorer Process Explorer is a super-charged version of Windows Task Manager. Process Explorer was developed by SysInternals originally until Microsoft acquired the company. The Task Manager alternative lives on, with the company rebranded as Windows Sysinternals. Once launched, you'll see an overview of all running processes on your system organized in a hierarchy. There's also a lower pane (disabled by default) that shows which DLLs or handles are in use by processes. Both features combine to make system troubleshooting much easier. Notable features include: Color-coded processes list for easier navigation. See which open files are locked by which processes. Set Affinity and Priority actions for processes. Restart, Suspend, Kill Process, and Kill Process Tree actions. Real-time CPU, GPU, RAM, and I/O diagnostic data and graphs. 2. Process Hacker Process Hacker is an open-source Windows Task Manager alternative you can use to manage your system. It comes in both installed and portable versions and is virtually identical to Process Explorer above. The system processes overview shows a hierarchical, color-coded tree that's packed with information. There's no lower pane, but you can learn everything you need to know about a process by right-clicking on it. So why is Process Hacker ranked lower than Process Explorer? Because Process Hacker's development is on the slower side. While the Process Hacker GitHub is active, the last stable release as of this writing is from 2016. Notable features include: Color-coded processes list for easier navigation. Set Affinity, Priority, and I/O Priority actions for processes. Find processes by window and windows by processes. Restart, Suspend, Terminate, and Terminate Tree actions. Manage services, network connections, and disks. Real-time CPU, GPU, RAM, and I/O diagnostic data and graphs. 3. System Explorer Despite its generic name, System Explorer is far from a run-of-the-mill Task Manager replacement. Not only does it help with process management, but it also comes with a handful of features that can increase system security and protect against disaster. There's even a portable version, too. My favorite feature is per-process CPU usage history, which can be viewed over the previous minute, past hour, and past day. You can also view overall system performance in real-time, which shows some intricate details like the number of page faults or percentage of system interrupts. Another standout feature is Snapshots. With System Explorer, you can create File, Registry, or File+Registry snapshots that you can compare against one another for better troubleshooting. Security Scans are also available in case you spot a suspicious process. Notable features include: Scan running processes against an online security database. Detailed CPU usage histories on a per-process basis. Store and compare File, Registry, and File+Registry snapshots. Set Affinity and Priority actions for processes. Restart, Suspend, End Process, and End Process Tree actions. Manage modules, autoruns, drivers, users, and more. 4. Task Manager Deluxe Task Manager DeLuxe (TMX) promotes itself as a direct Task Manager replacement---except better. TMX has a somewhat cluttered interface. Once you learn how to use it (which takes no time at all), you'll realize that every bit is useful. It's only available as a portable app. In addition to real-time monitoring of system processes, services, and network connections, TMX allows the management of startup apps and tasks. You'll find the charts and graphs for various monitors informative, and I like that TMX can immediately elevate privileges for any process. Notable features include: Desktop Explorer shows process details upon mousing over windows. Detailed real-time monitoring of individual processes. Browse, search, and filter all opened or locked files. Find processes by window and windows by processes. Restart, Suspend, and Terminate actions. Manage services, network connections, and disks. Real-time CPU, GPU, RAM, and I/O diagnostic data and graphs. Please note that some web filters, like K-9 Web Protection, mark the MiTeC team's site under the Spyware/Malware category. I didn't find any issues there, but if you want to be cautious, you can download Task Manager DeLuxe from MajorGeeks instead, as this is a site we trust for software downloads. 5. Daphne Daphne may not look like much, but this lightweight, open-source Task Manager alternative packs quite a punch. Yes, the wall of text and bare-bones interface may overwhelm you at first, but you'll love it because it can do a few unique things. Unfortunately, a portable version is unavailable. First, Daphne has four ways to kill a process: immediate, immediate polite (non-forced), scheduled, and scheduled polite. Want to wait until a certain day and time to end a task? Daphne makes it possible and easy. It also has an option for running processes on certain days and times. Furthermore, in addition to finding processes by window or windows by process, Daphne can move processes to the front or back, set alpha transparencies, or even change window sizes. It isn't just a task killer, but a true task manager. Notable features include: Ability to kill processes politely and/or at a scheduled time. Kill all processes that match a name filter. Separate hierarchical process tree view. Find processes by window and windows by processes. Set Affinity and Priority actions for processes. Copy all live processes to the clipboard for troubleshooting. The Best Windows Task Manager Alternative Is... For ease of use and extensive functionality, Process Explorer is a solid choice for your Windows Task Manager alternative. It integrates perfectly with Windows 10 and is now a Microsoft product to boot. That said if you want to venture outside of what Windows has to offer, try one of the other options. As each of the Task Manager replacements is completely free, you can see what suits your requirements. Sometimes all you need the Task Manager for is killing an unresponsive task. What if I told you there is a way to kill unresponsive apps without the Task Manager? Or maybe you're experiencing an issue that can't be solved by the Task Manager or an alternative. In that case, you may want to check out these Windows diagnostic tools and these Windows troubleshooting tools.

Your PC relies on a consistent stream of power to stay on---but sometimes, your mains supply may not be so reliable. If you live in a neighborhood prone to outages, you might be wondering: can a power outage damage a PC, and what can you do to protect yourself from its effects? Let's explore the risks of a power outage and how to avoid them. The Different Types of Electrical Anomalies The electricity flowing through your home is not constant. Electrical currents can ebb and flow, dipping above and below what's ideal. Both too much and too little power can cause problems. When power completely shuts off, it's known as a blackout. These tend to occur due to issues beyond your control (e.g., power station disruptions, damaged electrical lines, etc.), but sometimes they can be self-inflicted (e.g., by shorting or overloading circuits). There's a similar issue called a brownout when your electrical voltage experiences a temporary drop without fully blacking out. If you've ever seen your lights dim for unknown reasons, it was probably due to a brownout. These can be intentional as a way to reduce electrical loads and prevent blackouts, though they can also be unintentional. On the other side of the spectrum, there's the power surge. This is when an appliance receives more electricity than intended for at least three nanoseconds. Surges happen due to several factors, including short circuits and electrical line malfunctions. If the increased voltage only lasts one or two nanoseconds, it's a power spike, which is most commonly caused by lightning. Can a Power Cut Damage Your PC? So, can a sudden drop in power cause problems for your PC? As it turns out, yes, both for your data and your hardware. How a Power Cut Can Damage Your Computer The sudden shutdown after a blackout is the primary danger to a computer's health. Operating systems are complex, and they must go through a "shutdown sequence" to make sure all running processes have correctly terminated before powering off. A sudden loss of electricity will interrupt this sequence and may leave processes "half-finished." This has a chance of corrupting files and threads, which then damages the operating system. System files are the largest concern. If the operating system is busy editing an important file when the power outage hits (such as during a system update), the sudden cut will corrupt the file. Then, when you try to reboot the computer, the operating system trips up over this corrupted file and fails to boot. If you're lucky enough that your system files are unscathed, you may still lose vital work. If you don't get into a habit of constantly saving your work, a power cut could set you back to square one. Power cutting out mid-save may corrupt your work. Furthermore, frequent power outages can reduce the hard drive's physical lifespan. The read-and-write head, which hovers over the spinning platters during operation, snaps back into its original position upon power loss. This sudden movement can cause tiny imperfections that accumulate over time, increasing the likelihood of a "head crash." This is when the head touches and scrapes the platter surfaces, effectively destroying the hard drive. Solid-state drives can also suffer catastrophic damage from sudden power cuts. Issues can range anywhere from data corruption to total malfunction. How Post-Blackout Power Surges Can Damage Your Computer What's worse, a power outage may not be the end of your problems. An outage is often followed-up by a surge once the electricity comes back online. A power surge will overload and fry the electronics within your PC. While an outage doesn't do a great deal of damage to a power supply or motherboard, the subsequent surge will. This will result in a computer that won't turn on after a power outage occurs. As such, if you want to stay safe from a power outage, it's worth investing in power surge protection too. There's nothing worse than skillfully negating a blackout, only for everything to fry due to the surge afterward! Protecting Against Power Outages While power outages won't tear through a computer as a power surge will, they can still do damage. As such, if you want to take care of your data's health, it's a good idea to invest in some anti-outage precautions. Using an Uninterruptable Power Supply (UPS) to Prevent Power Outage Damage For protection against power outages, you need an uninterruptible power supply. This apparatus contains a backup battery that will continue to provide power to your computer even when your power goes out. UPS devices can also come equipped with surge-protected outlets, making them a useful two-for-one purchase. If you live in a building or location that frequently experiences outages, surges, or both, a UPS will be a strong investment. It's important to note that a UPS unit only powers your electronics for a few minutes. This means it's not a great solution if you want to continue working through an outage. However, those few minutes give you plenty of time to shut down your computer manually to prevent damage. UPSs can sound an alarm to alert you of an outage, or even tell your PC to shut down immediately. Using a Laptop to Work Through Outages If you instead want to continue working through a power cut, why not use a laptop? Laptops avoid the power outage problem entirely; when the electricity cuts out, it switches to the battery. As such, if you're in an area that suffers from power cuts frequently, it may be worth changing to a laptop. While laptops aren't as powerful as a full PC, they're far more usable when the power drops out than a computer. Of course, it feels bad to buy a laptop because your power situation isn't ideal. Fortunately, grabbing a work laptop doesn't have to break the bank. Be sure to check out the cheapest high-quality laptops for an affordable way to continue working through outages. Get a Good Surge Protector for Post-Blackout Power Surges Whichever means you choose to protect your data from sudden shutdowns, you also should enhance it with surge protection. While this doesn't protect your hardware from the actual blackout, it does shield it from any power surges that happen post-blackout. As such, grabbing a surge protector covers you from every danger that can occur during a blackout, while also stopping power surges in general. Buying a surge protector can be a little confusing, as they come with specifications that detail how good they are at their job. If terms such as "UL Rating" and "Clamping Voltage" make your head spin, consult our guide on if surge protectors are necessary. Keeping Your Computer Safe Power outages can damage system files and data and the subsequent power spikes can destroy hardware. As such, if you live in a neighborhood with unstable power, you should take the time to protect against both and save some headaches.

You probably know that RAM is an important component inside your computer, but do you know how much RAM you really need? Let's look at how to see your available amount of memory, how much RAM is appropriate for different types of users, and some advice if you need more RAM. What Is RAM? Before we look at how much RAM you need, let's briefly review what RAM is in case you're not familiar. Read our full overview of RAM for more background. RAM, or random access memory, is a form of short-term storage in your computer. It's where the operating system keeps processes for programs you currently have open. When you shut down your machine, the contents of memory clear out. Because RAM allows for fast access, you can switch between open programs quickly. It's much more efficient to swap between programs running in RAM than to pull them from your storage drive. How Much RAM Do I Have? Next we'll see how much RAM is available in your system so you can compare it to some baselines. On Windows 10, head to Settings > System > About. Under Device specifications, you'll see an Installed RAM line. Note that if your System type is listed as 32-bit operating system, you can only use 4GB of RAM no matter how much you have inside. You'll need a 64-bit copy of Windows to use more than that. On macOS, open the Apple menu at the top-left of the screen and choose About this Mac. On the resulting Overview tab, you'll see a line for Memory showing how much RAM you have installed. If you use Linux, you can enter the free command in a Terminal window to display RAM information. However, this displays the memory amount in kilobytes, which isn't convenient. Use free -h instead to display the amount in gigabytes or megabytes, as appropriate. How Much Computer Memory Do I Need? Now that you know how much RAM your computer has, let's look at some common amounts of memory to see how much is right for your needs. 2GB and Under: Deficient You're unlikely to find a modern computer that comes with just 2GB of RAM. While this amount will be able to handle working on one simple task at a time, such as basic web browsing, anything beyond barebones multitasking will cause major slowdowns on systems with 2GB of RAM. Most cheap smartphones available today even come with more than this. You should avoid buying a computer with 2GB of RAM, and if your current machine has this little, consider upgrading when you can. 4GB of RAM: Sufficient for Basic Use For a while, 4GB of RAM was considered the baseline for most computers. While the norm is moving towards 8GB now, you'll still find some budget laptops that come with 4GB of memory. But is 4GB of RAM good? 4GB of RAM is sufficient if you only use your computer for basic tasks like web browsing, light word processing or spreadsheet work, and emailing. It's not enough for a lot of modern video games, and will struggle if you open many Chrome tabs or run dozens of programs at once. 8GB of RAM: A Good Baseline Most mid-range machines you'll find today include 8GB of RAM. Notably, all of Apple's MacBook models include at least this much. 8GB is a good modern standard for RAM. It's enough to juggle several tasks at once without slowdown, and is sufficient for gaming too. You'll probably want more RAM if you often edit 4K video, stream high-end games to Twitch, or keep many resource-hungry programs open all the time. But if you're not a heavy computer user, 8GB of RAM should work fine. 16GB of RAM: Great for Power Users 16GB of RAM is a great amount if you use your computer for heavy tasks. Design software, video editing, and modern demanding games will all have more room to work with if you have 16GB of RAM. However, it's overkill if you don't fit this description. Those who only open a few browser tabs and don't play video games or work with large media files can go with less RAM. 32GB+ of Memory: Enthusiasts Only 32GB of memory or more is only necessary for extremists. If you regularly edit 4K (or higher) video and want to work on other tasks while your computer renders the files, you'll need a huge amount of memory. For most others, it's a waste and you could put that money towards more useful PC upgrades. Most video games don't need 32GB of RAM yet. Take a look at our overview of RAM for gaming if you need specific advice on building a new rig. Video RAM Is Separate We've considered general system RAM above. However, if you have a dedicated graphics card in your PC, you should know that this has its own memory. This is called video RAM, or VRAM. VRAM holds visual information that games needs to display and efficiently passes it to your monitor. Even if you have a lot of regular RAM, game (or high-end design software) performance could suffer if you have insufficient video RAM. Have a look at our full guide to VRAM to learn more. How to Make Your RAM Go Further The only way to make more RAM available for use is buying more for your computer. It's relatively inexpensive and will make a big difference if you've been working with too little for your needs. However, if you're unable to upgrade your memory at the moment, you can free up available RAM on your Windows computer using a few tricks. Most important is closing programs if you're not using them, so they don't suck up your available RAM. Don't Forget About Other Computer Upgrades If you're looking to upgrade your current machine or build a new computer, keep in mind that RAM isn't the only component worth shelling out for. Most of the time, unused RAM is wasted RAM. There's no point in buying 32GB of memory when you only ever use 4GB, because the extra RAM is never active. Before you buy, know which PC upgrades have the most impact on performance. You don't want to load up on memory while still suffering from the bottleneck of a hard disk drive. A balanced build will serve you much better. How Much Memory Do You Really Need? We've looked at how to check the RAM in your computer, how much RAM you need for various tasks, and how to make the most of your current memory in the meantime. In summary, aim for 8GB as a baseline and 16GB of RAM if you're a heavy user. Thankfully, upgrading the RAM in your computer is usually straightforward. After making sure the RAM you buy is compatible, you only need to open your PC and snap it into place. Our guide to upgrading the RAM in your Mac will show you a lot more; the steps are relevant even if you have a different kind of computer

If you are using your personal laptop in your home office, you may be concerned about keeping it in top condition. When it overheats, this spells disaster for your motherboard or even your hard drive. Nobody wants to deal with a computer in meltdown, so keeping your laptop cool is essential. Here are some of the best laptop cooling mats to keep your computer frosty. 1. Targus Portable Lightweight Chill Mat Targus Portable Lightweight Chill Mat Lap with Dual Fans Ventilation Prevents Overheating, LED USB Port, Cooling Pad for Laptop, Black/Gray (AWE55US) Black with GrayBUY NOW ON AMAZON Targus has long been manufacturing tech peripherals that won't tear a hole in your wallet. Their Portable Lightweight Chill Mat is one such device. The comapny's design means it is ideal for placing on your lap. Pretty much where you'd expect your laptop to sit. You can still use it on your desk, though, if you like. The dimensions of the Targus are 15 x 1.00 x 11.75 inches, so it doesn't have the smallest of footprints. However, as you are using it on your knee, that won't matter too much. Neoprene covers the plastic frame, keeping the unit's weight at a minimum. The bottom of the Targus mat has four rubber feet to keep the mat in place on a hard, smooth surface. The top has four rubber bumpers to hold your laptop in position. One advantage of this cooling mat is its angled construction. This relieves the stress on your wrists as you type, making it more comfortable to use. A USB powers the cooling mat's two large fans, which plugs into the computer itself. You can also use a USB hub if your ports are a bit on the scarce side. 2. Cooler Master NotePal XL Laptop Cooling Pad Cooler Master NotePal XL Laptop Cooling Pad 'Silent 230mm Blue LED Fan, USB Hub, Supports Up to 17” laptops' R9-NBC-NXLK-GPBUY NOW ON AMAZON Cooler Master's NotePal XL Laptop Cooling Pad is quite the futuristic-looking accessory. That said, it'll also keep your laptop cool too. The frame is made from durable plastic to ensure the mat stays lightweight. This is due to the metal mesh surface upon which you place the laptop itself. The metal mesh provides maximum airflow to the underside of your laptop. This is the area most prone to overheating. A single large fan takes care of the cooling. With a diameter of 230mm, the fan should provide cooling to almost all of your laptop's base. Great news, because that means it will work with a wide range of different laptops. Overall, the Cooler Master measures in at 78 x 117 x 140 mm, so it won't take up too much prime real estate on your desk. Like the Targus, this pad is angled for your comfort. You can increase the angle using the adjustable legs hidden in the base. A blue X-shaped LED light adds a nice visual touch to the Cooler Master option. However, one of the main highlights is the ability to use the cooling mat as a USB hub. A control panel to the rear boasts three USB 2.0 for output, a mini-USB for power in, and a micro-USB for external power. You can even adjust the fan speed if you wish. Cooler Master claims that the fan is silent, so it shouldn't interrupt your work, either. 3. TopMate C5 Gaming Laptop Cooler TopMate C5 10-15.6 inch Gaming Laptop Cooler Cooling Pad, 5 Quiet Fans and LCD Screen, 5 Heights Adjustment, 2 USB Port and Blue LED LightBUY NOW ON AMAZON Gaming laptops are arguably more prone to overheating than a general, everyday work laptop. This may be because the laptop is being pushed harder, performance-wise. If you use your laptop for gaming as well as working from home, then you need a dedicated cooling mat. The TopMate C5 Gaming Laptop Cooler is just the ticket. Designed specifically with gaming laptops in mind, it will ensure your valuable computer doesn't suffer an untimely death. Like the Cooler Master mat, the TopMate C5 features snazzy blue LEDs to light up the cooling mat. This gives it a futuristic, arcade-like feel---perfect for you to incorporate it into your gaming rig. There are no less than five fans to cool your computer, providing excellent coverage to the underside of your laptop. There are four outer fans and one larger central fan for added cooling to your computer's core. You can control the fans using the small LCD screen at the front of the TopMate C5. This gives you six different fan speeds and three fan operation modes. You can customize the TopMate laptop cooler further, too. Its height is adjustable in five increments, giving you plenty of angling options. A hinged flap at the bottom pops up to provide a shelf for your laptop to rest against. This stops it from taking a nose-dive towards the floor, giving you peace of mind. 4. Thermaltake Massive 20 RGB Laptop Cooling Pad Thermaltake Massive 20 RGB Steel Mesh Panel Single 200mm Fan 10"‐19" Laptop Notebook Cooling Pad CL‐N014‐PL20SW‐ABUY NOW ON AMAZON Style and substance come in spades with Thermaltake's Massive 20 RGB Laptop Cooling Pad. If you want your laptop mat to make an impression, then this is the one for you. Like the TopMate, the Thermaltake Massive 20 is intended for gaming and other workload-intensive laptops. The edges of the frame feature full 256-color LED lights, so it will look awesome sitting on your desk. Avoid laptop burnout while you jazz up your office space! With a footprint measuring 18.5 x 14 x 1.5 inches, it isn't the smallest on the market. However, if you're planning on popping your prized hi-spec laptop on it, you want to make sure it can take the added weight and heat. A large metal mesh offers plenty of room for a 19-inch gaming laptop, with the airflow optimized by the supporting platter. A 200mm silent fan ensures cool air is constantly blowing against your laptop's base. The rear of the Thermaltake laptop cooling pad features a small control panel. With this, you can control the light, color, and fan speed. Further customization comes in the form of the angle adjustment. Three adjustable height settings can angle the Thermaltake cooling pad at 3 degrees, 9 degrees, and 13 degrees. Not only does this make it more ergonomic, but it can also increase airflow to the base of your laptop. 5. Belkin CoolSpot Laptop Cooling Pad Belkin CoolSpot Laptop Cooling Pad (White)BUY NOW ON AMAZON Belkin's CoolSpot Laptop Cooling Pad is designed with less intensive use in mind. If your laptop is a bit on the older side, it might struggle to perform under the increased load of working from home. As it is your line of communication with colleagues and clients, you don't want it to suddenly self-combust. You need a cooling pad, but not an all-singing-all-dancing one. The CoolSpot boasts a nice, flowing design. This ensures the device is ergonomic and comfortable to use. It is only 11.7 x 1.8 x 11.4 inches, so it is small and lightweight. This makes it perfect for an intermediate user. It also boasts Belkin's unique vortex fan design. This single fan combines with the CoolSpot's Airflow Wave design to ensure maximum cooling efficiency. Your laptop only sits on rubber pads at the top and bottom of the CoolSpot, ensuring peak airflow below your computer. The slim design means that you can slip it into your laptop bag, making this cooling pad effortlessly portable. USB power and quiet operation ensure you can use it in the university library or your favorite coffee shop. The Best Laptop Cooling Pad for You The range of laptop cooling pads above should give you enough options to make the right choice when you buy. If you are working from home, then you may feel that you need to deck out the rest of your office.

Factory resets are the nuclear solution for many Windows issues. If your computer is far slower than it once was, you have a malware infection that won't go away or plan to sell your machine, a factory reset is the most convenient solution. Depending on your setup and installed version of Windows, you have a few different ways to factory reset a Windows laptop or desktop. We'll show you how to reset a Windows 10, 8, or 7 computer as easily as possible. Before a Factory Reset, Make Sure You Back Up! Before we look at how to reset Windows, you should ensure you have a recent backup of your files. Performing a factory reset will wipe out all your installed programs and files, so you don't want to leave anything behind. Check out our ultimate Windows 10 backup guide for all the available methods. 1. How to Factory Reset Windows 10 Using the Built-In Method Factory resetting Windows was once an inconvenient process, but Microsoft introduced a much easier way to do so in Windows 8. It's also included in Windows 10 and is the best way to factory reset a computer for most people. To access it, head to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery. You'll see a Reset this PC header; click the Get started button underneath this. Keep Your Files or Remove Everything? You'll have two options to choose from when you reset Windows 10 this way: Keep my files or Remove everything. The first option sets your options back to default and removes all your installed apps (like browsers, Microsoft Office, and games), but keeps your data. True to its name, Remove everything is a factory reset: it brings all options back to factory defaults and removes your files and apps. Though the Keep my files option will retain your data, you should still back up before using it in case something goes wrong. Options When Resetting If you picked Remove everything, Windows will display some Additional settings for you to review. By default, the process will remove your files, but doesn't securely erase them. It also only clears data from the drive where you have Windows installed. Select Change settings to adjust these options. If you enable Data erasure, Windows will obliterate everything on the drive to reduce the chances of data recovery. Though this process takes some time, you should use it if you're getting rid of your computer. It's not necessary otherwise. Finally, enable Data drives to erase everything on all drives you have connected to your computer. This includes external hard drives and recovery drives. Because you probably have backups and files on those drives, you shouldn't use this unless you want to permanently erase everything associated with your computer. Otherwise, if you picked Keep my files, you'll see a summary of what Windows is about to do. Click the List of apps to be removed link to see what apps it will uninstall. Starting with the Windows 10 20H1 update, Microsoft will offer a Cloud download option at this point. This lets you reset Windows 10 by downloading a fresh copy from the internet, which could come in handy if your current installation is corrupted or you have a fast network connection. Finally, confirm the operation by clicking Reset and wait for the process to complete. If you're factory resetting a laptop, make sure you plug it in to avoid losing power during the operation. You'll need to walk through the setup procedure once it's done---make sure you take the right steps after installing Windows 10 too. 2. Factory Reset Windows 10 Using the "Fresh Start" Option In a past update to Windows 10, Microsoft added a new way to factory reset your computer. It's similar to the above, but has a few small differences that make it worth a look. On the Settings > Update & Security > Recovery page, click the link text Learn how to start fresh with a clean installation of Windows at the bottom. This will open a Windows Security window to the Fresh start option. Click Get started to proceed. Compared to the above reset option, Fresh Start has the following differences: Fresh Start always keeps your personal files, with no option to remove them like above. Fresh Start downloads the latest version of Windows 10, while the standard reset option uses the recovery information on your hard drive. This is provided by your PC manufacturer, or in the protected C:\Recovery folder if you installed Windows on your own. Because of this, Fresh Start avoids clutter by removing all non-standard Windows apps, including manufacturer bloatware. The only exception are Microsoft Store apps that were installed by the manufacturer, which stay. Finally, Fresh Start keeps "some Windows settings" but doesn't specify which. The above reset does not keep any of your settings. To summarize, Fresh Start downloads a fresh copy of the most recent Windows 10 version, keeps your files and some settings, and doesn't leave any bloatware aside from Store apps. In comparison, the standard reset option lets you choose whether to keep your files, doesn't save any settings, and will reinstall Windows and apps based on your recovery partition. Keep in mind that after doing this, you may need to enter license keys again for premium apps and will likely need to update system drivers. 3. Reinstall Using Windows Installation Media If you're not using Windows 8 or 10, want to know how to factory reset Windows 10 without the Settings menu, or don't want to use the methods above for some reason, you can always factory reset Windows using installation media. This allows you to install a fresh copy of Windows on your computer and wipe out everything currently on it. For Windows 10, check how to install Windows 10 using Microsoft's Media Creation Tool, which is free and easy. If you want to reinstall Windows 7 or 8 from scratch, you can use Microsoft's Windows 7 download tool or Microsoft's Windows 8.1 download tool. These let you download an ISO to burn onto a flash drive or DVD so you can reinstall Windows. You'll need to provide a valid Windows 7 product key to do so, but that's not necessary for downloading Windows 8.1. Either way, simply insert the USB drive or disc containing your install media, then boot from the removable device. You'll be greeted with the Windows setup screen, which you can proceed through to install a clean copy. Remember that doing this will remove everything currently on the drive where you install Windows. 4. Factory Reset Windows 10 From Boot Using Advanced Methods While the three methods listed above will work for the most users, there are a few advanced ways to reset Windows if you're interested. To run a Windows 10 factory reset from boot (in case you can't get into Windows normally, for example), you can start a factory reset from the Advanced Startup menu. To launch this if Windows is working properly, visit Settings > Update & Security > Recovery. Under the Advanced startup section, click Restart now to reboot into Advanced Startup. Alternatively, hold down the Shift key as you click the Restart button on the power menu. In case you can't do either of these, try pressing F11 as you boot, which will open Advanced Startup on some systems. Failing this, Windows will launch Advanced Startup on its own after three failed boots. Once it's open, choose Troubleshoot, then select Reset This PC to begin the same factory reset procedure as #1 above. You can pick Advanced options for more choices, but none of them let you factory reset Windows 10 unless you have a saved system image. Otherwise, you may be able to boot into the BIOS and directly access the recovery partition on your hard drive, if your PC manufacturer included one. However, if you factory reset with this method, you'll reinstall all the manufacturer bloatware. While it's not ideal, it can work if you have no other options. You can also type "create a recovery drive" into the Start menu to access a tool that lets you make your own. However, this requires a fair bit of space, and you'll have to do it before you have a problem. If you didn't already make one, you're best off making a new Windows 10 install disk as described in #3. Overall, if you're using Windows 8 or 10, one of the built-in reset options is your best bet. Windows 7 users should download an image from Microsoft and perform a clean installation that way. Now You Know How to Factory Reset Your Computer You have several options for factory resetting a Windows computer. Whether you need to full reset your laptop before you sell it or just want to refresh your PC for a performance boost, one of these methods will have you on your way as fast as possible.

The Financial Supervisory Authority of Norway (Finanstilsynet) has cautioned investors about investing in cryptocurrencies as the price of bitcoin plunged Tuesday. “There is a strong need for a legal framework and investor protection if cryptocurrency is to be able to become a suitable form of investment for consumers,” the regulator’s consumer coordinator wrote. Norway’s Financial Regulator Warns of Crypto Risks Norway’s financial regulator, Finanstilsynet, posted a notice on its website Tuesday warning about the risks of investing in bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. It is written by the regulator’s consumer coordinator, Jo Gjedrem, a lawyer from the Norwegian Consumer Authority, the Finanstilsynet described. The warning was posted as the price of bitcoin dipped below the $30K level Tuesday. Gjedrem began by noting that Norwegian consumers increasingly sought new investments during the coronavirus pandemic and “Cryptocurrency has received the attention that very few other investment options have.” He detailed, “The technology is new and exciting, high-profile investors and celebrities have bought in, and influencers are marketing them on social media.” However, the Finanstilsynet’s consumer coordinator cautioned: Most cryptocurrencies are subject to extreme price fluctuations. The risk of loss is high … The market has also attracted significant criminal activity. Scammers use spam, computer viruses, fake drawings and a variety of other techniques to deceive consumers. He explained that cryptocurrency is largely unregulated in Norway, and there is no statutory consumer protection for cryptocurrency buyers, unlike with traditional investments. Furthermore, Gjedrem emphasized that cryptocurrency trading platforms in Norway are only obligated to comply with anti-money laundering (AML) provisions and the Finanstilsynet does not supervise them beyond that. Gjedrem noted: There is a strong need for a legal framework and investor protection if cryptocurrency is to be able to become a suitable form of investment for consumers. The lawyer pointed out that the European Commission presented a proposal in September 2020 to regulate the cryptocurrency market. The proposed rules, which are expected to be in place in four years, cover various areas, including market abuse, issuer authorization, and investor protection. “Until such regulations are in place, anyone considering trading in cryptocurrency should think carefully and understand the significant risk that such investments entail,” the Finanstilsynet post concludes. “Consumers who want to try this with open eyes should not invest more than they can afford to lose.”

Canaan Inc., the crypto mining rig manufacturer based in Beijing, has announced the company plans to mine cryptocurrencies in Kazakhstan. The company says that the firm’s next-generation Avalonminer mining rigs are already deployed in the world’s largest landlocked country. Canaan Joins the Bitcoin Mining Fray The publicly-listed company Canaan (Nasdaq: CAN) has revealed the firm is entering the fray of bitcoin mining with its own self-operated mining business. Canaan is one of the oldest bitcoin mining hardware manufacturers in the world as it was founded by Nangeng Zhang in 2013. In the company’s earliest years it created FPGA miners dedicated to Bitcoin’s SHA256 consensus algorithm. Fast forward to today and the company is one of the top application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) makers, up there with Bitmain, Microbt, and Ebang. A recent wired.co.uk report highlights statements from Didar Bekbauov, founder of the Kazakhstan-based Xive, when he said last April that Chinese mining companies have been regularly seeking out plots in the country to set up shop. On Wednesday, the Beijing-based company revealed it will be leveraging its Avalonminers to mine bitcoin in Kazakhstan. The move follows the firm opening up an ASIC mining rig service center in the transcontinental country. The announcement on Wednesday explains that the move to start mining bitcoin after expanding the company’s manufacturing process is “the next logical step.” The entry into the field of mining will “optimize its revenues, as well as strengthen its inventory management and supply chain capabilities,” the company states. “We believe that our self-operated bitcoin mining business will help us improve our financial performance as well as expand our business scope and customer base,” Canaan’s founder Zhang stated during the announcement. “As we integrate more industry resources into our operations, we believe this business segment will enable us to revitalize our mining machine inventory, shield us from bitcoin volatility, and ensure our inventory sufficiency during market upturns.” A few of Canaan’s manufacturing competitors have been in the mining space for years, specifically Bitmain. The China-based mining rig company Bitmain has been operating a pool called Antpool since 2013. Today, Bitmain’s Antpool is one of the largest pools dedicating hashrate to the BTC chain. Canaan says it will also benefit from taking full advantage of the availability of its “in-stock mining machines to be actively deployed in its mining operations at low electricity rates, thus maximising its computing power at that time.” “On the flip side,” Canaan concluded, “when market activity is elevated, the mining business will also benefit from putting the processing capacity of older machines in use. The net result will be a considerable improvement in inventory planning and supply chain optimization throughout the year and unaffected by the price of bitcoin.” Canaan added:

E-Livestock Global, a venture-funded social enterprise, recently launched a blockchain-based livestock traceability system for Zimbabwean cattle farmers. The Mastercard “Provenance solution”-powered system, claiming to be the first of its kind in Africa, aims to bring “end-to-end visibility to the cattle supply chain.” It could also help Zimbabwean farmers prove the origin and health records of their cattle while reducing risks to buyers. Solution Brings Hope to Zimbabwe Cattle Farmers According to a statement released by Mastercard, this solution could not only bring hope to farmers who lost a total of 50,000 cattle to tick-borne disease in 2018, but may also improve Zimbabwe’s chances of regaining “its lucrative beef export market to support economic recovery.” In his remarks following the launch, Max Makuvise, Founder and President of E-Livestock Global, lauded the solution saying this “will open up new opportunities for farmers.” He said: Mastercard’s Provenance solution can safely and securely track the authenticity of the cattle’s journey at every stage, from birth to sale. Tracking the medical history of cattle on a tamper-proof blockchain ledger will foster renewed trust in Zimbabwean cattle farming and re-establish Zimbabwe’s credibility as an international beef exporter. As part of E-Livestock’s blockchain-based cattle tracking system, commercial farmers and dipping officers (dipping is a process done for tick prevention) tag each head of cattle with a unique, ultra-high frequency RFID tag — as mandated by the Zimbabwean Ministry of Agriculture — and register the livestock and its owner to the blockchain. From then on, each time the animal gets dipped, vaccinated or receives medical treatment, the tag records the event onto the traceability system. Enhancing Transparency With Mastercard’s Blockchain Solution For his part, Mark Elliott, the Division President of Mastercard in Southern Africa, touts how the blockchain-enabled “seamless supply chain transparency can help convey authenticity, expand inclusion, share sustainability practices and improve back-office efficiencies.” According to the company statement, Mastercard is aiming to bring more transparency and traceability to food systems. It says the payments giant has already integrated its blockchain system with other companies that enable food supply chains around the world. The integrations are further “enhancing the supply chains for Australian avocados and Californian shrimp and commodities like coffee and grains in the Americas” the statement added. As Mastercard is a large, centralized company, the embattled Zimbabwean cattle farmers will likely be watching closely in the coming months to see if they make good on their blockchain promises for the unique market needs of the country.

Bitcoin ATM provider Chainbytes is setting up a bitcoin ATM manufacturing hub in El Salvador. The move follows the country passing a bill making bitcoin legal tender. The company plans to make El Salvador “the manufacturing hub of bitcoin ATMs for all of the Americas.” Bitcoin ATMs Coming to El Salvador U.S.-headquartered Chainbytes LLC, a bitcoin ATM provider, announced Tuesday that it is launching operations in El Salvador, the country which recently passed a bill making bitcoin legal tender. Chainbytes revealed that it plans “to make El Salvador the manufacturing hub of bitcoin ATMs for all of the Americas.” The hub will service the company’s “operations in the LATAM, US, and Canadian regions with the global supply chain distribution.” The company has been servicing bitcoin ATM operators and enterprises looking to get into the bitcoin ATM business since 2012. Eric Grill, the CEO of Chainbytes, tweeted on June 21, “Excited to bring Chainbytes bitcoin ATMs” to El Salvador. On June 17, Chainbytes tweeted: “Our bitcoin ATMs ready to ship out to El Salvador.” Grill recently praised El Salvador for “showing leadership to the world in implementing bitcoin as a legal currency.” The CEO opined, “We believe in doing so the country is positioning itself to be more of a technology hub,” adding that his company “wants to be a part of helping that succeed.” Grill continued: Our initiative will provide the training and skilled jobs needed for all Salvadorans, which will, in turn, contribute to the economy and the nation. Tuesday’s announcement states that “Chainbytes will provide services to Salvadorans looking to operate bitcoin ATMs in the country and collaborate with their government, legal entities, and partnerships to ensure the manufacturing hub succeeds and brings prosperity to the country.” Tracy Jefferson, the company’s COO, explained that El Salvador “has free trade zones and service parks that will encourage more businesses to operate here.” Moreover, she noted that “with the sea and air hubs in place, it makes sense for us to produce machines here for not only Salvadorans but to export throughout North and South America.”

Australia’s Lloyds Auctions now accepts major cryptocurrencies for any of the items offered on its marketplace. Within hours of the announcement, the auction house managed to sell an expensive caravan (camper/trailer) to a bidder who was happy to pay the full price with digital coins. Australian Auction House Lloyds Auctions Accepts Crypto From Bidders Against a backdrop of volatile crypto markets in the past days and weeks, investors have been on the lookout for ways to cash out profits or transfer some of their wealth elsewhere. Lloyds Auctions, a leading auction house in Australia, has spotted an opportunity to attract some of these funds, offering bidders the chance to pay with cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin (BTC) and ethereum (ETH). Mere hours after opening the alternative payment option, Lloyds Auctions was able to sell a $75,000 custom-built caravan for crypto. “As a long-time patron of Lloyds I had no hesitation and couldn’t believe how simple it was for me to pay with cryptocurrency,” the eager buyer was quoted by Zdnet as saying. “The seller would have received it as cash and never known the difference!” Crypto Holders Want to Buy Oldtimers and Bulldozers Since the caravan sale, the auction house has been registering a growing interest from other crypto holders, especially towards its classic cars and earthmoving machinery auctions. Inquiries have been pouring in, said Lloyds Auctions Chief Operations Officer, Lee Hames, who also commented: We have seen people using this as a way of divesting out of cryptocurrency and back into real life assets. As prices drop people are taking some profits off the table and transferring it to something like a classic car or bulldozer and putting it to work. Lloyds Auctions has also decided that blockchain is the best way to prove ownership of a set of negatives capturing moments in Australia’s history. Earlier in June, the auction house announced it was minting a non-fungible token (NFT) for a collection of original glass plate negatives from over 140 years of operation of the Rose Stereograph Company. The highest bidder at the auction will also receive the NFT.

Need to learn how to free up RAM after seeing messages that your Windows PC is low on memory? Don't fear---we're here to help. Let's take a look at some practical steps to clear RAM and keep your computer running smoothly. What Is RAM? Before we dive into tips on how to clear RAM, we'll briefly describe what RAM does in case you're not familiar. RAM stands for Random Access Memory. It's a short term storage medium that holds programs and processes currently running on your computer. The more RAM that's in your machine, the more programs you can run at once without negatively affecting performance. When your computer runs low on RAM, it uses a part of the storage drive called the page file that acts as pretend RAM. This is much slower than actual RAM, which is why you notice slowdowns when Windows uses it. Because RAM is volatile, you'll lose its contents when your computer shuts off. Anything you want to keep must save to permanent storage, like a hard drive or solid-state drive. Check out our quick guide to RAM for more background info. How to Free Up Memory on Your PC: 8 Methods Let's look at the ways to reduce the amount of RAM you're using. You shouldn't need to do this most of the time, but they come in handy when you notice a problem. 1. Restart Your PC This is a tip you're probably familiar with, but it's popular for a reason. Restarting your PC will also completely clear the RAM and restart all running processes. While this obviously won't increase the maximum RAM available, it will clean up processes running in the background that could be eating up your memory. You should restart your computer regularly to keep it from getting bogged down, especially if you use it all the time. 2. Check RAM Usage With Windows Tools You don't have to guess what's using your RAM; Windows provides tools to show you. To get started, open the Task Manager by searching for it in the Start menu, or use the Ctrl + Shift + Esc shortcut. Click More details to expand to the full utility if needed. Then on the Processes tab, click the Memory header to sort from most to least RAM usage. Keep the apps you see here in mind, as we'll discuss more on them later. For more information, switch to the Performance tab. In the Memory section, you'll see a chart of your RAM usage over time. Click Open Resource Monitor at the bottom and you can get further details on its Memory tab. The chart at the bottom will show you how much RAM you have free. Sort by Commit (KB) on the top list to see which programs use the most RAM. If you suspect you have a deep problem based on what you see here, see the complete guide to troubleshooting memory leaks. 3. Uninstall or Disable Software Now that you've seen what apps use the most RAM on your system, think about whether you really use them. An easy way to free up RAM is to keep programs you never use anyway from consuming it! Apps you haven't opened in months are just wasting resources on your computer, so you should remove them. Do so by navigating to Settings > Apps and clicking Uninstall on any app you want to remove. If you don't want to uninstall an app because you use it sometimes, you can instead prevent it from running at startup. Many apps set themselves to automatically run every time you log in, which is overkill if you rarely use them. 4. Use Lighter Apps and Manage Programs What if you really need to cut down on RAM usage, but the apps hogging RAM are necessary to your workflow? You can handle this in two ways. First, try using lighter app alternatives when you can. If your computer struggles when you have Photoshop open, try using a smaller app like Paint.NET or GIMP for minor edits. Only use Photoshop when you're fully dedicated to working on a project. Second, pay closer attention to the programs you have open. Close any software that you're not actively working with. Bookmark open browser tabs that you want to read later, then close them to free up RAM. Keeping a tighter leash on what's open will help free up RAM. Google Chrome is in its own category here, as it's notorious for gobbling RAM. See how to control Chrome's memory usage for tips. 5. Scan for Malware It's worth checking for malware on your PC. Rogue software stealing resources will obviously suck up your available RAM. We recommend running a scan with Malwarebytes. Hopefully, it won't find anything, but at least you can rule out the possibility. 6. Adjust Virtual Memory Earlier, we mentioned the paging file. If you see error messages that your system is low on virtual memory, you can increase this and hopefully keep performance stable. To do so, search for the Control Panel on the Start menu to open it. Switch the Category view in the top-right to Small icons (if needed) and choose System. On the left side, click Advanced system settings, which will open a new window. Here, on the Advanced tab, click the Settings button under Performance. Switch to the Advanced tab once again and click the Change button in the Virtual memory section. Now you'll see the paging file size for your main drive. In most cases, you can leave the Automatically manage box checked and let Windows take care of it. However, if you're running low on virtual memory, you may need to uncheck this and set the Initial size and Maximum size to higher values. 7. Try ReadyBoost If your computer still has an older mechanical hard disk drive (HDD) inside, you can try a lesser-known Windows feature called ReadyBoost to increase RAM. This allows you to plug in a flash drive or SD card that Windows effectively treats as extra RAM. While it sounds great, this feature offers limited use today. If your computer has an SSD, ReadyBoost won't do anything. This is because an SSD is faster than a flash drive. Plus, since computers have more RAM installed by default now, you won't see as much gain from ReadyBoost as you would on an anemic system from many years ago. The "pretend RAM" from ReadyBoost doesn't offer the same performance gains as actually adding more RAM. 8. Install More RAM If you're always running low on RAM or want to run more programs at once, there's really no way around it: you need to add some more RAM to your machine. While it's not cheap, adding RAM will grant much-improved performance if your computer hasn't had much until now. If you're wondering how to get more RAM, know that it's only possible to increase your RAM by adding physical sticks into your machine. Claims online about "downloading more RAM" are jokes; it's impossible to add memory this way. On a desktop, increasing your RAM is a pretty simple upgrade. But due to the confined space on a laptop, it may be difficult or even impossible on portable machines. You'll also need to make sure you buy RAM that's compatible with your system. Take a look at your PC manufacturer's documentation to learn what kind of RAM works with your system and whether the upgrade is easy. Online forums will also help with this. For more info, we've compared whether faster RAM or the overall amount of RAM is more important. What About RAM Cleaners? You've likely seen RAM cleaning utilities that promise to help you boost your RAM in various ways. While these sound great, we recommend avoiding them. Have a look at our coverage of CleanMem, one such app, for the reasons why. In summary, RAM boosters are placebos at best, as they "free up" RAM by taking it from programs that probably need it. Memory management is a complex computing issue. The developers of Windows, who are experts in their field, have a much better grasp on how to do this than some random developer who publishes a RAM cleaner. RAM Is Just One Important Upgrade We've taken a look at several ways to free up RAM on Windows 10. Ultimately, adding more physical RAM to your machine is the best solution for RAM-related issues. Walking through the above steps will help you decide if this is necessary, though.

Most Windows users only pull up the Task Manager when a program is frozen and they need to kill it. While it's perfectly fine to use the Task Manager this way, you're also overlooking some handy features if you never look deeper. The Task Manager has seen some serious improvements since the days of Windows 7. Let's look at the best Task Manager tricks for Windows 10 that you should know. 1. How to Bring Up the Task Manager Quickly Even if you know how to get to the Task Manager, you might not be aware of the different methods for doing so. While you can press Ctrl + Alt + Del to open the security screen and launch the Task Manager that way, this is a slow method. Here's how to pull up the Task Manager quickly: use the Ctrl + Shift + Esc shortcut. This will instantly launch the app with no additional clicks needed. This is also how you bring the Task Manager to the front when it's minimized. If you want to use the mouse instead, you can right-click on an empty spot of your Taskbar and choose Task Manager. Finally, you'll find a shortcut to the Task Manager on the Power User menu. Right-click on the Start button or hit Win + X to open this. It's a handy Windows Task Manager shortcut because it works well whether your hands are on the mouse or keyboard. Once you've opened the Task Manager, be sure to click More details to show the full interface, if it's not already active. 2. Find Out Why Apps Are Frozen As mentioned before, the most common reason to open the Task Manager is to kill a frozen program (though you can force-close apps without the Task Manager). But the next time you're in that situation, you can do more analysis first. It's possible that the program isn't frozen, but just taking a while to process a task. Prematurely killing an active application could result in lost data, so it makes sense to wait and see if a frozen process resolves itself. This is where the Analyze Wait Chain feature in the Task Manager comes in handy. It can tell you when a process is stuck waiting on another process, which can help you identify why an app isn't responding. To see which process is the real culprit, switch to the Details tab and find the process you want to look into. Right-click on it and choose Analyze wait chain to see the details. If that app is waiting on any other processes, you'll see them in the resulting window. 3. Restart Windows Explorer The Windows Explorer process is responsible for many of the UI elements of Windows, such as the Taskbar, File Explorer, Start menu, and similar. If you have an issue with these elements, your first thought may be to restart your PC. While this will solve the issue, it's more convenient to restart Windows Explorer instead. To do this, find Windows Explorer on the Processes tab of the Task Manager. Right-click it and choose Restart to kill the task and run it again. You'll see your Taskbar and other elements disappear for a moment, which is normal. After they come back, everything should be back to normal. 4. Monitor Performance and Resources While the Task Manager provides an overview of all running processes and apps, it also has several tools for effectively monitoring the performance of your system and resource allocation. Jump to the Performance tab to see these. Once you're there, have a look at the following tips. Viewing Graphs Along the left sidebar, you'll see fields for CPU, Memory, Disk, and other resources in your computer. Click one to view a real-time graph of its usage. If you want to keep an eye on this information without keeping the full Task Manager open, right-click anywhere in the left sidebar and choose Summary View to display only that sidebar. You can instead right-click anywhere in the right panel and select Graph Summary View to display just the current graph. Copy Diagnostic Info With any resource type selected on the left, right-click anywhere and select Copy to place a diagnostic snapshot on your clipboard. You can then paste this into Notepad to save as a baseline or share it on a forum online to get troubleshooting help. Access Useful Details Each resource type has some interesting details that might come in handy. Under CPU, you'll find Up time, which shows how long it's been since the computer restarted. In Memory, you can check the number of Slots used to figure out if you have room to add more. The Read speed and Write speed under Disk give you an idea of how fast your storage media performs, too. Open Resource Monitor If you want even more details that the Task Manager doesn't show you, click Open Resource Monitor at the bottom of the window. This utility is an advanced way to view real-time data about your system, including threads used, disk response times, exact breakdowns of RAM used by processes, and more. 5. Search Online for Suspicious Processes Sometimes, you might find suspicious-looking process names in Task Manager. Most of the time they're legitimate, but it's always wise to double-check on ones you've never seen or heard of before. Windows can help with this: just right-click on any process and select the Search online action. This will launch a Bing search in your browser with the process and app names. The results should help you determine whether it's safe or not. For more help, see our list of important processes you should never kill. 6. Add Extra Columns for More Details By default, the Task Manager only shows a few columns in the Processes tab. While these cover the most important details, you can actually add several more columns just by right-clicking the header area. These include: Type, which tells you if the process is an App, Background process, or Windows process. Publisher, which shows the developer of the program. Process name, which is often the executable file. These will look familiar if you've used the Task Manager in Windows 7 or earlier. While you may find some or all of them useful at times, Process Name is particularly handy. It's easier to spot suspicious applications by their process name than their application name, and they're often easier to research too. Note that you can also add extra columns on the Startup tab. Use these for troubleshooting purposes (like CPU at Startup to measure impact) or just to see which startup processes are still running (with the Running Now column). 7. Toggle Between Values and Percentages When browsing the Processes list, the CPU column only shows in percentages. However, you can change the other three default columns between absolute values and percentages. Percentages are better when you need a sense of how resource usage compares to the total amount available. It's nice to know an app is using 50MB of RAM, but seeing this is only two percent of all the RAM in your system puts it into perspective. To toggle these, just right-click on any process, navigate to the Resource values submenu, pick the resource type you want to change, and select either Values or Percents. 8. Manage App Windows Task Manager is far from the best window management tool available, but it does have a few actions that you might find useful. To access them, you must click the arrow next to an item you want to manage in order to show all its processes. This only works for items listed under the Apps section of the Processes tab, and it didn't work for all apps in our testing. Once you've expanded an item to show all processes, right-click the indented entry and you'll see these window actions for that app: Switch to: Brings the app into focus and minimizes the Task Manager. Bring to front: Puts the app in focus, but doesn't minimize the Task Manager. Minimize: Minimizes the program. Maximize: Maximizes the application. End Task: Kills the process. 9. Open App File Locations Do you often find yourself needing to navigate to the installed location of a certain program? Maybe you want to tweak some configuration files, or need to copy its file path for some reason. Crawling through File Explorer is one way to do that, but it requires a lot of clicking. If the program is already running, Task Manager can help you get there a lot faster. Just right-click on any process and select Open File Location. This will take you directly to the folder that contains the process's executable file. It's quite convenient, especially since software can live all across your file system. This works for Apps, Background Processes, and Windows Processes, allowing you to quickly access pretty much anything that shows up under the Processes tab. 10. Adjust Task Manager Options The Task Manager has a few preferences you can adjust to make the experience smoother. Under Options, you can enable Always on top to keep the Task Manager above other windows unless you manually minimize it. Also on this menu, select Set default tab to choose what the Task Manager should show when you open it. Look under the View menu to make the Update speed faster or slower. You can even pause it if you need to examine a snapshot in time. The Task Manager Is a Valuable Resource For the average user, the Task Manager is more than enough to provide you with the system information you need to keep everything in check. Whether you want to keep an eye on resource usage or easily track down process locations, the Task Manager has you covered.

Got 100% disk usage in Windows 10? So your computer is hanging and freezing. Same old Windows, right? Except you're using a brand-new Windows 10 device; you've only had it a few days. So just what is going on? Investigating, you discover that your system drive is running at 100%. Surely this can't be, right? Sadly, it is. The latest versions of Windows have a problem with the drives being overworked, which slows down the operating system. This issue affects both hard disk drives (HDDs) and solid-state drives (SSDs). Several fixes are available for this. But first, you need to trace the problem. 100% Disk Usage in Windows 10: Fixed! When the error was first discovered, only a few culprits were found. But as time passes, despite the 100% disk usage error being reported to Microsoft, more causes of this bug are discovered, not fewer. Click the link above for each possible cause of the bug to see how to fix it. Once you've established that there is a problem, you have several options available. Check the following steps one at a time, checking the disk usage in the Task Manager after each. Note that even if you find a solution, a Windows Update could reset the changes you've made. Bookmarking this page will help you find it in the future and run through the fixes again. 1. Slow Performance? Run Disk Check This performance issue is most obvious when attempting to use Windows Search to find a file or program, and anything else that requires the drive to do some work (perhaps copying and pasting a group of files). To establish whether it is a problem that is affecting you, when your computer next slows down press Ctrl+Alt+Del and select Task Manager. (Alternatively, right-click the Taskbar and select Task Manager.) Note that this may take some time to open with the drive being under strain. On the first tab, Processes, look for the Disk column. If you're having problems with drive performance, this should be at 100%, and shaded red to indicate whether you have a problem or not. Problematic sectors on your HDD can cause the 100% disk usage issue in Windows 10. However, using Windows' built-in disk check can fix this. Open Windows Explorer and select This PC, then identify your hard drive. Right-click on and select Properties. Here, find the Tools tab, and under Error checking click on Check. In the resulting window, click Scan drive. Wait while the system scans the drive; a reboot may be required for a full disk repair. This should deal with the error. 2. Update Your Anti-Virus if Windows 10 Disk Is Running at 100% As with any such performance issue, the first thing to do is confirm that your computer hasn't been infected with malware. Your security software should be able to deal with this, whether it's a free app or a paid suite. At the very least, tools such as Malwarebytes Anti-Malware should be able to scan your system drive and detect any problems, although with a heavy load on your drive already this may take a while. If threats are found, use the software's recommendations to discard them and reboot. Next, check your drive's performance further. Hopefully, you've resolved the issue; if not, then malware wasn't to blame, so read on. 3. Disable Windows Search for Improved Disk Performance The next thing to check is whether the 100% disk usage error has anything to do with Windows Search. A bug in Windows 10 results in a "search loop" that causes an increased load on the system drive. To stop this and prevent it from happening during your current session (until Windows is rebooted) open Windows PowerShell (Admin). You'll find this by right clicking the Windows 10 Start menu. Enter: net.exe stop "Windows search" To permanently disable Windows Search or Indexing, press WIN+R, enter services.msc, and hit Enter. In the Services window that opens find the Windows Search entry and double-click it to open the Windows Search Properties window. Under Startup type, select Disabled. Here you can click Stop to abort the service. Click OK to save your changes. A few moments after disabling Windows Search, your Windows 10 performance should improve considerably. If not, move on… 4. Disable SysMain to Fix 100% Disk Usage in Windows 10 Another Windows 10 feature identified as a potential cause of the 100% disk usage issue is the superfetch service. Since Windows 10 1809 (the 2018 Windows 10 October Update) this has been renamed to "SysMain." To prevent this service from causing the disk usage issue, open another Windows PowerShell (Admin) and enter: net.exe stop sysmain Again, wait a few moments to check whether this has had any effect on your computer's performance. You should also run Check Disk: chkdsk.exe /f /r You'll be informed that your PC must be rebooted for Check Disk to complete, so make sure you have closed all your applications first. If this doesn't work, it is likely that you're experiencing a frustrating iteration of this issue that is simple to resolve. 5. Is Flash Causing the 100% Disk Usage Bug? Flash remains one of the most vulnerable aspects of modern computing and should be disabled. Adobe plans to kill off its multimedia plugin in 2020, so there's little reason to keep using it. Flash also seems to be one of the most common culprits for the 100% hard disk usage in Windows 10 if you're using the Google Chrome browser. Open Menu > Settings > Privacy and security and click the section marked Site Settings. Here, find Flash and set the toggle to Block sites from running Flash, then click Back. Restart the browser and check your HDD performance. 6. Disk Usage at 100%? Switch Web Browsers It may not be Flash that is impacting on your browser performance. Another cause could be the browser itself, particularly if you're using Google Chrome. The obvious option is to choose a different browser. Windows 10 already has two browsers built in. You probably don't want to use Internet Explorer, but Microsoft Edge is an adequate replacement for Chrome. Several browsers are available, some better than others. See our guide to the best web browsers for Windows to find an alternative. 7. Is Skype Eating Disk Resources? Another widely-used application could also be causing your 100% HDD usage: Skype. To find out---and disable its OTT resource requirement, begin by checking that the software is not running. You can do this by looking in the Task Manager, or checking the System Tray, the area on your desktop around the clock. If Skype is running here, right-click the icon and select Quit. Next, press WIN+R and paste this address into the box: C:\Program Files (x86)\Skype\Phone\ Click OK to find the Skype.exe file and right-click this and select Properties. In the Security tab click Edit, then select ALL APPLICATION PACKAGES. Put a check next to Write in the Allow column and finish off by clicking Apply, then OK. Head back to the Task Manager to see the change. You may also consider finding a Skype alternative. No difference? Keep reading… 8. Resolve PCI-Express Firmware Bug Some drivers don't run quite as they should in Windows 10. One that has been discovered to be causing 100% HDD use is the StorAHCI.sys driver, which has a firmware bug. StorAHCI.sys intended for storage devices connected to the PC or laptop motherboard via Advanced Host Controller Interface PCI-Express. If you've made it this far with no success, this could be the problem. Open the Device Manager (use Windows 10 search, or right-click This PC in Windows Explorer, then Properties > Device Manager) and expand IDE ATA/ATAPI Controllers. If an AHCI Controller entry is listed, double-click, then open the Driver tab and select Driver Details. Is the driver listed as C:\Windows\system32\DRIVERS\storahci.sys? If so, you could be affected by this bug. Close the driver details box and switch to the Details tab, selecting Device instance path from the drop-down menu. Where the Value is listed, right-click, and select Copy. Launch your text editor (like Notepad) and Paste the contents in. Next, press WIN+R and type regedit, followed by the OK button. Navigate to this address: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\ CurrentControlSet\Enum\PCI\ and use the pasted string above to open the correct AHCI Controller, followed by the random number. Here, expand Device Parameters\Interrupt Management\ MessageSignaledInterruptProperties and you should see MSISupported listed in the right-hand pane. Double-click this, then change the Value data: to 0. Click OK to confirm and follow the instructions to restart Windows. 9. Is Steam Maxing Out Your HDD? Enjoy gaming and have Steam installed? There's a good chance this digital delivery system is causing 100% disk usage. Usually this is due to update delivery, causing the background downloader to get caught in a loop. Clear the Steam cache to fix this. First, make sure you have exited Steam. Where Steam is a likely cause of the 100% disk usage error, it may hang when you try to exit. In this case, use the Windows 10 Task Manager to close the software. Next, open the WIN+R run box and enter steam://flushconfig You'll see a dialogue box, informing you that content will be deleted. Click OK to proceed. Note that games and saves will be retained, so there is no risk of them being deleted. 10. Disable Diagnostic Tracking in Windows 10 Finally, it's worth considering the impact of diagnostic tracking in Windows 10. A feature that you might have otherwise disabled for privacy reasons, it has been blamed for 100% HDD use on many PCs. When it comes to reducing your hard disk drive usage, it's quicker to simply disable the DiagTrack service. If this is the source of the 100% disk usage error in Windows 10, you can stop the service launching. However, to do this you'll need to access Command Prompt in administrator mode. Do this by clicking Start and typing cmd in the search box. Wait for the results and right-click Command Prompt, selecting Run as administrator. Input these commands to disable and stop DiagTrack: sc config "DiagTrack" start= disabled sc stop "DiagTrack" In addition, you might also head to Settings > System > Notification & actions and disable Get tips, tricks and suggestions as you use Windows. Doing so has been shown to improve things. 11. Windows Update Can Cause 100% Disk Usage As well as affecting changes you make to your PC when fixing the 100% disk use problem, Windows Update can also be a cause. This usually only happens when Windows Update has a problem (which is typically due to a file refusing to download). You have two options here: Leave your computer alone---shut all your open applications and wait. Eventually, the files will download, but depending on how Windows Update is scheduled on your computer, it may require a reboot. Shutdown your computer---once you've done that, restart and wait for Windows Update to resolve the problem. Once the update has finished downloading, it's wise to run it as soon as possible. Remember to check any previous fixes for 100% disk usage before proceeding; as noted above, Windows Update can reverse these fixes. 12. Reset Your Virtual Memory Virtual memory is a combination of RAM and hard disk space and can be responsible for overuse of your HDD. If there isn't enough RAM to perform a task, the HDD is used to supplement the RAM. Data moved to the HDD is then returned to RAM when required. If you've made it this far and you've yet to solve the 100% disk usage issue, it could be worth resetting your virtual memory. Open the System screen with Windows+Break/Pause, then Advanced System Settings on the left. In the resulting box, select the Advanced tab, then under Performance click Settings. Here you'll find another Advanced tab, which has a section labeled Virtual memory. Click Change and clear the checkbox for Automatically manage paging file size for all drives. Staying on this screen, select your Windows drive (usually C:) and then Custom size. Here, add an Initial size and a Maximum size; note both are measured in MB rather than GB. These numbers can be confusing, so with the first value, rely on the recommended option. For the maximum value, aim for a figure no more than 1.5 times your system RAM. For instance, a computer with 4GB of RAM should have no more than 6.5GB (6144MB). With the values input, click Set, then OK to continue. You now need to clear the temporary files that have been used in the previous virtual memory allocation. Do this by opening the Run box (WIN+R) then entering "temp". When the temp directory opens, select all files (Ctrl+A) and tap Delete on your keyboard. 13. Activate High Performance Mode One final thing to try is altering your Windows power settings. Standard power modes are more prone to the 100% disk usage bug but switching to high performance often overcomes the problem. The downside, of course, is that your computer will use more power. Thanks to modern processor design this shouldn't be a massive issue. However, notebooks and desktop replacement laptops may take a hit on battery life. To change to high performance, open the Power & sleep screen with WIN+X > Power Options. Here, click Additional power settings, select High performance, then OK. If this isn't a displayed option, you'll need to create your own custom power plan. Click Create a power plan, then choose High performance. Give the plan a name, tweak any personal settings you need then select it as a power plan to use. In a moment or two, the 100% disk usage issue should drop down to less than 10%. 14. Install the Latest SATA Drivers Could a storage device driver be resulting in the 100% disk usage error? Your Windows 10 computer almost certainly uses SATA connections for hard drives, SSDs, and optical drives. If the drivers aren't up to date, the disk usage error can occur. Avoid this by upgrading to the latest SATA drivers. Open the Power User menu with WIN+X and select Device Manager. From here, expand Storage controllers, then identify the correct controller for your SATA devices. If you can't do this, don't worry---simply update both. To update, right-click on each controller and select Update driver. Select the Browse my computer for driver software option, then Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer. Here, choose Standard AHCI Controller and see how this impacts performance. You may need to reboot Windows for this to take effect. Note that if it doesn't work, you can still try this by checking the manufacturer's website for a new driver. This can be installed using the instructions that accompany it. 15. Replace Your PC's Power Supply (PSU) There is a chance that your computer's hardware is causing the 100% disk usage issue in Windows: specifically, the PSU. If disk usage issues can be attributed to excessive disk activity, then it follows there might be a power-related cause. 100% disk usage has been spotted on Windows 10 laptops running on the battery. Once plugged into the power adaptor, the issue resolves. Similarly, the problem has been shown to alleviate once a new PSU is installed in a desktop PC. Check our guide to new PC power supply units to help you choose a replacement. Disk Usage Should Rarely Be 100% Put simply, there is little reason for your disk load to be anything close to 100%, certainly not under normal usage. A slow computer is one with a problem, and if you cannot fix it by disabling a browser plugin, stopping services, or running your antivirus software, then the problem may well be hardware related. Perhaps your drive is getting old; it may be defective, or the cables may need replacing. Alternatively, there is a chance that the problem is connected to the Windows defrag tool. If your computer is attempting to defrag your drive, but your HDD is actually an SSD, then serious problems can occur. Deal with this by opening the Task Scheduler (WIN+Q, enter "task scheduler") and disable any scheduled disk defrag tasks.

Windows 10 is pretty easy to get started with, but for the best experience, there are some important things to do after installing Windows 10. Doing these takes a bit of time, but sets you up for a smoother time down the road. Let's look at the first things you should do after installing Windows 10. These are most important when installing it for the first time, but are worth checking after installing a major feature update, too. 1. Run Windows Update and Configure Update Settings Even though you just installed Windows 10, chances are that some recent updates are pending. You should install these right away to make sure you have the latest features and security patches. To check for Windows updates, open the Settings app and go to Update & Security > Windows Update. On this page, click Check for updates and give it some time. After a few moments, it will begin to download and install updates. If there are any that require a restart, you'll see a prompt to do so. Windows Update runs automatically in Windows 10. While this means less manual work on your part, it can also be a pain if it interrupts you. Learn how to manage Windows Update to make it work smoothly in the background. 2. Upgrade Your Hardware Drivers A device driver is a piece of software that interfaces with and controls how a particular device works when connected to your system. In other words, drivers allow Windows to communicate with hardware properly. Drivers are usually provided by hardware manufacturers, and like most software, aren't always perfect. Sometimes they're buggy or don't see updates for compatibility with the latest versions of Windows. Keeping drivers updated is important to make sure your hardware runs at optimal performance. Windows will install generic drivers for devices like keyboards and mice on its own, but you should also know how to update other important drivers, such as display drivers. See how to find and replace outdated drivers for instructions. 3. Install Essential Windows Software Windows 10 comes with basic apps for many purposes, but a lot of the best Windows software isn't pre-installed. We've written a full guide to the Windows software that everyone should install right away. Take a look at that for our recommendations in categories like browsers, security, image editing, messaging, and more. 4. Change Default Windows Settings Windows 10's out-of-the-box settings aren't optimal for everyone. They're usable, but you'll probably have a better experience by tweaking them. There's a lot to manage in Windows 10's Settings app, so let's consider a few key recommended changes after a Windows 10 installation. Adjust Default Apps After you've installed your favorite apps, you should set them to run by default. To change the preset default apps in Windows 10, perform the following: Head to Settings > Apps > Default apps. Select your preferred apps for each category, including Email, Music player, Web browser, and more. Below that, click on Choose default apps by file type to associate various programs with other file types, such as PDF, DOCX, and TXT. See our guide to setting defaults in Windows 10 for more help with this. Disable Unnecessary Startup Items Many apps set themselves to run at startup, which is a waste of resources and makes your computer take much longer to boot up. After you've installed software, you should make sure that only approved apps run at boot. To disable unnecessary startup items in Windows 10: Open the Task Manager with Ctrl + Shift + Esc. Click More details to switch to the full view, if needed. Switch to the Startup tab. Right-click on every app you don't want to start automatically and select Disable to prevent it from launching on startup. We have a full guide to managing startup apps on Windows 10 if you'd like to learn more. Optimize Power Plan Settings Windows 10's Power Plan settings allow you to tweak various aspects of the operating system that involve power usage. This is important to help laptop users save battery life, but also has useful settings for desktop users. You can then tweak your power plan using these steps: Head to Settings > System > Power & sleep. On the right side, choose Additional power settings to open the Power Options section of the Control Panel. You'll see several plans to choose from, including Balanced, Power Saver, and High performance. Select the plan you want, then click Change plan settings to the right to modify it. Choose the amount of time that passes before the screen turns off and the computer goes to sleep. Then click Change advanced power settings for more options. While you can review everything here, pay special attention to the settings under the Hard disk, Sleep, Power buttons and lid, Processor power management, and Display categories. Click OK to save your changes. See how to use your Windows 10 power button for more information. Tweak Privacy Settings Windows 10 collects all sorts of information about how you use the operating system. This helps Microsoft improve the ever-evolving product, but many view it as an invasion of privacy. Thankfully, you can reduce or disable a lot of the telemetry functions. Follow our complete guide to Windows 10 privacy settings for all you need to know. Enable Night Light Windows 10 includes a built-in feature that makes your screen display warmer at night. This helps reduce the blue light that keeps you awake and makes your computer less harsh to look at when working late. You can enable it by visiting Settings > System > Display. Enable the Night light slider and click Night light settings to change how it works. You can adjust the intensity of the effect and set it to run automatically from sunset to sunrise or during certain hours of your choice. 5. Set Up a Backup Plan You wouldn't want to go through all this setup only to have your computer ruined by a virus or dead hard drive. It's vital to back up your data to protect it from these and other dangers. Consult our guide to backing up and restoring data in Windows 10 to learn everything you need to know, including how backups work, where to store them, how often you should back up data, what software to use, and much more. We've also explained which files you should back up and which to skip. 6. Personalize Windows 10 While it's not important as the above, you should still take some time to customize your desktop after installing Windows 10. It's amazing what a fresh wallpaper, unique mouse cursor, and other small personalization tweaks can do to make your system feel like home. You have plenty of options for this. For some quick changes, we've shown how to change the look and feel of Windows 10. To get more in-depth, try some of the best tools to customize Windows 10. After Installing Windows 10, You're All Set Now you don't have to wonder what to do after installing Windows 10. We've looked at the essential steps to get your system ready for everyday use. While you might still have to make small tweaks here and there, the initial setup is most of the work.

When your PC is getting slow and it's time to upgrade it, you might wonder: Should I upgrade my motherboard? It is an essential component of your system, but it's not always easy to know when you should upgrade your motherboard. Replacing the motherboard can be expensive, but it can also bring you benefits in terms of speed, hardware support, and better graphics support. We'll explain some reasons why you should upgrade your motherboard and some considerations to keep in mind when you do. 1. For Faster CPUs If your CPU is rather new, the performance gains that come from upgrading to a newer one are going to be fairly minimal. If you have a processor that's three or more years old, however, you're going to notice massive gains jumping to a newer processor. But to do that, you'll need a motherboard that supports the upgrade. On another note, if you're upgrading for the sake of gaming, save your money and upgrade your graphics card instead. Most modern games lean more heavily on your GPU than your CPU. 2. For Faster RAM Making the upgrade to newer iterations of RAM requires a motherboard that will support those new RAM modules. If you're currently using DDR3, for example, you can't make the jump to DDR4 or the newer DDR5 without swapping out the motherboard and the CPU first. The performance increase between iterations of RAM, however, isn't all that mind-blowing. If speed is the sole reason for the upgrade, rethink where you're spending your money. 3. For Better Graphics Cards All of the above reasons are good, but in my opinion, this is the single greatest reason to upgrade your motherboard. If you're a gamer or video editor, a new CPU/motherboard combination and a higher-performance GPU will make your PC feel like an entirely different machine. Games will run faster and with less lag, all while letting you increase the in-game settings to run at more graphically-intense levels than your previous card. (Depending on when you last upgraded, that is.) If you're not a gamer, and you're more of a casual internet user, the best bang for your buck is going to be a RAM or SSD upgrade, and you can skip GPU upgrades altogether. 4. For Faster Data Transfers Making the upgrade to SATA III or USB 3.0 increases the transfer speed of data from one piece of hardware to another. For example, SATA III has a maximum rated speed of 6Gbps and USB 3.0 tops out at 5Gbps. Both are fast enough for simple file and data transfers, but the highest-end SSDs top out around 2Gbps in terms of transfer speed. Most don't even hit that mark. There are other considerations at play, such as SATA III being faster than USB 3.0 due to drive options like native queuing, and USB 3.0's disadvantage of being a shared bus. But the reality of the matter is that while both are fast enough for what you'll need them to do, neither will hit their max speeds. You'll probably have to upgrade your motherboard on an older system in order to use them. It's not all sunshine and rainbows in upgrade land, however. For those of you that don't have a lot of experience in building your own PCs and don't typically catch on to written tutorials all that quickly, you may be spending additional cash to fix novice mistakes. 5. You Have Damaged Parts Damaged motherboards are an infrequent but huge problem. Snapped pins, disconnected plugs, static electricity discharge, and other issues will all lead you back to the repair shop to buy new plugs, or, hopefully, to get a professional installation. Same thing goes for fire damage, smoke damage, water damage, and even physical trauma from impact. Remember, the CPU/motherboard upgrade is one of the most expensive upgrades you can make to your existing PC. If you aren't confident in your ability to match up parts or to correctly piece everything together once you're in the midst of your build, it's always going to be best to opt for a professional installation rather than the cost of replacing damaged hardware. 6. You Want New Features Finally, you might not think about motherboards as things which come with exciting features. But there are technological developments in the world of motherboards. And you may want to upgrade to take advantage of these. For example, you might want to use an M.2 SSD. This is a very small format SSD which screws directly into your motherboard. But you'll need a motherboard which supports M.2 drives for this to work. Or perhaps you want a computer which supports fast transfers via Thunderbolt 3, in which case you'll need a motherboard with Thunderbolt 3 connectivity. Finally, if you're looking to squeeze a bit more performance from your system, or you're just looking to learn, you might want to try overclocking your CPU. To do this, you'll need not only an overclockable CPU, but also a motherboard which supports overclocking. Beware of Issues With Compatibility To facilitate an upgrade, you'll need to match up your new hardware to your existing hardware -- or you can go buy a set of all new equipment. The most crucial bit is that the motherboard and CPU must match. More specifically, the motherboard CPU socket needs to match that of the CPU's socket. For example, if the motherboard supports LGA 1150, your CPU must support that as well. There are other considerations too, such as BIOS compatibility, TDP support, and the number of SATA ports. You can use online sites like PC Part Picker, which is an invaluable resource for first-time PC builders, to check whether your parts are compatible with each other. Choosing the Right RAM Remember that the option of DDR3, DDR4 and the emergence of DDR5 RAM means that you'll have to take extra caution to ensure that your motherboard/CPU combo is capable of handling the specified memory you select. If it's not, you'll need to upgrade. Unfortunately, there isn't a workaround for this one, but you can write it off as a learning experience. The RAM's frequencies and voltage must also match up to the motherboard's desired range. 1,333, 1,600, 1,866, 2,133 and 2,400MHz with voltages of 1.65v should match up equally to the stated range of the motherboard. Meaning, if you have 2,400MHz RAM and use it with a 2,133MHz CPU at 1.65v, you could run into compatibility issues that could be detrimental to performance or lead to machine failure. Watch Out for Bottlenecks When Upgrading Your Motherboard Remember, the motherboard connects to the CPU, RAM, HDD, GPU, and other hardware, so it's not only important to ensure compatibility, but also that you aren't experiencing a bottleneck in the system somewhere. No matter how fast your CPU/motherboard combination is, it's still reliant on existing adapter cards that control video, storage, and processing speed (as it relates to RAM). If any of these items are on their last legs, incompatible, or lagging behind in performance, your entire machine can slow to a crawl with or without the new CPU/motherboard combo