Windows 8.1 - Fix “Sentinel Runtime Drivers” Issue

The upgrade to Windows 8.1 does not always go as smooth as expected. While majority times the new installation succeeds perfectly, in some cases the process experiences a few hiccups, impeding the new development immediately. One common issue that is widely encountered by numerous upgraders is the Sentinel Runtime Drivers incompatibility error.

This problem is caused by a conflict between the new OS and Sentinel HASP (USB Dongle) drivers, asking the user to remove these identities before making any further installation attempts. Unfortunately, the user fails to locate this program in control panel’s Add/Remove feature, and thus loses all tracks of eradicating the clash. This article explains how to work around this issue, and ensure a safe removal to fix the interference. But first, let’s inquire more on this core element.

Sentinel HASP

Sentinel HASP is a licensing verification service that enables the use of either software, or hardware-based protection keys to enforce program protection and authorization. It provides a software security solution for numerous small or large-sized companies, and is thoroughly implemented to optimize product management.

However, running this program on an unsuccessfully removed software can generate conflicting matters, and lead to the Sentinel Runtime Drivers issue. One common example is incorrect removal of Lightworks (left shortcuts or registry entries), while the license verification service is kept running.

To resolve this error, you can remove the service by downloading the official run time installer from SafeNet website, and using the” –remove” command line tool as followed:

1. Open your favorite browser and go to: http://sentinelcustomer.safenet-inc.com/sentineldownloads/
2. Click Sentinel HASP/LDK – Command Line Run-time Installer
   
3. Scroll down the download page to select I Accept to download a compressed folder Sentinel_LDK_Run-time_cmd_line
   
4. Right-click this folder and select Extract All
   
5. Extract the files to the same directory
   
6. Open Start Screen (Windows key) and type command prompt
   
7. Right-click Command Prompt from the results and choose Run as administrator
   
8. In the elevated window, navigate to the directory that contains Sentinel_LDK_Run-time_cmd_line using the cd command. For example: cd Downloads\Sentinel_LDK_Run-time_cmd_line
   
9. While in the required address, type haspdinst –remove and press Enter

Wait for the uninstallation to complete. Once done, reboot your system and try the Windows 8.1 upgrade again. You will not be prompted by the incompatibility issue anymore. 

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How to Effectively Delete Temporary Files from Windows 8 (8.1)

Forgot your Windows 8.1 Password? Change it Yourself!

Finding yourself in a situation where you forget your Windows 8.1 password is embarrassing, to say the least. Luckily, exiting this hole is much easier than diving in; you could simply ask the other gentleman using the same machine to change your password from his account. And guess who this other guy is? It’s you! 

While majority users may not know this, but every Windows 8.x user with administrative rights can change any other account’s password. It may sound daunting, but the process is rather simple. Following is step-by-step guide to help you recover your forgotten password using the Administrator Account in Control Panel:

• Enter Start Screen by pressing the Windows key
• Type Control Panel and click the icon from the search results
• From the Control Panel window, navigate to User Accounts and Family Safety
• Click Users Account and choose Manage another account
• Choose the local account you want to recover the password for and click Change the password
• On the Change <username>’s password screen, enter a new password where required
• Save the password changes by clicking the Change password button

Restart your system and try logging into the local account using this new password. Once in, start taking precautionary steps to avoid any future mishaps. One effective way would be to switch to the Microsoft account since that will make it easier for you to receive a new password in future. 

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What is Code 43 Error and How to Fix it

Effectively Delete Temporary Files in Windows 8(8.1)

What is Code 43 Error and How to Fix it

How often do you plug in your iPod, USB, or other such external device into your computer, and be met by an error message that contains the dreadful words: Windows has stopped this device because it has reported problems (Code 43). You then try to resolve this issue by pulling out the device and plugging it back in, but achieve little success. Code 43 is a common error encountered by a majority of the PC users. Unfortunately, only a minority actually know what this error is and how to get around such a problem. Well, that is where we come in. This article is dedicated to explaining what Code 43 is and how one can resolve this frustrating error in order to enjoy a smoother device experience.   

What is Code 43

Exclusive to the Device Manager, Code 43 is an error directly linked to a bad device or bad device driver. When you plug in your external device, the operating system runs the specific device driver and attempts to load the instructions required to operate the device. However, if the device is corrupted or the driver fails to start, the operating system has no other option but to stop the device and generate the Code 43 error. And thus, you are left with a pop up message displayed at the screen with that horrible “error sound”. 

Causes of Code 43 Error

The causes of Code 43 Error are mostly unknown and very vague. The specific cause is never listed in the error message and can therefore, not be easily traced down as the leading reason for the error. However, listed below are some common causes of Code 43 error that are mostly likely to occur during this error:

·         Device driver is not installed or is not found

·         Device driver is out-dated

·         The device driver is misconfigured

·         Corrupt Registry Entries

·         The device is virus-affected

·         The cable connecting the device to the computer is loose

·         Bad USB port

 

How to fix Code 43 Error

Fortunately, fixing Code 43 error is easy and largely identical to fixing other Device Manager related issues. Follow the solutions mentioned is this article, and fix your Code 43 error.

1.       Perform a System Reboot:

More often than not, Code 43 is an error temporarily caused by the hardware which might get automatically fixed after a system reboot. It is therefore advised that before you attempt the more complex solutions, restart your PC and see if the error gets resolved by itself. If it does, good enough. If it does not, only then proceed to the other methods.

2.       Update Drivers:

As mentioned in the previous section, one of the key reasons leading towards a Code 43 error is out-dated and obsolete device drivers. In order to ensure successful operation of the device, keep the drivers updated and constantly “fresh”.

Follow the steps below to update device drivers in Windows 8:

a)     Open the Control Panel as demonstrated above

b)     Enter Hardware and Sound and then click Device Manager

c)     From the list of devices that are displayed, locate the device for which you wish to update the driver. Right-click the device and choose “Update Driver Software…”

d)   Choose and select the way through which you wish to update the driver. The Wizard will then guide you through the steps

3.       Reinstall the Device Drivers:

Corrupted or misconfigured device drivers are one of the basic causes of Code 43 error. It is therefore suggested you uninstall the previous device drivers and then perform a complete reinstallation procedure.

Note: Before reinstalling the drivers, you are advised to ensure your registry is free from remnants and leftovers i.e. the orphaned and empty keys created during uninstallation process of old drivers. For that, you are advised to either manually clean the registry or use a free registry cleaner to automatically fix the registry by removing leftovers.

Uninstallation can be done from the Control Panel’s “Add or remove programs” feature, as demonstrated by the steps below:

a)      Open the Search charm by pressing “Windows + f”

b)   Type control panel and double-click the Control Panel icon displayed in the Apps section

c)     Click Uninstall a program listed under the Programs sections

d)  Right-click the program you wish to uninstall and click on “Uninstall”. Confirm your procedure by clicking Yes.

4.       Use Another Data Cable:

A loose cable can hinder the communication and data transfer process from the device into the system. Therefore, it is helpful to replace this data cable with another, and check if the error gets resolved.

This article mentioned the key causes and solutions to Code 43 error. Follow the methods described above, and rid yourself of this common, yet mysterious device manager problem.

Windows 8 - Enable F8 Key for Advanced Startup Options

The following video will guide you on how you can enable F8 in Windows 8 to load Advanced Startup Options or Safe Mode. Play the video below:

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Enable Picture Password on Windows 8

If you are finding ways to setup a password on your Windows 8, then you are advised to setup a picture password. Picture password are more secure and a unique way of protecting your Windows 8 PC. Play the video below to see how to set up a picture password on your Windows 8.

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How to Equip Your PC for Gaming

Gaming is one of the best ways of hilarity and pleasure. These create a cybernetic environment around you holding action, adventure, fantasy, horror, and much more. This hobby, however, can sometimes be very costly. Although, you can initiate a gaming activity in a casual way on your computer or laptop, the real bliss comes out of a totally furnished gaming PC. If you are intending to go for articles of a gaming console, you must go with a pocket full of note bills. 

Given below are some tips for those who have made up their mind to unleash the real exhilaration. Here are some useful gears you may like to assimilate for an exciting experience.

PC Specifications

PC is the one acting as a platform for your games to run, and of course, it has to be reliable enough for picking out quality games. Only a high speeded PC would be able to ride advanced gaming software. The major contributors of a glided gamers’ system are its Processor, RAM, Graphics Card, and Storage drive. All updated components would lead to an ideal experience.

Docking Station

It is one of the basic utilities considered, when looking for a gaming rig. It connects your PC, laptop, tablet, or smartphone with peripherals; however, there are different stations for each of them. It bridges between you system and a number of accessories like display monitors, sound systems, microphones, gaming joysticks, lighting effects, and others depending upon the capacity of the station.it is advised to prefer a USB-based docking station, rather USB 3.0.

Storage Device

In the present era of technology, you have a number of means to store your data in. For the gaming purpose, you are suggested to prefer an external storage device to avoid mix up of game files with other files of your use. If you still intend to go for an internal drive, apperceive to opt for a Solid State Drive (SSD). It works ultra-fast and has many other substantial features.

Dedicated Graphics Card

It is always endorsed to integrate a Dedicated Graphics Card in your computers, especially for gaming drive. These are comparatively proficient than the Integrated Graphics Card, containing integrated chips. Whilst, a dedicated graphics card, also called Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), has an embedded memory.

Network Connectivity

Most of the games were never a one-man show. Multiple players add a lot more thrill to the event. As this era necessitates, such activities must also be conducted at distances through networks. Acquiring a network is very easy, but relying on a network involves certain risks. For this purpose, it is preferred to fit in a wired network rather than the wireless.

Need to Speed up Your PC for Gaming? Download this Software to Make Your PC Run Faster

Tune up Windows 7 for Speeded Operations

Users of Microsoft Windows 7 operating system may not contradict to the statement that it is one of the most sophisticated version of Windows. It insures many aspects of Windows, which may have been neglected in the previous times. Although, it has satisfied its operators to much extent, it is still subject to modifications. This document entails the information directed towards the same route. Check out the following suggestions to make your Windows 7 more adaptive.

Avoid Disk Space Messages

Although, it is one of the useful features of Windows 7 to notify real issues worth of attention, it cannot be stated as helpful all the time. Some of the users may feel annoying while triggering such notifying messages. To disable or avoid being notified in this way, try executing following instructions.

1.      Open Registry Editor by typing ‘regedit’ in the Search box

2.      Navigate through HKEY_CURRENT_USER in the left panel, to reach the following path

3.      HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

4.      In the right panel, locate the entry naming NoLowDiskSpaceChecks

5.      Double click it to Modify, and put 1 in the text field next to Value data. Click OK to save the settings

Add Move To option in Context menu

It is another way to save your precious time. Suppose you have to move a file or object from desktop to desired directory or what so ever. You would definitely want to have an option to perform this task, eliminating certain steps. You are informed through a tweak that it is now possible through following steps.

1.      Open Registry Editor by typing ‘regedit’ in the Search box

2.      Navigate through HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT in the left panel, to reach the following path

3.      HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AllFileSystemObjects\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\MoveTo

4.      If the Move To key does not exist, create it by a right click, and then choosing New Key

5.      In the right panel, double click on the (default) String Value to Modify it

6.      In the Value data field, put the value as {C2FBB631-2971-11D1-A18C-00C04FD75D13}, and press OK

End the Task Not Responding Automatically

Due to some reasons, some programs and applications are conflict with other processes or break/lose the thread. As a result, these are resisted in being continued. Such a situation is also very bothersome for the users. With the help of following entry, you can treat it accordingly.

1.      Open Registry Editor by typing ‘regedit’ in the Search box

2.      Navigate through HKEY_CURRENT_USER in the left panel, to reach the following path

3.      HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop

4.      In the right panel, locate the entry naming AutoEndTasks

5.      Double click it to Modify, and put 1 in the text field next to Value data. Click OK to save the settings

In order to get all these changes in effect, restart your system once. If in case, you want to Undo whatever changes you made through these tweaks, just reverse the these actions.

Looking for more tips and tweaks for Windows 7? Read Windows 7 Registry Tweaks for performance boost.