r/techsupport • • Jul 26 '21

Recommended wiki articles (including malware removal)

895 Upvotes

r/techsupport • • 2h ago

Open | Software Final Draft Software Crash *PLEASE HELP*

3 Upvotes

Hi, I’m not sure this is the correct place to ask this question, but I don’t know where else to look. If there’s another forum I should go to please direct me there.

I am using the screenwriting software called Final Draft, and about 5 days ago I completed a script. I left the program open after I was done so I could go back and edit.

Over the weekend my computer crashed and closed the program, I didn’t think anything of it because I hit save religiously. Well turns out I opened it today, and the file hadn’t saved since the day before I finished it.

I have tried everything to get it back. I tried to load backups, but the backups didn’t work for this file, neither did the auto saves. There’s no temp files relating to the document anywhere, it’s not in a separate folder anywhere. It’s not in any of my other drives or in the cloud.

I even tried to download a program that could fish out deleted files from the bowels of my hard drive. It seems like it straight up doesn’t exist.

The only thing I could think of is that when I saved it the first time that the file corrupted and I didn’t notice.

Again I don’t know if I need to ask this question somewhere else but if anyone has any ideas PLEASE HELP ME!!


r/techsupport • • 10h ago

Open | Windows I'm Stumped

10 Upvotes

2 days ago my PC started freezing/locking up.

It first happened while playing Aion 2, but has since happened while watching youtube/on the desktop.

The mouse still moves but I cant click anything, cant move windows around and have to force shutdown via the power button/reboot button.

Specs are

9800x3d under 420mm aio

9070xt

64gb 6000mhz ram

1000w platinum psu

Asus strix x870-E motherboard.

I have had this system since March 2025 and have had dno issues up until now.

Cpu has a 200mhz overclock which i have tried removing.

Gpu is stock.

Its not over heating, havent monitored temps but its cool air coming from the aio and case, no error codes are being thrown up, no indicators on the motherboard.

Nothing is jumping out at me in event viewer as unusual.


r/techsupport • • 1h ago

Open | Software Recent Nvidia update bricked my 1050ti -_-

• Upvotes

Bruh... I know it's an old card and I'm surprised it still even gets updates but does anyone else with a card this old just have the recent update leave their screen with constant disconnect..

It still works... If you like looking at a black screen every 5 seconds...

I'm assuming my only solution is to put in another GPU , which is obviously older but functional and then delete the recent driver update .. that's if it also doesn't prevent my even older card from functioning


r/techsupport • • 22m ago

Open | Software BSOD 0xEF (Critical Process Died)

• Upvotes

Hi everyone,

I'm trying to troubleshoot a frustrating issue with my gaming PC. I've already performed several tests and replaced some components, but I still haven't identified the root cause.

PC:

  • CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
  • Motherboard: ASUS PRIME B650-PLUS-CSM
  • RAM: 32GB TeamGroup DDR5-6000 (currently running at 4800 MHz, EXPO disabled)
  • GPU: NVIDIA RTX 4070 Super
  • OS SSD: WD 250GB NVMe (WDS250G3X0C)
  • Secondary SSD: Kingston NV3 2TB
  • PSU: 700W SFX
  • OS: Windows 11

My PC crashes and immediately reboots, sometimes even under relatively light workloads.

Occasionally, I briefly see a black BSOD showing CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED (0xEF), with the crash dump progress stuck at 0%.
crashes seem to occur when games are compiling shaders, tried Baldurs Gate 3, Resident evil 4 and Gears E-Day and windows crashes during compiling shaders.

I tried also FF Resonance Demo and a PS4 Emulator and no crashes.

What i tried:

  • Clean installation of Windows 11.
  • MemTest completed without errors 4 times
  • Disabled EXPO and set RAM to JEDEC 4800 MHz.
  • Ran CHKDSK and repaired detected filesystem errors.
  • Replaced the original SSD 2TB NVMe with a Kingston NV3.
  • Tested the system using only the WD boot SSD.
  • Reseated the SSDs and tested different M.2 slots.

Now i bought a new PSU and i will replace it

Event Viewer Findings:

  • Kernel-Power 41 after unexpected reboots.
  • volmgr 161 indicating failure to create the crash dump.
  • BugCheck 0xEF – CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED.

No relevant disk, stornvme, storport, Ntfs, or WHEA-Logger errors were recorded immediately before the crashes I investigated.

One particularly strange detail: Windows cannot save a dump during spontaneous crashes, but when I deliberately trigger a BSOD using NotMyFault, it successfully creates a minidump.

Has anyone experienced similar issues on AM5 systems, particularly crashes during shader compilation, CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED (0xEF), and volmgr 161?

Any suggestions for targeted troubleshooting would be greatly appreciated.


r/techsupport • • 44m ago

Open | Software Nvidia shader cache folder exceeds the 16 GB limit

• Upvotes

My Nvidia shader cache folder is over 22 GB, even though my Shader Cache Size Limit is set to 16 GB.

Is this normal behavior? I thought the driver was supposed to remove older cache files when the configured limit was reached.

Has anyone else experienced this?


r/techsupport • • 1h ago

Open | Hardware Blue mark on screen—keeps getting worse for no reason

• Upvotes

Hi everyone, recently I booted up my Acer Aspire 5. However, it doesn’t have a common OS. It runs “Googlebook OS”, which i installed from a project called gbos-x86. Anyways, for some reason this strange blue mark with scattered pixels keeps getting worse, even though I haven’t done anything to the computer. This issue is not from the OS, but rather strangely from the laptop itself. Can someone please assist me?

CPU: AMD Ryzen 3
GPU: Radeon Graphics
OS: Googlebook OS (NOT A GOOGLEBOOK, JUST HAS THE OS)
Problem: Display
Screen type: 1080p, not OLED(?)


r/techsupport • • 1h ago

Open | Software Facebook is opening randomly, please help me!

• Upvotes

In 10/27/2026, facebook opened for me randomly out of nowhere, i dont know what is the cause, why its there, and when i checked task manager, it was in microsoft edge, and even when i restarted my laptop, its still there.. My laptop is an acer laptop, and it only just started happening now.. I'm not sure if this is a virus or something else, but it would also be better if some people had same experiences telling me what to do. It started when i was playing SKlauncher's minecraft, then facebook opened once, and i thought that it was a simple missclick, but it opened again, and 4 more times.. please help me, my family cant afford to get me a new laptop, ive scanned it with microsoft defender, and it says theres nothing wrong with my laptop,

i am actually so stressed out i dont know what to do. im panicking send help please


r/techsupport • • 1h ago

Open | Windows I was running Microsoft defender offline scan and now it’s saying my PC needs repairing

• Upvotes

Same as title. I was running the offline scan after I found and removed two threats (hack32 or something in the windows system files) during the quick scan.

It started to restart for the scan (it said it’ll take about 15 minutes and I’ll need to be logged out) and in about less than thirty seconds it showed me a completely blue screen and it said that I need to repair my PC so I tried all the options available to me (trying to launch it again, F1 F8 etc I don’t remember what to else was available) and finally my computer turned off and then I pressed the power button and it’s switched on normally.

I don’t think the defender offline scan was complete, since I can only see the last scan being the full scan I did a day before. So I don’t know if there’s still malware files. Can someone guide me through this?


r/techsupport • • 1h ago

Open | Hardware Motorola Edge 50 Fusion started flickering and shutting down after 1 year 10 months — Motorola, please help!

• Upvotes

Yesterday, while watching Netflix, I noticed a line flickering on and off on my Motorola Edge 50 Fusion. Initially, I thought it was part of the video, but later the screen started showing the same issue again, and the phone suddenly switched off. It happened around four times. Sometimes, the phone wouldn't turn on for about 10 minutes, but then it would start working again temporarily.

I switched it off out of concern that it might be an electrical fault. Today, I visited the showroom and explained everything. I was told that similar issues happen to phones after 1–2 years, and they suggested replacing the CPU. My phone is exactly 1 year and 10 months old.

Honestly, it's frustrating to face a potentially expensive hardware issue so soon. Motorola, please investigate this issue and help me get my phone repaired fairly. Has anyone else with a Motorola Edge 50 Fusion experienced similar screen flickering and sudden shutdowns?


r/techsupport • • 1h ago

Open | Windows Updated my Nvidia Graphics drivers to 621.01 and rolled back to 610.88. Ever since I've been getting little freezes in games and a consistent error in event viewer on W11.

• Upvotes

Hello! So I just updated my graphics driver a night or two ago and started facing that issue going around of the screen going black suddenly on 621.01. Since then I decided to roll back to the former driver I had that was actually performing decently well, but, now I'm noticing slight freezes every once in a while during gaming as well as a consistent error in event viewer. To give a quick rundown of my specs before I get to the error they are as follows

W11 KB5127648

GeForce 5060 ti

Intel I7-14700f

32gb of ram

WD Green SN3000 2TB SSD

As for the error in question in task manager when I notice these little hitches it says the following

Fault bucket , type 0
Event Name: LiveKernelEvent
Response: Not available
Cab Id: 0

Problem signature:
P1: 141
P2: aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
P3: aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
P4: aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
P5: aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
P6: 10_0_26300
P7: 0_0
P8: 768_1
P9: 
P10: 

I apologize if this isn't enough to really help solve it right away but any and all help on figuring out what's going wrong on this would be appreciated! Or potential troubleshooting steps to solve it a little better


r/techsupport • • 3h ago

Open | Windows i7-14700KF – Random BSODs, even at stock settings.

1 Upvotes

PC Specs:

  • CPU: Intel Core i7-14700KF (purchased December 2024)
  • Motherboard: Gigabyte Z790 UD AX (BIOS F18)
  • RAM: 64GB Corsair Vengeance DDR5 (4×16GB, rated 6400 MT/s CL32)
  • GPU: NVIDIA RTX 5070 Ti
  • PSU: Seasonic 850W
  • Cooler: ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III 360
  • OS: Windows 11 Pro

Problem:

I've experienced random freezes and BSODs since building this PC. They happen during gaming, normal use, and Blender exports.

BSOD codes recorded:

  • 0x18B – SECURE_KERNEL_ERROR
  • 0x1E – KMODE_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED
  • 0xD1 – DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL
  • 0xA – IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL
  • 0x50 – PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA
  • 0x3B – SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION

Event Viewer also recorded 2 fatal WHEA hardware errors (Event ID 1) on October 24 and 27.

Troubleshooting already done:

  • Updated BIOS to F18 and loaded optimized defaults.
  • Disabled XMP.
  • Lowered RAM speed to 4533, 4000, and 3500 MT/s.
  • Tested with only 2 RAM sticks — still crashed.
  • MemTest86: 4 passes, 0 errors.
  • Intel Processor Diagnostic Tool: Passed.
  • Clean Windows installation.
  • Updated drivers.
  • Checked CPU socket and cooling.
  • Uninstalled most software to rule out conflicts.
  • Currently running RAM Test Pro at 4000 MT/s with all 4 sticks, stressing around 95% of RAM and 97% CPU. No errors so far; test not finished.

Interesting Blender issue:

Exporting a particular project to DAE caused freezes/BSODs, while exporting a simple cube worked. After modifying/normalizing mesh normals, the problematic project exported successfully. However, this doesn't explain the other random BSODs.

Question:

Given the fatal WHEA errors, multiple BSOD codes, and crashes even with XMP disabled and RAM heavily underclocked, would you suspect the CPU, motherboard, or RAM?

  1. October 24, 2026 — 02:20:41
  • Source: Microsoft-Windows-WHEA-Logger
  • Event ID: 1
  • Level: Error
  • Record ID: 5103
  • Message: “A fatal hardware error has occurred. A record describing the condition is contained in the data section of this event.”
  1. October 27, 2026 — 01:16:10
  • Source: Microsoft-Windows-WHEA-Logger
  • Event ID: 1
  • Level: Error
  • Record ID: 8017
  • Same fatal hardware error message.

Has anyone experienced similar instability with a 14700KF?


r/techsupport • • 3h ago

Solved Dual monitor with a Radeon, gaming issues resolution

1 Upvotes

Hey guys,

I have a Radeon 7900XT and I was having this issue every so often with my games being choppy. Like screen tearing.

My side monitor is an older 60hz monitor. My main is a 144.

One thing that helped me was completely turning off my 2nd monitor while gaming.

But, I just found that AMD Adrenaline had turned AMD freesync to ON, on my secondary monitor. I just changed that to OFF and it feels much better. Maybe this is common knowledge but just in case this helps anybody else.


r/techsupport • • 3h ago

Open | Windows Why does everyone and a while my internet on my pc is extremely slow then the next day its fast again?

0 Upvotes

Windows System: 11, Mind you I live in a small town in the middle of a desert basically. GPU: AMD i forget the rest.


r/techsupport • • 3h ago

Open | Phone Likely this will be one for the dumb-dumb slushpile, but after searching and trying apparently incorrectly, I'm now at your mercy. How does one remedy when the emoji access button immediately hovering one's keypad vanishes?

1 Upvotes

Thanks for your patient assistance.

And go ahead and laugh away. I have a welcoming sense of humor.


r/techsupport • • 4h ago

Open | Software Default boot device missing

1 Upvotes

Device is
Lenovo ideapad slim 5 ryzen 7 ai

im just in the middle of class and group assignment when this suddenly happened ? i’m not sure what to do because i never experienced this kind of stuff in my previous devices.

i tried doing the f2 to go into bios and load the default settings like some youtube videos said but it doesnt work and just came back to same results. also my bios page seems different than the one on older versions

need help because im a foreign students so my warranty cant be used here and i think my laptop is around 1 yr old

i cant post image here :( sadly


r/techsupport • • 4h ago

Open | Hardware LiveKernelEvent error

1 Upvotes

Hi everyone, I’m encountering an error in the registry system and can’t seem to find a solution. The only issue I’m having is that, while watching YouTube, it freezes for a few seconds. Otherwise, the system works perfectly—both in games and in general operation. Sorry for my English; greetings to all.

Error


r/techsupport • • 4h ago

Open | Windows text document called "amactivator" showed up on my pc

0 Upvotes

I dont think ive ever seen this before on my pc, can someone identify it for me? I am running windows 11


r/techsupport • • 4h ago

Open | Hardware Blinking Display from Nvidia GT 1030 Graphics Card if I Turn off Chipset (Intel 4600) Graphics in CMOS Setup

1 Upvotes

Weird issue with older motherboard, Gigabyte GA-Z87MX-D3H with a Core i5-4440

The chipset has a built-in Intel 4600 graphics controller, but the video quality is terrible.

I put in an MSI Nvidia GeForce GT 1030 PCI-E graphics card. It works fine unless I go into the BIOS setup and turn off the on-board Intel 4600. Once I do that, the Nvidia GT 1030 video blinks on and off at about a 2 second interval. It's not flickering, it's blinking on and off.

I have to clear the CMOS to turn the 4600 graphics back on (because I can't see the BIOS setup when it's blinking). Once I turn the Intel 4600 back on in the BIOS setup, even though nothing is connected to the motherboard's HDMI or VGA port, the Nvidia graphics works fine.

In Device Manager, I disabled the Intel 4600 and that didn't break the GeForce GT 1030.

Q1. Why does disabling the internal graphics in the BIOS setup cause the blinking on the GeForce GT 1030?

Q2. Does having the chipset graphics enabled in CMOS is affect CPU performance.


r/techsupport • • 4h ago

Open | Hardware Ryzen 7 9800X3D + Gigabyte B850 AORUS Elite WiFi7 ICE — only B2 works, DRAM LED with every other RAM configuration

1 Upvotes

Sorry for AI I want yall to understand the post, and my english is bad.
I’m troubleshooting a really strange DDR5/AM5 memory issue and I’m trying to figure out whether I should RMA the motherboard or if the CPU could be the problem.
Specs
Ryzen 7 9800X3D
Gigabyte B850 AORUS Elite WiFi7 ICE
DDR5 kit, 2 sticks
Latest BIOS: F12e
Important detail: it originally worked
When I first built the PC, both RAM sticks were working normally in A2 + B2 in dual channel.
I left the PC to go study, and when I came back later it would no longer boot. It started hanging on the DRAM debug LED.
Nothing was physically changed while I was away. It basically went from working normally to refusing to POST.
What happens now
The ONLY configuration that POSTs is one RAM stick in B2.
Stick #1 in B2 → boots normally
Stick #2 in B2 → boots normally
A2 only → no POST, DRAM LED
A1 only → no POST
B1 only → no POST
A2 + B2 → no POST
Any configuration involving another slot → no POST
So both RAM sticks themselves appear to be fine because either one works perfectly when installed alone in B2.
What I’ve already tried
Updated BIOS to the latest F12e version.
Cleared CMOS / tested default BIOS settings.
Disabled EXPO/XMP and tested at stock JEDEC speeds.
Tested both RAM sticks individually in B2 — both work.
Cleaned the CPU’s gold contact pads with a dry lint-free wipe.
Removed/reseated the CPU.
Inspected the AM5 socket closely from multiple angles.
I can’t see any obviously bent socket pins.
Tested whether cooler mounting pressure was causing bad CPU/socket contact.
Completely removed the AIO block and did a very brief POST test with no cooler mounting pressure — same issue.
Reseated the RAM multiple times.
Another weird detail: if I insert a DIMM into A2 while the PC is powered off, the motherboard’s standby lighting reacts/turns off, so it seems like the board can at least physically/electrically detect something being inserted there. It just cannot actually train memory or POST from that slot/channel.
My current theory
Because:
both RAM sticks work in B2,
A2/B2 originally worked normally,
it suddenly stopped working without me touching the PC,
EXPO is disabled,
BIOS is updated,
cooler pressure has been ruled out,
CPU contacts are clean,
and I can’t see any bent AM5 pins,
I’m thinking either:
the motherboard has developed a fault in the memory traces/slot circuitry, or
the memory controller inside the 9800X3D has partially failed, or
there’s a very subtle socket contact/pin issue that I can’t see.
The fact that the system originally ran dual channel normally and then suddenly lost it is what confuses me the most.
Has anyone seen this behavior on AM5?
Would you RMA the motherboard first, or does this sound more like a 9800X3D IMC failure?
I have close-up pictures of the socket as well and can’t spot any clearly bent pins.


r/techsupport • • 4h ago

Open | Windows My backlights won’t turn on

1 Upvotes

I have asus a15. I tried everything. I completely uninstalled the main softer and is now using ghelper. I don’t think it’s a physical issue because my cap
Loc light works and my power button light works. But all the other key lights don’t. I tried to fix it in bios, my settings and my hard drive devices nothing is helping. Please help!


r/techsupport • • 4h ago

Open | Hardware New PC Build - No video output with integrated graphics

1 Upvotes

Previous Post for context: https://www.reddit.com/r/techsupport/comments/1wym8ar/new_pc_build_no_video_output/

CPU - Ryzen 3 2200G

MoBo - Asus Prime B450M-A

16 GB DDR4

Previously included an Intel Arc B580, but removed it after the initial CPU swap was unsuccessful in a debugging step.

Hello, I have previously posted about my issue (linked above) where with my new PC, I cannot get a video output. In an attempt to remedy this, I got an R3 2200G for the integrated graphics and so I could get it to post so I could update the BIOS and get it compatable with my Ryzen 5 5500. The only change since the CPU swap is that there is now a yellow LED lit up towards the tail-end of the PCI-e slot. See attached pictures. This LED was not on previously.

I am using the HDMI output from the MoBo. I have also attempted to use the VGA out from the MoBo with similar results.

Any help is appreciated. Thank you


r/techsupport • • 5h ago

Open | Windows how do i fix this?

1 Upvotes

whenever i am logged into youtube on my amazon tablet and pc i cant see the last 6 months of a youtubers vids i have been watching, but on PS5 i can see the vids. fyi the youtuber is called dark star and they make bonelab/gmod vids. i have tried clearing the cookies and caches, and it worked until i logged back into my yt account and then i couldnt see the videos again.


r/techsupport • • 5h ago

Open | Mac [macOS] How can I investigate persistent Chrome settings, removed extensions, and possible Google Sync issues?

1 Upvotes

Hi everyone! I’m a MacBook user looking for technical advice on Google Chrome, browser extensions, account synchronization, and unexpected browser behavior.

I’ve experienced issues with certain Chrome features, including some functionality in ChatGPT. I also noticed that certain settings seemed to carry over when signing into my Google account.

I’m trying to determine whether these behaviors are related to Chrome Sync, local browser configurations, extensions, or managed policies.

What I’ve identified so far

● I currently use a MacBook running macOS.
● Chrome’s extension Developer Mode was previously enabled.
● Historical records reference extensions such as TwSearchExporter, X Unfollower/Xtensions, ReDeck, and Hola, some of which have automation capabilities.
● The original extension installations are no longer available for direct inspection.
● I’ve preserved browsing history records from Safari and Chrome Desktop, including authentication activity, redirects, and extension-related entries.
● Some historical Chrome records may originate from a different operating system, so I’m keeping those separate from my current MacBook environment.
● I’ve experienced unexpected behavior with certain ChatGPT features, but haven’t established a connection to any particular extension or setting.

Another concern: Chrome DevTools Network tab
When I open Chrome DevTools, the red recording indicator is frequently active in the Network tab.
I understand this is normal behavior and that DevTools records network requests made by the page.

However, when stopping the recording, I previously noticed activity that made me wonder whether information was being transmitted elsewhere.
I haven’t identified an external destination or confirmed any unauthorized transfer.

I’d like to understand how to distinguish normal network activity from requests potentially generated by browser extensions or scripts.

I’m also interested in understanding which images, documents, cached resources, or authentication-related information may remain stored locally, and whether any of that data could be accessed from another authenticated device.

What I need help with

  1. How can I determine whether Chrome settings are being restored through Google Sync, local macOS profile data, or browser policies?
  2. Is it possible to investigate removed extensions using preserved browsing history or other historical records?
  3. How can I check whether Chrome extensions or configurations are interfering with ChatGPT uploads, downloads, or other features?
  4. What’s the best way to distinguish normal DevTools Network activity from requests initiated by extensions or scripts?
  5. Which Chrome data is actually synchronized through a Google account, and which remains stored locally on macOS?
  6. How can I safely create a clean Chrome profile on my MacBook without restoring unwanted settings or compromising previously preserved records?
    What I’ve tried
    I’ve reviewed and preserved historical browsing records from Safari and Chrome Desktop, including references to extensions, authentication activity, and redirects.

The original extension installations are no longer available for inspection. I haven’t yet confirmed whether Chrome Sync is responsible for the settings I observed, nor have I completed a controlled comparison between a clean Chrome profile and my existing environment.

I’d prefer to preserve the available records before resetting or deleting anything.
My goal

I’m not claiming that my browser was compromised, that monitoring occurred, or that files were transferred without authorization.

I want to distinguish documented observations from assumptions, understand what the existing records can actually establish, and identify practical troubleshooting steps.

Ultimately, I’d like to use Chrome and my Google account on my MacBook in a clean, reliable environment without restoring unwanted configurations or losing potentially useful diagnostic records.

Any advice on Chrome Sync, macOS browser profiles, extension permissions, DevTools, or safe troubleshooting procedures would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!


r/techsupport • • 5h ago

Open | Mac Apple Mouse not working

1 Upvotes

I have an Apple mouse and it doesn’t work. It doesn’t charge and I can confirm that because it is hooked up to a portable charger and I can see that the portable charger isn’t loosing battery. Can anyone help?