BIOS Archives

Winsage

February 22, 2025

6 things you didn’t know you can do with advanced startup settings in Windows

To access the advanced startup options in Windows, navigate to Settings > System > Recovery > Restart now, or it may appear after repeated boot failures. System Restore allows users to revert their PC to a previous state to undo recent changes, accessible from the advanced startup options by selecting Troubleshoot > Advanced options > System restore. Windows enables users to create a system image, an exact replica of their hard drive, which can be restored from the advanced startup options by selecting Troubleshoot > Advanced options > See more recovery options > System Image Recovery. Users can roll back recent system updates through the advanced startup options by selecting Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Uninstall updates. Safe Mode, accessible via the advanced startup options by selecting Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup settings, helps troubleshoot driver issues by loading Windows with only essential drivers. Users can access BIOS settings through the advanced startup options by navigating to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware settings. The advanced startup options allow for testing unsigned drivers by selecting Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup settings and pressing 7 after restarting, though this is rarely needed.

Winsage

February 21, 2025

It’s possible to run Windows XP on an Apple TV — and it works like a dream!

Windows XP holds a 0.27 percent share of the Windows market, surpassing Windows 8 and 8.1. A Linux variant of Windows XP is available for those seeking a nostalgic experience. Windows XP has been successfully run on Apple's Vision Pro and ported to the original Apple TV. Only the original Apple TV, which has an Intel Pentium M processor and 256 MB of RAM, can support Windows XP. This porting was documented by Nobel Tech, showcasing DistroHopper39B's efforts using ReactOS. The original Apple TV used in the experiment was provided by the Australian Computer Museum Society (ACMS). Windows XP operates on the Apple TV, but graphics acceleration is unsupported.

Winsage

February 19, 2025

Why was Windows 95’s setup text-based? After 29 years, a veteran Microsoft Engineer admits “MS-DOS could do graphics,” but the company opted for a lackluster UI — as Windows 3.1 runtime already checked the missing boxes

On August 24, 2025, Windows 95 will celebrate its 30th anniversary. Microsoft Engineer Raymond Chen explained that the setup process for Windows 95 was primarily text-based due to the challenges of implementing graphics in MS-DOS, despite its technical capabilities. The graphical setup would have required intricate programming and optimization, as MS-DOS graphics were primitive and relied on slow BIOS calls to plot pixels. Windows 95 had a minimum VGA video card requirement, which simplified installation, but managing planar modes for effective graphics rendering was complex. The setup program needed dialog boxes, a window manager, and keyboard support, with additional challenges posed by accommodating non-alphabetic languages. Including animations would have required a scheduler for event management, and the limited storage capacity of 640KB further complicated the process. Although Windows 3.1 had the components for a graphical setup, the justification for creating a new installation process for Windows 95 remains questionable.

BetaBeacon

February 19, 2025

aPS3e: Best Android PS3 Emulator – Play PS3 Games on Your Phone Now!

aPS3e is an Android PS3 emulator designed to bring PlayStation 3 gaming to mobile devices.

Winsage

February 19, 2025

The Windows 95 setup was text-based for a good reason, Microsoft employee reveals

When installing Windows 95, users encountered a text-based environment rather than a graphical interface. The Windows development team integrated three distinct operating system environments to streamline the installation process. MS-DOS had limited graphical capabilities, requiring the setup team to potentially develop a graphics library from scratch. The minimum requirements for Windows 95 included a VGA video card, and the setup program needed to support ideogram-based languages and simple animations. The final setup utilized the Windows 3.1 runtime, which managed graphics under MS-DOS. This practice of code recycling continues in contemporary Windows versions, which require a "miniature" operating system known as the Windows Preinstallation Environment for setup and repair purposes.

Winsage

February 18, 2025

Windows 11’s February update breaks File Explorer and more

The update KB5051987 for Windows 11 24H2 aimed to enhance security and user experience but has led to numerous issues. Users have reported unresponsiveness in File Explorer, with the application freezing or failing to open. Some users experience a black desktop, and attempts at system restoration or reinstallation have not resolved the problems. Many users are unable to install the update due to persistent error messages, leading to an endless update loop. Clearing the software distribution folder may help, but patience is required. Camera functionality has also been affected, with systems failing to recognize webcams. Additional issues include performance drops during gaming, installation errors in Windows Sandbox, glitches in taskbar preview animations, and some users being unable to boot into Windows. Uninstalling the update is an option for those facing severe issues, but it leaves systems vulnerable until Microsoft addresses the problems.

Winsage

February 16, 2025

Windows 11 KB5051987 breaks File Explorer, install fails on Windows 11 24H2

The release of Windows 11 KB5051987 in February 2025 has led to installation challenges and functionality issues for users. Some users report installation stalls at 96% and error messages indicating missing update files. File Explorer has been disrupted, preventing access to folders like Desktop and Documents, although it remains active in the background. Camera functionality has been compromised, with many users unable to detect their cameras, and performance issues such as mouse stuttering and typing lag have been reported. Users experiencing these problems are advised to uninstall the update and reboot their systems. Additional issues include problems with apps in Windows Sandbox, performance drops in gaming, glitches in the taskbar, and isolated cases of users being unable to boot into Windows post-update.

Winsage

February 15, 2025

Microsoft says Windows 11 24H2 is ready for ASUS PCs after a BIOS update fixes BSOD

Windows 11 24H2 is now available for a wider range of ASUS PCs after a BIOS update that resolves a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) issue. Initially, the update was accessible only to systems using the Auto HDR feature. Certain ASUS models, such as the X415KA and X515KA, faced crashes during the update process due to compatibility issues linked to specific hardware features. A new BIOS patch has been released via Windows Update for affected ASUS PCs, which is necessary for certain configurations. ASUS BIOS versions 311 or older are not eligible for the Windows 11 24H2 update. This BIOS update is classified as a Critical Update and will not install automatically. Ongoing issues that may block the update include audio output loss on PCs with Dirac Audio, older versions of Safe Exam Browser failing to launch, BSOD errors on Intel Alder Lake+ and vPro systems, problems with third-party wallpaper applications, and BSODs related to specific Intel SST driver versions.

Winsage

February 3, 2025

Has the rush to upgrade to Windows 11 just begun? New stats show a marked uptick as Windows 10 End of Life looms later in 2025

In January 2025, Windows 11's market share increased by 2.53%, reaching 36.65%, while Windows 10's share declined from 62.7% to 60.33%. Windows 10 remains the dominant operating system, with a lead of 23.7% over Windows 11. Windows 7 also saw a decrease of 0.17%. The migration to Windows 11 is primarily from Windows 10, influenced by the impending October 2025 End of Life deadline for Windows 10. Many users are urged to upgrade to avoid vulnerabilities from lack of security updates. Businesses are proactively testing and preparing to transition to Windows 11. A significant shift in market share toward Windows 11 is expected throughout 2025, with anticipated monthly increases of around 5% or more.

Winsage

December 26, 2024

ACPI wake alarm does not disable; How to disable it?

If your Windows system is waking up at night due to an ACPI Wake Alarm, you can try several solutions to resolve the issue: 1. Adjust Hibernate Settings: Change the Hibernate after Sleep feature in Power Options to a higher value or disable it by setting it to 0 (Never). 2. BIOS/UEFI Configuration: Access the BIOS/UEFI setup and disable the Wake on RTC Alarm if enabled. 3. PowerShell and Command Line for Wake Timers: Use commands like PLACEHOLDERd65d9fd27963b5bd to review power settings and PLACEHOLDER0384fd2e90496902 to disable specific devices from waking the computer. 4. Disable Wake Timers: In Power Settings, set Allow wake timers to disable for both On Battery and Plugged In states. 5. Check Security and Maintenance Settings: Uncheck the option for Allow scheduled maintenance to wake up my computer in the Security and Maintenance settings. 6. Task Scheduler Settings: Review scheduled tasks and uncheck the “Wake the computer to run this task” option in the Conditions tab. 7. Event Viewer Analysis: Check the Event Viewer under Windows Logs > System to identify the Wake Source, which may indicate the ACPI Wake Alarm. The issue often arises from ACPI wake alarms that can override wake timer settings, necessitating a thorough examination of all related configurations to fully disable them.