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Ethan Brooks
Author

Ethan Brooks

Device Troubleshooting Contributor

Ethan Brooks is a ShowU editorial profile for practical Electronics guides. Coverage areas include Windows and macOS basics, printers, Bluetooth, device connectivity. Guides published under this profile follow ShowU editorial standards and are reviewed when the task involves material safety or account-security risk.

Windows and macOS basicsprintersBluetoothdevice connectivity
75 published stories

Latest from Ethan Brooks

Windows computer showing a black screen while starting Safe Mode
Computers & Internet

Black Screen on Safe Mode: Fix Windows

If Windows shows a black screen in Safe Mode, first press Win+Ctrl+Shift+B to restart the graphics driver, then test another display or cable and use Windows Recovery Environment if the picture never returns. If Safe Mode was forced through System Configuration, clear the Safe boot option from recovery or normal Windows. Stop if the screen stays black before the Windows logo or hardware diagnostics are also invisible.

Mortal Shell II Shell progression screen context at Zhirelle in Marrow Keep
Mortal Shell II Guides

Mortal Shell II How to Upgrade Shell Stats

To upgrade Shell stats in Mortal Shell II, visit Zhirelle, the Shellkeeper at Marrow Keep, select the Shell you want to improve, and spend Glimpse to raise its Bond Tier. Check the upgrade panel before confirming: it should show the cost, next Bond Tier, and affected attributes or effects. This guidance applies to the documented beta system, not Mortal Shell Legacy.

Windows Update page showing install error 0x80070103 for a driver update
Computers & Internet

Fix Install Error – 0x80070103 on Windows

Install error 0x80070103 usually affects a Windows driver update that is already installed, ranked as incompatible, or being offered for the wrong hardware state. Check Windows Update history to identify the device, restart the PC, and install the driver from the computer or component manufacturer. If the device works normally and the same update keeps returning, hide that specific driver update rather than forcing it.

PowerShell displaying Windows Experience Index WinSAT scores
Computers & Internet

Windows Experience Index: View Your Score

Windows 10 and Windows 11 do not normally show the Windows Experience Index in Settings. Open PowerShell and run `Get-CimInstance Win32_WinSAT`; this displays stored processor, memory, graphics, gaming-graphics, and primary-drive scores. If the result is blank, run `winsat formal` in an elevated PowerShell window, wait for it to finish, then run the query again.

Dell laptop connected to an AC adapter with its charging light visible
Computers & Internet

Why Won’t My Dell Laptop Turn On: Power Checks

Your Dell laptop may not turn on because the outlet, AC adapter, charging port, battery, power button, or internal hardware is faulty. First remove accessories, test a known-good outlet, check the charger connection and light, then perform a power reset. If lights or fans work but the screen stays black, troubleshoot the display instead of repeating power resets.

Star Citizen cargo trader using a commodity terminal in a landing zone
Star Citizen Guides

Where Do I Sell Cargo in Star Citizen: Trade Terminals

Sell most commodity cargo at a Trade and Development Division, or TDD, kiosk in a major landing zone, or at an Admin office in a space station. Bring the cargo to the terminal’s supported location, open the commodity trading screen, select the item and quantity, and confirm the transaction. If it is missing, check its location, type, ownership, and available demand.

Computer monitor showing a visible screen flicker across the desktop
Computers & Internet

Why Is My Computer Screen Flickering: Causes

A flickering computer screen is usually caused by a loose or failing display cable, an incorrect refresh rate, a graphics driver problem, an incompatible app, or a failing monitor or laptop panel. On Windows, compare Task Manager with the rest of the display: if both flicker, suspect the driver; if only other content flickers, suspect an app.

Windows 11 Windows Update page showing install error 0x800f0991
Computers & Internet

Fix Install Error – 0x800f0991 on Windows

Windows Update error 0x800f0991 is usually resolved by restarting Windows, checking the failed KB number, repairing the Windows component store with DISM and SFC, and retrying the update. If it still fails, reset the Windows Update cache or install that exact KB from the Microsoft Update Catalog. Stop before deleting files if BitLocker recovery or drive errors appear.

Windows 10 Windows Update page showing KB5068781 available for download and installation
Computers & Internet

KB5068781: Install the Windows 10 ESU Update

KB5068781 is the November 11, 2025 security update for eligible Windows 10 22H2 devices enrolled in Extended Security Updates. Install the required ESU preparation package first, then open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and select Check for updates. After restarting, verify that the OS build is 19045.6575 or 19044.6575.

Windows blue screen displaying CLOCK_WATCHDOG_TIMEOUT and stop code 0x101
Computers & Internet

How to Fix Clock Watchdog Timeout on Windows

CLOCK_WATCHDOG_TIMEOUT is a Windows blue-screen stop error that commonly indicates a processor core did not respond in time. Start by removing CPU, RAM, or firmware overclocking, then install Windows, BIOS/UEFI, chipset, and driver updates. If the error continues at default settings—or the PC overheats, freezes repeatedly, or cannot boot—stop intensive use and arrange hardware service.