Tag: card

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Guide to Fixing the “Black Screen After Windows 10 Logo” Issue (Cause: Video Driver)

This problem is often caused by an incorrect or incompatible video card driver (typically an automatic update installed by Windows Update). The solution is to disable the problematic driver by entering Safe Mode.

PHASE 1: Access the Recovery Environment and Force Safe Mode

Since the PC freezes before the desktop, you must use the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) to access the system.

  1. Force the Recovery Environment: Turn the PC on and, as soon as you see the manufacturer’s logo or the Windows loading circle, force a shutdown by holding the power button. Repeat this process three consecutive times. On the fourth startup, the PC will display the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE).
  2. Access the Command Prompt: From the blue WinRE menu, follow the path:
    • Troubleshoot (Risoluzione dei problemi)
    • Advanced options (Opzioni avanzate)
    • Command Prompt (Prompt dei comandi)
  3. Force Safe Mode Startup: When the Command Prompt opens (likely on the temporary X: drive), type the following command and press Enter:

     

    bcdedit /set {default} safeboot minimal

    (Verify the confirmation: “The operation completed successfully”)

  4. Restart: Type exit and, from the recovery options screen, select “Continue and exit to Windows 10” (or similar text). The PC will restart into Safe Mode.

PHASE 2: Remove the Problematic Driver and Restart the System

Once in Safe Mode, the system is stable because it uses a basic video driver.

  1. Uninstall the Video Driver:
    • Right-click the Start button and select “Device Manager” (Gestione dispositivi).
    • Expand the “Display adapters” (Schede video) section.
    • Right-click the device and select “Uninstall device” (Disinstalla dispositivo).
    • CRUCIAL: Check the box “Delete the driver software for this device” and confirm the uninstallation.
  2. Disable Safe Mode Force: Reopen the Command Prompt as Administrator  and type the following command to restore normal startup: 
    bcdedit /deletevalue {default} safeboot
  3. Functional Restart: Restart the computer. Windows should now start normally, using the generic basic display driver.

PHASE 3: Install the Correct Driver and Create Checkpoints

The PC is stable but unoptimized. Before installing the driver, it’s essential to create a safety checkpoint.

  1. Create a Security Restore Point: Search for create a restore point  in the Start menu and create a manual restore point (name it, for example, “Stable Pre-Driver State”).
  2. Install the Certified Driver: Download and install the version of the driver certified by the manufacturer for your specific model (avoid generic drivers from the video card manufacturer or Windows Update).
  3. Create a Second Restore Point: After installation, and after verifying the PC works correctly, create a second restore point (“Functional Driver”).

PHASE 4: Future Problem Prevention (Blocking Windows Update)

To prevent Windows from overwriting your functional driver with the problematic one:

  1. Pause Updates: Pause Windows updates for seven days through Windows Update settings.
  2. Hide Unwanted Updates: Use the official Microsoft tool “Show or hide updates” (wushowhide.diagcab) (downloadable online). Run the tool and select the specific video driver update (the newer version) that you believe is causing the issue to hide it permanently from Windows Update.
  3. Resume Updates: Reset the update search settings in Windows Update.

The Safety Net:

If, while trying to solve the new driver issue, Windows Update manages to install the wrong driver and the PC returns to the black screen:

  • Force the Recovery Environment (by turning the PC off and on 3 times).
  • Access System Restore and roll back to the “Functional Driver” restore point. This will quickly revert the PC to a stable state, resolving the issue in minutes.
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Seamless Raspberry Pi SD Card Duplication: A Step-by-Step Guide for Flawless Backups

The Raspberry Pi is a fantastic mini-computer, but its reliance on microSD cards for storage can be both a blessing and a curse. While convenient, microSD cards are prone to wear and tear, making reliable backups crucial. If you’ve ever had a Pi suddenly stop working due to a corrupted card, you know the frustration.

This article details a straightforward and effective method to create a full, byte-for-byte backup of your Raspberry Pi’s microSD card and then duplicate it onto a new card. I’ll also share a common observation about one of the tools that often confuses users.

Why Back Up Your Raspberry Pi’s SD Card?

 

  • Prevent Data Loss: Protect your projects, configurations, and custom scripts.
  • Disaster Recovery: Quickly restore your Pi to a working state if the original card fails.
  • Duplication: Easily create identical copies of your setup for multiple Pis or future use.
  • Testing: Experiment with new software or configurations without risking your primary setup.

The Tools You’ll Need:

 

  1. Original Raspberry Pi MicroSD Card: The card you want to back up.
  2. New MicroSD Card: The card you want to copy to (must be equal to or larger than the original).
  3. SD Card Reader: To connect the microSD cards to your Windows PC.
  4. Win32 Disk Imager: A free, open-source tool for reading/writing disk images on Windows.
  5. Raspberry Pi Imager: The official tool for flashing Raspberry Pi OS images, which we’ll use for restoration.

Step 1: Creating the Disk Image Backup with Win32 Disk Imager

 

This is the crucial first step where we turn your live Raspberry Pi installation into a single, comprehensive .img file on your computer.

  1. Insert the Source MicroSD Card: Place your Raspberry Pi’s operational microSD card into your Windows PC’s card reader.
  2. Launch Win32 Disk Imager: Open the application.
  3. Select the Device (Source): On the right side of the Win32 Disk Imager window, you’ll see a dropdown menu labeled “Device.” Carefully select the drive letter corresponding to your Raspberry Pi’s microSD card. Double-check this to ensure you don’t accidentally select another drive.
    • My Observation: This is where the interface can be a bit counter-intuitive. Many users, myself included, expect the “source” to be on the left and the “destination” on the right. In Win32 Disk Imager, the “Device” (your actual SD card, the source for a backup) is on the right, while the “Image File” (your backup file, the destination) is on the left.
  4. Define the Image File (Destination): On the left side, next to the “Image File” field, click the folder icon (📁). Navigate to where you want to save your backup file (e.g., your Desktop or a dedicated “Raspberry Pi Backups” folder).
    • Crucially, type a name for your backup file and add the .img extension. For example: my_pi_backup_2023-10-27.img.
    • Click “Save.”
  5. Hash Selection: If prompted for an “Hash” selection, you can safely choose “None.” Generating a hash is typically for verifying downloads, not for creating local backups where you’re simply replicating existing data.
  6. Initiate the Read Operation: With the Device selected on the right and the Image File path defined on the left, click the “Read” button (NOT “Write”).
    • Expect it to take a while! This process copies every single bit of data from your microSD card, including empty space. The time taken depends on the total size of your card (e.g., a 64GB card will take longer than a 16GB card, even if only 5GB are used), the card’s speed, and your card reader’s speed. Be patient.

Once completed, you’ll have a perfect, bootable .img file of your Raspberry Pi’s entire operating system and data.

Step 2: Restoring the Image to a New MicroSD Card with Raspberry Pi Imager

 

Now that you have your backup image, let’s flash it onto a fresh card. While Win32 Disk Imager can also write, Raspberry Pi Imager is often preferred for its user-friendly interface and robust writing capabilities.

  1. Insert the Destination MicroSD Card: Place your new (or target) microSD card into your PC’s card reader.
  2. Launch Raspberry Pi Imager: Open the official Raspberry Pi Imager application.
  3. Choose OS (Operating System): Click the “CHOOSE OS” button.
  4. Select “Use custom”: Scroll down the list of operating systems until you find and select “Use custom” (or “Custom”).
  5. Locate Your Backup Image: A file explorer window will open. Navigate to where you saved your .img backup file (from Step 1) and select it.
  6. Choose Storage: Click the “CHOOSE STORAGE” button. Carefully select your new microSD card from the list. Ensure you pick the correct one, as this process will erase all data on the selected card.
  7. Initiate the Write Operation: Click the “WRITE” button. Confirm any warnings about erasing data.

Raspberry Pi Imager will now write your custom .img file onto the new microSD card. This process will also take some time, similar to the read operation, as it’s copying all the data (including empty space) from the image file to the physical card.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you’ve successfully created a robust backup of your Raspberry Pi’s microSD card and learned how to effortlessly duplicate it onto a new one. This method provides peace of mind against card failures and simplifies the deployment of identical Raspberry Pi setups. Despite Win32 Disk Imager’s slightly unconventional interface layout, it, combined with the user-friendly Raspberry Pi Imager, offers a powerful and reliable solution for managing your Raspberry Pi’s storage.

Happy Pi-ing!