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July 12, 2023July 12, 2023

Ultimate Guide: Manual BCD Rebuild for Windows Devices That Won’t Boot

Introduction: Encountering booting issues on your Windows device can be frustrating, but there are steps you can take to manually rebuild the Boot Configuration Data (BCD) and resolve the problem. In this guide, we will walk you through the process of using the Windows 10 installation media to rebuild the BCD and get your device up and running again.

Disclaimer: Manipulating system files and configurations carries a level of risk. It’s crucial to follow the instructions carefully and take a backup of your important data before proceeding. If you’re uncomfortable performing these steps on your own, it’s recommended to seek professional assistance.

Requirements: Windows 10 Installation Media If you do not have a Windows install disk learn how to make one here

Step 1: Booting from the Windows 10 Installation Media

Insert the Windows 10 installation media (DVD or USB) into your PC.
Restart your computer and make sure it boots from the installation media. You may need to adjust your boot order settings in the BIOS or use a specific key (such as F12 or Esc) to bring up the boot menu and select the media.

Step 2: Accessing Repair Options

Once the Windows Setup screen appears, select your language preferences and click “Next.”
Click on “Repair your computer” located at the bottom left corner of the screen.
In the next screen, select “Troubleshoot.”

Step 3: Opening the Command Prompt

From the Troubleshoot menu, choose “Command Prompt.” This will open a Command Prompt window with administrative privileges.

Step 4: Identifying the EFI and Windows Volumes

In the Command Prompt, type diskpart and press Enter. This will launch the DiskPart utility.
Type list volume and press Enter to display a list of all available volumes.
Identify the volume that corresponds to the EFI partition. It will be formatted as FAT32 and approximately 100MB in size. Make a note of its volume number.
Identify the volume that contains the Windows installation. Take note of its volume number as well.

Step 5: Formatting the EFI Partition

Still in the Command Prompt, type select volume <EFI_volume_number> and press Enter. Replace <EFI_volume_number> with the volume number of the EFI partition you noted earlier.
Type assign letter=V: and press Enter. This assigns the drive letter V: to the EFI partition.
Type exit and press Enter to exit DiskPart.
Type V: and press Enter to navigate to the V: drive, representing the EFI partition.
Once you’re in the V: drive, type format V: /FS:FAT32 and press Enter. Confirm the formatting process when prompted. This will format the EFI partition.

Step 6: Rebuilding the BCD

After the EFI partition is formatted, type bcdboot C:\windows /s V: /f UEFI and press Enter. This command rebuilds the BCD and points it to the Windows installation.
Wait for the process to complete.

Step 7: Restarting the Computer

Type exit and press Enter to close the Command Prompt.
Shut down your computer.
Power on your computer and check if it starts normally.

Conclusion: By following this step-by-step guide, you can manually rebuild the BCD using the Windows 10 installation media. Remember to exercise caution and back up your important data before proceeding. If you’re uncertain or uncomfortable with the process, it’s advisable to seek professional assistance. With a successful BCD rebuild, your Windows device should boot up properly, allowing you to resume normal usage.

April 18, 2023April 18, 2023

How to Back up Your Windows PC (3 Options)

Backing up your Windows PC is crucial to ensure you don’t lose important data in case of hardware failure, theft, or other disasters. In this guide, we’ll cover the built-in Windows backup options, as well as using the legacy shadow copy (Windows 7 version) of backup from the control panel.

Option 1:

Windows Backup Windows Backup is a built-in feature that allows you to back up your entire PC or selected files and folders to an external hard drive or network location. Here’s how to use it:

Connect your external hard drive or choose a network location where you want to save your backup.
Type “backup” in the Windows search bar and select “Backup settings” from the results.
Click “Add a drive” to select your backup location.
Under “Back up now,” click “More options” to choose the files and folders you want to include in the backup.
Click “Back up now” to start the backup process.

Option 2:

Shadow Copy (Windows 7 version) Shadow Copy is a built-in feature in Windows that allows you to restore previous versions of files and folders. Here’s how to use it for backup:

Type “Control Panel” in the Windows search bar and select it from the results.
Select “System and Security” and then “File History.”
Click “System Image Backup” on the bottom left.
Follow the prompts to create a system image of your PC, which includes Windows and all your files.

Option 3:

3rd Party Backup Software There are many 3rd party backup software options available that offer additional features and customization options. Some popular options include Acronis True Image, EaseUS Todo Backup, and Norton Backup.

In conclusion, backing up your Windows PC is important, and there are several options available to ensure your data is safe and secure.

March 21, 2023March 21, 2023

How to Protect Your Smart Home: Tips and Tricks for Maximum Security

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

As smart home devices become more prevalent, so do the risks associated with them. Hackers and cybercriminals are always on the lookout for vulnerabilities in smart home systems, which can leave you and your family vulnerable to theft, invasion of privacy, and even physical harm. In this article, we’ll discuss the best practices for securing your smart home, including tips and tricks for maximum security.

Use Strong Passwords and Multi-Factor Authentication

The first step in securing your smart home is to use strong passwords and multi-factor authentication for all of your smart devices. Avoid using easy-to-guess passwords like “password” or “123456,” and use a unique password for each device. Multi-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of verification, such as a fingerprint or facial recognition.

Keep Your Devices Up-to-Date

Keeping your smart devices up-to-date is essential for maintaining their security. Manufacturers regularly release updates that address security vulnerabilities and other issues. Be sure to install these updates as soon as they become available, and check for updates regularly.

Use a Secure Wi-Fi Network

Your Wi-Fi network is the gateway to your smart home, so it’s crucial to use a secure network. Use a strong password for your Wi-Fi network, and consider using a guest network for your smart devices. This can help prevent hackers from gaining access to your main network.

Monitor Your Devices for Suspicious Activity

Regularly monitoring your smart devices for suspicious activity can help you detect any security breaches early on. Keep an eye out for any unusual behavior, such as devices turning on or off unexpectedly or strange sounds coming from your smart speakers. If you notice anything suspicious, take immediate action.

Use a Smart Home Security System

Using a smart home security system can provide an added layer of protection for your home. These systems typically include cameras, motion sensors, and other devices that can alert you to potential security breaches. Some smart home security systems even use artificial intelligence to learn your home’s patterns and alert you to any deviations.

Be Careful with Third-Party Apps and Devices

Be cautious when using third-party apps and devices with your smart home system. These apps and devices can introduce vulnerabilities into your network, making it easier for hackers to gain access. Before using any third-party apps or devices, do your research and make sure they are reputable and secure.

Conclusion

Securing your smart home is essential for protecting your family and your belongings. By following these tips and tricks, you can maximize the security of your smart home and minimize the risks associated with these devices. Remember to use strong passwords and multi-factor authentication, keep your devices up-to-date, use a secure Wi-Fi network, monitor your devices for suspicious activity, use a smart home security system, and be careful with third-party apps and devices. With these best practices in place, you can enjoy the convenience of your smart home with the peace of mind that comes with maximum security.

March 21, 2023March 21, 2023

How to Connect and Install a Printer to Your Home Network

macbook pro on brown wooden table — Photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels.com

Printing documents and photos from your home network can be a convenient way to share information and save time. However, connecting and installing a printer to your network can be a bit tricky, especially if you have multiple devices running on different operating systems. In this article, we’ll guide you through the best way to connect and install a printer to your home network, with step-by-step instructions for Windows, Mac, and mobile devices.

Step 1: Check your Printer’s Connectivity

Before connecting your printer to your home network, you should make sure that your printer has the necessary connectivity options. Most modern printers come with Wi-Fi connectivity built-in, but some may require a wired Ethernet connection or a USB cable. Check your printer’s manual or the manufacturer’s website to confirm the connectivity options available.

Step 2: Connect the Printer to Your Home Network

For Wi-Fi: On your printer, go to the settings menu and select the Wi-Fi option. Follow the on-screen instructions to connect to your home network. You may be prompted to enter your Wi-Fi network name and password.
For Ethernet: Connect one end of an Ethernet cable to your printer and the other end to an available Ethernet port on your router.
For USB: Connect one end of a USB cable to your printer and the other end to an available USB port on your computer.

Once you’ve confirmed your printer’s connectivity options, you can connect it to your home network using the following steps:

Step 3: Install Printer Software

After connecting your printer to your home network, you’ll need to install the necessary software on your computer or mobile device. Most printers come with software that can be downloaded from the manufacturer’s website.

For Windows: Download the necessary software from the manufacturer’s website and follow the on-screen instructions to install it.
For Mac: Most modern printers should be automatically detected by your Mac, and the necessary software should be installed automatically. If not, download the software from the manufacturer’s website.
For mobile devices: Download the necessary printer software from your device’s app store. Once the software is installed, you should be able to print from your mobile device as long as it’s connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your printer.

Step 4: Test Your Printer

After installing the necessary software, you can test your printer by printing a test page or document. If you encounter any issues, try restarting your printer, computer, or mobile device, or check your printer’s manual or the manufacturer’s website for troubleshooting tips.

Conclusion

Connecting and installing a printer to your home network can be a bit of a hassle, but it’s worth the effort to have a convenient and efficient way to print documents and photos. By following the steps outlined in this article, you should be able to connect and install your printer on Windows, Mac, and mobile devices. If you encounter any issues, don’t hesitate to consult your printer’s manual or contact the manufacturer’s customer support for assistance.

March 21, 2023March 21, 2023

Maximizing Your Home WiFi: Tips and Tricks from the Pros

Wireless internet is an essential component of our daily lives, but it can be frustrating when the signal is weak or the connection is slow. Fortunately, there are several easy ways to optimize your home WiFi network and improve its performance. In this article, we’ll explore some tips for optimizing your home WiFi that are user-friendly.

Use a Mesh Network A Mesh Network is a popular solution for homes that have dead spots or areas where the WiFi signal is weak. A Mesh Network system consists of multiple access points that are placed throughout your home, ensuring that the signal is strong in every corner. This solution is easy to set up and maintain, making it an ideal option for home users.

Upgrade Your Router If your router is outdated or not designed to handle high-speed internet, upgrading to a newer model can improve the performance of your network. Look for a router that supports the latest WiFi standards, such as 802.11ac, and has features like beamforming, which helps focus the signal on your devices.

Use a WiFi Extender A WiFi extender is a cost-effective solution that can help boost the signal strength and range of your network. These devices work by picking up the signal from your router and amplifying it, allowing you to access the internet from further away. WiFi extenders are easy to set up and are an ideal solution for users who have a smaller home.

Limit the Number of Devices Connected Having too many devices connected to your WiFi network can slow down the speed of your connection. Try to limit the number of devices connected to your network at any given time, especially devices that use a lot of bandwidth like streaming devices or gaming consoles.

Position Your Router Correctly The location of your WiFi router can have a significant impact on the signal strength and range. For optimal performance, position your router in a central location, away from walls and other obstacles. Avoid placing your router in a closet or a cabinet, as this can block the signal.

Keep Your Firmware Updated Regularly updating your router’s firmware can fix bugs and security vulnerabilities that can impact the performance of your network. Check your router’s manual or manufacturer’s website for instructions on how to update the firmware. Keeping your firmware updated ensures that your router is working at its best and keeps your network

By following these tips, you can optimize your home WiFi network and enjoy faster, more reliable internet.

August 3, 2022July 12, 2023

How to Recover Data from a Failing Hard Drive with DDrescue

In this post I want to share a very powerful skill that can be used to recover data from a disk that is undergoing physical failures. I will share in another post about how to quickly tell, using SMART reporting, whether computer system issues are Hard Drive related. This is another entry in a group of posts that will focus on using Parted Magic (a bootable utility) to perform various diagnostic and recovery operations.

The great part about this, is that sending a disk for professional recovery can cost hundreds if not thousands of dollars. The method that we will share in this post can be done for a very cost effectively, and if you have a spare Hard Drive, it can be done almost for free (except for the $15 charge to purchase Parted Magic). This method is very safe if done carefully, because no data on the original drive will get lost. Also, a “Recovery Clone” (As I like to call it) is very useful before attempting disk pounding, file system recovery software tools to recover files. A ddrescue recovery, uses a sophisticated algorithm and is extremely patient, when creating a clone onto a healthy drive. It is designed to gently go around failing sectors of the disk and “trim them” later on in the process, so you can get as much usable data in your copy as possible.

It also is very versatile with a myriad of options and also the ability to save your progress, so that if you need to interrupt it for whatever reason (Failing disks especially sometimes, need to be disconnected for a while and then reconnected – in my experience) you can resume from where you were up to. The goal would be to get as much usable data off of the failing disk and then perform file recovery operations on the physically healthy (although very possibly badly corrupted) disk while leaving the original alone.

That’s enough intro for now – Let’s Dig In!

Step 1 – Identify Drives

This step is arguably the single most important step of all. It is crucial not to mix up the source and target drive. If we are not %1000 percent sure of which drive is the one that has the data we need and which one is the destination, we could end up in a disastrous situation where we fully erase the disk we were trying to save.

One tip that I find helpful is to not have any drives attached to the computer that we are working with before beginning. Even the boot media should be removed after Parted Magic loads. If the drive we are recovering is the internal drive of the computer then further action is needed. If we are using another computer to try to restore a drive externally, remove the computer’s internal drive as well. Now connect the drive that we are recovering.

Open a terminal window (The icon looks like a black computer screen with a “$”).

Type the command “lsblk” (No Quotes). This will display the physical disks and logical drives that the system can see. In Linux, disks get labeled sequentially – /dev/sda, /dev/sdb, /dev/sdc etc. Logical partitions (drives) are nested underneath each physical disk also sequentially – /dev/sda1, /dev/sda2, /dev/sda3 etc.

If you all you have is the single disk that we are trying to recover as described above, your output should only include the /dev/sda drives.

Now connect the second drive and type the ‘lsblk’ command again. The output should now show both sda and sdb drives.

Step 2 – Wipe the Destination Drive

If your destination drive is brand new and never been used before, you can skip this step. This step is important if the drive you are recovering to has been used before and contains data. The reason this is important is because very often the source drive is so badly damaged that the recovered partition is too corrupted to read and will require recovery software to use. In this case having the old layer of data will just result in confusion.

WARNING: BE VERY CAREFUL TO BACK UP ANY REQUIRED DATA FROM SDB BEFORE PROCEEDING. ALL DATA WILL BE WIPED.

Open “Erase Disk” from the Desktop.

Select Block Wipe and Disk Write Zeros

Select the disk that we will be wiping (in our example sdb) and accept the warnings.

Perform Recovery Clone

In the terminal type the following command to clone the damaged drive to your healthy drive.

ddrescue -d -f -r 0 -n /dev/sda /dev/sdb logfile

The breakdown of the command is as follows

ddrescue – This is the actual clone command

-d – This calls for direct disk clone which bypasses the kernel cache

-f – This means force overwrite target

-r 0 – This means do not retry failed reads

-n – This means no scrape. This avoids a lengthy step which does not usually produce results in my experience.

logfile – This is extremely important. This means that ddrescue will log progress so that it can be resumed in case of interruption. The next time you run the command with that switch and call the file, it will resume based on the file contents. It is important to copy the file to removable media before powering off the computer so that it can be used again.

You can get more information in the official manual here GNU ddrescue Manual.

Although it can seem a bit intimidating, with the proper care, ddrescue can be a powerful tool to recover a damaged drive.

June 13, 2022June 13, 2022

How to Create a Bootable Disk from an Iso file

Today, I wanted to share a foundational element for many topics that I write about. Often, a situation may arise, where we need to boot into an alternate operating system or utility. Windows install disks can be created directly from their own utility as described here. Other bootable applications and operating systems will need to be created with a 3rd party utility. Personally, I prefer to use Rufus because it is light and very easy to use.

In this demonstration we will be burning a tool called Parted Magic. I find myself using this tool a lot because of its versatility and multiple use case scenarios. Here are the steps to create a bootable disk.

Download Rufus and ISO

First things first. Download the utility ISO file that you want to use. As mentioned, we will be using Parted Magic. Next, navigate to rufus.ie to download the media creation tool.

Select Device

Choose the device that you will be using as the tool. WARNING: THE DEVICE WILL BE COMPLETELY WIPED SO BE SURE TO USE AN EMPTY DEVICE.

Select ISO file

Click on “Select” and choose the ISO file that you would like to burn.

Choose File System

There are two options for the target partition Scheme. You can either choose GPT or MBR. For newer computers you can choose GPT. This will only be compatible with UEFI BIOS systems. For greater compatibility choose MBR which will allow it to boot in both UEFI and CSM (Legacy) BIOS systems.

Finalize Tool

Click start and wait for the tool to finish copying the file. You can tell that it is ready when the green bar is full, and the status says ready. The tool is now ready for use.

June 12, 2022June 12, 2022

How to Create a Windows 10\11 Install and Repair Disk

There can be many reasons why we may need to use a Windows install disk. Sometimes, windows can simply use a refresh install, or you may be installing Windows from scratch on a new system or after a hard drive replacement. You can also use a Windows disk to recover from a corrupted install and a myriad of other repair options. The good news is that it is very simple to create a Windows disk. Simply follow the below steps to create a Windows Recovery Disk.

NOTE: Creating a windows disk will wipe everything on the USB drive you select.

Navigate to Windows Download Page

Search the web for the terms “Download Windows 10” or “Download Windows 11″. On the download page, scroll to the ” Create Windows installation media” section and select Download Now.

Run the downloaded tool. After accepting the license agreement and selecting language and edition, select “Create installation media”.

You can now decide whether to allow the tool to create the disk for you or to simply download the iso (disk) file. There are times when the iso file can come in handy for example if you like to manually flash a disk using another media creation tool or if you want to run the windows installer straight from Windows. Generally, however, it is simpler to allow the tool to create the disk for you.

Select USB Drive

Make sure to choose the USB flash drive that you want to create the install disk on. As noted before, the disk you create will get completely wiped so be very careful to choose the desired disk. Select Next and then you are done.

Boot from the install disk

For details on how to boot and install Windows from an install disk, check out this article.

May 27, 2022June 12, 2022

How to Speed up your Computer Exponentially for Minimal Cost with SSD Upgrade

Oftentimes we find ourselves working with a computer or laptop that seems to be not responsive or just sluggish. Of course there are many variables, but under the right conditions you can make your computer snappier than ever with not that much effort. There are multiple ways to upgrade your computer but by far, the most noticeable change comes when swapping out a system drive that runs on a spinning Hard Disk Drive (HDD) for a Digital Solid State Drive (SSD).

Confirm your system would benefit

The first step to determine whether your computer could benefit from putting in an SSD is to confirm that your computer actually is running on a HDD. The easiest way to check on a Windows computer is to search in your search box for the term ” Defragment and Optimize Drives”. That box will provide the “Media Type” Solid state drive or Hard disk drive. In the below example we can see both types of disks in the same computer. In practice, the main benefit would be if the C: drive was a Hard disk drive whereas in this example the system is already running off of a Solid State Drive.

Clone Or Clean Install

The next step is to decide whether to clone or to clean install Windows. Cloning a disk refers to a sector by sector copy from one disk to another. This process does not copy files and has no awareness of the operating system or any data contained on the disks. Typically, the target (destination disk) needs to be the same size or larger than the source (original) disk. The benefit of this method is that it keeps all your files, programs and settings exactly where they were. There are some downsides to this method, however.

A) It’s not clean. Sometimes, it’s better to start fresh. If your system is bogged down by years of downloads, apps and bloatware, now would be the perfect time to start fresh.

B) Size. For cloning to work best, the new drive needs to have the same capacity as your existing drive. The typical Hard drive that ships with a computer is 1 TB or 500 GB. SSD prices vary depending on size, so unless you are storing years’ worth of pictures or videos you may only be using 100 GB or less and a 250 GB SSD will be more than enough for you.

C) HD Health. Cloning a drive from a disk with health issues can cause file system corruption on the target, so you need to ensure that the source drive is healthy. I will be writing another post on methods to check hard drive health.

Cloning should only be chosen for situations where it will be impossible or very difficult to find your program installation files and\or licensing information. Otherwise, it is much more preferred to do a clean install. This post will focus on this second method. I will write a separate post on cloning.

Prerequisite Tools

Before you begin, you will need to make sure that you have the following

Screwdriver – For a laptop you will need a Phillips screwdriver with a small head, but for a computer, a regular Phillips will suffice

Sata to USB – In order to transfer the information from one your HDD to your SSD, you will need either a hard rive dock, Sata to USB adapter or a Hard Drive enclosure. These are all inexpensive and can be easily found on Amazon

Windows Install Media – Windows install media can be created for free on any running Windows 10 or Windows 11 computer on a Flash drive that is 8 GB or larger. See this post on the steps to do so.

Replace Hard Drive with SSD

The first step is to determine how much storage you need to purchase. Typically, a 250 GB SSD should be enough, but if you are using more than 125 GB then you should scale up to the next level. A good rule of thumb is to leave yourself at least %50 room for scalability.

The next step is to gain access to the Hard Drive and identify it. Computers are fairly straightforward, but laptops can be a bit more difficult. Some laptops, on the other hand have a panel to provide access to the hard drive. Here is a sample laptop with the back removed. Look for a youtube guide for your model computer.

Remove the hard drive and replace it with the SSD that you purchased. It is usually held in by just a few screws. Then close up the computer.

Install Windows

Plug your Windows Media into your computer and then power on the computer. There is a special Key combination to enter the boot menu so that you can boot from the USB drive. Each manufacturer is different, but here are some common ones.

Dell Tap F12 repeatedly while you power on the computer until a blue line shows up under the Dell symbol

HP Tap F9 repeatedly while powering on the computer until you reach the boot menu.

Acer F12, but it is disabled by default. You can enable it in the BIOS by tapping F2.

Lenovo F12 or enter or escape. Typically, there is a message when powering on the computer about which button to push.

Asus Tap F2 to enter the BIOS and then choose your boot device in the temporary Boot override section in the BIOS.

Confirm your language and keyboard settings and select Next.

Select Install Now

Accept the License Agreement

Select Custom: Install Windows Only

Choose the SSD Drive and select Next

At this point Windows will install itself. Wait for it to finish until you reach the Out of Box Setup Experience.

Run through the rest of the computer setup.

Update\ Set up Computer

After a clean install Windows will need to install drivers and firmware before it is ready to be used. This used to be a notoriously drawn out and convoluted process involving manufacturer downloads, but with Windows 10 and 11 this is all handled in Windows updates itself.

Restore Your Files

Attach your old laptop to your computer using either a Dock, USB adapter or an enclosure.

Identify the drive letter of the external Windows installation. (In this case it’s D:)

Right click the start menu icon on the bottom left of the screen and select WIndows Powershell (Administrator) Note: It’s important to select the administrator option.

Type the following Xcopy d: c:\backup /s /c and then select D for Directory creation. (replace d: with your external drive letter and C: with your system drive).

Your files should now all transfer to C:\Backup.

Congratulations! Your computer is now running on Solid State Drive!

May 22, 2022May 22, 2022

Apple Display Supplier Frozen Out – Caught with Shady Practices

According to a recent report by Ben Lovejoy at 925mac, Chinese display manufacturer, BOE is in very hot water after being caught trying to cut corners. Apple outsources its phone displays to other companies. Samsung is in the lead with LG following behind, while BOE comes in third. Despite this, they still were hoping to fulfill an order of 40M OLED screens across various models.

Struggle to Meet Demand

A month ago, the LEC reported that BOE was struggling to meet demand. This was due to 3 primary reasons.

A) The global chip shortage has hit the display driver chip industry particularly hard. Samsung has its own Chip making company called Samsung System LSI, which it uses to supply itself. On the other hand, LG and BOE both share the same chip supplier – LX Semicon. Given the choice, LX Semicon had elected to supply LG before BOE. This left BOE in a crunch.

B) Simultaneously, the yield rate – which is the rate of how much percent of a manufacturer’s production are fit to sell was lower than expected. Apple is notoriously stringent in their quality control requirements, and even Samsung has a lower yield rate for their Apple contracts vs general production. However, BOE was doing even worse than usual.

C) At the same time that all this was going on, one of their new factories was delivering a low factory operation rate. The report does not say why, but we must speculate that the extreme Chinese Covid lockdowns are playing a role.

Desperate Measures

All this left BOE struggling to meet its commitments to Apple. The story took a strange turn last week after it was reported that BOE had secretly made changes to the design of the circuitry without approval from Apple. When they were discovered, they sent some C level executives to try to explain themselves. Apparently, that did not go over too well with Apple either.

As a result, BOE has been cut out of the iPhone 14 orders altogether and its initial 30M order (prior to them raising it to 40M) was handed to Samsung instead. It is extremely unlikely that Samsung will be able to fulfill both their initial order and this one so expect shortages on the iPhone 14. It is unclear however, whether BOE will be permanently banned or whether they will be allowed back for future releases.

I find it interesting how in the “Smart Phone Wars”, everything is connected, and how even when purchasing an iPhone, their direct competitor (Samsung) directly benefits from each purchase. The real-life ramifications of the Geopolitics such as Covid Lockdowns and chip shortages are also fascinating to me.