Dark circles under your eyes are indicators that you’re not getting enough sleep or rest. But fatigue isn’t the only cause – dehydration, sun, eczema, allergies and, eye strains may also share the blame.

This is a common affliction among both men and women and can make you look older than you actually are. What’s worse is that they are very difficult to get rid of.

As mentioned earlier, there are several causes of dark circles. However, these could also be blamed on genetic predisposition as well as aging. Also, the skin under your eyes is sensitive and soft, making it more prone to damage.

But thankfully, some time-tested remedies can help hide the dark circles and make your eyes sparkle like you slept the whole eight hours!

Here are some of our favorite all-natural DIY remedies:

Easy 5 DIY Tips To Brighten Your Eyes

With the right natural remedies, you can say goodbye to your dark circles.

Follow these simple DIY remedies to brighten your face.

Potatoes

Potatoes are a great source of vitamin C, so you can count on them to treat your dark circles.

Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant that can help treat everything from eye diseases and cancer to the common cold. Its antioxidants repair damaged cells and mitigate the melanin production that causes dark spots.

First, peel the potato and wash it thoroughly. Chop it into small uniform pieces, and put them on your eyes.

You could also peel the potatoes and extract their juice. Then, get a cotton makeup remover pad, soak it in the liquid and place the soaked pads on the eyes.

Almond Oil

There are many natural remedies for treating your dark circles, but sweet almond is one of the most effective ones.

Almond oil is rich with vitamin K and E. These vitamins help improve your under-eye dark circles, while also boost circulation.

Take a few drops of your sweet almond oil, and gently dab under your dark circles with the pinky finger (because it is the gentlest). Do it for a few weeks every night, and you’ll notice brighter eyes in a matter of days.

Green Tea

Green tea is packed with antioxidants and caffeine that can help lightens your dark under-eye circles and minimize the puffiness caused by fluid retention.

Brew your green tea bags and chill them afterward, then place them under your eyes. If you want quick results: mix your green tea leaves with a little honey and put them on your eyes.

Cucumbers

How many times have we seen cucumbers being used by actors in television and movies?

Probably, hundreds of times!

Cucumbers are rich with brightening agents that allow immediate refreshing and soothing effect.

Peel the cucumber and slice it equally thin pieces, then put them in the refrigerator for half an hour.

Now place the chilled cucumber pieces on your dark circles for some time, 15 minutes are enough. Do it twice a day, and you’ll see noticeable results in 2 weeks.

Tomato & Lemon Juice

Tomatoes are rich antioxidants and contain lycopene and beta-carotene – phytochemicals that can fight your dark circles and win.

Vitamin C in lemons and tomatoes has bleaching qualities that can help brighten your skin. If you want your dark spots to vanish, try using them together.

Blend your tomatoes and make a tomato pulp, then separately make a lemon juice. Take one teaspoon of lemon juice and tomato pulp each and mix them.

Dab the tomato and lemon juice mixture on your dark circles, and rinse them after a few minutes. For tangible results, repeat the process for a month.

 

 

Use these pure and natural home remedies to get rid of dark circles from under your eyes, without going for expensive treatments.

You’re on the highway traveling 80mph in your car, and suddenly you hear a recurring sound of thump, thump, thump – that’s your tire, the one you just blew.

Now what?

You’re in luck if you know how to change tires and have the right equipment in the boot. But if you don’t, chances are you are stuck curbside on a highway with no help for miles.

This can happen to anyone, so it’s better to be prepared for this possibility. We bring you a quick and easy guide to DIY tire replacement to ensure that you can quickly get back on the road.

Let’s get started:

Easy DIY Ways To Change Your Flat Tire

Changing a flat tire of the vehicle can be challenging, especially if you don’t know how to do it. Thankfully, it’s not hard to learn how to do it properly with the right guidelines and instructions.

Here is a complete step by step DIY guide to changing your flat tire:

Locate A Safe Spot

You’re driving your car, and suddenly you hear a loud noise, and the tire’s a goner!

First of all, slow down – reduce the speed of your car and pull it off straight the road. Never try to brake or turn your vehicle when you have a flat tire.

Slowly reach to the side of the road. Make sure no motorists are passing by, and step out of your car and check your dead tire.

Light Your Flashers

Make sure that you turn on your flashers or hazards lights to keep you safe from other vehicles – a safety precaution to avoid road accidents.

Put On The Parking Brake

Once you decide you’re changing your flat tire, make sure to put parking brakes before you do it. It’ll reduce the chances of your car rolling away while you work on it.

Use Wheel Wedges

This is another precautionary measure to ensure that your car stays put while you replace the tire.  Install the wheel wedges against the tires to avoid the accidental movement.

If you don’t have wheel wedges, try to find any sturdy stones or bricks lying around on location – make sure they are big enough to do the work.

Time To Loosen The Lug Nuts

Use your lug wrench to loosen up the lug nuts, but don’t remove them completely just yet. Turn your lug wrench anticlockwise to do it right.

Jack Up Your Car

If your car is relatively new, the chances are that it came with its own special screw-type scissor jack to make it easier to make your vehicle rise and stay there. This should make it smooth and simple to remove the tire.

Just place the jack in its spot, turn the knob and lift till it touches the frame. Make sure to jack up the car until your dead tire is raised completely above the ground.

Remove Lug Nuts And Your Flat Tire

Once you’re done with jacking, remove all lug nuts completely. Remove them by hand as you have already loosened them. Please make sure you put them away securely since it’s really easy to lose the lug nuts when you are not looking.

Now, please take out the flat tire and put it aside to a safe position.

Install Your Spare Tire

Carefully place your spare tire on the wheel studs. This is the most difficult part of the entire ‘changing the tire’ process, so you have to be extra cautious.

Hold your tire in front of the wheel stud, so that you can easily slide your tire onto it. Once you hang your spare tire onto the stud, screw the lug nuts back.

Do it with your hand first, and then use the tire iron to tighten them up.

Lower Your Vehicle And Ensure To Tighten Your Wheel Lug Again

Once you have placed your spare tire, it’s time to lower the jack. Pull it away completely. And start tightening the wheel lugs once the tire touches the ground. Use your full force to tighten the lugs as the tire won’t spin anymore.

Put your dead tire back in the car, and your good to go.

 

Next time you face a tire blowout, don’t panic. Just follows these simple DIY instructions to change your tire and you’ll be ready to roll back on the road in no time at all.

You have some urgent work to do, but your laptop is acting up. It won’t boot, and when it does manage to start up, the Windows OS crashes after every few minutes.

Sure, you could take it down to the technician first thing in the morning, but what can you do now to get things moving?

Windows 10 is a powerful OS that is easy to troubleshoot and usually recovers from problems itself. But sometimes human intervention becomes necessary; this may be one of those times.

Let’s explore what can be done to get your computer in a proper working state without losing any data.

6 Ways Of Troubleshooting Windows 10

PC problems creep in when least expected, and it always happens when you have a lot to do. We have detailed some commonly used DIY fixes for a Windows 10 computer that’s been acting up.

Try them all and see what works for you:

1.     Repairs With System File Checker (SFC)

The SFC can scan and verify the working versions of all system files, making it possible for you to quickly find if anything is wrong in there.

Go to start menu, search for ‘command prompt’ and enter ‘SFC/scannow’ at the command line. Make sure you do it as an administrator.

It’ll be a good 10 minutes before the scan completes, but might take longer depending on the hardware on your PC.

Next, this command will also attempt to repair the files that may be damaged or incomplete, by replacing it with a recent copy.  And if the cache file is also corrupted, the SFC command will try to fix that too.

Typically Windows 10 PCs start working a lot faster once the SFC cycle is complete.

2.     Repairs With DISM

Here’s the deal, SFC is faster because it’s a more cursory check.

If you believe there’s a need for a more in-depth and authoritative check, use the DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) command. It can fix issues that SFC won’t detect.

But you’ll need to know basic file repair syntax to use DISM properly. Don’t worry, though, it’s easy to figure out, and you can find relevant tutorials online.

Open command prompt as an administrator and then enter individual commands or enter a complete set to check and repair. For example, try the ‘/checkhealth’ command to discover any loss or corruption in the running image of your OS.

So the syntax should read something like this:

dism/online/cleanup-image/checkhealth

On the other hand, the ‘/check’ command lets you know if the damage is fixable.

The ‘/restorehealth’ command attempts to repair the image as long as you can provide a viable source for a healthy image. Otherwise, it will try to find the necessary files online.

3.     Use Windows System Restore

If the system restore function is enabled, Windows automatically creates and saves various restore points on your behalf – you could also specify the time and date for creating this perfect copy of your system.

And when your computer starts acting up, simply go back and reset the system to this perfect copy. Hopefully, things will get back to normal again.

To access it, type “restore point” in the search bar, then click on the system properties tab, and access the system restore wizard. If the system restore tab is not clickable, it means that you do not have a restore point.

However, if the wizard opens up, you can see all the restore points made to date – choose an instance – and click on Scan for affected programs.

It would now show you what changes would be made to your current system. Next, run the restoration process. It should take about an hour to reinstate your system to its former glory, depending on the system and the amount of data that needs to be restored.

4.     In-Place Updates

This is one of the best methods of updating your Windows without losing any important files and folders.

You’ll need another version of Windows 10 on a bootable USB, disc, etc.; make sure it is the same version as the one on your system.

Now, login into windows from an administrator account and remove all antivirus software other than Defender. Then run the upgrade from the setup.exe file, and accept the terms and conditions and license agreements.

It should take anywhere from 10 minutes to half an hour, and your system would be upgraded, and all issues will be resolved.

5.     Factory Reset

If all else has failed, try this move to revert your Windows 10 to its original state, i.e., what it was like right after installation. But know that you might lose your apps, programs, and settings, etc. as a result of a reset, so do it only when necessary. Also, don’t forget to save any critical files and folders on an external drive.

Follow these steps for a factory reset:

1. Log in as an administrator
2. Go to settings, then update and security, and then recovery
3. Right on the top, you will notice it says “Reset This PC,” and a clickable button which says “Get Started”
4. Click on it, and you will be moved to a new menu where you choose between keep my files or remove everything
5. Then let it run, and your PC will be reset with or without your files and minus all the apps and settings

6.     A Clean Install

If your system is inundated with malware, and viruses, or ransomware — it would be best to go for a clean install. Also, a fresh installation makes sense if you want to create new drives and delete old windows files that are of no use!

You can use a Windows 10 CD or bootable USB for a fresh install. Once complete, you’ll have a clean virus-free PC.

Please know that your data will not survive a clean install, so it would be best to backup personal files on an external drive before you begin the installation.

Key Takeaway

Hopefully, these ideas will help you resolve your issues, and your PC will work at its full potential so you can get back to work.

However, if all this seems too overwhelming, it’d be best to talk to an expert. Visit your local Windows tech to get your OS fixed ASAP.

 

2020 has been nothing short of a rollercoaster ride — we have faced some of the most unusual scenarios in the past couple of months while fighting to curb the spread of COVID-19. Chief among them were the precautionary measures that mandated people maintain a physical distance from others.

As a result, many businesses and educational institutions had to close their doors for their staff and customers alike – resorting to working from home where possible.

This created an unexpected dependency on digital platforms that help people communicate and collaborate with ease. So, it comes as no surprise that Zoom usage has been up by 21% since the end of 2019 – there were 12.92 million active users in February this year, and the number keeps increasing.

That explains why Zoom has become the most popular video conferencing tool for organizations of all sizes that are struggling to stay in business despite the raging pandemic.

The good news is that using it is quite straight forward. However, like all things technical, it has some vulnerabilities that can frustrate users, especially those with little to no experience in dealing with technology.

Common Zoom Issues And Easy Fixes

We have explored some of the most common issues that users face and have provided instructions on how to solve them.

Audio Or Camera Troubles

Does it ever happen that you join a Zoom meeting but can’t see and/or hear others?

Don’t worry; it’s probably because you are in such a hurry to get started that you close the window that pops up before entering the conference, without caring for what it’s telling you.

Next time, do not close it, and just press “Join with Computer Audio Tab.” However, if you closed the window by mistake, press the join audio toggle on the bottom left, and then press “Join with Audio Computer.”

If people still can’t hear you – press the space bar – or click the microphone icon on the bottom left and unmute it.

If your camera is not functioning, click the camera icon in the taskbar to enable it. If it still shows an error, go your system’s camera settings and permit it to be accessed by apps.

Gatecrashers

Whether you are heading an online class or having a team conference to check progress — these sessions are private, and only relevant people should be allowed to participate.

Sadly, Zoom bombing has become a thing – it’s where unwanted individuals gatecrash your online meeting to cause chaos and put you off track. Despite the many security layers, some people manage to enter meetings where they aren’t welcomed.

Here are some steps you can take to ensure that your Zoom sessions remain secure:

• Update to the latest version of Zoom — many new security measures have been put in place to prevent Zoom bombing. Now, apart from the ID, a password is also required, plus all participants first get placed in a waiting area and need to be allowed by the administrator to enter.
• Don’t share your meeting ID and password on public places like your companies social media account. Instead, it would be best to send it privately via email, WhatsApp, etc.
• Lock the meeting once everyone has joined by clicking on participants
• Delete people who are not meant to be there by clicking on participants, then choosing the particular ID and then delete
• Disallow deleted people to come back in, by going to the meeting tab under account settings

Don’t See All The Features

Did you just join a call and can’t see all the features that can enhance the experience for you?

You are either using a way old version of Zoom that needs to be updated, or you are accessing via your browser and not the dedicated app.

There is a simple fix, just download the app and use it to hold and join meetings – this way, all the features will be visible to you.

Distorted Videos And Audio

Since most of us are working from homes, it is quite common to a considerable amount of distortion in your meeting.

There can be several reasons for this: the internet connection may be glitchy, other participants may have rowdy children playing in the background, or they may have just left the TV on. Any of these circumstances can lower the quality of your Zoom experience.

So make sure that only one person talks at a time while everyone else keeps their mics off. In fact, next time, when hosting a meeting, deactivate all participant mics so they will be muted by default.

To do so, click on “Participants”, then “More”, and then select “Deactivate Participants” at the entrance. You also have the option to “Mute All” mikes during the call, by choosing Mute All under the participants tab.

Not Receiving The Activation Email

If you sent out a request to join but are unable to receive the email – wait a little – it can take up to half an hour.

However, if you haven’t received the email for more than 30 minutes, check your spam folder, and if it’s not there, you have to whitelist [email protected] with your email provider. That should solve the issue.

Call Cuts After 40 Minutes

This is not a problem per se but a limitation built into the Zoom app. However, if you get the premium subscription, the conference can stretch for as long as you want.

Moreover, the free plan also does not allow you to record the meeting on the Cloud. Instead, you can record on your personal device, then upload the file to the Cloud, which is far from convenient.

So next time, you call cuts after 40 minutes, simply create a new meeting, or to avoid the issue upgrade to a premium plan.

Bottom Line

Zoom is definitely a savior in these troubles times and has been helping many to communicate efficiently. Next time you face an issue during a call, follow the instructions detailed above to ensure that all your virtual meetings and conferences go on without a glitch from here on.

SD cards are getting smaller and more convenient as their storage capabilities grow exponentially.

However, the problem is that these storage devices are prone to corruption and damage. This loss doesn’t even have to be intentional, as these SD cards have a limited life, and they can get corrupt automatically after prolonged usage.

This usually means loss of any data, i.e., photos, videos or documents, you may have stored on there.

You can tell if you have a corrupted SD card at your hands if a computer or smartphone can no longer read its content. And even if you see the files, it gets impossible to add, save, delete, or copy them. Additionally, your device may display messages like, “SD card is not available. The file or directory is damaged and cannot be read” or “Memory Card Error” to let you know that something’s wrong.

But don’t worry just yet. It is possible to retrieve some or all of the content as long as you act quickly.

Here’s what you can do.

1.     Show Hidden Files

A virus-ridden SD card may hide all the files and folders on it, leading you to believe it’s already empty. However, you can tell that the data is still there because the available storage space usually remains unchanged.

This is because the attributes for all files have been changed to read-only or hidden, to make the card appear empty. Here’s how you can access these files:

• Mount the SD Card to the reader
• Open Windows Explorer, and then click on the Tools menu
• Then go to Folder Options and click on view
• Check the box next to show hidden files, folders & drives
• Press ok, and now you can view all files

2.     Change The Drive

When we plug in an external USB drive or SD card into the computer, it automatically assigns a letter to the external device.

But in case you have a faulty card, the computer will say that the device is ready to use, but it won’t show up in the list of drives. Or the computer may not even detect it and keep telling you to “Please insert the disk.”

Do the following to fix the issue:

• Open run and type in compmgmt.msc
• Select disk management in the storage options
• Right-click the drive that needs to be assigned a new letter and click Change Drive Letter and Paths
• Then choose a new letter from the drop-down menu that appears under Assign following drive letter
• Restart the PC, and the SD Card will hopefully now show up on your computer

3.     Uninstall and Reinstall

If nothing has worked thus far, reinstalling the SD Card’s driver may solve the issue. Here’s what needs to be done:

• Right-click on This PC or My Computer
• Click on Manage
• Choose Disk driver then the drive in question (Assigned to your SD Card)
• Uninstall it
• Unmount the SD Card and then restart the PC
• Put it back in the reader, and now the PC may detect it

4.     Try The Windows Troubleshooter

Follow these steps to repair a corrupt SD Card using the Windows Troubleshooter:

• Plug in the card
• In the Start Menu click on settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot
• Choose the option that says Hardware and Devices to start the process
• Once the troubleshooting is complete, restart the PC
• Your SD Card should be functional now

5.     Resolve The Read-Only Error

Sometimes it just so happens that the card was never write-protected, but it continues to show a read-only error when you try to use it.

Here is a quick fix for this issue:

• Open Command prompt and enter “diskpart”
• Next, run these three commands: “list volume” followed by “select volume X” (Instead of X put the drive letter assigned to the SD Card), and finally enter “attributes disk clear read only”

The read-only error should no longer appear, so you can easily access and use your SD Card files.

Key Takeaway

If the steps mentioned above didn’t work for you, check with the SD Card manufacturer to see if they can offer a solution to your problem. You can also try a data recovery software that can even help get back deleted files, so corrupt data shouldn’t be an issue.

If nothing works, the only thing you are left to do is formatting the SD card. Yes, this means that you’ll never again be able to see the data that was saved on there earlier, but at least now the card is usable.

However, we advise you to invest in a new SD card and throw this one away.