Fixed Windows Explorer not responding issue

Today, my laptop suddenly experienced the Windows Explorer not responding issue.

The symptoms were like this:

• When you double-click on a document, for example a PDF file or an Excel file, by right, the file should be opened by its associated application. Now, it hangs when the application trying to load up. The rest of the Windows and running applications will still function well, only the portion of Windows Explorer or File Explorer hangs up.
• When you right-click on a file icon, by right, a pop-up option menu should appear. Now, it hangs before the pop-up menu is able to show up.

To fix this, you will need to go to command prompt window with administrator's right.

Because the right-click function no longer working, you can no longer just call out the CMD icon, right click on it, and select "Run as administrator" anymore.

Luckily, there is still alternative way to do so without using the right click menu.

To do so, press Win-R to open the Run dialog box, key-in "cmd" and press ctrl-shift-Enter. The command prompt window with administrator's right will be opened.

Then, run the System File Checker (SFC) to scan and repair your system files that could be corrupted.

The command is:

C:\> sfc /scannow

The process will take some time before it reached 100% completion.

Next, run the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool to further scan and repair any corrupted critical system files.

The command is:

C:\> dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth

Your computer needs to be connected to the Internet when you execute this command.

After the process is completed, restart your computer. Hopefully, this is able to fix your problem. It did fix my laptop problem!

PTPTN finally announced 2022 dividend for SSPN-i and SSPN-i Plus

After a long waiting, the Malaysia National Higher Education Fund (Perbadanan Tabung Pendidikan Tinggi Nasional, PTPTN) has finally announced the dividend for year 2022 for the education savings schemes SSPN (Skim Simpanan Pendidikan Nasional, consists of Simpan SSPN Prime which formerly known as SSPN-i, and Simpan SSPN Plus which formerly known as SSPN-i Plus) on 5 April 2023.

The 2022 SSPN dividend payout rate is only 3.05%, amounting to RM266.17 million. This rate is just 0.05% higher than last year disappointing dividend of 3.00%.

This 3.05% dividend has already credited into our SSPN accounts respectively on 6 April 2022.

According to PTPTN, the number of SSPN accounts opened to date is 5.73 million.

Historical SSPN-i dividend payout rate is as below:

• 2022: 3.05%
• 2021: 3.00%
• 2020: 4.00%
• 2019: 4.00%
• 2018: 4.00%
• 2017: 4.00%
• 2016: 4.00%
• 2015: 4.00%
• 2014: 4.25%
• 2013: 4.25%
• 2012: 4.25%
• 2011: 3.75%
• 2010: 3.25%
• 2009: 2.50%
• 2008: 4.00%
• 2007: 4.00%
• 2006: 4.00%
• 2005: 4.00%
• 2004: 3.00%

You can proceed to the new MyPTPTN website to check the transactions and amount of savings in your kid's SSPN account.

Beside that, the Ganjaran Kesetiaan Simpan SSPN Prime 2023 campaign is now launched and active until 30 April 2022. You can enjoy a 1% return for new money exceeding RM500 that you put into your account during the period, provided that the SSPN account you opened for your kid's education saving is before year 2020, and no withdrawal of any money from your account from 5 April 2023 onwards until 30 September 2023. Maximum amount to be given under this campaign would be RM8,000 per account.

Upgraded my CyberPower UT800EG UPS with APC BV1000I-MSX 1kVA/600W Easy UPS

My CyberPower UT800EG 800VA/400W UPS has been serving me well for more than 3 years, and it is still functioning well.

It has never failed to protect my Dell XPS 8930 desktop, my Asus RT-AX86U router and Unifi BTU from sudden blackouts and also voltage spikes during thunderstorms.

Anyhow, I anticipate its internal battery, which is not user serviceable, has already reached more than half its lifespan.

Not to take the risk, I decided to get a new UPS, and I found this APC BV1000I-MSX 1000VA/600W Easy UPS as its upgrade.

This APC BV1000I-MSX Easy UPS has 4 universal power outlets (the CyberPower UT800EG only has 3), and it has a larger capacity of 1000VA/600W which is able to provide longer battery runtime. It also has a higher surge suppression rating of 156 Joules (compared with CyberPower UT800EG's 125 Joules).

While transporting, its battery stays disconnected. Before use, we need to connect its battery by using its yellow coloured battery connector at its back. Detailed instruction is available in its user manual.

Same with CyberPower, this APC UPS also comes with 2 years warranty, which registration can be made online.

I have reallocated my CyberPower UT800EG UPS to my living room to provide power protection for my TV, IPTV box and cordless phone.

Even though its battery might run flat in the next 2-3 years time, I think it can still serve as a good AVR to protect those appliances in my living room.