As a Windows user, you might have encountered some annoying and seemingly cryptic error messages, such as “Your system settings have changed” or “Your hardware settings have changed, please reboot your computer for these changes to take effect.” At first glance, these might seem like Windows errors, but in reality, they’re caused by external factors, specifically software tied to your hardware. In this post, I’ll walk you through the steps to fix two of these frustrating issues, which are often linked to faulty or poorly designed drivers from AMD and Intel.
1. Fixing the “Hardware Settings Changed” Error Caused by AMD Drivers
You’ve probably seen the message with two exclamation marks and a prompt to reboot your system. While it looks like a typical Windows error, it’s actually not related to Windows at all. In fact, it’s a symptom of a common issue caused by AMD hardware and drivers. If you’ve ever installed an AMD card or GPU, especially if you didn’t opt for a high-end card like the Nvidia ones, this message is likely linked to the software bundled with your AMD hardware.
The error is specifically generated by a system service called the AMD External Events Utility, which is part of the AMD driver package. The presence of this service can cause several issues, including freezes, blank screens, and even blue screen crashes in certain games—especially on laptops.
How to Fix It
The simplest solution is to disable the AMD External Events Utility service. This can be done in several ways:
Using the Services Applet: You can go to the Services application in Windows and manually disable this service.
System Configuration (MSConfig): Another way is through the System Configuration applet.
Task Manager: You can also disable the service directly from the Startup tab in Task Manager.
Disabling this service will stop the error message from appearing, and in most cases, it won’t affect your system’s functionality. However, some AMD-specific features might be impacted, such as hotkeys for screen recording or FreeSync (variable refresh rate for gaming). That said, disabling the service should not affect the dynamic refresh rate functionality, even though it is tied to FreeSync.
While it may seem like AMD’s drivers offer a few helpful features, they also introduce a lot of problems that are best avoided. So, if you don’t need the hotkeys or FreeSync features, it’s worth disabling this service to improve system stability.
2. Fixing the “Configuration Changed” Error on Laptops (Especially ThinkPads)
The second error you might encounter is the message “Configuration Changed, Restart System.” Unlike the AMD issue, this one is tied to Intel’s drivers, particularly on ThinkPad laptops, though it may appear on other systems as well. This error often occurs when you connect an external drive (USB thumb drive, USB SSD, or hard drive) or, in rare cases, even when using an internal drive.
How to Fix It
This error is usually related to Intel’s Software Guard Extensions (SGX), a feature that helps protect against certain types of attacks but can also cause these configuration issues. The solution involves accessing the BIOS settings on your laptop.
To fix the error, you’ll need to:
Enter the BIOS Settings: The method for entering BIOS varies depending on your laptop’s brand. For Lenovo ThinkPads, it’s usually a matter of pressing a designated F key during startup, but this can vary, so check your screen during bootup for the correct key. If your F keys control things like volume or media playback, you might need to press and hold an additional key (like the Fn key) to access the F key options.
Disable or Enable SGX: Once inside the BIOS, locate the SGX setting and toggle it. If SGX was previously enabled, try disabling it to fix the error. If it was disabled, try enabling it. After making the change, save and exit the BIOS.
In some cases, you may need to disconnect the external drives causing the issue, or even temporarily remove the internal drive, to access the BIOS settings properly. After making the changes, the error should stop appearing, and your system should return to normal.
Final Thoughts
These two hardware-related error messages can be frustrating, especially when they appear to be system issues, but in reality, they’re caused by faulty software or hardware drivers. AMD’s external events utility is a notorious culprit for random freezes and crashes, and Intel’s SGX feature sometimes triggers errors when connecting external drives.
By following these steps, you can stop these errors from occurring, and your system should become more stable and reliable. Disabling unnecessary services and adjusting BIOS settings might seem like advanced tasks, but they are critical skills every user should know.
I hope this guide helps you fix these common errors and provides a bit of insight into dealing with hardware-related issues on your Windows PC. And remember, in the world of tech, sometimes both AMD and Intel have their fair share of “garbage” drivers causing more problems than they’re worth—so always make sure you’re using the latest updates and configurations!