I found a great use for all the excess hand sanitizer. Get a small microfiber cloth, squirt some on it, make sure the cloth is damp with it.
If your computer is on, open notepad and close everything else. Maximize note pad, and start cleaning. It's easier if your computer is off, but with notepad on you can actually see which keys get used the most.
I have been using/wearing a Samsung Gear2 smart watch. It worked great, only needing charging every three to four days, and the version of Samsung health could measure pulse, blood oxygen and a few other things.
Along comes update on phone. Now Gear2 doesn't work, not because of hardware, but because of software. The new Samsung Health does a 'check version' on the watch, and blocks it from connecting. I email Samsung about why they're using software to block the watch. They said internet security reason. What? The watch didn't connect to the internet, just phone. I called bullshit, and pretty much told them so, but in polite language. They replied with a snarky comment about watch being 'obsolete'. THEN WHY THE F**K IS IS LISTED IN THE ACCESSORIES!
(deep breath)
Samsung suggest I get one their new smart watches, as the prices of $399 to $499. Uhh, no. I told them I don't buy items that have deliberate obsolescence built it, as you can't change the battery if it stops charging.
Dilemma: What to do.
Solution: Either buy one of my old model smart watch, that had has different OS flashed on it, and can be used with the OS makers own health software, or go in search of an 'old' model that is still compatible with the new phone.
I chose option two. at 1/4 the price of the new ones. I miss a great many features and abilities I had on my old watch. Like being able to choose a photo background AND what display of watch. Can't do that, so picked the least eye-bending color.
The only good thing I have found so far, it's great at reminding me to get up and walk around.
It's a known, but for some reason, totally unfixable by either MicroSoft or Samsung (each are more interested in fixing the blame, instead of fixing the problem)
Out of the blue, S9 and Win10 can't connect, not unless you remove Samsung device, from computer, unpair phone, and start the whole thing of discovery all over again. Add to this that Win 10, unlike Win 7, you have to MANUALLY start the file transfer on the computer, then start file transfers from phone to desktop. Win 7, select file, select computer and send. Bluetooth isn't as convenient with Win 10.
Use a cable, you say? Did I mention that if you don't have your phone and cable in JUST the right position, Win 10 will cycle through USB device connected, USB device disconnected over and over? Two different computer, three different phones, three different cables, same shit over and over.
I found my old Windows 7 phone, and its spare battery, so decided to charge it up, and see what I can do with it over WiFi (no sim chip in it)
It charged up very quickly and I started putting it through its paces. Sadly, there are some things that no longer work, because Zune, the desktop software you used to be able to use to update programs, no longer works. Microsoft shut off Zune's access to the servers sometime around June/July 2019.
Be that as it may, other programs were working fine. I fired up my Kindle app and at first, all seemed well. It started to sync, cancelled the sync, deregistered itself, and deleted the books I had on the device. Ok, this intrepid device user went through the usual "register your device", and it failed. I tried again, and again, and again, meticulously making sure every letter/character in name and password was correct and it was. But kept getting "Email and password not recognized". BUT I could login via the phone's internet browser. Time for TECH SUPPORT! I start a chat, and I explain the situation. I was clear and succinct so I wouldn't be wasting any time. Even though I told the person, designated by the letter P, that everything, even the Microsoft Store, said I had the app installed, it wouldn't work. My question was "Did Amazon discontinue support for the Windows Phone version of Kindle App?"
P said no, and insisted I check MS store to see if it was there. It was. He insisted I try to login, over and over. The, P's bright idea was to switch my location, even though I told him NOT to. Well, he did (that lead to a different bunch of trouble). Even so, still same "email and password not recognized" message. After P fiddling around with things, telling me to try things, and if I didn't get back to him in 60 seconds he would discontinue the chat (I reamed him about that, telling him it takes longer than 60 seconds for MS Store to launch, to search for something and get a result. He pseudo-apologized for that), for a solid 90 minutes, P finally tells me that Amazon no longer supports or has available for download the Kindle App for Windows*. Ok, I will admit, I textually, without swearing, lit into him for not finding that out and telling me earlier. I also told him to put my Amazon setting BACK to the way they originally were. (Although I live in Australia, I am U.S. citizen. I opened my Amazon account in the US over 20 years ago. Yes, I know there's an Amazon Au, but their selection sucks. Can't get the ebooks I want on the Amazon AU site, so not ditching my Amazon US account) Ended chat, gave honest if low rating. Turns out the little $hit didn't put my settings back. So, none of my echo dots/alexa settings worked anymore.
I admit, it was late, and I was in no mood to go searching for reason/solution, I started another Amazon help chat regarding Alexa devices, with support person, Amir. I explained I was living in Australia, but had opened amazon account when I was in the US and wanted to keep it that way. He fixed the issue in under 30 seconds. I profusely thanked him for his friendly, quick service, ended chat, gave 5 star ratings across the board.
Next thing, I'm checking to see if I can use it as a portable audio book device. Wish me luck!
Too often, I see people getting caught up in what I call the iPhile loop. Regardless of what the item is, they have the get the NEWEST version, even if the one they have is perfectly serviceable and works. Even to the point of camping out to be FIRST!
This goes for phones, cameras, computers, cars. Are some of the newer phones better/packed with more features? Sure, but will I USE those new features? Probably not. I wouldn't have gotten a new phone, just a new phone plan, if Alan's phone wasn't dying. He inherited my S7, I got an S9.
Cameras. Same thing, do some of the newer ones have better features? *SOMETIMES*. I have found that different abilities/features aren't necessarily better, or of any use.
Computers? Doesn't matter what you get/build. It will be 'obsolete' in 3 to 6 months.
Cars? Given regular maintenance, they can last well over a decade. So what it doesn't have the latest GPS or bluetooth.
Software? Sometimes the old adage of "IF it ain't broken, don't fix it" applies. I have on many occasions rolled back to earlier version of certain programs because the older versions work better. (One example, Luminar 3. It was a complete disaster. IMO, they released a beta test, and then when the complaints about it crashing, hardlocking the computer, failing, they blamed the person's computer. Regardless how kick ass of a machine they had).
I have my cameras. They work and I like them. I know most of their workings inside and out. I don't see the need to get the newest version. If anything, I'm thinking of trading in something to get an OLDER camera that will suit my needs.
Slogging through all the Windows 7 "Cumulative Updates" I passed on installing so I could keep using one my favorite Blu-Ray players. But it's come to the time that I just uninstalled it, and have installing the rather backed up Cumulative updates. There are quite a few, but they take so long to download, and then to install, just going to do two a day.
Have to say, not happy about having to do this, but seeing as Micro$oft is going to be ending official support in 2020, it behooved me to get the updates installed, regardless how many programs Micro$oft suddenly deemed unworthy or out of date.
I have been using Cyberfox in place of Firefox for years. I wanted to check to see if there was an update, only to keep getting errors trying to get the the website.
With a bit of Google research, I found out that the programmer of Cyberfox, due to illness, has suspended all work, indefinitely (maybe forever, maybe not). Understandable, and I wish him a speedy recovery.
I don't like what Firefox has turned into, it's become an Echo of Chrome. And if I wanted Chrome as as my primary browser I'd use Chrome. After FF's huge overhaul, 90% of my tried and trusted addons/extensions no longer worked. And there was no longer a way to use Nightly Testers Tools to make them compatible, so really Mozilla, why do you even bother to have than neutered version of Nightly Testers Tools as an addon?
Chrome is ok, but this crapola with Flash ... really? I had disabled updates to prevent the issue with flash, but Google forced an update regardless. I want to customize my Browser, not have the browser customize itself.
I have managed to download the latest and last version of Cyberfox (52.9.1) and am currently backing up my profiles on both Win 7 and Win 10, just in case of a screw up. (ie extensions suddenly no longer working sort of screw up)
Since I have already done all the troubleshooting (different port, different cable, different computer, and even trying a different tablet) my Intuos Pro 5s' USB charge port needs to be replaced.
Hoping it will be less expensive than getting a new tablet! Also, found out I can get a new drawing surface for my OLD Intuos 5.
Photoshop and Bridge.. Check.
DxO Photolab.. Check.
Google NIK Collection... Check
My old tried and true LViewPro image viewer.. Check.
Mailwasher.. Check.
Google Chrome.. Check.
Trillian.. Check
yLaunch.. Check.
VLC.. Check
That pretty much does the whole installation and set up. Now, it's the tweaking that needs o be done. The loathsome nannyware that refuses to let me save txt files in certain areas, or the whining about not being the Administrator when I am. Got the bluetooth pen and mouse set up, too. Wing Told me that On1PhotoRaw 2018 works on his surface pro, so installed it on mine, also. Had to reset the activations as we wanted to make sure we didn't exceed the number of seats activated. You can have 5 running at one time, but if you need more, you deactivate on one computer, and activate on the other. Easy peasy!
During our Albany trip, Wing saw first hand the issues I had been having with my Sony laptop. It works great once it's in Windows, but not joking, (and no, not asking for tech advice (been there, done that, it is what it is) can take up to 15 minutes before I can do anything with the computer. But once in there, it works great..most of the time. But not only that, when traveling by plane, weight matters. That laptop is heavy, taking up 3.4kgs, and I need that for the tripod.
He took us to Hardly Normal, and after some comparing different makes and models, for trips, I will be using an i7 Surface Pro. Spent a few hours setting it up last night.
One of the issues I have with the surface pro is the itty bitty menus. Because it has such a high DPI, programs are scaled to fit. My choices were to use the magnifier, which annoyingly follows my mouse cursor around, or to find another way.
NERDZ ROOL! I did a bit of internet searching and found how, with a registry edit, and a simple manifest file, I can have all the programs scaled to an actual readable size. I also tweaked the registry to get rid of those 'short cut arrows'. Never liked them from way back.
Simplest answer.. yes and no.
My Windows 7 box works great. As long as I don't install those "Quality Rollups". I do keep on top malicious software/malware definitions, but I'm fed up with Microsoft disabling what they deem is outdated software. I also have 'legacy' hardware that Windows 10 will not even recognize, and there are no drivers for said hardware/devices.
But many things will not function unless I'm running Windows 10.
So, my solution is this: I'm getting a 500gb hdd, and I will install Windows 10 on it, and create a dual boot system.
I'm quite sure some of my programs will be migrated, or duplicated on the Win10 drive, but I will treat it like a really buff "Virtual Machine".
All the HDDs formerly known as single unit external HDDs are now in the multi bay enclosure are running much cooler than they did as stand alones. Also, the HDDs in the computer are also running cooler.
Less power draw, maybe?
There are people out there doing something called 'bitcoin mining'. They have found some sort of way to use specific graphics cards to make this easier.
Because of them, just about all computer stores that have these cards have deliberately jacked up the prices of what the have in stock to increase their profits. I'm not saying higher prices on new stock because the manufacturers/suppliers are pushing up their prices, but on already in house stock.
I had one company try that bullshit with me.
The card was, with shipping and 3% PayPal surchage, $311. They had 5 in stock. Order one, and when I checked back, their counter said 4 in stock, meaning I had successfully purchased one.
I get email this morning from the store. "Unfortunately, the cards you are after are not currently in stock and there is a major shortage Aust wide as everyone is after these cards for bit coin mining. We expect a shipment in this morning"
Anyone surprised that they're charging $90 more?
I have said it before, and I will say it again... next time you try to screw me, kiss me first.
Found the same card on ebay for $30 less than what they were charging, NO paypal surcharge, AND free shipping
My old Samsung Galaxy 5, which had Navigon by Garmin on it, took a fall and starting having issues.
So, I got a new Samsung S7 and used SmartSwitch to import all my apps.
I started up Navigon, and got message that "This service is no longer a available" and to head to Google Play.
Ok, I did and discovered that I would have to shell out $40 if I wanted it to work. I charged up my S5, and even without a SIM chip, Navigon works on it. This is the only app I have been told I have to 're-buy' to use it on new device.
So, yes, Garmin, you suck.
How I have missed you! Let's try not to have another meltdown, ok?
Had a bit of a panic when I got NTLDR is missing when I first booted up. Then I remembered, just go into the BIOS and change the boot order. Yay! No more NTLDR... but then I got UEIF error in regards to the OS. Ok, reboot, back into the BIOS, go into the advanced settings, change the Security to OTHER OS. That problem solved.
Booted into Windows. Well, once again, one program says my left monitor is #1 Primary, but another says the OTHER one is. I can live with that.
Connected the two powered USB hubs. A USB3 and a USB2. Then I added one device at a time. Once the drivers were installed for it, connect another. Rinse, and repeat as necessary. The only thing I can't get connected is the replacement replacement Seagate drive. The USB3 Sata Bridge on it just won't play nice. Fine. Alan can have it.
After two months down there was gbs worth of updates. Yikes.
Alan knows what I'm like when I start working on computers. I don't eat. I drink coffee, and water and just keep working until things are done. He all but sat me down with a lunch in front of me.
No where in any of my correspondence with you did I ask you, request from you, financial assistance in the costs of the data recovery of the faulty drive you sent to me to replace the faulty drive I sent to you.
What I did send you was my displeasure and disgust with the level of quality of goods and services. But as I have had to select slowest service, because I can't afford $4k for a quick service, I emailed to let YOU know you have to wait for ME, for a change.
Now, shut the fuck up with your excuses, with the use of using an 8pt font so I didn't know I was getting a refurb instead of a new replacement drive for your faulty one, you cheap SOBs. And if or when I actually do get another refurb from you, I'm sure it will make a great paperweight as I would not trust to put any data on it, especially after 3 Seagate failures in 5 years.
Screw you.
Yes, I know you replaced the faulty drive 2 years ago, but I have something I need to say.
When I sent my faulty drive back to you, and you sent one back after your tests showed what mine did, that the drive failed, I presumed you had sent me a new drive with the normal 3 year warranty.
Well, the replacement drive you sent started having failure issues of the same sort. So, I take photograph of the Part number and serial number that is printed on the underside of the drive. Imagine my shock and anger to find out that you did NOT send me a new drive, but a 'recertifed' aka refurbished drive, but also not covered under warranty! I am taking the drive to PAYAM data recovery, HOPING they can recover the data.
This is the 3rd Seagate drive I have had fail. You man now figure the odds of my getting another one.. ever.
Been working with the netbook. The glide pad takes a bit of getting used to as the buttons are on the sides rather than above or below it. I can use a wireless mouse.
The action of the keyboard is a helluva lot better than I would have expected. Not mushy, and you don't have to pound on them either. After using this netbook for a while, when I go back to AcerRacer the screen and keyboard seems huge.
Got a lot of small chores done. You know, the kinds that make the room look messy. Sorted through the pile of stuff on the sofa, and suddenly we have a sofa again. heh
The Tomato Plant that Will not Die is in flower again. Goodly sized flowers. So is the seedling, well not a seedling anymore, that Meegan gave me. Barring disaster and hungry bugs, I might get a few more than three fruits this time. :)
Or is that 'size is subjective'?
After working with the netbook, this computer screen seems huge!
