Plugging in...
Outlook has been capable of sending email attachments for years, and recently a spate of them were automatically being converted to winmail.dat files which the recipients could not open. This was wreaking havoc for one of my clients. It didn't happen to all email, but consistently to some addresses.
After several research attempts, and tweaks to Outlook to send as HTML, and never as RTF (those didn't work), the Tutor stumbled upon a solution: emptying the Outlook Autocomplete list! Gaggg, who knew? That autocomplete list is the reason when one begins to type an email address in the TO bar when initiating an email, the name appears, it is clickable and it is automatically placed in the TO box (the addressee for the email) negating one from having to type the full email address. But typer beware...
What was NOT apparent? Those autocompletes saved individual settings for how to send emails, which were over-riding the sending of attachments in the desired format - one readable by the recipient(s). My client is very, very happy and so are the attachment recipients. Do we know how it happened? Nope, and at this point, as long as it works, not going there!
ALWAYS REMEMBER: before calling for help - is it plugged in, and is it turned on?
Unplugged
Thursday, December 8, 2016
Thursday, September 29, 2016
Screen Saver to the Rescue
Plugging in...
Some Lenovo Thinkpad laptops have an irritating power problem: no matter what settings are chosen and saved, the laptop goes to "sleep" after 2 minutes.
After grappling with an update to the power software (which did not solve the problem), the Tutor decided to use a Windows feature. Turning on the screen saver, setting the wait time for 2 minutes, unchecking Resume to logon screen, requires a mere tap of the mouse or any key on the keyboard to bring the laptop instantly back to where it left off. Since the screen saver is busy drawing something across the screen, the laptop doesn't think it's idle and won't go to sleep.
Though the problem wasn't technically "solved", this quick work around was perfect for this frequently interrupted user.
ALWAYS REMEMBER: before calling for help - is it plugged in, and is it turned on?
Unplugged
Some Lenovo Thinkpad laptops have an irritating power problem: no matter what settings are chosen and saved, the laptop goes to "sleep" after 2 minutes.
After grappling with an update to the power software (which did not solve the problem), the Tutor decided to use a Windows feature. Turning on the screen saver, setting the wait time for 2 minutes, unchecking Resume to logon screen, requires a mere tap of the mouse or any key on the keyboard to bring the laptop instantly back to where it left off. Since the screen saver is busy drawing something across the screen, the laptop doesn't think it's idle and won't go to sleep.
Though the problem wasn't technically "solved", this quick work around was perfect for this frequently interrupted user.
ALWAYS REMEMBER: before calling for help - is it plugged in, and is it turned on?
Unplugged
Wednesday, September 14, 2016
The Case for UNPLUGGED
Plugging in...
Usually the Unplugged tale is all about making sure it's plugged in, but this tale is the opposite. No sound was the issue for a video that a Tutor client wanted to watch. If one wanted to study lip reading, this was an excellent video for such. But alas, the sound was important.
The Tutor made a house call and did a cursory look at the computer and the desk where other peripherals were attached to the computer (printer, keyboard, mouse... and speakers). The computer was an all-in-one with its own speaker, horizontally at the bottom of the monitor. The very old, but usable Harmon Kardon speakers were plugged into the computer but not turned on. Nor were they attached to a power source. Easy, peasy. Unplug the cord attaching the speakers to the computer and the sound was directed to the built-in speakers.
The Tutor could have searched for a power source, but the client was pleased with the solution and the Tutor was pleased not to crawl around on the floor looking for either the power cable and/or where it could be plugged in.
ALWAYS REMEMBER: before calling for help - is it plugged in, and is it turned on?
Unplugged
Usually the Unplugged tale is all about making sure it's plugged in, but this tale is the opposite. No sound was the issue for a video that a Tutor client wanted to watch. If one wanted to study lip reading, this was an excellent video for such. But alas, the sound was important.
The Tutor made a house call and did a cursory look at the computer and the desk where other peripherals were attached to the computer (printer, keyboard, mouse... and speakers). The computer was an all-in-one with its own speaker, horizontally at the bottom of the monitor. The very old, but usable Harmon Kardon speakers were plugged into the computer but not turned on. Nor were they attached to a power source. Easy, peasy. Unplug the cord attaching the speakers to the computer and the sound was directed to the built-in speakers.
The Tutor could have searched for a power source, but the client was pleased with the solution and the Tutor was pleased not to crawl around on the floor looking for either the power cable and/or where it could be plugged in.
ALWAYS REMEMBER: before calling for help - is it plugged in, and is it turned on?
Unplugged
Thursday, August 25, 2016
DOS isn't DOA
Plugging in...
The Tutor was genuinely surprised to be asked to assist a DOS and Wordstar (word processing, for those who aren't familiar) user this week. The computer did not have a case, the floppy drives (both 5.25 and 3.5) and the CD player no longer worked and the computer is so old that it has never heard of a USB port.
There are thousands of word processing documents on this computer that the owner wants to transfer. There are several issues at hand here, the most important being that the current round of word processing programs are incapable of opening the Wordstar formatted documents in any legible form (We tried). It might be possible to dig around on ebay or Craig's list for old hardware parts for a CD drive that would allow the documents to be burned to it and then transferred to a newer computer. But that does not solve the problem of opening them and saving them in an updated format.
One solution, though time consuming, is to print each document (no email, too old...) and scan them using an OCR (Optical Character Recognition) program. The documents are all typed in a courier font which makes scanning much more reliable since each character is the same height and width (called a mono-spaced font). The client has been regularly prodded by family, colleagues and tech people to update over the years, but steadfastly remained with what he knew inside and out.
The tutor left the client pondering his options. Hey, the Tutor can do many things, but teaching an old and reluctant dog new tricks? We'll see...
ALWAYS REMEMBER: before calling for help - is it plugged in, and is it turned on?
Unplugged
The Tutor was genuinely surprised to be asked to assist a DOS and Wordstar (word processing, for those who aren't familiar) user this week. The computer did not have a case, the floppy drives (both 5.25 and 3.5) and the CD player no longer worked and the computer is so old that it has never heard of a USB port.
There are thousands of word processing documents on this computer that the owner wants to transfer. There are several issues at hand here, the most important being that the current round of word processing programs are incapable of opening the Wordstar formatted documents in any legible form (We tried). It might be possible to dig around on ebay or Craig's list for old hardware parts for a CD drive that would allow the documents to be burned to it and then transferred to a newer computer. But that does not solve the problem of opening them and saving them in an updated format.
One solution, though time consuming, is to print each document (no email, too old...) and scan them using an OCR (Optical Character Recognition) program. The documents are all typed in a courier font which makes scanning much more reliable since each character is the same height and width (called a mono-spaced font). The client has been regularly prodded by family, colleagues and tech people to update over the years, but steadfastly remained with what he knew inside and out.
The tutor left the client pondering his options. Hey, the Tutor can do many things, but teaching an old and reluctant dog new tricks? We'll see...
ALWAYS REMEMBER: before calling for help - is it plugged in, and is it turned on?
Unplugged
Wednesday, July 13, 2016
Turning it On
Plugging in...
You readers may laugh at how the Tutor's tag line " is it plugged in, and is it turned on", yet another problem was recently solved by... you guessed it... turning it on.
A client needed to change printer ink cartridges, and had done so many times before. Simple, right? Except the print head would not move over to the center of the print for access to the print cartridges. Hemming, hawing and cussing did nothing to make it move. No surprises there.
The remedy? Turning the printer POWER on. The printer cover can be easily lifted to see the print head but the cartridges will not move to the center for full access unless under power. So often it is the easy ones that get us!
ALWAYS REMEMBER: before calling for help - is it plugged in, and is it turned on?
Unplugged
You readers may laugh at how the Tutor's tag line " is it plugged in, and is it turned on", yet another problem was recently solved by... you guessed it... turning it on.
A client needed to change printer ink cartridges, and had done so many times before. Simple, right? Except the print head would not move over to the center of the print for access to the print cartridges. Hemming, hawing and cussing did nothing to make it move. No surprises there.
The remedy? Turning the printer POWER on. The printer cover can be easily lifted to see the print head but the cartridges will not move to the center for full access unless under power. So often it is the easy ones that get us!
ALWAYS REMEMBER: before calling for help - is it plugged in, and is it turned on?
Unplugged
Wednesday, June 29, 2016
Can we BE too secure these days??
Plugging in...
A PIN can be secure when used to access a local device (tablets, phones, directly via the device's keyboard or touchscreen. It's especially secure if the device has enhanced security such as a TPM (trusted platform module) chip.
If you want to improve PIN security, increase its length. A four-digit PIN allows only 10,000 combinations, while a six-digit PIN affords a million. A million combinations is much harder for a computer program to "crack"!
In all other cases — and especially for all remote or Web-based sign-ins — use a classic password: one that's long and complex.
ALWAYS REMEMBER: before calling for help - is it plugged in, and is it turned on?
Unplugged
A PIN can be secure when used to access a local device (tablets, phones, directly via the device's keyboard or touchscreen. It's especially secure if the device has enhanced security such as a TPM (trusted platform module) chip.
If you want to improve PIN security, increase its length. A four-digit PIN allows only 10,000 combinations, while a six-digit PIN affords a million. A million combinations is much harder for a computer program to "crack"!
In all other cases — and especially for all remote or Web-based sign-ins — use a classic password: one that's long and complex.
ALWAYS REMEMBER: before calling for help - is it plugged in, and is it turned on?
Unplugged
Tuesday, June 7, 2016
Apple: when later elicits a download
Plugging in...
Apple and Microsoft both are showing their bully sides with the operating system upgrades they are pushing at us.
On the beloved Apple Phone or iPad, even when the user chooses LATER, remind me LATER, the sneaky Apple software update is downloaded, consuming space, which for some users, that space is critical (8 GB phone users).
Choose Settings, General, Storage and iCloud Usage, Manage Storage to see if it is there and DELETE if not interested in updating right now, which results in regaining the space the update used. But... be sure to check the next time you are prompted for the update. If you choose LATER, it will be downloaded again without your knowledge, or consent, repeat the above to remove it.
BTW, signing OUT of iCloud will not prevent this.
ALWAYS REMEMBER: before calling for help - is it plugged in, was it downloaded without your knowledge, and is it turned on?
Unplugged
Apple and Microsoft both are showing their bully sides with the operating system upgrades they are pushing at us.
On the beloved Apple Phone or iPad, even when the user chooses LATER, remind me LATER, the sneaky Apple software update is downloaded, consuming space, which for some users, that space is critical (8 GB phone users).
Choose Settings, General, Storage and iCloud Usage, Manage Storage to see if it is there and DELETE if not interested in updating right now, which results in regaining the space the update used. But... be sure to check the next time you are prompted for the update. If you choose LATER, it will be downloaded again without your knowledge, or consent, repeat the above to remove it.
BTW, signing OUT of iCloud will not prevent this.
ALWAYS REMEMBER: before calling for help - is it plugged in, was it downloaded without your knowledge, and is it turned on?
Unplugged
Wednesday, June 1, 2016
Quickbooks 2009 (or older)
Plugging in...
If you are a holdout on upgrading your well used, well loved Quickbooks program, Windows 10 has a little surprise for you... Quickbooks 2009 or older, will not run under Windows 10. Not today, not tomorrow, not ever.
You may think it is a ploy from Quickbooks to grab some greenbacks from your wallet, but in fairness to Intuit, they cannot keep re-writing older programs to comply with new operating systems.
This is not an Intuit only situation, many software vendors must decide how to manage their programming resources and allocate them where they best see fit when the operating system they run on changes and their programs are unable to work on them. Sometimes we users get lucky and we can keep using our old software under the new operating system regime. And sometimes, we must pay the piper.
ALWAYS REMEMBER: before calling for help - is it plugged in, is the VERSION compatible, and is it turned on?
Unplugged
If you are a holdout on upgrading your well used, well loved Quickbooks program, Windows 10 has a little surprise for you... Quickbooks 2009 or older, will not run under Windows 10. Not today, not tomorrow, not ever.
You may think it is a ploy from Quickbooks to grab some greenbacks from your wallet, but in fairness to Intuit, they cannot keep re-writing older programs to comply with new operating systems.
This is not an Intuit only situation, many software vendors must decide how to manage their programming resources and allocate them where they best see fit when the operating system they run on changes and their programs are unable to work on them. Sometimes we users get lucky and we can keep using our old software under the new operating system regime. And sometimes, we must pay the piper.
ALWAYS REMEMBER: before calling for help - is it plugged in, is the VERSION compatible, and is it turned on?
Unplugged
Thursday, May 26, 2016
Pop Up Scams on Apple devices
Plugging in...
Fellow Mac users, you know who you are, the ones who live with the belief that their computers are immune from viruses, malware and pop-ups, the scammers are back! Apple computers, iPhones and iPads are all susceptible to the scamming pop-up.
Apple has posted a lengthy but thorough discussion including various solutions should the Mac user fall prey to the scamming pop-up: https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-8071
Don't call them, don't click, what you are reading and seeing is totally FALSE; they are very good at what they do, and everything appears legitimate. Trust yourself. Don't go there.
ALWAYS REMEMBER: before calling for help - is it plugged in, is it a SCAM, and is it turned on?
Unplugged
Fellow Mac users, you know who you are, the ones who live with the belief that their computers are immune from viruses, malware and pop-ups, the scammers are back! Apple computers, iPhones and iPads are all susceptible to the scamming pop-up.
Apple has posted a lengthy but thorough discussion including various solutions should the Mac user fall prey to the scamming pop-up: https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-8071
Don't call them, don't click, what you are reading and seeing is totally FALSE; they are very good at what they do, and everything appears legitimate. Trust yourself. Don't go there.
ALWAYS REMEMBER: before calling for help - is it plugged in, is it a SCAM, and is it turned on?
Unplugged
Friday, May 13, 2016
Carbonite's Polka Dots
Plugging in...
Carbonite users are familiar with the yellow (looks more like amber) and green dots that the online backup service places on each file and/or folder that is part of the backup service, right? They look like mini polka dots, top left corner of the file or folders icons. The yellow dots indicate "pending backup" while the green dots indicate "backed up".
Sometimes the folder icon remains yellow, even though ALL the files inside the folder have the green dot. This looks perplexing to the user, who may erroneously think Carbonite isn't doing what it is supposed to.
It seems Carbonite sometimes has a REFRESH problem with folder dots. Meaning the dots remain yellow, indicating pending, even though ALL files in the folder are green. The resolution, direct from Carbonite's tech support gurus: right click on the folder with the erroneous yellow dot and click "do not back this up". Immediately right click again and choose "back this up". Then... press the F5 function key on the keyboard. Theses two actions nudge Carbonite to correct the erroneous yellow dot status, and it changes to green.
ALWAYS REMEMBER: before calling for help - is it plugged in, and is it turned on?
Unplugged
Carbonite users are familiar with the yellow (looks more like amber) and green dots that the online backup service places on each file and/or folder that is part of the backup service, right? They look like mini polka dots, top left corner of the file or folders icons. The yellow dots indicate "pending backup" while the green dots indicate "backed up".
Sometimes the folder icon remains yellow, even though ALL the files inside the folder have the green dot. This looks perplexing to the user, who may erroneously think Carbonite isn't doing what it is supposed to.
It seems Carbonite sometimes has a REFRESH problem with folder dots. Meaning the dots remain yellow, indicating pending, even though ALL files in the folder are green. The resolution, direct from Carbonite's tech support gurus: right click on the folder with the erroneous yellow dot and click "do not back this up". Immediately right click again and choose "back this up". Then... press the F5 function key on the keyboard. Theses two actions nudge Carbonite to correct the erroneous yellow dot status, and it changes to green.
ALWAYS REMEMBER: before calling for help - is it plugged in, and is it turned on?
Unplugged
Tuesday, May 3, 2016
OneDrive Becomes Half a Drive...
Plugging in...
Changes to OneDrive, right from horse's mouth (Microsoft):
On 7/13/2016, the amount of storage that comes with OneDrive will change from 15 GB to 5 GB. We are also discontinuing the 15 GB camera roll bonus. You can learn more at our FAQ.
There is no action you need to take, if your OneDrive account is currently below the new storage limits. If you'd like to check your account, you can visit the Storage page.
We realize these are big changes to a service you rely on. We want to apologize for any inconvenience they may cause you. We made a difficult decision, but it's one that will let us sustainably operate OneDrive into the future.
Thank you for using OneDrive.
– The OneDrive Team
You have plenty of time to find another storage solution, put it on your calendar and get that done!
ALWAYS REMEMBER: before calling for help - is it plugged in, did you copy your excess files out of OneDrive, and is it turned on?
Unplugged
Changes to OneDrive, right from horse's mouth (Microsoft):
On 7/13/2016, the amount of storage that comes with OneDrive will change from 15 GB to 5 GB. We are also discontinuing the 15 GB camera roll bonus. You can learn more at our FAQ.
There is no action you need to take, if your OneDrive account is currently below the new storage limits. If you'd like to check your account, you can visit the Storage page.
We realize these are big changes to a service you rely on. We want to apologize for any inconvenience they may cause you. We made a difficult decision, but it's one that will let us sustainably operate OneDrive into the future.
Thank you for using OneDrive.
– The OneDrive Team
You have plenty of time to find another storage solution, put it on your calendar and get that done!
ALWAYS REMEMBER: before calling for help - is it plugged in, did you copy your excess files out of OneDrive, and is it turned on?
Unplugged
Tuesday, April 26, 2016
Rise of the Rocket Girls
Plugging in...
Unplugged
They were called COMPUTERS, their jobs were advertised as "computers". Author Nathalia Holt gives these women their due in her book: "Rise of the Rocket Girls: The Women Who Propelled Us, from Missiles to the Moon to Mars". The secret is out: Science and Mathematics aren't really just for the men in this world!
"Rise
of the Rocket Girls: The Women Who Propelled Us, from Missiles to the
Moon to Mars" (Little, Brown and Co., 2016) - See more at:
http://www.space.com/32572-rise-of-the-rocket-girls-book-author-interview.html#sthash.FcgFqNSN.dpuf
"Rise
of the Rocket Girls: The Women Who Propelled Us, from Missiles to the
Moon to Mars" (Little, Brown and Co., 2016) - See more at:
http://www.space.com/32572-rise-of-the-rocket-girls-book-author-interview.html#sthash.FcgFqNSN.dpuf
ALWAYS REMEMBER: before calling for help - is it plugged in, and is it turned on?
"Rise
of the Rocket Girls: The Women Who Propelled Us, from Missiles to the
Moon to Mars" (Little, Brown and Co., 2016) - See more at:
http://www.space.com/32572-rise-of-the-rocket-girls-book-author-interview.html#sthash.FcgFqNSN.dpuf
"Rise
of the Rocket Girls: The Women Who Propelled Us, from Missiles to the
Moon to Mars" (Little, Brown and Co., 2016) - See more at:
http://www.space.com/32572-rise-of-the-rocket-girls-book-author-interview.html#sthash.FcgFqNSN.dpuf
"Rise
of the Rocket Girls: The Women Who Propelled Us, from Missiles to the
Moon to Mars" (Little, Brown and Co., 2016) - See more at:
http://www.space.com/32572-rise-of-the-rocket-girls-book-author-interview.html#sthash.FcgFqNSN.dpuf
Unplugged
Tuesday, April 19, 2016
Not so Quick - en
Plugging in...
Quicken 2013 has a bit of an edge... it won't upgrade to Quicken 2016 properly if one uses a password on their Quicken 2013 file. Found this out the hard way. Quicken does not make any note of this for the upgrade, and it sure would have helped if they alerted the user in advance.
The Tutor upgraded from 2013 to 2016 for a client which for the most part, went smoothly, until the client tried to open their "converted" 2013 file in 2016. When the password was entered, Quicken 2016 stated "not the correct password", though we had used that password at least 10 times in the previous hour, but in version 2013.
A call to Quicken tech support resulted in the following: the rep, who was excellent, did some research, discovered that one must unprotect the Quicken 2013 file BEFORE upgrading. OK, fine. But the solution was to uninstall Quicken 2016, re-install Quicken 2013. But the client didn't have 2013 anymore... because Quicken 2016 removes the prior version of Quicken. The tech rep then added the 2013 version, at no cost, to the account. The Tutor then uninstalled the 2016 version, downloaded and re-installed the 2013 version. Opened the password protected file, removed the password and saved the file, unprotected.
The Tutor re-installed the Quicken 2016. The data file opened (of course it did, it was no longer password protected), and the Tutor saved it with a password.
The Tutor requested a credit for the purchase of Quicken 2016 ($100) for the client's trouble and was granted the credit immediately. The Tutor also stated it would be nice if Quicken would pay for the Tutor's time, since it was their negligence that caused the additional work in the first place: DENIED. We tried. One doesn't get, if one doesn't ask.
ALWAYS REMEMBER: before calling for help - is it plugged in, and is it turned on?
Unplugged
Quicken 2013 has a bit of an edge... it won't upgrade to Quicken 2016 properly if one uses a password on their Quicken 2013 file. Found this out the hard way. Quicken does not make any note of this for the upgrade, and it sure would have helped if they alerted the user in advance.
The Tutor upgraded from 2013 to 2016 for a client which for the most part, went smoothly, until the client tried to open their "converted" 2013 file in 2016. When the password was entered, Quicken 2016 stated "not the correct password", though we had used that password at least 10 times in the previous hour, but in version 2013.
A call to Quicken tech support resulted in the following: the rep, who was excellent, did some research, discovered that one must unprotect the Quicken 2013 file BEFORE upgrading. OK, fine. But the solution was to uninstall Quicken 2016, re-install Quicken 2013. But the client didn't have 2013 anymore... because Quicken 2016 removes the prior version of Quicken. The tech rep then added the 2013 version, at no cost, to the account. The Tutor then uninstalled the 2016 version, downloaded and re-installed the 2013 version. Opened the password protected file, removed the password and saved the file, unprotected.
The Tutor re-installed the Quicken 2016. The data file opened (of course it did, it was no longer password protected), and the Tutor saved it with a password.
The Tutor requested a credit for the purchase of Quicken 2016 ($100) for the client's trouble and was granted the credit immediately. The Tutor also stated it would be nice if Quicken would pay for the Tutor's time, since it was their negligence that caused the additional work in the first place: DENIED. We tried. One doesn't get, if one doesn't ask.
ALWAYS REMEMBER: before calling for help - is it plugged in, and is it turned on?
Unplugged
Tuesday, April 12, 2016
The Nagging Windows 10 updater
Plugging in...
How many times must the reader encounter the aggressive push for updating to Windows 10 before they say "UNCLE"? Well, Gibson Research has a cure for this, not frighteningly technical.
If your patience has been worn thin by the incessant prompting (they are taking a page from Apple on the iPhones, aren't they??), go here, and give it a try: https://www.grc.com/never10.htm
The Gibson Research site has been helping us computer users for many a moon. We trust them. Really.
ALWAYS REMEMBER: before calling for help - is it plugged in, and is it turned on?
Unplugged
How many times must the reader encounter the aggressive push for updating to Windows 10 before they say "UNCLE"? Well, Gibson Research has a cure for this, not frighteningly technical.
If your patience has been worn thin by the incessant prompting (they are taking a page from Apple on the iPhones, aren't they??), go here, and give it a try: https://www.grc.com/never10.htm
The Gibson Research site has been helping us computer users for many a moon. We trust them. Really.
ALWAYS REMEMBER: before calling for help - is it plugged in, and is it turned on?
Unplugged
Tuesday, April 5, 2016
How Safe is YOUR backup?
Plugging in...
As easy as it is to use an always on, real-time backup, the Tutor wants the reader to be aware that if something like the ransom-ware malware encrypts your files, it is likely the backups for each file are also encrypted, which means you cannot open any of them.
What does this mean? Since a change to any file triggers the backup program, each file that is attacked by the ransom-ware malware is backed up almost as soon as the encryption happens, rendering the most recent backup useless. Check to see how many versions (history) your backup program creates in the event that this unfortunate scenario happens to you.
Should your files become held at ransom, usually $300-$400 is demanded within a certain time period to get the code to unlock them. Should you fail to pay, the files will be unusable. Our honorable police authorities will suggest not paying, but what is your recourse if 1) you never had a backup, ever; or 2) your backup is useless?
Backups are critical because life happens, and there are no guarantees that everything will work from one day to the next. Ideally having a two-tiered backup system is better, but that's a blog for another day. Stay protected out there.
ALWAYS REMEMBER: before calling for help - is it plugged in, is it backed up, and is it turned on?
Unplugged
As easy as it is to use an always on, real-time backup, the Tutor wants the reader to be aware that if something like the ransom-ware malware encrypts your files, it is likely the backups for each file are also encrypted, which means you cannot open any of them.
What does this mean? Since a change to any file triggers the backup program, each file that is attacked by the ransom-ware malware is backed up almost as soon as the encryption happens, rendering the most recent backup useless. Check to see how many versions (history) your backup program creates in the event that this unfortunate scenario happens to you.
Should your files become held at ransom, usually $300-$400 is demanded within a certain time period to get the code to unlock them. Should you fail to pay, the files will be unusable. Our honorable police authorities will suggest not paying, but what is your recourse if 1) you never had a backup, ever; or 2) your backup is useless?
Backups are critical because life happens, and there are no guarantees that everything will work from one day to the next. Ideally having a two-tiered backup system is better, but that's a blog for another day. Stay protected out there.
ALWAYS REMEMBER: before calling for help - is it plugged in, is it backed up, and is it turned on?
Unplugged
Tuesday, March 29, 2016
The Tutor's Base
Plugging in...
This is where it all happens, the Tutor's computing sanctuary. A Dell tower XPS is the driving force, dual monitors increase productivity (notice each monitor depicts a different program), wireless mouse and keyboard, standard issue writing implements, thirst-quenching drinking vessel, sundry in-process papework and the now necessary reading glasses. What you don't see is the HP Laserjet Pro MFP M426fdw printer, the Apple 17" Macbook, the first generation iPad, the iPod, the iShuffle, the Kindle, the Canon digital camera, the headphones, and paper supplies. All necessary? If the Tutor's clients didn't use all of them, they would not be necessary!
ALWAYS REMEMBER: before calling for help - is it plugged in, and is it turned on?
Unplugged
This is where it all happens, the Tutor's computing sanctuary. A Dell tower XPS is the driving force, dual monitors increase productivity (notice each monitor depicts a different program), wireless mouse and keyboard, standard issue writing implements, thirst-quenching drinking vessel, sundry in-process papework and the now necessary reading glasses. What you don't see is the HP Laserjet Pro MFP M426fdw printer, the Apple 17" Macbook, the first generation iPad, the iPod, the iShuffle, the Kindle, the Canon digital camera, the headphones, and paper supplies. All necessary? If the Tutor's clients didn't use all of them, they would not be necessary!
ALWAYS REMEMBER: before calling for help - is it plugged in, and is it turned on?
Unplugged
Friday, March 25, 2016
#ctutor
Plugging in...
The Computor Tutor has a new TWITTER hash tag!
@ComputorTutor
ALWAYS REMEMBER: before calling for help - is it plugged in, and is it turned on?
Unplugged
The Computor Tutor has a new TWITTER hash tag!
ALWAYS REMEMBER: before calling for help - is it plugged in, and is it turned on?
Unplugged
Wednesday, March 23, 2016
Too Much of a Good Thing
Plugging in...
The Thunderbird email program is a popular competitor of Outlook, and it's free. A recent client had a most unusual experience with Thunderbird. Each time the Thunderbird desktop shortcut was used to open the email, more than 50 copies of the Inbox opened (not a typo), one atop the other. The client had to wait for all the inboxes to load before having access to the email. Much patience was required, this was not a quick process.
Although the fix was simple, the diagnostics were more time-consuming. Instead of using the shortcut to open Thunderbird, the Tutor located the file (called an executable) that makes Thunderbird go. When Thunderbird was started from the original file, instead of from the shortcut... only a single copy of the Inbox opened.
The solution: deleted the shortcut on the desktop and created another shortcut. Problem solved, though it remains a mystery why the original shortcut became corrupted. It was IDENTICAL to the newly created shortcut. Go figure.
ALWAYS REMEMBER: before calling for help - is it plugged in, and is it turned on?
Unplugged
The Thunderbird email program is a popular competitor of Outlook, and it's free. A recent client had a most unusual experience with Thunderbird. Each time the Thunderbird desktop shortcut was used to open the email, more than 50 copies of the Inbox opened (not a typo), one atop the other. The client had to wait for all the inboxes to load before having access to the email. Much patience was required, this was not a quick process.
Although the fix was simple, the diagnostics were more time-consuming. Instead of using the shortcut to open Thunderbird, the Tutor located the file (called an executable) that makes Thunderbird go. When Thunderbird was started from the original file, instead of from the shortcut... only a single copy of the Inbox opened.
The solution: deleted the shortcut on the desktop and created another shortcut. Problem solved, though it remains a mystery why the original shortcut became corrupted. It was IDENTICAL to the newly created shortcut. Go figure.
ALWAYS REMEMBER: before calling for help - is it plugged in, and is it turned on?
Unplugged
Tuesday, March 15, 2016
Jumpy Typing Cursor??
Plugging in...
We do love our laptops, don't we? And the keyboard placement that requires an over-reach of the hands and arms to use the keyboard? Not so much. The Tutor's 8th grade typing teacher would have a field day with the improper placement of hands when "typing" on a laptop keyboard.
The placement of the keyboard at the rear of the laptop puts the typists' hands and wrists in a position that grazes the touchpad, causing the cursor to jump to an unwanted position on the typing page. Ah, yes, you say. I hate when that happens. You may not have touched anything intentionally, but the slightest flick of the wrist across that sensitive touchpad may cause cursor relocation.
There are a couple of solutions: one is to use a mouse instead of the touchpad. Most touchpad software has a feature that will shut off the touchpad if it "discovers" an external mouse in use. And... it will re-enable the touchpad when the mouse is not being used.
Don't want to use a mouse? A simpler but less elegant solution is to cover the touchpad with an index card or paper of the same size as the touchpad. The paper covering prevents the accidental touching of the pad while typing.
ALWAYS REMEMBER: before calling for help - is it plugged in, and is it turned on?
Unplugged
We do love our laptops, don't we? And the keyboard placement that requires an over-reach of the hands and arms to use the keyboard? Not so much. The Tutor's 8th grade typing teacher would have a field day with the improper placement of hands when "typing" on a laptop keyboard.
The placement of the keyboard at the rear of the laptop puts the typists' hands and wrists in a position that grazes the touchpad, causing the cursor to jump to an unwanted position on the typing page. Ah, yes, you say. I hate when that happens. You may not have touched anything intentionally, but the slightest flick of the wrist across that sensitive touchpad may cause cursor relocation.
There are a couple of solutions: one is to use a mouse instead of the touchpad. Most touchpad software has a feature that will shut off the touchpad if it "discovers" an external mouse in use. And... it will re-enable the touchpad when the mouse is not being used.
Don't want to use a mouse? A simpler but less elegant solution is to cover the touchpad with an index card or paper of the same size as the touchpad. The paper covering prevents the accidental touching of the pad while typing.
ALWAYS REMEMBER: before calling for help - is it plugged in, and is it turned on?
Unplugged
Tuesday, March 8, 2016
It's NOT you, it's them!
Plugging in...
We all, I think, know that updates to our software programs are important for many reasons. We all, I think, have also encountered misbehaving software after an update; if the updates were automated, the reader may not have easily put one and one together to ascertain that it was THEM (the update) and not you when you tried to do something that worked just fine yesterday.
Windows 10 had a recent update which may have reset many default programs and settings that YOU might have spent time tweaking. You might have encountered this fairly quickly when you clicked an internet hyperlink in an email or when reading something of interest on the internet and it opened Microsoft EDGE, the newest browser from Microsoft when you would have bet your life savings that you changed it to Firefox, Chrome or the Internet Explorer.
You aren't crazy, and you didn't do it. Microsoft did, though by accident. They apologized, though they cannot change them back for you. Boo hoo.
ALWAYS REMEMBER: before calling for help - is it plugged in, was there an update involved, and is it turned on?
Unplugged
We all, I think, know that updates to our software programs are important for many reasons. We all, I think, have also encountered misbehaving software after an update; if the updates were automated, the reader may not have easily put one and one together to ascertain that it was THEM (the update) and not you when you tried to do something that worked just fine yesterday.
Windows 10 had a recent update which may have reset many default programs and settings that YOU might have spent time tweaking. You might have encountered this fairly quickly when you clicked an internet hyperlink in an email or when reading something of interest on the internet and it opened Microsoft EDGE, the newest browser from Microsoft when you would have bet your life savings that you changed it to Firefox, Chrome or the Internet Explorer.
You aren't crazy, and you didn't do it. Microsoft did, though by accident. They apologized, though they cannot change them back for you. Boo hoo.
ALWAYS REMEMBER: before calling for help - is it plugged in, was there an update involved, and is it turned on?
Unplugged
Wednesday, February 24, 2016
HP: Coming Apart at the Seams
Plugging in...
The Tutor's client closed the HP Pavilion laptop, and went away for a week. The laptop was unattended in a second floor, heated office. When the client arrived home and opened the laptop, the left side of the case had lifted, separated completely from the laptop. It visually appeared as though someone had melted the case! HP is aware "of the problem", and offers nothing to the owners of the HPs that developed this problem. Shame on HP.
ALWAYS REMEMBER: before calling for help - is it plugged in, is it in ONE piece, and is it turned on?
Unplugged
Friday, February 19, 2016
Toothpicks
Plugging in...
No, it's not a post about oral hygiene. But it is about using the wondrous little pick to provide a solution to what would have been an expensive fix.
A 3-year old HP Pavilion laptop developed an interesting problem about a year from purchase. The wired Ethernet port on the side of the laptop was loose. It would allow for the insertion of an Ethernet cable (we tried several different cables), but the weight of the cable just resting on the desk, caused it to regularly lose the internet connection. The light would go off so it was obvious the connection was out before the browser blurted out "no connection" on the screen. If one placed a "bridge" under it the cable near the insertion point, something like a half inch high tile, it would provide some stability. However, if anything moved either the tile, the cable or the laptop, the internet connection would go out... again.
Use wireless, you say? The router was in the basement of this home and the office on the 3rd floor. The HP's wireless component was not strong enough to pick up the signal (iPhones wouldn't pick up the signal either). And no, we didn't try a signal booster...
So, after much frustration from the owner, the Tutor had an idea, garnered from installing lock-sets for doors. The Tutor brought along a lowly wooden toothpick and pressed it into the Ethernet slot along with the Ethernet cable. Voila - a tight fit which didn't budge when jostled by anything.
ALWAYS REMEMBER: before calling for help - is it plugged in, is it TIGHT, and is it turned on?
Unplugged
No, it's not a post about oral hygiene. But it is about using the wondrous little pick to provide a solution to what would have been an expensive fix.
A 3-year old HP Pavilion laptop developed an interesting problem about a year from purchase. The wired Ethernet port on the side of the laptop was loose. It would allow for the insertion of an Ethernet cable (we tried several different cables), but the weight of the cable just resting on the desk, caused it to regularly lose the internet connection. The light would go off so it was obvious the connection was out before the browser blurted out "no connection" on the screen. If one placed a "bridge" under it the cable near the insertion point, something like a half inch high tile, it would provide some stability. However, if anything moved either the tile, the cable or the laptop, the internet connection would go out... again.
Use wireless, you say? The router was in the basement of this home and the office on the 3rd floor. The HP's wireless component was not strong enough to pick up the signal (iPhones wouldn't pick up the signal either). And no, we didn't try a signal booster...
So, after much frustration from the owner, the Tutor had an idea, garnered from installing lock-sets for doors. The Tutor brought along a lowly wooden toothpick and pressed it into the Ethernet slot along with the Ethernet cable. Voila - a tight fit which didn't budge when jostled by anything.
ALWAYS REMEMBER: before calling for help - is it plugged in, is it TIGHT, and is it turned on?
Unplugged
Tuesday, February 9, 2016
Classic UNPLUGGED
Plugging in...
Shall we blame it on the weather? This mal-functioning printer spewing forth a "printer not responding" message? That would be easy to do, as was the dual-action fix.
The client's printer was seriously speaking in blinking light language. Some readers may be aware that the number of blinks in a blinking light cycle is indicative of "the problem". For example, it may be that for the reader's printer, one blink means no power, two blinks signals an empty cartridge, 3 blinks, a paper jam, etc. The first problem was an empty ink cartridge and it was blinking constantly. Oh those were the days my friend when one could still print with an empty cartridge. "Those days" are long gone.
Off to the store the client traipses, in the middle of a snow storm, to fetch another cyan cartridge. (Even wonder why they just don't call it blue?? Ask an artist.) Cartridge properly inserted, still no printing.The client calls the Tutor the next morning. The printer miraculously began printing late on the previous day, then was up to its old tricks again: printer not responding.
The Tutor arrived and from the looks of things, the printer should have worked... but it didn't. And why did it have a blip of functionality then nothing? The printer was attached to a laptop via a USB cable AND a USB extension cable. (Most USB cables are 6' long and this one was a tad short to reach up, down and around.) The weight of the two cables pulling ever-downward slightly dislodged the USB cable from the side of the laptop. If one didn't look closely, it appeared securely plugged in. But alas, it was not. A quick push of the cable back into the USB and the printer was cured. It's a miracle... NOT!
Why did the printer work the day before for only a few minutes? Best educated guess is the laptop was bumped giving the USB cable just enough movement into the port for a brief connection. Then the weight of the cable dragged it out once again.
ALWAYS REMEMBER: before calling for help - is it SECURELY plugged in, and is it turned on?
Unplugged
Shall we blame it on the weather? This mal-functioning printer spewing forth a "printer not responding" message? That would be easy to do, as was the dual-action fix.
The client's printer was seriously speaking in blinking light language. Some readers may be aware that the number of blinks in a blinking light cycle is indicative of "the problem". For example, it may be that for the reader's printer, one blink means no power, two blinks signals an empty cartridge, 3 blinks, a paper jam, etc. The first problem was an empty ink cartridge and it was blinking constantly. Oh those were the days my friend when one could still print with an empty cartridge. "Those days" are long gone.
Off to the store the client traipses, in the middle of a snow storm, to fetch another cyan cartridge. (Even wonder why they just don't call it blue?? Ask an artist.) Cartridge properly inserted, still no printing.The client calls the Tutor the next morning. The printer miraculously began printing late on the previous day, then was up to its old tricks again: printer not responding.
The Tutor arrived and from the looks of things, the printer should have worked... but it didn't. And why did it have a blip of functionality then nothing? The printer was attached to a laptop via a USB cable AND a USB extension cable. (Most USB cables are 6' long and this one was a tad short to reach up, down and around.) The weight of the two cables pulling ever-downward slightly dislodged the USB cable from the side of the laptop. If one didn't look closely, it appeared securely plugged in. But alas, it was not. A quick push of the cable back into the USB and the printer was cured. It's a miracle... NOT!
Why did the printer work the day before for only a few minutes? Best educated guess is the laptop was bumped giving the USB cable just enough movement into the port for a brief connection. Then the weight of the cable dragged it out once again.
ALWAYS REMEMBER: before calling for help - is it SECURELY plugged in, and is it turned on?
Unplugged
Sunday, January 31, 2016
The Story of Fitbit and the Battery
Plugging in...
There once was a client who bought a Fitbit, promptly forgot about it and left it doing no one's fitness tracking for six months. When the client remembered the little gadget, the battery supplied with it was "dead". Should be an easy fix, right? Go to the store, buy a battery, come home, put it in the Fitbit and voila, fitness tracking begins. Except...
The new battery appeared to be "faulty". The Fitbit gadget was still dead as a door nail. The battery was inserted properly, according to the handy, dandy little diagram provided with the Fitbit. Was it just bad luck that the new battery was also non-functioning? We battery buyers have no idea how long a battery is sitting on a shelf before we purchase it.
The Tutor was asked to take a gander and lo and behold, the battery was inserted properly, but there was one tiny, little thing the Fitbit owner forgot to do. The battery, about the size of a quarter, had a piece of protective tape across the entire back of the battery, and it wasn't obvious to the Fitbit owner. It was not bright in color, it did not have "REMOVE ME" in large letters on it, nor did the battery packaging direct the purchaser to remove said tape before inserting the battery.
So once again, Reading is Fundamental is the takeaway. We users must take care to read, turn things over, and examine closely before assuming failure.
ALWAYS REMEMBER: before calling for help - is it plugged in, is there TAPE across the underside, and is it turned on?
Unplugged
There once was a client who bought a Fitbit, promptly forgot about it and left it doing no one's fitness tracking for six months. When the client remembered the little gadget, the battery supplied with it was "dead". Should be an easy fix, right? Go to the store, buy a battery, come home, put it in the Fitbit and voila, fitness tracking begins. Except...
The new battery appeared to be "faulty". The Fitbit gadget was still dead as a door nail. The battery was inserted properly, according to the handy, dandy little diagram provided with the Fitbit. Was it just bad luck that the new battery was also non-functioning? We battery buyers have no idea how long a battery is sitting on a shelf before we purchase it.
The Tutor was asked to take a gander and lo and behold, the battery was inserted properly, but there was one tiny, little thing the Fitbit owner forgot to do. The battery, about the size of a quarter, had a piece of protective tape across the entire back of the battery, and it wasn't obvious to the Fitbit owner. It was not bright in color, it did not have "REMOVE ME" in large letters on it, nor did the battery packaging direct the purchaser to remove said tape before inserting the battery.
So once again, Reading is Fundamental is the takeaway. We users must take care to read, turn things over, and examine closely before assuming failure.
ALWAYS REMEMBER: before calling for help - is it plugged in, is there TAPE across the underside, and is it turned on?
Unplugged
Tuesday, January 26, 2016
Bigger is NOT Always Better
Plugging in...
What started as a simple use of the free Nitro PDF reader, a competitor of Adobe Reader, became a bit of problem when using two monitors, one a laptop, the other a larger monitor connected with a cable to the laptop. Seems Nitro doesn't behave when using two monitors and the company has known about the situation for several years, promising a fix.
The problem: when one opens a PDF to read it using Nitro, Nitro Pro or Primo PDF readers, the opening of the program changes the screen resolution on the monitor to 640 x 480. That might not mean anything to the reader (you), but to the computer monitor it means WICKED BIG and not filling out the screen. It is not a zoom feature, so one cannot just make it smaller. Hence, one cannot see every part of the PDF in order to read it. Yes... it could be printed. However, the Tutor's client needed to fill in the PDF form on screen. Hmmmm.
Each monitor and video card that it is connected to has something called native resolution or recommended resolution - the clarity and size best suited for viewing on said monitor. One does not have to use the recommended settings, but the manufacturer is making a strong suggestion for a reason. Who knew (or gave permission to) Nitro would change the resolution and make it totally unsuable? We know now.
The solution: we opted out of these readers, downloaded and installed the free Foxit Reader and the PDF world was right once again.
ALWAYS REMEMBER: before calling for help - is it plugged in, and is it turned on?
Unplugged
What started as a simple use of the free Nitro PDF reader, a competitor of Adobe Reader, became a bit of problem when using two monitors, one a laptop, the other a larger monitor connected with a cable to the laptop. Seems Nitro doesn't behave when using two monitors and the company has known about the situation for several years, promising a fix.
The problem: when one opens a PDF to read it using Nitro, Nitro Pro or Primo PDF readers, the opening of the program changes the screen resolution on the monitor to 640 x 480. That might not mean anything to the reader (you), but to the computer monitor it means WICKED BIG and not filling out the screen. It is not a zoom feature, so one cannot just make it smaller. Hence, one cannot see every part of the PDF in order to read it. Yes... it could be printed. However, the Tutor's client needed to fill in the PDF form on screen. Hmmmm.
Each monitor and video card that it is connected to has something called native resolution or recommended resolution - the clarity and size best suited for viewing on said monitor. One does not have to use the recommended settings, but the manufacturer is making a strong suggestion for a reason. Who knew (or gave permission to) Nitro would change the resolution and make it totally unsuable? We know now.
The solution: we opted out of these readers, downloaded and installed the free Foxit Reader and the PDF world was right once again.
ALWAYS REMEMBER: before calling for help - is it plugged in, and is it turned on?
Unplugged
Sunday, January 24, 2016
Windows 10 Updater Beware
Plugging in...
Not that the Tutor isn't in favor of the new Windows 10 operating system from the Seattle Microsoft forces. The updater (that would be YOU, the user) needs to be a bit proactive in making sure ALL their toys play well under the hood of Windows 10.
The Tutor became aware of a Windows 10 "nightmare", so said the client this week. Although the upgrade went smoothly, meaning no computer crashes, two very important pieces of hardware no longer communicated with the upgraded computer: the office wireless printer AND a piece of hardware that performed computerized skin analysis. The Tutor was having a casual conversation with the receptionist at said facility and learned of the two woes.
The Tutor's advice was to call each company and ask if they had a solution for running under Windows 10. They both did, and the office, after two weeks of struggling with various other tech support people who were not successful in aiding them, was fully functioning once again. Their other option? A Windows 10 upgrade can be downgraded to what the computer was running prior to the upgrade. The hitch? The downgrade must be done within 30 days of the upgrade.
The best course of action when thinking (and the Tutor means thinking, not doing) is to check with the manufacturers of ALL the other computer-like things that may be affected: other computers, printers, scanners, GPS devices, digital cameras, etc to see if they are providing a "driver" (the software) that allows them to talk to the new Windows 10 guy.
ALWAYS REMEMBER: before calling for help - is it plugged in, is it COMPATIBLE with the computer, and is it turned on?
Unplugged
Not that the Tutor isn't in favor of the new Windows 10 operating system from the Seattle Microsoft forces. The updater (that would be YOU, the user) needs to be a bit proactive in making sure ALL their toys play well under the hood of Windows 10.
The Tutor became aware of a Windows 10 "nightmare", so said the client this week. Although the upgrade went smoothly, meaning no computer crashes, two very important pieces of hardware no longer communicated with the upgraded computer: the office wireless printer AND a piece of hardware that performed computerized skin analysis. The Tutor was having a casual conversation with the receptionist at said facility and learned of the two woes.
The Tutor's advice was to call each company and ask if they had a solution for running under Windows 10. They both did, and the office, after two weeks of struggling with various other tech support people who were not successful in aiding them, was fully functioning once again. Their other option? A Windows 10 upgrade can be downgraded to what the computer was running prior to the upgrade. The hitch? The downgrade must be done within 30 days of the upgrade.
The best course of action when thinking (and the Tutor means thinking, not doing) is to check with the manufacturers of ALL the other computer-like things that may be affected: other computers, printers, scanners, GPS devices, digital cameras, etc to see if they are providing a "driver" (the software) that allows them to talk to the new Windows 10 guy.
ALWAYS REMEMBER: before calling for help - is it plugged in, is it COMPATIBLE with the computer, and is it turned on?
Unplugged
Wednesday, January 6, 2016
iMapping and Popping Email Accounts
Plugging in...
iMap: Internet Message Access Protocol
POP: Post Office Protocol
We've been "pop-ing" emails for years and being a bit cranky about not having the ability to delete an email on one device (computer, phone, tablet, watch) and have it deleted on all of our other devices (an oversimplified definition of POP email). Some email programs addressed our CRANKINESS and began offering an iMap style of email which can (it's a choice) delete the email on all devices, if deleted on one (an oversimplified definition of iMap email).
Switching over from POP email to iMap email requires some work by you, the user or me, the Tutor. An existing POP account cannot be changed to an iMap, one must create a new email account using iMap settings and if emails were saved in the POP email account, one must manually move them to the new account. The more one has to move, the longer it will take AND if there are saved pictures, it will take even longer.
NOTE: Not all email programs offer iMap and not all allow the movement of saved emails from one account to another.
ALWAYS REMEMBER: before calling for help - is it plugged in, and is it turned on?
Unplugged
iMap: Internet Message Access Protocol
POP: Post Office Protocol
We've been "pop-ing" emails for years and being a bit cranky about not having the ability to delete an email on one device (computer, phone, tablet, watch) and have it deleted on all of our other devices (an oversimplified definition of POP email). Some email programs addressed our CRANKINESS and began offering an iMap style of email which can (it's a choice) delete the email on all devices, if deleted on one (an oversimplified definition of iMap email).
Switching over from POP email to iMap email requires some work by you, the user or me, the Tutor. An existing POP account cannot be changed to an iMap, one must create a new email account using iMap settings and if emails were saved in the POP email account, one must manually move them to the new account. The more one has to move, the longer it will take AND if there are saved pictures, it will take even longer.
NOTE: Not all email programs offer iMap and not all allow the movement of saved emails from one account to another.
ALWAYS REMEMBER: before calling for help - is it plugged in, and is it turned on?
Unplugged
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