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cloudeight-news /@/  thundercloud.net 

And here's a temporary solution you can use in Thunderbird:   Just drag the newsletter from the Thunderbird spam folder to your Thunderbird inbox.

We hope this helps you, Ruth.

Vincent's computer won't boot
My computer crashed when I installed new mouse software (corsair), windows will not boot up. My computer shop locally recovered files, but could not get pc to load windows. I am willing to pay to get it going! I hope to get new pc to transfer things over - but some programs need to transfer too if possible - do you think you can help?

Our answer
Hi Vincent. Once your computer tech had recovered your files, he or she should have done a factory reset on your computer. That would have reset your computer back to the way it was the day you purchased it and it would have been bootable.

In order for us to help you, with our Cloudeight Direct Computer Care service, you need to be able to:

1. Boot in to Windows (at least be able to boot to Safe Mode with networking).
2. Be connected to the internet.

In our years of experience, transferring programs from one computer to another never works as expected. Most programs have registry entries, DLLs and other files and dependencies that have to be moved along with the program. Most programs that are sold to move programs from one PC to another generally tend to make a mess of things. Reinstalling programs is easy and produces better results. We can help move files to a new computer (it has to be done correctly or you'll end up with a mess. But we do not move programs.

Windows 10 can be downloaded free and installed without a product key on a computer on which Windows 10 has previously been installed (you can also upgrade from Windows 7 or Windows 8 free as well). You can do a factory reset yourself (instructions will be on the computer manufacturer's website). Or ask your computer tech to do the factory reset or for you.

Here are two ways you can try to boot into Windows.

1. Make sure the computer is powered off. Hold down the SHIFT key and power on the computer while you continue to hold down the SHIFT key. You should get the Advanced Boot Menu  - see this page for more info. On the Advanced Boot Menu you'll have option to troubleshoot and fix Windows.

2. If you have access to another PC you can follow the instructions on this page to create a Windows 10 Installation DVD. You can used that DVD to boot your computer and reinstall Windows 10. If Windows 10 has previously been installed on that device, you won't need a product key.

Once you get your computer to boot up and get Windows running and you're connected to the internet - we can help you get things set up correctly and move your files back the right way so they're all where they should be.

Don wants to get rid of Ad Choices
How can I get rid of Ad Choices (preferably for free)? How can I make sure it stays gone?
Thank you!

Our answer
Hi Don. First we want to tell you about Ad Choices, what it is, and what those ads mean to smaller sites like ours.

Ad Choices are ads that are served to websites by Google's AdSense ad server. While you certainly may see them on some major sites, many smaller sites like ours rely on them for extra income. Ad Choices (Google ads) help us pay some of our server costs and server maintenance expenses.

We wanted you to know that many small sites, especially mom & pop type sites rely on Ad Choices for income. I would venture to say some freeware is only free because of these kinds of ads. We've seen many freeware sites and freeware developers turn to malware/PUP bundling to help defray the cost of being online. And declining ad revenue is the major reason all of us are seeing:

1. So much software bundling - where legit freeware is bundled with PUPs or malware
2. A decline in the number of really good freeware programs available and the reduced number of new useful freeware
3. A drastic decline in the number of small, useful or informative mom and pop sites, like ours. When we say that hundreds of websites that started around the same time we did (1998) are no longer around - we're not exaggerating.

We know ads are annoying - that's why we don't allow floating ads, flashing ads or ads that cover up the content on our site. All the ads on our site are on the side of the page and are labeled as advertisements.

You can closes any Ad Choices ad by clicking the X in the top-right corner:

We just wanted to give you some food for thought before telling you about a free ad blocker that blocks ads, but also makes it easy to allow some sites to show ads. It's called Privacy Badger. It's from the Electronic Frontier Foundation. It's an excellent free program that you can easily adjust to allow ads to show from the sites you choose to support and block ads from those you don't want to support. Or to block all Ad Choices ads everywhere. You can read more about Privacy Badger here.

Leslie is having problems with Corel PaintShop Pro
I know you don't fix particular programs, but maybe my problem is a general one within windows. When I try to use a particular plugin in Paint Shop Pro 2019, I get the message:

Memory Access Violation
Filtermeister Run Time Exception
ds = 0X002B

Is there some fix that would be associated with Windows? Or would this be just associated with PSP? Thanks for any info. Best, Leslie.

Our answer
Hi Leslie. The problem is Corel (or the plugin) and not Windows. Ever since Corel bought Jasc and PaintShop Pro, it seems to have had a litany of problems - especially with Windows 10. And there's no reason why Corel can't update its programs to work with the latest versions of Windows 10. They have access to future versions of Windows 10 at least 6 months before the versions are released to the public. So they have months to make sure their software remains compatible with all currently supported versions of Windows and Windows 10.

The reason we know that it's almost certainly problem with PaintShop Pro is because we have had dozens of people having problems with Corel software, particularly PaintShop Pro on Windows 10. It seems every time a new version of Windows 10 is released, we get more complaints about PSP not working right. In your case, since you get a memory space error when using a plugin -the problem may also be the plugin you're using.

The only suggestion we can make that you can try is this to use Compatibility mode. While it is generally used to help older programs work with Windows 10, it may work for you in this case. Here's what you can try:

1. Right-click on the PSP shortcut icon

2. Choose "Properties"

3. In Properties choose "Compatibility"

4. Under "Compatibility mode" tick the box next o "Run the program in compatibility mode for"

5. Click the down arrow under that and select an older operating system.

6: Click Apply/OK

See the screenshot below:


This does work sometimes, but not always. It's something you can try since it only takes a few seconds.

You're best bet is to try Corel support, even though most of the time (we hear), they blame Windows for their problems.

That's my opinion. But it's a fact that we see many complaints from our readers about Corel products - especially PaintShop Pro. And remember - it's not Microsoft's job to ensure compatibility with Corel software, it's Corel's responsibility to its customers to make software that's compatible with Microsoft Windows.

Now Includes "Anytime Repair" with Our Unattended Support Feature!

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With our Cloudeight Direct Computer Care SeniorPass, our friends age 60 and older get one full year of unlimited computer care and repair for one low price. With our SeniorPass you'll get the best computer care anywhere - any time you need it!

SeniorPass is valid for unlimited computer care & repair sessions for one full year starting with the first time you use it. The clock does not start ticking until you use your SeniorPass for the first time. A great deal!

Having SeniorPass is just like having insurance for your computer. You'll get one full year of computer care and get help with almost any computer problem whenever you need it. We're here to help you.

Computer care & repair for one full year. Check out our SeniorPass offer right now!

Get your SeniorPass and/or get more information here.





Windows 10 October Update Has Finally Been Released
Windows 10 (all versions)

This week (November 13, 2018) Microsoft finally re-released the long-awaited October 2018 (Windows 10 Version 1809) update.

Windows 10 version 1809 (Windows 10 October Update) was originally released on October 2, 2018 and then quickly pulled from the Microsoft servers on October 6, 2018 due to a major bug with the update that wiped out users' personal files. Not all users were affected (1 % says Microsoft), but enough people were affected to cause Microsoft to withdraw the update for almost six weeks while they worked to iron out all the bugs.

In a blog post, Microsoft's John Cable, the director of Program Management for Windows Servicing and Delivery, confirms that the data-destroying bug that caused Microsoft to yank the update from its download servers and Windows Update channel has been fixed. He also confirmed that other major bugs and quality issues that were discovered during the hiatus, have also been "thoroughly investigated and resolved."

So, finally, in the middle of November, the Windows 10 October 2018 Update has been released. Luckily it has another name - Windows 10 Version 1809 - which seems more appropriate here in the middle of November.

Windows 10 Version 1809 (October 2018 Update) is finally available, but you may have to wait a while for it if you want to get it via Windows Update. In the aforementioned blog post, Cable also noted that it may be some time before users get the update.

"...As with all Windows releases, we will continue to carefully study the results, feedback and diagnostic data before we begin offering the update in phases to more devices in the coming weeks and months..."

If you want to get the update sooner, rather than later, you can use the Windows 10 Update Assistant to download and upgrade to Windows 10 Version 1809 (October 2018 Update). We are not recommending that you do this - nor are we telling you not to upgrade. We are keeping you informed.

But we certainly hope that after almost 6 weeks of "fixing" that this time the update is as free from problems and major bugs as any major update can ever be.



What to Do If Your Laptop Computer Won't Boot
A Windows tip submitted by Cloudeight subscriber Mildred
Windows 7, Windows 8x, Windows 10 (all versions)

"This morning my laptop computer would not boot into Windows. First time it did show the desktop but world not do anything. Shut it down manually with the power button. Second time only got the blue screen of death,. Shut it down and restarted but got the same thing the next time. Fourth time got the desktop but nothing worked and after an hour or so the circle was still spinning. Manually shut it down again. THEN remembered a trick that had worked for me numerous times on my laptops through the years.

Here is my trick to fix:

* Shut down using the power button - wait until all power lights are off.
* Unplug from electric and unplug all other connections such as your mouse,  USB flash drives, printers, external drives, etc.
* Remove battery (if your battery is removable)
* Wait at least 2 minutes.
* Reinstall battery (if you removed it)
* Plug laptop into electrical power.
* Push the power button. Your  computer should now boot up.  If not repeat each step in order. Be patient and don't rush.
* Be sure all is loaded and you can see all icons.
* If all is well, plug in your mouse (if you use one), external drives, printer, etc.  and allow each to connect before adding another one.

Hope you can share this for all the laptop users and hope it helps. Sure a lot easier than reloading or trying to fix windows..."

Consider it done, Mildred! Thanks so much for sharing your experience and your tip with us all. Darcy & TC

Want more computer tips & tricks?

More Windows 10 Windows Key Shortcuts (in  a downloadable PDF file)

Should You Restart or Log Off?

We have thousands of Windows tips, tricks and more on our InfoAve web site.  Come see for yourself! 

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SeniorPass: A Great Deal for Our Friends 60 and Older! 

With our Cloudeight Direct Computer Care SeniorPass, our friends age 60 and older get one full year of unlimited computer care and repair for one low price. With our SeniorPass you'll get the best computer care anywhere - any time you need it!

SeniorPass is valid for unlimited computer care & repair sessions for one full year starting with the first time you use it. The clock does not start ticking until you use your SeniorPass for the first time. A great deal!

Having SeniorPass is just like having insurance for your computer. You'll get one full year of computer care and get help with almost any computer problem whenever you need it. We're here to help you.

Computer care & repair for one full year. Check out our SeniorPass offer right now!

Get your SeniorPass and/or get more information here.

Squoosh Your Images

With smartphone cameras, digital cameras and digital SLRs producing higher and higher resolution photos, the images they produce keep getting bigger and bigger. And sometimes if you want to share those images with friends or family - or just store them- it would be nice if you could squoosh or compress them to make them smaller files without reducing the image size or quality. That's where Squoosh can help.


Above: Google’s new Squoosh app open in our Chrome browser on one of our Windows 10 PCs.

You can drag and drop – or select an image from your computer and squoosh it without ruining the clarity of your photos. There are a lot of advance options. Besides making the image smaller (file size) you can also use Google’s Squoosh to resize image sizes by pixels. Take a 1920 x 1080 image and make it 800 x 450 or whatever size you like. Squoosh will make sure when you resize the image by pixels that it’s proportionate.

But the really great thing about Squoosh is its ability to reduce the file size ( Mb, Kb,) so effortlessly. Squoosh shows your image with a vertical dividing line down the middle. The life side shows your original image, the right sides shows the image “squooshed”.

For example: I took a desktop wallpaper photo that was 469 Kb (1920 pixels x 1080 pixels) and squooshed it to 60. 1 Kb (1920 x 1080) with no visible loss of quality.


Above: The original image. Click here to see the full size (1920 x 1080) image 469 Kb.


Above: The “squooshed” image. Click here to see the full size (1920 x 1080) squooshed image – 60.1 Kb. That’s an 87 % reduction.

Imagine how much storage space you can save on your computer, flash drive, smartphone or wherever else you store photos if you could squoosh them 80% or more without losing any visible quality.

It’s very easy to use Squoosh. Drag and drop an image – or select an image- to open it in Google’s Squoosh app. The standard compression is MozJPEG, but you can pick from other compression standards such as OptiPNG, Google’s own WebP, Browser PNG, Browser JPG, Browser WebP and more.

You adjust the level of compression with a small slider. Another slider appearing on the image, can be moved left or right showing you the effects of the selected compression. There are more advanced options and features available, but we happy with the default settings. We’ll tell you this – it’s easier to use Squoosh than to try to describe it!

The best way to see how Squoosh can work for you is to go try it out. Visit Squoosh right now — and have some images ready. We think you’ll to be amazed. 

Cloudeight Direct Computer Care  - Get Ready For Winter Checkup

Winter is coming is coming and we're all going to be using our computers more. Let us make sure your computer is ready for those long, cold winter nights.

When you order our Get Ready For Winter Computer Checkup:

• We'll check your computer for malware and questionable programs
• We'll check your startup programs and optimize them
• We'll check your computer performance to make sure your RAM and CPU usage are within normal ranges
• We'll check your hard drive for errors
• We'll review your installed programs
• If you're using Emsisoft, we'll make sure it's set up for best protection & performance
• We'll make sure your computer is ready for the long winter nights ahead!

You'll get all of the above for just $25. This offer is good for a limited time!

Get Ready for Winter! Get all the details here.

Now available: Reg Organizer 8.20

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We hope you have enjoyed this issue of InfoAve Premium. Thanks so much for your support and for being a Premium subscriber.

We are and will always be very thankful for your support and your friendship. We hope that all of you in the United States have a wonderful, memorable and happy Thanksgiving. May you all make some great and lasting memories with your family and friends.

Have a super weekend!

Darcy & TC
Cloudeight InfoAve Premium - Issue #788
Volume 16 Number 5
November 16, 2018

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