Issue #1099
Volume 22 Number 2
November 1, 2024
Dear Friends,
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Dennis says "Why isn't Emsisoft
working?"
Windows Security and McAfee keep popping up
telling me my computer is at risk. The pop-ups say I have virus threats.
Why doesn't my Emsisoft take care of them? The only way I can get rid of
the popups is to restart the computer. Then after a while, they
reappear.
Our answer
Hi
Dennis. Emsisoft is not an adblocker, it's an antimalware/antivirus. You
need to clear your browser's history and cache. These warnings are not
real warnings, they're scam ads. They are not popping up from your
computer, they're popping up from your browser. The ads stop appearing
when you restart your computer and don't reappear again until after you
open your browser. So clear your browser's history and cache and the
fake warnings (ads) will stop. If you are not sure how to clear your
browser's history & cache, let me know what browser you use and I'll
send you instructions.
Tom has an
SD card/card reader mystery
A
friend of mine asked me for help. His computer
will not read an SD card. So I brought the card
home just to make sure that it was good. Put it
in my laptop HPDV 7 and that would not read it
either. Thinking the card might be bad, I had
another HP laptop, An HP Stream 14, but that
did read it. I'm very confused. I ran the system
file checker on my DV7 and also DISM the system
file checker did correct some errors. I also
checked the drivers on both computers, for the
SD card and the drivers were the same. Both
computers running Windows 10. The DV 7 was
upgraded from Windows 7 I believe. The HP Stream
14 had Windows S on it when I got it but I
removed the S part and went directly to Windows
10. The SD card is a SanDisk ultra plus 32
gigabytes. I've been following you guys for many
years, and you have helped me in the past. I get
your newsletter every week and daily newsletter
also. I have learned quite a bit. We thank you
very much for all you do. I hope this is enough
information for you. God bless
Our answer
Hi Tom. Thanks for your kind words. I can't be
of much help here. If two PC card readers did
not read the card but one card reader did then
it can't be the card right? Maybe the card is
only slightly damaged or defective and the
reader in the one computer is newer or better
and can read the card that may have slight
damage. I don't know. The only thing you can try
is to buy an external USB card reader ($5 and
up), plug it into a USB port, and try it. Make
sure you buy the USB card reader from a store or
online store that will allow you to return it if
it does not work.
We're pretty good with Windows issues, but this does not sound like a Windows issue to me; it sounds like a hardware problem - either the reader or the card.
I'm sorry I can't give you a better answer,
Tom. I hope I gave you some ideas though.
------
Tom wrote back: "Thank you so much
for your speedy reply. You guys are wonderful,
and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. One
thing I did forget to mention is that my DV7
laptop that would not read the SD card reads all
other SD cards with no problem. I've decided to
not worry about it any longer. The card. Like
you say. May be defective in some way. I had a
64 GB Samsung card here so I just took what he
had on the SD card that I could read with the HP
Stream 14 and transferred it to a USB stick and
also to the 64 GB Samsung SD card. I think that
will solve his problem or at least take care of
what he needs for now -- as long as his computer
will read the SD card I'm giving him. Thank you
so much. God bless. Tom."
Hector has a McAfee browser popup issue
Hi Darcy & TC. It has been some time since
I was in contact with you but hope that you are
both in good fettle. By chance, I read of Don’s
problems with the McAfee popup
in the last newsletter (#1097). only to find
myself yesterday with the same issue.
Don uses
Edge but my browser is Chrome. I tried using the
procedure outlined in your newsletter on Chrome
with no success. I also tried a standard setting
reset routine again with no success. I have not
yet assessed what mess I have created! As
always, I am grateful for any assistance you can
give me to get rid of the McAfee intrusion. Best
wishes,
Hector D
Our answer
Hi Hector. Thanks for your kind words.
Edge and Chrome differ in how they handle and
store data. What works with Edge may not
work with Chrome. So, here's what you need to
do.
Make sure only the three items above are checked (Browsing history, Download history, Cookies, and other site data), and nothing else, then press the "Delete data" button.
Now close Chrome and restart it. Type (or copy & paste) chrome://settings/ in the address bar, or click the 3 vertical dots icon at the top right corner of Chrome and click "Settings". In the left menu, click “Reset settings”.
In the “Reset setting” dialog, click on “Restore settings to their original defaults”.
Click on the arrow (as shown above), the Reset dialog appears (see below).
Click the “Reset settings” button and wait while Chrome resets. Then close Chrome and re-open it. Chrome will be reset to its defaults and all your extensions will be disabled. You can re-enable any extensions you need (and you’re sure they’re safe) by opening Extensions:
Type (or copy & paste)chrome://extensions/ in the address bar.
Click on “My extensions” on the left.
You’ll see your extensions listed and all non-default extensions will be disabled. Find the extensions you want to enable and turn the switch to the “On” position.
Remove any extensions you do not recognize or any you do not use.
When you’re done, close the Extensions settings page. Close Chrome and reopen it.
I hope this helps you, Hector.
After reading the article about Greg and Windows Recall (issue #1098), I attempted to follow the instructions in the article:
"You can turn Windows Recall on or off at any time by going to Settings > Privacy & security > Recall & snapshots. You can also pause snapshots temporarily by selecting the Recall icon in the system tray and selecting the pause option..."
Our answer
Hi Cheryl. Greg's question was
hypothetical. Recall is not on all
Windows 11 24H2 computers at this
point. According to Microsoft only
certain Copilot AI PCs will have
Recall at first, but not all of
them as it will be rolling out over
time to those special types of PCs.
So unless you have a special Copilot
AI PC
like this one you don't have
Recall. In the future though, who
knows what Microsoft will do with
non-Copilot AI PCs - it could be on
all Windows 11 PCs in the future,
but I really don't know.
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Get more information here.Myra
gets a serious hard drive error
message
"Boot Device not found---Please install an operating system on your hard drive---Hard Disk-(3F0)---F2-system diagnostics---For more information, please visit: http:www.hp.com/gotechcenter/startup"
Thank you for your help. Myra.
Our answer
Hi Myra. The error message "Hard
Disk 3F0" indicates that your
computer's BIOS or UEFI is unable to
find a bootable device to load the
operating system. This means that
the computer cannot find the
necessary system files to start up
properly. It could mean the hard
drive is bad or it could mean
there's a problem with the BIOS
(UEFI), or it could mean the boot
files are corrupted.
You can boot the computer using a Windows 10 or Windows 11 boot disk, but if the hard drive is bad you may not be able to access your files or reinstall Windows.
The error message "Hard Disk 3F0"
indicates that your computer's BIOS
or UEFI is unable to find a bootable
device to load the operating system.
This means that the computer cannot
find the necessary system files to
start up properly.
It could
mean the hard drive is bad or it
could mean there's a problem with
the BIOS (UEFI), or it could mean
the boot files are corrupted.
You can boot the computer using
a Windows 10 or Windows 11 boot
disk, but if the hard drive is bad
you may not be able to access your
files or reinstall Windows.
If the hard drive is bad you'll need
to install a new drive or buy a new
computer. Since your computer is 10
years old you might be money ahead
to buy a new computer. While a new
hard drive is not expensive - having
someone put it in for you and then
installing the operating system (in
your case Windows) can cost around
$200 to $300 or more. So, it might
be wiser just to put that money
toward a new computer since your
hardware is already 10 years old.
We can help save you money when
choosing a new computer if it comes
to that. We are sorry this happened
to you, Myra. If you need any more
help, just let us know.
Bonnie wants to
transfer her passwords
from LastPass to
Bitwarden and also print
her passwords
Dear
Friends, It's me again.
Is there any way I can
save my LastPass
passwords permanently?
I'm trying to do as you
have recommended and use
Bitwarden, I'm getting
used to it and I like
it. I'm just having
trouble getting all the
items transferred from
LastPass to Bitwarden.
Also, I'd like to have a
printout of all the
passwords, etc., on
LastPass.
-----
Bonnie wrote back: "Again, I thank you for your reply, your help and saving grace, You did it! Now you know why I keep bugging you, Your help and advice never fails. Thanks again for all you do for all the people you help. God's blessings, Bonnie"
Peggy wants a good
backup system for
her Windows PC
I recently lost over
2 TB of files when
my Pc went belly up
& my external quit
working. I am trying
to find the best way
to back up
everything on my new
PC and 10 TB
external drive.
I have looked at EaseUs ToDo and BackBlaze. BackBlaze is rather expensive. I do have a Dropbox account with 2 TB of storage. I use that for my online shop & am going to upgrade it soon. My 10Tb is partitioned into 2 drives. Is it possible to backup to my external & Dropbox too? I am open to suggestions but I don't ever want to go through this again. I can't begin to tell you what I have lost.
Our answer
Hi Peggy. I'm curious how you've accumulated over
2TB of files. Are you backing up programs or
duplicating backups? The only files you should be
backing up are those in your known folders. Those
are the folders that are in your user account on
Windows like Documents, Pictures, Music, Videos,
etc., that are stored in C:\Users\Username.
For example, I have all my Windows User account known folders plus our entire Cloudeight website site backed up to Microsoft OneDrive and I'm using about 132 GB of storage space. I also have about 30 GB of photos on my Android phone (I have grandchildren!) backed up to Google Photos for which I pay about $2.00 monthly.
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Reg Organizer - A Swiss Army Knife of Windows Tools - Works Great on Windows 10 and Windows 11.
Before
You Do a Windows Reset - Try
This
Windows
10 / Windows 11
If your computer is running poorly and/or Windows features are missing, not working, or slow to load, resetting Windows will almost always help. Resetting Windows 10 or Windows 11 will keep all your personal files, but you'll need to reinstall all the programs that didn't come with Windows. And if you have a lot of programs installed that you need and use, it can take a while.
Before you resort to resetting Windows 10 or Windows 11, always try this tip first.
1. Type CMD in the taskbar search.
2. When you see "Command Prompt" appear, right-click it and choose "Run as administrator".
3. At the prompt type:
SFC /SCANNOW and press Enter. (Note the slash between SFC and the slash.)
SFC
(System File Checker) will take
some time to run. It will tell
you when it's finished. When SFC
finishes running, do not close
the Command Prompt window.
4. Type the following at the prompt in the Command Prompt window:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-image /RestoreHealth
Be certain you copy & paste that command - or type it exactly as shown - including the spaces.
DISM stands for Deployment Image Servicing and Management. You can use DSIM /Online/ Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth to scan the Windows image for component store corruption and perform repair operations automatically. It can take from 10 minutes to over an hour to run .. depending on how much needs to be repaired.
Running these two commands in this order can fix many Windows problems and the risk level is zero. So, if you're having serious problems with Windows 10 or Windows 11, this tip may save you a lot of time... and a lot of work.
How Well Do You Know Your
Mouse?
Windows 10
/ Windows 11 and your friendly
mouse.
Did you know your mouse wheel is good for more than just scrolling?
Did you know you can use your mouse wheel as a button?
Pressing down on the wheel will act like a third mouse button. You can open a link in a new tab by clicking the wheel on any link. You can close any browser tab by clicking the wheel on any open tab.
Zoom in and out on a web page, Word document, Excel spreadsheet, and more
Hold down the Ctrl key and move the mouse wheel away from you (up)to zoom in and enlarge the text and content on web pages and most emails, Word documents, and Excel spreadsheets. Conversely, more the mouse wheel toward you (down) to zoom out and make text and content smaller.
Resize your desktop icons.
And, if you want to make your desktop icons really big, go to your desktop, click on an empty area of your desktop, hold down the Ctrl key, and move your mouse wheel away from you to enlarge the icons or move the mouse wheel toward you to make them smaller. Really easy!
Open new instances of programs or apps
Opening more than one program window or app is called opening a new instance. OK, for instance...if you want to open two Notepad windows, with one Notepad window open, click on the Notepad icon in the taskbar using your mouse wheel as a button and a second Notepad window will open…click with your mouse wheel again and a third Notepad window will open, and so on.
You can open as many new program windows as you like. Most, but not all programs/apps, allow you to open more than one instance of the program/app.
Some mouse wheels can do even more…
Did you know that some mouse wheels can be pushed left or right to also move backward and forward on a web page?
Don’t overlook your mouse wheel. It can do a lot more than you think.
Go do some wheelies!
How to Reinstall Windows
11 Without Losing
Anything
Windows 11
Did you know you can use Windows Update to reinstall Windows 11 to fix major PC problems without losing anything? It’s true. Using Windows Update to reinstall Windows 11 allows you to keep everything — all your apps, programs, files, and settings will be preserved.
Windows Update can help fix problems with your PC. It is a recovery tool that can help fix computer problems and resolve updates-related issues. Using this tool will reinstall the current version of Windows on your device. This tool preserves all your apps, programs, files, documents, and settings. Ensure your PC is connected to a power source and the internet during reinstallation.
Here’s how to use Windows Update to Repair Windows
1> Open Settings
(Windows key + i )
2>
Click on System
3>
Click on Recovery
4>
Next to “Fix problems
using Windows Update”
click “Reinstall now”
After you click “Reinstall now”, you’ll see the following prompt. Make sure you stay connected to the internet and a power source during the Windows 11 reinstallation process.
If you want Windows to automatically restart your PC, check the box next to “Automatically restart my PC 15 minutes after installation.” You can restart manually right after the installation is complete.
After you’ve read the information in the dialog, click “OK” to start the Windows reinstallation process.
If this did not fix your problem, you still have the option of doing a Windows 11 Reset and keeping your files (but not your apps or settings).
Want more tips, tricks, and information?
Subscribe to our free InfoAve Daily newsletter.
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uBlock Origin Lite – An Excellent and Free Adblocker That Works with Google Chrome
Late this summer, uBlock Origin announced that due to changes in the Google Chrome browser, its flagship ad blocker (and our #1 recommendation) would no longer work with Chrome. At that time we started looking for an alternative to uBlock Origin and in September 2024, we announced our recommendation for AdGuard AdBlocker (MV3 Beta).
Over the past few weeks, we’ve been testing uBlock Origin Lite, which works with Google Chrome. After testing, we’re now recommending it for most of you. Its ad blocking is as robust as the uBlock Origin that we’ve been recommending for years. For the average user who wants a good ad blocker, we think you’ll find that uBlock Origin Lite does everything you need it to do.
If you’re an advanced user who needs many customizable options, uBlock Origin Lite will most likely not suit you well.
Compared to uBlock Origin, uBlock Origin Lite has limited customization options, fewer filtering options, and cannot import custom filter lists.
Our conclusion
If you’re not an advanced user and/or don’t need a lot of customization options, and you’re looking for a free, reliable, efficient, and privacy-focused ad blocker, uBlock Origin Lite is an excellent choice. Its combination of simplicity, performance, and security makes it a great option for the average internet user. By installing uBlock Origin Lite, you can take control of your online experience, eliminate almost all ads, and protect yourself from potential threats.
If you are using Google Chrome and you don’t need a lot of customizable options, uBlock Origin Lite is an excellent, easy-to-use, free adblocker we recommend.
A couple more things…
You can use uBlock Origin Lite right out of the box, but we recommend after you install you change the settings under “Default filtering mode” from “Basic” to “Complete”
Also, if you’re using AdGuard AdBlocker (MV3 Beta) and you like it, keep using it, we’re still recommending it as well.
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This week we are featuring an article we published in our InfoAve Daily newsletter. We want those who don't subscribe to our daily newsletter (hey, you can subscribe here, it's free!) to read this article about the growing popularity of AI and the dangers it already presents. We hope you'll all take a few minutes to read the entire post! Thanks!
“Please do, My Sweet King” – Too Dangerous to Launch
Darcy and I were bantering about how the internet was when we first discovered it in the mid-1990s and compared it to the internet as it is now. In the early days of the internet, it was a wild place, but generally a fun and good place. Only a few million people in the whole world knew about the internet and in fact, when we’d mention it to our friends they’d act like we were talking crazy stuff. But we both loved the internet so much back then.
It’s so different now and the world could not function without it. And it has changed, people have changed, and the internet has changed people. And while it has brought people together, it has equally torn people apart.
The internet is the best of us and it is the worst of us. It is a place of good and a place of evil. The internet has become a magnifying glass and a megaphone giving the good and the bad, the corrupt and the honest, an equal platform and allowing people to focus on their best aspirations and the worst desires.
Crazy theories abound, and the truth is not easy to find anymore. The truth has been obfuscated by clouds of doubt and skepticism. The internet lost the wild innocence that Darcy and I grew up with and now we are strangers in a strange land.
Now the internet is changing rapidly again – this time driven by the exponential growth of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
AI is becoming increasingly powerful and unstoppable...
Please read the rest of this special post here.
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What the heck is an algorithm?
An algorithm is a set of instructions that a computer follows to solve a problem or complete a task. It's like a recipe for your computer, telling it exactly what to do, step by step, to get the desired result.
Here are some real-world examples you can wrap your head around!
• A recipe for making cookies: The recipe provides a step-by-step guide on how to mix ingredients, bake, and decorate the cookies. If you follow the instructions, you'll get the desired result - a batch of delicious cookies.
• A map with directions to a destination: The map provides a series of steps (turn left, turn right, go straight) that you need to follow to reach your destination. If you follow the directions, you'll arrive at the desired location.
• A first aid guide for treating a wound: The guide provides a step-by-step procedure for cleaning, dressing, and caring for the wound. If you follow the instructions, you'll be able to treat the wound effectively.
And now you know what algorithms are and how algorithms can be applied to everyday situations, not just computer programming.
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We hope you have enjoyed this issue of Cloudeight InfoAve Weekly. Thanks so much for your support and for being an InfoAve Weekly subscriber.
Have a great weekend!
Darcy & TC
Cloudeight InfoAve Weekly
Issue #1099 - November 1, 2024
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