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GEEK FREE
By Joe Callison

The purpose of this blog is to be a resource for consumer information on computer-related technology without getting too technical (free of geek speak) and without cost (geek for free) – thus the name GEEK FREE.


FOR~GO
(For Geeks Only)

By Joe Callison

Warning! This blog is for geeks only. If you are not comfortable working with the command prompt, Windows registry, system restore, administrative tools, and such, then you are welcome to read, but please FOR~GO trying anything you read here on your own. SenCom and the author will not be responsible for your actions and the results!

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Managing BitLocker

FOR~GO
(For Geeks Only)
By Joe Callison
31 October 2023

Managing BitLocker

You may have recently seen articles about BitLocker on Windows 11 slowing SSD performance as much as 45% in some applications. The slowdown is due to using software encryption by the operating system. This may eventually be resolved by Windows 11 patches. There are some processors and SSDs with hardware encryption capability, but these have had vulnerabilities requiring patches.

Many computers preinstalled or newly installed with Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, or Education will have BitLocker turned on by default. If you use the software encryption feature of Windows, it is imperative to safely store the Recovery Key. Even then, there have been reported cases of the Recovery Key not working. Having an unencrypted backup of your essential data is still recommended.

A couple of good references for using or disabling BitLocker are below:

Windows 11 Pro users beware: Microsoft’s BitLocker encryption could be seriously slowing down your PC | TechRadar

How to configure BitLocker encryption on Windows 11 | Windows Central

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Chromebook Automatic Update Support Improved

GEEK FREE
By Joe Callison
31 October, 2023

Chromebook Automatic Update Support Improved

Chromebook share of the laptop market has averaged about 1 out of 8 of the laptops sold over the last 4 years, primarily because of use by elementary schools. The comparatively low initial purchase cost has been a major driver, even with the relatively short 5-year automatic software update support for new models. This seems to have been of little concern for many schools where students were allowed to take them home because they tended to wear them out by then and needed to be replaced anyway. Schools that can not afford to buy new ones every few years or others considering Chromebooks will be happy to know about Google’s recent announcement further increasing a previously planned support period of 8 years (in line with current Apple and Microsoft support) to an industry-leading 10 years support, beginning with models from 2021. This should be good news for senior citizens who may have been avoiding Chromebooks because of the short support period, especially if they were aware that bargain Chromebooks were being sold on Amazon with as little as 2 years of support left. Now even two or three-year-old models will have a more reasonable amount of support time left.

With the change in support, Chromebooks may be an attractive alternative to more expensive Windows or MacOS-based offerings. Chromebook models with screen sizes larger than 14 inches may be harder to find, but an external monitor or TV might also be usable with a USB-C to HDMI adapter if the Chromebook model supports video output through USB. For most senior computer users, a Chromebook should fulfill their computing needs quite well.

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Windows File Recovery

FOR~GO
(For Geeks Only)
By Joe Callison
17 September 2023

Windows File Recovery

Have you ever tried to access data on an SD card or USB drive and the files are unreadable? Searching the internet for file recovery software will turn up dozens of possibilities, many claiming to be free. After trying out several “free” ones it turns out most only find the files for free and you have to pay to recover them, or they only recover a few for free just to demonstrate they can actually recover files so you will buy them. There is an actual free alternative from the Microsoft Store called Windows File Recovery by Microsoft. It is a command line program, so it is not as user-friendly as a program you pay for might be, but it gets the job done and will work on any type of storage device that is recognized on a Windows system. It is limited to the recovery of specific file types, but the list covers most of the user files of interest. An excellent tutorial on using Windows File Recovery can be found at How to Use Microsoft’s “Windows File Recovery” on Windows 10 and Windows 11

I have used Windows File Recovery to successfully recover videos from a friend’s USB flash drive that was otherwise unreadable.

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Computer Services Ending or Beginning in July

GEEK FREE
By Joe Callison
8 July 2023

Computer Services Ending or Beginning in July

IMPORTANT! If you have used Google Hangouts, Google +, Picassa, or other now unsupported Google features in the past, you may have photos or videos stored in Google Album Archive which will disappear on July 19. If you want to save them or are unsure if you have anything stored, the Google Takeout link in your Google account is how you can download them. Follow the steps below:

  1. Click on your Google account photo (or letter in a circle if no photo) at the top right of any Google page you are signed in to (Chrome, Gmail, etc.) and then click Manage your Google Account.
  2. Click Data & Privacy in the list on the left side of the home page for your account.
  3. Scroll down the page to “Download or delete your data” and click on “Download your data”.
  4. On the Google Takeout page, click the “Deselect all” blue text above the list of products. Then scroll down the list to AlbumArchive and click the checkbox to select it.
  5. Scroll down to the bottom of the list, making sure nothing else is checked, and click the “Next step” button.
  6. The default settings are Export once, File type .zip, and File size 2GB which can be left as is. Then click the “Create export” button. Google will email a notice when it is done, with a link in the email to download your files that will expire in 7 days from when the email is sent. Clicking the button will download your files and also open a “Manage your exports” page. It should not be necessary to click the Download link on this page as you should already have the download. The Google Takeout page will also list your last export and have a download link if you can’t find the email.

For users of Windows 7, 8, or 8.1: These unsupported operating systems have also lost support from Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, and probably any other Chromium-based browsers. Firefox is not a Chromium-based browser and has released its last Extended Support Release (115 ESR) on July 4 which will be supported for a minimum of 60 weeks. At that time they may also decide to end support of these operating systems. You can still upgrade the unsupported Windows operating systems to Windows 10, which will be supported until October 14, 2025, for free by using the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool download available at this link Download Windows 10 (microsoft.com)

Ending support does not mean they quit working, but they no longer receive any updates, including security updates. Some websites, like financial or medical, may also quit opening in unsupported browsers for security reasons.

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Create a Second Monitor from Old Devices

FOR~GO
(For Geeks Only)
By Joe Callison
15 March 2023

Create a Second Monitor from Old Devices

I have been trying out a Spacedesk app (free Beta version) from datronicsoft that allows you to use a phone, tablet, computer, or smart TV as a second monitor for your Windows computer using your network wi-fi. The second monitor can be Windows (7 through 11), Android (>4.1, including Amazon devices), or iOS (>9.3). Android devices can also be connected directly by USB cable as a second monitor if you wish. Both Android and iOS devices that support tethering by USB can also be used. Any device running a web browser that supports HTML5 will also work.

A Spacedesk driver must be downloaded from spacedesk.net for the primary Windows computer. Instructions are in the User Manual found by clicking the Documentation tab on the home page. On the device acting as the second monitor, you must download the Spacedesk -Display Monitor app (may be called Spacedesk or Spacedesk Viewer on other than Android) from the appropriate app store for the device.

So far I have tested Spacedesk using an Android phone and an old Android (4.3) tablet and they both worked on wi-fi. I have also tested the tablet by direct USB cable and that also is working. I think this is a great way to make use of old unsupported devices.

A Spacedesk Pro version is in the works that will support more features and provide the capability of building a video wall of monitors.

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What to Know About Buying a Laptop in 2023

GEEK FREE
By Joe Callison
12 February 2023

What to Know About Buying a Laptop in 2023

It is getting very difficult to provide recommendations for new laptops to people because most are not designed for long-term use anymore. Planned obsolescence seems to be the goal, whether the products are Apple, Windows, or Chromebook based. They seem to be following the same pattern as Apple and Android smartphones both in their construction and lack of long-term support. Operating systems are generally supported with security updates for about 3 years after they come out. Updating the operating system is expected yearly and is generally possible for about 5 years before the hardware no longer meets all of the requirements of the latest operating system. Most are not designed with repairability in mind. Even replacing a battery can require a difficult and expensive teardown.

It used to be a given that laptops had upgradeable RAM and storage drives as a minimum. Now many models have soldered-in RAM or eMMC for memory that can’t be upgraded and is impractical to repair. Some even have soldered-in storage drives. These components have hundreds of individual microscopic solder connections. Any single connection that fails can cause the laptop to no longer function. It may not be easy to determine if a laptop model has soldered components. It may be mentioned in detailed technical specifications or in some of the better technical reviews.

The top-selling laptops are from major brands like Apple, HP, Dell, and Lenovo. They all have several tiers of models with various features and prices, from budget to gaming capable.

Apple has MacBook Air (M1, M2) and MacBook Pro (M1, M2) models.

HP has HP (no name), Pavilion, Envy, Spectre, Omen

Dell has Inspiron, Vostro, Latitude, G Series, XPS, and partner Alienware

Lenovo has IdeaPad, ThinkBook, ThinkPad, Yoga, Legion

I prefer to order computers directly from the manufacturer’s website rather than a big box store or Amazon, Sam’s, or Costco. That way I can look at the details of the configuration and even change items if I want. Just watch out for the sneaky $9.95 per month warranty that Dell put in their fine print that starts billing the second month. After much complaining by customers, they may have changed that by now.

The low-budget non-Apple models are generally of plastic construction, rather flimsy, and are often provided with lower resolution displays, such as 1366 x 768 (HD) instead of 1920 x 1080 (Full HD). The higher resolution display is much preferable. Touchscreen is an unnecessary option for laptops in my opinion unless designed for tablet mode (two-in-one, flex, etc.). The better laptops have at least some carbon fiber or aluminum in their construction.

Windows laptop processors are generally either Intel or AMD. They range in price and performance from low to high as follows.

Intel – Celeron, Pentium, i3, i5, i7

AMD – Athlon, Ryzen 3, Ryzen 5, Ryzen 7

A good experience can be expected with an Intel i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 processor or better. Intel i3 or Ryzen 3 should be the minimum to consider for even a very low-budget Windows laptop. Chromebooks can get by with lesser processors.

The amount of RAM in most new Windows laptops is at least 8 GB these days, which is enough for most users. If you must get a model with soldered-in RAM, it might be wise to get 16 GB unless there is a socket for expansion beyond the basic 8 GB of soldered-in memory.

The storage drive should be at least 256 GB for most Windows users. The typical actual used amount I see for a user is around 60 GB. You want to allow for at least double that amount without exceeding more than about 80 percent of the drive capacity, so the smallest available size meeting that typical usage example would be 256 GB. If you want to store a lot of photos, music files, or videos, it would be best to put them on an external drive.

If you care about the audio quality of a laptop, look for models with either front or top-facing speakers and a premium audio name like Bang & Olufsen, Harman Kardon, Beats, Dolby, or DTS.

A 2023 mid-level 15-inch laptop with 11th or 12th generation i5 or a Ryzen 5 processor, 1920 x 1080 display, 8 GB RAM, and 256 GB SSD should be available in the $600 to $800 price range.

Posted by Joe Callison in GEEK FREE, 0 comments

Virtual Credit Cards (Safer On-line Shopping)

GEEK FREE
By Joe Callison
3 December 2022

Virtual Credit Cards (Safer On-line Shopping)

Many seniors are hesitant to use credit cards for on-line purchases and for good reason. Some merchants are fraudulent, some have poor security for keeping your account information safe from hackers, and malware on your computer can steal your information while you use it for transactions. Having to get your credit card canceled is a nuisance and it takes time to get a new one issued. A recently introduced option that is growing in popularity is the virtual credit card. Continue reading →

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Uses for an Old Laptop

FOR~GO
(For Geeks Only)
By Joe Callison
3 November 2022

Uses for an Old Laptop

An old laptop that still works can be turned into a number of useful projects, beyond the obvious ones like turning it into a Linux or Chromebook computer. Continue reading →

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Downsizing My Computer

GEEK FREE
By Joe Callison
2 November 2022

Downsizing My Computer

I am getting ready to replace my old full-sized tower-type computer that I built over 13 years ago and have replaced parts and upgraded over the years. Having that capability was the primary reason I wanted a full-sized tower. Continue reading →

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Advanced Configuration & Power Interface (ACPI)

FOR~GO
(For Geeks Only)
By Joe Callison
6 August 2022

Advanced Configuration & Power Interface (ACPI)

The Windows operating system ACPI standard can support several states of power for computers, but not all are typically supported by the hardware manufacturer. The possible states are identified as follows:  Continue reading →

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Swollen Li-ion Batteries

GEEK FREE
By Joe Callison
27 July 2022

Swollen Li-ion Batteries

A relatively recent phenomenon that is becoming more and more of a problem as our electronic devices have been designed to be ever thinner and lighter is a swollen battery. This is because the lithium-ion battery packs are no longer encased in hard plastic and are not designed to be user replaceable. They are thin, soft rubbery bags that are often glued in place and can only be safely replaced by professionals or very knowledgeable users. As a result, we don’t really think about them until they show serious signs of problems. If we are lucky, those signs are just a decrease in time they can run without charging, inability to hold a charge while not being used, higher than normal temperature when charging, or inability to stay on when the charger is unplugged. An extreme battery failure may even prevent the device from running, even with the charger connected. Continue reading →

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DIY Repairs

GEEK FREE
By Joe Callison
11 July 2022

DIY Repairs

You may be surprised to learn that my favorite hobby is not computers, though it does explain how I got into repairing computers. I have always been interested in studying how things work, how they fail, and how they can be fixed. It can be mechanical, electrical, or structural and I am interested in learning about it. In my engineering profession, my favorite assignments were the occasional opportunities to do troubleshooting or failure analysis and come up with fixes. I often thought I would have enjoyed specializing in forensic engineering, except for appearances in court as an expert witness. Because of these interests, I really enjoy resources like the following. Continue reading →

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Computer Lifecycle

GEEK FREE
By Joe Callison
21 May 2022

Support for consumer computer hardware and software used to be typically 10 years, because that was the normal contractual requirement in business and government purchases, which drove the need for stocking replacement parts and repairs and for software updates. In recent years this has changed, probably because of the explosive growth of the consumer electronics market. Now support for consumer products can be as short as the warranty period. Continue reading →

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Windows Settings for Ease of Use

GEEK FREE
By Joe Callison
17 January 2022

Windows has a number of settings that can make it easier to use computers, especially as we begin to lose manual dexterity and visual acuity with age. There are a few settings that I recommend every senior computer user consider to possibly enhance their user experience. I have used Windows 11 screenshots because people getting new computers are more likely to need or want to make these changes and the settings look different than they might be used to in Windows 10. Continue reading →

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Google Changes

GEEK FREE
By Joe Callison
5 December 2021

Google has made changes recently that may require action if they apply to you, i.e. if you use any of the Google services such as Google Photos, Gmail, or Google Fiber TV.  Continue reading →

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A Trip Down Memory Lane

FOR~GO
(For Geeks Only)
By Joe Callison
18 November 2021

Sometimes we would like to have an old program or need an older version of a program to access files that we have or maybe just for nostalgic reasons. There are several websites that are repositories for old software that can be downloaded from them. There are also user groups that you can become a member of and have access to copies of old software contributed by members. Some of the software for installation of a program or operating system may or may not require you to have an existing software license to be able to run it. The following links provide information on some of the available sites for old software:  Continue reading →

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Shopping for a New Television?

GEEK FREE
By Joe Callison
5 September 2021

Labor Day through New Year’s Day is the best time to buy the current model year televisions before the next year models are introduced at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in early January and available to consumers by spring or summer. Most television manufacturers set the prices that authorized retail dealers can sell their televisions for, so any discounts should be the same wherever you shop but selecting a dealer with a price match guarantee is a good idea. Amazon does not do price matching according to my source of information.  Continue reading →

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GitHub

FOR~GO
(For Geeks Only)
By Joe Callison
24 August 2021

The Microsoft community of developers and customer/users post their on-going creations on GitHub for access by anyone, whether you are a contributor to the development or just want to try out what they are working on. Eventually some of the creations make it into the official Windows distribution as new features. Three features that caught my interest and a sample user contribution are in the following.   Continue reading →

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Introducing Windows 11

GEEK FREE
By Joe Callison
12 July 2021

Introducing Windows 11
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-11

Much to my surprise, Microsoft chose to name their “new and improved” version of Windows as 11 instead of creating a catchy new name- a missed opportunity in my opinion. I guess they were still stinging from the Millennium Edition and Vista names that did not go so well. Now let’s see if they can actually get the new version out to computer manufacturers soon enough to be pre-installed in new computers for this holiday shopping season or if it will have to be installed later as a free upgrade. Continue reading →

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Linux as an Alternative Operating System

GEEK FREE
By Joe Callison
10 June 2021

For decades computer hobbyists looking for a free or low-cost alternative to Microsoft Windows or Apple macOS operating systems have turned to Linux. Because of its reliability, modest hardware resource requirements, and low cost, it is now widely used for embedded operating systems for smart devices and a large percentage of computer servers powering companies and the internet. In recent years, improvements in the distribution process by organizations such as Ubuntu have made it more accessible to even those with modest computer skills by using bootable “live” CD or USB downloads that let you try it out without installing on the computer unless you choose to do so. Of course, the performance will be much faster when installed rather than running from the CD or USB files.   Continue reading →

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Advantages of New WiFi Standards

GEEK FREE
By Joe Callison
21 April 2021

Wifi technology and the routers and wifi adapters using it have advanced a lot in recent years. It is difficult to explain the nuances of wifi technology without getting geeky, so bear with me a little as I attempt to explain some of the terminologies as simply as I can. Continue reading →

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Building Your Own Computer

FOR~GO
(For Geeks Only)
By Joe Callison
21 April 2021

Many of us like the idea of putting together our own computer. Not only is their satisfaction in building something yourself, but you can choose to put more or less money in the parts that you choose for your build depending on their importance to you. Even kids have been able to assemble their own desktop computers from parts these days. Continue reading →

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Smart Home Device Privacy and Security

GEEK FREE
By Joe Callison
7 March 2021

The use of voice-activated devices, smart TVs, and other smart devices, are becoming more and more common in our daily lives. So much so that we usually do not even give a second thought to reviewing the terms and conditions for privacy and security information when installing them, or bother to look at the relative settings when setting them up. Perhaps we are being a little too trusting of the companies producing the devices to look out for our best interests.   Continue reading →

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Technology and Covid-19 Vaccination

GEEK FREE
By Joe Callison
26 January 2021

Kansas City area county health departments are all employing technology to help roll out the Covid-19 vaccinations. Below are links to websites and images of the areas for signing up to be notified when it is your turn to be vaccinated and the vaccine is available. Using your computer, tablet, or smartphone to sign up for notification is the most efficient method. Telephone numbers may be available also but may involve long wait times. These surveys are for notification only, not appointments for getting the vaccine.   Continue reading →

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Fixing Windows Password Problem

FOR~GO
(For Geeks Only)
By Joe Callison
23 January 2021

I ran across a pretty useful trick for unlocking a Windows computer with a forgotten password for the only local account with administrator access, assuming file encryption had not been enabled. For a locked Microsoft account, see the instructions in https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/account-billing/reset-a-forgotten-microsoft-account-password-eff4f067-5042-c1a3-fe72-b04d60556c37).   Continue reading →

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Troubleshooting with Windows Safe Mode or Clean Boot

FOR~GO
(For Geeks Only)
By Joe Callison
23 December 2020

When looking for solutions to problems using Windows, you will sometimes read advice to run in “safe mode” or run after a “clean boot”. They both do similar things but there are some differences that can make one more appropriate than the other for specific situations.   Continue reading →

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Free Creative Programs for Beginners to Professionals

GEEK FREE
by Joe Callison
18 November 2020

There are some great free open source programs available that I consider good enough to not only recommend to beginners to try out, but that will satisfy the needs of most professionals. Of course, if you find a program useful and want to support the developer(s), you are encouraged to donate to them.   Continue reading →

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Using Command Prompt: Network Commands in Batch Files

FOR~GO
(For Geeks Only)
By Joe Callison
10 October 2020

Probably the most common use for the command prompt is to run ipconfig to view the network properties. It only takes a few steps- opening the command prompt app (at least two steps) and typing ipconfig and then enter (two more steps). A batch file can be created to reduce these tasks to just opening the batch file which then runs the tasks for you. A batch file is created using a plain text editor such as the Windows Notepad app.   Continue reading →

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Understanding Internet Speed

GEEK FREE
By Joe Callison
10 October 2020

How fast is my internet connection? Am I getting what I am paying for? These are common concerns for consumers, especially if they think their internet connection is too slow. We will look at this from the top-down, starting with the service from the internet provider to the residence or business, then the modem/router that provides the local network over wire and wi-fi, and finally the adapters in the computer devices connected to the local network.   Continue reading →

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