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Windows 10 end of life October 2025 upgrade options

Microsoft will stop supporting Windows 10 in October 2025. This doesn't mean your computer will stop working, but it will be less secure as Microsoft won't be releasing anymore security updates.
There are several things you can do. You can keep running Windows 10 - as long as you have a decent anti-virus installed you will be pretty well protected. I know people still running Windows 7 computers with Norton AV and having no problems. But not recommended.
Upgrade your computer from Windows 10 to Windows 11. Some newer Windows 10 PCs can be auto upgraded through Windows Update. Most PCs more than 3 years old can't automatically upgrade to Windows 11. It is possible to upgrade manually, but takes a bit more work and really you need a PC with min 8Gb ram and SSD drive.
Buy a new computer with Windows 11 installed. Ok, if you've got the money, but why should you have to bin a prefectly good PC into landfill and spend £500 or more on a new one. Not recommended.
Microsoft maybe extending the life of Windows 10 by a year, but you will have to pay for this, no official word or details yet.
Some third party software companies will be releasing security updates for Windows 10. You would pay a small annual fee and be protected for up to 5 years. More information on this soon.
Install Linux on your Windows 10 PC. Linux is an alternative system to Windows, is bang up to date and much more secure, expecially for internet use. Install Linux along side Windows 10 and you will have both systems on your PC, being able to choose which one to use with a simple bootup menu.
So, as you can see, there are lots of options available. Please contact me if you would like upgrade advice or further information.

 

Linux Lite 7.0

Have you got an aging computer that you want to bring back to life? Its too old to run the latest windows so instead of letting the machine wind up in a landfill somewhere, try Linux Lite 7.0.
Linux Lite is a light-weight version of Linux, meaning it will happily run on a PC with 4Gb ram and older cpu's. Out of the box, Linux Lite ships with Chrome, LibreOffice (including Base, to create databases), GIMP, Photo Manager, Deja Dup Backups, VLC media player, a USB image writer, an onscreen keyboard, Timeshift (for restore points), and more. In other words, Linux Lite isn't light on applications. You could install this distribution and go about your work without the need to install much more.
This lightweight Linux distribution is ideal for anyone new to Linux or who needs to bring an old machine back to life. Fast on older machines, lots of software and more secure than windows.

 

BT Broadband -  free Norton antivirus and 1,000Gb of cloud storage

We all love free stuff ! so did you know if you have BT Broadband, you can get Norton antivirus for free. Login to My BT, click on the Manage button under Your Security and click BT Virus Protect. Download and install. While you're logged in, check out BT Cloud, you can get 1,000Gb of free cloud storage. Remember, you can never have too many backups !
UPDATE - I've just seen that BT Cloud is closing down on 31st October 2024.So make sure you move to another cloud provider before this date, otherwise you could lose all your docs photos etc. Please call me if you need further advice.

 

HP Photosmart D7360 error 0xc18a0001 Ink System Failure - fix

1 - Turn off power and unplug from power source.
2 - Open right side of printer (looking at the front).
3 - Disconnect,by pulling gently, both white flat ribbon cables off the main circuit board.
4 - Plug in power source and turn printer on. Wait till you get a error message and push "Ok".
5 - Unplug power source.
6 - Reconnect the flat ribbon cables by aligning and carefully pushing into the conectors on the main circuit board.
7- Plug in power source and turn printer on (Printer preparing occurred).
8 - error message 0xc18a0001 "Ink System has Failed" fixed.

 

Asus X205T installing Windows 10

Having problems instaling Windows 10 on an Asus X205T ? then read on. The main issue here is that the x205t cpu is 32bit, so you need to download the 32bit version of Windows 10, not the default 64bit version. Download the Microsoft media creation tool for Windows 10 and choose the ISO option. Run the tool and change the architecture option to BOTH. This gives you the 32 and 64 bit versions. Download Rufus to burn the ISO onto a memory stick (min 16Gb)  Plug the stick into the Asus and the windows install will start. This is when the next issue arises. The drivers for the keyboard and touchpad are built into the Intel system files, so neither will work until windows is installed. To get around this plug in an external mouse and use the On Screen Keyboard (OSK) or a wireless keyboard/mouse and continue with the install. Well done, another X205T saved !

 

Acer Aspire ES1-311 touchpad scrolling fix

Acer has no Windows 10 touchpad driver software listed on their support page. If the two finger scrolling on your Acer Aspire ES1-311 touchpad is not working, go to Acer Support and download and install the latest BIOS update, This should fix the problem.

 

Using crontab to update Duck DNS

Why do I need DuckDNS or any DDNS service? most connections to the internet are through a dynamic external IP address which changes quite often (weekly or even daily). this can make it very difficult to connect to home services from an external computer. To get around this, Duck DNS is a provider of what is known as a DDNS (Dynamic DNS) service. we provide a public DNS server that anyone can get a subdomain and use one of our provided scripts to update their record(s). so instead of trying to remember an IP address, you can use a domain name that is kept up-to-date by a computer at home

If you're using Linux or a Raspberry Pi, you can use crontab to reularly update Duck DNS. Open a terminal and type crontab -e. At the bottom of the file add
0 13 * * * curl -v "https://www.duckdns.org/update?domains=subdomain&token=064a0540-864c-4f0f-8bf5-23857452b0c1"
substituting in your Duck DNS subdomain and token. Save crontab and exit. This example will update Duck DNS everyday at 1pm. For other time intervals Google crontab documentation.

 

Installing an HP printer in Windows XP

Tried to install an HP printer for a customer on their Windows XP tower and kept getting this error when running the printer setup.

A file that is required cannot be installed because the cabinet file C:\.....\E6200x86.cab has an invalid digital signature. This may indicate that the cabinet file is corrupt.

Solution - Download the HP printer software from HP Support. Run the setup program which creates a temp folder in C:\\Documents and Settings\user\local settings\temp containing the printer driver files. Or extract the cab files to a temp folder Plug in the printer. Windows couldn't find a printer driver so browse to the temp folder and Windows installs the printer with no errors and test page prints Ok.

 

Dell Inspiron N5110 laptop repair

I was given a Dell laptop with a hard drive issue, you could hear the drive clicking away, anyway turned out the drive was beyond repair. Its usually quite straight forward to replace a laptop hard drive, but as I soon found out, not on this model. On the Dell N5110 the drive is mounted on the underside of the motherboard, and the only way to access it is to completely dissasemble the laptop. So ... remove 11 screws from the base, unclip the keyboard, at least thats easy, unclip 3 ribbon cables, then 3 more screws to remove the top cover. Unclip the screen cable, undo 4 screws and remove the lid/screen. 4 more screws hold the motherboard in place, which can then be carefully removed from the laptop base. The old hard drive was then removed and a new SSD installed. I then reasembled the laptop without screws to test it. I installed Linux on the SSD to check everything was working, which showed up another issue. The keyboard was faulty, only one key worked! A new keyboard was ordered and fitted, and all worked Ok. Reasembled the laptop with all screws this time, tested and everything worked! Time to install Windows. The laptop originally came with Windows 7 installed, which is not supported by Microsoft any more, so I installed Windows 10, using the Windows 7 product key. Windows 10 installed Ok, and automatically activated with the Windows 7 key, all looking good, until, updates started installing ... and then after booting, the screen went black and stayed black. I could see the screen on an external monitor, so was able to troubleshoot. After a quick Google, I found the answer was to upgrade the BIOS to the latest version. Many more updates, and at last I have a fully functioning Dell N5110 leptop. Not much cost involved just lots of hours work, but it was worth it. I now have a nice refurbished Dell N5110 laptop that is super fast, and ready for its new owner.

 

Threads, the new alternative to Twitter.

Meta has launched Threads, a new text-based app to rival Twitter. The move is a bold attempt to lure users away from its floundering competitor with a near-clone of the platform. The Guardian tested out the new social network on Wednesday, minutes after its widely hyped launch.

Clicking on the link will open the article in a new tab in your browser.

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/jul/06/we-tried-threads-metas-new-twitter-rival-heres-what-happened

Privacy concerns - Watchdogs have raised a number of concerns about Threads, as the tech giant seeks to pull even more users into its universe. Threads is able to collect a wide range of personal information, including health, financial, contacts, browsing and search history, location data, purchases and “sensitive info”, according to its data privacy disclosure on the App Store.

 

7 advantages of using Linux

1. Cost: Linux is free and open-source software. This means that it can be downloaded and used without any licensing fees or other costs. Additionally, Linux can be installed on old or low-end hardware, which makes it an ideal choice for individuals and businesses with limited resources.

2. Stability and Reliability: Linux is known for its stability and reliability. It is less likely to crash or experience downtime compared to other operating systems. Additionally, Linux is less vulnerable to viruses and malware than other operating systems.

3. Customization: Linux is highly customizable. Users can customize the desktop environment, the system's appearance, and the applications installed on it. Linux allows users to modify the system to meet their needs and preferences.

4. Security: Linux is more secure than other operating systems because of its architecture. The Linux kernel has been designed to be more secure, and it has many built-in security features. Additionally, Linux users have access to regular security updates and patches.

5. Performance: Linux is known for its excellent performance. It is designed to work efficiently on both old and new hardware. Linux requires fewer system resources than other operating systems, which means that it can run faster and more smoothly on the same hardware.

6. Compatibility: Linux is compatible with other operating systems. It can run many Windows and Mac applications using compatibility layers like Wine and CrossOver. Additionally, Linux can read and write to many file systems, including Windows and Mac file systems.

7. Support: Linux has a large and active community of users and developers who provide support, help, and resources. Users can find solutions to common problems and get help from other users and experts.

Overall, Linux is a free, robust, reliable, and highly customizable operating system that offers many advantages over Microsoft Windows and Mac OS..

 

Windows password security - 10 top tips

Setting a strong password for your Windows account is crucial for protecting your personal and sensitive information. Here are some tips to help you create a strong and secure password:

Length: The longer the password, the harder it is to crack. Use a minimum of 8 characters, and aim for 12 or more if possible.

Complexity: Use a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters (such as !@#$%^&*) to make your password more complex.

Avoid dictionary words: Don't use easily guessable words, such as "password" or "123456". Passwords like these are incredibly weak and easy for hackers to crack.

Avoid personal information: Don't use personal information such as your name, birthdate, or address as part of your password. Hackers can easily find this information online and use it to guess your password.

Use a password manager: A password manager is a tool that can generate and store strong passwords for you. It can also automatically fill in your passwords when you log into websites or applications. This makes it easy to use strong passwords without having to remember them all.

Change your password regularly: It's a good practice to change your password every few months. This ensures that if your password is compromised, it will only be valid for a limited amount of time.

Don't reuse passwords: Don't use the same password for multiple accounts. If one password is compromised, then all of your accounts become vulnerable.

Two-factor authentication: Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security to your account. It requires you to provide a second form of identification (such as a code sent to your phone) in addition to your password.

Don't share your password: Never share your password with anyone, even if they claim to be from tech support or another legitimate source.

Log out of your account when you're done: Always log out of your account when you're finished using your computer. This prevents unauthorized access to your account by anyone who may have physical access to your computer.

By following these tips, you can create a strong and secure password that will help keep your personal information safe. Remember, a strong password is an essential part of good cybersecurity practices.

 

What is an SSD drive?

Solid state drives (SSDs) have revolutionized the world of data storage, providing faster and more reliable performance compared to traditional hard disk drives (HDDs). An SSD is a storage device that uses NAND-based flash memory to store and retrieve data. Unlike an HDD, which has spinning platters and mechanical read/write heads, an SSD has no moving parts and uses electronic circuits to access data. This leads to faster read and write speeds, lower latency, and reduced power consumption.

One of the key benefits of an SSD is its speed. It can access and transfer data much faster than an HDD, resulting in significantly faster boot times, application load times, and file transfer speeds. Additionally, SSDs are more durable and reliable than HDDs since they have no moving parts that can break down over time.

There are two main types of SSDs: SATA and NVMe. SATA SSDs are designed to be compatible with traditional hard drive bays, making them a popular choice for upgrading laptops and desktops. NVMe SSDs, on the other hand, use the PCIe interface to deliver even faster speeds and are commonly found in high-end gaming PCs and workstations.

Overall, SSDs are an excellent investment for anyone who wants faster, more reliable storage. With no moving parts and faster read and write speeds, SSDs offer significant performance improvements over traditional hard drives.

 

Microsoft Windows 11 review

Windows 11 is a major update to Microsoft's popular operating system, and while it has received praise for its new features and improved performance, it has also received criticism in several areas.

One of the most significant criticisms of Windows 11 is its compatibility requirements. Many older PCs and laptops may not meet the system requirements for Windows 11, leaving users with the choice of either upgrading their hardware or sticking with an older version of Windows. This has caused frustration among some users who feel that Microsoft is forcing them to upgrade unnecessarily.

Another issue is the requirement for a Microsoft account to set up a new PC. While this may be convenient for some users, it has caused concern among those who value their privacy and don't want to be tied to a Microsoft account.

The new user interface has also received mixed reviews, with some users finding it confusing or unnecessary. While the new Start menu has been simplified and centered, some users prefer the classic Start menu that was used in previous versions of Windows.

Finally, some users have experienced issues with bugs and glitches in Windows 11, including issues with compatibility, performance, and other issues that can affect the user experience.

Despite these criticisms, Windows 11 is still a major update that offers many new features and improvements over its predecessor. While it may not be perfect, it is still a significant step forward in the evolution of the Windows operating system.

 

Microsoft Windows 7

Windows 7 was an operating system released by Microsoft in 2009, which quickly became one of the most popular versions of Windows. It was known for its user-friendly interface, stability, and performance improvements over its predecessor, Windows Vista.

One of the key features of Windows 7 was the improved taskbar, which allowed users to pin commonly used applications, preview open windows, and access jump lists for quick access to specific functions. Windows 7 also introduced Aero Snap, which made it easy to snap windows to the sides of the screen and Aero Peek, which allowed users to preview open windows by hovering over their icons.

Windows 7 also brought significant improvements in performance, with faster boot times, improved memory management, and better compatibility with a wide range of hardware and software.

Despite its popularity, Windows 7 reached its end-of-life in January 2020, meaning that Microsoft stopped providing support, updates, and security patches. This made it more vulnerable to cyber attacks and other security risks, and many users were encouraged to upgrade to newer versions of Windows such as Windows 10.

Overall, Windows 7 was a significant improvement over its predecessor, Windows Vista, and provided a stable and user-friendly operating system for almost a decade. While it may no longer be supported, its impact on the history of computing and its legacy continue to influence the development of new operating systems today.

 

The Apple iPad

The iPad, released by Apple in 2010, is a popular tablet computer that has transformed the way people interact with technology. It is a lightweight and portable device that allows users to perform a wide range of tasks, from browsing the web to creating digital art.

The iPad is designed with a multi-touch screen and a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate. It comes in a variety of sizes and storage capacities, and can be used with a range of accessories, such as the Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard.

One of the most notable features of the iPad is its extensive range of apps. There are millions of apps available for the platform, covering everything from productivity tools to entertainment and gaming. Many popular apps, such as Microsoft Office and Photoshop, have been optimized for use on the iPad.

The iPad has also been embraced by educators and students, as it provides a versatile platform for learning and collaboration. Many schools and universities have adopted iPads for use in the classroom, and there are numerous educational apps and resources available for the platform.

Over the years, the iPad has continued to evolve, with new features and capabilities being added with each new model. It remains a popular and versatile device that has transformed the way people work, learn, and play.

 

The Sinclair ZX Spectrum

The ZX Spectrum, released in 1982 by British company Sinclair Research, is a landmark in the history of home computing. It was a compact, affordable computer that brought computing to the masses, and is remembered fondly by many as their first experience with computing.

The ZX Spectrum had a distinctive, rubber keyboard and was available in several different models with varying amounts of memory. It had a cassette tape interface for loading and saving programs, and could display graphics in eight colors with a resolution of 256x192 pixels.

One of the most notable things about the ZX Spectrum was its huge library of software. There were thousands of games and other programs available for the platform, and many people got their start in programming by writing their own programs for the machine.

The ZX Spectrum was also notable for its role in the 1980s UK video game industry. Many classic British games were developed for the platform, such as the Dizzy series, Jet Set Willy, and Manic Miner.

Despite being surpassed in terms of hardware by later computers such as the Commodore 64, the ZX Spectrum remains a beloved and important part of computing history. Its legacy can still be seen in the continued popularity of retro computing and gaming today.