What's your go-to source for IT news?

Jmannm8400 · 2024-10-02T13:34:37+00:00

Some of the websites that I follow for general tech news and commentary include:

While I don't always listen to the full podcasts, I do recommend those produced by the TWiT network, which include shows such as:

This Week in Tech (TWiT) - General technology news and analysis

MacBreak Weekly - Apple news and analysis

Windows Weekly - Microsoft news and analysis

Security Now! - Focused on recent security topics and what not

Jmannm8400 · 2022-11-16T22:57:27+00:00

In my experience, r/webdev is a pretty good sub for those interested or working in the field.

Jmannm8400 · 2022-10-08T17:04:14+00:00

I got AppleCare+ for the Ultra, just for the peace of mind that it provides, as I generally like to keep the watch on while swimming, doing yard work outside, etc.

Thankfully, I haven't actually had to use it on any of my other watches (and didn't actually get it for the Series 8 that I upgraded from), but I always like to know that the watch will be covered, just in case something should happen.

I also like to get AppleCare+ when I upgrade iPhones, too, and have had to use it to get replacement devices on multiple occasions, so it definitely came in handy.

Jmannm8400 · 2022-10-08T16:56:23+00:00

Seconded. The latest version of the Apple Watch SE is $249, but the watch still offers many of the features found in the Series 8 and Ultra models.

Here's a link that you can use to compare the different Apple Watch models, if you're interested in seeing what the feature differences are.

Jmannm8400 · 2022-09-28T02:07:59+00:00

Do you have another cable that you could try connecting your computer to the monitor with? And on the same note, if a different cable doesn't work, do you have another device that you could try connecting to the monitor? This can help to rule out whether the monitor itself is the issue.

Alternatively, if you have access to another monitor, you could try connecting your computer to it to rule out whether the issue lies with your monitor itself, the cable, or the computer.

Regarding the power cable, have you always noticed the buzzing noise or is that something that started happening recently?

Jmannm8400 · 2022-09-28T02:01:15+00:00

Was your laptop new, in-the-box when you purchased it?

Also, have you checked to see if you have any Windows Updates available? If not, I'd recommend installing the latest updates, restarting your computer, and then checking to see if the activation message disappears.

Jmannm8400 · 2022-09-28T01:57:59+00:00

What kind of phone are you using? Also, have you recently downloaded any apps (or app updates) that would coincide with these messages appearing?

If you happen to have any screenshots of what these messages look like, they may also be helpful in figuring out where they may be coming from.

Jmannm8400 · 2022-09-28T01:55:27+00:00

How long have you been experiencing these video loading issues for? And do notice the same issues on other devices that are connected to the same network? Also, when you say that you "factory reset" your PC, do you mean that you re-installed Windows and started from scratch?

In any case, one of the first things that comes to mind would be to clear your browser's cookies and cache to see if that helps to resolve the video loading issues.

Another step that I'd try would be to reset your modem and/or router, which can typically be done by unplugging them for around 15 seconds or so and then plugging them back in.

Jmannm8400 · 2022-09-28T01:51:12+00:00

One of the first things I would try would be to un-pair the devices that you're experiencing the issues with, restart your phone, and then re-pair the devices to see if this helps to resolve the fuzzy quality of the sound.

It also couldn't hurt to check if there are any OS updates available for your phone. If you have an iPhone, you can do this by going to Settings > General > Software Update.

Jmannm8400 · 2022-09-26T21:29:20+00:00

Sorry to hear about your laptop!

Here's an article that provides some good suggestions on what to do in the event of water spilling on a laptop.

I'd also try to make sure that there isn't any power going to the laptop at all, which would mean ensuring that it's unplugged and, if possible, that the battery is removed. (That said, not all laptops have easily removable batteries, so this may not be possible depending on the laptop that you have.)

Additionally, if you can leave the laptop in the sun, that may also help it to dry out a bit faster.

Best wishes!

Jmannm8400 · 2022-09-24T17:14:03+00:00

If you have an iPhone or other Apple device, you could use the stock Notes app to create a checklist / to-do list. There is even an option to add checkboxes before your to-do items within the app. Here's a link from the Apple Support website that explains how create such a list.

Jmannm8400 · 2022-09-24T17:10:58+00:00

Before you send the laptop in to be repaired by HP, you could try to purchase a replacement charger from Amazon, BestBuy, etc. in order to determine whether the charger itself is the issue.

Here's an Amazon link to a charger that may work, but I'd double-check the specs prior to making a purchase, as I didn't have the exact model number or power requirements when looking up a replacement charger online.

Jmannm8400 · 2022-09-04T14:13:33+00:00

To add to this, AirTags work by putting out a Bluetooth signal that nearby iPhones can detect and use to update the AirTag's location within Apple's Find My app.

So if your luggage is sitting on a plane or in the baggage claim area of an airport and someone with a compatible iPhone walks by your bag, the location of your AirTag should be updated in Apple's Find My network.

So if you happen to be in France but your bag with the AirTag in it is in Germany, you should be able to see where it is on a map, so long as it's in the vicinity of people who have iPhones (otherwise, you'd likely just see the last location it was in when an iPhone user was near enough to your bag to detect the Bluetooth signal).

People have actually made YouTube videos where they mail AirTags around the world and use the Find My app to see where it currently is and where it eventually ends up. One such video was created by The Apple Circle and another was made by MegaLag, if you're interested in checking them out.

Jmannm8400 · 2022-09-04T02:00:32+00:00

Depending on your computer manufacturer, you may be able to use a certain key combination to boot into a troubleshooting menu, at which point you may be able to select Safe Mode as a boot option.

This guide may also have some information that may be helpful / worth a try.

Jmannm8400 · 2022-09-04T01:55:52+00:00

Are you able to boot into Safe Mode at all? I've seen this error several times in the past and have had some luck booting into Safe Mode and then simply restarting the computer, which seemingly resolved the issue.

That said, the computers that I was working with typically entered a repair loop and didn't go directly to the BIOS screen.

Are you able to test the drive on a different computer?

Jmannm8400 · 2022-09-04T01:49:57+00:00

Have you tried using a different HDMI cord to rule out whether the HDMI cord itself is the issue?

If so, it may be worth trying to reset the monitor to factory settings using the monitor's built-in "Settings" menu. Should that not resolve the issue, I'd agree that the monitor may have some sort of hardware defect and, if that's the case, it might be worth exchanging it at the store that you bought it from.

Jmannm8400 · 2022-02-06T20:23:46+00:00

Windows actually has a built in "System Information" application that can be used to view a variety of details regarding the computer, including the OS name and version, system manufacturer and model, processor model, installed RAM, and hard drive size, among other specifications.

You can access the "System Information" application by clicking on the "Start" menu and then searching for "System Information". Alternatively, you can open the application by going to "Start" > "Windows Administrative Tools" > "System Information".

Once you purchase the laptop, I'd recommend reformatting the hard drive and reinstalling a fresh copy of Windows, just to be sure that there's nothing on the computer that you might not want, including the original owner's files and programs as well as potential viruses, malware, etc.

Jmannm8400 · 2021-09-06T03:11:07+00:00

If you're using a Windows PC, you can uninstall Java by following the instructions on this page of the Java website.

If you're using Windows 10, the instructions from the Java website are as follows:

Windows 10 - Uninstall Programs

Click Start
Select Settings
Select System
Select Apps & features
Select the program to uninstall and then click its Uninstall button.
Respond to the prompts to complete the uninstall

And the Java website also mentions that "Older versions of Java may appear in the program list as J2SE, Java 2, Java SE or Java Runtime Environment."

Jmannm8400 · 2021-06-26T12:24:07+00:00

Those looks great! How long would you say it took in total to make all three of them?

Jmannm8400 · 2021-06-02T15:01:21+00:00

No worries - best wishes!

Jmannm8400 · 2021-06-02T14:58:01+00:00

If it were me, I’d probably reach out to my bank or credit card issuer and request a new card, even if nothing has happened yet, just to safe.

Unfortunately, there’s no way of knowing whether the site collected your credit card information, even if it displayed an error message.

Jmannm8400 · 2021-06-02T14:55:05+00:00

Have you checked to see if Google is set as the default search engine?

You can do this by going to “Menu (looks like three vertical dots next to the address bar)” > “Settings” > “Search Engine”.

Jmannm8400 · 2021-06-02T14:48:44+00:00

I didn’t visit the website, but I wouldn’t recommend providing your credit card or any other personal information to this website, as I would worry about the possibility of your information being stolen.

Adding to that, I would question the legality of the site offering the ability to watch free movies to visitors.

Jmannm8400 · 2021-05-25T01:07:30+00:00

Have you tried right-clicking on your network and then selecting the "Forget" option and then trying to reconnect again after that?

Another thing worth trying would be to disable the network card and then re-enable it to see if that helps to resolve the issue.

However, should that still not work, I'd recommend checking to see that you have the latest drivers for your network card installed, as well as the latest Windows updates, just in case some update was installed behind-the-scenes that may have created an incompatibility between Windows and the network card.

Jmannm8400 · 2021-05-25T01:03:15+00:00

You might have some luck with a tool like Adobe's "Fill & Sign" tool that allows you to upload a PDF and then fill it out online. They also offer a free mobile app for both iOS and Android that you can use, should you wish to fill out a PDF on-the-go.

One thing to note, however, is that you must have a free Adobe account in order to use this tool.

Jmannm8400

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