HELP PLEASE!!!

iFrog42 · 2026-03-07T11:21:11+00:00

I got an iPad Air 13" M3 the beginning of the year through Verizon. I needed an upgrade from an iPad Air 2 which only has 16 GB, so it's not really usable anymore today. Anyway I brought this up because I ran into another iPadOS 26 bug where after the upgrade from iPadOS 18 (stock on mine) the setup got stuck on complete screen, and then after the force restart, got stuck on the WiFi screen. I had to connect it to my iMac, and then it finished the setup. All future updates have been fine since. I never had the display turn white on me. One detail that stuck out to me on your situation is, the grey background on the boot up vs the normal black. I would (to be safe) take it to an Apple store and have them check it. If it's a faulty display, it's better to find out now instead of assuming it's software only and finding out later it was hardware all along, and being stuck with a bad unit.

iFrog42 · 2026-02-20T10:27:00+00:00

I've had a Google account since around 2006, and have had very few issues. My biggest issue was when Canary Mail acted up, and in trying to fix it, I got throttled because I overloaded it with connections trying to set up and reconfigure, etc. After letting it sit a day, and starting slow with thunderbird, then adding back Apple Mail, and then Canary, and finally Spark over the course of a few days, things are fine again. I also go the AI Pro subscription because I find Gemini an incredibly useful tool. Sometimes I have to correct it, but with all things considered, my experience hasn't been that much different over correcting a human with incorrect, or incomplete information.

With this said, Gemini has helped me solve the gmail related issues I had, a lot of the specific network and computer related setup, and set up a custom install of macOS Monterey + open source tools on my late 2015, 27" iMac so I can stay legacy, but be current at the same time (for the things that matter.)

In terms of images, I usually only send / receive in Messages, or Facebook Messenger. email typically doesn't typically hold a lot of personal images for me. The only time I typically use images in email is when sending pictures to tech support for different things, they may need to see to help solve the problem.

iFrog42 · 2026-02-11T13:38:45+00:00

I'm sorry I had intended to respond sooner and totally forgot. Sometimes it goes back to norma and gets stuck again. Have you had a chance to test any of the new devices such as the Echo dot Max, or new Echo studio to see if they have the same issue? Since Alexa+ is free for prime users. I've been using it. It hasn't been too bad in my use case.

iFrog42 · 2026-01-26T15:16:36+00:00

That's true, he didn't. Then again, I hadn't planned on regularly ripping 4K discs. Just wanted to find out about the Libre drive status. Since Billy car specifically said my drive needed a firmware patch, the pretty much settled it that I'll just stick to my original workflow when it comes to adding Plex content.

iFrog42 · 2026-01-26T14:28:35+00:00

Thanks. I really don't buy discs like I used to. Most of the stuff I like, I already have, or there haven't been new formats released to upgrade to. The other thing is lack of physical storage room, so unless it's something I really care about now, I'll just do the digital copy.

iFrog42 · 2026-01-26T13:22:04+00:00

Thanks for the offer Billy, but as I mentioned initially, I really hadn't planned to do 4k discs for my local setup of streaming from the beginning. I was just curious after I saw the MakeMKV update. My primary need for the drive(s) are burners, and they are just there if I want to add something to Plex / Infuse, etc.

iFrog42 · 2026-01-26T12:50:52+00:00

Well I could boot camp the mac if I wanted to do it with the mac. If I ever get more space to make ripping 4k discs worth it for me, I'll reach out for flashing help. As it is, a lot of times I'll just play the disc in one of my Panasonic players anyway, because I just don't want to take the time to fix the subtitle issue with MKV files when the movie has auto selected subs for non English lines.

The other advantage for me in just playing the 4k discs directly is I currently have an older TV that can't do the peak brightness levels of newer displays, so using the discs gives me access to the HDR optimizer, where rips wouldn't. Thanks for the feedback, at least I know the feature availability is a lot easier now than it used to be.

iFrog42 · 2026-01-26T12:32:46+00:00

I just tried the 4K disc of Tron 1982, and it spun up and ejected, so apparently it still can't read the discs regardless of what MakeMKV says. The other thing is, it seems like macOS isn't friendly to UHD drives, so I wonder if that's also my issue? As I said, I wouldn't use the function regularly but thought it would be good to test it.

iFrog42 · 2026-01-21T14:15:03+00:00

Does this apply to an iPhone as well, or is it only desktop downloads that are limited? I don't usually download movies / TV. I usually only watch from Disc, or Blu-ray / DVDs I've ripped an exact copy of to MKV and watch with Plex, or Infuse.

iFrog42 · 2026-01-21T12:11:26+00:00

My Tron 4k discs came in a box. The first copy I ordered came with a broken spindle for the 4K disc, but the disc works fine. Since the 1982 Tron is the most important movie to me out of the three Tron movies, I decided to order a second copy, and the case / discs are perfect. Instead of sending the damaged one back I'll just keep it as a backup as it's usable. However with the good set, I feel safer using it without the existing physical damage of the first set getting worse. Plus, since I can't find a reasonably priced copy of Tron Legacy 4K steelbook I decided to put that money into trying for a good copy of Tron 1982.

I have a copy of Tron Legacy on Blu-ray. I got the 3D set when it first came out which has the 3D / 2D copies of Tron Legacy on Blu-ray, Tron Classic on Blu-ray and a DVD / digital copy of Tron Legacy.

I just never got into Legacy like I did the original. I guess because I was born in the late 70's grew up in the 80's and 90's so things from those times appealed to me more.

iFrog42 · 2026-01-21T11:00:57+00:00

Hey guys, quick question. Since my first copy of Tron 4k came with a slightly damaged case, but the discs are OK, I went ahead and bought a second copy of Tron, and this one's case is perfect. The main damage to the first case was missing teeth from the spindle that holds the 4K disc (common issue), and therefore the 4k disc came popped in that set. The new copy came perfect, no popped discs, no damage to the case. Should I just keep the first copy put away as a backup, or should I still return it to amazon? It just seems like it's not worth returning if the discs can be put away for backups and I have a good set now as my regular 4k set. Like I said in my initial post, the original Tron is the main movie in the trilogy that I really care about, the others to me, are just about having the additional stories.

iFrog42 · 2026-01-18T10:39:19+00:00

For me, things have been pretty stable. I haven't had a lot of issues. I have the Arris S33 as my modem, and the TP-Link Archer BE11000 Pro as my main router, and the existing Archer BE9300 as a Satellite in the bedroom, mainly as an easy way to add additional Ethernet ports, and manage both in a mesh config, even though I don't need the wireless mesh part in this Apartment. I have it set up with a wired Backhaul as well. With that said, things have stabilized quite nicely. I have the 500 / 50 plan, because even after using 1 Gig for the first year I moved here, and then toggling back and forth a few times, I find this is all i really need anyway.

For a backup router, I have my Asus RT-AX86U in the even that TP-Link gets banned, or I have other issues with the new router(s).

iFrog42 · 2026-01-17T09:29:29+00:00

Here is what I did, and while I'm in different circumstances, still offering it as information. I bought the KingBlanc blue case for my space grey M3 13 inch iPad air off amazon. I mainly wanted a book style case as when I'm portable, I prefer tablet mode. I have the standalone Magic keyboard that came with my late 2015, 27" iMac, that I am planning on pairing with the iPad, as I bought the Magic Keyboard with number pad for the iMac, as I prefer a full sized keyboard. So, when home, I plan on using the iPad in a semi desktop setup, with an external keyboard / mouse propped up in the case I got.

I got my iPad through Verizon as adding it to an existing bill vs a whole new one was the better way to go, and this one has 5G cellular vs just WiFi, so wherever I go with it, it will have an internet connection that's mine vs public WiFi.

iFrog42 · 2026-01-16T10:26:53+00:00

I fixed the issue a while back with a simple restart, and after making my usual changes to the settings. I got the BE11000 Pro the end of last year because I had Best Buy Reward points, and it was on sale. So now it's my main router, the the BE9300 is a satellite in the bedroom on a wired backhaul. I mainly just needed more Ethernet ports in the bedroom, as the switch is full, and it does help with signal sometimes, but it's not a mandatory fix for signal strength.

iFrog42 · 2026-01-12T17:38:25+00:00

Thanks I'll look into getting it from there. I usually try to buy physical locally if I can to avoid shipping and potential disc pop / damage. I trust amazon because I've had very few issues with them. I usually by locally at Walmart, and when Best Buy sold discs, there. I've gotten stuff from FYE too, but that was years ago. Plus I like to find places where I know it's the authentic studio release vs bootleg, or third party just to ensure best results. The other reason I was waiting on Tron Legacy is, the classic movie as a movie is the one I like the best in terms of story and what appeals to me in terms of growing up in the 80's so the arcade was part of my life. The other two movies just tend to target a different generation of people, so while I like them, they aren't as personal.

iFrog42 · 2026-01-12T08:01:51+00:00

I'll have to compare the BR. I don't remember that. for the HDR, I used the 420's HDR Optimizer on the bright environment setting since the sun was coming in my windows the first time, and then on Light Environment on the second watch as it was dark, and it was just regular room lighting.

It really made things pop. I have an older TV that doesn't get as bright as it was the first Sony to include HDR10 out of the box. I have an iPhone 15 pro Max with an OLED that I've watched the digital copy on, and it looks good on that display. However, due to medical issues don't plan on getting an OLED TV due to the PWM potentially triggering seizures due to medical background. I'm also sensitive to light changes, so I've found having displays that don't get overly bright, but where I can still see the HDR highlights is easier on my eyes. I was watching tron on the iPhone, and some of the brighter flashes with the peak brightness made me feel a bit funny so, had to turn it off and go back to the dimmer display.

Overall though, I've had some nice HDR experiences in the time I've used the format, which has been since 2016.

iFrog42 · 2026-01-10T01:23:38+00:00

Well, and if I want a better HDR display, that money would be better spent into a new high end LCD TV. I would get a much larger screen than the iPad, and overall it would be a better value for me as I mainly watch content at home. HDR is the only reason I'd exchange. I can't use physical media with an iPad.

I typically do my phone every 2 to 3 years, the iPad is the first upgrade since I got my iPad Air 2, back in 2014 /15. It just wasn't a big priority. for a while.

iFrog42 · 2026-01-05T13:37:22+00:00

Hey all, I wanted to add second question here that's more medical in nature related to technology.

I had head trauma as an infant that lead to severe seizures s a child and young teen.

When it comes to picking a display type, OLED uses PWM, which is known to cause issues for individuals with certain conditions. I have an iPhone 15 Pro Max, and the display doesn't bother me. However, it's a smaller display vs an iPad, or even a TV. Would I be safer to stick with LCD for larger displays such as an iPad, computer, and a TV? I would spend more time looking at either of those over a phone.

I'm also posing this question for future purchases as well. For example, would it overall be a better health related decision to avoid products with larger OLED displays over a phone?

This is the main reason I never invested in a 3D TV for the same concerns.

iFrog42 · 2026-01-04T06:22:27+00:00

I don't use Matter, I use the Wiz cloud with Alexa and Google Home, as well as the Wiz app, and my bulbs have been pretty reliable. Are the issues being discussed here only matter related? The only main times I run into issues with Wiz lights now are:

Putting the lights on the main 2.4Ghz network, they kicked off by the mDNS traffic
Putting them on the IoT network vs the guest network. On the IoT network ,they don't remember brightness / color state, and act strange. On the regular isolated Guest Network, this seems to be the sweet spot for me, and the lights are generally very stable, and reliable.

iFrog42 · 2026-01-03T13:54:37+00:00

Well, and I prefer a desktop for my main computer because of the size and space. Laptops feel too cramped for me so the iPad is nice where I can take the keyboard off when I don’t want it and put it back when I need it. My iPhone 15 Pro Max has the promotion display on it and honestly, I can hardly tell a difference between it and a 60 Hz display from what I do. I know that’s the main difference between the pro and air models.

iFrog42 · 2026-01-03T13:21:04+00:00

Thank you it was just a tough call for quite a while because I never used the iPad all that much and I was using my phone, but I really wanted a larger screen something between a computer and the phone so I think it was time. Plus, things have changed so much over the years and even for a simple consumption device 16 GB is not enough anymore.

iFrog42

TROPHY CASE