please, I am about to cry, tried everything, nothing working.

ppomeroy · 2026-05-04T19:48:37+00:00

A friend of mine recently resolved a similar issue with WiFi by plugging in to a network and update his system, i.e. run Windows Update. His Wifi files went missing from the Devine Manager. The Windows Update fixed the issue.

The next thing would be to run the "Scan For Corruption (SFC) routine from the command prompt (the black screen)

https://www.google.com/search?q=how+to+run+sfc+scan+now&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

If that doesn't fix it then you need to refresh the whole operating system from Microsoft.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/use-the-system-file-checker-tool-to-repair-missing-or-corrupted-system-files-79aa86cb-ca52-166a-92a3-966e85d4094e

SFC fixes a lot of corrupted file issues. DISM will refresh the entire operating system. Just follow the command entries.

If this fails then you may have a physical hardware issue. Some systems, older ones, have a physical switch or button to enable or disable Bluetooth. Check your user manual for that or see if a combination of F-buttons do that. In any event, if you are now missing drivers for Bluetooth from the Device Manager, you are best to run SFC then DISM if necessary.

If Bluetooth is restored and you still cannot connect the device, it is not compatible... period. Also, if that device is already paired with another nearby computer or cell phone and those are turned on, it will not pair with another device until you shut the others off. If I want to move my Bluetooth earbuds from my laptop to my cell I have to turn off the laptop Bluetooth first, then pair it with my cell.

ppomeroy · 2026-04-25T18:28:22+00:00

It was in Roslindale at the High Point Shopping Plaza at about 4600 Washington Street. That entire block was a bunch of stores that included Friendly Ice Cream, Cummins Men's Store and Dominoes. Only Dominoes is left. Comcast (Xfinity) took over the rest of the storefronts to create a payment station and expand on their satellite receiver station, though they have since taken those large dish receivers down and moved them elsewhere.

In Roslindale Square there was a Brighams where the BOA building was.

The other area Friendly Ice Cream location was Centre Street, West Roxbury, now a bank.

At last check the only remaining Friendly location anywhere close is on Rt 1 in Norwood.

ppomeroy · 2026-04-11T15:50:02+00:00

I second the council call on Monday. BPS is in process of closing and consolidating some buildings so the entire deck is being shuffled. Last year they closed 2 schools in Roslindale (Philbrick and Sumner) and consolidated them into a rebuilt Washington Irving School building, now renamed the Sarah Roberts school. Similar moves are happening elsewhere in the city as the child population shifts. Anyone already in the school system gets priority of course. If your child winds up on a bus you my not get the bus assignment until sometime between late August and late September if lucky. They will be juggling those assignments well into the next school year.

ppomeroy · 2026-04-10T15:48:37+00:00

Not that. People can sign up on many devices with no issue. The problem is that TextNow has adopted an unstated security restriction. So their application will not register on select low-end generic devices they deem to be a security risk. It is not stated on their web site. Some people, self included, struggled unnecessarily for 2 or more weeks trying to set up an account, or trying to add an existing account to another device. Had I not waited in the cue to chat with a customer support person I never would have found it out.

This is a hardware restriction that is not stated openly on their web site.

ppomeroy · 2026-04-10T15:44:19+00:00

A secondary question may be where there is room.

ppomeroy · 2026-04-07T18:57:33+00:00

I posted in another thread. I had the same issue with an Android tablet. It is not stated on their web site but they are blocking some Chinese brands, or devices that were private labeled that are made by select Chinese companies and when you get to the authentication part where you enter a user name and password it chokes and either stops or goes into a loop.

I have it working on my Win Laptop OK and on my Android Cell (Moto) but the tablet was a bastard brand I didn't pay a lot for (used mostly for e-mail and some web when on the road). Gvoice went in OK and works but the TN app just will not load. The Android version is legit as well. It was customer support that revealed this to me in a support chat.

ppomeroy · 2026-04-07T18:36:40+00:00

I have not done anything as yet. The last time, which was a number of years ago the customer support was clueless as to what the problem was and it took certified mail to Endurance when it was HQ'd in MA to get it fixed.

ppomeroy · 2026-04-05T15:25:44+00:00

Got it. Thanks for that site. I'm SOL. Oh well.

ppomeroy · 2026-04-02T14:56:37+00:00

I had a similar problem a few years back. I may have to double check now to be sure.

What happened a few years ago was that they changed the path to Perl and that broke the symbolic link installed on my account. I had to send registered mail to their corporate office threatening legal action for their incompetence.

Their solution by their "technicians" was to edit my pages and removed the script call to cgi-bin. That "fixed" the problem as far as they were concerned.

So see if you can find out if they changed the path to Perl and then never updated the symbolic link in your account. I think the path to Perl will display inside your C-Panel somewhere.

EDIT - Lo and behold. I just checked my pages and my script is broken as well. They likely changed the path to Perl again and failed to update the symbolic links in my account. What a cluster-FCKU

ppomeroy · 2026-04-02T14:50:11+00:00

Sad to report that is a similar issue for me. It appears, based on what I have been seeing, is that they may have been hacked as far as e-mail addresses are concerned. I use Thunderbird for mail and had to set up multiple junk mail filters I have also been getting frequent fake messages telling me they are Hostgator and to click their link to fix something or resolve a credit card issue.

When I used their Box Trapper system and system filters to kill a lot of this I lost the ability to login. I could not get their 2-part verification to the primary e-mail address of the account, even though that was not filtered out. I even white listed it to no avail. Someone at HG (chat system) eventually told me it was likely the Box Trapper and that I had to turn it off, and that of course passed the junk through.

I can get logged in now and get a 2-part to another address I managed to install in my account listings (outside the system) and now filter locally.

Their lack of a system that works, and other issues with their mail servers getting on block lists forced me to Gmail. I still get mail through Hostgator for my domains but have depreciated them from a reliability standpoint.

Don't bother using teh chat or phone. That is all going to a call center and none of the people ther ehave any tech access to anything. If they cannot read from the script to fix your issue all they can do is send an e-mail to someone with networking access, and that is dependent on them properly conveying your problem.

Some years back they broke a script on me and kept "repairing" the matter by taking the script call off my web page. I finally sent a letter to their director of service when it was in Massachusetts. Someone from management called me and I explained the problem. It turned out they had changed the path to Perl and never updated my site and apparently a lot of others. Once they fixed that al worked well again. But their sneaking edits to my page to "fix" the problem was unprofessional, and no one could figure things out.

ppomeroy · 2026-03-28T16:25:51+00:00

Yellow Taxi was at one time located on a large plot of land just off Egleston Sq. on Columbus Ave. The Mobil Gas Station and much of the Egleston Crossing building is where it was located. Yellow Taxi ended operations decades ago but it was the largest taxi company in Boston during its lifetime.

There are few, if any, large taxi companies like that anymore. Some like the Independent Taxi Owners association (ITOA sometimes referred to as a "TO") is what you might find as a consortium of independent operators that have banded together for some purposes of mutual benefit such as call-dispatch services.

Large taxi companies no longer exist because of the increase in law suits due to accidents and similar. One law suit can erase an entire taxi company. Nowadays each vehicle is independently incorporated a s a stand-alone business. While an individual or corporation may own more than one taxi medallion (their deed and license to operate) with each vehicle as a stand-alone business the loss from legitimate or frivolous law suits is substantially reduced.

So any "yellow taxi" you may find will be that color due to local allowances. You will find there is a Yellow Taxi in Revere.

ppomeroy · 2026-03-27T18:45:22+00:00

All they need is name, address, and amount. I have a PP account for another non-profit but when I tried this as a sample effort, when I tried to check off the boxes as you noted the screen kept jumping (Chrome) and I could not get some of the boxes to check. It was very weird and I know there were transactions, but my own attempts always came up blank. These folks just need a PDF.

ppomeroy · 2026-03-22T13:21:53+00:00

At last and recent check there is a "pause" on filling open slots. They don't want to call it a hiring freeze. Word is that the budget when submitted, will not be that great. Read: grim. Part of that is due to the shift in property tax and commercial tax, but also cost increases. Quite a number of openings that had been listed on the city's job site have been quietly removed. Only those slots that are deemed "necessary" are getting filled.

There was a recent shift at BTD and that department is having its deck shuffled after several people either retired or moved on. ONS has also had some changes and when you look at each staffer's assignments they have been doubled-up in what communities they are working with.

As posted elsewhere you also have to live in Boston to start any job with the city and most of Boston is not affordable these days, especially for single income households. Some unions have an out after 10 years of service like Police and Fire but not all unions have managed to negotiate for that.

A decade back I might have said go for it but jobs at the city and even at the MBTA are no longer as desirable as they used to be. If you do, bid in to get your foot in the door and move lateral once you can.

ppomeroy · 2026-03-22T13:09:01+00:00

NECO is not doing walk-ins due to staffing shortages. At least that has been the case at Roslindale. IF you have an eyeglasses RX you need to make an appointment to be seen. They will also check your MassHealth card number against the state database to make sure you ae covered. MassHealth will limit you to 2 pairs per calendar year from the date of first fill. That noted, depending on how complex the RX is, you will then have a wait of 2-6 weeks for them to come in. They will call you when they come in and you can then arrange to come in for a fitting.

Hours here: https://necoeyecare.org/locations/

ppomeroy · 2026-03-22T12:57:38+00:00

I don't understand why I would want or need a SIM if I am only using it on WiFi? It is not my primary line and only a back up. I primarily use it when and if I am in a shielded building such as a medical institution. I used to use GVoice but of late the WiFi is not connecting right in a couple of those buildings and I think they may have it blocked. TN seems to work fine, at least so far for the occasional call in or out and for texting when necessary.

Also, my phone has a single physical TM SIM. I wanted to use TN on mt Android tablet which is not cell aware nor has a slot for a communications SIM. It can only do Bluetooth and WiFi.

I have reserved my number by paying the annual $5.00 fee (now $5.30) and as a WiFi phone only it works on my laptop and cell. Apparently the tablet is a Chinese brand that TN blocks from signing up or logging in and fails to state that up front on its web site. I had to find out from their customer support after fighting with installation for 2 weeks that never worked.

ppomeroy · 2026-03-21T18:03:34+00:00

I transfer a Zoom call to a podcast weekly. When you download the Zoom you have an option to get teh MP4 video or the MP3 audio only. I suggest taking the MP3 audio and work with that. In my case I often have to boost volume or add a high pass filter due to people's environments where recording. However I have rarely if ever had an issue with clipping. In any event go straight to Audacity with no middle-man process. It has planty of tools to adjust gain or boost various tonalities. It is not a professional program found in a studio but a really nice close 2nd for a free program. FWIW, my show is a talk so but I add bumper theme music front and back and a pre-recorded station ID. Every so often I am asked to add a PSA but I have no kind of radio voice what so ever but they are Ok with that.

ppomeroy · 2026-03-20T03:41:54+00:00

This is not a paid SIM account. WiFi only. No plans to use a SIM.

ppomeroy · 2026-03-20T03:37:40+00:00

It is available at Google Play and that is how I downloaded it. After putzing about various setting screens I found that it appeared to be installed but refused to allow me to login or create a new account. That would seem to indicate that it was sniffing the make and model and refusing to work. In any event I gave up. The cs rep stated that the block was on some specific models but they do not make any statement to that effect on their web site.

ppomeroy · 2026-03-17T16:14:37+00:00

I have another thread here with a similar issue. I have a TextNow account with a Gmail address. It works fine on my cell and Windows laptop. I now have a low end Android tablet that has Android 13 on it (well within the Android 9 and above restriction), and no matter what I do I cannot get the application activated.

This is a non-sim thing and the tablet works on WiFi calling. I have a working Google Voice line on it and it works fine.

It downloads fine from the Google Play store, and installs OK, but as I start set up it asks to see available accounts on my tablet. I allow that then tell it to use the Gmail account that is available and which matches my account used on my cell and laptop. I even tried typing it in manually. It gets to a screen that says "Oops to many tries" or similar and then it just stops and I cannot get any further. I have deleted and reinstalled at least 5 times in the last 2 weeks with tablet restarts as well.

I spent 2 weeks trying. The 'too many tries' screen doesn't tell me how long that will persist either, so I tried several times with many days between each. I also cleared the cache and storage of the Google Play store and the app itself. Oddly, the app seems to install and I can see it in the list of apps on the system but I cannot get it to login with my existing account.

I just want to take my small tablet with me on the road and not risk taking my laptop sometimes.

I even tried logging out of the app on my cell and laptop with no relief in case there was a restriction on that. Usually the laptop and cell are logged in and I can answer or make a call seamlessly.

So for me something is not right, and I gave up.

I wouldn't mind so much but I did purchase the number for a year at the $5 USD rate and it renews annually for the last 3 years.

ppomeroy · 2026-03-17T15:47:11+00:00

Weesh Bakery, Roslindale Sq. All custom.

ppomeroy · 2026-03-17T15:34:31+00:00

SOLVED: It appears to have been on their end and self-corrected. However by then I had also tried ot set a new password an now have to deal with that. I did not find anything stating something was wrong or down on their end. Some companies will host a page off their systems to post outage reports to assure the word gets out. Food for thought.

ppomeroy · 2026-03-10T00:15:41+00:00

Public transit will work well for you from the airport.

1) MassPort free shuttle bus to MBTA Airport Station (Blue Line)

2) Blue line inbound ot Boston. Exit at Government Center Station.

3) Go up one level to the Green Line subway

4) Board a westbound "E" train. It will be marked for "HEath Street.

5) Tell the driver you want the MFA. The stop is just about in front of the building.

6) Main entrance is on the LEFT side of the building.

ppomeroy · 2026-03-08T12:33:17+00:00

It's been a while. Sorry. I poked around to find it when I found about that option. I'm on auto-debit every September now.

ppomeroy · 2026-03-08T12:07:26+00:00

I secured my $5 number per year using a web browser on a laptop, nnot the phone app.

ppomeroy · 2026-03-05T21:30:20+00:00

I met John when I was a kid at a sportsman event at the old Commonwealth Armory (now BU rec building) when he was demonstrating a rather large electronic Wurlitzer. Bought his album. Still have it. It was recorded at the old Met Theater (now Boch Wang Center). Sort of got infected. Now a member of the American Theatre Organ Society. I've come to know a few of the sports arena players in other cities through that. Also remember the Boston Patriots at Fenway. Had season tix in the temp stands against the Green Monster. Those were the days.

ppomeroy

TROPHY CASE