Meeting Notes

 



Subject/Title Meeting
& Date


0--Wi-Fi Extenders and Mesh from the Viewpoint of a Client
is- described at
http://www.aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/networks/routers/0-router-client-viewpoint.pdf
-------------------------------------------
1-Routers--Basic Information
are described at
http://www.aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/networks/routers/1-routers-basics.pdf
-------------------------------------------
2-Mesh Configuration
is described at
http://www.aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/networks/routers/2-mesh-configuration.pdf
-------------------------------------------
4-Router Security Vulnerabilities
are described at
http://www.aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/networks/routers/4-router-security-vulnerabilities.pdf
-------------------------------------------
5-Using Multiple Routers To Mitigate Router Security Vunerabilities
is described at
http://www.aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/networks/routers/5-routers-2plus.pdf


General Meeting
of the
Computer Users of Erie
on
03-21-2024
and
General Meeting
of the
Tucson
Computer
Society
on
03-19-2024
and
11-20-2023
and
Meeting
of the
PC Community Computer Users Group
in
Hayward,
California, USA
on
08-04-2021
and
General Meeting
of the
Madison PC Users Group
on
03-09-2022



USING THE BOOTABLE "CLONEZILLA LIVE" (A LINUX DISTRIBUTION)
TO BACK UP DATA FILES AND DIGITAL PHOTOS:


1-Procuring USB Thumb Drives DVD Drives, CD Drives
(to Make Into a Bootable "CLONEZILLA LIVE" Device)
is explained at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/linuxsig/backup/1-procuring-bootable-DVD-CD-thumbdrive.pdf

2- Making a or a "CLONEZILLA LIVE" Bootable USB Thumb Drive
or a "CLONEZILLA LIVE" Bootable CD or DVD
is described at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/linuxsig/backup/2-making-Clonezilla-CD-or-thumbdrive.pdf

3-Procuring or Building External Hard Drives for Storing Data Backups
is described at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/linuxsig/backup/3-external-hard-drive-for-data-backups.pdf

4-Using a Bootable CD or DVD or USB Thumb Drive to Start Up "CLONEZILLA LIVE"
is available at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/linuxsig/backup/4-computer-boot-up-procedure.pdf

5-Using "CLONEZILA LIVE" To Create Backups of Data and Digital Photo Files
is available at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/linuxsig/backup/5-using-Clonezilla-Live.pdf



Wednesday
Workshop
of the
APCUG
on
03-20-2024
and
General Meeting
of the
Tucson
Computer
Society
on
03-19-2024


1: Cell Phones Overview:
See
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/cell-phones/1-cell-phone-overview.pdf


2: Cell Phone Navigation Apps:
See
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/cell-phones/2-cell-phone-map-apps.pdf


9: Android Cell Phones Versus iPhones
See
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/cell-phones/9-Android-cell phones-vs.pdf

10: Cell Phone Problems
See
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/cell-phones/10-cell-phone-problems.pdf

11: Cellular 911
See
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/cell-phones/11-cellular-911.pdf




Using an iPhone:

See
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/cell-phones/iPhone-using.pdf

Using an Android phone:
See
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/cell-phones/AndroidPhone-using.pdf




Cellular Service Analysis:
See
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/cell-phones/cellular-analysis.pdf

Use the "nPerf" app or Web site
to get a street-level map
to show which cell carrier has 5G/4G/3G/2G service

at a specific location:
See
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/cell-phones/5Gvs4G-maps.pdf

Determining of a 5G cell phone is running 5G or 4G:
See
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/cell-phones/cell-phone-running-5G-or-4G.pdf




Cell Phone Screenshots:
Most small cell phones let you take a photo of the entire touch-screen.
This let's you make a permanent record
of what you saw on the screen
at a certain point in time
at a certain location.
See
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/cell-phones/cell-phone-screenshots



Cell Phone to Camera Adapter:
A cell phone to camera adapter is an add-on device that connects to your cell phone.
The adapter then provides you with a USB port that you can use to connect to a camera,
a USB-to-Ethernet adapter, or an SD/SDHC reader.
See
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/cell-phones/cell-phone-to-camera-adapter.pdf



Cell Phone Wallet Apps:
A wallet app lets you make both in-person "Point of Sale" purchases and online purchases.
See
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/cell-phones/cell-phone-wallet-apps.pdf



Print from a Cell Phone:
You can print from a cell phone to a printer that is connected to your local network:
See
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/cell-phones/print-from cell phone.pdf



Tethering A Cell Phone :
If your cell phone has a "data plan", you can use it to provide an Internet connection
for a computer, a tablet, or another cell phone, or some routers.
See
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/cell-phones/cell-phone-tethering.pdf

You can tether an Android cell phone to another device so that it provides Internet access
for the other device if your Android cell phone has a data plan, a Wi-Fi connection to a Wi-Fi router,
or both a data plan AND a Wi-Fi connection to a Wi-Fi router.
You can only tether an "iPhone" cell phone that has a "data plan"
to provide Internet connectivity for a computer, tablet, or another cell phone.
If you "iPhone" does not have a "data plan" and it only connects to the Internet by means of Wi-Fi
to a wireless router or a "hotspot",
you cannot tether it to provide Internet connectivity for a computer, tablet, or another cell phone.





Burner Phones and Burner Phone Apps:
A "burner phone" is either a cheap, throwaway cell phone or a not-free app that gives you temporary,
no-caller-ID phone numbers for your existing cell phone.
See
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/cell-phones/burner-phones.pdf




Vertical Service Codes:
"Vertical service codes" have various functions such as:
--suppress the display of your phone number at the caller ID device or cell phone of the called party
--determine the radio frequencies that your cell phone is transmitting and receiving at.
See
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/cell-phones/vertical-service-codes.pdf



Cell Phone Problems:
When the call center agent of a cell phone carrier configures your new cell phone,
they can misconfigure it and turn your shiny new cell phone into a useless brick.
Therefore, you need to run a few tests of any cell phone
that has been recently configured by a cell phone carrier.
See
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/cell-phones/cell-phone-problems.pdf

"Sideloading" Apps into Cell Phones:
See
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/cell-phones/Sideloading.pdf




Two Types of Cell Phone Providers:
MNOs and MVNOs
is explained at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/cell-phones/MVNOsVersusMNOs.pdf





1-TETHERING A CELL PHONE--AN OVERVIEW:
If your cell phone has a "data plan", you can use it to provide an Internet connection
for a computer, a tablet, or another cell phone, or some routers.
See
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/cell-phones/tethering/1-tethering-overview.pdf


2-Using a Wi-Fi "hotspot" emanating from an iPhone
to provide an Internet connection for a "Windows.." computer
is available at

https://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/cell-phones/tethering/2-tethering-Win-iPhone-Wi-Fi.pdf

3-Using a Wi-Fi "hotspot" emanating from an Android cell phone
to provide an Internet connection for a "Windows.." computer
is available at

https://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/cell-phones/tethering/3-tethering-Win-Android-cell-Wi-Fi.pdf

4-Using a USB cable so that a Android cell phone
can provide an Internet connection for a "Windows.." computer
is available at
https://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/cell-phones/tethering/4-tethering-Win-Android-cell-USB.pdf

5-Using a Bluetooth connection so that an Android cell phone
can provide an Internet connection
for a "Windows.." computer
is available at
https://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/cell-phones/tethering/5-tethering-Win-Android-phone-Bluetooth.pdf

6-Using a "Lightning-to-USB" cable to so that an "iPhone"<
can provide an Internet connection
for a "Windows.." computer
is available at

https://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/cell-phones/tethering/6-tethering-Win-iPhone-USB.pdf

7-Using a "Lightning-to-USB" cable to so that an "iPhone"
can provide an Internet connection
for a "MacOS" computer
is available at

https://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/cell-phones/tethering/7-tethering-MacOS-iPhone-USB.pdf

8-Using a USB-C wired Ethernet adapter to so that an Android cell phone
can provide an Internet connection
for a "Windows.." computer
is available at

https://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/cell-phones/tethering/8-tethering-Win-Android-cell-USB-C-Enet-adapter.pdf

9-Using a USB cable so that an Android cell phone
can provide an Internet connection
for a "Ubuntu" Linux computer
is available at
https://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/cell-phones/tethering/9-tethering-Linux-Android-cell-USB.pdf


Meeting
of the
North Texas
PC Users
Group

on
03-16-2024



ROUTER VULNERABILITIES:

Use multiple routers to protect your home or small business network
against the security vulnerabilities of "Internet of Things" ("IoT") devices:

For a level of security that is better than a single router, use three routers as follows:

Router 1 = "Border router" connects to the Internet provider.

Router 2 = "IoT router" is used to connect to cloud-connected security cameras,
cloud-connected motion detection devices, smart refrigerators, smart TVs, video doorbells,
smart thermostats, cloud-based voice-operated assistants, etc.

Router 3 = "Trusted router" is used to connect to your most-secure computers,
Network-Attached Storage devices, home servers, etc.
See
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/networks/routers/routers-2plus.pdf

-------------------------------------------
For information and advice about
router security vulnerabilites

please see
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/networks/routers/router-security-vulnerabilities.pdf



General Meeting
of the
Computer Users of Erie
on
03-21-2024
and
General Meeting
of the
Tucson
Computer
Society
on
03-19-2024
and
Meeting of the
PCBUG-Naples
Technology
User Group

on 02-17-2022
and
General Meeting
of the
Prescott Computer Society
on
06-12-2021
and
Meeting
of
Sterling Heights Computer Club
on
04-06-2021
and
General Meeting
of
Komputer
Enthusiasts
of
Greater
Seattle
(KEGS)

on
02-08-2016
and
Virtual Technology Conference 18
of
APCUG
on
11-07-2015
and
Windows 10/
Hardware SIG
on
11-04-2015



Network Options for Wireless Wi-Fi Routers:
Wi-Fi Extenders. Mesh routers, Mesh units, and Backhaul Options:


An example of a Wi-Fi extender
is provided at
https://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/networks/routers/network-strategies.pdf

An example of two routers in a mesh configuration
is provided at
https://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/networks/routers/network-strategies.pdf





Network strategies for both wired local networking, "wired equivalent" networking,
and wireless Wi-Fi networking

are available at
https://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/networks/network-strategies.pdf




Powerline Networking is now as fast as wired Ethernet Cat 5/6/7/8 cabling
if:
1) you use the latest models of Powerline Networking adapters
AND
2) you learn a little about electrical circult breaker panels,
as explained at
https://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/windhardsig/networks/powerline/powerline.pdf
with our latest "YouTube" video located at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeNoIeQl8BA

If the lights on both ends of a "Powerline networking" link light up
and your Windows.. computer is still not connected to the Internet,
reset the Ethernet adapter in the "Network and Sharing Center" to get it working
as explained at
https://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/windhardsig/networks/powerline/powerline-force-on.pdf




Meeting
of the
PC Community Computer Users Group
in
Hayward,
California, USA
on
08-04-2021
and
General Meeting
of the
Tucson
Computer
Society
on
04-18-2022



Our detailed explanation about
the simulcasting of both ATSC 1.0 television channels and ATSC 3.0 television channels (at least until 2027)
for the Los Angeles area is available at:
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/add-ons/TV/ATSC3-transition-LA.pdf

A HDMI switch can be used to switch a single monitor
between two computers
or between a computer and an over-the-air TV tuner
One model that has worked well for us
is available at
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BKSGNPQQ?psc=1

Our detailed advice about
over-the-air reception of ATSC television
is available at:
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/add-ons/TV/ATSC3-tuner.pdf

Three reasonably-priced over-the-air "NextGen" TV tuners were demonstrated at "CES 2024":
"Zapperbox" tuner can receive BOTH unencrypted AND encrypted "ATSC 3.0" television channels.
However, it is about $300.
The "Zinwell ZAT-600B" tuner is $150
and, unlike the other two tuners,
it does not require an Internet connection.
"ADTH TV" tuner at about $100 is a surprisingly low-priced tuner model
that can receive both unencrypted and encrypted TV channels.
Using any of these three tuners, you can now receive all three types of free television channels:
legacy ATSC 1.0 television channels,
newer ATSC 3.0 "Nextgen" unencrypted television channels
and
even newer ATSC 3.0 "Nextgen" encrypted television channels.

The advice for installing the low-cost "ADTH NextGen TV Box"
is available at:
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/add-ons/TV/ADTH-tuner.pdf




Use the free "CrystalDiskInfo Portable" Windows.. app
to monitor the temperature of your internal and external M.2 SSDs

as described at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/harddrives/SSDs/M.2/0-crystaldiskinfo-portable.pdf

Internal M.2 SSDs either go into motherboard M.2 slots or External M.2 SSD Enclosures
as described at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/harddrives/SSDs/M.2/3-Internal-M.2-SSDs-buying.pdf

The easiest way to make an existing Windows.. computer
dual boot between Windows.. and Linux
is to insert an internal M.2 SSD
into an external M.2 SSD enclosure that has a powerful fan.
Then use a Linux installation CD or DVD or USB thumb drive to install Linux into the external M.2 SSD enclosure.
When you want to boot up into Windows.., make sure that the external M.2 SSD enclosure is not attached to the computer.
When you want to boot up into Linux.., attached the external M.2 enclosure is attached to the computer.

as described at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/harddrives/SSDs/M.2/1-M.2-enclosures.pdf

External USB M.2 SSDs will replace the current USB thumb drivess
as described at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/harddrives/SSDs/M.2/2-External-M.2-SSDs-buying.pdf

Adding Active Cooling To Keep An M.2 SSD from Overheating
is available at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/harddrives/SSDs/M.2/M.2-upgrade.pdf


General Meeting
of the
Tucson Computer Society
on
02-20-2024


0-Malware Remediation--Proactive and Reactive
is explained at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/malware/removal/0-malware-remediation-strategies.pdf

1- SSD and Hard Drive Cloning As A Proactive Defense Against Malware Infections
is available at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/malware/removal/1-cloning-as-defense-from-malware.pdf

2A-Generic Reactive Malware Removal Strategy
is described at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/malware/removal/2A-generic-reactive-malware-removal.pdf

2B- Big Step 100-"Quick Scan" With "Windows Security"
is available at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/malware/removal/2B-Quick-Scan-in-Windows-Security.pdf

2C- Big Step 200-"Task Manager" for Malware Analysis
is available at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/malware/removal/2C-Task-Manager-for-malware-analysis.pdf

2D-Big Step 300-"Revo Uninstaller Portable" for Malware Removal
is available at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/malware/removal/2D-Revo-Uninstaller-Portable-for-malware-removal.pdf



If "Microsoft Edge" fails, you can ususally fix it from inside "Settings"
as explained at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/malware/removal/Microsoft-Edge-repair.pdf


General Meeting
of the
Tucson
Computer
Society
on
01-16-2024



Struggles With Failures of Windows.. Computers From A "Discount Warehouse Store"

is available at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/hardware/case-histories/case-histories-Costco.pdf

Adding Active Cooling To Keep An M.2 SSD from Overheating
is available at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/harddrives/SSDs/M.2/M.2-upgrade.pdf






Microsoft's advice on the three ways that you can install Linux into a computer
is available at
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/linux/install


General Meeting
of the
Tucson
Computer
Society
on
10-16-2023


"UBUNTU" HOW-TOs:

1-An Introduction to "Ubuntu" for Windows.. users
is available at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/linuxsig/Ubuntu/1-Ubuntu-for-Win-users.pdf

2-To install "Zoom Meetings Client" into "Ubuntu" and other Linux distributions
please see
https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/204206269-Installing-or-updating-Zoom-on-Linux#h_75e1dc24-8db1-4b89-8db9-eb049f9b7987




Microsoft's advice on the three ways that you can install Linux into a computer
is available at
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/linux/install




General Meeting
of the
Tucson
Computer
Society
on
10-16-2023


Free Online Training for Using Computers:

Hundreds of hours of free training and technical advice can be obtained online
with an Internet-connected computer.

To access our categorized folders
of training hyperlinks as various "dot URL files" which can be opened with any Web browser,
please follow the instructions at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/training/training.pdf
to access our archive of Websites which is actually located at
https://app.box.com/shared/ff0p9m41h0






For macOS-specific instructions for accessing our categorized folders
of training hyperlinks as various "dot URL files" which can be opened with the Safari Web browser,
please follow the instructions at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/training/dot-url-files-macOS.pdf

For Linux-specific instructions for accessing our categorized folders
of training hyperlinks as various "dot URL files" which can be opened with the any Web browser,
please follow the instructions at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/training/dot-url-files-Ubuntu.pdf




The newer "Universal Windows Platform" Apps (such as the "Phone Link" app in Windows 11 or 10) will not allow you to right click on them to place a shortcut into the Windows 11, 10, or 8 "Desktop".
To create shortcuts to all apps in Windows 11,10, or 8, you have to run
shell:appsfolder
in a "Run" command box

as explained at
https://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/cell-phones/pc-control/Making-Shortcuts-to-apps-in-Win11&10&8.pdf



The "uninstaller" wizards that are bundled with most "Desktop apps"
(that "Programs and Features" in the Control Panel of "Windows.." utilizes to remove software)
leave all sorts of junk in both your Registry of "Windows.." and on your C: hard drive:
To do a really clean uninstall of a "desktop app" or a "Universal Windows Platform app"
in a "Windows.." computer,
use the free "Revo Uninstaller Portable" program.

See
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/uninstaller/RevoUninstallerPortable.pdf



Meeting
of the
SouthEastern Michigan Computer Organization
on
09-08-2023
and
Meeting of the
Seniors
Computer
Group
of
San Diego

on
09-15-2018
and
Joint Meeting of the
Potomac Area
Technology
and
Computer
Society

and the
Osher
Lifelong
Learning
Institute
Computer
User Group

on
01-19-2013


0-Zoom Basics
are explained at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/Zoom/Zoom-basics.pdf

1-Zoom's "Take Control" feature
can be used to help a Windows.. computer user
without being physically present at their home or business:

please see
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/software/remote-assistance/Zoom-remote-control.pdf

2- Zoom's Auto-Answer Capability Can Be Used to Communicate with your Dog, Cat, or Small Child
is available at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/webcams/Zoom-auto-answer.pdf
Zoom's auto-answer capability is not available in their free accounts.
Their auto-answer is only availabe in their "Pro", "Corporate", or "Zoom Room" accounts.


General Meeting
of the
Tucson
Computer
Society
on
09-18-2023


10: STREAMING MEDIA BASICS: CAPTURE, AND SCREEN RECORDING
is available at:
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/media/10-streaming_basics.pdf




91: FREE "SCREEN RECORDING" WITH THE BUNDLED "XBOX GAME BAR"
IN "WINDOWS 11.." AND "WINDOWS 10.."

is explained at:
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/media/91-free-screen-record-xbox-game-bar.pdf




71: INSTALLING THE FREE "MEDIA CAPTURE" WITH THE "aTube Catcher" PROGRAM
is explained at:
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/media/71-aTube-installing.pdf

72: USING "aTube Catcher" TO CAPTURE STEAMING MEDIA AT THE NETWORK STACK OF A "WINDOWS.." COMPUTER
is explained at:
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/media/72-aTube-media-capture.pdf

73: FREE "aTube Catcher" TO RECORD STREAMING VIDEO AT THE GRAPHICS INTEFACE OF "WINDOWS.."
is explained at:
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/media/73-aTube-screen-recording.pdf




81: FREE "SCREEN RECORDING" WITH THE "Free Cam" PROGRAM
is explained at:
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/media/81-Free-Cam-screen-record-iSpring.pdf




201: MacOS SCREEN RECORDING AND MEDIA CAPTURE
is available at:
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/media/201-MacScreenRecordandMediaCapture.pdf





301: LINUX SCREEN RECORDING AND MEDIA CAPTURE
is available at:
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/media/301-LinuxScreenRecordandMediaCapture.pdf



General Meeting of the
Central Florida Computer Society
on 09-10-2023


The "uninstaller" wizards that are bundled with most "Desktop apps"
(that "Programs and Features" in the Control Panel utilizes to remove software)
leave all sorts of junk in both your Registry of "Windows.." and on your C: hard drive:
To do a really clean uninstall of a "desktop app" or a "Universal Windows Platform app"
in a "Windows.." computer,
use the free "Revo Uninstaller Portable" program.

See
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/uninstaller/RevoUninstallerPortable.pdf



General Meeting
of the
Brookdale Computer
Users Group

on
10-26-2017
and
Windows 10 /
Hardware
SIG Meeting
of the
Tucson
Computer
Society
on
10-04-2017


10: STREAMING MEDIA: BASICS, CAPTURE, AND SCREEN RECORDING
is available at:
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/media/10-streaming_basics.pdf

12: ENDLESS STREAMING MEDIA
is available at:
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/media/12-streaming-endless.pdf

13: SINGLE FILE STREAMING
is available at:
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/media/13-streaming_single_file.pdf

14: STREAMING SEQUENTIAL CHUNKS
is available at:
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/media/14-streaming_chunks.pdf

20: MEDIA CAPTURE (AT THE NETWORK STACK)
is available at:
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/media/20-media_capture.pdf

21: "TORTURE TEST" FOR "MEDIA CAPTURE" SOFTWARE
is available at:
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/media/21-media_capture_test.pdf

31: "SCREEN RECORDING" WHEN "MEDIA CAPTURE" IS BLOCKED"
is available at:
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/media/31-screen_recording.pdf

41: "MEDIA CAPTURE" VERSUS "SCREEN RECORDING"
is available at:
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/media/41-media_capture_vs_screen_recording.pdf




103: "REPLAY MEDIA CATCHER" --OVERVIEW
is available at:
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/media/103-ReplayMediaCatcher-overview.pdf

104: USING "STREAM DOWNLOADER" IN "REPLAY MEDIA CATCHER" FOR "MEDIA CAPTURE"
is available at:
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/media/104-ReplayMediaCatcher-media_capture.pdf

105: USING "DIGITAL VIDEO RECORDER" IN "REPLAY MEDIA CATCHER"
FOR LIMITED "SCREEN RECORDING""

is available at:
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/media/105-ReplayMediaCatcher-screen_record.pdf

106: "REPLAY VIDEO CAPTURE" FOR FULL-FEATURED "SCREEN RECORDING"
is available at:
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/media/106-ReplayVideoCapture.pdf



Meeting
of
Wisconsin All-computer Users Club
of
Milwaukee

on
07-11-2019
and
Meeting
of
CPUser Group
of
Pennsylvania

on
06-11-2019
and
Meeting
of the
Winners
Windows
Users

of
Irvine,
California
on
09-29-2018
and
Windows 10 /
Hardware SIG
of the
Tucson Computer Society
on
09-05-2018


The "uninstaller" wizards that are bundled with most "Desktop apps"
(that "Programs and Features" in the Control Panel utilizes to remove software)
leave all sorts of junk in both your Registry of "Windows.." and on your C: hard drive:
To do a really clean uninstall of a "desktop app" or a "Universal Windows Platform app"
in a "Windows.." computer,
use the free "Revo Uninstaller Portable" program.

See
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/uninstaller/RevoUninstallerPortable.pdf


General Meeting
of the
Brookdale Computer
Users Group

on
10-26-2017
and
Windows 10 /
Hardware
SIG Meeting
of the
Tucson
Computer
Society
on
10-04-2017



2: Cell Phone Navigation Apps:
See
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/cell-phones/2-cell-phone-map-apps.pdf


9: Android Cell Phones Versus iPhones
See
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/cell-phones/9-Android-cell phones-vs.pdf

10: Cell Phone Problems
See
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/cell-phones/10-cell-phone-problems.pdf

11: Cellular 911
See
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/cell-phones/11-cellular-911.pdf




Using an iPhone:

See
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/cell-phones/iPhone-using.pdf

Using an Android phone:
See
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/cell-phones/AndroidPhone-using.pdf




Cellular Service Analysis:
See
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/cell-phones/cellular-analysis.pdf

Use the "nPerf" app or Web site to get a street-level map to show which cell carrier has 5G/4G/3G/2G service at a specific location:
See
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/cell-phones/5Gvs4G-maps.pdf

Determining of a 5G cell phone is running 5G or 4G:
See
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/cell-phones/cell-phone-running-5G-or-4G.pdf




Cell Phone Screenshots:
Most small cell phones let you take a photo of the entire touch-screen.
This let's you make a permanent record of what you saw on the screen at a certain point in time at a certain location.
See
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/cell-phones/cell-phone-screenshots



Cell Phone to Camera Adapter:
A cell phone to camera adapter is an external add-on device that connects to your cell phone.
The adapter then provides you with a USB port that you can use to connect to a camera,
a USB-to-Ethernet adapter, or an SD/SDHC reader.
See
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/cell-phones/cell-phone-to-camera-adapter.pdf



Cell Phone Wallet Apps:
A wallet app lets you make both in-person "Point of Sale" purchases and online purchases.
See
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/cell-phones/cell-phone-wallet-apps.pdf



Print from a Cell Phone:
You can print from a cell phone to a printer that is connected to your local network:
See
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/cell-phones/print-from cell phone.pdf



Tethering A Cell Phone :
If your cell phone has a "data plan", you can use it to provide an Internet connection
for a computer, a tablet, or another cell phone, or some routers.
See
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/cell-phones/cell-phone-tethering.pdf

You can tether an Android cell phone to another device so that it provides Internet access
for the other device if your Android cell phone has a data plan, a Wi-Fi connection to a Wi-Fi router,
or both a data plan AND a Wi-Fi connection to a Wi-Fi router.
You can only tether an "iPhone" cell phone that has a "data plan"
to provide Internet connectivity for a computer, tablet, or another cell phone.
If you "iPhone" does not have a "data plan" and it only connects to the Internet by means of Wi-Fi
to a wireless router or a "hotspot",
you cannot tether it to provide Internet connectivity for a computer, tablet, or another cell phone.





Burner Phones and Burner Phone Apps:
A "burner phone" is either a cheap, throwaway cell phone or a not-free app that gives you temporary,
no-caller-ID phone numbers for your existing cell phone.
See
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/cell-phones/burner-phones.pdf




Vertical Service Codes:
"Vertical service codes" have various functions such as:
--suppress the display of your phone number at the caller ID device or cell phone of the called party
--determine the radio frequencies that your cell phone is transmitting and receiving at.
See
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/cell-phones/vertical-service-codes.pdf



Cell Phone Problems:
When the call center agent of a cell phone carrier configures your new cell phone,
they can misconfigure it and turn your shiny new cell phone into a useless brick.
Therefore, you need to run a few tests of any cell phone that has been recently configured by a cell phone carrier.
See
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/cell-phones/cell-phone-problems.pdf

"Sideloading" Apps into Cell Phones:
See
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/cell-phones/Sideloading.pdf


Meeting
of the
SouthEastern Michigan Computer Organization
on
06-11-2023
and
General Meeting
of the
Computer Booters of Sun Lakes, AZ
on
03-09-2022
and
Cell Phones & Tablets Meeting
of the
Wisconsin All-computer Users Club
on
02-25-2021
and
General Meeting of the
Central Florida Computer Society
on 12-13-2020
and
Meeting of the
PCBUG-Naples Technology User Group
on 07-16-2020
and
Windows 10 / Hardware SIG of the Tucson Computer Society on 07-16-2020
and
Meeting
of the
WINdows usERS Computer User Group
of
Costa Mesa,
California
on
03-20-2019



0-Virtual Machines--An Overview
is available at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/virtualmachines/virtualnetworks/0-virtual-machines-overview.pdf

1-A Comparison Of Free "Virtual Machine Programs" For Your Real "Windows.." Computer
is available at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/virtualmachines/virtualnetworks/1-comparison-vm-programs.pdf

2-Installing Free "Virtual Machine Programs" For Your Real "Windows.." Computer
is available at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/virtualmachines/virtualnetworks/2-installing-vm-programs.pdf

3-Installing "Virtual Machines" via virtual hard drives from osboxex.com
is available at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/virtualmachines/virtualnetworks/3-installing-virtual-machines-osboxes.com.pdf

4-Installing "Virtual Machines" via the virtual machine program
is available at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/virtualmachines/virtualnetworks/4-installing-virtual-machines-generic.pdf

Virtual Networks In Virtual Machine Programs
is available at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/virtualmachines/virtualnetworks/virtualnetworks-Windows.pdf

Copying or Moving VMware Virtual Machines
is available at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/virtualmachines/virtualnetworks/movingVMwareVMs.pdf

Copying or Moving VirtualBox Virtual Machines
is available at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/virtualmachines/virtualnetworks/movingVirtualBoxVMs.pdf




General Meeting
of the
Madison PC Users Group
on
08-09-2023
and
General Membership Meeting
of the
Dayton Microcomputer Association
on
05-25-2021
and
General Meeting
of the
Western
New York
Computer
Society

on
06-24-2014
and
Windows 8 /
Hardware SIG
of the
Tucson Computer Society
on
05-01-2013
and
Computer
Technology
Conference

on
04-04-2013



The "uninstaller" wizards that are bundled with most "Desktop apps"
(that "Programs and Features" in the Control Panel utilizes to remove software)
leave all sorts of junk in both your Registry of "Windows.." and on your C: hard drive:
To do a really clean uninstall of a "desktop app" or a "Universal Windows Platform app"
in a "Windows.." computer,
use the free "Revo Uninstaller Portable" program.

See
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/uninstaller/RevoUninstallerPortable.pdf

If you ever need to remove "VMware Workstation 17 Player" or "Oracle Virtualbox 7.."
from a "Windows.." computer,
please use the free "Revo Uninstaller Portable" app to remove them from your computer.




Using the Free "Windows 11 Enterprise Evaluation":
See
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/win11/win11enteval.pdf

To extend the trial duration of "Windows 10 Enterprise Evaluation"
for a second 90-day time span

see
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/win11/extendingwin11eval.pdf





Using the Free "Windows 10 Enterprise Evaluation":
See
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/win10/win10enteval.pdf

To extend the trial duration of "Windows 10 Enterprise Evaluation"
for a second 90-day time span

see
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/win10/extendingwin10eval.pdf



When running virtual machines in a "Windows.." computer, you need to speed up both your host computer's "Windows.." operating system AND any copies of "Windows.." that you are running inside a virtual machine:

"Speeding Up Windows 10"
is available at
https://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/speedupWindows/win10speedup.pdf

"Speeding Up Windows 11"
is available at
https://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/speedupWindows/win11speedup.pdf

In addition to the above version-specific procedures, the following procedure
applies to any "Windows.." computer:
"Turn Off Startup Programs to Speed Up Your Windows Computer"


General Meeting
of the
Brookdale Computer
Users Group

on
10-26-2017
and
Windows 10 /
Hardware
SIG Meeting
of the
Tucson
Computer
Society
on
10-04-2017


5G "Fixed Wireless Access"
for low-cost Internet
is explained at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/cell-phones/FWA/fixed-wireless-access.pdf


Our how-to advice for installing a
"T-Mobile Home Internet" gateway
is available at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/cell-phones/FWA/Installing-T-Mobile-gateway.pdf


Our how-to advice for installing a
"Verizon Home Internet" gateway
is available at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/cell-phones/FWA/Installing-Verizon-gateway.pdf


Our speed comparison of
"T-Mobile Home Internet" and "Verizon Home Internet"
is available at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/cell-phones/FWA/T-Mobile-vs-Verizon-FWA.pdf


To get a quality Internet connection from an MNO or an MVNO, you need to be located less than 3 miles
from one of their cell towers. Use the two mapping sites together, as explained at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/cell-phones/FWA/cell-tower-maps.pdf


You can spend some money and follow the instructions at the waveform.com Web site
to procure and retrofit an external "donor antenna" for a "Fixed Wireless Access" gateway device to get it to work,
if your current location does not have enough of a 5G cellular signal
as explained at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/cell-phones/FWA/donor-antennas.pdf


As the data signals from your computer leave your home or business
and they travel to their final destination out in the Internet cloud,
you can track first few routers that your data signals travel
through by following the instructions at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/cell-phones/FWA/tracking-Internet.access.pdf





You can have both a regular broadband Internet provider AND a tethered cell phone
or a 5G Fixed Wireless Access Internet connection
connected at the same time to your computer,
if you follow the guidelines at
https://apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/networks/multihoming.pdf




General Meeting
of
Wisconsin All-computer Users Club
of
Milwaukee
on
04-06-2023
and
General Meeting
of the
Tucson
Computer
Society
on
03-20-2023


Extending USB 2, USB 3, and USB C with active extension cables:
Active USB extension cables have chipsets at the equipment end and sometimes in the middle of the cable.
These chipsets clean up and regenerate the digital USB signals to prevent errors from occuring.
If you have USB 3 devices such as
USB 3 Webcams
USB 3 flash drives
USB 3 Ethernet adapters
USB 3 over-the-air TV tuners
or cell phones that act like USB Ethernet adapters for tethering,
do not connect them to active USB 2 cables.
USB 3 devices will often cause active USB 2 extension cables to overheat.
Instead, connect USB 3 devices to active USB 3 extension cables. See
http://aztcs/meeting_notes/winhardsig/USB3/USB-extending.pdf



USB 3 extension cables work fine for extending USB 2 devices
such as USB keyboards, USB mice, USB Webcams, USB 2 flash drives, USB 2 external hard drives,
and USB 2 external hard drive

ures with a standardized total cable length of 5 meters
written into the USB 2 standards and a standardized total cable length of 3 meters (9.8 feet)
that was originally written into the USB 2 standards.
However, for USB 3 external hard drives, USB 3 external hard drive enclosures,
and other USB 3 devices,
you will have to determine if a specific USB 3 device
works with a specific total length of USB 3 extension cable
and a specific USB 3 port on your computer or USB 3 hub.
To do so, you can use the free "USBTreeView" program to view the stablity
and signalling rate of a specific USB 3 external hard drive or a specific USB 3 hard drive enclosure.
To download "USBTreeView", go to the bottom of the Web page at
http://www.uwe-sieber.de/usbtreeview_e.html

"USBTreeView" is especially useful for detecting problems with USB 3 ports and USB 3 devices:
When you have a USB 3 device attached to a USB 3 port and the port type changes from "3.0" to "2.0"
or a USB 3 device disappears from view entirely, a failure of the attached USB 3 devices,
or the connecting USB 3 cable or the USB 3 port is imminent.
You can determined which of these three items is about to fail by substituting with a "known good" USB 3 port,
a "known good" (or shorter) USB 3 cable, or a "known good" USB 3 device.



Wi-Fi 6E will alleviate RF congestion by providing new channels in the 6 Gigahertz radio band:
http://aztcs/meeting_notes/winhardsig/networks/Wi-Fi6E.pdf

Wi-Fi 6 versus Wi-Fi 5 versus 802.11n versus Gigabit Ethernet:
http://aztcs/meeting_notes/winhardsig/networks/Wi-Fi6vs5vs4vsGigEnet.pdf



Using the free "Speedtest.net" apps or Website to measure Internet Speeds
To Remediate Bottlenecks In Your Local Network:


Your broadband Internet download and upload speeds will usually be much slower than the speeds
at which the network devices on your local network run at.
However, many home and business networks have old, tired network components that bottleneck
your actual Internet speeds below what the Internet provider is providing at the broadband modem
which is actually available at the Internet "point of entry" .
To prevent the components of your local network (routers, switches, powerline links, etc.)
from bottlenecking the Internet bandwidth that your Internet Service Provider (ISP) provides you,
measure the Internet bandwidth speeds and the local area network speeds at various locations
in your Local Area Network (LAN)
as described in
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/networks/bottlenecks/bottlenecks.pdf





Computer Pros SIG
Meeting
of the
Tucson Computer Society
on
12-18-2020
and
Meeting
of the
WINdows usERS Computer User Group
of
Irvine,
California
on
07-28-2018
and
Windows 10/
Hardware SIG
of the
Tucson Computer Society
on
08-01-2018


0-Free Video Editing Apps for "Windows..", "macOS", and "..Linux.." Computers
is available at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/videoedit/0-video-edit-options.pdf

1-A Rigorous Evaluation Process for Evaluating Video Editing Apps
is available at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/videoedit/1-video-edit-eval.pdf

2-Media Files For Testing Video Editing Apps
are described at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/videoedit/2-videoedit-media-files.pdf

The actual media files that we used are available as a ZIP file at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/videoedit/SampleMediaFiles.zip

3-Basic Information for Using Video Editing Apps
is available at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/videoedit/3-videoedit-basics.pdf



"Microsoft Clipchamp"
is a very powerful program that has a watermark-free free version for "Windows 11", "Windows 10", "macOS", and ..Linux..
Information about using "Microsoft Clipchamp" in "Windows.."
is available at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/videoedit/Clipchamp/Clipchamp-Windows.pdf
---------------
Information about using "Microsoft Clipchamp" in "Ubuntu" Linux
is available at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/videoedit/Clipchamp/Clipchamp-Ubuntu.pdf
---------------
Information about using "Microsoft Clipchamp" in a "ChromeOS Flex" computer
is available at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/videoedit/Clipchamp/Clipchamp-ChromeOS.pdf
---------------
Information about using "Microsoft Clipchamp" in "macOS"
is available at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/videoedit/Clipchamp/Clipchamp-macOS.pdf



"Kdenlive" is a very powerful video editing app that works in Windows.., ..Linux, and "macOS".
Basic information about using "Kdenlive"
is available at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/videoedit/Kdenlive/Kdenlive-basics.pdf



NCH's "Videopad" app
is a user-friendly program that is free for non-commercial home use as described at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/videoedit/VideoPad/VideoPad.pdf


"Wednesday Workshop"
of the
APCUG
on
07-26-2023
and
General Meeting of the
Durham PC Users Club
of Oshawa, Ontario, Canada on
07-13-2020
and
General Meeting of the
Tucson Computer Society
on
02-17-2020



If you have a spare computer that is tool old or slow for Windows.. or Linux..,
you can install the free "ChromeOS Flex" into it
to turn it into a "do-it-yourself "Chromebook"
as explained at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/linuxsig/chromebooks/ChromeOSflex.pdf



General Meeting
of the
Tucson
Computer
Society
on
02-21-2022



1-Data Recovery from Hard Drives and SSDs
is explained in detail at
https://aztcs.apcug.org/winhardsig/harddrives/recover-data/1-recover-data.pdf

-------------
2-USB adapters for connecting various types of Hard Drives and SSDs
are described at
https://aztcs.apcug.org/winhardsig/harddrives/2-USB-adapters-to-connect-drive.pdf
-------------

3-Not-Free Professional Software and Cleanroom Operations
For Recovering Data Files From Failed Hard Drives:

If the above procedures fail to restore the hard drive and the hard drive has data
that you or the end-user deem worth spending one to five thousand dollars to recover,
On-Track's not-free software for recovering data from hard drives
is described at
https://www.ontrack.com/en-us/data-recovery/software
If their proprietary not-free software fails to recover the data files, you then have the option of ship the hard drive to their clean room operation in Minnesota where they will open it up, read each platter in specialized equipment. Then they use their proprietary computers to reconstruct the data files on the hard drive. Then they ship the recovered data back to you on external hard drives or DVD-R discs.
See
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9022458/Surviving_a_home_data_disaster_How_Shirley_got_her_files_back?pageNumber=1 where Ontrack's software was used successfully and the author was able to retrieve 10 years of data files from a failed hard drive without having to send the drive to Ontrack's clean room in Minnesota.
------------
Driversavers is a highly-rated cleanroom service for recovering data from failed hard drives.
They do not have any proprietary software to sell you but their clean-room operation is very competent.
Their Website is locate at
http://www.drivesaversdatarecovery.com


Meeting
of the
SouthEastern Michigan Computer Organization
on
07-09-2023
and
Windows 10 /
Hardware
SIG Meeting
on
09-04-2019

RESTORING DATA FROM EXTERNAL HARD DRIVES AND EXTERNAL SSDs

External hard drives and external SSDs usually fail faster than internal hard drives and internal SSDs
because of the horrible "USB-to-SATA"controller boards that are placed inside them.
For external hard drives that have "USB-to-SATA" controller boards, you can take advantage of this by "shucking" the entombed internal hard drive or SSD and using a separate USB-to-SATA adapter to extract data from the embeded hard drive
as explained above at
https://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/windhardsig/harddrives/external/recovering-ext-drives.pdf

"CrystalDiskInfo Portable"
is available for free at

https://portableapps.com/apps/utilities/crystaldiskinfo_portable

For videos that show you how to disassemble specific models of external hard drives and external SSDs
please see

https://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/windhardsig/harddrives/external/disassembly-external-drives.pdf

If removing the "USB-to-SATA" controller board of an external hard drive or an external SSD does not resolve the problem,
you can then go through the logical steps for recovering data from the formerly-embedded internal hard drive or SSDs

as described at
https://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/windhardsig/harddrives/recover-data/1-recover-data.pdf



You can build your own external USB hard drives that can outlast the ones that are currently sold at retail
by following the advice at
https://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/harddrives/external/DY-ext-drives.pdf

In can avoid the costs of buying USB drive adapters for do-it-yourself external USB drives
by installing long SATA data cables and SATA power extension cables

from inside your computer to normally-internal SATA hard drives and SSDs that are located outside of a computer
by following the advice at
https://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/harddrives/external/addiging-ext-internal-drives.pdf



Meeting
of the
SouthEastern Michigan Computer Organization
on
07-09-2023
and
General Meeting
of the
Madison PC Users Group
on
02-08-2023



Radical "Surgery" to Extend the Life of Failed Hard Drives:

If you are unable to recover the data files from a failed hard drive and it's platters are still spinning,
you can sometimes use "Disk Management" in "Windows" to create partitions
to "block out" the bad sections of the hard drive,
in order to extend the userful life of the hard drive.
See
Perform Radical Surgery on a Hard Drive in Order to Extend Its Useful Service Life
at
https://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/harddrives/repairing/080-HDradicalsurgeryrepair.pdf"


Meeting
of the
SouthEastern Michigan Computer Organization
on
07-09-2023
and
Windows 10 /
Hardware
SIG Meeting
on
09-04-2019


WIPING "WINDOWS.." HARD DRIVES TO PREPARE THEM FOR DONATION OR GIFTING
is available at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/harddrives/wipe-free-space/hard-drive-wiping.pdf:
If you want to give away a computer and/or it's hard drive,
you have a choice of whether to give away the hard drive with the computer.
If you decide to give away the hard drive with the computer, you have to decide if you want to give away the legal copy of Windows.. on the hard drive. If you want to give away the legal copy of Windows.. that is on a hard drive,
then you also need to remove your data files and photos and then "wipe free space"
on the hard drive to make sure that the recipient of the computer
cannot recover any data files are lurking in the "free space" of the hard drive.



The "uninstaller" wizards that are bundled with most "Desktop apps"
(that "Programs and Features" in the Control Panel utilizes to remove software)
leave all sorts of junk in both your Registry of "Windows.." and on your C: hard drive:
To do a really clean uninstall of a "desktop app" or a "Universal Windows Platform app"
in a "Windows.." computer,
use the free "Revo Uninstaller Portable" program.

See
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/uninstaller/RevoUninstallerPortable.pdf


Meeting of the
PCBUG-Naples Technology User Group
on
06-17-2021
and
Windows 10 / Hardware SIG
of the
Tucson Computer Society
on
11-21-2019




"Windows 11" activation and "Windows 10" activation is way different from any version of "Windows.." prior to "Windows 10"!!
See
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/win11/activation/win11&10activation.pdf

If you use a purchased a "Windows 10 product key" to activate a newly-installed or upgraded copy of "Windows 10",
you will still have a "Digital License".
If you use a Windows 7 or 8 or 8.1 product key to activate a newly-installed or upgraded copy of "Windows 10",
you get also get a "Digital License".

If you link your Microsoft Account to your Windows account,
you get the ability to use the "Activation Troubleshooter"
in "Windows 10" to activate after changing out your computer's motherboard.
However, you then have to log into "Windows 10" with your "Microsoft Account".
If you go back to logging into "Windows 10" with a "Local Account",
you lose your ability to use the "Windows 10 Activation Troubleshooter" to change your computer's motherboard.



Activation for product versions of "Windows.." prior to "Windows 10.." is much more complex
as explained at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/win/windows-activation.pdf



The activation process for "Windows 10.." differs depending on the "Product Key Channel"
that a specific copy of "Windows 10.." is sold from.
For the end-user of a "Windows 10.." computer, their are three possible "Product Key Channels":
Retail channel,
OEM_DM channel
(= "Original Equipment Manufacturer_Direct to Manufacturer")
and
OEM_COA_NSLP channel
(="Original Equipment Manufacturer_Certificate of Authenticity_Non-System Locked Pre-installation"
= "OEM System Builder")
For details on how each one of these "channels" result in an activated "instance" of "Windows 10",
see
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/win10/activation/win10-channels.pdf
where we explain that the 25-character "Activation Keys" that are stored in the Registry in "Windows 10.."
are of no actual use to the user of a "Windows 10.." computer.
For organizations that buy lots of copies of "Windows..", there are two volume licensing channels:
"Volume_MAK" channel (= "Multiple Activation Key")
and
"Volume_KMS" channel (="Key Management Services")


Meetings
of the
WINdows usERS Computer User Group
of
Costa Mesa
California
on
03-20-2019



Using "Ubuntu Desktop" Linux to do real work:
1. Using the free "Libreoffice" office suite to open and edit "Microsoft Office" files:
   Cost savings from having to purchase "Microsoft Office".
   Compatibility issues collaboration with "Microsoft Office" users.
2. Using "XSane" (free) and "VueScan" to operate scanners.
   Then using the free "GIMP" software to edit and crop scanned documents
3. Using the free "Efax-gtk" app and a data/fax modem to send and receive faxes.
   Requires that the outgoing file to be faxed be in .PDF (Adobe Acrobat) or .PS (Postscript) format.
4. Using the free "Kaffeine" app and an over-the-air TV tuner to view local television channels.
   Limited support for later model "Hauppauge" over-the-air TV tuners.
5. Using a copy of "Windows 10" or "Windows 11" in a virtual machine
and Windows apps and Windows drivers in a virtual machine
   to get around compatibility problems of Linux apps and Linux drivers.


General Meeting
of the
Tucson
Computer
Society
on
06-19-2022
and
General Meeting
of the
Tucson
Computer
Society
on
06-19-2022


For more details on how activation works for both "Windows 11" and "Windows 10"
please see
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/win11/activation/win11&10activation.pdf




General Meeting
of the
Tucson
Computer
Society
on
06-19-2022
and
General Meeting
of the
Tucson
Computer
Society
on
06-19-2022



USING YOUR WINDOWS.. OR LINUX COMPUTER, YOU CAN TAKE CONTROL OF AN ANDROID CELL PHONE
Using two no-cost software apps, an Android cell phone will show up in a Windows 11 or 10 computer or in a Linux computer as a window that looks exactly like the screen of the Android phone. From this window, you can make and receive phone calls and text messages and operate all of the apps that are inside the cell phone:

1--CONTROLLING AN ANDROID CELL PHONE FROM A WINDOWS.. OR LINUX.. COMPUTER:
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/cell-phones/pc-control/1-control-android-from-Win-or-Linux.pdf

2A--CONTROLLING AN ANDROID CELL PHONE USING "PHONE LINK" IN A "WINDOWS.." COMPUTER WITH THE CELL PHONE CONNECTED VIA Wi-Fi TO A LOCAL ROUTER:
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/cell-phones/pc-control/2-a-PhoneLink-via-Wi-Fi-to-router.pdf

2B--CONTROLLING AN ANDROID CELL PHONE USING "PHONE LINK" IN A "WINDOWS.." COMPUTER WITH THE CELL PHONE CONNECTED WITH AN ETHERNET DONGLE TO A LOCAL ROUTER:
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/cell-phones/pc-control/2-b-PhoneLink-via-enet-to-router.pdf

2C--CONTROLLING AN ANDROID CELL PHONE USING "PHONE LINK" IN A "WINDOWS.." COMPUTER, WITH THE WITH THE "WINDOWS.." COMPUTER AND THE CELL PHONE CONNECTED TO EACH OTHER OVER THE INTERNET, AND WITH THE CELL PHONE CONNECTED TO THE INTERNET USING IT'S "DATA PLAN":
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/cell-phones/pc-control/2-c-PhoneLink-via-DataPlan.pdf

3--CONTROLLING AN ANDROID CELL PHONE USING "scrcpy" IN WINDOWS.. OR LINUX:
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/cell-phones/pc-control/3-control-android-with-scrcpy.pdf



The newer "Universal Windows Platform" Apps (such as the "Phone Link" app in Windows 11 or 10) will not allow you to right click on them to place a shortcut into the Windows 11, 10, or 8 "Desktop".
To create shortcuts to all apps in Windows 11,10, or 8, you have to run "shell:appsfolder" in a "Run" command box
as explained at
https://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/cell-phones/pc-control/Making-Shortcuts-to-apps-in-Win11&10&8.pdf



Microsoft's "Phone Link" app is demonstrated by Hewie Poplock in a YouTube video
located at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4YBr_jd1IA


PC-Tech Users Group
of
Burnt Hills, NY
on
06-15-2022
and
General Meeting of the
Central Florida Computer Society
on
06-12-2022
and
General Meeting
of the
Tucson
Computer
Society
on
11-15-2021



USING ZOOM'S "TAKE CONTROL" OR "MICROSOFT'S "QUICK ASSIST" OR MICROSOFT'S "REMOTE ASSISTANCE" TO HELP SOMEONE WITH THEIR "WINDOWS.." COMPUTER
You can use your Zoom's "Take Control" feature or Microsoft's "Quick Assist" or Microsoft's "Remote Assistance" app to help a Windows.. computer user without being physically present at their home or business.
--For information on Zoom's "Take Control" feature
please see
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/software/remote-assistance/Zoom-remote-control.pdf

--For information on the bundled Windows' "Quick Assist" capability
please see
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/software/remote-assistance/Quick-Assist.pdf

--For information on the bundled Windows' "Remote Assistance" capability
please see
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/software/remote-assistance/MicrosoftRemoteAssistance.pdf

--The newer "Universal Windows Platform" Apps (such as the "Quick Assist" app) will not allow you to right click on them to place a shortcut into the Windows 11, 10, or 8 "Desktop".
To create shortcuts to all apps in Windows 11,10, or 8, you have to run "shell:appsfolder" in a "Run" command box
as explained at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/software/remote-assistance/Making-Shortcuts-to-apps-in-Win11&10&8.pdf


General Meeting of the
Pikes Peak Computer Application Society
of
Colorado Springs, CO
on 06-04-2022
and
General Meeting
of the
Tucson
Computer
Society
on
11-15-2021


For more details on how activation works for both "Windows 11" and "Windows 10"
please see
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/win11/activation/win11&10activation.pdf



You can run Ubuntu Linux or another other distribution of Linux inside a virtual machine inside various configurations of "virtual machine program" and host operating systems
as explained at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/linuxsig/Ubuntu-as-VM-guest/Ubuntu-as-VM-guest.pdf




Real Uses For A "Ubuntu Desktop" Linux computer Or Virtual Machine:

1. If you want to connect a Ubuntu Linux computer to a Wi-Fi "Wireless Access Point", you will have to install a Wi-Fi adapter
as described at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/linuxsig/networks/Wi-Fi-adapter-Ubuntu.pdf

2. Printing to printers with an "Ubuntu.." Linux computer.

3: Scanning paper documents and hard copy photos with a "Ubuntu.." Linux computer, using the free "XSane" app or the not-free "VueScan" app.

4: Sending and receiving faxes with a "Ubuntu.." Linux computer, using the free "efax-gtk" app
is explained at
https://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/add-ons/fax/fax-Ubuntu.pdf

5. Watching over-the-air television with a "Ubuntu.." Linux computer, using the free "Kaffeine" app



General Meeting
of the
Tucson
Computer
Society
on
06-19-2022


Virtual Fax Machine inside Your Computer:

1-Basic information about using a data/fax modem in a "Windows.." or "Linux" computer
is available at
https://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/add-ons/fax/1-fax-from-computer.pdf

2-Fax modem installation is
is described at
https://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/add-ons/fax/2-fax-modem-install.pdf

3-"Windows Fax and Scan" is bundled into all Windows 8.1 or 7 computers.
However, if you need to install in or re-install it,
you can follow the instructions at
https://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/add-ons/fax/3-WFS-install-Win8or7.pdf

4-"Windows Fax and Scan" is not bundled into Windows 11 or 10 computers.
To get it installed,
you can follow the instructions at
https://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/add-ons/fax/4-WFS-install-Win10or11.pdf

5-Before you can start using "Windows Fax and Scan" to send or receive faxes, you have to configure it
as described step-by-step at
https://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/add-ons/fax/5-WFS-configuring-Win.pdf

6-You can use HP's free "Fax Test" service to test any fax modem, stand-alone fax machine, or online fax service
as explained at
https://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/add-ons/fax/6-HP-Fax-Test.pdf

7-Using "Windows Fax and Scan" to send and receive faxes
is explained at
https://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/add-ons/fax/7-WFS-using-Win.pdf

8-After sending a fax with "Windows Fax and Scan", you can create a detailed confirmation report
as explained at
https://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/add-ons/fax/8-WFS-confirmation-reports.pdf

9-You can can avoid paying monthly "long distance service" charges for faxing to fax machines outside of your local calling area by using a low-cost AT&T telephone calling card with your fax machine or fax modem
as explained at
https://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/add-ons/fax/9-calling-card-faxing.pdf




Our advice on using "efax-gtk" and a data/fax modem in a "Ubuntu" Linux computer
is available at
https://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/add-ons/fax/fax-Ubuntu.pdf



General Meeting
of the
Tucson
Computer
Society
on
05-15-2023
and
Windows 8 /
Hardware SIG
of the
Tucson
Computer
Society
on
05-01-2013


Using Your Computer to Scan Paper Documents and Photos

You can turn paper documents and photos into high-resolution computer files
by using a flat-bed scanner to scan them into the hard drive(s) of a computer.

Detailed information about scanning with a "Windows.." computer
is available at
https://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/add-ons/scanners/scanning-Win-GIMP.pdf

Detailed information about scanning with a "Ubuntu" Linux computer
is available at
https://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/add-ons/scanners/scanning-Ubuntu.pdf


General Meeting
of the
Tucson
Computer
Society
on
05-15-2023

A video of the George Harding's report on "CES 2023"
is available at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5yA94LPPeE


A video of the Pre-CES 2023 "Technology Trends" keynote speech
is available at
https://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/2023-01-03-CES2023.mp4



General Meetings
of the
Tucson
Computer
Society
on
03-20-2023
and
02-20-2023


"WINDOWS SUBSYSTEM FOR LINUX" (WSL)

is described in step-by-step detail at
https://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/linuxsig/WSL/WSL.pdf

General Meeting
of the
Tucson
Computer
Society
on
01-16-2023


CYBERSECURITY
by Harry Elver

please see
https://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/cybersecurity/tcs-cybersecurity.pdf

General Meeting
of the
Tucson
Computer
Society
on
12-19-2022



Physical Security for Computers and Network Equipment:
Three Models of Security Slots on Laptops
as explained at
https://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/windhardsig/physical-security/physical-hardware.pdf


General Meeting
of the
Tucson
Computer
Society
on
11-21-2022


A Comparison Between the Apple iPhone 14 and the Samsung S22
is available at
http://www.aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/cell-phones/iPhone14vsS22.pdf



Relocate Your Document and Photo Files to a Bigger Drive
is explained at

http://www.aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/win/easier/known-folders-relocate/to-another-drive

Simple techniques for making your "Windows.." computer easier to use
are explained at

http://www.aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/win/easier/win-easier1.pdf




You can dispense wih the complexity of dual-booting by installing Linux on an extenal USB hard drive or an extenal USB SSD. Then, if you set USB drives to have a higher boot priority relative to the existing Windows hard drive, you computer will boot up into Linux whenever the USB drive that has Linux installed in it is attahed to a USB port of the computer
as explained at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/linuxsig/boot-up-options/Linux-boot-up-Win-PC.pdf:




A detailed description of the
Four Types of Software Apps in a Windows.. computer
is available at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/software/program-types-win.pdf

The "uninstaller" wizards that are bundled with most "Desktop apps" and "Windows Apps"
leave all sorts of junk in both your Registry of "Windows.." and on your C: hard drive:
To do a really clean uninstall of a "desktop app" or a "Windows app"
in a "Windows.." computer,
use the free "Revo Uninstaller Portable" program.

See
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/uninstaller/RevoUninstallerPortable.pdf To make a desktop shortcut to a "Windows App", you have to use the
shell:appsfolder
command from a "Run" box,
as explained step-by-step at
https://www.techrepublic.com/article/how-to-use-the-shell-command-to-view-all-your-applications-in-file-explorer/

Malware often "hides" in hidden files and folders so please make sure
that your computer is displaying hidden files and file extensions
by following our procedure in how how-to document called
"Some Simple Techniques For Making 'Windows..' Easier To Use"
at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/win/easier/win-easier1.pdf

General Meeting
of the
Tucson
Computer
Society
on
09-19-2022



To do any serious work with an Android app, you will probably have to run it inside a "Windows.." computer: Here are the ways that you can do it now and in the future
as explained at
https://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/windhardsig/Android-emulate/AndroidAppsInWindows.pdf.pdf


General Meeting
of the
Tucson
Computer
Society
on
04-18-2022


Dr. Ron Brown presented on the "Virtual Reality for Seniors" at the General Meeting of the Tucson Computer Society on March 21, 2022.
A YouTube video of this presentation is available at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bcij3TuqzY

George Harding presented on the "Consumer Electronics Show 2022" at the General Meeting of the Tucson Computer Society on March 21, 2022.
A YouTube video of this presentation is available at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbTfUpk61p0

Installing an Over-The-Air TV tuner connected to the free Kaffeine app running inside Zorin OS Linux (free version), running inside "VMware Workstation 16 Player" (free), running inside a real "Windows 11" or "Windows 10" computer
is explained at
https://apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/virtualmachines/Kaffeine/Kaffeine-Zorin-vm.pdf



General Meeting
of the
Tucson
Computer
Society
on
03-21-2022


Andres Onate, Ph.D. of the University of Arizona presented on the "Economy of China" at the Computer Pros SIG of the Tucson Computer Society on March 17, 2022.
A YouTube video of this presentation is available at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqwajvHNXkM


Computer Pros SIG
of the
Tucson
Computer
Society
on
03-17-2022



Installing an Over-The-Air TV tuner connected to the free Kaffeine app running inside "Linux Mint" running inside "VMware Workstation 16 Player" (free) running inside your real "Windows 11" or "Windows 10" computer
is explained at
https://apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/virtualmachines/Kaffeine/Kaffeine-LinuxMint-vm.pdf


General Meeting
of the
Tucson
Computer
Society
on
03-21-2022


The YouTube video of Ron Brown's informative presentation on
"Making faster Internet speed with your Modem and Router"
can be found at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7ZZtcWIsVs



General Meeting
of the
Tucson
Computer
Society
on
01-17-2022


The YouTube video of Judy Taylour's informative presentation on
"All Things Google"
can be found at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRBys2hFoIs




General Meeting
of the
Tucson
Computer
Society
on
12-20-2021



A YouTube video of our presentation on Microsoft's "Windows 11"
can be found at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohT-A19hjxk

TO DETERMINE IF YOUR EXISTING "WINDOWS 10.." COMPUTER CAN RUN "WINDOWS 11.." WITHOUT MUCH OF A STRUGGLE,
download and run
Microsoft's free "PC Health Check" app at
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-11#pchealthcheck

1-A FIRST LOOK AT "WINDOWS 11":
is available at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/win11/1-Win11basics.pdf

2-Windows 11's New Features
are explained at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/win11/2-Win11-new_features.pdf

3-Windows 11's Deprecated Features
are explained at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/win11/3-Win11-deprecated.pdf

4-Actions for Resolving Hardware Incompabilities for Upgrading to "Windows 11"
are described at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/win11/4-Win11-resolving-incompatible.pdf

5-Information on purchasing an activation key for "Windows 11"
or purchasing a computer with "Windows 11" installed inside it

is described at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/win11/5-Win11-purchase.pdf

6-Hacks to force an incompatible computer to upgrade from "Windows 10" to "Windows 11"
are described at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/win11/6-Hacks-force-Win11-upgrade.pdf

8-Strategies for dealing with
the October 14, 2025 "End of Life" for "Windows 10"

are described at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/win11/8-Win10-EOL-strategies.pdf

9-The installation process for Windows 11..
is described at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/win11/9-Win11-fresh-install.pdf

If you install a fresh copy of "Windows 11"
into a computer with a motherboard that does not already have a digital license
for the exact edition of "Windows 11" that you have just installed,
you can usually activate your fresh copy of "Windows 10" by using an available activation key
from a corresponding purchased copy of "Windows 7", "Windows 8", "Windows 8.1", "Windows 10", or "Windows 11".

For more details on how activation works for both "Windows 11" and "Windows 10"
please see
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/win11/activation/win11&10activation.pdf



"Windows.." Operating System Numbering
is explained at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/win11/WindowsOSnumbering.pdf



The "uninstaller" wizards that are bundled with most "Desktop apps"
(that "Programs and Features" in the Control Panel utilizes to remove software)
leave all sorts of junk in both your Registry of "Windows.." and on your C: hard drive:
To do a really clean uninstall of a "desktop app" or a "Universal Windows Platform app"
in a "Windows.." computer,
use the free "Revo Uninstaller Portable" program.

See
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/uninstaller/RevoUninstallerPortable.pdf



Simple techniques for making your "Windows.." computer easier to use
are explained at

http://www.aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/win/easier/win-easier1.pdf



There are three kinds of apps (= programs) inside your Windows 11, 10, or 8 computer:
UWP Apps, Legacy Programs, and Portable Apps
as explained at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/email/UWP-vs-legacy-apps.pdf

To make a desktop shortcut to a UWP app, you have to use the
shell:appsfolder command,
as explained step-by-step at
https://www.techrepublic.com/article/how-to-use-the-shell-command-to-view-all-your-applications-in-file-explorer/



Program Meeting
of the
Rochester Computer Society
on
12-14-2021
and
General Meeting of the
Tucson Computer Society
on
10-18-2021
and
Meeting
of the
Sun City Center Computer Club
of
Florida,
California
on
10-13-2021 and
Meeting
of the
SouthEastern Michigan Computer Organization
on
10-10-2021



Using the free "Google Duo" app to communicate between any two devices:
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/GoogleDuo/GoogleDuo.pdf

Using the free "Google Duo" Web site to communicate from a Windows.. computer
is explained at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/GoogleDuo/GoogleDuoDemo.pdf


General Meeting of the
Regal Mesa Technology Users Group
on
12-16-2021
and
Computer Pros SIG
of the
Tucson
Computer
Society
on
12-18-2019


To avoid paying for "Microsoft Office..", you can use free office software "suites".
For ease of use and compatibility with "Microsoft Office.." file formats, "SoftMaker FreeOffice" is the best.
For "bells and whistles" features, "LibreOffice" is the best and it is bundled in with most distros of Linux.
However, "LibreOffice" is not as compatible with "Microsoft Office.." file formats as "FreeOffice".

For our detailed how-to advice,
please see
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/software/office/alt-office-suites.pdf

Sample files for testing the compatibility of free office alternatives,
can be downloaded from
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/software/office/sample-Office-files/sampleOfficefiles.zip

Our comparisons of "SoftMaker FreeOffice" and "LibreOffice" to "Microsoft Office"
are described at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/software/office/comparing-office-suites.pdf

Step-by-step instructions for installing "SoftMaker FreeOffice"
are available at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/software/office/FreeOffice-install.pdf


General Meeting
of the
Tucson
Computer
Society
on
11-15-2021


A YouTube video of TCS's General Meeting
on September 20, 2021

with Jere Minich presenting on three topics
is available at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNXbkMH1_w8

Tune Up Your Windows PC by Jere Minich
is available at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/2021-09-20/TuneupyourWindowsPCSept2021ShortFinala.pdf20212.pdf

Troubleshooting Windows 10 by Jere Minich
is available at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/2021-09-20/TroubleshootingWindows10Sept2021short.pdf

How To Save $$$ on Ink by Jere Minich
is available at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/2021-09-20/HowtoSave$$$onInKSept2021Finaladjusted.pdf



Free Up The C: Drive in "Windows 10"
is explained at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/win10/free-up-C-drive/win10-free-up-C-drive.pdf


General Meeting
of the
Tucson
Computer
Society
on
09-20-2021


For basic general instructions on how prepare "target" files and/or folders in your Windows.. computer so that other computers that are connected to the same router can access your "target" shared files and/or folders,
see
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/FileSharing/0-prep-file-or-folder-sharing-in-Win.pdf

For basic general instructions on how to use a "Windows.. " computer
to access files and/or folders that are shared from another "Windows.." computer that is connected to the same router,

see
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/FileSharing/1-basics-share-Win.pdf

For basic general instructions on how to use a "Linux" computer
to access files and/or folders that are shared from a "Windows.." computer,
and vice versa,

see
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/FileSharing/2-share-files-Win-and-Linux.pdf

For step-by-step instructions on how to use a "Windows XP" computer to access files and/or folders that are shared from a "Windows 10" computer,
see
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/FileSharing/3-XP-access-Win10-share.pdf



General Meeting of the
Tucson Computer Society
on
09-20-2020
and
Meeting
of the
WINdows usERS Computer User Group
of
Irvine,
California
on
Feb. 24, 2018


For detailed advice on
Troubleshooting Printer Problems in a "Windows.." computer,
see
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/printers/printer-fix-win.pdf

For our advice on
Troubleshooting Printer Problems in a "MacOS" computer,
see
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/printers/printer-fix-mac.pdf

Issues and Workarounds for Setting Up Printers:
See
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/printers/printers--workarounds.pdf

If you are unable to make changes to a printer in a printer inside "Devices and Printers"
in Windows 7, 8.1, or 10, locate and click on the "Change Properties" button for the printer:
See
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/printers/Change-Properties-button-Win.pdf

If your printer is backed up with a stack of print jobs, here is a procedure
for you to clear out the pile of pending print jobs
in a Windows.. computer:
See
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/printers/Print-queue-win.pdf




General Meeting
of the
Wisconsin All-Computer Users Club
on
07-05-2018
and
Meeting
of the
WINdows usERS Computer User Group
of
Irvine,
California
on
04-28-2018
and
Windows 8 /
Hardware SIG
of the
Tucson Computer Society
on
01-02-2013



Free Up The C: Drive in "Windows 10" or "Windows 11"
us explained at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/win10/free-up-C-drive/win10-free-up-C-drive.pdf


General Meeting
of the
Tucson
Computer
Society
on
06-21-2021


Linux Distributions: Usage Share Versus distrowatch.com "Interest Level" Rankings
are explained at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/linuxsig/Linux-usage-share.pdf



"MX Linux" has risen to the top in "Interest Level" according to "Distrowatch.com":
"MX Linux" is a "mid-weight" distribution("distro") that runs faster and is much easier to configure and use
relative to the other popular "distros" of Linux.
See
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/linuxsig/MX-Linux/MX-Linux-basics.pdf


General Meeting
of the
Tucson
Computer
Society
on
01-18-2021
< br />

WAYS TO RUN REALLY OLD SOFTWARE PROGRAMS
INSIDE YOUR "WINDOWS 10.." OR "WINDOWS 7.." COMPUTER

see
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/win10/old-software.pdf



USING "VMWARE WORKSTATION PLAYER"
TO RUN A FREE, TIME-LIMITED COPY OF "WINDOWS 10.."
IN A "VIRTUAL MACHINE"
INSIDE THE FREE "VMWARE WORKSTATION PLAYER" PROGRAM
INSIDE A REAL "WINDOWS.." COMPUTER:


"Big Step 100": Install the free "VMware Workstation Player" program into a "Windows.." host computer,
see
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/virtual machines/vmware-1-installing.pdf

"Big Step 200": Create a new "virtual machine"
by using the "VMware Workstation Player" program
,
see
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/virtual machines/vmware-2-createVM.pdf

"Big Step 300": Install "Windows.."into a "virtual machine" ,
see
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/virtual machines/vmware-3B-install-Win10EntEval.pdf

"Big Step 400": Install "VMware Tools" into a "Windows.." "virtual machine" ,
see
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/virtual machines/
vmware-4B-install-VMwareTools-to-Win10.pdf




Meeting
of the
WINdows usERS Computer User Group
of
Irvine,
California
on
03-20-2019

Using A Cell Phone to Provide a Video Camera for a Computer:

See
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/cell-phones/cell-tether-plus-cam-for-Win.pdf




Using "Skype" As a "NannyCam":
You can set up a computer with a copy of Skype that auto-answers the calls that you make
to it
as described at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/Skype/Skype-auto-answer.pdf


Meeting
of the
WINdows usERS Computer User Group
of
Irvine,
California
on
07-12-2014


RESOLVING SOUND ISSUES IN "WINDOWS.."

"Windows 11", "Windows 10", "Windows 8.1", and "Windows 7" computers
have many sound-enabled devices that automatically re-configure themselves as "default"
when you do not want them to do so.
Our explanation of how you can tame this "beast"
is available at
http://www.aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/win/easier /win-sound.pdf

Some computer sound equipment that I recommend
is described at
http://www.aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/win/easier/computer-sound-equipment.pdf



General Meeting
of the
Madison PC Users Group
on
02-10-2021
and
Windows 10 /
Hardware SIG
of the
Tucson Computer Society
on
09-06-2017


"Google accounts" and YouTube "..channels":
To make the most effective use of a YouTube channel,
you need to know the relationships between "Google accounts", Google "Brand accounts",
and the two types of YouTube "channels".
See

http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/Google/Google&YouTube.pdf

East-Central Ohio Technology Users Club
on
01-17-2021
and
Columbus Computer Society
on
01-20-2021



Since "Windows 10..", Microsoft has gradually "deprecated" the ability for you to use "netplwiz" or "control userpasswords2" or "regedit" to make "Windows 11" or "Windows 10" log in automatically.
At the present time, the only reliable way to make "Windows 11" or "Windows 10.." log in in automatically during a power-on bootup or a restart is to use Microsoft's "Autologon" utility
which can be obtained at
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/downloads/autologon


Windows../
Hardware segment of the General Meeting of
of the
Tucson Computer Society
on
01-18-2021
and
Windows 10 /
Hardware SIG
of the
Tucson Computer Society
on
06-06-2018
and
03-07-2018
and
Meeting
of the
WINdows usERS Computer User Group
of
Irvine,
California
on
Feb. 24, 2018


CLOUD STORAGE SERVICES
is available at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/cloudstorage/cloudstorage.pdf



USING THE "GOOGLE DRIVE" CLOUD STORAGE SERVICE
is available at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/cloudstorage/GoogleDrive.pdf

USING THE "ONEDRIVE" CLOUD STORAGE SERVICE
is available at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/cloudstorage/OneDrive.pdf

USING THE "DROPBOX" CLOUD STORAGE SERVICE
is available at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/cloudstorage/Dropbox.pdf

USING THE "BOX" CLOUD STORAGE SERVICE
is available at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/cloudstorage/Box.pdf

USING THE "SYNC.COM" CLOUD STORAGE SERVICE
is available at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/cloudstorage/Sync.com.pdf




The "uninstaller" wizards that are bundled with most "Desktop apps"
(that "Programs and Features" in the Control Panel utilizes to remove software)
leave all sorts of junk in both your Registry of "Windows.." and on your C: hard drive:
To do a really clean uninstall of a "desktop app" or a "Universal Windows Platform app"
in a "Windows.." computer,
use the free "Revo Uninstaller Portable" program.

See
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/uninstaller/RevoUninstallerPortable.pdf

Meetings
of the
PC Community Computer Users Group
at
Hayward
in
California, USA
on
01-08-2021
and
07-16-2019
and
General Meeting
of
Wisconsin All-computer Users Club
of
Milwaukee
on
09-03-2020
and
Meeting of the
Under the Computer Hood Users Group
on
08-05-2020 and
Four Seasons
Computer and
Technology Club
in
Beaumont,
California
on
05-12-2020
and
Windows 10 /
Hardware SIG
of the
Tucson Computer Society
on
05-21-2020
and
Meeting
of the
Villages Computer Club
at
Lynx Creek
at
Dewey, AZ
on
07-16-2019
and
General Meeting
of the
Sarasota Technology Users Group
on
07-10-2019
and
General Meeting
of the
Sun City
Shadow Hills
Computer Club

on
03-04-2016
and
Windows 10 /
Hardware SIG
of the
Tucson Computer Society
on
03-08-2016


LEARNING RESOURCES FOR SENIORS
by Hewie Poplock

See
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/2020-12-21/LearningResourcesForSeniorsTucsonComputerSociety.pdf
and
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/2020-12-21/LearningResourcesforTucsonComputerSociety.pdf
A "YouTube" video recording of this presentation is available at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbBxJPcnYl4


General Meeting
of the
Tucson
Computer
Society
on
12-21-2019



Image backups of Hard Drives in "Windows.." Computers

Our objective advice about image backups and restores for internal hard drives of Windows.. computers
is available at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/software/utils/image-backup/image-backup.pdf



Window 10 / Hardware SIG Meeting
of the
Tucson
Computer
Society
on
04-23-2019



Free Photo Editing Apps for "Windows..", "macOS", "iOS", "iPadOS", "Android", and "..Linux.."
are described at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/photoedit/photoediting-free-basics.pdf

Adjustments for Improving Digital Photos
is available at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/photoedit/photoedit-adjustments.pdf

Photo Editing Apps: A Rigorous Evaluation Process"
is available at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/photoedit/photoedit-eval.pdf

Photo Editing Apps for "Windows..": A Capabilities Comparison
is available at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/photoedit/photoedit-free-Win10-compare.pdf

Microsoft's "Photos" App
can be used without cost since it is bundled in any "Windows 11.." or "Windows 10.." computer
as described at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/photoedit/Photos-app-in-Win10.pdf

Google's "Google Photos"
can be used without cost in any "Windows.." computer as described at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/photoedit/GooglePhotos.pdf




Adobe's "Adobe Photoshop Express"
can be used without cost in any "Windows 10" computer as described at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/photoedit/AdobePhotoshopExpress.pdf

"IrfanView"
is a very useful free program as described at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/photoedit/Irfanview.pdf

"GIMP"
is a very powerful program that is also free as described at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/photoedit/GIMP.pdf



Creating JPG Photo Files versus Creating RAW Photo Files
is described at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/photoedit/photoedit-jpg-vs-raw.pdf



"Adobe Photoshop Elements 2020"
is a very powerful program that is not free as described at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/photoedit/AdobePhotoshopElements.pdf



General Meeting
of
Wisconsin All-computer Users Club
of
Milwaukee
on
11-05-2020



USB-C

USB-C ports started showing up in computers about 4 years ago.
A "USB-C" port is an ovoid rectangle that is about one quarter the size
of a USB 3 Type A port.
However, it is actually a USB 2 port, a USB 3.1 port, a Thunderbolt 3 port, an HDMI port, an audio port,
a Displayport port, a charging-only port or any combination of the previously-listed port types.
The exact capabilities of any specific USB-C port in any specific computer that you buy
will be determined by the manufacturer of the computer.
These wonderful new features or horrible complexities (depending on your point of view) are explained at
http://www.aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/USB3/USB-C.pdf



USB-C's "Audio Adapter Accessory Mode":
USB-C's "Audio Adapter Accessory Mode" allows USB-C ports to accept audio signals
from wired headsets that have TRS plugs or a TRRS plug
when an "Audio Adapter Accessory Mode" converter is used
to connect the TRS/TRRS plug(s) of the analog headset to the host's USB-C port.
This capability is used on some of the less-expensive Android cell phones.
This analog signal mode for USB-C is explained at
http://www.aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/USB3/USB-C-AudioAdapterAccMode.pdf

Thunderbolt 3 devices are not always plug-and-play:
You sometimes have to fire up the "Thunderbolt" app in a computer
and click on a problematic "Thunderbolt" device to turn it on.
If you do not know this, you might get the impression
that a newly-inserted Thunderbolt 3 device is defective.
For step-by-step instructions on how to jump-start a problematic Thunderbolt 3 device, please see
http://www.aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/USB3/Thunderbolt3fix.pdf


Meeting of the
Under the Computer Hood Users Group
on
08-05-2020 and
Windows 10 /
Hardware SIG
of the
Tucson Computer Society
on
09-06-2017


A detailed overview of
FREE SOFTWARE FOR A "WINDOWS.." COMPUTER
is available at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/software/software-free.pdf




A detailed description of the
FOUR TYPES OF APPS IN A "WINDOWS.." COMPUTER
is available at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/software/program-types-win.pdf:



Program Meeting
of the
Rochester Computer Society
on
11-12-2019




We have discovered that you can build a much more reliable "external hard drive"
by buying and the assembling the following parts, which are sold separately.
If you "home brew" your own external hard drives, you will also save money
relative to the cost of buying either an external hard drive enclosure or buying an external hard drive.
Here are the parts that you need to buy:
An internal SATA hard drive,
a fan assembly that bolts onto the internal SATA hard drive,
and
a SATA-to-USB 3.x adapter.
Our how-to instructions for "growing your own" external hard drives
or external hard drive enclosures
can be found at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/harddrives/external/DYU-ext-USB-drives.pdf

When they break, most external USB hard drives can be repaired or recovered from
if you follow the brilliant technical advice
at
https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-6121

When a part inside an external hard drive or an external SSD breaks,
you can save money and end up with a more reliable device if you substitute quality third-party parts
as described at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/harddrives/external/Parts-for-external.pdf

You can use the free and non-intrusive "CrystalDiskInfoPortable" to check the S.M.A.R.T. readings
for most internal and external hard drives
as described at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/harddrives/CrystalDiskInfoPortable.pdf


Windows 10 /
Hardware SIG
of the
Tucson Computer Society
on
09-05-2018
and
Meeting
of the
WINdows usERS Computer User Group
of
Irvine,
California
on
04-28-2018


You can use the free and non-intrusive "CrystalDiskInfo"
to check the S.M.A.R.T. readings for most internal and external hard drives
as described at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/harddrives/CrystalDiskInfoPortable.pdf




Using the free "Speedtest.net" apps or Website to measure Internet Speeds
To Remediate Bottlenecks In Your Local Network:


Your broadband Internet download and upload speeds will usually be much slower
than the speeds at which the network devices on your local network run at.
However, many home and business networks have old, tired network components
that bottleneck your actual Internet speeds below what the Internet provider is providing
at the broadband modem at the Internet "point of entry" .
To prevent the components of your local network (routers, switches, powerline links, etc.)
from bottlenecking the Internet bandwidth that your Internet Service Provider (ISP) provides you,
measure the Internet bandwidth speeds and the local area network speeds at various locations
in your Local Area Network (LAN)
as described in
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/networks/bottlenecks/bottlenecks.pdf




Getting into the UEFI (formerly called BIOS) configuration screens in "Windows 11" or "Windows 10":

Two ways to get into the UEFI configuration screens in "Windows 11" or "Windows 10":

METHOD ONE:
Use the computer manufacturer's proprietary key sequence during the power up of the computer.


METHOD TWO:
Use the buttons inside the "Settings" function inside "Windows 11" or "Windows 10.." as follows:

Use the left mouse button to click on the "Start button".
The "Start Menu" will show up.
Click on the "Settings" icon. (It looks like a gear wheel.)
Click on "Update & Security".
Click on "Recovery".
Click on "Advanced startup".
Click on the "Restart now" button.
Click on "Troubleshoot--Reset your PC or see advanced options".
Click on "Advanced options".
Click on "UEFI Firmware Settings".
Click on "Restart".



Meeting
of the
WINdows usERS Computer User Group
of
Irvine,
California
on
07-28-2018
and
Windows 10/
Hardware SIG
of the
Tucson Computer Society
on
08-01-2018



Most power supplies in Windows and Linux desktop computers conform to
or are close to adhering to Intel's ATX and ATX 12V standards.
For our advice on replacing ATX.. power supplies,
see

http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/ATX/ATX-PS.pdf



Windows 10 /
Hardware SIG
of the
Tucson Computer Society
on
03-07-2018
and
Meeting
of the
WINdows usERS Computer User Group
of
Irvine,
California
on
Feb. 24, 2018
and


For our advice on how you can fix "Windows Update" in a "Windows 7" computer,
See
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/WindowsUpdate/Win7UpdateFix.pdf


For our advice on how you can fix "Windows Update" in a "Windows 11" or "Windows 10" computer,
See
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/WindowsUpdate/Win10UpdateFix.pdf


For our advice on how you can fix "Windows Update" in a "Windows 8.1" computer,
See
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/WindowsUpdate/Win8.1UpdateFix.pdf



Meeting
of the
WINdows usERS
Computer User Group

of
Irvine,
California
on
01-27-2018
and
Windows 10 /
Hardware SIG
of the
Tucson Computer Society
on
02-07-2018



Super Secure Web Surfing with a Virtual Machine and a Two-Router "DMZ" Configuration At Your Home or Business:

SECURE WEB ACCESS WITH A "VMWARE" VIRTUAL MACHINE AND A TWO-ROUTER "DE-MILITARIZED ZONE" (DMZ)


Windows 10 /
Hardware SIG
of the
Tucson Computer Society
on
11-01-2017
and
04-05-2017




The United States' Federal government information resource for identity theft is located at https://www.usa.gov/identity-theft




Identifying and Managing Suspicious Email Messages
See
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/email/email-suspicious.pdf

To check out suspicious buttons and hyperlinks at Web sites and in email
to see the URL that the button or hyperlink is trying to take you to.
You might have to turn on the bottom status bar
and/or maximize the browser or email Window in order to see the bottom status bar.
Use the "Task Manager" in "Windows.." to close down a stuck or suspicious browser display
by either pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc or right-clicking on unused space on the Task Bar
and then selecting "Task Manager".

Use the "Force Quit" function in MacOS by pressing
Command + Option + Esc
in MacOS to close down a stuck or suspicious browser display.


Windows 10 /
Hardware SIG
of the
Tucson Computer Society
on
09-06-2017
and
04-05-2017


Email Basics

Email--Advanced Techniques

"Google Takeout" Website Allows You to Download All of Your Gmail
Into a Single Mbox File




Meeting
of the
WINdows usERS Computer User Group
of
Irvine,
California
on
08-26-2017
and
Main
Meeting
of the
North
Orange
County
Computer Club

on
08-06-2017
and
Windows 10 /
Hardware SIG
of the
Tucson
Computer
Society
on
08-02-2017


For our advice on how you can silence your noisy computer,
See
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/computer-noise/computer-noise.pdf


Meeting
of the
WINdows usERS
Computer User Group

of
Irvine,
California
on
05-27-2017
and
Windows 10 /
Hardware SIG
of the
Tucson Computer Society
on
06-07-2017


The computer industry's "elegant solution" to secure remote access is called
"Virtual Private Network" (VPN).

Almost every medium-to-large sized company, government entity,
and not-for-profit institution including educational institutions
uses privately-created and privately-hosted VPNs
to provide employees, students, and contractors
with remote access to their internal and cloud-based computer resources.

VPNs were originally intended to provide secure remote access
into local area network resources such as servers, printers, and mainframes.

This technology has been adapted for private computer users as
"VPN services":

"VPN services" give you an extra measure of security by protecting you
from the more common hacks such as "man in the middle" spying,
"Evil Twin" wireless access points,
and WiFi over-the-air recordings with free tools such as "WireShark".

"VPN services" reduce most of the risk of using public Internet access
by encrypting the near end of the Internet connection--
where you first connect to a public Internet service.

However, with the exception of the VPN that is part of the "Opera 40" Web browser,
all "VPN services" reduce data throughput
relative to what a "raw" Internet connection is capable of.

The terms "VPNs" and "VPN Services" are often used interchangeably
so you have to figure out from the context in which these terms are used
to determine whether someone means
the original VPN (which is a secure remote connection into a Local Area Network"
or
a "VPN Service" (which is a secure remote connection into the Internet
which uses a local area network as an intermediary).




Web Sites For Testing Virtual Private Network Services:

http://whatismyipaddress.com/

http://www.ip2location.com/

http://www.tracemyip.org/

http://showip.net/

http://www.iplocationfinder.com/

https://www.dnsleaktest.com/

https://www.grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2




Using VPN Services As Temporary Workarounds For Slow Broadband Internet Access:

Sometimes you can use free VPN services as a temporary workaround
for download and upload slowdowns in broadband Internet access:
For example, Comcast cable modem Internet in the Tucson area was very slow
on Friday August 9, 2013 through Saturday August 10
with download and upload speeds so slow that they are unmeasurable.
When we used the free version of "Hotspot Shield" VPN
, we obtained usable Internet download speeds
above 20 Megabits per second and upload speeds above 1.5 Megabits per second
(via our Comcast cable modems located in Tucson).


Windows 10/
Hardware SIG
of the
Tucson
Computer
Society
on
05-03-2017
and
10-05-2016
and
06-05-2013
and
Meeting
of the
WINdows usERS
Computer User Group

of
Irvine,
California
on
09-24-2016
and
09-27-2014


Simple techniques for making your "Windows.." computer easier to use
are explained at

http://www.aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/win/easier/win-easier1.pdf

A YouTube Video of the February 11, 2017 version of the above presentation
is available at
https://youtu.be/AbNTOcvkBNA





More-advanced techniques for making your "Windows.." computer easier to use
can be found
at

http://www.aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/win/easier/win-easier2.pdf




Meeting
of the
WINdows usERS Computer User Group
of
Irvine,
California
on
02-25-2017
and
Virtual
Technology
Conference 23
of the
Association
of PC
User Groups

(APCUG)
on
02-11-2017
and
Windows 10 /
Hardware SIG
of the
Tucson Computer Society
on
04-01-2015



Getting into the UEFI configuration screens in "Windows 11" or "Windows 10":

Use the left mouse button to click on the "Start button".
The "Start Menu" will show up.
Click on the "Settings" icon. (It looks like a gear wheel.)
Click on "Update & security".
Click on "Recovery".
Click on "Restart now". (It is in the "Advanced startup" section.)
Clock on the Troubleshoot" button.
Click on the "Advanced options" button.
Click on "UEFI Firmware Settings" button.
Click on the "Restart" button.




Meeting
of the
WINdows usERS Computer User Group
of
Irvine,
California
on
01-28-2017
and
Windows 10 /
Hardware SIG
of the
Tucson Computer Society
on
02-01-2017


Our how-to documentation
on
"What to Do When Your Computer Will Not Boot--Part 1-The Basics"
is available at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/will-not-boot/will-not-boot-part1.pdf



Virtual
Technology
Conference 22
of the
Association
of PC
User Groups

(APCUG)
on
11-05-2016
and
Meeting
of the
WINdows usERS
Computer User Group

of
Irvine,
California
on
12-19-2015


Our how-to documentation
on
Computer Management in "Windows.."
is available at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/computer-management/computer-management.pdf




Here are some rigorous, logically-ordered procedures for speeding up
any "Windows.." computer:

"Speeding Up Windows XP"

"Speeding Up Windows Vista"

"Speeding Up Windows 7"

"Speeding Up Windows 8 and Windows 8.1"

"Speeding Up Windows 10"
is available at
https://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/speedupWindows/win10speedup.pdf

"Speeding Up Windows 11"
is available at
https://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/speedupWindows/win11speedup.pdf

In addition to the above version-specific procedures, the following procedure
applies to any "Windows.." computer:
"Turn Off Startup Programs to Speed Up Your Windows Computer"


Meetings
of the
WINdows usERS Computer User Group
of
Irvine,
California
on
10-31-2015
and
06-28-2014
and
General Meeting
of the
Lake
Monticello
Computer
Users Group
(LMCUG)
on
01-10-2013
and
General Meetings
of the
PC Rams
Computer
Society

on
04-11-2012
and
03-14-2012 and
General Meeting
of the
Boca Raton
Computer
Society

on
12-21-2011
and
Windows 8 /
Hardware SIG

of the
Tucson
Computer
Society

on
01-04-2012




Testing USB Ports, Cables, and Devices

USB 3 Adapters For Adding USB Ports To An Existing Computer


Meeting
of the
WINdows usERS Computer User Group
of
Irvine,
California
on
04-25-2015
and
Windows 10/
Hardware SIG
of the
Tucson
Computer
Society
on
05-06-2015
and
General Meeting
of
Western
New York
Computer
Society

on
10-25-2011



"Speeding Up Windows 10"
See
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/speedupWindows/win10speedup.pdf




Using the Free "Windows 11 Enterprise Evaluation":
See
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/win11/win11enteval.pdf



General Meeting
of the
Los Angeles
Computer Society

on
07-12-2016
and
Meeting
of the
California
Southland
Chapter
of the
Association
of
Information
Technology
Professionals

(AITP)
on
10-28-2015
and
General Meeting
of the
Tucson
Computer
Society
on
10-19-2015
and
Meeting
of the
WINdows usERS Computer User Group
of
Irvine,
California
on
07-25-2015
and
Windows 10/
Hardware SIG
of the
Tucson
Computer
Society
on
09-02-2015


For a general overview of free software and services from the Internet, please see
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/free/free-software-services.pdf



Meeting
of the
Pikes Peak
Computer
Application
Society

on
07-02-2016
and
General Meeting
of the
Tucson
Computer
Society
on
03-21-2011


Sample data files for testing office suite software:

samples-TCS.zip contains sample .doc, .docx, .xls, .XLSx, .ppt, and .pptx files

samples-Final.zip from OpenXMLDeveloper.org

sample_doc.file.doc

passworded_sample_doc.file.doc
(The password for opening this file is "password".
This file was created with "Microsoft Word 2002 SP3").

sample Powerpoint ppt file

sample Powerpoint PPSX slide show file


General Meeting
of the
Tucson Computer Society
on
03-21-2011

Macs Versus "Windows.." Computers:

For an explanation of how Mac "OS X" computers differ from "Windows.." computers, see
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/mac/OSXvsWindows.pdf:

Basic Differences Between Macs and PCs
Models of Macs
Pricing of Macs
User Interface of Macs
Two Ways To Run "Windows.." Inside Macs


General Meeting
of the
Rochester Computer Society
on
04-12-2016




Our how-to document
on
"Using the Task Manager in a Windows Computer"
is available at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/Task_Manager/Task_Manager.pdf


Virtual
Technology
Conference 20
of the
Association
of PC
User Groups

(APCUG)
on
05-07-2016
and
Meeting
of the
WINdows usERS
Computer User Group

of
Irvine,
California
on
11-28-2015


Circle.gif is a file for checking the aspect ratio for a computer monitor.



General Meeting
of the
Tucson Computer Society
on
03-21-2011


Our how-to documentation
on
"Moving Your Monitor-Keyboard-Mouse Farther Away From Your Computer"
is available at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/Redmere/redmere-etc.pdf




USB 3 extension cables work fine for extending USB 2 devices
such as USB keyboards, USB mice, USB Webcams,
USB 2 flash drives, USB 2 external hard drives, and USB 2 external hard drive enclosures.

However, for USB 3 external hard drives and USB 3 external hard drive enclosures,
you will have to determine if a specific model works with a USB 3 extersion cable.
To do so, you can use the free "USBTreeView" program
to view the stablity and signalling rate of a specific USB 3 external hard drive
or a specific USB 3 hard drive enclosure.
To download "USBTreeView", go to the bottom of the Web page at

http://www.uwe-sieber.de/usbtreeview_e.html

Then read the rest of the Web page for instructions on using this useful software utility.
"USBTreeView" is especially useful for detecting problems with USB 3 ports
and USB 3 devices.


Windows 10 /
Hardware SIG
of the
Tucson Computer Society
on
03-02-2015



Email in "Windows 11" and "Windows 10":
See
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/win10/win10-email.pdf





General Meetings
of the
Tucson
Computer
Society
on
10-19-2015
and on
09-21-2015
and
General Meeting
of the
Tucson
Computer
Society
and
Meeting
of the
WINdows usERS
Computer User Group

of
Irvine,
California
on
07-25-2015
and
Windows 10/
Hardware SIG
of the
Tucson
Computer
Society
on
09-02-2015



Malware often "hides" in hidden files and folders so please make sure
that your computer is displaying hidden files and file extensions
by following our procedure in how how-to document called
"Some Simple Techniques For Making 'Windows..' Easier To Use"
at
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/win/easier/win-easier1.pdf


Meeting
of the
WINdows usERS
Computer User Group

of
Irvine,
California on
05-23-2015


ENERGY MANAGEMENT FOR YOUR "WINDOWS.." COMPUTER:
A COMPARISON OF SLEEP, HYBRID SLEEP, AND HIBERNATE:


See
http://aztcs.apcug.org/meeting_notes/winhardsig/energy-mgt/energy-mgt-Wiin.pdf




Windows 8 /
Hardware SIG
of the
Tucson Computer Society
on
07-02-2014


Temporary Workarounds For Accessing Inaccessible Web Sites
With A Web Browser:


Sometimes you can use free or not-free Virtual Private Network (VPN) services
to tunnel around your broadband Internet provider's router throttling, blockages
and slowdowns.
Here in Tucson, Arizona, when our Comcast Cable broadband has slowdowns
in their Pima, Arizona router node,
we have a 50 percent chance of partially restoring our download and upload speeds
by using the free version of
"Hotspot Shield" to tunnel past this occasionally-problematic router node.

Sometimes when a Website is inaccessible with a Web browser,
we can temporarily access it using the Web site's IP address
instead of its regular URL address, as described in our "how-to" document entitled
Workarounds For Temporary DNS Failures On The World Wide Web.


Windows 8.1 /
Hardware SIG
on
09-04-2013

Virtual Fax Machine inside Your Computer:

FAX TRANSMISSION AND RECEPTION FROM MAC "OS X"

FAX TRANSMISSION AND RECEPTION FROM "UBUNTU" GNU/LINUX

FAX TRANSMISSION AND RECEPTION FROM "WINDOWS.."




Television inside Your Computer:

TV INSIDE YOUR "WINDOWS.." PC OR "OS X" MAC

TV INSIDE YOUR "UBUNTU" GNU/LINUX COMPUTER



Virtual Machines Inside Your Computer:

INSTALLING AND USING VIRTUAL MACHINES



Windows 8 /
Hardware SIG
on
05-01-2013
and
Computer
Technology
Conference

on
04-04-2013

For some free printable rulers, see http://www.vendian.org/mncharity/dir3/paper_rulers/

(Do not set your printer for "fit to page" prior to printing these rulers!)


Windows 8 /
Hardware
SIG Meeting
on
06-06-2012


Circle.gif is a file for checking the aspect ratio for a computer monitor.

"LillyPond" music notation and "engraving" software was recommended by Board
member Paul Scott.

"MuseScore" music notation software was recommended by Board member Paul
Scott.


General Meeting
of the
Tucson Computer Society
on
03-21-2011