If you do not own a smartphone, or are looking to replace/update your current one, then there is no need to spend a lot of money. The Moto E6s phone below will enable you to do everything you need, including taking high quality photos and videos, and costs only £90. No more annoying texts with a link that you can't click, or need to copy in to a browser on a PC! No more manually supplying your personal details for Covid checking in! There is an Alcatel smartphone 1C for £50, but it is worth paying the extra £40 for the large screen and good quality camera. For anyone interested in the specifications of the Moto phone, note that it is 2GB of RAM, not 4: https://amzn.to/2UWncFP

Starting in 2023 some 3G phones will start to be phased out by BT. They have announced that they will switch off 3G phones in 2023, necessitating the purchase of a new phone, or you could get it unlocked if necessary, and use it on a different network, until they follow suit This will affect hundreds of thousands of users of EE, Plusnet, and other BT brands.. About 2- 3 million people across all networks use 3G phones.

Literally every day since I began using this new laptop, a pop-up ad trying to get me to subscribe to McAfee has appeared when I switch on. I don't want ever to subscribe to McAfee, so I've tried to get rid of it but to no avail.
I've tried tackling it directly, by clicking on the "accept risk" option in the pop-up itself, and indirectly, by altering the notifications management system to stop apps from sending me notifications - but nothing stops it.
Is there any way to stop this happening? It's driving me mad!

Galaxy S21 series warning: https://bit.ly/3r8IhbN
Huawei warning: https://bit.ly/3khddoK

Apple has provided a list of its devices that should be kept away from pacemakers and implanted defribulators: https://apple.co/3k7FsX9

Windows 11 will not run on all Windows 10 computers. Microsoft issued a checking tool, but it was withdrawn due to it just stating that a computer was not capable of running Win 11, without giving a reason. The tool will be issued again later in the year.
One check you can make yourself, is how much memory you have. Win 10 requires a minimum of 2GB of memory, but Win 11 will require twice this. To check how much memory you have, do the following:
Press the Windows key and I. Windows Settings screen will appear. Now click the system icon top left. On the left, scroll to 'About' at the bottom. On the right, under the heading 'Device specifications', you will see 'Installed RAM'(memory).
Other checks are too technical for this loop. My PC has failed the first two checks!

Whether you are a help seeker, or a helper, please be polite.

Help seekers:If a particular device or operating system (Windows 10 etc, Mac etc.) is the subject of your post, put this at the beginning of the title of your post, so that other members can see if they can help, or if it interests them. If it concerns a phone or tablet, give the make and model number, and, if you can, the Android version (if appropriate) Always give full details of the problem to avoid too much toing and froing, thus, hopefully, giving you a quicker solution. Don't forget to thank helpers, and please don't post a problem and disappear.

Before posting, use the group search box (on the right on a PC), to see if it has been discussed before.

Helpers:
Please check that your help/advice is correct and up to date, and please bear in mind that this group is to help non-techies. If possible, provide a link to a suitable website explaining it in simple terms, and/or screenshots. Please be polite, but if you feel like swearing, turn the keyboard off!

I have a very old Sony Android tablet that is getting slower and slower to respond and sometimes freezes.Is this because it needs a new battery and if so, is it worth doing?

Ruja Ignatova - Founder of OneCoin - The world's biggest scam?

I'm currently listening to episodes of The Missing Cryptoqueen on BBC Sounds. It is a true story about Ruja Ignatova, the founder of the fake cryptocurrency OneCoin. The scam took in millions of victims, and stole billions of pounds.

https://bbc.in/3qzVGtc

I used to be able to put an address in Google and see the street view and often the actual property, what happened to that function ?

I'm planning to buy one for backing up. Is it worth spending the money on an SSD?

Any recommendations for either sort?

This new Dell laptop came without the basic software that I need to create and work with Word or Excel documents but I'm confused about how best to obtain what I need.

The shop mistakenly told me that I'd have a 30-day free trial of Microsoft Office - but that trial turned out to be for McAfee anti-virus, which I can't wait to get rid of.
The salesman said that I'd need either to buy that entire suite of software, including Powerpoint (which I don't need) either as a one-off (which can't be transferred to any other device) or by taking out what seems to be a hefty and indefinite monthly subscription. I don't want a subscription at all and buying the full suite as a one-off price seemed very expensive, when PCWorld quoted for selling that, so I put off the purchase until I had time to think about it.

What Windows 10 apparently wants me to do is to use a supposedly free web version of Word, Excel and Powerpoint but, when I follow the link to set up a Microsoft Office account on that basis, the next page doesn't make it clear what I'd be getting into. It looks more as if it would be a subscription system - certainly nothing as simple as a free Web version of the software that I need.

What's the best and simplest way to obtain Word and Excel for a new computer nowadays, please?

Apple has issued an emergency update to fix security flaws in old devices dating back to 2013. Full list available here: https://apple.co/3x17tD8 Connect to WiFi, connect your charger, then install the update by tapping Settings/General/Software update.

https://bit.ly/35QF9Yn

If you are not a member of Scooploop Community Support, you will be unaware of a poll that they are running to discover the age of members. If you wish, you can join in here: https://bit.ly/3xNUhBF

Seeing a post about having to scroll up and down in a thread, reminded me of an add-on that I use in Firefox; here is a description:

Everyday scrolling on long pages can be a tiring experience especially on those sites which provide infinite scrolling (like facebook, twitter, etc). You will keep scrolling using your mouse to see more and more updates and then when you want to go up to the top of the page, you might move your hand from your mouse to keyboard to search for the Home key or you will drag the scroll bar to the top.

Scroll To Top tries to minimize this effort by providing an intuitive icon at the bottom-right corner of each page so that with one click you will be at the top of the page with beautiful animation. No more searching for the Home key on your keyboard and no more dragging of the scroll bar. It will be just fun and ergonomic to use it.

Here is the link to get the add-on: https://mzl.la/3gPlj5U

I don't understand cryptocurrency. Traditional money is backed up according to gold reserves. How are cryptocurrencies / bitcoins covered. What does it look like?
Just read the story 'Sotheby's has said it will accept cryptocurrency as payment for a rare diamond which is expected to fetch more than £10m'.
Please can anyone explain in simple English?

https://bit.ly/3cSjVND

If this evening's/tonight's lightning is nearby, if you get your broadband through overhead telephone wires, you will be well advised to disconnect your phone line from your router. Outside TV aerials and overhead power cables also give an easy path to your equipment and property, and can cause a great deal of damage. If you are unaware of this, have a google; here is an example: https://bbc.in/3zyZWgw

You will soon be able to send and receive WhatsApp messages on up to four synched devices. Currently, the only other way to do this is by using the Window's WhatsApp web program that enables you to send and receive messages on a PC. This is only possible if your phone is switched on. The new capability will work even if your phone is turned off.
Another feature that is on the way is 'View once', this will delete any communication after it has been viewed. There may also be an iPad app.

Windows 10 was forever, remember? Well, it looks like Microsoft may be going to announce that Windows 11 will arrive later in the year. Clues are: the logo below that shows the window frame shadow without the horizontal bar, which gives 11 as the shadow, and they are having an event on 24th June at the unusual time of 11.00am.

When taking a screenshot, be careful not to include any personal information. This applies especially to a full screenshot.

There are many ways to take a screenshot; you can use your browser, or a dedicated program.

The quickest and easiest way is to use Firefox: right-click on a blank space on the webpage, then click 'Take screenshot'. Select the area you require (see screenshot) , then click 'Download'. You will now have the image in your Downloads folder, that you can post/email etc.

You can post below, your method, or program you use. Please bear in mind that this is the non-techie group.

Please can someone explain to me in very easy terms how to do a screenshot, I have been told different ways and asked Google but nothing i try works.
I can get it onto my clipboard but can't paste it from there.

Geek-Squ Tech

Mon 07/06/2021 11:41

Dear Customer,

Thank you for subscribing Defender Firewall Protection From us .

Today the Service Will Renewed Automatically with £149.89 on the same account provided to us.

Order ID: DFP1476608 Date: 07-6-2021

Description Amount

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Defender Firewall Protection £149.89

(Inclusive Tax)

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Total £149.89

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Note :- Charges will appear on your statement after 8 hours once debited.

If you want to cancel the charges for £149.89 Auto Renew This time.

Hi

Can any of you recommend a good, reasonably fast, and ideally free or low cost, Usenet news server, which carries the alt.binary groups, in particular the various groups related to old time radio?

My ISP (Virgin Media) has just switched off it's news server, which I've been using for about thirty years, so I'm looking for a replacement.

Cheers

Tony

I've had to swap my elderly and familiar HP Pavilion for a new Dell Inspiron 15 3000 laptop, which may well have many advantages but is taking some time to master. (It has a number keypad which I never use, so the cursor keys are all tiny and set in weirdly unfamiliar places; my ability to touch-type is seriously compromised as a result.)

In particular, it has such a sensitive user interface that things I didn't intend keep happening. Its worst trick is to expand the scale of whatever webpage I'm using, without any warning and therefore providing no indication how to reverse it. (I know how to change the scale via the ... menu but it's not that; this is something separate.) Is this the OS or the machine and how do I stop/undo it, please?

Is there a Dummies-type guide to Windows 10 anywhere, do you know?

It was working fine 2 days ago.
All other catch up channels are okay.

Can anyone recommend the best place to get an HP Laptop battery? The HP website is not the best and I can't seem to find my battery on there anyway.Lots of sites have got mine with big price ranges, just wondered where to go, thanks all.

I first tried this browser on my old laptop but it apparently caused log-in trouble with eBay, which I'd used easily for years via Chrome. The same thing happened when I set up and began using the new laptop, today.

I can't seem to change password using the site's identity confirmation link. When I follow that and (when requested) insert a new password, up comes a warning box saying "We ran into a problem. Please try again." But trying again doesn't work either.

Is this an Edge issue, or an eBay one?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-57306802

When viewing a webpage on a PC, you can make the browser's menu, address bar, bookmarks bar, etc., and also the taskbar disappear, by pressing F11, which will make the page bigger. To move down the page, tap the space bar. To go back to normal view, press F11.

If you are thinking of buying a Roku streaming Stick, be aware that Roku has removed YouTube from its app store. If you already have it installed, you can continue to use it. https://bit.ly/3fbWOPR

The Canon Pixma TS8350 all in one wireless printer received 5 stars in a recent test. They found that photo prints were stunning due to it having six cartridges. It was not expensive to run as long as Canon's XXL cartridges were used. Black prints were 3.4p per page and colour 6.2p. It was easy to set up and use, and had a great quality scanner. It is currently 119.99 at Argos: https://bit.ly/3fvq0A9

A flaw has been discovered in Dell computers made since 2009. The flaw , which enables hackers to gain access to the computer, affects 380 PC and laptop models. It is thought that hundreds of millions of computers have the flaw, which affects Windows computers only. To check if your computer is vulnerable, visit the website below, and enter your model number on the right. Now that the flaw has been made public, it needs to be rectified urgently.
https://dell.to/3wnCaSD

I'm struggling to keep the laptop keyboard clean, despite shutting and covering the laptop when not in use - and even though the cat doesn't actually walk on it. Flying fur etc seems to accrue there constantly, despite my regularly clearing that off with a soft brush - as one used to do for typewriters.
I tried using the vacuum cleaner - but the keyboard began lifting out of its socket, so that doesn't seem very sensible.
What do other pet owners use to keep computer keyboards clean?

showed --mute --- did some search -- possible solution reset. I can do the reset but just can not open the battery case on 2 phones. (pulling up or sliding down?)

The phone rings but can not hear anyone talking. The other caller can not hear. Answer machine also off.

Is the reset the right solution? --- Many thanks.

If you add this extension to Chrome, you will get a panel to the right of the video displaying the lyrics: https://bit.ly/2R0WABP. It isn't perfect.

When viewing Scooploop on my iPhone and go into a picture someone has added to their post, I am unable to return to the original conversation. It appears to be stuck on the enlarged picture no matter what I try. In desperation I have to turn off my phone and on again which returns me to normal viewing. Am I missing a trick here?

You may have noticed a newly appeared weather icon on your taskbar. If you click this, it will give access to local news, weather and traffic. If you have a Microsoft account, you can choose a wide range of topics to be included. When you get this feature depends on Microsoft; it may be some time before it appears on your computer. Details here: https://bit.ly/3vNjNG7

To check how long it would take to crack your password, visit: https://bit.ly/2RjeqQg
The site does not store passwords, even if it did they don't know who you. If you are worried, just vary your real password.

You switch on, but Windows does not start. Windows has a built-in tool to create a recovery drive on a USB stick. Depending on what is wrong with your PC, this will enable you to re-instate your PC. You will need a USB drive that's at least 16 gigabytes. Use an empty USB drive because this process will erase any data that's already stored on the drive.

To create the drive is an easy matter: Type recover in to the taskbar search box, then click Recovery drive at the top of the results. The process can take hours.

Unfortunately, for various reasons, it is now necessary to seek approval to join all of Scooploop's open loops. I am not going to spend time engaging in PMs from unaccepted or reincarnated members, who are already applying. If you are not accepted, there is another computer loop. My main interest is computing. I spend a lot of time keeping up to date with computer technology, and I enjoy helping people with their problems. I find it very sad that particular members continually cause trouble, rather than chat and help others. As regards accepting new members, I shall take into account various factors, such as time on SL, friendliness of posts/comments, and advice from members and Scooploop, which may take some time.

Do you need an anti virus/security programme id you have Windows defender ?

I cannot access my contacts list on outlook - how can i resolve this problem ?

My Fire tablet was turned off but on charge - suddenly it just came to life and started blurting out adverts, how can this happen ?

Microsoft's Edge browser has added the ability to view all open tabs in a sidebar. This makes it easier to see the open tabs, particularly if you have many tabs open, which shortens the title text on the tabs. The icon to activate the feature, is in the top left-hand corner. The feature that I find very useful in Edge, is the ability to remove website clutter, and leave the text, which you can even have read to you: https://www.scooploop.com/thread/remove-website-clutter-and-save-paper-and-ink

I Skype with my sister-in-law. Lately I can not hear her but she can hear me. I am o.k. with other relatives.
Any suggestions? Please in simple terms and many thanks.

Should your keyboard become faulty, or stop working, Windows has an on-screen keyboard built in. You can activate this by right-clicking the taskbar, and ticking Show touch keyboard button; the keyboard button will appear next to the clock. You can then use the mouse to type. Activate it before you need it, and explore the various functions it has.
.
More information here: https://bit.ly/3gvvo8v

Does anyone know if you can connect an android tablet to a printer either hard wired or wirelessly? I need a new printer and don't have a laptop any more.

If yours is less ancient than mine and capable of helping the user to understand where it's going wrong, then this should be useful: https://therestartproject.org/data-and-insights/help-us-learn-more-about-printers-with-printcat/