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How to by-pass MS login PIN
Ok, I expect this to be a non-starter, as we obviously cannot have folk knowing how to get around other folk's login details. But… This involves a deceased's estate, for which a relative has been granted Probate and must now carry out their executor's duties. The deceased left their laptop, which will almost certainly…
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Logging in without passwords or administrator
I have a Windows 11 desktop computer In an attempt to remove a pin when starting up my desktop, I've created more problems. It started asking me for the microsoft password instead. So I attempted to remove this. However it only allowed me to highlight a separate administrator account I rarely use, so I removed the password…
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Old bloke locator?
I like to go gadding about the countryside on my mobility scooter, and in theory I text my dear wife every so often with my current location. When I forget, which I do from time to time, she starts worrying and I get it in the neck when I get home. Is there a simple to use way in which she can use her Android phone to keep…
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Samsung m13 phone will not boot
Help Switched phone on from sleep not deep sleep and the above image was on screen. It would appear boot load failed. I have tried every combination of volume up/down and power buttons. Holding all for 30 seconds then volume up and power, in fact every combination I could think of with no change. I have accepted all data…
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Macrium Reflect 8 driver now being blocked by Windows
A heads up for users of Macrium Reflect 8 - the last Free version of Reflect. You may find that mounting of saved image backups is now being blocked by Windows. In the latest Windows 11 update (KB5083769) Microsoft has explicitly revoked the driver (psmounterex.sys) for kernel loading via Code Integrity policy. The driver…
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Confusing information regarding going to fibre / loosing landline??
Lomng storu short, Plusnet advised that copper landlines will become obsolete next year, and advised if I wanted to keep a landline then I would need to go over to fibre, (which I want to do). Openreach engineer arrived to install the new cable, but advised we may need to dig up the porch and drive floor!! He then asked…
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What is the most important information you look for when buying a Laptop
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AVG Concerns
Hi, my trusty old laptop has been covered by AVG security for a long time now. This may be contentious as articles I am reading indicate that I may not need AVG if I can run Windows Defender. However, I think I have understood correctly that the two cannot operate simultaneously. Meanwhile, I foolishly overlooked an email…
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Facebook business page pause
We are looking to pause a business Facebook Page so that people can still see the content but not post or comment. The business is closing and we are setting up a new separate business doing the same thing. Both the previous business operator and we would like to keep the old Facebook Page available. I am not sure it’s…
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TapoTD21 Video doorbell
Hi, I have recently bought a TapoTD21 Video doorbell, but am having trouble with loading a micro memory card. I bought a 512gb as recommended and got a Sony as I thought it was a good make, but I couldn't get it to format so I bought another one a Lenovo this time but am having the same problem. I can't keep on buying…
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freely (or similar app) for terrestrial channels. How to get it?
I didn't know such thing existed, but when a couple of months ago I bought a (now returned) HiSense TV I discovered that indeed there is a convenient app where you can watch terrestrial channels as if you had an aerial and used freeview (or whatever it is called these days). However, when I got my Samsung, the TV I now…
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Eclipse August 2026
There’s a solar eclipse in 4 months time, and I wondered what other people are doing about it? I’m planning to stay in London where it is a 91% partial eclipse, and I have some cheap eclipse glasses in my Amazon basket. Are others simply ignoring it, or travelling somewhere where the eclipse will be total, or just staying…
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Can I use a mobile with my land line number?
OK so is there a way to do this? We were recently sent a VOIP thing to replace our current wifi hub and plug our land line in to. We haven't managed to do it and the provider (ee) won't help unless we agree to pay a call out fee. Yes I know this is something that your average 12 year old could do in under 5 minutes but us…
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How to default Office / Outlook 2024
May Outlook has gone up the creek - word is OK The fonts have changed for this (spam received as an example) - to start with where are the settings to return to default ? it has changed on message preview / sent messages - everything What font is this ? because I have "everything" set to arial letter spacing has gone wrong…
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What kind of gadget do I need?
We are having an annexe installed in the garden of our home, which I will be moving into. Along with other services, the annexe people will be running a Cat6 internet cable into the annexe ending in a RJ45 computer socket. We are with Sky broadband and have a (Sky supplied) wi-fi router in the living room (with a booster…
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Beware Virgin Media cold calling!!
A rep from Virgin cold called my vulnerable and partially deaf 88 year old mother today and changed her landline over. The agent entered the house, accessed her computer and then got her to hand over her debit card so he could gain her account details. (Within the first few words of conversation it would have been obvious…
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Alexa, play .....
I'm trying to listen to Rock FM Cyprus on my Alexa (Echo) https://rockfmcyprus.com/ It says 'playing RFM from Tune In' but then nothing. I know that on my phone Tune In won't play RFM and I have to use the simple radio app. RFM have said "Hi maybe you need to enable the skill again from Amazon?" which sadly makes no sense…
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Work to be done by open reach prior to installing full fibre
Open reach wants my permission to do some work prior to fibre installation. Concerned about the digging. Is the acceptable as sooner or later we all need to have full fibre. Here are some photos.
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Will putting a new SIM in phone affect my storage
A friend has been having trouble with his phone and doesn't really know whether it's his provider (iMobile) or the phone. A chap from Carphone Warehouse suggested he try his SIM in a friend's phone (me) I'm not that clued up with regards IT, so just want to check, removing my SIM from my phone, adding his temporarily then…
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Free space on SSD quickly dsisappearing.
I've a 1TB SSD which Win10 is installed on. I had 250GB free. I downloaded a number of files which took me under 100GB, transferred these to another drive & deleted from the SSD. Rinse & repeat. On top of this, I've also been working to delete & also compress a ton of video files, point being space being taken up should be…
