Inkjet Printer Fix
Linda had a great success in fixing an inkjet print for a friend. After a lot of trial and error, she was able to diagnose the problem was caused by a poor contact between the cartridge and the printer. Wedging the cartridge forward slightly with a small piece of paper cured the fault, allowing the printer to work fine.
This was a great bit of fault-finding - well done Linda!
Printer End of Life Message
Brian mentioned that some printers reach an end of life when the waste ink receptacle becomes full. This can result in an error message and the printer will not print. In some cases you may be able to reset this. This Epson support page explains more:-
https://epson.com/Support/wa00369
Setting Up Windows Mail App
Margaret had bought a new Windows 11 PC and had set it up fairly successfully. However, she was having problems with setting up her email accounts in the Windows Mail app. This Microsoft support page explains how to add email accounts in the Mail app:-
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/set-up-email-in-the-mail-app-7ff79e8b-439b-4b47-8ff9-3f9a33166c60
Remember, there are essentially two methods of accessing email:-
Either using a web browser, or
Using an email app.
The simplest method, especially if you only have one email account, is using a web browser. For example, if you have a Gmail account, go to gmail.com in any web browser (e.g. Chrome, Edge, Safari, Firefox, etc).
If you have multiple email accounts, or on a mobile device, it might be easier to use an email app. Windows comes with a mail app called Mail. Microsoft also offer an app called Outlook which requires you to subscribe to Microsoft 365. A free email app is also available from Mozilla called Thunderbird.
Windows Update Frequency
Windows 11 will have only one major feature update each year. Windows 11 was released on 5th October this year and is currently on version number 21H2.
Historically, Windows 10 has had two feature updates each year. The latest version was released in mid-November, bringing Windows 10 to version number 21H2. It is a very small update and mainly includes a few security and performance improvements.
Going forward, Windows 10 will now only have one feature update per year, which is expected to be in Autumn to fall into line with the Windows 11 updates. Note that support for Windows 10 will end on 14th October 2025.
Both Windows 10 and 11 will get monthly security updates and fixes during their supported life.
Updating Old PC to Windows 11
Talking about Windows 11, just a reminder that we discussed last month how you can install Windows 11 onto a PC which does not meet (all) the normal requirements.
If your PC has an older processor and/or does not have TPM 2.0, you can use the Registry Edit method. You will still need a TPM 1.2 or 1.3 and the BIOS must support Secure Boot.
Alternatively, you can use the Rufus method which will work without any TPM and without Secure Boot. Note that this method uses a clean install by booting from a USB stick and all existing data will be erased. So ensure you have everything backed up.
See last month's blog for more information:-
https://computerclub100.blogspot.com/2021/11/
The 12 Scams of Christmas
Scams are for life, not just for Christmas, but special events like Black Friday and Christmas are also a magnet for the scammers. AbilityNet has just published this blog entitled Revealed: the 12 scams of Christmas, and how to avoid them:-
https://abilitynet.org.uk/news-blogs/revealed-12-scams-christmas-and-how-avoid-them
There are a couple of links in the above blog to recordings of related webinars which AbilityNet hosted.
Looking Back Over 2021
You can find summaries of all the previous Computer Club meetings at:-
https://computerclub100.blogspot.com/
Use the drop-down box near the top to select any date.
Use the search box on the right to find a blog containing a particular word or words.
Just picking out one or two items from each month:-
January
I would highly recommend that you get Neighbourhood Alerts from the Police, Fire and Rescue and your Local Authority by signing up as described in this blog:-
https://computerclub100.blogspot.com/2021_01_10_archive.html
February
We mentioned the DuckDuckGo privacy-focused search engine which you can make the default in your browser to help avoid tracking:-
https://computerclub100.blogspot.com/2021_02_07_archive.html
March
We talked about password managers. In particular that LastPass has restricted its free version to either mobile devices or PCs/Macs, but not both. A number of free alternatives exist and we mentioned BitWarden which I now use:-
https://computerclub100.blogspot.com/2021_03_07_archive.html
April
We had some discussions on scams and spam.
You can report spam SMS test messages to Ofcom by forwarding them to 7726 which is the same as dialling SPAM on your phone keypad.
We also mentioned that you can sign up for Which? Scam Alerts.
Phil pointed us to a recording of a phone scam recorded by a BBC reporter.
There is a link to an Age UK article on Avoiding Scams.
I also reminded you of the Have I Been Pwned website for checking if your email, and now phone number, have been found in any known data breaches.
https://computerclub100.blogspot.com/2021_04_11_archive.html
May
We discussed how you might sign out of a dead iPad.:-
https://computerclub100.blogspot.com/2021_05_09_archive.html
June
This was our first mention of the upcoming Windows 11.
It was also announced that support for Internet Explorer would cease on 15th June:-
https://computerclub100.blogspot.com/2021_06_06_archive.html
July
More on Windows 11 which was officially announced on 24th June.
Also the first mentions of the upcoming Apple iOS15 and Android 12:-
https://computerclub100.blogspot.com/2021_07_11_archive.html
August
More on Windows 11.
What3Words:-
https://computerclub100.blogspot.com/2021_08_08_archive.html
September
More on Windows 11.
Existing PSTN landline phone system ending in 2025:-
https://computerclub100.blogspot.com/2021_09_05_archive.html
While speaking about the end of PSTN, it is also worth noting an announcement released today by the Government that the mobile 2G and 3G services will be switched off by 2033. Most modern mobile devices now use 4G and some are starting to use 5G. See this announcement form the Department for Digital Culture, Media and Sport:-
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/a-joint-statement-on-the-sunsetting-of-2g-and-3g-networks-and-public-ambition-for-open-ran-rollout-as-part-of-the-telecoms-supply-chain-diversificatio
October
Yet more on Windows 11.
iOS 15 was released on 20 September.
iPhone 13 versions were announced on 14th September:-
https://computerclub100.blogspot.com/2021_10_10_archive.html
November
iPhone virus scam.
Google auto-enrolling users onto 2FA.
Bequeathing your digital data:-
https://computerclub100.blogspot.com/2021_11_07_archive.html
Unsubscribing from Marketing Emails
Margaret asked about stopping emails from organisations. Most organisations will provide an Unsubscribe link - usually in the small print at the bottom of the email. If there is no unsubscribe option, then you can try accessing your email via the web browser where you should be able to block the sender. For example, this Google support page explains how to do this in Gmail:-
https://support.google.com/mail/answer/8151?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform=Desktop
Changing Motherboard and Windows 10 Activation
Brian raised the question of whether changing certain hardware components such as the motherboard or processor would cause Windows to lose Activation.
When Windows 10 or 11 is installed and activated that hardware becomes "digitally entitled" to run Windows. This means that if the storage drive is completely wiped and Windows is re-installed, it will, once online, be recognised by Microsoft and re-activated. If you purchased a retail copy of Windows and have the 25-character Product Key, you can use this to re-activate Windows, even if major hardware components have been changed.
After the meeting, I also realised that you can link the digital Windows licence to your Microsoft Account and use this to re-activate Windows if hardware has been changed. This Windows Central article explains more:-
https://www.windowscentral.com/how-re-activate-windows-10-after-hardware-change
Buy a Windows 11 PC Now, or Wait?
Allan asked whether now was a good time to buy a Windows 11 PC or whether it is best to wait. Windows 11 is stable and should run any software that runs on Windows 10, so most people will be OK going to Windows 11 now. However, there are a few issues with Windows 11 - for example, it is quite difficult to change the default browser to anything other than Edge. However, this may soon change, so I might suggest waiting around 6 months or so before getting a Windows 11 PC.
Next Session
Wed 12th January 2022 at 2pm by Skype.
