Some things that happened in the past week.

Make a backup. Computers fail. All computers fail eventually. Sometimes, just by still working, they fail through no fault of their own. The world simply left them behind. I know it’s tempting to keep a computer because it still turns on, it still opens a browser, and your documents and pictures are on it. While that’s all great, eventually, that browser won’t connect to anything you want, the internet will act flakey, and you will need to move those documents and pictures to a new computer.

Make sure you are backed up, meaning, the data is in two different places, in case one fails. Unfortunately, software doesn’t always move to a new machine. Be prepared for that. There may be a free or inexpensive alternative to your favorite program, or maybe not. Usually there is a more expensive alternative. Sorry. That’s capitalism I suppose.

I don’t trust anti-virus programs. I go with Windows Defender, as it’s built in and does a credible job without slowing the PC down horribly, as so many anti-virus programs do. I purchase a 5 pack of Malwarebytes, which doesn’t seem to slow my computer down, but will stop malware and block malicious websites. My humble opinion only.

Macs need protection too. I use MalwareBytes on my Mac as well. It seems that Apple builds anti-virus software into their Macs, just as Windows does. Read about that HERE. 

I have a borrowed Starlink satellite dish I setup today. It’s running about 150Mbs down and 9Mbs up. The upload speed is not as good compared to fiber, but it is comparable to my current Windstream DSL. The download speed kicks butt compared to Windstream, so that’s fantastic. Someday I expect to have fiber to my home but in the meantime, I love this Starlink. I do wonder when they will ship mine. We are closing in on 2 months ago that it was ordered.

Sometimes your computer screen is black and nothing can be done. If it’s a PC, then I’d bet a nickel it’s doing a Windows update. I hate it when it does that. Let it run. If, after a couple hours nothing has changed, then it’s likely something else. You can try to do a ctl+alt+del. Select Task manager. See what’s running under processes and cancel it. Or, press and hold the power button till the computer shuts off. When it restarts it may actually show you what it’s doing, or it may do a black screen again, or worse yet, it may give you a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD). BSOD is bad, but then, so is a black screen for 2 hours.

Finally, that screaming message on your screen telling you something dire has happened and to call this number. DON’T. If you can, do a ctl+alt+del. Select Task manager. Under processes, right click on the browser and End Task. If you can’t do all that, press and hold the power button till the computer shuts off. When you turn it back on, the message should be gone. When you open your browser, DO NOT SELECT TO ‘RESTORE PAGES’. One of them is evil.

Technology is pretty cool. It can also drive you nuts. If it starts getting tense, go outside and enjoy the view. It’s crazy beautiful here.