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If I remember correctly, hiding the true owner of a domain used to be illegal and it should be.

Now it is commonplace with companies that do exactly that.

Looking at it from the technical side, I have no idea how it could actually be prevented – probably couldn’t be.

Robot callers are spoofing phone numbers to avoid detection. They use an innocent phone number unbeknownst to the actual home owner. It is one of the reasons that the “do not call list” is so ineffective.

There is just no interest, or anyone willing to pay for, enforcement.

The least that could be done is to put the so-called “brand protection agencies” out of business.

By the way, look into TightVNC. Free, easy, fast, cross-platform, secure, and no problems.

If I remember correctly, hiding the true owner of a domain used to be illegal and it should be.

Now it is commonplace with companies that do exactly that.

Looking at it from the technical side, I have no idea how it could actually be prevented – probably couldn’t be.

Robot callers are spoofing phone numbers to avoid detection. They use an innocent phone number unbeknownst to the actual home owner. It is one of the reasons that the “do not call list” is so ineffective.

There is just no interest, or anyone willing to pay for, enforcement.

The least that could be done is to put the so-called “brand protection agencies” out of business.

In Murrica the exact same thing is called Murphy’s Law.

You will have to move to Canada.

It could be worse. You could stay in Texas.

Just get MPC-HC at mpc-hc(dot)org

It plays everything – everything – all – all – audio and video formats – without any fussing around or changing from default settings.

and it is FREE. You hear me? FREE with no nags.

Also it plays everything and is free.

It’s even better than the one with the orange traffic cone icon (V something), that I switched from so long ago I forgot the name.

It also runs on every version of Windows.

Not to be mean, but I’ll never understand why people keep messing around with MS media players and browsers – then have problems – then keep messing around with them some more.

Just dump MS and start enjoying your movies, music and the web (with Firefox).

Ordinary humans would call that a bug.

The programmers that wrote it would say it was a “NABWAD” (Not A Bug Working As Designed). Maybe so, but that just means the design was bad.

As I have said many times here, there and everywhere, “Stop updating software that is working well”. To state it another way – if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.

You want proof? Read Susan Bradley’s Patch Watch columns right here on Windows secrets.

Since you say the laptop does everything you say you want, a new hard drive could well be a practical repair. However you should also be wary of the following:

1). The batteries die as well, and the average lifetime is about 5 years for that;
2). The fans are mechanical components. Some laptops have no fans at all but if yours does, be aware that fans are a common trouble spot over the long run;
3). New standards. Your laptop will not have upgradable hardware for new standards. Screens keep growing in size and pixel density. SATA-2 was replaced with SATA-3, a hard drive interconnect standard. USB 2 was replaced with USB 3, and now there’s a USB 3.1 Type 2 (I think? The branding is getting hard to remember). Wi-Fi 802.11 G was replaced with N, then AC, and there’s a new AH standard on the horizon (the latter not yet available).

Having said all that. CPUs aren’t getting faster at the rate they used to. New operating systems like Windows 10 don’t require more RAM than Windows 8 or 7. From that perspective, replacing the hard drive could be an appealing option. Though I would seriously consider getting an SSD, if possible, since that would be a significant speed upgrade for the system.

So what to do? Overall, I’d still use the age of the system as a guideline on whether to fix it or not. The only thing needed is to adjust the threshold age where you rule out system repairs. My gut says, if the system is less than 5 years old, I’d take a shot at repairing the HD. Just be aware that you are going to have to replace that battery soon. If the system is more than 5 years old, get a new one. If it’s right at the 5 year mark, use your best judgment. That’s where the difficult choices come in.

He said he is happy with what he already has. Respect it.

I think I’ll stay with Firefox until Edge gets fixed.
-Pete-

Why not just stay with Firefox and forget whatever MS does?

Firefox, Opera, Chrome and others are excellent. I don’t see the fascination with MS browsers.

Maybe it is like a moth being attracted to a flame. It may be OK for a while, but sooner or later – poof.

Maybe I just like to keep things simple in spite of what Redmond “thinks” I should do. Since the days of XP I have been putting a shortcut on my desktop with this command – – %windir%EXPLORER.EXE /n, /e, C: It worked well back then and it still works in Windows 10. I also “pinned” it to the start and taskbar.

Don’t the /n and /e switches have opposite results?

/n: Opens a new window with a single-pane (My Computer) view for each item selected, even if the new window duplicates a window that is already open.

/e: Uses Windows Explorer view. Windows Explorer view shows the Folder Tree in the left pane. Note that the default view is Open view.

I’ve used only the /e switch for years.

How does it work with both switches? Whichever way it works, why?

“I much prefer to opt in than to have to opt out.”

Opt-out is an open door to all sorts of evil.

One simple law preventing opt-out and mandating opt-in would end it forever.

Of course, corporations have much more money to buy politicians than you or me.

Amen.

Do you think that Windows 10 would qualify as “malware” under that definition?

If not malware, then certainly a PUP – possibly unwanted program.

Convince me, let me see what educated users have experienced over time, then maybe – maybe – I’ll do something.

BUT

Never force me into doing – anything – on MY computer.

I use Photophiltre a lot.

Does lots of things – all well, and super easy.

Totally free.

WD MyBooks are joke. Someone gave me one. Has all the nonsense software and SES requirements.

My recommendation is to look for an external drive that is “plug and play”.
That may mean getting a “portable”. The added benefit to portable is that it will likely be powered by the USB port and won’t even need a power cord. Cool!

Never install encryption or passwords if you value your data (unless you take it out partying with you).

Get Second Copy at secondcopydotcom

Once you try it, you will love it.

It will do everything you want, but no disk imaging.
Very very easy.
Way flexible.
Outstanding support – which you will never need.
Offer a fully functioning free trial.
$29.95

from their site:
Supports Windows XP through 10
Easy setup
Automatic backups
Highest level of encryption
Back up open files (32-bit & 64-bit)
Unicode support
Non-proprietary format
Automatic archival of old versions
Back up Documents, Music, Pictures,
… and all other important data