Got a screwdriver?

Click to enlarge image

I had an NVMe solid state drive go bad on a computer and found that I needed a very long-handled but small screwdriver to remove the old drive and install the new drive.

To get to the screw that kept the NVMe in place, I had to go through the slot for a component I didn’t have in the computer to loosen it then up, take it out and replace it with another NVMe drive.  Once I installed it, I decided to upgrade it to Windows 11 rather than take it back to the Windows 10 it was.  This was a unit we purchased several years ago, and it supports 11 but was sold with a Windows 10 downgrade.  All I had to do was install using a USB flash drive, and it found the new drive and installed the operating system.  I could have taken it back to Windows 10 (I have a Macrium Reflect backup running at the office) but I decided to take it to 11.

Typically, I have “computer” screwdrivers, but this time I had to get one with a long shaft to get to the screw. I used the backup to grab the files that were in the documents folder and put them back on the main drive, as well as put the background image back on the user’s desktop. Windows 10 and 11 make it easy to install the operating system; it’s a quick install. What takes longer is getting all of your files back to how you like it.

Original drive and long-handled screwdrivers

What is the first two things I do on a Windows 11? Change the menu to the left, and turn on search highlights (the cartoons in the search box). In an office setting I have nearly all of the software I need to install as “workstation” installations. I browse to a location on the network, run the installer and off it goes.

In a home setting I would recommend seeing if you can build a similar install location using a USB external drive. If you have older CDroms that were how you originally installed the software, use your CDrom software to copy it to an external drive should you need to install it on a future machine. Also keep track of product key codes and anything else you might need.

Whether you restore from a backup, or rebuild with a new operating system, always make sure you have the software – and tools – you need to rebuild.

MS-DEFCON 4: Side effects for dual booters

By Susan Bradley

Secure Boot is causing — once again — side effects for Windows patchers.

The August updates are triggering issues for those who dual-boot into Linux. Because this is unlikely to affect very many users, and because the IPv6 bug I alerted you to ten days ago is now well understood, I feel that lowering the MS-DEFCON level to 4 is safe.

That assumes you do not ignore the IPv6 matter.

Anyone can read the full MS-DEFCON Alert (21.35.1, 2024-08-27).

Your government at work

LEGAL BRIEF

By Max Stul Oppenheimer, Esq.

While most of the world was distracted by the question of whether anyone in their right mind would voluntarily swim in the Seine, there were major legal developments affecting the tech world.

In a two-part series, I’ll first summarize what the US federal government has been up to. In the follow-on column, I’ll cover some notable actions taken by state governments and private individuals.

First, the feds.

Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (21.35.0, 2024-08-26).
This story also appears in our public Newsletter.

Designed for maintenance?

BEN’S WORKSHOP

By Ben Myers

Continued advances in computer technology have had a positive effect on the gear we use — faster, less power-hungry, lighter in weight, smaller and more secure than a decade ago. But maintaining and repairing modern computers present new challenges.

The processor chips regularly produced today have up to 10 billion transistors incorporating many and varied computing cores, on-board cache memory, and a graphics subsystem and other circuitry to talk to devices attached to the computer — all etched on silicon wafers at a spacing less than 10 nanometers, or 0.0000003937 inches. Chipsets supporting the processors and circuit traces on motherboards are smaller and closer together, allowing for smaller motherboards, too. Memory and storage have grown by multiples of two with every processor generation. Computers such as the older seven-slot Gigabyte board inside an older large tower, once state of the art in 2010, have become the province of high-end gaming and specialized use.

Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (21.35.0, 2024-08-26).

Ayin — the photo editor I was looking for

FREEWARE SPOTLIGHT

By Deanna McElveen

The things you can do with photos these days are nothing short of a modern marvel. What is also a modern marvel is the thick user manual for photo-editing software: a barber could use one to raise up a kid in his chair.

I just want a small and portable program that I can use to quickly zip through dozens of photos and do quick edits on them. Luckily for me, I found Fares Ahmed, a young student from Egypt who created just what I needed. Ayin (“eye” or “to see” in English) is a free, portable, and open-source photo-editing software package for Windows.

Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (21.35.0, 2024-08-26).

Dealing with regulated security

ON SECURITY

By Susan Bradley

Being in charge of the technology and security at my office means providing the best security that does not interfere with our people’s ability to do their jobs effectively.

Sometimes that can be difficult because of the regulations that control my line of work, most of which come from taxing authorities. I’ll be US-centric in my comments here, knowing little about regulations in other countries. But I’ll bet most are similar. So hopefully, my suggestions will help you choose better security while accommodating the realities of your business, the systems you use, and the online resources you require.

Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (21.35.0, 2024-08-26).

Windows 95 anyone?

29 years ago today, Windows 95 was released. Windows 95 is the first version of Microsoft Windows to include the Modern Windows Feel (Taskbar, Start Menu) Windows 95 was shipped without a default browser. Back then many of us used Netscape Navigator.

For some this was their first Windows operating system. Some waited outside a computer store for their copy.

So how about you?  Where were you when Windows 95 hit the stores?

My memories? Dealing with DIP switches on video cards and drivers. Windows 95 was the first of the “Plug and pray” Windows versions that tried to find the automatic drivers and many times failed.

Threats to businesses

PATCH WATCH

By Susan Bradley

This month’s updates include fewer vulnerabilities than normal. What is not normal is that some of the bugs have already been exploited.

I’m not changing my stance about it being wise to wait to see whether there are side effects, but I will review that decision should the need arise. For now, review the special alert.

There are six bugs under active attack.

Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (21.34.0, 2024-08-19).
This story also appears in our public Newsletter.