Ask Leo! #613 - GWX Control Panel, Booting from SD cards, Sound Problems, and more... - Confident Computing

Ask Leo! Live!

After finally getting an internet connection that can handle it, I'm planning something I call "Ask Leo! Live". Ask Leo! Live is a 30 to 60 minute live video show where I take and answer your questions in real time.

Before I start, I'd like to ask a couple of questions of you (3, multiple choice, to be exact) to help me decide when to do it (time of day, and day of week), and where (what live streaming video service to use).

I've put together a short survey right here. If you would consider taking a couple of minutes to answer a few questions, I'd really appreciate it.

Thank you!

-Leo

Leo's Blog

Is It Time To Remove GWX Control Panel?

GWX Control Panel and the stand-alone utility Never10 were all about preventing reminders and installation of the free Windows 10 Update. Now that the free period is over, is it time to remove those utilities, or undo the steps that they took?

Continue Reading: Is It Time To Remove GWX Control Panel?
https://askleo.com/23147

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Why can't I boot from an SD card?

I have noticed many times in publications that we can use a USB flash drive to boot from under certain situations. But what about SD cards? Can we also use SD cards in the same way as we can use USB drives? I have noticed on my computers that the computer seems not to differentiate between the different types of drives. Does Windows really care if you use a USB drive versed to an SD drive for doing these sorts of things like booting from?

Windows doesn't really care at all, for reasons that we often overlook.

We need to start by clarifying something: the initial steps of booting your computer have nothing – or at least very little – to do with Windows.

Let's have a look at booting, who does what at boot time, and why you probably can boot from an SD card if you really want to.

Continue Reading: Why can't I boot from an SD card?
https://askleo.com/23047

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Why Don't I Get Sound from My Computer? (A Checklist)

Try as I might, I can't get my computer to output sound. Nothing. I can't figure out what's wrong.

That's actually a composite of questions that I get very, very often. Sometimes it applies to only specific applications; other times it applies to the entire machine.

The problem is, it's a single silent symptom that can come from several sources.

So, let's run down a bit of a checklist.

Continue Reading: Why Don't I Get Sound from My Computer? (A Checklist)
https://askleo.com/11930

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Glossary Term

click bait

click bait (or clickbait) is a term applied to links, headlines, or titles written in a sensationalistic way in an attempt to entice you to click through to read the associated article or post. The most common characteristic of click bait is the "over the top" terminology used to over-promise what the target material typically underdelivers. Phrases like "you won't believe", or "will blow your mind" and others have become so common as to become parodies of themselves.

Click bait exists primarily because many advertising models are based on "impressions", or the number of times an ad is displayed and presumably seen. The more people click to visit the target page, the more the advertisements on that page are displayed, and the more money the website owner makes. It's not uncommon for the target pages to have an excess of ads.

Glossary Terms are featured selections from The Ask Leo! Glossary.
Have a term you'd like defined? Submit it here.

Featured Comments

How do I prevent Hotmail from locking me out when I travel overseas?

Marcel writes:

does there exist a free web based email that I can access anywhere on any device at any time from any isp? that IS THE POINT of web mail after all . . .

Mark Jacobs (Team Leo) writes:

I've had good results from gmx.com. They don't require any special authentication when traveling. I mainly use it as an alternate email address to authenticate my other accounts when necessary, but it can be used as your main freemail provider. They are owned by 1&1, one of the largest ISP's in Germany and a major Webhosting service in the US. So I expect them to be around for a while.

Why, or How, do Files Become Corrupt?

Pat C. writes:

Backup -BACKUP!! If you're worried about loosing vital data use multiple places; an external HD, thumb Drives, DVDs, tape backups. Something! and enclose it it a lead-lined container to stop the errant gamma rays. That will, at least, give yourself some sense of protection. Really, S&%t Happens and it's best to expect that nothing lasts longer than it's Use-By-Date. Deal with the fact that it WILL happen and be ready.

Karena writes:

Happened here, too - no readily apparent explanation.

I've also been told by a computer professional to keep the tower off of carpeting - that the static can build up and affect the drive. True?

Connie (Team Leo) writes:

Static can definitely harm a computer. You can actually get anti-static mats to help with that.

I got a call from Microsoft and allowed them access to my computer. What do I do now?

Sandy writes:

My father and my mother have both fallen for this scam over the past several of years. My Mom is 67 years old and only uses her lap to go on Facebook and play games. After she got sucked in the last time we took it to a computer tech place to be reset and she no longer has any banking info on it. I am now living with her and use the same internet connection for my own computer. I found out today that she was almost sucked in by this scam again. This may seem like a stupid question but if she allows access to her computer, are other computers on the same internet connection at risk in any way?

Leo writes:

Possibly, yes. It depends on the sophistication of the scammers, exactly what they do, and the specific setup of your network.

Leo's Books

Saved! - Backing Up with Macrium Reflect - 2nd Edition

Saved! - Backing Up with Windows 7 Backup

Saved! - Backing Up with Windows 8 Backup

The Ask Leo! Guide to Routine Maintenance

Maintaining Windows XP - A Practical Guide

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