A Free Video and other Free Training stuff on the new Windows Creator update:

https://www.windows10update.com/join-creators-update-training/

For the first time ever I have had a virus warning on my Android phone. I don't have any anti-virus installed but a message came up saying that IP address 31.50.177.99 contains a virus and that I should download an Android cleaner from Google.
I have checked the IP address with a Reputation Checker site but it has no data on address.
I don't particularly want to enter this IP address directly as it may be harmful. Any ideas on how to verify it or is this just a way for Google to get me to download a cleaner.....with the usual mandatory advertising attached?

Because you couldn't get any verification on the IP address, i would suggest you treat it as a scam.

That's what your average scam wants you to do, namely 'go somewhere and do a download and installation'.

I would try to research and find a good Android cleaner. eg. 'CCleaner for Android' and also the same for a good Android AV.

How about, say: Cleanmaster

Cheers Exec....I did have Avast antivirus software for Android installed, but it slowed the phone down so much that I uninstalled it.

EDIT.. I have installed Sophos for Android and it hasn't found the dodgy IP address on my phone......hmmmmm.

Here's a truly brilliant new 'Windows 10' website for you:

https://www.windowschimp.com/

If you like it, I would appreciate you say so on here.

ExecLine I also find Gizmos Freeware site very useful for Windows and Android devices (sorry don't know how to post links but the website is www.techsupportalert.com/)

When I get back from the hospital I will explore your suggestion.

Anyone like Groupon?

Windows 10 Professional OEM Download with Key for £17.99

Memory Stick (or similar) required: 1GB RAM for 32-bit; 2GB for 64-bit
Required disk space for the OS: up to 20GB free disk space
Graphics card/screen resolution: 800 x 600 or higher

Is this deal of any use to MoneyAM users?

Is your software completely up to date?

You might like to try the new "Patch My PC Updater", a FREE software updater from 'LifeWire'.

Check out the Review(s) for it for yourself. I think it's excellent. More, including the download: HERE

If you do download this, don't forget to do it carefully and make sure as with all downloads, that you don't include for any crappy unwanted add-ons to also be installed with it. ie. Watch those ticky boxes!

That said, on launching the program it shows all your software by category in a list:

Anything that shows 'Green' is OK. Anything that shows 'Red' needs updating (these are automatically box ticked for you). And here's a thing, anything that shows 'Black' isn't even yet installed. The total of Green, Red and Black currently adds up to a total of 302 different programs. So that's quite nice.

If you check out LifeWire's web site, there's tons and tons of potentially useful stuff.

I have (at times) a very slow computer. CPU running at 90-100%

Have tried running Malwarebytes to speed it up, and it has indentified 32 PUPs, can I zap these without crashing the comp?

I did notice the list has on program(s) from Advance Systemcare, no less than 17 programs, which seems rather a lot.

ie: C:\program files (x86) IOBIT advancedsystemcare\ASC.EXE


Any ideas?

Thanks, clueless max

Personally I wouldn't let another program (3rd party software) delete PUP's.
If you want to do that, why not do it manually, so that you know what's going and what to keep?
Go through your programs (Control Panel, Programs & Features) and see which programs you don't want and uninstall them.

If you are on BT, you might well find that what's slowing your computer down are either or both of two things:

BT Virus Protect updating in the background or

BT Virus Protect deciding to do a scan of your machine in the background.

Either of these might take the CPU usage up to 100% and so if you want to do something else, the machine slows down to a crawl. Indeed, you might find that even the mouse pointer won't work and just stalls to a jerky stop.

Obviously, these need to be set to operate at more convenient times.

Thanks for the heads up Harry, EL.

I don't have the computer savvy to do more than tinker around the edges. So I deleted the advancesystemcare package's (all 17 of them) and the comp seems to be running a lot faster. Reason being, I can reinstall this in a couple of minutes if things go awry.

As for the rest of it, I'm going to have to be careful, as I don't really know what these programs do....rubbish or useful :-(

Know how you feel.

Three days ago my machine crashed after the last Windows 10 upgrade and I'm still messing with it trying to get it back to how it was before. Fortunately, I do have backups of all my data.

I have a superb HP 'all in one printer'. Getting it running is/was frustrated by HP persisting in wanting to sell me stuff I do not need and using about 23 different pushy ways to try to do so.

Hardware and software suppliers are so 'on the ball' with diverse ways of getting more $$$$$£££££ from you. Grrrrr.

Max.

If in doubt, make a restore point before you dump.

If you are using W10, run File history regularly.

May save your skin.

Gents you might like to try Macrium Reflect or similar program to create an image of your system (preferably on a different HD). If you also create a recovery disc (in the same program) you can boot from it and re-install the image to the original location. Particularly useful if your system has crashed and you can't access restore points.

iiwarm

An excellent tip.

Thanks.

The next Windows 10 update installment:

It was rumored it was going to be called 'Spring Creators Update' but in the last moments of release, it has been renamed 'Windows 10 April Update'.

It is the same 'Redstone Build 1803' with the only change: Name.

I also understand Microsoft will be dropping the word 'Redstone' too for its internal codename.

Here's what you will be able to do in the Windows 10 April 2018 Update that you couldn't do before:

Go Back in Time with Timeline
Block outside distractions with Focus Assist
Do more with Cortana, like continuing tasks on mobile or support for smart home devices.
Navigate the web more easily with Edge.
Share stuff easily with NearShare and much more...

The new Update should be rolled out to everyone soon.

Did you know you can get it early by opting for Windows Insiders Preview program?

Very eager people are actually doing this and then opting out of the WIP later.

Windows 10 April Update fix for freezing Chrome browsers is on the way
By Kevin Lee 17 hours ago Computing

If Google's Chrome browser is freezing on you after you install the Windows 10 April 2018 Update, you'll be please to know that Microsoft is on the case.

On its community message board, the Redmond company acknowledged that it's ”aware that some devices running the Windows 10 April 2018 Update (version 1803) may hang or freeze when using certain apps, such as ‘Hey Cortana’ or Chrome.” Microsoft says it's working on a solution, and aims to include the fix in the next regular Windows 10 monthly update, which is due on May 8.

In the meantime, though, a Microsoft spokesperson has suggested that users experiencing freezing should try inputting the following Windows key shortcut to wake the screen: Windows logo key + Ctrl + Shift + B.

Those on Windows tablets without a keyboard can trigger the same command by simultaneously pressing both the volume-up and volume-down buttons three times for two seconds.

If this solution works, users should hear a short beep and see their screen blink or dim while Windows attempts to refresh the display on their device. Alternatively, laptop owners can close and open their laptop screen.

If all else fails, users may have to force-shutdown and restart their device, but this may unfortunately lead to some loss of data. For all other Windows 10 April Update problems, we have a thorough troubleshooting guide for you.

(I haven't got a link to give you for either the Forum, that's mentioned above or similarly, the troubleshooting guide)

Windows 10 GodMode: What It Is And How To Enable It

If you like personalizing your PC here's the perfect treat for you: GodMode.

GodMode is a hidden folder that makes available a range of handy customisations for your PC. The best part is that it is easy to install and not complicated.

The hidden tweak, which not many know about, was available for Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 and still works for Windows 10. Some of you will have enabled it before.

The GodMode feature basically offers users easy access to the innumerable features on Windows, as well as the customization options, all in a single interface. It also sorts them into categories, such as Administrative Tools and Display, to make life a lot easier.

If you're looking to change the resolution of your monitor or alter the taskbar's notification space, it's all available at a single click thanks to GodMode.

As Windows 10 has shifted maximum features to the Settings screen (and is phasing out the traditional Control Panel slowly), you will be able to access the settings on your PC that exist in the latest OS but are not visible in the new UI or the Settings screen.

Here's what you do to enable the hidden feature for Windows 10:

Step 1: Right-click on your desktop and make a new folder. For the folder's name, paste the string given below:

GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}

Do not forget to insert the period after "GodMode." You can also alter the name of the folder (even though the hack is called GodMode). To do so, simply alter the "GodMode" part of the string to the name you want.

Step 2: Once you have inserted the string, hit Enter and the icon you will now see on your Desktop will resemble the Control Panel.

Step 3: Open the folder with the usual 'double click' to see the available customization options/configuration settings now at your disposal.

It is pretty easy to shift around GodMode on your system the same manner in which you can shift any traditional folder.

In the event you change your mind and want to remove the customization, just click on the GodMode icon on your system and simply delete it. Re-enabling it is easy too and can be done using any of the above-mentioned steps.

Well, had to buy a new phone due to charging problems.
Have changed from Nexus 5 to Pixel 2.
And.....I thought that would be it!
But.....the cable connectors have changed (USB Type C), so all of my current charging and data transfer cables are now defunct (house, car etc).
The chargers (house & car) are all now defunct as the connectors are wrong, but more importantly the specification has changed.
But to add to my woes, the SIM card, being a Micro won't fit into a Nano slot, so new SIM card needed.
That's all before I have even booted up the phone!.......No doubt Cortana is going to give me yet more grief!