Have you applied the April 2019 third party updates? If not here they are. Microsoft updates their Windows Operating System automatically but third party (non-Microsoft) updates may catch you off guard. Please review the following and update accordingly asap.
Opera 60.0
29 April 2019
The Opera browser has been updated to Version 60.0.3255.70. This update provides bug fixes.
Windows
Updates
26 April 2019
Microsoft has released a new Cumulative Update for Windows 10 versions 1803, 1709, 1703 and 1607.
Chrome
74.0
24 April 2019
Google has released Version 74.0.3729.108 of the Chrome browser. This update provides a range of improvements, as well as security and bug fixes.
Firefox
66.0.3
11 April 2019
Mozilla has released Version 66.0.3 of the Firefox browser. This update provides bug fixes.
Windows
Update Issues
11 April 2019
There are reports, backed by an announcement on the Sophos website, that the latest Security Updates for Windows 7 and 8.1 are causing boot failure on systems with Sophos software. Sophos recommends booting into Safe Mode, disabling the Sophos Anti-virus service, then rebooting and uninstalling the relevant security update (KB4493467 on Windows 8.1 and KB4493472 on Windows 7).
Update: MS has officially acknowledged this issue. Avast users also appear to
be affected as per this article on
the Avast website.
Adobe has released a
new Version 2019.010.20099 of its free software for
viewing PDF documents, now known as Acrobat Reader DC. This update addresses
specific security issues.
Flash
Player 32.0
10 April 2019
Adobe has released Version 32.0.0.171 of the Flash Player plugin for browsers. To download the full offline installer, use these links depending upon your browser: Internet Explorer or Firefox or Opera. Use Windows Update to update the built-in Flash Player in IE11 under Windows 8 and 10, and Edge under Windows 10. Update to the latest version of Chrome to update its built-in Flash Player.
Opera
60.0
10 April 2019
The Opera browser has been updated to Version 60.0.3255.27. This major update provides new features including a new borderless design, adds Web 3 support and a Crypto Wallet, as well as security and bug fixes.
Windows
10 May 2019 Update
5 April 2019
Microsoft has provided details of the new features that allow for greater control over Windows Updates in the upcoming Windows 10 version 1903, also known as the May 2019 Update. The free major update will be available as a Release Preview next week, and will then be made available more broadly in late May.
Windows
Updates
3 April 2019
Microsoft has released a new Cumulative Update for Windows 10 version 1809.
Here are your March 2019 patches. I apologize for my lateness. So thankful for the saying “better late than never”. If you have not updated your machine, now is the time.
uBlock Origin
28 March 2019
If you use the popular uBlock Origin adblocker on Firefox, you will see a prompt asking you to give permission to uBlock to store unlimited amounts of client-side data. This prompt has no privacy implications; the Unlimited storage permission has been added to Firefox recently, and is recommended for extensions that store more than 5MB of data on your system. As the author of uBlock explains, uBlock already stores more than this amount, so he’s simply added the permission for when Mozilla makes it a requirement. Bottom line: it’s safe to click Update when you see the uBlock Origin prompt in Firefox.
Firefox
66.0.2
28 March 2019
Mozilla has released Version 66.0.2 of the Firefox browser. This update provides bug fixes.
iTunes 12.9.4
26 March 2019
Apple has released a new Version 12.9.4 of the iTunes software. If you don’t wish to use the Windows Store to download iTunes, direct download links are provided: 64-bit Version, 32-bit Version. A changelist is not yet available.
Update: This version shows more editorial highlights on a single page in the Browse tab, making it easier to discover new content in Apple Music, and provides security fixes.
Firefox 66.0.123
March 2019
Mozilla has released Version 66.0.1 of the Firefox browser. This update provides security fixes.
Chrome 73.0
21 March 2019
Google has released Version 73.0.3683.86 of the Chrome browser. This update provides security and bug fixes.
Windows Updates
20 March 2019
Microsoft has released a new Cumulative Update for Windows 10 versions 1803, 1709, 1703 and 1607.
Firefox 66.0
20 March 2019
Mozilla has released Version 66.0 of the Firefox browser. This major update improves performance, enhances smooth scrolling and search, blocks webpage sounds by default, adds support for Windows Hello on Windows 10, and provides security and bug fixes.
Update: Unfortunately,
Firefox 66 now allows muted videos to autoplay, even if autoplay videos were
previously blocked. To disable all autoplay videos, open about:config and
set media.autoplay.default=1,
media.autoplay.enabled=false and media.autoplay.allow-muted=false.
Opera 58.0
15 March 2019
The Opera browser has been updated to Version 58.0.3135.107. This version provides bug fixes.
Chrome 73.0
14 March 2019
Google has released Version 73.0.3683.75 of the Chrome browser. This update provides feature improvements, as well as security and bug fixes.
Adobe has released Version 32.0.0.156 of the Flash Player plugin for browsers. To download the full offline installer, use these links depending upon your browser: Internet Explorer or Firefox or Opera. Use Windows Update to update the built-in Flash Player in IE11 under Windows 8 and 10, and Edge under Windows 10. Update to the latest version of Chrome to update its built-in Flash Player.
Opera 58.0
8 March 2019
The Opera browser has been updated to Version 58.0.3135.90. This version provides an important security fix, as well as bug fixes.
Windows Updates
8 March 2019
Microsoft has confirmed that the latest Cumulative Update for Windows 10 Version 1809 released last week can reduce performance in certain games, such as Destiny 2 – see the updated Known Issues list at the bottom of the Update page. MS is working on a fix, but for now, people who are affected can uninstall the update by going to Control Panel>Programs & Features>View Installed Updates, right-clicking on ‘Update for Microsoft Windows (KB 4482887)’ and selecting Uninstall.
Chrome 72.0
2 March 2019
Google has released Version 72.0.3626.121 of the Chrome browser. This update provides security and bug fixes.
Windows Updates
2 March 2019
Microsoft has released a new Cumulative Update for Windows 10 version 1809.
Firefox 65.0
1 March 2019
Mozilla has released Version 65.0.2 of the Firefox browser. This update fixes a geolocation-related issue.
Adobe has released Version 32.0.0.142 of the Flash Player plugin for browsers. To download the full offline installer, use these links depending upon your browser: Internet Explorer or Firefox or Opera. Use Windows Update to update the built-in Flash Player in IE11 under Windows 8 and 10, and Edge under Windows 10. Update to the latest version of Chrome to update its built-in Flash Player.
Chrome 72.0
7 February 2019
Google has released Version 72.0.3626.96 of the Chrome browser. This update provides security and bug fixes
Firefox 65.0 Certificate Errors
4 February 2019
There are reports that Mozilla has withdrawn Firefox 65.0 because the current release is Causing Certificate Errors for people who use certain antimalware packages like Avast, AVG, and Kaspersky. The relevant security companies are working with Mozilla to release updates that will resolve this issue.
Opera 58.0
1 February 2019
The Opera browser has been updated to Version 58.0.3135.53. This version provides bug fixes.
I have a wonderful 27″ mid-2011 iMac. A few years ago I installed a new 1TB Hard Drive (spinning SATA). When I booted up the new install, the iMac fans went crazy. Very loud and going full speed. This is why:
The Hard Drive that Apple uses from the factory has a proprietary controller on it for reporting the drive temperatures to the motherboard. My new drive had no temperature sensor on it, so my iMac motherboard didn’t know what the HD temperature was. It therefore ran the fan speed at 100% all the time.
I certainly didn’t want to open the thing back up so I went with a software solution. I choose smcFanControl and I was fairly satisfied but I did notice that the back of the iMac still got very hot to the touch. I also had to be constantly adjusting the smcFanControl settings.
About two months ago I decided to go with an SSD drive and I chose the Crucial MX500 SSD. I did not want to control the fans via a software solution so I “bit the bullet” and bought the $39.00 OWC In-Line Digital Thermal Sensor Cable. I did not want to pay the $39.00 but I wanted to do the upgrade the right way and I knew that a hardware solution to the fan problem was the right way to go.
So, off comes the glass (you really don’t need suction cups), and after eight screws out comes the screen. Now you have the four cables to disconnect:
Vertical Sync Cable
Backlight Power Cable
Display Port Cable (not too difficult to disconnect but quite difficult to reattach).
Display Power Cable
OWC has a great video here. I bent the Display Port Cable initially and had to order another one from ebay. Finally I updated to macOS High Sierra (can’t go any higher on the mid-2011), and the machine ran like a clock. No fan noise and the new SSD was much more responsive. At some point I’m going to add 4 more GB of memory and I figure I’ll be able to use this machine for a few more years.
The upgrade was fun. Don’t be afraid to give it a try. Just follow the OWC video and you’ll do well.
Hope everyone had a great Christmas and best wishes for a great 2019. Here are the latest December 2018 mostly third party program updates. Check your systems and apply asap!
Windows Updates
20 December 2018
Microsoft
has released a Cumulative Update for
Windows 10, as well as Windows 7 and 8, which addresses a security
vulnerability in Internet Explorer. It is available via Windows Update.
Windows 10 October 2018 Update
19
December 2018
Microsoft officially re-released the
Windows October 2018 Update on 13 November as Version 1809 Build 17763.134, and
has subsequently patched it to Version 17763.194. However, this re-release was
made available on a rolling basis such that some systems may not have yet
received it. Microsoft has now posted a small notice on the Windows 10 Update History
page stating: “Rollout Status as of December 17, 2018: Windows 10,
version 1809, is now fully available for advanced users who manually select
“Check for updates” via Windows Update”. So if you’ve been
waiting to receive the update, go to Settings>Update & Security and
click the ‘Check for Updates’ button to download and install it.
Opera 57.0
14
December 2018
The Opera browser has been updated
to Version 57.0.3098.102. This
update provides bug fixes.
Chrome 71.0
13
December 2018
Google has released Version 71.0.3578.98 of the
Chrome browser. This update provides security and bug fixes.
Acrobat Reader DC 19
12
December 2018
Adobe has released a new Version
2019.010.20064 of its free software for viewing PDF documents, now
known as Acrobat Reader DC. This update provides new features, as well as
security and bug fixes.
Mozilla has released Version 64.0 of the Firefox browser. The changes
in this major update include enhanced tab management, improved performance
management under about:performance, additional sharing features, an option to
remove add-ons by right-clicking on their toolbar buttons, along with security
and bug fixe
Edge Browser Moving to Chromium
7
December 2018
Microsoft has confirmed the recent rumor
that the Edge browser will be moving to the open source Chromium engine.
Opera 57.0
7
December 2018
The Opera browser has been updated
to Version 57.0.3098.91. This
update provides bug fixes.
Windows Updates
6
December 2018
Microsoft has released a Cumulative Update for
Windows 10 Version 1809 which, among other things, fixes the mapped drives
failing to reconnect issue. This update brings Version 1809 up to Build
17763.168.
Flash Player 32.0
6
December 2018
Adobe has released Version 32.0.0.101 of the Flash Player plugin for
browsers. To download the full offline installer, use these links depending
upon your browser: Internet Explorer or Firefox or Opera. Use
Windows Update to update the built-in Flash Player in IE11 under Windows 8 and
10, and Edge under Windows 10. Update to the latest version of Chrome to update
its built-in Flash Player.
Chrome 71.0
5
December 2018
Google has released Version 71.0.3578.80 of the Chrome browser. This update provides a range of improvements, as well as security and bug fixes
Quite a few years ago I began to repair computers. My wife said that what I was doing was “learning to repair computers”. But her words seemed to imply the idea that there were two quite different and separate processes in play: (1) learning to repair computers; and (2) actually repairing computers. She seemed to imply that I would do the first until I had mastered it, then I would stop and begin the second. In other words, I would continue “learning to repair” until I “learned to repair” and only then would I begin to “actually repair” computers. I knew what she meant but I didn’t see it that way. There were not two separate processes but one: I was learning to do something by doing it. There was no other way.
I got a call from a frustrated client the other day. Every time that he tried to open any Microsoft Office program he had to wait while Office went through a five minute configuration/installation process. The Windows installer would appear and the configuration would begin. “Please wait while Windows configures Microsoft Office” was becoming a real nuisance!
Here is the fix:
Click on Windows Start Button (Start menu) > Open Windows “C” Drive (Local Disk) > Open Program Files (x86) > Open Common Files > Open Microsoft Shared > Open OFFICE12 > Open Office Setup Controller > Right Click on SETUP.EXE > Rename to SETUPOLD.EXE > Exit.
You are done! Open up any Office program and they will now open immediately. I have not tried this on Office 2016.
If your kitchen window screen has a hole in it then bugs are going to get into your house. You better “patch” the screen, right? If your computer programs develop any kind of “hole” in them, then you are allowing malicious software bugs to get into your machine. These malicious invaders will infect your machine in various ways. Every month these “holes” are patched by both Microsoft (through automatic updates), and by the other various third party programs (listed below). Don’t delay, apply these patches now and lock down your machines security. Don’t let anything in!
Chrome 68.0
26 July 2018
Google has released Version 68.0.3440.75 of the Chrome browser. This major update provides a range of improvements and changes, including all HTTP sites now being marked as not secure, as well as security and bug fixes.
Opera 54.0
19 July 2018
The Opera browser has been updated to Version 54.0.2952.60. This update resolves issues with the Adblocker.
Java Runtime Environment 8.181
18 July 2018
Oracle has released an Update 181 to the Java Runtime Environment 8.
Adobe has released Version 30.0.0.134 of the Flash Player plugin for browsers. To download the full offline installer, use these links depending upon your browser: Internet Explorer or Firefox or Opera. Use Windows Update to update the built-in Flash Player in IE11 under Windows 8 and 10, and Edge under Windows 10. Update to the latest version of Chrome to update its built-in Flash Player.
iTunes 12.8.0
11 July 2018
Apple has released a new Version 12.8.0 of the iTunes software. This update provides app and performance improvements.
Acrobat Reader DC
11 July 2018
Adobe has released a new Version 2018.011.20055 of its free software for viewing PDF documents, now known as Acrobat Reader DC. This update contains bug fixes.
Firefox 61.0
6 July 2018
Mozilla has released Version 61.0.1 of the Firefox browser. This update fixes a range of bugs.
Opera 54.0
5 July 2018
The Opera browser has been updated to Version 54.0.2952.46. This update resolves issues with the Bookmarks bar.
The other day I was doing some diagnostics on an older AMD dual core laptop. I was checking out the memory using MemTest 86 ( great little memory testing tool), when I noticed that only one core was being used. Dual-core processors include two CPU’s on one die and can, in some cases, double your system’s processing power. However, if you have a dual-core CPU, you must ensure that Windows is utilizing both cores to enable the system to run at its optimal speed. Here is the fix:
Press “Windows+R” to open a Run dialogue box. Type “msconfig” in the “Open” field and press “Enter.” The System Configuration window opens.
Click the “Boot” tab, then click the “Advanced Options” button. The BOOT Advanced Options window opens.
Click the check box labeled “Number of processors” to place a check mark inside it.
Click the drop-down list below the “Number of processors” label, then select “2.”
Click “OK” to close the BOOT Advanced Options window, then click “OK” again to close the System Configuration window.
Exit all applications, then restart the computer. After you restart the PC, you should notice that Windows boots and opens applications faster.
Tip
You can use the System Configuration window to enable all the cores in quad-core processors as well. Simply select “4” in the “Number of processors” drop-down list instead of “2” if configuring Windows for use with a quad-core processor.
Warning
If you set the “Number of processors” value to a number higher than the actual number of cores in your CPU, Windows may freeze or lock up upon restart.
A client called me today and told me that her wireless was not connecting to neither her laptop nor her TV upstairs. When I went to the house I noticed a house full of twists and turns as well as a full set of stairs leading to the upstairs. I located the router in the downstairs living room (TP-Link 300M Wireless N Dual Band) which was hooked up to an Arris Surfboard Cable Modem (ISP being Comcast). Here is what I did to fix the problem:
1) Using an ethernet cable from router to my laptop, I accessed the router software by entering 192.168.0.1 through my Chrome browser.
2) Once into the router, I opened up the Advanced Wireless section (I had already confirmed that the SSD and password were working properly).
3) The wireless Mode was set to b/g/n. I changed it to N mode only. All of the gadgets in the house were wireless N capable. Why set the Mode to b/g/n?
4) I disabled the 5GHz band (5GHz is fast but has limited range and penetration capabilities. 2.4GHz is slower but has better range and penetration).
5) I changed the Channel Width from “auto” to 20MHz (the “narrow” 20MHz bandwidth works better with 2.4GHz networks).
6) I changed the wireless channel from “auto” to channel 11 (channel 11 works well with 20MHz channel width).
7) I saved all of the new settings and rebooted the router.
8) I went upstairs and the TV (Netflix) connected well and the laptop was showing three bars where before there had been no wireless connection. Internet was working well.
9) The nice lady was very happy. Paid me and asked for some of my business cards.
