Category: IT News

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How to tell which version of Windows you’re using; Windows 10 or Windows 7

by Colin BowenLeave a Comment on How to tell which version of Windows you’re using; Windows 10 or Windows 7

If you’re not sure which version of Windows you’re using there are a couple of ways to find out. Usually, you can tell by looking at the Start icon. The Start icon is the Windows logo that’s usually located at the bottom left of you screen.

Windows 7 Start.JPG Ignoring the blue background, if your Start icon is round with a four-colour Windows logo inside it then you’re probably using Windows 7.

 

Windows 10 Start.JPG If your Start icon is black with a white Windows logo inside it then it’s almost certain you’re using Windows 10.

To make absolutely sure, look for the black Windows logo on the bottom row of your keyboard, two or three keys in, and press it. Then type in “System Information” (without the quotes) and select the top option on the list shown on your screen. A new window will pop up which will tell you exactly which version on Windows your computer is running.

If you’re using Windows 7 then be aware that with effect from 14th January next year (2020) Windows 7 reaches “End of Life”. From this point, Microsoft considers it “End of Support” and will not offer any more security updates to patch security issues with Windows. Please contact me to discuss your options to upgrade to Windows 10 or a new computer that will come with Windows 10 pre-installed.

All IT, IT News

Windows Vista; time to move on

by Colin BowenLeave a Comment on Windows Vista; time to move on

Google’s Chrome browser is warning that Windows Vista is no longer supported. Here’s what you should do. For TLDR, see last paragraph of this post. Click here to find out what TLDR means.

Chrome support ending on Vista

The exact message is “This Computer will soon stop receiving Google Chrome updates because Windows XP and Windows Vista will no longer be supported”. Well, if you’re using Windows XP, stop it! Now! If you’re using Windows Vista, now is a good time to think about an upgrade or a new computer.

Google’s Chrome blog here states that they’re removing support for Chrome on Windows Vista  this April (2016) “since these platforms are no longer actively supported by Microsoft [snip]. Chrome will continue to function [snip] but will no longer receive updates and security fixes. [Snip] We encourage you to move to a newer operating system to ensure that you continue to receive the latest Chrome versions and features.”

Well, that’s not strictly true, Microsoft will issue security patches through Windows Update until April 2017. Google will not be updating the security features of Chrome on Vista from this April. Microsoft haven’t updated the security on their Internet Explorer on Windows Vista either. Maybe you could install and use Firefox from Mozilla as an alternative, but that’s just a temporary fix.
I think Windows Vista and the software running on it will become less secure from now until the end of Microsoft support for Vista in April 2017, after which I would not recommend using Windows Vista for anything financial certainly, for anything important to you, and for anything password-based like email or Facebook as these passwords could be leaked on insecure Vista.

TLDR and the bottom line: For Windows Vista users, over the next year I recommend either upgrading to a new version of Windows, or buying a new computer, and making a gentle transition to the new system rather than waiting until the last minute. I can advise and help with the purchase and the transition.
All IT, IT - Other, IT News, IT Tips

You will get Windows 10 this Tuesday whether you want it or not *

by Colin BowenLeave a Comment on You will get Windows 10 this Tuesday whether you want it or not *
If you don’t want Windows 10 installed automatically on Tuesday 9th February (or shortly after) then you need to take action now. I have this from two very reliable sources.Windows 10 enforced upgrade
*This applies to Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1. If you have these versions then Microsoft will “upgrade” you to Windows 10 as part of Windows Automatic Updates starting this Tuesday 9th February.
Some software (programs and apps) and hardware (printers and other things you plug in to your computer) will not work with Windows 10.
I can block this unwanted upgrade and turn off all the annoying popups about the upgrade.
I expect to be busy with this fix. I may not be able to reply to emails until after the deadline.
So, if you don’t want Windows 10 then phone me as soon as possible and leave a message if I am not available so I can get back to you.
All IT, Financial, IT News, Personal

26th Anniversary of self employment. Financial Services and IT Services.

by Colin BowenLeave a Comment on 26th Anniversary of self employment. Financial Services and IT Services.

family-222128_640Today is the 26th Anniversary of me becoming self employed. on 15th January 1990 I stopped working at a bank and became a self employed financial adviser. I had previously worked in pubs and clubs, and for the local education authority in the “computer lab” at the school where I was still a student. I kept up to date on computers and other IT and continued to support family, friends and colleagues.

mobile-971480_640Around ten years ago I started Colin Bowen IT Services, mainly as a way to fix more computers than I had access to at the time, and to generate a little extra income in my spare time (I didn’t have kids then, so I had spare time). I never intended it to become my main business, but over the years the IT services business has grown quite steadily, and I’m now at a point where I don’t have time to spend on both businesses and spend time with my family.

I’m giving up my financial adviser licences in April to develop my IT and computer services business. People can still come to me for financial services, and I will pass them on to other financial services companies that I have dealt with for years, and those companies will provide the advice.

So, I’d like to thank all my existing clients from both businesses. I hope you will continue to come to me for your IT services and financial services needs, and I’ll help you personally or point you towards trusted third parties who can help you. Of course, I also welcome new customers, so please tell people about me, and get in touch if you need help.

All IT, IT News, IT Tips

Quick Tip – get all my new posts delivered straight to your inbox

by Colin BowenLeave a Comment on Quick Tip – get all my new posts delivered straight to your inbox

Follow me to get get posts sent to your inbox If you can’t bear the thought of missing any of my extremely interesting posts, then you can easily subscribe to email updates. Just click on the Follow button at the bottom right of any page and input your email address. One confirmation email later, and you’ll get an email every time I post the this website.

IT News

Virgin to switch your email from Gmail to another service

by Colin Bowen4 Comments on Virgin to switch your email from Gmail to another service
I’ve just had an email from Virgin Media saying they’re moving their email service from Gmail to someone else. I did some research and they may be moving to TalkTalk, which most of my TalkTalk customers say is a dreadful email service.
I always recommend that people have an email service that is independent of their broadband provider, so if you ever switch internet providers you can carry on as usual with your own email address.
If you use a virgin.net or blueyonder email address, I recommend that you set up an independent email address as soon as possible so you can let your contacts know your new email address in plenty of time before the Virgin changeover. You will then also have to change the email address used by any banks, Facebook, and any other accounts that use your current email address. I recommend Gmail. If you would like help setting this all up, please contact me.
IT News

Get Windows 10 – register for a free upgrade. What’s it about, and what to do?

by Colin BowenLeave a Comment on Get Windows 10 – register for a free upgrade. What’s it about, and what to do?

Get Windows 10 Free UpgradeTL;DR* No need to take action yet, Windows 10 comes out 29th July and the free upgrade is valid for a year.

Most of us Windows 7 and Windows 8 users are getting “get Windows 10” pop-ups inviting us to register for a free upgrade to Windows 10. If you don’t have a pop-up yet, don’t worry, you will be eligible for an upgrade at some point.

Windows 7 and Windows 8 users will have the chance to upgrade to Windows 10 for free when it comes out on 29th July. Microsoft is trying to get people to register for the free upgrade before it’s released; it’s just a marketing ploy. Whether or not you want to upgrade is up to you, it depends on whether you want the new features of Windows 10.

If you do decide to upgrade, there are two options; and “in-place upgrade” which (supposedly) leaves your files and software on the computer, or a “fresh install” where you backup your data (documents, photos, etc), wipe the hard disk, do a fresh install of Windows 10, install your software again, restore your data. For previous upgrades to Windows it was recommended that you do a “fresh install” to minimize the risk of things not working properly afterwards, and I expect that will be the best option for most people for Windows 10 too. In any case, I would recommend a backup of your data first. Also remember that some older software and hardware such as printers may not work with Windows 10.

So, what should you do now? I suggest you do nothing at the moment, but registering for the upgrade doesn’t commit you to the upgrade (I think). The free upgrade will be available for a year anyway. I would recommend waiting until Windows 10 has been installed by many more people and most of the bugs have been fixed. Then, if you want to upgrade, do so when you’re not likely to need the computer for a week in case there are problems.

When you do decide to upgrade, make sure you take your time, and maybe call in a professional to make sure it goes smoothly.

* TL;DR stands for Too Long, Didn’t Read. The tl;dr label is sometimes used constructively by an author to introduce a short summation of a longer piece, as I have here.

IT News

Important announcement about dangerous HP laptop power adapters

by Colin BowenLeave a Comment on Important announcement about dangerous HP laptop power adapters

HP Power adapter recallIf you have an HP laptop sold from Sept 2010 through June 2012 (check anyway if later than this) then the power cord could be dangerous. Disconnect from the mains and check for LS-15 on the mains lead where it connects to the power brick. If is says LS-15 you are affected and should not use the power adapter.

Check here for information about a worldwide recall of affected power supplies http://support.hp.com/us-en/product/HP-Pavilion-dv6-Entertainment-Notebook-PC-series/4011364/model/4036197/document/c04404446/

CBits takes no responsibility for this information, errors, or omissions. This is for information only. You should check with the manufacturer directly.