Category: Uncategorized

The pages listed here could help explain the many pages in this site.

• PageList/SiteMap
• PDF help
• How To Get Around
• Print size Adjustment

SPECIAL NOTICE –

The Channels broadcasting content from HMCTV have been permanently changed from 1970 & 1971 to 970 & 971. All residents should have received an email (dated December 8, 2020) explaining the change. If you live in Hershey’s Mill and did not get this email, please contact the HM Technology Committee, Sherry and Bill Kane, Co-Chairs, HMTC (see your HM Directory for email address).

HMCTV needs some help in determining which home addresses are not receiving their 2 channels (970 & 971). Don Trauger (President of HMCTV) is asking if you know residents in your villages which cannot receive the channels, or alternately to share this message with your residents so they can respond to HMCTV directly with their answers.

We think the recent change from channels 1970 & 1971 to 970 & 971 will solve the problem we had previously with lack of reception at some addresses but we need to hear about any problems now.

Residents can call the station directly at 610-436-5922 or email at hmctv@comcast.net if they are not able to view channels 970 & 971.

Thank you.

This page gives more detail about navigating the website.

Most people will to use the menu provided. It should be just above here and below the large picture on most computers. The appearance will vary a bit from computer to computer or if you are using a tablet or smart phone. Here we will give general directions which may be more detail than you need.

You will notice that some menu items have a downward facing triangle or arrow (▼). This simply means that when you move the cursor over that menu heading a submenu appears. If the submenu item also has an arrow but facing to the side (▶) these submenus lead another submenu . Sometimes this seems hard to naviagate, In that case you can just click on any menu or submenu item to see that menu or submenu as a list of links to all subpages.

I’m not sure if this clarifies or just confuses so let me give an example. If you pass you cursor over “TV & Digest”, you’ll find only 3 items on the submeunu (‘HM Directories’, ‘HMCTV’ and ‘Guide and Digest’). HMCTV has the sideway arrow so you know there is a submenu. On the other hand, if you click on TV & Digest” you’ll get links for the 3 items and also see that HMCTV has 3 subpages.

Having trouble with the menu ?. Scroll the main page downward so the menu bar is at the top. This step is not necessary but does make it easier by allowing more room for the menu to show. Next to the various categories, click the down arrow to view other related items that are in those categories. Click an item to view.

The is another version of this which is based on an older version of the website but could be helpful because it is an Illustrated Guide.

If you click on Page Index you’ll get a list of all pages and subpages on the website. It is a long list but it really is the easiest way to get around if you don’t feel like dealing with the menus.

Technology Tips – Published December 2019 in the Guide and Digest

By Don Trauger – Kennett

 

In June’s 2019 Tech Tips, I wrote about how Microsoft will possibly remove their built-in Disk Cleanup program in Windows 10. I’ve written over the years about how to use it along with CCleaner to clean up your PC. In that article I also included information about a separate program that can replace Disk Cleanup called Cleanmgr +.

 

You can review it here: http:\\\\www.hersheysmill.org//?s=cleanmgr.

 

Disk Cleanup doesn’t always run well on Windows 10 so Microsoft has reinvented it and placed an updated version in Settings under System > Storage category.

 

Directions: Click “Start” click Settings (gear icon above Power icon), click “System” and click “Storage”. At the top click the “Storage Sense” switch to turn it on. Just below click “Storage Sense or run it now”. In first field click the little down arrow at the right and choose to run “Every week”. Under Temporary files put a check mark next to “Delete temporary files that my apps aren’t using”. Next, choose when to delete discarded files from the Recycle bin. One day is a good choice or 14 days if you aren’t sure. The last configuration is to choose when to delete files from the Downloads folder. The Downloads folder will contain apps that you have downloaded and installed. Be cautious with this as you may want reinstall an app that no longer is running correctly. Otherwise, it’s safe to delete files from this folder. Lastly, click the “Clean now” button under “Free up space now” to clean your computer’s disk drive based on the previous settings. Wait for the Done! message and the check mark next to the “Clean now” button. Click the back arrow at the top left corner to return to the previous page.

 

For a deeper customized cleaning click “Temporary files”. If you don’t see it click “Show more categories”. When you click “Temporary files” it will scan your disk drive looking for other areas to clean. Put a check mark in the categories you want to clean. It’s safe to check everything. However, read the notes under each category. Two areas to be cautious are items that contain the word update or upgrade. If it’s been more than 10 days since you upgraded to version 1903 then it’s safe to delete anything leftover as Windows automatically deletes version upgrade installations after 10 days. Windows updates are a little different. Should a bad update be installed then keeping these files will allow an update to be uninstalled. The alternative is to wait for Microsoft to fix the bad update. Other items in the list are safe to check. After you have made your selections click the “Remove files” button near the top of the page.

 

The best time to clean up your Windows 10 PC is just after the first Tuesday of the month. This allows time for Microsoft to fix bad updates and get ready for the major updates on the second Tuesday of the month. You can still use CCleaner and Cleanmgr + as these two programs dig even deeper into your system to effect a more thorough cleaning. Remember to optimize/defrag your disk drive after cleaning to speed up your computer. Just type “defrag” (no quotes) in the “Type here to search field” and press the Enter key.

 

You can use either Cleanmgr + or Storage Sense to remove junk files from your PC. In addition you can still run CCleaner (free version) as it will clean the remote areas of the disk drive the others miss.

 

We will discuss this topic at the PC Club meeting on Tuesday, December 17 at 7 PM upstairs in the Community Center.

Windows 10 Version 1903 – What’s New

Technology Tips – Published November 2019 in the Guide and Digest

By Don Trauger – Kennett

Microsoft’s support for version 1803 will end on November 12, 2019. Version 1809’s support will end on May 12, of 2020. For 1803 users Microsoft is busy downloading version 1903 to your computer. You may already have it. You can check to see what version you have by clicking Settings, (the gear icon above the Power icon after clicking Start) then click System and scroll down and click About. Scroll down to Windows specifications to view your version.

If you have version 1903 click Home at the top left corner to return to the main Settings window. Next, click Update & Security. You will see a major change in the way Microsoft handles updates.

For some background on this change read my December 2018 and July 2019 articles dealing with Windows Update problems. Go to our web site hersheysmill.org and type windows update in the search field and press Search. The articles will help you better understand why Microsoft is making a change with Windows Update starting with version 1903. Don’t implement any changes mentioned in the articles. If you still have the changes mentioned in the articles, restore your computer back to its original configuration. The new 1903 version will be able to be configured to mitigate Microsoft’s reliability problems with updates. Users with version 1809 may or may not see this new Windows Update feature. Microsoft has stopped offering 1809 as a version upgrade and instead has moved directly to 1903.

Updates are issued generally every Tuesday starting at 1 PM except for high priority security updates that can occur at any time. The timing for these updates does not mean you can get them automatically at 1 PM. Depending on the load for Microsoft’s servers it could be as late as Thursday or Friday before you get them. The first Tuesday of the month is the biggest and consists of the major updates for the month. Weeks 2,3 and 4 may consist of patches to correct any errors made with the first Tuesday patch.

It’s very easy to see that Microsoft issues updates in the beginning of the month then spends the rest of the month figuring out how to fix them. Let me guide you away from this scenario.
Here’s how to configure Windows update to avoid Microsoft’s mistakes. In Settings click Update & Security. Move down to and click Advanced options. Scroll down to Pause updates. Assuming you get your updates in the first week of the month click the down arrow in the field and select the last Friday of the current month (at the earliest) or the first Friday of the following month. Microsoft limits you to a 35 day maximum delay. Whenever you receive your updates then you get a new 35 day delay window.

You can see this feature will always delay updates up to 35 days. However, the first time you use it depends on receiving stable updates during the first week of the month that don’t require patching during the second, third or fourth week of the month. Be alert to any system problems that occur after an update. Click the Resume updates button located in Update & Security under Settings and download the fix. It may take a week or longer to download a stable fix.

Our PC Club meeting is on the third Tuesday of every month at 7 PM upstairs in the Community Center. You’ll get answers to your questions regarding this article and any other issues that you may have.

Technology Tips – Published October 2019 in the Guide and Digest

By Don Trauger – Kennett

A PECO power outage not only affects the lights, appliances and the garage door opener, but it can also affect any electronic device when the power is restored. Devices such as computers, wireless phones (not cell phones) and most of all the FIOS equipment is subject to power interruptions. Power interruptions can cause devices to freeze, exhibit strange behavior, or just not work at all when the power comes back on.

 

Here’s a procedure to follow with the FIOS equipment after the power is restored.

 

1. After power is restored wait about 10-15 minutes to make sure the power stays on and is stable before checking your FIOS equipment.
2. If the TV, phone and Internet are not working check the ONT box. This FIOS box is usually located adjacent to your power panel in your basement or closet.
3. The ONT assembly actually consists of 2 boxes. One is the power supply for the ONT and the other is the main ONT. The power supply has a blue reset button and a green power light on it. Locate the power cord from the power supply and remove it from the receptacle. Wait about 15-20 seconds then plug it back in. Allow 2-3 minutes for it reinitialize and become operable. Referenced below is the light pattern of a normally working ONT. Don’t press the blue button on the power supply as this button does not allow a full reset compared to removing and then plugging in the power cord.
4. If you power reset the ONT it makes sense to do the same to your FIOS router. The light pattern on the FIOS router has 2 white lights, one for power, the other other for the Wi-Fi. Again, wait for 15-20 seconds after you pull the power cord before plugging it back in. It also takes 2 minutes or so to reboot and become operable. The router directly affects Internet operation and some TV operation such as On Demand, the Channel Guide and the DVR.
5. You may have to power reset the Set Top Boxes (STB). Follow the same power reset procedure above. Start with the main box (Media Server) and continue with the smaller client boxes as needed.
6. You don’t have to necessarily identify which lights are solid green as long as there is 5 of them. If you are unable to achieve normal operation after power resetting your FIOS equipment, call Verizon at 1-888-553-1555.

 

Here’s the normal status of the ONT lights.

The following are ON and solid green:

Pwr
Bat
Data
Ntwk
Mgmt
The following lights should be OFF:

Fail
Vid
Moca

 

One exception, the following light will be solid green when you pick up the phone to make a call:

 

Pots

 

We can discuss FIOS issues as well as Windows 10 issues at our PC Club meetings. We meet on the 3rd Tuesday of every month at 7 PM in the Ardmore room of the Community Center.

Technology Tips – Published September 2019 in the Guide and Digest

By Don Trauger – Kennett

Microsoft has decided, unwisely, to eliminate Automatic Registry backups. They said they did this to decrease the “disk footprint size of Windows.” What is troubling is that they did this unannounced in October of 2018. That decision has no merit as one backup, or restore point, is only about 2 Gb’s or less. Typical hard drives are 1000 GB’s, less your Windows operating system (about 15 GB’s), your programs and files. A total of 50 – 200 GB’s of used storage is typical on a well maintained computer. Based on 200 GB’s used, one automatic backup or restore point is only .25% of the available storage space.

Part of Windows, the Registry is the brain of your computer. It stores all the settings for files, programs and of course Windows. Another term that can be applied is that it is a database for everything going on in your computer. When things go wrong with your computer and a reboot doesn’t fix the problem, you may have to use a restore point to get it to function properly.

Here’s the procedure for working with the Registry. Type CO in the “Type here to search field” in the lower left corner of the Desktop screen. If you don’t see it, right click a blank area of the Taskbar (bottom of screen), move to Cortana and click “Show search box”. Then click “Control Panel” on the top left. At the upper right area of the window click the down arrow next to “View by:” and click “Large icons”. This will allow you to see all of the components of the Control Panel. Click “System” then click “System protection” at the upper left. When the window opens click the “Configure” button. At the top make sure the circle next to “Turn on system protection” is highlighted. Near the bottom of the window click and hold the mouse pointer on the slider and adjust it for about 10 GB’s plus or minus 20%. Click OK. Next click the “Create button”. You will now actually create a manual restore point. It’s safe and you will see why later in this article. Now give it a name, anything will do, and click the “Create” button. After the restore point has been created click Close. Next, in the main System Protection window click “system Restore” and click “Next”. You will now see your newly created restore point along with older ones. When you have to restore you computer you normally pick a restore point that was created earlier than when the problem occurred. Normally, having 2-3 restore points is sufficient. I recommend you create a manual restore point once a week or so since the automatic feature has been disabled by Microsoft. Click on “Show more restore points” to see all that have been saved. If you click a restore point it will also activate the “Scan for affected programs” This is information for you to consider if necessary. Click “Next” and follow the screen prompts to complete the restore.

Finally, for advanced users, you can modify the Registry to allow automatic updates to once again take place by completing the following procedure:

FOR SAFETY, MAKE SURE YOU HAVE MADE A MANUAL RESTORE POINT BEFORE MODIFYING THE REGISTRY.

1. Load the Registry Editor by typing regedit.exe in the “Type here to search” field and press the Enter key.
2. Navigate to HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Configuration Manager
3. Right-click Configuration Manager and create a new Dword (32-bit) Value
4. Name the new value EnablePeriodicBackup
5. Double-click EnablePeriodicBackup and set the value to 1. Click OK then close the Registry Editor program.
6. Reboot your PC
After that, the backups will continue to happen automatically and they get saved to the Windows\System32\config\RegBack folder.

This topic will be discussed at our regularly scheduled PC Club meeting on September 17th
upstairs in the Community Center at 7 PM. Also, bring your questions about Windows 10 to get the answers you need.

Technology Tips – Published August 2019 in the Guide and Digest

By Don Trauger – Kennett

It’s easy to copy your photos on a mobile phone to a PC.

Make sure you have your charging cable available because it will serve as the connection between your phone and the PC. Also, check that the phone has a sufficient charge before starting the process.

Connect the cable to your phone and the Windows 10 USB port. Turn on the phone and PC. For Android phones touch “Settings” then touch “Connected devices” then touch “USB”. It will be necessary to change from “Charge this device” to “Transfer files”. On your Windows 10 PC open the Photos app. Locate it either in the Live Tiles area or in the apps menu by clicking the 4 pane white icon (Start) in the lower left corner of the screen. Open Photos then click Import at the upper right of the window. In the drop down menu choose “From a USB device”.

All photos found will be automatically selected to be imported. Click “Unselect all” so you can choose only those you want imported into the PC.

Finally, after you have made your selections, click “Import selected”. The photos from your phone will now be imported into the Pictures folder of Windows 10. All photos selected and imported into Windows 10 will safely remain on the phone.

Using an iPhone to import photos into Windows 10 is very similar to an Android phone. In fact, you shouldn’t have to go into Settings to make any changes.

We will discuss this procedure at our PC Club meeting on August 20 at 7 PM upstairs in the Community Center.

Technology Tips – Published July 2019 in the Guide and Digest

by Don Trauger – Kennett

Microsoft has started rolling out their newest version of Feature Updates for Windows 10. This means not everyone will get it immediately. They are doing this to make sure there are no major flaws in the update. If you want to check what version you have, click Settings, click System, scroll down to About and click it. Scroll down again to Windows specifications to view your version. The present common versions are 1803, 1809 and the newest is 1903.

Feature Updates are the major updates released twice per year. Briefly, 1803 has been the most stable recent version. Version 1809 was introduced last October with a major flaw of deleting your personal files. That was quickly corrected but Microsoft has not fully released it to all users. With 1903 now released I doubt anyone will receive 1809. The version numbers simply refer to the year and month of release, well almost. Microsoft sticks to their initial scheduled release date even if there are problems to be corrected which can delay the actual release.

Microsoft has seen the error of their ways and has implemented a change to the way updates are handled. With Version 1903 you now have better control over when and if the updates are installed on your computer.

When a Feature Update becomes available you will first be notified instead of the update being installed automatically. If you don’t want to install it just ignore the notification and your computer will continue to use the current version. It will continue to run your current version until the end of its version support which is usually 18 months after its release date. For example, version 1803 will end support on Nov. 12, 2019 and version 1809 on May 12, 2020.

Whenever you are ready to install a Feature Update go to Settings, click Update & Security and click “Download and install now”. My recommendation is to wait at least until August 1, 2019 before installing 1903. There’s also a built-in safety feature that will either fix or uninstall problem updates and block their reinstallation for 30 days. Minor updates, such as security and bug fixes, can also be delayed but only for 7 days at a time. However, you can do this 5 times giving you a total of 35 days delay.

Now for more good news. This change will also be available to users of versions 1803 and 1809.

One other thing – don’t click on “Check for updates” unless you want to risk the possibility of receiving a partially tested update. Microsoft uses that item to further test updates.

Finally, Microsoft is offering user control over their computer in an area that has been plagued with faulty updates. If you have been affected you know what I’m talking about. We will discuss this topic at our PC Club meeting on July 16 at 7 PM, upstairs in the Community Center.