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                                                                                                                         By Don Trauger – Kennett

            A solid-state drive(SSD) (also known as a solid-state disk though it contains no actual disk, nor a drive motor to spin a disk) is a data storage device that uses integrated circuit assemblies as memory to permanently store data.

            SSDs have no moving mechanical components as opposed to the traditional computer hard drive. This distinguishes them from hard drives or floppy disks, which contain spinning disks and electro-mechanical movable read/write heads. Compared with electro-mechanical disks, SSDs are typically more resistant to physical shock, run silently, and are faster in response to system commands. However, while the price of SSDs has continued to decline over time, consumer-grade SSDs are still roughly five to six times more expensive per unit of storage than consumer-grade hard disk drives (HDDs). This is one reason why they have not entered the main stream of “off-the-shelf” consumer computers. Hybrid drives or solid-state hybrid drives (SSHDs) combine the features of SSDs and HDDs in the same unit, containing a large hard disk drive and an SSD cache to improve performance of frequently accessed data. However, they only boost the speed of booting a computer and don’t materially affect the speed of programs. Hybrid drives are not worth the extra cost. SDDs, on the other hand, can be ordered with a new computer as an option from a computer manufacturer.

            Hard drives slowly wear after a period of time. This can affect the reliability. Five to ten years ago a drive could cause problems after just a few years of use. Since then reliability has improved but wear is still a problem. Built-in circuitry will compensate for wear – to a point. The main issue now is that a hard drive is slow in comparison to a SSD. That’s due to its moving parts. SSDs have no moving parts. All operations move electronically making it much faster. The advantage of hard drives is basically in two categories, cost and the amount of storage. However, SSDs are catching up to HDDs in the storage area.

            SSDs are the same size as a laptop hard drive making them ideally suited for replacement. They also can be installed in a Desktop computer but that requires a kit consisting of a mounting tray that goes in the space where the hard drive is located. Replacing a hard drive in a laptop does not require the knowledge of a rocket scientist. It does require a small Phillips head screwdriver to remove a bottom panel of the laptop and the old hard drive.

            Here’s how it’s done. You can order from either TigerDirect.com or Newegg.com. I prefer the SSDs made by Samung. You should order a size that is commensurate for your needs.  A 128 or 256 Gb size should be adequate. What you will receive is the SSD, a software disc, a special cable and instructions. Plug one end of the cable into the laptop’s USB port and the other into the new SSD then turn on the laptop. Next you run the Samsung Data Migration program from the supplied CD disc. This copies (clones) your hard drive to the SSD. I highly recommend that you do your routine maintenance on the hard drive BEFORE you run the copy program. This includes running CCleaner and Disk Cleanup. Defragging is also recommended. This provides a better environment for the process. After the copy process is completed, shut down the laptop and remove the back panel and the hard drive. Using the mounting frame from the old hard drive, plug in the new SSD and secure it in place. Replace the back panel and turn it on. Next install the Magician software. This program optimizes the operation of the SSD. You can expect to see anywhere from 30 – 50% decrease in boot time over the former hard drive. Program speed will also be much quicker.

            To help you with questions about this or any subject, we meet on the second Tuesday of every month at 7 PM, upstairs in the Ardmore room of the Community Center.

Technology Tips – Published February 2020 in the Guide and Digest

By Don Trauger – Kennett

The last time I wrote about buying a new computer was for the August 2016 Guide & Digest issue. Since then a number of changes have taken place. Desktop computers with a monitor are still viable and are often slightly less expensive than laptops with equal specifications. What can be confusing when shopping for a computer is the terminology and the technical specifications. Although space doesn’t allow for a complete primer on the subject, I’ll tell you what you need to know.

First, decide whether you want a laptop or a desktop. Laptops offer certain advantages over a desktop. You get portability with plenty of processing power. However there are disadvantages too. A somewhat smaller screen may strain your eyes over a period of time. A smaller keyboard makes for cramped typing. Glossy screens are great for sharpness and contrast but don’t sit with a sunny window behind you. The glossy screen acts as a mirror reflecting the light from the window thus making the screen harder to see. Another item to consider is the touchpad. A touchpad allows you to mimic the mouse. Some people have trouble using the touchpad and prefer to connect a real mouse to the laptop. That’s fine if that’s your preference.

My minimum hardware recommendations for both laptops and desktops require that they have 4 core processors. Four cores refers to 4 computer processors in one package. Names like i5 and i7 made by Intel are best. AMD, an Intel competitor, is also an excellent choice. AMD Ryzen 5 and Ryzen 7 processors are the best choices within the AMD brand. Computers with Intel i3 processors can serve for everyday computing single task needs such as Internet surfing, email, and word processing but are limited in processing power and don’t offer much to offset higher demands now or in the future. An i5 processor can handle almost all demands put on the processor. An i7 processor is the fastest and most expensive processor and is aimed toward serious gamers and multitasking. When buying a new computer choose a computer whose processor has 4 cores and 8 threads. Threads provide additional performance to the 4 cores. The speed rating of the processor also is important. The higher it is the faster your computer will run. A good choice would be a 3GHz or higher speed processor. Keep in mind that processors have a low idle speed that extends battery life when there are no programs running. An idle speed rating around 1.5GHz is normal. When a demand is executed the speed will increase to nearly the full rated speed. The higher the speed the faster the computer will run Apps (programs). 

Here’s how to find a processor that meets my recommendations. After making a choice on a new computer note the model number of the computer. Your choice may come from an in-store or online visit. Don’t buy on your first visit to a store. Google the computer model number online and look for the specifications. It’s best to choose the specifications from the manufacturer’s website. To keep up with technology the right processor and a SSD drive will add years to the usability of the computer. 

My recommendation for an Internet, email, word processing, photo editing and light gaming computer would have a 3 GHz or higher speed 4 core 8 thread Intel i5 processor, 8 GB’s or more of RAM, and a 256 GB or higher solid state drive such as a Dell 15 3000 model 3593. There are many other options available for computers that help personalize it for your needs and of course add to the cost. A DVD drive is now an option on some laptops but unavailable on most. What I’ve outlined here would be suitable for most HM residents. Other things to consider are the number of ports (USB & HDMI) for your needs.

WARNING: STORE CONFIGURATIONS FOR ANY MODEL COMPUTER CAN VARY FROM THE MANUFACTURER’S WEB SITE OFFERING. THE DELL 3593 IS NO EXCEPTION!

Both laptops and desktops feature the Windows 10 operating system. Shop for popular brands such as HP, Dell, and others. I favor Dell because of good reliability, easy online ordering and less junkware installed compared to other brands. Before going to a store become familiar with a manufacturer’s line of computers by visiting their web sites. HP can be found at www.hp.com, Dell is at www.dell.com. Avoid the low cost ($300-$400) computers or computers that have Celeron or Pentium processors. They can be annoyingly slow if speed is a priority for your needs. A higher priced computer also offers future proofing which means the computer will operate at nearly the same speed in future years as it does now. 

More help in purchasing a Windows 10 computer can be obtained by attending the PC Club meeting on the 3rd Tuesday at 7 PM of each month at the Community Center.

Don Trauger – Kennett

As we age, the vision that we may have had in our younger years, is not what it used to be. Even with glasses visual acuity is often
compromised. On the newer LCD computer screens with high resolution, the font size is often tiny. Although the content is sharp it
can be hard to read. Now I’ll tell you the procedure to improve this problem with different Microsoft operating systems.

First, make sure your monitor is adjusted properly using its contrast and brightness settings. If you have a high resolution picture
from a digital camera, this can be used to set the contrast and brightness for a life-like setting. If a picture is not available go
to www.google.com and search for “nature wallpaper” or “landscape wallpaper”. Click a life-like picture then click on full-size image
to the right. Do several to get an idea of a life-like image. To see more pictures click on “Images for Nature Wallpaper or “Images for
Landscape Wallpaper”. With a life-like picture on the screen you can now adjust your monitor’s contrast and brightness for the best
quality. Check your monitor’s manual for instructions on the location for the contrast and brightness controls.

With Windows XP right click a blank area on the Desktop screen. Click Properties and then click the Appearance tab. Next click the
Effects button. In that window put a check next to “Use the following method to smooth edges of screen fonts”. Click the little down arrow
and click “ClearType”. OK the window. Next, click the Settings tab. Under “Color quality” choose “Highest (32bit)”. Click the Advanced
button. Under “DPI setting”, click the down arrow and choose “Large size (120DPI)”. OK the window. The following adjustment can be used
but it will distort the screen image so that circles may not be round any longer and it can also cause other side effects in all operating
systems. This adjustment is the Screen resolution slider setting under the Settings tab. If you move the slider to the left everything on
the screen will appear larger but possibly distorted and fuzzier. Set it to where you are satisfied with the results.

Windows Vista is similar. Right click the Desktop, click Personalize. On the left side click “Adjust font size (DPI)”. Choose “Larger
scale (120 DPI)” and OK the window. Next, Click Display Settings. Here you can adjust the Resolution, and Colors (Highest 32 bit is recommended)
if necessary.

Windows 7 allows additional adjustments. Click Start then click Control Panel. Click Appearance and Personalization
(View by: Category at top right). Click Display. Choose “Medium – 125%”. On the left side, click “Adjust resolution”. Use the recommended
setting if at all possible. Next, click “Calibrate color”. Follow the instructions on the screen. It will be followed by a ClearType procedure
to improve text quality.

Windows 7 does the best job of tuning your computer display for your individual needs. However, XP and Vista also provide the ability to make
your screen easier to read. One thing to remember – don’t use Windows High Contrast setting should you encounter it. It may seem to be an easy
fix for readability problems but you will incur color distortions, and other visual side effects that conflict with normal Web surfing.

Help with the above information is available at the PC Club meetings. We meet the second Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM upstairs in
the Ardmore room of the Community Center.

Don Trauger – Kennett

Residents that still have Verizon telephone service may have experienced prolonged outages and other varying problems recently.
Basically, most of the problems are related to the deterioration of wiring and delayed maintenance on the main junction boxes.
This situation can also affect Internet service from Verizon. Contrary to popular belief Verizon telephone service is NOT required
to operate our alarm systems. Instead, switching to Comcast Digital Voice and Comcast Internet service can and will eliminate the
insecurity of depending on Verizon not only for phone and Internet service, but for our alarm systems as well.

How would this work in Hershey’s Mill, considering we must maintain full use of our alarm systems? Actually, perfectly well, but read on.

I’ve been using Comcast’s Digital Voice for 3 years after experiencing intermittent noise and static with Verizon’s telephone services.
Verizon tried unsuccessfully to find the problem. A call to the Comcast Customer Service Center at 215-992-2712 set up a mutually agreed
upon installation date. Make sure you ask for any promotional pricing that is available. The unit is a combination cable modem for
high speed Internet service and a telephone adapter for telephone service. It has a battery which acts as a substitute power source for
the telephone adapter in case of a power failure. It will provide power for up to 4 hours of continuous talk and up to 12 hours in
standby mode. You will need to have a TV cable wall jack nearby.

The installer wanted to open up the telephone wall connection to “hard wire” the unit. I convinced him that was unnecessary and to
use the plug-in modular wall jack. He agreed. This avoids any chance of miswiring and causing potential alarm system problems. He used
his cell phone to “port” my phone number from Verizon to the new Comcast service. Outside the house, in the NID (Network Interface Device)
or Demarc connection box, he disconnected the Verizon lines coming into my home. This prevents any voltages from the Verizon system entering
and possibly damaging the Comcast unit. This action isolates the home telephone wiring and makes it possible for all the phones in the home,
including the alarm system, to function on the Comcast system. After some test calls the new Comcast telephone system worked fine. Now, would
the alarm system work? A call to HM Security to notify them of an alarm system test was next. After the call I pushed the panic alarm button
and it sounded for a few minutes. During the alarm test I tried to pick up the phone and was unable to place a call. This is normal during
emergencies as the alarm system seizes the telephone lines so it can send its signal to the Security Office. The alarm system functioned as
it was designed to do. After the alarm automatically stopped I called Security and they verified the alarm test signal was detected. That
basically ended the installation. It took less than an hour. With Comcast Digital Voice all of the calling features, about a dozen total,
such as caller ID, call waiting, 911 emergency calling, are available. You can still use your own personal greeting if desired. Another
Comcast advantage is that if you are traveling and have access to a computer you can log into your Comcast Voice Mail account and actually
listen to your home telephone messages. Turn off your home answering machine and after half a dozen rings or so, all unanswered calls are
forwarded to Comcast. Welcome to this world of digital communications!

Comcast telephone service, which includes all local, regional, and long distance calling, can be as low as $19.99/M. Some additional charges
such as taxes and fees, modem rental, etc. add around $10.00/M to the bill. A one time activation charge of $29.95 also applies. Since I’ve
added Comcast telephone service the monthly cost of my Internet service dropped $10.00/M to $33.00/M. I’m a “Triple Play” customer
(phone, Internet, and HD cable TV) so multiple promotional discounts are available.

As of this writing I’ve been very pleased with the quality, reliability, and cost of the Comcast phone service. Of course the noise and
static from the old Verizon lines are gone. If you decide to join the ranks of digital telephone service just make sure your alarm system
works properly after installation. It is possible that if you have an old style alarm system it may not work with Comcast Digital Voice.
Important note: Comcast phone service also works fine with the visitor’s gate.

Check the Hershey’s Mill website at www.hersheysmill.org and click on Tech Tips. Here you will find previously categorized articles that
have appeared in the TV-Guide that cover many subjects about computers.

To get answers to your questions about computers, please come to the PC Club meeting. The computer club
meets the second Tuesday of each month at 7:00 PM in Hershey’s Mill Community Center.