April showers bring May flowers. The eclipse was amazing –\u00a0 was very amazed. And today, of course, is Saturday and i<\/span>t’s time<\/span> for another edition of Saturday Bonus Questions and Answers.<\/span><\/p>\n Sometimes the best tips and tricks are hidden in the questions and answers we publish. Today, we\u2019re featuring some of the questions and answers from past issues of our InfoAve Weekly<\/a> newsletters.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n These questions & answers were selected at random from past InfoAve Weekly newsletters.<\/span><\/p>\n Saturday Bonus Questions and Answers – 041324<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Pierre wants to use an image backup on his new computer<\/strong><\/span> Our answer<\/strong><\/span> You can use your Ashampoo backup to copy your files (Pictures\/Music\/Documents) to your new computer. Then all you need to do is install any programs you want or need.<\/span><\/p>\n I hope this helps you.<\/span><\/p>\n Margaret can\u2019t open Word docs with Open Office<\/strong><\/span> Our answer<\/strong><\/span> This should work, assuming I am understanding your question correctly \ud83d\ude42<\/span><\/p>\n Also, you can open Microsoft Word Docx and Doc formats with WordPad. To open WordPad type WORDPAD in the taskbar search and click it when it appears at the top. <\/span><\/p>\n Janet has laptop battery troubles<\/strong><\/span> Our answer<\/strong><\/span> 1. Unplug the power cord.<\/span> Now see if the battery shows that it\u2019s charging. You can also try running a battery health report. This should show you how healthy your laptop battery is See our article here<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n I hope this helps you, Janet.<\/span><\/p>\n Sylvia wants to know if we recommend Adaware Web Companion<\/span><\/strong><\/span> Our answer<\/span><\/strong><\/span> The software was intended to complement the functionality of Ad-Aware by providing real-time monitoring and protection against spyware, adware, malware, and other potentially unwanted programs that may attempt to infect a user’s computer.<\/span><\/p>\n Ad-Aware Companion was discontinued by Lavasoft in 2008, and its functionality was integrated into later versions of the Ad-Aware software. Today, Ad-Aware is owned by another company called Avanquest. It is now an antivirus, antimalware program.<\/span><\/p>\n We do not recommend Ad-Aware, it is not ranked anywhere near the top of any list of the best security software. The only anti-malware, antivirus, security software we recommend is Emsisoft<\/a>. If you are using Emsisoft<\/a>, you don’t need anything else.<\/span><\/p>\n THANK YOU FOR HELPING US! Did you know that we provide support to thousands of people? Every week we help dozens of people via email at no charge. The questions and answers you see in our newsletters are from the email answers and help we provide to everyone free of charge.<\/span><\/p>\n Thanks to your gifts, we do a lot more than provide this free newsletter. We help you recognize online threats, fight for your online privacy, provide you with the knowledge you need to navigate the Web safely, provide you with suggestions for safe, free software and websites, and help you get more out of your PC.<\/span><\/p>\n Please Help us keep up the good fight with a small gift.<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Interested in making an automatic monthly gift? Visit this page<\/a>. Help us to keep on helping you… and help us keep you safe on the Web. <\/span> Linda is having problems with her HP printer<\/strong><\/span> Our answer<\/strong><\/span> If you are consistently having a problem with a printer, the best fix is to completely remove the printer, restart the PC and then reinstall the printer just as you did when you first bought it. It fixes almost any printer problem and it usually fixes it in the long run.<\/span><\/p>\n If you don\u2019t have the installation software, you can get it from www.hp.com<\/a> \u2013 all you need is your printer\u2019s model number.<\/span><\/p>\n I hope this helps you, Linda.<\/span><\/p>\n Margaret wants to open a Word document but doesn\u2019t have MS Office or an Office Program installed<\/strong><\/span> Our answer<\/strong><\/span> You can open WordPad by typing WordPad in the taskbar search and clicking on it when it appears in the search results. Or you can open it from the Windows 10 Start menu \u2013 it\u2019s in Windows Accessories\/WordPad.<\/span><\/p>\n I hope this helps you, Margaret.<\/span><\/p>\n Eleanor has Windows 10 and wants to do daily backups<\/strong><\/span> Our answer<\/strong><\/span> Before we get to that, we recommend that you don\u2019t install the software that came with your external hard drive, it\u2019s unnecessary. Just plug it into a USB port on your computer. And, for best results with your backup make sure you leave the backup drive plugged in all the time. Only unplug when absolutely necessary.<\/span><\/p>\n Plugin your external drive and use the following steps to turn on Windows 10 File History backup.<\/span><\/p>\n 1. Right-click the start button & click \u201cSettings\u201d<\/span> That\u2019s it. With a drive as large as your Seagate, just leave File History set at its defaults.<\/span><\/p>\n File History backs up all your files and folders all the time. While it does not create an image backup, it creates reliable backups of all your personal files (Pics, Documents, Music, Videos, Favorites, etc.). And with all the ways Windows 10 offers to recover your computer in case of major problems (and the fact you can make free Windows 10 installation media \u2013 DVD or USB flash drive) the need for image backups is less than it used to be in previous versions of Windows.<\/span><\/p>\n We hope this helps you, Eleanor.<\/span><\/p>\n We’ve helped hundreds and hundreds of you with your computers since we started our <\/strong> Cloudeight Direct Computer Care Service<\/strong><\/a>! If you’re having computer problems – we CAN help you! <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n We all know that sooner or later our computers will start having problems. We can help you with any computer need — from diagnosing and fixing Windows problems – to setting up a wireless network for you – to safeguarding by creating an image-based backup (the only kind that really works when you really need it to work) – to cleaning up your computer and optimizing it — and more. We can do almost anything you need done and we guarantee our work – you’re either satisfied or we’ll refund your money.<\/span><\/p>\n We connect to your computer and fix it while you watch<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n We will connect to your computer via the Internet and fix any problems you may be having. You can\u00a0watch us work and chat with us while we do. If you have any computer questions you’d like to ask we’ll be glad to answer them for you.\u00a0 We don’t just fix your computer, we explain what we’re doing and why we’re doing it and we are right there with the entire time. Since we’ve started we’ve helped hundreds of you with your computer problems and we’ve received dozens of referrals and testimonials from our readers and customers.<\/span><\/p>\n We offer many other computer services too! If you have a problem with your computer – we can fix it!<\/span><\/p>\n Get more information about Cloudeight Direct Computer Care and or get your repair keys here.<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Paul is suspicious of a scam<\/strong><\/span> Our answer<\/strong><\/span> If you didn\u2019t give them a credit card number, then just ignore the call. If it\u2019s a cellphone you can block the number they\u2019re calling from. If it\u2019s a landline, call your telephone company and tell them about this and have them block the number.<\/span><\/p>\n You may also want to report the calls to local authorities. It\u2019s illegal to threaten people or attempt to extort money or trick people into paying money for something they didn\u2019t ask for or buy.<\/span> Karen downloads things and then can\u2019t find them\u2026<\/strong><\/span> Our answer<\/strong><\/span> I am not sure what you mean by getting icons on the front page\u2026 do you mean your desktop? Generally, you can put a shortcut to any file, program, or folder by right-clicking on the file, folder, or program, and choosing \u201cSend to > Desktop (Create shortcut) from the menu that appears when you right-click an item. Here\u2019s an annotated screenshot.<\/span><\/p>\n Or you can use the CTRL+J shortcut to locate recently downloaded files. <\/span><\/p>\n I hope this helps you, Karen.<\/span><\/p>\n Uwe wants to use Proton Mail in Thunderbird<\/strong><\/span> Please advise. Thanks. Uwe.<\/span><\/p>\n Our answer<\/strong><\/span> I hope this helps you.<\/span><\/p>\n Now available: Reg Organizer 9.40<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n If you purchased or renewed Reg Organizer through Cloudeight within the last 12 months, you’re entitled to a free version upgrade to Reg Organizer 9.40. It works great with Windows 10 and Windows 11!<\/span><\/p>\n Save $14 on Reg Organizer right now!<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n
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\nHi guys. My question is about that Ashampoo backup I\u2019ve been using\u2026When going to a new laptop I intend to buy, can I simply plug my external drive into it without doing anything else? Could you also remind me about how to make an image copy of my old computer? Warm Regards, Pierre<\/span><\/p>\n
\nHi Pierre. It\u2019s not a good idea to use an image backup made on one computer on a different computer \u2013 you could end up with a mess \u2013 even if it\u2019s the same brand. There are differences in hardware and drivers between different computer models \u2013 even models of the same brand.<\/span><\/p>\n
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\nMost of the files that I created were done in Microsoft Word and saved to a CD. I only have one program on the computer which is Open Office and I cannot open the files in that program. I have tried to retype the file so that I can print it on a 5 x 8 index card, but it doesn\u2019t work either. Is there another Word program available for Windows 10 that will support these files? If so, then I can uninstall Open Office.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nHi Margaret. If you have Open Office installed, just right-click on one of those documents, choose \u201copen with\u201d.., and then click \u201cMore apps\u2026{ and you will see Open Office as an option. Choose it and choose \u201cAlways open these types of files with \u2026\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n
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\nEvery so often my computer says my internal battery is very low. I\u2019ve researched buying a new one but it would be difficult to replace (not like I did on my old computer) and the tech at the store said they didn\u2019t replace them. Then someone told me that their computer has said that for a long time but it keeps working and not to worry about it. Why is this happening and do I need to be concerned? I keep it plugged in all the time.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nHi Janet. Since your battery is hard to remove, try this:<\/span><\/p>\n
\n2. Turn off your PC (power it off)<\/span>
\n3. Leave it off for 5 minutes.<\/span>
\n4. Leave it unplugged and turn it back on. Leave it on for 2 or 3 minutes.<\/span>
\n5. Turn it off again (power it off).<\/span>
\n6. Wait five minutes, plug the power cord in, and turn the PC back on.<\/span><\/p>\n
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\nDo you recommend Adaware Web Companion (free version)?<\/span><\/p>\n
\nHi Sylvia.\u00a0Ad-Aware Companion was a free software program developed by Lavasoft, that was designed to provide additional security to users of the Ad-Aware anti-spyware program.<\/span><\/p>\n
\n![\"Help](\"https:\/\/thundercloud.net\/infoave\/images\/2021\/donate2021.png\")
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\nWhen you support us with a small gift, you help us continue our mission to keep you informed, separate the truth from the hyperbole, and help you stay safer online. Plus, our computer tips make your computer easier to use. <\/span><\/p>\n
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\nThis is driving me nuts. My HP printer keeps giving a message \u201cScan to computer not enabled\u201d I go through the long process of the scan doctor fix-it but it does not last. It works for a short time and then I\u2019m right back with the error. Can you help me figure out why and how to permanently enable this? My desktop PC is a Dell. Thanks<\/span><\/p>\n
\nHi Linda. You can fool around trying to fix printers piecemeal but it almost always never works or if it does work, it doesn\u2019t last very long. We\u2019ve been around a long time and we\u2019ve gone through dozens of printers \u2013 and one thing we\u2019ve learned is this:<\/span><\/p>\n
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\nI have Windows 10, but I do not have Microsoft Office. I am unable to open any MS Word files which I have stored on a CD. Is there a free download of Microsoft Office so that I can have Microsoft Word? Thank you.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nHi Margaret. You can open Word Documents with WordPad which comes with every version of Windows. You will have to open WordPad first and then browse to the Word documents on the disk.<\/span><\/p>\n
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\nHi\u2026I\u2019ve had your Infoave newsletter for years and have read all your wonderful suggestions over the years. I\u2019ve wanted to back up my computer for quite a while and finally bought a Seagate 4 TB Backup Plus Portable backup. I have not connected it yet because I\u2019m wondering if there is a program that I could get to just daily backup what\u2019s new instead of backing up everything every day. I don\u2019t know if you could help me with this but I thought I would ask anyway. Thanks\u2026Eleanor<\/span><\/p>\n
\nHi Eleanor. Windows 10 comes with a really good backup program that is available to you.<\/span><\/p>\n
\n2. In Settings click on \u201cUpdate & Security\u201d<\/span>
\n3. In Update & Security click on \u201cBackup\u201d in the menu on the left.<\/span>
\n4. Under \u201cBack up using File History\u201d click the big plus sign next to \u201cAdd a drive\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n![\"Cloudeight](\"https:\/\/thundercloud.net\/infoave\/images\/2020\/fhistory.png\")
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\n5. Select your Seagate 4TB hard drive.<\/span><\/p>\n
\n![\"Cloudeight](\"https:\/\/thundercloud.net\/infoave\/images\/2014\/directgreen.png\")
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\nHi. I hope you can help me. In the last two days, I\u2019ve gotten phone calls from a place called \u201d Computer Services\u201d. They said my account has been expired and that I should call them at the number at the end of the call. What Account? They indicated a charge has been put on my account for $399.00.The call sounded like it was computer generated to me. The amount of $399.00 is for 5 years. I thought I knew a scam when I saw one, but this one if it is has me confused. Thank you.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nHi Paul. This is a scam. They can\u2019t charge \u201cyour account\u201d anything if you did not give them a credit card number \u2013 if you did give them a credit card number, call your credit card company ASAP and report you\u2019ve been scammed and they\u2019ll remove the charge, and prevent them from charging anything again.<\/span><\/p>\n
\n–<\/span>
\naul wrote back: \u201cHi. Thank you for the quick reply to the question I had oncerning the phone scam. I feel a lot better now. Thanks again. Paul<\/em>\u201c<\/span><\/p>\n
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\nI download stuff and I can never find it. please help. Plus how can I get the icons on the front page?<\/span><\/p>\n
\nHi Karen. Unless you have changed the default settings, all downloads go to your Downloads folder. Press & hold down the Windows key and tap the E key. The Downloads folder shows up in the left column as well as in the right pane. See the screenshot below.<\/span><\/p>\n![\"Cloudeight](\"https:\/\/thundercloud.net\/infoave\/images\/2020\/down-folder.png\")
<\/span><\/p>\n![\"Cloudeight](\"https:\/\/thundercloud.net\/infoave\/images\/2020\/desktop-shortcuts.png\")
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\nHello Folks. I would like to use Proton Mail which you recommended previously, but I would like to put it into my Thunderbird email program for easier access. I\u2019m not sure how to go about it and don\u2019t want to jam up my 2 existing email accounts that are currently in the program.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nHi Uwe. Proton Mail (Free version) does not support POP3 or IMAP, so you cannot use Proton (free) in any email program \u2013 Thunderbird, Outlook, or any other email client.<\/span><\/p>\n
\n![\"Reg](\"https:\/\/thundercloud.net\/infoave\/images\/2019\/ro2019.png\")
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