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Newest Windows 10 Upgrade

Version 1809 just came out today, so being the sucker that I am and being willing to sacrifice my system so that you don’t have to, I upgraded. So far… not a problem. The last upgrade (1803) broke my Skype mic and camera settings, this time–no problem, it works just fine. Everything on the surface looks and works the same. I have a pretty fast Internet connection (over 200 MB/s) and a fast, overclocked and liquid cooled computer running at 4GHz with 16GB of memory, probably more that most of you have, but I started the upgrade at 8:00 pm this evening and by 8:30 I was at the desktop of the upgraded system. I’m guessing for most of y’all it will probably take an hour to two hours depending on your Internet speed and the speed of your computer.

If I see and red flags I’ll be sure to post them here, but at the moment and at first blush, it’s looks like a safe upgrade.

MINOR UPDATE: I have TWO audio outputs from the sound card on my system. One using the normal speaker output goes to the main speakers in my setup and they worked perfectly. I configured a SECOND output from the system to go to headphones (using an output otherwise used for surround sound) and that broke. I went into the Sounds settings and corrected it and now I can listen to both. A MINOR problem that most of you would never even encounter and not even Microsoft probably thought of-so not a problem, just wanted to let you know of any issues I run across after the upgrade.

MacBook for Sale – $300

I just refurbished a 2010 MacBook. I upgraded it to 4GB of memory, a brand new and fast 128GB solid state hard drive and the latest version of MacOS – High Sierra. It’s pretty fast and I’ve also installed Google Chrome, Adobe Reader and LibreOffice (Word and Excel compatible office.) The battery is in great shape (I ran it for over 3 hours on battery and it was still at 40%.)

I’ve gone completely through it and it’s pretty darn good. A GREAT 2nd computer or if you have kids in school that need a Mac, here you go! Don’t think too long about it. This is another good deal or I wouldn’t be posting it.

The photos I took are so-so, but it’s clean inside and out.

I’m not making a penny on this, the money goes 100% toward a friend’s future mission trip.

Email me ([email protected]) if you’re interested. The first email with “SOLD!” in the subject line gets it!  🙂

This is a little better picture of the screen itself…

You Need to Update Your Router and Your Devices!

There is a new vulnerability that has been found in the WPA2 protocol that you are most likely using for your wi-fi at home.

The flaw is known as KRACK. It’s my understanding that if you’re running Windows Microsoft patched it this month. I believe Macs are ok as well. Portable devices and routers need to be checked to make sure you have the latest updates. All the manufactures were advised of the flaw a while ago in time to get the fix in place before it going public.

I called Spectrum and their support had absolutely no clue (didn’t even know about it) as to if or when their routers would be updated to fix the flaw.

Note, the flaw is in all unpatched devices using WPA2 (if you’re using a weaker protocol you’re still at risk and then some.)

If you have a 3rd party router like a Linksys, DLink, ASUS, Belkin, etc. you need to go to the manufacture’s site and download and install the latest firmware. I know for most of you that’s something you don’t know how to do so contact me and we’ll set up a time for me to remote in and take care of it for you for a nominal (that means cheap) cost. It only takes a few minutes.

Make sure your iPhones, iPads and Android devices are all up to date. The only good thing about this is that someone has to be in wi-fi range to take advantage of the flaw.

A GREAT 2nd (or 1st) Laptop for $325

I have a used 15” Dell XPS L501X laptop for sale that I just refurbished and is ready for its next home.

This laptop has a top of the line Intel Core i7 processor, brand new 8GB of memory, brand new 128GB Solid State Hard Drive, the original battery that is still good along with a brand new extended life battery and also a brand new 130 watt power supply, DVD burner and media card reader. It has an HDMI output so you can connect it to a monitor or even an HD television.

It is probably the best sounding laptop I’ve ever heard – it has a JBL system in it that is awesome in a laptop.

It has a new, fresh and completely up to date installation of Windows 10 along with Libre Office (which is a free Microsoft Office compatible suite of programs.) This means you can read and write Word, Excel and PowerPoint files without actually having to BUY Microsoft Office. I’ve also of course already installed Adobe Reader and Google Chrome as well.

This is a FAST computer – it boots to the desktop in 13 seconds – I just timed it.

I’ll personally warrantee this computer for 90 days, the new hard drive comes with a 3-year warrantee and the memory has a limited lifetime warrantee.

The XPS series is Dell’s premiere consumer line, it’s not the Inspiron entry level line. You’ll probably have to spend $700 or more to get a laptop with better performance than this. So give me a call (512-981-7835) or email at [email protected] to get it. I only have the one – it’s really nice or I wouldn’t be offering it at all.