Differences between Android 7 and 8 (Oreo vs Nougat)

1. Notifications

Android O looks to improve upon every good thing Android Nougat brought along, and then some. With Android O, we’re getting Notification Channels, which are basically categories that an app can classify its notifications into. This means that instead of having to change notification settings for an entire app, users will now get even more fine-grained control over the kinds of notifications they want.

Notification Controls in Android O (left) vs Android Nougat (right)

Notifications can also be snoozed in Android O, and this really does look like a good feature. Users will be able to simply swipe a notification, and tap on the snooze icon to snooze the notification for a default time of 15 minutes. This can be extended (at least in the current Developer Preview) to a maximum of 1 hour. Personally, I’d like to have some sort of custom time here, the way “Inbox” handles snoozing emails, but this is just the first Developer Preview, so there’s a lot of time for that.

Notification Options in Android O (left) vs Android Nougat (right). The clock icon is Snooze.

There’s also a minor change in the way the Notification Shade behaves on Android O. While double swiping on the Status Bar in Android Nougat used to hide some of the lower notifications in order to properly display the Quick Settings panel, Android O converts them into small app icons on the bottom of the Notification Shade instead. So while the Quick Settings panel gets displayed properly, you’ll still be able to see the apps that have pending notifications, without having to swipe back up.



For more:
https://beebom.com/android-o-vs-android-nougat/

Windows 10 update error

If you’re seeing the Error 0x80248007 on your screen when you try to update your Windows 10, here are 2 fixes:

Method 1: Modify Windows Update service

Method 2: Restart Windows Installer service

Method 1: Modify Windows Update service

This problem is usually related to ill-functioned Windows Update services. To fix it: 

Step 1: Reset Windows Update Service

1) On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key . Then click  Control Panel. 

2) View by Large icons and click Administrative Tools. 

3) Double-click Services. 

Note: If you’re prompted for administrator confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation. 

4) Right-click Windows Update and click Stop.

Step 2: Delete temporary update files in SoftwareDistribution folder

1) Go to C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution. 

2) Double-click DataStore folder to open it. Delete all the files and folders in it. 

3) Go back to SoftwareDistribution folder, double-click Download folder to open it, then delete all the files in this folder.  

Step 3: Restart Windows Update service

1) Open Windows Update service again (Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Services > Windows Update). 

2) Right-click Windows Update and click Start. 

3) Close the Services window and the Administrative Tools window. 

Method 2: Restart Windows Installer service

1) On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key and X at the same time. Click Command Prompt (Admin). 

Click Yes when this notification pops out. 

2) Type net start msiserver and press the Enter key on your keyboard. 

3) See if the problem is resolved. 

https://www.drivereasy.com/knowledge/windows-update-error-0x80248007-in-windows-10/

Alternative App store for Android

F-Droid is an installable catalogue of FOSS (Free and Open Source Software) applications for the Android platform. The client makes it easy to browse, install, and keep track of updates on your device.


https://www.wired.com/story/android-users-to-avoid-malware-ditch-googles-app-store


https://f-droid.org/en/

Safe mode and repair for Windows 10

With a Windows 10 installation DVD or USB memory stick lying around, or if you can create one, you can use it to boot your broken PC with Windows 10 into Safe Mode. To create a Windows 10 installation drive, follow the steps from this tutorial: How to download Windows 10 Creators Update and create your own installation media. Then use it to boot your broken Windows 10 PC from it and wait for the installation environment to load. Choose the language and keyboard layout you prefer and click or tap on Next.

Next, click or tap on the link that says “Repair your computer” on the bottom left corner of the screen.

Click or tap on Troubleshoot.

On the “Advanced options” screen, click/tap on “Command Prompt (Use the Command Prompt for advanced troubleshooting).”

Now Command prompt will load. Inside it, write the command: bcdedit /set {default} safeboot minimal. Then press Enter on your keyboard.

After a moment, Command Prompt tells you that “The operation [was] completed successfully.”

Then close the Command Prompt and choose to Continue on the next screen.

After your PC reboots, Windows 10 will automatically boot into Safe Mode.

https://www.digitalcitizen.life/4-ways-boot-safe-mode-windows-10

IP address lookup of AD domain server

Wanted to find IP address of active domain server, from command prompt type:

nslookup    
set type=all
_ldap._tcp.dc._msdcs.DOMAIN_NAME

From Serverfault

Join Apple OS to Windows domain

To join computer with Apple OS to Windows domain, goto system preferences, user accounts:

Click the Lock to make changes to these settings. Then click the Join button next to Network Account Server

Now click the Open Directory Utility button

You should now be at the Directory Utility; click the Lock to make changes. Then make sure Active Directory is checked, highlight it, and then click the Pencil to edit this setting.

Here you can enter your domain information and computer ID. For this example the domain is hq.test.us and the computer ID is Mac. The computer ID is the computer name that will show up in Active Directory once the Mac is joined to the domain.

Click the arrow to Show Advanced Options. This gives you 3 extra options you can configure. To keep it simple I usually leave these settings default except for the Administrative section. Click the Administrative button and enter the IP address or the FQDN of your domain controller in the Prefer this domain server section. For this example I used the IP address of my domain controller 192.168.1.172. You can also specify groups that are allowed administration privileges.

Now click the Bind button and you will be prompted for credentials. Enter your domain administrator username and password and click OK.

You should see it progress through steps 1-5 as you are authenticated and joined to the domain.

https://www.pluralsight.com/blog/tutorials/join-mac-to-windows-domain

Fixing file:boot/bcd error in Windows

PC was giving FILE:boot/bcd   error, these steps fixed it:

Repair Master Boot Record MBR

The process is almost same for Windows 10/8/7. First and foremost you need a Windows installation DVD/USB. (Windows 10 Installation Tool)

Step 1:
Press F8 while booting the system to go into the Windows Recovery Menu. Unlike other version Windows 8’s recovery menu has the Metro UI style.

Step 2:
Click on Troubleshoot.




Step 3:
Click on Advanced options to get into Automatic Repair menu.


Step 4:
We need to use the Bootrec.exe tool. Click on command prompt and type in the following commands, one after the other:

bootrec /RebuildBcd

bootrec /fixMbr

bootrec /fixboot

from http://www.thewindowsclub.com/

Windows 10 Installation tool

To fix or repair Windows 10, use this tool



Some requirements:

• An internet connection (internet service provider fees may apply).
• Sufficient data storage available on a computer, USB or external drive for the download.
• A blank USB flash drive with at least 8GB of space or blank DVD (and DVD burner) if you want to create media. We recommend using a blank USB or blank DVD, because any content on it will be deleted.
• When burning a DVD from an ISO file, if you are told the disc image file is too large you will need to use Dual Layer (DL) DVD Media.

Check a few things on the PC where you want to install Windows 10:

• 64-bit or 32-bit processor (CPU). You’ll create either a 64-bit or 32-bit version of Windows 10. To check this on your PC, go to PC info in PC settings or System in Control Panel, and look for System type.
• System requirements. Make sure the PC meets the system requirements for Windows 10. We also recommend going to the PC manufacturer's website for additional info about updated drivers and hardware compatibility.
• Language in Windows. You'll need to choose the same language when you install Windows 10. To see what language you're currently using, go to Time and language in PC settings or Region in Control Panel.
• Edition of Windows. You should also choose the same edition of Windows. To check what edition you're currently running, go to PC info in PC settings or System in Control Panel, and look for Windows edition. Windows 10 Enterprise isn’t available in the media creation tool. For more info, go to the Volume Licensing Service Center.

portrait retouching

Looking for free online photo tools/editors that will allow you to manipulate portrait photos (skin tone, red eye, wrinkle reduction)


http://makeup.pho.to/

https://www.befunky.com/features/touch-up/

https://pinkmirror.com/

http://www.photo-kako.com/en/beautiful-skin.cgi

wiping an Apple HD clean

Need to clean off an Apple iMac before it is sold:


Start up from macOS Recovery
macOS Recovery installs different versions of macOS depending on the key combination you use while starting up. Turn on or restart your Mac, then immediately hold down    Command (⌘)-R

To erase your startup disk:

1. Select Disk Utility from the utilities window of macOS Recovery, then click Continue.
2. Select your device or volume in the sidebar of Disk Utility.
   
3. Click the Erase button or tab.
   
4. Complete these fields:
   
   • Name: Enter a name for your disk, such as "Macintosh HD".
   • Format: Choose Mac OS Extended (Journaled) or APFS.
   • Scheme (if available): Choose GUID Partition Map.
5. Click Erase to begin erasing your disk.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204904

Apple OS startup options

To bootup with diagnostics: 

To use any of these key combinations, press and hold the keys immediately after pressing the power button to turn on your Mac, or immediately after your Mac begins to restart. Keep holding until the described behavior occurs.
If your Mac is using a firmware password, all of these key combinations are disabled, except as noted below.

Hold during startup	Description
Shift (⇧)	Start up in safe mode.
Option (⌥)	Start up to Startup Manager, which allows you to choose other startup disks, if available. If your Mac is using a firmware password, you're asked to enter the password first.
C	Start up from an available CD, DVD, or USB thumb drive that contains a valid operating system for your Mac. Or use Startup Manager, as described above.
D	Start up from the built-in Apple Hardware Test or Apple Diagnostics utility, depending on your Mac model. Or use Option-D to start up from this utility over the Internet.
N	Start up from a compatible NetBoot server, if available. To use the default boot image on the NetBoot server, hold down Option-N instead.
Command-R	Start up from the built-in macOS Recovery system. Or use Option-Command-R or Shift-Option-Command-R to start up from macOS Recovery over the Internet. macOS Recovery installs different versions of macOS, depending on the key combination you use while starting up.
Option-Command (⌘)-P-R	Reset NVRAM (or PRAM). If your Mac is using a firmware password, this combination causes your Mac to start up from macOS Recovery instead. Turn off the firmware password from macOS Recovery, then restart and reset NVRAM.
Command-S	Start up in single-user mode.
T	Start up in target disk mode.
X	Start up from your macOS startup disk when your Mac would otherwise start up from a non-macOS startup disk, such as a Windows partition. Or use Startup Manager, as described above.
Command-V	Start up in verbose mode.
Eject (⏏), F12, mouse button, or trackpad button	Eject removable media, such as an optical disc.

These combinations work with Intel-based Mac computers. Other Mac keyboard shortcuts are available after your Mac has started up.


Apple website

microphone shutdown - Skype

Have Skype running on Windows and microphone keeps shutting off after 10 mintues:


the fix:
Control panel -> Hardware and Sound -> power options -> change plan settings -> advanced power settings -> USB settings -> USB selective suspend settings: DISABLED


from Microsoft

determing Windows version via BAT script

Need to determine which version of Windows on laptops via CMD file:

for /f "tokens=4-5 delims=. " %%i in ('ver') do set VERSION=%%i.%%j

ECHO   %version% 

@echo off
for /f "tokens=4-7 delims=[.] " %%i in ('ver') do 
     (if %%i==Version (set v=%%j.%%k) else (set v=%%i.%%j)) 

if %v% == "10.0" goto  Win10

if %v% == "6.1" goto  Win7


:Win7
echo   Windows 7
goto exit

:Win10
echo   Windows 10
goto exit


:exit
pause

remove Box login from Apple OS

Need to remove Box sync software from Apple computer (keeps pop up on login):

• Quit Box Sync from the menu in the task bar.
• For users on Mac OS X 10.10+, open System Preferences > Extensions. Click Finder in the left-hand panel and unselect Box Sync Finder Extension.
• Delete Box Sync from your Applications folder.
• Navigate to the Library folder in your user profile
  • Note: The library folder is hidden by default. Follow the steps below to locate the Library folder:
    • Click on Go in the upper left hand toolbar
    • Hold the Alt/Option key on your keyboard and select the Library folder
• In the Library folder, delete the items below:
  • Macintosh HD/Users/[username]/Library/Logs/Box/Box Sync/
  • Macintosh HD/Users/[username]/Library/Application Support/Box/Box Sync/
• Navigate to your Macintosh HD library
  • Click the magnifying glass in your upper right corner of the screen
  • In the Spotlight Search, type Macintosh HD
  • Select Macintosh HD
  • In the Finder window, select the Library folder
• Delete these items in the Macintosh HD Library
  • HD/Library/PrivilegedHelperTools/com.box.sync.bootstrapper
  • Macintosh HD/Library/PrivilegedHelperTools/com.box.sync.iconhelper
• Delete the Box Sync password items in Keychain. Open Keychain Access from Applications > Utilities. Click on login under Keychains in the top left. Then click on Passwords under Category. Find the Box Sync items and select Delete "Box Sync" in the right-click menu.

 from Box

IP printing via Chrome OS

Want to setup IP printing to HP printer from student Chromebooks:

Step 1: Connect to Wi-Fi

1. Turn on your printer.
2. Connect your printer to a Wi-Fi network. If you need help, follow your printer manufacturer’s instructions.
3. If you haven’t yet, turn on your Chromebook and sign in.
4. Connect your Chromebook to the same Wi-Fi network as your printer. Learn how to connect to Wi-Fi.

Step 2: Add your printer to your Chromebook

Important: You’ll need to know your printer’s IP address, protocol, and queue. To find them, check your printer’s display panel, manual, device specs, or help website.

1. Click your account photo.
2. Click Settings .
3. At the bottom, click Advanced.
4. In the "Printing" section, click Printers.
5. Click Add Printer.
6. Enter your printer information:
   • Name: Type any name.
   • Address: Type your printer’s IP address.
   • Protocol: For most printers, the supported connection protocol is IPP.
   • Queue: For most printers, the queue is ipp/print.
7. Click Add.
8. In the box that appears, choose your printer manufacturer and model.
   • To find this info, look at the label on your printer.
   • If you don’t see your printer in the list, check your printer info for its "printer language" or "emulation." Then choose the "Generic" option that looks similar.
   • If you have your printer driver, click Browse to upload it. The file must be 250 kb or smaller.
9. Click Add.

From Google

Fixing Trust relationship has failed error - Windows

Have a number of PCs that randomly give the "Trust relationship has failed"  domain error,   to fix without leaving and rejoining domain, use these Powershell commands:

Open PowerShell as administrator. Run this command sequence:
$credential = Get-Credential – (enter domain admin account when prompted)
Reset-ComputerMachinePassword -Server ClosestDomainControllerNameHere

From spiceworks

Open PowerShell as administrator. Run this command sequence:
$credential = Get-Credential – (enter domain admin account when prompted)
Reset-ComputerMachinePassword -Server ClosestDomainControllerNameHere -Credential
$credential

Double Coversheets Windows Print queue

We had coversheet turned on, when upgraded to Windows 10, got 2 coversheets, need to modify .SEP file on printserver: (from)

It has been a long time since I have posted but came across an issue I wanted to put out there.  I have been working on deploying Windows 8.1 at a client.  They print to printers shared from a Server 2012 virtual machine and the printer on the server has a the default windows PCL separator page file in use (C:\Windows\System32\PCL.sep).  When Windows 8 machines print to this share, the job would generate two separator pages before printing the actual file but Windows 7 machines would only generate one separator like it is supposed to.  I found a post online about it but it did not have a resolution.  In my own testing, I found that the two separator pages would show different Job Ids so I took the text of the default separator file (pcl.sep), removed "\U\LJob : \I" and saved under a new file since I could not edit the original (new file.sep or whatever you want to call it).  I pointed the server's instance of the printer to use this new file and now clients connected to this printer print one separator instead of two.

The text of the PCL.sep file:

\
\H1B\L%-12345X@PJL ENTER LANGUAGE=PCL
\H1B\L&l1T\0
\U\LUsername: \J\L\\\N
\B\S\J\U
\B\S\N\U
\0
\U\LJob : \I
\U\LDate: \D
\U\LTime: \T
\E

The text of my file fixed for Windows 8 usage:

\
\H1B\L%-12345X@PJL ENTER LANGUAGE=PCL
\H1B\L&l1T\0
\U\LUsername: \J\L\\\N
\B\S\J\U
\B\S\N\U
\0
\U\LDate: \D
\U\LTime: \T
\E

File Explorer search not working for Google Drive folder

If you try searching your Google Drive folder in Windows 10, it probably does not work, to fix it:

1. make sure security permissions for 3 users (specifically the SYSTEM group) are given FULL access to Google Folder. I'm not sure why my folder only gave my user account access. I realized this only after checking the other folders where index search was working.

2. Indexing is enabled for content. When Google Drive synced my files, it apparently did not set this attribute. The funny thing is that the folders were set but not the individual files inside. I'm not sure who to blame for this. So what I did was go to the Google drive folder properties, clicked on Advanced button, then unchecked "Allow files in this folder to have contents indexed in addition to file properties". After clicking all the OKs and confirming to do this to all folders and sub folders, go back to properties and enable the "Allow files in this folder..." so that it will propagate to all files inside.

Now Windows search is working for both normal file search and content searching.



https://superuser.com/

IP printing script - Windows

Want to run BAT file to install IP printer on laptop:

CLS
@ECHO off

SET varIP=192.168.0.200
SET varDriver=HP Color LaserJet CP2020 Series PCL 6
SET varDriverFolder=\\Server\\Software\\Hardware\\Drivers\\Printers\\HP CP2025DN\\
SET varDriverFile=\\Server\\Software\\Hardware\\Drivers\\Printers\\HP CP2025DN\\hppcp610.inf
SET varName=Reception
SET varLocation=Reception

REM "Deleting TCP/IP port"
REM CSCRIPT /nologo %windir%\system32\prnport.vbs -d -r IP_%varIP%

REM "Creating TCP/IP port"
CSCRIPT /nologo %windir%\system32\prnport.vbs -a -r IP_%varIP% -o raw -n 9100 -h %varIP%

CLS
REM "Installation message"
@ECHO.
@ECHO The %varLocation% printer is currently being installed.
@ECHO.
@ECHO Please do not close this window.
@ECHO.
@ECHO Once the installation is complete this Setup window will exit.
@ECHO.

REM "Driver installation"
CSCRIPT /nologo %windir%\system32\prndrvr.vbs -a -m "%varDriver%" -h "%varDriverFolder%" -i "%varDriverFile%"  
CLS

REM "Printer deletion"
@ECHO.
@ECHO Completing installation.
CSCRIPT /nologo %windir%\system32\prnmngr.vbs -d -p "%varName%" 
CLS

REM "Printer installation"
@ECHO.
@ECHO Completing installation.
CSCRIPT /nologo %windir%\system32\prnmngr.vbs -a -p "%varName%" -m "%varDriver%" -r "IP_%varIP%"
CLS

REM "Location configuration"
@ECHO.
@ECHO Completing installation.
CSCRIPT /nologo %windir%\system32\prncnfg.vbs -t -p "%varName%" -l "%varLocation%"
CLS

https://community.spiceworks.com/ 

Word: goto page number

Word allows you to move the insertion point to any page in your document by using the Go To command. To take advantage of this feature, follow these steps:

1. Choose the Go To option from the Edit menu, or simply press F5. Word displays the Go To tab of the Find and Replace dialog box. (See Figure 1.)

Figure 1. The Go To tab of the Find and Replace dialog box.
2. On the left side of the dialog box, make sure that you indicate you want to go to a page (this should be the default choice).
3. Enter the page number to which you want to move.
4. Click on Go To, or press Enter.

word.tips.net