Official Computer Help Thread

sith2886

Well-Known Member
Can someone give me the TL:dr on googles new policy change
 

da_fox2279

California Crackpot
Can someone tell me what Dokan Library for Win10 is, and is it important? I had to reinstall Win10 recently, and it's on my list of removed apps.
 

ThreadWeaver

Beware of Dog. Cat not trustworthy either.
Can someone tell me what Dokan Library for Win10 is, and is it important? I had to reinstall Win10 recently, and it's on my list of removed apps.
Looks like it's a programming interface that allows access to virtual file systems without needing to know much about kernel drivers. Basically a go-between for programs and the OS filesystem.
I would not sweat its removal unless you're doing programming or doing a lot with Virtual Machines, and even then the VM will reinstall it (or warn you) when you go to work with it I suspect. Intellectually speaking, it seems like that interface could be maliciously used to trick the OS into writing files, but I honestly don't have enough OS programming experience to say for certain. So, you may have dodged a bullet if malware was using it.
 

PCHeintz72

The Sentient Fanfic Search Engine mk II
I generally agree with Threadweaver... generally speaking, if something legitimate actually needed it and you were missing it, it should pop up a notice stating you need it, and either ask you to download/install it, or ask you if it can get it and download/install it.

Generally, I like installing everything a system needs and only what it needs at time of reset, but sometimes you just cannot know, but in any case if needed at all, should not be a big deal.
 

da_fox2279

California Crackpot
Thanks gents, much appreciated.
 

Lord Raa

Exporter of Juice Tins
Folks, apologies if you're already answered this, but I'm having difficulty cloning a drive to SSD.

I've tried Acronis, but it would only back up the OS drive to the SSD, not enable me to clone the drive.

I tried AOMEI Backupper but that wouldn't see the SSD to copy to.

Minipartition wouldn't let me copy to the SSD because "it's a dynamic drive" and I don't have a USB-SATA cable.

What am I doing wrong?

This is all because I want to copy the OS drive to the SSD as a back up machine while using the mechanical drive as my media drive in my refurbed PC that I'm getting later this week.
 

froop

Professional Procrastinator
Folks, apologies if you're already answered this, but I'm having difficulty cloning a drive to SSD.

I've tried Acronis, but it would only back up the OS drive to the SSD, not enable me to clone the drive.

I tried AOMEI Backupper but that wouldn't see the SSD to copy to.

Minipartition wouldn't let me copy to the SSD because "it's a dynamic drive" and I don't have a USB-SATA cable.

What am I doing wrong?

This is all because I want to copy the OS drive to the SSD as a back up machine while using the mechanical drive as my media drive in my refurbed PC that I'm getting later this week.

In Acronis the clone tool should be under tools, not in the backup part. Not sure if the free version would have it or not. Seagate and WD both have free versions of it but they only work if you have one of their branded drives installed. Seagate's is called Discwizard.

Macrium Reflect also can do the job. I've used both at work before. Acronis handles bad sectors better generally but Macrium can sometimes handle other issues better.

https://www.macrium.com/reflectfree
 

ThreadWeaver

Beware of Dog. Cat not trustworthy either.
Folks, apologies if you're already answered this, but I'm having difficulty cloning a drive to SSD.

I've tried Acronis, but it would only back up the OS drive to the SSD, not enable me to clone the drive.

I tried AOMEI Backupper but that wouldn't see the SSD to copy to.

Minipartition wouldn't let me copy to the SSD because "it's a dynamic drive" and I don't have a USB-SATA cable.

What am I doing wrong?

This is all because I want to copy the OS drive to the SSD as a back up machine while using the mechanical drive as my media drive in my refurbed PC that I'm getting later this week.
Have you tried Clonezilla? It's been a while since I've needed it, though, so your mileage may vary.
 

Lord Raa

Exporter of Juice Tins
I looked Clonezilla, but I couldn't make head or tail out of it. In the end, I opted for a newer refurbed PC from Amazon. Nothing fancy, but enough to tide me over for another few years.

In the spirit of passing on advice nd information for those who might need it, my dad's laptop had a problem in that it kept switching itself off after about 45 minutes, which meant it couldn't be properly updated. It wasn't a battery issue, and I don't think it got too hot.

What I did to resolve it was to reset the rollback the install on the PC with the wipe all the programs function and updated Windows.

It seems to have resolved the issue.
 

da_fox2279

California Crackpot
Is anybody who uses Outlook noticing a change in the layout? I've been stuck using my Fire 10 tablet only the last few months, and happen to like the way Outlook was laid out on my device. Then this morning, I opened my email to discover it hd changed to the standard Windows look, with Focused/Other seperation of emails. Funny thing is, this only applies to *my* email - my father's is still on the former 'tablet' format, with the inbox on side.

Is there a way to change this?
 

PCHeintz72

The Sentient Fanfic Search Engine mk II
I only use Outlook on the Desktop/Notebook, and mine has not changed at all.

EDIT: Could you have accidentally changed your view settings... On the Desktop at least... Going to the View in the Ribbon bar, and layout allows you to change orientations and widow layout.
 

da_fox2279

California Crackpot
Actually, I meant how it looked on Android. My bad. My laptop had some isdues back in March and had to be repaired, and right after that the 'stayvin place' order for CA came down. My laptop is still wirh my local repair guy, but I expect to get it back within the next few days.
 
This afternoon, I upgraded my PC from X99 and an i5-5820K to a ROG Maximus Hero XII wi-fi and an i7-10700. There were a few hard problems, with my SSD's not being recognized. Then I couldn't get to the internet, but that's fixed, obviously. Now, my second monitor is having problems. It's recognized by the PC, but it's not getting a signal. I've tried replacing the Displayport cable, and even removing the monitor in the hardware manager.
 

sith2886

Well-Known Member
Is anyone experiencing letters going missing on certain sites (facebook, youtube and twitter mostly)
 

PCHeintz72

The Sentient Fanfic Search Engine mk II
no... though I do not have twitter and facebook accounts. It could be virus or display driver issues on yyour end though.
 

sith2886

Well-Known Member
ok I'll look into it thanks
 

chronodekar

Obsessively signs his posts
Staff member
Try rebooting and checking with a brower's incognito mode. It might help.

-chronodekar
 

sith2886

Well-Known Member
Update: never mind I'm dumb
New update: for those curious I forgot that I used primopdf back then and just remembered now
 
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So, quick question. My PC's fans are randomly revving up, and the heatsink light isn't coming on anymore. What are the chances that the heatsink isn't doing its job anymore?
 

PCHeintz72

The Sentient Fanfic Search Engine mk II
Well... If it is a desktop we are talking about, as I assume it is, then:

- The very first thing to try is to clean up any dust in the system and make sure nothing is blocking your vents inside or outside the system. Sometimes, it is not really a fan or heat sink issue, but a dust issue.

- If your case has any form of filtration system, see if it needs cleaning as well.

- If you have heat sensors in the system and any form of monitoring program see what it is reporting.

- look at your wiring, make sure the wiring is not interferring with the airflow in the system.

- If you have standard case fans, I'd replace thembefore messing with heatsinks and system/MB fans.
 
The only reason I thought it might be a heatsink issue, is because it used to light up when the PC was on, but doesn't anymore. Fans haven't been revving up today though, so I'll give it a blast of compressed air tomorrow.
 

PCHeintz72

The Sentient Fanfic Search Engine mk II
Not sure on the light issue, since I've never had a heat sink with a light... Every one I've ever dealt with personally has just been a hunk of metal held by clamp and conductive adhesive... You sure you are not talking a motherboard light? Those I've seen on pretty much every desktop I've ever worked on Intel Pentium and above, or AMD equivalent...

Either compressed air or a computer vacumn is good idea though, especially if it has been awhile. And unless you do something really outrageous, it should have no detrimental effects on the system...

I do still recommend a good cleanout as well though, look for gunk on the fans, for airflow obstructions, for vent cleanliness... and any dirt on filters if have them.
 

da_fox2279

California Crackpot
I just turned on my laptop tonite after spending a few hours away, and my fucking computer completely reset itself. Lost all my saved files, passwords, etc. Anyone got an idea why this shit happened?

EDIT: After spending a few hours on it, I went to sleep. And upon waking, the laptop was back to the way it had been - seemingly no reset. I fucking feel like I'm losing my damn mind, here.
 
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LORD_ARM

Well-Known Member
I just turned on my laptop tonite after spending a few hours away, and my fucking computer completely reset itself. Lost all my saved files, passwords, etc. Anyone got an idea why this shit happened?

EDIT: After spending a few hours on it, I went to sleep. And upon waking, the laptop was back to the way it had been - seemingly no reset. I fucking feel like I'm losing my damn mind, here.
I don't know what happened but make a backup.
 
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