How do I find my Google Passwords

Margot

If you use Google Chrome as your browser, the chances are that you allow Chrome to save your passwords – or some of them.

Like everything to do with convenience, there are some downsides. If your machine, or your Google account is hacked, someone else could have access to your passwords.

These are a few instructions for finding out which passwords are stored, and how you can remove stored passwords.

 

How to get a list of stored passwords

 

Then click on Passwords

A list of stored passwords will be displayed.

From here, you will be able to view saved passwords, export a password list or check for security breaches.

View Passwords

To view a specific password: Click on the .

Check for Data Breaches

Click on to see where likely data breaches have occurred.

Export the password list

Click on the more dots

Click on Export passwords, then save the file.

The data is saved as a CSV file, which can be opened in Excel, Google Sheets or Libre Office Calc (or similar app).

Removing a stored password

Click on the three dots, then select remove. The details will be removed from your Google profile

 

How do I change the default font in Libre Office?

Margot

Libre Office: Changing the default font

The default font for Libre Office is set to Liberation Serif, which is not to everyone’s taste.

 

If you want to change the default font, select Tools from the menu bar.

Then select Options from the drop-down list

The Options dialog box will open.

The default font is set under Libre Office Writer/Basic Fonts (Western)

Change the default font to the font of your choice, then click OK

The default font has now been changed.

How do I test my microphone in Windows 10?

Margot

If you are having problems with your microphone, you can test it via the Sound Settings Page

To do this, enter “Sound” into the search bar (next to Start)

As you type, you will see the search results.

Select Sound Settings

The Sound Settings page will be displayed.

The top part is Output to the speakers

The bottom part is Input (microphone)

Check that a microphone is listed. If a microphone is listed, then try speaking. You should see the microphone sound bar move. If it moves, then all is well, and you microphone should be working.

If it does not move, check that the microphone is not muted.

If no microphone is listed, it could be that you microphone has been disabled. Click on “Manage Sound Devices” and check that your microphone is not disabled.

More Links

https://support.microsoft.com/en-ph/help/4027981/windows-10-how-to-set-up-and-test-microphones

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/i-need-my-microphone-to-be-installed-on-windows-10/25096163-5e8b-4d6a-9067-17bc92e738ad

 

iPad for newbies

Margot

So, you have a new iPad, perhaps it is a gift. And now, you are wondering just what you are supposed to do with it.

Here are some videos which may help you to get started.

First of all, not sure how to turn it on, or how to control the volume? Then this video is for you: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQdC_hHlS7k&list=PLF61ED46632342CFF

iPad Tutorial

Tutorial 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLzCXB-BD9g

Tutorial 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EjA6tZgSTs

Tutorial 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfqJ955s1XM

Tutorial 4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0ozI9xEA1I

 

 

Andoid Phone or iPhone for newbies

Margot

OK, so have an Android phone, or an iPhone but you are not sure how to use it. Or you need to set up WiFi, and no-one showed you how to do this in the shop. Maybe you have had a phone for years that only did text and phone calls, but now you have upgraded and it is all different. Don’t worry, you are not alone. Everyone has to start somewhere, and it will take time and practice to get to grips with the new technology.

So here are a carefully curated set of links for novices. These will open in YouTube, because it is better to see someone using the phone. If a picture is worth 1,000 words, then a video is worth at least 10,000.

Android Phone (anything but an iPhone)

ConsumerCellular have a collection of videos which can be viewed online. The videos support a wide range of Android phones, so are a useful resource. These videos begin at the beginning, how to turn the phone on, set up the phone, connect to Wi-Fi etc.

https://www.consumercellular.com/Help/videos-and-manuals

If you do not see your phone, don’t worry. What changes are the buttons and the camera, the basic screen stays the same. Look for a phone which seems similar to your phone. The topics that are covered are:

  • Overview and Tour – The outside of the phone, how to charge it and turn it on
  • Getting Started
  • Making and receiving calls
  • Sending texts
  • Using email and the internet
  • Using the camera
  • Inserting and removing the Sim card, battery and SD card
  • Voicemail

There are some other videos which apply to all phones, such as managing Wi-Fi settings or Managing Apps. So is three is something not listed for your particular phone, try looking at the videos for another phone. The Samsung Galaxy J3 has a large number of videos and can be found here: https://www.consumercellular.com/samsungGalaxyJ32016

iPhone

If you are struggling with an iPhone or an iPad (or you have a relative who is struggling) these videos may be useful

The outside of the iPhone (ports, switches etc) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vv5fc7Nq5eQ

This is useful for someone who has an iPad or an iPhone: https://youtu.be/pQnmIjsmx9M

And this is an introduction to the iPad: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXBwDa1ohck

How do I get a free email account?

Margot

“If you’re not paying for it, then you are the product”

Technically, there is no such thing as a free email account. Email accounts must be paid for somehow, either by advertising or collecting your data. But having said that, free email addresses are very useful.

You may wish to have a back up email account, just in case something happens to your main email account, or you may wish to have an email account independent of your broadband (ISP) provider.

Free to use

Gmail

provided by Google. Gmail offers a mail import from other email. To sign up for Gmail you will need to create a Google account

https://accounts.google.com/signup/v2/webcreateaccount?flowName=GlifWebSignIn&flowEntry=SignUp

Hotmail/Outlook

provided by Microsoft. You will need to create a Microsoft account.

https://outlook.live.com/owa/

iCloud

provided by Apple, great for Apple fans. You will need to create an Apple ID

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT204316

Free (with lots of adverts) but with a paid for version (No Ads)

Yahoo Mail (Ad free – £26.99 a year)

https://login.yahoo.com/account/create?specId=yidReg

 

 

Further reading

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_webmail_providers

How long do free email providers keep your account alive?

https://mashable.com/2009/02/09/webmail-account-dormant-alive/?europe=true

 

 

How do I connect my android phone to Wi-Fi?

Margot

From your home screen, tap Settings to see the Settings menu.

Now tap Connections

Make sure the Wi-Fi is turned on

Tap Wi-Fi to see what connections are available.

Select the network you wish to connect to, and then enter the Password/Key from your router

Check Show Password so you can see what you are typing. Click Connect and your phone will connect to your Wi-Fi

Problems with Windows Update

Margot

Windows Updates are always annoying, just as you want to turn your computer off, or you are in a hurry for your computer to start, your computer goes into update mode.

Very frustrating. But even more frustrating is this message, that these changes are being undone. Many users will find that they are stuck in a repeating cycle of failed updates

Why does this happen?

  1. Windows Update cache has become corrupted
  2. Conflict with AntiVirus program
  3. Not enough disk space or unreliable internet connection
  4. Faulty Windows update.

This article tackles one problem that occurs with regular monotony, that is the twice-yearly Windows 10 feature update. These updates are not optional, but they can be problematic and do not always install automatically.

Your options are

  1. Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter
  2. If you use a third party antivirus program, try turning this off and then attempt the update.
  3. Use the Microsoft Update Assistant to update to the latest version of Windows 10. Takes a long time, but it will work.

Windows Update using the Microsoft Update Assistant

  1. If you are using a laptop, make sure that it is plugged in, and not running on battery power.
  2. Create a system image and a recovery disk (Use Back up and Restore (Windows 7) from the Control Panel. This is somewhat buried in the system. Will it be needed? Probably not but it will help to restore your computer if something goes seriously wrong.
  3. Start the Windows 10 update. This will take time, maybe a few hours, so allow for plenty of time, perhaps let it run overnight. Go to https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10
  4. Click on Update Now. Click on Save (saved to Downloads). When the download is finished (it doesn’t take long), run the program, following the instructions.
  5. When it is finished, your computer will restart, and you will be able to log on as normal

More information

10 things you can try: https://www.zdnet.com/article/windows-update-failed-here-are-10-fixes-you-can-try/

7 things to try: https://www.drivereasy.com/knowledge/windows-update-fails-fixed/

https://howtofixwindows.com/windows-10-version-1909-failed-to-install/

How do I – back up my data

Margot

How often do you back up your data.? Is your back up automated?

Unfortunately, backing up is something that is often put off. One of those things on the to do list. A very simple form of back up is to plug in an external drive and use the built in software to continuously back up your data.

 

Useful videos:

Back up Windows 10 with File History

https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=Ese0ARnoZR8

An overview of back up options

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vjd6c7wdOhI

Using an Apple Mac?

This tutorial is a good introduction.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cd2YaBCXpaM

And here is a simple guide

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eO-bHcnSNVA

What do I need to buy?

Most users will find a 2TB drive sufficient, but if you really do not have much data, a smaller (1TB) drive will suffice.

You will need a USB 3.0 disk. USB 3.0 will give you high transfer speeds. A drive can be bought from PC World or John Lewis.