Computer Troubleshooting/Help Master Thread

[etech0]

great, thank you!!

[Thingywingy]

I installed a new hard drive thinking that my Seagate backup would help me transfer everything over, but it's a bit more complicated than I thought. Is there a way to get everything I need off that drive? (ie. windows settings, chrome bookmarks & extensions, stickynotes notes, sessionbuddy user data). The programs can all be reinstalled, but not sure how to find and transfer the user data? Strangely there is no Appdata folder within the restored files? Unless I'm looking in the wrong place...?

I also restored from Seagate backup twice thinking that it didn't work the 1st time. I only see that data once but it seemed to decrease the amount on the hard drive significantly. Should I just reboot again from the USB to start fresh again? Thanks.

[aygart]

Not an issue that I really care about, but I noticed that the blurbs on windows lock screen are not conforming to the picture. This morning I had a picture of an AZ desert scene with the blurbs about toucans. Strange.

[etech0]

In iTunes (in Windows) is there a way to see which files are currently downloading / queued for download?

[Thingywingy]

In iTunes (in Windows) is there a way to see which files are currently downloading / queued for download?

[Thingywingy]

I copied my documents from External hard drive to new hard drive and the folders don't exactly match in size and number of files when I click on properties. When I open up the folders they show the exact same files. I tried adding hidden files to viewing but still don't see whats missing. Any suggestions?

[etech0]

Thanks!

[etech0]

A computer has been showing this error for an hour:

Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart. We're just collecting some error info, and then we'll restart for you. 0% complete.

The % has not progressed at all. Any ideas?

[Yisroel Tech]

A computer has been showing this error for an hour:The % has not progressed at all. Any ideas?

Force shut it down

[etech0]

Force shut it down

That worked, thanks! Things like this have been happening a lot recently, how do we figure out why / fix it?

[Yisroel Tech]

That worked, thanks! Things like this have been happening a lot recently, how do we figure out why / fix it?

It's not that simple, especially if it can't finish to collect the crash data.

[etech0]

It's not that simple, especially if it can't finish to collect the crash data.

Hmmm, any advice what to do next time it happens?

[Yisroel Tech]

Hmmm, any advice what to do next time it happens?

Does it always get stuck at 0% or sometimes it does finish?
Does the error screen have any more details (an error name, file name, etc.)?

[etech0]

Does it always get stuck at 0% or sometimes it does finish?
Does the error screen have any more details (an error name, file name, etc.)?

I don't know, it belongs to a coworker. I will try and find out. Thanks!

[Thingywingy]

Looking for a VPN to use often but only for small amounts of data. I saw this on Quora. It scared me a little...

"It is strongly adviced against using any free VPN nowadays. You’re risking your online privacy and ALL your data by using a free VPN and you’d be better off with using no VPN whatsoever. There are examples of free VPNs selling user information and bandwidth basically turning the whole VPN into Botnet. To save money on servers they’ve also used other people’s computers as a node driving someone else’s traffic through so that other person has an IP they can’t be identified. In other words, they’re using your IP and if one of their customer does something illegal online while connected to web through your IP address, all their actions will be traceable straight to your IP address!

With VPN you are driving all your traffic to and through their servers and that’s a huge security issue if you are using a VPN that’s not to be trusted. Chances are the free VPN service provider is just data mining your traffic and selling your browsing information among other information to advertisers. Remember, those free VPN services have to make money somehow and unfortunately with free VPNs that money is made out of your information, leaving you even more unprotected online than without using any VPN whatsoever."

Any recommendations for a secure low-cost VPN?

[David R]

Looking for a VPN to use often but only for small amounts of data. I saw this on Quora. It scared me a little...

"It is strongly adviced against using any free VPN nowadays. You’re risking your online privacy and ALL your data by using a free VPN and you’d be better off with using no VPN whatsoever. There are examples of free VPNs selling user information and bandwidth basically turning the whole VPN into Botnet. To save money on servers they’ve also used other people’s computers as a node driving someone else’s traffic through so that other person has an IP they can’t be identified. In other words, they’re using your IP and if one of their customer does something illegal online while connected to web through your IP address, all their actions will be traceable straight to your IP address!

With VPN you are driving all your traffic to and through their servers and that’s a huge security issue if you are using a VPN that’s not to be trusted. Chances are the free VPN service provider is just data mining your traffic and selling your browsing information among other information to advertisers. Remember, those free VPN services have to make money somehow and unfortunately with free VPNs that money is made out of your information, leaving you even more unprotected online than without using any VPN whatsoever."

Any recommendations for a secure low-cost VPN?

I bought AVG's VPN free after rebate. Do they act this way?

[Thingywingy]

I would less worried about AVG which is a brand name in the security software market...if they were caught playing games with people's data their "security" business would suffer enormously...

I realized that my Kaspersky Internet Security includes "Secure Connection", which it seems is a VPN...anyone have experience with them?

[Yisroel Tech]

I would less worried about AVG which is a brand name in the security software market...if they were caught playing games with people's data their "security" business would suffer enormously...

I realized that my Kaspersky Internet Security includes "Secure Connection", which it seems is a VPN...anyone have experience with them?

They use Hotspot Shield IINM. And they only give you a certain amount of free usage per day.

Hotspot shield was recently cought with privacy concerns, but since they're a brand I'd not suspect them with anything more than simple monetization of user information.

The real question I what one is fearing from. If from the botnet kind of alleged prectices, then any big name should be fine. But if someone is privacy paranoid then there isn't a lot (if at all) of definitely safe options.

[etech0]

But if someone is privacy paranoid then there isn't a lot (if at all) of definitely safe options.

There's always pencil and paper...

[Yisroel Tech]

There's always pencil and paper...

Which a coworker can physically steal or copy...