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I’m a retired IT professional with over 25 years of experience in the PC repair field, and over 30 years prior to that in consumer electronics repair.  Currently on a fixed budget and unable to afford a new Windows 11 computer (my Acer Aspire laptop was only 3 years old when Windows 11 was released) I decided to check out Linux Mint, while continuing to use my Windows 10 desktop and laptop computers.  Neither met the stringent requirements for Windows 11.  With end of support looming for Windows 10, I finally made the switch to Linux Mint when version 22 was released the middle of last year, and have absolutely no regrets.  Both machines now running Mint v22.1 and perform like new with 16GB or RAM.  For those in my position of being unable financially to invest in a new computer just to keep up with Microsoft’s requirements, Linux Mint is an excellent option, with a GUI they would be somewhat familiar with.  There is certainly a learning curve, but one can use Linux Mint and may never need to use the command line, which is a stumbling block for many thinking about switching to Linux.

 

Charlie wrote:

I would prefer to go with LMC version 22 to get support until 2029.  Do you think version 22 will have a problem with a 12 year old computer that meets all the system requirements for version 22 (4 gigs of RAM, Intel i3-2120, 1 TB SSD).

 

I have a Toshiba laptop from 2009, recently upgraded from LMC 20 to LMC 22.  Then yesterday I upgraded to 22.1.  It runs flawlessly on 4GB RAM.

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jburk07, Charlie

The attached file shows what I get when I try to generate a battery report on my Windows 10 desktop computer.  I personally don’t see a need to generate a battery report for a desktop computer, that doesn’t even have a rechargeable battery to be concerned about.

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WSbobby-p

You might like to consider XBMC/Kodi as a replacement for Windows Media Center in Windows 10.  It’s been said that Kodi will do everything Windows Media Center could to, only better.  This page describes several alternatives to WMC, with Kodi at the top of the list.  https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/5-alternatives-windows-media-center-windows-10/

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cellsee6

I would try disconnecting one of the monitors from the computer, and see if the other one will then display the video adapter’s output. If still no response, swap and see if the other monitor will work on its own. If still no video, chances are the video adapter has died and needs replacement.

Process Hacker is a tool available at the Sourceforge website that allows a user to kill stubborn processes that are resistant to normal methods such as via Windows’ built-in Task Manager.  I have it installed on my Windows system and find it quite useful on occasion.  Here are a couple of links that may help you better understand its operation, and instructions for its removal if you wish to do so.

https://processhacker.sourceforge.io/

https://www.shouldiremoveit.com/Process-Hacker-r4957-14045-program.aspx

 

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JohnH

WCHS wrote:

Do you use it? The latest version is Oct 2013. The last beta (2) version 1.4.0 is Nov, 2020. I’ve run across it in web searches, but in recommending it, do you actually use it?

I have used Explorer++, and I highly recommend it.  I think you will be quite pleased with its ease of use, as well as its similarity to Windows File Explorer.  I’m currently using the beta version 1.4.0

Alex5723 wrote:

Read the comments at : https://news.softpedia.com/news/how-to-fix-the-nvidia-driver-bug-on-windows-10-version-2004-530725.shtml

I followed the link, downloaded the latest driver package, and began the install.  After checking system compatibility, it wouldn’t proceed any further and showed a message saying the drivers were incompatible with my version of Windows.  Running Windows 10 v 1909 on an Acer desktop AX 5810 using nVidia GeForce G210.  Current graphics driver version is 342.01, which is too old and not compatible with Win10 v2004, so I guess I’m stuck with 1909 for now, unless someone has a suggestion for a fix that might work with my hardware.

George S. Augustas wrote:

I read all of the above, and I have a different reason for sticking with Windows 7. I upgraded this computer to Windows 10, and it developed a “glitch” in the sound that I could not get rid of. It affected every program that used sound–from Windows startup to Youtube. It was so annoying that I had to revert to Windows 7. I suspect that this computer is too old to run Windows 10 (as I am), so I am just stuck until I get a newer machine. But this one works for me, so I feel no urgency to replace it.

You don’t mention just how old your old computer is.  I’m running Windows 10 Pro version 20H2 on an eleven year old Toshiba Satellite Pro laptop, and it works just fine.  I do have open-shell installed to give it the look and feel of Windows 7, because I don’t care for Windows 10’s desktop, but other than that I have no issues with the OS.  I must admit, though, that I was really slow to bite the bullet and do the upgrade from Windows 7, which was one of the best versions ever.  I’ve used and serviced every version of Windows going all the way back to Windows 3.11.

CADesertRat wrote:

JimT777 wrote:

I often have the same issue on my Windows 10 Pro.  When the “in use” message pops up, there is usually also a ‘Try again” button. More often than not if I click on that button, the system then releases and ejects the USB stick, allowing removal.

All of my machines are Win 10 Pro and I have never seen a “Try again” button anywhere. The only option is to close the message.

Here it is…see for yourself. 

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CADesertRat, Paul T

I often have the same issue on my Windows 10 Pro.  When the “in use” message pops up, there is usually also a ‘Try again” button. More often than not if I click on that button, the system then releases and ejects the USB stick, allowing removal.

What you may need to do is move the install executable to the C drive, then do a custom install and select the F drive as the destination drive for installing the program.  I don’t know for sure that will help, but worth a try.

I have that same Windows update message on my  old Acer desktop system running version 1909.  I read recently of a bug in version 2004 on systems with nVidea display adapters, which is what my system has.  I suspect Microsoft is still trying to fix that bug, thus the reason my update is delayed.

Your writeup about the Keysmart Cleankey makes this statement: “Surprisingly, a quick search on Etsy will show dozens of lower-priced knockoffs. Most use brass or some other material that probably doesn’t have the anti-microbial properties of the copper-zinc alloy — nor do they typically include the retractable cable.”

In case you’re not aware, brass IS a copper-zinc alloy, so I would think it should have the same anti-microbial properties as a copper-zinc alloy.

It is nice to know that such a product exists.  I may try it!  Thanks for the informative article.

You say a significant number of users are annoyed at the blocking.  Do you know that for a fact?  You are the first one I’m aware of who has complained.  I really do not think any of us have missed the point.  I understand your frustration and not trying in any way to downplay it, but are you willing to try any of the suggestions offered?

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woody