Daddy Tech support and adventures in Linux

[Murph]

Having computer connection issues.

[sunday]

Happens from time to time with the site. Could be also your router.

Edited October 11, 2023 by sunday

[Murph]

Victoria had an issue on her computer, something had filled up her "C" drive and she only had 8 gb left.  So Windows was throwing up error codes.  We cleared cache, cleaned up old programs, and still only gained 2 gb.  Then I found a file that was full of .dbs files.  She had no idea what it was, I had never seen files that related to automobile tracking, and so I killed it.  We got 16GB!!!! of space back.  Did virus and malware scans, nothing showed, so while we were working, we added a 2tb MX500 crucial drive, and cleaned it out.  Unfortunately the dog hair and dirt blew across my office.  I normally stay away from her computer, but this was odd.  

[Ssnake]

.dbs is usually associated with (any) MySQL database files, so it's not necessarily limited to automobile telemetry. Don't know if that helps any.

You might have found out quicker what files consumed so much space with WinDirStat. I think it's the best (Windows) tool to visualize which files and folders consume most of any given disk.

[Murph]

I will check on using WinDirStat, thanks.  We have managed to clear up a total of 24gb, so my next option is the old Windows standby of format and re-install.

[Ssnake]

Considering the nuclear option already?

Boy, you escalate fast.

[Murph]

Nah, its just an option if the issue comes back due to something that my daughter decided was a "good idea" to load, and has now become a monster.  Unless she is fussing, I tend to stay far far away from her computer except for staying on her to update drivers, and such.  

[Murph]

I updated windows, I know bad idea, but I could not avoid it. I had some work I had to do, so I started Libreoffice on windows, which, has always worked without too many issues, except when Microsoft does an "update". At that point they change things so that Libreoffice cannot save files in Word 2007 format. I need to save them in that format so a friend who is getting the files can read them. He refuses to install Libreoffice, and he is not a "computer guy". I went in and discovered that Microsoft has ONCE AGAIN changed the file permissions. Why do they do this? I have no flipping clue.

Ok fixed that. Still not saving. Spent two hours looking, and finally found that an update to Microsoft Office "Trust Center" (which is well hidden, so it is hard to find), has made Libreoffice not usable to save files to the sacred Word .DOCX format!!!!! In the "Trust center" if you put a check mark in the block to write and save, it blocks your ability to write and save. OMFG! why? why? I seldom fire up my copy of Microsoft Office except when I just have to do so, using Libreoffice as much as possible. Also Microsoft seems to be hiding settings as much as possible to keep people from changing them. This is just wrong and annoying.

I was already annoyed after cooking all day, and having the nieces decide they wanted the food cooked a different way, and then making comments about how I should know how to cook things. No one else complained. So when Microsoft decided to muck things up, it really caused me to explode.

I just had to rant.

[Murph]

Well yesterday was a tech day: I AM very happy that I did not install Linux on my youngests old computer, the one I accidentally installed Windows 11 on, since yesterday I had to provide tech support for my friends sister.  She got the Windows Defender has detected malware scam, and was in a bit of panic.  I spent an hour walking her through the issues, uninstalling MacAfee, adding Firefox with uBlock, running deep virus scans, etc.  I could not have done this on a Windows 10 machine since Microsoft changed things that much.  So she is happy and then we ran CCleaner and cleaned out all the trash that had built up on her system, and cleaned out all the dead registry entries.

She said that computer is running as fast as it did when she first purchased it.  If I had not had that one Windows 11 computer, I would have had to send her to Best Buy Geek Squad and they charge $100-300 for malware and virus removal, and would have kept her work laptop for days.  As it is, I got her back and running in an hour.  Steve was miffed that she had not called him, but as I pointed out, he does not have a Windows 11 computer!  I do.  Plus my buddy has been out of the computer world for years, so his skill set is sadly even less than mine at this point, and I am not by any stretch of the imagination any sort of expert.

I could not have done the tech support as easily, if at all if I had just used my Windows 10 computer.  So my mistake was not terrible then....  He told his sister that she needed to run Linux, she told him no.  He told her that I could set her up with Linux, she said no.  He told her that she would not have this malware anymore if she ran Linux.  She told him no.  So I think that answer is no.  Which is fine by me.

[Murph]

I have updated my list of computer people as follows: [insert humor]

Users: People who just use a computer to get things done, they could care less about the operating system so long as the computer allows them to do the things they want done by the computer. To them a computer is a major appliance like a microwave, and they just want it to work the same way all the time, every time, sometimes they apply updates, sometimes they do not. They get very upset when a "feature upgrade" breaks what they are used to using. Most can do some very minor fixes if they have either an Old guy/gal or Sys Admin walking them through it. Most Mac OS and Windows users. Usually saying: "WHY WON'T THIS THING WORK!?"

Gamers: They use the OS that allows them to get that very last frame and want an OS that allows them to install the occasional bleeding edge hardware, and they want their video card to work, work right, and give them max frames. They do not really care about OS that much except that it allows them to game. They want to put their 4090 TI/SUPER/MAX/UBER?GONZO card in and have it work along with their screamingly overclocked 16 core processor. Pretty much Windows gamers. Always seems to have that latest hardware and a gaming laptop that is so heavy you need a forklift to move it around. Usually saying: "Hey I got ultimate fraggage in CSGO with my [insert hardware]!"

Sys Admins: They want things to work, and keep it locked down enough that stupid (L)users cannot bork his/her system since he is the one that will spend hours of work unfarking things that a user did to cause it to crash. Generally seen with a mug of caffeine in his/her hand, and most often telling Users: NO! You cannot install that latest update to the latest malware! I have to keep this thing running! Pretty much anti-social except when around other Sys Admins. Can scream along in command line mode. Linux users generally, although many also can manage Windows Server. He lives on coffee, asprin, Pepto Bismol, and stomach acid. He is the guy who has to connect the Yoyodyne NAS to the Banzai Institute server system that the "tech guy" has sold management on. Usually saying: "You did what?" as he walks away looking for asprin.

L33T H@x0r: The guy who has decided that he has to install [insert distro/OS] and tells everyone that he uses [fill in the blank] OS, which builds strong systems 12 different ways, and always refers to users, gamers, and others as Lusers since they cannot accept his OS brilliance! Sees the OS as their religion. Claims to live in VIM (or EMACS) (but really just use Nano), and is a command line master. We all know them. For this person it is a religion. Completely lacks respect for the "Old guy/gals" because they use a "kiddie distro". Usually saying: "BTW I use [insert distro here]!" every 2 minutes.

The Purist: The guy who only uses (by choice since they can afford newer computers) 10-15 year old hardware since it is "just better", runs an OS that works on their old hardware, and is constantly bemoaning the loss of 32 bit systems. Thinks GUI desktops are just too modern, and if you cannot write a script, configure cups, set up samba shares, and do it all from the command line, you just "don't get it". Generally a Gentoo, or BSD user. Shakes his head at the "new generation" who have no respect for classics. Usually saying; "Older stuff just works better".

The Old Guy (or gal): who knows their way around a computer, uses it for a lot of things, generally knows more than the H@x0r in terms of real life experience. Uses a OS (or multiple OSes) that get out of his way so he can do things, but he always mods them to work the way he/she wants them to work. Sees the computer and OS as a tool and something to spend time learning, having fun, or doing productive work, but it is not a religion. Uses Windows/Mac OS/LInux/BSD/Haiku, etc. Usually saying: "you do your thing and let me do mine".

Grandma/Grandpa: People who grew up in a different age where electronics were not available, and if something broke, you fixed it, repurposed it, or finally parted it out so that the "good" parts could be used to repair other broken stuff. People who have a cell phone, either smart or a flip phone, but only use it to make phone calls, don't care to game, they just want to use the computer to do their taxes, get their email, see and send photos of the grandkids/grandpets/family, use facebook, have no idea of computer scams, or security, and grew up in a time where you generally trusted "Authority" so that authentic looking email from the IRS means you had better respond. Mostly Windows users. Usually saying: "Did you see the latest photos of the kids..."

The Lost: Those people who should never be allowed to be around a computer, ever. The arch enemy of the Sys Admin. People that can find ways to bork a system that even the Sys Admin could not imagine. We all know them. We have all dealt with them. The sort of people who make you want to delete their systems completely. Generally windows users. Usually saying: "But I did it the way you told me to do it."

The Hipster: That person who has to let you know they are using the latest Apple hardware that is just sooooo much better over last years Apple hardware because Steve Jobs/etc have told him/her it was. Takes their latest Apple device to the coffee shop to show off their hardware even though all they do is email and social media. But you know who they are by their electronics and the way they dress.... iProduct above all else! Always supporting causes of which they really know nothing about, but because it is hip and trendy, they just fall in line. Usually saying: "Did you see my new Macbook XXXIII, or my iPhone 47? They just so much faster than the old ones!"

The IT guy: Has moved more Cat6 and Cat5 cable than anyone else, has as his bane the Lost. When not fixing things that got borked by clueless users, he is running cable, or helping the boss unfark his computer, he is in the IT office playing the latest FPS on the 16 core Ryzen system he convinced management to get for him so he can "test out the system". Generally gets along ok with the Sys Admin. Usually saying: "No! I will not fix your computer after work!"

The Tech Support Guy/ Office computer expert: Every office has one, the guy that always suggests a "better way to do things", or says; If we connected that Yoyodyne NAS to the Banzi Institute server, it would make things faster/better/cost less/ But he never seems to have done anything, but has a "friend" or has "read something about it", and is always there to provide "help", but never is at fault when things go south. The bane of the IT guy and the Sys Admin. Usually saying; "Hey if you did it this way, it would be better, trust me!"

The Coder: An IT professional or amateur enthusiast who uses their computer to make software such as web sites, applications etc. If only one person in your office has a mechanical keyboard, it will be them. They know all the keyboard shortcuts. They often butt heads with the Sys Admins as new security policies, unannounced network changes and OS updates often break the software they created. They are also known to hack their own workstation and other company assets. This will be the person who automates their administrative tasks such as time accounting in order to save time so they can create more code. Energy drinks are the staple of the coder. Conversations with them can be awkward. They usually see things in binary, i.e. something is either right or wrong, or black and white. During crunch time they will be a ghost. The only indication of their presence in the office is the frantic banging of the mechanical keyboard and occasional glimpse of them running to the restroom as their code compiles. Usually saying: "It is almost ready, give me five more minutes!"

This was intended as [humorous], so please take it that way.

[Murph]

Well heck!  I decided I just could not handle POP!_OS for one more day.  So I installed Mint 21.3 back on the Thelio, and to keep the CPU fan working right I had to install the POP Drivers.  Well, now I have kernel 6.9.3 and it works great.  It took all of 15 minutes to get it back to where I wanted the system, and themed.  Plus all my files were already there on the second drive which is /home.  Plus I spent the last three and half hours playing Civ VI, and not one crash.  It crashed every 30 minutes under POP running Steam.  YeeHaw!  

[Murph]

Welp, it is looking like new computer time for the Windows box.  I am getting random shutdowns, BSODs, and crashes.  I suspect that it is one of these: Power supply, CPU thermals, RAM issues, Motherboard, so I have some work to do.  I have to have a Windows computer.  

[TrustMe]

1 minute ago, Murph said:

Welp, it is looking like new computer time for the Windows box.  I am getting random shutdowns, BSODs, and crashes.  I suspect that it is one of these: Power supply, CPU thermals, RAM issues, Motherboard, so I have some work to do.  I have to have a Windows computer.  

It could be a computer virus. Do you have anti-virus software active?

[Murph]

Yep, and set to paranoid level.  

[Murph]

[Murph]

Now this is utterly cool, and I might get interested in one of these as a Linux server since they are now dirt cheap.

 

https://www.macofalltrades.com/mac-pro/

 

[Murph]

My daughter found a box, a large one filled with old Floppy disks (3.5"), nothing I have will read a floppy, so I ordered one which arrived yesterday.  I spent a large amount of time looking at old, very old disks from 1990-1998.  Found some files I thought were lost and gone forever.  Some I attempted to open using the Windows computer and Libreoffice, and they were DOS files.  Now they mucked up my libreoffice so it has a black background with white letters, and I will be hanged if I can find the setting(s) to take it back the way it was.  But I have also found some old disks for fonts.  A find was the Bitstream Li;l Bits THE STAR TREK FONT PACK True Type Fonts of Microsoft Windows 3.1!  I managed to get them installed on the Thelio.  How cool. 

I also found a disk for laplink, various video drivers, MS DOS 3.2, MS DOS 6.0 upgrade (these are original), and MS WORD and Access 6.0 all on floppies.  

I also found two IBM Model M keyboards, one of which is missing some key caps, but they worked until Microsoft changed Windows 10 (I think it was version 1903) where they no longer worked.  I need to find a good home, I will ship them to you (sorry US only, I cannot afford international shipping), I love those keyboards, but I no longer have any computer they work on.   

[sunday]

19 minutes ago, Murph said:

I also found two IBM Model M keyboards, one of which is missing some key caps, but they worked until Microsoft changed Windows 10 (I think it was version 1903) where they no longer worked.

Have you tried this?
 

https://www.amazon.com/TRADERPLUS-2-Pack-Adapter-Keyboard-Support/dp/B075T1LS3V/ref=sr_1_2_sspa

https://www.clickykeyboards.com/product-category/ps2-keyboard-to-usb-adapter-converters/

https://www.ebay.com/itm/201942720096

It is a pity not being able to use those excellent keyboards.

[Ssnake]

4 hours ago, Murph said:

nothing I have will read a floppy

They all went into the creation of the almighty Floppotron.

 

[Murph]

Thanks, it took some doing, but I managed to get the Windows installation of Libreoffice back to normal.  I also found the fonts from the various disks work great on my Linux computers.  That is a real plus since I am a font snob, I want clean, well rendered, legible fonts.  

The external floppy drive worked seamlessly under Mint 22.1 which is my distro of choice.  I was shocked at how many documents I had that were created under Word for DOS, and Word 6.0 back in the day.  I found some documents that I thought had been lost forever.  

[Ivanhoe]

Times New Roman is the One True Font. All else is heresy that will result in eternal damnation.

[Tim Sielbeck]

Amen!

 

[RETAC21]

5 minutes ago, Tim Sielbeck said:

Amen! Arial!

 

FIFY!

[Ssnake]

Times for print, Helvetica for screens.

[Murph]

Arial!