This week we opened the Tech Savvy mailbag with help from Consolidated Telecommunications Co. and a little assistance from the internet to answer questions from readers.
My original iPad just shuts down
Question: This is my original iPad I am writing about. At times it just shuts down, refuses to move forward and will finally move forward after a power down. Should I find out how to set it back to original settings which I don't know how to do?
Answer: Older iPads may not have the needed specifications for new software updates or updated apps. This can cause slower performance and not give you the latest features available. A factory reset could help with storage space and possibly help with performance, however, if you're not able to backup you data and restore it, you will lose your apps. In your general settings you should be able to do a reset to your phone.
Are there repair options for older technology?
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Question: Can you get things like tablets repaired? Or do you just have to throw them away? Of interest is the plug-in end for an HP tablet. Is there anywhere locally to get it fixed?.
Answer: You can get repairs for older tech. There are options for screen repair, such as Batteries Plus in Brainerd, for an iPad, but getting another fix is likely to involve sending it in Apple for repaired. When looking at repair costs, buyers should also consider the age and value for the tablet. You may be able to purchase a newer version of your tablet for just a little more than the cost to repair it.
HP has a website for support for its mobile devices. You just need to identify your product-and they have a list people can choose from based on a photo. They'll also ask for a serial number. HP reports it typically stops supporting most products after 10 years. The support website has a lot of options and can be searched by keyword, but perhaps more importantly there is an option also to sign-in and have a customer support person provide assistance. Here's the website:
https://support.hp.com/us-en/contact-hp
What's a private server?
Question: Would you please explain, and with diagrams please, what exactly is a private server? Is it something I can go out and buy? And where would a person purchase a private server? What companies makes private servers? Do you still need an internet provider?
Is it something I can go out and buy?
Answer: Actually most people have a server in their homes right now, technically your network printer is a server. Other servers can be purchased locally or online, such as a NAS or Network Attached Storage device. In some cases people can use older equipment that they already own (dusty computer in the closet) to make their own servers.
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And where would a person purchase a private server?
These can be purchased locally and online. The larger retail stores in town will have network
storage devices and network printers. Local computer shops may have the equipment as well.
Online vendors will have a greater selection of the equipment with more options for the
configurations. Prices will vary significantly.
What companies makes private servers? Western Digital and Seagate are two of the common vendors you will see for network storage. Other vendors will include Dell, HP, and Apple with still more that are not household names.
Do you still need an internet provider? Depending on what you are doing with your server, you will need an internet provider. For example, some of the network storage devices will allow you to login to the device from anywhere in the world, making your own mini-cloud. In addition, the same can be said for printing as well.
However the simplest usage would be for local (in home) storage for files and printing. In this
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case an internet connection would not be required.
How can I keep photos from automatically loading on Facebook?
Question: I read your recent article and viewed all the TV and newspaper alerts about the ongoing problems with Facebook security. First, let me tell you that I am a "non-techy senior citizen" who has to be on Facebook only to communicate with my children and grandchildren as well as friends who have moved to various distant locations. I rarely post, myself. An issue has just recently become a security concern for me. Whenever I take a picture with my cellphone, it appears on my Facebook page ("only you can see this") hoping I will want to post it. If it was a picture I had posted at one time, I would understand, as it is in my Facebook archives. However, I do not want Facebook to have access to my personal photo gallery. What made this a real issue for me happened just yesterday: My financial advisor had asked me to take a picture of my driver's license and email it to him for paperwork he is processing for me. Within hours, my driver's license was on my Facebook page (albeit "only I could see this"). It would only take an "accidental click" for it to go viral. I have gone into settings to try to find out how to remove this "privilege," but cannot find it. Or, is it even possible without actually cancelling out of Facebook entirely?
Answer: I found a lot of data on this so you haven't been the only one wondering. The automatic link was offered as a way to make it even easier for people to post their photos. But your example of the driver's license is a good one to note for those who only want to post at will, not automatically. I know I have plenty of cat photos I've taken that don't really need to go further or photos of hot water heaters as I shop for a new one that don't need to go online.
CNET reported the ways to opt out depending on whether you have an android or iPhone or iPad. CNET stated: The Facebook Help Center provides step-by-step instructions for disabling Photo Sync on Android phones, iPhones, and iPads from within the Facebook app itself. Here's the nutshell version:
Android: Press the main menu in the top-left corner and choose Account > App Settings > Sync Photos > Don't sync my photos.
iPhone and iPad: From the Timeline, press Photos > Sync, then the gear icon in the top-right corner, and finally Turn off Photo Sync (this step may not be necessary) > Don't sync my photos > Done.
Looking for more info on data privacy and cyber security?
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Central Lakes College is inviting the community to a free presentation on data privacy and cyber security best practices. The event, titled "A Talk on Digital Data Privacy and
Cyber Security" is at 1 p.m. on Friday, April 27, in the cafeteria of Central Lakes College,
Brainerd campus.
The Information Technology-Computer Club will host a presentation about computer-mobile data privacy and cyber security. Next, Sam Espana, Mobile Application Development instructor and IT-Computer Club adviser, will present data privacy and cyber security topics, such as social media issues, malware and mobile app security, while providing hints/tips to protect your
computers/devices.
There will be light refreshments sponsored by CLC Student Life. Questions from the
audience will be welcome.
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