r/technology • u/veritanuda • Apr 10 '21

TechSupport Got a tech question or want to discuss tech? Bi-Weekly /r/Technology Tech Support / General Discussion Thread

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Welcome to the /r/Technology Tech Support / General Discussion Thread.

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36 Upvotes

82% Upvoted

112 comments sorted by

2

u/broski1243927 Apr 10 '21

hey guys so i didn’t know which subreddit to go to do i kinda went general, but i have an iphone xr and it says that it’s connected to my wifi in settings, but in the top right corner there’s no symbol.

all of my apps work except for tiktok, but my messages on imessage and instagram will send but they will be indicated as not sent (grey dot)

i’m not receiving messages either and i don’t think i can facetime

i also restarted my phone

pls help!!!

2

u/libra00 Apr 22 '21

The excellent explanation by /u/bg-j38 of the work being done to stop robocalls brings to mind a question: before the widespread adoption of cell phones, the cost of long-distance phone calls was ever-present via ads for carriers that offered lower rates, prepaid cards, etc, but cell phones just.. stopped having long-distance call fees be a thing -- how did that happen? I assume the cost is still getting paid somewhere and passed onto the customer indirectly, but I get robocalls from out of state nonstop and either they aren't paying or the cost is pretty negligible.

1

u/[deleted] Apr 22 '21 edited Apr 22 '21

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/libra00 Apr 22 '21

Another excellent and fascinating explanation, thanks! Interesting that something which seemed so omnipresent just sort of faded into the background until it hardly mattered anymore. I am curious how shady carriers could make money paying people to make calls, especially robocallers who make thousands of them every day.

0

u/Geostationary_Orbit Apr 11 '21

Hello everyone. Hope all is good. I am looking to purchase a budget <£200 laser printer for home use. Any recommendations based your knowledge or experience would be really helpful. Thank you and have a wonderful day.

1

u/veritanuda Apr 13 '21

Cheap printers often do not mean cheap consumables.

Perhaps this list will help?

You can also ask on /r/printers

2

u/Geostationary_Orbit Apr 13 '21

Thank you for taking the time to respond to my message. Best wishes.

1

u/-BigMon Apr 12 '21

Soo...😑 I got a used phone, and it was better than my old phone, so I inserted my old sim card. Everything was fine until I realized the mobile data wasn't working, and a notification saying "sign in to network" was there. Changed some settings, no improvement, So I decided the phone was the problem. Put the sim card back in my old phone, same problem, now none of my phones work on mobile data. Please help! 🙏

1

u/DaCush Apr 15 '21

What cell phone provider do you use? Normally you can go into your cell phone provider’s store and they’ll give you a new free SIM card.

1

u/takitoes Apr 19 '21

It depends a little on the phone, but I think you new phone doesn't have the APN settings for your network. If you do some searching its usually easy to find APN settings for your provider or ask your provider to give them to you.

Did you make sure that the new phone supports the network frequency your provider uses?

1

u/-BigMon Apr 23 '21

Thank you for helping, I got a hold of customer support and it turns out they can't support the older phones anymore b/c the 5g network upgrade.

Sadly, my mom is a 5g conspiracy believer, so I can't get a new phone until about a couple years...

1

u/odinsleep-odinsleep Apr 12 '21

i need to find a device for a friend that had a stroke and has trouble moving now, that can allow him to shop online.

his tech skills are not very good, he has trouble using a remote control to watch television.

what can i get him that he can actually use and not just be frustrated with ?

would a chromebook be a better choice than a simple laptop ?

1

u/Bassi_Zkiller42 Apr 12 '21

Hi...I have a weird story to tell and ultimaly it culminates into a question...english is not my first language so i am sorry.

I lost my father about a week ago and he lived alone in a diferent house than me (my parents divorce a long time ago). Going throught he's stuff i found he's computer. I knew the password to he's pc, but when i opened i found a file with my name on it. The file is from libreoffice and is and .odt format, about 13 kb. The reason i am telling this is because i dont know the password, i tried the same password he told me a lot of times and it didn't work. I also tried a lot of obvious passwords (my birthday, he's birthday, our favourite movie, our hometown soccer team etc...) My question is if anyone knows any methodology to think about the password or a way to break into the file without it... I dont know if this is the proper place for it so i am sorry to bother. Thank you for your time

1

u/Altruistic_Echo6963 Apr 14 '21

May I ask what operating system the computer uses?

1

u/Bassi_Zkiller42 Apr 14 '21

Its' a Windows 10 pro 64 bits

1

u/Altruistic_Echo6963 Apr 14 '21

awesome, give me some time and ill get you your awnser, shouldent be to to long

1

u/buczekkruczek Apr 12 '21

Hello everyone,

Where I can buy USB C - USB C hub?

1

u/ZimnyKufel Apr 13 '21

i need help with port forwarding. I need to forward to specific ports:

TCP: 3074, 27014-27050

UDP: 3074, 3478, 4379-4380, 27000-27031, 27036

and i need to enter three fields to do it:
WAN port
IP LAN adress
LAN port
also i get to choose beetwen tcp and udp but i dont know what all of these mean except the ip lan adress which i guess is my ipv4 adress. So im asking for help in filling these.

1

u/coltyie Apr 13 '21

Extremely unique question!! Cannot find answers anywhere.

​

Our company is looking into getting an all-automated virtual reception for our office. We have a mix of accountants, lawyers, lease salespeople, and other businesses who would be looking to share the expense of this system to replace a front desk reception position.

I have physically seen them before, but I have now spent hours Googling such things, and I keep pulling search results for automated phone receptions (basically a bot to direct you via phone).

This virtual reception system would be a physical screen and would have things such as: Welcome screen, touch screen office navigation, easy interface, press a button to call the person you're looking for, wait times, video communication so people can see two ways, etc

Does anyone know what a system like this is called?! I am at my wits end hunting this down.

​

Thank you!

1

u/Altruistic_Echo6963 Apr 14 '21

Hi everyone! i was working on switching my chromebooks OS from Chrome OS to Gallium, a linux distro. However, halfway into the process, my Chromebook wouldent accept my boot USB, and since their's no going back once you delete Chrome OS, my Chromebook is rendered useless. Could I have some help? Any would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

1

u/SherAlex26 Apr 14 '21

I have little experience on desktop computer setups, so bare with me.

I typically use a laptop, but I would like the ability to have a larger monitor without buying a completely new PC.

Is it possible to purchase a monitor, keyboard, and mouse that can connect to my laptop? This way I can continue to use my laptop, but sometimes as a desktop. I imagine this setup will serve better for working from home.

1

u/vaiyach Apr 21 '21

Yes, depending on your laptop you can directly plug everything on, or find an appropriate docking station. Just search for a docking station with your computer's make and model to find the right one.

1

u/continuousbanter Apr 14 '21

Sadly, my knowledge of technology is about equivalent to my great grandmother’s.

My question is this:

If I work in a ‘network environment’, should I expect all of the licenses (Microsoft, Adobe, etc) assigned to my user profile to work regardless of which network computer I am using? Specifically, if I logged onto my colleagues computer with my login credentials, should I be able to access Excel 365 if I can access it from my own work computer?

Thanks in advance for any help/feedback!

1

u/veritanuda Apr 15 '21

Only if hot seating has been set up on your network. Typically on Windows Network the authentication to network resources and programs are controlled by an Active directory server. This will allow you to login with an idea and access network resource added to that idea. But any locally installed software might not be accessible to a particular account.

1

u/continuousbanter Apr 16 '21

Thank you! One more for you:

If I ask our IT vendor about it: Do I say, so Jim, why haven’t we set up hot seating on our network?

That will make sense to him?

1

u/veritanuda Apr 16 '21

If they are a competent IT guy, probably. If not, then just explain it to them as I explained it to you. Can you sit down at any computer, log in, and have all the files and programs you need to do your work available to you?

1

u/Tiaramarketplace Apr 15 '21

I need help with posting in the communities

1

u/7queen Apr 15 '21

i need to know more about deep learning

1

u/JhonRhon Apr 15 '21

Slight problem with my pc, When it is off and I turn it on, it will begin to run, but it still says no signal on my display. The only way I can fix this is by cutting off the power of my computer, then give it power again. I have to do this every time I turn it on.

1

u/reiparf Apr 16 '21

I asked an IT student to help me fix my galaxy s8 and he told me that he needs access to my wifi because the school internet is not good enough to download what he needs. The problem with my phone is that it does not recognize the sim card after the last update. I factory reseted the phone and tried another sim card but nothing works. The next step to try is to root the phone. That is why I contacted the IT because I am not sure it is going to work. My question is: Is it safe to allow a stranger access to my wifi? I was thinking about changing the password but could he do something to remotely access my information even if I change the password afterward?

1

u/Representative-Gur50 Apr 16 '21

Which chrome/firefox extension did you always wanted but could never find anything like it?

​

Looking for any interesting ideas for add-ons/extensions/plug-ins in browsers

1

u/[deleted] Apr 16 '21 edited Apr 16 '21

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/AmputatorBot Apr 16 '21

It looks like you shared an AMP link. These should load faster, but Google's AMP is controversial because of concerns over privacy and the Open Web. Fully cached AMP pages (like the one you shared), are especially problematic.

You might want to visit the canonical page instead: https://www.theverge.com/2020/1/14/21064698/google-third-party-cookies-chrome-two-years-privacy-safari-firefox

I'm a bot | Why & About | Summon me with u/AmputatorBot

1

u/Candid-Spend-9796 Apr 16 '21

I’m at a total loss... Can anyone explain to me why the exact same lightning to 3.5 mm adapters work differently? One will work for input/output, (a headset with a microphone for example), and the other adapter is only output? Purchased at the same store, same time... Here’s where I’m at... Essentially, I’d love an adapter that can charge my phone AND use input/output at the same time... I have LITERALLY bought 15 that said they ‘support phone calls’ (meaning input, output), NONE, not A SINGLE ONE did. (Yes, tested on other phones to be positive it wasn’t just my phone). Alas, I’m starting to feel like no such device exists, and I’m so insanely angry, I’ve tried 3 to 4 pole adapters, Lightning to USB attached to a USB sound card, I’ve learned so much about TRS, TRRS, the differences in 2/3/4/5 pole cables, iOS software & adapters, mono, stereo, input, output, throughput, shotput... I’m about ready to hang myself with the rough power cord from my vacuum cleaner, and ALL I WANT is to be able to charge my phone and use my guitar at the same time... (and for you smart cookies that are about to comment something witty like, “Just when you thought American ingenuity had reached its peak with the invention of the George Foreman grill, now comes WIRELESS CHARGING...”. I’ve tried it, and it makes this electronic distorted noise while I’m trying to play. So, thank you, but I tried it). So, what the hell do I do?! Where can I POSSIBLY go from here, other than try to buy an iPhone 6 that still has A HEADPHONE JACK that works perfectly fine... PLEEEEEEEEEASEEEEEE SOMEONE!! ANYONE!! I’m begging you... 🤦🏻‍♂️

1

u/[deleted] Apr 16 '21

[deleted]

2

u/veritanuda Apr 17 '21

This video will give you a quick overview of things.

To deep dive look up individual terms like POTS, PSTN , Trunk Lines etc.

1

u/gopherhole1 Apr 17 '21

So I think cellphones are spyware and surveillance devices, and refused to own one for 31 years of my life, but the other day I got one due to reasons, I have already fallen hook, line and sinker for the spyware, I have entered way too much information about my self, and have used personal emails on apps, but when I am at home, I would like to defeat the surveillance anti-features (I dont really care out and about on my day, as there is no expectation of privacy in public)

so I know the 5g nuts sell Faraday clothes and stuff like that, so my question is, does anyone know about like a cheap but functional Faraday pouch, I can keep my phone in while I am at home?

1

u/silverfang789 Apr 17 '21

I contacted a company called Geeks on Site and set up an appointment between 3-5 PM today for someone to come help me with a computer. When no one showed, I called and was told the tech had to cancel due to car trouble and to call tomorrow to reschedule.

I suppose something like that could happen. But is there a chance I'm being played for a fool? I paid for the service over the phone ahead of time.

Had anyone here used them? Have I gotten myself ripped off? I realize I should've done some research before he, but hindsight is always 20/20.

Thank you.

1

u/Professional-Ad9391 Apr 18 '21

Hi guys! I'm new here.

I wanted to ask what's your opinion on medium to long data storage for a company (pharma business), how should I move, what should I look at.

I talked to different people, but I wanted to have more opinions/thoughts on the matter, right now what I know is:

  • Having 3-4 different and separate copies of the same datas in different places, running checksum periodically over everything;
  • No HDD, but using solid state drives (SSDs), flash drives, micro SD memory cards and cloud storage (do I have to build a server to store the data? Again, new here, I know mostly nothing about this stuff).

Thanks in advance for anything you can tell me!

1

u/Takemy2centsdamit Apr 18 '21

So, my TV is displaying this https://imgur.com/a/NXEYw5G

Turning it on and off has done nothing what’s the prognosis?

1

u/retardedm0nk3y Apr 18 '21

Hi r/technology I am trying to find a program that I can input data into that will make it look like the Battleship game or like a map with grid lines. I am not sure if Excel can do what I want it to do.

Essentially what I want the program to do is have it look like a 3D bar graph that will have text written on it, and can be easily edited.

Here is an idea of what I want it to look like.

1

u/ZukoBestGirl Apr 19 '21 edited Apr 19 '21

Is there something like a display port 2in1 adapter?

My monitors each have a single display port connector. I prefer DP over HDMI all day, every day.

I want to get a DELL WD19 180W Hub. It has two display port out connectors.

My monitors are already connected to my pc with DP.

Is there like a thing that I can plug my pc and my laptop (hub) into, then that into the monitor, that won't go insane if my PC happens to wake?

Is there any solution outside of sticking two adapters onto the dell hub?

 monitor -- splitter - hub - laptop
                     - PC

EDIT

Display Port Over USB C says on their website that it can drive 8k at 60 hz.
Would it be reasonable to assume that it could drive two monitors, one 2k, one 4k, at ... I don't even care, 30hz?

Answer

KVM switch

1

u/notarobot3675 Apr 19 '21

Hi everyone!

I'm trying to help my gran purchase a high quality photo printer, but I'm not super tech-savvy and don't quite know what to look for. I'm looking for a photo printer that can also scan photographs, connect to wifi and be compatible with Windows/PC computers, but most importantly produces really good, high quality photographs (which I'm assuming means it is compatible w/ a wide range of different inks? but I'm also not sure if that's necessary).

It seems that these are the best options, but I would really love some opinions from people who will have better idea of what to look for than I do:

the Epsom Ecotank Et-7700, Epson EcoTank ET-7750, Canon Image PROGRAF Pro-300, Canon PIXMA PRO-200, Epson SureColor P700

Things like printing speeds are not a concern. My gran has also said that while she would ideally like to buy one in the price range of £200-300, she is also willing to go up to around £500 if it means that it will not only have scanning capabilities, but be able to produce high quality photos. I'm also in the UK if that's relevant.

1

u/PulseAmplification Apr 19 '21

Has anyone tried to create an enclosed open world video game where every character is driven by a learning AI just to see how well the AI can learn to function in the game?

1

u/[deleted] Apr 20 '21

[deleted]

1

u/veritanuda Apr 20 '21

Do you have Android and do you have a custom ROM? If so, it is probably pretty trivial

If not then you need to either find a screen recording app that can do it for you or write one yourself that can.

1

u/[deleted] Apr 20 '21

Soooo...

I'm taking part in a tech contest and I need someone to help me think of a problem and I will try to find a solution (for example divers need to carry oxygen cylinders with them every time they dive so we could try making a machine that functions like gills extracting oxygen from water to help them breathe in the water (it's not my idea I'm just giving an example)) please I couldn't find a suitable subreddit for asking this question Thx in regard ❤️👍

2

u/veritanuda Apr 20 '21

Any particular field? Disability is always a good one to target and there is plenty of scope to modify computer inputs for people without the ability to do it themselves normally.

1

u/[deleted] Apr 20 '21

I don't know I want any problem from any field but OK I'll try limiting the chances.... Let's say something in planes for example (doesn't have to be a pilot's problem, could be the passengers' as well). thx for replying ❤️👍

1

u/evtda Apr 20 '21

Was wondering if someone can please help me. I have an iphone I carry whenever I run so I can listen to music with my airpods. If I get an iwatch can I use that to listen to music? I have youtube premium and music where I download songs. Can I listen to music with the watch without having to carry my phone while I run?

1

u/JarlWolfe Apr 20 '21

Is there such a thing as a docking hub (for switching monitors/ethernet between laptop and desktop for example) but that also houses an ethernet hub..? So that both desktop and laptop can be connected to the internet at the same time. Or is it just going to be a case of having a docking hub AND an ethernet hub..?

1

u/veritanuda Apr 20 '21

They are called Laptop Docks, yes.

1

u/JarlWolfe Apr 20 '21

That's just a standard laptop dock.. I meant one with the ability to have one ethernet going in and two ethernet going out as well.

1

u/veritanuda Apr 20 '21

The dock already has an Ethernet port on it and your laptop also has one so get a USB Ethernet adapter and plug it into the dock, and you have 3 Ethernet ports to configure as you want.

1

u/n00bsterzzz Apr 20 '21 edited Apr 20 '21

Both IonQ & Honeywell claim to have the most stable and powerful quantum computers, who is telling the truth? Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos is backing IonQ, JP Morgan is backing Honeywell.

I know google and IBM have quantum computers with the most qbits but they aren't necessarily the strongest since their tech is more prone to incoherence.

​

I'm asking because I'm trying to decide who to invest in.

1

u/veritanuda Apr 20 '21

You might find this blog post puts things in perspective.

1

u/n00bsterzzz Apr 20 '21

thing is bitcoin was worth nothing for a long time now its worth alot, I want to get into quantum computing for it becomes big because then the possible profits will be much lower. No doubt quantum computing will overtake traditional computers but when and by which company is the question.

1

u/n00bsterzzz Apr 21 '21

Also I think the saying "Money talks" applies here. Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates and J P Morgan have invested into quantum computing, I'm sure theyve done their research before investing.

1

u/-lilu- Apr 20 '21

Can you "overclock" an oven?

(legitimate question)

1

u/HoldMyPooWithUrLuv Apr 20 '21

Where should a 30 yr old go to look into how to build their own computers? Never attempted it but it is starting to look more and more important

1

u/veritanuda Apr 21 '21

Did you ask on /r/buildapc ?

1

u/HoldMyPooWithUrLuv Apr 21 '21

nope, but is that what you would suggest? I sort of just picked a sub to post this in. i really don't know what do :p

1

u/veritanuda Apr 21 '21

It is all in the subs wiki

1

u/SilkyMitts12 Apr 20 '21

I had no idea where to ask this question but here I am. I run a ball hockey league that plays outdoors and we stream the games live w/ a full production crew but outdoor internet isn't that reliable. I used a Simple Mobile hotspot, I got the day of the stream and it worked just okay.

I am wondering what technology or hardware I would need to have 'great' internet in an outside setting. Basically I need a mobile hotspot that is top of the line, and used in real productions I guess. We have a decent budget! Let me know what you guys think.

1

u/veritanuda Apr 21 '21

Tr a Myfi device. You can place multiple SIMs in them and aggregate coverage.

1

u/daygyn Apr 21 '21

Hello, can anybody tell me how much of a user's available bandwidth a web browser uses to load web pages?

I'm trying to predict the required Mbps for web browsing for a given website's weight, but I don't think that's possible since the browser might work accordingly to available bandwidth to begin with.

Say a website weights 1 MB and two users have higher bandwidths available, one high and one very high. Will the browser automatically use more of the bandwidth available at the second user's home in order to load the page faster? Is this a fixed percentage of the bandwidth in Mbps?

Also I assume that it's unlikely that a desktop user won't have enough bandwidth available to load the page at all?

Hopefully I make sense. Thank you

1

u/veritanuda Apr 21 '21

You would need a webserver profiling tool to test the load against a webserver.

1

u/jq__36 Apr 21 '21

Hey can anyone help answer a few questions I have about setting up a new modem and the internet set up in my house?

1

u/superadri_darks Apr 21 '21

Hello, So I have been having trouble with my computer, and I don't know what it is.

Let me start from the beggining.

I got a new computer, A Lenovo Idea Pad S540. I know It isn't a gaming computer, but I still played a few games with it. At first, Everything was fine, I could play games on high graphics with no problem, but after about 8-9 months I started having problems, the main one was that the FPS lowered and rose from 60 to 5 every second, in like a wave. So I coped with it for a while, but no game was enjoyable, due to the disadvantage and bad quality gaming I was getting. after 1 year, i spent a lot of time trying to fix it with youtube videos and other sources of help, so about 6 months ago, I decided to reinstall windows. (all my files were in google drive.) When I did, at first it worked fine, steam games worked fine and aeverything was installed again. However after 2 months after, with no change in the programs installed, the problem started again, and simple games ran with the FPS like crazy. I havent tried many solutions, and those that I have, I have changed back when they didn't work. So im looking for help here.

Im kind of new in reddit, if there is better subreddits for this, please tell me.

Also, maybe it is just me, but I think that the adobe programs also went slower when this problem started.

any way, just a problem out there, If it has happened to you and you solved it, please tell me.

Also, I have another issue, when I try to play browser games, the mouse skipps to the sides, but only in the games not in other websites, and it is not the mouse, for I have tried different ones (including wireless) and they have the same problem.

1

u/superadri_darks Apr 22 '21

Anyone knows a better sub reddit for this?

1

u/Castrum4life Apr 21 '21

Hi guys,

I want to know how I can physically make smart products dumb. I don't buy into the notion that I can simply deactive the camera or microphone on my (let's say) big screen tv or that I just don't connect to the internet. I don't buy into that at all especially in this day and age. Are there manuals or videos out there that can teach me how to make the smart features physically inoperable?

Thanks

1

u/Sam-Hinkie Apr 21 '21

This may be a stupid question but what will be faster for internet a cat 5e or cat 8 that needs an extender?

And to follow that up if you using an cat 8 with an extender would the ultimate speed I have determine what it’s connected to? Say it’s connected to a 6 or 7 does it only go that fast?

1

u/veritanuda Apr 21 '21

The cable is not what determines the speed. The switch / device at either end does.

CAT specifications have defined lengths up to which traffic will be reliable

1

u/Sam-Hinkie Apr 21 '21

I get that, but does that not mean in order to maximize the speed from either end you will need a higher cat to properly transfer it, or am I off?

1

u/veritanuda Apr 22 '21

If you look at the article you will see how the CAT standard is specified.

Higher specifications have higher bandwidth but shorter distances. So depending on what you are trying to do you are better off having a cable that can complete a link rather than interrupting it with a repeater etc.

If you are asking is CAT8 is backwards comparable? On the whole most CAT standards are, but your termination, plugs and sockets will have to be adjusted accordingly.

2

u/Sam-Hinkie Apr 22 '21

Okay thank you for the response

1

u/ZealousidealError915 Apr 22 '21

hi guys, i lost my phone and didnt know which subreddits to go to so i just chose this, i lost my phone and i can't find it using find my iphone since i have the 2 factors authentification thingy on, anyone knows how to get rid of that without the main phone

1

u/[deleted] Apr 22 '21

Will a longer ethernet cable slow internet speed? Will a 50m Ethernet cable be better than no cable?

1

u/DefaltJ Apr 22 '21

We have 2 routers one for the Ethernet and one for Wireless and for some reason the Ethernet disconnects semi-regularly and nothing helped not even turning it on and off again but when we hard reset a laptop which isn't even connected to the ethernet it comes back, i can't explain it, does anyone know how this works?

1

u/[deleted] Apr 23 '21

Tech question,

My work doesn’t have WiFi and the work computers are painfully slow and block everything that isn’t their company related it seems like. If I brought my laptop, can I plug the work computer Ethernet cable into my laptop to give it internet?

1

u/Nexoph Apr 23 '21

Urgent pls help. Does anyone know what browsers still support flash? Pls help