Jackie's non-techie tech tips and tricks

windows activation

2026-07-24T13:59:51.024-07:00

https://massgrave.dev/

No ad on youtube - Only FireTV or google streaming devices

2025-07-27T06:16:00.000-07:00

https://github.com/yuliskov/SmartTube

very easy to use with downloader. 28544. Just install and then delete the file.

works on fireTV stick and fireTV TV

also works on ONN TV box

MyQ security 2.0+ garage opener (Chamberlain LiftMaster) change wifi SSID without the MyQ app

2023-12-21T14:07:00.000-08:00

Type setup.myqdevice.com in your web browser. If you see the window below, you will need to follow the instruction to get the garage opener in pairing mode first.

*you may need to go to advance and click the link for http connection to the website.

Finding the original win 10 product key

2023-12-21T11:54:00.000-08:00

3 Simple Ways to Find Your Windows 10 Product Key (techrepublic.com)

The first method works for me.

In case the website disappear:

1. Command prompt

The most direct method for finding your Windows 10 product key is from the command line.

1. Type cmd into the Windows 10 desktop search box.

2. Then, right-click the command line result.

3. Select run as administrator from the context menu.

4. Type this command at the prompt:

wmic path softwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKey

2. PowerShell

If you are using Windows 10 PowerShell, the process is similar:

1. Right-click the Start Menu button.

2. Select Windows PowerShell (Admin) from the context menu.

3. Type this command at the prompt to reveal the product key, as shown in Figure B.

powershell "(Get-WmiObject -query 'select * from SoftwareLicensingService').OA3xOriginalProductKey"

3. Registry File

As you might imagine, the product key is stored in the Windows 10 Registry File, so it’s possible to find the code there if you know the right key. To do so:

1. Type regedit into the Windows 10 desktop search, and select the appropriate item in the results.

2. Navigate to this key:

Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SoftwareProtectionPlatform

The BackupProductKeyDefault key will reveal a valid Windows 10 product key.

My fix to ScanSnap no longer connect to cloud server

2022-04-28T06:24:00.000-07:00

I have a snapscan ix500. It is now discontinued but it has been working beautifully for many years. I set it up as a standalone scanner that doesn't need a computer and it will put my scanned documents into a cloud drive like google drive, evernote, box, dropbox and onedrive. The bottom part of the power button will turn purple if your scansnap is connected to the cloud server.

I use the new scansnap home software to set it up a while back. It's been working fine and then all of a sudden it stopped working. I troubleshoot with the scansnap home software and I can only established wireless scanning through a computer, but not directly to the cloud server.

After working with tech support and gone to the second tier tech, nothing was working. I kept getting the same error message. After a few days, I finally decided to try again on a different computer and install scansnap home to see if it will work differently. Same result. At this point, I was about to give up and then I started looking at the devices on my google wifi app. Viola! I have blocked 3 devices that I have no idea what there were. One of the them has the same mac address as the scansnap. As soon as I unblock that device, my scansnap power button turn purple on the bottom and it's scanning to the cloud again! Mystery solved.

How to power cycle Samsung TV if HDMI (ARC) port is not working

2022-04-28T06:07:00.003-07:00

My HDMI (ARC) port was not working on my Samsung series 7 TV. I tested to make sure the devices I was using were in working by switching to use other ports. After calling tech support at Costco, I was told I need to power cycle the TV. Here's the steps.

Unplug the TV. Press the Power button on the remote for 60 seconds. Plug the TV back on.

Viola! My HDMI port is working again.

Access NAS from win10 without turning on smb1 - map ftp NAS folder

2022-02-09T07:50:00.005-08:00

You will not get a mapped network drive but you will gain access access to the NAS as a folder in windows explorer.

1. Make sure to configure the NAS folder to include ftp access

2. In windows explorer, type on the address bar ftp://nas.ip.address

3. Click on the folder in windows explorer until you find the one you want to map. Click on the address bar to copy the ftp address that will now include the path to the specific folder.

4. Click "This PC" in windows explorer and go to Computer --> Add a network location

5. Follow the wizard and paste the address you copied earlier when prompted and when finished you will have a new folder under Network in windows explorer.

Set up Mail notification on buffalo pro duo nas - smtp without authentication

2022-02-09T07:21:00.007-08:00

UPDATE2: I no longer can send the email. The log in smtp2go shows no activity. I tried tech support but they couldn't help me. At this point this is no longer working.

UPDATE: It was working beautifully on my LS-WTGL/R1 F/W 1.09 except that the email will go into my spam folder and show the sender as my email address. I have to set up a rule to make sure those email will not be put into the spam folder.

Set up an account with smtp2go

Go to account --> setting --> IP authentication and add your WAN IP address (type what is my IP address in the chrome browser to find out your public IP address with internet provider)

In the NAS web browser interface, go to mail notification setting and add smtp server and the email address you used to sign up with the smtp2go account. The default according to smtp2go should be mail.smtp2go.com but it did not work for me.

First I emailed tech support, and was told that they made a switch internally and I should try again. There was still no activity after I click "Send Test Message" so I emailed tech support again. I was provided with a few IP addresses to use in place of the default server name. I used 103.47.204.4 and it worked immediately. The following are the IP addresses provided to me by tech support.

North America:43.228.184.6 or 103.47.204.4Europe:103.2.140.82 or 103.2.143.7

Add smb2 to buffalo linkstation pro duo

2022-01-23T17:02:00.004-08:00

need the ACP commander

https://advanxer.com/blog/2013/02/buffalo-linkstation-acp-commander-gui/

Download 1.5.6 (ZIP for Microsoft Windows)

You can download WinSCP from https://winscp.net/eng/download.php Copy and paste this code as explained in the video: /bin/sed -i '3i\\ max protocol = SMB2\\' /etc/samba/smb.conf

Icons blacked out in Turn icon on and off window

2021-12-04T07:07:00.002-08:00

Fix: https://community.spiceworks.com/how_to/147896-icons-missing-from-system-tray

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/system-icons-do-not-appear-in-the-notification-area-in-windows-vista-or-in-windows-7-until-you-restart-the-computer-eed17e13-f80a-fde3-39de-2adfc94d56e1

Step 1: Open Regedit

Type Regedit in either the start menu or the run menu

Step 2: Find the TrayNotify Key

Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\TrayNotify

Step 3: Delete the keys

Delete IconStreams and PastIconsStream

Step 4: Restart explorer.exe

Open task manager, find Explorer.exe and end task. Run Explorer.exe. The icons should now appear.

Sending fax - paid options

2021-12-03T15:28:00.003-08:00

faxzero.com - $2.09 per fax

US and Canada - 25 pages max

International - 15 pages max

Upload file - doc, docx or pdf

voip.ms - charge by the minute

rate based on country

Upload file OR fax machine using voip

Minimum $10 to deposit in account

wifi icon not showing in systray taskbar

2021-12-03T04:57:00.003-08:00

A bunch of the icons are grey/black out in Turn system icons on or off.

Press windows + x to turn on windows mobility center

Then press Alt + w to open the wifi pop up

How to find Amazon kindle digital no rush credit

2021-08-22T02:43:00.004-07:00

Use this link to check digital credit from using no rush shipping

You have to check your email from Amazon. The subject reads: Here's your promotional credit from your recent Amazon order. It will tell you when this credit expires.

ScanSnap Home scan to cloud - reinstall or change drive/folder

2021-08-18T10:58:00.007-07:00

In scansnap home software, click edit profile. Then right click on Link to cloud profile icon and hit delete profile.

Connect ScanSnap to PC with USB. Then in ScanSnap home software, click the cloud icon. It will pop up window saying you need to set up ScanSnap cloud. Choose the cloud service and log in. Unplug the USB cable and close the scansnap home software. Hopefully at this point, the scanner's LED will turn purple which means it is now connected to the cloud drive.

To change the cloud drive or folder, open ScanSnap home software, click edit profile and choose the scan to cloud profile icon. Then in the scan setting choose the cloud service (you will need to login) and/or the folder.

Buffalo NAS web access

2021-06-09T14:01:00.004-07:00

I had a major breakthrough on setting up web access! Even after setting up my linkstation in the DMZ, I still couldn't get it working. Then I looked at my Network settings, and found that my default gateway, primary and secondary DNS server settings were blank. So, I entered the ip address of my router into the default gateway and primary DNS address, and put in 208.67.222.222 (which is OpenDNS) for the secondary DNS settings. Tried it again, and it prompted me for a user id and password!

Next step was to create a new user in User Management, then Web Access -> Folders Setup and set Web Access Settings to Allow All Groups / Users

After that, went to Shared Folders -> Shared Folders Setup. Clicked my "share" shared folder, and set Access Restrictions to Enable. Then below that, moved my new user from the right side over to the read only side.

BTW, under Web Access -> Service Setup, I have the first 3 options enabled, BuffaloNAS.com Name and Key entered, and Auto-Configure Firewall on.

Fix window 7 system icon notification not allow changes

2021-05-20T23:07:00.001-07:00

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/system-icons-do-not-appear-in-the-notification-area-in-windows-vista-or-in-windows-7-until-you-restart-the-computer-eed17e13-f80a-fde3-39de-2adfc94d56e1

Click Start , type regedit in the Start Search box or the Serach programs and files box, and then press ENTER.

If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type the password, or click Allow.
Locate and then click the following registry subkey:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\TrayNotify
In the Details pane, click the IconStreams registry entry.
On the Edit menu, click Delete, and then click Yes.
In the Details pane, click the PastIconsStream registry entry.
On the Edit menu, click Delete, and then click Yes.
Exit Registry Editor.
Restart the Explorer.exe process. To do these, follow these steps:
1. Press CTRL+SHIFT+ESC.
2. On the Processes tab in Task Manager, click the explorer.exe process, and then click End Process two times.
3. On the File menu, click New Tasks (Run), type explorer, and then click OK.
4. Exit Task Manager.
If you are running Windows 7, follow these additional steps:
1. Click Start, type Customize icons and then click Customize icons on the task bar.
2. Click Turn system icons on or off, and then set Volume, Network, and Power System to On.
3. Click OK, make sure that the behavior for Power, Network, and Volume are set correctly, and then click OK.

HP Jetdirect EX Plus reset and configure ip address

2021-05-20T23:02:00.000-07:00

https://support.hp.com/us-en/product/hp-jetdirect-ex-plus-series/27321/document/bpj02738#AbT1

To cold reset an HP Jetdirect external print server, unplug the power cord from the HP Jetdirect print server, then hold down the TEST button (on top of or in back of the HP Jetdirect) for five to 30 seconds while plugging in the power cord.

Methods to configure the TCP/IP address of the HP Jetdirect

Using Telnet

Using Telnet to configure an HP Jetdirect print server will configure it with a static TCP/IP address and keeps the print server from querying a BootP or DHCP server for a dynamic IP address. Most HP Jetdirect print servers support Telnet; the minimum firmware version of the HP Jetdirect must be A.03.03 or a letter/number combination greater. The exception to this is the HP Jetdirect 150x, which does not have a TCP/IP protocol stack at all.

Before using Telnet

If the TCP/IP address is already configured on the HP Jetdirect print server and needs to be changed, skip to Step 1, and use that TCP/IP address in Telnet.

Most HP Jetdirect print servers have a default IP address of either 192.0.0.192 or 169.254.x.x. Print a configuration page as described at the beginning of this document, check the TCP/IP status and address, and make sure that the I/O card status reads, Ready.

If other HP Jetdirect print servers are on the network with this default IP address, they must be turned off before using Telnet because it is possible that Telnet will fail to connect to the HP Jetdirect or, if it does connect, inadvertently configure the wrong print server.

In most networks, it might be necessary to use a Route Add command to resolve this default address on the computer. For a UNIX operating system, use a man command for route add. For most operating systems, the route add command is (using the example HP Jetdirect IP address of 192.0.0.192): route add 192.0.0.192 IPaddress_of_computer For example:

route add 192.0.0.192 198.10.9.8

note:

See the help files or man pages of the operating system for more ways to use route add (for example, how to add the subnet and hop count).

To display and verify that the 192.0.0.192 address in the route table, use the command: netstat -rn

After the route add command, it should be possible to Telnet to 192.0.0.192. In the Telnet session, follow these directions:
At a DOS or command prompt type telnet 192.0.0.192. In Windows 2000, type telnet, then, press Enter

Type SET LOCAL_ECHO

Type open ipaddress (for example: open 198.164.222.222)
Press ENTER twice.
Type a question mark (?) to display a list of the available commands used for configuring the HP Jetdirect print server. Type a forward slash (/) to see the current settings on the print server. Print servers with firmware before x.05.05 only need a question mark (?) to display a list of commands and the current settings.
Using the list of commands displayed, make the desired changes.
Type quit to exit and save changes (type exit to exit Telnet without saving changes).

Use Putty to telnet into Jetdirect

To Change/Configure Parameters Enter:

Parameter-name: value <Carriage Return>

Parameter-name Type of value

ip: IP-address in dotted notation

subnet-mask: address in dotted notation (enter 0 for default)

default-gw: address in dotted notation (enter 0 for default)

HP Web Jetadmin 7.x

Click here to download the latest version of HP Web Jetadmin.

Open HP Web Jetadmin 7.x
If the TCP/IP address is already configured on the HP Jetdirect print server and needs to be changed, enter the TCP/IP address in Quick Device Find, and click GO. Skip to Step 6.

For new HP Jetdirect print servers that have not been configured with a TCP/IP address, proceed to Step 3.
From the left side Navigation menu, select Device Management.
Expand the Device Management folder.
Expand the Device Lists folder.
Highlight New Devices.
Click the column header of your choice, such as IP Address or Device Model.Arrange the list by ascending or descending order.
Highlight the printer to be configured.
From the Device Tools drop-down menu, select Open Device.
From the drop-down menu at the top, select Configuration.
Under Configuration Categories located on the top left side, Click Network.
Enter the IP information. You may scroll down for more options.
Click Apply to save the settings.
Click the Refresh icon located on the top right of the screen.
Verify the IP information by doing the following:
- Print a Configuration page from the printer's front panel.
- Select Status from the drop-down menu.
- Select Diagnostics from the drop-down menu.

Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)

When the printer or HP Jetdirect print server is turned on for the first time or when it is reset to factory defaults, the HP Jetdirect print server broadcasts BootP and DHCP requests. DHCP is similar to BootP in that it automatically downloads an IP address from a network server. However, DHCP servers maintain a fixed set of IP addresses and only loan an IP address to the print server. Whenever the printer is turned off and on, there is no guarantee that an HP Jetdirect print server will be assigned the same IP address over time, although the DHCP server will attempt to do so. Consult the documentation of the particular operating system to set up DHCP on the computer.

Printer not found in win 10 "Printers & scanners" but found in program printer drop down

2020-12-28T22:22:00.001-08:00

Open powershell as administrator

Type

Get-Printer|Select name

You'll see all the printer names

Type

Remove-Printer

Then type the printer name from the list earlier. Hit enter twice if no more printer to remove.

Type Get-Printer|Select name to confirm those printers were removed.

How to remove news feed on microsoft edge tab

2020-11-26T10:11:00.003-08:00

Click personalize, custom, and choose content off in the drop down box.

Fax to/from Email Free

2020-06-11T19:39:00.003-07:00

only for occassional use

send fax from email to fax machine

free to US and canada only
faxzero.com

free to Hong Kong only (country code 852)
http://www.outfax.com
takes a while to send

https://www.fax.plus
10 free outgoing fax pages only

you can alway sign up with a new email address

free incoming fax
FaxBetter

Configure email address for Epson scan to web function

2020-04-06T13:54:00.003-07:00

Find the IP address of the Epson all-in-one printer with scanner.

Enter the IP address on your web browser to get to the web UI. Click Epson Connect Services.

It is will take you to the next page. If you have not signed up with the service, go through the prompted process. If you have, you should see the next screen. Click User page.

On the landing page of Epson Connect, click down arrow next to Scan to Cloud and then click Destination list.

You can add, edit or delete emails you want to send the scanned documents to.

The coolest thing is you can have the scanned file sent to various cloud drive too.

Lenovo ThinkPad PRO docking station with 3 monitors

2020-03-09T14:52:00.001-07:00

You cannot use all 3 ports in the back of the ThinkPad PRO docking station. You can use the VGA port and either the DVI or DisplayPort. The work around for me is to use a mini-DisplayPort and plug into the side of my T450. I happen to have a Dell mini-DisplayPort to VGA adapter that looks like this one. The set up is not complicated but I had to try several times as the screens keep cutting in and out.

I would first connect the VGA and DVI or DisplayPort in the back first. Then I will insert the mini-DisplayPort (already connected to VGA) to the computer last. The displays may all go off for 10 seconds or so and eventually come back on. You may need to click Detect and Identify. If one of the monitors is blank, make sure to click the drop down for multiple displays and choose Extend desktop to this display. Remember to click apply.

Free SMTP for custom domain using gmail

2020-02-28T18:15:00.006-08:00

I found the article here: https://www.namesilo.com/Support/Gmail-Instructions-for-Reply~to-Using-Custom-Domain

copying it just in case the page somehow got delete in the future

Send Mail As (Google SMTP)

Step 1

The very first thing you will need to do is ensure that you have 2-step verification enabled on your primary Gmail account. Important: If you don’t do this you will get an invalid password error further below when trying to authenticate your email address. So first go and enable 2-step verification.

Step 2

Next, you will need to generate an App password. You then use the app password in place of your personal Gmail password further below. This is the only way this process will work.
If you haven’t enabled 2-step verification you will get an error (see below) saying “The setting you are looking for is not available for your account.”

When creating the app password simply choose “Other” and give it a name (example: my 2nd business email).

This will generate a password you will need to save for later.

Step 3

Now back in Gmail, go to settings, and can click on “Accounts and Import.” Then click on “Add another email address you own.”

Step 4

Enter your additional business name and business email that is on the custom domain.

Then for the SMTP server, it will by default show your custom domain. However, you will want to change this to use Google’s free SMTP server. So change it to smtp.gmail.com. Then enter in your personal Gmail address for the username (yourname@gmail.com) and your password. This is the app password you generated earlier, not your Gmail password.

Step 5

It will then send an email confirmation code to the email you just added. You will need to click the link in the email to confirm it or manually enter the code (this proves that you are in fact the owner of the additional email account). And that’s it!

You then can repeat the above steps for your other additional email accounts. Create separate app passwords for each additional email you add.

And now all your email will come to one place and when you go to send mail you can choose from the drop down which one to send from. In the Gmail settings, you can also set the “Reply from the same address the message was sent to” to make it easier when replying to emails.

Free SMTP for custom domain

2020-02-28T18:06:00.001-08:00

I tried Sendinblue and it has not been working well. There are a few other free smtp provider.
I ended up with gmail and mailjet.

Gmail is the easiest to set up. Follow this article:
https://kinsta.com/knowledgebase/free-smtp-server/

Mailjet need to set up dns. I still have not been able to get the SPF record properly setup, but I am able to send mail still, as I was able to at least set up domainkeys/DKIM.

custom domain free email

2020-02-26T12:31:00.002-08:00

Update - sendinblue has not been working well. I have switched to mailjet and gmail.

Since godaddy did away with the free email, I no longer want to park my domain there. After doing much research, I decided to move all my expiring domains to namesilo.com.

Some of my domains were already configured with zoho mail (free) so the change automatically transfer the settings. For the rest of them, I have to wait until the domains were finally transferred to start doing anything. It took about 5 days.

Once the domains were transferred, I set up email forwarding and have them send to gmail. In order to have the outgoing mail use the custom domain, I send up smtp using ~~sendinblue~~. So now I can receive and send emails with my custom domain using my free gmail account. Sweet!

I have one domain left at godaddy. Since there are no more free email hosting or forwarding with godaddy, I opted to use improvmx.com for email address forwarding, and again ~~sendinblue~~ for smtp. That's it! It is interesting that with improvmx.com, you don't have a password. Instead if you logout of the account and want to log back in, type in your domain name and it will send you a link to your account. Interesting approach.

By the way, zoho mail is great, except that they won't allow me to register a new domain with my existing phone number because I used it for another domain free email. Thus I had to use free email forwarding. Again I am only using those email accounts very rarely so the current set up seems fine. I'm sure if any of them get to high volume, I will have to switch to a paid service.