Paul's Tech Talk

Three ways to speed up your Laptop

PaulFebruary 1, 2020

Laptops all around

You probably got a old laptop, which is probably slow and very sluggish. It is a single, double, or quad core low megahertz system and you really can’t do much with it because it is so unbearable slow. I grew up with 9600 baud rates, for the younger generation that is very slow internet. It can be very disheartening to have to just wait for the system to boot or a program to run. You could of even bought this laptop from a yard sale. So what can you do with this laptop besides make it a door stop? This article will tell you how I refurbish my laptops to make them faster and more responsive when I don’t want to buy a better laptop.

2x or 3x more RAM!

If your laptop can support another laptop memory module then you should install another RAM module. It however is dependent on what speed of ram you currently have installed. If your laptop only has one module slot you will need to go buy a bigger ram and install it instead the one you have. So you need to know how big you can install into the laptop. You can easily Google it and find out how much you can add to your laptop. I wouldn’t install anything to big, something like 8 GB to 16 GB will do to make it even faster. The faster the ram speed the faster the system will respond but it must be capable with the current module so I suggest installing the same speed if you aren’t going to replace the module.

Replace the HDD with SDD

If you’re considering doing this, I strongly recommend you backup your current system. Remember the rule of 3. You should always have at least 3 different ways to restore your current system. What’s is an SSD? It is short for Solid State Drives and don’t use mechanical plates to write data. Think of a HDD has having several layers of DVD plates that are much smaller and use magnetism to read and write data. SSD are almost like RAM and have no moving parts and thus are more responsive to reading and writing which makes booting the system way faster than you probably ever realize. You can find some SSD at Amazon if you need one. You can find some really cheap SSD because you probably don’t need a lot of space for your old laptop,\.

Install Linux

I’ve talked about this before but I will say this again. If you are using a really old laptop you probably can’t use Windows 10 and since Windows 7 is at it’s End of life. You really can’t go wrong, by going to opensource operating system. I personally love Linux Mint but I am sure there are other Linux system that might be better for your laptop because it might require a very simple Linux desktop. You want your system to boot up and be able to use your laptop with ease this is definitely the best recommendation I can give you. If you are planning to install windows 10, you should make sure your laptop can support it.

Got a favorite Linux system? Or maybe something else to make your Laptop speed up and more responsive why not leave a comment and let me know and others.

First Impressions of the Samsung A50.

PaulJanuary 30, 2020

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Quite Impressive!

I bought this phone a few days ago due to my other phone breaking the Motorola G7. I proceeded to order it and it came a few days. I also decided to order a belt holster

to try to keep my phone from breaking again. I must say after opening it up, it feels quite sturdy and I like the holographic backing on the phone. The plastic on the back feels durable and not going to break anytime soon. I am sure it is designed for scratches and being dropped but I would love to keep my phone from getting scratched or broken.

Specs

Display
Display : 6.4 Inches with Amoled
Resolution : 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio, 403 PPI
System chip: Samsung Exynos 7 Octa 9610
Processor: Octa-core, 2300 MHz, ARM Cortex-A73 and ARM Cortex-A53, 64-bit, 10 nm
GPU: Mali-G72 MP3
RAM: 4GB
Internal storage: 64GB
Storage expansion: microSDXC up to 512 GB
OS: Android (9.0 Pie), Samsung One UI

Battery
Capacity: 4000 mAh
Type: Li – Ion, Not user replaceable
Charging: Samsung Adaptive Fast Charging

Camera
Triple camera
Rear: 25 megapixels
Features: Phase-detection autofocus
Second camera: 8 megapixels
Features: Ultra-wide
Third camera: 5 megapixels
Features: Depth information
Video recording: 1920×1080 (Full HD) (30 fps), 1280×720 (HD) (240 fps)
Features: Hyperlapse, Digital image stabilization
Front: 25 megapixels

My thoughts!

It has some great potential for being a Samsung phone. This was a great buy from Amazon because you could pay a monthly for 60$. I am sure it will become cheaper as it gets older but the phone itself is sweet and is really responsive. I’ve had problems with the embedded finger printer reader. There’s a problem with it reading my finger print for me to use it, so I couldn’t use it. I absolutely like how this phone works with applications. It’s a good medium range phone for those who are looking for a durable phone. When you try this phone, and you will see just how sturdy it feels. This is a US version but if you intend to use it internationally, you should be able to use the 3g or 4g. I can’t be sure if it will work but I can’t see that it won’t work. I’m thoroughly impressed with phone and how well it feels and looks in my hand.

The Infamous SSL Issues and what I’ve learned!

PaulJanuary 28, 2020

It happened to me!

If you were watching my site the last day or so you would of come to notice a message. The messages was ‘ERR_SSL_UNRECOGNIZED_NAME_ALERT‘. I really don’t know how it happened or even why it happened. I have been using the free SSL certificate from Let’s Encrypt, I really believe that they want to do everything in their power to give bloggers and other websites a chance to encrypt their data even if they don’t have to. I’m currently using Hostgator and I have always keep with them, when I am using my blog. They walked me through the process of fixing this issue.

My experience with it all!

I was told by Jetpack that my sit was having intermittent connections and that my site appears to be offline. This is strictly and automatic support for WordPress and it is basically just pinging the server from time to time. I proceeded to my website and saw the error. I’m not a novice at this and went searching through Google. I can usually find what I am needing to solve this issue. I found at Stackflow Community Questions sections about this same exact error. Then I tried the same exact process the guy did to see if I could resolve this issue. It seemed to work for the most part. I tried to force WordPress back into non secure connection and I could log in to WordPress dashboard. I couldn’t connect to my FTP server with and I knew it had to be an issue with the SSL certificate. I’ve never known this issue to be anything but that because I couldn’t login with FilleZilla to my server.

Hostgator Tech Support

I chatted on live support with Tech support for about an Hour and we continued back and fourth about what is causing this problem. I honestly thought it might be having to do with Sitelock and Let’s Encrypt but we moved through the process of getting this issue fixed and finally he uninstalled the certificate and couldn’t reinstall it but couldn’t due to Sitelock. Then the site started giving me the error Code 30. I talked to support all the while and he tried a few more things but ultimately he had to create a ticket for them to fix it. I wasn’t too worried that my site would be down too long but I did at least want to tell you my story. They fixed my site with in an 2 hours of the ticket being created and everything seems to be working. In the end, they had to install the SSL certificate manually and configure the server to accept Let’s Encrypt. It’s free and I am hopeful that this will only happen once and nothing else will happen.

Understanding The Way you communicate in an LDR!

PaulJanuary 25, 2020

Women Sitting by Window holding a phone! Photo by bruce mars from Pexels

You Didn’t see this coming?

You probably didn’t see this coming as you started this long distance relationship. We’ve all been there, saying the same exact thing. LDR’s are extremely hard and can be almost heartbreaking. The idea that you want to be with them and do everything with them. You just got back from your trip to see your other Half and now you are down and depressed or maybe even crying your eyes out! This is what every guy or girl has went through after a visit. I’ve heard from people that it doesn’t get easier over time or some have learned to cope with it. Each person is really different when it comes to this process of keeping a relationship working and surviving the long days and nights without your other half.

The Truth behind Visits!

When I come home from every trip to see my other half for some it’s your Girlfriend or Boyfriend, it’s extremely hard to get back into my routines here because ultimately the problem exists where you just want to be with them rather than you wanting to be apart. Sometimes distances doesn’t make the heart grow fonder but makes it extremely hard. So, what I have to do after each visit is drag myself out of bed and get back to my routines but why do people even start doing a Long Distance Relationship? It all stems from several reasons, you can bet no one really expected to be in one. Some do it because they met one way or another while traveling, or playing games with that person and becoming friends through the process. Anyway it happens, I’ve found most people have a unique experience with an LDR.

Dealing with an LDR

There are a number ways of dealing with the distance, whether you keep really busy or finding other ways to cope with it. You can find many ways to deal with it like communicating daily or I have heard people staying on Video Chat while they sleep. I don’t get that but I’ve heard it in a few of my LDR groups. I am not sure if it is healthy or good idea to do. So you can see that it will be different for each person or couple. I’ve read ways to survive the distance and I believe that it can be very helpful to do some of these suggestions.

Other ways you can survive!

I’m going to suggest even more ways to survive the distance and these are what I’ve learned so far and I want to explain some of this and try to help those who have been there and done that. It can be extremely hard not go from one extreme to another.

Boundaries — setting boundaries can help prevent some arguments or problems. I’ve had arguments with my other half because she did stuff that shouldn’t or they get jealous over the little things. Set personal boundaries and say it isn’t OK for some stuff and let’s make the change that is needed.
Miscommunication will never go away — Depending on where your other half is in the world. You will find that no matter how long you are with that person apart, you will have miscommunications. It will start to get better because both of you will start understanding each other.
Be Slow to Anger — I had to deal with this one, and others. I’ve learned the past few years that nothing you do is worth getting angry with your better half. Learn to see the signs of getting angry and instead start listening even more and trying to see their perspective.
Have a realistic Goal(s) — each one of you should come up with your own realistic goal(s) and start doing them. Sometimes these goals can be anything from working harder or getting ready for your next visit!
Be open to change — When you started this relationship you probably never thought it would be changing and you to would be all lovey and dovey through the whole LDR. This is simply not true each one of us changes over our lifetime and when you finally close the distance you will see that they may of changed but is it for the worst or for the good. That is up to you to decide.

No relationship will be ever be the same as another or have the same exact circumstances. You will have to go through some bumps and trials in the road. You have a lot of hard work, a lot of sweat, and being apart but it will not be forever. This is what I’ve learned so far after almost 2 years in this relationship. Do you have something to say or talk about, why not leave a comment and tell people what you’ve learned?

Moto G7 Review with Alexa installed!

PaulJanuary 22, 2020

`Moto G7 with Alexa Hands-Free` – Unlocked – 64 GB – Ceramic Black (US Warranty) – Verizon, AT&T, T–Mobile, Sprint, Boost, Cricket, & Metro

Disclaimer : Amazon isn’t paying me for this review and I get a small amount of money from people who use my links to buy products from Amazon. Other than that this will be a straight up honest review.

The Back story

I’ve always loved Amazon for over 10 to 15 years. I’ve always used them to do my buying of stuff from movies to electronics when I can. When I need a new cell phone or something else, I’ll go to Amazon and check to see if I can get it there cheaper than around here. So you see how much I use Amazon from day to day. Lately I’ve been looking at buying a new cell phone for me. I loved my other cell phones on Amazon. I found the Motorola G7 with Alexa installed on it and you could make monthly payments, which was sweet because it was a little higher than I would like to pay all at once. When I bought this phone, I was paying 60 dollars a month for 5 months for this phone.

Specs of the phone:

Power

Operating System – Android™ 9 Pie
Processor – Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 632 processor with 1.8 GHz octa-core CPU and Adreno 506 GPU
Memory (RAM) – 4 GB
Internal Storage – 64 GB
Expandable Storage – microSD Card support (up to 128 GB)

Battery

Battery Size – 3000 mAh, Non-removable

Display

Display Size – 6.2″
Display Technology – LTPS LCD
Resolution – Full HD+, 403 ppi
Aspect Ratio – 19:9 (2270×1080)
Display Design – Corning® Gorilla® Glass 3

Camera

Rear Camera Hardware – 12 MP ( f1.8, 1.25um pixel), 5 MP depth sensor, LED flash, PDAF (Phase Detection Autofocus)
Front Camera Hardware – 8 MP (1.12um pixel), Screen flash

Audio

Speakers – 1 receiver, 1 bottom-ported speaker
Dolby – Dolby Audio™
Microphones – 3 microphones
Headphone Jack – 3.5mm headphone jack
FM Radio – Yes

My thoughts on this phone

(Positives)

The phone was speedy and the ease of it was really. The display was big enough for me and I could watch movies and shows through Netflix with no issues. I loved the storage size and the ability to add even more storage which I bought a 64 GB Micro SD card. It helps for me to have the extra space for my audible membership. I simply love Audible and listen to my favorite books as I go to work or other errands. Android Pie is really nice and very handy even the Google voice commands are working great with the phone.

(Negative)

So the negative of the phone is some what just my observations of using it. The Alexa capabilities are nice but was something that I had to disable and enable Google instead. It really wasn’t to hard just a little bit annoying but for the benefit of paying monthly this wasn’t a really bad situation. The Battery Life, which is good for people who don’t use your phones a lot is good but for someone who plays games and uses a lot just won’t last all day. The Display and brightness was also annoying because when it is really bright outside you would have a problem unless you turned up the brightness, which drains the battery even faster. The Gorrila Glass 3 that it comes with still broke at least twice with the use of the phone. I replaced the screen twice and It might of been because I kept putting it in my pocket. If you buy the phone, I suggest buying a holster or something to put the phone when you are traveling. The first time I broke it, it had a cover and tempered glass protector and I accidentally dropped it. The second time, looks to be around the middle where I might of done it myself. Motorola should make their screens even more durable for the end users.

Finally

All in All, I am happy to use the phone and the voice and video chats are sweet using it but you know you the screen issues are a real problem. I still love the fact that I can charge the phone rather quickly and be able to play games on it. I just hope they fix the issues that I talked about and hopefully will think about fixing these issues. Have you used the Motorola G7 and what do you think about it? Leave a comment and tell me your experiences on the Phone and tell people what you think about it!