Finally, A Fix for Windows 10 (8 and 8.1) OpenGL Error

UPDATE!  Visit my new blog to find an easy fix when Windows 10 automatically updates your newly tweaked graphics driver. When Windows Auto Updates Your Graphics Driver.

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This Fix for the OpenGL Error post is now easier to use. I’ve moved the driver tweak for Windows 10 to the top, but kept the original post for Windows 8 and 8.1 toward the bottom in case anyone still needs it.

I’ve also moved my awesome reader discoveries into the section they reference. If you have questions, read the massive comment section because someone has probably answered your question there. I totally love my readers!

Happy Gaming!

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Back in 2012, I looked for options and ideas for a year — yep, an entire year — to resolve the OpenGL driver issues with the Windows 8 update. Windows 8 evolved into 8.1 and finally — thank goodness — was replaced by Windows 10. And since Windows 10 still did not include the OpenGL driver information, my blog is still as popular as ever.

I have Intel Mobile Series 4 Family Chipset drivers (yours are probably different) and Intel is not updating them for any of the new Windows products — thanks, guys (-.-!) — so I’ve been messing with work-arounds.

I finally have a solution that actually works and is easy to follow — I’m sure other solutions work, but I had trouble following them as I’m not a computer tech; I only know enough to be dangerous.

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Thaddeus – “… the link you provided to the Intel site only works if they have the exact same driver as you. They have to be able to find the appropriate Media Accelerator Driver and 32 vs 64 on their own before any of it will work.”

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Windows OS Driver Tweaks:

There are three parts to this tweak.

1) Downloading and modifying Windows 7/Vista drivers (the last Windows drivers with OpenGL),

2) getting Windows to allow you to install unsigned drivers,

and

3) finally installing your drivers.

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NOTE: At the end are instructions to disable automatic driver updates. It’s important because if your Windows OS installs newer drivers, that will undo all the tweaks we’ve just made. Luckily, I have another blog on how to roll back the updated drivers.

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It might look complicated, but trust me. it’s only detailed steps that are easy to take.

I’ve also been told that it could work—it does—to force Windows 7 drivers to run on the newer Windows OS’s, but it could cause problems. I haven’t had any—and I’ve been using it with Minecraft since 2013—but I caution you to use at your own risk.

Install Drivers for OpenGL to Use with Newer Windows OS’s:

1. Downloading and Modifying  Drivers

First, find your graphics card’s compatible Win 7/Vista drivers in .zip format and Save it. Wait! Don’t unzip/open it yet.

I have the Intel Mobile Series 4 Family Chipset so I found the Intel driver version 8.15.10.2555 (151718).

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NOTE:You can download the already unzipped driver, but this is a headache since Windows OS tries immediately to install and hits you with a software/hardware incapatibility error.

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How to Download Driver .zip File:

1) Right-click the downloaded driver .zip file; no doubt saved under “Downloads”.

2) Choose Extract to… any folder — write down or remember which folder. I use Winzip to unzip my files.

3) Open the folder where you placed your unzipped drivers. It should look something like this.

4) In the Graphics folder, find igdlh64.inf , (or kit49684.inf in driver 8.15.10.2869, or kit 49659 in newer drivers) right click on it and choose to Open with Notepad.  Scroll to the Driver Information section.

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NOTE: Remember not all Win7/Vista drivers are created equal. The newest driver on Intel.com (15.17.19.64.2869/ 8.15.10.2869) does not contain a igdlh64.inf file so see the note below. Mark and Omar replied that in the new Intel drivers (8.15.10.2869) instead of tweaking the igdlh64.inf file (igdlh.inf in 32-bit) under Graphics, a person can do the same to the kit49684.inf file.  I haven’t tried it, but it sounds perfectly logical and workable to me. This is spectacular news in case Intel ever stops offering the old driver downloads.

The “igdlh” file doesn’t read with the “.inf” extension in Windows 10 32-bit; it’s simply listed it as “igdlh”, but it is the only file that is listed as system info and editable in note pad.

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5) Copy everything under [IntelGfx.NTamd64.6.0] (or equivalent for 32-bit) and paste it under [IntelGfx.NTamd64.6.2].

Before Copy and Paste:

After Copy and Paste, they are the same.

6)  Go to File on the top bar and Save. You can  close the Notepad now.

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Time Saving Tip: save your hacked graphics driver file as just that so it’s easy to find later if you need to reinstall in your Device Manager. The saved hacked igdlh64 is probably not necessary since it’s already in the hacked driver, but I did it anyway. 😜

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You’ve tweaked your drivers, but they will not install. Why? By default, Windows new OS’s will refuse to install unsigned or modified drivers. Getting the drivers to  install  requires disabling Driver Signature Enforcement.

2. Disabling Driver Signature Enforcement

Now, we need to start Windows in “Disable Driver Signature Enforcement” mode to install our modified driver, otherwise Windows will just block us.

NOTE: This section includes Windows 8, 8.1, and 10; scroll to your OS.

WINDOWS 10: Disable Driver Signature Enforcement

There are a couple ways to do this in Windows 10, but below is listed the easiest one, and we are all about easy.  FYI: Windows 10 is almost identical to Windows 8.1 so if you’re a visual person scroll up.

Disable the driver signature enforcement in Windows 10.
a. Press together Win + X
b. Click on Settings.
c. Scroll to the “Update & Security” section.
d. Click the Recovery Option on the left hand side.
e. In Advanced Startup section on the right hand side, click on “Restart now”.
f. Once your Computer has rebooted choose the Troubleshoot option.
g. Choose Advanced Options.
h. Then Startup Settings.
i. We’re modifying boot time configuration settings so you’ll need to restart your computer again here. Trust me it’s worth it. 😉
j. Choose the “Disable driver signature enforcement” option; probably F7 key.

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You may view print screens at Step 4 below for Windows 10 since they are the same as Windows 8 and 8.1.

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WINDOW 8: Disable Driver Signature Enforcement

1) Choose the Settings option (gear icon) in Windows 8 by hovering the cursor over the top or bottom right corner of the screen.

2) Choose Change PC Settings option

Windows 8.1 steps differ here (see Step 3a).

3) Windows 8: Choose General on the left hand side. Scroll down to bottom and choose Restart Now

–OR–

Windows 8.1: Disable Driver Signature Enforcement

Follow the same steps as Windows 8 until you get through Step 2, then start at 3a.

3a) Choose Update and Recovery

3b) Then Recovery

  A huge thank you to Eightforums.com for the Windows 8.1 detail.

Windows 8, 8.1, and 10 steps are the same.

4) Click Troubleshoot

5) Click Advanced Options

6) Click Startup Settings

7) Click the Restart button

8) Choose the Disable Driver Signature Enforcement (mine is F7)

9) Enter to restart Windows.

IMPORTANT: There is a significant wait before the next screen appears, my Acer also went to the load screen for a split second. There are a lot of black and blue screens with the dots the circle telling you your computer isn’t dead; wait through these.

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Now you should now be able to install the driver needed. After the driver installs, rebooting will enable driver signature enforcement again.

 

3. Installing Downloaded Drivers

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Theo – “tried one last thing [to install drivers]. Run it as administrator and also run it in compatibility mode for Windows 7.”

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1) Go to the folder where you saved your modified driver files.

2) Click the Setup.exe file.

Several things will happen. The installer will ask if you’re sure you want to download an unsigned driver. You are, so click 3) Download Anyway. Also the screen will go wonky for a bit during the download. It will return to normal soon.

4) After install, hover again over top or bottom right corner and choose the Settings option.

5) Choose Control Panel.

6) Open and go to your Device Manager

7) Expand your Display Adapters

8) Right-click and choose Update Display Software

9) Browse my computer for driver software.

10) Choose “Let me pick”

Now follow the prompts and install the new drivers you just added.

FYI: No drivers with  WDDM 1.1 will allow OpenGL software.

Change Automatic Driver Updates:

You do this so Windows doesn’t undo the progress you’ve just spent time making.
Changing automatic driver updates will allow you to decide which drivers to install. Go ahead and install device drivers for your other hardware like printers, etc., but leave your Display Device/Graphics drivers alone. 😀

1) Right click in lower left corner of screen and choose Search

2) Search under Settings “Device installation” and choose to change them.

3) Choose to Never install drivers.

You’ve done it ! Now start a game that uses OpenGL, like Angrybirds or Minecraft and see how you fare.

NOTE: If you have trouble, someone else probably did, too. Don’t forget to read the comments below. We discussed a few problems there. 🙂 One of them regards older versions of Java.

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Thanks to oghd12345  – Java 8 u60 versions or older are causing Minecraft issues. So possibly other OpenGL games will have issues with these versions of Java. If you need a different version of Java, try the company who produces it (Sun Microsystems) or http://www.download.com.

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And thanks for following
Patti’s Pathways.

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DISCLAIMER: Any and all ideas presented in this blog are solely my own unless otherwise noted. I experience troubles with technology just like any other person, and if I stumble upon a fix or suggestion I feel could benefit others I pass it along. At no time, have I suggested or implied that I hold any degrees or certificates related to computer repair.

I have during my career assembled parts into working computers; done troubleshooting on hardware and software; utilized a great many computer programs and software; designed and updated websites and blogs; as well as created brochures, banners, and flyers.

A Tale of Two Mice

It takes a lot these days to agitate me enough to write a blog; there’s so many more dire things happening in the world right now that I hate to be petty.

But I have a tale to tell. A tale of two mice.

The Corsair M65 PRO RGB sold for $58.95 when purchased the end of December 2019.

The Logitech G502 sold for $53.93 when we purchased it in mid-September 2019.

 

The person using these mice lives on disability so his live streaming is more than a hobby. I helped him purchase the Corsair mouse to get by until the Logitech was replaced. The Logitech was purchased with a 4-year warranty so I was in no hurry to return it.

FYI: The gaming mice of preference are the Mad Catz R.A.T. series, but from what I understand they are no longer in production.

As fate would have it the Corsair went out within a few months. He’s now using a $13 Big Lots knock off which isn’t the best, but works.

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Here’s where life gets interesting. I first tried to return the Logitech G502. I am still shell-shocked on the hoops they expected me to jump through to return a mouse. Maybe you don’t think it’s a big deal, but I have better things to do with my time than go on a wild goose chase trying to troubleshoot a broken mouse. To my embarrassment I actually did try some of these.

Now for the next email.

And the next.

This is simply amazing to me, and not in a good way. 

 

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And now for the Corsair email exchanges.

The Corsair mouse is on its way back to the factory.

The Logitech mouse? Not so much. After the fiasco Logitech calls customer service for factory warranty mice issues I may wait until the extended warranty kicks in.

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UPDATE:

Well, tried to comply with Logitech’s request for pictures. They are in .zip so file size isn’t the issue. This may be a Gmail block, but I have a gut feeling it’s Logitech because of the email I received from them next regarding no longer accepting emails.

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The Saga Continues…

Received this email today when I tried to send the photos like requested. They can email me FROM this email address, but not receive my reply now? Really?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The Next Chapter to the Mouse Saga!

Have a reply from Logitech this week:

And a reply from Corsair:

THE SAGA FINALLY ENDS!

Received replacement Corsair mouse on April 18.
Received replacement Logitech mouse on April 22.

Corsair mouse time and trouble to replace: almost none.
Logitech mouse time and trouble to replace : wayyyy toooo much!

Lesson learned: purchase Corsair mice, not Logitech.
Thank you, Corsair Customer Service for being easy to work with!

And thank you, readers, for listening. Stay safe and be vigilant!

When Windows Updates Your Graphic Drivers

Years ago I found a fix for OpenGL issues in Windows 8, 8.1, and 10. This mostly affects people who enjoy games like Minecraft that utilize OpenGL.

Recently,  Windows 10 — it has a mind of its own, you know — covertly updated my tweaked graphics drivers to what Microsoft thinks I want. Not good because it rendered my OpenGL games unusable… again.

I know, right? So frustrating.

But I’m happy to say it’s an easy repair; Windows doesn’t remove your tweaked drivers.

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Visit my original blog on tweaking your Windows 8, 8.1, and 10 drivers to run OpenGL games: Finally a Fix for Windows 8 (and 10) OpenGL Error.

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You’ll know when Windows has updated your drivers: 1) your desktop icons will look oblong and wonky, or 2) you’ll get a crash notice when you try to open your OpenGL game, like my Minecraft.

On to the fix!

1) Press Windows Key + X together to bring up your quick options menu.

2) Select Device Manager

3) Open Display Adapters, 4) click the currently installed driver, 5) click the Driver Tab.

 

Roll Back Driver: There’s a small chance Roll Back Driver won’t be grayed out and you can click it. Windows then asks why. Just say the change didn’t do it for you. And Voila! Windows 10 changes it change back and you’re through… well, until the next time Windows 10 decides you need different graphics drivers.

Update Driver: If Roll Back Drivers is grayed out, you’ll need to select Update Drivers. It’s only a few additional steps.

After clicking Update Drivers, 1) Browse your computer for your previously tweaked drivers.

2) You want Windows to let you pick.

3) Choose the older graphics driver you tweaked.

I know which is the right one for my laptop because WDDM 1.1 drivers will never work with OpenGL.

3) Click Next, and Windows does the work for you.

IMPORTANT: Don’t panic if your screen goes black and doesn’t return to its lovely former self. Manually turn it off, wait a few seconds, and restart. Your new drivers should be installed. If you think something went drastically wrong from the look of your icons, fonts, or screen, simply repeat the above steps and install a different driver.

Happy Gaming!

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DISCLAIMER: Any and all ideas presented in this blog are solely my own unless otherwise noted. I experience troubles with technology just like any other person, and if I stumble upon a fix or suggestion I feel could benefit others I pass it along. At no time, have I suggested or implied that I hold any degrees or certificates related to computer repair.

I have during my career assembled parts into working computers; done troubleshooting on hardware and software; utilized a great many computer programs and software; designed and updated websites and blogs; as well as created brochures, banners, and flyers.

 

The True Value of Readers

If you’ve been following my blog, you know one of my current challenges is getting Windows 8 to play nice with me so I can upgrade to Windows 8.1 then on to my ultimate goal: Windows 10.

Because of this, I’m not able to actually test drive a Windows 10 OpenGL fix so I asked my readers who had Windows 10, and had used my OpenGL fix successfully, to assist a fellow reader.

I’m not sure the trouble is resolved, but I need to send a heartfelt thank you for assisting with the problem to Brian.

Besides a huge thank you to Brian, I’m forewarning the rest of you that if I’ve helped you in the past and you were so gracious to thank me because it worked, don’t be surprised if I request your expertise in the future, 😉

Have a super week-end, and thanks again for following Patti’s Pathways. 😀

Windows 10 Free Download

On July 29 2015, Microsoft unveiled Windows 10. No, I don’t have my copy because I’m still struggling with the dreaded 0x.80070002 error. But just in case you aren’t, but don’t see the free update icon, here’s a helpful article from Microsoft.

Some Info on the New Windows 10:

Windows 10 download is free to “qualifying users of Windows 7, Windows 8 and 8.1 and Windows 8.1 Phone.

“What?” you ask, “Windows 7 gets a free Windows 10 upgrade?” Yep. Here’s what I’d do if it were me with Windows 7…

I’d wait. I have a netbook with Windows 7. I’ll download my free Windows 10 upgrade for my netbook then wait. I have one year after the rollout date of Windows 10 to install it.

Within that year, two things are going to happen. 1) I have Windows 8 on my laptop so I’ll upgrade on it first and test Windows 10 for myself. 2) Enough time and enough people will have tested Windows 10 in eight months or so that I can make an educated decision if I wish to permanently rid myself of Windows 7 (the last stable Windows OS).

Remember, I still have to resolve a Windows 8 error code or two before I can download Windows 10. When I said Windows 7 was the last stable version of Windows, I wasn’t kidding.

I’ll let you know later what I think of the new OS.

Have a great week-end, and thanks for following Patti’s Pathways.:-D

 

 

Scammers are freezing iPad and iPhone browsers

Those pesky scammers are at it again. Breaking your stuff and then charging you to fix it.

Be one of the informed, and don’t fall for it.

If you see this, be warned

For the entire article, click here. Don’t fall prey.

Have a great summer.

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Securing Your Online Persona

I had coffee recently with a super fun group of ladies. The topic came up about personal information available on the internet when one mentioned she’d received an email from Facebook asking for her phone number. She ID’d it as a scam and deleted it. I believe it was probably a legit email, but it never hurts to be careful.

That discussion, and a request from a dear friend, warranted a blog about securing your online persona (a.k.a. choosing what people can see about you on the internet).

There are a lot of articles dedicated to getting off the grid or becoming invisible on the internet. We’re not interested in going that far. People can know we’re on the internet, but if you’re like me, you want to control how much personal information leaks out. Me? I like to keep my public personal information to a minimum. My friends and family know how to contact me and that’s what’s important.

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In case you were wondering, here’s why websites ask for our phone numbers.

Reason One: New website security these days includes what they call “two-step” verification. Step 1: you log in with your normal user ID and password, Step 2: a security program sends a code to your phone via text, voice, or mobile app. You enter the newly sent code to log on.

Do you have to do this every time? No. There is a box to check or a question telling the security program to stop flagging the computer where you just logged on and to allow logging on from that computer without the code in the future.

Reason Two: Websites, such as Twitter, are allowing log ins with only a telephone number. There’s no user ID or password. You get a security code texted to that phone number and use it to enter the website.

Reason Three: The website is using marketing apps. Advertising texts, including coupons, and voice mail marketing are part of this.

Reason Four: Websites where you transact business will ask for your phone number as well as your address. These websites usually have your info on a secure page (denoted by https:// at the beginning of the URL address).

Bank, broker, auction, and other financial or sales websites are different than social media websites like Facebook or Twitter. I don’t put my phone number on social websites; I don’t want to be that social. Facebook would like to be the next Amazon, and does offer advertising packages. But for the majority of Facebook users it’s still just another social media site. No hate mail please, Facebook lovers.

Whether you give out your phone number or not is up to you. I do on financial and sales sites because I want them knowing they can call me if there’s a problem. On social media sites, I do not. They have my email address; they can email me.

There is also the fact that typing my landline number into any search engine (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, etc)  will pull up my address. If you know my cell phone number, my name and address can be requested for a fee.

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 Securing Your Online Information

Let’s talk about securing what personal information is floating out in cyberspace. The one we’ll tackle today is social media.

We all love social media. There are so many wonderful things about it. It keeps us in touch with distant friends and relatives, and lets us know in real time what’s happening in people’s lives. We can view photos of loved ones we don’t see regularly, and follow businesses and events.

In my opinion, the best of all worlds is to be able to utilize social media while keeping my personal information safe.

I’ve included a few the largest social media sites in the U.S. below. Believe it or not, there are dozens of others in almost every country around the planet. If your favorite isn’t listed, I bet you’ll see a trend in the below examples and be able to find your way through your site.

Facebook Privacy

Not long ago, Facebook redesigned its site to make it very easy to tighten up your personal information and security.

Find the padlock in the top right corner of your Facebook page. 1) Left-click on padlock, and select 2) Privacy Checkup.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The screens to update your information look like example screens, but they’re actually interactive so you can click and adjust your information.

First Step is “Your Posts”. Remember, Facebook Terms of Service allow that your intellectual property rights (pictures, videos, etc.) are “subject to your privacy and application settings”. So if you set your privacy to “public”, Facebook assumes you mean anyone and everyone.

Second Step is setting “Your Apps”. These are sites you’ve logged onto with Facebook. Remember being asked by a website if you want to use Facebook to log on? This is where the sites you said yes to are listed.

FYI: Being a paranoid individual, I rarely sign on with Facebook. Exceptions would be benign website like National Geographic, Washington Post, Fox News, etc. I’m okay with these sites knowing as much about me as Facebook.

Third Step is “Your Profile”. You can make this as secure or as public as you wish. I bet you didn’t know you had an individual Facebook email address, did you? Now you do.

Twitter Privacy

Adjusting Twitter privacy settings are pretty much like any standard website. You can tell people as much or as little as you’d like by what’s in your profile.

1) Go to the Me tab, 2) left-click the Account gear, then 3) Settings. Under Settings you will see how your information is presented on Twitter. 4) Edit profile will allow you to edit your information.

 

Pinterest Privacy

PInterest’s privacy settings are accessed in the upper right corner under your name. 1) Left-click the gear, then 2) left-click Account Settings. You don’t need to click “Edit Profile” because you can adjust that under Account Settings.

Youtube Privacy

Settings are in the top right corner by your picture. See a pattern here? Many, if not all, setting options are in the upper right corner of your browser window very close to where your picture is or would be if you uploaded one.

1) Left-click your picture, 2) left-click the Settings gear icon,

 

 

 

 

3) The left margin contains areas you might wish to adjust.

 

Google+ Privacy

If you don’t know what Google+ is you might not have an account. But, if you have Gmail for your email provider, you might have an account and don’t know it. To find it, in the top right of your email main page you’ll see your name with a + behind it. Left-click on that to get into Google+.

Google+ Privacy settings are…you guessed it, upper right corner by your picture.
1) Left-click the menu arrow beside the picture area, 2) click Privacy.

 

If you hover over the Home area to the left, you’ll get more options. You can edit your profile here and access Settings at the bottom of the list.

Don’t forget to update the Audence tab (1). This lets you determine who can see your Google+ stuff.  It’s under Settings.

 

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I hope you now know a bit more about how much of yourpersonal information is accessable through websites.

There is  great government website that addresses these issues also: Guide to Keeping Your Social Media Accounts Secure 2015 .

Rest easy with your new social media piece of mind, and thanks again for following Patti’s Pathways. 😀

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Other security articles you might find interesting:

Facebook: LIttle Known Tips and Tricks Tip Six three-fourths of the way down the page also talks about public posts on Facebook.

Giving Out Credit Card Numbers

Microsoft Won’t Call You…EVER!

Creating the Safest Passwords

Spotting Hoax Emails

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DISCLAIMER: Any and all ideas presented in this blog are solely my own. I experience troubles with technology just like any other person, and if I stumble upon a fix or suggestion I feel could benefit others I pass it along. At no time, have I suggested or implied that I hold any degrees or certificates related to computer repair.

I have during my career assembled parts into working computers; done troubleshooting on hardware and software; utilized a great many computer programs and software; designed and updated websites and blogs; as well as created brochures, banners, and flyers.

Battling Influenza

I’ve been out fighting a form of Influenza. Don’t know which numbers and letters—N3H2, N1H1…A, B—but it was a hard-fought battle and I remained victorious.

Thankfully it wasn’t a life or death struggle. I was blessed to not develop any bacterial infections. I’d like to think it’s because I’m a preventative kind of person, but it might just be dumb luck.

I know you’re asking why I didn’t get an annual flu shot. I did, but since I got mine in November it wore off before this beast attacked. FYI: flu shots are effective for ninety days only.

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Here’s more than you ever wanted to know about influenza and flu shots. If you don’t care, skip down to the important stuff.

Annual Flu Vaccines: My take on these is they are a very good thing. I request the single-dose shots as they aren’t preserved with thimerasol, which is a form of mercury, like the multi-dose vials.

There’s a plethora of material saying thimerasol mercury is a different form of mercury, and won’t hurt people. I am not a chemist, but I do have common sense so when manufacturers have taken thimerasol out of contact solutions and children’s vaccines I have to ask, “Why if it’s safe?”

The CDC says thimerasol is removed under their better-safe-than-sorry policy. I think that’s wonderful. Especially since at times I feel there’s a certain amount of collateral damage acceptable in the U.S. regarding drugs marketed for human use. Right now I’d like to send a huge heartfelt thanks out to the CDC for their interest in pharmaceutical safety. Thanks, CDC!

For more information on thimerasol, check out FAQ’s About Thimerasol from the CDC website.

Other flu shot ingredients.

Aluminum salts. I never condone putting excess harmful chemicals in the body. While I won’t buy foods with aluminum in them as preservatives, I feel use in vaccines—which are a few doses given over a lifetime—is acceptable as vaccine benefits greatly outweigh the risks.

Formaldehyde. This is a non-issue to me. Why? I’ve read when the serum is processed the formaldehyde is “cooked” out leaving hardly a trace. Even if this isn’t 100% accurate at least 21 of our most popular fruits and vegetables have naturally occurring formaldehyde. Actually, the coffee I’m drinking right now probably has more formaldehyde than the flu shot I had last fall.

Here’s a link for more information on vaccine ingredients: Vaccine Safety.

There are two prevalent types of influenzas affecting humans: A and B. Of the Influenza A, humans get N1H1 and N3H2. FYI: There are 18 different N’s and 11 different H’s—Influenza B is coded differently—but currently the other letter combinations affect only animals.

Annual flu shots include serum for three to four strains each year: N1H1, N3H2 of Influenza A, and one or two viruses from Influenza B. You can check out more about influenza viruses here.

My insurance company picks up all the cost of a flu shot. If it didn’t, I’d still pay the $30 cost out of my pocket. Only next year—after talking with a friend who happens to be a nurse—I’ll be getting mine in early to mid-December.

Homework: Research which months have the heaviest flu outbreaks in your area of the world and coordinate your flu shot for the 90 days covering it. No one can predict 100% perfectly, but you’ll have a good chance of being protected.

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I also know you’re asking, “Did you go to the doctor?” No. Here’s why.

• I didn’t really know it was the flu until almost forty-eight hours had passed. When you’re really sick you lose track of time.
• I was dizzy the first forty-eight hours so probably shouldn’t be operating a motor vehicle anyway.
• It’s a viral infection which usually has to run its course.
• Sitting around the doctor’s office can expose me to more viruses while I’m trying to fight off one already. Yes, my doctor’s office has masks to wear if you are sick, but I’m skeptical of their effectiveness. One study on masks shows that use of masks alone did not stop catching the flu, but masks use with hand washing did. Facemasks, Hand Hygiene, and Influenza.
• The only thing the doctor can do for Influenza with no bacterial infections is to prescribe Tamiflu. Tamiflu has to be administered in the first two days of symptoms. Doctors can’t agree on whether Tamiflu works or not.

Now you’re asking, “So Patti, what do you do to recover from the flu?” You’re not? Sorry, I’m telling you anyway. It’s for your own good.

Let’s talk in the order of symptom severity.

FEVER:

I never run a high temp when I’m sick, even with influenza. No, I’m not lying; that’s just how my body responds.

I know people who run temps high enough I’d freak out, but they say it’s normal for them. And they live to tell about it repeatedly so it must be true.

Even with a low-grade temp if I’m sick enough I have chills. Last week I tried to let my body use the fever to fight off the virus, but after a few nights of no sleep because I felt so rotten, I broke down and cracked open the ibuprofen bottle. I slept better.

COUGH:

Probably the best cough remedy I’ve ever used was suggested by  a dear friend in India. Ginger root. Yep, it’s better than cough drops by a long shot. In India they chew straight ginger root. Being an American girl, and too much of a wuss to go for the hard stuff, I suck on crystallized/candied ginger.

Remember your grandma saying to drink tea with honey when you’re sick? She was right. According to a government study, honey in tea before bed is more effective than over-the-counter cough suppressants. Click here to view the study.

A miscellaneous note on cough meds.

Suppressants stop the cough, but also don’t let you cough up mucus so it sits in your lungs where it can fester.

Expectorants loosen mucus and encourage coughing it up.

If I have a productive cough—coughing up mucus—I don’t take either. If I do use something, it’s usually only expectorants unless I’m in desperate need of sleep then I use a suppressant, but only at night and only for a short while.

SORE THROAT:

Try chicken noodle soup. Yep, Grandma was right again.

Remember gargling with salt water to heal throat abrasions from coughing? I agree; it’s nasty. I couldn’t do it this time around. It made me gag, and I had sore abdominal muscles from coughing so gagging was not a fun place to go. Here enters chicken noodle soup. Part of its magic is the salt in the broth. See where I’m going with this? I knew you would, you’re smart that way.

Plus hot chicken noodle soup breaks up mucus and has valuable nutrition you need when sick. I’ve included an easy recipe at the bottom. Yep, easy enough you can make it when you’re sick.

Menthol chest rub, like Vicks, works great for breaking up mucus caught in lungs. I swear by the stuff. I truly believe using this goes a long way to keeping pneumonia at bay. I also slather it on my throat if it’s sore and wrap a three- to four-inch-wide section of old t-shirt around it.

Try lemon-lime soda with ice. I hardly ever drink soda; I’m a water girl myself. But when you’re sick sometimes straight water just doesn’t do it. Not only does it not sit well on a stomach already filled with mucus drainage, it tastes blah. I drank at least six liters of diet lemon-lime soda when I was sick last week. It felt great on my sore throat and kept me hydrated.

Popsicle are good also because they have sugar for energy, cold for throat relief, and will help you stay hydrated.

SCRATCHY EARS:

When I have a serious cough, not only does my throat get scratchy, but so do the insides of my ears. Sometimes so badly I can’t sleep. A drop of coconut oil in each ear gives immediate relief. Coconut oil is anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, and anti-fungal so it’s safe. I run hot water over the outside of the container to thin my coconut oil in the winter.

DRY NOSE:

Sometimes my nose gets so dry it hurts. There is a sinus saline gel. It comes in a tube. I put a tiny squeeze on a cotton swab and circle the inside of each nostril. Two cotton swab ends, two nostrils. Funny how that worked out.

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If your flu is over and you still have cold symptoms or just a cold, my pharmacist recommended this and it really helps to keep sinus infections away.

Sinus Infection Prevention.

Suck on Altoids (or other mints made with real oil of peppermint,  but not imitation peppermint). Use saline nose spray as recommended on bottle for as many days as you need. The mints and spray will keep your sinuses clear. I write my name on my saline with a marker and keep it handy, even just for a dry winter nose without a virus.

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Now that we’ve talked about things you can do to stay out of the hospital if you get influenza, here’s a handy shopping list you can highlight and print off.

TIP: Find a shopping bag/cardboard box/something to store your “sick” supplies in after you buy them in October. Store the frozen items in the freezer; just sayin’. When you feel crappy with the flu, you’ll thank me for this tip. And if you’re blessed enough to not get sick, you can use the items that won’t keep until next time over the spring and summer.

SICK LIST:

• Ibuprofen
• crystalized/candied ginger
• honey
• tea (chamomile or passion flower encourage sleep)
• menthol chest rub (our $1 store carries it)
• lemon-lime soda
• popsicles
• coconut oil and ear dropper
• saline sinus gel
• saline sinus spray
• Oil of Peppermint mints
• Chicken Noodle Soup Ingredients
  • powdered chicken base
  • 1-2 cans of chicken
  • 12 oz. bag of peas and carrots
  •  Amish/kluski noodles

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I hope this helps you and your loved ones the next time they are attacked by the influenza bug.

Have a great week-end, and thanks again for following Patti’s Pathways. 😀

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DISCLAIMER: Any and all ideas presented in this blog are solely my own. On any health related blogs, I am merely giving advice that seems logical to me after research and investigation. At no time, have I suggested or implied that I hold any medical degrees or certificates related to nutrition, psychological, pharmaceutical, or medical health.

 

Tax Time 2015

I’m recycling a past blog as the timing is right for it.

Remember there are a lot of telephone scams that sound legit. Be safe everyone.

Click this link to read all about it.

Scammers Posing as the IRS

Have a fantastic rest of the week, and thanks again for following Patti’s Pathways.

Facebook: More Cool Features

After reviewing items for a previous Facebook blog, I realized there are more Facebook features people might appreciate. Today our feature presentation will be the Save option. Grab a bag of popcorn, dim the lights, sit back, and enjoy.

Facebook’s Save Feature:

Did you know you can save posts on Facebook similar to bookmarking pages in an internet browser?

Here’s how.

First, a post has to have a direct link if you wish to save it.

Don’t all posts? Nope. Posts without a direct link don’t offer a Save option. Facebook says you can track down the original post and save from a different Facebook page. We’ll talk about this later.

How to Save A Facebook Post:

1) Click the dropdown menu in the right top of the post you wish to Save.

Using my last blog topic as an example, we’ll save “Setting Default Programs”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Easy, right? Now you’re probably asking yourself, How do I find my new saved Facebook posts.

Retrieving Saved Posts

On your Facebook’s Home page, you have a left margin item named Saved. Here’s where all your favorite posts have been saved to view later.

 

 

 

 

When you click Saved, your saved posts will open in a new window. Facebook is nice and categorizes them for you.

 

When you don’t want a post any longer, you can delete it from your saved posts.

Deleting Saved Posts

1). Archive the post you wish to delete by clicking the ‘x’ in the upper right of the post on your saved posts list.

 

2) Go to Archive

 

3) Find the link you wish to delete, 4) Click the “…” , 5) Delete.

 

Finding an Original Facebook Post Link:

Remember earlier in the post I told you that you can only use the Save option if the link is in the post? Here’s how to find the original post link:

1) Right-click the time stamp and 2) left-click Copy Link Location.

3) Paste into your browser’s address bar, and go.

Earlier in this post I said “Facebook says” you can copy a link location because I followed one and never found any save options. I’m not certain if I could’ve followed the link farther back or if a Facebook user is just out of luck. Play around with it and see what you find. If you figure it out let me know in the comment section, I’d appreciate it.

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While we’re discussing Facebook, did you know…

• Facebook mobile apps can be used like a GPS to track users.

This is bad if strangers wish to track your kids, but great if you do. For their sake, help them disable their Facebook mobile tracking: Settings>Messenger Location Services>Disable.

• There’s at least one, possibly more, websites where you enter a Facebook user name and it will try to hack that Facebook account for you.

Horrible, isn’t it? I’m not going to post a name or link because these criminals don’t need the publicity.

Just be aware that idiots abound in this world. Don’t be scared to use Facebook, just do everything in your power to keep your passwords safe. If you’d like help, read my post Creating the Safest Passwords.

Facebook EULA statements you may or may not know.

According to Facebook’s EULA,

• “You will not create more than one personal account.”

No clue what happens if they find out you have. I suppose they delete one.

• “For content that is covered by intellectual property rights, like photos and videos (IP content), you specifically give us the following permission, subject to your privacy and application settings: you grant us a non-exclusive, transferable, sub-licensable, royalty-free, worldwide license to use any IP content that you post on or in connection with Facebook (IP License).”

I’ve updated this section as originally I neglected to mention the usage of your information by Facebook is subject to your privacy settings. Facebook won’t use your items publically if you have your privacy settings restricted. And yes, if you have your settings as public, they can use them for advertising since they are a for-profit corporate entity.

• “When you publish content or information using the Public setting, it means that you are allowing everyone, including people off of Facebook, to access and use that information, and to associate it with you (i.e., your name and profile picture).”

Your name and profile picture (as well as your cover photo, I believe), have always been public information regardless of your privacy settings.

And don’t forget the ever inclusive:

• “We reserve all rights not expressly granted to you.”

For more information on EULA’s, read my post Making Sense of Terms of Service.)

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Now that you’ve found another tool offered by Facebook, go ahead and save your favorite posts. Thanks again for following Patti’s Pathways. 😀

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DISCLAIMER: Any and all ideas presented in this blog are solely my own unless otherwise noted. I experience troubles with technology just like any other person, and if I stumble upon a fix or suggestion I feel could benefit others I pass it along. At no time, have I suggested or implied that I hold any degrees or certificates related to computer repair.

I have during my career assembled parts into working computers; done troubleshooting on hardware and software; utilized a great many computer programs and software; designed and updated websites and blogs; as well as created brochures, banners, and flyers.

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Setting Default Programs

Finally, we’re talking about setting default programs. Thanks for being so patient.

Every computer application has a designated program that opens it. Most of these are set to a default when you load or download the program.

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What’s a computer application? A computer application is software that lets you perform a basic task (or sometimes not so basic).

Examples of computer applications are word processors, spread sheets, music players, PC e-book readers, calendars, even your web browser.

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Setting Browser Defaults:

You’ve probably gotten a message at some time in your computing life like this:

No, you won’t have pretty pink boxes. They’re where your browser name will appear.

We get this message because when we download/load new programs many times we also download commands to change our current default settings. We usually don’t know we’ve done this. Annoying, yes; malicious virus-ware, no.

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FYI: your default browser (Firefox, Chrome, Internet Explorer, etc.) is different from your default search engine. For example, my browser is Firefox, but Google is my default search engine.

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You want to reset your browser default? Great. Here’s how.

1) At the top-right of your browser window, click the menu bars     in Chrome or Firefox, or the tools icon in Internet Explorer.

2) Select Options/Internet Options/Settings depending on your browser choice.

Here’s what you’ll see:

Firefox:

Under the General tab at the very top is where you make changes in Firefox. Click OK when you’re done.

 

 

 

 

And no, I didn’t realize Firefox was not my default browser. That’s just how fast other programs can change your settings.

Chrome:

Chrome’s default browser update is at the very bottom of the Settings page.

 

 

 

 

Internet Explorer:

Internet Explorer’s default settings are located under the Programs tab in Internet Options.

 

 

 

 

 

3) If your browser isn’t your default browser, click where it says Make this my default.

You’re welcome to check the box in front of Always check to see…, but the notifications can get annoying fast. I checked the box and am about ready to uncheck it. I open Firefox when I want to surf the net so it’s my default browser by habit.

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Now that we’ve warmed up on setting our default browser, we’ll advance to setting programs for your applications.

Setting Default Applications

Every application has a set default inside your OS.

FYI: Remember what an OS is? No? Check out last week’s blog: Finding and Setting Browser Downloads

In Windows 7 or 8, you’ll find your Default Program directory within your Control Panel.

FYI: Access your Control Panel from the Start menu in the lower-left corner of Windows 7, or by hovering over the top or bottom right of the Windows 8 screen to enable the Charms Bar, then choose Settings.

TIP: If you don’t like the new fangled look of the Control Panel, you can go back to the trusty alphabetically ordered list by changing the View by: details. I have mine set to Large icons.

In the Control Panel, click Default Programs.

 

Just look at all the choices you have to change default programs in your Windows OS. Remember, I have Windows 8 so your screen may look a bit different if you’re running Windows 7 or earlier.

Here, you can not only set your default programs, but you can change associated file types, and set computer defaults. Go ahead. Open any one of these to look around.

Oh. You’re scared to? It’s okay. I’ll give you a tour first.

This is what you get when you click on Set your default programs.

 

If I click on a program listed, I’m shown the current defaults. Let’s use Paint as an example.

When I click Paint, I see this.

Notice under Paint’s description box it says “This program has 4 out of 14 defaults”?

If I want to know which defaults Paint is set to, I click Choose defaults for this program. This screen actually tells me how the other 10 defaults are set.

 

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FYI: If I click Set this program as default instead of Choose defaults for this program (under the Set Default Programs window), everything will be reset to Paint as a default. In other words, all those boxes that aren’t checked will be checked.

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What? You looked back and don’t see a word processor program or spread sheet program listed in the Set Default Programs window? You’re right! That’s because they aren’t there.

To find these, we need to go to the list of all file associations. And when I say all, I mean ALL.

Here’s how.

Open (or Cancel back to) our Default Programs screen from the Control Panel.

This one:

Then click Set program access and computer defaults to find our file extensions or associations.

I’ve scrolled down to my .doc files so you can see they’re set to open with Word, and that’s what I want.

 

If I wanted to change which program a file extension/association uses to open, I would 1) click the extension to highlight it, 2) click Change program…, 3) Choose the program to set as default, then 4) Close.

 

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Congratulations! You’ve learned a lot today. How do I know? I can see the words and graphics floating out your ears. Now take a break, grab a cup of tea, and relax. You’re earned it.

Have a super rest of the week, and thanks again for following Patti’s Pathways. 😀

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DISCLAIMER: Any and all ideas presented in this blog are solely my own. I experience troubles with technology just like any other person, and if I stumble upon a fix or suggestion I feel could benefit others I pass it along. At no time, have I suggested or implied that I hold any degrees or certificates related to computer repair.

I have during my career assembled parts into working computers; done troubleshooting on hardware and software; utilized a great many computer programs and software; designed and updated websites and blogs; as well as created brochures, banners, and flyers.

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