Guide: Windows 10 Start Menu Not Working - Six Solutions

Cortana has a bug that causes the Start button and the notifications icons to become unresponsive. The November Update "fixed" the issue by forcing the installation of a new instance of Windows 10, thereby resetting customized user defaults back to Windows defaults. Unfortunately, the November Installation has the same Cortana bug, meaning the Start button and notifications icons can become unresponsive again. Here are five methods for dealing with the issue.

Guide: Windows 10 Desktop Icon Recovery - 12 Solutions

NOTE: Windows 10 desktop icons are sometimes very slow to load. If one or two Taskbar and Desktop Icons are missing it may take 20 - 30 minutes for Windows 10 to load them. If all of your desktop icons are missing, one of the various methods listed below may help you recover them.

I've noticed when using a laptop, just closing the lid (to put computer in sleep mode) frequently causes this error. Whereas using Start > Shutdown menu > Sleep does not cause this error.

Guide: Windows 10 Desktop System Icons Missing - Two Solutions

Missing System Icons

By Windows 10 default, some of the System Icons are not placed on the Desktop. Here's two methods to get your System Icons back.

Windows 10 - Method 1
1. rt. click desktop
2. personalize
3. themes
4. desktop icons
5. checkmark the icons you want
6. apply, then ok

Windows 10 - Method 2
1. rt. click Start button
2. click Control Panel
3. click Appearance and Personalization
4. click Personalization
5. click Change Desktop Icons
6. checkmark the icons you want
7. apply then ok

List: Windows 10 EXEs and File Names

Executable File Names

(Use in elevated command prompt or in Run (Win Key + R); some of these EXEs may return errors or may not do anything).

Windows (Accessories, etc.)

ImagingDevices.exe - Photo Viewer

MovieMaker.exe - Movie Maker

mspaint.exe - Paint
psr.exe - Problem Step Recorder

wlstartup.exe - Windows Essentials (?? Sign in with live account)

WLXPhotoGallery.exe - Photo Gallery

wmplayer - Windows Media Player (??may return error)

wordpad.exe - WordPad

Windows (System 32, Program Files etc.)
calc - calculator

charmap - character map

cmd - command prompt

compmgmt.msc

devmgmt.msc

diskmgmt.msc

eventvwr.msc

GamePanel

getmac - MAC / NIC

isoburn - burning tool

mmc - management console (opens console root to create customized mgmt console - use with compmgmt.msc, etc)

netplwiz - advanced UAC (add/remove users)

notepad

optionalfeatures - turn Windows Features on/off (ex. Hyper-V)

rstrui - system restore

runas - run as administrator

sethc - shortcut keys

setupcl - system clone tool

shutdown

SmartScreenSettings

SndVol

SnippingTool
systeminfo (use msinfo32.exe to open sysinfo console)

systemreset

takeown - Take Ownership of File

unregmp2 - Media Player Setup Utility ***

UserAccountControlSettings - UAC Notification Settings

workfolders - Work Folders
wpr - Performance Recorder
write - WordPad

MS Office

EDITOR.EXE - Code Editor

EXCEL.EXE - Excel

GROOVE.EXE - Groove

INFOPATH.EXE - InfoPath

MSACCESS.EXE - Access

MSPUB.EXE - Publisher

ONENOTE.EXE - OneNote

ONENOTEM.EXE - OneNote SideNote (Mini)

OUTLOOK.EXE - Outlook

POWERPNT.EXE - Power Point

PPTVIEW.EXE - Power Point Viewer

SELFCERT.EXE - Self-Certification
VISIO.EXE - Visio

VPREVIEW.EXE - Visio Preview
WINWORD.EXE - Word

Guide: Methods to Adding a New User in Windows 10

Two Methods to Add New User Profile (using Mouse)
Once Control Panel is open, navigate to PC Settings to Add New User
(NOTE: these may not work if Cortana has failed).

1.  Under “User Accounts” click “Change Account Type” > click “Add a new user in PC settings” > click "Add someone else to this PC" > Under “Family & other users” click “Add someone else to this PC”

Guide: Rent House Damages (pt 2)

If you're about to move into your first rent house, check out my guide on Rent House Damage (pt 2).

Don't let a slumlord get the best of you. If the house is damaged when you move in, chances are it will not be fixed while you live there. Document the damages before you move your stuff in, document deterioration while you live there, and definitely document the house after you clear your stuff out. Pictures and video go a very long way towards proving your case if you end up in court.

Guide: Rent House Damage (pt 1)

If you're about to move into your first rent house, check out my guide on Rent House Damage (pt 1).

Don't let a slumlord get the best of you. If the house is damaged when you move in, chances are it will not be fixed while you live there. Document the damages before you move your stuff in, document deterioration while you live there, and definitely document the house after you clear your stuff out. Pictures and video go a very long way towards proving your case if you end up in court.

Guide: Retevis 2-Way Radios

If you're in the market for a good 2-way radio, then check out the Retevis H-777. We've had a lot of fun with these radios. We've used them for long distance driving and camping.

Here's a quick assembly guide for them: Retevis 2-Way Radios. 

Guide: XBOX 360 CD Drive Removal and Fan Access

Here's the link to my YouTube video about removing the CD drive and accessing the fans in an XBOX 360.

Teardown Instructions

https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Xbox+360+Teardown/1203

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Disassemble-a-Xbox-360/?ALLSTEPS

Manuals
http://support.xbox.com/en-US/xbox-360/system/manual-specs

Guide: ASUS 1005HA EEE PC BIOS Change Boot Drive

Ever need to check or change your boot drive? Not sure how? Use this quick guide to navigate the  BIOS in an ASUS 1005HA EEE PC.

Guide: Windows Movie Maker Missing Shortcut Link - FIX

This guide assumes that Windows Movie Maker (WMM) is already installed on the computer and that the desktop shortcut is missing. If WMM is not already installed, please follow the link to Microsoft's official download of WMM. (The download should automatically add a desktop / start program shortcut).

Windows File Paths for Movie Maker

Windows 10, 8.1, 7

C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Photo Gallery\MovieMaker.exe

Windows XP, Vista

C:\Program Files\Movie Maker\moviemk.exe

*** *** ***

Two ways to ADD missing Movie Maker shortcut to desktop

1. Win Key + R to open RUN dialog box (pop up)
2. Type in pathway from above, minus executable section
   ex. C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Photo Gallery\
3. Press ENTER. The File Explorer will pop open to the file location typed in step 2. 
4. Scroll through folder to locate "Movie Maker." Once found select "Movie Maker" (do not double click). 
5. Right click on "Movie Maker" to see the drop down menu. Hover over Send To > choose Desktop (create shortcut)

OR

1. Open desktop search > type "movie maker" (or the name of a saved movie maker project)
2. Open "movie maker" (or the saved project)
3. In the file menu create a new project.
4. In the file menu choose save new project as.
        A. Change name to "Movie Maker (new)."
        B. Point the project to the Desktop. 
5. Click Save.

Guide: Pioneer DVD Player DV 366 K Teardown

Pioneer DVD Player DV 366 K Teardown is now ready for your viewing pleasures.

Guide: In Honor of International Cat Day

Here's the link to my new DIY cat guide starring Aubrey Rose Diva Kitty: Undercover Snooze.

Happy International Cat Day!

May the cat videos you watch today make you cry from laughter.  

Guide: Sony BluRay/DVD Player BDP-S186 (Open & Quick Eject Button Fix)

Follow the link to my latest YouTube video: Sony BluRay/DVD Player BDP-S186 (Open & Quick Eject Button Fix).

Or, if you're feeling froggy, watch it here:

Guide: Three Ways to Verify Posts in Blogger

Blogger Post Verification

1. Check posts by clicking "Preview" button - AdSense ad placeholders do not show ads to prevent accidental clicks; other functionality may be reduced (unresponsive links, etc), follow step 2. for already published posts and step 3. for scheduled posts.
2. For published posts: open Permalink in sidebar > copy post address (click done) > CRTL T (opens new tab in new window) > CRTL V pastes permalink address from clipboard > Enter (opens post)
3. For unpublished/scheduled posts: create a "test" blog > copy site template > publish post on test site > then follow step 2.B. to verify the post > once post has passed verification > copy post > open "real" blog > paste post > add labels, schedule post, etc > Publish

Guide: Dell WL-128G V2 Teardown

Need a quick teardown guide for a Dell WL-128G V2? Well, here ya go, here's my latest guide. Watch it here or on YouTube:

Dell WL-128G V2 Teardown

Guide: Import and Export Blog Template on Blogger

Export Blog

1. login to Blogger
2. open blog > template > click "Backup/Restore" button > Download Template > choose "Save As" location > Save

Import Blog

1. login to Blogger
2. open blog > template > click "Backup/Restore" button > Choose File > navigate to template "Save As" location > Open

Guide: Creating AdSense Ads in Blogger RSS Feeds (3/3)

In 2012, Google killed AdSense for Feeds which meant that bloggers who relied on ad revenue from their RSS subscribers were SOL (i.e., shit out of luck), unless they found a new way to keep advertisements in their RSS feeds. The simple solution is to create an AdSense ad for the feed footer.

NOTE: This simple method to place AdSense ads in your RSS feed is for publishers using the Blogger.com platform.
NOTE, 1: Does not place AdSense ads into email readers like gmail.

1.) Sign in on both sites:
     a.) Blogger

     b.) AdSense

Guide: Connecting Google Analytics to Blogger Posts (2/3)

In part one, Connecting Google AdSense to Blogger Pages, I show you how to create an AdSense module for your pages. Perhaps, you'd also like Google Analytics to keep track of your posts? Follow the steps below to place Google Analytics into your posts...this requires a one time code addition, which will free you from having to manually place the code into each post. This assumes you've already set up a Google Analytics account. If you have not, please follow the instructions here: http://www.google.com/analytics/

1.) Sign in to both sites:

     a.) Blogger

     b.) Analytics

MOOC: Learn to Code

Check out this article that lists some of the best online coding schools as well as free ebooks.

Thanks, labnol.org.

Guide: Connecting Google Adsense to Blogger Pages (1/3)

So, you set up your first Blogger blog and now you want to link AdSense to your account. Have you set up your AdSense account? Use this link to learn how to set up AdSense (or, follow the steps below to set it up from Blogger).

Great, now that you've got your blog and AdSense accounts set up, here's the steps to link AdSense to your Blogger pages:

NOTE: If you plan to create many blogs on Blogger, you'll only have to do this step for the first blog. Once your AdSense account is created and linked to your first Blogger blog, you can skip to Step 3.

1.) Sign in to Blogger.

FE-Tools: Redirect Blogger RSS Feeds to FeedBurner

Follow the link to my article: Redirecting Blogger RSS Feeds to FeedBurner.

MOOC: Coding Schools

Here's some coding school links to get you started.

Free Courses
movethewebforward.org - latest standards, community news, etc.

www.w3schools.com - HTML/CSS, JAVAscript, SQL, PHP, and more...

Combo Courses (Free and Paid)

codeschool.com - course list to try them out, look for "free course" in the description. 

     ex. Rails for Zombies Redux is a free zombie themed course about Rails for Ruby

*Stay tuned for updates with more coding schools. :D

FREE: Google Developer Page Speed Insights

To get free website page speed analysis, click Page Speed Insights link, insert the web address of the site you wish to check, then click analyze.

While in Google's Page Speed Insights, be sure to click the "mobile" tab for mobile insights or the "desktop" tab for desktop insights. Once your site has been analyzed, you can click on the performance areas to see what steps can or should be taken to make your site more user, device, or desktop friendly.

Guide: Create ISO Images

Myriad reasons exist for creating ISO images. By creating an ISO image, you're creating a disc image for use with a drive emulator like Virtual CloneDrive (this program only mounts ISOs). An emulator is great for accessing the data on an ISO, but not much help with creating an ISO. Virtual CloneDrive is freeware, but the rest of the SlySoft product lineup offers free 21 day trials. For our purposes, we'll need an ISO creation tool that is also freeware. In my Mounting ISO Images guide, I mention the recent size limit change enabled by powerISO. When creating ISOs from discs it is problematic for the program to impose size limits. For that reason, I like using IMGBurn, though there are other times when I use WinISO. Try them both and don't forget to comment with what you like or don't like about the programs.

Click here for IMGBurn guides.

1.) download ISO creation program (ex. IMGBurn)

Guide: Mount ISO Images

In order to use an ISO image without burning it to a CD, it must be "mounted" to a virtual drive. This brief tutorial shows how to mount an ISO and how to access the information on a mounted ISO by using Windows Explorer.

1.) download virtual drive and ISO mounting program (ex. powerISO).

Guide: Troubleshooting Blogger's New Contact Form

Blogger's new Contact Form has caused some users to report problems such as the send function not working or not receiving the contact forms in their email. After looking around the internet, I saw a number of solutions that involved editing HTML or CSS. While these code edits may solve some of the problems, I like to try non-invasive troubleshooting first.

Here are some things to check before deciding to alter code.

Guide: Disable Chrome Browser Profile Menu

Just came across this short guide to disabling the new user profile menu on Chrome browsers: 

http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/how-disable-user-profile-menu-chrome-browser.htm

MOOC: Stanford Online

Below you will find links to self-paced courses (SPCs) Finley is interested in (I), enrolled in (E), or completed (C); each will be marked with the corresponding I, E, or C. This post will be updated as Finley completes the courses. Links to course reviews will be added as the classes are taken.

Guide: Redirecting Blogger Blog to New Domain

1.) Use domain registrar and hosting company of your choice to register your domain name: yournewsite.com. You will need access to your DNS records which is obtained through your hosting company (ex. GoDaddy).

2.) Login to your blog dashboard on Blogger.com. Open your main blog.

Guide: Linking Subdomains to Domains on Blogger (3/3)

This three part guide will show you how to change your blog name, how to create a subdomain for your Blogger blog, and how to link the new blog to a page on your original blog for smooth user transitions around your web properties.

Guide: Creating "New Sections" on Blogger (2/3)

This three part guide will show you how to change your blog name, how to create a subdomain for your Blogger blog, and how to link the new subdomain to a page on your original blog for smooth user transitions around your web properties.

Guide: Changing Blog Name on Blogger (1/3)

This three part guide will show you how to change your blog name, how to create a subdomain for your Blogger blog, and how to link the new subdomain to a page on your original blog for smooth user transitions around your web properties.

MOOC: Coursera

Below you will find links to self-paced courses (SPCs) Finley is interested in (I), enrolled in (E), or completed (C); each will be marked with the corresponding I, E, or C. This post will be updated as Finley completes the courses. Links to course reviews will be added as the classes are taken.

Coursera.org SPCs (listed alphabetically)
chinese for beginners (I)
https://www.coursera.org/learn/chineseforbeginners/outline

competitive strategy (I)
https://www.coursera.org/learn/competitivestrategy/outline

computer science 101 (E)
https://class.coursera.org/cs101-selfservice

cryptology I (E) and II (I)
https://class.coursera.org/crypto-preview


intro to databases (E)
https://class.coursera.org/db

intro to public speaking (E)
https://www.coursera.org/learn/publicspeaking/outline

intro to sustainable development (E)
https://www.coursera.org/learn/sustainabledevelopment1/outline

organic solar cells (E)
https://www.coursera.org/learn/solar-cell/outline

successful negotiations: essential strategies and skills (E)
https://www.coursera.org/learn/negotiation-skills/outline

Guide: Gateway AIO ZX4250 Teardown

Just posted the first two of a three part set of guides for the Gateway AIO ZX4250. Part 3 of 3 is now up. :D

In part 1, I show you how to open up the machine. Part 2, I show you how to remove the HDD. And, for part 3, I'll show you how to access and remove the RAM and CMOS battery.

MOOC: Skynet University

Skynet University will offer three specialty MOOCs which can be found here: http://skynet.unc.edu/introastro/ourcouses/

They plan to release them one at a time over the next few years. Each course is free, unless you want to recieve a certificate. The fee range is: $45 to $65 USD. 

I'll update this page as more information becomes available.

Welcome to the Finley Experience - DIY

This section of the Finley Experience is dedicated to the DIY movement: the makers, the hackers, the crackers, the upcyclers, the warranty breakers, the outright inquisitive, and the self-sustainers.

Thanks for popping in.