Computer Talk 4-18-26 Hour 2

In this episode of Computer Talk with Tab, hosts Dennis and Eric address a range of technical issues from callers across New England. Frank from Middletown struggles with access to his long-standing SBC Global email account, prompting a discussion on the risks of relying on outdated, unsupported email services. The hosts recommend migrating to a secure, paid service like Proton Mail and advise on transitioning email addresses with proper notification and forwarding. Gary from Weathersfield shares his frustration with two refurbished Dell laptops lacking Wi-Fi adapters, leading to a deep dive into PCIe slots, motherboard documentation, and the importance of using official manufacturer resources over unreliable online guides. Joe in Berlin reports that Excel files now open in Microsoft Edge instead of the desktop app, traced to a corrupted Office installation—resolved by repairing Office and rebooting. John from Hartford experiences brief screen blackouts on his HP laptop, prompting suggestions ranging from driver updates and power resets to checking for overheating and hardware issues. Austin from Virginia faces a sync problem with OneDrive, where files appear missing despite working locally, leading to advice on backing up data and using Microsoft’s sync troubleshooting tools. MJ from New Haven asks about sending texts from a tablet to a phone, with the hosts explaining the need for Google Messages and a synced Google account. Dave in Berlin seeks to restore the navigation pane in Windows Explorer, which had disappeared—resolved by adjusting view settings. The episode closes with a commentary on Maine’s moratorium on data centers, advocating for fair, transparent deals that benefit local communities, especially schools. The hosts emphasize the importance of user empowerment, proactive tech management, and community engagement in technology decisions.