Crystal Crowder, Author at Make Tech Easier

Stop Your PC from Making Random USB Noises

Crystal Crowder — Tue, 19 Jul 2022 00:25:00 +0000

We’re all familiar with the Connect/Disconnect noise Windows makes when you connect and disconnect USB devices. But things get a little spooky when you hear the random USB noises for no reason. You’re just working on your computer when suddenly and inexplicably, the USB noises go haywire for a few seconds, connecting and reconnecting, while you wonder what demons possessed your computer. This tutorial includes tips that can help you exorcise these phantom USB noises.

Using Device Manager

This is the quick-and-easy method (though not as robust as the tool mentioned later). If it does... Read more

Trifo Ollie Pet AI Smart Robot Vacuum Review

Crystal Crowder — Mon, 18 Jul 2022 17:25:00 +0000

When you have pets, you also have to vacuum often to clean up all the hair and dander that accumulates. It’s a daunting task but necessary. The Trifo Ollie Pet AI Smart Robot Vacuum helps make the task is as easy as setting a schedule on your phone or even telling Alexa or Google Assistant a room needs cleaning. With a focus specifically on pet owners, I was thrilled to give this vacuum a test drive in my own home.

This is a sponsored article and was made possible by Trifo. The actual contents and opinions are the sole views of the author who maintains editorial independence even when a post is sponsored.

Overview of Features

The Trifo Ollie Pet AI Smart Robot Vacuum offers some unique features over most robot vacuums. Not only does it clean your floors, but it provides ways to interact with your pet. After all, vacuums and pets don’t always get along so well, so a more pet-friendly option may just make your fur baby less afraid of the vacuum.

How to View Network Adapter Details in Windows

Crystal Crowder — Sat, 16 Jul 2022 00:25:00 +0000

If you are a network administrator or an advanced user, you probably have multiple network cards in your computer. Digging deep into the device details can be a daunting thought if you want to view network adapter details on all the network cards you have installed, but it’s actually not such a hard thing to do.

Here we show you several ways to view the details of your network adapter in Windows: one is integrated into the system, and the other is a great Nirsoft tool called NetworkInterfacesView, which lets you dig a little deeper.

Content

1. Using System Information Tool
2. Using the NetworkInterfacesView Tool
3. Device Manager
4. Network Connections
Troubleshoot Network Adapters
Frequently Asked Questions

1.... Read more

How to Fix the DistributedCOM Error in Windows

Crystal Crowder — Wed, 13 Jul 2022 00:25:00 +0000

While Windows shows error messages and lets you view vague details in Event Viewer, you still rarely know what the actual problem is, such as with the DistributedCOM error. It’s actually a fairly common error that you’ll see if you check out Event Viewer often. For many users, you may not even realize you’re getting this error unless you’re having connectivity issues. It’s usually not serious and is one of the easier errors to solve.

Content

What is the DistributedCOM Error?
Types of DistributedCOM Errors (Codes)
1. Install Windows Updates
2. Temporarily Disable Your Antivirus
3. Ensure You Actually Have Permission
4. Bypass the Error
5. Edit the Registry
6. Verify COM Access Permissions
7. Enable DCOM Permissions for the Error
Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DistributedCOM Error?

8 Calling Apps to Make Free Phone Calls From Anywhere

Crystal Crowder — Tue, 12 Jul 2022 00:25:00 +0000

Do expensive calling and texting plans keep you from staying in contact with friends and family? Ditch mobile calling plans and opt for calling apps to make free calls over Wi-Fi. They’ll also work over mobile data, but make sure you’ve got unlimited data so you don’t get hit with overages. While some of these apps give you your own number, others require both parties to have the same app. Either way, they’re free and you can call, text, and even video chat as much as you want.

Content

1. TextNow
2. Talkatone
3. Google Voice
4. Google Duo
5. Skype
6. Dingtone
7. TextFree
8. textPlus
Frequently Asked Questions

1. TextNow

Available for: iOS | Android | Windows

How to Find Downloaded Files on Any Android Device

Crystal Crowder — Sat, 09 Jul 2022 19:25:00 +0000

Finding the downloaded files on your Android device is usually an easy task. The steps to find them vary slightly, depending on what kind of device you have, but for some reason, the downloaded files tend to “disappear” sometimes.

The files haven’t disappeared, though. You just have to dig in to your Android device’s settings to find them. In some cases, you may need to install a file manager to help you keep those downloaded files under control. Let’s take a look at some options.

Content

Look in the Downloads Folder
Check Your App Settings
Use a Third-Party File Explorer
Download Another File
How to Find the Downloads Folder From Your Windows Computer
Find Your Downloads in Chrome
Find Your Downloads in Edge
Find Your Firefox Downloads
Find With Integrated Search
Frequently Asked Questions

Look in the... Read more

Google Pay Not Working? 11 Fixes You Can Try

Crystal Crowder — Fri, 08 Jul 2022 21:25:00 +0000

Google Pay makes paying for purchases as easy as holding your phone to a card scanner. However, when you’re used to not carrying around a physical wallet or you want to make online purchases quick and easy, the last thing you want to deal with is Google Pay not working. Whether it’s a problem with card upload or a weak signal, occasionally, Google Pay has issues. Luckily, you can fix most of them through a set of basic troubleshooting steps.

Content

1. Check for App Updates
2. Ensure Cards Are Updated
3. Ensure Your Phone Number Is Correct
4. Check Your Internet Connection
5. Contact Your Bank/Card Issuer
6. Clear the Cache
7. Ensure Your Phone Is NFC Compatible
8. Turn On NFC
9. Verify Your Identity
10. Troubleshoot a Grayed-Out Card
11. Reinstall Google Pay
Frequently Asked Questions

11 of the Best LMS Alternatives to Google Classroom

Crystal Crowder — Thu, 07 Jul 2022 21:25:00 +0000

While Google Classroom works well enough, it’s not always the best learning management system (LMS) for everyone. Luckily, there are a variety of LMS alternatives to Google Classroom. From completely free systems that integrate with other free and premium tools to premium systems with more features, you’ll likely find the perfect alternative right here.

Content

1. Microsoft Teams
2. Moodle LMS
3. Beneylu School
4. Otus
5. Edmodo
6. Schoology
7. Tovuti LMS
8. Showbie
9. TalentLMS
10. WordPress
11. Canvas LMS
Frequently Asked Questions

What Is a Learning Management System?

If you’re not familiar with the term learning management system, it’s a system that helps house and control all your educational content. While often thought of as just for schools and colleges, an LMS is also often used by businesses for... Read more

OneOdio Monitor 80 Open Back Headphones Review

Crystal Crowder — Thu, 07 Jul 2022 17:25:00 +0000

Immersing yourself in the natural, nuanced sound of your favorite music or hearing every detail when mixing a track takes a special kind of headphone. The OneOdio Monitor 80 Open Back Headphones seek to be a more affordable option for audiophiles, DJs, musicians, and more, without sacrificing quality. But how well do these hi-res open back headphones deliver? I recently had the pleasure of testing these out for myself.

This is a sponsored article and was made possible by OneOdio. The actual contents and opinions are the sole views of the author who maintains editorial independence even when a post is sponsored.

Overview of Features

Straight out of the box, you can tell the OneOdio Monitor 80 Open Back Headphones are made for comfort. After all, if you’re sitting in a studio for hours, you need something that’s lightweight and feels good against your ears. Thick velour earpads fit gently against your ears while still offering ample ventilation. The adjustable, cushioned headband ensures a perfect fit.

The... Read more

How to Use the Google Password Manager in Chrome

Crystal Crowder — Mon, 04 Jul 2022 21:25:00 +0000

Keeping track of an endless number of passwords as you browse online is enough to give anyone a headache. Luckily, Google Password Manager in Chrome makes life a little easier by remembering your passwords for you. It’s a simple, free tool that’s already built into Chrome and stores all your login credentials in one easy-to-access place.

Content

How Google Password Manager Works
What to Do Before Adding Passwords to Google
Add Passwords With Auto-Save
Add Passwords Manually
How to Create Strong Passwords
How to Check Chrome Passwords for Breaches
How to Edit Passwords
How to Import and Export Passwords in Chrome
Frequently Asked Questions

How Google Password Manager Works

You need only two things to use Google Password Manager – the Chrome... Read more

Tronsmart Onyx Ace Pro True Wireless Earbuds Review

Crystal Crowder — Mon, 04 Jul 2022 17:25:41 +0000

When it comes to earbuds, there are two must-haves: great audio quality and comfort. Finding that perfect balance that feels good for hours while also helping shut out the world isn’t always easy. The Tronsmart Onyx Ace Pro True Wireless Earbuds seek to offer both with adaptive sound. I had the pleasure of trying these earbuds out to see just how well they worked.

Overview of Features

The Tronsmart Onyx Ace Pro True Wireless Earbuds are designed to provide exceptional audio quality while reducing background noise for long-lasting music and calls. The ergonomic design fits partially in the ear, giving a more comfortable fit, even when wearing for long periods of time.

As with most earbuds, the Tronsmart have a compact charging case. The earbuds themselves can last up to 6.5 hours on one charge, while the case extends this to up to 27 hours. A short USB cable is provided to charge the case.

They’re perfect for an active lifestyle with an IPX5 rating, making them... Read more

10 Free Microsoft SharePoint Alternatives

Crystal Crowder — Sat, 02 Jul 2022 00:25:00 +0000

Microsoft SharePoint may be a powerhouse when it comes to project management and collaboration, but the best SharePoint alternatives prove Microsoft is far from the only option. From individuals to large businesses, productivity, collaboration, and project management apps are a must. SharePoint gives you all of this in one convenient platform, but it gets expensive quickly. Free SharePoint alternatives are ideal for saving money without sacrificing features.

Content

1. ClickUp
2. Atlassian Confluence
3. Bitrix24
4. Slack
5. Process Street
6. ONLYOFFICE Workspace
7. Jostle
8. Monday
9. Google
10. WordPress
Frequently Asked Questions

1. ClickUp

ClickUp seeks to be a one-app solution to all of your collaborative needs and works well as a free SharePoint alternative. It’s designed to handle everything from project management to team meetings all in... Read more

How to Fix Mobile Data Not Working on Android

Crystal Crowder — Mon, 27 Jun 2022 21:25:00 +0000

Cellular data, mobile data, whatever you want to call it, is one of those things that only becomes a life necessity once you acquire your first smartphone. It’s only when you lose connectivity that you realize you don’t know how to get anywhere without Google Maps, don’t have anything to read without Flipboard, and don’t know how to communicate with people through any medium other than WhatsApp.

When mobile data stops working on Android, it’s world-shattering, in other words. Here are some tips on how to get it back.

Content

1. Reset Your APNs
2. Set APN Protocol to iPv4/IPv6
3. Enter Your APN Settings Manually
4. Wipe Cache Partition from Recovery
5. Reset Your Phone’s Network Connection
6. Enable the Right Network Mode
7. Reset Networks
8. Remove and Reinsert Your SIM Card
9. Do You Have a Mobile Data Limit?
Frequently Asked Questions

6 Ways to Easily Send Text Messages (SMS) from Your PC

Crystal Crowder — Sun, 26 Jun 2022 19:25:00 +0000

Text messaging has become one of the most popular ways to carry on conversations in our world today. The convenience of using SMS is universally known. Sometimes, though, for one reason or another, you may prefer to have access to text messaging on your computer.

No matter your reason, if this is something you want to do, follow one of these texting methods that do not require the use of the messaging app on your phone.

Content

1. Google Voice
2. Your Email Account
3. Windows App
4. Chrome Extension
5. Free Websites
6. Text Sync Apps
Frequently Asked Questions

1. Google Voice

Google Voice isn’t talked about much, but this handy service gives you a free virtual phone number that you can use to make calls and send texts.... Read more

AirDroid Cast Review: Screen Mirroring Made Easy

Crystal Crowder — Thu, 23 Jun 2022 17:25:00 +0000

Being able to share your screen with others shouldn’t be complicated or require special hardware. With AirDroid Cast, it’s as easy as installing the software and entering a code. It’s designed to simplify screen casting and mirroring so that you can focus on sharing what’s on your phone or computer screen with others. I recently had the pleasure of seeing how well AirDroid worked in action.

This is a sponsored article and was made possible by AirDroid. The actual contents and opinions are the sole views of the author who maintains editorial independence even when a post is sponsored.

Content

Overview of Features
Common Use Cases
Getting Started
Exploring the AirDroid Cast Interface
AirDroid Cast in Action
Pricing
Final Thoughts

Overview of Features

One standout feature of AirDroid Cast is cross-platform compatibility. It works with Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS. Easily cast your phone’s screen to your computer or share your computer screen to a larger computer screen. The software even supports sharing up to five device screens at one time.... Read more

8 Zoom Alternatives to Make a Free Conference Call

Crystal Crowder — Mon, 20 Jun 2022 21:25:00 +0000

Zoom works great for conference calls, but you’re limited to 100 people and just 40 minutes in the free version. This isn’t always ideal, especially for longer meetings. Luckily, there are a variety of Zoom alternatives that don’t have as many restrictions in their free versions. Plus, some don’t even require people calling in to have an account.

Content

1. Skype
2. Jitsi Meet
3. Messenger Rooms
4. RingCentral Video Pro
5. FreeConferenceCall
6. Lark
7. Butter
8. Discord
Additional Zoom Alternatives
Frequently Asked Questions

1. Skype

Skype is a completely free conference call solution as long as everyone is a Skype user. It’s ideal for both business and personal use and offers advanced features that many competitors, like Zoom, charge extra for. It’s best suited for users who already use and are... Read more

Shellbot SL60 Robotic Vacuum Cleaner Review

Crystal Crowder — Mon, 20 Jun 2022 17:25:00 +0000

With the Shellbot SL60 Robotic Vacuum Cleaner, there’s no need to drag out a heavy vacuum or deal with a messy mop. While there are numerous robot vacuums on the market, Shellbot seeks to provide a superior experience to make cleaning one less thing to worry about. This review takes a look at this robotic vacuum to test all its features.

This is a sponsored article and was made possible by Shellbot. The actual contents and opinions are the sole views of the author who maintains editorial independence even when a post is sponsored.

Overview of Features

The Shellbot SL60 Robotic Vacuum Cleaner packs many amazing features into one incredibly useful cleaning device. One immediate standout is the smart AI obstacle recognition. By using an RGB monocular camera and 3D TOF, the vacuum accurately identifies and avoids obstacles. This includes everything from pet accidents on floors to socks.

It’s designed for busy homes and easily avoids tens of thousands of real-world objects.... Read more

6 Ways to Clean the Windows Registry

Crystal Crowder — Thu, 16 Jun 2022 21:25:00 +0000

Since most of us don’t dive into the registry editor often, you probably don’t have any idea if you need a registry cleanup or not. However, over time your registry collects broken, outdated, and even missing registry keys that hurt your PC’s performance. You may even get the occasional error message. With the use of Windows tools and some third-party tools, you can clean the Windows registry quickly. These methods work on Windows 11 as well as Windows 10.

Content

Causes of Registry Errors
Back Up Your Registry
1. Use Disk Cleanup
2. Using DISM
3. Use CCleaner
4. Clean With Wise Registry Cleaner
5. Use Auslogics Registry Cleaner
6. Manually Clean the Registry
Frequently Asked Questions

Causes of Registry Errors

If you’re not experiencing any issues right... Read more

14 Useful PowerPoint Templates to Set Up a Digital Planner

Crystal Crowder — Wed, 15 Jun 2022 21:25:00 +0000

Paper planners are difficult to always keep with you. Plus, once you use them, you have to throw them away. Instead, organize your life, keep track of goals, and plan your business’s growth with a PowerPoint-based digital planner. Start off with PowerPoint templates and customize them for any purpose. You’ll find templates for everything from a basic daily planner to a detailed project planner with timelines. Once you’re finished with a time period or project, load the template and create a new custom planner.

While these are all free digital planner templates, they’re only for personal use. You can’t sell them. If using them for public presentations, you may need to credit the creator, which will be detailed in the template or on template’s download page.

Content

1. Daily Planner
2. Weekly Planner
3. Monthly Planner
4. Yearly Planner
5. Bullet Journal
6. Wedding Planner
7. Lesson Planner
8. Event Planner
9. Timeline Planner
10. Student Planner
11. Meal Planner
12. Social Media Planner
13. Marketing Planner
14. Business Planner
Frequently Asked Questions

How to Map a WebDAV Drive in Windows

Crystal Crowder — Mon, 13 Jun 2022 21:25:00 +0000

Web Distributed Authoring and Versioning (WebDAV) is an HTTP extension that provides a collaborative way of editing and managing your files on a remote web server. Here we will show you how to map a WebDAV drive in Windows so you can access your remote files directly in File Explorer.

In order to connect to the WebDAV directory in Windows, you’ll need the WebDAV site URL, your WebDAV account login details, and a name for the shortcut or connection. All three allow you to map WebDAV by mounting its folder as a mapped drive so you can view, edit, or delete files from the remote web server using your computer.

Content
How to Map a WebDAV Drive in Windows
What to Do When You Cannot Connect to WebDAV Directory
What to Do If You Can't Access Your WebDAV Folder?
Frequently Asked Questions

Also read:How... Read more