Workarounds for administrator passwords and blocked emails | Patrick Marshall Q&A

Q: I purchased an HP Pavilion laptop from my boss when he retired. It’s operating Windows 10. I created my very own person profile and that labored superb. However, I not too long ago bought a brand new Seagate exterior exhausting drive and throughout set up, it prompted a request for an administrator password to permit this system to make adjustments to the pc. I don’t know what his password was and sadly, my former boss handed away final month. Is there a workaround? Or am I caught not having the ability to obtain new software program?

— Kevin Howard

A: Fortunately, there’s a workaround.

You can obtain and set up a free program known as Passfab 4WinKey. That program will lead you thru making a boot disk both on CD or a USB drive. Then boot the pc utilizing that drive. 4WinKey gives directions for interrupting your laptop’s bootup sequence so to specify the boot disk you simply created because the place besides from.

Finally, you’ll have the ability to create a brand new administrator password.

You’ll discover 4WinKey right here: https://www.passfab.com/windows-10/windows-10-forgot-admin-password.html

I attempted this system and it labored as marketed.

Q: I take advantage of Windows 10 and Live Mail on an roughly 7- to 8-year-old Toshiba Satellite laptop computer. Also, I’m not a tech whiz. With one contact specifically, and often with others, I obtain a discover in Live Mail informing me that an electronic mail I despatched is just not deliverable although it reveals up in my “despatched” file. Follow-up by different means verifies that my message was not acquired. I’ve confirmed the correct contact tackle, however nonetheless have the issue. It appears this occurs extra typically when the meant receiver makes use of their telephone for electronic mail. Any strategies?

— Dave Savage, Lopez Island

A: There are two major causes of emails being blocked. First, your electronic mail might have been tagged as spam and rejected by the recipient’s electronic mail server. This typically occurs to non-spam emails in the event that they occur to have content material that reads as spam or comprises hyperlinks to areas which have been tagged as spam-related. You can examine these emails for free by operating a check at GlockApps, which you’ll discover at https://glockapps.com.

The second major reason behind blocked emails is your electronic mail service’s server being blocked by the recipient’s server. If your know the recipient’s electronic mail service you may contact them instantly to search out out should you’re being blocked and tips on how to get unblocked.

Q: During a Microsoft Teams assembly, my microphone disappeared. While it had been lively, abruptly I acquired a message that my microphone couldn’t be discovered. I assumed it was a Teams downside till I had the identical challenge on Zoom. I attempted a number of options however couldn’t discover the inner microphone both within the Device Manager or through Sound and Hardware within the Control Panel. I’m not a veteran laptop person, so I don’t even know if it is a {hardware} or software program downside. I have no idea what my subsequent steps must be.

— Karen Johnsen

A: If you’re not discovering the microphone listed in Device Manager the very first thing to attempt is to launch the Sound utility within the Control Panel. Click on the Recording tab. Next right-click under the checklist of gadgets and be certain there’s a examine subsequent to “Show Disabled Devices.” If your microphone seems, allow it.

If the microphone doesn’t seem or if the issue recurs you’ll wish to reinstall the drivers for the microphone.