Recommended Correct Order to install computer/laptop drivers

As an IT graduate, I've often followed the way that Dell have always done it. I mean, if a huge corporation like Dell knows how to do it, we should trust them and follow their professionalism.

Step 1) Start with your BIOS

a) I always recommend updating your BIOS first. And immediately load the default values. Then save and exit and re-enter after rebooting.

WARNING: Make sure to get the correct BIOS file download, because if you don't, you might break your motherboard. Always follow the instructions from your motherboard manufacturer; most require you to have a certain filename and a certain USB format (normally FAT32).

Feel free to customise certain settings yourself, with care and consulting your motherboards sources.

There are certain settings I highly recommend changing:

c) Firstly, setting your RAM speed manually so that you get the extra performance you are meant to have, rather than the default JEDEC standard setting which runs slower.

d) Secondly, turn off (disable) any features you may not need for security; mainly BLUETOOTH and/or Wireless (ethernet is always more secure, so use it where you can).

e) I also recommend "tweaking" your fan curves if you are able to. It'll help with noise levels and also help you run your system more economically. Google "fan curve guide".

Step 2) Driver install order

If you don't have the hardware, there is no point installing the driver.

1. Chipset
   
   
2. Security, SmartCards
   
   
3. Serial ATA, Intel matrix storage manager
   
   
4. Audio
   
   
5. Video (Graphics)
   
   
6. Ethernet (LAN)
   
   
7. Wireless (WiFi)
   
   
8. Bluetooth
   
   
9. Mouse, keyboard, Touchpad, input devices
   
   
10. Intel vPro-AMT
    
    
11. Network, mobile broadband card
    
    
12. Modem-Comms
    
    
13. Mouse, keyboard, Touchscreen, (input devices)

How to change the Yahoo Mail default notification sound on Android? [FIX]

I recently upgraded to an Android 11 smartphone and for some reason my default notification sound had changed and I could not change the default notification sound in the Yahoo Mail app settings.

I found a way to fix this temporarily until Yahoo issue a fix themselves (assuming it is not a Pro feature option only now).

These instructions are for Android 11 specifically but these may be the same for Android 9 and 10 (I cannot clarify as I don't own a device with these versions of Android):

1) Go to "Settings"

2) Scroll down and tap "Apps"

3) Scroll down and tap "Yahoo Mail"

4) Tap on "Notifications"

5) Under "Other" tap on each listed option below and then tap on "sound" and select the sound you wish to hear. They will be set to "Default notification sound" but you can change them to fix it for now :)

- Emails from people

- Deals emails

- Travel emails

- Parcel delivery emails

- Other emails

- Reminders

- General alerts

- Miscellaneous

- Account security alerts

Notepad++ Compare plugin colour settings for any dark mode style (e.g. obsidian)

Here are a set of colours which work well with the Notepad++ Compare plugin for any dark mode style used within Notepad++. I personally prefer to use the style Obsidian.

Change each of the compare colour settings to the following: R-G-B

i.e. In notepad++, go to "Plugins > Compare > Settings" and change the following using the provided RGB values:

• Added new line = 0-100-0 (dark green)

• Deleted line = 100-0-0 (dark red)

• Moved line = 0-60-119 (darkish blue)

• Changed line = 125-125-30 (dark gold)

• Changed highlight = 255-140-0 (dark orange)

• Highlight Transparency = 100

Logitech G29 Pedal Replacement Screws (screw measurements + where to buy)

Recently my Logitech G29 pedal screws needed replacing (inc. potentiometers). I could not find the screw sizes anywhere online so with aid from a friend and some calipers I measured them myself.

1) Brake and Clutch pedal screws:
Length = 30mm
Diameter = 4mm (known as M4)
Thread Pitch = 0.7mm (really hard to measure this)

2) Accelerator pedal screws:
Length = 16.5mm (you can get away with using a 16mm)
Diameter = 4mm
Thread Pitch = 0.7mm

Best place to buy them In the UK:

https://www.accu.co.uk/

Make sure to select "metric socket countersunk screws" and then use their filter system to select the above measurements for the screws you need to replace :)

Cannot get VLC Player App to discover files on shared device over LAN? Windows 10 [FIX]

VLC Player App won't discover shared content over LAN via Upnp or SMB?

Firstly check that your Windows 10 device sharing options are set correctly:

1. Open your start menu and search "control panel" and open the app.
   
2. Now click on "Network and Sharing Centre".
   
3. On the left pane (upper left), click on "change advanced sharing settings".
   
4. Set your Private network options as follows:
   - Turn on "network discovery" (inc. the automatic setup of network-connected devices).
   - Make sure "File and printer sharing" is turned on.
   
5. It is up to you whether or not you turn on the Guest or Public network settings. I do not recommend turning this on if you are only sharing to specific devices connected to the same LAN as your Windows 10 device which is sharing your media content.
   
6. Under "All networks" set the following options:
   
7. Public folder sharing - This is up to you - I personally have this turned off.
   
8. Media Streaming - This is up to you - I this turned on so I can share my music.
   
9. Use 128 bit encryption to help protect file sharing connections (recommended).
   
10. Password-protected sharing - Turn this on!
    NOTE: With this option set you need to know the Windows 10 account login credentials as you will need to enter this later into the VLC app in order for the media files to be accessed.
    
11. Save the changes.

Secondly check that the media folder(s)/drive(s) that you wish to access, have the correct sharing settings set:

1. Rick click on each folder or drive and select properties.
   
2. Set the required settings under the sharing tab.

Thirdly, enable SMB 1.0 support.

1. Open your start menu and search "control panel" and open the app.
   
2. Now click on "Programs and Features".
   
3. On the left pane (upper left), click on "Turn Windows features on or off".
   
4. Scroll down the list to find a folder called "SMB 1.0/CIFS File Sharing Support".
   - You may need to click the plus and tick "SMB 1.0/CIFS Client" separately.
5. Tick the box, click OK and restart (even if not asked to).

If the above doesn't help, I had issues with network discovery after the latest major Windows update. To fix this I went to "File Explorer", selected "Network" in the left hand pane. Windows asked if I wanted to turn on "Network Discovery" (even though according to the Network and Sharing centre it was already on). So I did, restarted and then I could gain access in VLC.

Now when you next try to access the shared media via the VLC Player App. You'll be asked to login with the credentials mentioned earlier and you'll be able to access the shared media. If not, uninstall the VLC Player App, restart your device and then reinstall the VLC Player app.