Computer Repairs & Solutions LLC

A discussion of the Windows Insider program. You can test new versions not available to the general public.

Try New Windows 11 Features Right Now A discussion of the Windows Insider program where you can be test newer versions before public release. LINKS:https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windowsinsider/...

I get several calls a week about broken HDMI ports on PlayStation and Xbox consoles. Fixing those usually requires soldering a new HDMI port directly onto the motherboard.

At the moment, I’m not taking on those repairs — but that will change. Later in 2026, I plan to offer full soldering services for clients.

As I build my professional soldering skills, I’ll be sharing YouTube videos and blog posts documenting the process, the tools I’m using, the skills I’m learning, and the real‑world challenges that come with this kind of work. Stay tuned!

A new video about virtual machines on my Youtube channel.

Learn About Virtual Machines In 2026 TIMESTAMPS-----------------------------------------------------------------0:00 Introduction1:11 Mac OS X Monterey virtual machine1:45 Windows XP virtual mac...

I'm not able to provide same-day emergency service for shop repairs. That's unrealistic for me to provide a professional job. Other clients are in line waiting. Also, mistakes are made when in a rush. There are rare exceptions where I could complete the work in a couple of hours. A $50 priority fee will be added on bill if other jobs are in the shop.

𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐬 𝟏𝟏 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐬 (𝐊𝐁𝟓𝟎𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟒𝟒)

If your printer suddenly stopped working after the January Windows 11 update, you’re not alone. The monthly update KB5077744 has been causing a variety of printing issues for home users and businesses.

One of the most common problems I’ve been seeing is print jobs getting stuck in the queue — but not in the way most people expect. The print queue window may look completely empty, yet Windows is still holding onto temporary spool files behind the scenes.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈’𝐯𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝

I’ve already run into this issue on two separate HP computer systems this month. In both cases:

• The print queue showed no active jobs, but the printer wasn’t working
• Windows was leaving behind temporary spool files that should have been deleted
after each print job

These leftover files build up inside the Windows\System32\Spool\Printers folder. Once those files were removed, printing worked normally again.

In a few cases, I’ve also seen actual stuck print jobs remaining in the queue, but the temporary files in the spool folder are the main cause of the problem.

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬

The January update introduced a bug in the print spooler — the Windows service that manages print jobs. When the spooler fails to delete temporary files after printing, the system gets jammed even though the queue appears empty. Nothing else can print until those files are cleared.

𝐀 𝐐𝐮𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐅𝐢𝐱 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐔𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐬

To make this easier, I’ve created a small batch file that:
✅ Stops the print spooler net stop spooler
✅ Clears the leftover temporary files
del %systemroot%\System32\spool\PRINTERS\*.* /Q
✅ Restarts the print spooler net stop spooler

This resolves the issue in most cases.

𝐃𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐥𝐨𝐚𝐝: https://www.computertechgb.com/printer_fix.bat

𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬:
Right-click on the batch file when you want to open, and select Run as Administrator. Click Run when it asks if you want to run this software. If needed, click Run again. It won’t work if not done as Administrator

Google has officially ended Gmail’s ability to fetch email from third‑party accounts using the POP/POP3 protocol. This change took effect for 2026, and it means Gmail will no longer pull in messages from services like Yahoo, AOL, Hotmail/Outlook, iCloud, and others when using POP/POP3. This aligns with Google’s broader plan to discontinue POP/POP3 fetching starting in January 2026. https://support.google.com/mail/answer/16604719?hl=en

You can still receive email from these providers in Gmail — but only if you switch to IMAP. IMAP is the modern, secure method for syncing email across devices, and it’s the protocol Google now expects users to rely on. A YouTube IMAP setup guide can walk you through the steps if you need help. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liJX_konl4c

Why Is Google Ending POP Support?

Google hasn’t given a single official reason, but reporting and support documentation point to several likely factors:

Security Concerns

POP3 is an older protocol with major security limitations:
• It sends passwords in plain text, without encryption
• It does not support two‑factor authentication
• It downloads emails — including potentially infected attachments — directly to the device
Given today’s security standards, POP3 simply doesn’t meet modern expectations.

Reduced Support for Third‑Party Accounts

Google is also discontinuing Gmailify and other features that enhanced non‑Google accounts inside Gmail. You won't have spam protection, for example. This suggests a broader shift away from deeply integrating external email services.

A Push Toward Gmail Ecosystem?

Some analysts speculate that Google may be nudging users toward using Gmail as their primary inbox, rather than using Gmail as a hub for multiple providers. While Google hasn’t stated this directly, the timing and scope of the changes make it a reasonable interpretation.

What Gmail POP/POP3 Users Should Do Next
If you currently rely on POP to pull third‑party email into Gmail, you’ll need to switch to IMAP or use your provider’s native app. IMAP is supported by all major email services and is far more secure.

You can still receive email from these providers in Gmail — but only if you switch to IMAP. IMAP is the modern, secure method for syncing email across devices, and it’s the protocol Google now expects users to rely on. A YouTube IMAP setup guide can walk you through the steps if you need help.

How To Enable IMAP on Gmail (2026 Updated Tutorial) Learn how to enable IMAP on Gmail in this 2026 Updated Tutorial, simplifying the process for seamless email synchronization across your devices.❓ Need a tool...

The Asrock Z390 Taichi Ultimate motherboard www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/Z390%20Taichi%20Ultimate/index.asp was not recognizing newer generation 4x4 PCI Express NVMe solid state drives. Compatibility was limited to specific older drives listed in the SSD support QVL (quality vendor list) www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/Z390%20Taichi%20Ultimate/index.asp . That means those drives were tested and guaranteed to work with the motherboard.

When I attempted to use a Crucial P310 2TB Gen 4 SSD www.crucial.com/ssd/p310/CT2000P310SSD8 , the system failed to recognize it. This was the first time I had encountered a motherboard that refused newer Gen 4 drives. After researching solutions, many suggested using a PCI Express x16 adapter card.

I choose the Sabrent adapter sabrent.com/products/ec-tfpe, which includes an M.2 NVMe slot. Installation was straightforward: insert the SSD, close the heatsink, and place the adapter into an empty PCI Express x16 slot. No changes were required in Windows or the BIOS — the Crucial drive was detected automatically. It appears the motherboard’s built-in M.2 NVMe slots can no longer be used with newer SSD's.

Tip for Readers:
If your motherboard doesn’t recognize a newer NVMe SSD, don’t assume the drive is bad. Check the manufacturer’s QVL (Qualified Vendor List) first to confirm compatibility. If your drive isn’t listed, a PCI Express x16 adapter card can be a simple workaround — just make sure you have an open slot available. This lets you use newer generation 4+ drives even on older boards without complicated BIOS and Windows modifications. Replacing the motherboard isn't necessary!

🎉 Computer Repairs & Solutions LLC has been voted a 2025 Nextdoor Neighborhood Faves winner. I appreciate all of you! Thanks for your support and consideration for this award.

Visit my Nextdoor business page at:
https://nextdoor.com/page/computer-repairs-solutions-llc-city

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Neighbors Name Computer Repairs & Solutions LLC a “2025 Nextdoor Neighborhood Fave” in Nextdoor’s 9th Annual Local Business Awards

[Green Bay / Ashwaubenon WI November 18 2025] — Computer Repairs & Solutions LLC has been named a 2025 Nextdoor Neighborhood Fave, the annual awards program that recognizes local businesses loved by neighbors.

This year’s winners of Neighborhood Faves will receive greater visibility on the Nextdoor app, a Neighborhood Fave badge on their Nextdoor Business Page, and a “2025 Neighborhood Faves Winner” sticker to display in their storefront.

“Local businesses are the cornerstone of our communities, and the Neighborhood Faves awards are our way of celebrating the establishments that neighbors love most,” said Nirav Tolia, CEO of Nextdoor. “We are proud to recognize this year's winners for their outstanding contributions. Being a Neighborhood Fave is a powerful testament to the meaningful impact they have on their communities every day.”

Selected by the volume of neighbor ‘Faves’ and recommendations on the platform from the past year, the Neighborhood Faves awards recognize the most beloved local businesses on Nextdoor.

The complete list of winning businesses is available at https://nextdoor.com/favorites. Join the neighborhood network by downloading the Nextdoor app in your favorite app store or visiting https://nextdoor.com.

Nextdoor

The end of an era: Windows 10 support officially ends

Windows 10 has been a reliable workhorse for over a decade, but its time has officially come to a close. Microsoft officially ended support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. That means no more free security updates, bug fixes, or technical support. While your PC won’t suddenly stop working, it will become more vulnerable to malware, ransomware, and other threats over time. If you're still using Windows 10, now’s the time to decide your next move.

Here are the options customers have with Windows 10 reaching end of life.

- Upgrade to Windows 11 if your computer meets the minimum requirements

- Enroll in Microsoft's Extended Service Updates (ESU) to get updates through October 13 2026. The cost is $30 per year, but you can get ESU free by using Windows Backup or redeeming 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points. Renewal is required each year to continue receiving updates.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/extended-security-updates

- Buy a new Windows 11 computer

- Expert users: Consider switching to a different operating system (Linux Mint or ChromeOS Flex are popular alternatives)

- Do nothing: Your PC will still run, but without updates, it becomes increasingly risky. Apps and programs will eventually stop supporting Windows 10

Overwhelmed? Not sure what to do next? I can install Windows 11 for you, walk you through Microsoft’s ESU program, or help you choose the best path forward.

USB flash drive professional data recovery project

Dead USB Flash Drive, Garbage Data—Here’s How We Recovered It Back - Professional Data Recovery A client’s USB flash drive failed—corrupted files, unreadable directories, and bizarre timestamps like 1601 and 2096. I diagnosed the issue, prepared the shi...