1146. Need a Vet ID card or DSLogin and your NOT in DEERS database?

The RAPIDS person knew only her specific role and nothing about Ancestry, MWR databases. She looked up my information and expected a profile in the DEERS database (defense database which contains every veteran/retired military EDI-PI or DoD ID). She could NOT find me there! Nor could the next 10 or so organizations I was continuously passed off to. Even the DEERS line, first level and second level were unsuccessful. They said they do not enter an individual into DEERS and only the VA can. Go to local Reginal Support Satellite location. I was already there and they had no clue either. They didn't even know what a DoD ID or EDI-PI number was. I told them to look on their CAC card (VA Card for the person I spoke to). Behold, there was his DoD ID number. Anyway, that was hopeless.

I persistently pursued an answer and found an article on Internet that explained how to get a "SHELL" profile added to the DEERS database (I was told this is what a Satellite Regional group could do before and they looked at me like a deer in headlights). The instructions presented a website to go to, but it failed! I then chose to go to DMDC Website Assistance (phone number given). Within 1 minute, they looked up my SHELL profile in the DEERS database -- The one nobody could find. They then updated information. Why could they find it? Good question. They must have another access to it than all the other individuals I passed though. DMDC Website Support numb er is 800-368-3665.

So, Now I know I am already in there. Next problem: we tried to get me a DSL (login). It would have allowed me to log into a Defense site IDOC.DMDC.OSD.MIL/IDOC and my DoD ID or EDI-PI would have been presented to me. Well, I had only needed to create a DSL. Unfortunately, it puts you through a series of verifications, all had to pass. It's not like I hadn't already been though a half-dozen already! Well, the first was a Financial one where the system checks to see if the address you specified is in a credit processing (Transunion, Experian, etc.). Specifically, they use Transunion. Frist attempt failed and I thought maybe because I had frozen access to one of the other organizations). NO. I had already tried about 3 different credit cards by that time and all failed. They had me try another time. Failure. Then the individual said to ensure the address is specified EXACTLY like what is in the Credit Report, capitals, etc. They had me pull a Transunion report where the address was in all capitals and the zip code also used the extended numbers. By that time, I already received an error i10 the last time I had checked. This is like the black PC screen on a PC ... death. I was already LOCKED out of the DSL creation process for 31 days! 

I cannot try again for 31 days. I do NOT have a DSL. I do NOT have a Veterans ID card! Fortunately, I hit another error at the Ancestry page that required me to call the DMDC HELPDESK this time. The problem was that I entered the EDIPI that the last ASK.VA.Gov gave me via the Inquiry process and failed (they could look up my Shell Profile in DEERS. I thought because of the Lockout, but told no, I wasn't eligible! Maybe because the Assistance desk found it and updated it). It was that individual who finally told me what I knew day 1 -- that I am NOT eligible for Ancestry! 21-24 manhours expended to finally get the answer I already read!

Will I get a Veteran ID and DSL? Probably. But I know it is going to be another process!

1/15/2033. I am now past the 31-day penalty for their system not recognizing my credit card, yet, when I tried again today it failed the same way – after entering Credit Card 8 digits! Unbelievable. I tried calling the Website Desk 800-368-3665 and it remained a stead BUSY for over an hour. One call got in and the wait time was over 64 minutes. I had Transunion credit thawed, but the Financial section failed again. Can’t believe I am validated for Login.gov, ID.ME, three businesses for VA Status, yet the VA and government still can’t connect the dots. Now that I have an EDI-PI identifying my profile in DEERS I can still not get a Vet ID Card! So, I gave up with the Online methods and tried to get back to local Reserve Center where I began my task. Only I failed to find where to make an appointment and spent over 30 -40 minutes called the local center 808-372-5589 that I finally found. That didn’t help much, because all the needed extensions were not manned. Then I decided to listen to the preprogrammed message that lasted over a minute easily and the last number was for the DUTY Officer who WAS the person I needed to make an appointment through. Appointments for Amarillo CANNOT be made online at the website in their greeting. First, the website given is incorrect and then when you find the right one, Appointments are now allowed for Amarillo office. Anyway, after over 5 hours today with my feet collecting more mud on every call or website visit, I got my appointment for tomorrow and we’ll see if I can now proceed in successfully getting an ID.  

1145. How to Transfer Files via Bluetooth Android to Windows PC

First do the set up on both PC and Andoid:

PC: Windows SETTINGS>Click Bluetooth and Devices>Click Devices and your phone Devide>Select "Send/Receive Files from Bluetooth">Select either Send or Receive (You might have a Bluetooth ICON in Notifications Area or Hidden Notifications Area where this entire setup can be done)

Phone:  Send a photo: Gallery>Press and hold photo (you may press and hold and slide to highlight multiple photos)>Tap SHARE> Select Bluetooth, Tap Computer name (Accept any pairing if asked. Note, a code will appear on phone and a message will popup on PC with that code to pair)>Transfer will begin and a popup on PC will show transfer progress and then give you an option to browse where you want them saved).

1144: McAfee Popup/Push Notification scam

 So, in Chrome browser, first one then two or more other McAfee scam pushups frightening appear in the Windows notifications: Trojan Virus(es)..., 50% updates..., Subscription ending..., etc. In a nut shell it was a scam I think invited by going to a site that wanted you to verify you weren't a robot by displaying a screen asking you to verify via CAPTCHA by clicking on a "click" hypertext. You can read all about both the CAPTCHA invasion and the actual Fake McAfee notifications at these sites:

https://www.myantispyware.com/2022/09/26/main-captcha-virus-removal-guide/

https://www.google.com/search?q=macafee+popup+scam&oq=macafee+popup+scam&aqs=chrome..69i57.7698j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

Beware that once you click on the CAPTCHA hypertext you are immediately notified of a Trojan Virus and asked to do Full Scan (another push button) plus something else. I did not and you should NOT go deeper into the rabbit hole by selecting any of the options! The intrusion has already been done and your browser has been changed to accept all push notifications from sites AND allowed the CAPTCHA bandit to place its site into the ALLOWed sites list.

The solution if you didn't climb further down the rabbit hole was to simply go to Chrome Settings, set the Push Notifications OFF, and REMOVE the site from the ALLOW list. The second reference above (McAfee) explains this for all browsers. The path to get to the appropriate settings may be slightly different in the versions you are running, but I am sure you will find them (see at end the Chrome actions I took).

You will also see many Malware software sites document the issue, but play it up so much you would think it impossible to fix on your own and would need their software. All those instructions were excess to the actual fix. They were just temping you to install their malware program. I already had Malwrebytes, ran it, and it found absolutely nothing. After reading the CAPTCHA reference it is understandable. You probably did NOT get a virus that an Anti-virus or malware software will detect. Push notifications go undetected and are a way for hackers/scammers to avoid these two software protection offerings.

So, in short for Chrome,  select the ... (more actions) at the right, then settings, then Privacy & Security, followed by Site Settings, Notifications (under Permissioins) and its "Don't allow sites to send notifications". At this point I turned if OFF completely. Continue down from where you are to the Allow List and check to see if the CAPTCHA culprit put itself there too. If so, go right while on the specific site and click on the ... dots to REMOVE.

Hopefull you are up and running. I WOULD do a full scan with your AntiVirus progam and scan with malware software anyway. Never hurts to run these. Good luck.

1143. "Small Town Sins" by Author Ken Jaworowski – 5 Stars

 

Small Town Sins by Author Ken Jaworowski – 5  Stars

Publisher: Henry Holt & Company

ISBN: 9781250881670

  

Great book. The phrase “I couldn’t put this book down” is used often, but I can’t think of a better way to say how much I enjoyed it. Each chapter reveals more about three people living in a small town who struggle with their choices, past and present, and the consequences these choices create. The story is brilliant and well written.

 

Reviewer: Nancy

1142. BAD MICROSOFT: W11 Install: There goes the old W7 Card Games again

 For those who followed this blog and upgraded to Windows 11, you will have noticed that the W7 Microsoft Games again are missing. Unfortunately, the installation from Eldabl0 documented in previous posts is no longer available. So, now what do you do?

Like all upgrades before, a folder c:\Windows.old\ was created for you with the necessary files you will need...somewhat. So, do the following:

1. Somewhere create a personal "My Program Files" with a subdirectory "W7 Microsoft Games". 

2. Copy c:\windows.old\windows\system32\CardGames.DLL to that subsirectory

3. Now copy all the desired games folders from c:\Program Files\Microsoft Games. Choices are Chess, FreeCell, Hearts, Mahjong, Solitare, SpiderSolitare. Within the specific game folder you will get the basic files needed, namely En-US and SLC.DLL that are required. Next step provides others you need.

4. From all the files within c:\Windows.old\Microsoft Games\(your game of choice, i.e. Solitare, SpiderSolitare. Hearts, Solitare, SpiderSolitare, or FreeCell), Chess, or Mahjong) into your new folders. For example: 

Copy files from c:\Windows.old\Microsoft Games\Hearts\ to your My Program Files\W7 Microsoft Games\Hearts

Substitute other game name for "Hearts" above to get that set up.

5. You should be able to play by selecting the EXE file. You can pin them onto your Start Menu or Task Bar by Right-Clicking the EXE file and selecting the desired PIN TO.

Leave a comment if you are still having problems.

1141. "Murder Book" by Thomas Perry -- 5 Stars

 

Murder Book by Thomas Perry -- 5 Stars

Publisher: Mystery Press

 ISBN: 9781613163832

 

This is a fast-paced thriller set in small towns in Indiana. Through extortion and fear, big city crooks are forcing residents to sell their properties to them for far less than fair value. Harry Duncan, a private investigator working as an independent contractor for the government, uses ingenuity and past experience in law enforcement to outsmart the bad guys and to discover the motive behind the take over of the towns. It is a frightening plan.

I always enjoy Thomas Perry’s novels. This is a good one. 

 

 

Reviewer: Nancy

1140. "The Cabinet of Dr. Leng" by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child -- 5 Stars

 

The Cabinet of Dr. Leng   by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child -- 5 Stars

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

ISBN:  9781538736777

   This is another great book in the Pendergast series. Like the others, it has an intricate plot and remarkable characters. There is a time machine that takes Constance back to 1880 New York City to rescue her brother from an untimely death and her sister from the evil Dr. Leng. Descriptions of the time period are vivid. Coldmoon has a current day murder to solve. As he investigates, we learn about Lakota history and culture. Of course, Pendergast is there to solve problems as only he can.

As other reviewers and the authors point out, the Pendergast novels are most enjoyed in sequence. This one has a surprise in the final paragraphs and does end in a cliffhanger.

 Reviewer: Nancy

1139. "The Twisted Dead" by Darcy Coates -- 5 Stars

 

The Twisted Dead   by Darcy Coates -- 5 Stars

Poisoned Pen Press  

 9781728239231

 

 I had read the first two books in the Gravekeeper series and was anxiously awaiting the third, so I was happy to find it offered by NetGalley. It has unique ghost stories, quirky characters, a remote town with a spooky cemetery, a black cat that is more than a cute kitty and a main character with an interesting past. All this is in a fast paced novel. Each book in the series solves a mystery but leaves other tasks to complete.

I love this series. They are the first books I have read by Darcy Coates. The next thing I do will be to see what else she has written.

 

 Reviewer: Nancy

1138. "The Maze" by Nelson DeMille -- 4 Stars

 

The Maze by Nelson DeMille – 4 Stars

Publisher: Scribner

ISBN: 9781501101786

 Don’t you love DeMille’s wit? He is again at peak performance if this alone could captivate your interest for over 445 pages. But, for us, a good thing repeated constantly and so consistently for even 100 pages becomes too much. Then, when at 50%, John Corey has still not committed to a PI job and his girl friend Beth, yes, same Beth as Plum Island, continues to delay the reason why she wants him to take the job; the story begins to suffer with useless dialogue – same great wit, but at this point already dragging on. Well, there is no acceleration. You’re still waiting on the why he should take the job, then when he does, why he still doesn’t know the real reason why he is there. Good thing John Corey is so bright and has already discovered the whys. Yet, even that doesn’t speed up the story and his lingering around the Farmhouse, where he now works, is described in minute detail as was most things (way too much of this). For what reason we asked? By the time you get to 80-90% the story finally gets to what you already assumed and we still haven’t learned why the book is named “The Maze.” We’ll stop here and not spoil the ending with details. Let us just mention that Rich was so disappointed with the length of the book and the way delays were utilized when explanations earlier would have progressed the story forward faster without boring you – He started to skip pages half way through and never missed anything and never had to go back to read the missed pages. We liked the storyline and characters. Other readers might like everyday gossip and conversation to all depths and enjoy the book more than we did. DeMille still has good ideas. This one just dragged on.

 Reviewers: Rich and Nancy

1137. "The Scorned by David Putnam" -- 5 Stars

 

The Scorned by David Putnam  --  5 Stars

Publisher:  Oceanview Publishing

ISBN: 9781608094943

 

 I have read all the books in the Bruno series. I have enjoyed them all but this is my favorite. Bruno is planning on a quick trip from Costa Rica where he has made his home to Los Angeles where he is wanted for some past crimes. Nothing goes as he plans. There are bad guys to defeat and good people to rescue.

 The characters are the best, unique and colorful, especially Waldo, the tough smart Rottweiler. The plot is sometimes witty, sometimes intense and often surprising. It never slows. Once again Bruno fights in an evil world to save people who need help. There are always children who can not be left in harmful places. Great book. I look forward to more.

 

Reviewer: Nancy

1136. "A Fearsome Moonlight Black" by David Putnam -- 5 Stars

 

A Fearsome Moonlight Black   by David Putnam -- 5 Stars

Publisher: Level Best Books

ISBN: 978168121501

This novel is divided into Book 1 and Book 2. In book one, we meet Dave Beckett, a young man serving his six-month probationary period as a police officer. He naively finds himself involved in crimes of murder, suicide, family disputes, and missing persons. Some of these result in fights for his life. They eat away at his personal beliefs. In book two, 8 years later, Dave is a seasoned detective. His views of life have changed. The action becomes more intense as the events of his rookie years resurface, and tie together. The previous crimes and his fellow officers are not as they appeared when Dave was younger. The plot becomes complex and surprising all the way to the conclusion.

I absolutely enjoyed this novel, both book one about a young officer’s experiences and book two when as an older detective he is confronted with his past. I am a fan and anxiously wait for the second book in the series.

 Reviewer: Nancy

1135. Fidelity Login Issue

 Strange Logon problem with Fidelity, both website and ATP. When I type in my PW it fails at least 40% of the time. But if I copy/paste it from my PW dataset it works.

This was the first symptoms. Later even the copy/paste did not work. This just started happening wince I changed my PW. Tech Support and I tossed around some possibilities, like the use of a "." in the PW. Oddly, I removed the "." and it worked just fine 3-4 times in a row. But, then it failed again! So, now I though maybe Bookmarks were involved. I have bookmarks for about 20 different entries into the Fidelity application which I had selected in the past always successfully when Logging in that took me directly to the entry point. We tested using the straight login by entering the URL Fidelity.com and signing in there and it worked every time. At least for the 5-6 attempts I tried. So, conclusion was that the Portfolio Bookmark was bad, although it just went to Fidelity.com! So, I signed in the straight way, brought up Portfolio, copied the URL and reset my bookmark to that which was no longer fidelity.com but right to the portfolio. It seems to work fine. 

At this point I have yet another new PW and now still using the bookmarks to get to login screen. Since ATP was also failing, it CANNOT be related to the Browser Bookmarks! So, the only logical conclusion was the use of the "." in the PW at that time. My new PW still contains special characters, but not the "." and I'll see what its success is.

Weird problem. I already recommended allowing the user to SHOW the PW he is typing. At first, I was thinking CAPS LOCK or NUM LOCK were opposite my normal and causing the problem or ever the PC thought they were on and didn't indicate so. Don't think this was the problem. Typing the PW into word document between failures always typed them sorrectly. Thus, how can they not be correct going into the Fidelity Login screen? 

Time will tell. If it works always from now on both on Website and ATP, it must have been the "."!

1134. TRACFONE Review & Issues

Pros: Inexpensive, easy to refill plan, great voice quality and connection (except issues below), large selection of phones.

Cons: Older phones with limitations (See 1 below), website documentation not specific enough to implement action without calling customer service.

Issues:

1. Misrepresentation of available functions: I bought a Galaxy A01 Reconditioned Phone as an Emergency Phone for my wife. It was supposed to be a full function smartphone. I checked TRACFONE's description and also researched over Internet. What I got was indeed an A01 with Android 10 that immediately upgraded to Android 11. As with my other mobile phone I expected to be able to use Wi-Fi in the home along with Wi-Fi Calling. Beware that they are two separate functions. Yes, I received Wi-Fi connection and have full access to Wi-Fi with no subtraction from Data Plan (I think). Wi-Fi Calling (under settings on this Samsung Galaxy w/ A11 Android) defaulted to OFF when it was set up. This MUST be ON to do Calling functions (make a call, answer a call) via Wi-Fi instead of Cellular network and it has a preference to set to "Prefer" Wi-Fi over Cellular. Fine. I set everything on and it did NOT make a call using Wi-Fi at home like other mobile phone (Motorola w/A10 Android). Hence my Time Plan lost the minutes. 

I called TRACFONE to find out what was going on. 1.5 hours I spent on the phone to get NO answer other than it should. However, I had already done troubleshooting and HELPED them understand that this particular phone was reported as NOT capable of Wi-Fi Calling as per their website eligibility page that checks the number on AT&T by IMEI and SIM number. It came back with a big negative. Yet the Customer Service Reps and Sales claimed it was. Well, it isn't. Why? Despite what you read on Internet re the Galaxy A01, specifically one forum article asking whether it does support Wi-Fi Calling (answer = YES), eligibility is NOT by model, but by IMEI/Sim! My reconditioned on did NOT. So, my wife got her Emergency Phone (i.e., when away from home and no Wi-Fi), but cannot use Wi-Fi for calling to avoid minute deduction from a minute plan carried over from old phone! Whether Wi-Fi Internet works without deduction of data from plan is also unknown at this time. But, for those who don't realize it, even a deactivated smartphone can still use Wi-Fi and, thus, Internet without an ISP. Interesting! Thus, surely, data should not be deducted from an activated phone with data plan.

2. Clueless re specific phone support on their networks. Prior to buying the Samsung described in 1. above, I looked at a LG Classic Flip phone advertised at Best Buy and another one at Walmart. I needed to replace a 3G phone due to discontinuance of 3G by AT&T. I thought I'd call TRACFONE to determine whether they supported VoLTE (extension of 4G LTE which IS REQUIRED)-- note, just having 4G LTE does NOT mean 4G VoLTE. They could not tell me (3 different people) despite being at Tracfone sold by the two retailers. As it turned out, today they have the LG Classis Flip L125DL phone on the Tracfone website on sale! Had I ignored them when researching, I'd have my emergency phone to replace the 3G LG. It DOES support VoLTE. It isn't a smartphone and doesn't have Wi-Fi; but, we didn't need that on this emergency phone. The Samsung Galaxy reconditioned phone above was even more inexpensive and I bit at that. So, I gained Internet over Cellular Network with the Samsung. Guess I live with it not being able to use Wi-Fi Calling. byw: Wi-Fi Calling is a + when you are in an area where Cellular Network is not available or too weak. We lived in such an area for 10 years. Had satellite Internet hookup, so had Wi-Fi. A mobile with Wi-Fi Calling would work there allowing us to use calling functions up on the mountain where no Cellular was available AND the mobile network when in an available area.

3. Customer Service: I'd give TRACFONE service a 3 out of 10 based on the issues I had. The wait times were astronomical to get to 1st level, I was disconnected 30% of the time meaning call back and experience the wait queue again. Like other service today, they follow a script -- you know the drill: is it plugged in? Did you try 3 different browsers? Reboot it and try again, or experience issue again. Every call lasted a minimum of at least 30-40 minutes up to 2 hours before you get to a real technician. I give the higher tech level reps a 9. However, phone connection quality plagued me several times -- breaking up or echoing my conversations back to me. And, the accents were impossible to understand, particularly for me who has hearing problems where higher voice frequencies present an exponential problem and 95% of the 1st line seems to be a female -- good at script and responses, but impossible to understand the first 4-5 times. Even my wife couldn't understand them. Did I get accurate answers? Most of the time NOT. After weeks and many calls they finally agreed with issues and the answer was send back for refund or just sorry you are having this issue. Frustrating!

1133. "Bricks and Bones" by J.D. Allen -- 5 Stars

 

Bricks and Bones by J.D. Allen  --  5 Stars

Publisher: Severn River Publishing

ISBN: 9781648751899

 

Since I had read and enjoyed the first four books in the Sin City Investigations series, I was anxious to read the newest edition. I was not disappointed.

 Las Vegas in the time of the Rat Pack and The Outfit is contrasted with the present city. The plot is fast paced, unique, full complex characters, and twisty with an unexpected conclusion. Great book. 

 

Reviewer: Nancy