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.