Whatsapp Messenger for your PC, laptop or tablet...

Whatsapp Messenger is now accessible via your PC or Mac.  This adds the ability to send more images, words etc to your contacts that aren't available on your mobile device.

To make it happen, follow these steps:

1. Update Whatsapp to the latest version on your mobile device.
2. Go to https://web.whatsapp.com/.  The page should display a QR code.
3. Open whatsapp on your mobile and select 'Whatsapp Web' (see image below) and scan the QR code on your PC.   You don't need any other scanning software to do this - it's done within the Whatsapp interface on your mobile.

1. Do the same for other devices - eg your tablet, laptop etc...

...and you're away.

Now you can send files that aren't stored on your mobile for free via your internet connection.

Why use Whatsapp?  it allows you to contact any mobile phone number anywhere (here or abroad - providing there's a data connection) and you can send messages as free texts or you can send attachments.  If you have an unlimited data plan - there's no need to change anything.  However, if you have a limited data plan or access your data while 'roaming' it's best to restrict the app to 'Wi-Fi' connection only.

It's free to use for year 1 and then costs $0.99 per annum (currently).  You can download it here.

Villayat 'Wolf' Sunkmanitu

How to setup an 'Automatic backup' of your images, videos, documents etc from Android phones ...

Microsoft Onedrive can be a very useful tool for backing up your android phone.  It's free and easy to setup and you'll have a copy of the images and videos available online for downloading and sharing.

Follow these steps:

1.  Setup a free hotmail account from here.  If you already have one - log into it ... or setup a Microsoft account using your own email address by clicking here.

2.  Download and run the Onderdive app from Google Play Store - here.

3.  Configure your android device to backup automatically via Wi-Fi.

4.  Configure your android device to only backup when the power lead is connected if you so wish.

5.  Log into your PC's hotmail address again and click the icon with 9 squares - top left and then select the Onderive icon.  You should see your photos appear there on your PC if you've set it up right.

If you have Windows 8.1, access Onedrive from your PC - go to 'Pictures' and then you  will see a folder called 'Camera roll' there - it should contain all of your images and videos that you've taken from your mobile phone.

If you have a tablet or other notebook/laptops etc running Windows 8.1 and you've logged in to the systems using your Microsoft account (which can be your own email address - eg jbloggs@one,com or your Hotmail account) you will be able to access everything - including the documents that you've stored there on any system that you log in to  - including your mobile.

All the best

Villayat 'Wolf' Sunkmanitu

NB This has been done on a Samsung S4 Mini and a Samsung S5 using the methods above without using Samsung Link.  The data linked across from a PC to a Linx Tablet and to the Android without a problem.

Updating a Samsung NP-N145P (NP-N145-JP04UK) Netbook to Windows 8.1

Hi Folks,

Here's the disclaimer:  This process worked for me but if something goes wrong with your

attempt, I'm not liable for any damage caused as you are following these guidelines at

your own risk.

If you have the following Netbook NP-N145P (NP-N145-JP04UK) and have problems updating it to Windows 8.1,I got around it by doing the following:

I bought a full licenced copy of Win8.1 from the Microsoft store.  This means I'm covered for

30 days in case something goes wrong and I get a full refund from Microsoft.

1. Don't do this over a wireless connection - it takes too long.  Get yourself a network lead and connect it up to your hub.  If it's decent hub it should be capable of wired and

wireless connections.  BACKUP ALL OF YOUR DATA, FILES, PHOTOS ETC TO A CD OR 

SOME OTHER BACKUP DEVICE BEFORE YOU START.

2.  Follow the instructions on the email from Microsoft and copy the registration number.

Copy the setup file from Microsoft to a USB drive.  The system will download files and

ask you whether you want to run the installation from the local machine or create

'installation media' on a USB drive or a CD. I opted for a USB drive. It will make it 'bootable'.  

DO NOT TRY TO UPGRADE THE EXISTING INSTALLATION OF WINDOWS7.  Opt 

for a 'new' installation and keep it clean.

3.  Shut down your PC after the system has finished making the bootable USB drive.

Re-start the system and alter your BIOS Boot priority to recognise and boot the USB drive

as the first drive for the installation process.

4.  Make sure that you save all of your data, work files and photos etc that you want to keep

you get to this stage!

5.  When the installation actual starts it will then ask you whether you want to keep work files.  Click 'no' because you should have already have saved them by now.  Then it will ask you if you want to upgrade or do a new installation.  Select 'new installation'.

You will then be given the option to delete the existing partitions.  The only one you won't be able to delete is the 'Recovery' partition.  Once you've deleted them - create two new partitions with about equal size.  Use the C: drive for the OS and the D: drive as a data backup location.  The USB key will take it from here.

6.  The main problems were the following - an  upgrade install kept crashing out on the upgrade install options and I had was that the screen resolution was too low to run most of the basic Win8.1 apps that were part of the OS.  Windows 8.1 wouldn't allow me to install the graphics drivers through allowing it to search the Internet or the local system itself.  I got around this by running the actual program for the Windows 7 VGA drivers on the following link: 

http://www.samsung.com/uk/support/model/NP-N145-JP04UK.  I then had to override the OS and insist it use these old drivers.

You should be okay now for both wired and wireless connection and a screen resolution that will work with Windows 8.1.

Here's the disclaimer again:  This process worked for me but if something goes wrong with your attempt, I'm not liable for any damage caused as you are following these guidelines at

your own risk.

Villayat 'Wolf' Sunkmanitu

PS It now runs a lot quicker without all of the manufacturer's additional software on there.