Reader Support
Your tech problems fixed
Why is my PC saying ‘MIC On’ when I boot it up?
Q IN a recent issue you explained how to install and use Godmode (see Issue 492, page 51). I followed the steps precisely. Now whenever my PC boots up it says out loud ‘MIC On’. I don’t even have a mic connected. Please help. Jeremy Newman Awe’d
never heard of this happening before, but we don’t think this has anything to do with Godmode. We confirmed with Jeremy that he didn’t have a microphone connected to his PC. So we considered the possibility that the ‘MIC On’ message might refer to Wi-fi encryption (MIC stands for Message Integrity Code and is related to Wi-fi access).
Jeremy then contacted us again to let us know that Microsoft’s support team had found a fix for the problem, so we thought we’d share it. Press the Windows key+r to bring up the Run box, type msconfig, then press Enter. Tick ‘Hide all Microsoft services’ (see screenshot above right), then click OK and restart your PC. Once it boots, repeat the process but this time untick ‘Hide all Microsoft services’ and reboot your PC again. This resets Windows on your PC.
Where’s Cortana for IOS?
Q there seems to be a problem with the Cortana app for IOS covered in Issue 494 (page 51). It seems to be available in the itunes store in the US, but not in the UK. Could you clarify this please? B Bunker Acortana for IOS was scheduled to launch in the UK in December (at the same time as the Android app in the Google Play store), but after we went to press Apple announced it had been delayed for “a few weeks”. You can read the latest regarding Cortana’s updates on Microsoft’s blog ( www.snipca.com/23308). We will of course let you know when it does finally appear in the App Store.
Is em Client really the best replacement for WLM?
Q having read your feature (Issue 494, page 60) about support ending for Windows Live Mail (WLM) I downloaded and installed em Client as you suggested, and it seems to be working OK. However, I think you should point out that this client is only free if it’s used for no more than two email accounts. J Luxon
A you’re quite right, em Client does support only two email accounts for free – we should have pointed this out in the feature. However, we do stand by em Client as a great replacement for anyone who has no more than two email addresses.
For anyone who has more, try Mozilla Thunderbird ( www.snipca.com/23307). It isn’t as easy to use, but it’s still a great alternative for WLM. Once installed you’ll see a ‘Welcome to Thunderbird’ pop-up window. Untick the box and click ‘Skip this and use my existing email’ (see screenshot above right), then add the details of your existing email accounts.
Why is Malwarebytes’ scan taking so long?
QI took your advice (see Issue 493, page 57) and downloaded Malwarebytes Free. The first scans went OK, but then the ‘Heuristic analysis’ scan ran for two hours without any results. I uninstalled Malwarebytes and reinstalled it, but the same thing happened. Have I gone wrong somewhere? Alan Teale A the fix for this does involve uninstalling and reinstalling the software, but you need to use the specific instructions on Malwarebytes’ site ( www. snipca.com/23302).
We haven’t got space to include the whole process here, but you should follow the ‘Free version’ method (Method 2). The steps explain how to download the Malwarebytes AntiMalware Cleanup Utility to completely remove the current installation of Malwarebytes and install it afresh. Be aware that if you have paid for the Premium version of Malwarebytes you will need to find your licence code first (go to www.snipca.com/23315 and enter the email address you used when you bought the software). Alternatively, contact the company you bought it from.
If the problem persists you should consult Malwarebytes’ help forum at www. snipca.com/23304. Click Sign Up (top right) to create an account (then validate it in the email you receive). To submit your query click ‘+ Create’, Topic, click Malwarebytes 3.0 (in the ‘Malwarebytes for Home Support’ dropdown menu) then click Continue. Add a title, type your query, then click Submit Topic.