Monthly Archives: April 2016

Computers, Software

Show All System Tray Icons In Windows 10

In Windows 10, someone decided to change the name of the System Tray.  It is now called the Notification Area.

Here is how to show all Icons in the Windows Notification Area. (Well, it’s one way to get there.)

  1. Right-click a free spot on the Taskbar and left-click select Properties.  The Taskbar and Start Menu Properties will appear.Capture01
  2. Next to the words “Notification Area:” Click the Customize Button. Edge will open and the left menu will automatically highlight Notifications and Actions. Capture03
  3. Select the Link on the right that says “Select which icons appear on the taskbar.”  Why they call it the Taskbar at this point is a misnomer, or rather misleading. But this will take you to the appropriate “Settings” screen for Taskbar / or  / Notification Area Icons.Capture02
  4. Select or Turn “ON” or “OFF” beneath the phrase “Always show all icons in the Notification Area.”
  5. X-out of Edge.
Computers, Software

Upgrading from Windows 10 Home to Windows 10 Professional

If you performed a clean install of the 64-bit version of Windows 10  using the DVD that burned from the downloaded ISO resulting from using the Microsoft Media Creation Tool, it is possible that you were not given the option to install Windows 10 Professional, but instead, by default, Windows 10 Home version was installed.  You can force an upgrade to Windows 10 Professional, then activate it if you have a valid product key for the following operating systems.

Make sure that you have a valid product key for Windows 7 Ultimate, Windows 7 Professional, Windows 8 Pro, Windows 8 Pro Pack, or Windows 8.1 Pro Pack.  These keys will activate installations of Windows 10 Professional.

If you created a Windows 10 Installation DVD by using the Microsoft Windows Media Creation Tool (by Creating an ISO image that you burned to DVD), then it is possibly that when you try to install the 64 bit version of Windows 10 as a clean install (not as an upgrade to an activated system), the installation DVD may not offer you the option to install Windows 10 Professional.  Instead, Windows 10 Home is installed by default.  In order to upgrade to Windows 10 Professional, you must first remove the product KEY that was automatically installed from the DVD install.

Open an elevated “administrative” command prompt and Change the current directory as follows:

cd\windows\system32

Run the following command from the prompt in order to uninstall the product key, thus removing the default Windows 10 Home installation product key:

slmgr.vbs /upk

Now to upgrade the fresh OS Installation from Windows 10 Home to Windows 10 Pro:

  • Select Windows 10 Home Start Button, then select Settings > Update & Security > Activation.
  • Select Change Product Key, and then enter this 25-character default product key:
    VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T
  • This product key will upgrade your devide to Windows 10 Pro, but it won’t activate it.
  • Select Next to upgrade to Windows 10 Pro.
  • After your device is upgraded to Windows 10 Pro, you will need to activate Windows.  Select the Start button, then select Settings > Update & Security > Activation.
  • Select Change Product Key, and then enter your 25-character Windows 7 Ultimate, Windows 7 Professional, Windows 8 Pro, Windows 8 Pro Pack, or Windows 8.1 Pro Pack product key.
  • Select Next to activate Windows 10 Pro.
Home and Garden

Where Can I Buy These Screws to Repair Solar Panel leaks

Where can I purchase these repair screws to repair leaks in my swimming pool solar panels?

Please send your e-mail replies to Repair.Screws@SheldonsBlog.com

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When a single tube springs a leak, you cut away the single leaky tube at the bottom and top PVC headers, and then insert the screws into the bottom and top header.  Tighten it down, but not too tight.  No more leaky tube because the water flow is shut off to the tube from top and bottom.

Horse Racing

Barry’s 2016 Kentucky Derby Update

April 2nd’s million dollar Florida Derby needs to update my last summary of the standing for the Run for the Roses on May 2. Normally I would wait till my next weekly report; but the Florida Derby was so impressive and since I failed to mention the winner; we must tell you about this race.

Nyquist an unbeaten horse in 7 starts won the Florida Derby in impressive and memorable fashion. His jockey, Mario Gutierriz, gave an incredible ride to demolish a 10 horse field and dash any hopes of a Derby win for second choice Mohaman. The replay shows Gutierriz muzzled the horse for nearly the first half mile of the race and he still had the lead setting a moderate pace which some handicappers will criticize unfairly. Two other horses pressured him down the back stretch, a tactic which will wear down many lesser horses. Mohaman lay just off his two rivals set to pounce on Nyquist as they entered the far turn. But no ! With a single look between his legs, Gutierriz hand rode his horse through the turn and into the stretch as Mohaman seemed incapable of gaining on him. He made his only mistake when he tapped Nyquist twice with his whip which made the horse veer out slightly as he moved to the wire; but soon gathered him and regained his momentum. He finished strong increasing his lead to 4 lengths.

One final point, my sentimental favorite Airoforce put in a dismal performance in the April 2nd Spiral Stakes at Turfway Park and is dropped from my Derby Watch List. April 9th will tell the rest with the Wood Memorial in New York, the Blue Grass Stakes at Keenland and the Santa Anita Derby at LA’s Santa Anita Racetrack.

Horse Racing

2016 Kentucky Derby – May 7 – Churchill Downs

April 2 may mean Spring to most; but to me, it means one month to the most important day of the year….the first Saturday in May….DERBY DAY !

Well it is clearly too soon to predict a winner as I did last year…well sorta; but it is time to outline the top contenders:

We have Gun Runner a nice horse who had a winning albeit easy trip in the recent Louisiana Derby. He needs blinkers and a better rider; but may improve before May 7.

I like Flexibility who may be the first New York horse in a long time with a real chance to win the Derby. His win in the Withers however was a joke and his rider Ortiz sucks. So he will need some improvement.

Exaggerator is impressive. His close in the San Felipe Handicap was amazing and caught my attention. Watch out for this long shot at Churchill in May.

Airoforce One is my long shot early pick; but he ran terrible in his last start at Louisiana Derby finishing 10th. But if he recovers I am telling you this one has the strongest right lead in the stretch and I hope they give him another start.

Gun Runner is the likely favorite at this point. Picking a winner now is like trying to figure out who can win the Republican nomination…lol. I have a lot more research to do and races to watch so stay tuned.

Barry