Wireless Connectivity with Chrome OS Flex

My Core Innovations Windows 10 S Mode, laptop was previously configured to run Windows 10. Currently, it doesn't meet the requirements to upgrade to Windows 11. So I changed the operating system to Chrome OS Flex. However, certain features do not work with Chrome OS Flex, including my wireless network adapter.  I previously tried to use the TP-Link Nano USB WiFi adapter, but when I attempted to view network devices, there were no networks available. 

Ultimately, I wanted a device that was portable, which could allow my laptop to wirelessly connect to the internet. So, I found the VONETS VAP11G-300 network device. It can be used a bridge, access point or a repeater. I used this device as a bridge. A bridge is primarily used to manage or segment networks. My laptop does not have an ethernet port, so I also had to use The TP-Link USB to Ethernet Adapter. The TP-Link USB to Ethernet Adapter works great and no drivers are required. 

The VONETS VAP11G-300 has 2 cables : 1 Ethernet , 1 USB A (power cord). In my example, using this device as a bridge:

a. Plug the Vonets USB cable, into your laptop for power (5W) - Or you can use a power cord adapter, then plug it into a power outlet, for power. But I aiming for the more portable setup. So everything will be plugged into my laptop. 

b. Next, plug the Ethernet cord in your computer's Ethernet port.

c. Lastly, you will go to the Vonets interface portal, which is listed in the instructional manual. Login, then you will select scan, select your network, then connect the device to your WiFi connection. Make sure you click restart to save changes, which is located towards the bottom of the screen. Once it restarts, wait about 60 seconds, then you will be able to browse the internet, on your Chrome OS Flex device.

Links to each product are below. By using the links below, as an Amazon Affiliate, I will receive credit for referrals. Products List:

1. VONETS VAP11G-300 WiFi Bridge 2.4GHz WiFi to Ethernet Convert/WiFi Repeater/Point to Point with RJ45 Male DC/USB Powered for PLC IP Camera Printer Medical Devices Network Devices

https://amzn.to/3IpJKUx

2. TP-Link USB to Ethernet Adapter, Foldable USB 3.0 to 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet LAN Network Adapter, Support Windows 10/8.1/8/7/Vista/XP for Desktop Laptop Apple MacBook Linux (UE300)

https://amzn.to/3IqBVOz

Not Receiving GMail Notifications for Android

For Android 11, you can first go to your phone's settings menu. Then select Apps and Notifications. Then select Gmail. Now, please view your Gmail Notifications, settings. And make sure they are turned on. You can turn on or off the categories, depending on notification type.

Now, in the settings menu of the GMail app, select Storage and Cache, Next clear the cache. Then clear the storage. Initially, I was reluctant to reinstall the app or clear the storage, in the phone's settings menu. Because I didn't want to reenter my account information. However, once I cleared data and reloaded my mail accounts, then I started to received email notifications in a timely manner.

I made no setting changes. But, after several automatic GMAIL app updates, my emails notifications were not working. This process allowed me to receive notifications for Gmail, Outlook and Yahoo accounts using the GMAIL app. Common issues are not receiving email notifications until the app is open, or not receiving email notifications at all. This process should not delete any of your emails or files. So, to reenable notifications, then you should clear the cache and storage, which should fix the issue. If not uninstall, then reinstall the app.

Uninstall Chrome OS Flex - Enterprise Enrollment

Initially, Enterprise Enrollment allowed you to sign in with a personal email address and the company would not restrict access, with a personal email address. However, eventually there were more restrictions. Eventually, I couldn't browse social media sites. Then, I began to receive a message that stated, I was not authorized to access the device with my personal credentials. Even though it was my laptop, that I purchased with my own money. Ultimately, I decided to install Chrome OS Flex, without Enterprise Enrollment.

To uninstall Chrome OS Flex Enterprise Enrollment, plug in your OS Flex USB installer. Next, boot into the bios Boot Manager, by repeatedly pressing F7. However, your function key may be different, depending on your brand of computer [check with your manufacturer]. At first, I had UEFI enabled and I tried to boot into the USB hard disk, but it didn't boot. It kept loading the OS. So, then I switched USB ports and it still didn't boot to the installer. Ultimately, I had to disable UEFI boot and enable legacy boot. Then it worked. I'd like to place a disclaimer: I may haven been impatient and did not wait long enough. But I eventually switched to legacy Boot and disabled UEFI in the bios. So, UEFI could possibly be enabled and still work to reinstall Chrome OS Flex. But it didn't work for me.

Once you boot to the USB, using your Chrome OS Flex USB installer, you will see the chromeOS Flex logo, which loads for several minutes. It may take 3 minutes or so for it to load. So be patient! Afterwards, you will be prompted to install Chrome OS Flex on the computer or choose to boot it directly from the USB stick.

To view the video version of Uninstall ChromeOS- Flex Enterprise Enrollment, go to: 

https://youtu.be/T6vl6ejUFd4 

Tips:

1. This article can be used to uninstall either Chrome OS Flex or Chrome OS Flex - Enterprise Enrollment

2. You can also uninstall, then boot to another OS 

Please like, subscribe & check out my YouTube videos:

How to Install ChromeOS Flex For Free

https://youtu.be/ck1jDsNKLbE

How to Tether with Chrome OS Flex

https://youtu.be/TA7irErBRQQ

Display Your Chromebook on Your TV

https://youtu.be/DapBKUI01H0

Using a PoE Injector & an USB C to Ethernet Adapter with a Cellphone

In what situation would you use a PoE Injector and an USB C to Ethernet Adapter, to receive an internet connection from a cellphone? If your internet connection is unavailable at the location you are at, then you may need an alternate way to connect to the internet. A PoE Injector sends power to a PoE device, and will deliver power up to a predefined distance. The device can be used with an access point, router or switch to power IP cameras, etc. Also, the PoE Injector may be required in order to operate certain devices.  

This article will detail the use of the TP-Link USB Type-C to RJ45 Gigabit-Ethernet Network Adapter, an Android phone and a Cisco PoE Injector. The TP-Link USB Network Adapter is compatible with : Windows, macOS, Chrome OS and Linux OS. Below are some of the ways you can use a PoE Injector, a USB C to Ethernet Adapter and a cellphone. 

1. The PoE Injector can be used to power an IP camera, IP phone, a wireless access point or switch.

2.  The PoE Injector is great for spaces with limited electrical outlets. For example, you could connect a wireless access point to a PoE injector, then connect your camera to the wireless access point. This would allow you to use only one socket, while receiving a signal from an access point, in a remote place, like an outhouse.

3. You can also connect your cell phone to a PoE injector, which would allow it to receive an internet connection in a remote place. For example, if your power went out you could use a back up battery to power the PoE injector. Then connect your hotspot to your PoE injector via a USB Type-C, Ethernet Network Adapter. Next, connect your camera to the hotspot. So you are able to run your IP camera in a power outage, using this scenario.

My Android cellphone runs on 3G and 5G networks. Speeds on the 5G network were 10 times faster. Both speeds were sufficient to run an IP camera. For example, "Ring devices function best when upload and download speeds are around 2 Mbps or greater."1 So if you are concerned about speed, both 5G and 3G speeds offer quality data transfer speed. In addition, the USB C to Ethernet Adapter can be used to tether to your laptop, or any Ethernet device. There is no software required to use the TP-Link Ethernet Network Adapter or the Cisco PoE Injector. They work great and I definitely recommend the products. 

Speed test on a 3G phone                     Speed test on a 5G phone
Download 32Mbps                                 Download 369Mbps 

References

1. https://support.ring.com/hc/en-us/articles/360020638172-Test-Your-Wifi-Connections

Install ChromeOS Flex on a PC For Free

Do you have an old computer that you would like to upgrade? If your Windows computer does not meet the minimum requirements to run Windows 11, then ChromeOS Flex may be a great option for you. You can update a laptop or a desktop that meets the ChromeOS Flex minimum requirements. As of early 2023 you need 4GB of RAM, 16GB of storage and a X86 or 64Bit processor, to install the ChromeOS Flex operating system. You can search for keyword "System Information" on your Windows computer, in order to view your computer information.

According to Chrome, because of its use of sandbox technology, ChromeOS provides an excellent level of security.  Reference Link: https://support.google.com/chromeosflex/answer/11552529. The installation requirements are not extensive. Chrome OS Flex is a slightly different version of Chrome OS.-1 Overall the operating system is great. However I did encounter issues with ChromeOS Flex on my Windows 10, 64 Bit laptop, 4GB Ram:

1. The Wi-Fi adapter was not recognized on my laptop. Because my laptop does not have an ethernet port, the work around is to use an ethernet adapter. USB tethering also worked. You are still able to use the device as a Guest, but cannot browse many of the apps without a network connection.
2.  My Bluetooth adapter was not recognized
3. There are several online blogs that inform you how to dual boot ChromeOS Flex and Windows. Although it possible, it is quite extensive. So, I opted to install ChromeOS Flex pnly on my Windows laptop.

My multifunction printer worked great. It was not automatically added by ChromeOS Flex, but once I typed in the IP address of the printer, it was readily added as a network printer. My camera worked great as well. You can find out more information about ChromeOS Flex installation at https://support.google.com/chromeosflex#topic=11618314. 

Some of you may want to use your device innkeeping with your company's customization standards. You can install the device as a standard user or you can select Enterprise Enrollment. Don't worry if you change jobs, you are able to change your installation type, so that you are not subject to Enterprise Enrollment. Some companies do not allow you to sign in with an outside Google account, however I was able to sign out of my company account and sign in with a personal email address. Although, your personal account is still subject to Enterprise Enrollment restrictions.

1-https://support.google.com/chromeosflex/answer/11542901

How to Create a Home Media Streaming Service Pt. 2

"How to Create a Home Media Streaming Service" is inspired by an article I wrote called "Review of the TP-Link Archer C2300 Dual Band MU-MIMO Gigabit Wi-Fi Router". However now, I would like to inform users about  how I used the Archer C2300 Router to create my own, home streaming service. Yes, you can stream your own videos and music at home on various devices, at the same time, without having to purchase a server . 

I recommend the TP-Link Archer C2300 Router, because you can access files that are attached to the router, on multiple devices, even while connected to other networks, without accessing a host "computer". So there are 2 ways you can accomplish this task using the TP-Link Archer C2300 Dual Band MU-MIMO Gigabit Wi-Fi Router and the VLC Media Player

1. Using an old router with a media port/USB port

2. SMB or FTP

View the FULL article for more details @

https://oliviatwostreams.blogspot.com/2022/12/how-to-create-home-streaming-service.html

How to Create a Home Media Streaming Service

"How to Create a Home Media Streaming Service" is inspired by an article I wrote called "Review of the TP-Link Archer C2300 Dual Band MU-MIMO Gigabit Wi-Fi Router". However now, I would like to inform users how I used the Archer C2300 Router to create a home media streaming service. I recommend the TP-Link Archer C2300 Dual Band MU-MIMO Gigabit Wi-Fi Router, because you can access files that are attached to the router, on multiple devices even while connected to other networks, without accessing a host "computer". So there are 3 ways you can accomplish this task using the TP-Link Archer C2300 Dual Band MU-MIMO Gigabit Wi-Fi Router and a media player.

Use an old router on the local area network with no internet access. Yes, no internet access is required. The great thing about this option, is that you can stream media throughout your home with only an external hard drive and NO internet connection. Which means, you can stream home videos, music and pictures on multiple devices (phones, televisions, tablets) in your home. You can also place the router in locations in your home, which are not near your modem or Optical Network Terminal. The issue with this method, is that if devices on other networks want to access the media, then they must connect to the network and it cannot be accessed outside of the LAN unless its connected to the internet. To get started just plug your hard drive into the router, then go into the router's interface to obtain the router's local FTP address. You will need to enter that local FTP address into the VLC Media Player. In the past, most home routers didn't include USB ports, which were specifically for file sharing. However the TP-Link Archer C2300 allows you to attach a network storage device directly to the router. Previously, you needed to use your computer as a file server or connect a storage device to your computer or you needed a remote desktop client1.

(I) FTP

If your device is not on the same network as the local network, then you should choose the FTP option. If your FTP server is not connected to your computer, then in this case, with the TP-Link Archer C2300 Dual Band MU-MIMO Gigabit Wi-Fi Router, you will need to use the username/password of the administrator or the user you have created on the router interface. The FTP option requires: 

a. The IP address of the FTP server, which usually comes from the router interface
b. A username/password from a user of the router

TP Link Router Interface

a. On the router interface click USB Sharing >USB Storage Device and name your server. My server is called mysharename. Notice FTP (Via Internet) does not have an IP address, because my router is not connected to a modem. My FTP server is listed above and so is my local share, "\\mysharename".
b. Make you select the content that you wish to share by checking options under Share Selected Folders.
c. By selecting Advanced, you are able to create server/share usernames & passwords. You are also able to modify permissions.

d. Lastly, open VLC Media Player on your phone or TV, then go to Browse>ellipsis aka the 3 dots in the upper right hand corner>select Add a server favorite. Then you will type your FTP server and router user account name in the ftp:// fields.

(II). SMB / share

In the VLC Media Player , under Local Network storage using Android 10,  the SMB protocol option  allows you to utilize a local user computer account (ex. Windows user account), on the same network as your networking device (ex. a phone). So the device that you are attempting to access, let’s say a computer, must be on the same network as the device you are attempting to access it from, let’s say a phone.

a. In Windows 10 please ensure that you enable network discovery, by going to Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Network and Sharing Center\Advanced sharing settings

b. To access the SMB option click Browse>The SMB folder should automatically appear>You will need to type in the username and password to the computer that you are attempting to access
c. The downside to this option, is that the computer must remain on

How to Create a Home Media Streaming Service: also go to youtu.be/KcibG8vM_ls (Audio Only)

(III) Enable Windows Media Player as a media server

a. In Windows 10 please ensure that you enable media streaming on the local network by going to the Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Network and Sharing Center\Media streaming options

b. Open Windows Media Player and then go to the VLC media player to access the media, which should be listed under Local Network
c. The downside to this option, is that computer must always be on. Windows Media Player does not have to stay open.

(IV) References

1. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/remote/remote-desktop-services/clients/remote-desktop-clients Accessed on 6/20/22
2. https://computertechnicians.com.au/synology-nas-vs-windows-file-server/ Accessed on 12/19/22
3. https://www.vlchelp.com/access-media-upnp-dlna/ Accessed on 12/19/22
4. https://www.videolan.org/, VideoLAN, a project and a non-profit organization, Accessed on 12/19/22

Cellphone Carriers Ending 3G Service

The article called, "The 3G Shutdown: How Will It Affect Your Phone?1" explains, that "...all three major US carriers are shutting down their 3G networks." Carriers did announce the shutdown during the 1st quarter of 2022. In addition, according to FCC.gov, T-Mobile will be the last major networks shutting down its service July 1, 2022. 2 As of 06/28/22 www.t-mobile.com and https://www.verizon.com/only have 4G, 4GLTE, & 5G phones available for purchase. Phasing out 3G cellular service, force a consumer to upgrade their phone. Phones that operate on 2G (40Kbps) and Edge (384Kbps)3 offer speeds that don't allow for optimal streaming services speeds. So most consumers with 3G service or less, should be on their way to their nearest cellular store, to purchase a 4G or better phone. None of the cellular phone companies stated that 2G cellular service would be phased out. More than likely because in rural areas with low signal, 2G would be definitely better than no service at all.

1.https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/the-3g-shutdown-how-will-it-affect-your-phone
2. https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/plan-ahead-phase-out-3g-cellular-networks-and-service
3.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2G#:~:text=With%20General%20Packet%20Radio%20Service%20%28GPRS%29%2C%202G%20offers,transfer%20speed%20of%20384%20kbit%2Fs%20%2848%20kB%2Fs%29.%20