Unable to update Linux Mint due to being unable to locate repos.

I recently had the issue where I was unable to Linux Mint.
There were errors about not being able resolve various repos.
I tried updating the nameserver for the DNS and setting repos back to default an also to using local repos. Nothing worked.
I then tried clearing the APT cache and this worked. The cache was corrupted.
sudo rm -r /var/lib/apt/lists/*
sudo apt update

Suspend menu option vanishes in Linux Mint

This has happened a few times for me so I am documenting it for next time and for other people with the same issue.
Run the following command in a terminal.
bash
gsettings reset-recursively org.cinnamon.settings-daemon.plugins.power
Yes there are many other things to try but this works reliably for me with no need to reboot.
Note: It will take a few minutes to display. I was closing all apps to reboot after modifying Grub but found the option in place.
FYI.
Here are the fixes for Grub iof needed.
bash
sudo xed /etc/default/grub
Find the line GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT.
Change it to add one of these common ACPI fixes:
bash
# Try this one first
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet splash acpi_sleep=nonvs"
# Other options to try if the first fails:
# GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet splash acpi=force"
# GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet splash pci=noacpi" # More drastic Save the file (Ctrl+O, Enter, Ctrl+X), then update GRUB and reboot:
bash
sudo update-grub
sudo reboot

Wobbly windows !

One of the things I like to do is have 'wobbly windows' in my Linux Mint install.
Why? I thinks it's kind of cool and Windows and Apple can't do it which makes it even cooler.

Open Extensions:
Press the Super key (Windows key) and type "Extensions", then open the application.
Find Extension:
Click the "Download" button or search for "Compiz windows effect" (or "Wobbly windows").
Install:
Click the plus (+) icon next to the extension to install it.
Enable:
Go back to the "Manage" tab, find the extension, and toggle it on.
Apply Fix (Optional but Recommended):
For smoother redraws, open a terminal and run in a bash terminal:
echo "CLUTTER_PAINT=continuous-redraw" | sudo tee -a /etc/environment && sudo reboot
Test:
Drag a window around to see the wobble.

Running a local AI called Ollama - No internet required!

I have been using a Standalone AI at home. By Standalone I mean it needs no internet access. 

This is private and secure. It also means if you run it on a laptop, in a blackout you still have access to AI's smarts as long as the laptop has power.

I use Ollama on Windows. This program loads a model with specialised knowledge, like medicine, or general knowledge. I find most models can answer most questions, though specialised models will have greater knowledge in their area of expertise.

First steps:
Download  Ollama here

Now you need to download models to load. They are searchable on the same Ollama download page.
Hint: If you have an older PC and don't have an AI chip in your computer, try the lightweight models as the bigger ones can be very slow to answer questions. By slow I mean many seconds to minutes to reply. If unsure you will find out soon enough when you ask questions.

The following commands are run in a powershell window.

To download a model and run it:

$ ollama run <some model>

eg. ollama run llama3.2

To download a model but not run it:

$ ollama pull <some model>

To delete a model:

$ ollama rm <some model>

To find out what models you have installed:

$ ollama list

To update the models you have downloaded previously:

ollama list | Select-Object -Skip 1 | ForEach-Object {
    $model = ($_ -split '\s+')[0]
    if ($model -and $model -ne "NAME") {
        Write-Host "Updating model: $model"
        ollama pull $model
    }
}

How I fix a USB to HDMI adaptor that stops working in Windows 10

This is how I fix a USB to HDMI adaptor that stops working in Windows 10.

• Open Task Manager (CTRL+ALT+DEL, choose Task Manager option).
• Find Windows USB Display (32 bit) and End Task on it.
• Install the driver software. Note: It will state it needs to uninstall the original software and then ask to reboot. I found the reboot unnecessary. Just allow the uninstall and continue the installation.
• If it still isn't working, reboot.

How to login to Linux when you have forgotten the password.

You cannot recover the original password but you can change it to enable log in.

Hold down the Shift key when you boot until you get the Grub menu.

Choose the item (usually the second one) that reads something like Ubuntu, with Linux ... (recovery mode).

When it boots, select the option "root -- Drop to root shell prompt".

You will see a flashing cursor. Type the following and press Enter:

passwd user

but replace "user" with your username. Type the new password when prompted (twice).

Then press Ctrl-Alt-Delete to reboot normally.

Credit to the original author here.

Adding language packs when options are greyed out in Windows 10

After Googling for a fix I inadvertantly found the fix myself.

Open Settings->Time & Language->Language.

I found that my language was installed BUT my language had no Microphone icon in its list

Clicking the language displayed Options. Clicking Options gave me the ability to add Speech and Handwriting.

The above image is after adding the Speech.