Matt's Repository

The 2018 "feature update" for Windows 10, also known as Update #1803, breaks the Epson Scan Utility software. This affects all compatible devices including Epson's dedicated line of scanners from the V300 to the V600 on up.

When the problem occurs, you'll see a small Epson window flicker in the bottom corner of the screen and sometimes bounce around sporadically. The app locks up and your only recourse is to terminate the software through the Task Manager and then power your device off and on again. This happens most commonly after switching to a different application and then back. Read Full Article

Although there are many accessibility options integrated into modern operating systems and software applications, increasing the default zoom level of received messages in Microsoft Outlook remains surprisingly complicated and inhibiting. I have recently been assisting with computer setup and tutoring of a friend who has macular degeneration, which makes it increasingly difficult to read small text. One of the more difficult tasks was personalizing Outlook 2016 to make the baseline text much larger with minimal required user interaction. Below is a summary of my tribulations and my most recommended way to configure Outlook for those with advanced vision impairment.

These instructions should be equally applicable to Outlook 2010 and Outlook 2013, but have not been tested. Read Full Article

When I received the new Oculus Rift last month, one of the bundled accessories was a wireless Xbox One controller with a wireless USB adapter. Curiously, despite my system being completely up-to-date, the plug-and-play driver installation was never able to succeed correctly. I have seen similar issues pop up occasionally on Facebook and other discussion groups.

The official Microsoft support link on troubleshooting the wireless adapter suggest a wide range of potential solutions, none-of-which helped in my situation. At the end of the first solution that most closely matched my issue ("The adapter didn't auto-install"), Microsoft tells the reader to attempt the uninstall/update process once more and "if this doesn't work, your adapter needs to be replaced." Luckily that isn't really the case and the fix only takes a moment to apply. Read Full Article

When I list items for sale on eBay, I use a custom-developed HTML template with the item's pictures uploaded externally and embedded into the description for more visual appeal than what eBay provides. This allows me to apply custom styles to the images via CSS, provide descriptive content below specific images and generally offers a lot more flexibility and professionalism.

By default, eBay allows you to upload up to 12 images for free to be included in the ad, and requires uploading at least one image through their service to be displayed in the auction results and so forth. The images uploaded in this manner appear at the very top of the auction page alongside the auction metadata. These eBay-hosted pictures are scaled to 500x375px regardless of the user's screen resolution, with an option to view larger versions by clicking/hovering over them. Read Full Article