How to disable Copilot in Microsoft Excel

Copilot, Microsoft's generative AI tool, is enabled by default in modern versions of Excel, Word, and other Microsoft 365 (M365) apps. If you wish to disable Copilot in Excel, it can be done easily by following the steps below:

• Select the File tab (upper left)
• Select Options (lower left)
• Select Copilot (left sidebar)
• Uncheck the box next to Enable Copilot
• Select OK
• Close any open Excel windows
• Relaunch Excel

If you later change your mind, you can turn Copilot back on at any time by checking the Enable Copilot box and restarting Excel.

How to find the IP address of any device connected to your Verizon DSL router

Many networks use TCP/IP to communicate and exchange data over the network.  On TCP/IP networks, each connected device is given an IP address.  This IP address can be useful to know, and if you have a Verizon DSL router managing your network, you can use that router to find the IP address of any device connected to it (and even devices that were connected but aren't currently).

To find a device's IP address using your Verizon DSL router:

On a computer connected to your router, open your web browser (Firefox, Chrome, Edge, etc.).  In the browser's address bar, type in the IP address of your Verizon DSL router and press Enter.

🛈 If you're not sure of your router's IP address, it will probably be 192.168.1.1, 192.168.0.1, or 10.0.0.1.  If it's not any of those, this post "How to find the IP address of a router" can help you to find it.

Once you've input the router's IP address, the router's configuration utility will load.  You'll see a red and black page with the Verizon logo at the top, and then a bar with several options below that.  Click on the My Network icon on that bar.

A list of connected (and previously connected) devices will appear under the My Network heading.  The name of each device is displayed in bold; locate the device you're looking for on the list.  In the details below the device's name, you'll see its IP address.

🛈 If your router is using Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) to hand out IP addresses, the IP address for each device on your network (except your router) may change the next time you reboot or disconnect/reconnect that device.

(Originally posted to Helium.com, 2011)

How to set the IP address for a Ricoh Aficio MP 4001/5001 copier

To print to and scan from a multifunction copier on a TCP/IP network, the copier will need an IP address.  Some networks will use Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) to assign the IP address to the copier, but if you want the copier to keep its IP address permanently, you can manually assign it an address yourself.  This assignment can be done from a computer, using Ricoh's Web Image Monitor, or it can be done directly from the copier itself.

The instructions below explain how to assign an IPv4 address directly from the copier's operation panel.

🛈 These instructions also apply to other similar Aficio models, such as the MP 3500, MP 4500, MP 4000, and MP 5000, as well as some color-capable machines like the MP C3500, MP C4500, MP C4000, and MP C5000.

🛈 The copier's default gateway can be set in the same manner as the IP address; just select IPv4 Gateway Address from the Interface Settings tab instead of Machine IPv4 Address.

🛈 If the copier has a paper jam or is out of toner, you may not be able to access any settings until the condition has been fixed.

⚠ Before assigning an IP address to the copier, ensure that the specific address is not in use by another device, otherwise a connection conflict will occur.

1. Go into the System Settings menu

With the copier on and ready, press the User Tools/Counter button in the upper left corner of the operation panel.  When the User Tools menu appears, tap System Settings.

2. Go to the IP address settings

On the System Settings screen there will be a row of tabs toward the top of the screen.  Tap the tab labeled Interface Settings.  Then tap Machine IPv4 Address.

3. Disable DHCP

To manually enter an IP address, DHCP will have to be turned off.  There are two buttons toward the top of the screen -- Auto-Obtain (DHCP) and Specify.  If Specify is the highlighted button, then DHCP is already off.  If Specify is not highlighted, tap it to highlight it.

4. Enter the IP address

Below the DHCP settings, there is a line that says "Machine IPv4 Address" followed by a series of numbers.  Tap Change to the right of the numbers, then type in the IP address that you want to use.  After every three digits that you type, the cursor will automatically move to the next octet (set of three numbers) in the address.  If you type just one digit for an octet (such as "1" instead of "001") then you'll need to manually advance to the next octet by tapping the right arrow button on the screen.

Once you've entered the IP address, tap the onscreen pound (#) button or press the pound button on the keypad.

5. Enter the subnet mask

Enter the subnet mask the same way you entered the IP address: tap Change after Subnet Mask, enter the address, then press the pound button.  If you don't know what subnet mask to use, contact your network administrator.

6. Save the new IP address

Once you've entered both the IP address and subnet mask, tap OK in the upper right corner to save the information.  If you exit out of this screen without pressing OK, the new settings will not be saved.

7. Exit out of User Tools

Press the Exit button in the upper right corner of the screen to exit the System Settings menu, then press it again to exit User Tools.  After a few moments the new IP address should take effect; you can verify this by pinging the copier from a computer, or by trying to print to it.  If the new IP address does not take effect, turn the copier completely off and then turn it back on again.  (To turn it off, press the power button on the right side of the operation panel, wait for the screen to go dark and the green light to stop flashing, and then flip the orange power switch on the lower left side of the front of the copier.)

(Originally published on Helium.com, 2011)

How to disable Copilot in Windows Notepad

Like other Microsoft office apps, Windows Notepad now includes Copilot features built in. Some people may like the Copilot features (create a prompt-based draft document, summarize a document, change a document's tone or format, etc.) but others may rather disable Notepad's new AI-related capabilities.

If you want to disable Copilot in Windows Notepad, simply follow the steps below. You can re-enable Copilot at any time if you change your mind.

• Click or tap the Settings button (the gear icon) in the upper right corner of the Notepad window.

• Scroll down to the AI Features section of the Settings menu.
• The toggle switch next to Copilot will be set to On (if Copilot is enabled). Click or tap it to change it to Off. 

How to disable Copilot in Microsoft Word

Microsoft has integrated Copilot, its generative AI tool, into Word, Excel, and other Microsoft 365 applications. There are many benefits to using Copilot—which Microsoft is quick to point out—but it may not be for everyone. For example, with some layouts in Word, Copilot will superimpose its icon over the text (and possibly cursor) beneath it, as shown below.

Disabling Copilot in Microsoft Word is a simple process. If you ever want to reenable it, that can be done easily as well. To disable Copilot in Word, follow these steps:

• Select the File tab (upper left)
• Select Options (lower left)
• Select Copilot
• Uncheck the box next to Enable Copilot
• Select OK

How to display the IP address on an HP LaserJet 4250 printer

When an HP LaserJet 4250 printer is on and ready to print, the only thing displayed on the screen is "Ready."  However, you can set your printer to display its IP address.  Displaying the IP address isn't always necessary but can be helpful -- it prevents having to hunt through the onscreen menus to find it when you need it.

Follow the steps below to display the IP address for an HP 4250 printer.  (You can turn the IP address display off at any time by following these steps and selecting "Off.")  These instructions also apply to the other printers in this series, including the LaserJet 4200, 4300, and 4350.

From the ready screen, press the down arrow button to bring up the menu.  Scroll down through the menu options until you see Configure Device, then press Select (the green button with the check mark on it).

Scroll down through the Configure Device menu until you come to System Setup.  Press Select when System Setup is the highlighted choice.  Then scroll down to Show Address and press Select.  

Two choices will be displayed on the screen: Auto and Off.  The one with the asterisk (*) next to it, which will probably be Off, is the active choice.  To turn IP address display on, use the up or down arrow to highlight Auto, then press Select.  A message will be displayed to let you know that the new setting has been saved.

When you exit out of the menu (by using the Back button) the printer's IP address will be displayed under the word "Ready".

🛈 IT departments often use stickers to denote printer IP addresses.  By setting the printer to display its IP address on the ready screen, you can avoid having to tag each printer.  It also eliminates the headache of having to re-tag each printer if you ever need to change its IP address.

(Originally published on Helium.com, 2011)

How to replace the battery in a Relic ZR11812 watch

Why pay a jeweler to replace the battery in your watch when you could do it yourself?  A decent watch repair kit only costs about $20 and can save you money even after only one or two uses.

Replacing the battery in a Relic Bailey Stainless Steel Watch can be done in under 10 minutes by following the steps below.

You will need:

• Replacement battery (SR621SW / 364)
• Watch back removal tool (or precision needle nose pliers)
• Tweezers (or precision needle nose pliers)
• Precision flathead screwdriver (or thin-bladed knife)
  
  

🛈 These instructions were written for the Relic ZR11812 Bailey watch, but they also apply to similar Relic models.

⚠ Always be careful when taking a watch apart not to damage the face or scratch the watch.

1. Remove the back cover

To get to the battery, you need to take the back cover off.  There are several notches cut into the edge of the cover; use the watch back removal tool to grip two of these notches, then turn the tool counter-clockwise to unscrew the cover.  (The watch back removal tool can be adjusted by moving the two prongs to the correct distance from each other, then tightening the movable prong.)

Once the cover is unscrewed, remove it and place it somewhere safe.  There is a thin black gasket on the inside of the cover; be careful not to lose this gasket.

2. Remove the old battery

With the cover removed, you'll see a plastic circular piece with a wide bar going across the back of the watch.  Pull this piece straight out with a pair of tweezers or small pliers.

The battery will now be exposed.  There are a couple of tabs holding the battery in place.  One of these tabs is on a movable arm -- use a small flathead screwdriver or thin knife to push this arm away from the battery and pop the battery out.

3. Install the new battery

Insert the new battery into the battery cavity, with the side with the writing on it facing up (away from the front side of the watch).  Push the battery under the two unmovable tabs first, then pull the movable tab away and slide the battery in place, then let the movable tab return to its position.  If the battery is correctly in place, the watch will start ticking again (unless you have the knob pulled out).

4. Close the watch

Reinstall the plastic round piece, with the wide bar covering the battery.  Then place the back cover (with gasket in place) back onto the watch, and turn it clockwise by hand until it starts to get tight.  Tighten it completely using your watch back removal tool or precision pliers.


(Originally published on Helium.com, 2013)
(Disclaimer: I may earn a commission on Amazon sales made from links in this post.)