Computer Tips Archives - Page 178 of 231

If your computer is under warranty, keep your old RAM sticks after a memory upgrade

Posted on March 3, 2017

A while back I wrote a post explaining how adding RAM to your computer can give it a major speed boost, but I inadvertently left out a very important detail…

If your computer is still under warranty when you upgrade its RAM, make sure you keep any old memory sticks that you remove from the machine as part of the upgrade process.

That way if something happens and you have to send the computer in for a warranty repair, you can temporarily remove the new RAM sticks and re-install the original ones. [Read more…]

Q&A: How can I remove PC Medic from my computer?

Posted on February 14, 2017

Question from Deb V.: Hi Rick. Could you tell me how to get rid of PC Medic?

I do not have the full version but some free version that sweeps and reports every day and tries to sell their full version.

I have tried uninstalling it but am unable to as it says it cannot uninstall while it is running. Thank you for your help.

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

How to easily double the SSD flash storage in your MacBook Air or Macbook Pro

Posted on January 27, 2017

Modern MacBooks are awesome machines, but the limited amount of internal SSD flash storage in some recent models can be a real problem, especially if you have lots of programs, apps and data files stored on the SSD.

Well, now there’s a fast and easy way to double the amount of internal SSD flash storage space in your MacBook Pro or MacBook Air. In fact, it’s so easy you won’t even have to open up your laptop’s case!

All you have to do is slide a fantastic TarDisk storage expansion card (#ad) into your machine’s SDXC slot and the amount of internal flash storage space will double (up to 512GB, depending on the size of your TarDisk card). [Read more…]

How to adjust the brightness of your screen with just two mouse clicks

Posted on January 9, 2017

Do you wish there was a faster and easier way to adjust the brightness of your computer screen?

Well, there is, and it’s a real time-saver!

A nifty free utility called ClickMonitorDDC lets you adjust your screen brightness by simply clicking an icon in the Windows notification area and selecting a new value.

Alternatively, you can save even more time by hovering your mouse over the icon and rolling the mouse wheel to change the brightness level. Either way is fine – whatever works best for you.

ClickMonitor DDC is a tiny portable utility that doesn’t have to be installed, and it couldn’t be easier to use. Here’s how: [Read more…]

Why you should test your electronic gift items before wrapping them

Posted on December 20, 2016

There are few things in life as exciting as unwrapping an awesome gift, especially if it’s one that you’ve been wanting for a long time.

But there are also few things in life worse than opening a great gift only to find out that it doesn’t work! And that goes double if the recipient happens to be a child.

Yes, it’s true that you can (almost) always return a defective gift and exchange it for another one, but when you’re a kid on Christmas morning it can still be a huge let-down when you discover that your favorite gift is D.O.A. [Read more…]