Tech Questions & Answers Archives

Q&A: Will an SSD go bad just sitting on a shelf?

Posted on May 5, 2026

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Question from Glen: A while back I read your post about replacing a computer’s hard drive with an SSD and it sounded like a pretty good idea.

I finally ended up buying a 1TB SSD to replace the hard drive in my old Acer laptop, but the laptop’s screen went bad before I had a chance to make the switch.

I really didn’t want to spend a lot of money to have the Acer fixed so I just ditched it and started using my wife’s Dell laptop.

The Dell has a 1TB hard drive so I don’t really need the SSD at this time. Can I put the SSD on a shelf and keep it for a backup in case the hard drive ever fails, or will it go bad after a while if I don’t use it? [Read more…]

Q&A: Can spilling something on a keyboard damage the entire computer?

Posted on May 4, 2026

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Question from Kayla: I spilled a large glass of coke all over my keyboard.

After I saw what I had done I immediately unplugged the power cable from the computer and disconnected the keyboard from the computer too.

I’m not worried about the keyboard since they’re so cheap, but it’s the tower that has me worried.

Do you think I can just buy a new keyboard and plug it in or do you recommend having the computer checked out by a repair shop first to make sure it’s not damaged? [Read more…]

Q&A: Can a PC with an antivirus app still catch a virus?

Posted on April 27, 2026

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Question from Arlen: I bought a new laptop in August 2022 and paid the people at Best Buy to install Webroot antivirus on it.

This machine has always worked great but a few weeks ago it locked up on me with a message saying it had been taken over by a hacker.

I was finally able to shut it down by holding the power button in but when I turned it back on it went right back to that same screen.

I took it to Best Buy and the technician said it had a virus and they were going to charge me $150 to remove it. [Read more…]

Q&A: Are Chromebooks good for watching YouTube videos?

Posted on April 21, 2026

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Question from Kyle: I have a high-end MacBook Pro that I currently use for both work and pleasure.

The “pleasure” part consists almost exclusively of watching YouTube videos, and I watch a LOT of them.

I’d like to purchase a good, but cheap 2nd laptop just for watching YouTube, and I need some advice.

A friend recommended that I skip Windows this time and get a Chromebook instead. I’d love to have your opinion on that. [Read more…]

Q&A: How on earth do you remember all this tech stuff?

Posted on April 20, 2026

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Question from Marie: You never cease to amaze me, Rick. It seems like you have an answer for every question that people ask of you.

How on earth do you remember all the obscure and complicated tech stuff that we’re always asking you about? Do you have a photographic memory or something? [Read more…]