Tech Questions & Answers Archives

Q&A: What exactly is backed up when you make a System Image Backup?

Posted on October 3, 2026

Want to get my easy to follow Tech Tips in your email?

Note: The links in this post are affiliate links.

Question from Olivene: I spent several minutes reading your posts that explain how to create System Image Backups on Windows computers, but I’m a little confused.

I had Carbonite backing up my files for a couple of years and they didn’t back up any of my Windows files.

I learned that the hard way after my hard drive crashed on me. [Read more…]

Q&A: Should I shut my computer down when it’s not being used?

Posted on October 2, 2026

Want to get my easy to follow Tech Tips in your email?

Note: The links in this post are affiliate links.

Question from Milo: I really like your site, Rick. It’s easy to tell that you put a lot of work into it.

I’ve been following you for several months now and I always learn something every time I visit your blog.

I hope you don’t mind but I finally have a question of my own that I need to ask you.

[Read more…]

Q&A: Why did they give Bluetooth technology that odd name?

Posted on September 26, 2026

Want to get my easy to follow Tech Tips in your email?

Question from Ken: I know that Bluetooth is the wireless signal that connects smartphones to speakers and other portable devices.

What I’m curious about is why did they choose the name Bluetooth?

That seems like a really odd name for something to do with technology. [Read more…]

Q&A: How do I set Windows 11’s Power Mode to ‘Best Performance’?

Posted on September 25, 2026

Want to get my easy to follow Tech Tips in your email?

Question from Keegan: I recently updated my PC from Windows 10 to Windows 11.

With Windows 10 I had the power mode set to “Best Performance”, but I can’t figure out how to change it in Windows 11.

I could be imagining things, but it seems like Microsoft made a lot of changes to the Windows interface.

How do I set my computer’s power setting to “Best Performance” now that Windows 11 is on it? [Read more…]

Q&A: Does a laptop need a surge protector?

Posted on September 23, 2026

Want to get my easy to follow Tech Tips in your email?

Note: The links in this post are affiliate links.

Question from Della: I just bought my son a new laptop at our local big box store.

As we were walking up to the register to pay, I asked the salesman if he could recommend a good surge protector for it.

He said laptops don’t need surge protectors because they aren’t connected to the power grid while you’re using them and the chargers that come with them have surge protection built into them.

That just didn’t sound right to me. Was he right or do I need to go ahead and buy a surge protector for my son’s new laptop? [Read more…]