Tech Questions & Answers Archives

Q&A: Do they make external enclosures that work with older hard drives?

Posted on March 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 Alvin: My mom’s (really) old desktop computer won’t come on so she bought herself a new laptop to replace it.

Now she wants me to get the files off her old hard drive for her, but I don’t have a desktop PC to install it in.

I read your post about converting a spare internal hard drive into an external USB hard drive, and it’s very informative.

I’m hoping you can help me choose the right kind of external drive enclosure? [Read more…]

Q&A: Can lightning damage something that’s turned off?

Posted on March 1, 2026

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

Note: The links in this post are affiliate links.

Question from Karen: I have a question about surge protection after reading this article of yours.

If there’s a lightning strike and your TV and computer gear are not on at the time, will the strike still damage the equipment?

I have heard that you should unplug your electronic things during an electrical storm but I’ve also heard that if something is turned off lightning won’t hurt it even if it’s plugged in. [Read more…]

Q&A: How long do USB Flash Drives retain their data?

Posted on February 28, 2026

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

Note: The links in this post are affiliate links.

Question from Shaina: I have this USB flash drive with several hundred photos on it that I scanned during a recent visit to my grandmother’s house.

These are precious family pictures that will be difficult to replace if something were to happen to them.

I really don’t want to lose these photos and I was wondering how long I can count on the drive retaining them if I lock it up in my little fireproof safe? [Read more…]

Q&A: Should I choose Credit or Debit when using my debit card?

Posted on February 24, 2026

Question from Felicia: I use my debit card to pay for almost everything, and I have a question about it.

When I pay for something with my debit card the card reader usually gives me a choice between “Credit” and “Debit”.

I usually choose debit because it’s a debit card, not a credit card.

My question is which should I choose? [Read more…]