Tech Questions & Answers Archives

Q&A: Can I change my iPhone battery myself or should I take it to an Apple store?

Posted on October 21, 2019

Question from Pam: Rick, I have recently gotten a new iPhone so I’m giving my old iPhone 6 to a friend.

I have wiped it clean, so I am good there. But now the battery is not staying charged much at all.

I’ve heard that you have to take an iPhone to the Apple store to have the battery changed, or they would give you a new phone.

Well, with my experience I’m pretty sure I can change it myself if I order a battery, and it’ll be cheaper too.

With your knowledge, do you think I should to take this phone to an Apple store to have the battery changed, or can I do it myself?

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

Q&A: Why are my Comcast Internet download speeds so slow?

Posted on October 20, 2019

Question from Kellie L.: I have Comcast Internet and the plan I’m on is for 100 Mbps download speed.

I read your post about SpeedTest.net and used it to run several speed tests yesterday and again this morning. The fastest speed I got was around 45 Mbps.

I called Comcast this afternoon and they ran some kind of test from their end and said I was getting all the speed I’m paying for.

Is there something I’m doing wrong when I run the speed test or is Comcast just blowing me off?

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

Q&A: Will CCleaner run on a Macbook Pro?

Posted on October 19, 2019

Question from Helen S.: Hi Rick. Based upon your recommendation, I’ve been using CCleaner to keep my Windows laptop cleaned out and optimized for some time now. I really appreciate you telling us about things like this!

My daughter just bought a brand new MacBook Pro (#ad) and I was wondering if CCleaner will work on it too? If it will I’m planning to buy her a copy and help her install it while she’s in for the holidays.

Thanks in advance for your advice!

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

Q&A: What is the ‘Airplane Mode’ on my smartphone used for?

Posted on October 17, 2019

Question from Janine M.: Hello Rick. I have just finished reading and article that discussed an app that places your phone into “Airplane Mode” whenever there isn’t a cell signal available.

Please don’t think I’m a dummy because I’m not, but I had never heard the term “Airplane Mode” before reading that post. Can you tell me what it means?

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]