Your daily dose of practical, easy to follow tech tips!
Question from Paula K.: I let my daughter play some games on my laptop last a couple of nights ago.
When I turned it on yesterday morning the entire background on the screen was completely white with bold, black text.
I asked her what she did to make it change like that and she said she doesn’t know.
I can use it this way but I absolutely hate it because it’s ugly!
Can you tell me how to get the screen back to normal? My laptop has Windows 10.
Rick’s answer: [Read more…]
Question from Julie: I have a 64GB USB flash drive that I use to transfer files back and forth between my work computer and my home computer.
Both of these computers have Windows 10 on them.
I’ve been using this flash drive every day for about two years with no problems at all.
Starting last week every time I insert the drive into either computer I get a message saying the drive has a problem and needs to be scanned and fixed.
I’ve clicked the button to scan drive and fix the drive several times but I always get the same message the next time I plug it into a computer.
Is there any way to fix this problem or do I need to just replace the drive? I really like this one because it’s small and it attaches to my key ring.
Rick’s answer: [Read more…]
Question from Wanda: For the past few mornings the birthday notifications have been missing from my Facebook Newsfeed.
The first thing I always do when I get on Facebook is wish all my birthday friends a happy birthday, but now I can’t.
It’s really frustrating.
Why am I no longer seeing the birthday notifications (and how can I get them back)? [Read more…]
Question from Kelsey J.: I’ve been looking around my Facebook trying to find a way to see who all has been scoping out my profile.
I can’t seem to find a way but surely there is one??
My question is can you tell me how to find out who’s been looking at my stuff on Facebook? Yep, I’m curious lol.
Thanks for helping me.
Rick’s answer: [Read more…]
Question from George.: I think I might have messed up big time Rick, and I’m hoping you can help me.
I ordered new RAM for my old (but beloved) Dell Inspiron 14z laptop, and when it arrived I was so excited that I absent-mindedly tried to install it without shutting the system down.
Dummy me, I removed the battery but forgot to shut the system down or unplug the charger. As soon as I inserted the first of new RAM stick I saw a spark. My heart just sank.
Now the computer won’t turn on. No lights, no sound, and the screen stays black when I press the power button. I tried re-installing the original RAM and even tried a hard reset. Nothing works.
I know the battery and charger are working because I tried them with my wife’s laptop (they are the same exact model).
Is there something else I can try, or is my laptop toast? I’m hoping it’s a simple fix because the warranty ran out a LONG time ago.
Rick’s answer: [Read more…]