Tech Questions & Answers Archives - Page 187 of 258

Q&A: How can I manage all the cords that are plugged into my computer?

Posted on February 12, 2018

Question from Judy C.: Rick, how do you manage so many cords on these stupid contraptions? They are confusing and they are dust collectors.

I’m wanting to rearrange the locations of all the parts of my computer setup, but I don’t even know where to begin. Right now, as I try to sort this out, I am using my mouse with my left hand.

I fear that if I start disconnecting things, I will never be able to put them together again. (Phone, hard drive, screen, scanner, router, some other boxes of some dang stuff.)

What do you recommend? Also, is there a way to shorten the cables?

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

Q&A: Will a Wireless AC USB adapter work with a USB 2.0 port?

Posted on February 6, 2018

edimax-wireless-ac1200-dual-band-usb-adapter — (#ad)

Question from Chris J.: The wireless adapter in my Dell laptop has stopped working and I’m planning to replace it with a USB wireless adapter.

I’d really like to upgrade to Wireless AC speed but my laptop has the older USB 2.0 ports instead of USB 3.0, and I’ve noticed that the AC class devices I’ve checked out all brag that they work with USB 3.0.

What I need to know is will a Wireless AC USB adapter work when plugged into a USB 2.0 port? If not, I’ll probably just save some money by choosing a Wireless N adapter.

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

Q&A: Is it worth the expense to max out the RAM in my new PC?

Posted on February 5, 2018

Question from Chris: I recently bought an Acer Aspire TC-780-ACKI5 desktop computer (#ad) and I have a question about it.

This machine came with 12GB of RAM but my friend says I should max it out to 32GB so PhotoShop and Lightroom will run faster.

I checked around and I can get four 8GB memory sticks for less than $200, which is about what I can afford to spend.

Do you think the extra memory will speed up this computer enough to justify spending that amount of cash? My friend says it will, but I’d like your opinion on this before I order the RAM. Thanks.

Rick’s answer: That Acer is a great computer, Chris. I believe it will serve you well for running the programs you mentioned above. However, the answer to your question is no, for two reasons: [Read more…]

Q&A: When will Microsoft be releasing Windows 11?

Posted on February 3, 2018

Note: The links in this post are affiliate links.

Question from Ingrid P.: Do you know when Microsoft is planning to release Windows 11?

If memory serves they have always released a new version of Windows every 3 years or so and it’s already been longer than that since Windows 10 was released.

I really need to buy a new laptop but I’d rather wait to get one with Windows 11 if it’s going to be available pretty soon.

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

Q&A: How can I stop receiving trackbacks when I link to my own blog posts?

Posted on January 28, 2018

Question from Margaret B.: I have a very active WordPress blog and I publish anywhere from 7 to 10 new posts every day.

I do a lot of inter-linking with my posts and every time I link to one of my own posts it generates a trackback. I don’t like that because it clutters up the comments stream.

I know I could simply disable trackbacks altogether but I’d rather only disable them for links to my own posts. Is there a way to do that?

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]