Your daily dose of practical, easy to follow tech tips!
Question from Mandy G.: I’ve been using Avast Antivirus for several months after reading how you recommend it, and so far I really like it. Something has me worried though.
A friend of mine told me that Avast uses their software to snoop on our browsing habits. Is that true? And if it is, why do you recommend it?
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Question from Larry Y.: Hi Rick. I read your post explaining how to avoid the automatic update to Windows 10, but I have a different problem.
I upgraded my Dell Desktop computer from Windows 7 to Windows 10 a couple of months ago and ever since then I can’t get Windows Update to work correctly. When I click “Check for updates” it goes through the motions but it never finds any updates.
I’ve read every forum post I can find relating to Windows Update but nothing I’ve tried has worked. Any suggestions on what I should try next?
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Question from Autumn J.: I have two Chromecast devices. One of them is attached to a TV in the living room and the other is in my den.
Both of the Chromecasts have names that look very much alike when viewed on the Chromecast app, and that confuses my mom every time she comes over to spend the night with me (which she does frequently). She’s always choosing the wrong device and wondering why the TV isn’t working like it should.
I set up a cheap Android tablet for her to use to control the Chromecast devices. My question is how can I give both devices a distinctive name to make it easier for mom to choose the right Chromecast from the app?
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Question from Linda S.: I have a Dell 6430u Ultrabook and a Superspeed USB 3 Dell Docking Station. I am trying to decide on an external drive to back-up all my data and photos continuously.
Could you suggest an external USB hard drive that would be good to use?
I’m also worried about power overload for the docking station because when I plugged in a LaCie external drive I received a warning that it overloaded the USB port. Can you advise about that as well?
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Question from Karin S.: Hi Rick. I’ve been reading your help and tips for my computer for a long time now, and I find the information very helpful, so thank you!
Since upgrading from Windows 7 to Windows 10 everything seems to be ok as I slowly figure out where everything has gone and how it works.
But I have a problem: A lot of your tips start with clicking on “Start” and then “Settings”. I have found that nothing happens when I click Settings. It kind of flashes a bit but nothing opens.
Could you tell me how to fix this so that I have a ‘Settings click’ that actually works? Thanks so much, in advance. -Karin
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