Tech Questions & Answers Archives - Page 24 of 258

Q&A: Lightning destroyed my cable modem. Should I replace my router too?

Posted on August 7, 2025

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Question from Kendra: Hi, Rick. We had a pretty bad thunderstorm last night that caused a lot of damage in my area.

Once I noticed the lightning I turned everything off like I always do when it’s storming and then went on to bed.

This morning when I turned everything back on I couldn’t get the cable box or the modem to light up at all. They’re completely dead.

I called the cable company and they’re sending a technician out to replace the cable box and modem.

What I need to know is do you think I need to buy a new router too? It lights up like it always did and it appears to be working. [Read more…]

Q&A: How can I find a driver and software for an older printer?

Posted on August 5, 2025

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Question from Alice: The hard drive in my Windows desktop PC stopped working and I had to have it replaced.

When I got the computer back from the shop I realized I needed to install the driver and software for my Brother MFC-J6520DW printer.

The problem is I seem to have lost the disc. I’ve searched my office from top to bottom and I can’t find it anywhere.

Can you help me track down a copy of the software someplace? I’ll gladly buy a disc if I need to.

I love this printer and I really don’t want to replace it unless I absolutely have to. [Read more…]

Q&A: Why don’t you charge anything when you help someone?

Posted on July 30, 2025

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Question from Brenda: I think it’s wonderful that you take the time to provide all this great information and help people with their problems.

I’ve noticed that you never ask anyone for money or request any type of payment for helping people and answering their tech questions on your blog.

I believe you really should because your time is valuable and you deserve to be paid for using it to help all of us. Why do you do all this for free? [Read more…]

Q&A: Will the RAM in my old laptop work in a new one?

Posted on July 28, 2025

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Question from Mike: I know it’s time to buy a new laptop and I’m looking to save as much money as possible.

The machine I’m replacing is a Dell Inspiron 14 5000 that I bought back in January 2015.

Since the old Dell has 16GB of RAM in it I was wondering if it’s possible to buy a new laptop with just 4GB of RAM and then swap the RAM from the Dell into the new laptop?

[Read more…]