Tech Questions & Answers Archives - Page 3 of 258

Q&A: Will light bulbs make solar panels work at night?

Posted on April 8, 2025

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Question from Mark: I have a small solar power setup (about 400 watts) that’s powering the lights and the TV in the small off-grid cabin I built for weekend getaways.

I tried running a portable refrigerator and a couple of other small appliances off the solar and they work fine during the day, but my 12V/100Ah battery is dead by morning when I leave everything running overnight.

My question is will solar panels work with artificial light? [Read more…]

Q&A: Is it safe to completely disable Windows updates?

Posted on April 6, 2025

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Question from Michael: I recently bought a new desktop computer to replace the one I’ve been using for the past six years.

It seems like the updates I’ve been installing on this new machine have all been filled with bugs because almost every time I install them something goes wrong.

The last time it happened my nephew had to completely reinstall Windows for me.

I’d like to completely disable the installation of updates on the new PC. Is it safe to do that? [Read more…]

Q&A: How do I hide the Desktop icons on my computer screen?

Posted on April 1, 2025

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Question from Andie: I have a gorgeous photo of a sunrise over Lake Michigan as my desktop background.

The problem I’m having is all the icons scattered around the screen make it hard to enjoy the photo.

Is there an easy way to hide those icons when I don’t need them and then make them reappear when I do? [Read more…]

Q&A: How can I watch YouTube while working in another program?

Posted on March 28, 2025

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Question from Rhonda: I have a question for you. How can I keep a YouTube video playing in the corner of my computer screen even when I’m working with other programs?

I subscribe to a channel that features inspirational videos and I’d love to be able to watch them while I’m working.

I know this can be done because I’ve seen it, but the person who did it is no longer with the company so I can’t ask them how to do it. [Read more…]

Q&A: How can I regain control of my hacked router?

Posted on March 26, 2025

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Question from Barbara: Hi, Rick. I have a very urgent problem and I need your help, ASAP!

Everything was fine when I went to bed last night, but when I woke up this morning and turned on my laptop to check my email, the laptop couldn’t find my WiFi network.

I had it scan for available networks and it found just one (and it had a really nasty name that I can’t repeat here). [Read more…]