Rick's Daily Tips

Q&A: Where can I buy RAM for an older laptop and have them install it for me?

Posted on March 21, 2021

Question from Benji P.: Rick, I took my eight year old HP laptop to Best Buy over the weekend to have them upgrade the RAM for me.

This machine only has 4GB and I want to bump it up to 8GB. I know it can use 8GB because I looked it up.

After some back and forth the guy told me I shouldn’t waste my money upgrading a machine that was that old and proceeded to try to sell me a new computer. I don’t want a new laptop. I like this one!

My question is do you know of a place in the Raleigh, NC area that will upgrade the memory for me? Or is this something that I can possibly do myself?

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

Scam Alert: Don’t fall for the despicable “Sick Child” scam on Facebook

Posted on March 20, 2021

Just when I think the scammers on Facebook have reached rock bottom, they manage to come up with an even more despicable scam.

This ugly “sick child” scam makes the rounds from time to time, and unfortunately it’s back again.

It always works something like this…

[Read more…]

Q&A: Why did Windows stop asking me to confirm that I really want to delete a file?

Posted on March 20, 2021

Rick’s Tech Tips Newsletter

Question from Francine: I have a computer with Windows 10 on it.

It used to be that when I tried to delete a file a message would pop up asking if I really wanted to delete it, but not anymore.

Now the file is just deleted immediately with no chance to change my mind.

I really need those confirmation messages because I’ve caught myself trying to delete the wrong file several times in the past.

Can you tell me how to get Windows to start asking me to confirm file deletions again?

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

Save money by using rechargeable batteries in your gadgets

Posted on March 18, 2021

Note: The links in this post are affiliate links.

If you’re like me you probably have a dozen or more electronic devices that use AA or AAA batteries.

If so, you’ve probably noticed how much quality disposable batteries cost nowadays!

For example, a bulk pack of 24 name-brand batteries can easily set you back $20 or more, and their prices will most likely just keep going up in the future.

Luckily, there’s an easy way to save money on your batteries while making sure your gadgets are always powered up and ready to use when you need them… [Read more…]

How to easily remove preinstalled Windows 10 apps from your PC

Posted on March 18, 2021

If you use Windows 10 you probably know it comes with a bunch of preinstalled apps that most of us will never use.

You can easily uninstall several of these unwanted apps simply by right-clicking on their Start Menu entries and then selecting the Uninstall option, but for whatever reason Microsoft has decided not to provide an Uninstall option for some of them.

If you search the web for “uninstall any Windows 10 app” you’ll find a number of ways to do it, but the easiest method I have found by far is using a simple free app called Bloatbox.

[Read more…]