Rick's Daily Tips

Caution: ALWAYS plug your PC into a battery backup device before updating your motherboard’s BIOS/UEFI firmware!

Posted on October 26, 2019

The motherboard in every Windows PC is equipped with firmware code that the CPU uses to initialize the computer’s hardware components and prepare the machine to boot up into Windows.

Depending on the age and model of your PC, this firmware is typically referred to as either the BIOS or the UEFI.

In a nutshell, the firmware in older PCs is referred to as the BIOS while newer computers have a UEFI Control Panel.

Just keep in mind that regardless of what the manufacturer of your particular motherboard calls it, the onboard firmware performs the same basic “bootstrap” tasks.

Manufacturers occasionally release firmware updates for their motherboards in order to fix bugs, optimize hardware performance and add new features.

Personally, I don’t recommend installing BIOS/UEFI updates unless they are absolutely necessary, for the following reasons: [Read more…]

Q&A: Is it ok to replace a computer’s power supply with one of higher wattage?

Posted on October 25, 2019

Question from Debra F.: I need some advice in order to settle a disagreement between me and my boyfriend.

My computer stopped working and my boyfriend says he can fix it by replacing the power supply. He put the one out of his PC in there just to see if everything else still works, and it does.

The original (bad) power supply is rated at 350 watts but he wants to replace it with one that’s rated at at least 600 watts.

My question is will the extra wattage put out by a stronger power supply damage my computer? My boyfriend says it won’t but it seems to me like it would. Which one of us is right?

I’d also appreciate it if you could recommend a good brand that doesn’t cost a lot. Thanks in advance for your help.

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

5 reasons why LED light bulbs are better than CFL bulbs

Posted on October 23, 2019

As you probably know by now, incandescent light bulbs are being phased out in the U.S., and when they are gone, they’ll be gone for good.

That leaves us all facing a decision going forward: Do we replace our bad incandescent bulbs with LED bulbs (#ad) or Compact Fluorescent (CFL) bulbs? (#ad)

Both of these new types of bulbs are vastly more energy efficient than the incandescent bulbs they were designed to replace, but deciding which type to buy can be confusing.

Hopefully, this post will help clear up the confusion a bit.

Although I can’t tell you which type of bulb you would like best, I can tell you that I personally prefer LED bulbs over CFLs, for the following reasons: [Read more…]

Review: New 13″ Apple MacBook Pro

Posted on October 21, 2019

Apple’s Macbook Pro line of laptops are considered by many to be the cream of the crop because of their unique blend of power, durability and ease of use.

Well, the New 13″ Apple MacBook Pro (#ad) is no exception.

This sleek, yet powerful machine has plenty to offer in a 13 inch laptop.

[Read more…]

My favorite mobile web browsers for Apple iOS and Android devices

Posted on October 21, 2019

As you probably know, choosing a good web browser can make the difference between a great Internet user experience and a poor one.

If you access the Internet on a computer, you probably have a favorite browser that you prefer to use over all the others.

But that being said, there’s a good chance that you’re still using the slow, bloated stock browser that came pre-loaded on your mobile device when you’re away from your home or office.

Just as with your computer-based browser, a great mobile browser can really enhance your Internet activities by a huge margin.

If you have already selected a favorite mobile browser, you surely know exactly what I mean. If not, I’ll tell you about my favorites so you can try them out for yourself. [Read more…]