Rick's Daily Tips

Q&A: How can I find out if my computer has a 64 bit CPU?

Posted on October 24, 2016

Question from Bobby E.: I bought a computer at an estate sale a few days ago. The lady told me her dad had built the computer himself a couple of years ago but she didn’t know anything about it. I think I got a good deal because it only cost me $30.

Apparently there’s no operating system on the hard drive, and I’d like to install Windows 10 on it and use this PC as a backup Internet-only computer.

What I’d like to find out is if the CPU is a 32 bit or 64 bit chip. If it has a 64 bit CPU I’d like to install the 64 bit version of Windows 10. How can I find out?

I really appreciate your help. Thanks in advance.

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

Have you ever thought about building your own computer? If so, read this.

Posted on October 22, 2016

There was a time when I built PCs from scratch and sold them at a profit, and I was able to generate a pretty decent side income from it. In total, I built and sold right at 200 computers before I moved on to other interests.

Today, computers are mass-produced commodities, and that makes it pretty hard to purchase all the individual parts required to build a PC at prices low enough to make a profit when selling the assembled unit.

After all, it’s hard for the little guy to compete with the big guys these days due to economy of scale.

That being said, there are still some benefits to be derived from building your own computer instead of purchasing one at retail. Here are a few of the reasons why some folks still build their own PCs: [Read more…]

Q&A: Why do some websites think my brother’s PC and my Mac have the same IP address?

Posted on October 22, 2016

Question from Merrill D.: I’m a member of two different gaming forums that I post on almost every day.

My little brother wants to sign up for them too but when he tries they always tell him his IP address already has an account associated with it (I assume that it’s my account).

Why do those websites think our computers both have the same IP address? We have Charter Internet and a modem/router combo box if that makes a difference.

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

Review: Genius LuxePad 9100 Ultra-thin Bluetooth Keyboard for iOS, Android and Windows

Posted on October 21, 2016

Mobile devices have changed the way we use technology more than perhaps any other innovation in history. They have truly been a game changer in my opinion.

There’s a great deal of freedom and empowerment that comes from being able to pull a computer that’s more powerful than a vintage desktop PC literally out of a shirt pocket and use it for virtually any task one can think of.

But as powerful and empowering as they are, mobile devices have always had one serious drawback: the lack of a truly usable mechanical keyboard. And as I’m sure you are aware, there are times when we really need one. [Read more…]