Rick's Daily Tips

Q&A: How do I get my PC to boot up after Windows Update failed?

Posted on February 17, 2015

Question from Sierra F.: Rick, I’m in trouble and I need your help!

My computer was installing Windows Updates when the power flickered off and back on. It happened so quickly that the computer didn’t even shut down, but it somehow aborted the update process and an error on the screen said the update wasn’t successful.

I tried to install the updates again, but it said no updates were available. I then tried to restart the PC, but it hangs up about half way through the boot process. Please, please, please tell me how to fix this without reinstalling Windows 7? Thanks in advance for any help you can provide!

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

How to disable the new sound effects in the Facebook App

Posted on February 17, 2015

If you use the Facebook App on your mobile device (which I don’t recommend as explained in this post), you have probably noticed that a recent update has caused it to start chirping and making other weird noises when you take certain actions.

If you’re one of the many users who find these new sound effects irritating, you can easily turn them off with just a few taps.

Follow the directions below to disable sounds in your Facebook App: [Read more…]

The Charms Bar (as we know it) won’t be included in Windows 10

Posted on February 16, 2015

windows-10 Do you find the Charms Bar in Windows 8.1 to be almost as irritating as an itchy rash? If so, you definitely aren’t alone.

Apparently Microsoft received so many complaints about the Charms Bar that they decided to virtually eliminate it from the new Windows 10 for Desktop users.

Why they ever included it in the first place is a mystery to me. It always seems to pop up when you don’t need it, and many of the tasks that I believe would be best suited for it aren’t on it!

Which reminds me… [Read more…]

How I added 4 wired Ethernet ports to my garage for only $21

Posted on February 15, 2015

A while back I found myself needing a wired Ethernet connection in my garage. I didn’t want to spend a lot of money on the project, but I knew it would some work.

The problem is the garage is on one end of my long ranch-style house while my cable modem and wireless router are located in my office near the other end of the house.

After a bit of reflection, this is the solution that I came up with: [Read more…]

Q&A: Will I need to reinstall Windows if I upgrade my PC’s motherboard and CPU?

Posted on February 14, 2015

Question from Andy T.: A few years ago one of my co-workers helped me build a computer from scratch and we installed a full retail copy of Windows 7 Home Premium on it. I recently tried to upgrade the memory but found out that I have already maxed out the RAM for this motherboard & CPU combo.

Since I really want to add an additional 8GB of RAM and run USB 3.0 natively, I’m planning to upgrade the motherboard and CPU. I’m just wondering if I’ll need to reinstall Windows.

Will I? Or should I, even if I don’t have to?

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]