Rick's Daily Tips

Q&A: Where can I find a Windows 8.1 sound card driver for an older PC?

Posted on April 9, 2014

Question from Annette H.: I have a Compaq Presario 7200 that I just can’t bear to part with. I recently upgraded it to Windows 8.1 and I’m absolutely thrilled with it!

But there’s one problem that I really need your help with. The sound card isn’t working and the Device Manager says there’s no driver for it installed.

The sound drivers on the website don’t include drivers for Windows 8 or Windows 8.1, only Windows XP through Windows 7. Is there anything I can do or will I need to buy a new sound card?

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

Microsoft officially ends support for Windows XP

Posted on April 8, 2014

Well, today is the big day. As of today, Microsoft has officially stopped supporting Windows XP, a move that effectively ends the useful life of the most popular version of Windows ever for the vast majority of users.

While there are circumstances under which XP can still be safely used, the millions of people who have their XP machines connected to the Internet should probably make the move to either a different operating system or a new computer. [Read more…]

How to place icons for Control Panel and File Explorer on the Windows Desktop

Posted on April 7, 2014

microsoft-windows If you access the Control Panel and File Explorer as often as I do, clicking an icon on the Desktop to access them can be a real time saver. I do it all the time.

Although accessing either of these essential tools is faster and easier than ever before in the latest versions of Windows, there’s absolutely nothing faster than just clicking on an icon.

It’s actually quite easy to add File Explorer and Control Panel icons to the Desktop in Windows 7 and Windows 8/8.1. Here’s how: [Read more…]

Q&A: If I buy a refurbished iPhone 4 from Apple will it come with iOS 7 installed?

Posted on April 5, 2014

Question from Belinda D.: I’m thinking about buying a refurbished iPhone 4 directly from Apple. If I do, will it have iOS 7 on it or will I have to upgrade it to iOS 7 after I buy it?

If I have to upgrade it myself I might just go with a new iPhone 5c. I’m really not very tech savvy lol. Thanks in advance for the info. I LOVE your site by the way!!

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

How to retrieve your Windows 8/8.1 Activation Key/PID from the Registry

Posted on April 4, 2014

If you’re a Microsoft Windows user you probably know that you’ll need the 25 digit Windows Activation Key (also called the PID) if you ever need to re-install Windows on your PC.

The Activation Key / PID was easy to find with Windows 7 and previous versions since it was written either on the CD/DVD packaging or somewhere on the computer itself.

But if you have recently purchased a PC with Windows 8 or 8.1 pre-installed, you’ll likely find that the Windows Activation Key / PID is nowhere to be found. Why Microsoft decided not to provide it to us with the new versions of Windows is beyond me, but there is a very easy way to retrieve it from the Registry. Here’s how: [Read more…]