Rick's Daily Tips

Q&A: How can I stop all auto-updates in Windows 8.1?

Posted on February 13, 2014

Question from Alan J.: Rick, I travel frequently and I use my mobile phone as a Wi-Fi hotspot via “tethering” for my laptop. The problem is I’m only allotted 2 GB of data transfer per month.

2GB would be enough but something on my laptop is constantly checking for updates and downloading them. I need to put a stop to the auto-updates because they’re using up my paltry supply of monthly data.

I’ve already turned off automatic Windows Updates. How can I prevent ALL auto-updates from my laptop with Windows 8.1?

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

Free Bolt phone dialer app lets you automatically call other Bolt users via VOIP while using your plan minutes for everyone else

Posted on February 13, 2014

Many of us use one or more VOIP (Voice over IP) apps in order to save our mobile phone minutes, but it’s a hassle having to load the app every time we want to make a call.

Bolt is a free app that replaces your Android phone’s default dialer app. What sets Bolt apart from other VOIP apps is how it automatically places calls to other Bolt users via VOIP while still placing calls to everyone else over your carrier’s regular network (using your plan minutes of course). [Read more…]

Q&A: What’s a good, but cheap motherboard for an Intel Core i7 CPU?

Posted on February 11, 2014

gigabyte-lga-1150-motherboard Question from Max R.: I’m planning to build my first home-built computer using an Intel Core i7 CPU and two Corsair 8GB DDR3 RAM sticks (all gifts from my uncle).

I don’t have a lot of money to spend so I need a recommendation for a good, but cheap motherboard that will work with that CPU and RAM. What do you suggest?

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

Comcast has been hacked. Change your passwords ASAP.

Posted on February 10, 2014

Comcast has just announced that their servers have been hacked. They say they have found no evidence that any sensitive customer data has been stolen, but if you have a Comcast account I suggest changing your password ASAP as a precaution.

The hackers apparently gained access to Comcast’s webmail servers, not the servers containing their customers’ personal and financial data. But how do they know for sure? I say better safe than sorry. [Read more…]

How to disable SkyDrive in Windows 8.1

Posted on February 10, 2014

Microsoft went all out with their integration of SkyDrive into Windows 8.1, and some people don’t like it. I happen to be one of them.

I can understand why they would want us all to use SkyDrive with their recent push into the realm of mobile devices and all, but I have no desire to use it with my desktop and notebook computers (personally, I prefer DropBox).

If you feel the same way, you can easily disable Skydrive in Windows 8.1. Here’s how: [Read more…]