Rick's Daily Tips

Q&A: Why won’t my new laptop let me upgrade to Windows 8.1?

Posted on December 20, 2013

Question from Shannon W.: I bought a brand new Gateway laptop with Windows 8 based on the promise that I could upgrade to Windows 8.1 for free. But when I go to the Windows App Store I don’t see any way to download the upgrade.

I called Microsoft Tech Support and they’re apparently unable to help me. I’d just return the laptop and buy a different one, but the return period has expired.

Can you tell me what I need to do in order to upgrade my laptop from Windows 8 to Windows 8.1?

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

Hackers steal the credit card info of 40 million Target shoppers. Are you one of them?

Posted on December 20, 2013

Target has announced that approximately 40 million customers who shopped at one of their brick and mortar retail stores between November 27 and December 15 have had their credit card or debit card information stolen during one of the most successful hacking attempts in history.

If you shopped at Target during that time frame and paid for your purchases with a credit or debit card, you are quite possibly one of the victims.

If you think this might apply to you, I recommend that you do the following ASAP: [Read more…]

Review: Computer Repair with Diagnostic Flowcharts: Troubleshooting PC Hardware Problems from Boot Failure to Poor Performance

Posted on December 18, 2013

Some say that there is something of an art to troubleshooting and repairing computers, but coming to a quick and accurate conclusion really boils down to knowing which checks to make for a given issue, and in what order.

Most experienced computer technicians know how to go about finding and fixing most any problem in a timely, efficient manner, but those just starting out are likely to rely on the “shotgun” approach to troubleshooting which results in lots of wasted time and wasted parts.

Computer Repair with Diagnostic Flowcharts: Troubleshooting PC Hardware Problems from Boot Failure to Poor Performance is an excellent troubleshooting guide that contains a collection of simple-to-follow flowcharts for efficiently diagnosing and repairing virtually any computer problem that you’re likely to encounter.

Virtually everything you need to know is included in this handy guide, including all of the following, and more: [Read more…]

WinAero WEI Tool replaces the Windows Experience Index that was removed in Windows 8.1

Posted on December 18, 2013

Prior to Windows 8.1, Microsoft Windows included a handy tool that computed something called the Windows Experience Index, a rudimentary calculation of the relative speeds of a particular PC’s various hardware components.

While the WEI wasn’t perfect, it was in fact quite useful. And it was also 100% free. [Read more…]

Q&A: Where can I buy a Windows 8.1 Pro upgrade disc?

Posted on December 16, 2013

win-8-1-pro-pack Question from Sheila S.: I have accepted a great new job as a customer service representative for a major corporation and I’ll be working from home. One of the prerequisites for getting the job was owning a computer that can run the company’s proprietary C.S. software.

I ordered one of the laptops from the list they provided, but after I received it I found out that it has to run Windows 8.1 Pro instead of the standard Windows 8.1 that came with it. None of our local electronics retailers sell Windows 8.1 upgrade discs and I need to have it running on my laptop by January 2!

Do you know where I can buy a Windows 8.1 Pro upgrade disc ASAP? Please help me!!!

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]