Rick's Daily Tips

Q&A: Is it possible to uninstall a bad Windows Update?

Posted on October 12, 2013

Question from Brandon H.: The other day I checked to see if there were any Windows Updates available for my PC and saw that there was an optional update for my video card available.

I installed the update and immediately after the reboot my PC began running very slowly. Programs take forever to load, web pages open slowly if at all, and none of my games will run correctly.

Is there any way to uninstall a bad update or will I need to reinstall Windows 7? What really sucks is this was an optional update which means I didn’t really have to install it in the first place!

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

How to fix non-responsive brightness controls on a Toshiba laptop

Posted on October 10, 2013

toshiba-laptop I have worked on several Toshiba laptops recently that seem to share a common problem: The function keys that lower and increase the screen brightness (usually Fn+F6 and Fn+F7) have stopped responding.

If the brightness controls on your Toshiba laptop are non-responsive, the procedure described below will most likely fix it:

1 – Shut down the laptop and unplug all cables and external adapters, including the AC power adapter. [Read more…]

Government Logic 101: Our government spends extra money taking websites offline – when it would cost less to just leave them up?

Posted on October 9, 2013

Does anyone besides me lie in bed at night and ponder the amazing wisdom of our elected leaders and their appointed helpers?

In case you haven’t heard, the powers that be in Washington decided that since there is currently no funding for the USDA, the National Aeronautical and Space Administration (Noah) and other “non-essential” government departments, their websites would need to be shut off.

The only problem with this thinking? It cost those departments more to take their sites offline than it would have cost to simply leave them up with all updates temporarily suspended! [Read more…]

Q&A: How do I get my missing mouse pointer back?

Posted on October 5, 2013

Question from Melissa B.: I bought a new Acer laptop about a month ago, and now I can’t see the mouse pointer. It was working fine till my 4 year old started pressing keys and then all of a sudden it was gone.

I hope you can tell me how to restore my missing mouse pointer. If you can I’ll be forever in your debt! LOL

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

Q&A: Can I use a wireless mouse with an HP Mini 210?

Posted on October 4, 2013

Question from Julie P.: Rick, my son just “handed down” his old HP Mini 210 laptop to me. I love it all except for the track device. It drives me up the wall lol.

Can this computer work with a wireless mouse? I want to buy one, but only if you think it’ll work. Thanks.

Rick’s answer: Yes Julie, you can use a wireless mouse with your HP Mini 210 with no problems whatsoever. And I agree about the track device. They’re rather difficult to use, especially the ones that are built in to the HP Minis. [Read more…]