Rick's Daily Tips

Q&A: Why is ‘Burn disc image’ missing when working with ISO files?

Posted on August 12, 2013

Question from Nathan E.: Hi Rick. I have a problem that I can’t seem to figure out. I’m hoping you can help me.

I work with a lot of ISO files that I download from the web and then burn onto writable CDs and DVDs. Until recently I could right-click on an ISO file and click “Burn disc image” and Windows’ built-in CD/DVD burner utility would create a bootable disc.

Alternatively, I could get “Burn disc image” to show up as a menu item in Windows Explorer by simply clicking on the name of the ISO file.

I don’t know what happened, but starting a few days ago the “Burn disc image” option fails to appear regardless of which of the above-mentioned methods I try. Can you help me get it back? I’ll be much in your debt if you can! My laptop is running Windows 7. Thanks!

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

How to set Ubuntu Linux to boot up without requiring your password

Posted on August 12, 2013

Linux is one of the most secure operating systems in use today, and one of the things that makes it so secure is its insistence that you enter a password before doing anything that can possibly cause harm to your system.

But if you’re the only person who has access to your computer, you really don’t need to enter a password just to load the operating system.

If you use Ubuntu (the most popular Linux distro), you can easily set it to bypass the login screen and boot directly to the Desktop. Here’s how: [Read more…]

USB 3.1 set to double the already blazing speed of USB 3.0

Posted on August 4, 2013

A little over a year ago I wrote a tip explaining how to put your PC’s USB devices into overdrive by installing a USB 3.0 card. With a maximum data transfer rate of 5 Gbps and up to 1 amp of power available for attached devices, USB 3.0 was a vast improvement over the aging USB 2.0 specification.

Well, the specs for USB 3.1 have just been released, and once again the improvement is staggering. USB 3.1 will double 3.0’s maximum data transfer speed to 10 Gbps while maintaining backwards compatibility with legacy USB devices. [Read more…]

Prevent Android 4.3 from continuously scanning for available Wi-Fi networks

Posted on August 3, 2013

Do you keep the Wi-Fi setting on your smart phone turned off when not in use in order to conserve battery life? If not, you should, because your phone’s Wi-Fi radio is a major battery hog.

If you have a phone running Android 4.3, did you know that it continuously scans for available Wi-Fi networks even when you have Wi-Fi turned off? This isn’t good, and not just because of the battery drain.

Some major retail establishments now track your phone’s Wi-Fi radio to keep tabs on your exact location while you’re inside their stores. And if the private sector finds that capability useful, can you imagine what uses the government might have for it?

There is a way to turn this continuous scanning off, but it’s hidden within the bowels of Android 4.3’s settings menu. Follow these steps to disable it: [Read more…]

Stop your PC from going to sleep at the most inconvenient times

Posted on August 1, 2013

Have you ever been reading a lengthy article or watching a video and had your computer go into sleep mode or activate the screensaver right in the middle of it? Me too, and it can get rather annoying.

Depending on your system’s power settings, Windows will often think you aren’t using your PC if several minutes go by without you pressing a key or moving the mouse, and it will happily activate your screensaver or go into sleep mode. And when that happens it’s usually at the most inconvenient time possible.

A great free download called Caffeine will keep Windows from interrupting your work even when it thinks that the computer is sitting idle. Just activate it when you know you’ll be doing something for a while that doesn’t require keyboard or mouse activity, then de-activate it when you’re done. That way you can leave your power settings as they are.

Here’s how to use Caffeine to keep your PC active during long periods with no keyboard or mouse activity: [Read more…]