Your daily dose of practical, easy to follow tech tips!
Microsoft Windows shares it’s processing time (CPU cycles) with every program that’s running, including the programs that are running in the background. This makes the program you’re actually using at the time run slower than it really has to.
A free utility called TopWinPrio allocates extra CPU cycles to whichever program is currently active while reducing the number of CPU cycles allocated to those running in the background. This makes the active program run faster. [Read more…]
Question from Tina F.: Rick, I recently bought a new laptop for my 12 year old son and it came with Windows 8 and Internet Explorer 10.
I won’t go into the reason why, but I would really like to uninstall I.E. from the computer in order to force him to use either Firefox or Chrome. The problem is I can’t seem to find Internet Explorer listed on the Remove Programs list in the Control Panel. How do I delete it?
Rick’s answer: [Read more…]
There are several ways to open the Control Panel in Windows 7, but if you use it a lot like I do you can add it to the menu that pops up whenever you right-click on the Desktop.
Important: This tip requires editing the Windows Registry, a procedure that if done incorrectly can render your system unstable, or even unbootable.
By following this tip you understand and agree that it isn’t my fault if lightning strikes your favorite tree, your flowers all shrivel up and die or your computer refuses to start up properly after editing the Registry.
If you agree with everything I just said, then feel free to create a Restore Point and then proceed as follows: [Read more…]
T-Mobile has effectively put an end to wireless contracts, opting instead to allow all customers to sign up for “pay-as-you-go” service similar to the plans offered by Straight Talk, TracFone, Virgin Mobile and others. Could this be a trend sweeping the industry? I happen to think it is.
Pay-as-you-go cell phone service has been offered for years by TracFone and their no-contract brethren, but the concept really hit its stride when Wal-Mart jumped into the game with their Strait Talk service. The thought of being able to switch carriers at a moment’s notice without having to pay a penalty is causing customers to jump ship in large numbers when their contracts expire, switching instead to companies that don’t require a contract. [Read more…]
Question from Ron A.: Rick, I have a laptop (HP Pavilion dv4170us) with 1GB of RAM that is currently running Windows Vista. I looked it up online and found out that it will hold up to 2GB.
I’d like to max out the RAM at 2GB but I have a question. Do you recommend replacing the RAM modules that are already in there with all new RAM or just adding an additional 1GB to boost the total to 2GB?
Rick’s answer: [Read more…]