Rick's Daily Tips

Seagate Seatools – Free utility to test your hard drive for problems

Posted on January 10, 2013

seatools Maintaining a healthy hard drive is essential for protecting your valuable photos, documents and other precious data.

While a having a current backup on hand in case of disaster is an absolute must, performing a thorough diagnostic test of your PC’s hard drive on a regular basis is a great way to find out when (not if) the drive is about to bite the dust and take your data with it.

A great way to keep tabs on your hard drive’s health is to periodically run a high quality diagnostic test on it. The one I use and recommend is Seatools, a free program available directly from the hard drive manufacturer Seagate Technologies. [Read more…]

How to install Windows 8…and keep Windows 7 too!

Posted on January 9, 2013

dual-boot Do you want to install Windows 8 and still keep your existing Windows 7 installation too? Well, you can by setting up a dual boot system. Here’s how:

1 – Purchase a copy of your preferred version of Windows 8. In order to set up a dual boot system you’ll need to spring for a full retail copy, not a Windows 8 upgrade package.

If you buy Windows 8 in a brick and mortar store (say from Wal-Mart, Best Buy, etc.) you’ll be all set to proceed once you get home with it. But if you buy it online and download the Windows 8 ISO file you’ll need to burn it onto a blank DVD. Either way, once you have a Windows 8 installation disc at the ready, proceed to step 2. [Read more…]

How to create a Wi-Fi hotspot with your Android phone

Posted on January 9, 2013

tethering-screenshot Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to use your laptop, tablet or other Wi-Fi enabled device at any place where there is a decent 3G or 4G signal available?

Well, if you have a smart phone running Android 2.2 or later you have everything you need to create a Wi-Fi hotspot that can provide Internet service for up to five Wi-Fi enabled devices!

The Android feature for creating a hotspot is called Tethering, and here are the steps for turning it on in your phone:

1 – From your Android phone’s Home screen, tap the Menu button or screen location to go to the Settings screen.

2 – Tap Settings.

3 – Tap Wireless & networks. [Read more…]

How to disable the Windows 8 Lock Screen

Posted on January 8, 2013

If you find the new “Lock Screen” that Microsoft decided to add to Windows 8 annoying, you can easily disable it. Here’s how:

1 – Type gpedit.msc on any blank section of the Start Screen.

2 – Click Computer Configuration

3 – Click Administrative Templates

4 – Click Control Panel

5 – Click Personalization

6 – Double-click on the policy labeled Do not display the lock screen

7 – Select the option Enabled

8 – Click OK

There you go! Now you won’t have to go through the hassle of “unlocking” your computer every time you want to use it.

Never rest your laptop on a bed or pillow!

Posted on January 5, 2013

laptop-on-bed Obviously, one of the greatest benefits of owning a laptop computer is the ability to use it pretty much anywhere, including in bed.

But if you like to relax with your laptop while lying in bed, you’d be wise to never rest it directly on the bed itself or on a pillow.

Like desktop computers, laptops need an adequate amount of airflow over and around the internal components in order to prevent the build-up of damaging heat inside the case.

If you turn your laptop over and look at the bottom you’ll see several vents that allow the internal fan to draw air into the case. This airflow cools the internal components by drawing heat away from them and blowing it out the exit vent. [Read more…]