Rick's Daily Tips

Create a desktop shortcut to the System Restore utility

Posted on March 6, 2013

I download, test and review a lot of software and I always create a new System Restore Point before I install every new program just in case something goes wrong. System Restore has saved my bacon on several occasions, and chances are it has also saved yours at least once in the past.

If you use the System Restore utility as much as I do, I recommend creating a shortcut to it and keeping it on your Desktop. Here are instructions for creating a shortcut to System Restore in Windows XP, Vista, 7 and 8 (just skip to the section that’s applicable to you): [Read more…]

How to dry out a smart phone that has been dropped in water

Posted on March 5, 2013

phone-drying Have you ever dropped your smart phone and watched it bounce across the floor? I have too, and it isn’t a very pleasant experience. And if you’ve ever dropped you phone into water the feeling is even worse!

If you act quickly however, you have an excellent chance at saving your phone from a watery death. Here are the key points to remember:

1 – Speed is of the essence. The moment you realize that your smart phone has taken a plunge off the virtual equivalent of a high dive, you need to retrieve it from the water. Do not hesitate while pondering whether the phone is worth sticking your hand into a nasty toilet in order to retrieve it. You need to have that settled in your mind ahead of time. [Read more…]

Q&A: How can I block access to a single website on my PC running Windows 7?

Posted on March 3, 2013

Question from Vicky P.: Rick, I logged into my PayPal account the other day and noticed that a payment for $74.94 had been made to someone that I had never heard of. Since my 13 year old daughter and I are the only people who ever use my computer I knew right away that she was the one who made the purchase.

Well, we had a short “discussion” during which I discovered that she had opened an eBay account in my name and used it to buy an item that she knew I would never allow her to have otherwise. Needless to say, she is grounded for life (well, for a month anyway lol). Is there any way to block eBay so that it cannot be accessed at all on my PC?

Rick’s answer: Yes, in fact there is Vicky. All you need to do is add a single line to a Windows file named Hosts. Here’s how: [Read more…]

How to make Windows shut down faster

Posted on March 2, 2013

Important: Following this tip requires editing the Windows Registry, a procedure that can result in a corrupted Windows installation if not completed properly.

Therefore, if you follow the steps listed below, you do so at your own risk and agree that it will not be my fault if your favorite TV show gets canceled, the wind blows over your favorite tree or your computer becomes unbootable or unstable.

If you decide to proceed, then I recommend creating a System Restore Point first just to be on the safe side. If you’re still with me, lets get started… [Read more…]

Complete list of Windows 8/8.1 keyboard shortcuts

Posted on March 1, 2013

If you’re a frequent visitor to this blog you probably know that I love keyboard shortcuts and write about them fairly often. Today it dawned on me that I have never posted a complete list of all the Windows 8 keyboard shortcuts in a single comprehensive list. Well, here it is!

If you’re new to the world of keyboard shortcuts, they are extremely easy to use. Simply press and hold the appropriate modifier key (Windows, Ctrl, ALT or Function) and then press the key that follows the plus sign. You’ll find the Windows key on the lower left-hand corner of the keyboard between the Ctrl and Alt keys (check out the photo at the bottom of the page for exact placement).

Now that the preliminaries are out of the way, here is your complete list of Windows 8 keyboard shortcuts: [Read more…]