Recycling Computers and Other Tech
There are so many free ways to recycle computers. Do The Right Thing, and find a free resource for recycling your unwanted tech items.
Hardware
The Cricut Debacle
If you have a Cricut device or are thinking of purchasing one, you should definitely be aware of this news: Recently, Cricut made a change to their product, and it angered a large part of their user base. Cricut users learned that they would soon be subject to a 20-file per month limit, unless they … Read more
Logitech Unifying Software
USB port economy is important! If you’ve bought your Logitech Mouse and Keyboard separately from each other, you may have connected each receiver (USB bud) to your computer to get them to work. But that occupies 2 of your USB ports, which can be a heavy commitment on some laptops… You need to check out … Read more
Preserving a Voicemail Message
Let’s say you have a special voicemail message. Maybe it’s critical to a lawsuit you’re involved with. Or perhaps it’s a precious memory from a long-lost friend. If it’s important to you, then it needs to be protected! Don’t take your voicemail for granted, as it can be deleted or lost, like computer data. If … Read more
Prevent an App from Using Background Data
Recently, I got a warning from my cellphone provider that I’d crossed a data usage threshold. My smartphone had consumed almost 2GB of data in a single day. This was exceptional for me, so I did the detective work to figure out what happened. As it turns out, the Amazon Shopping app was the culprit. … Read more
Improving Your Wi-Fi Reception
A lot of people ask me for help with their Wi-Fi signal. They want better coverage in their homes, and they are often ready to go out for something expensive to fix it. But before I recommend buying a pricey Google Wi-Fi set or a Netgear Orbi WiFi system, there are a bunch of free … Read more
Monitor Adapter Cables
“I can’t get my old monitor to hook up to my new computer!” This complaint often comes up when someone is trying to connect old tech to new tech. Display connections have evolved over the years, and your new PC may not offer the port needed for your 10-year-old monitor. But don’t huck your old … Read more
DSL Troubleshooting
An ISP in Wales recently solved their town-wide DSL problem by locating and disconnecting a resident’s old TV. It’s an extreme example of a common problem with DSL service: DSL signal is very touchy and vulnerable to interference. And that interference can be caused by so many different things along your phonelines. If you have … Read more
Fake Flash Drives for Sale
1TB or 2TB flash drives are not cheap! If you’ve seen an ad or an offer for a Terabyte Flash Drive for a low price ($20-30), it is a scam. While terabyte-sized flash drives are finally coming to market, they are still expensive (~$150-200). “Fake” flash drives are for sale, though, on Amazon and similar … Read more
Recovering Data from an Unbootable Computer
For many years, I’ve recovered data from defunct computers for my customers. But having changed to a remote support role, this service is one of the few things I can no longer offer. So, I think it’s time I describe this process in detail, in case some of you are comfortable doing it yourself. Update … Read more