Hello, and welcome…
Rick’s Daily Tech Tips Update for Thursday, April 4, 2024
Topics covered in this issue…
• My bi-annual gadget cleaning and maintenance routine
• Q&A: What happens with Two-Factor Authentication if I switch phones?
• This is the best computer upgrade you can make for the money
• Bananas are berries, but strawberries aren’t? Are you kidding me???
• April’s Tech Tips Giveaway: Anker 521 300W Portable Power Station
Today’s issue is sponsored by…
Maria Fontana – Growing aligned businesses and shifting mindsets for extraordinary entrepreneurs.
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Note: Have something you’d like to tell over 16,500 engaged subscribers? Click here to sponsor the next available issue of this newsletter.
Monthly Tech Giveaway….
We have a winner for March…
Congratulations to Teresa G. from McKinney, Texas for winning the HP Pavilion 17.3″ HD+ Laptop in March’s Tech Tips Giveaway.
April’s winner will receive an Anker 521 300W Portable Power Station (click for details).
The prizes featured in my Monthly Tech Giveaways include a combination of the best items I have received for testing and review and brand new items provided directly by partner companies.
All winners are selected at random. All Standard subscribers have an equal chance to win. All Premium subscribers have double the chance to win (their email addresses are added to the pot twice).
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Today’s featured tech tip….
My bi-annual gadget cleaning and maintenance routine
Twice each year I give my computers and mobile devices thorough physical and digital cleanings. I completed my winter clean-up in January and I do the summer clean-up in June, but you can set your own schedule in a manner that works best for you.
I won’t go into any great detail here since computers and mobile devices vary so much, but the following is a broad overview of my semi-annual maintenance routine.
First, I give each device a physical cleaning…
1 – Use a can of compressed air, a data-vac or an electric air duster to remove all the dust that has accumulated inside the fans and cases of my laptops (when practical) and desktop computers. Ditto for the physical keyboards.
2 – Blow any accumulated dust out of all USB ports, HDMI ports and other types of ports.
3 – Blow loose dust from the surfaces of all computer screens.
4 – Check to make sure all fans are operating properly and make any needed repairs if one or more of them are mal-functioning.
5 – Use some electronics screen wipes to gently, but completely remove all accumulated dirt and grime from every computer and mobile device screen.
Next, I give each device a digital cleaning…
1 – Run virus and malware checks on Windows PCs with multiple on-demand antivirus apps plus the free version of Malwarebytes.
Mac desktop machines and MacBooks get a scan with Malwarebytes for Mac.
2 – Use a good antivirus app (personally, I like AVG for Android) to make sure my Android devices are virus and malware free. (Apple’s iOS-based mobile devices don’t really need to be checked for malware.)
3 – Uninstall any unused (and unnecessary) programs and apps from every computer and mobile device.
4 – Run Disk cleanup on Windows machines and optimize storage space on Macs.
5 – Clear out every cache I can find on every device.
(Note: If you decide to take this step make sure you have the password for every account that you’re currently logged into since clearing the cache will sign you out of your accounts.)
6 – Check every device for pending security updates and install any that are found.
That’s pretty much it. These maintenance routines take a bit of time (especially if you have multiple devices) but it pays huge dividends in terms of enhanced performance, security and extended product life.
The latest from Rick’s Daily Tips Tech Blog…
• Q&A: What happens with Two-Factor Authentication if I switch phones?
This post details the procedure I use and recommend.
• This is the best computer upgrade you can make for the money
Lots of people are falling for this one again.
• Click here to see today’s ‘Picture of the Day’.
Every morning I post a new photo that I find inspiring, intriguing, or just plain beautiful to look at. Jumpstart your day by checking it out.
Rick’s Daily Pick…
Sperry Instruments GFI6302 GFCI Outlet Tester
Are all of your home’s electrical outlets wired correctly and working as they should be? You can find out in seconds by plugging a good outlet tester into and peeking at the lights.
I’ve been using this little gem from Sperry for years and I love it.
Today’s post from ‘My Daily Smile’…
Bananas are berries, but strawberries aren’t? Are you kidding me???
Like they say, you learn something new every day.
Tech news that caught my eye…
• The FCC will vote to restore net neutrality later this month
• Microsoft details Windows 11 AI PC requirements
• SpaceX now offering ‘expert installs’ of Starlink for $199
• Apple says ‘system error’ led to incorrect emails sent to Apple Card users
• New Chrome feature aims to stop hackers from using stolen cookies
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Thanks so much, and have an amazing day.
Your tech buddy,
Rick Rouse
https://www.RicksDailyTips.com