Computer Tips Archives - Page 140 of 225

Q&A: How do I remove the PIN from my Windows PC?

Posted on February 11, 2021

Question from Beverly: My 7 year old laptop stopped working last year and I replaced it with a new one that has Windows 10 on it.

When I was setting up the new laptop it asked me to create a password for logging into Windows.

Then it also asked me to create a PIN.

I’ve been logging in with the PIN ever since but I recently read an article that said passwords are more secure than PINs.

I’ve been logging in with my password since then but the log-in screen still gives the option to use the PIN when I click the “Sign-in Options” link.

If I can choose to enter the PIN instead of the password a computer thief would be able to as well, right?

My questions is, how do I completely remove the PIN from my laptop?

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

16 awesome (and mostly free) tools for maintaining and repairing your Windows PC

Posted on February 6, 2021

Knowing how to keep your PC running smoothly and doing your own repairs is a lot of fun as well as a real money saver.

I’ve been working on computers for well over 30 years but I still gain a lot of satisfaction every time I fix someone’s computer.

There’s a lot to learn when it comes to the inner workings of a PC and the software that runs on it, and knowing how to put those skills to work in the most efficient manner possible is half the battle.

[Read more…]

Q&A: Can I use my existing external hard drive with my new MacBook?

Posted on February 5, 2021

Note: The links in this post are affiliate links.

Question from Lawrence: Hi, Rick. I’m hoping you can answer a question for me about hard drives.

A while back I bought a Seagate STHN2000400 2TB external hard drive to use to transfer files back and forth between the personal Mac I keep at home and another Mac that I use at work.

This arrangement was working great until my home Mac bit the dust and I had to replace it.

The problem I’m having is the MacBook Pro I bought a few days ago won’t work with the Seagate drive. There’s no connector on the laptop that will accept the plug on the drive.

If at all possible I’d like to keep using this drive with the new MacBook Pro because it contains thousands of files that I use both at home and at work.

Is there some kind of adapter I can buy to make this particular Seagate drive work with my new laptop? [Read more…]

Has your router been hacked? Find out right now.

Posted on February 2, 2021

As you probably know by now, pretty much anything with a computer chip in it can be hacked.

What you might not know is that hackers are busy attacking routers all around the world as we speak.

And guess what? Your router could be one of the unlucky devices that have been hacked already. The good news is you can find out right now if that’s indeed the case.

[Read more…]