Rick's Daily Tips

Q&A: How do I burn files onto a blank CD or DVD with Windows 10?

Posted on October 6, 2018

Question from Howard C.: I just bought a new computer with Windows 10 and I can’t figure out how to burn files onto a blank CD or DVD. Can you tell me how to do it?

Rick’s answer: Congrats on getting a new computer Howard! I hope it serves you well for many years to come!

To answer your question, it’s actually pretty easy to burn files to a blank optical disc in Windows 10. Just follow the steps below: [Read more…]

Q&A: Should I update the UEFI firmware on my computer’s motherboard?

Posted on October 6, 2018

Question from Mike: I bought a custom-built PC from a local computer shop back in February 2017.

I recently found out there’s a major UEFI firmware update available for this computer’s motherboard, and I’d like to install it.

I asked for advice and tips for installing the update on a computer forum that I’m a member of and several people recommended that I don’t update the firmware because it’s dangerous to do so.

They all said I should take it to a computer shop and have them update it for me.

I’d take it to the folks who built the computer but they shut down a while back and they’re no longer in business. The closest computer repair shop is now located over 40 miles away.

I’d really like your opinion on this. I want to install the update but not if there’s a real chance that I could mess something up. Do you think there is?

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

Warning: Make sure you back up your PC before installing the ‘Windows 10 October 2018 Update’!

Posted on October 4, 2018

Well, Microsoft has now released their massive annual Fall update for this year.

They’re referring to it as the Windows 10 October 2018 Update, and as usual they’re preparing to roll it out to user’s PCs in stages.

This update is already available for folks who want to install the update manually instead of waiting for it to “roll out” to their machines via the regular update cycle.

Lots of folks have already installed the update on their machines with with no problems whatsoever, but others haven’t been so lucky.

[Read more…]

Speed up your slow laptop with an inexpensive Solid State Hybrid Drive

Posted on September 28, 2018

I’ve written several posts in the past explaining how you can speed up your computer dramatically by replacing its hard drive with a Solid State Drive (SSD).

Installing an SSD is, quite literally, the best single upgrade you can make on virtually any computer. That being said, installing an SSD in a laptop does have a downside…

Byte for byte, large capacity SSDs are still relatively expensive when compared to hard drives with similar capacities, and since most laptops only have one drive bay, leaving your larger hard drive installed to hold your data isn’t usually an option. [Read more…]