Rick's Daily Tips

Q&A: Should I order a set of Windows Vista Restore disks for my laptop or just buy Windows 8?

Posted on January 30, 2014

Question from Joseph K.: I have an HP desktop computer that came with Windows Vista. The hard drive died and I had to replace it and I can’t find my Restore disks.

I can order a set of Restore disks from HP but I was wondering if I should just buy Windows 8 instead? A friend told me that I can probably get Windows 8 for about twice what I’d have to pay for the Vista Restore CDs. Your advice will be greatly appreciated.

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

Q&A: Why should I convert my old C: drive to an external drive after an SSD upgrade instead of installing it as a D: drive?

Posted on January 29, 2014

Question from Gary M.: Rick, Microsoft is forcing me to get serious about upgrading from Windows XP to Windows 8 (or 8.1). I just finished reading your recommendation to install an SSD drive and convert my XP internal drive into an external USB drive.

I was thinking along similar lines, but figured I would make my existing XP drive into a drive D: after upgrading to Windows 8. Why would converting it to an external USB drive be better?

Thanks, Gary

Ricks answer: [Read more…]

Q&A: How can I maximize the battery life of my iPad?

Posted on January 27, 2014

Question from Ken F: Hello Rick. I bought an iPad 2 to use when I’m out in the field doing wildlife research for the non-profit group that I work for. I chose a tablet over a laptop because when I’m in the field I need to use it for up to 48 hours at a time without recharging the battery and without turning it off.

I need to know if it’s possible to make my iPad’s battery last that long? And if so, how can I make it happen?

Rick’s answer: Ken, the iPad 2 has a decent battery life right out of the box, and there are indeed things you can do to make the battery last as long as possible. But I think stretching it out to 48 hours might be out of the realm of possibility.

That being said, I do have a few suggestions for you: [Read more…]

Q&A: How do I prevent others from sharing my photos on Facebook?

Posted on January 27, 2014

Question from Brenda L.: I hate it when people share the photos I post on Facebook without asking first. Some of them are personal family pictures that I don’t want shared all over Facebook. How do I stop it?

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

Q&A: How do I get my Facebook Ticker back?

Posted on January 26, 2014

Question from Debra: Hi Rick. Weeks ago, I pressed the “Hide Ticker’ tab in a moment of boredom. It has disappeared now and there’s no option to get it back.

If I minimize my screen to tiny writing, I can see it’s still there. But it’s not possible to use FB easily with a font that small. Can you help? I enjoy the Ticker!! Thanks!

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]