Your daily dose of practical, easy to follow tech tips!
Question from Donna L.: Hi Rick. I just read your post explaining why I need to password protect my Wi-Fi connection, and I want to do it.
The problem is I can’t find the manual for my router so I don’t know what IP address I need to use to log into it. Can you tell me what it is? It’s a Lynksys E2500. Also, I can’t remember the username and password for the login screen. Can I reset them?
Rick’s answer: [Read more…]
Question from Caleb W.: I recently dipped my toes into the world of gaming and a friend said I’ll get better performance out of my system (Gateway DX-4860) if I upgrade it by installing a discrete graphics card.
The instructions for the card I bought said I should disable the integrated graphics circuitry that’s built onto the motherboard, but I can’t figure out how to do it. Can you tell me what I need to do?
Rick’s answer: Caleb, the BIOS in your Gateway DX-4860 will detect that you have installed a discrete graphics card and automatically disable the on-board video circuitry. You don’t really need to do a thing except just install the new card. Give it a try, and let me know if you run in to any problems. I wish you well and hope you enjoy your games!
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Question from Larry V.: Rick, I have a Dell Dimension 3100 (Windows XP) that’s served me quite well over the years, but when I turned it on yesterday morning it wouldn’t connect to the Internet.
When I plug in the cable from the router it recognizes it and says it’s connected at 100 Mbs, but I can’t access any websites, check for system updates, or do anything else that requires an Internet connection. Do you think it might be a hardware problem?
Rick’s answer: [Read more…]
Question from Daphne W.: Hi Rick. I have a quick question if you don’t mind.
Every now and then I see a post on Facebook stating that cell phone numbers are going to be released to telemarketers soon and that we should all add our cell numbers to the “Do Not Call” list.
Someone else usually comments back that it’s a hoax and that adding a cell number to the list will get you in trouble with the government. What’s the real deal here? Thanks!
Rick’s answer: Daphne, there is absolutely no truth whatsoever to the frequent posts about cell numbers being released to telemarketers. This hoax has been making the rounds on Facebook for years so “soon” should have been here a long, long time ago. Don’t worry, it isn’t going to happen! [Read more…]
Question from Adelle H.: Hi Rick. I really like your site and your tips, and I would love to have your opinion about something. I would really like to have an iPad just for Facebooking, checking email and watching an occasional movie, but at the moment I can’t afford the iPad 4.
Would it be a mistake to buy an iPad 2 instead of saving up for an iPad 4? If I wait it’ll be a good while before I can afford one and I’ve found a really great deal on a brand new iPad 2 still in the box.
Rick’s answer: Adelle, in my opinion there’s absolutely nothing wrong with buying a brand new iPad 2 instead of waiting until you can afford the latest model (the iPad 5 will be released very soon). The iPad 2 is a very capable device and I believe you’ll be quite happy with it. [Read more…]