My PC is in Hospice: a reader asks… Hi Chris, I think my computer is in hospice and ready to die. It seems to crash a lot, sometimes with the dreaded BSOD, sometimes just restarting and showing me a “this computer has recovered from a serious error” message. Everything runs very slowly and surfing the internet is painful. It’s not got a virus, I have your recommended computer protection programs on it, but it’s really messing up – a lot. […]
Old-school Backup: a reader asks… Hi Coach, I’ve got a 2 year old Windows 7 laptop, and a brand new 2tb Passport external hard drive. I’m finally ready to follow your advice and backup my computer. I don’t want to store any files on the internet, but I want to be covered in case of disaster. Can you give me a quick how-to for backup? Congratulations, you’re joining about 3% of consumers who actually do backup. I should note that […]
iPhone Family Sharing – a reader asks… Hi Chris, my husband and I’ve been using an iPhone for years, and now our kids are old enough, so we’re going to get them iPhones too. Call me crazy, but I think this is the best way we can keep track of all our comings and goings. Should we set them all up on my Apple ID or go with this new “Family Sharing” plan that Apple’s pushing? What are the pro’s […]
I can’t send AOL mail! a reader asks… Hi Chris, I was wondering if you might be able to determine why emails I am sending are bouncing back. I’ve attached a “non-delivery report” from one of my rejected emails. I use AOL for email, and have had problems sending to several email services including Cox, Comcast, and yours! Thanks for any help you can provide… Anytime you send an email to someone and their email service provider rejects it, you should […]
Friend’s Email Faked: a reader asks… Hi Chris, I received an email from someone I know, but the email was strange, just a few words and then a website address with a lot of characters. I clicked on the link which took me to a Microsoft website with a warning on it that said my computer was infected and to call a number. So I called the number and this guy said he was from Microsoft Tech Support, confirmed that […]
Mac to iPhone & Back: a reader asks… Hi Chris, I have an iMac and an iPhone. I’ve got my email, calendar and addressbook syncing between the two just fine, but is there a way I can either synchronize files or copy them from one to the other? Transferring or synchronizing files between different computers (and types of computers) can get a little complicated. Since you use all Apple devices, one way is to use AirDrop to pass files back […]
Vanity Domains: a reader asks… Hi Coach, I run a small business and up to now have been doing just fine with just a phone number and a gmail address. Everybody says I should be using my own domain name instead of gmail. Can you tell me what to do to make this happen? While your question is deceptively simple to ask, as you will see there are a lot of factors to consider in giving you a complete answer. […]
Quick Find for Windows 10: Seems like this week is chock full of Windows 10 questions! A reader asks… Hi Chris, I’m using Windows 10 now, and reasonably happy. But I haven’t taken the time to arrange tiles on the new Start menu, and it is a pain to click the All Programs and scroll down the list to find what I want. Is there a fast and easy way to open a program? The fastest way I can think […]
Hate Edge? a reader asks… I upgraded my laptop from Windows 7 to Windows 10, and I think it all works fine. There’s only one problem – I absolutely hate the new browser. I was happy using Internet Explorer 11, and I find this new “Edge” to be a real pain. What should I do? A quick and easy answer is to simply stop using Edge and start using IE11. Microsoft is pushing Edge on everybody, but Windows 10 still […]
Win10 Start Busted: a reader asks… Hi Chris, my Windows 10 computer has a problem. I can run any program that’s on my taskbar, and can right-click the desktop to get to control panel stuff, but clicking the Start button doesn’t do anything. Can you help? Windows 10 is getting better as Microsoft squashes bugs left and right. But there are still some glaring issues, and your busted Start menu could be indicative of one of them. But the first […]
Don’t get Phished: A reader asks… Hi Chris, I’m hearing more and more about ‘phishing‘ and my company has even setup mandatory training for all employees. Before I go to that training, can you give me a quick primer on what it is and what to watch out for? I’m not sure why we are worrying about this, we’re just a small company. More and more companies are coming to the realization that if they hold sensitive information on their […]
Help Mom Email: a reader asks… My mother is 88 and is just getting into using modern technology. We tried giving her a laptop but she just finds it too complicated to use. So I got her a new iPad. It’s been a long and slow grind teaching her how to use it. She’s having trouble recognizing buttons and is having trouble using email. I set her up with a Gmail account but she really isn’t getting how it works. She […]
Windows 10 SNAFU: a reader asks… Hey Chris, I just upgraded my almost 5-year-old Dell Studio 1569 laptop from Windows 7 to Windows 10, taking the free upgrade. This is horrible! The computer seems ok for the first few minutes, but then slows to a ridiculously slow pace. Even moving the mouse takes 4-5 seconds from when I swipe the touchpad to when the on-screen cursor moves. It’s completely maddening! Can you help me fix this? You have been bitten […]
Use Night Shift: a reader asks… I’ve upgraded my iPhone to the latest version of iOS. Not having any problems, but I’ve heard about this new “Night Shift” mode. What is that, and how do I use that? When Apple released version 9.3 of the iPhone/iPad operating system, they touted a new feature called Night Shift that purportedly removes most of the blue light coming from your device’s screen. It casts a yellowish tint over everything displayed including the home […]
Current Version Woes: a reader asks… Hey Coach, I’m feeling crushed, I’m working along on my Windows laptop and get interrupted by updates all the time. Updates to Windows, Microsoft Office, my security programs, Java, Dell – it’s maddening! Most of the time I just x-out the window or ignore it because I’m too busy doing my job to worry about updating my computer. Is there a way to automate this process so I don’t have to mess with it? […]
Gmail iPhone App: a reader asks… Chris…Do you recommend I update to this mobile gmail app for my iphone? I am sure it is more insidious but may be better functionality?? What say ye IT Coach? This is Google’s attempt to get you further into their ecosphere. Not necessarily a bad thing, and for Android smartphone users probably not an issue, but as an iPhone user you need to decide for yourself if you want the 3 new features they […]
Password Shorts: a reader asks… Hey Coach, I’m unhappy. My work won’t let me use ‘unauthorized’ programs like LastPass on my company-issued smartphone and computer, and they make me change passwords every 90 days. Can you give me some ammo to get them to change their stupid policy and let me get in the 21st century with password management? At this point I’m writing down the passwords on a piece of paper I keep in my wallet. Corporate America (and […]
The Home Office: a reader asked… Hi Chris, I’ve recently retired and am setting up my own home-based business. Do you have some recommendations on what technology I need to outfit my new office? I will need to hold my clients’ private data and files securely, and need to be able to do the usual office-y things. Please assume I have nothing yet, and need everything. Oh, and I’m partial to Macs but not committed. Thank you! Your home-based business […]
Tunes in Airplane Mode: a reader asks… My iTunes on my iPhone 6s does not play on airplane mode when traveling. All the songs are on computer and iPad but did not transfer to my phone. I plugged phone into computer and still nothing! Suggestions? Portable devices like iPhones and iPads don’t have as much storage space for song files than computers, so Apple configured iTunes on your iPhone to not automatically sync your entire music library. If you think […]
Old Web Browser: a reader asks… I guess I’m a Luddite, I still use Internet Explorer on my Windows 7 computer. I keep seeing Microsoft trying to get me to upgrade to version 11, but I’m not sure why I should bother. I’m using version 10. Do I really need to upgrade? In a word, yes. Internet Explorer 10 is a security vulnerability waiting to happen. Microsoft ended supporting that (also older versions of IE, and also Windows 8) back […]
Long-lived laptop? A reader asks… Hey Coach, what’s the easiest way I can extend the longevity of my Windows 7 laptop? It’s a 2 year old Dell and works ok, but a little slow. I have a 500gb hard drive and 6gb RAM. Check out my guide to replacing your spinning hard drive with a speedy SSD in this article. It’s geared towards making your computer run faster, but replacing your aging hard drive is the one thing you can […]
Safely Send Tax Documents: a reader asks… Hi Chris, I have to send some documents to my tax preparer. I’m worried about sending them by email. What is the best encryption product to send tax stuff? My wonderful accountant lives in Florida and does clients’ taxes virtually. I definitely don’t want to send all my scanned stuff through regular email. While there are a number of methods in use for encrypting email, I’ve not found anything that’s ready for the consumer. […]
Email Rejected: a reader asks… Hi Chris, someone sent me an email but my email service provider rejected it. I got the sender to forward me the non-delivery report they got back (copy attached). Can you decipher it and tell me what to do? I need to get emails from that sender! Looking at the NDR you sent me revealed the reason why the message wasn’t delivered. Buried in the gobbledy-gook of the NDR was: “The error that the other […]
Windows Update Won’t: a reader asks… Hi Coach, I’ve noticed that lately my Windows Update isn’t working. I’m not getting any updates, and it’s causing my computer to work really hard. Do you have a quick fix? You know it’s important to keep Windows up-to-date, it seems like at least a few times a month there are important security updates that you simply must install to keep your computer and your personal information safe. But what do you do if you get […]
Older finger on keyboard: a reader asks… Hi Chris, I’m helping my father with his desktop PC. He’s older and has lost a lot of feeling in his fingers. He’s having trouble with the standard keyboard that came with the computer, can’t tell if he’s pushed a key or not. Any suggestions? Why don’t you go retro? The older mechanical keyboards took a lot more work to type on (think Selectric typewriters) than today’s keyboards which have micro-switches under the […]
It’s time for Windows 10: a reader asks… Hi Coach, I got hit by the Windows 10 upgrade. I didn’t really want it, but yesterday my computer was upgraded. I’m really annoyed! What should I do? In Windows Update, Microsoft recently moved the Windows 10 upgrade from optional to recommended. For many people, they have Windows Update set to automatically install both critical and recommended updates, so your computer got the upgrade. A lot of people have complained, so over […]
Malwarebytes Icon: a reader asks… Hi Coach, I took your advice (thanks!) on getting Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Premium for my Windows 7 laptop, and made the settings changes you suggested. It’s all working great, and I only have one minor little problem. The icon for the program is on my desktop and I like a clean desktop. But I can’t remove the icon, no matter how many times I try! Is there some trick to doing that? Congrats on getting one […]
Ransomware Protection: a reader asks… Hey Coach, I’ve been reading warnings about ransomware being the big threat for 2016, read about the recent and successful attack at the Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center, and am starting to worry. What’s a regular consumer tech gal to do? Even the FBI says your best bet is to pay the ransom. I haven’t been infected yet, but am worried it’s only a matter of time. Got a hot tip for me? I use Windows 10 […]
Identity Theft Protection: a reader asks… I’ve subscribed to TrustedID which is sold through AARP. It seems quite comprehensive, and also provides access to your credit score from all three providers at any time. I’m no longer tempted to subscribe to the (expensive) individual credit card or bank id protection services. What do you think of TrustedID? My short answer is that 1) I don’t think their services are worth the cost, and 2) no automated service will give you […]
Post Win10 Upgrade: a reader asks… Hi Chris, I just finished upgrading to Windows 10. I followed your advice and am using a local account, have turned of Cortana, and set my privacy settings as private as I can. I think I’m all set except for one problem. I use Bitdefender Total Security 2016, and after the upgrade it won’t update, it won’t activate, and the antivirus feature won’t turn on. What should I do now? Despite Microsoft’s exhortations to […]
"I'm all about helping you deal with our 21st century high-tech digital world so you can enjoy a healthy and secure digital life!"
Hi! I'm Chris Gardner, Your Tech Coach giving you Practical Help for Your Digital Life® since 1996. My job is to translate geek-speak into clear and concise advice and give you easy-to-understand how-to's and instructions about your consumer technology products and services.
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