Listen to this post or continue reading below. (Audio provided by ElevenLabs.) I just picked up an Amicool External DVD Drive after I realized I’d lost my last means of accessing DVDs when my old computer died. There was no setup and no external power source – just plug it in to the USB, insert […]
Evaluating the Kamrui Essenx Mini PC
Listen to this article or continue reading below. (Audio provided by ElevenLabs.) Kamrui Essenx E1 Specs and Features Leaving the Tower (This article contains affiliate links to Amazon.com. The products shown have been personally reviewed by the author and found to meet the standards for advertising and recommendation on ComeauSoftware.com.) I lost my old tower […]
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13 Min
Unboxing the Unitek IDE / SATA to USB 3.0 Drive Adapter
I hoped it would be a simple fix when the customer asked me to look at her Windows 7 machine this week. I don’t really do PC repair anymore but I have one or two old customers I’ll help out when needed. I figured it was just some Windows settings that needed adjustment but after […]
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1 Min
Unboxing the ASUS Chromebook
This past weekend, I finally decided to spring for a Chromebook. I’ve been thinking more and more about a Windows replacement machine, at least for basic tasks. I also wanted an inexpensive solution that would extend the life of my current laptop. I often don’t need the full machine out on the road and the […]
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1 Min
Screen Rapidly Flashes On and Off After Windows 7 Update
Problem After installing updates in Windows 7, I found that my primary display flashed on and off rapidly and I was unable to activate any menus on the screen. My extended display, powered by a StarTech USB to VGA Adapter, remained off even though the drivers were properly installed and everything had been working prior […]
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2 Min
My First 24 Hours With Alexa
I couldn’t resist any longer and decided to welcome Amazon’s Alexa into my home. I was a little hesitant at first about letting Amazon put a microphone in my house but my curiosity won out. I live alone anyway and the device can always be unplugged if necessary. At worst, it might get me to stop talking to […]
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2 Min
A Quick Guide To Keeping Your Flash Drive Data Safe
When I started using computers about 30 years ago, the floppy disk was the standard of personal data storage. I actually started out using the 5.25″ disk so the 3.5″ disk with it’s hard case and a little bit more space was a welcome improvement at the time. We’ve come a long way in the […]
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2 Min
A Couple of Notes on Cloud Computing
Years ago, when I was making do with the limited computer equipment that I could afford, I never dreamed that I would one day be able to login to a website, plug in a few specs about the machine I wanted and then, a few minutes later, log into that machine remotely and run whatever […]
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1 Min
On the Importance of Backups and Storage Decisions
I admit it’s a little bit of a geek thing but I’m in the habit of wiping and reloading my computer systems at least once a year to keep everything working right. I find that, even as careful as I am about what I install, I still work with some major software and Windows systems […]
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Replacing Your Wireless Mouse / Keyboard Receiver
Listen to this article or continue reading below. (Audio generated with ElevenLabs) Wireless mice and keyboards are a great way to reduce the tangle of wires on your desktop but what do you do when that tiny USB receiver, the one about the size of your fingernail, goes missing? That’s what I asked myself the […]
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1 Min