From the Mailbag - 06/22/2022
ISAAC has a Windows 10 laptop with three USB ports that stop working sometimes. To get them working again, he shuts the computer down, walks away, and then comes back an hour later. Any advice?
Unfortunately, ISAAC lives in rural Tennessee, so I cannot do a house call. However, I have been emailing back and forth with him and here is what I told him to do.
First, we need to determine whether the problem is hardware or software. I advised him to make a Linux Mint Live CD or USB Key. Boot the computer from that and see if the problem continues under a different operating system. If it does, then the problem is hardware, and he should take the laptop to a local repair shop for service.
If the problem goes away under Linux, then the problem is software. Unplug all of the USB devices, delete them from Device Manager, and delete/reinstall the Windows USB drivers. After that, reboot the machine and plug the USB devices back in ONE AT A TIME to test whether the problem reappears. I suspect this will fix it.
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DALE is 72 years old. He got his first computer two years ago and enjoys surfing the Web and streaming video on Amazon, Netflix and YouTube. He is concerned about banking and shopping online. Is 128-bit encryption really secure? Is it really safe to use his credit card online?
Yes, it is secure. Dr. Lance Gutteridge gives a nice overview HERE. Actually, the weakest link in the chain is YOU. Follow these tips and you should be fine.
He is using Windows 10. In recent years, Microsoft has made it much easier to keep your computer up to date.
Use a different STRONG password for each Web site. I recommend that you use a password manager like Bitwarden.
Do NOT click links in email.
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Eight years ago, WENDY got a used Windows computer from her grandchildren. She has been using it for basic Web surfing and watching videos. It has always been a little slow but lately seems to be getting worse. Her next door neighbor has a Mac and she really likes that. She asked which Mac I recommend for someone with a limited budget?
Buy the $699 Mac Mini. You will need a few additional items but do NOT buy them from Apple. They charge way too much. I included shopping links below.
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