Ask Bob Rankin

Save Money on Printing Costs

Wed, 16 May 2012 17:12:50 +0000

Everyone complains about the high cost of home and small office printing. Paper prices are rising, and the cost of brand-name printer ink cartridges has always been outrageous. Here are some tips for slimming down your printing budget...

Continue reading Save Money on Printing Costs // Got Computer Questions? Ask Bob Rankin for Free Tech Support.

Do I Need an OUTbound Firewall?

Tue, 15 May 2012 15:44:01 +0000

I think I understand why I need a firewall to protect my computer from inbound threats. But a friend is telling me that I need another type of firewall software, which blocks outbound traffic as well. If I have anti-virus software, do I really need this outbound firewall?

Continue reading Do I Need an OUTbound Firewall? // Got Computer Questions? Ask Bob Rankin for Free Tech Support.

Do Those 'Speed Up Your PC' Programs Really Work?

Mon, 14 May 2012 17:27:28 +0000

I see commercials everywhere for products that promise to speed up my computer. Are they legit? If so, can you recommend any specific product?

Continue reading Do Those 'Speed Up Your PC' Programs Really Work? // Got Computer Questions? Ask Bob Rankin for Free Tech Support.

Hard Drive Partition Managers

Fri, 11 May 2012 15:10:05 +0000

Partitioning your hard drive is like putting up a digital fence, splitting your hard drive into distinct sections, each for a specific purpose. It allows you to install multiple operating systems, or just keep different types of data in their own little containers. Here's the scoop on partition managers...

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Are Prepaid Wireless Phones a Good Deal?

Thu, 10 May 2012 17:05:36 +0000

Verizon, AT&T and other mobile phone providers are offering pre-paid cell phone service with pay-as-you-go billing. If you like the idea of not having a long-term contract, and you don't use a cell phone all that much, a pre-paid cell phone could be a good option. But first you'll have to sort through all the intentionally confusing plans and offers...

Continue reading Are Prepaid Wireless Phones a Good Deal? // Got Computer Questions? Ask Bob Rankin for Free Tech Support.

How to Test and Fix Your Computer Hardware

Wed, 09 May 2012 19:22:02 +0000

If your computer is acting strangely, and you've already ruled out a virus, it might be gremlins. But more likely, a software error is being caused by a hardware component that's flaky, damaged, or overheated. Here are some tips and tools to help you diagnose and fix those annoying or intermittent computer problems that just seem to pop up for no apparent reason...

Continue reading How to Test and Fix Your Computer Hardware // Got Computer Questions? Ask Bob Rankin for Free Tech Support.

Geekly Update - 08 May 2012

Tue, 08 May 2012 13:32:07 +0000

As if knowing every detail of your personal life wasn't enough, is Facebook now setting its sights on the INSIDE of your body? What happens when you mix sugar, caffeine, taco sauce and computers? And will you be curling up with a Wook any time soon? Get answers to these burning questions, and the scoop on the latest tech news, in this edition of the Geekly Update. It's guaranteed to make you 146% smarter, read on...

Continue reading Geekly Update - 08 May 2012 // Got Computer Questions? Ask Bob Rankin for Free Tech Support.

Is MBAM Enough Security?

Fri, 04 May 2012 20:43:18 +0000

On the advice of a friend, I've installed MalwareBytes Anti-Malware. It claims to detect and remove viruses, spyware, rootkits and other nasties. Do I still need a separate anti-virus program, or will MBAM provide all the protection I need?

Continue reading Is MBAM Enough Security? // Got Computer Questions? Ask Bob Rankin for Free Tech Support.

Will Microsoft Security Essentials Take Over the World?

Fri, 04 May 2012 16:03:33 +0000

Microsoft recently released Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) 4.0, their free antivirus software. And according to a recent market analysis, MSE is on the verge of becoming the number one antivirus product. Find out what's new in the most recent MSE 4.0 release, and if it's the right internet security solution for you...

Continue reading Will Microsoft Security Essentials Take Over the World? // Got Computer Questions? Ask Bob Rankin for Free Tech Support.

Geekly Update - 03 May 2012

Thu, 03 May 2012 19:09:50 +0000

Are serial killers practicing their "craft" by playing video games? Can you get a better wifi connection by standing in the middle of a busy street? And will you need a home equity loan to afford the latest innovation in light bulbs? Get answers to these burning questions, and the scoop on the latest tech news, in this edition of the Geekly Update. It's guaranteed to make you 146% smarter, read on...

Continue reading Geekly Update - 03 May 2012 // Got Computer Questions? Ask Bob Rankin for Free Tech Support.

Is This the Future of Laptops?

Tue, 01 May 2012 14:26:58 +0000

The folks at Asus seem to be onto something with their Transformer Prime tablet. When attached to its docking keyboard, the Android-based Transformer Prime looks remarkably like a slimmed-down laptop. That resemblance has some wondering if the Transformer Prime can replace their bulky laptops. Let's take a look...

Continue reading Is This the Future of Laptops? // Got Computer Questions? Ask Bob Rankin for Free Tech Support.

Convert VHS Tapes to DVD

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 19:17:39 +0000

Let's face it... your old VHS tapes with treasured family memories won't last forever. Even if the VCR doesn't eventually jam and eat the tape, a VHS recording uses fragile magnetic tape that degrades over time, whether you watch it or not. Don't count on those VHS tapes (or your VCR player) lasting forever -- convert your VHS tapes to DVD format today, and save those memories for posterity...

Continue reading Convert VHS Tapes to DVD // Got Computer Questions? Ask Bob Rankin for Free Tech Support.

OnLive Desktop - Windows on Your Tablet?

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 17:08:30 +0000

For a service that is only four months old as of this writing, OnLive Desktop has been through a lot of changes. First, it was Windows 7 on the iPad. Next, it was a "gigabit-accelerated" Web browser. Then it was a flagrant violation of Microsoft's licensing terms. Now it's an app that offers iPad and Android tablet users a PC desktop in the cloud. But how well does it really work? Let's take a look...

Continue reading OnLive Desktop - Windows on Your Tablet? // Got Computer Questions? Ask Bob Rankin for Free Tech Support.

Geekly Update - 26 April 2012

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 17:10:06 +0000

If your boss sends an email saying "You're Fired!", how can you tell if it's real or fake? Which job is best: software hack or lumber jack? And has IKEA finally solved the cable clutter problem? Get answers to these burning questions, and the scoop on the latest tech news, in this edition of the Geekly Update. It's guaranteed to make you 146% smarter, read on...

Continue reading Geekly Update - 26 April 2012 // Got Computer Questions? Ask Bob Rankin for Free Tech Support.

Google Drive: Stash Your Stuff in the Cloud?

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 17:40:31 +0000

Google launched its long-awaited cloud storage service on April 24, 2012. Dubbed Google Drive, it competes with the likes of Dropbox, Microsoft SkyDrive, and Apple's iDrive. It's also going to change the way users interact with Google Docs, Google Apps, and other Google products. Here's what you need to know about Google Drive...

Continue reading Google Drive: Stash Your Stuff in the Cloud? // Got Computer Questions? Ask Bob Rankin for Free Tech Support.

Warning: You Could Lose Your Internet Access!

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 16:14:07 +0000

Several hundred thousand computers (both PC and Mac) may soon lose access to the Internet, if they're not cleansed of a malware infection known as DNSChanger. The FBI has kept these infected machines alive since last November, but this life-support system will be unplugged soon. Here's the story and how you can avoid this potential catastrophe...

Continue reading Warning: You Could Lose Your Internet Access! // Got Computer Questions? Ask Bob Rankin for Free Tech Support.

SSD Hard Drives Offer Blazing Speed

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 19:09:57 +0000

Here's good news for those who waited to buy a solid-state drive (SSD). Dozens of vendors have jumped into the SSD hard drive market, fueling competition that's good for consumers. Capacities of SSDs are ballooning. Prices are plummeting. And SSD maximum speeds are stagnating. Find out why that's a good thing, and get some tips on buying a super-fast SSD hard drive...

Continue reading SSD Hard Drives Offer Blazing Speed // Got Computer Questions? Ask Bob Rankin for Free Tech Support.

Microsoft Office Alternatives

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 15:06:46 +0000

Microsoft Office is the gold standard for business productivity suites. But it can cost a lot of gold, even at today's low street prices. The Office Home and Business edition costs $200, and the Professional edition goes for $350. Fortunately, there are plenty of good alternatives to Office; many are free, and even those that do cost money cost less than Office. Here are some of the best alternative office suites...

Continue reading Microsoft Office Alternatives // Got Computer Questions? Ask Bob Rankin for Free Tech Support.

Geekly Update - 19 April 2012

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 19:52:55 +0000

Why is Bank of America celebrating the results of the latest Worst Company survey? Should you be worried that your car's LoJack device might be conspiring against you? And what's the biggest downside to owning a 3D chocolate printer? Get answers to these burning questions, and the scoop on the latest tech news, in this edition of the Geekly Update. It's guaranteed to make you 146% smarter, read on...

Continue reading Geekly Update - 19 April 2012 // Got Computer Questions? Ask Bob Rankin for Free Tech Support.

WPS Security Flaw: Are You Vulnerable?

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 17:00:48 +0000

Last summer I wrote about a family in Minnesota that was terrorized by a neighbor who had hacked into their wifi. Fortunately, that guy is spending the next 18 years in prison, but there's a newly discovered wifi security threat that may affect you. If your wireless router uses the WPS security method, you could be affected. Is your home or office computer at risk? Read on to find out...

Continue reading WPS Security Flaw: Are You Vulnerable? // Got Computer Questions? Ask Bob Rankin for Free Tech Support.

Laptops for Windows 8

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 16:56:13 +0000

My laptop is five years old and still runs XP. I'll be buying a new laptop before summer ends, and I want to make sure it's compatible with Windows 8. Are there any specific features, brands or models you can recommend?

Continue reading Laptops for Windows 8 // Got Computer Questions? Ask Bob Rankin for Free Tech Support.

Which Kaspersky Internet Security Product is Best For Me?

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 15:28:46 +0000

Kaspersky Labs is one of the most respected names in anti-malware and Internet security software. Its Internet Security suite has won awards from many testing organizations. But Kaspersky Internet Security is not Kaspersky's only product. The company actually offers four packages of increasingly comprehensive protection. Let's take a look at Kaspersky Antivirus 2012, Kaspersky Internet Security, Kaspersky PURE Total Security, and Kaspersky ONE Universal Security. Which one is right for you?

Continue reading Which Kaspersky Internet Security Product is Best For Me? // Got Computer Questions? Ask Bob Rankin for Free Tech Support.

What Is Your House Worth?

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 01:54:22 +0000

Are you worried about the value of your house in today's economy? Despite a few bright spots, the economy continues to wreak havoc on property values. Here are some online tools you can use to help determine the value of your home.

Continue reading What Is Your House Worth? // Got Computer Questions? Ask Bob Rankin for Free Tech Support.

Laptop Batteries: Replace or Revive?

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 14:23:58 +0000

Sooner or later, you will need to replace your laptop battery. Every battery degrades with use, even rechargeable ones. When your laptop battery no longer keeps a charge or the battery life is too short, there are several things you can do...

Continue reading Laptop Batteries: Replace or Revive? // Got Computer Questions? Ask Bob Rankin for Free Tech Support.

Geekly Update - 11 April 2012

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 16:20:23 +0000

Was your credit card one of over a million recently exposed in a major hack attack? How many Apple products does the average U.S. home contain? And why is the Easter Bunny stealing DVDs? Get answers to these burning questions, and the scoop on the latest tech news, in this edition of the Geekly Update. It's guaranteed to make you 146% smarter, read on...

Continue reading Geekly Update - 11 April 2012 // Got Computer Questions? Ask Bob Rankin for Free Tech Support.

Are You an Unwitting Spammer?

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 16:29:36 +0000

A concerned email user asks: Several of my friends have complained that I am sending them spam emails. I've looked in my Sent folder and nothing odd shows up there. How can this be happening? Is it possible that someone has hacked into my email account, or is there another explanation?

Continue reading Are You an Unwitting Spammer? // Got Computer Questions? Ask Bob Rankin for Free Tech Support.

Has Your Browser Been Hijacked?

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 17:25:11 +0000

A reader asks: Every time I open my browser, it goes to an unfamiliar search engine page, and when I search from the toolbar, it no longer uses Google. Was my browser hijacked somehow? If so, how do I get my settings back to normal?

Continue reading Has Your Browser Been Hijacked? // Got Computer Questions? Ask Bob Rankin for Free Tech Support.

The Missing Link in Computer Security

Fri, 06 Apr 2012 17:17:54 +0000

Is your computer really secure? If you have antivirus software, malware scanners and a firewall, you might think you're safe from hackers, crackers and identity thieves. But chances are, you're missing one critical piece of the security puzzle. Read on to learn how to secure your software and truly lock down your computer...

Continue reading The Missing Link in Computer Security // Got Computer Questions? Ask Bob Rankin for Free Tech Support.

Wifi Sidejacking: Are You Vulnerable?

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 18:26:51 +0000

A Firefox add-on named Firesheep ignited a firestorm of controversy when it was released in October 2010. Firesheep demonstrated a hacking technique known as sidejacking, or wifi session hijacking. Sidejacking is not a form of malware, so your anti-virus software can't protect you. But if you're aware of the problem, and you know what extra steps you should take when using wifi, you needn't worry. Read on and learn how to protect yourself from sidejacking when using a wifi connection...

Continue reading Wifi Sidejacking: Are You Vulnerable? // Got Computer Questions? Ask Bob Rankin for Free Tech Support.

Geekly Update - 04 April 2012

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 17:02:55 +0000

Why is it a bad idea to use the bathroom when a burglar is in your house? Will incessant sidewalk texters be herded into special lanes, to keep non-texting pedestrian safer? And why should employees of major U.S. corporations start learning Chinese right away? Get answers to these burning questions, and the scoop on the latest tech news, in this edition of the Geekly Update. It's guaranteed to make you 146% smarter, read on...

Continue reading Geekly Update - 04 April 2012 // Got Computer Questions? Ask Bob Rankin for Free Tech Support.