The Older Geek

Replacing your computer’s CPU cooling fan is a lot easier than you think. I recently had to replace one of my computer’s fans when the old was making a lot of noise and stopped working periodically. The CPU fan is a very important component, as it keeps the computer’s CPU (central processing unit) cool during [...]

I was driving along, listening to the radio yesterday, when a popular computer/technology show got a telephone call for some advice. The caller said that he is going to homeschool his child, and wondered what kind of computer would be best for this type of application. I was surprised with the radio host’s recommendation: a [...]

Apple’s latest mobile operating system, the iOS 5, is absolutely terrific. I downloaded it several days ago and have been thrilled with the new Notification feature, the Reminder app, and the new iMessage. I also love the camera on the lock screen feature, but it seemed rather sporadic– sometimes the camera showed up on my [...]

Oh spam, how I hate thee. Email spam is bad enough. Email spam may carry viruses or sordid images or be just plain annoying. But a simple “delete” takes care of it. Email spam, while annoying and time-consuming, costs you nothing. Cell phone text messaging spam is another matter. Most of us do not subscribe [...]

What an odd term. Yet I’ve seen it slung around on some of the tech sites recently. Looks like a slew of iPad-type tablets will be hitting the stores. I have an iPad, and I really like it. Not because it’s an iPad, but because it’s a tablet. I love reading eBooks on it. It [...]

Computers are much more stable than they used to be, and it seems that operating systems are distributed less frequently now (thank God). You may be one of those folks who still works from a 5- or 10-year old computer. Over time, the computer system slows down. The hard drive becomes clogged with excessive files [...]

Here’s a little gem of a tutorial I discovered, from the Microsoft website: How to Find a Phone Number For a Microsoft Product Activation Center. This can be a very useful little tool for one of those I’m-having-a-major-problem-now-what-do-I-do moments. I never seem to have the numbers at hand when I need them most– am I [...]

Ever wonder how apps reviewers take such nice, clear screenshots of the apps on the iPod and iPhone? The technique is unbelievably easy, it’s just not well known. Here’s how. Quickly press the Power button at the top of the device and simultaneously press the Home button in the front of the device. That’s it! [...]

Short version: Start > Run > cmd > ipconfig /flushdns > Enter. Long version: DNS stands for Domain Name Server. It’s an alphabetical value to a numerical string of numbers (namely, IP numbers). Every website– every computer device– is assigned an Internet Protocol (IP) number. The Domain Name Server serves the alphabetical domain name to [...]

Rarely do I suggest that you buy a product or products to solve a problem, but in my personal experience, this has been the only option that worked for me. I had spent years of frustration with the Windows networking options only to throw in the towel after getting Windows 7. I had given up [...]

Without a doubt, a wired network is better than a wireless network. A wired network gives you an advantage over wireless in that your computer information and activity isn’t spewed into the air, ready to be captured and used by a hacker. But wireless is terribly convenient, and therefore the convenience outweighs the risks. It [...]

Netbooks are wonderful little gadgets. They are truly like an electronic notebook, perfect for travel or quick work while away from the main desktop computer. However, anyone with a netbook will soon realize that the CD/DVD drive is woefully absent. Adding a disc drive would add bulk to the netbook, making it less portable. It [...]