Technology – Daves Computer Tips

AI – Too Much Too Soon?

Jim Hillier — Tue, 23 Dec 2025 05:16:02 +0000

Like it or loathe it, AI is permeating every aspect of the PC. Microsoft, Google, software developers, etc., are all pushing AI at every opportunity. But, the critical question here is… is AI truly ready for prime time? In my opinion, AI has been pushed down our throats ahead of its time, and I’ll explain my thinking. There are two hardware components that are essential for AI to function…

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ASCOMP PC Internals Overview & Giveaway

Richard Pedersen — Fri, 28 Nov 2025 07:51:15 +0000

This contest has now expired. Winners will be notified by email. Congratulations to the Winners and Thank You to everyone who participated! ASCOMP has kindly offered our DCT readers a chance to win one of five licenses for their PC Internals program. These licenses are currently each valued at $24.90 (US). A limited free version is also available for personal use and evaluation.

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Hallmark Card Studio Cannot Connect To Server

Terry Hollett — Wed, 12 Nov 2025 05:01:29 +0000

I was trying to make up a card with “Hallmark Card Studio” when I kept getting an internet connection error. It couldn’t connect to the server, and I couldn’t open any of the listed templates or clip art. For the first time after using this program for a few years, I realized it depends on an active internet connection. The biggest problem was that there was no problem with my internet.

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Navigate YouTube Shorts On TiVo

Terry Hollett — Fri, 24 Oct 2025 07:44:36 +0000

YouTube Shorts are short videos under three minutes long. They must be in vertical format with a 9:16 aspect ratio. I first avoided playing them because I didn’t know how to stop them without exiting YouTube altogether. After a little button pushing on the remote, I think I have it figured out. I can’t stop the videos except for pausing them, either using the pause button (big yellow one)…

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How I Fixed The Drift XL Pro Microphone Problem

Marc Thomas — Thu, 18 Sep 2025 04:24:20 +0000

The Drift Ghost XL Pro is a replacement action camera for my GoPro Hero 5, which I sold some time ago due to its poor battery life of less than an hour. Before buying the XL Pro, I researched action cams extensively and ended up buying this one because of its seven-hour battery life and streamlined shape for helmet use. I also bought a Drift external microphone with the camera…

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Should You Buy A Refurbished PC?

Jim Hillier — Fri, 12 Sep 2025 04:41:12 +0000

Everything seems to be getting more and more expensive these days, and that applies to PCs as well. Some time back, I took the plunge and bought a refurbished desktop PC to replace my aging secondary machine, but not before I’d well and truly done my homework. Undoubtedly, yes, but not before you’ve checked off several important prerequisites: There are quite a few refurbished PC…

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Watching USB Media On TiVo

Terry Hollett — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 04:51:11 +0000

Watching movies copied to a flash drive on my TiVo cable box. This project originally started differently. I connected my Android cable box to my computer. I wondered if I could access any of the files on it, especially the recordings. The first problem I had was trying to find a USB wire with the same type of plug on both ends. I knew I had one somewhere. It took me hours to find it…

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How To Improve Your Mobile Signal

Jim Canfield — Tue, 22 Jul 2025 04:02:46 +0000

In the past, I have heard many of my clients complain about spotty cell phone performance to the point where the phone won’t even ring, and the call might automatically go to voicemail. For many of my readers, this may be a non-issue. If you have excellent internet coverage and have properly set up your phone, you should not encounter this issue. However, in a recent service call…

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Ripping DVDs With HandBrake And MakeMKV

Terry Hollett — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 10:42:01 +0000

I’m thinking of turning my old Acer desktop into a media server. I have a few DVDs that I would like to rip to obtain a digital copy. I wrote before about this using “WinX DVD Ripper”. Read here: How To RIP DVD With WinX DVD Ripper Platinum When I tried to use it, WinX kept saying I needed to activate it. I assumed my 1-year license had expired. I hate subscription software. I have the basic…

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Oh What Your iPhone Can Do!

Carol Bratt — Fri, 04 Jul 2025 04:06:47 +0000

I know, I know, it’s a phone and a pretty snazzy one at that! But there are lots and lots of other things that your iPhone can do other than allow you to make and receive phone calls. It really is amazing. Well, at least it is to ME! I have always been known in my family for getting lost, no matter how good the directions given to me. Once I was out to dinner, and I asked where the restroom was…

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Electronic Air Dusters – Review

Jim Hillier — Wed, 21 May 2025 06:51:44 +0000

For years now, I’ve always kept two or three air duster cans of compressed air in stock for cleaning up clients’ machines as well as my own. Maybe I’m late to the party, but a few months ago I came across these rechargeable electronic air dusters and was interested enough to purchase one. This is the electronic air duster I bought: “Designed for powerful cleaning with a turbo jet fan…

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Record Android To PC – HD Video Capture USB

Terry Hollett — Tue, 20 May 2025 04:46:57 +0000

I wrote about this before, but using a lower quality video capture device called “Easycap”. Read here: How To Record From Cable To Computer Using OBS Studio I recently bought an HD Video Capture USB device called a “Guermok Video Capture Card” from Amazon. They still call it a card. I bought it, received it, and hooked it up, and this is how it went from there… I plugged my HDMI cable into…

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How To Set Camera On Your Smartphone

Carol Bratt — Wed, 14 May 2025 07:22:39 +0000

I don’t know about you, but I learn something about my phone almost every day, and that is generally a good thing! I sure know that my daughter and her husband are glad I am not asking them how to do everything all the time. Don’t get me wrong; there is plenty that I still need to learn, but I am getting there slowly but surely. Now I can help you! Before you take a photo, you can use your phone…

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Microsoft Publisher Leaving October 2026

Jim Canfield — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 05:22:20 +0000

The decision to deprecate certain Windows apps has sparked various opinions within the tech community. While some users might feel inconvenienced by these changes, compelling reasons exist to support this strategy as a positive step towards innovation and efficiency. Recently, we have lost: One of the early deprecated apps, Outlook Express, hit me the hardest because it was my go-to email…

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