Category Archives: Ask & Answers
How to update your PC’s BIOS
Only update your BIOS if you have a clear, concrete reason!
Credit: Brad Chacos
A tiny BIOS chip lurks inside every computer, sitting on your motherboard to breathe life into your system when you press the power button. BIOS stands for basic input and output system, and the BIOS chip initializes all the other devices in your PC, like the CPU, GPU, and motherboard chipset.
Why you should cover up your webcam
Why you should cover up your laptop’s webcam?
It could be hacked, though it would help if you were a celebrity.
Credit: nikkytok – iStock
As it happens a few high-profile folks have been spotted covering their webcams, including F.B.I. Director James Comey, who said in an interview, “I put a piece of tape over the camera. Because I saw somebody smarter than I am had a piece of tape over their camera.” He was most likely referring to a photo Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg posted: In the background, his work laptop shows tape applied over the webcam above the display, and the dual mic on the left side.
How Windows Explorer can help you find duplicate files
Its built-in features can be surprisingly helpful.
Credit: PCWorld
One of the most frequent questions at Answer Line is how to easily remove duplicate images. The short answer is a utility. We’ve covered those in the past, and most of the best ones, such as Duplicate Sweeper from Wide Angle Software, will set you back $20. But unless you’re supremely confident in it—and we never are with valuable memories—you pretty much wind up comparing everything anyway.
How to customize and change Windows 10 colors
Microsoft has hidden the Windows 10 color mixer. Here’s how to find it!
Credit: James Niccolai
Our friend wanted to know why he couldn’t adjust the colors of his windows in Windows 10 like he could in Windows 7. The simple answer is, “because Microsoft has hidden it.”
Before I show you where to find this hidden setting, know that I’m talking about being able to adjust the look of the colors included with Windows 10, not how to change the colors themselves, nor am I referring to the cool new Dark Mode that was included with the Windows 10 Anniversary Update.
Is my Windows PC 32-bit or 64-bit? Why it matters
Especially if you have an older PC, there’s a big difference between 32-bit and 64-bit Windows. Here’s how to find out what you have and why you should care.
