Geek to Me

GEEK TO ME: Leave your computer on or turn it off?

BY: JEFF WERNER

>> Question: Several friends, much more computer savvy than I, have said to leave the computer turned on, in sleep mode, rather turning it off when not being used. They said this helps the computer last much longer. Other voices say, turn it...... Full story

GEEK TO ME: Third party add-on hijacks browser

BY JEFF WERNER

>> Question: As a nongeek and an old one at that, I really enjoy your column, and I’m glad to know I can access some of your past columns on the web. A few weeks ago, something popped up on my monitor as if it was from Google, so I...... Full story

GEEK TO ME: Anti-virus doesn’t allow competing software

BY: JEFF WERNER

>> Question: I use McAfee Total Protection as my antivirus. I’ve tried to run other anti-malware products but the McAfee product tells me that they interfere with it and have to be removed. I’ve used AdAware, Spybot Search and...... Full story

GEEK TO ME: Windows unlikely to block posting

BY: JEFF WERNER

>> Question: I enjoy your newspaper computer Geek section — very helpful. Question: What could have happened regarding my ability to ‘post’ a comment to an online newspaper story? I must have changed a setting in Windows...... Full story

GEEK TO ME: Disable Windows Live Messenger

Jeff werner

>> Question: I have a laptop and desktop, both running Windows 7. Windows Live Messenger has an icon on the taskbar of both. I can run MSCONFIG and take it out of the startup listing. Upon reboot it is gone. But, at the second reboot it...... Full story

GEEK TO ME: It’s back to tech answers after April Fools joke

Jeff Werner

For the humor impaired among you, last week’s column was a JOKE (April Fools!). I trust none of you actually went out and attempted to invest your life savings in Micr-Ap. But enough of this frivolity! Let’s try to solve a few problems,...... Full story

GEEK TO ME: Technology gets an upgrade

Jeff werner

There have been some amazing developments in the world of tech this week, Geeks! Let’s take a quick look at some of what’s making news. In what is sure to cause ripples through the computer industry for years to come, Apple Inc. CEO Tim...... Full story

GEEK TO ME: Google's privacy policy change prompts questions

Jeff Werner

Several of you have written in to ask about the controversy with Google’s new privacy policy that went into effect on March 1. The main points of these questions are “What’s the big deal?” and “Should I be...... Full story

GEEK TO ME: User has trouble connecting Kindle, laptop to network

Jeff Werner

Q: I’ve been reading with interest your recent articles regarding IP addresses on home networks (I.G.T.M. # 231 – Dec 25, 2011, I.G.T.M. #235 – Jan 22, 2012). I have a bit of a different problem, but I’m wondering if it might...... Full story

GEEK TO ME: Wireless internet connection slow, clogged with spam

Jeff werner

It’s the second Sunday in March, Geeks! For those of you asleep at the switch, that means that Daylight Savings Time officially began at 2 a.m. If you haven’t done so already, move your clocks forward an hour. Here’s hoping that...... Full story

GEEK TO ME: Be careful when downloading free security programs

Jeff Werner

On Saturday, Feb. 25, I made my annual pilgrimage to Northwest Florida College in Niceville for the annual Northwest Florida Association of Computer Users Group’s Tech Expo. The questions in this week’s column come from that session....... Full story

GEEK TO ME: Be careful reading messages from unknown senders

Jeff Werner

>> Question: Occasionally, I receive an email with an address which I don’t recognize, and I am reluctant to open it. A friend told me to right click on the message line, go to “properties,” then to “message...... Full story

GEEK TO ME: Windows software upgrade a mixed bag of functionality

Jeff werner

>> Question: I have a basic netbook that came with Windows 7 Starter Edition pre-installed. I have an opportunity to buy an upgrade to the Home Premium version for only $39, but I’m wondering whether this would take up a lot of space on...... Full story

GEEK TO ME: Replace WEP key with upgraded WPA2

Jeff Werner

>> Q: I have a router in my home with a Wep key for a secured network. It is one of those really long number and letter combinations. This is proving to be quite a pain. We have frequent house guests who would like to use our internet...... Full story

GEEK TO ME: Wirelessly connecting monitor to TV a hardware issue

Jeff Werner

>> Question: I have an HP Pavilion dv6-3025dx Entertainment Notebook with Windows 7. Can I use a Netgear Push2tv (pvt2000) to wirelessly connect it to VIZIO Model XVT553SV LED LCD HDTV? Thank you very much. >> Lynn D.Fort Walton Beach,...... Full story