Open-source firmware (like custom router or BIOS software) can be a great option—but I regularly fix devices where it’s gone wrong. The benefits are real. You often get longer support than the manufacturer provides, fewer unwanted apps, and sometimes...

A recent biobank data incident highlights a growing issue: sensitive personal and health data isn’t always as secure as people assume. I regularly fix issues caused by poor account security and outdated systems, and in many cases the damage could hav...

I’ve started seeing people experiment with projects like “WSL9x”, which aim to run modern Linux environments on Windows 95-era machines. It’s an interesting idea, but in real-world use, the limitation is almost always the hardware itself. I regularly...

I get asked this a lot: “Do I need PCIe Gen4 or Gen5, or is Gen3 fine?” Here’s the simple truth — for most people, the difference is speed on paper more than real life. PCIe is what your SSD and graphics card use to communicate with your system. Each...

USB4 and Thunderbolt 4 use the same USB-C connection, but they’re not identical — and this catches people out more than you’d think. USB4 is a flexible standard, which means performance can vary depending on the device. Thunderbolt 4 is stricter, so...

There’s a new ransomware tactic doing the rounds that I want people to be aware of. It’s called “Payouts King”, and it hides inside a virtual machine (basically a computer inside your computer) to get around antivirus software. I’m already seeing mor...

I get asked this a lot: “Should I upgrade to DDR5 RAM?” In most everyday cases, the answer is no — not yet. I see this often in my workshop. People spend money on newer memory expecting a big speed boost, but for normal use like browsing, emails, Off...

The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 is already listed on Amazon for pre-order at $1,000 — even though its MSRP is $899. So what’s going on? Early listings like this are common with high-end CPUs. Retailers test demand, third-party sellers jump in, and prices fl...

macOS startup items and launch agents explained. If your Mac feels slow when you log in, or apps keep opening on their own, this is usually why. There are two main things that run automatically on a Mac: • Startup items – apps set to open when you lo...

Windows protections against malicious Remote Desktop (.rdp) files are becoming more important as attackers look for quieter ways into PCs. An .rdp file is normally just a shortcut that opens a Remote Desktop connection. Businesses use them every day....