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Issue #815 – Publication Week: March 5-11, 2023 Q: I just got a new computer in November, equipped with Windows 10. I purchased and installed Microsoft Office. My problem is that I cannot change the text color or add a background color fill in Excel. I am up to date according to Microsoft. I have […]

Q: Several months ago, probably after a Windows update, I started getting an ‘extra’ little picture/icon in my bottom tray, inside the search box. It changes daily, and maybe applies to something significant to that day. Today it is flowers and a present. I suspect that it is using bandwidth/memory/or something that I don’t want […]

Q: I recently upgraded my home office PC to a Windows 11 machine (Dell XPS 8950). However, when attempting to update printer drivers (my printer is an aging but still going strong HP Officejet Pro 8710), I found the HP Smart app that HP now requires for the update will not download/install from the Microsoft […]

Q: I am rather tech-ignorant. How can I download pictures from my very old iPhone 6s to my HP Envy computer (about 5-6 years old).  I do email them to myself then download to my pictures, but that seems like there should be an easier way. – Barbara V.Lone Rock, Wisconsin A: That you would […]

Q: My desk top computer has made up a name for the wireless network to which it is connected. It says it is connected to Network 5.  The real network names are Colton4g and Colton5g.  I am not sure when this happened. Recently I had the computer in the shop to connect a Bit Locker […]

Q: This is not exactly a question rather than more information on fiber optic specifics. In 2003 I Joined with Corning Cable, the company that invented the fiber optic technology. I was trained and sent to work. My first job was in Keller Texas where the very first fiber optic (Fiber to the home), was […]

Q: A very simple way to describe bandwidth is this way. Consider a two-lane highway that carries cars one at a time east and west. Then consider expanding the highway to 6 lanes. Viola, triple the bandwidth. Same speed, more traffic.  – Grady R.Destin, Florida A: I have to be honest here, Grady.  Given the […]

Q: Somehow, I have used computers for decades without knowingly using a pin; not a PIN, a pin — which in Windows appears more and more often, usually with an option to unpin. I have spent a lot of time trying to understand the significance of the lowly but seemingly increasingly needful pin, especially in […]

Q: I was recently contacted by a company that will soon begin providing fiber internet service in the area I live in. The company rep said the price will be about what I pay now. What would be the advantages and disadvantages to switching to fiber? Would it be better to wait until the company […]

Geek Note:  Happy New Year Geeks, Geek Wannabes, and casually lurking readers!  Welcome to the New Year 2023 edition of It’s Geek To Me!  I’m going to start the year by once again getting after you to send in your questions.  My question queue is nearly empty.  I’m torn between wondering if I’ve simply solved […]