Ask Dave Taylor
Online Help, Tech Support, Gadgets and Gizmos!
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Latest posts
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How Do I Check for Possible Recalls on a Car I Bought?
I just purchased a 2017 Honda off my neighbor and while I know he's good with basic maintenance, how can I check to see if there are any recalls on this vehicle? I want to do my homework before I take it into the dealership to ensure that they check for every possible update.…
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How to Enable Secure File Sharing Between Two Mac Systems
Dave, I now have an iMac and a MacBook Air and while Airdrop mostly works, I'd rather use file sharing so I can access files on the iMac from my MBA. Can you walk me through the steps needed? I don't think I want the Air accessible from the iMac, however, for security. The post…
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How to Check and Protect Your Discord Chat Privacy
I’ve recently started using Discord to join some hobby groups and am finding it surprisingly useful. I’m still learning how everything works and am confused about which conversations are private. I’ve also heard that Discord is making some chats searchable via Google. How can I…
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Easily Bulk Resize Photos in Windows 11 with PowerToys Image Resizer
I just got back from vacation and dumped all my photos onto my PC. Hundreds of them. I want to resize them so they’re easier to share, but doing that one at a time will take forever. Is there an easy way to resize a batch of photos in Windows 11 with a click or two? The post…
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Where Can You Buy a Refurbished Apple Watch and Save Money?
I love my Apple Watch, but I’ve found that they only seem to last about 3-4 years. I can tell by the battery life that I’m almost due for another one. They’re pretty expensive, though, and I’d rather not spend a fortune on the newest model. Is there a good place to buy cheaper…
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How to Enable QR Code Scanning with an iPhone Camera
Tried to use my iPhone 15's camera to scan a QR code the other day and it ignored the image. My gf's iPhone worked fine. How do I enable QR code scanning on my phone? I can't find any relevant options in the Camera app settings. The post How to Enable QR Code Scanning with an…
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Improve Your Online Visibility with These Eight On-Target Tech Tips
Mr. Taylor, I run a small business and have a website, social media accounts, and a modest online advertising budget, but I’m struggling to get noticed. With Google search results changing and AI tools becoming more popular, I can't help wonder if my current online marketing is…
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How Can I Install & Run Debian Linux on My Mac Using Parallels?
I’m a college student interested in learning Linux, but my only computer is an M3 MacBook. I’d like to install Debian Linux so I can experiment with it without messing up MacOS. I already have Parallels Desktop installed. Can I use that to run Linux in a VM on my Mac? If so, how…
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How do you Wipe and Reformat an Android Device?
I just bought myself a new Android tablet with a bigger screen and want to give my old one to a friend. Before handing it over, I want to make sure everything's completely erased. What’s the safest way to reset an Android tablet to its original factory settings so the new owner…
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How to Fix Failed Windows 11 Updates Without Losing Files or Apps
My Windows 11 laptop keeps failing to install updates. I've tried the built-in troubleshooter but it didn't offer any useful help. Is there a way to repair Windows and get updates working again without losing my personal files, installed programs, or settings? The post How to…
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Can I Record My Own Custom Alert Sounds in MacOS?
My granddaughter has started saying “Uh ohhh!” whenever something goes wrong, and it’s absolutely adorable. I’d love to record her saying it and use that as the alert sound on my Mac instead of Apple’s built-in sounds. Is there a way to create and install my own custom alert…
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How do US Postal ZIP+4 Codes Work?
My son insists that I can send him postcards addressed only to his name and 9-digit ZIP code, without including his street address. I don’t believe him! What’s the story, and how do ZIP+4 codes actually work? The post How do US Postal ZIP+4 Codes Work? first appeared on Ask Dave…
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How to Capture Screenshots and Screen Recordings in ChromeOS
I know how to take screenshots on my PC, but I’m still figuring out how to do things on my Chromebook. Is there a built-in tool for taking screenshots and capturing video of what’s on the screen, or do I need to install an app? I need to capture just part of the screen, if that…
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How do You Find Cool Domain Names?
I'm working on a couple of new online projects and need to come up with good domain names for each. The problem is that every clever name I think of seems to be taken! Does having keywords in a domain name still help with Google rankings? Are there tools or tricks for finding…
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How to Easily Add Your Signature to a PDF in Windows 11
I downloaded a W-9 form that I need to fill out, sign, and send back for a contract job, but it’s a PDF file and I don’t own a printer. Is there a way to do all of this directly on my PC without having to print it out, sign it, and scan it? What’s the easiest way to add my…
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Update Your Windows 11 Lock Screen With Custom Images
Dave! I’m an avid mountain climber and would love to see a spectacular mountain vista whenever I start up my Windows 11 PC. Instead, I’m stuck with that boring blue lock screen graphic, which isn’t very inspiring! Can I replace the image with one of my own photos? The post…
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How to Set Up Weather Wallpaper on a Samsung Galaxy Phone
Q: I just got a new Samsung Galaxy phone and noticed a feature called “Weather Wallpaper.” I love tropical beaches and spectacular sunsets, though the closest I usually get is staring at vacation photos while it’s snowing outside. Can Weather Wallpaper bring a little tropical…
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Who’s Really Answering Your Company’s IT Helpdesk Queries?
I work for a large company, and whenever I have a computer problem, I’m directed to an online helpdesk. Sometimes I get a chatbot, sometimes a real person, and occasionally someone wants to connect remotely to my laptop. Are they employees of my company and is it safe to let…
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How Can I Improve My Website’s Ranking on Google?
I have a website for my small business, but I’m frustrated that it's hard to find on Google. I’ve read about search engine optimization, or SEO, but most of the advice seems written for big companies with marketing departments and enormous budgets. What can I do to improve my…
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How to Block WordPress Comment Spam by IP Address / Keyword?
Hi Dave! I have a WordPress site where I share my psychic predictions. Lately it’s been attracting some rather unpleasant visitors who keep leaving strange comments with links to suspicious websites. I’d love to make this junk disappear without having to delete each one. Is…