Digital Dispatch Posts 31-40

#0040 Driver Updates

January 24, 2025
This blog post was enhanced with AI on 1/24/25.

You’ve probably heard the phrase "update your drivers" before. I always get nervous when clients tell me they’ve Last Updated their drivers just because an email, a program, or even a person told them to. The truth is, updating drivers like this is usually a bad idea. Most people don’t know what a driver is, what it does, or whether it actually needs to be Last Updated.

So, what exactly is a driver? A driver is a piece of software that helps your computer’s hardware (like your keyboard, mouse, printer, monitor, or even your graphics card) communicate with Windows. Every device connected to your computer has its own driver. Without it, your computer wouldn’t know how to use that device properly.

Here’s the thing: many programs that claim to update your drivers are actually dangerous. They could be malware, viruses, or even ransomware. You might be downloading something that will harm your computer without even realizing it—until it’s too late.

Most people don’t know how to choose the right driver. If you pick the wrong one, it could mess up your whole system and corrupt Windows.

So, how do you get the right driver? In most cases, you can get it directly from the manufacturer’s website, like Dell or HP. If it’s for a specific device, like a printer or graphics card, go straight to the maker of that device. Windows updates usually include drivers for most common devices, so you don’t always need to look elsewhere. Be careful with third-party sources—they’re often not trustworthy.

The best rule of thumb? If everything is working fine, don’t mess with your drivers. Leave things as they are. But if you're having problems, always ask a professional to help you.

#0039 Alternate DNS Servers

January 21, 2025
This blog post was enhanced with AI on 1/24/25.

Using an alternate DNS server can help improve your internet speed and performance. But why would you want to switch? Many smaller, local internet service providers (ISPs) don't always have the fastest or most reliable equipment. They might not have the best backup systems in place, either. The alternate DNS servers listed below are run by big companies with lots of capacity and built-in backup systems, making them more reliable and often faster than the ones your ISP provides.

To use an alternate DNS, just pick one from the list below, then enter their IP addresses into the DHCP settings of your router. Once you do that, the new settings will apply to all the devices connected to your network. The best part? These alternate DNS services are completely FREE. While there are other options out there, these are some of the most popular and well-known.

Recommended Public DNS Servers

DHCP settings showing Google DNS on a Linksys router

#0038 Troubleshooting Internet Connectivity

January 18, 2025

This is a list of some of the things you can check if your Internet is down. Given the infinite number of hardware and software configurations, it's impossible to list everything. I recommend starting with the modem first and methodically working your way to the computer. One of these items is likely your problem. I have encountered ALL of these issues at one time or another.

Internet Service Provider Issues

• Equipment failure
• Line failure
• Weak signal or hot signal (common with cable Internet)

• Power surges can harm equipment (A UPS is recommended for all computer equipment).
• Modem settings or modem failure (Some equipment will have a log telling you what happened.)
• Router settings or router failure (Some equipment will have a log telling you what happened.)
• Bad Ethernet lines; especially homemade cables (Try other cables.)
• Network switch issues (Try different ports or a different switch.)
• Network card settings or card failure, cards loose in the PCI slot, or a bad PCI slot.
• Loose connections (Unplug both ends of the cables and plug it back in.)
• Bad ethernet ports on the computer, switch, router, or modem. (Try different ports.)
• Pinched or damaged ethernet cables (Use an Ethernet cable tester on all lines.)
• Ethernet cable interference with electrical lines or fluorescent lights etc.
• Check the AC adapters to your devices. These can go bad or under-power the device.

• DNS Server down
• DNS Misconfiguration on router
• DNS Misconfiguration on network card

#0037 Companies We Like

January 14, 2025

This is our list of approved hardware and software companies that Meyer Computer likes to use. Some companies on this list have some policies and practices that we are aware of and we try to avoid. This list will be Last Updated periodically.

Manufacturers & Software Companies

• 45 Drives
• AMD
• APC
• Be Quiet!
• BitDefender
• Brother
• Cables To Go
• Cisco
• CoolerMaster
• Corsair
• Dell - except Alienware division
• Eufy - questionable security policy
• EVGA - excellent, but getting hard to find
• Fluke
• GigaByte
• Hewlett Packard / HPE
• Intel - except faulty Gen 13 and Gen 14 chips
• Intuit
• Jackery - pricey but good
• JS Digital (A.K.A. JSAUX)
• Kingston
• Klien Tools
• LG
• Logitech
• MalwareBytes
• Micron / Crucial
• Microsoft - several questionable policies
• MikroTik
• NZXT - questionable rental policy
• Ooma
• Panasonic
• PNY
• Razer - pricey but good
• Sabrent
• Samsung
• SanDisk
• Seagate - depends on product line
• SuperMicro
• Synology
• Ubiquiti
• UGreen - pricey but good
• Weller
• Western Digital - except SMR drives & 'green' drives

#0036 Companies We Don't Like

January 11, 2025

This is our list of companies & websites that Meyer Computer will not use for various reasons including junk products, privacy, security, scams, identity theft & more. Some of these companies have been prohibited by the US Government from doing business in the United States. This list will be Last Updated as necessary.

Websites & Apps

• Wish.com - China
• Temu.com - China
• Shein.com - China
• Alibaba.com - China
• AliExpress.com - China
• TikTok - China - Potential US Ban, terms agreement grants TikTok access to the entire device

• Adobe (subscription Products) - The terms agreement grants Adobe use of your creations for AI
• Apevia - Below average quality
• Apple - Horrible policies, over priced, anti right-to-repair
• Broadcom - Anti-Trust lawsuit, Ruined Symantec & VMWare after takeover
• Symantec - Bloatware, Ads
• McAfee - Bloatware, Ads
• Avast! - Bloatware, Ads
  NOTE: Avast was sued by US Government for user privacy violations
• AVG - Bloatware, Ads
• Acer - Low quality
• Onn. - China, Vietnam
• TCL - China
• Hisense - China
• Huawei - China - US Ban
• Medion - China/German
• ZTE - China - US Ban
• DeepCool - China - US Ban
• Kaspersky - Russia - US Ban
• TP-LINK - China - Potential US Ban

#0035 How Long Will My Repair Take?

January 07, 2025
This blog post was enhanced with AI on 1/08/25.

We always aim to provide quick service, and in most cases, we’ll complete tasks in the order they’re received. If we need to order parts, we’ll keep working on other computers while waiting for them to arrive. Business clients DO get priority over home users.

We also consider how old the computer is. Sometimes we get really old computers that take forever to respond — like several minutes for a single click. We’ll still work on them, but they’ll usually take longer because we focus on quicker repairs first.

If you have an urgent need, just let us know, and we’ll do our best to help. Our workload can change quickly — sometimes we have no one waiting, and other times, we may have several computers in line.

#0034 My results using ChatGPT

January 03, 2025

Astute users may have noticed that I have been using ChatGPT to aid in the content creation of this website. I like to write my blog posts based on questions I am asked by my clients. A client will come to me with a question that I have answered for other clients many times in the past. Therefore, I decided to put the answers in writing so anyone can benefit.

I start by making an outline of how I want to write the answer and what I want to include, then I start filling in details. Now I am not the greatest writer, and my content can come across as choppy. I will spend considerable time rephrasing and using the grammar checker in MS Word. Try as I might, the wording still doesn't work as well as it should. This is why I started using ChatGPT.

ChatGPT is an AI service that can be used freely or with a paid subscription. At the prompt, I ask ChatGPT to rewrite my original article to be easier to read and to confirm they are at a high school reading level. Then I use copy and paste to submit my original content. ChatGPT will think for a second and spit out a revised article. It’s much like having a copy editor, but much quicker.

Overall, I've had mostly good results. Many sentences are rephrased, sometimes the order of things is corrected, and everything flows better. Sometimes ChatGPT will pull in additional information that I hadn't thought to include. I like it when it does that. You will still need to re-read the article to make sure it still gets your points across without distorting the meaning. ChatGPT does seem to work better on smaller articles and blog posts.

ChatGPT is not always correct. You MUST review the rewritten work carefully before you publish the article online. I have found that rewrites of longer articles left out entire paragraphs of relevant information or rephrased them, so it changed the meaning entirely.

You will notice that I put a disclaimer at the top of any content where I used ChatGPT. As of the writing of this post, I have rewritten about 30% of the blog content on the website. I think it's better. I did try it on a couple of the reviews and ChatGPT totally ruined them, so I did not use the rewritten content. I do plan to retry them by submitting them differently for the rewrite. I will post an update after I figure out a working solution. This has been a learning process.

#0033 Chrome vs. Google: What's the Difference?

January 02, 2025
This blog post was enhanced with AI on 1/02/25.

Let's clear up the confusion between Chrome and Google, two words that are often mixed up. Many people think they're the same thing, but they're actually very different. This explanation will help you understand what each one really is.

Chrome is a web browser. A browser is a program you use to browse the internet. There are other web browsers too, like Edge, Firefox, and Opera. Chrome is just one option. A browser is installed on your computer, and it acts as a gateway to the internet. Most browsers are free to download and use.

Chrome is also a type of program or application (these terms mean the same thing). Other examples of programs include Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and even games like Solitaire. A browser, like Chrome, is just a specific type of program made to help you access the web.

On the other hand, Google is a search engine. A search engine is a tool you use to find information on the internet. Think of it like a huge online directory or a digital version of an old library card catalog. You type in what you're looking for, and Google shows you a list of websites that have what you need. There are other search engines too, like Bing, Yahoo and DuckDuckGo. These search engines are free to use, but they often collect information about you to help them show ads. Their job is to provide links to billions of websites.

To sum it up, you need a browser (like Chrome) to access a search engine (like Google). The confusion happens because when you open Chrome, it automatically shows the Google search engine.

#0032 How often should I replace my router?

December 22, 2024
This blog post was enhanced with AI on 12/24/24.

Short Answer: Every 3-5 years

Reason #1: Wi-Fi Technology Keeps Getting Better
Wi-Fi speeds keep improving, and newer devices like laptops or tablets can support faster speeds than older routers. Right now, Wi-Fi 6e is the newest standard, and Wi-Fi 7 routers are starting to appear. These newer routers not only offer faster speeds but also provide a stronger signal that can reach farther than older models.

Reason #2: Old Routers Stop Getting Security Updates
When was the last time you checked for updates on your router? If you can’t remember, you’re not alone—many people don’t check often. It’s a good idea to log into your router every six months to see if there are any updates. If your router no longer gets updates, it’s time for a new one. Security risks change over time, and some old routers are no longer safe to use.

Reason #3: TP-Link Routers Need to Be Replaced
If you have a TP-Link router, it’s time to replace it. These routers, which are made in China, are considered insecure. The U.S. government is even considering banning them. Many internet service providers have used these routers under different brand names. It’s best to switch to a more secure option.

Reason #4: New Routers Offer Better Features
A new router could come with helpful features that improve your network. For example, separating your computers and IoT devices (like security cameras, smart doorbells, and TVs) into different networks called VLANs. This segretion can help keep your information safer. You can even create a guest network for visitors. The VLANs will keep your primary network isolated and more secure.

Reason #5: Older Routers Struggle with Signal Competition
Older routers often use the 2.4GHz band, which can get crowded in neighborhoods or apartment complexes. This means your Wi-Fi could slow down due to all the other signals competing for space. Newer routers use the 5GHz or even 6GHz bands, which are much less crowded and provide faster speeds.

#0031 Data Transfer Services

December 21, 2024
This blog post was enhanced with AI on 1/2/25.

I often get asked, “Can you move my stuff from my old computer to a new one?” or “Can you transfer my files to a new drive?” or even “Can you copy or clone my drive?” The answer is YES to all of these!

If you're looking to clone your drive, we can copy everything—your files, software, and even Windows itself—onto the new drive. We can transfer everything to a drive that is the same size or larger, but never smaller than your original drive.

When it comes to data recovery, we know exactly where to look for and save your important files. For example, Microsoft usually stores everything in the "My Documents" folder, but some people might store files in other places on the drive. We’ll also make sure to save things like your Outlook data and Chrome bookmarks. We can transfer your recovered data onto a blank DVD, thumb drive, or any other storage option you prefer.

If you want your files moved to a new computer, we can do that too! We’ll place everything in the correct folders on your new device. In many cases, we also help get everything organized, like putting your music in the music folder and your pictures in the pictures folder.

Got any questions? Feel free to ask!