Refresh Computers Tech Talk

Hosted by David Leavitt

Technology News

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Episodes

190

Latest episode

Oct 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Audio files of our weekly radio show on WDBO where we talk about your electronic life. Help and advice are given on a range of technical issues from computers to everything internet-related.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

October 17, 2026Episode 6439 min

Warning Signs Your PC Is Dying And What To Do Next

Send us Fan Mail Your computer usually whispers before it screams, and ignoring those whispers is how people lose photos, documents, and whole weekends. We walk through the most common “your PC is failing” warning signs we see at the shop every day: corrupted or unreadable files, missing folders, basic tasks that freeze the whole system, and the classic mechanical hard drive clicking or grinding that signals real physical damage. We also explain why SSD failure can feel quieter and faster, how power surges can kill an SSD controller, and why blue screens are often a symptom worth taking seriously instead of rebooting and hoping for the best. International Repair Day gives us the perfect reason to zoom out into repair vs replace. We share a simple decision filter for upgrading, including the single biggest checkpoint right now: Windows 11 support. From there, we talk value: when a repair that costs less than about half of a comparable replacement is usually worth it, why today’s new computers can be overkill for many users, and why refurbished business-class computers can deliver better long-term reliability without the bloatware. Then we shift into the bigger tech news: SpaceX, Starlink, and the push toward satellite-to-phone connectivity using lower-band spectrum designed to penetrate buildings. We discuss the promise, the limitations, and the competitive tension this could create with major carriers and the FCC. We close with an easy tech tip you can do today: silence unknown callers on iPhone, enable spam and call screening features on Android, and consider registering at DoNotCall.gov to reduce legitimate telemarketing calls. Subscribe for more practical tech advice, share this with someone nursing an aging computer, and leave a review so more listeners can find the show. Support the show Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RefreshComputers/ Track us on X at https://x.com/RefreshStores

October 11, 2026Episode 6339 min

Avoid The New Copy And Paste Malware Scam

Send us Fan Mail A fake captcha that asks you to copy and paste a command into PowerShell sounds absurd until it happens on a site you trust and it looks “normal.” We walk through the newest wave of pop-up scams security folks call ClickFix, why it’s catching even experienced IT users, and the simple rule that keeps you safe: no legitimate website will ever require you to run a Windows command to prove you’re human. We also share what to do if you already followed the steps, including the first move that can limit damage fast. Before we get to scams, we tackle a problem almost everyone has: a phone that’s running out of space. We break down how to find what’s actually consuming storage on iPhone, Android, and Samsung Device Care, then give realistic ways to clean it up: photo and 4K video management, deleting duplicates, understanding Recently Deleted, removing unused apps, and clearing downloads and cache. If you want your phone to feel new again without buying a new one, this is your checklist. We round it out with two practical upgrades and tips you can use right away: why replacing an ancient monitor is one of the cheapest, most noticeable improvements you can make to a computer setup, and how to capture a full page scrolling screenshot on both iPhone and Android. If this helped, subscribe, share it with someone who needs a scam warning, and leave a review with the tech problem you want us to cover next. Support the show Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RefreshComputers/ Track us on X at https://x.com/RefreshStores

October 10, 2026Episode 6239 min

Protect Your Phone Data Before It Disappears

Send us Fan Mail Your phone disappears and suddenly it hits you: your bank, your email, your photos, your texts, your whole digital life is sitting in someone else’s hand. We break down the calm, practical steps that actually limit the damage, starting with the settings you should turn on before anything goes wrong. Greg Rhodes and Refresh Computers technician Adam Littlefield explain how Find My on iPhone and Android tracking tools work, when to lock versus erase, and why a simple PIN code can be the difference between an inconvenience and a full-blown account takeover. From there, we shift into what we see every day on computers: “virus” complaints that are really scareware popups built to hijack your fear and push you into calling a fake support number. Adam shares what modern threats look like, including spyware and remote access tools, plus what virus removal and data recovery can realistically do when a drive fails or Windows gets corrupted. We also talk through prevention, including reputable antivirus options and the value of getting a real diagnostic before you start clicking random fixes. Then we zoom out to privacy in the real world. Connected cars are rolling computers that can collect location and driving behavior, and insurance tracking programs can turn “discount” data into higher rates. We talk about how to opt out where you can, why rentals and used cars can accidentally keep your contacts and messages through CarPlay or Android Auto, and what to wipe before you hand the keys back. If you want more control over your day-to-day tech, this one is packed with takeaways you can use immediately. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs it, and leave us a review so more people can find Tech Talk. Support the show Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RefreshComputers/ Track us on X at https://x.com/RefreshStores

October 4, 2026Episode 6139 min

Stop Overpaying For Internet

Send us Fan Mail Your internet bill keeps climbing, your Wi-Fi still drops in the back room, and somehow every provider claims you “need” gigabit. We push past the buzzwords and talk like real humans about what internet speed actually fits a normal household, why streaming is more efficient than it used to be, and how to test your connection the right way so you see what your device is truly getting (not just what your ISP says your modem can do). Then we zoom in on the home network basics that quietly make or break performance: aging rented routers, weak Wi-Fi coverage, bad placement, and the false promise of bargain extenders. We explain when a mesh Wi-Fi system is worth it, what a proper network check can uncover, and how competition from fiber internet can give you leverage to negotiate a better rate. We also flag a few Spectrum-specific “gotchas” to avoid when canceling, including billing timing, equipment returns, and email addresses tied to service. Finally, we shift to the computer side of the house. We walk through how we decide whether an older PC deserves a refresh or a full replacement, using Windows 11 compatibility as a key line in the sand. You will hear the practical upgrades that deliver the biggest speed boost for the money, especially SSD upgrades, RAM, and smart storage cleanup, plus how to shop our refurbished inventory without wasting time. We close with a tech tip that can stretch your phone battery fast: flipping on low power mode or battery saver when you hit that dreaded red zone. Subscribe, share this with someone who is tired of paying more for slower tech, and leave us a review with the one upgrade that made the biggest difference for you. Support the show Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RefreshComputers/ Track us on X at https://x.com/RefreshStores

October 3, 2026Episode 6040 min

Your Password Got Stolen So Now What

Send us Fan Mail Your inbox suddenly won’t let you log in, your friends start getting weird messages, and that sinking feeling hits: someone’s inside your account. We break down how to respond without spiraling, starting with the fastest move that matters most: changing your password from a trusted device on a familiar network. From there, we talk through practical cybersecurity habits that actually hold up in the real world, like avoiding password reuse, using a password manager, and turning on two-factor authentication while also understanding the rare but nasty SIM swap problem that can undermine SMS codes. We also walk through what to do when it’s “too late” and the attacker already changed your password. You’ll hear where to go for official account recovery on major platforms, what verification steps to expect, and why patience beats panic when you’re trying to prove you’re the real owner. Along the way, we share why your mobile carrier account deserves extra attention, since your phone number often becomes the master key for password resets across email, social media, and banking. Then we pivot to tools that make everyday tech more fun and less frustrating. We explain Refresh Plus, our antivirus and monitoring package built around Bitdefender, plus remote support sessions and priority service when you need help fast. After that, we get into legal ways to stream music for free using services like Pandora, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube, and radio station apps, including what you gain with paid tiers like offline listening. Finally, we share a simple “tech tip of the week” for identifying any song in seconds using Siri, Google Gemini, and Shazam. If you got value from this, subscribe so you don’t miss the next show, share it with someone who needs a security reset, and leave a quick review to help more listeners find us. Support the show Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RefreshComputers/ Track us on X at https://x.com/RefreshStores

September 27, 2026Episode 5939 min

How To Find And Cancel Forgotten Recurring Charges

Send us Fan Mail That “cheap promo” you forgot about can become the most expensive line item on your card. Greg Rhodes and Adam Littlefield kick things off with a painfully relatable story: a local subscription that quietly quadrupled in price for months before it got noticed, and it sparks a bigger conversation about how the subscription model is built to fade into the background. We break down a practical subscription audit you can do today, including how to spot recurring charges on your statements, why tiny monthly fees are the easiest to miss, and where to look on your phone to see what you’re actually paying for. If you’re on iPhone, subscriptions tucked inside your Apple ID settings can be the fastest way to find what’s active. If you’re on Android, Google Play’s Payments And Subscriptions area can reveal the charges you forgot you approved. We also share a simple email search trick using keywords like “renewal” to catch price change notices that landed in your inbox and disappeared. From there, we talk about real world tech help and usability. Adam explains how the Refresh Computer Superstore free tech support hotline works, why it’s safer than random 1-800 numbers, and what we can often solve in 10 to 15 minutes. We also dive into accessibility settings that help everyone, including captions, zoom, bigger text, and pointer tweaks, then explore how AI tools are becoming a true assistant for proofreading, dictation, and daily planning, as long as you stay smart about permissions. We wrap with a quick tech tip: put a favorite website right on your home screen so it opens like an app, especially when the app “held together with hopes and dreams” isn’t cutting it. Subscribe for more practical tech talk, share this with someone battling subscription creep, and leave a review telling us the one subscription you wish you’d canceled sooner. Support the show Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RefreshComputers/ Track us on X at https://x.com/RefreshStores

September 26, 2026Episode 5837 min

How To Give Family Secure Access To Your Digital Life

Send us Fan Mail Your passwords protect you, but they can also lock your family out of the things they’ll urgently need one day: email, photos, cloud files, bills, banking access, and even social media accounts that can turn into scam magnets if nobody can secure them. We sit down with technician Adam Littlefield from Refresh Computers to talk through a clear, practical plan for managing your digital footprint so the people you trust aren’t left fighting red tape when it matters most. We get specific about the tools that actually help, including Apple’s Legacy Contact, Google’s Inactive Account Manager, and Facebook memorialization. We also talk honestly about password managers and why the master password is basically the key ring to your entire life. If you’re going to share access, you need to do it intentionally, store it safely, and choose the right person. Along the way, we cover a very real risk: abandoned accounts being taken over and used to target friends and family with believable fraud. Then we switch gears to everyday, real-world tech decisions. Got old laptops, desktops, or phones sitting in a drawer? We explain trade-ins for store credit, secure data wiping, and why proper electronics recycling matters for data privacy. We also share a holiday tech shopping guide, from reliable low-cost gifts like quality charging cables, trackers, and smart plugs to better-value upgrades like earbuds and streaming sticks, plus what to skip including cheap knockoffs and surprise subscription traps. We wrap with a simple tech tip you’ll use tonight: setting a sleep timer so your music, podcasts, or audiobooks stop automatically. Subscribe for more practical tech help, share this with someone who needs a digital legacy plan, and leave a review so more listeners can find us. Support the show Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RefreshComputers/ Track us on X at https://x.com/RefreshStores

September 20, 2026Episode 5738 min

New Computer Setup That Actually Lasts

Send us Fan Mail A “brand new” computer can still be behind on critical updates, packed with bloatware, and one bad setup choice away from becoming slow and frustrating. We sit down with Greg Rhodes and Adam Littlefield from Refresh Computer Superstore to lay out a practical, real-world new computer setup plan that prioritizes speed, security, and fewer headaches later. We start with the part most people skip: deciding what you actually need to move from the old machine. Beyond photos and documents, we talk through the overlooked stuff that makes a computer feel familiar again, like browser bookmarks and saved passwords, plus the simplest ways to keep backups safe using external storage and cloud sync like OneDrive. Then we get blunt about updates: Windows and macOS need to be patched immediately, especially if a device has been sitting on a shelf. We also cover how to spot and remove trial software and adware, and what security options make sense for most users without turning your PC into a pop-up factory. From there, we shift into buying advice: why refurbished business class desktops and laptops (think Dell Optiplex, Latitude, Precision, HP ProDesk, and EliteBook lines) can be the best value for everyday home computing, and what “professionally refurbished” should actually include. We close with two listener-friendly segments: how to stay safe while buying or selling on Facebook Marketplace, eBay, and Craigslist (cash, public meetups, police station exchanges, and scam red flags), plus a tech tip that’s gotten dramatically better: voice dictation on your phone and computer, including the Windows key + H shortcut. If this helped, subscribe, share it with a friend who just bought a laptop, and leave us a review so more people can find the show. Support the show Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RefreshComputers/ Track us on X at https://x.com/RefreshStores

September 19, 2026Episode 5638 min

Online Banking Is Safe If You Build Better Habits

Send us Fan Mail Checking your bank balance shouldn’t feel like stepping onto thin ice, yet a lot of people still hesitate to go fully digital. We walk through what actually makes online banking safe, why it can be safer than paper statements, and the simple habits that do the most work: strong unique passwords, two-factor authentication, paperless statements, and real-time bank alerts that catch suspicious charges fast. We also get practical about the “where” of security. Logging in on public Wi-Fi at a hotel, coffee shop, or airport can undo all the good security your bank builds, so we explain when to stick to cellular data, when a VPN helps, and why keeping your Windows, Mac, iPhone, or Android device updated matters more than most people realize. And because money transfer tools are everywhere now, we talk about scams that impersonate people you know and the quick verification steps that can prevent a costly mistake. Then we shift into everyday tech help that saves you time: remote computer support that lets a technician troubleshoot software problems, set up Wi-Fi printers, and configure email without you hauling equipment to a store. We also demystify video calling with clear options like FaceTime, WhatsApp, Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams, plus tips for avoiding data-plan surprises. We close with a tech tip that’s genuinely useful: scheduling text messages on Android and scheduling emails in Gmail and Outlook so you send the right message at the right time. If this helped, subscribe, share it with someone who’s nervous about online banking, and leave a review so more people can find the show. Support the show Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RefreshComputers/ Track us on X at https://x.com/RefreshStores

September 13, 2026Episode 5540 min

Freezing Your Credit Stops Fraud Cold

Send us Fan Mail A stolen password is annoying. A stolen identity can haunt you for years. We start with one of the highest-impact moves you can make in about 15 minutes: freezing your credit so lenders can’t pull your report and thieves can’t easily open new accounts in your name. We walk through what a credit freeze actually does, why you must do it with all three credit bureaus, and when a fraud alert might be a better fit if you’re actively applying for credit. We also talk about why Florida sees so much identity theft, and why kids and older relatives are often the most exposed. From there, we shift to what people call “viruses” and what we actually see most often: malware, spyware, remote access tools, ransomware, and scam pop-ups that try to scare you into paying. If a screen tells you to call a number or pay in gift cards or crypto, that’s a red flag, not “official support.” We explain why paying almost never ends well and what to do instead. Then we tackle smart speakers and voice assistants, including the “are they listening?” question. We cover wake words, accidental activations, and practical privacy settings like the physical mute switch, reviewing and deleting recordings, turning on auto-delete, and thinking twice about placing speakers in bedrooms. We close with a tech tip that can save you from a painful email mistake: password-protecting and encrypting PDFs and documents, then sending the password through a separate channel. If this helps, subscribe, share it with someone you want to protect, and leave us a review. What’s one security habit you’ll start this week? Support the show Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RefreshComputers/ Track us on X at https://x.com/RefreshStores