Refresh Computers Tech Talk

Hosted by David Leavitt

Technology News

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Episodes

198

Latest episode

Nov 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.

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60 recent

November 14, 2026Episode 7240 min

New Windows Features And Early Price Drops

Send us Fan Mail Send us Fan Mail David Leavitt and Greg Rhodes start with the news around NVIDIA, including reports of a spy scandal, diverted AI chips, and the CEO stepping down, then look at the latest AI gadgets. They cover Meta's Muse assistant, AI-enabled glasses with a visible recording light, Google's intelligent eyewear for hands-free directions, digital home keys in Google Wallet, and Muse arriving on Apple Watch before Siri gets its long-promised AI upgrade. They also compare Muse and Claude's invitation-only Duet tools with the Grok Bots already streamlining work at Refresh Computers. Then we share early Black Friday price drops already happening at Refresh Computers: in-store signage, display boards that automatically show the old and new prices (usually three drops a week), and live prices on refreshcomputers.net for quality refurbished business-class desktops and laptops. The Longwood store is heading toward 27 years in January. We also walk through a major Windows 11 update that is rolling some big features out on a timed schedule, including a customizable right-click menu (Shift-right-click brings hidden items back) and a new cloud reinstall of Windows so you can get a fresh copy even when a local install is too corrupt to repair itself. Turn automatic updates on, and check out the new shareable wish list on the website. We close with this week's tech tip for Outlook and Microsoft 365 users: a widespread outage knocked out Outlook, Teams, and calendars, and Microsoft said it did not believe the cause was a cyber attack while it rebooted systems. If your mail stopped working, it may not be just your computer. Refresh Computers has been fielding a wave of those calls. Subscribe, share this with someone waiting on a Windows update or an early deal, and tell us how the outage hit you. Support the show Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RefreshComputers/ Track us on X at https://x.com/RefreshStores Support the show Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RefreshComputers/ Track us on X at https://x.com/RefreshStores

November 8, 2026Episode 7141 min

Safe New Device Setups And Fake App Traps

Send us Fan Mail Send us Fan Mail Holiday gadgets are arriving, and the first hour with a new phone, tablet, or laptop matters. David Leavitt, Refresh Computers technician Adam Littlefield, and Greg Rhodes walk through stripping timed bloatware, turning on Find My (or the Samsung and Windows equivalents), setting a strong lock screen, and backing up to cloud storage so a lost or stolen device does not take your life with it. We also contrast brand-new boxes packed with junk apps against refurbished machines from Refresh Computers that ship clean. Next we cover what virus removal really means today: malware cleanups that are among our busiest tickets at the Longwood store, plus data recovery when a drive fails, including the partner lab that still recovers data when hardware is too far gone for in-store work. Then we dig into no-name Android TV boxes sold for free channels: some were Google-certified yet built to exploit the platform, and free often means you are the product. We finish with how to spot fake apps that clone icons and names, flood you with scary notifications, and thrive on Android sideloading. Stick to the Google Play Store, keep Play Protect on, and bring a phone that feels off into Refresh Computers so a tech can sort real apps from junk. Subscribe, share this with someone unwrapping a new device this week, and tell us the fake app that almost got you. Support the show Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RefreshComputers/ Track us on X at https://x.com/RefreshStores Support the show Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RefreshComputers/ Track us on X at https://x.com/RefreshStores

November 7, 2026Episode 7042 min

Stop Poisoned Sites From Hijacking Your Phone

Send us Fan Mail Send us Fan Mail A poisoned website can infect your phone without you tapping anything. David Leavitt, Refresh Computers technician Adam Littlefield, and Greg Rhodes break down watering-hole attacks that hit even legitimate-looking sites, steal cookies and logged-in sessions, and put your passwords and bank access at risk. The fix starts with installing the latest iPhone and Android updates right away and turning on automatic updates, because most of those patches close security holes, not just add features. Then we explain why a quality refurbished business-class computer or laptop from Refresh Computers often beats a brand-new consumer machine: commercial-grade hardware, careful refurbishing (including a fresh CMOS battery), and no junk software. We also ask a time-capsule question about letting an AI shopping bot log into your online accounts, share how Grok Bots can research products and present options, and why many people are still smart to keep a hard no on handing over shopping or bank logins. We close with a tech tip you can use on every suspicious link: on iPhone, press and hold a link in Messages, Mail, or Safari to preview the real URL before you open it; on Android, do the same in Chrome, Messages, or Gmail, and copy long links into a notes app so you can read the whole address. Subscribe, share this with someone who taps first and reads later, and tell us about the link that almost fooled you. Support the show Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RefreshComputers/ Track us on X at https://x.com/RefreshStores Support the show Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RefreshComputers/ Track us on X at https://x.com/RefreshStores

November 1, 2026Episode 6941 min

Smarter AI Bots And Safer Windows Updates

Send us Fan Mail Everybody has a favorite AI tool, but AI chatbots that act as your personal assistant are where things are heading fast. In our second video edition of Tech Talk, Greg Rhodes and Refresh Computers technician Adam Littlefield join David Leavitt to compare ChatGPT, Claude, and Grok and explain what makes Grok Bot different: its own phone app and Windows desktop version, a secure built-in web page where you log in yourself, and an encrypted password manager that keeps your passwords out of the chat. We talk about why giving your bot a clear name like Shopping Bot or Personal Trainer shapes how it sets itself up, how Dave now runs about 15 bots (including one that prepares the show's YouTube videos), and why you should still double-check what AI tells you. Then we cover how Refresh Computers helps at your home or office with on-site dispatch, remote support sessions, and quick phone help, and why we always recommend what is best for you as the store heads toward 27 years in January. Next comes an urgent one: a record month of Windows security fixes. Adam walks you through checking for updates in Settings, turning on automatic updates, and why you should restart right away. We also explain what Windows 10 users need to know about Extended Security Updates, when to check with your company's IT department first, and how to spot fake Windows update pop-ups and screens that scammers use to take over your computer. We finish with the clock change and why the Sunshine Protection Act passed the House but is still waiting on a Senate vote. Subscribe, share this with someone who always hits snooze on updates, and tell us whether you restart right away or put it off. Support the show Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RefreshComputers/ Track us on X at https://x.com/RefreshStores

October 31, 2026Episode 6840 min

Spot AI Fakes Before They Fool You

Send us Fan Mail AI scams have gotten so good that the old warning signs, like bad grammar and misspelled words, no longer protect you. In our first-ever video edition of Tech Talk, Greg Rhodes and Refresh Computers technician Adam Littlefield join David Leavitt to break down how to spot AI fakes: voice clone calls built from clips pulled off TikTok to sound like your grandchild, deepfake photos and videos, celebrity product endorsements that were never made, and AI callers posing as your bank with fake call center chatter in the background. We share the clues that still work, including writing that flows a little too perfectly and hidden text that tricks the AI summaries in your inbox, plus the simplest defenses of all: a family code word and a few seconds of pause before you act on anything designed to make you panic. Next, we explain the Refresh Computers trade-in program. Bring your older gear into the store and, if it has value, we apply credit toward a device you buy from us. We cover why we don't buy from the general public, how businesses can email Dave about selling office equipment, and how our in-store electronics recycling center wipes every drive to Department of Defense standards (or hands the drive back to you). Then we react to Apple's jaw-dropping new lineup: the first touchscreen MacBook starting around $2,900, a fully loaded M5 model at $14,500 with 128GB of RAM and 16TB of storage, soldered parts you can never upgrade, hinge problems that are damaging iPhone Duo screens, and why our board-level Mac technician can often repair what others would rather replace. We close with a tech tip that saves you time on every form you fill out on your phone: set up Text Replacement on iPhone (Settings, General, Keyboard) or the personal dictionary on Android so a few letters type your full email address, phone number, or name. Subscribe, share this with someone who picks up every panicked call, and tell us about the AI scam you almost fell for. Support the show Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RefreshComputers/ Track us on X at https://x.com/RefreshStores

October 25, 2026Episode 6740 min

Five Hundred Tabs And No Regrets

Send us Fan Mail Your browser is probably the most important app on your computer and also the easiest place to accidentally create chaos. Greg Rhodes and Adam Littlefield dig into the everyday habits that quietly wreck performance: running multiple browsers, letting tabs multiply into the hundreds, and relying on random extensions that promise “protection” while eating resources. We walk through simple browser basics that make an immediate difference, like signing into Chrome or Edge so bookmarks sync safely, using bookmarks instead of hoarding tabs, and the fast shortcut to reopen a closed tab when you delete the wrong one. We also get real about speed and stability. Too many tabs can overwhelm a system with limited RAM, so we explain what’s happening under the hood and how to check memory usage and upgrade potential. Then we shift into browser cleanup and security: when clearing cache and cookies helps, why it can log you out of key accounts, and how password managers keep you from getting locked out. We wrap that segment with a strong warning about pop-ups and notification prompts and why “Allow notifications” is one of the easiest ways to invite spam and scams. From there, we talk repair reality at Refresh Computers: Mac repairs with board-level specialists, upgrades that can extend the life of expensive Apple hardware, and even case-by-case console and handheld troubleshooting. Finally, we break down a major PHP security flaw that disrupted websites and services, why WordPress site owners need to confirm updates, how AI is changing cybersecurity, and how to check breach exposure with HaveIBeenPwned.com. We close with a tech tip that can genuinely save a life: setting up emergency medical info on your phone lock screen for iPhone and Android. Subscribe for more practical tech advice, share this with someone who lives in browser tabs, and leave a review so more listeners can find the show. What’s the one browser habit you know you need to fix? Support the show Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RefreshComputers/ Track us on X at https://x.com/RefreshStores

October 24, 2026Episode 6639 min

Free Software That Is Actually Safe

Send us Fan Mail A “free download” can be the moment your computer starts running slow, your browser fills with pop-ups, or your accounts get compromised. Greg Rhodes and Refresh Computers technician Adam Littlefield break down what free software is truly worth using and what’s a hard pass, especially the so-called cleanup tools and driver updaters that push nonstop notifications and often care more about harvesting data than fixing anything. We also dig into antivirus reality in 2026: for most people, Microsoft Defender on Windows already delivers solid real-time protection, and piling on multiple antivirus apps can cause serious slowdown as they compete to scan the same files. When you do want paid protection, we talk through how Windows handles conflicts and why choosing one trusted product matters. Then we shift to practical money-savers like Google Docs and Sheets, plus LibreOffice and OpenOffice as credible Microsoft Office alternatives, while calling out the growing risk of AI reverse engineered “lookalike” apps that imitate popular suites and sneak in malicious code. With the holidays coming, scams ramp up fast. We cover surprise packages, porch theft, QR code scams on boxes, menus, parking meters, and chargers, plus the flood of fake delivery texts and bogus tariff fee demands that try to rush you into paying with Venmo or Zelle. We finish with a tech tip you’ll use immediately: iPhone Live Text and Google Lens let you copy text straight from a photo, perfect for Wi-Fi passwords, addresses, and messy URLs. If this helped, subscribe, share it with a friend who clicks first and asks questions later, and leave us a review with the scam you want us to break down next. Support the show Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RefreshComputers/ Track us on X at https://x.com/RefreshStores

October 18, 2026Episode 6539 min

Cloud Storage Without The Confusion

Send us Fan Mail A scary pop-up says your storage is almost full and your files will be deleted unless you pay. Do you click, ignore it, or panic? We walk through how cloud storage actually works so you can make smart calls with OneDrive, iCloud, Google Drive, and Google Photos and avoid getting pushed into a scam. We also explain what “cloud” really means, how syncing differs from backup, and why many services let you keep both local files and cloud copies so you are not stuck when the internet is down. Then we shift into practical buying advice for real people shopping right now. We talk about why refurbished business class computers can be a better value than new consumer laptops, especially when build quality is slipping and prices are climbing. We get specific about what refurbishment should include, like replacing worn parts, installing a solid state drive, and handling common failure points. If you have ever dealt with broken laptop hinges, you will know exactly why this matters. We also dig into Windows 10 support news that has confused a lot of users and created fertile ground for scammers. Microsoft extended Windows 10 security updates longer than many people realize, and we explain what Extended Security Updates are, why they matter, and how to think about upgrading safely. To close, we react to the week’s most mind-bending tech headline: Tesla’s new Roadster claims extreme performance and even cold gas thrusters, pushing the flying car conversation into “did that really just happen” territory. Subscribe so you do not miss the next Tech Talk, share this with a friend who needs a backup plan, and leave a review with your biggest cloud storage or Windows 10 question. Support the show Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RefreshComputers/ Track us on X at https://x.com/RefreshStores

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