Troubleshooting

That call from “Microsoft Support” was a scam. I’ve seen this script a hundred times during my years at Microsoft—always urgent, always demanding immediate access to your computer. The official reporting process starts with Microsoft’s scam reporting page. You’ll need the caller’s number, any emails they sent, and screenshots if they tricked you into installing … Read more

That moment when your serial device just won’t talk back is maddening. I’ve spent countless hours chasing phantom connection issues in the Five Points tech center, and the fix is often simpler than you think. Testing a serial port starts with the basics: verify the port exists, check the driver status, then confirm communication. A … Read more

That sinking feeling when your Documents folder vanishes from File Explorer is all too real. I first hit this issue in 2003 on an XP machine, and Windows 11 still trips people up the same way. The fix is shockingly simple once you know where to look. Most cases come down to a misplaced folder … Read more

I’ve bricked more Surface devices than I’d like to admit by missing the BIOS window. The trick is acting fast—you’ve got about 3 seconds after powering on to hit the right keys. Unlike traditional PCs, Surface Pros use a volume button combo. Hold Volume Up while pressing the power button, and keep holding until the … Read more

I still remember the first time I bricked a Windows machine messing with the registry. 1998 in my uncle’s basement, I learned the hard way that registry edits aren’t something to take lightly. Cleaning the registry manually is safer than you’d think—if you follow the right steps. The key is knowing exactly what to touch … Read more

Deleting a Premiere Pro project isn’t as simple as hitting delete on your keyboard. I’ve seen too many editors lose hours of work by missing one critical step in the process. The right way involves closing the project first, then navigating through File > Delete Project in the media browser. This prevents accidental deletion of … Read more

Locked out of your Kindle Fire with no password in sight. I’ve been there—panicked, staring at a screen that won’t budge, realizing all my books and apps are just out of reach. The fix is simpler than you think. A factory reset wipes the lock screen but also everything else on the device. It’s the … Read more

Locked out of your system after a password change gone wrong? I’ve been there—more times than I’d like to admit, especially back in the uncle’s basement days with those finicky vintage IBMs. Resetting a UEFI/BIOS password isn’t just about removing a CMOS battery anymore. Modern systems require manufacturer-specific tools or clever workarounds, depending on your … Read more

Changing your Microsoft verification number is simpler than most users expect. I’ve walked dozens of colleagues through this process, and it consistently takes under 5 minutes with no technical hurdles. The update happens entirely through your Microsoft account security settings. You’ll need access to your current verification method—either the existing phone number or an alternate … Read more

Windows acting sluggish or the taskbar disappeared? I’ve fixed this exact issue hundreds of times in my Microsoft days. It’s usually just explorer.exe crashing in the background. The fix takes under 2 minutes and doesn’t require admin rights. You’ll restart the process through Task Manager, and everything—icons, taskbar, file windows—snaps back into place instantly. No … Read more