Tech Questions & Answers Archives - Page 248 of 258

Q&A: Can I replace the power switch on my Compaq Presario SR2163WM myself?

Posted on July 9, 2013

Question from Devon A.: Hi Rick. I have a Compaq Presario SR2163WM that still works great, but I went to turn it on yesterday morning and the power switch broke. The button is still more or less in place but it doesn’t activate the switch when you push it.

I actually have two questions for you:

1 – Can the switch be replaced?

2 – If so, can I do it myself or should I take it to a shop?

Rick’s answer: Devon, you can indeed replace the power switch on your PC yourself, but finding one might be a problem since that’s such an old model. But I have a hunch that you won’t need to replace it at all. [Read more…]

Q&A: Why does my PC beep and refuse to boot into Windows?

Posted on July 8, 2013

Question from Mika T.: I have an older Compaq EVO D510 desktop PC with 2GB RAM, 120GB hard drive and Windows XP Professional. I love this computer because it’s the first one I ever owned and I’d really like to keep it running if at all possible.

Here’s the problem: It was working fine till I turned it on one morning and it refused to boot up. It gives one short beep followed by two long beeps, then nothing. Is this a problem that can be fixed without shelling out a ton of cash?

Rick’s answer: Mika, the beeps you hear after pressing the power button are actually an error code that’s being output by your computer’s Power On Self Test (aka POST). That beep code on a Compaq PC typically indicates a problem with the video circuitry. [Read more…]

Q&A: Can I install Windows 7 on a second hard drive in my Windows 8 PC without losing any data?

Posted on July 6, 2013

Question from Antonio V.: I recently bought a Dell Inspiron 660s desktop PC from Amazon. It came with Windows 8 and I am very unhappy with it. I love the computer though.

I have installed a second hard drive and I was wondering if can install Windows 7 Pro (full retail version) on the second drive without losing any of my photos and other files that are on the Windows 8 drive?

After I transfer everything over I’ll remove Windows 8 and use Windows 7 exclusively. Thanks for your help in advance.

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

Q&A: How can I set my default search engine back to Google?

Posted on June 27, 2013

Question from Anita W.: Hi Rick. I recently read your post letting everyone know that I.E. 10 is now available for Windows 7 so I downloaded it and gave it a try. All in all, I think it’s a major improvement over I.E. 9.

I’m having one problem however. When I installed I.E. 10 it changed my default search engine from Google to Bing. How do I change it back? Thanks a bunch!!

Rick’s answer: Anita, I also think I.E. 10 is a major improvement over I.E. 9, but as you found out the switch isn’t always hassle-free. Unfortunately, it’s standard procedure for Microsoft to stealthily replace your default search engine with Bing. Luckily, it’s very easy to change it back. Here’s how: [Read more…]

Q&A: Why doesn’t Windows Update install all available updates at once?

Posted on June 24, 2013

Question from Eric: Rick, I have a question about Windows Update. I just got back from a business trip, and when I turned my PC on it had 11 updates waiting to be installed. After they were installed the computer rebooted, then informed me that there were 4 more updates that needed to be installed.

Why didn’t Windows Update just install all of the available updates at once? Just curious…It’s a hassle having to wait through two update procedures (and reboots) when it seems that one should have been sufficient. If it makes any difference, I have a Lenovo desktop PC running Windows 7.

Rick‘s answer: Eric, the Windows Update process can be a real head-scratcher sometimes. There are a couple of possible reasons why the Windows Update process is sometimes split into two events: [Read more…]