606 posts tagged with computer and resolved.
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Seeking a powerful PC that can run Windows 7
For reasons that aren't relevant here, I need to configure a decently powerful PC that will run Windows 7 and can easily stream 4K video. I did some research and found what seems to be a reasonable computer on eBay. I would like a second opinion before I order the machine. [more inside]
Spectrum internet back after the hurricane except for ONE device
I have an apartment on the Gulf Coast of Florida with Spectrum internet service. (My neighbors and I are thankfully okay.) The power to the building is back now, and so is the Spectrum internet..except for ONE device, a MacBook Pro. More details inside, including why "reset your router/modem" isn't an option. [more inside]
Not-quite-alarm to get me out of my chair at regular intervals
I'm seeking a certain type of alarm with just-picky-enough specifications that I'm having no luck with google, so I wanted to see if metafilter could help! [more inside]
Trouble entering letter with horizontal line through it
Hi. I need to know how to enter a "W" with a horizontal line through it, preferably using an ALT code or something like that since copying and pasting won't be an option. The reason for this is I'm trying to bypass a very frustrating initial setup process for a new laptop I got, and the customer service guy I chatted with online (not on the new laptop, but on one I've owned for a few years) told me to press the Shift key + F10, which I did, and then to enter a code which included the aforementioned W with a horizontal line through it. He couldn't give me simple, coherent instructions for how to enter it, and my attempts to look it up online have been fruitless. I hope this all makes sense. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Any reason I shouldn't swap round CPUs?
I have a PC and plan to build another one, using the CPU from the first one in the second one and replacing it with a new chip which costs the same. It makes sense to me, but perhaps there's a catch I'm missing. [more inside]
Is this uni claim reasonable, it doesn't sound so to me
Just a short one. I've had a PC provided by the university since 2018. Today they e-mailed me about the following which sounds like nonsense... [more inside]
Things to disable on new business PC.
I'm getting a new desktop PC for work. I think it's going to be a Dell. Switching from Mac, so I need your advice on all the annoying "features" to have my computer guy disable on the new machine. [more inside]
How to best play Minecraft with multiple nephews?
I have two nephews, 9 and 6. Both of them love Minecraft. I also have a brother who has played Minecraft in the past and is interested in playing with me and his kids. I have a computer and can play Java or Bedrock. My brother has two computers that could play it. The kids also have a Switch and a Fire tablet and mostly play on those. In connecting with them this weekend, we realized only one (1) nephew can play with his favourite aunt at once, and all using their father's Xbox Gamertag. [more inside]
Is there such a thing as a decent $500 laptop?
This past summer I chanced to meet an older gentleman who is dealing with some of the complications of returning to society after decades in prison. Since meeting him I've helped him with a few small things, mostly technology related. He has recently asked me for some advice on making a computer purchase and while I'm pretty well able to answer general questions about recent technology, I very much don't pay attention to the low mid-range of the market for PC laptops, where his budget places him. [more inside]
Scrolling is taking a toll on my hands/arms/elbows.
People who scroll a lot at the computer (think Pinterest, Reddit, etc.), how do you protect your hands/wrists/elbows? I'm using a standard computer (Mac), with a mouse and keyboard, adjustable keyboard tray. Most of my apps will allow "down arrow" scrolling, but even this is pretty repetitive and my various parts are starting to complain. What hacks do you have?
Accessory after the Mac
Begone, 6+-year old computer, there is a shiny new M2 MacBook Air in the house. I have long experience using Apple and MS Office technology as a trainer/presenter in higher ed, but left that almost four years ago when USB-C was newish. I don't know the current terrain for good peripherals.
What useful accessories would you use for these tasks? What little charger/dongle/battery/thingie has made you smile with its nicely designed utility?
What is The One True Adaptor? [more inside]
How Bad is This Laptop?
Long story short: I left my fancy Lenovo Carbon laptop at a hotel and they cannot ship it to me before I leave the country for a month on Tuesday. I'm teaching an online class and need a laptop to connect to the online course management system and browse the web.
Could I do with this $199 laptop? Or would I just be hating life? Open to alternative recommendations.
Help me keep a senile parent safe online
My friend's father is slowly sliding into senility and can't keep himself safe from scammers, etc. while using his computer. I've recommended a few things to help my friend make their dad's online activities as safe as possible, but this isn't a situation I have much experience with and I wonder if there may be more/better options. All the online articles I can find are too basic and vague to be much use. I'm looking for specific suggestions. [more inside]
On a Mac: find duplicate music files in a folder full of subfolders
I have 160 GB of music on an external drive. I know that nearly 50% of it is duplicate files (songs sorted multiple ways into multiple folders over multiple years) and I want to delete all duplicates. I tried a Terminal command string I found in a tutorial and I'm afraid it is going to run forever. Are there other (easier) options? [more inside]
Help with Excel formula: percent increase to 'x times as much'
I need to write an Excel formula that converts percentages to an 'x times as much' figure. It is breaking my brain. [more inside]
Recent Potential Computer Virus Issues? (PUA:Win32/Vigua.A)
I have some recent Potential Virus Issues flagged on my desktop PC that I am looking to have sorted. Any suggestions or help? [more inside]
How do you find out the time zone an email was received/sent?
For example in Gmail, is the time zone hidden somewhere, until you hover over it? By hidden I mean for example, on Edge, you click on Windows icon bottom left corner of the screen (on desktop) the scroller is invisible until you accidentally hover over the area)), if you want to see whatever is not visible.
Or is there something you have to click on to find out the time zone?
Why won't my new homebuilt PC start?
I built a computer, it won't start/POST and I think I've tested everything. Is there something obvious (or subtle) I'm missing? (This is my second homebuilt PC; my first was 10 years ago so I'm not a seasoned builder.) [more inside]
I need more screen space - best way to get that? (Mac)
It's about time for me to replace my desktop machine (a 27" iMac from 2017).
The problem is figuring out what to replace it with, ideally that will give me more screen space. Apparently 27" isn't enough.
I'm interested in ideas on how to do that sensibly for my needs and situation, and in recs for a monitor depending on what I end up picking. [more inside]
Small frame magnifying computer reading glasses?
Where can we find these reading glasses that fit inside regular glasses? [more inside]
Docking station or hub for my purposes? (Macbook)
To MeFites with current Macbooks that don't have USB-A ports, is there a docking station or hub you're using that you like? And is there one you recommend that has a lot of USB-A ports? [more inside]
Can I update my Macbook and should I?
I've got a used, refurbished Macbook Pro from 2011 and I'm curious if it's possible to update it, and if it is possible, if I should. I saw some similar asks from about ten years ago, and it's 2022 now so I figure it's okay to ask again. [more inside]
How to make my laptop run as quietly on mains as it does on battery?
My laptop fans are noisy even when the laptop is not doing any work at all, like when I'm reading a web page. If I unplug it, it's wonderfully silent, but the battery life is very short. I understand that the CPU is throttled down on battery, which is fine for simple tasks - can I do the same thing when I'm running on mains power? [more inside]
Replace an ageing desktop on a budget, UK version
No gaming, just web browsing and light photo editing. He has monitor, keyboard and mouse, need a replacement Windows 11 (or 10 to upgrade) tower to transfer stuff over to and start using, hopefully for another 10-15 years. [more inside]
Help me choose a computer monitor
So it appears that my secondary computer monitor is dying. How do I choose a new one? [more inside]
What kind of USB-C charger is appropriate for my computer?
I have a new laptop that appears to have a fairly obscure charging port design (neither of the 2 universal adapters I tried worked), but it does have a USB-C port that it appears to charge through when I tested it briefly. In looking for a USB-C charger to use as a spare, it seems like they all list a wide range of compatible computers, but none list my model. Is that just SEO stuff, or do I need to look for certain characteristics in a USB-C charger? [more inside]
Can't access BIOS on a Toshiba Portege - why?
I have an older Toshiba Portege (a R935-P330) that I'm trying to resurrect - when I start up, I get a black screen asking me for a password, but cannot bypass this to access BIOS (which is what I'd like to do here). What gives? [more inside]
Ergonomic keyboard with shallow learning curve & low profile
My hands don't hurt when I type, but I figure I should go ahead and switch to something more ergonomic to keep it that way. I'd like something with a small footprint that won't require a huge adjustment in how I type/hold my hands. (My ideal at this point would be a squished together version of a Logitech Wave and a Logitech MK470.) More details after the jump. [more inside]
The year of Linux on the laptop?
Windows user since forever but debating whether to go with some flavour of Linux on this new laptop instead of 11. If you have attempted this transition of your main OS in the past decade, tell me your story. Have you stuck with it? Did you give up and go crawling back to MS? What did you lose/give up on the way over? Which distro gave you the least headaches? so on [more inside]
Windows computer stuck in the mud
This morning, my Windows desktop is operating at 1/1000 speed, taking 15-20 minutes to boot. What are possible causes? I'm thinking a failing SSD, but are there other possibilities?
Renaming folders in Windows
This feels like such a noob question, but here it is anyway. I (using Windows 10) have a folder with subfolders inside it. In the subfolders are various image files. I want to rename the primary folder. If I do, what happens with the name path? Will Windows understand the change so I can still find and use the subfolders and files?
How to protect the bottom of a new computer
I'm getting a new MacBook Air. My current machine, from 2012, is badly scratched on the bottom - what's the best way to protect the new one? [more inside]
Budget laptop for bare-bones use?
I need to replace my elderly, slowly dying Toshiba laptop (c. 2010, still running Windows 7), but want to do this w/out taking a big hit. [more inside]
Please tell me what Mac laptop to buy!
My 9-year old MacBook Air is finally giving up the ghost, so I need to buy a new laptop. I think at this point I’m inclined to just stay in the Mac ecosystem even though I know there are plenty of great Windows laptops out there. Can you please tell me which Mac laptop to get and what specifications to get (amount of memory, etc.)? [more inside]
Fixing FM-band RFI from homebuilt desktop PC
A few months ago I built a new desktop PC that is causing FM interference with my stereo receiver setup. This interference (buzzy static) only occurs when the PC is on. I did not have this problem with my previous PC build (from 2011). I need to solve this. A few more details inside. [more inside]
Subtle horizontal lines rippling down my computer screen.
Lately, there are subtle horizontal lines that constantly ripple down my computer screen. [more inside]
A puzzle or nonsense or a mathematical formula. What does it mean?
Anyone know what this means and if there is a 'solution', then what is it? [more inside]
Cleaning cat pee from inside monitor
My cat peed into my expensive, 32-inch 4K monitor. What do I do now? [more inside]
Do you know how to troubleshoot a laptop touchscreen from afar?
I have a newish-to-me HP Elitebook 2760p with Ubuntu on it. The touchscreen was working earlier today and it has stopped working. it doesn't recognize my touch or the stylus at all. I know nothing other than how to find the terminal. Please hold my hand and help me fix this problem. Thanks!
What replacement hard drive do I need?
So the hard drive (a SATA Seagate Barracuda 7200RPM with 1TB) on my somewhat old desktop died over the holidays. I'm looking to replace the drive, rather than the whole computer, but want to make sure I get the right piece of equipment. Details inside. [more inside]
Chromebox doesn't work right out of the... packaging
Just bought a brand new Acer Chromebox CXI3 to set up for use in the family room. Up until now, we had been using one of those tiny Chromebits (those candy-bar shaped computers) with the HDMI connected to the common-room television and a wireless keyboard/trackpad. I decided to replace it because the Chromebit will no longer get security updates after this month. [more inside]
PC speaker volume control broken: fix or replace?
I have a 7 year old Creative speaker system that looks similar to this: 2 speakers, a subwoofer, and a separate little volume unit with a rotary control. The volume control is faulty. How likely is it to be fixable? [more inside]
Does a tool exist to help remove PCIe cards?
Trying to pull the graphics card out of a PC I purchased to replace it with a marginally better one. Reaching under the card to pop the clip on one side is difficult due to position and fat fingers: the other side is currently inaccessible due to fan // heatsink placement giving no clearance. Is there a tool to help with this or do I need to start removing fans?
Can I paper over this problem?
I just blew two years of dust out of my computer tower. Now I'd like to keep dust out of it. I've got a single fan inside, and an intake vent on the front of the box. Can I effectively tape a paper face mask over the vent to keep the dust out? Would that negatively affect the rate of air going through the case?
Find my Files?
I have a Macbook and a ton of files are just...gone. I am despondent. Please help. [more inside]
PHP arrays: why is my feeble brain struggling with this?
I started working on what I thought would be a simple problem that my lack of sleep is now preventing me from solving.
I need to create an array of data that I can then later iterate through to display on our website. So I need to loop from outer to inner and display the contents accordingly. It was easy to do on the fly (printing directly to the web page as the directories were scraped), but I need to put the data into session variables and loop through and display it later when I need it. [more inside]
Choppy, stuttering video on new 4K computer monitor
I recently bought a 32-inch 4K monitor (model ViewSonic VX3276-4K-MHD). I tried playing a bunch of 4K test videos that I found here, and they all play with noticeable choppiness. I tried Google Chrome, Edge, and Firefox. The same thing happens when I play a 4K video file using VLC Player. How should I fix this? [more inside]
Wifi issues with a PCIe wireless card
My desktop has been having really annoying wifi issues, think dropping connection briefly every 15 seconds, and I think I've narrowed it down to being a card issue. I'd love recommendations on a wifi card that will work well and hopefully eliminate the frustrating drops! [more inside]
Any use for old Mac OS CDs?
Spring cleaning, and what to do with the stack of old MacOS CDs (OS 7.5, 8.5, 10) and assorted software (Word, Office, etc.) that I keep shoving out of sight. Most are on sale on eBay, and there are sites where one can d/l the zipped install discs for pre-OS X. So...is there any useful purpose (charity?) to which these can be put? I figure hardly any computers run pre-OS X operating systems, but it seems a waste to trash them. Thanks.
How complicated is it to have two computers at one desk?
Like many people, I'm now working from home full-time. I'm in a small apartment though, and looking for ways to optimize space. I have a work laptop and a home desktop. [more inside]