Tech Questions & Answers Archives - Page 155 of 258

Q&A: Should I replace the battery on a 2 year old laptop?

Posted on September 6, 2020

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Question from Brenda G.: I have a two and a half year old Dell Latitude E5570 laptop that no longer works unless it’s plugged into a wall outlet.

I took it to the computer shop here in town and they said the battery is bad but they can order a replacement battery and install it for me for $160.

I really like this laptop but I don’t want to spend that much money for a battery if you don’t think it’s a wise use of the money.

My question is do you think I should have the guys at the computer shop order a battery and install it for me or would it make more sense to just apply that $160 towards a new laptop?

I really respect your opinion and I’ll take your advice regardless of which way you recommend I go.

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

Q&A: Will a USB 3.0 external hard drive work with a USB 2.0 hub?

Posted on August 21, 2020

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Question from Melissa S.: Hi Rick. I just bought this 4TB external hard drive to back up the hard drive in my new Dell desktop PC (which only has USB 3.0 ports).

I really like this drive because it will store a LOT of photos (I’m a photographer).

Due to the arrangement of my cramped desk, the external hard drive will have to sit on a nearby shelf and connect to the computer through a USB hub.

My question is can I use the hub I already have or will I need to buy a new one?

The one I have is several years old but it still works great. The thing is it’s a USB 2.0 model.

I’m afraid to plug either the computer or the hard drive into this hub until I hear from you because I don’t want to burn something up.

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

Q&A: Why can’t I get Netflix to stream in 4K?

Posted on August 14, 2020

Question from Perry: I recently bought a high-end Windows PC from Best Buy.

Here’s a link to it so you can check the specs.

I asked the salesman what I would need in order to watch Netflix in 4K with that machine and he said a broadband Internet connection and some type of 4K compatible streaming device.

I told him I had a DSL connection and he said that’s fine. He then recommended that I buy a Chromecast Ultra, so I did.

He told me my new computer and the Chromecast Ultra would let me watch Netflix in 4K if I used the Edge browser.

However, no matter what I try I can never get Netflix to stream at anything faster than 1080p.

I went back to Best Buy and asked what else I need to do (or buy) to get Netflix in 4K and three different people insisted that I have everything I need.

Do you have any idea what could be the problem?

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

Q&A: Can I replace a bad power supply with one from another computer?

Posted on August 7, 2020

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Question from Larry G:. Rick, I have a two Gateway Desktop computers, neither of which are operational.

One has a bad motherboard and the other has a bad power supply.

Can I replace the bad power supply with the one in the computer that has the bad motherboard? If I can I won’t have to go buy one.

The power supplies look exactly the same and have the same cables and connectors, but the working power supply is rated at 400 watts and the bad one is only 350 watts.

I read your post about replacing Windows with Linux and I’d really like to get one of these machines working so I can install Linux Mint on it.

What I need to know is will replacing a power supply with a more powerful one damage a computer?

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]