Tech Questions & Answers Archives - Page 155 of 258

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

Posted on August 21, 2020

Rick’s Tech Tips Newsletter

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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

Note: The links in this post are affiliate links.

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…]

Q&A: Does ‘Tax Free Weekend’ apply to Amazon purchases?

Posted on July 29, 2020

Note: The links in this post are affiliate links.

Question from Stella H.: Our state will be observing its annual back-to-school “Tax Free Weekend” starting this Friday.

I know that certain items can be purchased tax-free at local stores during Tax-Free Weekend, but what about things we buy online at Amazon?

I usually buy most of my kids’ back-to-school stuff from Walmart to take advantage of the tax savings, but there are a few relatively expensive items I’d prefer to buy from Amazon if I can still get the tax savings.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

Q&A: How do I connect a second display to my iMac?

Posted on July 14, 2020

Note: The links in this post are affiliate links.

Question from Kelley: I recently bought this 21.5 inch iMac and I’d like to connect a second display to it.

I have a really nice 1 year-old 27 inch HP monitor with two HDMI connectors that I used with my old Windows computer.

I’d love to use that monitor if I can.

My goal is to have Photoshop running on the 27 inch screen and everything else on the 21.5 inch screen.

Can you tell me if the HP monitor is compatible with the iMac? If it is, how do I connect it to the computer and set it up in the software?

If it won’t work with the iMac can you recommend a good 27 inch monitor that will?

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]