Tech Questions & Answers Archives - Page 171 of 258

Q&A: Why does my laptop keep going into ‘Sleep’ mode after just 2 minutes?

Posted on March 13, 2019

Question from Brad: I have a Dell laptop with Windows 10 and it has a problem that’s driving me up the wall.

Ever since it installed the latest Windows Update it’s been going into sleep mode every time the machine is idle for exactly two minutes (I timed it).

I’ve went through the power settings several times and changed every setting that could possibly place the machine in sleep mode to make it go to sleep after 45 minutes.

But still it goes to sleep after just two minutes. It’s like Windows 10 is completely ignoring my power settings!

Can you tell me how to fix this?

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

Q&A: Why won’t the computer I just built boot into Windows?

Posted on March 7, 2019

Question from Michael: Hi Rick. I hope you can help me fix a problem I’m having with a brand new PC I just finished building.

After I got everything put together I installed Windows 10 on it and made a few settings changes.

Everything seemed fine and the system booted up normally a total of three times.

But the next time I turned it on the screen stayed blank and the motherboard’s LED error code display stayed on.

I’ve tried turning it off and back on several times but it just won’t boot up.

Any thoughts on what could be causing this? I don’t think it’s a software problem because I haven’t even installed any programs on it yet.

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

Q&A: What’s the easiest way to install OS X onto a Mac Pro that has a new hard drive?

Posted on March 6, 2019

Question from Gill: On a whim I bought a used Mac Pro at a yard sale for a ridiculously low price. I figured it was worth taking a chance on.

When I got it home I plugged it in and it powered up just fine, but I found out there was no hard drive in it.

I had a used hard drive that I had removed from another computer so I installed it in the Mac Pro.

The problem is I don’t know how to install OS X onto the new hard drive. Can you tell me the best (and hopefully easiest) way to do that?

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

Q&A: Where can I get a good deal on a replacement battery for my Toshiba laptop?

Posted on February 28, 2019

Question from Missy: The battery in my Toshiba Satellite C655D-S520 laptop has gone bad. Where can I get a good deal on a replacement battery?

I checked with Best Buy and Office Depot and they can order one for me but they want a small fortune for it!

I’ll be happy to consider a third-party laptop battery instead of one from Toshiba as long as it’s reliable and safe (as in it won’t burn my house down or damage my laptop!).

Rick’s answer: Hi Missy. As with most things electronic, I always buy my laptop batteries at Amazon because of their excellent selection, great prices and outstanding customer service. [Read more…]

Q&A: What could be causing my laptop to get really hot?

Posted on February 26, 2019

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Question from Summer G.: Hi Rick. I’m really worried that my Acer laptop is going to burn itself out.

After it’s been on for just a few minutes it gets so hot I can barely stand to touch the keyboard. And if I leave it on for as little as 15 to 20 minutes it shuts itself off.

What could be causing my laptop to get so hot? Thanks in advance for your help!

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]