Tech Questions & Answers Archives - Page 177 of 258

Q&A: Why does my computer shut down after running for just 10 minutes?

Posted on September 21, 2018

Question from Dale J.: Rick, I have a really weird problem with my HP desktop computer. One day last week it just started shutting down on its own after running for about 10 minutes.

I researched the problem online and one of the articles I read said one of the fans might have stopped working. Per the writer’s instructions, I removed the side panel in order to check to see if any of the fans weren’t spinning.

All of the fans appeared to be operating normally, but the weird thing is the computer never shut down. I left it running like that all day, then re-installed the cover. Sure enough, it shut down after just a few minutes had passed.

I removed the cover again, and again the computer ran just fine without shutting down. Am I doomed to use this PC forever with the cover removed?

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

Q&A: Why are some computers noisier than others?

Posted on September 18, 2018

Question from Lexie H.: I was out shopping for a new computer today and I noticed that some computers make more noise than others.

The salesman I was talking to said it’s normal for some models to be louder than others but he couldn’t explain why that is.

Can you tell me why some computers are really loud while others are really quiet? Also, are the louder ones better or worse than the quiet ones?

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Q&A: What’s the best laptop hard drive I can buy for $100 or less?

Posted on September 18, 2018

Question from Andy: The 750GB hard drive in my laptop has started making strange noises and I’m afraid it’s about to go out on me. I need to replace it ASAP but I don’t know which drive I should buy to replace it with.

I’d really like to get an SSD to make the laptop run a lot faster, but my budget for the drive is only about $100 (or preferably less).

I checked around and the largest SSD I can get for that price is way too small for my needs. I really need something that’s at least as big as the drive that’s in the laptop right now.

Can you help me find the fastest hard drive I can get for $100 that’s at least 750GB?

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

Q&A: Should I replace a bad fan in my computer’s power supply?

Posted on September 13, 2018

Question from Dave H.: Hi Rick. About 18 months ago I bought the parts and built a computer by following a guide I found on Youtube. It works great and I love it.

But now the fan in the power supply has started making a loud clunking sound and I can see it wobble when it spins. The fan has obviously gone bad.

My question is can I replace the bad fan in the power supply or should I just replace the entire thing. It wasn’t a cheap power supply (approx. $125) and I’m hoping I can just replace the fan and save some money. I’ll take your advice though whatever it turns out to be because I don’t want to ruin anything else inside the PC.

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]