Tech Questions & Answers Archives - Page 2 of 258

Q&A: Will moving the Page File on my Windows PC make it run faster?

Posted on March 6, 2026

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Question from Ethan: I was reading an article last night that discussed using part of a computer’s unused RAM as a RAM Disk, and it got me to thinking.

I have an older desktop computer that’s running Windows 10 (it can’t be upgraded to Windows 11). It has 4GB of RAM and a 500GB hard drive.

This machine runs really slow, coming almost to a crawl at times. After doing some research I’ve determined that it’s likely sluggish because it’s doing a ton of swapping back and forth with the page file.

Do you think moving the Windows Page File to a RAM Disk would help speed it up? [Read more…]

Q&A: Will leaving the lid open 24/7 damage my laptop?

Posted on March 5, 2026

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Question from Mark: I have a four month old Acer Nitro Gaming Laptop with a 32 inch gaming monitor connected and set as the primary display.

I use the external monitor for my games. The laptop’s built-in screen is always open with my email and a few other apps open on it.

What I need to know is could leaving the lid open all the time damage the laptop in any way? [Read more…]

Q&A: What do repair shops do with abandoned computers?

Posted on March 3, 2026

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Question from Melina: I have a question that I’ve been wondering about for a while now.

I know that computer repair shops must end up with a lot of older computers that the customers don’t want returned to them.

What do the shops do with those old computers when the customers abandon them and just buy a new computer? [Read more…]

Q&A: Do they make external enclosures that work with older hard drives?

Posted on March 2, 2026

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Question from Alvin: My mom’s (really) old desktop computer won’t come on so she bought herself a new laptop to replace it.

Now she wants me to get the files off her old hard drive for her, but I don’t have a desktop PC to install it in.

I read your post about converting a spare internal hard drive into an external USB hard drive, and it’s very informative.

I’m hoping you can help me choose the right kind of external drive enclosure? [Read more…]

Q&A: Can lightning damage something that’s turned off?

Posted on March 1, 2026

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Question from Karen: I have a question about surge protection after reading this article of yours.

If there’s a lightning strike and your TV and computer gear are not on at the time, will the strike still damage the equipment?

I have heard that you should unplug your electronic things during an electrical storm but I’ve also heard that if something is turned off lightning won’t hurt it even if it’s plugged in. [Read more…]