Tech Questions & Answers Archives - Page 210 of 258

Q&A: Why does my camera say the battery is low immediately after it finishes charging?

Posted on August 10, 2015

Question from Roger T.: I have a Canon Powershot SD630 digital camera that I’ve had for several years. When I bought the camera I also bought an extra battery because at that time I was taking a lot of pictures on a regular basis.

The camera was working fine when I stopped using it about 8 months ago (I bought a Canon DSLR), but I recently pulled it out of the drawer to take a few snapshots.

Well, long story short, it didn’t work. It tells me the battery is low every time I turn it on. It does this even after the battery finishes charging to 100%, and it makes no difference which battery is installed.

It seems unlikely to me that both batteries would have gone bad at the same time. Do you think the problem is with the camera? And if it is, do you think it’s worth repairing?

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

Q&A: Where can I find the Windows Product Key on my HP laptop?

Posted on July 30, 2015

Question from Devona T.: Hi Rick. I have what is probably the silliest question you have ever heard. Where in the world can I find the Windows Product Key on my HP laptop?

I have owned four other laptops prior to this one and they have always had the Windows Product Key printed on a label on the bottom of the case. But this one doesn’t have it printed anywhere as far as I can tell, and I’ve looked everywhere!

I want to do a clean install of Windows 8.1 so I need the Product Key. Can you please, please, please tell me where to find it? I have already created my Recovery Media.

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

Q&A: How can I block strangers from messaging me on Facebook?

Posted on July 29, 2015

Update: Facebook has removed the setting to prevent strangers from contacting you, making both this question and my answer moot.

I recommend that you read this post that explains why privacy simply doesn’t exist on Facebook.

Original post continues below…

Question from Hanna C: I used to have my Facebook settings configured to block people who aren’t my friends from sending me messages, but somehow that has got changed and I’ve started getting messages from people I don’t know.

I can’t figure out how to find that setting anymore. Can you tell me where it is?

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

Q&A: Should I install Windows 8.1 in 32 bit or 64 bit mode?

Posted on July 20, 2015

Question from Carolyn S.: Hi Rick. I have a 4 year old HP Desktop computer running Windows 7 – 32 bit.

I bought the Windows 8.1 DVD but I don’t know whether I should install it in 32 bit or 64 bit mode.

This computer has a 64 bit CPU but just 4GB of RAM that I plan to upgrade at some point. I’ve heard that the extra RAM won’t do any good unless I install 64 bit Windows.

If that’s true, do you think it’s worth installing the 64 bit version? What do you suggest?

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

Q&A: If I upgrade my PC to Windows 10 for free, will it stay free forever?

Posted on July 20, 2015

Question from Earnest H.: Hi Rick. I’ve heard that I’ll be able to upgrade my Dell computer from Windows 8.1 to Windows 10 for free at the end of the month. I have also heard conflicting stories whether or not it will remain free forever.

Some of the things I’ve read say if you qualify for the free upgrade, Windows 10 will only be free for the first year. After that you’ll have to pay a monthly subscription fee to Microsoft in order to keep on using it. But then I’ve heard other people say that the free Windows 10 upgrades will stay free forever.

Can you clear this up for me once and for all? I’d love to replace Windows 8.1 with Windows 10, but not if I’ll end up having to pay for it after the first year is up.

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]