Tech Questions & Answers Archives - Page 212 of 258

Q&A: Can I install Windows 8.1 on a laptop that originally came with Windows Vista?

Posted on June 11, 2015

Question from Glenn W.: I have an old, but awesome 2008 era Dell Inspiron 1525 laptop that came with Windows Vista. It still works great except for the hard drive which just died on me with no warning.

I found out that I can buy a brand spanking new replacement hard drive for less than $50, but I don’t have a set of Windows Vista restore discs.

If I replace the hard drive can I also install Windows 8.1 in place of Vista? (I would actually prefer Windows 7 but they don’t sell it anymore.)

Or is this machine so old that only Windows Vista will work, which would mean I’m out of luck either way?

Sorry for the multiple questions, but this is all very confusing to me. I hate to throw away a perfectly good laptop just because the hard drive died.

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

Q&A: How can I change the pixel size of a picture I wish to use as my Facebook cover photo?

Posted on May 31, 2015

Question from Terrie A: I’ve been trying to change my cover photo on Facebook, but I’m having trouble.

When I try to choose a picture I’ve saved, it says it’s too big and that it has to be so many pixels high by so many pixels wide. How can I change the pixel size of the pic?

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

Q&A: Will Windows 7 still work after Windows 10 is released?

Posted on May 27, 2015

Question from Millie H.: I heard that Windows 10 is supposed to be released pretty soon. Will the Windows 7 that’s on my computer still work after that or will I need to buy Windows 10?

Rick’s answer: Millie, you have nothing whatsoever to worry about. Your computer’s Windows 7 installation will work just fine for the foreseeable future. In fact, Microsoft has committed to supporting Windows 7 with regular security updates until the year 2020.

But that being said, you might want to consider upgrading your computer to Windows 10 when it is released anyway. Here’s why… [Read more…]

Q&A: Will using ReadyBoost really speed up my computer?

Posted on May 18, 2015

Question from Beverly W.: I recently read an article that said using ReadyBoost with a flash drive will speed up your computer. My laptop is pretty slow so I decided I wanted to try it.

But now I’m confused because when I asked a friend of mine how to set it up he told me not to bother because it doesn’t really help.

I hope you can clear this up for me. Does ReadyBoost work or not? I don’t want to buy a flash drive to use with it if it won’t really do me any good.

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

Q&A: How can I prevent the Camera app from opening automatically on my Galaxy S6?

Posted on April 27, 2015

Question from Freida K.: I just bought a Samsung Galaxy S6 phone and it keeps loading the Camera app every time I double-tab the “Home” button.

I don’t like that and it’s driving me nuts. Is there a way to stop it from happening?

Rick’s answer: I understand your frustration Freida, and you aren’t alone in your dislike for Samsung’s “Camera Quick Launch” feature. Luckily, you can easily turn it off. Here’s how: [Read more…]