Tech Questions & Answers Archives - Page 234 of 235

Q&A: Can I remove optional Windows updates that I don’t plan to install?

Posted on February 15, 2013

Question from Tina F.: Every time Windows Update tells me I have updates available it lists an optional update for Bing Desktop. I don’t use Bing Desktop and I probably never will. Is there any way to delete it so it’ll stop showing up on the Windows Update list?

Rick’s answer: Tina, there are a couple of unwanted optional updates that are always available for my computer too, and I agree that it’s rather annoying. While you can’t actually delete them, you an easily hide them to keep them from showing up along with other available updates. Here’s how: [Read more…]

Q&A: How much memory can my Dell Inspiron 620 hold?

Posted on February 14, 2013

Question from Renita: Rick, I have a Dell Inspiron 620 desktop computer with 4GB of RAM in it. It’s running Windows 7.

A friend told me that I should upgrade the memory to the maximum that it’ll hold because it’ll speed up my computer. I actually have two questions:

1 – Is he right?

2 – If he is, how much memory will this computer hold? [Read more…]

Q&A: Why is my Windows Update not working in Windows XP?

Posted on February 10, 2013

Question from Jennifer K.: Hi Rick! I have an older Dell desktop PC running Windows XP that I absolutely love, but due to a virus I had to re-install Windows from scratch. Now when I try to use Windows Update it fails and I get this error message:

“The website has encountered a problem and cannot display the page you are trying to view.”

I’m stuck at Service Pack 2 and I get any updates to download at all. I can’t even get Bitdefender to install because it says I need Service Pack 3, so the computer is currently running without anti-virus protection. Can I fix this or should I just recycle the computer and use my laptop for everything (NOT my first choice!)? [Read more…]

Q&A: Is it safe to run my Sony Vaio Z laptop with a bad fan?

Posted on February 10, 2013

Question from Camille: I have a 2 year old Sony Vaio Z laptop that works great but I recently noticed that the fan never comes on anymore. It does seem to get hotter than usual but it never gets too hot to touch. Since it’s over 2 years old I hate to spend a lot of money on getting it fixed. Do you think it’ll be ok to run it with a bad fan?

Rick’s answer: Camille, if I were you I’d spring for the repair bill and have the fan checked out and replaced if it indeed turns out to be defective. My guess is that it is, but there are other problems besides just a bad fan that can cause it to stop spinning. [Read more…]

Q&A: If I upgrade to Windows 8 will I be able to go back to Windows 7?

Posted on February 10, 2013

Question from Elizabeth A.: I’m thinking about upgrading my computer to Windows 8 but I have a question first. If I try Windows 8 for a while and don’t like it will I be able to go back to Windows 7 without losing my files?

Rick’s Answer: Elizabeth, the short answer is yes, but you’ll have to prepare for the potential downgrade from Win 8 to Win 7 before you install the upgrade by creating a System Repair Disc and Backup Image for your current Windows 7 installation (click the link for instructions).

You should create this backup set right before starting the Windows 8 upgrade process to ensure that none of your user-created data files will be lost if you end up deciding to downgrade back to Windows 7 later. [Read more…]