Tech Questions & Answers Archives - Page 239 of 258

Q&A: Why won’t my new laptop let me upgrade to Windows 8.1?

Posted on December 20, 2013

Question from Shannon W.: I bought a brand new Gateway laptop with Windows 8 based on the promise that I could upgrade to Windows 8.1 for free. But when I go to the Windows App Store I don’t see any way to download the upgrade.

I called Microsoft Tech Support and they’re apparently unable to help me. I’d just return the laptop and buy a different one, but the return period has expired.

Can you tell me what I need to do in order to upgrade my laptop from Windows 8 to Windows 8.1?

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

Q&A: Where can I buy a Windows 8.1 Pro upgrade disc?

Posted on December 16, 2013

win-8-1-pro-pack Question from Sheila S.: I have accepted a great new job as a customer service representative for a major corporation and I’ll be working from home. One of the prerequisites for getting the job was owning a computer that can run the company’s proprietary C.S. software.

I ordered one of the laptops from the list they provided, but after I received it I found out that it has to run Windows 8.1 Pro instead of the standard Windows 8.1 that came with it. None of our local electronics retailers sell Windows 8.1 upgrade discs and I need to have it running on my laptop by January 2!

Do you know where I can buy a Windows 8.1 Pro upgrade disc ASAP? Please help me!!!

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

Q&A: Why are my apps missing from the Start Screen after upgrading to Windows 8.1?

Posted on December 14, 2013

Question from Julie T.: I bought a Lenovo computer with Windows 8 on it in August and finally got around to upgrading it to Windows 8.1 just a few days ago.

After 8.1 was installed I noticed that the apps I had downloaded before I did the upgrade were all missing. I downloaded all of them again but they still aren’t showing up on the Start Screen.

What am I doing wrong? Are the apps not being installed even though it says they are?

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

Q&A: Can I add the RAM from an old Gateway computer to my HP desktop PC?

Posted on December 13, 2013

Question from Christopher: My neighbor gave me an old Gateway GM5442 desktop computer that has two 1GB RAM modules in it. The RAM should be good because he stopped using the computer after the hard drive died.

Can I pull the RAM from that Gateway and add it to my HP Pro 3500? (It has two empty memory slots.) I’d just throw caution to the wind and give it a try, but I really can’t afford to mess anything up.

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

Q&A: What should I do with my Dell Inspiron Mini 12 after Microsoft abandons Windows XP?

Posted on December 12, 2013

Question from Derick G.: I read a news report that indicated that Windows XP will become unusable when Microsoft abandons it this spring. I have a Dell Inspiron Mini 12 that’s running Windows XP Home Edition that still works like a champ.

What would you recommend that I do with this computer? Sell it? Scavenge it for spare parts? Just recycle it? I really have no idea how much it’s worth, either in whole or in parts.

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]