Tech Questions & Answers Archives - Page 249 of 258

Q&A: Can I install Windows 7 on a second hard drive in my Windows 8 PC without losing any data?

Posted on July 6, 2013

Question from Antonio V.: I recently bought a Dell Inspiron 660s desktop PC from Amazon. It came with Windows 8 and I am very unhappy with it. I love the computer though.

I have installed a second hard drive and I was wondering if can install Windows 7 Pro (full retail version) on the second drive without losing any of my photos and other files that are on the Windows 8 drive?

After I transfer everything over I’ll remove Windows 8 and use Windows 7 exclusively. Thanks for your help in advance.

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

Q&A: How can I set my default search engine back to Google?

Posted on June 27, 2013

Question from Anita W.: Hi Rick. I recently read your post letting everyone know that I.E. 10 is now available for Windows 7 so I downloaded it and gave it a try. All in all, I think it’s a major improvement over I.E. 9.

I’m having one problem however. When I installed I.E. 10 it changed my default search engine from Google to Bing. How do I change it back? Thanks a bunch!!

Rick’s answer: Anita, I also think I.E. 10 is a major improvement over I.E. 9, but as you found out the switch isn’t always hassle-free. Unfortunately, it’s standard procedure for Microsoft to stealthily replace your default search engine with Bing. Luckily, it’s very easy to change it back. Here’s how: [Read more…]

Q&A: Why doesn’t Windows Update install all available updates at once?

Posted on June 24, 2013

Question from Eric: Rick, I have a question about Windows Update. I just got back from a business trip, and when I turned my PC on it had 11 updates waiting to be installed. After they were installed the computer rebooted, then informed me that there were 4 more updates that needed to be installed.

Why didn’t Windows Update just install all of the available updates at once? Just curious…It’s a hassle having to wait through two update procedures (and reboots) when it seems that one should have been sufficient. If it makes any difference, I have a Lenovo desktop PC running Windows 7.

Rick‘s answer: Eric, the Windows Update process can be a real head-scratcher sometimes. There are a couple of possible reasons why the Windows Update process is sometimes split into two events: [Read more…]

Q&A: How do I restore the audio to my Youtube videos?

Posted on June 19, 2013

Question from Mary: Hi Rick, I’ve got a problem that I could use your help on.

The other day I was watching a video on my computer and dad started talking to me so I muted the sound, and now it won’t come back on at all.

When I click the sound icon, it does nothing. (I’m talking about the icon in the video box, not the computer’s sound icon.

The computer itself still has sound except when watching videos like on Youtube. What did I do and how do I fix it? I’ve restarted my computer hoping that would help, but no go.

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

Q&A: How can I prevent my Android phone from automatically connecting to a Wi-Fi network?

Posted on June 17, 2013

Question from Donna T.: I have a Sprint Samsung smart phone running Android (no clue what version). It drives me crazy by automatically connecting to my wireless network every time I walk into the house. Even if I turn Wi-Fi off on the phone, the next thing I know it has connected again.

I never use my phone with my home Wi-Fi network and I’d like to prevent it from automatically connecting to it. How do I do that?

Rick‘s answer: [Read more…]