Tech Questions & Answers Archives - Page 256 of 258

Q&A: How can I block access to a single website on my PC running Windows 7?

Posted on March 3, 2013

Question from Vicky P.: Rick, I logged into my PayPal account the other day and noticed that a payment for $74.94 had been made to someone that I had never heard of. Since my 13 year old daughter and I are the only people who ever use my computer I knew right away that she was the one who made the purchase.

Well, we had a short “discussion” during which I discovered that she had opened an eBay account in my name and used it to buy an item that she knew I would never allow her to have otherwise. Needless to say, she is grounded for life (well, for a month anyway lol). Is there any way to block eBay so that it cannot be accessed at all on my PC?

Rick’s answer: Yes, in fact there is Vicky. All you need to do is add a single line to a Windows file named Hosts. Here’s how: [Read more…]

Q&A: Why is the PageRank indicator not visible on my Google Toolbar?

Posted on February 28, 2013

Question from Jamey B: Hi Rick. I really hope you can help me. I always check the Google PageRank of blogs that I want to submit guest posts to, but ever since I updated my Google Toolbar to the latest version a couple of days ago the PageRank indicator isn’t showing up.

I’ve searched high and low for a way to turn the PR indicator on but I can’t find one. Has Google decided to remove it completely or am I just overlooking the place where you activate it?

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

Q&A: Why does my PC beep and refuse to start up?

Posted on February 24, 2013

Question from Gail T.: Hi Rick. I have a Gateway FX-6800-03h desktop computer that I’ve owned for over 4 years with no problems whatsoever. It has Windows 7 on it, and last Christmas my brother upgraded it to 12 GB of RAM and added a 2 TB hard drive for me as a gift.

I love this computer but now I have a big problem! I recently went out of town for a few days and when I got back I couldn’t get Windows to load. All it does when I press the power button is give one long, continuous beep and nothing ever shows up on the screen.

Please, please, please tell me this is a simple fix? I can’t really afford a new computer right now. Thanks in advance!

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

Q&A: Should I buy a PC with a stand-alone graphics card?

Posted on February 22, 2013

Question from Kim F.: Hi Rick! I really love your daily tech tips, especially the questions and answers. Now I have one of my own…

I’m in the process of shopping around for a new desktop computer and I’m pretty much up to speed on the advantages of more memory and faster CPUs, but there’s one thing I’m unclear about.

Does it really pay to spend more for a computer with a stand-alone graphics card rather than one with integrated graphics? Thanks in advance for your reply!

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

Q&A: Why does Chrome take forever to start loading a page?

Posted on February 17, 2013

Question from Judy L: I’ve been using Google Chrome as my primary web browser for about 3 months now and I really like it. But a couple of days ago it started taking forever to begin loading a web page. What could be causing this?

Rick’s answer: Judy, when you try loading a page, does it say “Resolving proxy” in the lower left-hand corner of the browser? If so (and I’m sure it probably does), something or someone has configured Chrome to access websites through a web proxy.

If you’re the only person that uses this computer I’m guessing that your system has malware on it that initiated the change without your knowledge. The first thing you need to do is adjust the settings in Chrome to prevent it from using a web proxy. Here’s how: [Read more…]