Tech Questions & Answers Archives - Page 67 of 258

Q&A: Is it safe to set up a gaming network without Internet access?

Posted on August 23, 2023

Note: The links in this post are affiliate links.

Question from Kevin: I have 3 computers that I’m planning to place in my bedroom and my two sons’ rooms. We’re going to use these computers for just one thing, and that’s for playing games over a private LAN.

After doing some research I went to Best Buy and bought a 5 port switch and three 50ft Ethernet cables to run up into the attic and then down into each of the rooms.

These computers will NOT be connected to a modem, only to each other through the switch. We won’t need (and I don’t want) to have these computers connected to the Internet.

Now, my question – Since there will be no Internet access we won’t be able to update our virus software. Will that be a big problem or do your recommend going wireless and connecting the machines through our router so they’ll have Internet access? [Read more…]

Q&A: Can you recommend a cheap motherboard for my HP computer?

Posted on August 20, 2023

Question from Trevor: The integrated sound has gone out on my ancient, but beloved HP Pavilion Slimline s5680d PC’s motherboard (model # MSI MS-7613).

Can you recommend a cheap replacement motherboard that’ll fit inside this computer’s case and work with its power supply? [Read more…]

Q&A: How do I securely wipe an external hard drive with my MacBook?

Posted on August 19, 2023

Question from Don: I have a 2TB external hard drive that I’ve used to back up my MacBook for a while. I just bought a 6TB drive to replace it.

I want to give the old drive to my nephew because he needs one and he can’t really afford to buy one.

How can I securely wipe that drive to make sure it’s completely empty before I give it to him? [Read more…]

Q&A: Why won’t my PC boot from a hard drive from another PC?

Posted on August 19, 2023

Question from Travis: I have an HP desktop computer that got fried by lightning.

I also have an old Dell desktop that had a bad hard drive. Both PCs ran Windows 10.

My cousin connected the hard drive from the HP to his computer and it seemed to work fine, so I replaced the bad hard drive in my Dell with the one from the dead HP.

But now after switching the drives, when I turn the computer on Windows won’t boot up. All it does is display a blue screen with an error message on it.

What do I need to do to fix this? [Read more…]

Q&A: Did I damage my new laptop’s battery by using it too soon?

Posted on August 13, 2023

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Question from Freida: Hi, Rick. I hope you can answer a question for me.

I recently ordered a new laptop from Amazon. When it arrived I took it out of the box and immediately started using it like I normally do.

This morning I read an article that said you’re supposed to charge the battery in a new laptop for at least 8 hours before you start using the laptop. [Read more…]