Search Results for: how to create system image backup

Three awesome (and free) diagnostic tools for your PC

Posted on June 15, 2018

Personal computers have now become commodities, and as a result their prices are now the lowest they have ever been. Even better, their speed and capabilities just keep increasing even as their prices continue to drop.

But even with the prices of computers at an all-time low, even an entry level model will likely set you back at least $200 or more.

That means you’ll probably want to do everything you can to ensure that yours continues to run at peak efficiency for as long as possible. [Read more…]

Q&A: The guy at the computer shop stole my RAM. How can I make him give it back?

Posted on May 5, 2018

Question from Nikki W.: I have a terrible problem Rick. I took my HP desktop tower to our local computer shop because it wouldn’t boot up into Windows.

Long story short, the guy told me the hard drive was bad and he would have to replace it and then reinstall Windows 7.

I got the computer back yesterday and it seems to run ok, but after I use Chrome for a while I get a message telling me the memory is running low.

I looked at the System Information screen and it said there was only 3.4GB of RAM installed. I know for a fact that it had 8GB in it when I took it to the shop. Oh, and the sound isn’t working either.

My main problem is the guy stole some of my RAM and I need to know what I can do to make him put it back in since I can’t prove how much RAM was in it when I took it to his shop. And I hope you can help me get the sound working too. Can you give me some advice?

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

Q&A: Why is my 512GB SSD not showing the full size in Windows 7?

Posted on April 27, 2018

Question from Alan M.: I replaced the 320GB hard drive in my Acer Aspire desktop computer with a Crucial 512GB SSD.

I was able to clone the hard drive’s contents onto the SSD with no problem and everything works great, but when I view the drive in “Computer” it shows up as a 320GB drive instead of 512GB.

What do I need to do to make Windows 7 see the entire 512GB?

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

Q&A: How can I prevent my water pump from destroying my electronic devices?

Posted on February 26, 2018

Question from Anita K.: About 2 years ago I bought an old farmhouse that’s located way out in the country.

I love living here, but I have a serious problem that I hope you can help me find a solution for.

I get my water from a well, and every time the pump turns on my lights dim and other strange things happen.

I don’t know why but it’s causing my light bulbs to blow on a regular basis. I’ve also lost three TVs (all used if that makes a difference), several phone chargers, a wireless router and two computers.

Needless to say, I need to get this fixed as soon as possible. I called an electrician and they want $85 just to come out and check it.

I’m hoping you can tell me what I need to do. What do you think is causing it, and how can I fix it?

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

Q&A: What could be wrong with my Surface Pro 3?

Posted on February 23, 2018

Question from Billy P.: I dropped my Surface Pro 3 a few days ago and it shut off when it hit the floor.

I thought I had destroyed it for good but when I pressed the power button it started up just fine.

I used it three days in a row and everything seemed normal but last night I turned it on and nothing happened. No lights, no sounds, no nothing.

I’m hoping this is just a simple fix since it worked ok for a while after I dropped it.

Can you tell me how to get the back off of it and what to check once I get it opened up?

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]