My parents (in Canada) are trying to buy a PC for their family in the UK, but they're having trouble finding a store that will take their money. Apparently they won't accept foreign credit cards, or even money orders. He's tried Dell, PC World, Curry's, and a few others. Any ideas?
posted by krunk on Nov 29, 2009 - 10 answers

I've been a happy Pc-er for the last couple years. That is, until a few months ago when my AVG failed me and my pavilion got all virused up... Twice. Ultimately I had to d-ban the poor thing. Since I was only 'mostly sure' I still had the original operating system disks, I have since been using my mom's mac. While I've been slowly getting used to the system (on a casual basis, no work yet, just internet) I still miss the windows format. My old tower is past it's prime, even with a new system. I'm about to become a student in English and am highly discouraged by previous Windows failings. Should I release the ghost and go with the more 'secure' mac? Or stick with my roots? I would like some advice on my next computer purchase. I'm looking for a laptop that can handle a students workload for the next... lets face it, many years, with minimal extras. The only thing it needs, is to be fast. I break things that go slow. I'm not looking to game (much) or download + store music (at all), I just need to research crap at high speed. All suggestions are greatly appreciated. Cheers!
posted by Miss Mitz on Nov 24, 2009 - 39 answers

I intend to make this weekend a gaming weekend. I haven't played video games in a long time. At least not as seriously as I used to. Do you have any suggestions? [more inside]
posted by wolfr on Nov 20, 2009 - 39 answers

What motherboard can I find that will replace an MSI K9VGM-V? [more inside]
posted by saxamo on Nov 20, 2009 - 2 answers

How consistent is MS Office between Windows and OSX? Will using MS Office on my Mac solve this formatting problem I'm having? [more inside]
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints on Nov 19, 2009 - 13 answers

The easiest way to do this is to tell you what I need: I want someone to be able to work on a laptop and be able to broadcast the video information on the screen wirelessly to more than 1 TV. My question is - how? [more inside]
posted by neksys on Nov 16, 2009 - 13 answers

I'm looking for a productivity app that can help me manage both my projects and my time. [more inside]
posted by lunasol on Nov 15, 2009 - 6 answers

Help me remember the name of this PC video game... [more inside]
posted by Babblesort on Nov 13, 2009 - 9 answers

I'm looking at purchasing a new PC for gaming, wanting to spend between $1000 and $1500 total, would prefer not to put it together myself, and am waaaay out of the loop on hardware at this point, particularly graphic cards. [more inside]
posted by cortex on Nov 10, 2009 - 22 answers

I want to build a pc with a powerful display adaptor for gaming, but that doesn't waste energy when I'm just doing office work. Any suggestions on how to do this? (multiple adaptors? software?)
posted by Pres on Oct 29, 2009 - 5 answers

Looking for the perfect laptop for traveling. Priorities are durability, lightness, and battery life, in that order. Performance is not too important, but it must run Windows 7 like a champ. Willing to consider netbooks. [more inside]
posted by Afroblanco on Oct 29, 2009 - 19 answers

I'm trying to get my old files off of an old Hard-disk. Old PC is XP newer PC is Vista. I removed the Hardisk from the OLD computer. I bought a USB to SATA/IDE cable. When I plug in the Hard-disk via USB, I hear the confirmation tone that you hear everytime you plug in a USB. I see a "ST340082 0AS SCSI Disk Device" in the "Safely remove hardware" icon in the tray. but I do not see the Drive. I can't really afford an External Hard drive. But I will eventually if I have to. Cna anyone help me please.
posted by Student of Man on Oct 27, 2009 - 12 answers

I am in need of a new desktop computer. I am wondering if I should wait until Black Friday and brave the crowds or take advantage of some of the Windows 7 deals this week. I live in the Twin Cities, MN metro area if that makes a difference.
posted by dyno04 on Oct 27, 2009 - 14 answers

I bought a used iMac G5 and I'm getting ready to send it to my mom as a gift. She hasn't used a mac since like 1995.What is a good program to install on here so that I can help her remotely? I'm on a PC. Free would be the best. I don't have a lot of money for this project. [more inside]
posted by amethysts on Oct 24, 2009 - 14 answers

Switching from PC to a Mac. For those who have done it: What do you wish you had known then that you know now? I know this type question has been asked before, but it looks like it's been a while. So, give me your advice warnings, horror stories, revelations, etc.
posted by te1contar on Oct 22, 2009 - 41 answers

About 5 years ago, I switched from PC to Mac. Now I'm most likely switching back. I have a couple of specific questions (about iTunes and viruses) and a few general questions. [more inside]
posted by scody on Oct 20, 2009 - 35 answers

I have a Touch Pro (Fuze) on WinMo 6.5. From my understanding, my text messages are being handled by pocket outlook. Can I use something besides outlook? [more inside]
posted by Zeker on Oct 18, 2009 - 1 answer

How can I play console games through my computer monitor? [more inside]
posted by flatluigi on Oct 5, 2009 - 9 answers

Where can I get a custom PC built near Austin, Texas? [more inside]
posted by Eastgate on Oct 2, 2009 - 10 answers

What are my options for a cheap, small Mac laptop? [more inside]
posted by attercoppe on Oct 2, 2009 - 25 answers

I have a Blackberry Curve running Opera Mini. I have a long list of rss feeds I read in Opera whilst out and about. How can I get them out of the phone and into a desktop rss reader? [more inside]
posted by quaisi on Oct 1, 2009 - 2 answers

I would like to forward a local port to another local port...in effect, disguising one port for another. Is this possible? [more inside]
posted by AltReality on Sep 24, 2009 - 16 answers

Transitioning from Mac to PC: Is there an expose-like feature? Your tips for coping with the transition? [more inside]
posted by NikitaNikita on Sep 22, 2009 - 16 answers

Why wont my cd drive in my laptop read any CDs? [more inside]
posted by sockpim on Sep 20, 2009 - 5 answers

Asus EEE 1000h laptop, daughter spilled water over it. Won't turn on anymore. Help! [more inside]
posted by micketymoc on Sep 18, 2009 - 12 answers

I love the Medieval and Rome Total War series of PC games. But what I most love about them is the "dynasty simulator" aspect. Are there other games like this? [more inside]
posted by T.D. Strange on Sep 17, 2009 - 11 answers

Is there a Mac equivalent to CDR Media Code Identifier. This could be run in Parallels, but I'm not sure it'll be able to get what it needs out of the DVD drive. And of course, it'd be nice to not have to run Parallels.
posted by ignignokt on Sep 15, 2009 - 4 answers

Buying a new desktop computer for gaming, programming and photography, in Canada. [more inside]
posted by Monday, stony Monday on Sep 10, 2009 - 19 answers

I'm looking for affordable multimeter/scope software and USB compatible test probes for my Vista based laptop. [more inside]
posted by Jon-o on Sep 7, 2009 - 5 answers

I think it's time to replace my laptop and although I love using it, I’ve never known much about specifications. I’ve read the other computer buying threads, but I’m hoping you’ll help this special snowflake out and point me towards a good machine, be it off-the-shelf or a custom build. [more inside]
posted by Thin Lizzy on Sep 5, 2009 - 13 answers

Windows xp and Ubuntu? PCI video card? Mac Mini? Opinions? [more inside]
posted by snowjoe on Sep 2, 2009 - 7 answers

I'm looking for a good brick & mortar computer parts retailer in or around London. [more inside]
posted by CRM114 on Aug 31, 2009 - 4 answers

Looking for old 90's mac/pc game involving a green haunted house... [more inside]
posted by frankie_stubbs on Aug 30, 2009 - 9 answers

Is it better to (a) run audio, video, keyboard, and mouse to the TV at the other end of the house or (b) just get a second PC? Help me sort out the cost/benefit. [more inside]
posted by mindsound on Aug 29, 2009 - 8 answers

Mac OSX Filter: How can I change the details displayed for files in a directory while in list view? [more inside]
posted by reenum on Aug 24, 2009 - 7 answers

Fonts, fonts, fonts. I'm trying to move some fonts between platforms for a client and it is an absolute nightmare. I need some help understanding OS X font "suitcases" and what do with them! [more inside]
posted by kbanas on Aug 18, 2009 - 9 answers

Which one of the multitude of Linux distros should someone who's never used Linux before give a go? [more inside]
posted by n3rt on Aug 18, 2009 - 34 answers

If you had a dying WoW guild, full of buddies who have been playing together since Tribes 2 as a core with a band of new guys picked up along the way who have squeezed all of the life out of WoW and are looking for something new, in any genre as long as we could have some new experiences hanging out and having fun on vent...what would you suggest? [more inside]
posted by furiousxgeorge on Aug 10, 2009 - 23 answers

I have two drives, and each folder has some overlapping music, some music that isn't in the other folder, and some corrupted files (due to fire damage), which is why I cannot just merge the two together and let the duplicates of one overwrite the other - I don't want to overwrite a 'good' song with a corrupted, unplayable version. [more inside]
posted by kristin on Aug 8, 2009 - 8 answers

I want to view my desktops screen on my TV. Using my desktop, and laptop connected to my tv. [more inside]
posted by dstopps on Aug 1, 2009 - 4 answers

I'm in the US, and I would like to buy a DVD that I'm pretty sure is only available in UK (Region 2) format. I don't really care about playing it in my home DVD player – what I'm more interested in is getting it on my iPod. I have a Dell Inspiron e1505, circa March 2006, with Handbrake installed. Here's what I'd like to know: [more inside]
posted by brandman on Jul 29, 2009 - 6 answers

I need a new computer--a desktop--but I don't know what kind of expectations to have for a new machine versus my 5-year-old computer. Is whatever's on special gonna impress me? [more inside]
posted by misanthropicsarah on Jul 27, 2009 - 24 answers

I want to text message from my PC and I'm not interested in international texting. Is there reliable freeware that doesn't need the carrier of the number I'm texting to, and doesn't load me or the recipient up with spam? I'll even pay for it, but I'm tired of going through my cellphone. Another question is, would the recipient and me get a text charge?
posted by CollectiveMind on Jul 18, 2009 - 16 answers

What is the cheapest remote control option for our pcs? [more inside]
posted by rossination on Jul 16, 2009 - 9 answers

I've been wondering if it is possible to apply the same solution to the never-ending problem of Windows corruption (and the resulting degraded performance) that data centers use. As I understand it, Windows is booted over the network, so what happens to the local hard drive does not matter. Is there a way of doing the same thing to a home PC? Can you make a hard drive "read-only" after putting a bootable Windows image on it, and then use a seperate hard drive for data storage? I really detest the solution that MS sponsors (virus protection/firewall software) because it is just another thing that you have to buy which supports it's business partners. Any other ideas?
posted by ackptui on Jul 16, 2009 - 7 answers

What's the best way to configure my PC as an internet television hub? [more inside]
posted by superbird on Jul 15, 2009 - 6 answers

Computer froze completely during a game, all subsequent downloads of various installer files were corrupt. BSODs galore. Now, when I turn on my computer, no video input is detected whatsoever. Next step? [more inside]
posted by TimeTravelSpeed on Jul 13, 2009 - 19 answers

GameRecommendationFilter: Help me find games that involve evolving technology, trade systems and small business simulation. [more inside]
posted by Elminster24 on Jul 11, 2009 - 6 answers

I broke my PC's motherboard :( Please help me pick a replacement and guide me through the installation process... [more inside]
posted by mullacc on Jul 3, 2009 - 4 answers

I'd like to purchase a cheap (~$400-$500) laptop with certain requirements. The more I look, the more confused I get. Please help me. [more inside]
posted by billysumday on Jun 25, 2009 - 27 answers