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 - 14 answers

I'm going to school to become a weed scientist... [more inside]
posted by Benzle on Nov 29, 2009 - 13 answers

Where can I find a freeware macro recorder (with smart recording ability)? [more inside]
posted by ptsampras14 on Nov 28, 2009 - 4 answers

Out of toner and out of cash. What's the cheapest way to get my laser printer (Lexmark E232) printing again? This is in Toronto. [more inside]
posted by Beardman on Nov 26, 2009 - 4 answers

Please help my computers talk to each other once again. Windows networking question within [more inside]
posted by jonathanbell on Nov 24, 2009 - 4 answers

Requesting advice with my career in computer science. Briefly, should I stay or should I go? [more inside]
posted by gadha on Nov 22, 2009 - 6 answers

I'm looking for recommendations on setting up a new laptop for my 92 year old grandfather. He is essentially a "first timer" to modern computers, having never used a computer with a modern operating system and internet access, so any ideas to make it simpler and safer for him are welcome. [more inside]
posted by XcentricOrbit on Nov 21, 2009 - 19 answers

I have a water cooled PC that is slow building up sediment in the bottom of the reserve and inside of the tubing. I used a retail additive with de-mineralised water so this is coming as a bit of a surprise to me. I have since replaced the fluid with more de-mineralised water and car radiator concentrate, this has stopped the build-up of sediment though the existing sediment still remains. Is there a way to clean out this sediment in the form of a flush or something similar?
posted by wombycat on Nov 20, 2009 - 6 answers

Will changing/removing a factory (DELL) set RAID 5 configuration from a home desktop PC interfere with rebuilding the OS (XP Pro) from the factory restore discs? [more inside]
posted by lyam on Nov 19, 2009 - 4 answers

Mystery noises and BSOD on my newish Acer Aspire One netbook. Am I screwed? [more inside]
posted by tealsocks on Nov 18, 2009 - 2 answers

Water spilled on my desktop computer, what now? [more inside]
posted by mesh gear fox on Nov 18, 2009 - 8 answers

It's time to buy a new computer. I'm hoping that with the shopping season coming up I'll be able to snag a good deal somewhere. I would prefer to just order the complete package from somewhere, but with enough help I would be willing to purchase individual components and assemble. I need something that will let me game a little and without graphical snags, and something that will continue to perform well for several years. [more inside]
posted by miratime on Nov 17, 2009 - 3 answers

How can I access files from a fritzed Windows Home Server? [more inside]
posted by Hartster on Nov 17, 2009 - 9 answers

I'm drastically downsizing and cannot take my beloved books with me. I think the best solution for my new living arrangement would be to find a way to buy and store ebooks. But how and with what? [more inside]
posted by patheral on Nov 15, 2009 - 20 answers

OS X Unix filter: Please help me find and delete an obsolete cron job on an iMac running Leopard. [more inside]
posted by al_fresco on Nov 14, 2009 - 13 answers

The graphics card in my macbook pro failed, which happens at a "higher than normal" rate. Apple agrees that's the problem. Still, they want me to leave my hard drive in the computer when I give it to them for repairs. How diligent are they about protecting your data from theft and ill-use? If data on your hard drive somehow gets set free while visiting apple-land, it doesn't violate the Applecare terms of service (pdf). "[apple is not liable for...] the failure to maintain the confidentiality of data" (section 4). In section 7f, "You agree that any information or data disclosed to Apple under this Plan is not confidential." My hard drive is backed up, but I don't want to risk someone having access to all my personal info. Should I put up a fight? [more inside]
posted by manduca on Nov 12, 2009 - 16 answers

Looking for an ideal 11.6" laptop/netbook for under $600. [more inside]
posted by ishotjr on Nov 12, 2009 - 13 answers

For those of you who work in computer labs, what is your policy for dealing with flash drives that have been forgotten by a student? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Nov 10, 2009 - 26 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'm currently attending MyCounty Tech School, and have been planning to transfer to Local Private University next fall to finish my Computer Science/IT bachelors. The thing is, I really don't know if that's the right way to wrap up my schooling. Can I get some recommendations on what to look for in a good CS program, and recommendations on slightly non-traditional/accelerated ways of getting a degree in Computer Science? More background info inside. [more inside]
posted by niles on Nov 10, 2009 - 7 answers

Do I 'need' a gaming laptop to play MMOs? [more inside]
posted by Kurichina on Nov 9, 2009 - 9 answers

Did the Apple salesperson do me wrong? I bought an AirPort Express to go wireless with my Mac Mini but now I think I got screwed. [more inside]
posted by BlahLaLa on Nov 8, 2009 - 17 answers

BackupFilter: My new replacement laptop arrives tomorrow--help me make sure I don't forget anything critical in my backup process when I transfer everything to the new computer because I have to ship the old one back to Dell (hard drive as well). [more inside]
posted by Elminster24 on Nov 8, 2009 - 8 answers

Was in the process of system restore but now I can't boot up my PC. How can I get it to start up correctly? [more inside]
posted by AngryTypingGuy on Nov 8, 2009 - 5 answers

How badly have I fried my laptop? [more inside]
posted by Bobby Bittman on Nov 8, 2009 - 8 answers

What should my son's first computer be? [more inside]
posted by emjaybee on Nov 7, 2009 - 13 answers

Help me choose between these 11.6" netbooks! [more inside]
posted by Crotalus on Nov 7, 2009 - 12 answers

Gift filter: I'm looking for a nifty computer-related gift for a friend's birthday. [more inside]
posted by oracle bone on Nov 4, 2009 - 11 answers

We're a Mac office, and we rotate the computers around when we get new ones. So imagine my delight when I got my weird 15" G4 monitor magically replaced with my boss' 24" iMac! w00t!... except that the giant size really spaces me out. Help! [more inside]
posted by Madamina on Nov 4, 2009 - 13 answers

Help me find a half-remembered anecdote about robotics and computing taking a cue from ant- or bee-like, hive-mind biological processes -- a story about a car factory's paint process organized with just three rules. [more inside]
posted by Cool Papa Bell on Nov 3, 2009 - 2 answers

Speaker noise when metal USB plug touches my computer case and other electrical problems. [more inside]
posted by archagon on Nov 1, 2009 - 8 answers

Trackpad suddenly stopped working - any solutions? [more inside]
posted by IAmBroom on Oct 31, 2009 - 6 answers

Is there good sites that provide ranking of computer processors performance? [more inside]
posted by idyllhands on Oct 30, 2009 - 17 answers

iMac drives failing - first external, then internal. Seems to be hardware in both cases. Questions about troubleshooting or replacement inside. [more inside]
posted by tkolstee 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

My Inspiron 1545 thinks I'm pressing ctrl and I don't know why. [more inside]
posted by Pope Guilty on Oct 27, 2009 - 5 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

Recommended computer repair service in Hong Kong? [more inside]
posted by lmm on Oct 25, 2009 - 0 answers

My hard drive reads data like clockwork. Really! What's going on here? [more inside]
posted by Lord Fancy Pants on Oct 23, 2009 - 25 answers

I will need to change careers, but I have a bit of time to plan this out. What should my next computer- or education-related job be? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Oct 23, 2009 - 4 answers

What are the best options for a desk mounted VESA compatible articulating arm for the new 27" iMac? [more inside]
posted by fairmettle on Oct 23, 2009 - 8 answers

Help me understand homogenous coordinates! [more inside]
posted by tickingclock on Oct 22, 2009 - 14 answers

Why is it that when I transfer files from an external hard drive to my laptop's hard drive via USB 2.0, the speeds are so much faster than transferring files from one external hard drive to another (5 mins vs. a few hours for 1.5 GB)? I think it might have to do with the fact that the external drives use different file systems (NTFS vs. FAT32). Is there any software that could speed things up?
posted by matkline on Oct 21, 2009 - 11 answers

A year or two back there was an online video (Boingboing tv?) showing an interview with a young artist (British?) who had mounted a camera behind and above his back, which fed the live video to goggles he wore. He'd also dressed in a getup that would make him look like a game character, spiky hair and such. "Live 3rd person perspective" in other words. Half an hour of googling and I can't find the darn video or any info relating to the artist. I think part of the video was shot in Japan, where he staggered around and posed in front of people, á la WoW taunting.
posted by monocultured on Oct 19, 2009 - 2 answers

What is a "firewall rule group"? When recently trying to install an MP3 player on my laptop, I was met with an error message that read "Operation Create Wireless Firewall Rule Group has failed," followed by Microsoft error code 0X80070057. I've searched around but haven't found much info on "rule groups." What is a firewall rule group, and is my wireless router somehow interrupting my hardware installation? Thanks!
posted by jackypaper on Oct 19, 2009 - 1 answer

I'm interested in detecting edits in a given video stream. Is there any literature out there on edit detection? [more inside]
posted by yegga on Oct 19, 2009 - 3 answers

Looking for 90's video games I played as a kid. [more inside]
posted by thebrokenmuse on Oct 17, 2009 - 7 answers

Hard drive(I think) corrupted - I'm drowning in information. Help? [more inside]
posted by R a c h e l on Oct 12, 2009 - 11 answers

Is this computer hot? [more inside]
posted by ChurchHatesTucker on Oct 10, 2009 - 12 answers

How can I (quickly) globally replace text in word with a footnote (or anything from my clipboard)? [more inside]
posted by kingjoeshmoe on Oct 10, 2009 - 1 answer