My work computer is a laptop running Windows 7. I am working far from my office this week (as I often do) and I connect to my work server through Remote Desktop Connection. Typically this is pretty much problem-free, but for the last two or three days, when I log in to the server, I am seeing the server's desktop not as a full screen, but in a window about 10" wide on my 17.3" laptop screen. As well, while the laptop's screen has a 16:9 aspect ratio, the window looks to be 4:3. Attempting to resize the window through the Maximize/Restore Down icon avails me naught: I can mouse over the edges of the window and drag it to a new size, but it maxes out at the size that I mention, which covers maybe 60% of the screen's real estate. Numerous reboots and resets have not rectified it and I am at a loss as to how to proceed. [more inside]
posted by ricochet biscuit on Apr 24, 2013 - 6 answers

Computer froze up, only letting me access the recovery manager. Burned 6 recovery disks, then reset to original factory settings. Reinstalled the recovery disks, the program said it was successful, but the files are nowhere to be found. What next? [more inside]
posted by dorey_oh on Mar 12, 2013 - 7 answers

Trying to set up a new wireless network and running into all kinds of strange problems. Connections dropped every few hours! Some machines work, some don't! Can connect to internet, can't connect to router! DOGS AND CATS LIVING TOGETHER (literally). Please help. [more inside]
posted by Rhaomi on Feb 7, 2013 - 10 answers

I have a Dell laptop with Windows 7 32-bit on it and I'm having the weirdest issue with it. The "Devices and Printers" control panel window hangs every time I open it. It gets to about 90% of the way, according to the progress bar, and then stops. I can manage my printers using the Admin tools but everything else is unreachable. Is there any way to fix this short of a Windows re-install? This is a work laptop and I'd rather not have to go through our IT service department since they'll nuke everything on it that wasn't there when I got it.
posted by tommasz on Jan 4, 2013 - 8 answers

What are the best backup solutions for Windows 7 these days? Looking at all types of backups - whole system restores including installed programs, manually/automatically copying data to a second hard drive/flash drive/SD card, and cloud storage. [more inside]
posted by danceswithlight on Aug 23, 2012 - 6 answers

What's the best way to go about installing a solid state drive in a new laptop? (And is this even a good idea?) [more inside]
posted by Rhaomi on Jul 30, 2012 - 12 answers

Windows 7 thinks I am connected to a projector and my laptop screen is black. How can I force it to return to normal? [more inside]
posted by jeremias on Dec 30, 2011 - 6 answers

Internet works on one windows 7 laptop via ethernet but not on a macbook pro and not on another windows 7 laptop. Ethernet is my only option right now, router is not available. I want to fix this particular issue not internet connection sharing (thank you for thinking though). [more inside]
posted by iNfo.Pump on Dec 22, 2011 - 4 answers

Getting a brand new Core i7 laptop. How sensible is it to downgrade it to XP? [more inside]
posted by yellowcandy on Oct 10, 2011 - 32 answers

My HP laptop keeps dropping wireless signal after only a few minutes. [more inside]
posted by timdicator on Apr 15, 2011 - 11 answers

I want to upgrade to windows 7 laptop. [more inside]
posted by Dick Laurent is Dead on Mar 30, 2011 - 5 answers

ComputerBuyingFilter: My beloved iBook is on his last legs. I haven't owned a Windows computer in nearly 7 years, but I'm considering buying one as my next computer. What would you tell a longtime Mac user who's considering going Windows? [more inside]
posted by kagredon on Feb 11, 2011 - 19 answers

My netbook refuses to start in Windows 7, though it will boot into Ubuntu from a USB thumb drive. How can I repair Windows' startup from outside of Windows and/or booting from a thumb drive? [more inside]
posted by nicebookrack on Dec 13, 2010 - 6 answers

I want to keep my laptop running when I close the lid, but only when it's connected to an external monitor (via HDMI). When it's not connected to the monitor I want closing the lid to activate sleep. Is this possible? (on Windows 7)
posted by tsh on Sep 4, 2010 - 5 answers

Buying a new laptop, I have worked down to 2 choices. One has Win7 (32-bit) and 4gb DDR2 ram, the other has Win7 (64-bit) with 3gb DDR3 ram. Same price. I don't really know enough about the difference between 32/64bit or DDR2/3 to make a decision. Can you explain the difference and offer advice as to which is best. [more inside]
posted by Petrot on Aug 24, 2010 - 12 answers

I am looking to buy a reasonably priced Windows 7 15" laptop for my parents. Any recommendations? [more inside]
posted by decrescendo on Jul 29, 2010 - 19 answers

OK, I've almost given up. I try to connect my HP G60 laptop (Windows 7) to my Olevia (I know) HDTV and the TV screen wants to be magenta (pink!). Not totally pink, just the colored bits. The white parts stay white. I'm using a 6-foot HDMI cable. I have had a proper picture in the past, but I cannot for the life of me figure out a stable combination of settings. Anybody else experience that? Any solution to the pinkness?
posted by jaronson on Jul 24, 2010 - 6 answers

I'm thinking about replacing my 2 year-old 15" Macbook Pro but I can't find a non-Apple laptop that feels like it doesn't have cheap hardware. Am I missing something? [more inside]
posted by decrescendo on Jun 13, 2010 - 33 answers

Have received a new laptop as a gift. Should I add more RAM to get ahead of Moore's Law? Should a possible RAM upgrade influence my choice of OS? [more inside]
posted by micketymoc on Jun 9, 2010 - 10 answers

Web designer-person looking for a new computer by the end of next week (definitely Windows 7, probably 64bit, probably on a laptop). I want a machine that should serve me well as my home office mainstay for the next 5 years, I want to pay as little as reasonably possible, and I have to get this done before the end of next week. My big question: how do I get the best bang for the buck when it comes to choosing the kind of chip, RAM, hard drive speed, dedicated video memory, and any other factors I've failed to list? [more inside]
posted by maudlin on Apr 21, 2010 - 11 answers

Can anyone help me to connect my Asus laptop to my Samsung television for use as an external display? [more inside]
posted by jonnyploy on Jan 23, 2010 - 3 answers

How much will BitLocker eat my battery? [more inside]
posted by @homer on Aug 31, 2009 - 3 answers

When will Windows 7 be standard on new computers and how should this affect my intent to buy a new laptop? [more inside]
posted by jefficator on Jun 17, 2009 - 13 answers