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 - 16 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 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

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

What could happen to my mac if I connect remotely to my windows computer at work. Is there a viciously secure way of doing this? [more inside]
posted by OlivesAndTurkishCoffee on Oct 9, 2009 - 8 answers

Can anyone lend me a hand in designing my new home network computer setup? [more inside]
posted by decrescendo on Oct 7, 2009 - 7 answers

PartitionFilter: I just got a new machine with Windows Vista with a free upgrade to Windows 7 when it comes out. I'm planning on doing a fresh installation of Windows 7 when I get it, but in the meantime I'd like to get settled in Windows Vista. Is there a good strategy to partitioning the 640GB HD so I can migrate with ease? Was thinking of having two partitions, one for OS, one for Program Data / Storage, and then wiping the OS partition when Windows 7 comes through. Advice?
posted by miasma on Oct 7, 2009 - 7 answers

I have two computers, one Windows, one Linux. How can I make it so they synchronize automatically with each other, as in, I update the file on one computer, and the updated file gets put onto the other? Networking? Using an external hard drive? What software might be useful? Bonus points for free software
posted by gilsonal on Aug 22, 2009 - 13 answers

What's a simple way in windows xp to prevent a user from doing anything but using one program? [more inside]
posted by kraigory on Aug 11, 2009 - 30 answers

IT Filter: Anyone know of a resource or protocol for opening .QIC files (Old Windows backup file format) short of finding a machine with Windows 95/98 on it? Had a laptop stolen and this is the only format in which I still have ALL of my writing from college/grad school. Any help is appreciated (please no lectures on backing up files... have learned my lesson.)
posted by Prevailing Southwest on Aug 10, 2009 - 4 answers

Trying to reformat a PC. I've had this Dell which has given me nothing but problems since I bought it. Can anyone help me figure out how to wipe it and re-install XP? Degree of difficulty inside... [more inside]
posted by eightball on Jul 25, 2009 - 19 answers

If you were going to bring a USB drive to repair a bunch of workstations, what are some of the latest Windows XP/Vista repair utilities that you would put on it? [more inside]
posted by purephase on Jun 3, 2009 - 7 answers

What are some easy computer games my stepdad can play? He had a stroke a few years ago, and that has seriously limited what kind of games he can manage. He sits at home all day and plays non-stop Solitaire and FreeCell. I figure there's got to be some better options for him. [more inside]
posted by spockette on Jun 2, 2009 - 28 answers

Advice for a server newb who needs help getting started with a simple media/backup/torrent server? [more inside]
posted by wastelands on May 29, 2009 - 12 answers

Why can't I install Windows XP Pro on my Dell laptop? I get an error message that says "acpi.sys is corrupted". I can install Ubuntu 8.04 just fine. [more inside]
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints on Mar 24, 2009 - 47 answers

Is it possible to prevent a Windows dialogue box from displaying itself? [more inside]
posted by forrestal on Mar 12, 2009 - 3 answers

Home computer hosed - what means this message: "load needed DLLS for kernal" ? [more inside]
posted by Guy_Inamonkeysuit on Feb 2, 2009 - 11 answers

What does it mean when a used laptop is advertised as having Windows XP installed and coming with a COA sticker? Without having a Windows install cd, is there any benefit to having such a sticker? Would it, for example, permit one to call MS and obtain a new install disk for Windows XP?
posted by washburn on Jan 15, 2009 - 11 answers

How can I change the generic name "USB Mass Storage Device" in my Vista system tray "Safely Remove Hardware" dialog? [more inside]
posted by msbrauer on Dec 30, 2008 - 6 answers

What programs should I install on a lab of PCs in Tanzania, to make them as useful and tamperproof as possible? [more inside]
posted by miagaille on Dec 29, 2008 - 6 answers

What sort of specs should I look for for my new (sub-$600) PC laptop? [more inside]
posted by Caz721 on Dec 19, 2008 - 6 answers

Computer Diagnostic Help and Interpretation, Please: My son inherited an 8-year-old Dell Dimension L933r from his grandpa. It had been upgraded to Windows XP and had an additional hard drive installed. It was working smoothly for us for almost a year, but recently it went into an infinite reboot loop (which we couldn't resolve ourselves) and we took it to an independent computer repair guy (details and questions inside). [more inside]
posted by amyms on Dec 13, 2008 - 16 answers

Without realizing it I recently purchases a 64-bit Windows computer. I am having problems my wireless internet reception and with basic programs like Office 2007. Is it possible that this is due to incompatibility?
posted by retiree on Nov 17, 2008 - 10 answers

My friend's only Admin account on Windows has been ripped to shreds by a virus, an uninstaller program, or both; his CD drawer won't open or shut manually at all; and his BIOS settings, which are protected by a password we don't know, are to boot from a CD in the drive before anything else. Help me to not destroy his computer with an axe. [more inside]
posted by Acheman on Nov 14, 2008 - 20 answers

I've been asked to look at a network that runs three machines (XP) which apparently stopped working: Users cannot connect to the server (Windows Server 2003) due to some connection error. [more inside]
posted by panboi on Nov 12, 2008 - 7 answers

DVDs and Blu Ray discs are such a pain with their ability to be scratched and the need to find where a disc is, is it in the right case, etc. I find myself often drawn to standard definition “on demand” movies on cable (free ones) instead of searching my own high definition or DVD movies. Is there a way to have the convenience of “on demand” and the quality of the original media? [more inside]
posted by arniec on Oct 7, 2008 - 11 answers

Why is MP3 playback sssuuudddeennllyy gggrriiinnddiinngg doowwnnnn? [more inside]
posted by Shepherd on Aug 22, 2008 - 3 answers

How do I transparently share files from a Windows Server 2008 box to several XP computers? I want it to stop asking for a username and password when people try to access files. Also, can anyone point me in the right direction to solving this weird network issue I've been having? [more inside]
posted by Magnakai on Aug 9, 2008 - 6 answers

We have a laptop at work that's just so full of crap, etc. that it's near unusable and we've decided to just wipe it and do a fresh install of Windows XP (for which we have the CD). The problem is, this laptop doesn't have a CD or floppy drive - it has some kind of dock connector on the bottom that I guess might have a CD drive, but we don't have that either. Any ideas?
posted by OverlappingElvis on Aug 7, 2008 - 12 answers

Why do my windows keep blinking/switching? [more inside]
posted by sarahkeebs on Aug 1, 2008 - 7 answers

The left control key on my keyboard has suddenly started toggling the mute on my master volume. How do I make it stop? [more inside]
posted by EarBucket on Jul 23, 2008 - 5 answers

Can I wirelessly have audio from my laptop play on another computer? [more inside]
posted by Ookseer on Jul 14, 2008 - 12 answers

How do I remedy the error message I'm getiting on my laptop about the windows\system32\config\system file being missing or corrupt? [more inside]
posted by otherwordlyglow on Jul 12, 2008 - 15 answers

Data Backup Filter: I have about 6TB (yes TB, not GB) of data. I need to back it up BEFORE it crashes. I also need a good way to share it on the network. How can I do this? Details within... [more inside]
posted by arniec on Jul 8, 2008 - 28 answers

How do I get this Bluetooth headset working with Skype on Windows Vista? [more inside]
posted by Kadin2048 on Jun 15, 2008 - 3 answers

I'm on a Chinese-language computer and want to use Windows XP and Windows Vista in English. How can I do this? [more inside]
posted by catburger on Jun 12, 2008 - 1 answer

My home theater PC wakes up by itself [more inside]
posted by bargainhunter on May 30, 2008 - 8 answers

Windows XP TrojanFilter: I caught a trojan, cleaned it out, and now...100% CPU usage making my computer unusable, and I can't turn on Windows Update besides. With System Restore off, and every piece of software I've run so far telling me it's now clean, how can I fix my system without wiping my hard drive? [more inside]
posted by StrikeTheViol on May 27, 2008 - 18 answers

Can you restore an application windows missing from the taskbar? [more inside]
posted by meta.mark on May 27, 2008 - 8 answers

Does anybody know a way that we can manage dual boot Macs regardless of what OS they are booted into. [more inside]
posted by crios on May 17, 2008 - 4 answers

When I click the icon to make my current window fill the screen, it makes the window bigger than the screen - three of the sides align but on the right hand side the scroll bar and red X are off the screen. [more inside]
posted by meech on May 6, 2008 - 9 answers

What Linux Should I Use?-Also need advice/help setting up drivers/random linux stuff? for my computerI'm a pretty knowledgeable guy about computers. I also want to be able to have vista on my computer, and hopefully keep my laptops extra functionalities such as fingerprint reader. [more inside]
posted by Javed_Ahamed on May 1, 2008 - 27 answers

How do I hook up a homebrew HTPC to an analog TV? [more inside]
posted by Ponsonby Britt on Apr 25, 2008 - 6 answers

My desktop computer is dead dead dead (I think -- can you help me be sure?). I was going to get a new iMac anyway, so now I'll just move those plans up. I understand there's a utility to migrate all my files from the old Windows machine to the new Mac -- how can I make that happen when the old one won't start? [more inside]
posted by gleuschk on Mar 27, 2008 - 10 answers

PC Help again again. I have an old pc with windows 2000 server installed on a 20gig SCSI drive. I am trying to install a 40 gig IDE drive that has xp on it. I don't need windows 2000 server anymore so I want the computer to boot into xp but it isn't happening for me. What am I doing wrong? [more inside]
posted by snowjoe on Mar 22, 2008 - 11 answers

I reinstalled Windows XP on a Dell machine running Ubuntu and it won't run above 640 by 480 resolution and 4 bits. It's an 80gb hard drive with 2gb of RAM, and there is nothing I can think of that would cripple the system like this. Any idea how to get the system running like it should be? [more inside]
posted by andoatnp on Feb 12, 2008 - 15 answers

I can't set my external monitor as the primary monitor on my Dell Laptop in Windows XP, what is wrong? [more inside]
posted by jesirose on Jan 30, 2008 - 5 answers

How do I stop the annoying "This device can operate faster" query when I plug a USB 2 thumb drive into a USB 1.1 port (which is all my computer has)?
posted by KRS on Jan 29, 2008 - 7 answers

It's time to replace our desktop computer. After threads like this about the sluggishness of Vista, I'd prefer to get XP Pro, but it appears that some vendors, such as HP, only offer Vista. I'd rather not buy a computer with Vista and then install XP. Ideally, the new box would come with XP Pro and include a coupon for Vista that will still be valid in one or two years when Microsoft will presumably gets its act together. Does anyone have such a thing? Thanks and happy holidays! [more inside]
posted by lukemeister on Dec 26, 2007 - 24 answers

I just got a new laptop with decent specs and I want to take this chance at starting fresh. I want a machine that runs smoothly and doesn't have a lot of extraneous crap installed on it. I need advice about getting this set up the way I want it. [more inside]
posted by Caper's Ghost on Nov 26, 2007 - 19 answers