Computer Troubleshooting/Help Master Thread

[Live N Learn]

As per my posts above, I am thinking about getting the Anker USB Hub. I have seen in the reviews and doing a quick google search that there can be interference between USB 3.0 and bluetooth device. I use a wireless (bluetooth) mouse, but my computer doesn't have USB 3.0. Can there potentially be interference if the computer itself doesn't have USB 3.0?

No.

[Thingywingy]

No.

Thanks. Do you think it may help my sporadically disconnecting network adapter?

[Alexsei]

Is this scary?

[Live N Learn]

The best option might very well be to try a optical drive to hard drive caddy, something like this http://m.ebay.com/itm/281092850601?_mwBanner=1

Would it be the same speed as the primary HDD ?

[Yisroel Tech]

Would it be the same speed as the primary HDD ?

Not much slower.

[Yisroel Tech]

Is this scary?

Definitly!

[Live N Learn]

Not much slower.

Thanks for all. I'll give it a shot.

[Alexsei]

Definitly!

What can/should be done?

[Yisroel Tech]

What can/should be done?

First thing is a good clean out of dust. And ensure fans are working.

[Alexsei]

First thing is a good clean out of dust. And ensure fans are working.

Fans are working, no dust.
It was a brand new pc sitting in the closet for over a year
I installed new ram modules, a PCI graphics card and serial port, installed new ssd

[Alexsei]

Fans are working, no dust.
It was a brand new pc sitting in the closet for over a year
I installed new ram modules, a PCI graphics card and serial port, installed new ssd

BUMP

[Yisroel Tech]

BUMP

It is really hard to conclude anything, but a graphics card certainly omits a lot of heat. I'm not sure, though, what you can do about it.

[SPLP]

It is really hard to conclude anything, but a graphics card certainly omits a lot of heat. I'm not sure, though, what you can do about it.

I have a HP pavilion lap top win7
 I now get this error -BUT not all the time

 When starting the computer, the following error appears on the screen:
The system has detected that a cooling fan is not operating correctly.
Continued operation is not recommended and may cause unpredictable behavior that could result in random shutdown, data loss or possible system damage. The system will shut down in 15 seconds. To prevent shutdown and continue operation, press the Enter key now.

as crazy as this may sound if I SHAKE  it  before I open error does not show or sometimes even if i do not shake error will not show
WILL/Does this work?
https://www.amazon.com/LC05-Cooling-Auto-Temp-Detection-Compatible/dp/B00XKU47Y2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1494664210&sr=8-1&keywords=hp+laptop+fan

[sruliL]

What is the best program for a full backup of a Windows machine?
Until now I've been copying the C:// drive before doing any work on a system but is there a better program, preferably one that makes a bootable duplicate?

[Yisroel Tech]

What is the best program for a full backup of a Windows machine?
Until now I've been copying the C:// drive before doing any work on a system but is there a better program, preferably one that makes a bootable duplicate?

Macrium Reflect Free is a great free option for a full system image. Acronis True Image is a very popular one, but will cost you some money (you can get in now from Newegg for total $19.99 after a $30 mail-in-rebate.)

[avromie7]

Macrium Reflect Free is a great free option for a full system image. Acronis True Image is a very popular one, but will cost you some money (you can get in now from Newegg for total $19.99 after a $30 mail-in-rebate.)

If you want acronis pm me during business hours and I can give you a short key, I have 100+ with no use for them

[etech0]

Do they make USB > VGA adapters that work reliably? For connecting a second monitor to a laptop (already have one monitor connected to the HDMI port).

I've had trouble with VGA > HDMI adapters in the past, that's why I ask.

[avromie7]

Do they make USB > VGA adapters that work reliably? For connecting a second monitor to a laptop (already have one monitor connected to the HDMI port).

I've had trouble with VGA > HDMI adapters in the past, that's why I ask.

I never tried one, but it should work better than VGA to HDMI. VGA to HDMI is not really compatible because VGA is analog while HDMI is digital (DVI is compatible with both)
Another option is to get a Dell d1000 or d3100 docking station.

[Yisroel Tech]

Do they make USB > VGA adapters that work reliably? For connecting a second monitor to a laptop (already have one monitor connected to the HDMI port).

I've had trouble with VGA > HDMI adapters in the past, that's why I ask.

First of all, to set the record straight...both of the devices that you mentioned aren't adapters. The USB to VGA is really an external video card, and the VGA to HDMI is a converter that converts the analog signals to digital. The reason this is important to realize is because you need to appreciate the price it costs. Cheap stuff that cost like adapters are indeed usually crap.

For USB to VGA, there are some good options but it won't be cheap, StarTech is a known one. For instance this one https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-External-Video-Monitor-Adapter/dp/B00C6I1FOE

For VGA to HDMI, although as Avrumie says, not as good, you can get for a bit cheaper. Something like this (USB powered and popular) should be good https://www.amazon.com/Universal-Converter-Support-Adapter-SY-ADA31025/dp/B006FILNV6/

[etech0]

I never tried one, but it should work better than VGA to HDMI. VGA to HDMI is not really compatible because VGA is analog while HDMI is digital (DVI is compatible with both)
Another option is to get a Dell d1000 or d3100 docking station.

Thanks for the info!

First of all, to set the record straight...both of the devices that you mentioned aren't adapters. The USB to VGA is really an external video card, and the VGA to HDMI is a converter that converts the analog signals to digital. The reason this is important to realize is because you need to appreciate the price it costs. Cheap stuff that cost like adapters are indeed usually crap.

For USB to VGA, there are some good options but it won't be cheap, StarTech is a known one. For instance this one https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-External-Video-Monitor-Adapter/dp/B00C6I1FOE

For VGA to HDMI, although as Avrumie says, not as good, you can get for a bit cheaper. Something like this (USB powered and popular) should be good https://www.amazon.com/Universal-Converter-Support-Adapter-SY-ADA31025/dp/B006FILNV6/

And thanks for the recommendations!

So what would be the advantage of a Dell dock over the StarTech USB 3.0 to VGA adapter?