Ask A Geek

Q: I need to know if a P3-700 computer is better than a v3000 computer?

Q: Is there one program that can fix and clean your PC? I run reg.cure and ccleaner but I have other problems come up and am wondering if I should run something else.

Q: Does anyone know anything about a brand of computers called Coolidge? I won a working one and one case on Ebay. I can’t find any Coolidge websites. I don’t have the computer yet. It’d be nice to give to some of my flat broke relatives. Maybe it’s a rare collectible. We used to have a TRS 80. tee-hee!

Then, I’m wondering how to find parts to try to learn to build a computer in the empty case. If no one ever heard of a Coolidge, how would I find parts?

Q: I have two desktop computers and I am trying figure out which one I should upgrade. I think I should just go with a new one but if I was to upgrade one of these which would be better and any suggestions?

Compaq Presario SR1410NX or Compaq Presario SR1050NX and is PC3200 ram compatible with either machine?

Q: How outdated is my computer and how can I figure out how much hard drive space I have?

It is a Dell Optiplex 170L with Windows XP professional. It has a 2.40ghz Celeron(r) CPU and 512MB of RAM.

Q: Is there any way to hook my laptop (MacBook or Dell) to my trucks computer so that I can view diagnostic information or use as guages and etc? Kind of like on The Fast and The Furious (1st one) where he has his laptop hooked to his eclipse as he street races?

Q: I have connected my PC (Windows XP) to my older TV via a VGA to S-Video converter. The video is fine. I am having difficulty with the audio. I connected an audio cable from my PC tower to the L & R audio inputs on the front of my TV, but I still do not get any sound. Suggestions?

Q: Should a computer be shut off if not used for several hours or even overnight? Or is it okay for it just to go into sleep mode?

Q: I have a Compaq Presario 2200 laptop computer. Recently, it has been running slowing (e.g. taking a lot of time to open simple programs). I defragmented the disk a few weeks ago, but it is still running slowly. I don’t have that much on the laptop – the usual programs – Office 2003, Windows Media Player, iTunes, Nikon Picture Project (I have about 300 pics stored)

Is there anything else I can do in the way of regular maintenance to improve performance?

Q: What makes the tower on my PC sound like it shifted into high gear for a few seconds and then back to normal so you hardly hear it? Is it something in Windows Live OneCare?