Ask A Geek

Q: How do you get laptop wifi to share with PC?

Q: When I right-click on my desktop the icons disappear and then the desktop refreshes without providing a menu. I discovered this after trying to create a folder in one of my directories where the screen also refreshes without creating the folder. No error messages. I’m running Windows XP Home – SP3. What can I do to fix this?

Q: I have weird characters showing up under my Icons on my Windows XP desktop after a re-boot. Can this be corrected?

Q: I have two desktops (Compaq Presario SR1410NX and Compaq Presario SR1050N) that I could choose from to upgrade and I am wondering which one I should upgrade.

A: There comes a point in every computers life where the cost of upgrades wont get you the performance you could get if you spent the same money on a new computer. In the case of these two computers it would be a better idea to spend the money you would have spent on the upgrades on a new machine and you will easily get 5 to 10 times the performance out of the new machine than you would out of the upgrades.

Q: I am interested in purchasing a new computer. One of the things I’d like it for is to play The Sims 3. I’d prefer it to be a laptop but am not opposed to a small desktop. What I would like to know is what computers or laptops do you recommend for The Sims 3 that are in the $400-$700 range? Ideally the desktop price would also include a monitor.

Q: I am just starting to get really into programming for mac and windows.

I was wondering if there is anyway I can make a program that people can download that changes their backgrounds when I push out a new one? Not just random wallpapers changing like the current ones out there do.

Is there a way I can personally change the back ground myself and it take affect to all people using the software?

Q: What Windows webcam software can I use that will show my desktop without being slow and laggy?

Q: My HP Pavilion shutdown by itself and when I tried to turn it back on it goes to the desktop but no icons come up. Nothing happens no response to anything, What can I do?

Q: I have a linksys router which is connected to my desktop. I also have 2 laptops connected wirelessly with whichI  have no problems, but the router loses connectivity with my desktop and I cannot connect to the internet. I called linksys and they said to run a scan, which I did and nothing was found and if that was ok then it was a software problem which they couldnt help me with. Can you please help me?

Q: I am having several computer issues and I wonder if they are connected and if so how?

I have 1 Gateway desktop computer and 2 Toshiba laptops all running Windows Vista with Windstream DSL and a Netgear Router.

Week 1 – Laptop 1

• Online suddenly goes dead, Will power up, but screen remains black. Shop replaces mother board and hard drive.

Week 2 Laptop 2

• Online suddenly goes dead .Power light comes on for 2 seconds and dies.
• Geek Squad has it now, they suspect it is a power issue.

Week 3 -

• laptop 1 online, disconnects internet lost, laptop OK, Thank Goodness.
• However, desktop turns itself off. No one in office to witness this.

I reconnect all power cords to desktop and get it to turn back on, but there is no internet. I had recently updated to a faster dsl service, but had not installed the new modem yet. It arrived 2 days ago in the mail. So I went ahead and hooked it up, but still no internet. I spent 8 hours on the phone with 6 techs between Windstream and Netgear. Windstream finally has me uninstall and reinstall internet software. Desktop is back online without router, Netgear says unit is faulty because they can’t figure out the problem.

I keep looking on my own and realize the cords are attached wrong, I got wireless working. I am scarred that there is still a problem, can you give me any advise? Can you tell if these are all connected?