Ask A Geek

Q: This is my first purchase of a computer – I will want it to last me a while. All I will be using it for photos, music,  internet access, word, and excel. My budget is $500.00. Which computer would you recommend. The sales people I have been talking to don’t seem to speak it terms I can understand which makes it impossible for me to make a decision. Thanks for your help.

Q: This is going to be a bit long, but here goes.

I am in the market for a new/refurbished budget computer. I currently own a Gateway 836GM with a Pentium D 2.8 GHz processor. I am in need of a new computer mainly because I am having many problems with “USB device not recognized” popping up every time I plug almost any USB device in.

Anyway, I am having the hardest time deciding which computer to get. I am leaning towards the Gateway DX 4200 from Best Buy. But I’m wondering if the 1.8GHz processor is going to seem slower than my current 2.8GHz. I know it’s a quad core, but I don’t know if that matters.

I am also looking at two other computers from Tigerdirect.com One is the Acer Aspire AX3200 and the other one is the Gateway DX 4640.

I’d really appreciate if someone could help me decide which is the best one for me.

I mainly use it for music, photo editing with Photoshop Elements 7, GIMP, internet (which leads to another question, is a Gigabit LAN a must have?), playing a few games, nothing too demanding though, burning CDs, ripping and burning DVDs.

Any help anyone could provide would be awesome. Thanks in advance.

Q: I have my own computer in my bedroom. My family has wireless internet on the laptops. Can I set up wireless to work for my computer too?

Q: I’m building my first computer and I was wondering which CPU would be a better choice. An AMD Phenom X4 9950 with an MSI Mobo or and Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 with an Asus mobo. This computer will be used for mostly media, web design, World of Warcraft, and Spore.

Q: I recently purchased a new laptop and I am wondering if I can transfer the norton 360 I just recently purchased for my desktop onto the laptop.

Q: I am thinking of selling my Dell home desktop computer and buying a 15″ laptop just for mobility. I only use computer for e-mail, research, and shopping. Would this be a waste of money? I have a buyer for the old Dell desktop.

A: Compared to laptops in the same class, desktops are usually: less expensive, easier to upgrade, and less likely to fail. On the other hand, laptops are portable and therefore more convenient. To me, it’s all about productivity. Read the rest of this entry »

Q: I have an Acer Aspire T160 with 512 MB RAM currently made up of 2 256 MB modules. I was planning on adding just 1 GB RAM and I am wondering if that is okay.

A: For some computers you do need to add modules in pairs but for your computer you do not. However, adding two modules versus 1 module will increase your performance but it is not necessary. The affect on the performance of the machine also depends on what types of programs you are running. Since you have the one module all ready I would install it and see if it performs as you would like and if not you can consider buying another.

Q: I have an HP Presario C700 Notebook with Intel processor running Windows Vista. When I start up the computer I get two error messages that say:

• c:\Users\Jared\AppData\Local\Temp\efcba.dll
• c:\Users\Jared\AppData\Local\Temp\ojhlyjuj.dll missing entry:run

Then when I try to open any folder on my computer, it closes right away and the desktop disappears. The only thing I can see is the wallpaper. Then after a few seconds, the desktop comes back. It seems like my computer just won’t let me open folders anymore. Please help me:)

A: I have four things to try and see if this corrects the problem. if you have already tried one or more of these please continue with the next step. I will start with the easiest first to see if it resolves the problem. Read the rest of this entry »

Q: I have Windows XP SP2 loaded on my PC and my computer is updated regularly using Microsoft Update. Recently my desktop icons have started disappearing and appearing for no apparent reason. I have defragged and error checked my computers hard drive but that did nothing. I also have an anti-virus program from AVG installed so I am fairly certain my computer is virus free. I have also checked for Trojans using spybot and nothing has shown up. My computer runs great besides the icons randomly appearing and disappearing.

A: I know that you have tried both anti-virus and spybot so I have some instructions to see if this will alleviate the problem for you. If it does not please let me know. This does require editing an entry in your registry so I strongly recommend that you backup your registry before you begin.

1. Ctrl + Alt + Delete and identify sysu.exe in the processes list.
2. Close it, and go to C:\Program Files.
3. Locate the folder ddm and delete it.
4. Click on start -> run and type in regedit.
5. Under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE -> SOFTWARE remove the folder ddm.
6. Click on start -> run and type in msconfig.
7. Click on the right-most tab labeled startup.
8. Scroll down and locate an entry with no command line.
9. Uncheck the box and apply all changes.
10. Reboot your computer; check the checkbox for a window that comes up saying you changed startup settings.

Q: I am trying to replace the CD-ROM drive in my friends Dell Dimension 3000 desktop. I am able to take off one side of the case but am unable to take off the other side of the case because it is riveted on instead of screwed on. How can I get to the other side of the drive to remove the screws on that side so that I can take the CD-ROM drive out to replace it with a new one?

A: With the Dimension series from Dell the other side normally does not come off. The trick is that you have to take the front off, unscrew the single screw that holds the CD-ROM in place and then take the drive out the front instead of pulling it back though the case.

Dell has some detailed instructions on how to do this. The instructions have 3 steps that you will want to follow before actually trying to remove the CD-ROM drive. The most important one to look at, which is the step I think you are stuck at, is the 3rd step. It explains how to take the front panel off. This ones is important to read because it will show you where the tabs are and possibly the release lever (not on all models) so that you can take the front off without breaking it.

Best of luck getting the CD-ROM drive out and if anything should happen, like you crack the front panel, explain to your friend that you are sorry and that you did your best you could for free.