Ask A Geek

Q: Would a 2GB HP laptop be good enough for running games like RuneScape?

Q: I have just replaced an HP with an Emachine. I have my old hard drive in a external drive but I can not access any files. The external drive is labeled as HP recovery, but when I go into it no files are pulled up? How come I cannot access the files?

Q: I’m trying to hibernate my laptop, an HP NC6400. I did it in the past but the IT department of my company tried to repair something else and since then I can’t hibernate the computer. It seems like they deleted a driver.

The error message is “The device driver for the ST980811AS device is preventing the machine from entering hibernation. You may need to update this driver.”

I couldn’t find neither the solution nor the driver on Google.

Q: Is an HP A6544 capable of running Empire Total War and will putting a GeForce 8400 GS improve performance?

Q: I have an HP laptop model dv6700 with Windows Vista. I was always able to access wirelessly through verizon modem and a netgear router. Now my connection tells me local only. I show a connection between the computer and an unidentified network but no connection between it and the Internet. This is on the network and sharing center, can you help?

Q: I just recently got a new computer (HP F761US) and would like to try to play games with it.

Since I have a PCI Express x16 slot on my motherboard, could I upgrade to a ATI/AMD Radeon 3800?

What else would I have to upgrade to run Crysis Warhead or GTA IV?

Q: I have recently purchased an HP G70 laptop with Windows Vista. When it is plugged in by Ethernet cable it runs fine but while using the wireless option to connect to the Internet it constantly looses connection. If I turn off the wireless card and then turn it back on then it will work again for a while.

I do not have this problem with any of the other laptops in the house so I am certain it is specific to this laptop. What can I do to solve this problem once and for all?

A: You should go to HP’s website to check to see if there are any updated drivers for your wireless card.  If there are then you should install them and chances are that will resolve your problem.

If there aren’t any new drivers for your wireless card or that doesn’t work then you should contact HP support. Given that it’s a brand new system you shouldn’t be having that kind of problem. Especially when your other laptops work just fine with the wireless access point.

Q: I have an HP MINI 1115 NR that came with Windows XP service pack 3. I compressed my files and the bootmgr got compressed as well. I ended up downloading HP’s MIE Recovery Image and used the USB to boot up. Now I’m running on MIE and from what I can tell it’s linux and I need my Windows XP back! How do I change back? I’m linux illiterate and need windows components for school.

Q: I have recently purchased an HP G70 laptop with Windows Vista. When it is plugged in by Ethernet cable it runs fine but while using the wireless option to connect to the Internet it constantly looses connection. If I disconnect and reconnect it will work for a while before going again or if I reset network adapters that will work too.

Other laptops in the house don’t have this problem. I have tried various distances from the modem but even when the laptop is right next to it the problem occurs.

Q: I keep getting a message in my bottom toolbar that says “Delayed Write Failed”. It also says certain files were not saved and data was lost. I cannot figure out how to fix this and it seems like it is causing my computer to freeze up. I have Windows XP home edition and an HP computer. Is there some kind of fix for this problem that I can download?