Professional Computer Help For Free!

I manage a computer repair shop in my town and would like to assist ATS members with technical issues. While I do not know everything but I'm certainly very seasoned with virus, hardware, Windows, and networking problems.

A Little Background:
My father is a computer engineer so I grew up around computers and took a natural interests in computers. Much of what I know about computers is self taught from my natural curiosity and the rest is from hands on experience.

I've worked in the the field for 7 years now and I'm still learning and growing in experience. In my field once you feel like you know it all, you don't and should most likely educate your self.

It's important to take a humble approach in my field. Everyone who knows me thinks of me as some computer wiz but I like to be realistic and I am aware of how much more I can learn!

What I Can Offer
I can offer free support to ATS members with computer problems, mainly software related problems. Hardware is hands on but I can explain blue screens, error codes, and other behaviors that may be hardware related.

Why I'm Doing This For Free?
I figure the more experience I can gain, the better. I know I haven't seen it all, but a lot of problems are user error. I also want to support a community that I've been member of for a long while, I want to give back and use my expertise to help the ATS community.

Test Me
If I don't have an answer, my guys at work might, if I don't know, I just might research and find out.

Ok. I know my BIOS is corrupted. On the startup I get a black screen. No post, no BIOS, nothing.

My graphics card fan wont stop spinning. It's an Award BIOS. I already know I have to fix it with a Usb Floppy drive and a floppy. But I don't have those. Is there any other way besides that and physically replacing the BIOS chip?

reply to post by oconnection

This may not be exactly what you mean, since it is probably just a setting. However, you are offering and I can't figure out how to fix it, so I may as well ask.

Has been happening for about a day and a half now, and it's getting real annoying. I cannot open up a new blank tab. I normally have a few tabs opened up. I use Firefox. I can get links to open up in a new tab, but if I click "File-> New Tab," it does nothing. If i try "Control + T," it does nothing. If I click the little " + " symbol right above this window, it does nothing. The only way I can open a new tab, is to use a link that opens one, then I switch it to whatever page/site I am wanting to view.

With my crappy internet connection, that is an annoying hassle because it loads up something that I am not even wanting to see, instead of just opening a blank tab. I haven't changed any settings recently. I've looked and cannot figure out how to fix it, back to the way it was. I have always used the little " + " symbol, and that would instantly open a new blank tab.

I hope that makes sense.

Originally posted by PaR3v
Ok. I know my BIOS is corrupted. On the startup I get a black screen. No post, no BIOS, nothing.

My graphics card fan wont stop spinning. It's an Award BIOS. I already know I have to fix it with a Usb Floppy drive and a floppy. But I don't have those. Is there any other way besides that and physically replacing the BIOS chip?

Most of the time the bios chip is hard soldered onto the motherboard, if you are lucky enough to be able to detach the chip from the board you can order a replacement.

But most of the time the only way is to replace the motherboard.

Let me ask, is this a laptop or a desktop? Is it the CPU fan that is making the sound? Have you opened up the computer and confirmed which fan is spinning above normal levels?

I've noticed with some desktop computers at work when a motherboard has an issue, the CPU fan spins at max speed, I've ruled out everything else and narrowed it down to the motherboard.

I need a few more details before I can give a probable answer please.

Is this a desktop or a laptop?
Is it the video card or the CPU fan?
How do you know your bios is corrupted?
Is your video on board or external? This applies mainly if it's a desktop.
If it's on board, memory can cause this problem as well.
Stupid question, have you ruled out the display?

reply to post by BrokenCircles


Edit* Try uninstalling the ASK Tool Bar, it's know to cause this issue, if you have it installed.

I'll try simple first, have you uninstalled Firefox then reinstalled? You can also try upgrading your Firefox browser.

i use an hp pavillion laptop...we just got a new N router for the house...the 4 other computers (one desktop, one laptop, one mac laptop and one ipad) all work fine...my hp lap cannot identify the network. it can use the unsecured guest network, but not the secured one.

Our computer guy was here, and checked it out, and did not charge us for the visit because he couldn't fix the problem. so, obviously the basics, (and not so basics) have been tried. whats your take?

thanks in advance

reply to post by BrokenCircles


Make sure your Firefox is up to date first. If it is, add-ons may be causing your problem. if you have no add-ons, or you don't think it's being caused by add-ons, you can always try the new Firefox 4 (still in BETA):

FF 4.0

Originally posted by BadBoYeed
i use an hp pavillion laptop...we just got a new N router for the house...the 4 other computers (one desktop, one laptop, one mac laptop and one ipad) all work fine...my hp lap cannot identify the network. it can use the unsecured guest network, but not the secured one.

Our computer guy was here, and checked it out, and did not charge us for the visit because he couldn't fix the problem. so, obviously the basics, (and not so basics) have been tried. whats your take?

thanks in advance

Which operating system are you using, ie: Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7?
Do you know the specific model of the laptop? It's usually near the keyboard or around the screen.

Thanks!

Originally posted by WhizPhiz
reply to post by BrokenCircles

 

Make sure your Firefox is up to date first. If it is, add-ons may be causing your problem. if you have no add-ons, or you don't think it's being caused by add-ons, you can always try the new Firefox 4 (still in BETA):

FF 4.0

Firefox 4 was released, no longer in beta, an upgrade is one way to trouble shoot, try to disable add ons.

www.watchingthenet.com...

reply to post by oconnection

After reading your 1st reply, I found Firefox4. I didn't realize it was available. Sorry, I wanted to try it before I replied back. Anyways, the problem is gone now.

I do have the ASK Toolbar, but I never use it. I never even have it visible, and leave it unchecked. So I'll just take your word for it being able to possibly cause problems and go ahead and uninstall it now.

Thanks.

I'm not quite sure how I feel about this new layout of Firefox. I'm sure I will get used to it. It's just different so as of right now, it seems strange.

reply to post by BrokenCircles


It takes a bit getting used to but it's worth it, sexy browser.

I'm glad upgrading helped.


One thing that might help you get a better feel is click the top left orange Firefox button, select options, then select Menu Bar, it may feel more at home.

reply to post by oconnection

Yeah, I've already been re-arranging things(AKA cluttering it up by addding a bunch of junk). At first, the tabs were at the very top of the screen, and that was just odd.

I just found the "Tab Group" option. I think I will like that once I figure it out. Especially with ATS, I often have a few tabs open at once, but also sometimes a couple other sites. Need some wallpaper or something now. I don't like being able to see through the top of my window.

Edit- Ok maybe I don't like the "Group Tab" option.
When it comes to computers, I'm basically one of the types of people who fear change.
'Change'

reply to post by oconnection


vista i think...3 years old...on the front hp dv9000 (on the bottom it says dv9700)

and my fan is also making a hell of a racket...my family keeps asking :is that your computer??" it sounds sick

reply to post by BadBoYeed


It's common with the DV1000-DV9000 to have wifi issues before other problems occur. I'm not ruling out other issues but it is common for HP DV1000-9000 to have wifi issues before other issues occur. This is due to a defect with the design of the laptop it self. What happens is a of heat is generated around the CPU and GPU because of a pour system fan design. The solder from the GPU will separate from the board. The problem is complicated from dust and other foreign objects that clog the system fan. It doesn't help that the CPU and GPU are so close together and a pour design of the cooling system. One of the first signs is the wifi (wireless connection) will go out, then the next stage is the video will go out.

We do what's called a video reflow for this series of HP laptops all the time and the process also corrects the wifi connection issue.

I'd try a hard line connection (corded) and see if you can connect. Also check any wifi switch located on the front edge of the key board often times, also use the Fn and F4 or other combination to enable the wifi. Check to see if the driver is installed correctly by going into the control panel.

Most of the time, it's a hardware issue with this series of laptop, unfortunately.

A band aid might be a USB wireless adapter.

From what your telling me, it's possible the system fan is clogged and perhaps malfunction. It can be dust interfering with the fan or it can be damaged and needs to replaced. Either way, heat may continue to damage the computer.

Either way you may want someone to pull the laptop apart and check the cooling system. I can bet my top dollar that you find a carpet of crap and a lot heat is straining your system. which will only make matter worse from a hardware stand point.

Usually, most repair shops will charge around $125 for this type of work. If you find competent repair shop they will offer a copper insert that helps with HP DV1000-9000 heat issues for a few bucks more.

reply to post by oconnection


Heres one to start with.
My computer is hooked up to a 37 inch LCD TV. I cannot make the internet page eg ths page fit on the screen. The web page is always wider than the screen. I have adjusted the zoom down to 90% and increased and anot not increased the sze of the text but all to no avail. How do I fix this? I run windows XP professional on a windows PC.

Heres another.
In a folder it is often the case that there are multiple colums of content. I cannot get the colums to condense, there is a large gap between. How do I get them to come closer together??

Just one more. Is it possible to get software to take background music out of a video. and is there softwere to level out the volume of multiple video audio files?/

thanks for your help

Originally posted by bussoboy
reply to post by oconnection

 

Heres one to start with.
My computer is hooked up to a 37 inch LCD TV. I cannot make the internet page eg ths page fit on the screen. The web page is always wider than the screen. I have adjusted the zoom down to 90% and increased and anot not increased the sze of the text but all to no avail. How do I fix this? I run windows XP professional on a windows PC.

Heres another.
In a folder it is often the case that there are multiple colums of content. I cannot get the colums to condense, there is a large gap between. How do I get them to come closer together??

Just one more. Is it possible to get software to take background music out of a video. and is there softwere to level out the volume of multiple video audio files?/

thanks for your help

How old is the television? Your television may be a low resolution. If the TV isn't at max resolution already, try adjusting the resolution.
www.microsoft.com...

When you say multiple columns, which program are talking about, can you be more specific?

If you are talking about capturing audio from a youtube video you can find many websites that provide that service, search youtube to mp3.

Here's one that is stumping me.

I've got a dvr cctv system that I want to view remotely - when I'm out of town or whatever.
Before I switched to verizon, I had a Netgear router which functioned perfectly. It took me all of five minutes to go in and configure the port forwarding to allow remote IE viewing. No problems.
When I switched to verizon, they brought out their own modem/router combo. I can go into the router, I can change the port forwarding information. They just have worded SO differently that I've not been able to get it to work yet.
When I called them regarding this - their best advice to me was to google it and see if anyone else is having the same issues.
The next problem I'm having in testing this is that it has to be tested remotely because my LAN will ALWAYS let me view the cameras. It HAS to be done from another location, or either from a computer with a mobile broadband connection which I do not have.
The NEXT problem I'm having with this is that I don't know anyone with enough smarts to actually log into the system remotely that has the time to do so.
My NEXT problem is TIME. I don't have a lot of it to spare. The only time I have time for this is after hours,when I'd MUCH rather be doing something else.
Maybe I can set this up one day, send you the info & we can see if you can get into it - that is if you have time.

LOL I will be your best ATS "customer" lol

I will send you muffins as payment


I usually go into chat and bother poor Helig or Davespanner when I have computer issues. I have bother Rogerstiger too and a few others...lol They have all been very helpful though.


I am PC challeneged..Im a MAC user and well I am having to use a PC right now and it sucks! I know nothing about them and it is always having problems.

Right now I dont seem to be having any issues other than slowness and IE shutting down on its own or freezing. Can I just take it off and put FF on?

on a computer running microsoft's windows operating system, how would you determine that the windows OS, shell & GUI is loaded if the display/monitor isn't working (you can't use another display/monitor)?

reply to post by toreishi


You listen for the Microsoft startup/login music.

Or I'm sure there's also some commands that will use the system speaker to generate beep codes that correspond to system status.

PS - Me luv ur avatar!