Q: My computer is getting slower and slower since when I bought it; even though I had more memory installed in it. How do I get it to run like it used to?
- A: The hard drive in your computer is getting clogged up with temporary files and fragmented in the storage of your files. To resolve this problem click on the "Start" button and select "Run". In the "Run" box type "cleanmgr" and click the "OK" button. Once the "Disk Cleanup" program is done checking the hard drive, place a check mark in the boxes for "Temporary Internet Files", "Temporary Files", and "Temporary Offline Files". Then click the "OK" button. Then a window will open asking to confirm the cleanup click "OK". Once it is done cleaning up the files click the "Start" button and select "Programs"-> " Accessories" -> "System Tools" -> Disk Defragmenter". Once the Disk Defragmenter program is running click the "Start" or "Defragment" drive and let the program clean up the drive (it can take over-night so at this point turn off the monitor and walk away and check back on it later). Once the system is done with the "Disk Defragmenter", reboot the system and see if the system runs faster.
- A: The problem is directly related to how long it has been since your computer was cleaned out. The reason is that dust is attracted to electronic devices by the magnetic fields created by the electronics. The best way to resolve this problem is to purchase a can of compressed air from an Office supply store or a computer supply store and blow the dust out of the case. To do this you will need to open the case on your computer and use the compressed air to blow as much of the dust as possible off of all fans and cards. Then blow the dust out of the case. Once you are done doing that close and secure the case, and power on the system. It should run much cooler and quieter no that the dust has been removed.
- A: The problem with your computer has to do with 4 things. 1.) The hard drive in you computer is failing. Get the hard drive replaced a.s.a.p. by a shop so that they can try to save the data on the hard drive. 2.) The ribbon cable that connects the hard drive to the motherboard in the computer is either failing or is loose. Have a technician reseat the cable and if that doesn't fix it have the technician replace the cable with the same type of cable. 3.) The power cable that supplies the power from the power supply to the hard drive is either loose or the power supply is failing. Have a technician try reseating the power cable and if the doesn't help have the technician try a new power supply that is at least equivalent or better (300W or better). 4.) The hard drive controller on the motherboard is failing. The best thing to do would be to have the motherboard replaced with either an identical model or compatible motherboard.
- A: There are a couple of possible issues causing this. First check to make sure that the ribbon cable that connects both drives to the motherboard is seated properly into the drives and the connector on the motherboard. Second check to make sure that the drives are set so that one drive is set to "Master" and the other drive is set to "Slave". The drives usually have the jumper settings shown in a diagram somewhere on the drive, or there is a set of letters near the jumpers. "MA" is for master, "CS" is for Cable select (cable select requires a specially made cable that is usually not used), and "SL" for slave. Always remember to double check your settings before you install any new drives to make sure that there are no conflicts caused by drives using the same settings in the same ribbon cable.
- A: Well there are a couple of solutions to the problem. First off the reason the on-board video doesn't work is that when a new graphics card is installed in the AGP slot on the motherboard it disables the onboard graphics on all motherboards since it uses the same AGP channel. The best way to use 2 or more monitors is to get a Graphics card that has Dual monitor connectors (whether they be VGA or DVI connectors). If the card has DVI connectors remember that if your monitor doesn't have a DVI port and cable you will need a converter to connect a VGA monitor to it. There are many Graphics cards that support "Dual-Head" connections, including cards made by ATI, nVidia, and Matrox. Contact a computer store to find out which one is best for you.
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