Computer Systems

Helping people with computers... one answer at a time.

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Major computer components, specific systems, upgrades, motherboards and more general articles covering topics of a more general computer system nature.

Are 64-bit PCs more secure than 32-bit machines?

64 bit PCs bring more power to computing, but not necessarily more security. It sometimes seems like bigger is always better, but not always.

Can I move my system drive to another computer and have it work?

Windows configures itself to the hardware it finds, but changing everything at once by moving the system disk to a different machine might be too much.

Do I need a computer memory upgrade?

A computer memory upgrade can be an easy and inexpensive way to imrpove system performance, but how do you know if an upgrade is called for?

Does my computer use more power or generate more heat depending on what it's doing?

Several components in your computer definitely use power and generate heat in proportion to how they're used. I'll review the two biggies.

How do I know when it's time to replace my computer?

The decision of when to replace a computer is not an easy one. It involves not just replacement costs, but the cost of your time as well.

My computer has started to shut down randomly, could it be the fan?

Airflow through your computer is an important part of keeping it cool and running well. Frequently fans are just blocked by dust and dirt.

My computer lights up and turns on but nothing happens, why?

Diagnosing a computer that won't boot can be very difficult. In particular, spinning disks and blinking lights don't mean as much as you might think.

My old computer is too slow for anti-virus software. What should I do?

Extending the life of older computers can be a challenge, especially when current versions of important tools like anti-malware scanners fail to run.

Should I get a dual core or a quad core processor?

Processors are generally available with single, dual and quad cores. We'll look at what that means, and how you might select which is right for you.

What computer should I give?

A major purchase like a computer for a loved one can be very difficult. I'll review a few areas to consider when purchasing a computer as a gift.

What if my new computer doesn't work?

A brand-new computer should work right out of the box. Mine didn't. I'll review my experience and the steps I took.

What's the difference between RAM and a Memory Module?

The terms RAM and Memory Module are occasionally used interchangeably, but in fact they're two different ways of looking at computer memory.

Why does my computer crash at random times?

Random crashes are annoying and difficult to diagnose. I'll review common causes and steps you can take to determine what's happening on your computer.

Why does my laptop suddenly shut down while playing games?

Games are processor heavy and could be generating a lot of heat. This is the first thing to look at with sudden shut-downs.

Why doesn't Windows show all 4gigabytes of memory I have installed?

Installing the maximum 4 gigabytes of RAM into your computer may not result in all 4 gigabytes being available. We'll look at why.

Why won't my program use more than 25% of the CPU?

Multi-core processors add an additional layer of complexity to software design - the result is that multiple cores are often underutilized.