OT: Technology and Geek Stuff Thread

[-Deborah-]

Guess you didn't stick around, but if it beeps on boot, take note of the beep sequence and Google it. There are sites that list what the beeps mean. Might be something simple like a memory issue.

If not, I have no idea. I've been fortunate to have had no problems with any of my laptops over the years (Dell).

[edindetroit]

Does it beep when it boots to the POST screen?

Not a peep.

[-Deborah-]

Oops, we posted at the same time. Sorry, hope they can fix it for you.

[edindetroit]

Fortunately I just did a back up of all our pc's on Leo Laporte's recommendation due to the cryptolocker virus. I just restored her files to my desktop and added an account for her so she can still have a pc to use while it is out for repair or we buy a replacement. I used the free version of Macrium Reflect for the backup and recommend it. I'll probably buy the standard version so I can do incremental backups. Thanks for the help.

[Topweasel]

My 3 year old Toshiba laptop got an error "He's dead Jim" and shut down. Now it won't get past the post screen and doesn't accept key presses. I bought it on a recommendation that Toshiba was the best in quality and this thing has had an easy life, as laptops go, hooked to a keyboard, mouse and monitor for my wife to use as a desktop. I'm going to take it to a shop on Telegraph that does free diagnostics to see if there is any hope for fixing it. Not feeling too keen on that Toshiba quality right now.

The fact that it gets to Post is a really good sign. Toshiba is usually on the more reliable end for laptops that aren't "business" laptops. But most components are not built by them. In this case getting to post and no further might imply a hard drive failure. That is one part that Toshiba can't really impact. Only three manufacturers and all about the same failure rates.

Try this, unplug it from the wall, remove the battery and unplug any device. Try to power it on with it like that (of course it won't power on). Then plug in only the power and try to power it on. If it still won't get past post, if the hdd is easy to get to, unplug it, remove the drive, and plug it in and power it on again. Try to get into the bios (either Del or F2 on most systems). Try that with both the HD in and out. If you can with the drive in, see if it gets detected in the Bios.

[bimmer84]

Try to power it on with it like that (of course it won't power on). Then plug in only the power and try to power it on.

My laptop (HP) goes blank from time to time and won't power on. When that happens, I do what Topweasel said above, except when you pull the battery and unplug it, HOLD the power button down for about 10 seconds. Then plug it in without the battery and see if it will power on. Once it is on, you can put the battery back in. This works every time for my laptop.

[Tony G]

[Tony G]

Subject: Windows Frozen




Blonde wife texts husband on a cold winter's morning: "Windows frozen, won't open."

Husband texts back: "Gently pour some lukewarm water over it."

Wife texts back five minutes later: "Computer really screwed up now."

[DanO]

"Gently pour some lukewarm water over it."
-------------------------NO! Pour tap water over it. NEVER heat water to any degree and pour it on a window. Just don't do it.

[unknown lions fan]

[nhwbrooklyn]

That was probably a poor choice to tailgate on a runway...

[Topweasel]

I got the joke and laughed (well a little bit, I mean if a window was frozen why would anyone want to open it. Husband at fault for not questioning that). But my main question is with DanO panicking over the phrase lukewarm water. Doesn't that imply room temperature?

[Malto Marko]

The out of towners did not have to drive far to the tailgate.

[DanO]

LOL, ULF. You're getting a lot of "air miles" out of that picture.

"But my main question is with DanO panicking over the phrase lukewarm water. Doesn't that imply room temperature?"
-----------------Never really thought about it but it's possible. I would personally say it's a little higher but even if it's not your tap water is no where near "room temp" during the winter months. It's at least 20 degrees less.

[LionsFanInJapan]

My wife wants to get a new laptop, and I've been looking around a bit online. I came across this new Dell Venue 11:

http://www.dell.com/us/p/dell-venue-11-pro/pd

Looks like it's competing with Microsoft's Surface 2, but it seems like a better deal? She really only uses it to do Office work at home and play flash games. I was telling her she could detach the keyboard and have it on the couch which she seemed to like.

Have any of you guys heard much about this one or have any other advice for me on this subject?