IT Queries: Computer problems answered

When I buy a laptop with Windows 7 do I need to buy more software to connect to the internet?

Usually you’ll be able to plug straight into your Internet router and go. One of the great improvements with Windows 7 is the system will automatically detect and configure your connection for you.

If it doesn’t then you should contact your ISP.

Once you are connected, the first thing you should do is let Windows detect any security upgrades through the Windows Update website, allow your antivirus program to update itself and download Firefox, Opera or Google Chrome as a browser to replace Internet Explorer 8.

You should do these before surfing the net or checking email just to make sure your computer is secure.

We would like to dispense with our satellite TV service and stream video from the internet to our 32 inch LCD TV, but our computer (Pentium 4, 3 GHz, 1.5 gig memory, video card GeForce FX5200 with 128 meg) can’t stream images at full screen without breaking up. We have a DSL connection (100 Mbps)and a wireless network running at 36 Mbps.

If we upgrade to a computer with a dual core pentium and a video card with 256 meg RAM, could we stream smooth full screen video at 100 mbps and/or 36 Mbps? I don’t know where the bottleneck is, help!

You will have to upgrade your system as the 128Mb video card and Pentium IV CPU are going to struggle with the resolution required for a 32″ screen and you’ll need the faster CPU, chipset and hard drive to deal with the amount of data you want to move around.

The new system should have at least a 1Gb video card and compatible outputs to the TV, preferably an HDMI connection if your TV supports it. The fact you’ve been able to connect a Pentium IV to the TV indicates the display has a VGA or DVI input.

Keep in mind that it’s not just your PC or screen that matters. If you are streaming off the net, you need to check your ADSL connection is reliable. You may want to visit speedtest.net to check you are getting the speeds advertised by your ISP as sometimes problems with your phone line or equipment can stop you getting the best performance.

I’m buying a new computer and have a choice between the 32 and 64-bit version of Windows 7. Which one should I choose?

The 64 bit version is the better of the two but it comes with some traps, mainly that older software and hardware may not work on it.

Because you are getting a new computer, you should be right on the hardware front. Although if you do have an older printer, scanner or other hardware you’ll have to check they will work on a 64-bit system.

For software, you’ll need to make sure all your programs will run on 64 bit Windows. While 32-bit programs will work they may be slower so keep that in mind too.

Generally our advice is to go with 64 bit systems if all your equipment is up to date, if you want to run older software and hardware go for the 32-bit option.

I was thinking about buying my daughter a netbook. She wants to go on facebook so would a netbook be good enough for that. Thanking you in advance for your advice, Bev.

It’s a good question, Bev. The idea of a netbook is simply to get onto the Internet so it’s perfect if your daughter simply wants to be on Facebook.

The trap with netbooks is going on the net is all they are designed for. To keep the costs down, they have smaller hard drives, few USB ports and usually no DVD drive.

So if your daughter decides she wants to do something more than go onto Facebook, write blogs or Twitter she’ll find the netbook will struggle.

All of that said, netbooks are cheap and the best choice if you want a starter computer for a teenager. We have a little more on netbooks at our PC Rescue website.

I’ve broken the hinges on my trusty old laptop and while it works, the screen only holds on by the cables. Can I get it repaired?

Unfortunately not, even if the local computer shop could get hold of new hinges or a replacement case, the labour costs involved would still make the repair uneconomic.

If the computer is running well, then try plugging in an external monitor, mouse and keyboard and use it with the lid down so the display cables don’t get further damaged.

Alternatively, if the computer is due to be replaced, you may want to shop around for a new system. Although at the time of writing, it’s worthwhile waiting a few weeks before upgrading to Windows 7.

My computer is about five years old and is running Windows XP. While it’s working okay, I’m finding it a bit slow.

I’d like to buy a new system but the reviews of Microsoft Vista were so were bad I decided not to until the new version of Windows came out.

Now Windows 7 is out, should I buy a new system or is it worthwhile waiting?

There’s no doubt it was worth waiting for Windows 7 as it’s far more polished and faster than Microsoft Vista.

Having said that, it is probably worthwhile holding off for a few weeks before taking the plunge to Windows 7 for four main reasons;

1. There will be bugs
   Every operating system has some hiccups and while Windows 7 is probably the most tested program ever, there will still be the odd problem. Let the early adopters tear out their hair while sorting out the issues.
2. The earlier adopter premium
   Early adopters are a key profit centre for the tech industry. If you want the latest mobile phone, computer or operating system you will pay dearly for the privilege to be the first on your street. Wait a few weeks and you’ll find prices will drop.
3. Christmas sales
   Windows 7′s release date is deliberate. By having it on the shelves by the end of October, it means the latest systems are available for the Christmas sales rush. Expect to see some good deals in the run up to Christmas.
4. Price wars
   It’s been a pretty torrid 12 months for PC manufacturers as the Global Financial Crisis has hit computer sales hard. To make things worse, Acer, Dell and HP are all in a race for market share. So you can expect some good prices on new systems as the big boys fight it out.

For these four reasons, it might be worthwhile waiting a month before buying a new system. While Windows 7 is a lot better than Vista, it’s not worth spending top dollar on just to be the first on the street.

So take it easy and shop around for some good deals.

We have CAD design software that is on a old PC running windows 98 (note there is a dongal, which we have and we are registered owners for software).

We need to upgrade VIDEO card but since the computer is so old and becoming unstable I am thinking it would be best to replace the PC

The problem is do not have installation disc for software and Company has since gone bust. Can software be copied off old PC onto new.

Unfortunately I think you may hit some problems with this. While copying older programs can work, the time it will take for a good computer tech to get it running will probably be more than the cost of a new program.

To add to the difficulties, it’s highly likely a new computer won’t have a parallel or serial port to plug in an older style dongle and the older software may struggle with modern screen resolutions, graphics cards and hard drive capacities.

Put simply, doing this is probably more of a hassle than it’s worth.

The best thing to do is bite the bullet on some commercial software, preferably a package your employees and business partners are used to or investigate open source CAD programs.

I currently have a PC with CA Virus checker, Sygate Personal Firewall, Adaware and Spybot.
I am thinking of changing to an IMac at the end of the year.  Do I need all of this security/checking stuff for an IMac?

The short answer is no. Spyware is unique to Windows and, while Macs can theoretically be affected by viruses and worms, their superior security model means it is far harder for that to happen.

So you don’t really need to worry about these things, although you should still install the regular Apple updates as there are security holes in all operating systems.

I am looking to buy a new laptop. It will be used for powerful programs like achicad, film editing, musical applications etc. I’ve already found a suitable model with enough power (Toshiba A300/M00), but it comes with Vista Home Premium built in.

Would you recommend Vista yet, or would you hold off for a while until Microsoft releases more software updates?

Also is there a way to change the operating system of a laptop with Vista already pre packaged?

You can “downgrade” a computer to Windows XP but it’s time consuming and expensive. Generally our advice is to stick with the operating system that comes with the computer.

The important thing with Vista is to make sure you have plenty of memory on the system and good fast hard drive. The Toshiba M300/M00 is a reasonably well specified machine that shouldn’t have any problems with Vista.

We would recommend getting the three year Toshiba extended warranty on the unit and, if the budget allows, upgrade the memory to 4Gb.

The only way you’ll come unstuck with Vista is if you are trying to connect to older equipment or install software that’s not the current edition. Many packages struggle with Vista’s security measures.

If you have an adequate computer and you are using newer technology, then there should be no problem with Vista.