# \#computer-hardware **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/tag/computer-hardware/88.md [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) --- ## [Uninstalling drivers when replacing video card](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uninstalling-drivers-when-replacing-video-card/1032764)
**Author:** [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2026, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uninstalling-drivers-when-replacing-video-card/1032764 "2026-09-12T02:35:54Z")
I’m replacing my Nvidia GTX-1650 with an Intel Arc B-580, the 1650 is getting a little long in the tooth and locking me out of some more recent games. chatGPT recommends I use WagnardSoft DDU to delete all the 1650 displ… --- ## [How high is too high for CPU temps when I'm gaming? What can be done about high operating temps?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-high-is-too-high-for-cpu-temps-when-im-gaming-what-can-be-done-about-high-operating-temps/1032271)
**Author:** [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [September 2, 2026, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-high-is-too-high-for-cpu-temps-when-im-gaming-what-can-be-done-about-high-operating-temps/1032271 "2026-09-02T03:51:40Z")
I have a 5 year old desktop gaming computer with an AMD Ryzen 5 5600X 6-Core processor. It has the colored fan lights, so I set it in my Aura software for the light to be temperature-controlled-- anything below 50C is gr… --- ## [Looking for a compromise computer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-compromise-computer/1013763)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [August 29, 2026, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-compromise-computer/1013763 "2026-08-29T16:31:45Z")
Looking for a new computer to replace what I used to have before the world’s worst fire sale. I had a decent desktop, but now I am considering an 18 or 19 inch laptop for under $2000. Later version I7 or better, RTX 407… --- ## [When did changing laptop batteries become hard?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-changing-laptop-batteries-become-hard/1032115)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2026, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-changing-laptop-batteries-become-hard/1032115 "2026-08-04T20:48:29Z")
I always carried a 2nd charged battery for my Dell laptop. Slide three plastic tabs and the old one popped out. Changing a laptop battery was a 2 minute job. My older Win 10, Dell Laptop was manufactured in 2017. I bou… --- ## [Latest windows 11 update disabled my usb audio interface](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/latest-windows-11-update-disabled-my-usb-audio-interface/1030250)
**Author:** [@xtenkfarpl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xtenkfarpl)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2026, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/latest-windows-11-update-disabled-my-usb-audio-interface/1030250 "2026-05-27T17:44:36Z")
Damn, it’s happened again (just like about 6 months ago). Anyone else seeing a similar problem? --- ## [Refurbished Laptops](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refurbished-laptops/1029641)
**Author:** [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2026, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refurbished-laptops/1029641 "2026-05-12T14:57:17Z")
I’m pretty broke right now, but I’m working with a 10+ year old laptop that is falling apart, literally ( I have to hold it together when I open it) and it just doesn’t have the balls to run anything but the oldest games… --- ## [Win 11 not seeing old Hardrives](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/win-11-not-seeing-old-hardrives/1029220)
**Author:** [@Quintas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quintas)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2026, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/win-11-not-seeing-old-hardrives/1029220 "2026-04-14T01:58:07Z")
My stepfather has a stack of old SATA hard drives he was curious to see what was on. He bought one of those readers you plug into a wall outlet for power and then to a USB port to read the drive. When we plug in the u… --- ## [How does a web page have an invisible undeletable ad space?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-web-page-have-an-invisible-undeletable-ad-space/1028697)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [March 23, 2026, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-web-page-have-an-invisible-undeletable-ad-space/1028697 "2026-03-23T04:22:03Z")
My email host has enshittified my mail page by adding an ad window that overwrites most of my inbox column. In Chrome I can open the page editor and nuke the ad that appears in that reserved window, but I cannot exorcise… --- ## [How do you scan a QR code on your phone from that phone \[iPhone\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-scan-a-qr-code-on-your-phone-from-that-phone-iphone/1027805)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2026, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-scan-a-qr-code-on-your-phone-from-that-phone-iphone/1027805 "2026-03-17T14:19:26Z")
I’m frustrated. I decided to update my password for my Gmail account. I did it on my laptop computer. So now I get to work and try signing in on my phone. I enter my new password, and I get a screen that basically says … --- ## [WTF is going on with my computer mouse?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-is-going-on-with-my-computer-mouse/1028366)
**Author:** [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [March 12, 2026, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-is-going-on-with-my-computer-mouse/1028366 "2026-03-12T11:53:05Z")
All right, this is weird. Booted up my computer today, and the mouse didn’t work at all. Didn’t matter where I plugged it in. Restarting did nothing. Okay, I think, I must have a dead mouse. Plugged in my son’s brand-… --- ## [Two computers on a "KVM Switch"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-computers-on-a-kvm-switch/1027236)
**Author:** [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2026, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-computers-on-a-kvm-switch/1027236 "2026-02-05T00:29:36Z")
I could use some advice. I think this is more FQ than IMHO, but I’m flexible. . . I’ve got an old Win 10 desktop computer (“Ol’ Gurdy” who’s been mentioned here before), that is still functional and I"d like to keep usi… --- ## [What is filling up my Mac hard drive WHILE I am watching it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-filling-up-my-mac-hard-drive-while-i-am-watching-it/1026595)
**Author:** [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2026, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-filling-up-my-mac-hard-drive-while-i-am-watching-it/1026595 "2026-01-17T23:15:17Z")
Mac Mini. Running OS Sequoia 15.5 250 Gig HDD I have less than 5 Gig left on it- and I don’t keep ANY large files on it. Everything of size lives on a 1 Tb external drive on the desk. I’ve run BOTH of my anti-virus s… --- ## [2017 iMac- RAM upgrade workaround?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2017-imac-ram-upgrade-workaround/1026172)
**Author:** [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2025, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2017-imac-ram-upgrade-workaround/1026172 "2025-12-31T17:34:29Z")
This seems the story of my life. I tried a workaround on my home Mac Mini, since it is limited to RAM that’s native to the motherboard. Now, in the Midwest. Sitting before the iMac we bought for my MIL. It’s getting slo… --- ## [Fixing My Dell Laptop](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fixing-my-dell-laptop/1026105)
**Author:** [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2025, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fixing-my-dell-laptop/1026105 "2025-12-28T16:03:05Z")
I have a Dell XPS 15 that’s about 3-4 years old. I was using it and the screen went blank. Efforts to reboot gave me two orange flashes of the power light, followed by 4 white flashes. A little googling and it’s probabl… --- ## [WIn11 connecting to BT always at 100% volume](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/win11-connecting-to-bt-always-at-100-volume/1025822)
**Author:** [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2025, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/win11-connecting-to-bt-always-at-100-volume/1025822 "2025-12-18T12:25:31Z")
Hi there, on my business comp I still need to run win. For a long time already there is always the same “nuisance” that is grating: I listen to some smooth jazz on YT, etc… at low volume (say 20%) with the internal sp… --- ## [Help Setting Up Dual Monitors w/Work Laptop](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-setting-up-dual-monitors-w-work-laptop/1025623)
**Author:** [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2025, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-setting-up-dual-monitors-w-work-laptop/1025623 "2025-12-14T20:11:43Z")
Hi. So, I’m getting dual monitors for my home office. It’s mostly because the dated Dell laptop my work provided does not work properly with the ultra-wide monitor I bought, and I need serious real estate to do my job. … --- ## [Tech help: Laptop harddrive problem--worth troubleshooting?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tech-help-laptop-harddrive-problem-worth-troubleshooting/1025567)
**Author:** [@LynnM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LynnM)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2025, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tech-help-laptop-harddrive-problem-worth-troubleshooting/1025567 "2025-12-10T21:06:15Z")
My Lenovo X131e laptop won’t start Windows10. Pressing the laptop Start button takes me right into the BIOS settings screen. Sometimes there’s a “click…click” sound from the harddrive. I can boot the laptop using a Linu… --- ## [Please recommend a laptop for me](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-a-laptop-for-me/1024042)
**Author:** [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [December 6, 2025, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-a-laptop-for-me/1024042 "2025-12-06T19:37:28Z")
I know there are other threads on this, but I want to make my requirements clear. It must be a Windows machine since the editor I have used for over 40 years runs only under windows. It should be 15” although I guess 14… --- ## [Advice sought on updating my home wifi!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-sought-on-updating-my-home-wifi/1025085)
**Author:** [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [December 3, 2025, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-sought-on-updating-my-home-wifi/1025085 "2025-12-03T11:59:08Z")
Thanks in advance for advice and help. At present I have 3 Apple airports (one actually being a time capsule), all wired by Ethernet to my internet modem/router. They are “meshed” so all running the same wifi network na… --- ## [Let's do another "help me buy a gaming PC" thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-do-another-help-me-buy-a-gaming-pc-thread/986812)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Replies:** 107\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2025, 6:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-do-another-help-me-buy-a-gaming-pc-thread/986812 "2025-11-29T06:56:25Z")
It’s time for me to buy a new PC and I’m hoping to find a good deal as prices drop in the leadup to Prime Day. I keep thinking about getting a laptop but, realistically, it’ll just end up tied to a dock 99% of the time. … --- ## [Does Microsoft record incorrect password attempts?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-microsoft-record-incorrect-password-attempts/1024601)
**Author:** [@Briny\_Deep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Briny_Deep)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2025, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-microsoft-record-incorrect-password-attempts/1024601 "2025-11-05T23:09:21Z")
(This question could apply to any tech firm or any website) When I sign into Hotmail, occasionally I’m on autopilot and enter my master password for my password manager, instead of my Hotmail password. Does Microsoft re… --- ## [Computer problem -- won't start, not even a BIOS screen](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-problem-wont-start-not-even-a-bios-screen/1024296)
**Author:** [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2025, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-problem-wont-start-not-even-a-bios-screen/1024296 "2025-10-27T19:11:24Z")
I put it here because it’s my gaming computer, but if this should go into IMHO, that’s fine, too. I have a computer that I built a few years ago, say 6 years ago. Over the years, I’ve upgraded the hard drives and video… --- ## [Please help me buy a Windows 11 Laptop (thanks all, ordered)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-buy-a-windows-11-laptop-thanks-all-ordered/1023311)
**Author:** [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2025, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-buy-a-windows-11-laptop-thanks-all-ordered/1023311 "2025-09-24T19:39:10Z")
I need something light weight for travel with good battery life. It should be able to play basic games, nothing fancy. I live on a PC, so this will be my second computer, not prime. I figure: 1 TB SSD storage At lea… --- ## [MacBook P20 15 - Lost my left-click on the Trackpad](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/macbook-p20-15-lost-my-left-click-on-the-trackpad/1022995)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [September 17, 2025, 10:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/macbook-p20-15-lost-my-left-click-on-the-trackpad/1022995 "2025-09-17T10:48:51Z")
I’ve lost the left-click on my Trackpad on my MacBook Pro 15, 2.3 GHz 8-core Intel Core i9. My Trackpad settings are: Force Click and haptic feedback: On Look up and data detectors: Tap with Three Fingers Secondary cl… --- ## [External DVD drive does not self start in Windows 11](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/external-dvd-drive-does-not-self-start-in-windows-11/1023096)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2025, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/external-dvd-drive-does-not-self-start-in-windows-11/1023096 "2025-09-16T21:39:27Z")
I have the original CD for Office 2003. It worked OK in Windows 10 although it did ask for permission to modify whenever I started Word. My new mini computer does not have a way to hook up a drive so I bought an external… --- ## [Hard Drive Installation Advice](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-drive-installation-advice/1022629)
**Author:** [@Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Half_Man_Half_Wit)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [September 1, 2025, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-drive-installation-advice/1022629 "2025-09-01T15:55:20Z")
(I’m not sure exactly if this is the right forum, but since I’m seeking advice and guidance, I figured this might be a better fit than FQ, but I’m happy to have the thread moved if the mods should differ.) So I recently… --- ## [USB-A to USB-C Mysteries](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usb-a-to-usb-c-mysteries/1022453)
**Author:** [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2025, 8:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usb-a-to-usb-c-mysteries/1022453 "2025-08-26T08:34:38Z")
I have an external accessory for my PC tablet. It connects to the PC via USB for both power & data. It happens to be an RFID reader/writer, which means very low power draw. But the device type in and of itself probably i… --- ## [DIY Computer Omnibus Thread. Builds. Upgrades. New Tech. Etc](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diy-computer-omnibus-thread-builds-upgrades-new-tech-etc/994187)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 167\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2025, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diy-computer-omnibus-thread-builds-upgrades-new-tech-etc/994187 "2025-08-20T00:59:29Z")
We have a couple of threads on “Help me build a PC” and I thought maybe we could have a general thread about building/maintaining/upgrading PCs and the new tech that can affect all of that? People can ask questions. We… --- ## [Repurposing an old Window 7 to Linux](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repurposing-an-old-window-7-to-linux/1015309)
**Author:** [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2025, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repurposing-an-old-window-7-to-linux/1015309 "2025-08-17T21:51:43Z")
So, a bit if an intro: I’ve got a 2011-purchased HP laptop that seemingly runs fine when I fire it up. “Ol’ Gurdy” has survived several deployments overseas, and still has her OEM Windows 7 installed. She has not seen a… --- ## [Computer advice (How to prepare for switching to a new Windows laptop)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-advice-how-to-prepare-for-switching-to-a-new-windows-laptop/1014899)
**Author:** [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2025, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-advice-how-to-prepare-for-switching-to-a-new-windows-laptop/1014899 "2025-07-14T02:44:58Z")
I’ve got a Windows 10 laptop that’s getting old and is not capable of handling Win11, so I’m going to need a new computer sometime soon. But I want to make the process of transferring all my settings and data as easy as … [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/tag/computer-hardware/88.md?match_all_tags=true&page=1&tags%5B%5D=computer-hardware)