If you need to reinstall your Windows, you can use your computer’s Windows restore CDs.  That is the ideal way to reinstall Windows since it includes a full list of drivers, loaded software for your hardware devices.  With just the Windows CD, you still have to install of the drivers after. 

If you don’t have the manufacturer restore CDs, you can order them from your computer manufacturer.  If your computer is still under warranty, you will receive them for free.  If out of warranty, you’ll need to pay a fee around $50 - $85 for the restore CDs.  This is an overlooked small fee, compared to the $199 - $299 fee that Windows costs. 

So, next time when you need to reinstall Windows, start looking or buying your manufacturer’s CD and save some time and money.

If your computer cannot boot all the way into Windows, there is a chance your hard drive is dead.  And if you listen closely to where your hard drive is enclosed, you might here the unfortunate clicking noise.  The clicking noise means that your hard drive has a bad or failed part inside of it.  Typically, it could mean that the head of the drive that holds your files could have failed or is partially failing.  Or the read/write actuator arm has moved and is coming down on the head, causing a noise. 

If one part has failed, there is usually a chance of recovering the files by replacing this part.  You should enlist a professional data recovery company for this.  Without the proper dust-free environment and machinery, you could further damage your hard drive, rendering any type of recovery useless. 

The difficult data recovery subjects are when one of the hard drive’s parts collides with another part.  When that happens, the important parts, such as the platters might be affected.  The platters are practically the only part that is irreplaceable since it contains the data.  When a part fails such as the head, and if it has a domino effect of falling down on the platters, the platters could break in pieces and your files will be unrecoverable.

In sum, if your drive doesn’t have a domino effect, and your platters are in good shape, your files have a good chance of recovery.

Yes, most if not all files will be able to be transferred fine from a PC to a new mac.  Microsoft Office files, such as Word, Excel, Access, Powerpoint, and Outlook will be able to workeded with on a mac by having Microsoft Office for Mac installed on the mac.  Pictures, such as .jpeg’s and .tiff’s will be viewed by the Mac operating system software or viewable within iPhoto. 

The tricky software to transfer are accounting software (i.e. Quicken, Quickbooks), photo editing software (i.e. Photoshop, Illustrator), and other proprietary software.  Why is it tricky?  Because you’ll need to get the same software that is made for the mac.  Or you can cheat like most people and just install Parallels on the mac so you can load Windows programs on it.  This way, you won’t have to worry about buying software you’ve already bought for your PC.

When making the switch, you can copy the files to DVDs or back up files to an external hard drive.  Just make sure the external hard drive is compatible for both macs and pcs so the file transfer is nice and easy.  If you’re uncomfortable with the file transfer, you should contact a trusted computer pc to mac professional.

If your laptop screen is very dim or faint, it could mean 3 things:

1. You mistakenly hit the the dim screen key combination
2. Your screen light / bulb or screen itself is failing
3. Your inverter board is failing

How do you fix it?  For option 1, you can hold down the “Fn” key and tap the up arrow key until the screen is bright enough.  For options 2 and 3, you’ll have to replace these parts.  The screen costs anywhere from $300 - $500 and the inverter board costs $100 - $150.  It is not easy to determine which part might have failed so it is recommended to take your dim laptop to a trusty computer repair technician.

You don’t have to just bet on stocks.  Now, inTrade allows you to bet on all types of topics, such as politics, the weather, and other predictions.  Is this legal?  20/20 just spotlighted this website tonight and feels it should not be legal.  That’s probably why the inTrade company is run from Ireland, where online gambling is not guarded by the law.

The news shapes how the value of the stocks are within inTrade.  It’s an easy site to be up and running in minutes.  And you can choose your favorite democratic candidate or McCain.

The site can use some serious computer support though since it is very slow navigating from page to page.  They probably need to increase their Internet speed to allow for good throughput.  Throughput is the width or bandwidth that allows simultaneous Internet users to access the site.  With more throughput, this site can be a force to compete with eTrade.  Ok, well maybe not in the near future.

When eBay first came out, it was the cool thing to do, almost like AOL instant messaging a couple of decades ago.  Then eBay became a bit of a mess since proper payment controls were not in place.  Now, eBay is at the forefront of buying and selling online due to its easy setup and locked down payment and fraud controls.

Should you buy computer equipment on eBay?  Yes, if the seller’s track record is good and you know to expect that the product is probably used.  We are actually in the process of setting up our new eBay store and it is an exciting process.  In minutes, we are able to advertise recertified laptops, desktops, and hard-to-find computer parts.  Not only are we able to sell computers quickly, but we can also put for sale specific AC Adapters that will be cheaper than going directly to manufacturers.

With PayPal, the playing field with payments is pretty much level since buyers and sellers are both protected against fraud.  With good research and a watchful eye, eBay can work for you.

If your computer crashes, your documents, pictures, and music might be gone if data recovery isn’t successful.  However, there is a second chance for your music if you have your music on your iPod.  iTunes does not have a way to sync from your iPod to your computer or iTunes.  It is a one-way transfer that iTunes performs: copy your iTunes songs to your iPod.  Otherwise, people might be sharing their playlists to avoid paying for iTunes fees and licenses.

But, what if you need to recover your songs, music, or videos from your iPod?  Or if you want to transfer your songs to a new computer?  There is a new software available called CopyTrans that will make your life easy when you want to copy over your iPod content. 

How does it work?  Install the CopyTrans software on the computer you want to copy over your iPod info.  Then, select some or all of your info and either copy it to a folder in your computer or directly import it for iTunes to play, view, or open. 

For a limited offer of $50, you may purchase the CopyTrans suite which includes recovering your music, pics, videos, and libraries.  You may also clone your iPod’s content for periodic backups.   Or you may purchase each software individually (i.e. Music, Photos, or Libraries) for $20 each.

This is definitely a lifesaver and we’ll be using this in our trusty tech tool support chest for a long time.

We get this tech inquiry all the time: Can I replace one of my laptop keyboard keys that fell off?  Sometimes, the key is pulled off by a touch of the finger.  Other times, a child might mischeviously rip a key off for fun.  So, it’s only one key.  It can just be put back on, right? 

Well, one some rare models of laptops, the key can be re-inserted or snapped back in.  However, most models are made were the keys are either practically soldered in or once the key comes off, its contacts are never the same and cannot be re-inserted.  Most fallen keys are ruined once they are disassembled.  

So, what can you do?  You really have to buy a new keyboard and have laptop repair technician install it, or install it on your own if comfortable.  When installing a replacement keyboard, you must be sure to ground yourself to not shock any components, and have a flat head and phillips screwdrivers handy.  The keyboard replacement typically consists with removing 6 - 8 screws and flipping off the keyboard/LCD plastic off.  Smaller laptops might entail removing the front frame, LCD panel, and other parts to locate the keyboard removal.

If you’re a naysayer, and want to put back a key, please note that if it cannot snap back, your key re-insertion is temporary at best.  And please don’t consider crazy glue!  Your key would be a permanent letter statue after crazy glue has its way with it.

If your computer doesn’t start up fully or reboots upon startup, there are many ways to figure out the issue and correct it.  You might have a virus, Windows corruption, software driver conflict, or hardware issue.

One helpful way to determine what he issue is with enabling the Boot Logging option.  You may do this by hitting F8 at startup and then selecting “Boot Logging.”  If your computer is still not starting up, restart your computer, hit F8 again, and select Safe Mode. 

After booting into Windows fully, go into C:\%SystemRoot%\ntbootlog.txt and read to find out which driver, hardware device, or software is the culprit.  Then, resolve the issue or ask a certified Windows tech to do the computer repair work for you.

In the end of the Microsoft / Yahoo! saga, 5 Billion dollars separated the two giants from merging.  Yahoo wanted to be bought $38 / share and Microsoft was only willing to pay $32 / share.  This $6 different amounted to over 5 Billion.

Steve Balmer, Microsoft’s head, wrote a nice letter explaining his reasoning to Yahoo’s chief, Jerry Yang.  This was just written 50 minutes ago.  You can check it out by clicking here.  Interestingly, Steve pleads with Jerry to not look to deal with Google and proceeds to provide extensive reasoning why not in the letter.  A little biased indeed since if Yahoo joins with Google, Microsoft will have lost the online advertising battle.

What will happen next?  Yahoo might look towards uTube or Google for possible parternships while Microsoft will have to forge on.