Computer Questions Not Worth Their Own Thread II

[aimeeandbeatles]

I thought they were computer-specific and may not work if it detects other hardware

 

[illram]

No they work fine with new hardware. I think, based on what I have read and been told many times, that the only thing that will cause it to "think" it's been installed on a new computer in violation of the license is if it detects a new Motherboard. Whether you can eventually get it validated through a phone call to Microsoft (if you simply upgraded your mobo in your computer, for instance) I do not know. I honestly have not looked into it too much. (I always assumed that new mobo = new license, but never considered arguing the point with MS and I haven't actually read the OEM license in a long time.)

 

[Zelig]

Changes that trigger needing a phonecall to MS are complicated and not really worth keeping track of or worrying about.

 

[NickyJ]

I've got a question regard Windows 7's Microsoft Paint: I have a picture that I am editing, and I want to add some text. My problem is that when I select to put the text in, it is always under "opaque" or "transparent", both of which covering up the actual text. How do I make Paint just type in the letters and be done with it? (Pics can be supplied if necessary.)

 

[Narnia]

I've got a question regard Windows 7's Microsoft Paint: I have a picture that I am editing, and I want to add some text. My problem is that when I select to put the text in, it is always under "opaque" or "transparent", both of which covering up the actual text. How do I make Paint just type in the letters and be done with it? (Pics can be supplied if necessary.)

Try writing down the information you want and then copy pasting it into the text bar. That might correct your problem. If that isn't your problem, make sure that it is set to use a non-transparent color. I'm sorry for not being able to give better advice but your description of the problem was a bit hard for me to understand, maybe if you restated it we might be able to give you more/better help.

 

[Narnia]

Does anyone know a good way to clean out a laptop's keyboard? My keys stopped working right and I think it is because they are getting dirty

 

[Cutlass]

When your machine is powered off, you can clean the face with a damp cloth and a butter knife to work the cloth into the crevices. But if you have dirt, dust, ect down beneath the keys gumming them up, then you probably need to remove the keys and clean the area. That may not be possible on all laptops. But on most keyboards the keys snap into place. And can be snapped out of place and put back later.

 

[NickyJ]

Try writing down the information you want and then copy pasting it into the text bar. That might correct your problem. If that isn't your problem, make sure that it is set to use a non-transparent color. I'm sorry for not being able to give better advice but your description of the problem was a bit hard for me to understand, maybe if you restated it we might be able to give you more/better help.

My problem is that I can't try to find a non-transparent color. I'll try to do a better job explaining it:

I'm editing a picture. (For example, lets say it's my avatar, and I want to edit out the "NickyJ" in the name, and put in something different) First, I take the blue background and use it cover up my name. Next, I want to type out a different name. (Lets say "Narnia".) First, I select the text and set it to the dimensions I want. When I start typing in the letters, I notice that the letters are not appearing.

Never mind: While I was typing out my response, I decided to go into paint and so that I could try to find a better way to explain my problem. I started typing, and everything worked fine. I don't know what caused the problem, but whatever it was, it's gone now. Thanks anyway.

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

My problem is that I can't try to find a non-transparent color. I'll try to do a better job explaining it:

I'm editing a picture. (For example, lets say it's my avatar, and I want to edit out the "NickyJ" in the name, and put in something different) First, I take the blue background and use it cover up my name. Next, I want to type out a different name. (Lets say "Narnia".) First, I select the text and set it to the dimensions I want. When I start typing in the letters, I notice that the letters are not appearing.

Never mind: While I was typing out my response, I decided to go into paint and so that I could try to find a better way to explain my problem. I started typing, and everything worked fine. I don't know what caused the problem, but whatever it was, it's gone now. Thanks anyway.

You probably still had it as blue. You need to change the color or it wont show up

 

[shadowplay]

Does anyone know a good way to clean out a laptop's keyboard? My keys stopped working right and I think it is because they are getting dirty

If it's mainly dust and debris, spray it out with compressed air which you can purchase at any decent computer store. If it's sticky, then you're going to have to take the keys out. There are tutorials online and video tutorials on youtube you can find demonstrating how to do this if you don't know how.

 

[GoodGame]

If you have a ShopVac they sell a cheap set of attachments for cleaning small components like that (computer turned off course). I wouldn't use a high voltage powered device to clean the inside of a computer though. Therefore unplug the keyboard etc.. before the vacuuming to minimize risk.


A dab of rubbing alcohol (isopropanol) is pretty good if you want to go the hands-on approach.

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

My mom was using an alcohol pad (it's for first-aid like cuts and stuff) to clean her LCD and she didn't dilute it like I usually do. Could this damage it?

 

[_random_]

For some reason Chrome has a "generic program" icon on my desktop. How do I fix this?

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

For some reason Chrome has a "generic program" icon on my desktop. How do I fix this?

Sometimes the icons can glitch up. Look up how to clear the icon cache. If I knew your OS I'd provide instructions but I think its different between different OS's.

My mom keeps bugging me to print stuff out for her. I'm thinking about setting up a network printer so I don't have to. However I'm having issues with this. The computer the printer is attached to is Vista Home Premium. Her computer is Windows 7 (whatever the home edition is called). I keep trying and trying but it won't show up at her end so I think I did something wrong. So does someone have a simple tutorial from the beginning.

 

[GoodGame]

My mom was using an alcohol pad (it's for first-aid like cuts and stuff) to clean her LCD and she didn't dilute it like I usually do. Could this damage it?

Not sure personally, but I read that if there's an anti-glare coating on the screen that isopropanol will peel it off. I'd just be careful to use purified water to dilute it, again because of minerals.

I tend to use my eye-glass cleaner which is formulated for not harming optical coatings.

 

[shadowplay]

I have a commercial LCD cleaner that I got for free. It's 96% distilled water, 3% butoxyethanel, 0.4% anti-static and 0.3% "essense" (whatever that is). I'm pleased with the stuff, but I imagine 100% distilled water would work pretty well too. What's really important though is to use a microfibre cloth of some kind - most tissues or cotton rags can leave scratchs on LCD sceens. And don't use tap water as it contains minerals which can scratch/otherwise gunk up the screen.

 

[Quackers]

I wanna buy a gaming laptop.

I am completely flummoxed by laptop specs - what specs should i be looking out for? I know RAM is very important, anything else I'm confused by - like processor, graphic cards, etc. What should I be looking out for and what is bad, average, good or excellent?
Where can I get the most bang for my pound - UK?

 

[shadowplay]

Gaming laptops are power hungry, so I'd be paying close attention to the capacity of the battery. My gaming laptop has an 8-cell battery and it barely gets half an hour of good playing time on modern games before things slow down horribly and require a recharge. I've essentally got a stationary laptop as a result.

 

[Quackers]

Thats not going to be a problem because it's going to be stationary 99% of the time

 

[Cutlass]

Then get a desktop. Better screen, better keyboard, better everything except portability. If it isn't being moved, laptops have no advantages.