With the recent release of Windows 8, many PC users are discovering that some of their older hardware is no longer functional. A quick review of Device Manager shows the notorious "!" next to the entry for the device. Although the built-in driver database for Windows 8 contains the needed files for most hardware, some more esoteric components don't have the needed files available.
The first resource to check would be the manufacturer's website, specifically the page for downloads or drivers. If a Windows 8 version isn't available, a Windows 7 equivalent may work. I've sometimes found even Vista drivers can be a useful substitute.
Of course, this may just be a temporary workaround until newer drivers are available so return to the website occasionally to check for updates.
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Firefox not loading pages
DavyB from the UK asks:
"If I enter an address [www.ebay.co.uk for example] in the address box and click it does not work. What should I do to fix it. Is it a glitch that has arisen in Firefox? It does work in Internet Explorer!"
This is a question I get frequently, both with Firefox and Internet Explorer. Fortunately, it has a very simple solution.
A browser-specific problem like this is almost always related to an installed plugin that is interfering with the browser (in this case, Firefox). Disabling all add-ons temporarily is a good start. In Firefox, selecting Help > Restart with add-ons disabled will being with a clean slate.
This doesn't really fix the problem, though. The next step would be to systematically restore each add-on individually until the problem reoccurs which will isolate the plugin that's causing the issue. Once it's isolated, other action can be taken, such as using a developer-suggested workaround or even replacing the plugin with an working alternative.
"If I enter an address [www.ebay.co.uk for example] in the address box and click it does not work. What should I do to fix it. Is it a glitch that has arisen in Firefox? It does work in Internet Explorer!"
This is a question I get frequently, both with Firefox and Internet Explorer. Fortunately, it has a very simple solution.
A browser-specific problem like this is almost always related to an installed plugin that is interfering with the browser (in this case, Firefox). Disabling all add-ons temporarily is a good start. In Firefox, selecting Help > Restart with add-ons disabled will being with a clean slate.
This doesn't really fix the problem, though. The next step would be to systematically restore each add-on individually until the problem reoccurs which will isolate the plugin that's causing the issue. Once it's isolated, other action can be taken, such as using a developer-suggested workaround or even replacing the plugin with an working alternative.
Let's Post That Blog!
What is this blog all about?
Well, you have to start somewhere. That's a simple bit of conventional wisdom and appropriate for what will be the first post of my first blog.
Since my teens, I've helped hundreds of computer users. Some had barely touched a keyboard before and others knew just enough to get themselves into trouble. I am good at what I do for three main reasons: I'm patient, detail-oriented and tenacious.
Patience is required because computer issues can be frustrating and doubly so when the expert you rely upon seems rushed or unsympathetic. This virtue is particularly important in phone or e-mail support where you aren't physically interacting with the device. Convincing other to follow simple instructions is not as straight-forward as you might think.
Having an attention to detail is critical. Your PC works through a complex interaction of components: CPU, memory, video, software and so on. Tracking down a particularly elusive problem takes not only time, but also often requires extensive preparation and research. I never skimp on the details, however trivial they may seem.
Which brings us to what I feel is so often overlooked by computer technicians these days: tenacity. In other words, you don't give up... ever... until the job is done. There is a certain mindset, especially in the retail repair environment, to take shortcuts; getting a paying customer out the door and a new customer in the door by any means necessary. Too often a novice tech (or even an experienced one) will jump to the quickest, easiest solution to resolve a problem. Wiping a hard drive when a software fix would suffice or encouraging costly upgrades when basic maintenance is required are often first steps when they should be the last.
I got out of the retail tech game for one reason and one reason only: I hated the constant pursuit of profit at the expense of the customer. Well, that and working those wacky hours!
So this gets us back to the purpose of this blog. The advice you will read here is free. In the spirit of complete disclosure, you may see advertising or links to sites that sell useful products, but only if I truly believe in them. Ask anyone who knows me: I'm a lousy salesperson!
Please contact me if you have a particularly thorny issue that needs to be resolved. Odds are what you need is good advice and not an expensive trip to a tech or frustrating call to support.
To get things started, my first real post follows. Let's fix that PC!
Well, you have to start somewhere. That's a simple bit of conventional wisdom and appropriate for what will be the first post of my first blog.
Since my teens, I've helped hundreds of computer users. Some had barely touched a keyboard before and others knew just enough to get themselves into trouble. I am good at what I do for three main reasons: I'm patient, detail-oriented and tenacious.
Patience is required because computer issues can be frustrating and doubly so when the expert you rely upon seems rushed or unsympathetic. This virtue is particularly important in phone or e-mail support where you aren't physically interacting with the device. Convincing other to follow simple instructions is not as straight-forward as you might think.
Having an attention to detail is critical. Your PC works through a complex interaction of components: CPU, memory, video, software and so on. Tracking down a particularly elusive problem takes not only time, but also often requires extensive preparation and research. I never skimp on the details, however trivial they may seem.
Which brings us to what I feel is so often overlooked by computer technicians these days: tenacity. In other words, you don't give up... ever... until the job is done. There is a certain mindset, especially in the retail repair environment, to take shortcuts; getting a paying customer out the door and a new customer in the door by any means necessary. Too often a novice tech (or even an experienced one) will jump to the quickest, easiest solution to resolve a problem. Wiping a hard drive when a software fix would suffice or encouraging costly upgrades when basic maintenance is required are often first steps when they should be the last.
I got out of the retail tech game for one reason and one reason only: I hated the constant pursuit of profit at the expense of the customer. Well, that and working those wacky hours!
So this gets us back to the purpose of this blog. The advice you will read here is free. In the spirit of complete disclosure, you may see advertising or links to sites that sell useful products, but only if I truly believe in them. Ask anyone who knows me: I'm a lousy salesperson!
Please contact me if you have a particularly thorny issue that needs to be resolved. Odds are what you need is good advice and not an expensive trip to a tech or frustrating call to support.
To get things started, my first real post follows. Let's fix that PC!
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