My computer running Windows 7 indicated that new updates were available and proceeded to install these when I shutdown the computer. However, the next day when I started the computer it got stuck at the screen saying “Preparing to configure Windows. Please do not turn off your computer”. Since I could not proceed past this point I had to start Windows in Safe Mode and complete a System Restore. This successfully restored the computer to a working state, but the next time I shutdown and then started the computer Windows kicked off the same update, again getting stuck at the “Preparing to configure Windows” screen. What are my options for avoiding this problem? Should I backup all of my data and reinstall Windows? (more…)

Solid-state drives in computers are becoming much more common and provide a substantial performance increase. Traditional hard drives consist of a series of spinning magnetic drive platters, whereas solid-state drives have no moving parts and consist entirely of non-volatile memory chips. While solid-state drives are still relatively expensive compared with traditional hard drives, some new computers are coming with options for a solid-state system drive (containing the operating system and applications) together with a larger traditional secondary hard drive for storing user data such as documents. This allows you to get the advantages of solid-state, such as very fast system startup and application launching, together with the benefits of being able to store your documents on a large capacity hard drive.

After the computer has been turned-off for a period of time (a few hours) it takes more than 15 minutes to start-up again. While this is happening the computer whirrs away, but the screen is completely blank. Once the computer has finished booting-up (after the long wait) the screen is alive and everything works fine at a reasonable speed. However, if the computer is left running and goes to sleep then it can take up to another 5 minutes or more to wake-up. As you can see, it seems that the computer is a bit lethargic when waking-up from a dormant state! The strange thing is that if I shutdown the computer, and then immediately start it up again, it boots normally with all action visible on screen and is done in about a minute. Do you know why this is happening? (more…)

The iPad is a good way to introduce someone not particularly tech-savvy to using a computer. These devices are very easy to use and safe from viruses (given the secure nature of the operating system and the “sandboxed” way that apps run on the device). Additionally, given that all apps which are listed on the iTunes App Store have to go through review and approval with Apple, this gives you good peace of mind that such apps are legitimate and can be downloaded safely without fear of them doing anything untoward with your device. A separate internet connection is not even required, since with a 3G iPad internet connectivity is in-built, making it an excellent “starter” computer for people wishing to get onto the internet, email and use apps.

When I attempt to do a search using Bing I am redirected to somewhere else. This happens three times before it provides me with the results of my original search query. Why is this happening and how can it be fixed? The computer is running Windows XP. (more…)