Computer Geek Question

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brendonv

brendonv

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My laptops screen all of a sudden turned static a few weeks ago. I somehow desperately need to retrieve my pictures, and bookmarks from it. Is this possible? Can something be pulled out of the inside and uploaded to another computer and have that info? I know nothing about computers, to excuse my terms.

These damned laptops do not last long, it's my third one which screen has gone blank.
 
We've never had a screen failure in our laptops, fwiw.

Recovering the pictures and such isn't a big deal, you can pull the harddrive, put it in an enclosure, and hook it up to another computer via the USB port as an external harddrive.

Using something like this.
 
yup, external screen or mount as an external drive, shouldnt be too hard so long as its merely a component failure.
 
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I wish I knew it was that easy when my other two bit the dust. The chargers start to get burning hot, as the batteries. The computers don't die to long after that. I've got three upstairs that are dead. Picked up an new Acer this morning, will have to rape the old Toshiba of my files.
 
Hmmm...if the power/batteries are doing that, you may have more of a problem than just a bad monitor. This has happened 3 times? That is unusual.
 
Just a thought, the air intake slots for the cooling fans are on the bottom of the laptop. If you make a habit of using the laptop someplace like on your bed then the soft bedding will block the air intake. Better off keeping it on a hard surface, or getting something to set it on if you're going to use it on your bed. A have a 2' long piece of a bookshelf I keep with my laptop.
 
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That's a good point. Could be why, my computer chair is very stiff, so I tend to have it on my lap on the couch or bed or something. The new one I'm going to try keeping in my office. Beds are for sleep and sex, so I'll keep it clear of that. Just have to stop from lounging on the couch with it.
 
Just get a big book or piece of plywood or something to set it on.

Or go to Office Depot and buy a nice Chinese leather recliner chair for your computer desk. Comfort for less than $100.
 
http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/80115790/ I have one of these for when I want to lounge and use the latpot. not that that happens often.
brada-laptop-support__73101_PE189508_S4.jpg
 
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On the topics of computers. Is there a cable I can buy which allows me to hook a computer up to a TV to view the screen?
 
If you get it hooked up, it may not show up on the tv automatically. Hold down the Fn key and hit F8. That should toggle the image from "laptop only" to "tv only" to "laptop & tv at the same time".

The toggle may not be real fast so give it a few seconds each time after hitting F8.
 
brendonv said:
On the topics of computers. Is there a cable I can buy which allows me to hook a computer up to a TV to view the screen?
Click to expand...

Yup. DVI to HDMI cable or SVGA to HDMI cable are the most common. It depends on the what output you have on your video card. If your video card has two outputs for dual monitors then you can have your monitor and tv hooked up at the same time. It is a good setup to watch movies, just download and click play. No need to burn a dvd or put a movie on a flash drive. UltraMon is a good software program to manage dual monitors.
 
B, my wife switched us from laptops to an iMac. At first I wasn't a fan, but quickly saw the light, and now would highly recommend one, fwiw.

Re the tv question, does anyone know if I can hook up the puter to the tv and pull out the tv shows saved in the tv DVR and record them on a disc of some sort so they will be permanently saved and my tv recording space can be emptied out to have room for new recordings??
 
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My lady has an apple, it's a nice computer, no troubles what so ever. I just have a tough time learning the changes, nothing crazy but enough to say "huh".


I bought a 300 computer from Walmart though, a pretty nice Acer. I just surf the web, e-mail, bills, nothing fancy. I want to be able to watch youtube vids, or vids on my itunes on a big TV. We opted for no cable tv as it's to expensive and i really only use it to go to sleep.
 
cory said:
Re the tv question, does anyone know if I can hook up the puter to the tv and pull out the tv shows saved in the tv DVR and record them on a disc of some sort so they will be permanently saved and my tv recording space can be emptied out to have room for new recordings??
Click to expand...

A lot of tv recordings are encrypted to prevent their copyrighted material from being passed around. It is not impossible, but it would involve hacking software and getting your hands dirty as far as I know. There may be more then one way to skin the cat as well. I have never done it, but it would be nice to have like you say.
 
I might be able to sell a Windows Media Center cheap to some one if they want it. I don't have the software for it, but it should network into your computer and be able to play on the TV. I think you need Windows Vista or 7 to run it.
 
I use isohunt.com and bit torrent to DL tv shows, movies etc, so long as it still works... :) My laptop connects to my flatscreen tv via the regular monitor cable.
 
Paul have you ever tried demonoid for torrents? It is one of the cleanest sites. I use isohunt every once in a while still if I can't find what I want on demonoid.
 
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