Maximum PC

Posted 07/08/08 at 07:08:37 PM by The Maximum PC Staff

How much antivirus and firewall protection do I need? I just purchased a laptop that comes with Norton Security 2007. I had also planned on using Webroot AntiVirus, which includes a firewall and anti-spyware protection. I also thought about using ThreatFire after I read about it in Maximum PC (February 2008), as well as Spybot Search & Destroy. Is all this overkill? What do you recommend?

After the jump: Our experts' answers!

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threatfire, spybot search & destroy, norton, ask the doctor

Posted 07/08/08 at 06:40:41 PM by The Maximum PC Staff

I built an Intel-based system that’s running on a Gigabyte 945P-S3 motherboard. I’m chugging on three SATA hard drives—a 120GB, 250GB, and 500GB. The processor is a Core 2 Duo E6300 running at 1.86GHz, along with 4GB of 667MHz memory and a GeForce 5800 Ultra Extreme 512MB graphics card.

So what’s my problem? The system runs OK with 64-bit Vista Ultimate SP1, but I have a problem with the 500GB drive disappearing. It doesn’t show up in any of the installed diagnostic programs, Windows disk management, or anywhere else. If I swap the power supply connector around, the drive will show up for a while, but then it disappears again. (The power supply is a Thermaltake 800W unit that’s about a year old, and it has swappable plug connectors.)

 Most times a reboot shows the disk in the BIOS as “BzBzBzBz...” What’s going on?

Hit the jump to see what Frank's options are!

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ask the doctor, disappearing drive, sata, data recovery

Posted 07/08/08 at 05:00:52 PM by The Maximum PC Staff

My computer has an Intel Core 2 Duo E6550 2.33GHz CPU, an Nvidia nForce 680i SLI mobo, a Sapphire Radeon X1950 videocard, and Windows XP. Since installing a new stick of RAM, the screen remains black when the computer is turned on. The monitor turns on, but the screen remains black.

I tried reinserting the graphics card, but there was no change. I also tried changing the monitor and the cable, but the result was still the same. Is there something wrong with the graphics card?

Hit the jump for the answer!

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Posted 07/08/08 at 03:17:39 PM by The Maximum PC Staff

Hey Doc,

I’m looking to build a desktop computer for home use. I want to go as wireless as possible—wireless keyboard and mouse, wireless headset, etc. The only thing that should be plugged in to my computer is, of course, the power supply. Do you know of any Intel Core 2 Duo chipset–based motherboards that feature built-in Wi-Fi for smooth wireless home computing?

Good question, Castlevaniaxx! Hit 'Read More' for the answer!

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wireless, wi-fi, p5e3, ASUS P5E3 Deluxe Wi-Fi, asus, ask the doctor

Posted 05/28/08 at 01:26:15 PM by The Maximum PC Staff

This month, the Doctor tackles mysterious unrecognized devices, HDCP's colossal headaches, and trying to back up content from your DVR.

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usb, RAID, nforce, HDCP, dvr, Crossfire, ask the doctor

Posted 04/28/08 at 03:07:10 PM by The Maximum PC Staff

Diagnosing and curing your PC problems - vanishing registry entries, blank screens, loud noises, and "thermal events".

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vista, speaker issues, registry, ram, doctor, cpu, ask the doctor

Posted 04/01/08 at 05:40:16 PM by The Maximum PC Staff

Diagnosing and curing your PC problems: Where's my picture, why can't I repair my OEM Vista install, where's my bandwidth, and why can't I transfer this file? Problems galore!

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vista, ram, network transfers, doctor, ask the doctor

Posted 03/03/08 at 02:20:01 PM by The Maximum PC Staff

Diagnosing and curing your PC problems - Why your power button doesn't work, yet more SLI confusion, and why high-end laptops won't run XP.

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windows xp, toshiba, sli, front-panel connector, ask the doctor, 7900 sli