Mt Airy MD HP Business Desktop pro 3130 Numlock login problem – 21771

Posted on April 28, 2011 | Leave a comment

HP — you are building some very nice computers right now, but there is one little detail that you have slipped up on.

It is easy to Work Around, but it is ANNOYING.

You are shipping your business desktop pro with a very cool keyboard that does not have a separate number keyboard.  It uses less desk space, and really very few computer users ( at least few of my customers), use the number kepad keys.  BUT there is no BIOS setting to allow the owner of the computer to manage turning the numlock on, or not on, on bootup.

The Numlock key wants to start up locked on nums.  The keypad is integrated into the normal keys on the keyboard …. so …..

If you set up win7 to not require a login/password then you can turn off numlock the first time you login, and it seems to stay off …

If you watch it while you reboot, it actually come on during the bootup process, and once your win7 desktop starts … it is off.  Easy Peazy.

BUT if you follow industry standard, or turn on the HP Protect options, then you must visit the login screen during bootup.

UGH — if you watch the numlock lamp, it is lit when you are sitting at the password screen.  So every time you log in, you need to click off the numlock before you type in your password ( unless you have a left-hand only password).

The keyboard IS COOL, but you must either change the BIOS to never turn on numlock, or at least change the BIOS to allow the user to manage the BIOS.  Given many users never need to look at the CMOS settings, it would be best to add the option, but default it to NOT turning on num-lock.

Ironically enough I am preparing a HP ProBook 4520s for delivery to a customer.  It is a well priced, 15″ screen notebook, that HAS a separate number keypad.  Go Figure — a Desktop Pro 3130 with a keyboard w/out number keys, and a laptop computer with separate number keys ……

My .02 — fix the BIOS on the 3130 leaving the number keys off is a good move, and take the number keys off of most of your laptops w/ 15″ screens.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE release a BIOS update for the 3130 to address this annoying problem.

Leave a comment

Posted in Computer Repair, computer virus, Uncategorized

New Computer Setup In The Kentlands – Gathersburg MD – 20878 – Tschiffely Square Rd

Posted on April 26, 2011 | Leave a comment

P.D. I am glad we were able to help you find a good replacement for your Dell Computer.  I think that in general the HP Business Desktop Pro line seems pretty solid, and well priced.  In particular, the system you bought with 4GB of RAM, a 500GB hard disk, and a quad core processor should work well for you  for a long, long, time.

Glad we were able to help you out.

Leave a comment

Posted in Uncategorized

Hard Drive problem – Germantown MD – 20874

Posted on April 26, 2011 | Leave a comment

J.G. sorry about the sad state of your hard drive.  I am glad we were able to diagnose it quickly.  It is unfortunate to have a hardware problem in such a new computer, but at least it looked like imaging was an option that would get you back up and running quickly without data loss.

Leave a comment

Posted in Computer Repair

Remote Support – Virus removal and Maintenance – Bethesda MD

Posted on April 23, 2011 | Leave a comment

K.S. Thanks for letting us help you get your computer going yesterday.  It is great when we are able to get this kind of work done remotely.  Only $60 for you, and we don’t have to fight traffic, or burn fuel.  Thanks KS of Bethesda!

Leave a comment

Posted in computer virus

Computer Remote Support – Silver Spring MD 20906

Posted on April 23, 2011 | Leave a comment

D.E. your spyware and virus problem was a little challenging, but I am glad we were able to resolve the problem remotely … and in only 1 hour.  A big win-win.  We did not have to drive out to you, and you had your whole problem resolved for only $60.

Leave a comment

Posted in computer virus

Urbana Frederick MD Wireless Router Setup

Posted on April 19, 2011 | Leave a comment

M.B. of Urbana, sorry the housing market had such an effect on your furniture store.

But, I am glad I was able to help you with your wireless network problems in your townhome in Urbana.  I am still surprised that Wireless does not work better in your home, then it does.  Most wireless routers easily provide coverage to whole townhomes, it was surprising that the Linksys you had purchased at Best Buy started to fail so quickly.  Glad I was able to help replace it with something better.  I really like the Hawking Tech products, sometimes there are problems with early firmware levels, but after upgrading to the current firmware, usually they do treat.

Leave a comment

Posted in network problem

A Big Day for Technology Refresh in Bethesda, and Kentlands

Posted on April 16, 2011 | Leave a comment

Delivered one computer, and worked with a second customer to pick a new computer.

New Computer Setup Kensington 20852

E.H.on Tuckerman Lane in Bethesda, (or is that Kensington) , I hope you enjoy your new computer.  The HP Pro Book Laptops are really head-and-shoulders above what you can get at the retail stores.  It was great to see you will be getting a good 3.5 hours of battery life out of that one.  I think you picked a good balance of medium processing speed, but more memory, to help get good battery life out of a mid-priced laptop.

Old Computer Evaluation – New Computer Sale – Kentlands, Gaithersburg, 20878

P.D. of Tschiffely Square Rd, Kentlands, Gaithersburg glad I could help you on your new computer purchase.  The HP Business Desktop Pro line is really a bit better then the Pavilion line of computers you can find at the big box stores.  In your case, you will see that you are really getting a good computer for the price.  64-bit Windows 7 Pro, 1 TB hard drive, and a fast dual core processor should work great for you.

Leave a comment

Posted in Computer Repair

A big day for Laptop repair in Potomac MD

Posted on April 15, 2011 | Leave a comment

Yesterday started off with a simple drop-off of a wireless mouse to V.W. in Potomac, off Willowleaf Way, Potomac ( or is it Rockville)

Hey V.W. , you did not answer the door, so I left the mouse outside your front door.  I hope you got it.

Then off to E.M. on Gainsborough Rd, Potomac, 20854

How is it your kids broke soo many keys on your laptop?  Oh, well, an easy fix, as soon as I hear back from you, and get an OK, I will order a new keyboard, and install, as well as remove the malware causing the pop-ups, … but first I will reset your Admin Password.  Sorry your son forgot his password, but it is easy to blank it out … once I have a working keyboard.

Then back to willowleaf Way to see L.S.

First thanks to V.W. (above) for referring me to his neighbor (L.S) Willowleaf Way, Potomac 20854.  I am glad I was able to get your old Dell laptop up and running in the first 15 minutes.  Also glad I was able to help you get accustomed to Windows 7.  Sorry your old printer does not work with Win7 64-bit, but we would be happy to help you get a new printer, if you decide to go that route.

Leave a comment

Posted in Computer Repair, What our customers say

Ask Bob a Question

Posted on June 29, 2010 | 4 comments

Do you have a technical question.  Click on “Leave a Comment” below to post it here, I will try to check for and answer questions at least once a day.

4 Comments

Posted in Computer Repair, computer virus, network problem, XBOX

Tagged , , , ,

Computer Network Problem Gaithesburg ( Kentlands ) 20878

Posted on April 8, 2008 | 5 comments

THERE IS NO WARRANTY IMPLIED IN ANY WAY FOR ANY OF THE INFORMATION FOUND IN THIS BLOG. I HOPE YOU FIND THIS BLOG HELPFUL, BUT USE THE INFORMATION HERE AT YOUR OWN RISK.

Mike J, of Kentlands, thanks for allowing us to help you out.

Mike thought he had a long list of complicated problems. He suggested that perhaps we should just pick up his computer. We really prefer to at least take a quick look at the computer in place. Many problems these days are specific to the computing envronment.

Fernando was in, and out in an hour. It ends out that Mike has an incorrect Proxy setting, and that was keeping him from connecting to the internet properly.

On XP you can change the proxy settings by going

Start Menu -> Control Panel -> Internet Options -> Connection Tab -> LAN Settings button

Then you should see the proxy settings on the lower half of the window.

In Mike’s case these settings were incorrect, fixing them allowed him to get back on the internet.

Thanks for stopping by.

If you need help with your PC, Mac, Blackberry, Palm, Router, DSL, or Cable modem. Please try to contact us at WatzaNetwork?

We provide at your site services in Montgomery, and Frederick counties MD, including

Gaithersburg, The Kentlands, Lakelands, Montgomery Village, Germantown, King Farm, Rockville, Potomac, Darnestown, Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Silver Spring (including Liesure World), Takoma Park, Clarksburg, Urbana, Ijamsville, and Frederick, MD.

Or see our computer products store. We sell PCs ( XP and Vista ), Macs, Routers, etc.

5 Comments

Posted in Computer Repair, network problem

Tagged , , ,