Ask the Tech Guy |
| In this weekly column, our resident "tech guy" answers reader's tech questions. |
Beeping sound heard during computer startup. |
Dear Tech Guy, Every time I start my computer, it makes a beeping sound, and I don’t know why it does that. Is this just a normal computer thing, or is there possibly something wrong with my computer? |
| Submitted by: Joanne Telleth |
| Answer: When you start an IBM compatible PC, it runs a hardware systems check called a POST (Power-On Self Test). If everything is O.K., the computer will make one short beep. If an error is found, the computer will make a different audio code, or display a code number on the monitor. With this audio or number code, you can determine which part of the system has encountered a problem in order to resolve it. |
LightScribe emblem displayed on CD-ROM drive. |
Dear Tech Guy, I recently bought a new computer, and I noticed that it said LightScribe near the CD-ROM drive. Does that mean that there are special CDs called LightScribe, and if so, are they the only ones that I can use on my PC? |
| Submitted by: Hector Carbajal |
| Answer: LightScribe is an optical disc recording technology invented by Hewlett-Packard and is licensed to many manufacturers. It uses specially coated recordable CDs and DVDs to create labels etched directly on the non-data side of the discs by laser. The same laser that is used to burn and read data on the discs is also utilized to etch the labels. You do not need to use LightScribe discs in your CD drive, but if you do, you will have the option of creating the laser-etched labels. |
Webmail still active on a shared computer. |
Dear Tech Guy, While using a computer at the school media center, I decided to check my Gmail. I then surfed to other web sites, and later returned to my email account. Surprisingly, I found that I was able to access my account again without logging-in, so I was concerned that someone else could have accessed my account on that computer in the same way. Is this a valid assumption? |
| Submitted by: Susan Katz |
| Answer: Yes, this certainly is a valid security concern while using Gmail (Google mail) or many other Web-based e-mail accounts on a shared or public computer. Many Web mail services utilize a session cookie (also called a transient cookie) when you open your account. This keeps your session active if you leave and return to it later. Therefore, it is a very good security practice to actually log-out of your account before going on to something else. This invalidates your current session, and does not allow access to your account without going through the log-in process again. Also, session cookies are erased once you close the Web browser. |
Do you have a question about computers or other types of technology? the tech guy with your question. |
|
Happily hosted by bluehost. ©2006 Education Oasis™ http://www.educationoasis.com |
