Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Computing/2014 February 19

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February 19

the screen of my tablet pc cannot be turned on anymore I'm afraid some password is still stored in browser autocompletion db

the repairer could steal those passwords.. what could I do? could I try buying a hdmi cable to connect the tabletpc to another monitor? --Ibozoo-uu-indrid-cold (talk) 14:50, 19 February 2014 (UTC)

Well, you could remove the hard drive before sending it in for repair. If the repair only has to do with the screen, then it can probably be fixed and tested without the machine being booted into an operating system. You could provide a bootable copy of Linux on a USB stick and then the repair guy can use that to verify that his fix is working. However, you should certainly be able to use an external video cable to get the laptop running so that you can flush out all of that stuff first...it's just a bit of an inconvenience to have to dump all of that useful stuff, and if you're worried that the repair guy is "evil" then who knows what else you might need to remove. There have been stories of those guys stealing music, copying photos, games and who-knows-what from people's computers. Sure, you might remove them from your browser's database - but suppose he can check your email and do password-recovery from various websites to get your details...suppose he inserts a trojan onto your system that reads your password file every hour for the next month and sends it back to him? Once you give someone that you don't trust physical access to your computer, all bets are off.

So either you have to find a repair guy you trust - or you remain with him while he repairs your computer - or you yank the hard drive before you give it to him. SteveBaker (talk) 03:03, 20 February 2014 (UTC)

One solution is to change all the passwords that may be stored on the device. If you have access to a different PC, you could do it before sending the tablet in for repair. (This is more secure.) If you don't have access to a different PC, change the passwords after you get the tablet back. (This is not as secure, but better than nothing.) Mitch Ames (talk) 08:25, 22 February 2014 (UTC)

"49 Err 3D910C8" but I KNOW its a computer problem, not a printer one

I have an office network that contains a processing computer, several networked computers and two printers. When attempting to print to either printer from the processing computer, it reads "printing document" for a bit then switches to "49 err 3D910C8 Please turn ON and OFF" It's unresponsive until I restart the printer.

Now here's the thing: the other computers work perfectly with the printer. I send the job, it prints. That means the problem's gotta be with the processing computer. But online, everyone seems to think that error message requires repairing the printer somehow. What can I do to find what's causing the problem from the processing computer?

(Also of note: last night an employee accidentally downloaded an Ask toolbar that took over my browser, they were attempting to open a PDF. I only wonder if this is relevant because this person mentions a similar backstory to their problem.) 50.43.130.15 (talk) 19:10, 19 February 2014 (UTC)

As a IT and printer specialist, it appears you have an HP LaserJet series. 49 is analogous to a blue screen of death. Since it is related to a specific computer, there is a problem there. I suggest you delete the driver, download the latest version and reinstall it. --  Gadget850 ^talk 02:59, 20 February 2014 (UTC)

It does sound like a driver issue. Try the hp Universal Print Driver for Windows. http://h20331.www2.hp.com/hpsub/cache/343033-0-0-225-121.html?jumpid=ex_r2845_go/upd I use it for Windows 95/98 era printers and it works great on XP and Win7. 196.214.78.114 (talk) 07:13, 20 February 2014 (UTC)

Well, I'm not sure what fixed it, but its fixed. (Yes, you are right it's an HP Laserjet. Sorry for forgetting to specify.) I downloaded your driver and I ran a bunch of anti-viruses to remove the toolkit, and one of those two things fixed the problem. The computer is incredibly slow to print now (can take up to 30 seconds to process, send and finally print a one-page document) but it works again. Though the problem is fixed, any advice on speeding the printer up? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 50.43.130.15 (talk) 15:49, 20 February 2014 (UTC)

The HP universal driver works, but if you can find a driver for your specific product it should work better. --  Gadget850 ^talk 15:57, 20 February 2014 (UTC)