Q: I'm shopping for a new computer. I remember you've recommended buying one that comes with a separate video card as opposed to one that uses a chip on the circuit board. Can I safely add a video card? I've found a computer with onboard graphics, not a separate video card. It fits all my other requirements, including price.
Jason McMillan
A: There have been a lot of advances in what is called "onboard graphics" since I offered that advice. Many home users, even those who play computer games, may now be able to get by just fine without a separate video card. Unless you consider yourself a heavy-duty gamer, try your computer first before popping for a separate video card. You may be pleasantly surprised.
For those who need the power of a video card, adding one is easy. But keep in mind that the most powerful graphics cards consume quite a bit of power. And the low-end computers that often come with "onboard graphics" instead of a video card often have relatively tiny power supplies. So contact the manufacturer of your computer and furnish the exact name of the card you plan to add -- or its power requirements -- to make sure your machine's power supply can handle that added load.
Q: Both my TV and my DVD player will let me stream video to my television. However, in both cases I'm limited to a set menu of places I can visit. I'd like to stream video from any website I select. How do I do that?
Rick Deines
A: I've boiled down this excellent question from Rick. He's right -- most Internet-ready televisions and DVD players do limit your choices of video streaming sources. That's fine for those who just want the ability to stream Netflix and some of the other usual suspects. But some want streaming without those pre-defined limits. The way to get there is to either connect a computer to your television (usually with an HDMI cable), or to find a device that includes a Web browser.
For me, the answer has been connecting a device called a Boxee Box to my television. It has a built-in processor chip and a Web browser. I can use its remote to cruise the Web in the same way I would with my computer but see the results on the big television's screen. And, unlike a computer, the device is small and stylish. A computer in the den wouldn't bother me at all. But my wife finds the tiny and good-looking Boxee Box easier to live with. So my choice of the Boxee Box makes her easier to live with. It also seems more reliable, as far as avoiding screen freezes and other problems, than when I connect using my Wi-Fi-ready DVD player.
It's worth a look. You can find more information here: www.dlink.com/boxee.
If you decide to attach a computer directly to your TV using an HDMI cable your computer and TV would need to be HDMI-ready), then this website would help: http://tinyurl.com/d2buse.
Q: While doing a backup of my data, I took a couple of really old discs and threw them in the trashcan. My wife asked "Can those be read by somebody else" and I realized that they sure could be. What is the best way to destroy old DVDs?
Harry Wilson
A: I break discs like that into several pieces before discarding them. But you need to be careful since the jagged plastic parts could injure you. Wrapping the disc in a towel will help you avoid that. There are some shredding machines capable of handling something as sturdy as a CD, but mine isn't. So I'd be careful of using a shredder unless the manual tells you specifically that it can handle the task.
I don't have another technique that works for me when it comes to getting rid of old CDs or DVDs that contain personal information. If a reader has a better method, I'd be glad to hear about it by e-mail.
Have a question?
Please send questions to Bill Husted at tecbud@bellsouth.net. Although he reads every e-mail, not all are answered. E-mails are selected for publication based on the likelihood the answers will be of general interest.
