TechEnthusiast's stats
- Review count209
- Helpfulness votes894
- First reviewAugust 16, 2014
- Last reviewJune 2, 2026
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4.1
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- Helpfulness votes0
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Questions
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- Answer count13
- Helpfulness votes17
- First answerAugust 25, 2016
- Last answerJanuary 22, 2022
- Featured answers0
- Best answers2
Ideal for the home, office, or dorm, Seagate Expansion desktop drive offers enormous desktop storage for photos, movies, music and more. Backing up and transferring content is incredibly easy ~ just drag and drop! To get set up, connect the USB hard drive to Windows or Mac ~ no software required. For Apple Time Machine, simply reformat. Included is an 18-inch USB 3.0 cable and 18W power adapter. Plus, Seagate Expansion comes with Rescue Data Recovery Services for additional peace of mind.
Customer Rating
5
Massive storage drive. Great for video archival.
on August 21, 2025
Posted by: TechEnthusiast
I'm a digital packrat.
I'm constantly in the market for more digital storage for my digital media. I do a fair amount of photo and video editing, and I have terabytes worth of files that I'm constantly shuffling between devices. I'm also a gamer, and I have some massive game installs eating up hard drive space.
This external drive is an absolute godsend.
Up until now, my files have been backed up across a patchwork set of 1TB - 4TB external hard drives. I have one drive for video files, one drive for movies, another drive for game files, and still another drive for various documents and forms.
Don't even get me started on redundant backups. I have a couple extra drives to backup absolutely critical files. But by and large, my files are a mess, and I'm constantly at risk of losing something.
This drive fixes all of that.
This drive is large enough that I was able to consolidate all of my files into one spot. This is now my "primary" drive, and my hodgepodge collection of smaller drives are now my "backups." Even better, I have room to spare.
This drive is an absolute game-changer for me. I finally have control over my digital life.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Logitech MX Master 3S Bluetooth Edition ~ productivity and precision mouse. With Quiet Clicks and 8K DPI any-surface tracking for more feel and performance.
Customer Rating
5
Magnificent mouse for creators
on August 7, 2025
Posted by: TechEnthusiast
I absolutely love this mouse.
It's ergonomic and has lots of useful features. I love that it has both vertical and horizontal scrolls wheels. I also love that it can pair with multiple Bluetooth devices. The "button" in the thumbgrip is also quite useful (although the gestures are a little finicky). The gestures necessitate pressing down on the thumbgrip and moving the mouse forward or side to side to trigger different actions. I found that it didn't always correctly register my movements though. Simply pressing down on the thumbgrip (without using any additional movements to trigger gestures) worked fine though.
I do a lot of casual graphic design projects, and this mouse is absolutely great for my workflow. I am extremely pleased with it.
I do wish that this mouse came with a unifying receiver in addition to Bluetooth. I tried pairing this via Bluetooth with my older Mac, but it wasn't recognized at startup. It wasn't until I logged into my Mac that the mouse started working. Apparently this has something to do with the way Macs load third-party Bluetooth drivers at startup. A unifying receiver would have gotten around this issue. I had no issues pairing and using this mouse via Bluetooth on my Windows machines.
So far, battery life seems to be awesome. I charged this mouse once overnight, and I've been using it on a daily basis for more than a week, and it's still going strong.
I love this mouse.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Powered by the AMD Ryzen AI MAX+ 395 processor, 16 Zen 5 CPU cores, and 64GB LPDDR5X quad-channel unified memory, the 2025 ROG Flow Z13 combines portability and power in a sleek 13-inch chassis. Its 2.5K ROG Nebula Display, featuring a 180Hz refresh rate, 100% DCI-P3 color coverage, and touchscreen capability, delivers stunning visuals for gaming and creative tasks. With a 170~ adjustable kickstand, the new ROG Flow Z13 effortlessly transforms into a tablet for gaming and creativity on the go.
Customer Rating
4
Fantastically powerful but somewhat impractical
on July 5, 2025
Posted by: TechEnthusiast
I like the concept of detachable 2 in 1 laptops. I remember drooling over the Microsoft Surface when it first released. That being said, I seldom have a need to detach the keyboard. Sadly, that holds true for this device too.
The ROG Flow is well manufactured and extremely powerful. It was able to handle everything I threw at it. From online gaming to photo and video editing, this device was able to handle all of it with ease.
I did have some issues after the initial setup. I tried playing an online game, and none of my textures rendered correctly. I had to manually update my video driver in order to get things to display properly. I also had some issues with key repeats. Manually going into Windows' keyboard settings and adjusting the repeat rate largely fixed that problem (though it's still somewhat present).
I did remove the keyboard and played a few games with a controller in Steam's Big Picture mode. I can see this as being convenient if you're playing in an area with limited space (like a small table in a cafe or maybe on an airplane tray). That being said, I think this is a very niche use case. I could also see this capability as being useful if you plan on docking your Flow and using it as a desktop. You could detach the keyboard, plug the tablet into a dock with a keyboard and mouse, use the screen as a secondary monitor (assuming that you've connected a larger monitor to your dock), and have a nice productivity setup.
Battery life is "meh." It lasts a couple hours with light activity. It's nothing remarkable, but it's not awful either.
As a whole, the device is rather heavy. It's very cool that they were able to squeeze all of this into a tablet form factor, but it's a rather clunky tablet form factor. I will say that the port selection is excellent. My only complaint is that I wouldn't have minded a USB type-C port on the right hand side.
All in all, I think this is an excellent device.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Your go-to earbuds for incredible sound and quiet moments. GO POP ANC earbuds offer 24+ hours of total playtime, a slim, pocket-sized case, and clear calls. Customize your sound through the JLab app for a truly personalized audio experience. Feel the music like never before and make every moment extraordinary.
Customer Rating
4
Controls are inconsistent. Great sound though.
on June 21, 2025
Posted by: TechEnthusiast
I got these because the power button wore out on my old gym headphones.
I wanted something compact that wouldn't add any additional bulk to my already overburdened gym bag. These fit the bill nicely. The case is quite small and easily slips into a small pocket in my bag. The earbuds themselves are a little too small in some respects. It almost felt like they were falling into my ear canal since they went in so deeply. Fortunately, the earbuds do come with some additional rubber tips to ensure a proper fit.
The purple color is bright and cheerful. I appreciate that these aren't yet another piece of black electronic gear. Most of my furniture is black, and small black devices have a habit of going "invisible" when set on tables and the like.
The earbuds came with a partial charge. It looks like the plastic packaging blocking the charging points wasn't properly installed at the factory on my earbuds. My left bud had 3% battery out of the box, and my right bud had about 50%. The case has an integrated charging cable, and the earbuds both charged up easily overnight.
Battery life appears to be pretty good. I managed to get two workout sessions out of these before I had to recharge them.
The initial connection was very easy. I just had to remove the fully charged earbuds from their case, find and pair them via Bluetooth on my phone, and I was good to go.
Sound quality is great. I have no complaints about the volume or depth of sound. Turning on active noise canceling eliminated about 75% of the ambient background noise at the gym. I could still hear weights clanging, but it was very muffled.
The capacitive touch controls leave a little to be desired. I found that they seldom correctly registered my touches. Long presses, double presses, quick taps . . . none of them registered as intended half the time. This is disappointing, but it's not the end of the world.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Introducing Backbone Pro ~ a new era of mobile gaming control. Designed for performance and freedom, Backbone Pro lets you play anywhere, on any screen. Featuring full-sized ALPS joysticks, pro-style rear buttons, and a larger ergonomic form, it brings console-quality precision to your phone. Seamlessly switch between devices with Bluetooth Low Energy and enjoy up to 40 hours of battery life in wireless mode.1 With Backbone App integration, you can customize controls, remap buttons, and access your favorite games across mobile, cloud, and remote platforms. From iPhone to Android, smart TVs to tablets~Backbone Pro gives you the power to jump into any game, anywhere. ~
Customer Rating
5
Great product but some features cost extra
on June 11, 2025
Posted by: TechEnthusiast
I'm a big fan of GeForce Now and Moonlight. I have a gaming PC upstairs with lots of storage, and the bulk of my gaming library is installed on that.
Unfortunately, my living room TV is downstairs, and I also like to game in bed sometimes. Streaming to my laptop works fine, but it's a lot of extra bulk to comfortably position.
This is where products like the Backbone really shine.
The Backbone is a telescoping controller that fits around your phone. With the Backbone, you can stream your games to a small, handheld device with great ergonomics instead of a big, bulky laptop.
The Backbone is extremely comfortable in my hands. The buttons are well-positioned and feel quite responsive. I had no issues with stick drift or phantom inputs.
My one complaint about the build is in regards to the fit. I have a Pixel 8 phone in a bumper case, and the Backbone doesn't accommodate the camera bump very well. The Backbone comes with some alternate grips to better fit your case / non-case situation, but there doesn't appear to be anything that you can do to accommodate an oversized camera bump.
The controller has a USB type-C connection for connecting to your phone, a USB type-C port for passthrough charging, and a headphone jack. The only backlighting is on the one orange button on the right grip, and you can only adjust the intensity of the glow (not the color). This is adjusted via the app.
The controller didn't require any significant setup. I downloaded the app and plugged the controller in, and it was immediately recognized. The app has a great dashboard for launching your games, adjusting settings, and seeing what other games are recommended for this device.
Unfortunately, some of the features are hidden behind a pay wall. There's a monthly membership for unlocking features like touch mapping. I'm not so keen on that.
The controller worked well with GeForce Now and quite a few of my android games. I was able to play "Diablo Immortal," "Dead Cells," and "Streets of Rage" without issue. Unfortunately, the controller was not recognized by "Gunfire Reborn." Hopefully this is something that can be resolved in a future update.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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SURROUND SOUND IN STYLE. Block out the noise. Dial up the vibe. With Active Noise Canceling and THX Spatial Audio, Hesh 540 ANC doesn~t just play your music~it drops you right into it. Whether you're jamming, binging, or just zoning out, it~s all immersive, all day.
Customer Rating
5
A little bulky, but lightweight and comfortable
on June 5, 2025
Posted by: TechEnthusiast
I'm a huge fan of Skullcandy's devices. I've owned quite a few sets of headphones, earbuds, and Bluetooth speakers from them.
These headphones are a little bulky, but they are lightweight and have a good sound. They can be used either over Bluetooth or with a wired connection. They come with both a charging cable and a removable AUX cable. Battery life is excellent.
The build quality is "fair." They feel a little hollow and "plasticky," but they seem durable enough. They've held up just fine tossed in my backpack for a week, and I don't see any significant evidence of scratches or anything.
The headphones don't have much in the way of controls built onto them. There is a Skullcandy app for tweaking numerous settings. I'm not keen on this. I'd much prefer having physical controls on the headphones themselves. I have entirely too many apps for all of my various devices.
The headphones are quite comfortable. I've been wearing them for extended gaming sessions, and I haven't noticed any discomfort whatsoever. They also do an admirable job of blocking out ambient noise.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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The Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo Fan is the ultra-powerful, ultra-portable corded & cordless fan that delivers personal evaporative misting both outdoors and indoors. With a built-in misting tank, you can lower temperatures in seconds. With over 70 feet of portable cooling power, up to 12 hours of runtime, and an easy carry handle, you can bring cooling and misting on the go.
Customer Rating
5
Easy to setup with a broad range of speed options.
on May 27, 2025
Posted by: TechEnthusiast
This fan probably could have come with more instructions. Aside from a very sparse quick start guide, the only directions you receive are on little stickers that are plastered all over the exterior of the fan.
This is probably my biggest complaint about the fan. Aside from that, the fan works great.
The fan has a broad range of speeds to select from. At the lowest speed, it offers just enough of a gentle breeze to move air around the room. At its highest setting, it does a respectable job of cooling a medium size room (assuming that it's pointed in your direction).
The fan stresses making sure that the water reservoir is kept dry between uses, but there really isn't a good way of getting into it to dry it off. The best you can do is pour out any excess water and leave it uncapped to air dry.
I like that the fan can operate both with a plug or on battery. My home is prone to power failures during the summer, and having this around on 90+ degree days when the AC loses power will be a godsend.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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The Crucial P510 offers powerfully fast Gen5 read/write speeds of 11,000/9,500MB/s, reducing load times while enhancing overall system responsiveness. Built for both laptops and desktops with an easy-to-install single-sided design and power-efficient architecture, the P510 offers lower energy consumption and is designed to support battery life. Backed by Micron~s 45-year reputation for quality and reliability, the Crucial P510 delivers top-tier performance that can boost everything from your workflow to your next game.
Customer Rating
5
Super fast, large capacity SSD.
on May 5, 2025
Posted by: TechEnthusiast
This is an awesome SSD. It's lightning fast and has lots of space.
Most of my more recent games average around 20GB in size once installed. This drive is large enough to install quite a few of them with some additional room to spare.
The drive doesn't come with any thermal pads, thermal paste, heat spreaders, or even a screw. Installation was fairly painless, and it slotted into my motherboard without any issues. The drive comes unformatted, so you have to go into Windows disk management window to initialize it, format it, and assign it a drive letter. Once formatted, I had around 931 GB to use on this drive.
The drive is VERY fast. My game installations went smoothly, and I didn't notice any lag when loading my games.
I do worry about this drive potentially overheating without any type of heat spreader or thermal pad on it. Most of my other NVME drives that are 512GB or larger came with some type of thermal solution. I may pick up a third party heat spreader to prevent any issues in the future.
All in all, I'm quite pleased with this drive.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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The Insignia 6' USB to USB-C Braided Charge-and-Sync Cables (2-Pack) will not only charge your smartphone, but also let you transfer files and sync your device. The 6 ft. cable provides enough flexibility for various placement options and the braided jacket keeps the cable protected.
Customer Rating
5
Excellent cables. Nice length and construction.
on February 5, 2025
Posted by: TechEnthusiast
I picked up these cables since I never seem to have enough type-C cables for all of my various electronics.
In particular, I wanted cables to charge my Pixel 8 phone and my Kindle Fire tablet. These cables fit my needs nicely.
At six feet long, the cables are more than long enough for my needs. I'm able to charge my tablet while actively using it, and I don't have to contort myself to remain near the outlet.
The cables are covered in a nice, braided material that feels premium and should offer some protection against wear.
The USB-A connector is convenient as I still have a lot of legacy ports and chargers, but the type-C tip is nice since it charges my newer technology. This cable is an excellent transition device for those of us who haven't fully embraced USB type-C yet.
Having two cables in the pack is convenient. I have one cable semi-permanently plugged in next to my bed, and the other cable is in my laptop bag and follows me to the coffee shop. This way I'm never far from a charging cable when I need one.
I think these are great cables and strongly recommend them for anyone looking for a nice set of charging cables.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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JVC Nearphones true wireless headphones with lightweight hook for a secure and comfortable fit. Up to 26 hours of total use with included rechargeable carrying case. Bluetooth version 5.4 and USB-C charging.
Customer Rating
3
Good sound but not good for the gym.
on November 3, 2024
Posted by: TechEnthusiast
I'm not keen on having earbuds rammed into my ears, and I was highly optimistic about these when I saw them. I used to have a pair of over-ear headphones a few years back, and I was hoping for a similar experience.
Unfortunately, these didn't live up to my hopes.
These earbuds have great sound and seem to hold a charge well. Connecting them to my device was a painless process.
Unfortunately, I cannot recommend these for usage at the gym.
No matter how you contort the little hanger on the earbud, these will NOT hold securely to your ear. Bouncing around on an elliptical or lying on an incline on a weight bench WILL cause these to fall off.
This is something of a deal breaker as far as I'm concerned.
I was able to repurpose these for use with my Kindle Fire at the coffee shop. Used while seated, without moving around too much, these earbuds are fine. Sound was great, and I was able to watch videos and listen to music comfortably over an extended period.
If you're looking for earbuds for use with a laptop, tablet, or gaming device while in a coffee shop, then these would be a good fit for you. Their sound is good, and they're comfortable enough that you can wear them for a while.
If you're looking to use these while performing any type of activity, then I'd suggest passing on them.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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The Ninja Foodi Dual Heat Air Fry Oven gives you versatility in the kitchen with 11-in-1 functionality from Air Fry and Sear Crisp to Rapid Bake and Toast. With Dual Heat Technology, unlock up to 500~F cyclonic air and a directly heated SearPlate, which allow for fast cooking and restaurant-worthy results. Cook up your favorites and then flip the oven up and away to reclaim your counter space.
What settings do you use to reheat on this? It seems to be missing the reheat and dehydrate functions. Are there manual work arounds for each?
Not all models include the reheat and dehydrate functions (though all models get the same instruction manual which causes some confusion).
Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find any manual workarounds for this.
Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find any manual workarounds for this.
4 years, 4 months ago
by
TechEnthusiast
SoloCam L40 2K is a completely standalone security cam that you can access via your app. No need for a Homebase, or wires, as SoloCam is completely wire-free and battery-powered, so you don't have to mess with anything. Every eufy Security product is engineered to ensure your security data is kept private. Have peace of mind that you will have a secure record of everything that happens around your home. Adjust the brightness and color temperature of the spotlight in case you don~t want to wake the neighbors. Takes just minutes to install the mount using a drill and the included pack of screws. No wires or cords needed. Chat to anyone passing by~invited or not~and hear their response up to 8 meters away in real-time via SoloCam L40~s two-way audio. Connect SoloCam L40 to the Google Assistant or Alexa for complete hands-free control of your home security. Designed to protect your home as well as your wallet, SoloCam L40 is a one-time purchase that combines security with convenience. Only receive the alerts which matter. Customize the area in which detection takes place to suit your home.
Up to what distance it will detect Human detection only?
I don't know the "official" answer to this, but I have it aimed down a rather long driveway, and it only detects people about a 1/3 of the way down it. Past that, it doesn't trigger any notifications at all.
If I had to guess, I'd estimate that its range is somewhere around 15-20 feet.
If I had to guess, I'd estimate that its range is somewhere around 15-20 feet.
4 years, 7 months ago
by
TechEnthusiast
Harness your PC's potential with the 980. Whether you need a boost for gaming or a seamless workflow for heavy graphics, the 980 is a smart choice for outstanding SSD performance ~ and it's all backed by an NVMe* interface and PCIe 3.0 technology.
Is this compatible with Acer nitro 5 gaming laptop?
I have one of the earliest models of the Nitro 5, and it installed in mine just fine. Couple warnings though: If you want to refresh your operating system after installing it (recommended to avoid hardware glitches), you'll need to remove any additional hard drives (otherwise it errors out). Another thing: after refreshing the operating system, it will only recognize the SSD until you install all of the Windows updates. After installing the updates, any secondary drives will show up again.
5 years, 1 month ago
by
TechEnthusiast
Pixel 4a with 5G is the budget-friendly, super fast phone from Google. It has the helpful stuff you need in a phone, with an extra boost of 5G speed.*
Does this model support Dual SIM?
No. Unfortunately, this model only has a single SIM slot.
5 years, 6 months ago
by
TechEnthusiast
Pair Surface Go Type Cover with Surface Go* for a full keyboard experience anywhere. Ultra-compact, yet it includes a complete mechanical keyset, backlit keys, and extra-large trackpad. Plus, three colors are covered in rich Alcantara material~ for an added touch of luxury and comfort.
What is the power source for the Microsoft Surface Go type cover?
The tablet itself powers the keyboard. The keyboard connects to the Surface Go via tiny pogo pins on the bottom of the tablet. These pins transmit both power and data. Because of this, the keyboard doesn't require any additional power source; and you don't have to play with Bluetooth settings or anything to pair the keyboard to the tablet.
5 years, 11 months ago
by
TechEnthusiast
Your perfect everyday companion. Surface Go 2 is perfect for keeping up and winding down - delivering tablet portability with laptop versatility, long battery life, a stunning touchscreen, and Windows security for the whole family. Browse, shop, and manage email with ease, relax with your favorite TV shows, and much more.
Can this unit be connected to Verizon?
No. This particular version of the Surface Go 2 tablet doesn't have a SIM card slot for LTE connectivity.
5 years, 11 months ago
by
TechEnthusiast
Enjoy hours of reliability and speed with this HP Pavilion desktop. Its AMD Ryzen 5 processor and 12GB of RAM let you accomplish multiple tasks at the same time, and its 1TB hard drive provides plenty of space for file storage. This HP Pavilion desktop comes with a wired keyboard and mouse for interacting with Windows 10 Home.
Does this computer burn CDs.
Yes. This computer has a disc drive for burning CDs and DVDs.
7 years, 10 months ago
by
TechEnthusiast
Garmin Speak~ Plus with Amazon Alexa is what you love about Amazon Alexa, now in your vehicle. Use voice control for hands-free access to music, news, navigation and more. Plus, a built-in dash cam gives you forward collision and lane departure warnings.
How can dash cam footage be accessed? Is there cloud storage for the dashcam footage? If there's cloud storage, how much data/hour would the dashcam footage use? Alternatively, can video quality be adjusted to lower bandwidth usage?
Footage is stored on the micro-SD card inserted in the camera itself.
It can be accessed from the Speak app after you download the VIRB app. Note that while you need the VIRB app to access the footage, you can't view the photos directly from the VIRB app. You instead go back to the Speak app so that it can open the VIRB app and display the photos and videos (I know, it's an incredibly silly process).
If you try to open the VIRB app directly, it will tell you that it can't locate your camera.
It can be accessed from the Speak app after you download the VIRB app. Note that while you need the VIRB app to access the footage, you can't view the photos directly from the VIRB app. You instead go back to the Speak app so that it can open the VIRB app and display the photos and videos (I know, it's an incredibly silly process).
If you try to open the VIRB app directly, it will tell you that it can't locate your camera.
8 years, 3 months ago
by
TechEnthusiast
Only at Best BuyFind your favorite songs with the simple sound of your voice with this Insignia voice-activated wireless speaker. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity let you pair with compatible devices for more enjoyment, and Google Assistant is included to answer questions or search the internet. This Insignia voice-activated wireless speaker features a compact footprint and brilliant display.
Now that Google has released the ability to make calls can this model make calls also?
Not yet. Apparently it can make your phone ring if you misplace it and ask it to call your own phone, but it can't make domestic calls yet. Hopefully they'll add this functionality soon.
8 years, 3 months ago
by
TechEnthusiast
Only at Best Buy Dell Inspiron Convertible 2-in-1 Laptop: Enjoy the convenience of a tablet or the functionality of a computer with this Dell Inspiron Starlord laptop. The 15-inch touch screen makes viewing the small details on websites simple, and the Intel Core processor keeps the computer running commands quickly. This Dell Inspiron Starlord laptop has a backlit keyboard so you can type in the dark.
Just got this. During initial setup it asked to update Windows so I did, and it said something on the laptop wasn't compatible with Windows so it couldn't update. Is that normal for a brand new laptop? Also it gets VERY hot in 10 minutes of just Facebook.
I had the same problem with heat when I first got this laptop. If you go to the Dell support site for this laptop, they have an automated system check and driver update that works wonders. I'll warn you that you will have to hunt a little on the site to find it. I'm afraid that Best Buy won't allow me to send you a link to the page.
After running it, my heat issue was fixed completely; and the laptop runs at a nice ambient temperature now.
I'm not sure why you got an error about something not being compatible with Windows update, but you might want to try running Dell's system check first and then try it again.
After running it, my heat issue was fixed completely; and the laptop runs at a nice ambient temperature now.
I'm not sure why you got an error about something not being compatible with Windows update, but you might want to try running Dell's system check first and then try it again.
8 years, 11 months ago
by
TechEnthusiast