Why does password sometimes not work?
Q: When I use my primary computer and go to log in to my bank or email it tells me that my password is incorrect. If I use my laptop, I can log right in so I know I have the correct password. How can this be happening?
A: When you are at the login page for any of your online accounts, the password box shadows your password when you type it by replacing the characters with dots or stars. This is to prevent someone from looking over your shoulder and seeing your password when you input it to the site.
The problem is that you have to take it on faith that what you think you are typing is what you are actually typing. More often than not, it’s something simple like leaving your caps lock key activated. But in some cases it may be due to a dead key on the keyboard.
To test this, open a text document and try typing your password where you can see it to make sure that what you are typing is actually getting typed.
You may find that you have a physical keyboard problem or an improperly configured keyboard.
More often than not, this problem is caused by some kind of obstruction under one or more of the keys.
Get some compressed air and try giving the keyboard a good cleaning and it may very well solve the problem.
Q: My desktop computer will not power on all of a sudden. I suspect something happened during a recent storm. What options do I have for possibly repairing this?
A: In many cases, this problem is just a faulty power supply. It either just failed or was zapped in a power surge. The good news is that replacing a power supply can be pretty inexpensive and relatively easy to do yourself.
You can find how-to videos on YouTube that explain the process, often videos specific to the make and model of your computer.
That said, always be careful when tinkering with electrical devices and don’t take this on unless you are fully confident in your abilities.
If there’s any doubt, take it to a repair shop.