Welcome to the computing section
of the Wikipedia reference desk.

Select a section:

WP:RD/CWP:RD/C

Want a faster answer?

Main page: Help searching Wikipedia

How can I get my question answered?

Select the section of the desk that best fits the general topic of your question (see the navigation column to the right).
Post your question to only one section, providing a short header that gives the topic of your question.
Type '~~~~' (that is, four tilde characters) at the end – this signs and dates your contribution so we know who wrote what and when.
Don't post personal contact information – it will be removed. Any answers will be provided here.
Please be as specific as possible, and include all relevant context – the usefulness of answers may depend on the context.
Note:
- We don't answer (and may remove) questions that require medical diagnosis or legal advice.
- We don't answer requests for opinions, predictions or debate.
- We don't do your homework for you, though we'll help you past the stuck point.
- We don't conduct original research or provide a free source of ideas, but we'll help you find information you need.

Ready? Ask a new question!

How do I answer a question?

Main page: Wikipedia:Reference desk/Guidelines

The best answers address the question directly, and back up facts with wikilinks and links to sources. Do not edit others' comments and do not give any medical or legal advice.

June 22

DRAM-optional computing

Do any CPUs exist that can use DRAM, but can also boot without it and use the last-level cache as the main memory instead? Do any BIOSes exist that boot in both modes depending on whether or not DRAM is actually installed? Neon Merlin 01:14, 22 June 2025 (UTC)[reply]

Yes, modern x86-64 CPUs can be configured to use the cache as RAM. Before this, the boot-rom (that is, BIOS), had to enumerate the DRAM chips and set the memory controller up entirely using CPU registers (which is a fiddly business). Now it (well, now it's a UEFI-BIOS) can use cache-as-ram, and as the cache is so (comparatively) huge, it's a much easier environment. I saw a coreboot presentation about this a while ago (I can't find it now), but there's a coreboot blog about at: blog.aheymans.xyz/post/car url is blocked, as it's a blogging site -- Finlay McWalter··–·Talk 08:25, 22 June 2025 (UTC)[reply]

... but there's not much one can do in this mode. coreboot just uses it to host its stack as it sets up the DRAM chips, and then it runs using stack (and I guess heap) in the DRAM as normal. I guess one could run a DRAM test suite in this mode (compared with Memtest86, which keeps its program code and some variables in the same DRAM it's testing), but with no video or other devices operational, it's very limited. I daresay some enterprising person could write some rudimentary code to bring up the PCI controller, xHCI, maybe the video controller (without using the option ROM in the video card) to provide a rudimentary no-DRAM environment. I can really only think that would be useful for memory testing, and it would be a lot of work. -- Finlay McWalter··–·Talk 16:28, 22 June 2025 (UTC)[reply]

June 25

Windows 11 Home Single Language

In My laptop the option for WiFi connection sometimes vanishes. I have 5G mobile hotspot with password. After the last windows update the icon vanishes and connection gets disconnected and I am not able to connect.

I restart the laptop and the option appears again.

screenshot 1- When the wifi option is there-- https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GuRDrgPWgAAqBW6?format=jpg&name=medium

screenshot 2- when the wifi option vanishes-- https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GuRDtBlXIAAsc5J?format=jpg&name=medium

During the screenshot 2 situation I dont know how to bring the wifi option back without restarting. Also why does it vanish? Grinthorse (talk) 05:50, 25 June 2025 (UTC)[reply]

@Grinthorse, your images are now 404s. Could you upload them to a better host, like Imgur? Jay Cubby 02:55, 2 July 2025 (UTC)[reply]

June 26

Convert a web table to Excel

Does anyone know how to convert this table to view and work in Excel or LibreOffice Calc? I've tried copying and pasting, but it puts everything in a single vertical column, so I can't work with it. Thanks. 46.114.161.131 (talk) 05:26, 26 June 2025 (UTC)[reply]

I asked ChatGPT with the following prompt:

could you please put all the entries on the table in this link in excel? https://www.fis-ski.com/DB/general/statistics.html?statistictype=positions&positionstype=multi-position&sectorcode=AL&seasoncode=&categorycode=WC&disciplinecode=&gendercode=&place=&competitornationcode=&position=2&positionsnumber=1 thanks!

It gave me the top 10 in a csv format, so you could ask it for the full list. Rmvandijk (talk) 08:28, 26 June 2025 (UTC)[reply]

Have you used Excel's data from web function? Under data, you should see something with a name similar to "Get and Transform Data." From there, you can select "From Web." Enter the URL of the web page. It will look for the table and import it into Excel for you. 68.187.174.155 (talk) 11:29, 26 June 2025 (UTC)[reply]

Upgrading conventional HDDs to SSDs in Dell PowerEdge R310

So I'm somewhat new to the server world, in that I've run servers before but this is my first true server (I've previously used desktop or even laptop PCs as servers). Firstly, any suggestions a brand or model? (I don't have a $500 budget for this project, however I would not be opposed to a used one). Secondly, anything (brand, model, style, etc) I should avoid? 143.223.148.17 (talk) 14:07, 26 June 2025 (UTC)[reply]

Since it is a server you probably want it to be reliable and fast. Look like sata interface and you can have 4 of them. Graeme Bartlett (talk) 12:09, 3 July 2025 (UTC)[reply]

Can't reinstall Chrome

I am using Windows 11, and was using Chrome as a web browser until a few days ago. Then I couldn't launch Chrome either by clicking its icon or by clicking a link in an email. So I uninstalled it, and have been unable to reinstall it. All attempts that I make to install it using the on-line installer result in the stupid message, "No updates are available", or some other message. I have tried deleting the previous folders and repeating the install, and it doesn't help. At this point, I think that what I need is for someone who knows what they are doing to take control of my computer and complete the install. I have looked at Google's web site to see if there is a way to chat with a human, and all that I have found is chatbots that show me documentation that I have already seen. Are there any ideas for what to try next? Robert McClenon (talk) 22:10, 26 June 2025 (UTC)[reply]

Try one of Chrome's offline installers. https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95346?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop#zippy=%2Cwindows:~:text=Install%20Chrome%20offline

Also, is there a particular reason you want to use Chrome instead of the Chrome-based Microsoft Edge or the independent Firefox? Aaron Liu (talk) 22:24, 26 June 2025 (UTC)[reply]

To answer the second question, I would like my choice of web browsers, and have long used Firefox to edit Wikipedia (including for this inquiry). I downloaded ChromeStandaloneSetup64.exe, which has Chrome inside it. When I run it, it says it is initializing, and then it stops. Sometimes it says that there is already an instance of the setup process running. Using the Resource Manager, I don't see any zombie processes. What I would really like is a knowledgeable human to take over my computer and drive through the process. Am I to infer that Google has completely done away with human technical support? I know that I could call Best Buy technical support, but they would escalate me to second-level technical support, and I have never had a successful experience with Best Buy second-level technical support. (You don't want those details.) I had Chrome working for three years. Is there some known but non-obvious reason why the standalone installer doesn't work? I will try rerunning it after restarting my computer, but I don't want to restart my computer for a little while. Robert McClenon (talk) 23:51, 26 June 2025 (UTC)[reply]

You may be able to reset your computer to a restore point. However, restarting it is certainly worth trying first.-Gadfium (talk) 23:56, 26 June 2025 (UTC)[reply]

Can you try using https://www.nirsoft.net/utils/installed_packages_view.html to see if there is a leftover Chrome installation? If there is, the tool can show you a command to run that uninstalls it. Ian P. Tetriss (talk) 00:43, 27 June 2025 (UTC)[reply]

We should really have a Nirsoft article, to go along with the Sysinternals one. Card Zero (talk) 21:51, 27 June 2025 (UTC)[reply]

I can't find enough sources to establish notability. Aaron Liu (talk) 22:17, 27 June 2025 (UTC)[reply]

I can find a ton of little plaudits in magazines from ten years ago. Computer Active: "developer Nir Sofer is a one-man portable programs powerhouse." Micro Mart: "the freeware geniuses at Nirsoft". Maximum PC: "makers of a ton of great, techy system utilities". A longer quote from The Definitive Guide to Free Software: one of our most trusted independent developers, Nir Sofer ... Sofer really doesn't want you to use his program to break software licensing rules. Just below the screenshot on the download page you'll see an 'important Notice!' (big red letters), where Nir says he gets many emails from users who complain RunAsDate "doesn't work" - because they can't get it to unlock all the trial versions they throw at it. He stresses the tool is not designed for such law-breaking ... Card Zero (talk) 23:51, 27 June 2025 (UTC)[reply]

On the subject of technical support, it looks like for non-enterprise users all you have is Google Chrome's official "Help Community" forums. Aaron Liu (talk) 15:27, 27 June 2025 (UTC)[reply]

Also, if you have Winget—you should by default, it should already be installed with Win11—you can try winget install Google.Chrome on the command line. See what happens, look for some error messages. Aaron Liu (talk) 15:29, 27 June 2025 (UTC)[reply]

Answering "is there a way to chat with a human": Most people are using the free Chrome web browser. It is free. You are not a customer. You did not purchase anything. Free products rarely come with any form of support. The license states clearly that the product is "as is." But, there is an enterprise Chrome web browser you can purchase. I assume it is the same web browser, but it comes with support. You are basically making a purchase to become a customer so you can get support.

As for the main issue: I cannot install Chrome on my computer at work. We have a VPN that links all of our computers into a single network (I do not know the technical stuff). To install Chrome, our IT person has to first disable the VPN. Then, install Chrome. Then enable the VPN again. Of course, the entire process is normal Windows. Reboot. Download Chrome. Reboot. Disable VPN. Reboot. Install Chrome. Reboot. Enable VPN. Reboot. Then, reboot a couple more times just for good luck. 68.187.174.155 (talk) 12:08, 27 June 2025 (UTC)[reply]

June 27

Why is Bing Maps redirecting addresses?

While planning an auto repair, the insurance company sent me a map link to the selected repair shop - Directions. (Starting address changed for privacy.) When clicked, the page briefly shows the expected destination "928 Ventures Way, Chesapeake, VA 23320", but after a couple of seconds, it redirects me to a different repair shop a few miles away "Southern Greenbrier Collision Center, 2110 Smith Ave, Chesapeake, VA 23320". I have never seen this before. Is Bing now in the business of redirecting customers to paid advertisers? -- Anon-20250625 (talk) 16:44, 27 June 2025 (UTC)[reply]

You mention privacy. The starting address is in the URL you used for the Directions. 68.187.174.155 (talk) 17:30, 27 June 2025 (UTC)[reply]

Presumably that's what was changed for privacy. Card Zero (talk) 19:30, 27 June 2025 (UTC)[reply]

I see Bing Maps have a procedure for when your business relocates. It's possible that somebody who may or may not be affiliated with repair shop B has managed to "claim" the address of MiCar and has told Bing Maps that the business has relocated to the address of repair shop B. Card Zero (talk) 19:59, 27 June 2025 (UTC)[reply]

Interesting. Seems ripe for abuse. Somewhat reminds me of the backstory for the Strowger switch. -- Anon-20250625 (talk) 21:21, 27 June 2025 (UTC)[reply]

Update: Someone must be watching, because the Directions link no longer redirects, but a direct search of the address "928 Ventures Way, Chesapeake, VA 23320", still redirects to the competitor. -- Anon-20250625 (talk) 00:49, 30 June 2025 (UTC)[reply]

Update 2: It seems that they have now fixed (later broken again) the "928 Ventures Way, Chesapeake, VA 23320" address search. However, if you search for the business name "MiCar Collision Center, Chesapeake, VA", Bing maps still redirects to the competitor shop. -- Anon-20250625 (talk) 04:27, 1 July 2025 (UTC)[reply]

Help finding US census data page

Please respond on the humanities page: WP:Reference desk/Humanities#Help finding US census data page FakeHouses (talk) 19:47, 27 June 2025 (UTC)[reply]

July 3

Percentiles in MySQL

I've been working on this for a while now, but the documentation I've been reading is making it more difficult to understand, not easier. I have a table that I made. It has resources and the number of days that the resource has been checked out. A single resource will have multiple entries, one for every time it is checked out. So, resource ID 4 might have eight entries with 2, 4, 22, 5, 2, 9, 44, and 5 days checked out. In reality, most resources have dozens of entries. What I want is the 10th percentile, 50th percentile (median), and 90th percentile of days checked out per resource. I know I want to group by resource_id. I know I want to sort each resource by checkout_days. From there, it gets very complicated very fast with intervals and partitions with nothing defining what an interval or a partition is and what they do. Is there a plain English guide to doing this task? 68.187.174.155 (talk) 10:23, 3 July 2025 (UTC)[reply]

This belongs in Wikipedia:Reference desk/Computing. -- Verbarson ^talk_edits 10:43, 3 July 2025 (UTC)[reply]

You are correct. I moved it. I didn't realize I was in the wrong section. 68.187.174.155 (talk) 11:00, 3 July 2025 (UTC)[reply]

Well you have to count the number of resources, then look up your sorted list for 0.1, 0.5 and 0.9 times the number of entries and pluck off the days total. Graeme Bartlett (talk) 12:03, 3 July 2025 (UTC)[reply]

I am sorry. I was not clear. I have 2,901,553 resources. Following that method, I would have to do it for resource 1, then resource 2, then resource 3... nearly three millions times. I am looking for a method where I can group by resource ID and get the percentiles for the resource. 68.187.174.155 (talk) 12:10, 3 July 2025 (UTC)[reply]

Please let me know if this does what I need:

select resourceid, percentile_cont(0.1) within group (order by checkoutdays) partition by (resourceid) from tempresourcedays group by resourceid;

That just does the 10th percentile (I hope). 68.187.174.155 (talk) 13:52, 3 July 2025 (UTC)[reply]

I agree that should work and is probably the best bet, but if the OP requires that the value returned needs to exist in the data, they can use PERCENTILE_DISC instead of PERCENTILE_CONT, keeping everything else the same. Matt Deres (talk) 15:16, 3 July 2025 (UTC)[reply]

July 4

Classic Outlook and New Outlook Problem

I have a Dell desktop computer running Windows 11 and am trying to use Microsoft Outlook as my email client, as I have been doing for years. Some months ago, Microsoft provided New Outlook, which is a different user interface than Classic Outlook. I am satisfied with Classic Outlook and less satisfied with New Outlook, and so want to continue using Classic Outlook. I am using AOL, which uses Yahoo. I don't want to change email providers because I don't want to change email addresses. Until a few months ago, I was able to ignore New Outlook. Now, when I try to launch Classic Outlook and connect to the AOL (Yahoo) mail server, it tries to start up New Outlook, which in turn says that it needs to sync my mail files to the Microsoft Cloud. I have not been told why it is necessary to migrate my email to the Microsoft Cloud. So I have to ignore the attempt to start Classic Outlook, which attempts to resync or migrate my email, and I launch Classic Outlook again. Can someone explain, first, why is Microsoft being so persistent about trying to use New Outlook and to move my email to the Microsoft Cloud? Can someone explain, second, how do I get it to stop trying to convert my email to New Outlook and Microsoft Cloud?

I hope that my explanation of the problem has been clear enough so that someone can answer the questions. Robert McClenon (talk) 21:02, 4 July 2025 (UTC)[reply]

July 5