Computer Hardware — a diy community for making pcs and macs better « Computer Hardware

How To: Open ports on your Windows XP computer

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to open ports on a Windows XP computer. Begin by clicking on the Start menu and open Control Panel. Double-click on Network Connections and select your network connection. Right-click on it and select Properties. Click on the Advanced tab and click on Settings. Select the Advanced tab again. Click on your internet connection and click on Settings. Click Add and fill in the port information. Click OK. T forward a port, users need to go to their router'...

How To: Replace a laptop CMOS battery

In this video, we learn how to replace a laptop CMOS battery. First, turn the laptop upside down and remove the screws around the panel you need inside. Set these aside and then pry the top up with a flat screwdriver. Now you will see the CMOS battery, remove this with the tab that is on top of it. Remove the battery from the area it's at and then replace it with the new one. Make sure you place it in just how it was before. After this, replace the panel on the top and screw the screws back i...

How To: Replace a space bar on a Dell laptop keyboard

Is the spacebar on your keyboard out of whack? This simple video will show you how to re-seat it in less than two minutes. Start by using your fingers (or a small screwdriver or spudger if needed) to gently pry up along the top of the spacebar, working from one direction to another. Continue working along the top until the key is free from its mounting clips. Observe the location of the mounting clips. After the key is free from the keyboard, you can also remove the metal support bar from the...

How To: Release a key on an Apple MacBook keyboard

This Video shows how to release/detach/disassemble the single Keys/Buttons from an Apple MacBook Keyboard.

How To: Take apart a computer's keybaord & clean it

In this video, we learn how to take apart a computer's keyboard & clean it. First, turn the keyboard upside down and remove the screws from the side with a screwdriver. After this, flip it back over and remove the keys from the top. Put the keys into a bowl of soap and water and let them soak. Then, remove the screws from the top of the keyboard and set them aside. Open up the keyboard and then dust and clean the inside of it until clean. Next, you will replace all of the parts you removed in...

How To: Fix the click of death on a hard drive

If you have owned a lot of hard drives, you probably have experienced the clicking of death that indicates that your hard drive is having serious problems. This video will explain why the click of death happens and show you some processes you can try to fix the problem yourself.

How To: Clean the keyboard on a Dell laptop

A laptop keyboard can collect a lot of dust, dirt, and breadcrumbs. In this tutorial, we learn how to clean out your laptop keyboard. Start off by removing the casing from around your laptop, making sure not to unplug any wires. You will need a screwdriver to remove the screw. Next, you will want to use a soft brush or tooth brush to clean where the keys were, and the inside underneath the screen. Next, replace the keyboard where it was and any screws. Also, plug in anything that may have com...

How To: Remove the front case from a G5 iMac

In this how-to video, you will learn how to remove the front case of an iMac G5. First, lay the case on its back. Remove the screws in order to get the ram bay cover off. Once this is done, pull on the release tabs to remove the ram modules. Next, remove the torx screws on the bottom side of the casing. Once these are removed, work your way around the casing to remove the front from the back. Do not pull too far as you might damage the wires to the camera. Unplug the camera once you are able ...

How To: Fix AMD Radeon HD Series Not Detecting Second Screen

Since I recently had this problem and fixed it, I might as well share the solution. This is actually REALLY simple to fix but will impact your cards' performance.

How To: Password protect a USB thumb drive

Have important files that you want to put on a USB drive but do not want anyone else to be able to access them? Put a password on it using USBSecure.net free resource.

How To: Right click on a Mac using the Apple mouse

Jonathan demonstrates how to right click on a Mac using the Apple mouse. There is a short cut: holding down control while left clicking to make the right click menu come up. The Mighty Mouse has a right click function but you have to enable it. To enable this feature, go to system preferences and click on mouse and keyboard. The mouse and keyboard menu will now open up. Locate the right drop down menu. The default is set to "Primary Button" so you will need to change that to the "Secondary Bu...

How To: Set up an Epson printer wirelessly

Learn how to set up an Epson printer wirelessly when you bring your new printer home you will want to start by installing the software that came with the new printer. You can set up your printer to work without wires and it will print from all over the house. There are 3 ways to set up the printer including the Epson way, with cables, and WPS. To determine is you need to use WPS, which is more complex, check your router to see if it has a sticker on it that says Wi-Fi Protected Setup. If that...

How To: Align the printhead on your Epson printer

Not aligning your printer before you print is like going to a job interview without brushing your hair: Everything else looks right, but you somehow still look unprepared and messy. Aligning the printhead on your printer will help ensure all text prints out where it's supposed to print out and there's no awkward color blurring with pictures.

How To: Repair a MacBook Air - Replace LCD display & hinges

PowerBook Medic is the ultimate resource for Mac computers and electronics repair. They have helpful tutorials on most Apple products including the MacBook, MacBook Pro, PowerBook, iBook, iPhone, iPod, and more, covering topics from disassemblies, to RAM upgrades, to replacement hard drives.

How To: View your printer's secret dots (fingerprints)

Imagine that every time you print a document, it automatically includes a secret code that could be used to identify the printer -- and, potentially, the person who used it. Sounds like something from a spy movie, right?

How To: Write data to a CD or DVD under Linux

In this Linux tutorial, you'll learn how to write data to, and retrieve data from, optical discs like CD-ROMs and DVDs as well as how to write .iso disk image files. Get started burning your own media under the Linux Mint desktop distrubtion with this how-to.

News: Steampunk Computer - "Windows 1900"

A fully functional steampunk computer workstation. With attention to detail this unique computer was manufactured from old materials. The ensemble consists of iron, steel, wood, brass, glass and leather. Perfect for timetravelers office or as ether terminal. Consists of a 150 years old base frame, a keyboard, a monitor, a mouse, together with a separate, free-standing mouse pad, webcam, plasma tubes, lighting, a Nixie clock and various gadgets ...

How To: Enable or Disable USB Port in Your PC

This video will show you how to enable or disable USB port in your PC. If you disable USB port nobody could insert a USB device on your computer and could not copy your data. You could enable the port whenever you needed. Watch the video and follow all the steps.

How To: Disable or Enable USB Port in PC

This video will provide an idea how to disable or enable the USB port on your PC. By disabling USB port will restrict people from copying your files into USB devices. This is a very effective trick to save your data. Watch the video and follow all the steps.

How To: Clone Macbook Pro Hard Drive to SSD

Want to breathe some life into your Macbook Pro? Get an SSD! But how to swap your data over? Here's how!

How To: Swap an SSD into a Buffalo Thunderbolt Enclosure

Picked up a new Buffalo Thunderbolt Enclosure, and want to REALLY put that Thunderbolt to use? Here's how!

How To: Stop Your Macbook Pro from Overheating!

Tired of using your Macbook Pro as a coffee warmer? Here's how to stop it!

How To: Replace Bad Capacitors on Your Motherboard

Got a motherboard with blown capacitors? Here's how to fix it!

How To: Install 16GB DDR3 into Unibody Macbook Pro (2011)

This video is for anyone wondering how to install more ram in their Unibody MacBook Pro. In this case, this is my Late 2011 going from 8GB to 16GB of ram!

How To: Increase Laptop Battery Life

Most of us who use laptop suffering form Battery problem. Here are few tips or measures for increasing laptop battery life. If you follow these steps you will surely enhance the lifespan of Battery. See the video.

How To: Put Your MacBook to Sleep with an iPhone 5, Samsung Galaxy S3, or Other Mobile Device

I spend practically all day surfing the web and writing on my laptop, and just as much time texting and checking emails on my smartphone. So, it's only natural for me to charge my iPhone using the USB port on my MacBook Pro.

How To: Save Money Cleaning Your Gadgets' Displays with This DIY Screen-Cleaning Solution

Keeping your computer screen or smartphone display clean is impossible. And those stupid little cloth cleaners that come with your device are about as useful as the new Apple Maps (yes, I am still upset about it).

How To: Change the Wireless Card on Dell Inspiron E1505 Laptop

The internet is something most people rely on, so when you buy a used laptop without a wireless card or yours needs to be replaced, it's easier to do it yourself. Having someone else do it can cost more than you think, so here's an easy way if you own a Dell Inspiron E1505.

How To: Watch 3D Movies Without Expensive Hardware

In this video, we learn how to watch 3D images and movies without expensive hardware. If you have a computer with dual monitors or two computers, you can watch full-color, full resolution 3D with a simple home made device.

How To: Keep your computer safe during an electric storm

Don't let your computer get fried during the next thunderstorm. Keep it safe from damage with the right procedures and tools. Try using a surge protector that can help prevent a power surge from destroying your computer. You don't want a lightning strike to fry your laptop or desktop PC or Mac.

How To: Use the Maps gadget on a Nokia Booklet 3G netbook to identify your location

The Nokia Booklet 3G netbook is capable of utilizing GPS when the 3G network connection is active. If you want to find your location and see a map of the area around you, try out the Maps gadget available as part of the Ovi Suite.

How To: Use the Nokia Social hub with your Nokia Booklet 3G netbook

The Nokia Social hub is a fairly useful piece of software available to owners of the Nokia Booklet 3G netbook. From the Social hub, you can connect to facebook and access several of the social network's functions, including posting an update. If you have a SIM card inserted with an active 3G connection, you can even send a text message from the netbook.

How To: Connect a Nokia Booklet 3G to the internet via a network or 3G connection

If you hit the FN + F10 keys on your Nokia Booklet 3G, you'll see the available internet connections methods for your netbook including Bluetooth, wifi, and 3G.

How To: Use Bluetooth to synchronize your data with a mobile device and a Booklet 3G

Calendar data, images, sounds, videos, and messages can be easily synchronized between your Nokia Booklet 3G netbook and supported mobile devices and phones when the two are connected using Bluetooth. To find out how to use Nokia's Ovi Suite software to synchronize your data, take a look at this tech support video from the company.

How To: Install a SIM card, memory card, or plug in a charger on a Nokia Booklet 3G

It's easy to install a SIM card or a memory card in Nokia's Booklet 3G netbook. This tech support video overviews the processes of inserting either of the cards, plugging in the charger to the notebook computer, and turning on the laptop with the power button.

How To: Connect a Nokia Booklet 3G to a HD TV or monitor using an HDMI cable

If you have pictures, videos, or a presentation you want to share with a larger audience, or enjoy on a larger screen than the one that your Nokia Booklet 3G comes equipped with, grab an HDMI cable.

Coming Soon: The World's First Glasses-Free 3D Laptop (aka Toshiba Qosmio F750)

Glasses-free 3D is devouring the United States, one mobile device at a time. First, gamers experienced autostereoscopic play with the Nintendo 3DS, then smartphone users got the HTC EVO 3D, and now laptops users can enjoy glasses-free 3D technology with Toshiba's upcoming Qosmio F750, available this August.