Hot Computer Hardware Posts
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: Install a SIM card for a 3G modem in a Lenovo ThinkPad X61 laptop
This video explains where to install a SIM card for a 3G modem in a Lenovo X61. With just a screwdriver you can replace the SIM card in a Lenovo X61. It is a simple installation, once you learn where the SIM card should go.
How To: Completely format a hard drive
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to completely format a hard drive. Begin by downloading the Knoppix Live Boot CD. Then burn the newly download ISO onto a CD as a bootable disc. Use your BIOS to tell your computer to boot from the CD-ROM instead of the hard drive. With the Knoppix CD still in your CD drive, restart your computer to load up Knoppix. Once loaded, use Knoppix to run the “dd” command and reformat your hard drive. This video will benefit those viewers who want to learn ho...
How To: Turn an old WiFi router into a wireless repeater
In this clip, you'll learn how to boost your WiFi signal strength by building a wireless repeater from an old WiFi router. It's an easy process and this video presents a complete guide. For more information, including a full demonstration and detailed, step-by-step instructions, watch this helpful home-computing how-to.
How To: Clean Your Laptop Keyboard Completely
Is your keyboard on your laptop getting a bit sticky? Have years of sweaty fingers and bits of lunch found there way down between the keys? Is there moss growing out of there? Panic no more.
How To: Defrag your computer using Ccleaner and disk defrag
This is a video tutorial in the Computers & Programming category where you are going to learn how to defrag your computer using CCleaner and disk defrag. First go to CCleaner and download the free program. After that install it and launch the program. Click on "analyze" and it will tell you how much of disk space you will gain by removing temporary files. Hit "run cleaner" and then OK and the cleaning will be done. Now go to control panel and click on "disk defragmenter" under "maintenance". ...
How To: Install memory in an eMachines Desktop
Learn how to add memory (RAM) to a typical desktop computer. In this example, we show you how to install memory in a eMachines Desktop. Upgrading your desktop computer memory is easy to do and an inexpensive way to improve the performance of your desktop.
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: Use a Wacom Bamboo Fun tablet with Adobe Photoshop Elements
Looking for a quick primer on how to get started using a Wacom Bamboo Fun tablet with Adobe Photoshop Elements? It's easy! So easy, in fact, that this video tutorial can present a complete, step-by-step overview of the process in just under four minutes. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, and to get started using your own Bamboo Fun with PSE, take a look.
How To: Back-up & compress UMD games on a memory stick
If you’re having trouble getting games on your memory stick, this video will walk you through the steps of just what you will need to do to compress files onto a thumb drive. There are a variety of steps you will have to follow and you’ll have to have a little bit of time to wait for your game to compress but the effort is well worth it.
How To: Mod a USB flash drive with Household Hacker
Household Hacker brings you fun hack how to projects in a variety of areas: electronic hacks, computer hacks, pranks, etc. Search Household Hacker on WonderHowTo for more videos by this creator. In this video, learn how to mod a USB flash drive.
How To: Connect a laptop or PC to an LCD monitor without DVI
Have an LCD flat screen monitor, but don't have DVI output on your laptop or desktop computer? That's no problem, because nowadays most LCD flat panel monitors come equipped with both DVI and VGA inputs. If not, you simply need to purchase a VGA to DVI adapter, which are pretty cheap, and connect it to your DVI cable and graphics card on your computer. Patrick from Tekzilla Daily tells you all about it, along with a tip on making sure your resolution stays it best and brightest when hooking u...
How To: Make a USB drive out of an old floppy disk
Want to make an old floppy disk useful again? Turn it into a USB drive. It's easy. So easy, in fact, that this free video tutorial from CNET can present a complete overview of the process in just over three minutes and a half. For detailed instructions, and to get started modifying your own floppy disks into working USB drives, watch this handy how-to.
How To: Replace a keyboard for Acer Aspire One 10.1 netbook
In this Computers & Programming video tutorial you will learn how to replace a keyboard for Acer Aspire One 10.1 netbook. Disconnect the netbook from the power supply and remove the battery. You can use a small flat screw driver or a razor blade for replacing the keyboard. You don't have to remove any screws. You need to unlatch three tabs; one located above the f8 key and two on either side of the keyboard. With the razor blade unlatch the tab above f8, and then the two side tabs as shown in...
How To: Remove the hard disk drive (HDD) from a G5 iMac
In this how to video, you will learn how to remove your hard drive from an iMac G5. First, open the cover of your iMac. There will be torx screws that have to be removed from the left hand side of the hard drive. Once this is done, you will have to unplug the two cables located on the bottom of the drive. From here, remove the hard drive up and out. Unscrew the screws attaching a bracket to the hard drive. Once this is done, you can swap in your old drive for a new one, or make modifications ...
How To: Identify computer parts
This video tutorial helps you identify the various components within a desktop computer. The CPU, a circular windmill-looking piece, consists of a fan that keeps the CPU cool. The CPU chip is located underneath this fan. There are four RAM slots in this particular motherboard featured in the video. The video card connects toward the middle and clicks into a PCI Express slot, which provides video. On the bottom there are expansion slots, which audio or network cards can be connected into. The ...
How To: Use Internet Sharing for a modem
No need for Bluetooth DUN or 3rd party software: it's easy to use Internet Sharing in Windows Mobile so you can tether your phone for use as a modem.
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: Set up and use a Wacom Cintiq 21UX pen display
In this clip, you'll learn how set up and use a Wacom Cintiq 21UX pen display. It's easy. So easy, in fact, that this video tutorial can present a complete, step-by-step overview of the process in just over five minutes. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look.
How To: Upgrade the RAM in an ASUS Eee PC
Your ASUS Eee PC is small but is it fast? In this video tutorial, you'll find step-by-step instructions for installing a RAM, or memory, module in an ASUS Eee PC up to 2 GB. (Note well that this upgrade will void your warranty.) To learn what you'll need to upgrade your Eee PC, press play!
How To: Stop your hard drive from vibrating
You know that really annoying whirring sound your computer makes when it's, well, working? That's due to your hard drive vibrating and creating a small noise while doing so. Luckily, you don't have to put up with a loud hard drive anymore.
How To: Install a bottom mounted power supply in a PC tower case
Most PC tower cases have the power supply mounted near the top of the case in the back. However, if you want your PSU to run a little cooler, watch this video to learn how you can mount your PSU on the bottom of a tower case, allowing it to draw cooler air from the bottom of the case rather than the hot interior of the case like a top-mounted traditional setup would.
How To: Clean an Apple keyboard with Mr. Clean Magic Eraser
Keyboards get really dirty from your hands, food, spilled drinks, pens, pencils and everything else that winds up on your desk. This video will show you a great way to clean you white Apple keyboard (wireless or wired) so that it shines like you just bought it. All you need is a handy cleaning product called Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. This will get all of the dirt off of your white keys that come with Mac computers. Make sure to clean the keys and the inside between all of these keys as well. Ma...
How To: Partition an external hard drive on Windows Vista
To format an external hard drive on Windows Vista, plug the hard drive in, then click on start menu, right click on "computer", and select "manage". Go to "storage" on the left hand menu and select "disk management". Right click on the letter of your external hard drive, and select "Shrink Volume". Choose the size of the partition you want to create, and click shrink. After it is done, there will be 2 seperate drives, with the new one being allocated. Right click on the unallocated drive and ...
How To: Install Snow Leopard on a drive to make bootable
This video tutorial from bobby93macboy shows how to install Mac OS Leopard operating system and make it bootable.
How To: Force eject a disk from a Mac
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to force eject a CD/DVD from a Mac computer. There are two ways to force eject the CD/DVD. The first option is to begin by turning off the computer. Then turn it on again. Right click while you are turning on until the disc ejects and the login screen appears. You can also restart the computer. While restarting, hold down the option button until startup disk shows up on the screen. Then let go op option and hit eject. This video will benefit those vie...
How To: Fix a dead computer fan using motor oil
Ever had a computer fan that started to sound like it was grinding flour or mowing the lawn? In lieu of purchasing a replacement fan, you might try reviving it with motor oil, any average bottle of which will last for years and thousands of fans. Learn how in this video tutorial.
How To: Mirror or clone a Wacom Cintiq pen display
In this clip, you'll learn how to mirror or clone a Wacom Cintiq pen display. It's easy. So easy, in fact, that this video tutorial can present a complete, step-by-step overview of the process in just over five minutes. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look.
How To: Customize the radial menu on a Wacom Intuos4 pen tablet
In this clip, you'll learn how set up and customize the radial menu on a Wacom Intuos4 pen tablet. It's easy. So easy, in fact, that this video tutorial can present a complete, step-by-step overview of the process in just over five minutes. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look.
How To: Format a memory card using a card reader and a Windows PC
Sometimes it's necessary to format your memory card in your mobile phone or digital camera, just like you need to format a hard drive, because of virus problems or slower speeds. This video will show you the steps to formatting (or reformatting) the SD memory card for a cell phone, using a memory card reader. You'll also get details about a write protect error that could happen.
How To: Clean crumbs out of a keyboard
Keyboards are one of the easiest things to get dirty, especially those keyboards that have the removable keys. Crumbs and all kinds of other gunk can get lodge down in those deep crevices of the keyboard, but here's a quick tip to help you out. If you have a crumb-y keyboard, use the sticky side of a post-it note to lift bits from between the keys. Ta-da!
How To: Use the security features on an HP Compaq 2710p PC
The HP 2710p business notebook has a number of innovative security tools to make sure your data stays where you want it.
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: 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: Install a hard drive in a Mac Mini server
Other World Computing provides a guide for advanced users demonstrating the upgrade or replacement of a hard drive in a Mac Mini Server computer. This comprehensive video takes you through all steps from tool selection to re-assembling the Mac Mini Server and it is recommended that the video is watched right through before attempting the procedure. In particular, it demonstrates the difficulty of opening up a Mac Mini using a small putty knife. Once the case is off, the three wireless antenna...
How To: Handwrite on an HP TouchSmart
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to hand-write on an HP Touch Smart computer. The HP Touch Smart is a touchscreen all-in-one desktop computer. The input panel allows users to hand-write or type text right on the screen. There are 3 different writing modes in the input screen. The modes are: writing pad, character pad and on-screen keyboard. It can be used in many HP programs such as the calendar and notes. This video will benefit those viewers who have an HP Touch Smart computer and ...
How To: Install a hard drive in a Power Mac G5
This video is about installing second serial ATA drive into a Power Mac G5 system. The video is a step by step demo starting with the removing of the door to the machine and the air pack. The first hard drive is at the top rack and you have to remove the four screws at the bottom and insert them into the top and bottom screw alls on each side of the drive. The hard drive is inserted below the first hard drive and the data and power cables are plugged into their respective slots. The video is ...
How To: Repair a MacBook Pro 17" Unibody - Remove hard drive
The new Unibody MacBook Pro's are a little different in design than the older MacBooks, so it may be a little confusing on how to see the innards of the laptop. Watch this to see how to remove the hard drive and battery of the MacBook Pro 17" Unibody.
How To: Refill an ink cartridge
If you use your inkjet printer regularly, you’ve probably discovered that the cost of replacing the cartridges can quickly exceed that the printer itself. Refill the cartridges yourself to save some money.
How To: Wash your Apple keyboard in the dishwasher
Your Apple computer keyboard, over time, can accumulate quite a lot of dirt and sticky gunk. It is only natural, then, that you should want to clean it from time to time. In this tutorial, Gary Rosenzweig talks about his success in putting his Mac keyboard in the dishwasher and the risk you take when you try this extreme method. Take a look!