Hot Computer Hardware Posts
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: Super cool your PC with a car radiator
Systm is the Do It Yourself show designed for the common geek who wants to quickly and easily learn how to dive into the latest and hottest tech projects. We will help you avoid pitfalls and get your project up and running fast. Search Systm on WonderHowTo for more DIY episodes from this Revision3 show.
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: Fix or Retrieve Data From A Bad Hard Drive
This is an intermediate guide on how to easily fix or retrieve data from a bad hard drive. What we're trying to do:
How To: Fix Stuck Pixels in LCD TVs, Monitors & Displays
This video will show you a few techniques for removing stuck pixels from an LCD screen. This is not a guaranteed fix. Please only use these as a last resort, as some of them can cause more damage to the LCD. Only attempt these if you are experienced and know what you are doing.
How To: Disassemble & clean a white Apple iMac keyboard
This video is a tutorial on how to disassemble and clean a white Apple keyboard. Most of the keys pop out easily, but the bigger ones have metal clips on the back and need to be removed very carefully. Take a picture of your keyboard to remember where each key goes, and don’t lose any.
How To: Mod the Apple logo on an MacBook or MacBook Pro
Apple computers are supposed to be about thinking differently, right? In this video tutorial from the folks at Butterscotch, you'll learn how to customize the Apple logo on a Macbook. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, and to get started modding your own MacBook, watch this video guide.
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: Fix a sticky mouse
This video shows you how to fix a sticky computer mouse. Probably one of the most infuriating issues surrounding computers, never let your mouse get sticky again! Fix a sticky mouse.
How To: Format/partition an external hard drive on a Mac
In this Computers & Programming video tutorial you will learn how to format/partition an external hard drive on a Mac. This is really very easy and simple to do and takes practically no time. Click on spotlight search and look for disk utility. That will bring up the list of hard drives. Click on the external hard drive and click ‘erase’. Then on ‘security options’ select ‘zero out data’ and click OK. This will remove everything from the hard drive. Your external hard drive is now...
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: Cool your laptop's hard drive or graphic cards
Is your computer overheating? Find out how to cool things down with a custom made laptop HDD pad cooler. Cool your laptop's hard drive or graphic cards.
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: Change the resolution on a HP Mini 1000 to 1024x768
Want to know how to change the resolution on your HP Mini 1000 netbook? 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 a minutes' time. For specifics, and to get started changing the resolution on your own HP Mini 1000, watch this Mini-owner's guide.
How To: Track a USB device
Hak5 isn't your ordinary tech show. It's hacking in the old-school sense, covering everything from network security, open source and forensics, to DIY modding and the homebrew scene. Damn the warranties, it's time to Trust your Technolust. In this episode, see how to track a USB device.
How To: Install a TV tuner card into your PC
You can watch TV anywhere these days, so why not on your computer? Installing a TV tuner card is easy--follow these instructions, and you'll be channel surfing in no time.
How To: Turn an Iomega ZIP Drive into a USB drive enclosure
The good old Zip Drive introduced by Iomega in late 1994 served its purpose as a medium-capacity removable disk storage system until obsolescence kicked in as it was replaced by flash drives as well as rewritable CDs and DVDs. This video presents a number of fun, DIY art projects that you can do with your old Iomega Zip Drive. Specifically, this how-to looks at how you can take your old Zip Drive and make of it a USB driver enclosure. For more, or to get started on your own Zip Drive project,...
How To: Set up and customize a Wacom Intuos4 pen tablet
In this clip, you'll learn how set up and use a Wacom Intuos4 tablet. Special emphasis is given to customizing the ExpressKeys, Touch Ring, and on-pen buttons. 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: Disassemble an Acer AspireRevo nettop PC
In this how-to video, you will learn how to disassemble an Acer Aspire Revo. First, unscrew the screw on the side of the laptop. From here, you must pull the top cover with the logo apart. This will be tough, but eventually it will be come off. A prying tool may be useful for this task. Now you will have access to the hard drive, RAM, CPU fan, processor, and wireless card. Now you are ready to perform any upgrades or repairs on your Acer Aspire. This video shows you the essential steps in ord...
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: 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: Eject stuck discs from a CD- or DVD-ROM optical drive with a pinhole release
Nowadays, a lot of desktop computer optical disc drives come equipped with a small pinhole emergency eject option, to help open a stuck CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive. This is a handy little option for getting CDs and DVDs out quickly, without shutting down your PC. All you need is a needle or a paper clip, then stick inside the pinhole release, push until the disc drive opens. Watch for a demonstration on a Mercury disc drive.
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: Pair your bluetooth headset with the HP TouchSmart PC
HP TouchSmart is a powerful PC with innovative features. Using the HP TouchSmart Recipe box you can set up the blue tooth headset. The recipe box provides an easy way to work with you recipes using voice commands. You can set up your blue tooth head set to use the voice command feature of the recipe box. This gives the freedom to walk around your kitchen while cooking. The microphones embedded in the TouchSmart can also be used for this purpose but the blue tooth head set gives a better voice...
How To: Repair a Power Mac G5 - Remove the power button
Can't turn on your computer? The power button might be broke. If so, you're going to have to replace it, and you can do it yourself. See how to remove the power button from the Power Mac desktop computer.
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: 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: Use a Sony PlayStation 3 controller on a Microsoft Windows PC
In this clip, you'll learn how to set up and use a PS3 controller with an x64 or x86 Windows Vista or Windows 7 PC. For more information, including a complete demonstration of the process and detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look!
How To: Emulate a Wii with your laptop or PC
A tutorial on how to turn your laptop or desktop PC into a Wii, for under $50, and in less than 10 minutes. Note* this will not play actual Nintendo Wii games but will allow you to use the Wii modality to play PC games and games made specifically for this setup.
How To: Remove the fans, heat sink and CPU from an Apple Mac Pro
Want to know how to remove the fans, heat sink and processor from your Mac Pro? This brief how-to will guide you through the process, the first necessary step of any upgrade or repair to either of the aforementioned parts. This tutorial will also be of use to those who wish to learn more about the guts of their Mac Pros without actually disassembling their units.
How To: Repair a Power Mac G5 - Remove the SuperDrive
If your discs are getting jammed in your optical drive, or if your CDs and DVDs simply aren't playing in your Power Mac, it might be time to replace that old SuperDrive. See how to remove the SuperDrive optical drive from the Power Mac desktop computer.
How To: Assemble a computer from parts
In this tutorial, we learn how to assemble a computer from parts. First, you will need to take the motherboard, video card, RAM, hard drive, power supply, CD-rom drive, and the case and make sure you have them all laying out. From here, you will take out the motherboard and plug the RAM in to the appropriate spot for it. This will be located next to the fan on the upper right hand corner of the motherboard. After this, place the motherboard inside of the computer case and then insert in the v...
How To: Burn a DVD using DVD Shrink
Remember that DVD Shrink is basically a free software that backs up DVD movies on your computer by shrinking them to a manageable size as configured by you. You would need a separate DVD/CD burning software to actually write the disc. This video is for newbies to DVD Shrink and basically gives the user a good overview of the main function(s) of the software.
How To: Add voice chat to online games
Serious about multi-player PC gaming? Then communicating with your fellow players via in-game voice-chat features is a must! This CNET video teaches you how to make it happen with a two-way headset!
How To: Format an SD card
Is your SD memory card getting a little too full? Is it not working? Try reformatting it. It's the first and sometimes last step to troubleshooting card problems. So, if your SD card has become too cluttered, this guide will restore it to a like-new condition with a simple format.
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: Make a Pandora battery without opening it
So to do that you will need 5.03 firmware, ac adaptor to turn your battery to normal after this, download the easy installer from the link in the video description and check if your motherboard is capable to convert your battery by the link in the video description. Now Switch on your PSP on ac adaptor and then put your battery in. Now run the easy installer. Now go to battery options and select convert to service mode battery. It will make the Pandora battery. Now you can switch off your PSP...
How To: Refill a black HP ink cartridge in under 5 minutes
Is your HP printer's black ink cartridge spent? Ready to throw it out? Not so fast: This video tutorial provides a short number of simple-to-follow steps for refilling your HP ink cartridge yourself in less than 5 minutes. Save money and reduce waste with this inky how-to.
How To: Extract an ".exe" file
Looking to open an .exe file? In this video, learn specifically how to extract an exe file onto your desktop, but additionally where to find & download the free 7-zip file archiver.