Hot Computer Hardware How-Tos « Computer Hardware

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: 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: 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: 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: 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 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: Fix a broken or unresponsive keyboard key on your PC

This quick fix is really easy and super useful. Every once in a while we all get a key on our keyboards that starts to act up. Whether the key is unresponsive, tempermental or just plain annoying you can fix it with this easy method.

How To: Get a Lot More Use Out of Printer Ink Cartridges

This video reveals to us about the secret of ink cartridges. It is a very common problem faced by those people with ink printers that run out of ink, but this video shows us that even though it signals that we are running out of ink, do not throw the ink cartridge into the waste bin.

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: Fix your computer when it won't recognize your CD or DVD disc drive

One of the most annoying of the many annoying types of errors on Windows computers is when you computer won't recognize parts that have always been a part of it, like the drives or keyboard. If your computer has stopped recognizing your CD or DVD disc drive, watch this video. As long as the drive is still connected, the steps in this video should allow you to fix the problem and continue using your drive.

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: Turn a computer monitor into a TV

Have an extra PC monitor stashed in your closet? Don't have a television at all? It's time to wipe off the dust and see how you can turn your computer monitor into a TV.

How To: Fax directly from PCs with an Epson All-in-One printer

This is the future, where you can fax not only from a piece of paper, but directly from your computer, too. Whether you have a PC or a Mac, Epson All-in-One printers allow you to send a fax right from your computer.

How To: Hack a computer by resetting the bios password

This is hardcore, serious hacking at its best. So it goes without saying that you probably shouldn't be attempting this computer hack unless you've successfully shut down your friend's computer at school using Command Prompt and sent out a fake virus to loved ones.

How To: Pair a wireless keyboard or mouse to a Microsoft Windows PC

In this clip, you'll learn how to go about pairing a Bluetooth-enabled wireless keyboard or mouse to a Microsoft Windows (Vista, XP, 7) PC. For more information, including a complete demonstration, and to get started setting up your own wireless peripherals, take a look.

How To: Fix laptop screen scratches

You paid a lot of money for and now your worried your computer screen is ruined with scratches. Just open up your bathroom cabinet and you will find everything you need to get your trusty computer screen shining like new.

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: Make a DVR from an old computer

Turn an old computer into a DVR that you can use to watch TV and record shows from over the internet using a TV card and free software.

How To: Clean an aluminum Apple keyboard by removing its keys

In this tutorial, we learn how to clean an aluminum Apple keyboard. You will need: soap , q-tips, and water. First, remove each individual key to your keyboard gently, then, clean off the keys and the inside with a mixture of soap and water on a q-tip. When finished, place your key back onto the keyboard. Repeat this step for your entire keyboard, making sure to be gentle when you remove and replace the keys back on. Don't do more than two at a time or you run the risk of forgetting where the...

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: Use the onscreen keyboard on the HP TouchSmart

This video tutorial will teach you how to use the onscreen keyboard on the HP touch smart. Very informative video that goes through several steps including teaching you how to add an event to your calendar. It starts by showing you how to add the event and then takes you through the keyboard and teaches you how to capitalize your words using the shift key as well as caps key. It demonstrates the input panel tab and how to move your panel as well, teaching you all the techniques for good use o...

How To: Change touch settings on an HP TouchSmart PC

In this tutorial, Malou and Bob show tips and tricks to use an HP TouchSmart computer. First, you can touch the house button that will lead you to the home page. The computer is so sensitive, it will detect your touch without even having to touch the screen. When you select an object, press and hold it if you want to move it somewhere else, if you move it to the bottom on your homepage it will go into the designated area. If you press and hold your finger on the screen, it's just like right c...

How To: Increase the rang of a wireless keyboard and mouse

Want more range out of your wireless mouse? How about your keyboard? Maybe you like working from your couch and the signal's a little bit finicky. Well, this is the solution for you, but it requires a little work.

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: 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: 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: Clean your laptop's keyboard by removing the keys

In this video DavidDaGeek shows how to clean your keyboard by removing your keys, but to be careful when doing this. Put your finger underneath a key and just pull it off. Don't break the piece that holds the key in place though! he starts at the shift key and works to the left with the ? being next. Then remove the hair or dust with your fingers. Don't remove them all at once because you might forget what order they go in. To put the key back in, put it in its spot, and click it back in. You...

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.

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: Replace the nib on a Wacom Bamboo or Bamboo Fun pen

This clip provides a detailed, step-by-step overview of how to swap out the nib on a Wacom Bamboo or Bamboo Fun stylus. For more information, including a complete demonstration of the process, watch this official guide from Wacom.

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: Replace a key on Samsung Notebook keyboard

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to replace a key on a Samsung notebook keyboard. This task is very fast, easy and simple to do. Begin by placing the small retainer clip into the small areas of the key. Make sure the retainer clip is aligned on top of the keyboard and is securely placed on. Then simply place the key over the retainer clip and press on it. Hold the bottom of the key with one finger and press down the key with another finger. to secure it in place. This video will bene...

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: 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: 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: 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: Boost your wifi signal, hack your AppleTV and mod your Xbox 360

This video shows you a variety of hacks and mods for your Xbox 360, AppleTV and how to boost your wifi. You're shown how to make an antenna booster for your router, stream content to your Apple TV and upgrade the hard drive.

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: Remove the top case and keyboard from a 13" MacBook

Accidents will happen. This brief how-to will guide you through the process of removing your 13" MacBook's top case both quickly and efficiently without damaging any of the components, the first necessary step of any successful repair. This tutorial will also be of use to those who wish to learn more about the guts of their MacBooks without actually disassembling their units.

How To: Replace toner cartridges in a HP LaserJet LJ1022

Running low on toner in your HP LaserJet 1022 printer and having trouble installing the new toner? In this video tutorial, go through the few steps to make the LJ1022 toner replacement quick and painless. For more information, and to get started replacing your own LaserJet printer cartridges, watch this helpful video guide.