Hot Computer Hardware How-Tos
How To: Install memory in a Compaq Presario laptop
Learn how to upgrade your RAM memory for a typical laptop or notebook computer. In this example, we show you how to install memory in a Compaq Presario laptop. Upgrading your laptop memory is easy to do and an inexpensive way to improve the performance of your laptop.
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: Install memory in a laptop
Learn how to a install memory upgrade in your laptop computer. Simple to do instructions when upgrading your notebook with new RAM. This video tutorial is from EDGE Tech Corp.
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: Install your 2Wire Gateway for High-Speed Internet
Learn a little bit about technology with help from EMBARQ. Watch this how-to video tutorial on installing your 2Wire Gateway for EMBARQ High-Speed Internet. This will cover exactly how to install your EMBARQ 2Wire Gateway modem for Internet. This is the complete process step-by-step from box to connected online.
How To: Install your EMBARQ Modem for High-Speed Internet
Learn a little bit about technology with help from EMBARQ. Watch this how-to video tutorial on installing your EMBARQ 660 Modem. This will cover exactly how to install your EMBARQ Modem for EMBARQ High Speed Internet service. This is the complete process step-by-step from box to connected online.
How To: Connect to your 2Wire Gateway via wireless Internet
Learn a little bit about technology with help from EMBARQ. Watch this how-to video tutorial on configuring and connecting to your 2Wire Gateway via DSL wireless Internet instead of through an Ethernet cable. make sure to follow this whole process to get your High-Speed Internet up and running on your computer.
How To: Install DSL 2Wire Gateway filters on home phones
Learn a little bit about technology with help from EMBARQ. Watch this how-to video tutorial on installing DSL 2Wire Gateway filters on home phones. Make sure to repeat the install process for the Gateway filters for each telephone in your house that uses the same phone number as your High-Speed Internet.
How To: Fix a wet laptop
How were you supposed to know your computer can't swim? Isn't it called a laptop? You will need paper towels or lint-free cloth, cotton swabs, a towel, lots of luck, and professional help. Warning: liquids and electricity don't mix. Please make sure your hardware and all points of electrical contact are completely dry before plugging them in.
How To: Build your very own computer
See how to build your very own computer! Just watch this video tutorial, in 22 parts, on how to make a homemade computer from scratch! This is a very detailed how-to on creating your own computer tower.
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: Build a home theater PC computer
The Real HT Info Podcast assembles a computer that has all the cooling and noise considerations to make an admirable HTPC. If you've ever wanted to build your own computer, this is a good place to start.
How To: Mod a 12-volt power adapter onto your PC case
In this case modding video tutorial, you'll learn how to install a cigarette lighter-style 12-volt accessory outlet into a PC case. Charge your cell phone and other accessories directly from your case with the hack outlined in this video. For detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look!
How To: Completely erase a computer hard drive to remove all private data
Data thieves don't have to be programming wizards to get their hands on your personal information. They often find hard drives that contain financial and other sensitive data at flea markets, charity shops, the city dump—even on eBay. In this video tutorial, PC World explains how to completely erase sensitive data from old drives before recycling or discarding them. Wipe your old hard drives with this how-to.
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.
How To: Set up an Oki C8800n Color Laser Printer
In this video tutorial, you'll learn exactly what you need to do to set up your new Okidata C 8800n color laser printer. This guide includes all steps necessary to set your new printer up, from taking the printer out of the box to installing the toner cartridges. For more information, and to get started setting up your own Oki 8800n laser printer, watch this video tutorial.
How To: Set up an Oki C 3600n color printer
In this video tutorial, you'll learn exactly what you need to do to set up your new Okidata C 3600n MFP printer. This guide includes all steps necessary to set your new printer up, from taking the printer out of the box to installing the toner cartridges. For more information, and to get started setting up your own Oki 3600 color printer, watch this video tutorial.
How To: Set up an Okidata C 6150n color printer
In this video tutorial, you'll learn exactly what you need to do to set up your new Okidata C 6150n MFP printer. This guide includes all steps necessary to set your new printer up, from taking the printer out of the box to installing the toner cartridges. For more information, and to get started setting up your own Oki 6150 color printer, watch this video tutorial.
How To: Set up an Okidata C 3530n color printer
In this video tutorial, you'll learn exactly what you need to do to set up your new Okidata C 3530n MFP printer. This guide includes all steps necessary to set your new printer up, from taking the printer out of the box to installing the toner cartridges. For more information, and to get started setting up your own Oki printer, watch this video tutorial.
How To: Hack a Windows PC with a USB key
In this episode of Hak5, Darren shows us a USB key, dubbed the USB Hacksaw, that instantly and silently installs on target Windows 2000 or higher computers with guest or higher privileges which will monitor USB ports for flash drives and automatically download their contents for silent archival and email. For detailed instructions on replicating this hack yourself, watch this video hacking tutorial.
How To: Recover deleted files from hard drives & memory cards
You may have lost your files but you needn't loose hope, too. In this episode of Lab Rats TV, Andy and Sean show you how to recover your deleted data (and your marriage!) using oranges. For detailed instructions on recovering your own lost data, take a look at this tech how-to.
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: Install an Apple AirPort wireless router
Want to connect your Mac to an AirPort or AirPort Extreme wireless router? This video guide will show you how. For step-by-step instructions on setting up your own WiFi, take a look at this Apple AirPort installation guide. Install an Apple AirPort wireless router.
How To: Install RAM, or random access memory, in an Apple iMac
Using a Phillips head screwdriver remove the screw under the handle in the back of your iMac. Remove the screws outlined in the picture below. Remove screws 1 and 2 with a standard Phillips head screwdriver. Screws 3 and 4 use a standard flat head screwdriver. After removing the screws, gently pull out all of the plugs. Next holding the clear handle just below the bar code, pull out the section of the iMac.
How To: Clean an Apple Mighty Mouse
If your Apple Mighty Mouse is covered in fingerprints or its surface has become soiled, it can be gently wiped with a clean lint-free cloth. If necessary, moisten the cloth using only water, making sure not to oversaturate it. Be aware that the mouse contains electronic components that may be damaged if water drips from the cloth into the mouse via the seam around the scroll ball or around its underside.
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: Use the Ironkey High Security Flash Drive
The Ironkey is a high security thumb drive designed to provide strong AES encryption, tamper resistance and other security services. Some of the topics covered will include: How is the drive mounted without admin privileges in Windows? How is it mounted in Linux? How does the "Self Destruct" feature work? What is Secure Sessions? How is the Ironkey better than just using Truecrypt? For answers to these questions, take a look. Use the Ironkey High Security Flash Drive.
How To: Install a 233 PowerForce G4 accelerator in a Mac Tower
The PowerForce G4 Series 233 is the versatile single processor upgrade for PowerMac G4 AGP towers, G4 Cubes, PowerMac G4 Digital Audio, QuickSilver, and QuickSilver 2002 models. It features the G4-7451 and G4-7455 processors, with speeds up to 1.2GHz. The PowerForce G4 Series 233 processor card, like its predecessors - the Series 100 and 133 upgrades - is the most advanced, highest performance CPU card available on the market today. It's also easy to install Feature List: PowerPC 7451 or 7455...
How To: Install an OWC Mercury Extreme processor on a G4 Mac
The OWC Mercury Extreme G4 is a fantastic high speed single processor replacement to your current processor. The Mercury Extreme, unlike other processor upgrades, does not use or require 'enabling' utilities to operate. It's the easiest upgrade for your G4 Quicksilver Macintosh to boost its speed. This video tutorial will take you, step by step, through the installation process. For more, take a look!
How To: Install an optical drive in a Power Mac G4 system
Installing a second optical drive on your Power Mac is a simple project, provided you know what you're doing. In this video tutorial, you'll find detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to install an optical drive in a Power Mac G4 mirrored drive door system. For more, watch this optical drive installation how-to.
How To: Install a serial ATA hard drive in a G5 Power Mac
If your Power Mac is running out of disk space, you might consider installing a second hard drive. In this video tutorial, you'll find instructions for installing a second serial ATA drive into a Power Mac G5 system. For more on the hard drive installation process, watch this how-to and, remember: take proper anti-static precautions when working on any computer.
How To: Install a G4 AGP processor upgrade card
This video is going to show you how to install a processor upgrade card into a Power Mac G4 AGP machine that is either a "sawtooth" or "Gigabit Ethernet" machine.
How To: Install RAM into a mid 2007 model iMac
This video shows you how to install memory into a new mid 2007 Apple Intel iMac. It is the same procedure for the 20" or 24" versions.
How To: Install memory and a hard drive in the MacBook
This video takes you through the steps required to open a MacBook 13.3" (Intel) and install memory and a hard drive.
How To: Upgrade your Mac Mini G4
In this video you will learn how to disassemble and completely upgrade a Mac Mini (G4) by installing memory, an optical drive and a hard drive. You'd be surprised, the hardest part of this "surgery" is getting the computer open!
How To: Install additional memory into a Power Mac G5
This video shows you how to install additional memory into a Power Mac G5 1.8 single processor system. You do need to install the memory in matched pairs so keep that in mind when you're buying the memory.
How To: Install a second optical drive in a Mac Pro
In this video you will see how to install a second optical drive into an Apple Mac Pro system. It's actually really easy and should take no time at all.
How To: Install a serial hard drive & card in a G4 Quicksilver
If you're considering buying and installing a new serial hard drive and PCI card in your Power Mac G4 Quicksilver, then watch this video and see how it's done. Hopefully you'll still want to do it yourself, but maybe not?
How To: Install a hard drive into a Power Mac G4 Cube
Got a new hard drive for your Power Mac G4 Cube but not sure how to install it? It's really simple if you just follow the demonstration in this video.
How To: Install a parallel ATA & PCI card on a G4 AGP system
If you have a Power Mac G4 AGP system, and it's too slow, you'll want to install a parallel ATA controller card and second hard drive. The controller card is necessary to make the second hard drive actually useful since if you don't install it, both drives are running on the slow factory card. Check out how to do it in this video.