Hot Computer Hardware How-Tos
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: 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: Install a 2.5" hard drive in an external enclosure
In this how-to video, you will learn how to install a 2.5" hard drive into an external closure. This will take only about five minutes. You will need a small Phillips screwdriver. Make sure you use anti-static precautions before performing this procedure. Take off the top of the enclosure. Line the SATA connector of the hard drive to the enclosure. There is a tab on the top part of the enclosure. Make sure that it connects to the other part of the lower part of the enclosure. Take the screws ...
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: Install memory in a 13" MacBook Pro (2009)
This video demonstrates the installation of memory in a 13” Macbook Pro (mid 2009 model). It’s easy to perform and takes about 10min time. You’ll require a #00 Philips screwdriver (available in the Newer Technology 11- piece tool kit). Take care to work in an anti-static work space. Close the Macbook Pro and flip it over with the hinge side up. You can note 10 screws along the border. Start unscrewing the 3 screws on the right on the top edge, these are longer than the rest. Now unscrew the r...
How To: Install memory in a Power Mac G5
This video demonstrates how to install additional memory into a Power Mac G5 system. It is G5,1.8 single processor machine.Start by lifting up the latch on the back for the front door. Remove the front door. Remove the plastic air blocker system and remove the main fan assembly just like is told. Going to install four 1GB memory, these are OWC 1GB chips. It's very simple to install. Have to install memory in matched pairs. There is existing 512MB memory in the form of two 256MB chips in this ...
How To: Replace a hard drive in a late 2008 MacBook Pro
In this how-to video, you will learn how to replace a hard drive in a 2008 Macbook Pro. Make sure you use the proper anti-static precautions before replacing the device. You will need a T6 screwdriver and a Phillips screwdriver. Make sure you transfer your data from the old drive to the new one before installing. Shut down the computer, close the lid and turn the laptop over. Remove the battery cover and battery. The hard drive is held by a plastic retaining bar. Loosen the screw holding the ...
How To: Use your external monitor as main display on a Mac
In this video a user shares how to use an external monitor as the main display on the Mac. For instance a recently purchased flat screen TV can be used as the primary display. So if you want to use your external monitor as your primary display then all you have to do is follow these simple stops.
How To: Install RAM in a new MacBook Pro
It only takes 15 minutes to install new RAM in a Macbook Pro. Before starting, remember to make sure that the power is off. Turn it over and release the latch in the left hand side. This will release the door and expose the battery. Remove the battery. With a #00 Philips screwdriver, remove 4 small screws lined up on the top of the opening. Next, remove the other 4 screws on the other side next to the hinge. When that is done, remove the cover. You will see the RAM directly in the middle. On ...
How To: Use the character pad on an HP TouchSmart
In this tutorial, we learn how to use the character pad with the HP TouchSmart computer. First tap "calendar" on the HP TouchSmart home page. Then click "today" then tap "add event". Now, a blinking cursor will be ready for you to type in it. Now, tap the icon with the pen and paper to open the character pad. You can now write in the letters you would like, and the computer will fill in the correct letters for you. If you mess up, you can tap that letter and change with other letters that are...
How To: Install a hard drive in a 13" MacBook Pro (2009)
To install a hard drive in a 13" (13 inch) Macbook Pro laptop computer released in 2009 you will make sure to first transfer all data off the drive then discharge any static electricity from your hands making sure your are in a static free work environment. Next you will remove the old hard drive, to do this flip over the laptop and remove the 10 screws around the edge of the device with a #00 Phillips screwdriver starting with the three longer screws on the top right. Next, lift off the bott...
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 17" MacBook Pro
In this how-to video, you will learn how to install a hard drive into a 17" Macbook Pro. Make sure you use the proper anti-static precautions before going on with this procedure. You will need a pry tool, a Phillips screwdriver, and a T6 screwdriver. Make sure you transfer your old data into the new drive before installing. Shut down the computer and flip the laptop over. Unscrew the ten screws around the bottom. Now, remove the cover. You will see the hard drive at the lower right. Loosen th...
How To: Install a hard drive in a 2009 Mac Pro
First of all the tutor suggests that this tutorial is easy and you can complete it only fifteen minutes. However you need to use proper anti-static precautions when you are performing this upgrade. You have to ensure to discharge static electricity before beginning. You must also work on a static free surface. You need a "#00 Philips screwdriver" which you can find in the “Newer Technology” 11-piece tool kit. It is available from macsales.Gather all your materials and then shut down your comp...
How To: Install RAM in an MacBook white unibody
OWC, Other World Computing, demonstrates how to install RAM or upgrade and replace the memory in a 13-inch Macbook unibody. Installing RAM will take approximately 10 minutes to complete and is a relatively easy task. It will require the use of a Philips head screwdriver. First, discharge static electricity before performing the upgrade and make sure the computer is turned off. Close the lid, flip the Macbook over and remove the eight screws on the underside of the computer. Then, lift up the ...
How To: Recover your PC if it freezes
Computers malfunction all the time in the form of freezing, crashing or by just not responding. This can happen due to various software reasons behind the comprehension of an average PC user. But by following some simple steps you can restore your computer some times. Your computer might not responding if there are lot of programs running simultaneously. This causes the available memory to be used up and there by causing your computer to not respond. In such case you can use you computer effe...
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: Watch and record TV with an HP TouchSmart PC
After you set up live TV on your HP Touchsmart PC, tap the house icon and open the live TV title. In this menu, you can browse different categories and programs of TV, as well as future programs. However, you can't watch one program while you record another. To go into full screen mode, tap the square in the top right of the screen, where several controls are available. To record a program, tap the record button, which is a small red circle. If you want to schedule a recording, go to the "On ...
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: Navigate the homepage on an HP TouchSmart
In this video, we learn how to navigate an HP TouchSmart computer homepage (Windows 7). First, double tap the HP TouchSmart house icon. You will now see several different applications. On the top are applications that are running, on the bottom are applications that are not running at the moment. You can run your finger to scroll along the different windows that you have open. You can use Paint, internet, photos, videos and much more all at the same time! To scroll between pages, grab the top...
How To: Install a hard drive in a 15" MacBook Pro (2009)
In this video from MacOSG we learn how to install a hard drive in a 15" Macbook Pro from around 2009. For this you need a #00 Phillips head screwdriver and a T6 Torx screwdriver. Make sure you use proper anti-static precautions with this. Transfer your data to the new drive before installing. To remove the hard drive, flip over your Macbook. Use your Phillips to remove the 10 screws. Remove the 3 at the right which are longer than the other screws. Then remove the left most screw which is the...
How To: Install memory in a 17" MacBook Pro
This video from OWC presents how to install memory in a 17" Macbook Pro.The operation will take about 15 minutes and doesn't require an experienced user.First you need to provide all necessary anti-static precautions - discharge static electricity, use static-free surface.You'll need #00 Phillips screwdriver and nylon pry tool.You can find these in the Newer Technology 11-piece tool kit.To start, shut down the computer, close it and flip it over.You will need to remove 10 screws. Use #00 scre...
How To: Show or hide tiles on your HP TouchSmart homepage
This video is showing you how to hide or show tiles on your homepage of your HP TouchSmart. You can look at all your available tiles on your homepage by tapping on the "personalize" button. The tiles that are dimmed means that it is hidden, and the tiles that are bright mean that it is showing. To hide a tile, just tap on it and it will go dim. To make a hidden tile shown, just touch it and it will turn bright. When you are finished choosing which tiles to show and which tiles to hide, click ...
How To: Install memory in a 2009 Mac Mini
This video demonstrates how to install memory step by step in a Mac mini (2009), as it is a complicated method; it is advisable to watch through the process then attempt to do the same. First step is to remove the old memory from the Mac Mini. Shut down and unplug the Mac mini and place it on a soft cloth to prevent any scratch. Turn-over the mini to get into it using a small buddy knife. Carefully place the buddy knife between the inner and the outer case. Try to detach the inner clips using...
How To: Pick the right RAM for your computer
How to pick the right RAM for your computer
How To: Edit or delete tiles on your HP TouchSmart homepage
TouchSmart demonstrates how to edit or delete tiles on your HP TouchSmart homepage. Editing and deleting tiles is a useful way to keep your homepage up to date. To edit a tile, first tap the personalize button at the bottom of the screen. Then, tap the pencil icon next to the shortcut that you would like to change. Edit the information for the tile as desired. Tap the okay button when you are finished editing your tiles. To delete files, tape the pencil icon next to the tile that you would li...
How To: Replace a hard drive in a 15" macbook Pro
The video starts by informing about the basic safety precautions, tools needed and backing up data prior to hard drive replacement. There are a series of screws which need to be removed in the following order.1. Removing the battery from the back and then remove three screws thereby removing the RAM cover.2. Two more screws to be removed under the RAM cover.3. Two screws from inside front edge.4. Four screws from the bottom rear.5. Two screws each from the slim sides.6. Two screws near the hi...
How To: Install memory in a 2009 Mac Pro
MacOSG demonstrates how to install memory in a 2009 Mac Pro. When performing this upgrade, be sure to take precautions for static by discharging static electricity before beginning. Shut down, unplug and place the Mac Pro on a static-free surface. To access the memory, you need to open the side access door by lifting the latch located on the rear of the Mac until it locks in the open position. You can then the door forward and then remove from the body. The memory is attached to the processor...
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: Navigate with your fingers using an HP TouchSmart PC
Navigating on your HP TouchSmart 3.0 PC is easy, fun and takes nothing more then your fingers. To click, simply create a single point of precise contact between your finger and the screen. The HP TouchSmart uses optics to determine clicks so avoid leaning on it with your hands, knuckles, large jewelry or the random fly. The screen is not pressure sensitive so pressing harder has no effect. To right click you simply press and hold. For tasks that require multi-touch input use more than one fin...
How To: Unlock the fourth core of an AMD Phenom II or X2 CPU
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to unlock the fourth core of an AMD Phenom II or X2 CPU. Begin by installing the CPU chip into your computer. Then turn on the computer and wait for the black screen to boot up. Go to the setup by pressing the Delete button and select MB Intelligent Tweaker (M.I.T). Select the Advanced Clock Calibration and select Hybrid for the EC Firmware Selection. Select Auto for the Advanced Clock Calibration and press "y" to save it. The system will then reboot....
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: Connect hardware peripherals to an HP TouchSmart PC
HP TouchSmart PC is a powerful computer with various features. You can use you PC to connect to other hardware devices like printer, scanner etc. A hardware device might not even work with you computer because the connecting cables might not match. So if you want a printer to connect to your computer you will need a USB connector. If your printer has a normal pin connector, you cannot work with it directly. In this case the other option is to print wireless, provided your printer supports it....
How To: Video chat on an HP TouchSmart
HO TouchSmart is a all-in-one PC with many essential features. You can video chat using your HP TouchSmart PC. Note that you will need a internet connection to use the video chat feature. There are lots of messengers available on the net like Windows Live messenger, Yahoo messenger, AOL and others. You will need to have a messenger to chat with an other person using the same messenger. So first go to the respective websites and download the required messenger. Install the messenger as shown i...
How To: Hook your computer up to stereo speakers
Ready to rock and roll? You don't have to listen to music through those teeny tiny computer speakers anymore! Check out this cool tutorial, and learn how to connect stereo speakers to your laptop or PC and get the most out of your music.
How To: Upgrade the hard drive on your laptop computer
Not enough space on your laptop? No problem! Grab a new hard drive from your local office supply store and follow this tutorial to learn how to install it.
How To: Safely clean an LCD screen
This video answers the question, how do you safely clean an LCD? Remember that LCD’s do not have glass so you have to be careful how much pressure you apply, as well as the kind of cloth you are using, or you can damage or scratch the screen.
How To: Fix a stuck labtop key
You are typing along and you notice one of they keys on your keyboard isn't responding like it should. It is common to get a stuck key and you won't need to take your keyboard to fix this problem. You can do it right at home.
How To: Thoroughly clean your keyboard
A lot of things come into contact with our keyboards throughout the day: dirty fingers, food, beverages, dust..they are full of germs and crumbs of who knows what. In this 4 part tutorial, learn how to take your keyboard apart and clean it completely. This process should bring your keyboard back to its original glory. So, follow along and clean up your workspace.
How To: Properly clean your MacBook screen
To clean your MacBook screen use a micro fiber cloth and some water. Before you use water on your rag use the dry micro fiber cloth to wipe down the screen and get rid of all the dust. Once you have wiped the dust off of the screen take the micro fiber cloth and dip it in some water. Make sure that the cloth is not soaking wet all you want to do is put a fine layer of water on the screen as you wipe it down. Once you have wiped it with the damp cloth take a dry cloth or the dry part of your m...