Use the Password to Protect an External Hard Drive

With the rise in popularity of external hard drives comes the question of their security. And you must do some type of protection to use these external hard drives with any sensitive files. The easiest way is to use a password to protect any external hard drive you use.

Instructions

1. First, you need to decide that whether you would like to pay for a software package to provide this security on the external hard drive. You can find some free software downloads and pay downloads on the Internet. The pay versions may offer more security, but if money is tight, but you also can choose the free version.

2. Now you need to connect the external hard drive to your computer.

3. Download the password protection software to your external hard drive. Install the software with onscreen instructions. See the resources section for more information.

4. The next step is to choose a password to protect the external hard drive. The password needs to be easy to remember but not so common that others will guess the password and gain access to the external hard drive.

5. Follow the user instructions of the downloaded software to password protect the external hard drive.

6. At last, let's test the external hard drive security by connecting the drive to another computer and try to access the drive. If you install the software successfully, it will ask you for the password established in Step 4.

Transfer Data from One Apple Computer to Another

You may discover that you need to transfer data from one computer to the other from time to time. Of course, you can always save the data to either a CD/DVD or an external hard drive; however, it will take extra time and not so convenient. If you have data to move from a laptop, which is portable, why not just move the data directly from the laptop to another computer?

                     

Things You Need

Apple Computer (desktop or laptop) x 2

Instructions

1. Assuming that the data you wish to transfer is on your Apple laptop. And now turn off your laptop.

2. Connect a fire wire cable (400 or 800 respectively) from the laptop to the desktop computer.

3. Turn on the laptop and press the (T) key while it starts up.

4. Once the laptop has started, there are two indications that it has successfully been mounted on the desktop:

1) Your laptop will have a “bouncing fire wire icon” on the screen

2) Your laptop will be mounted on the desktop as an external hard drive

5. Now it seems that everything is in working order and you can begin to “drag & drop” files from your laptop to the desktop just as you would any other drive on the desktop computer.

How to Test Your CPU Cooling Fans

Newer computer processors are becoming more powerful and are generating more and more heat. So you must have adequate cooling in order to maintain the safety and performance of your system. Due to the importance of CPU cooling to your computer’s longevity and performance, a fully functional fan is recommended. You can make sure your fan is performing up to par according to this article. We will tell you some easy ways to check your CPU fan.

                    

Things You Need

Web browser

CPU fan

Processor

Instructions

Physically checking your CPU fan

1. First you need to take off your computer's case so you can see the CPU fan.

2. Find out your motherboard’s instruction booklet and ensure your fan is plugged in to a power lead adequate for its needs.

3. Turn on your computer to see whether your fan is spinning. If your fan is not spinning, then turn your computer off immediately.

4. Unplug your processor's fan and plug it into another power lead. Find alternative power leads with your motherboard’s instruction book. Each motherboard is a little different, but they will generally be located immediately to the right of the processor.

5. Now, turn on your computer and confirm your fan is spinning.

Testing your fan’s functionality

1. Turn on your computer with the side of your case still removed.

2. Download a program named “Prime95 stress test.” This program will ensure your processor is working at 100% capacity.

3. Watch carefully at your fan when you run the stress test. If it begins to spin faster after the stress test has started, that means your fan is functioning properly.

Connect your MacBook to a Television

MacBook is one of Apple’s premiere notebooks. One key component in addition to its sleek design and elegant look is its ability to connect to your TV if you want to view computer content on a larger display. If you can connect your Macbook to TV, you can enjoy the slide shows, movies and the Internet on the TV screen. This can come in handy especially if you want to share content with a large group of people, perhaps while entertaining. You can connect your computer to your TV in minutes.

                        

Things You Need

Apple Mini-DVI to Video Adapter

Yellow RCA cable

Instructions

1. Go to buy an Apple Mini-DVI to Video Adapter if you do not have one (see Resources). The price will be around $19.You can purchase it either at a local store or online shop. You can also purchase it from a Mac store if you are close to one.

2. Connect the Mini-DVI side of the adapter into the DVI port on the left side of your laptop. Connect the other end of the adapter (yellow RCA) to one end of a yellow RCA cable and connect the other end of the yellow RCA cable to the yellow RCA port on your TV.

3. Turn on your TV and your MacBook. Using your remote control, press the “Input” button and select the input channel to which you have connected your MacBook. Because this varies with different TV models, you may have to press the input button a couple of times until you see your MacBook’s content on your TV screen.

Well now you can enjoy the big screen with your families or friends.

How to Connect a USB Webcam to your Computer

Before you take pictures, record video or use an online video chat service, your computer must have a webcam installed. Fortunately, if your computer does not have one built-in or the built-in camera is not so clear, you can connect an external USB webcam that will accomplish the same goal. You need the device’s driver and software to connect a webcam to your computer. They are available on the webcam’s installation disc. Although there are many different webcams available from different manufacturers, the process to install a webcam on Windows is basically the same regardless of the brand of the device.

                     

Instructions

1. Insert the webcam’s installation disc into the disk drive of the computer.

2. The Installation Wizard window automatically opens. If it does not automatically open, click “Start” and then “Computer.” Double-click the disk drive to open the wizard.

3. Click the “Next” button to start the wizard.

4. Follow the instructions from the installation wizard to install the webcam’s software. For example, choose the location on your hard drive to install the webcam software.

5. Connect the USB webcam to your computer using its USB cable when prompted by the wizard. And then click “Next” to continue the installation.

6. At last, click “Finish” when the webcam installation is complete. If prompted, restart your computer.

Now you can enjoy good time with your friends via new Webcam~

Way to Install a Wireless Mouse on your Laptop

Using a wireless mouse with a laptop will be much more convenient than using the laptop’s built-in mouse. And during your business trip, carrying a wireless mouse will be much easier than the wired version. This article will tell you how to use a wireless mouse with a laptop for those people who purchase the wireless mouse for the first time.

             

   

Things You Need

Mouse Batteries

Wireless Mouse

Computer

USB port

Instructions

1. First, you need to be sure that your laptop is compatible with the wireless mouse you purchased. Most wireless mice support Bluetooth technology. Any Bluetooth enabled laptop can connect to a Bluetooth wireless mouse.

2. Take out the mouse and insert batteries to the battery chamber. And make sure that the positive side of the battery is inserted into the positive niche in the compartment when you are doing so.

3. Place the mouse in a way that makes it easy for you to use and less stressful for your fingers.

4. What should you do if your laptop does not have a built-in wireless receiver (either Bluetooth or 802.11b)? Well, you can use a wireless receiver. And do remember it should be kept at least eight inches away from the laptop or any other object that would cause any interference.

5. Insert the drivers, if you have that with the mouse, for the mouse to function properly.

6. Connect your receiver to the laptop by plugging in the mouse’s USB connector to the USB port of the laptop. Just use an external USB hub for more ports if you don’t have any free USB ports.

Tips & Warnings

Test the mouse immediately after installing it.

Clean LED Monitor Screens Carefully

LED monitors are flat-screen computer screens that display a clear, crisp image. These monitors take up much less space than the traditional computer monitor, making the LED both functional and efficient. Traditional computer monitors are made of glass and can be cleaned with any glass cleaner. LED monitors are made of a heavy plastic so it must be cleaned with extreme caution. If you use the wrong as using the wrong cleaning products can cause permanent damage.

            

       

Things You Need

Microfiber cloth

Screen cleaning solution

Instructions

1. Of course, you need to turn off the monitor at first and unplug your computer would be better.

2. Take out the microfiber cloth which should have been included with the screen at the time of purchase. And then wipe the screen gently with the microfiber cloth. You also can purchase these cloths at an electronics store.

3. Next, wipe using small, circular motions to buff away smudges and fingerprints.

4. Now, you can spray a light mist of screen cleaner onto the cloth and continue wiping in small, circular motions.

5. Dry with a clean microfiber cloth to absorb remaining moisture, and then turn the monitor back on.

Now you have a pretty clean monitor screen again~

How to Change the Computer Motherboard

Many people are able to build and upgrade the computer by their own. But as we known, motherboard is one of the most important and complicated part of the computer. When you are trying to repair any individual part in a computer, especially within the motherboard itself is far beyond even the average computer technician. In fact, to replace a new motherboard will cost little money and you do not need to waste time for its complexity. So when you have a bad motherboard, the only thing you should do is to purchase a new one and replace it.

            

       

Things You Need

Screwdriver

Thermal grease

Instructions

1. First you need to open your computer. Unscrew the access door from the back of the case. Make sure all of the cables are tight so we can narrow the problem down to the motherboard.

2. Disconnect all of the cables that are connected to the motherboard. They are power cables, drive cables and case cables. The power cables should have a tab that needs to be pushed to release the cables. The other cables should pull straight up.

3. Disconnected all the cards on the motherboard and take them out. Remove the RAM by pushing the side tabs down lifting it out. Unscrew the CPU fan and heat sink. Disconnect the power from the CPU fan on the motherboard. And then lift he CPU socket bar up and remove the

4. Get out the old broken motherboard and then put the new motherboard in place matching the holes on the board with the case. Match the CPU and the socket holes and pins. One corner will be missing a pin and pinhole.

5. At last, you can put the CPU fan and heat sink back in place. Add the memory sticks back in their sockets until they click in place. And then the last step is to reconnect all of the cables.

How the Customer Advantages by the Availability of Dell Laptop Parts On-line

To look for Dell Laptop online, is considered a complicated process to carry out these days. This is since; there are a number of sites, promoting parts for Dell laptops, coming up with various offers and promotions. As a result, it has become challenging for the customer to choose amongst them and rely on any person from the websites, supplying original Dell parts and fantastic offers on them. Ideally, if customers research about them on Net, read evaluations by the happy clients, then opting for certainly one of such web site will be a great selection to get parts online for Dell laptops.

Why opt to get Dell Laptop Parts on-line?

It's a point to think about that when stores or laptop centers are situated, then why a single ought to buy Dell Laptop Parts online. The first and also the most considerable cause is, it saves funds. Once you go to a shop, physically located, there are numerous overheads involved or it is possible to say you will find other expenses included and hence, you could not encounter all these whenever you shop from on-line retailers. Numerous your costs are cut down, in case you shop on-line for your laptop parts rather than going to a retailer nearby.

In addition, time is the largest issue. Trying to find one of several parts might take plenty of your time. By way of example, you will not be capable of get the Dell part, you need for your laptop at one particular shop and now for that you might need to roam from one shop to an additional. This may need traveling at long distances at the same time,which is undoubtedly, time consuming. As we are conscious that petroleum costs are increasing day by day, hence, this will also outcome in fuel expense.

The third most significant issue involved will be the ease of access. Getting parts for the Dell laptop online is actually a flexible option, as irrespective of wherever you are either at property or at workplace, you are able to location your order, merely by logging on your selected website. Producing the Dell Parts simply obtainable by absolutely everyone, by providing them the selection to location their order anytime, has benefitted numerous consumers.

In terms of the delivery from the parts, shipment can be a considerable point. Most of the on-line retailers hand more than the ordered parts within 24 to 48 hours. This is since; they realize that how urgent it might be for you personally to replace, repair or upgrade your Dell laptop. Besides this, the retailers nearby may possibly have limited parts for your Dell laptop and customers may must wait for parts to come towards the shop, soon after putting the order, which may possibly take days or weeks. Nonetheless, you can find online retailers which have a broad range of parts for Dell laptops in their stock.

A website that not only gives excellent deals, promotions but additionally very same day shipping with warranties and at wholesale and retail costs, may prove to be reliable and authentic spot to shop on-line. Moreover, you ought to constantly opt for those internet sites that have Laptop Parts in their stock from the actual manufacturer.

The above discussion might have offered you an understanding that the availability of laptop parts on the web has helped this business to flourish and is still expanding. The causes and benefits talked about above may possibly have produced it clear that why a sizable variety of customers shop online for laptop parts and desktop parts.

Select a Laptop According to the Screen Size

Laptop screens range from very small to quite large measured diagonally from corner to corner." Most users are only care about the screen size when shopping for devices such as laptops and smart phones." according to a July 2010 PCMag.com interview with John Jacobs, director of notebook marketing research for Display Search. The “bigger is better” is a wrong perception because a larger laptop not only costs more, but also affects your computing experience.
                 

Portability

Even 1 inch or 2 screen sizes can make a big different in terms of portability. Take Dell and Inspiron as examples, Dell’s XPS 15 and Inspiron 17R have similar technical specs, but the former has a 15.6-inch screen and weighs 6.14 pounds, while the latter offers a 17.3-inch screen and weighs a pound more. You may think that one pound is not heavy at all! However, a laptop along with its power cable, peripherals and whatever else you might carry in your bag can easily exceed 10 pounds. And University suggests using a rolling carrying case to avoid shoulder injury if your bag reaches 10 pounds.

Resolution

Screen resolution is measured in pixels, length by height. If you use your computer to watch movies, play detailed games or edit photos frequently, the sharper image quality higher-resolution screens will be suitable for you. Larger screens typically have higher resolutions and accommodate longer viewing distances than smaller ones at the same resolution.

Aspect Ratio

Most of today's laptops geared toward casual use or multimedia viewing come with a wide-screen aspect ratio of 16-to-9, like a television set, which increases screen size by about 25 percent lengthwise, affecting portability and weight. A 16-9 screen delivers the greatest field of view, which proves especially important in first-person shooters will be suitable for you frequently play games on your laptop.

Standard 4-to-3 aspect ratio screens are common on business-oriented laptops, and still appear on a few models marketed for home users. The 4-3 aspect ratio offers the most compact, lightweight option for creating documents and presentations for viewing on projection screens.

Power Consumption
A bigger screen uses more power, and it affects battery life and energy consumption. For example, the Aspire AS7750G-6857, with a 17.3-inch screen, promises three hours of maximum battery life and uses a 90-watt power supply, while its smaller cousin, the Aspire AS5755-6647, with a 15.6-inch screen, provides 4.5 hours of battery time and uses a 65-watt power supply. Note: If your laptop must stay unplugged for much of the day, choose one with a smaller screen.