Active Computers & Programming Posts
How To: Detect unknown devices with Windows' Device Manager
If your Windows PC has been running rather slow lately and you're not sure why - you may have unknown devices taking up space and energy. Check out this tutorial for details on how to detect and disable unknown devices in Windows Device Manager.
How To: Disable User Account Control (UAC) in Windows Vista
In this tutorial, learn how to disable the annoying UAC or User Account Control on your Windows Vista computer. This clip will show you how to do this without compromising your security.
How To: Customize your Windows 7 login screen
Check out this tutorial and make Windows 7 you're own by customizing the log in screen. This is fun to do and will, no doubt, make you feel more connected to your PC.
How To: Fix a missing or corrupt ntfs.sys file on an XP PC
In this tutorial, learn how to fix a missing or corrupt error message "System32\Drivers\Ntfs.sys" Step 1:
How To: Fix a missing or corrupt ntoskrnl.exe on an XP PC
In this tutorial, learn how to fix a missing or corrupt ntoskrnl.exe file on your PC. Cause:
How To: Restore rundll32.exe on a Windows XP PC
In this video, learn how to restore rundll32.exe on your Windows XP machine. You can also use this method to fix or patch a missing or deleted Rundll32.exe file.
How To: Set up an IMAP account in the Apple Mail application
Need some help figuring out how to set up an IMAP account in the Mac OS X Mail application? Once you know how, it's easy! So easy, in fact, that this home computing how-to from the folks at Easily can present a complete (and somewhat talky) overview of the process in just under three minutes' time. For the specifics, and to get started setting up and using your IMAP email account in Apple's Mail app, just watch this handy how-to.
How To: Tether a 3G Windows Mobile phone to your laptop
Want to share your Windows Mobile phone's high-speed data connection with your laptop over Bluetooth? It's easy! So easy, in fact, that this home computing how-to from the folks at CNET TV can present a complete (and somewhat talky) overview of the process in just over a minute's time. For the specifics, and to get started tethering your own Windows or Mac laptop to your Windows Mobile phone, just watch this handy how-to.
How To: Turn an Apple laptop into a wireless hotspot
Looking a way to share a wired Internet connection? With an Apple computer, it's easy! So easy, in fact, that this home computing how-to from the folks at CNET TV can present a complete (and somewhat talky) overview of the process in just under a minute's time. For the specifics, and to get started creating your own WiFi hotspots, just watch this handy how-to.
How To: Make your keyboard work properly with the Num Lock key
Go to type something on your keyboard only to receive a string of numbers? Your Num Lock key might be engaged. Luckily, it's an easy problem to fix! So easy, in fact, that this home computing how-to from the folks at CNET TV can present a complete (and somewhat talky) overview of the process in just over a minute's time. For the specifics, just watch this handy how-to.
How To: Record audio with your computer
Looking for a primer on how to get started recording audio using your home computer (without shelling out the money for an expensive USB or FireWire interface)? This home-computing how-to from the folks at CNET TV is here to help. For specifics, and to get started recording audio using the built-in inputs on your own Windows PC or Mac, watch this free video guide.
How To: View details of file inside zip folders in Mac OS X
Ever wish there were a way to get a peak at what's inside a zip archive without having to unpack it? Well, with Mac OS X and Quick Look, there is. And it's easy! So easy, in fact, that this home-computing how-to from Tekzilla can present a complete overview of the process in just over two minutes. For specifics, and to get started previewing the contents of zip archives without expanding them, give this guide a look.
How To: Swap out your Windows laptop's 2.5" hard drive
Looking for a guide on how to update your laptop's internal 2.5" HDD? Look no further. This home computing how-to from the folks at CNET TV will teach you everything you'll need to know to swap out your notebook computer's existing hard disk drive. For more information, including step-by-step instructions, watch this helpful guide.
How To: Preview Firefox tabs in your Microsoft Windows taskbar
Learn how to force the Windows 7 taskbar to display a preview for each and every one of your Mozilla Firefox tabs upon mouse-over. This home-computing how-to from the people at Tekzilla will show you a quick and easy about:config Firefox hack that will permit you to do just that. For more information, and to get started using this hack yourself, give this clip a look.
How To: Stop computer viruses
You've probably heard a lot about computer viruses — but how do you stop them? This home-computing how-to from the folks at CNET TV will teach you what you'll need to know. For detailed information, and to get started protecting your own Windows PC from malicious code, watch this helpful video guide.
How To: Rescue your computer from disaster with a backup disc
The three minutes it takes to watch this video may save you hours upon hours of heartache if something goes awry with your Mac or Windows PC down the road. This home-computing how-to will show you how to create and use recovery discs to restore your computer to an earlier state. For detailed instructions, and to get started creating your own bootable recovery discs, watch this video guide.
How To: Backup files on a CD in Windows XP
Backing up your files is very smart and important. You'll want to make sure that you copy your files somewhere external just in case something happens to your PC. The easiest and most convenient way to do this is to use a blank CD and burn your programs and files to it. In this video, learn exactly how to do this and keep your documents safe and sound.
How To: Copy documents to a CD using Windows XP
In this video, learn how to copy files from your PC to an external CD using Windows XP. This process, called burning, is super easy to do and very useful. You can use burning to share files, listen to music away from your computer, backup programs and many other things. Follow along as Computer Active demonstrates this simple process.
How To: Make custom icons in Windows XP
In this video, you will learn how to make your own custom icons in Windows XP. This will help you customize your desktop and stay organized.
How To: Build an XML gallery with Flash CS4 & ActionScript 3
Make your own custom XML image gallery using Flash CS4 and a little bit of ActionScript. Whether you're new to Adobe's popular Flash-development platform or a seasoned web developer looking to better acquaint yourself with the new features and functions of this particular iteration of the application, you're sure to benefit from this free software tutorial. For more information, and to get started making your own XML image gallery, watch this Flash developer's guide.
How To: Create a nav bar with rollover buttons in Flash CS4
See how to create a simple navigation bar with rollover buttons when working in Adobe Flash CS4. Whether you're new to Adobe's popular Flash-development platform or a seasoned web developer looking to better acquaint yourself with the new features and functions of this particular iteration of the application, you're sure to benefit from this free software tutorial. For more information, watch this Flash developer's guide.
How To: Clone a hard drive from a non-bootable computer
Although computers are intended to make life much more easier, they can sometimes be confusing as cheese! So, it's fine if you need help trying to figure out how to do certain tasks. Like this one here. In this tutorial, you'll be finding out how to clone a hard drive from a non-bootable computer in no time at all. So check out the video above, good luck, and enjoy!
How To: Compress and encrypt an .EXE file with MPRESS
For the newer generation, using a computer is now a common thing that a lot of people must know how to do. Regular things like opening programs, writing papers, and using the internet are all easy to get, but there are other things that can be a bit harder for those less experienced. So if you're starting off or just looking to learn something new, this video can help. In this tutorial, you'll find out how to compress and encrypt an .EXE file for free using MPRESS. Good luck, pay attention, a...
How To: Boot your computer from a bootable CD
Learn how to boot up your Microsoft Windows PC from a CD-ROM! It's easy. So easy, in fact, that this home computing how-to from the folks at CNET TV can present a complete (and somewhat talky) overview of the process in just over a minute's time. For the specifics, and to get started booting your own PCs from optical media, watch this handy how-to.
How To: Burn an ISO image to a CD, DVD or Blu-Ray disc
Want to burn an ISO disc image to a CD, DVD or some other optical medium? It's easy. So easy, in fact, that this free video tutorial from the folks at CNET TV can present a complete overview of the process in just under a minute and a half. For specifics, and to get started burning ISO images yourself, watch this handy home-computing how-to.
How To: Email files quickly using Quicksilver
Learn how to send emails using Blacktree's popular Mac OS X application, Quicksilver. It's easy! So easy, in fact, that this home computing how-to from the folks at CNET TV can present a complete (and somewhat talky) overview of the process in just over a minute's time. For the specifics, watch this handy how-to.
How To: Move files in the Mac OS X Finder using Quicksilver
You might know that Quicksilver is terrific for quickly launching your favorite OS X applications but were you aware that you can also use it to move files from one place to another? It's so easy that this home computing how-to from the folks at CNET TV can present a complete (and somewhat talky) overview of the process in just over a minute's time. For the specifics, watch this handy how-to.
How To: Use advanced Windows Vista keyboard shortcuts
Addicted to keyboard shortcuts? Interested in adding a few more to your arsenal? This home computing how-to from the folks at CNET TV demonstrates a number of intermediate- and advanced-level shortcuts sure to speed up your Microsoft Windows Vista workflow. For the specifics, and to get started using these useful Windows key commands yourself, watch this handy how-to.
How To: Use the command prompt in Windows 7
For all you that are not computer geeks or nerds, this tutorial is going to show you some tips on using the command prompt in Windows 7. Although it's not vital information, this can still be used to fix certain computer problems and is fun to use when opening certain programs or doing other things as well. So sit back, pay attention, and being a geek or nerd is cool so relax!
How To: Edit or remove the Windows 7 watermark
Editing or removing the watermark on your Windows 7 computer can seem like a difficult task. But in fact, it's made easier with videos like this one here. In this tutorial, you'll find out what you exactly need to do in order to get rid of or change the watermark left on your Windows 7 desktop. Good luck!
How To: Customize the menu bar in Snow Leopard
M4cbook shows viewers how to easily customize the Menu Bar for Snow Leopard on the Mac. He takes extra time to emphasis the need to backup your files before proceeding with the customization, and reminds viewers to backup their files throughout the instructional video. M4cbook shows step-by-step the process by showing you his computer screen as he's giving the instructions to do so. By performing the steps in this video, you can customize the Menu Bar for the Snow Leopard the way you want it,...
How To: Password protect files and folders in Mac OS X
Password protect your files and folders in Mac OS X. This free video tutorial from CNET TV will show you how. Thwart would-be snoopers with this home cryptography guide, which presents easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions on how to protect your privacy by encrypting your sensitive data.
How To: Password protect files and folders in Windows
Password protect your files and folders in Microsoft Windows XP or Vista. This free video tutorial from CNET TV will show you how. Thwart would-be snoopers with this home cryptography guide, which presents easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions on how to protect your privacy by encrypting your sensitive data.
How To: Organize your digital photos in iPhoto 09
Organizing your photos in iPhoto 09 is a breeze provided you know how to take advantage of the program's various features (like, for example, keyword tagging). This free video software tutorial from the folks at MacMost will get you off and running. For specifics, and to get started organizing your own photographs, watch this iPhoto user's guide.
How To: Protect sensitive files with an encrypted flash drive
Have a file or a number of files too sensitive to be stored on your desktop hard drive? Thwart would-be snoopers with an encrypted USB flash drive. This free video tutorial from the folks at CNET TV will show you everything you'll need to know to create your own password-protected thumb drive directories.
How To: Back up your data to an external hard drive
Want to know how to back up your data to an external hard drive? Protect yourself against data loss and heartbreak with this free home computing how-to from the folks at CNET TV, which offers complete instructions on how to back up your important files either manually or automatically. For specifics, and to get started backing up your own stuff, watch this handy how-to.
How To: Enable the 'Ctrl-Alt-Del' login window on Windows 7
Use Microsoft Windows 7? Miss the old Ctrl-Alt-Delete log-in prompt? It's easy to restore. So easy, in fact, that this home computing how-to from the folks at CNET TV can present a complete overview of the restoration process in just over a minute's time. For more information, and to get started restoring this useful security feature on your own Windows 7 PC, watch this free video tutorial.
How To: Format a drive for both Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows
Have an external hard drive that you'd like to use with both an Apple computer and a Microsoft Windows PC? With the FAT32 file format, it can be done! And this home computing how-to from the folks at CNET TV will show you how. For more information, including detailed instructions, and to get started sharing your own HDs between Mac and Windows computers, watch this free video tutorial.
How To: Organize your iTunes music on a Mac
Music a mess? iTunes comes with a number of built-in organizational features to help you sort that problem, and your tracks, out. This free video software tutorial from MacMost will ensure that you know everything required to manage your digital music library. For specifics, and to get started organizing your own iTunes library, watch this Mac user's guide.
How To: Turn off automatic updates in Microsoft Windows
Find the Microsoft Windows automatic update feature annoying? It's simple to disable. So simple, in fact, that this free home computing how-to can present a complete (and somewhat talky) overview of the process in just over a minute's time. For specifics, and to turn off automatic updating on your own Windows computer, watch this PC user's guide.