Active Computers & Programming Posts

How To: Modify & organize your desktop icons in Windows 7

This video shows you how to modify and organize windows desktop icons in Windows 7. The first instruction is to right click in an open desktop space and select personalize. From there you hit change desktop icons. on this screen you can add or delete any of your available program icons on this screen. After completing this task you hit accept or apply to finish the process. This video contains vocal and text instructions to help you accomplish the task at hand.

How To: Find a cool Windows XP hidden Easter egg

In this tutorial the author shows how to find out a Cool XP Easter Egg hidden in the XP which comes by downloading the latest update of widows update. The author now opens Internet Explorer and visits the windows site. Now he quits the explorer and holds down both the Control key and alt key and right clicks on the desktop seven times. Now keeping the control key pressed, he releases the alt key and right clicks the desktop and chooses the option 'Create ShortCut'. Now he releases all the key...

How To: Hide/unhide files and folders & view/edit extensions

This video shows you how to easily hide or unhide files and folders and how to edit extensions of files. The first thing you have to do to hide or unhide files and folders is to open Control Panel and then open Folder Options. Next, click the View tab in the upper menu and check one of the following options: Do not show hidden files and folders or Show hidden files and folders. You can hide a file or a folder by making a right-click, then clicking properties and then check the Hidden File box...

How To: Speed up your computer using tweak network

This is a video for people who want to speed up their computer. In this video the presenter shows various ways to speed up your Mozilla Firefox by installing various add ons. The presentation of the video is very simple to understand. The presenter shows the way of using tweak network to speed up your computer. Another way shown to speed up your computer is using Ad Block Plus. Uninstalling various programs and using virus scans also speeds up your computer.

How To: Customize a CSS template for your website

Want to create a web site using the latest web standards but don't know where to begin? This tutorial outlines the usage of a CSS website template file designed to help those who are not familiar with programming. This is a great resource that will not only kick-start your first web design project, but it will also help you to learn how to manage your web site layout, fonts, and colors using CSS through simple experimentation of changing values in your style sheet.

How To: Create an ISO image file on a Mac using Disk Utility

In this video the tutor shows how to make an ISO image file on a Mac. He shows what the requirements are to get started. He points to the disk utility program from where he points to the option where we can open a disk image from a folder. Now he selects the folder to which he wants to save the image. Now he guides us through the rest of the settings on how to prepare the image. Now we end up with an image file which is in the .cdr format. Now he shows some commands on the terminal through wh...

How To: Find, download & install Firefox 3

In this tutorial the author shows how to find, download and install Firefox 3. He points out to the Mozilla Firefox website which is [www.mozilla.org/firefox]. Now you reach the Firefox web page where there is a link to download the browser. After clicking the link you will be prompted to save the file and now you can download the software. Now after the software gets installed the author guides you through the various steps to get Firefox 3 installed. He also shows how to transfer settings a...

How To: Burn a DVD using DVD Shrink

Remember that DVD Shrink is basically a free software that backs up DVD movies on your computer by shrinking them to a manageable size as configured by you. You would need a separate DVD/CD burning software to actually write the disc. This video is for newbies to DVD Shrink and basically gives the user a good overview of the main function(s) of the software.

How To: Install VMware and Windows XP in Ubuntu

Software expert David Steinlage guides the viewer through the step-by-step process of installing VMware and Windows XP on a computer driven by Ubuntu Linux. The first step is to get a serial number, which can be obtained free by visiting the site www.vmware.com and filling out the registration form. The VMware installer application Automatix is then opened and upon clicking the desired options, the installation of VMware starts automatically. At the end of installation, the user is prompted t...

How To: Take a screen-shot with your keyboard

Internet4Dummies shows how to take a screen-shot of your desktop screen using your keyboard and a photo-editing software like Microsoft-Paint, in this walk-through video first you have to navigate or arrange your screen as desired to be captured in the snapshot. Then using the print screen key the whole desktop screen can be captured. This image can be edited by any photo editing software for ease of use Microsoft Paint is used in this example. For this just open Paint and paste the screen-sh...

How To: Format a hard drive using Windows Vista

Formatting the hard drive on Windows Vista is easy. First click Start, then Control Panel, Administrative Tools, Computer Management. When that opens up, click Storage Disk Management. This will open a window showing all the computer's partitions. It isn't possible to format C: because that is where the operating system is installed. We will format disk 2. Right click on that, and select New Simple Volume. This will open the wizard. Follow the prompts through the wizard to Finish. The compute...

How To: Install Ubuntu in Windows

Here is the answer to the question that a lot of people have asked lately, "How does one install Linux Ubuntu on Windows without causing any modifications in the original boot record of the PC?" Software wiz-kid Matt Hartley walks the viewer through a step-by-step process of installing Ubuntu on a Windows-driven computer. The secret is to download Ubuntu to a CD instead of downloading and installing it directly on the hard drive of one's PC. This also ensures that the Ubuntu is easy to delete...

How To: Securely erase files on a Mac

Did you know that even after you've emptied your Mac's trash can, the data still has not been permanently removed from your system? Anyone who knew where to look could easily unearth this data. You can prevent this by using the secure empty trash option on your Mac. Whenever you put something in the trash, instead of pressing delete, go into 'finder' up top and press 'secure empty trash'. What this will do is replace the data that is left behind on your hard drive with random ones and zeros. ...

How To: Install Linux from within Windows

This video is pretty fast paced. There is no audio. It explains with video and text how to install Linux in a virtual drive from SUN. It includes the various needed steps including to First install the Linux or Windows CD into your CD/DVD Drive in your PC. Creating your new drive partition and then determining how much ram you want to add to the installation. It shows you how to work with Debian GNU/Linux and passwords and touches on installing Kubuntu.

How To: Process & validate forms in PHP

In these PHP basics video the tutor shows how to do form processing. Handling forms in PHP is basically the main functionality of PHP. The forms in HTML take the values of a from and send them to the PHP in real time to do the form processing. In this video the tutor shows how to make a HTML form from the scratch inserting a form into it with some fields and buttons. Now he makes the form post a method to a PHP page when you submit it. Now he shows how to make a PHP file from the scratch by w...

How To: Install any version of Linux from a USB thumbdrive

In this video the author shows how to install any version of Linux from a USB thumb drive. He gives the requirements, which are a USB drive, the ISO of the Linux OS and a program called UNetbootin. He shows how to download the program from Sourgeforge.net. After installing it he shows how to set the version of Linux in the program. Later he shows how to format the USB drive quickly and he goes on to set the USB drive option in the UNetbootin program. Now all the Linux OS will be copied to the...

How To: Burn downloaded movies onto a DVD

Burn downloaded movies onto a DVD. Open your browser, go to the Google website and type axxo torrents in the search bar. Then select the homepage of axxo torrents, and download the favorite video in to your computer. Then open the DVD flick, you select burn a DVD. In that you select the files to be burned on to a DVD, and then click ok. Then the general settings appear on screen, about the name of video. Then also select how to burn and writing speed, and check the box of verify the data on w...

How To: Clean-up & organize your Windows Vista start menu

The instructor from ClearTechInfo shows how to clean up and organize the Windows Vista start menu. He shows how the start menu consists of links to programs and not the program itself. He shows how to manage those links by removing those links, add new ones or rename existing ones, or move folders into other sub folders. He shows how to pin or remove frequently used programs to the main start menu. He advises to categorize similar programs under common folders, like 'Media Players,' 'Utilitie...

How To: Speed up a slow Windows computer

Have you ever gotten a new computer and it works great the first few weeks that you use it? And then after only a few weeks of use it suddenly starts to respond very slow and sluggish. A very common complaint among users of Microsoft's Windows XP operating system for the PC is that it can be a slow operating system. In this video the author shows us numerous tips, tricks, and tweaks on how to substantially speed up a Windows XP computer.

How To: Use Gmail Chrome Extension

In this how-to video, you will learn how to access Gmail automatically every time you click a mail to link in Google Chrome. In order to do this, you must have a computer that has the Google Chrome browser, as well as a Gmail account. First, prepare Chrome to use extensions. Right click the shortcut and add the following command in the target path area. After this is done, add the new extension. A crx file from the blog must be downloaded. Install the extension and now you will be able to ope...

How To: Permanently delete previously deleted files on a Mac

The guy in this video shows us how to permanently delete files on a Mac. First one would click on your desktop so the finder pops up and one would go to "utilities" and click "disk utilities". Next, one would click on the disk which they would like to clear, then click "erase" and then click "erase free space". After clicking, a box will pop up asking if you want to erase 0 times which clears the disk 1 time, 7 times which clears the disk 7 times to delete unwanted files, or 35 times, which r...

How To: Connect to a database & add data in PHP & MYSQL

MySQL is a database for serving data on the web. This video teaches viewers how to connect to a database and add data in PHP & MySQL. PHPMyAdmin is an interface that allows you to interact with MySQL more easily. Use the form in the program to create a database; choose the name for your database and select 'create'. Next you can create tables within your database, also using the forms provided. Within the tables you can set your variables; PHPMyAdmin has fields that allow you to choose the ty...

How To: Format your computer

Watch this video to learn how to format your computer properly. It's not as hard as you think. All you need is your startup CD. This video will work for Windows XP. Just follow the simple steps, and you'll be well on your well to a properly formatted computer that runs smoothly. For more videos on computers, search WonderHowTo for computers.

How To: Set up sound output & input in Mac OS

Gary Rosenzweig of MacMost is describing how we can use sound input and output controls on one's Mac computer. He mentions of the availability of multiple input and output devices like built-in mic; line-in etc and speakers , USB headset and provides a detailed information of using each of it; by selecting the one the user requires. He shows how the user can use popular communicating tool the Skype with the Mac laptop. One must go through this video to understand the selection of the output o...

How To: Take screenshots on your computer w/ different methods

Need to learn how to make a screen shot? This instructional video takes you step by step through three different methods of taking the image on your screen and into a program so you can print it. This will take you through three different ways to get a screen shot, how to use the on screen keyboard and use the program MW snap. All three methods are free to any Microsoft user and paste the image into another free program MS Paint.

How To: Install Linux Ubuntu on your Mac using VMware Fusion

Do you like the Linux Ubuntu program on your MacIntosh computer? This tutorial allows you to make it possible. Through the usage of VMware Fusion, the video teaches you how to install the Linux Ubuntu program on your MacIntosh. In addition, this video tells you where to get the programs you will need to follow the tutorial. By the end of the video, you will learn how to install Ubuntu on your MacIntosh regardless of the fact that Ubuntu is a program for the Linux operating system.

How To: Install FreeDOS in Ubuntu Linux

The author show how to install FreeDos which is a free open source version of DOS. He shows how FreeDos is made up of many programs and how they are contributed by many people over the internet. He show how to install the DOS in a Virtual PC. He explains that all the old DOS programs can be easily run in this FreeDos application. All the old DOS applications and games which were available then can be easily run in this program and the author even suggests to contribute to this open source pro...

How To: Install the Adobe Flash Player in Internet Explorer

This video shows you how to easily install the Adobe Flash Player in Internet Explorer. The first thing you have to do is open the Internet Explorer and surf to http://get.adobe.com/flash/player/ . Scroll down the page, uncheck the Download Free Google Toolbar box and then click the "Agree and Install Now" button. Then, click the pop-up bar in the upper side of the browser that just appeared, and click the Install ActiveX Control. A pop-up window will appear. Click install and then wait until...

How To: Remove the Security Tool virus

This video shows you how to easily remove the Security Tool virus. The first thing you have to do is restart you computer. Once restarted, immediately hold down CTRL+ALT+DEL. In the Task Manager you should see: Security Tool. Quickly end it now. The virus is temporarily disabled. Now go to: Download and install Spyware Doctor. Scan your computer and click Fix All. It will ask you for an account...

How To: Activate the quick launch toolbar in Windows 7

Check out this video for info on how to setup the quick launch toolbar in Windows 7. Quick launch makes it easier and faster to access your favorite folders and programs. The quick bar can be activated and deactivated depending on your preference and provides simple access to frequently used objects. This tutorial will show you a quick step by step to activate this handy tool in Windows 7 just like it worked in Windows XP and Vista.

How To: Reinstall Windows XP using Ubuntu

Has your Windows installation become corrupt or unusable and wish to reinstall Windows on your personal computer? Have no fear! Steven Barn will teach you, step by step, how to restore / install your Windows installation using Ubuntu live and your original Windows XP installation disc. To do this, you will need: Windows XP installation disc, CD burner, ISO image of Ubuntu live, and a blank CD. Though this will restore your windows installation cheaply, it is quite time consuming and would rec...