Hot Computers & Programming How-Tos

How To: Create an Admin User Account Using CMD Prompt (Windows)

This is a quick tutorial on how to create a new administrator account on a Windows computer. Step 1: Open CMD Prompt...

How To: Create a simple form letter when programming in PHP

In this clip, you'll learn how to employ variables and arrays to generate a form letter when coding in PHP. Whether you're new to the PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor scripting language or are a seasoned web developer merely looking to improve your chops, you're sure to find benefit in this free video programming lesson. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look.

How To: Test your system performance in Windows 7

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to test their system performance. Begin by clicking on the Start menu and select Control Panel. Then click on System and Security, and select "Check the Windows Experience Index" under System. Now click on "Rate this computer". The system will then begin to run some tests. This will take about 1-2 minutes. The Windows Experience Index assesses key system components on a scale of 1.0 to 7.9. This video will benefit those viewers who use a Windows 7 com...

How To: Protect Your PHP Website from SQL Injection Hacks

As a web developer, I often read articles about hackers (from the lowly to the knowledgeable) infiltrating websites via the dreaded 'SQL Injection' method and completely taking control, changing, gaining access, or destroying the owner's data. As a fellow web developer, I'm sure you want to know how to protect against it. Well, here it is! In this article, you will find out what SQL Injection is, what you can do to protect against it, and additional recommendations that are easy to do and onl...

How To: Use ipconfig to determine an IP address in Windows XP

This video will show you how you can easily find out what your IP address is for a computer which is running the Windows XP operating system. You will first need to go to the start bar and click on the button which says "Run". Choose to run a program called "cmd" by typing this into the bar that appears. This will then open up a black box, where you should type in "ipconfig/all". Typing this in will offer you a list of information about the internet service you are currently using and one of ...

How To: Create a .LOG file in Notepad on Windows PCs

It's like magic. Creating a .LOG file has never been easier. And all you need is Notepad on your Windows PC. After creating this LOG file, Notepad automatically inserts the current date and time after the last line. Check it out. If you've ever wondered about LOG file types, this Notepad trick is must.

How To: Remove the Palladium Pro rogue malware from your computer

Palladium Pro is one of the newest rogues making it's way around the internet, posing as antivirus software and then infecting your computer with all sorts of nasty malware. This video will teach you three different ways of removing Palladium Pro from your PC completely and getting your precious machine back.

How To: Install additional brushes for GIMP on Ubuntu Linux

New to Ubuntu Linux? This computer operating system could be a bit tricky for beginners, but fret not, help is here. Check out this video tutorial on how to install additional brushes for GIMP on Ubuntu Linux.

How To: Lock Folder Without Any Software with Password

You can easily lock any folder on your Windows computer with a simple Notepad hack. By creating a batch file, you can hide a folder and require a password be entered before it becomes visible and accessible. This is a great tool for locking sensitive information, like pictures, financial statements, and a lot more.

How To: Turn off your system firewall without admin privileges

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to turn off the system firewall without admin privileges. Begin by clicking on the Start menu and open he Run program. Type in "system.msc" and click OK. Scroll down the Services list and look for Windows Firewall. Double-click on it and under the General tab, click on Stop. Then click Apply and OK. This video will benefit those viewers who use a Windows computer and would like to turn off the firewall, even if they are not running the administrator a...

How To: Open ports on your Windows XP computer

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to open ports on a Windows XP computer. Begin by clicking on the Start menu and open Control Panel. Double-click on Network Connections and select your network connection. Right-click on it and select Properties. Click on the Advanced tab and click on Settings. Select the Advanced tab again. Click on your internet connection and click on Settings. Click Add and fill in the port information. Click OK. T forward a port, users need to go to their router'...

How To: Fix AMD Radeon HD Series Not Detecting Second Screen

Since I recently had this problem and fixed it, I might as well share the solution. This is actually REALLY simple to fix but will impact your cards' performance.

How To: Take apart a computer's keybaord & clean it

In this video, we learn how to take apart a computer's keyboard & clean it. First, turn the keyboard upside down and remove the screws from the side with a screwdriver. After this, flip it back over and remove the keys from the top. Put the keys into a bowl of soap and water and let them soak. Then, remove the screws from the top of the keyboard and set them aside. Open up the keyboard and then dust and clean the inside of it until clean. Next, you will replace all of the parts you removed in...

How To: Easily open your NAT on a ZyXel router

In this Computers & Programming video tutorial you will learn how to easily open your NAT on a ZyXel router. There are three steps involved in doing this. Open your web browser and type in the router IP address which is normally http://192.168.1.1. Then you will get the log in page. The password is either 1234 or admin. It will be written on the packaging of the router. On the next page click on UPNP, then check all three boxes and click 'apply'. Then you click on NAT and set the start and en...

How To: Rotate the Display on Linux, Mac, & Windows Computers

If you've got a desktop computer, I can almost guarantee that you've got a widescreen monitor set up in landscape mode. It's how just about everyone uses their monitor these days, including myself. Except that it's not always the best way of working.

How To: Extract zip archive files with Winrar

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to extract zip archives files with the WinRaR program. Begin by double-clicking on the zipped file to open it. Users are able to explore the content in the archive, similar to navigating through a windows folder. To extract it, click on Extract To. Now select the save destination and click OK to start the extraction. When the file is finished extracting, find the extraction destination to access the content of the zipped file. This video will benefit ...

How To: Control the Music on Your Computer with Hand Gestures Using Flutter

Thanks to Flutter, it's now possible to control the music on your computer simply by making a few hand gestures. The app is available for both Windows and Mac and uses your computer's webcam to monitor your hand movements. Through the use of a few simple hand movements, you can play, pause, forward or replay your music. Flutter works with iTunes, Spotify, Quicktime, MPlayerX and a few other programs.

How To: Run Programs at Startup in Windows XP

Do you know which programs run when you start up your computer? In this short tutorial, I will show you how you can see which programs run automatically at startup in Windows XP. You'll be surprised how many there are!

How To: Organize Your Cluttered Windows Desktop by Creating Fences

Does your desktop look messy and unorganized?? Are there hundreds of icons in your desktop?? And it takes minutes to just find one??

How To: Get Started with Microsoft Expression Web 4

Getting Started Steps for Beginners If you are brand new to Expression Web 4, then read the following guide to quickly set up your web site and web pages.

How To: Use variables and strings when programming in Python 2

In this clip, you'll learn the ins and outs of using variables and strings when writing code in Python 2. Whether you're new to the Python Software Foundation's popular general purpose programming language or a seasoned developer looking to better acquaint yourself with the features and functions of Python 2, you're sure to benefit from this free video programming lesson. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, watch this video guide.

How To: Find your MAC address in Windows XP

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to find their computer's MAC (or physical) address in a Windows computer. This task is very easy, simple and fast to do. Begin by clicking on the Start menu and open the Run program. Then type "cmd" in the Run box and press OK. When the black command prompt opens, type in "ipconfig /all" and press Enter. The computer's MAC address will be listed as Physical Address under Wireless Network Connection. This video will benefit those viewers who use a Wind...

How To: Format a USB thumb drive to NTFS in Windows XP

How to format a USB thumb drive to NTFS in Windows XP Go to my computer, click to the USB flash drive properties, in that click on Hardware, click on SanDisk Cruzer USB device, and then to its properties, then click to policies, in that click on the optimize for performance button, click ok. Again click ok on the properties icon.

How To: Replace a color in Photoshop CS3

One of the things you can do to manipulate your images in Photoshop CS3 is to change and replace colors. You can use this tool to edit your photos to your liking and enhance their appearance.

How To: Extract an ".exe" file

Looking to open an .exe file? In this video, learn specifically how to extract an exe file onto your desktop, but additionally where to find & download the free 7-zip file archiver.

How To: Catch your spouse cheating on the computer on Windows

This video is a tutorial on how to catch your spouse cheating on the computer if you are on a Windows computer. The camera is at a very low angle pointing towards the computer so the viewer can watch everything that is happening. The narrator talks the viewer through each step and offers various hints and tips. He shows the viewers how to do searches for photos, website history, videos, and music files. He suggests to check out the photos and website history as the computer finds them.

How To: Get a Lot More Use Out of Printer Ink Cartridges

This video reveals to us about the secret of ink cartridges. It is a very common problem faced by those people with ink printers that run out of ink, but this video shows us that even though it signals that we are running out of ink, do not throw the ink cartridge into the waste bin.

How To: Do cool things with strings in Python

Bucky from The New Boston serves up this Python video tutorial on how to do cool things with strings in Python. This is the program you use to write all of your Python code down. Do cool things with strings and format them!

How To: Use cool string methods in Python

Bucky from The New Boston serves up this Python video tutorial on how to use cool string methods in Python. This is the program you use to write all of your Python code down. Cool string methods!

How To: Get the application path for an app written in C#

This tutorial shows you how to reliably get the application path for an app written in C#. There are several different functions that can do this, so watch and find out which ones work the best.

How To: Crash a computer with a batch file

How to make a batch (.bat) file that will crazy your computer. Crash a computer with a batch file.

How To: Use the Quest Code Tester for Oracle

Spend an hour with Oracle PL/SQL expert Steven Feuerstein and explore the code-testing challenges facing PL/SQL developers. He will demonstrate how the new Quest Code Tester for Oracle dramatically simplifies testing because it:

How To: Install a TV tuner card into your PC

You can watch TV anywhere these days, so why not on your computer? Installing a TV tuner card is easy--follow these instructions, and you'll be channel surfing in no time.

How To: Remove Empty Folders, Duplicate Files, Broken Shortcuts, and Old Bookmarks from Your Computer

Like a computer, your brain can store and process large amounts of information. It can remember names, solve math problems, and save tips that you might need at a later time.

How to Find the C: drive on my Mac

In this tutorial, we learn how to find the C drive on a Mac computer. Unfortunately, Mac does not label their drives with letters like other computer systems do. You can name your drives anything you'd like, including "backup", "my network", "my folder", or anything else you want. To find these, just open up the Mac finder and the devices on the computer will show up with their icons. This can make things easier if you are having trouble moving things around. Making them your own names makes ...

How To: Find details about your RAM & processor type in XP

In this how-to video, you will learn how to check your personal computer's RAM, processor speed, and operating system information on Windows XP. First, go to start and select my computer. From here, click view system information to open a new window. A screen will show you the information you need, such as the type of operating system you are running, the size and speed of the processor, and the amount of ram you have. Click okay to exit this window. This will be helpful for doing upgrades or...

How To: Use the Memory in the Windows Calculator

For the purpose of simplicity, we shall consider the Windows version to be used as Windows XP. How to start the calculator in Windows XP?

How To: Identify your system specifications in Windows XP

In this video from exosploit we learn how to find your system specs in Windows XP. If someone is trying to help your computer, you might need this information. Right click My Computer, and click Properties. Here you'll see your operating system, service pack, and how much RAM you have. Also google cpuz. Go to the first link and download it. Extract it and click the main file. Here it will tell you your processor, mother board, what bios version you have, how much RAM you have, and it will tel...

How To: Set up a firewall for a home network under Linux

Linux comes with a powerful built-in firewall, although the interface can be a little intimidating. With this multipart GNU/Linux networking video tutorial, you'll master basic and not-so-basic IPTables functionality and create the perfect firewall for your home network. For detailed, step-by-step instructions, watch this Linux how-to.

How To: Remove noise from audio files in Ubuntu with Audacity

In this tutorial, we learn how to remove noise from audio files in Ubuntu with Audacity. To do this, you will first open up Audacity and then open up your audio file. To get rid of the noise, you will highlight the area with just the noise, not anything else. Now, go to 'effect', 'noise removal' from the top toolbar. Now, click 'get noise profile' and right after this you will need to select the whole file. After this, go back to the noise removal toolbar and click 'ok'. From here, you will s...