Hot Computers & Programming How-Tos
How To: Change Mario's speed and make him walljump for a Super Mario World TAS
If you're going to make a really fast TAS keeping your character moving as fast as possible is crucial. This video features two Super Mario World TAS tips: how to use ZNES9 to set Mario's running speed as a high constant, and how to do walljumps impossible in the standard game.
How To: Skip the level end flagpoles in a Super Mario Bros. TAS
The flagpoles at the end of each level in Super Mario Bros are rewarding when you're playing the game, but if you're setting up a TAS they suddenly become infuriating wastes of time. This video will show you how to TAS skip the flagpoles, which should improve your time substantially.
How To: Skip Dire, Dire Docks in a Super Mario 64 TAS
Super Mario 64 is one of the most influential games of all time and a favorite of TAS aficionados the world over. This video will teach you a cool TAS trick that will allow you to skip the Dire, Dire Docks level and improve your competition time substantially.
How To: Clip through block in Super Mario Bros. 3 for a TAS
One of the most common parts of a ludicrously fast TAS, especially in a Mario game, is clipping through the many block obstacles. This video will teach you an easy way to do that involving isolating the exact frame at which Mario can penetrate a block
How To: Quickly force quit any program in Windows
Programs aren't perfect. Either are operating systems. And when one or the other (possibly both) aren't working as expected, your program may freeze up and become unresponsive. If this happens to you in Windows frequently, you need to know how to force quit the application, so you can restart it and get back to work.
How to Make a Zelda: Wind Walker playercard emblem in Call of Duty: Black Ops
Interested in using cartoon Link from Wind Walker as your Black Ops playercard emblem? This tutorial presents a complete, step-by-step walkthrough of how to draw it in the Black Ops Emblem Editor.
How To: Make a Real Madrid Football playercard emblem in Call of Duty: Black Ops
Interested in using the Real Madrid logo as your Black Ops playercard emblem? This tutorial presents a complete, step-by-step walkthrough of how to draw it in the Black Ops Emblem Editor, bowtie & all.
How To: Repair a 64-Bit Windows 7 PC That Installed the AVG Anti-Virus Update (3292)
Antivirus programs usually aim to prevent malicious software from crashing your system, not ARE malicious software that crashes your system. Except, that was the case with AVG Anti-Virus yesterday when they released a software update that rendered 64-Bit Windows 7 systems useless. It affected both free and paid AVG owners.
How To: Use application multitasking in Apple's iOS 4.2 mobile operating system
Learn how to multitask when running iOS 4.2 or 4.2.1! The 4.2 release of Apple's iOS 4 mobile operating system for the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch brings with it a host of new features. While that's certainly a cause for celebration, there's also, believe it or not, a downside: learning how to take advantage of them. Happily, the web is awash in helpful video tutorials like this one which make the process a pleasure (and a simple one at that).
How To: Drag a file from a maximized window to your desktop on a Windows 7 PC
Now here's a useful trick! Ever had to make an application window smaller just to drag something to your Windows desktop? No more! In Windows 7, you can drag files directly to the Show Desktop button in the Windows taskbar.
How To: Free up disk space on your Windows PC by deleting hidden temp files
Scratching your head trying to figure out where all of your hard disk space went? Quite a lot of it might be tied up storying temporary files that you don't really need. In this home-computing how-to, the Tekzilla team will teach you how to delete those temp files and free up HD space.
How To: Batch delete files by date on a Microsoft Windows 7 PC
Ever wished there were an easy way to delete files according to when they were last opened? Well, there is. And it's called Delete Files by Date. This home-computing how-to from the team at Tekzilla has got the scoop. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look!
How To: Quick look at files in full screen on a Mac
Apple has always been better at GUI design than Microsoft, and the useful features in Mac OS are nearly limitless. Watch this video to learn how you can not only quick-view files in the Finder in a window, but also in full screen with one extra keystroke.
How To: Diagnose a hard drive problem and choose the right data recovery service
Most of the most important information in the world is stored on computers, and if your part of it gets deleted in some way you're probably in trouble. There are lots of data recovery options out there, and this video will show you how to figure out what sort you need for your hard drive / data storage problem.
How To: Shutdown and reboot with a right-click on Windows
Shut down your Windows PC from the context menu! This home-computing how-to will show you how it's done. For all of the details, including step-by-step instructions, and to get started using this time-saving shutdown trick yourself, watch this video tutorial.
How To: Clean your laptop's keyboard by removing the keys
In this video DavidDaGeek shows how to clean your keyboard by removing your keys, but to be careful when doing this. Put your finger underneath a key and just pull it off. Don't break the piece that holds the key in place though! he starts at the shift key and works to the left with the ? being next. Then remove the hair or dust with your fingers. Don't remove them all at once because you might forget what order they go in. To put the key back in, put it in its spot, and click it back in. You...
How To: Find an operating system's original install date
In this video from MegaByteTV we learn how to find your operating system's original install date and time. This is for XP Pro only. To find it, go to the Start menu, then click Run. Once there, type in cmd and click OK. A black box will come up showing that you are in cmd. Then paste the following into the cmd box: systeminfo | find /i "install date" The original install date will then come up on your screen along with the original install time as well on that date. This is a very simple proc...
How To: Speed up Ubuntu using the Preload program
This video tutorial is in the Computers & Programming category which will show you how to speed up Ubuntu using the Preload program. Preload will speed up your computer by learning the way you use your computer and preload the programs you use the most to your RAM. This will not take up too much space on your RAM. Go to the Synaptic package manager and search for preload. Download and install the program. The program may take a couple of days to learn how you use your computer. Once it does t...
How To: Keep your Windows desktop clean
In this video from MegaByteTV we learn how to keep your Windows desktop clean. He keeps only 3 icons on his desktop. Have a master folder. Put all of your most used things in there. Also use something called RockDock as he says in the video. In the dock, you can then expand and see all of your files in your master folder. This is neat and organized way to keep your desktop free from clutter. It also opens up your desktop to have a nice background image which you can select yourself. At the ma...
How To: Password protect a file or folder on Microsoft Vista
Various ways to password protect a file or folder using Microsoft Vista are shown in this video. The first step is to choose a file you want to add a password to. After you decide on the file you wish to protect you must right click and select add to archive using Win Rar. After the file has been opened using Win Rar you can then select the add password option to begin encrypting the folder. After you type in the password of your choice you must select ok to finish attaching the password. Onc...
How To: Clean your Mac computer keyboard
In this video, we learn how to clean your Mac computer keyboard. You will need to have iKlear and iClean to do this, along with a microfiber cloth. To start, you will take off the tops to each of the keys one by one. After you remove one, you will place the cloth over the top of it and then spray it. From here, you will clean the key off and then replace it back on the keyboard. After this, repeat for each of the keys until you have cleaned the entire keyboard. Give it one final wipe and then...
How To: Use the copy and paste functions on a Mac or PC
In this video 2 people show you copy and paste functions on a Mac and a PC. On the PC, the girl copies a paragraph of text on a web page by highlighting it, right clicking, and selecting copy. Then she opens up a TextEdit program and pastes it into there and saves it. On a Mac, just like the PC, he highlights the paragraph, but this time he drags the highlighted portion right to the desktop. This will automatically create a file right on your desktop. If you open it up, it will open up in a t...
How To: Set up & connect an external hard drive to your Mac
In this video from AppleGenius0921 he shows us how to connect and set up a Rocport 9CX external hard drive to your Mac. You can connect with 800 or 400 firewire. Take the 800 firewire cord and connect it from the hard drive to the Mac firewire port. Now the Rokport will power up with a blue light and will pop up on the screen. To format it or change any settings, open disk utility, select your hard drive, go to Rocport, click partition, and click apply to settings.
How To: Create a fax through email using 2003 server & Outlook
The first step to create a fax using Outlook 2003 and 2003 server. Using add/remove windows component make sure your fax equipment is properly installed. Under the start menu select the printers and fax option and select the share option. Then under administrator tools/users/new/users/fax to enter your password to turn our fax information transfer on. You must now select fax user and select advanced settings and double check to make sure the fax is able to see the object it needs to send the ...
How To: Fix the VAIO SZ spacebar
In this video, we learn how to fix the VAIO SZ space bar. First, gently lift up on the space bar until the top is removed from the bottom of the board. After this, take a scrap piece of paper and place it underneath the middle of the metal that's on the space bar. After this, click the bar back into place on the keyboard. Now, test out the space bar to see if it works! It should be working without any problems now. If you do experience more problems, just repeat this same procedure and you wi...
How To: Fix a computer that has no sound
This video explains how to diagnose and fix issues involving having no sound on your computer. How to figure out if you have on board sound or a sound board is shown based on how the audio plugs are positioned on the back of the computer. The narrator explains the importance of checking your speakers using an iPod to make sure the speakers are in working condition. The next trouble shooting technique shown is to go into control panel/device manager. Using device manager make sure your audio d...
How To: Clean dust & dirt from your desktop computer
In this tutorial, we learn how to clean dust & dirt from your desktop computer. First, take the front panel off of the tower and then clean the area around the fan off as well. Use a vacuum cleaner to suck the dirt out but make sure not to touch the surface on the system. On the inside you can use cotton swabs and wash cloths that are slightly damp. You can also use a small straw and remove the dirt and dust from the fan and the areas around it. When finished, your computer should be running ...
How To: Import unsupported video into iMovie with MacMost
In this video from macmostvideo we learn how to import unsupported video in iMovie. This happens sometimes when you buy a camera that is not compatible with iMovie. You can add certain video formats to your Mac to make your Mac understand these video formats that don't work with your iMovie. A common one is called mpeg2. You can get this trough Apple. In other cases you get the software with the camera. If you need to convert a video file, try to open it through QuickTime first. If that works...
How To: Wash your keyboard
In this video from Defcon Computers we learn how to clean your computer keyboard. You can use cans of air, or take off your keys. But in this video we learn how to actually clean the keys themselves. With the computer off, put Windex on a paper towel, and rub the key. Put more Windex on your paper towel and continue to rub the keys. Rub them individually and also clean the spaces in between the keys with the paper towel. Again, make sure your computer is off or else you'll get all sorts of er...
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: Find out what an unknown device is in device manager
This video narrates and explains how to figure out how to install an unknown device using the device manager. The first step is to access the device manager through the control panel/system. Once in device manager you must select the show devices options. Once the device menu is visible you then find the unknown device section and copy the name of the device driver. The next step is to open Google search engine and paste the unknown device ID name. After the search is complete you will see ma...
How To: Clean dirt & deposits off of sensitive electronics
Any electronic equipment is bound to accumulate dust, slight moisture, dirt or any combination of the above on its sensitive parts over time. The delicate nature of items also means further care is required.
How To: Install Windows 7 on your computer
In this video, we learn how to install Windows 7 on your computer. First, place the disk inside your computer and start the installation process. Setup will start, then it will start to copy files, expand files, install features, install updates, and then complete. As it runs through each of these, it will show you a percentage of how far through the process it is. Once it has finished installing, you will be able to set up your user account. After this, you will need to enter in the product ...
How To: Turn off user account control (UAC) in Windows 7
In this video, we learn how to turn off user account control (UAC) in Windows 7. First, go to your desktop and then the start menu. From here, go to the control menu and then user accounts. After this, go to change your user account control settings and a new window will pop up. From here, change the bar from the top to the bottom where it does not notify you, or wherever you want it to be that suits you the best. To finish, you will save this and then exit out of all the windows and your set...
How To: Burn DVDs that play on standard DVD players in Windows
This video explains how to burn DVDs that will play on a standard DVD player in Windows. The programs needed to complete this project include IMG Burn and DeVeDe which has been modeled for Windows. The final burn product created with this program will allow the DVDs to play on computers and actual DVD players. The first step is to hit open to select the file you wish to burn. You must then select burn ISO or Bin file in IMG Burn or DeVeDE. You can then select a title for your burned disk leav...
How To: Do a clean install of Snow Leopard
In this video, we learn how to do a clean install of Snow Leopard. First, restart your Mac and when it gives you the chime, hold down the option key. Now, put the disc into the computer and it will load the disk. Click the disk, then it will boot from the Snow Leopard disk. Once it does this, come up with a normal menu named Mac OS X. Choose your language, then run through the rest of the windows that pop up. Choose the options that work best for you and then re-boot your computer. When finis...
How To: Install the Ubuntu Linux distribution on a Microsoft Windows PC
Learn how to install Ubuntu Linux on a Windows PC. This clip will teach you everything you'll need to know. It's easy! So easy, in fact, that this video guide can present a complete overview of the process in just over a minute. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look.
How To: Use the string class when programming in C++
Want to know how to use the string Class in C++? Let this video be your guide. Whether you're new to Microsoft's popular general-purpose programming language or a seasoned programmer merely looking to brush up on the basics, you're sure to find much to take away from this helpful video lesson. For all of the details, take a look.
How To: Store text in an array when programming in C++
Interested in storing text in an array within C++? Let this video be your guide. Whether you're new to Microsoft's popular general-purpose programming language or a seasoned programmer merely looking to brush up on the basics, you're sure to find much to take away from this helpful video lesson. For all of the details, take a look.
How To: Create and use char arrays when using C++
Want to create a char array in your next C++ project? Let this video be your guide. Whether you're new to Microsoft's popular general-purpose programming language or a seasoned programmer merely looking to brush up on the basics, you're sure to find much to take away from this helpful video lesson. For all of the details, take a look.