Hot Computers & Programming How-Tos

How To: Enable multiple desktop effects in Ubuntu Linux

Ubuntu Linux is capable of many cool effects that other systems don't offer. This video tutorial will show you how to enable all of these effects, such as minimizing and maximizing windows. What? All operating systems do that, right? Yes, but this video will help you to select and modify them. Click here or here for more information about desktop effects.

How To: Paint fire & water on the screen in Ubuntu Linux with Advanced Desktop Effects

No other operating system can create this awesome effect. Sure, not many people will want to use this fire effect, but this is just one of the many perks of owning a Ubuntu system. This video will show you how to use this fire paint effect via an eye candy plugin that enables you to draw on the screen with animated fire particles. You can also paint water all over your screen. Click here for more information.

How To: Turn Aero Snap on or off on a Microsoft Windows 7 PC

Need some help figuring out how to enable or disable Aero Snap on your Win 7 computer? It's easy! So easy, in fact, that this home-computing how-to can present a complete overview of the process in just under two minutes. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, and to get started using this Windows 7 trick yourself, watch this video guide.

How To: Format a memory card using a card reader and a Windows PC

Sometimes it's necessary to format your memory card in your mobile phone or digital camera, just like you need to format a hard drive, because of virus problems or slower speeds. This video will show you the steps to formatting (or reformatting) the SD memory card for a cell phone, using a memory card reader. You'll also get details about a write protect error that could happen.

How To: Display a user or computer name by the time in the Windows taskbar

There could be multiple reasons why you would want to input a name in the Windows taskbar on your PC, like when dealing with a network of computers, to help identify workstations, or simply for a customized personal feel. With this tutorial, you'll see how easy it is to put your user name or computer name (or any other name) down in the taskbar, right besides the time in the bottom right.

How To: Eject stuck discs from a CD- or DVD-ROM optical drive with a pinhole release

Nowadays, a lot of desktop computer optical disc drives come equipped with a small pinhole emergency eject option, to help open a stuck CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive. This is a handy little option for getting CDs and DVDs out quickly, without shutting down your PC. All you need is a needle or a paper clip, then stick inside the pinhole release, push until the disc drive opens. Watch for a demonstration on a Mercury disc drive.

How To: Install Google Chromium OS on your Mac or PC

First download the virtual box, download it for Mac and install it. Now download the Chrome OS and extract it. Now launch your virtual box and click new. A "create new virtual machine" wizard will open, click next, put the name of the OS and choose Linux in operating system and Ubuntu in version now click next. Now give memory atleast 1000 MB and click next. Select "use existing hard disk" and tick the "boot hard disk" and choose the OS file by clicking the folder icon next to it, click add a...

How To: Use stereo mix to record from your speakers

In this video, we learn how to use stereo mix to record from your speakers. First, make sure you have all the correct drivers installed on your computer. Then, go to CPUID and download the latest version of PC Wizard. Next, open this up on your desktop and then open up multimedia. Look at the device audio section to see your sound card, then go to main board and write the specs down to download the drivers. Once you have done this, you will be able to connect your speakers so they will record...

How To: Use command prompts in Windows

This video demonstrates how to open up the command line prompt and various commands which you can use to make your Windows experience easier. After clicking on the "Run" option from the start bar of Windows, you can then type "cmd" into the box, opening up the command prompt. The appearance of the command box can be changed by left clicking the small icon at the top left, going to properties, and changing the appearance. One useful command in the prompt is "ipconfig", which you type into the ...

How To: Build a computer from scratch

In this video, we learn how to build a computer. First, you will need to make sure you have all the appropriate parts for your computer. You will need to have the hard drive, cables, ram, video card, motherboard, sound card, CD burner, etc. When you start to build your computer, you will need to pay attention to where you are connecting everything. Soldering will be needed for a lot of different things and you will need to make sure you are connecting everything in the right spot. When you ar...

How To: Make a Pandora battery without opening it

So to do that you will need 5.03 firmware, ac adaptor to turn your battery to normal after this, download the easy installer from the link in the video description and check if your motherboard is capable to convert your battery by the link in the video description. Now Switch on your PSP on ac adaptor and then put your battery in. Now run the easy installer. Now go to battery options and select convert to service mode battery. It will make the Pandora battery. Now you can switch off your PSP...

How To: Repair an iPod Nano 4th Generation

In this tutorial, we learn how to repair an iPod Nano 4th Generation. First, remove the top and the bottom bezel from the device using a small and flat tool. When these are removed, switches will fall out, make sure to set these aside in a safe area. Now, remove the Philips screws that are in the top and the bottom of the device and set them aside. You will be able to take apart the top from the bottom now. The dock connector will be inside where the motherboard and circuits are at. Repair th...

How To: Take a snapshot of your Mac OS X preferences with Airport Location Utility

In this clip, you'll learn how to record and toggle between different preference settings on an Apple computer running Mac OS X. With Airport Location Utility, it's easy! So easy, in fact, that this home-computing how-to from the folks at MacMost can present a complete overview of the process in just over three minutes. For more information, including step-by-step instructions, take a look.

How To: Turn your digital photos into Polaroids on a Microsoft Windows PC

Wish there were an easy way to give your digital photos the appearance of an old Polaroid picture? Well, there is. And it's easy! So easy, in fact, that this home-computing how-to from the folks at TekZilla can present a complete overview of the process in just under two minutes. For more information, including step-by-step instructions, and to get started applying a Polaroid effect to your own digital photos, take a look.