Computers & Programming Features

How To: Use Windows Vista's snipping tool to make a screen cap

How to Make Anything demonstrates how to use Window Vista's snipping tool to make a screen capture. With previous operating systems, you'd have to install a third party application to make a screen capture. To find the snipping tool in Windows Vista, go to the start menu and type "snipping tool" into your search box. The snipping tool box will appear. Click on the options tab. In the next screen, tick display icon in the quick launch toolbar to enable the snipping tool in the toolbar. Click o...

How To: Draw reflections with OpenGL in Microsoft Visual C++

In this clip, you'll learn how to create simple reflections when working in MS Visual C++. Whether you're new to Microsoft's popular general-purpose programming language and IDE or are a seasoned developer merely looking to improve your chops, you're sure to find benefit in this free, official video tutorial. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look. Draw reflections with OpenGL in Microsoft Visual C++.

How To: Set up an Oki C 3600n color printer

In this video tutorial, you'll learn exactly what you need to do to set up your new Okidata C 3600n MFP printer. This guide includes all steps necessary to set your new printer up, from taking the printer out of the box to installing the toner cartridges. For more information, and to get started setting up your own Oki 3600 color printer, watch this video tutorial.

How To: Completely uninstall a Mac application using AppZapper

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to completely uninstall a program on a Mac computer. There are 2 ways to uninstall applications. The first way is to drag the application into the trash bin. With this method, users will also have to drag the related, numerous preference and supported files. The second ways is to download an application called App Zapper. With this program, users just need to simply drag the application into the App Zapper program to completely uninstall it. This vide...

How To: Reset a wireless router

In this video, we learn how to reset your wireless router. You can use this if you are getting the "server can't be found" error, and it will work most of the time. First, grab your router and unplug the electricity and DSL plugs that are in the router. They will be round and look like post, and shouldn't be hard to find. After you unplug it, plug it back in after about 30-45 seconds. This will reboot your router, so it will most likely fix the problem you are experiencing. You should be able...

How To: Expand your virtual memory

This quick video guide will show you how to expand your virtual memory. Do the following steps to expand your virtual memory: Go to Start, select My Computer, then Properties. Click the Advanced tab, and under Performance hit Settings. Go to Advanced Settings, and under Virtual Memory hit Change. Change your Virtual Memory size here. Hit Set, OK. Restart computer for the new settings to take effect.

How To: Create a database and table in phpMyAdmin

In this clip, you'll learn how to go about creating databases and tables from within the phpMyAdmin tool. 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: Use System Restore on a Microsoft Windows Vista PC

Need to restore your Microsoft Windows Vista PC to an earlier date? It's easy! So easy, in fact, that this free home computing how-to can present a complete (and somewhat talky) overview of the process in just under a minute's time. For specifics, and to get started restoring your own Windows Vista computer with the System Restore tool, watch this PC user's guide.

How To: Create an MSBuild project to execute

In this video Chris Pels shows how to create an MSBuild project that orchestrates the execution of the aspnet_compiler and aspnet_merge utilities for an ASP.NET web site. First, learn the fundamentals of the compilation process for an ASP.NET web site and the role of the two command line utilities. Next, see how to create an MSBuild project file and the primary elements such as PropertyGroup and Target. Then learn the details of how to execute the aspnet_compiler and aspnet_merge utilities fr...

How To: Install RAM in a new MacBook Pro

It only takes 15 minutes to install new RAM in a Macbook Pro. Before starting, remember to make sure that the power is off. Turn it over and release the latch in the left hand side. This will release the door and expose the battery. Remove the battery. With a #00 Philips screwdriver, remove 4 small screws lined up on the top of the opening. Next, remove the other 4 screws on the other side next to the hinge. When that is done, remove the cover. You will see the RAM directly in the middle. On ...

How To: Slipstream Windows installations

Gigafide will show you how to slipstream Windows installations. You need to go to Vlite and download the program for Windows Vista. Install and run it. Select install at the main window. Use 7-zip to extract the ISO file. Next, go to that folder and run startcd.exe. You click next, agree to the terms and install it to the Vlite folder. Go to that folder, then Tools - x86 and select the file wimgapi.dll. Copy and paste that into the main Vlite folder. Go to Vlite, select your Windows Vista dis...

How To: Use expressions in SSIS

Expressions are new in SSIS (meaning that they were not in DTS) but they allow you to create extremely flexible packages. Expressions can be used to assign values to variables, help you determine whether to execute a task, and to assign properties. If you ever found yourself writing ActiveX code (VBScript) in DTS to determine which task to execute based on a variable's value, then you probably can forego the scripting all together in favor of expressions! They are very powerful in SSIS and yo...

How To: Change your computer registration name on a PC

This how to video shows you how to change your computer registration on a computer. First, go to the start menu and select my computer. Right click it and choose properties. You will notice a registered to name. This is what we are going to change. First, go to start and select run. Type in Regedit and click okay. This program will open. Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE and Software. Scroll down and find Microsoft. From there, scroll down and find Windows NT. Open it and select Current Version. On th...

How To: Use the jQuery Javascript framwork to make websites

jQuery is a very popular and easy-to-use Javascript framework that allows you to make very interactive websites quickly and easily. This video introduction will show you how to use the basics of jQuery and explains why you should be learning how to use it in the first place. If you want to make really smooth user interfaces for websites, watch this video. You really need to know jQuery.

How To: Set power options in Windows XP

This is another video in the helpvids series of technology videos. The video describes how to set power options in Microsoft Windows XP. These options control when the monitor is turned off, when the computer goes to sleep, and when the computer will go into a hibernation state. Laptops will have more options than desktop computers since there are battery options on a laptop. Click on the Start Menu and then Control Panel, then Power Options. The first screen offers the option to turn off you...

How To: Build a basic site using ActionScript 3 in Flash

In this video tutorial, Creative Cow leader Tony Ross revisits the tutorial how to build a basic site about Colors in Flash. This version is created using Actionscript 3. The basic principles learned from this tutorial will enable the user to create a variety of simple websites. Elements covered are basic Actionscript 3, navigation, labels, button and graphic symbols. Build a basic site using ActionScript 3 in Flash.