Hardware

This section of Tech Tips lists all of our computer hardware related articles. This includes everything from computer parts and peripherals to computer cases, monitors and related products. We hope that you find these computer hardware tips helpful. If you're looking for pc help, pc tips, or pc info, you're at the right place. Computer Geeks wants to give you the information and instructions you need to be an educated consumer. As the Tech Tips archive builds over time, it is our hope that the pc topic you are interested in will be listed. If you have not signed up for the Tech Tips mailing list, don't miss out, sign up today. Enjoy!

Sunday, June 05, 2011

How to Install or Replace an Optical Drive

Posted by ttblogger • 7 Comments • Discuss in Forums • Permalink
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Has your desktop pc stopped reading CDs and DVDs and you want to replace it? Do you want to add Blu-ray disc support to your PC? These types of drives, known collectively as optical drives, are extremely easy to upgrade or install. As far as PC components go and depending on functionality, they can be very inexpensive as well.

In this TechTip, I’ll show you how to install or replace an optical drive.

What you need:
● Optical drive (The CD/DVD drive or Blu-ray drive you want to install)
● A Philips-head screwdriver
● An available Serial ATA or IDE cable connection (depending on your drive’s interface type)
● An available 5.25-inch drive bay
● Antistatic wrist strap (optional)

The first thing you want to do is unplug your pc computer tower completely. You especially do not want the power cord plugged in during this or any time you open the case.

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Sunday, May 29, 2011

How To Install or Replace an ATX Power Supply

Posted by ttblogger • 0 Comments • Discuss in Forums • Permalink
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The power supply of your PC is perhaps the most overlooked component of your system. When it’s behaving as it should, you don’t notice it’s even there, but when it starts to fail, your desktop PC can exhibit any number of strange behaviors. If your PC is suffering from seemingly random reboots or doesn’t start at all, the power supply unit (PSU) might be the culprit. In this Tech Tip, I’ll tell you how you can install or replace an ATX power supply in your PC.

First things first, the power supply unit is a metal (usually aluminum) box that sits in the rear of your PC’s case. It is designed to take the alternating current (AC) from your power outlet and converts it into a stable direct current (DC) that the components inside can safely use. The type of power supply we’re dealing with is known as an ATX power supply. ATX stands for Advanced Technology Extended and is the most common form factor that desktop PCs use today. It comes from a standard developed by Intel back in 1995 that was designed to provide the basic sizing and configuration guidelines for cases, computer motherboards and power supplies. The standard has been modified over time to meet the continued needs of components where, thanks to various modifications, allows the design to be applied to different types of cases and increasing power requirements.

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Sunday, May 22, 2011

Desktop Computers – Best New Features to Look Out For

Posted by ttblogger • 20 Comments • Discuss in Forums • Permalink
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There’s no doubt about it, notebook computers surpassed their desktop computer counterparts in overall sales because of their mobility, small footprint and evolution into being virtually just as powerful. However, there are still several reasons to buy a desktop computer as they offer some fundamental aspects that are difficult for a notebook/ netbook / tablet to emulate. For example, desktop computers can have bigger screens, bigger storage capacity and can function as a centralized location, or a home base/dumping ground for your computing needs. Your desktop pc can also manage your home/office network, have more peripherals connected to it and can be upgraded with new parts in order to future-proof it.

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Sunday, May 15, 2011

Replacing Your Laptop’s Keyboard

Posted by ttblogger • 7 Comments • Discuss in Forums • Permalink
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It wasn’t too long ago that laptop’s were considered the top end of the computer market. Costing two to three times as an equivalent desktop computer, it seemed that only the well-to-do or the traveling business person were the ones with the “computer on the go.” In 2011, times have changed. Not only do laptop’s and cheap netbooks far outsell desktop computers, but more and more people have multiple laptop’s in the home. One common component on computers that takes a lot of abuse is the lowly keyboard. On a desktop, it is a fairly straight forward process to replace the keyboard, however, on a laptop it can be something else altogether.

“…Don’t let the fact that you may need to twist a screwdriver intimidate you from replacing the keyboard.”

Daunting as it may seem, don’t be intimated by the prospect of replacing your own keyboard – truth be told, it is a lot easier than it looks. In this Tech Tip we are going to give you a general overview to replace your laptop’s keyboard.

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