Turn Off Windows XP Service Pack 2 Firewall
If your PC is running Windows XP Service Pack 2, the first thing you need to do is turn off the firewall. Why? Because a serious firewall blocks unwanted inbound and OUTBOUND connections. SP2's firewall does not block unwanted outbound connections. More ...
FREE Software - My Control Panel
My Control Panel is an alternate interface to the Windows Control Panel. Rather than needing to figure out which tab on which Control Panel utility should be used to accomplish a particular task, My Control Panel displays a list of tasks. Simply click on the task you wish to accomplish and the appropriate Control Panel utility will open to the specific tab required. This makes Windows configuration much easier. More ...
Create Your Own Super Control Panel
The problem with the Control Panel is that there are too many utilities that we never use. If we locate the utility we need, we still have to figure out which tab contains the control we need. Let's design our own Super Control Panel that contains only the utilities we need, identifies them logically, and takes us directly to the tab we need. More ...
Installing An Optical Drive Guide
Adding a fast optical drive will increase your PC's flexibility and even if you're on a budget, drives that read and burn any format won't put you in the poorhouse. For less than 100 bucks you can get an 8X DVD combo drive that writes to all major formats of rewritable DVD. More ...
How to Install a New DVD Drive
When you are ready to begin installing your new DVD Drive, ave plenty of room on your desk or table to work. Allow enough space to move around and to be able to move the system unit as well. More ...
Working With the Registry
The Registry is normally modified through Administrative or Control Panel utilities, but it is possible to edit the Registry directly. It's wise to backup the Registry before making any changes. More ...
A Quick Guide to Wireless Networking
The first thing to do in setting up a wireless home
network is to get the correct equipment. A wireless home networking kit typically, these come with a firewalled wireless router (e.g. the immensely popular Linksys WRT54G). Some also bundle a wireless PC card for connecting laptops to the network, or a wireless USB adapter for connecting desktop PCs. More ...
How to Update Your Computer's BIOS
A computer's Basic Input-Output System (BIOS) is embedded software on a motherboard that will control attached hardware. All BIOS components are serviceable via a firmware upgrade that is known as "flashing" this process is called "updating the BIOS". More ...
Upgrading Your Memory to Improve Performance
Increasing your computer's memory is one of the most powerful ways to improve performance. The following 12-step guide illustrates how you can install your desktop memory upgrade in 10 minutes or less. More ...
Graphic Cards - How to Choose the Best
if you do plan to work with graphic arts or plan to play a lot of games on your computer you will definitely need to get a graphics card that has a lot of memory as well as a high-speed processor. More ...
How to REALLY Backup the Windows Registry
In Windows 3.x configuration information was stored in human readable text files like win.ini, system.ini, config.sys, and autoexec.bat. But that method of storing configuration was inadequate to store configuration for the enormous amount of bloat Microsoft put into Windows 95 and higher. More ...
Watch and Record Standard and High Definition TV on Your PC
The Pinnacle PCTV HD Card brings Standard and High Definition TV with full personal video recorder functionality to your PC ? with no desktop clutter. Watch, time shift and even automatically record all of your favorite TV shows with no service fees. More ...
