How To Change Your Computer’s Power Supply

Upgrading your power supply is an excellent idea and one that you can easily do no matter your level of experience. You will especially want to upgrade your power supply when you have done any other upgrades to your machine like installing a new video card. So here are the steps to replacing your power supply.

Step one remove the power cord from the back of your computer. Next you need to find a good flat surface with sufficient light and no carpet underfoot. You will need a Phillips head screw driver for the job. You will see anywhere from four to maybe six screws there you need to unscrew the ones that hold the power supply to the outer case.

Now remove the side panel of your computer. You will easily be able to see the power supply, it opposite of where the hard drive and DVD drives are. Before you remove the power supply however you must remove the cables inside the computer. These power cable will go to devices such as your hard drive and DVD drive. There is also a power connector that goes to the mother board. Once all connections have been removed you can now unscrew the remaining screws that hold the power supply to the frame of the computer.

You can now slide out your old power supply unit. Gently slide the unit away from the back of the machine. Installing your new unit is exactly the reverse steps. Be sure to attach all power connections carefully.

Which Is More Secure – Internet Explorer Or Firefox

Internet Explorer has to contend with being the most used browser making it the de-facto target. Firefox on the other hand is still not as popular or widely used as Internet Explorer but that is slowly changing. Since Firefox was first introduced it has been gaining market share steadily. Right now Internet Explorer will still receive the most attacks.

Internet Explorer 9 default settings are set to a medium-high zone or security level. At this level the user can visit any site on the internet without restriction but will be prompted before downloading a potentially harmful program. IE also blocks third party cookies from saving information on your machine and has pop-up blocker turned on. IE will highlight the address bar if the website is considered suspicious.

Firefox’s default configuration is set to warn if sites attempt to install any unwanted add-ons. It is also set to block known malicious sites. Finally it is also set to block any unwanted pop-ups.

Out of the box neither is more secure than the other. Firefox depends on add-on software that can make the browser more secure. While Internet Explorer does not use add-ons instead the user can customize their level of security if they spend time inside the internet options section. Both are equally secure and both allow configuration for more security. Technically savvy users will not mind tinkering with the settings to make IE more secure while an average user will find Firefox’s add-ons to be an easier way to increase security.

How to Upgrade Your PCs Memory

In this article it’ll show you how easy it is to add more memory to your PC. No longer do you have to be a computer whiz to make an upgrade in memory. No longer do you have to go to an overpriced PC shop and have them charge outrageous prices for the minimal work they do. Upgrading your PCs memory is as easy as 1-2-3 and this article will break it down and show you how.

The only tool you will need for this is a Phillips screwdriver and a ground strap. After you find the compatible RAM (memory) that goes with your PC, first thing to do is safely shut down your PC, and unplug all peripherals and power cords. Then open the case of your computer. The next step would be to properly ground yourself. Find the memory sockets which houses the RAM. After you located the sockets, identify the proper ones to fill. Remove anything in the way such as power cables or plastic panels. If removing existing memory is necessary then push down on the clips on both sides. The memory stick should slight pop up and be easy to remove.

Installing your new memory is no harder. Just open up the latches at both of the ends of the socket by pushing them down gently. At the bottom of the memory stick you will see a notch that you will line up with the bump in the socket. Now push down the memory stick gently into the socket while touching the top of the stick. This will make the latches at both ends to rise and lock. Press both of the latches toward the edge of the socket gently to make sure it is closed completely. Put your PC back together, attach all the peripherals and watch the screen during boot up to make sure it recognizes the new memory addition. Congrats, you just added more memory to your PC. Give yourself a round of applause!

How To Add A Wireless Card To Your PC

Adding a wireless card to your PC is not as difficult as you may imagine. Here are the important steps you want to make sure you follow. First unplug your computer and remove the plug from the back of your machine. Set the machine aside and get any tools you need. You also will want to make sure you are working on a stable and high enough table that is not on a carpet. The kitchen table is always perfect. Just make sure you have enough lights and a screwdriver just in case.

You now will need to remove the side cover. Modern computers have one side that slides off and allows access without a screwdriver. Some may have a release button if you are unsure check the manual. Now once inside look at the row of slots by the back of the machine. These are you PCI slots you need to have one that is free. You must remove the bracket you want to use. If your bracket has a screw keep it you will need it to secure the wireless card.

Insert your wireless card into the open slot. You will have to press firmly but do not force it if it is not sliding in. Once seated in the slot check to make sure it has lined up correctly both inside and outside. Once everything is lined up and fastened correctly you can slide the panel back on the computer and start using your new wireless card.

How To Protect Yourself Online

The knowledge of how to protect yourself online can prevent a considerable amount of personal distress, ranging from a minor computer virus to having your identity stolen. This knowledge does not demand that an individual possess stellar computer skills, just an awareness that there are a variety of hidden dangers associated with every action taken on your computer. More often than not, the harm that is inflicted via the internet is in direct response to a user that has not taken the cursory steps necessary to maintain personal privacy and tighten security measures.

One of the foremost ways to protect yourself online is to make certain that your computer has an adequate security software package that includes strong firewalls and the frequent upgrade of security patches. Computer hackers are constantly learning new ways to bypass internet security systems, and a system that does not keep in step becomes useless very quickly.

Another excellent way to protect yourself online is to download programs as sparingly as possible, if at all. Regardless of how attractive a free downloaded program is they are the most prominent way in which malicious programs and viruses can infect a given computer.

Lastly, you can protect yourself online by creating personal passwords for accounts that are lengthy and contain both upper and lower case letters and numbers. Avoid websites that ask for or demand extensive amounts of personal information regardless of how “official” they may be. Many a computer user has had their information taken from a valid website and sold to criminals by an unscrupulous employee.

How To Clean The Dust And Dirt From Your PC

Keeping a computer clean is undoubtedly the most useful action that a computer owner can take to prolong life and performance, and in essence knowing how to clean dust and dirt from your PC requires little more than common sense. As with any other expensive and delicate electrical component care must be taken to avoid inflicting damage, and a good rule of thumb is to use as few damp cleaning agents as possible.

The first step to clean the dust and dirt from your PC is to disconnect the PC from the power source for the sake of safety. Next, disconnect the PC into three separate parts – the tower drive, the monitor and the keyboard, with each component to be cleaned separately.

To clean your tower drive it is best to simply take an upholstery brush attached to a canister vacuum and gently remove any dust and dirt from the outside of the unit, especially the air vents. A cotton swab can remove dirt from the DVD drive, and you can complete the cleaning by wiping the unit with a dry dust rag that is lint free.

To clean the dust and dirt from your monitor requires using a canned aerosol spray to remove dirt, followed by wiping the monitor with a cleaning cloth slightly dampened with ordinary water and dried thoroughly.

The remainder of the aerosol spray canister can be used to remove dust and dirt from the keyboard, and then a cotton swab moistened with rubbing alcohol can clean between individual keys

Do It Yourself Computer Upgrade Tips

Upgrading your computer yourself not only saves money but also allows you to learn more about the inner workings of your machine. There are multiple ways to accomplish this and these are just a few do it yourself computer upgrade tips.

One of the simplest upgrade paths for a computer is a memory upgrade, or simply RAM. The one thing to look out for is to make sure that you get the right type for your particular motherboard. This could be DDR2 or DDR3. Most computers have the type needed listed somewhere in the manuals or specifications of the computer. This is perhaps the fastest upgrade as well, essentially following a click in and out path of installation.

Another do it yourself computer upgrade tip would be to add a video card to your desktop computer. This is a harder, if not impossible, process for a laptop, but with a desktop merely finding the appropriate expansion slot and purchasing the graphics card can lead to huge performance gains in video rendering and gaming performance. While more involved than simply upgrading the RAM of a machine, this is a simple process that many people can perform painlessly.

These are just a few of the simple ways to dramatically increase the efficiency and performance of your home computer. Also worth noting is that many online retailers provide parts at a much larger discount than physical stores. With that knowledge, these do it yourself computer upgrade tips will have your machine running faster in no time.

What is WiFi?

WiFi is a new technology for people who are always on the go that need Internet access. WiFi let’s you to go online completely free. You just need to go to particular places that already offers WiFi access.

•What exactly is WiFi?

WiFi is created for those with laptops, iPhones and cellphones that come with WiFi. When you have WiFi you will be able to go on the Internet outside as long as there is WiFi access in the area. WiFi is completely free to use, all you really need is to go near an area that offers free WiFi. For example, if you are eating in a fast food joint, and they offer free WiFi access, you are more then welcome to go online with no problem whatsoever. In coffee shops, they don’t always give free WiFi, it is often blocked with a password so that they can charge you by the hour.

•How do you use WiFi?

You can use WiFi simply by using a router inside your home. If you would like to use the wifi at your local Starbucks, there will be a Starbucks Wifi connection button you can choose to access their specific wifi.

WiFi truly is one of the best things to ever be invented in the computer world. When there’s WiFi, all devices could access the Internet. If you happen to have a really big home with several computers, iPhones, and laptops, all of them could access the Internet with no problem whatsoever.

Windows 7 Parental Controls

As a parent, you probably know the risks associated with children using computers. But in this day and age, it’s also important to make sure they know how to use one. Windows 7 Parental Control lets your children use the computer when and how you deem appropriate.

Parental Control can be found by clicking Start, then Control Panel, and then clicking the link that reads, “Set up parental controls for any user.” Click on your child’s user account, or create one with the link. Afterward, a dialog window will open.

Under Time Limits, you control when this user (your child) is able to access their account. White boxes are available time slots, and blue time slots indicate when a child will be blocked from computer usage. This is useful for bedtimes, breaks, and any other time you may not want your child to use the computer.

With the Games window, you can adjust the maximum rating level of your child’s games — for instance, blocking anything rated Teen or Mature for your 11-year old. You can also block types of games, such as shooters or war games, as well as allow or block specific games by name.

The Allow or Block Specific Programs window specifies whether or not a program must be approved by you before a child can use it. This is useful for limiting a child’s access to Internet browsers or Antivirus settings.

More information about Windows 7 Parental Control can be found at the Microsoft website, www.microsoft.com.

How to Remove Viruses

There are two basic ways to remove viruses. The easy way and the hard way. The easy way is to use an anti-virus program, let it do it’s automatic scans, and hope that it’s always up to date with virus definitions. The hard way is to really know the innards of your operating system. That means knowing the normal folder structure of the operating system and what files are normally in there.

The first thing you need to do to get familiar with the system files and folders is to go into the folder view settings and enable viewing hidden system files. A big majority of viruses hide in hidden files, no pun intended. That’s why they’re so tricky to spot. Malware and rogue viruses pretend to be genuine startup system files and take complete control of your computer.

One typical virus like this is actually a fake anti-virus. It pretends to be a genuine anti-virus program, but it’s sole purpose is to trick people into putting their credit card info. Getting rid of this type of virus has to be done manually most of the time. Since it takes control of the computer, you’ll have to boot Windows in Safe Mode. After you enable viewing hidden files, the first place to check is in the Users folders and AppData, a system user folder that’s hidden by default. If you see anything suspicious there, like a file named with random letters and numbers, you can safely delete it.

How easy or how difficult it would be to remove a virus, would depend, again, on the type of virus. Sometimes you have to go in the registry and sometimes the only alternative is to format the hard drive and reinstall the operating system.