173328 1759 Technology Computer Hardware Hardware Performance true Sun, 19 Apr 2009 04:07:48 -0700 /system/videos/1/28/33/17/173328.flv technology, tech, care, computers, hardware, performance, taking, caring, maintaining How To Extend the Life Of Your Computer http://www.howcast.com/videos/173328-How-To-Extend-the-Life-Of-Your-Computer http://www.howcast.com/videos/173328-How-To-Extend-the-Life-Of-Your-Computer/edit approved 238 640 360 <object width="425" height="273" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" id="howcastplayer"><param name="movie" value="http://www.howcast.com/flash/howcast_player.swf?file=173328"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.howcast.com/flash/howcast_player.swf?file=173328" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="273" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" ></embed></object> 20 Seaworthy http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/173328/extend_computer_life_hd_2_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg 12892 false false false 67007 1 24 Warning Unplug any electronic device before opening it. To ensure you don’t produce an electric shock inside the computer, ground yourself by touching something metal before touching the inside of the computer.

]]> 67008 2 34 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/173328/34.jpg Open your computer Turn off and unplug the computer. Carefully remove your computer’s case with the screwdriver.

]]> 67009 3 40 Tip To further protect from electric shock, wear an antistatic wrist strap, available at electronics stores, and attach it to your computer to ground you.

]]> 67010 4 48 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/173328/48.jpg Clean your computer Using the compressed air, blow away dust and debris that have accumulated inside. Screw the cover back on and give the exterior plug-ins and keyboard a once-over with the compressed air, too.

]]> 67011 5 59 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/173328/59.jpg Transfer large files Transfer any large files, like presentations, music, photos, or giant databases, onto an external hard drive. Clearing out files over 50 megabytes frees up valuable hard-drive space and keeps your machine running smoothly.

]]> 67012 6 73 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/173328/73.jpg Delete unused programs Locate, uninstall, and delete any programs you don’t use. For PC users, you’ll find a simple Add or Remove function in the control panel. For Mac users, open the Applications folder and click and drag unwanted programs to the Trash. Then, empty the Trash.

]]> 67013 7 90 Tip Limit the number of programs that run automatically when you turn on the computer. It will increase your overall processing power.

]]> 67014 8 96 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/173328/96.jpg Remove temporary files Every time you access a web page or read an email, your computer stores information in temporary files, which take up disk space. Macs automatically delete temporary files, but PCs do not. To manually do so, use Disk Cleanup, located in System Tools.

]]> 67015 9 113 Tip Empty out your Recycle folder or Trash weekly. Simply placing files in the bin does not remove them from your hard drive.

]]> 67016 10 120 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/173328/120.jpg Scan for viruses Scan your hard drive for infected files with an antivirus and anti-spyware program. Many programs locate and report harmful files for free, but charge a fee to remove them. Find an antivirus program that scans your system at least once a month.

]]> 67017 11 135 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/173328/135.jpg Defrag Over time, files on a PC’s hard drive fragment, slowing down your computer. To “defrag” a Windows operating system, open My Computer and right click on the C drive. In the Tools tab, under Properties, you’ll find Disk Defragmentation. Defragging takes several hours, so be sure to leave enough time.

]]> 67018 12 154 Tip Macs that run OS X operating systems don’t require defragmentation.

]]> 67019 13 159 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/173328/159.jpg Fix permissions On a Mac, permission errors can clog the system. Before and after you install new software, go to Finder, click Go, select Utilities, and then Disk Utility. Click on Macintosh HD, and click Repair Disk Permissions.

]]> 67020 14 174 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/173328/174.jpg Check your RAM Adding random-access memory (RAM) will improve your computer’s performance and extend its life. To check how much you currently have, on a PC, go to the Control Panel. Click System, and then the General tab. At the bottom of the page you should see the amount of RAM. On a Mac, in Finder, go back to the Utilities folder, and click System Profiler. Click the Memory tab.

]]> 67021 15 198 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/173328/198.jpg Determine your RAM type Every computer model requires a different kind of RAM. Visit the manufacturer’s website to find out what kind of RAM you should install.

]]> 67022 16 208 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/173328/208.jpg Install RAM Turn off and unplug your computer, and put on your wrist strap if you have one. Remove the cover to access the RAM slots, located near the (usually green) metal plate known as the motherboard. The computer will either have empty slots for extra RAM, or you’ll have to replace old RAM with new RAM to increase capacity. Now enjoy your computer’s new lease on life!

]]> 67023 17 229 Fact In 2008, the number of personal computers in use reached one billion worldwide.

]]> 1489 176605 How To Use the Reader Digital Book By Sony PRS-700 HowcastGuide 1391 Mon, 04 May 2009 04:04:22 -0700 2 goluxx ]]> 176 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/2/05/66/17/176605.flv technology, computer, hardware, handheld, portable, reader, ebook, books, Sony, digital Technology Computer Hardware Handheld & Portable Devices 0 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/176605/Goldstein_SonyReader_hd_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/176605-How-To-Use-the-Reader-Digital-Book-By-Sony-PRS700 1490 79061 How To Fix a Wet Laptop HowcastGuide 13031 Mon, 05 Jan 2009 06:04:01 -0800 17 DeepFried ]]> 116 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/3/61/90/07/79061.flv technology, tech, computer, hardware, fixing, spilled, water, coffee, repairing, work Technology Computer Hardware Laptop Computers 5 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/79061/wet_laptop_hd_1_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/79061-How-To-Fix-a-Wet-Laptop 1490 185705 How To Connect Your Laptop To Your Television HowcastGuide 14958 Mon, 25 May 2009 04:06:08 -0700 45 thefactory ]]> 173 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/2/05/57/18/185705.flv computers, technology, hardware, Laptops, connecting, powerbook, TV, T.V., television, hooking Technology Computer Hardware Laptop Computers 9 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/185705/connect_laptop_tv_hd_1_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/185705-How-To-Connect-Your-Laptop-To-Your-Television 1760 95541 How To Avoid Computer Viruses HowcastGuide 10570 Tue, 16 Dec 2008 06:02:29 -0800 27 carlo_scialla ]]> 105 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/5/41/55/09/95541.flv technology, computers, internet, downloading, hardware, software, anti-virus, programs, installing, protecting Technology Computer Hardware Hardware Security 3 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/95541/avoid_computer_viruses_hd_2_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/95541-How-To-Avoid-Computer-Viruses 1760 226372 How To Retrieve a Lost Windows Password HowcastGuide 3556 Thu, 20 Aug 2009 04:03:53 -0700 6 carlo_scialla ]]> 150 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/4/88/89/22/228988.flv retrieving,finding,getting,forgetting,passwords,windows,recovering,logging,onto,into,computers,pc Technology Computer Hardware Hardware Security 5 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/226372/CarloScialla_HT_Windows_Password_hdstill02_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/226372-How-To-Retrieve-a-Lost-Windows-Password 1473 184032 How To Watch Digital Video Files on an Xbox 360 HowcastGuide 3415 Fri, 22 May 2009 04:06:30 -0700 5 mr_stewart ]]> 166 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/2/32/40/18/184032.flv technology, video, game, Console, xbox, 360, watching, movies, digital, videos Technology Computer & Video Games Video Game Consoles 1 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/184032/digital_files_xbox_hd_1_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/184032-How-To-Watch-Digital-Video-Files-on-an-Xbox-360 1496 259547 How To Create a Table With Factual HowcastGuide 8294 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:47:38 -0700 1 Howcast ]]> 193 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/1/11/85/25/258511.flv creating,making,table,factual,data,open,proprietary,sourcing,software,applications,building,technology Technology Computer Software Database Software 0 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/259547/factual_create_thumb_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/259547-How-To-Create-a-Table-With-Factual 1496 259548 How To Publish a Factual Table HowcastGuide 1817 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:47:38 -0700 1 Howcast ]]> 164 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/5/15/85/25/258515.flv creating,making,publishing,table,factual,data,open,proprietary,sourcing,software,applications,building,technology Technology Computer Software Database Software 0 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/259548/factual_publish_thumb_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/259548-How-To-Publish-a-Factual-Table 1497 116449 How To Avoid Spam Email HowcastGuide 3132 Wed, 21 Jan 2009 04:05:38 -0800 20 bracey ]]> 163 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/4/49/64/11/116449.flv DIY, Instructional, tutorial, Do It Yourself, Tips, Essential Skills, Learn to, technology, tech, computer Technology Networking & Telecommunications Email & Instant Messaging 2 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/116449/avoid_spam_hd1_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/116449-How-To-Avoid-Spam-Email 1500 3206 How To Clear Your History in Internet Explorer 7 HowcastGuide 15258 Thu, 17 Apr 2008 08:33:24 -0700 9 Kimbo ]]> 57 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/0/06/32/3206.flv 7, browse, browsing, clear, computer, computers, cover, DIY, Do It Yourself, erase, Essential Skills, Explorer, exploring, hide, history, Instructional, internet, learn Technology Internet & World Wide Web Web Browsers 2 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/3206/v2_clear_history_explorer_sd_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/3206-How-To-Clear-Your-History-in-Internet-Explorer-7 1500 11274 How To Clear Your Internet History in Safari HowcastGuide 6286 Mon, 02 Jun 2008 06:54:17 -0700 6 Kimbo ]]> 65 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/4/74/12/01/11274.flv DIY, Instructional, tutorial, Do It Yourself, Tips, Essential Skills, Learn to, technology, computer, computers, PC, Mac, surfing, browsing, internet, clear, erase, history, cover, your, tracks, secretly, hide, browse, surf, private, privately, exploring, Technology Internet & World Wide Web Web Browsers 0 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/11274/clear_history_safari_hd_01_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/11274-How-To-Clear-Your-Internet-History-in-Safari 1500 12028 How To Clear Your Internet History in Firefox HowcastGuide 15662 Thu, 05 Jun 2008 07:05:37 -0700 14 Kimbo ]]> 67 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/2/28/20/01/12028.flv DIY, Instructional, tutorial, Do It Yourself, Tips, Essential Skills, Learn to, technology, computer, computers Technology Internet & World Wide Web Web Browsers 2 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/12028/clear_history_firefox_hd_2_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/12028-How-To-Clear-Your-Internet-History-in-Firefox 1510 362 How To Fix a Wet Cell Phone HowcastGuide 17878 Mon, 10 Dec 2007 19:09:11 -0800 35 Chris_Davis ]]> 111 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/5/62/03/362.flv DIY, Instructional, tutorial, Do It Yourself, Tips, Essential Skills, Learn to, electronics, computers, cellular, phone, cellphone, cell, wet, water, dry, out, fix, technology Technology Networking & Telecommunications Cell Phones 9 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/362/Technology.How_to_Fix_a_Wet_Cell_Phone_SD_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/362-How-To-Fix-a-Wet-Cell-Phone 1510 1255 How To Take Great Pictures With Your Cell Phone HowcastGuide 8206 Thu, 07 Feb 2008 16:08:06 -0800 35 SheriffThompson ]]> 100 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/2/55/12/1255.flv arts, cell, digital, DIY, Do It Yourself, Essential Skills, great, Instructional, Learn to, mobile, phone, photo, photography, photos, picture, pictures, shoot, shooting, take, taking, Tips, tutorial Technology Networking & Telecommunications Cell Phones 5 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/1255/ppn_rich_cell_phone_pic_sd_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/1255-How-To-Take-Great-Pictures-With-Your-Cell-Phone 1510 44629 How To Tell If He's Mr. Right By His Ringtone HowcastGuide 4276 Tue, 07 Oct 2008 21:01:08 -0700 10 Seaworthy ]]> 120 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/4/29/46/04/44629.flv at&t, att, cell, phones, ringtones, ringing, ring, cellphone, technology, psychology Technology Networking & Telecommunications Cell Phones 7 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/44629/ringtone_hd_2_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/44629-How-To-Tell-If-Hes-Mr-Right-By-His-Ringtone