Power Supply Fitting for a PC

For those who have never had to open up their own desktop computer, having to replace and fit a new power supply may see a bit daunting at first. In fact, the task is fairly simple. The main challenge is making sure you obtain the correct replacement power supply unit that fits your computer. With that part taken care of, the actual installation process involves basic tools and some patience. Once you've performed it a first time, a power supply replacement will be a simple task in the future. Fortunately, the need does not occur
Instructions

1. Unplug your computer's power supply. Disconnect the monitor and external peripheral equipment (the keyboard, mouse, printer, modem, etc.). Remove your desktop processor unit (the main computer part) from its sitting place to table top where you work freely. Turn the unit around so the backside is facing you. Use a Phillips screwdriver to unscrew all the chassis bolts keeping the cover on the unit.
2. Remove the cover and set it aside. Use the compressed air can to clean off the area you are going to work on. Locate the existing power supply unit by the cooling fan on the back of it. Use the screwdriver to remove the power supply's securing frame screws. Carefully pull the old unit free after disconnecting its wires to various computer units. Place the old unit aside or throw it away.
3. Unpackage your new power supply unit. Remove all the packaging material and unwrap the wires connected to it. Carefully position the new unit in its holding frame in the processor unit. Use the screwdriver again to insert the securing screws holding the supply unit to the processor unit framework
4. Separate the wiring coming out of the power supply unit. Find the motherboard wire and connect it first. Connect the drive power supply wires second as they match to your hard drives and your CD or DVD drive. Connect your floppy drive wire last if you have a floppy drive. Check that every wire is carefully but firmly connected. Rewrap the unused wires with a small zip-tie and tuck them out of the way.
5. Reconnect your keyboard and monitor to the back of the processor. Plug the processor into a wall plug and turn it on to test the power supply. Confirm your computer starts up correctly and all the drives work properly. Turn the computer off and disconnect the power again. Replace the chassis cover and secure the chassis screws. Place your processor back in its resting place. Reconnect the power and all your peripherals.

Windows 7 Tips

How To Add Additional Clock to the TaskBar?

If you have friends, family, or coworkers who live in different time zones, you may need to know their local times before communicating with them. This helps avoid calling late at night or too early in the morning, or expecting an e-mail or instant message response after they have already gone to bed.

Tech Updates: Microsoft Security updates

        Microsoft issued two security bulletins on 11 Jan, 2011 repairing two critical flaws that affect all versions of Windows. The software giant also updated a security advisory, issuing a temporary automated workaround that if deployed, would block attackers from exploiting an Internet Explorer zero-day vulnerability.

SOLID STATE DRIVE

SOLID STATE DRIVE

A solid-state drive (SSD) is a data storage device that uses the Solid-State Memory to store data. SSDs are different from the traditional Hard Disk Drives (HDD), which are basically electromechanical devices containing spinning disks which revolve over a spindle and movable read/write heads.

HOW TO GET UPDATES FOR ALL MICROSOFT PROGRAMS AND DRIVERS ALONG WITH WINDOWS UPDATES

Windows Update is a service provided by Microsoft that provides updates for the Microsoft Windows operating system and its installed components, including Internet Explorer.

Along with the version of Windows that you are using and the internet explorer, you can also receive updates for other Microsoft products installed on the computer through Windows updates.

For instance, if you are using Microsoft Office or Microsoft Money software, you can get updates for those software using Windows Updates.

Here’s how:

Open Windows Update from the “Start Search” option

In the Windows Update screen that appears, look for the option “Find Out More”

Internet Explorer would open up with a title “Install updates, Office and More”

Agree to the Terms and Conditions by making a check mark and then clicking on “Install”

The next time, you use Windows Update; you would get the updates for all the Microsoft programs installed on the computer.

HOW TO REDUCE SYSTEM RESTORE SPACE TO GAIN MORE FREE SPACE ON DISK

HOW TO REDUCE SYSTEM RESTORE SPACE TO GAIN MORE FREE SPACE ON DISK

System Restore is a component of Microsoft's Windows Me and the later editions like Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7 operating systems that allows rolling back of hardware drivers, system files, registry keys, installed programs, etc., to a previous state in the event of system crash or malfunction.

For instance, if the computer does not work normal after you installed a program, you can do a system restore to a date before the installation of that program. That would remove the program and also get your computer to a state when it was working fine. 

System Restore takes a snapshot of the system files, drivers and settings each time a restore point is created. When too many system restore points are created that occupies a considerably huge disk space.

You can remove the older restore points to free that disk space or just restrict the space used. To do that:

1.      Right Click on “My Computer”

2.      Go to “Properties”

3.      In the Window that appears, Click on “System Restore”

You would see the drives on the computer as “C:\” , “D:\” etc.

4.      Highlight the drive where you would like to free up the disk space and then click on “Settings”

5.      In that window, under the disk space usage, use the scroll bar to reduce the disk space allocated for “System Restore”

6.      The default size is 12% of the disk space. You can increase or decrease it as needed

The computer has to be restarted for the changes to take effect.

INTERNET EXPLORER AS A TAB IN FIREFOX

HOW TO OPEN INTERNET EXPLORER AS A TAB IN MOZILLA FIREFOX

                                                                                                                                                                            

Many users find it easy to browse the internet with Mozilla Firefox because it is faster and it is more customizable. But still there are some websites that work good only with Internet Explorer and not Firefox. And some Microsoft Websites open only in Internet Explorer like the Windows updates                                            

Have you ever wondered if there is a way to open Internet Explorer within Firefox?                                        

There is an Add-On available in the Firefox website that will help you open Internet Explorer within Mozilla Firefox as a tab. You can find the Add-On in the Mozilla website with the name IE Tab here                            

Just download and install this Add-On from the Mozilla Firefox Add-On website and whenever you right click on some icon you will get an option “View this Link in IE Tab”                                                                         

When you click on it, that particular page will open with Internet Explorer as a tab inside Firefox browser                 

This article applies to Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7