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Computers require a certain degree of maintenance to keep the hard drive clean and organized and to keep the operating system working smoothly. Understand how to maintain a PC with this free video series on computers.
There are 29 videos in this series:
To get the best audio quality from a computer, go into the "Control Panel," double-click on the speakers icon and adjust the computer speakers output to around 85 percent or 90 percent of the total amplification. Adjust the speaker output for the best quality sound with information from an experienced software developer in this free video on computers.
Changing the time on a computer's clock involves right-clicking the clock in the bottom right corner, clicking on "Adjust date and time" and typing in the correct time into the box that appears. Adjust the date and time on a computer clock with information from an experienced software developer in this free video on computers.
Changing the mouse speed on a PC involves opening up the "Control Panel," double-clicking on the mouse icon and adjusting the speed of the mouse pointer. Adjust the speed of the mouse to move quickly or slowly across the screen with information from an experienced software developer in this free video on computers.
When choosing a computer diagnostic utility, which prevents a computer from getting infested with spyware, find a well-known and reputable brand such as Symantec or McAfee for the best results. Find a good virus scanner for a computer with information from an experienced software developer in this free video on computers.
To display a computer screen on a TV, find the appropriate cable with a computer input and television output, or use an S-video cord to connect the two machines. Display a computer screen onto a television with information from an experienced software developer in this free video on computers.
Connecting Windows Vista to a home network requires using a wireless router to allow multiple computers on the network, right-clicking on the wireless icon at the bottom of the screen and clicking on "Connect to a Network" to select the right wireless connection. Connect a laptop running Windows Vista to a wireless home network with information from an experienced software developer in this free video on computers.
Accessing free Wi-Fi involves finding a public hot spot, right-clicking the wireless network icon at the bottom of the screen and selecting the available network for that location. Get online at coffee shops, restaurants and parks with information from an experienced software developer in this free video on computers.
To deal with Windows Vista problems, most of which revolving around lack of memory, buy a random access memory stick to help the programs work more efficiently, and look for software updates on the manufacturer's Web site. Assess Windows Vista issues with information from an experienced software developer in this free video on computers.
To calculate the future value of an investment using Microsoft Excel, go to the "Insert Function" icon, click on the "Future Value" function and enter in the appropriate amounts into each cell. Find out how much an investment will be worth using Excel with information from an experienced software developer in this free video on computers.
Calculating the straight-line depreciation using Microsoft Excel requires using a formula that subtracts the salvage value of an asset from the purchase value and divides that total by the asset's lifetime. Create a formula in Excel to calculate depreciation with information from an experienced software developer in this free video on computers.
To calculate double-declining depreciation using Microsoft Excel, enter in a formula that multiplies the purchase value by two and then divides that by the estimated lifetime of the object. Understand a double-declining depreciation formula with information from an experienced software developer in this free video on computers.
Calculating the internal rate of return using Excel involves typing in a formula using the "IRR" function followed by the payment values and return percentage rate. Figure out the internal rate of return in Microsoft Excel with information from an experienced software developer in this free video on computers.
To make Windows XP or Vista run faster, opening up the "MS Config" program under the "Start" menu to clean up unused programs, and then de-fragment the C drive to clean up the hard drive. Help Microsoft operating systems run more efficiently with information from an experienced software developer in this free video on computers.
Checking and repairing corrupt system files in Windows Vista involves typing "cmd" in the search box, right-clicking the command prompt, selecting "Run as Administrator" and running the system file checker. Scan Windows Vista system files to weed out corrupt files with information from an experienced software developer in this free video on computers.
To fix bad sectors on a hard disk, launch the command prompt from the desktop, select "Run as Administrator," type in "chk disk" and C: /F to fix any encountered problems and then restart the computer. Mend bad sectors on a hard disk by running a few simple commands with information from an experienced software developer in this free video on computers.
Clearing a hard drive completely can be done by downloading and burning a free program called Darik's Boot and Nuke, which will prepare the machine for a new user and eliminate all personal files. Clear off a hard drive for good with information from an experienced software developer in this free video on computers.
Buying a hard drive involves considering whether it should be an internal or external hard drive, figuring out what the computer will support and researching many manufacturers to find the right one. Choose the right hard drive, either to replace an old one or to provide extra memory space, with information from an experienced software developer in this free video on computers.
Creating a password for a PC involves opening up the "Control Panel," double-clicking on "User Accounts," finding the desired account and entering in a new password. Create and confirm a new password to access a personal computer with information from an experienced software developer in this free video on computers.
Hard drives with 500 gigabytes of space provides a huge amount of memory, and they are often available as a simple USB drive that can easily hook up to a computer. Learn about 500 gigabyte hard drives with information from an experienced software developer in this free video on computers.
Western external hard drives are very high-quality, readily available and tend to have a longer lifespan than most external hard drives, lasting up to about four years. Choose a Western brand external hard drive with information from an experienced software developer in this free video on computers.
A computer mouse works either through a rolling ball that maps the X and Y plane or through a laser that senses the motion of the mouse. Understand how different types of computer mice work with information from an experienced software developer in this free video on computers.
Wireless networking works through bi-directional antennas built in to the computer that communicates with a fixed point known as a wireless access point. Understand wireless networking with information from an experienced software developer in this free video on computers.
Cleaning up hard drives on a computer involves selecting the files and programs that are unused and either dragging them to the trash bin or right-clicking them and selecting "Delete." Clean up a hard drive by getting rid of unused files with information from an experienced software developer in this free video on computers.
Laptop hard drives with 100 gigabytes of space provides plenty of memory for a computer used on a daily basis for standard functions. Shop for a laptop that has 100 gigabytes of memory with information from an experienced software developer in this free video on computers.
Laptops that won't turn on usually need to be plugged in with an AC adapter, need the battery to be charged or need a completely new battery. Find out what to do about a laptop that fails to boot up with information from an experienced software developer in this free video on computers.
Computers are complex machines built upon very simple principles. They perform arithmetical operations millions of times over to transform digital information moving at lightning speed into usable human data. A personal computer's job is to help a user create, manipulate, deliver, receive or delete media content. This is a simple, sterile definition that sounds uninteresting on the surface. Nevertheless, these fundamental functions mimic human ability in some surprising ways. Therefore, the computer is increasingly becoming an engine of the imagination, a platform for the digital life. In this free video series on computers, an experienced software developer offers a few tips on maintaining a computer or laptop. Find out how to clean up a hard drive to keep the computer running smoothly, and understand how to adjust the mouse speed and audio settings. Learn about the different sizes of hard drives that are available, and get tips on choosing the right external hard drive for backing up work. Understand the ins and outs of computers and laptops to better maintain them.
Dave Andrews Dave Andrews is a software developer with a business and Web site selling programs and other computer services in Franklin, Tenn. Having worked in the IT industry for more than 8 years, Andrews has an intimate understanding of computer technologies. He holds a degree in computer science from Middle Tennessee State University with a minor in mathematics. Andrews began working with computers when he was nine years old, programming BASIC on a Precomputer 2000. He now programs in C/C , Java, Microsoft .Net, ASP, Python and PHP and has written large, integrated program used by clients as large as state governments. Andrews is currently employed by a government IT department and enjoys the public service and constant challenge that such a position provides.dkdk
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