Hardware How-To's & Tutorials
When you're troubleshooting many of the common problems that PC owners see, there's a good chance you'll be digging around inside your computer - something that makes many people nervous.
Below you'll find lots of walkthroughs and other tutorials to guide you through some of the common tasks you might find yourself doing when trying to fix a hardware related problem:
Note: See Hardware Installations & Replacements for tutorials on actually replacing individual hardware components.
How To Check for Causes of Electrical Shorts
A tutorial on checking for causes of electrical shorts which can cause a computer to power off without warning or not come on at all.
How To Check For Disconnected Monitor Power Cable Connections
Power cables often wiggle loose from monitors over time or after a move. The monitor power cable should fit firmly into the three-pronged port.
How To Check For Loose PC and Monitor Power Cable Connections
A complete tutorial on checking for loose power cables in a computer system, a common cause of computer startup issues.
How To Degauss a Computer Monitor
Instructions on how to degauss a CRT monitor, a procedure which can fix an issue where the colors around the edge of the monitor are distorted.
How To Open a CD/DVD/BD Drive With a Paperclip
Instructions on getting a disc drive (CD/DVD/BD) open so you can remove a stuck disc.
How To Open a Computer Case
A screenshot based tutorial on opening a standard, ATX style computer case.
How To Reseat a Desktop Memory Module
Sometimes reseating the memory in your desktop computer can fix certain kinds of problems. Reseating memory simply means removing and reinserting it into the motherboard.
How To Reseat Expansion Cards
A walkthrough, with screenshots, on reseating (removing and then reinserting) expansion cards in a desktop computer.
How To Reseat Internal Data and Power Cables
Sometimes reseating the internal data and power cables in your PC can fix certain kinds of problems. Reseating cables simply means to unplug them and then plug them back in.