Tips & Tricks
Repairing, maintaining and upgrading your PC can sometimes be complicated and a little frustrating. Luckily, those in the computer industries love shortcuts! Here you'll find useful tips and tricks to make your PC support activities a little easier.
Boot your Computer from a Bootable USB Device
You might want to boot from a USB device, like an external hard drive or a flash drive, for many different reasons. Booting from a flash drive is a great way to install other operating systems in a safe environment.
You might want to boot from a USB device, like an external hard drive or a flash drive, for many different reasons. Booting from a flash drive is a great way to install other operating systems in a safe environment.
"Why is There a Yellow Exclamation Point in Device Manager?"
See a yellow exclamation mark next to a device in Device Manager? There are many reasons that a yellow exclamation mark might show up in Device Manager.
See a yellow exclamation mark next to a device in Device Manager? There are many reasons that a yellow exclamation mark might show up in Device Manager.
"How Do I Find Device Manager in Windows?"
Trying to find Device Manager on your Windows PC? You can find Device Manager in the Computer Management utility, the System applet in Control Panel, or you can start it by running a specific command at a command prompt.
Trying to find Device Manager on your Windows PC? You can find Device Manager in the Computer Management utility, the System applet in Control Panel, or you can start it by running a specific command at a command prompt.
Boot your Computer from a Bootable CD or DVD
Booting to a CD is sometimes necessary to run tools like memory testing and password recovery tools. You'll also need to boot from a CD or DVD if you're planning to install an operating system or run diagnostic tools like Recovery Console.
Booting to a CD is sometimes necessary to run tools like memory testing and password recovery tools. You'll also need to boot from a CD or DVD if you're planning to install an operating system or run diagnostic tools like Recovery Console.
Find the BIOS Version from the Microsoft System Information Program
Finding your current BIOS version usually involves a system reboot. Another much easier way to get your motherboard's BIOS version is from a program called Microsoft System Information. It's already on your PC and it won't require a reboot!
Finding your current BIOS version usually involves a system reboot. Another much easier way to get your motherboard's BIOS version is from a program called Microsoft System Information. It's already on your PC and it won't require a reboot!
Find the BIOS Version in the Windows Registry
Determining the current version of BIOS on your motherboard usually involves restarting your PC and paying really close attention. An easier way is to find the BIOS version from inside the Windows registry - without a reboot!
Determining the current version of BIOS on your motherboard usually involves restarting your PC and paying really close attention. An easier way is to find the BIOS version from inside the Windows registry - without a reboot!
Guess Your Own Password
Most people create passwords based on things in their life so guessing your own password might not be as hard as you think.
Most people create passwords based on things in their life so guessing your own password might not be as hard as you think.
Paperclip Drive Opener
Have you ever needed to open your CD or DVD drive when the power was off? Perhaps the drive quit working but your favorite game was inside. This easy trick will get the drive bay open fast.
Have you ever needed to open your CD or DVD drive when the power was off? Perhaps the drive quit working but your favorite game was inside. This easy trick will get the drive bay open fast.
Keyboard Shortcuts
Keyboard shortcuts can really come in handy when you're having mouse or display setting problems but still need to navigate around the screen. They can even help speed things up when your PC is working fine. This very thorough list from Microsoft should keep you busy memorizing for a while.
Keyboard shortcuts can really come in handy when you're having mouse or display setting problems but still need to navigate around the screen. They can even help speed things up when your PC is working fine. This very thorough list from Microsoft should keep you busy memorizing for a while.
Using the Windows Registry
Many of the more in-depth fixes and tips found here and all over the Internet require making changes to the Windows Registry. The registry plays a huge part in telling Windows how to work (or not work) properly so making the right changes and backing up your work are extremely important. This guide from Microsoft shows all.
Many of the more in-depth fixes and tips found here and all over the Internet require making changes to the Windows Registry. The registry plays a huge part in telling Windows how to work (or not work) properly so making the right changes and backing up your work are extremely important. This guide from Microsoft shows all.