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Computer Repair How To's
There is just soooo much out there to keep track of these days, everything is tech. Frankly, I don't have time
to keep up with all of it, and I work in it on a daily basis. While I haven't written these articles, they have
been gathered and posted here for relevance and reference purposes. Most of it is stuff that I am asked on a fairly
regular basis, and others are things that might come in handy. These will be changing on a regular basis, so if you
find the information useful, check back frequently. Enjoy!
HowStuffWorks.com: Computer - RSS
Computer Repair – How Does it Work?
- How CAPTCHA Works
- CAPTCHA is a security test given to prevent computers from filling out forms on the Internet. Learn more about How CAPTCHA Works.
- How does a security passcard work?
- Security passcards are often used to gain entry into areas and buildings with restricted access. Find out what data is kept an encoded security passcard and how they work.
- How Encryption Works
- How secure is the Internet for sending sensitive information? Learn all about encryption, authentication, hash algorithms and more.
- How Fingerprint Scanners Work
- Your fingerprints are not only unique; they're also very hard to fake and even harder to misplace. What better ID to use in a security system? Learn how fingerprint scanners know it's you.
- How will biometrics affect our privacy?
- Will biometrics and privacy issues bump heads? Even though biometrics provides virtually foolproof security, will biometric privacy issues be a concern?
- What is a digital signature?
- Digital signatures make sure the documents you send electronically are authentic. Learn about digital signatures and other authentication methods.
- What is a smart card?
- What is a "smart card"? Learn how an embedded microprocessor in a smart card can authenticate your computer usage and data. Learn about smart cards.
- How accessDTV Works
- With accessDTV you can access digital television on your computer through a PCI card while surfing and running other programs. Learn more here.
- How AGP Works
- The AGP enables your computer to have a dedicated way to communicate with the graphics card, which enhances the look of graphics. Find out how AGP works.
- How do I add a USB device to my computer if I am out of ports?
- My computer came with one USB port, and my printer uses it. I would like to add a USB scanner to my machine, but how do I hook it in? And assuming that I can add it, can USB handle both a printer and a scanner?
- How does a computer's parallel port work?
- How does a computer's parallel port work? And how can you design things to attach to a parallel port ?
- How IDE Controllers Work
- The Integrated Drive Electronics interface is the most popular way to connect a hard drive to a PC. Find out where IDE came from and how it works today.
- How Light Peak Works
- Light Peak is a new standard for how computers communicate with peripherals. Learn about Light Peak technology and Light Peak speeds.
- How Parallel Ports Work
- OK, so they're not as popular as the USB port is these days. However, the parallel port is still a very common way to connect a printer to a PC. Learn how parallel ports operate and how they came about.
- How PCI Express Works
- PCI Express is a high-speed serial connection that operates more like a network than a bus. Learn how PCI Express can speed up a computer and replace the AGP.
- How PCI Works
- Your computer's components work together through a bus. Learn about the PCI bus, as well as past and future bus technology.
- How SCSI Works
- SCSI (pronounced "scuzzy") is an ultra-fast, high-power communications bus that connects up to 15 devices to your computer. Find out how this bus operates.
- How Serial Ports Work
- Serial ports have been an important I/O tool for decades. Learn how they work!
- How USB Ports Work
- USB is the preferred connection method for electronics. Find out how USB can support a wide variety of devices and learn why USB is so versatile.
- What is the main difference between FireWire and USB?
- Both FireWire and USB are technologies used to quickly transfer data. Learn about the main difference between FireWire and USB in this article.
- What's another name for FireWire?
- FireWire, or IEEE 1394, is a technology used to transfer data quickly. Learn more about FireWire in this article.
- How CD Burners Work
- With the rise of the MP3 format, burning your own music CDs has never been so popular -- or so easy. CDs have become one of the most widely adopted data-storage mechanisms. Find out how CD burners work.
- How to Use a DVD Burner
- Did you ever want to know how to use a DVD burner? Learn how to use a DVD burner in this article.
- Why can I play some DVD movies but not others on my computer DVD-ROM?
- Why can I play some DVD movies, but not others, on my computer DVD-ROM?
- 5 Ways to Keep Your Information Secure in the Cloud
- You can keep your information secure in cloud storage with these five tips. Learn how to minimize risk and keep information secure in the cloud.
- Are my files really safe if I store them in the cloud?
- Are your files safe in the cloud? Learn about cloud storage and if your files will be safe in the cloud.
- Does 'to the cloud' mean the same thing as 'let's Google that'?
- 'To the cloud' and 'let's Google that' are common tech phrases. But what do they mean? Find out if 'to the cloud' and 'let's Google that' mean the same thing.
- How a Cloud Antivirus Works
- Cloud antivirus protection is made possible with cloud computing. So, what's the best way to protect your computer? See if cloud antivirus is right for you.
- How Cloud Computing Works
- Cloud computing lets you use files and applications over the Internet. Learn about the benefits and drawbacks to cloud computing.
- How Cloud Storage Works
- Cloud storage involves storing data on multiple virtual servers that are generally hosted by third parties. Learn more about how cloud storage works.
- How Music Clouds Work
- Thanks to music clouds, you can access enormous libraries of music virtually anywhere you can get Internet access. Learn all about music clouds.
- How the Amazon Cloud Player Works
- The Amazon Cloud Player is a new streaming music app that offers flexibility in purchasing, storing and accessing tunes. Explore the Amazon Cloud Player.
- How the Apple iCloud Works
- Apple's iCloud promises to synchronize all of your devices -- as long as they're made by Apple. See how Apple's iCloud stacks up to its competitors.
- How the Google Cloud Works
- What exactly is the Google Cloud and how could it change computing? Find out all about Google Cloud in this article.
- Partly Cloudy With a Chance of Data Compromise: Cloud Security Quiz
- Is there Internet cloud security? Is your information safe in the cloud? Take the Internet cloud security quiz to learn how to protect your data.
- How CAPTCHA Works
- CAPTCHA is a security test given to prevent computers from filling out forms on the Internet. Learn more about How CAPTCHA Works.
- How does a security passcard work?
- Security passcards are often used to gain entry into areas and buildings with restricted access. Find out what data is kept an encoded security passcard and how they work.
- How Encryption Works
- How secure is the Internet for sending sensitive information? Learn all about encryption, authentication, hash algorithms and more.
- How Fingerprint Scanners Work
- Your fingerprints are not only unique; they're also very hard to fake and even harder to misplace. What better ID to use in a security system? Learn how fingerprint scanners know it's you.
- How will biometrics affect our privacy?
- Will biometrics and privacy issues bump heads? Even though biometrics provides virtually foolproof security, will biometric privacy issues be a concern?
- What is a digital signature?
- Digital signatures make sure the documents you send electronically are authentic. Learn about digital signatures and other authentication methods.
- What is a smart card?
- What is a "smart card"? Learn how an embedded microprocessor in a smart card can authenticate your computer usage and data. Learn about smart cards.
- How accessDTV Works
- With accessDTV you can access digital television on your computer through a PCI card while surfing and running other programs. Learn more here.
- How AGP Works
- The AGP enables your computer to have a dedicated way to communicate with the graphics card, which enhances the look of graphics. Find out how AGP works.
- How do I add a USB device to my computer if I am out of ports?
- My computer came with one USB port, and my printer uses it. I would like to add a USB scanner to my machine, but how do I hook it in? And assuming that I can add it, can USB handle both a printer and a scanner?
- How does a computer's parallel port work?
- How does a computer's parallel port work? And how can you design things to attach to a parallel port ?
- How IDE Controllers Work
- The Integrated Drive Electronics interface is the most popular way to connect a hard drive to a PC. Find out where IDE came from and how it works today.
- How Light Peak Works
- Light Peak is a new standard for how computers communicate with peripherals. Learn about Light Peak technology and Light Peak speeds.
- How Parallel Ports Work
- OK, so they're not as popular as the USB port is these days. However, the parallel port is still a very common way to connect a printer to a PC. Learn how parallel ports operate and how they came about.
- How PCI Express Works
- PCI Express is a high-speed serial connection that operates more like a network than a bus. Learn how PCI Express can speed up a computer and replace the AGP.
- How PCI Works
- Your computer's components work together through a bus. Learn about the PCI bus, as well as past and future bus technology.
- How SCSI Works
- SCSI (pronounced "scuzzy") is an ultra-fast, high-power communications bus that connects up to 15 devices to your computer. Find out how this bus operates.
- How Serial Ports Work
- Serial ports have been an important I/O tool for decades. Learn how they work!
- How USB Ports Work
- USB is the preferred connection method for electronics. Find out how USB can support a wide variety of devices and learn why USB is so versatile.
- What is the main difference between FireWire and USB?
- Both FireWire and USB are technologies used to quickly transfer data. Learn about the main difference between FireWire and USB in this article.
- What's another name for FireWire?
- FireWire, or IEEE 1394, is a technology used to transfer data quickly. Learn more about FireWire in this article.
- How CD Burners Work
- With the rise of the MP3 format, burning your own music CDs has never been so popular -- or so easy. CDs have become one of the most widely adopted data-storage mechanisms. Find out how CD burners work.
- How to Use a DVD Burner
- Did you ever want to know how to use a DVD burner? Learn how to use a DVD burner in this article.
- Why can I play some DVD movies but not others on my computer DVD-ROM?
- Why can I play some DVD movies, but not others, on my computer DVD-ROM?
- 5 Ways to Keep Your Information Secure in the Cloud
- You can keep your information secure in cloud storage with these five tips. Learn how to minimize risk and keep information secure in the cloud.
- Are my files really safe if I store them in the cloud?
- Are your files safe in the cloud? Learn about cloud storage and if your files will be safe in the cloud.
- Does 'to the cloud' mean the same thing as 'let's Google that'?
- 'To the cloud' and 'let's Google that' are common tech phrases. But what do they mean? Find out if 'to the cloud' and 'let's Google that' mean the same thing.
- How a Cloud Antivirus Works
- Cloud antivirus protection is made possible with cloud computing. So, what's the best way to protect your computer? See if cloud antivirus is right for you.
- How Cloud Computing Works
- Cloud computing lets you use files and applications over the Internet. Learn about the benefits and drawbacks to cloud computing.
- How Cloud Storage Works
- Cloud storage involves storing data on multiple virtual servers that are generally hosted by third parties. Learn more about how cloud storage works.
- How Music Clouds Work
- Thanks to music clouds, you can access enormous libraries of music virtually anywhere you can get Internet access. Learn all about music clouds.
- How the Amazon Cloud Player Works
- The Amazon Cloud Player is a new streaming music app that offers flexibility in purchasing, storing and accessing tunes. Explore the Amazon Cloud Player.
- How the Apple iCloud Works
- Apple's iCloud promises to synchronize all of your devices -- as long as they're made by Apple. See how Apple's iCloud stacks up to its competitors.
- How the Google Cloud Works
- What exactly is the Google Cloud and how could it change computing? Find out all about Google Cloud in this article.
- Partly Cloudy With a Chance of Data Compromise: Cloud Security Quiz
- Is there Internet cloud security? Is your information safe in the cloud? Take the Internet cloud security quiz to learn how to protect your data.