HowToDoThings.com Elite Author Articles

How To Improve Your PC's Hard Disk Response

rik — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 14:01:05 -0500

Your PC depends on the files held in the hard disk for just about everything it can do. It needs an occasional 'tune-up', a session of TLC (tender loving care) -- or, in computer speak, a 'disk cleanup' and 'defragging'. This is best done after a housekeeping session when you give your old computer files a spring clean-out.

If you have loads of backup files on your disk and other stuff you no longer need – just as we are advised to de-clutter our homes, desks, offices, etc. – your pc needs the same sort of attention from time to time. You may also have programs and features you no longer use, and if you are sure you never will, they can be deleted too. This saves space and usually improves the performance of the hard disk drive.

The hard disk drive runs for most of the time your computer is switched on. It's an electro-mechanical device with two main operations:

How To Fix Disk Surface Errors

rik — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 17:45:17 -0500

Hard disk drives in your computer system use a small circular plate coated with a magnetic surface. This disk rotates at speeds in excess of 5,000 rpm. The machine's operating system uses a circular grid layout to index positions on the disk surface. The disk indexing system consists of:

Tracks, which are circular and concentric.
Disc sectors, which are radial blocks.

The overall storage size of the disk, the number of tracks and sectors explains the minimum storage block size on any individual disk, and this dictates propensity for file fragmentation. See my other HowToDoThings article on improving your computer's hard disk response. Small HDD's have smaller minimum storage blocks than larger capacity units, making storage more efficient for small data files. However, disk storage space costs progressively less with time and no one seems to bother about this.

How To Transfer Files from a Desktop to a Laptop

rik — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 16:46:46 -0600

More and more people must rely on using a laptop/portable PC in their ever-busy lives to keep up with their workload, and then find they have different copies of the same file on this PC and their desktop. The easiest solution is having all machines networked and storing all working files on the network's file server(s). However, if you need to work at home and other locations using multiple computers, this may not be possible.

How To Buy a Digital Camera

rik — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 15:48:19 -0600

Most of us have taken a photograph at some time during our lives. Some of us have taken many thousands of pictures, but getting a good picture depends on a number of factors, not the least of which is having a camera with us at the time. In choosing a new camera, for most of us the choice is no longer which film camera to buy, but rather which digital camera to buy. It may not even be primarily a camera; many mobile phones and small palm-top computers are capable of good results. The days of a camera on a mobile phone capturing only a basic image with a pixel count under 1 million have long gone. So how can you compare digital cameras in order to decide which one to buy for yourself? Let's explore the factors that influence how a digital camera responds and provides us with an image.

How To Decide Between a Desktop and a Laptop

rik — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 20:21:50 -0600

The price of computer hardware continues to drop and more powerful machines appear to be the norm, so the laptop has become more popular. There are still some very good reasons favoring desktop machines unless your needs for a portable machine outweigh the advantages of the desktop model.

How To Adjust to RV Driving

rik — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 19:20:51 -0600

Driving an RV is little more difficult than driving a private car. You simply need to remember a few basic and very obvious facts: it's bigger, wider, longer and higher, and probably slower on acceleration. The actual driving is probably easier, as various power assistance features will be fitted on steering and brake systems to reduce strain on the driver. Other driving systems fitted to modern RV's include rear-view cameras, reversing sensors, GPS, cruise control, automatic gearboxes and even automated engine management systems that 'talk back to the factory' to monitor efficiency and ensure proper working.

How To Be a Good Amateur Radio Operator

rik — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 14:26:25 -0600

Amateur radio is a fascinating hobby. Contacting friendly fellow 'hams' across the globe means generating RF power, possibly at considerable levels and concentrating it with a directional antenna. This freedom brings with it a responsibility (as included in the UK amateur license) to ensure there is no inconvenience or undue interference to others, and to make the best use of the available spectrum.

How To Make a Good Solder Joint

rik — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 14:57:05 -0600

WARNING: This work refers to electrical soldering only.

Learning the correct technique means you can ensure trouble free soldered electrical joints which will be reliable over a long time, and progress to make cheap, easy repairs to your electrical equipment if they develop simple circuit joint faults.

How To Adjust Computer Screen Resolution

rik — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 18:39:47 -0600

Your computer screen is made up from a whole set of 'dots', like a newspaper photograph. The greater the number of dots (per inch) the higher the resolution, which is controlled in Windows by - Display Properties > Settings.

Right mouse click on the screen wall paper (background) for the easiest route to Display Properties. Select properties from the popup menu - usually the last option in the list. The 'Display Properties' dialog box has a number of 'tabs' across the top for different aspects of screen appearance. You will probably see tabs for: Themes, Desktop, Screen Saver, Appearance, Settings