Saturday, May 15, 2010

How to Fix Keyboard Keys




Hello there! You probably came to this site wondering how to fix your keyboard keys. Well, I'm here to help you with just that! There are many great sites you can use to find good information on this topic, but since you're already here, I'll go ahead and explain the process to you.


The first thing you need to know is there are many different types of keyboard out there. Whether you are using a laptop or just a normal keyboard the key principles are still there. If you are using a laptop, you may find it helpful to completely remove your keyboard unit from your laptop before you begin, however this step may not be needed in some cases. Fixing your keyboard keys is not a complicated task, but if you have little tech knowledge, or this is your first time trying to fix or repair broken computer hardware than this may be a little overwhelming for you. The most important part of this process is making sure you know what you're doing before you begin. Be absolutely positive you have the knowledge needed to do the task you need to do before you start doing it in order to save money in computer part cost. That's why you're here right? So you don't have to buy a new keyboard? Step 1 is common sense, know what you're doing before you're doing it.


The second thing you need to know (If you are doing this on a laptop. if you aren't, you can skip this step) Is removing the keyboard unit from your laptop. Many times this can be done by removing a few screws holding the keyboard mount in place, but since there are so many different varieties of laptops nowadays, you may find it a lot easier just searching for a tutorial for your specific machine. When removing your keyboard in order to fix your keyboard keys, there will most likely be a ribbon connecting the keyboard to the machine. When removing the keyboard, please be careful not to damage the ribbon. Once you have this step completed, move on to the third step.


The second step is probably the hardest part, and if you're just using a normal keyboard you probably don't even need to do that step. So on to step 3. It is important you are careful with you're parts before proceeding with this step. Using a tool, such as a key remover, will be very helpful to you. If you do not have one of these, they can be purchased from many websites all over the internet. They make all purpose tools for jobs such as these, and fixing other small devices as well. Get the prongs of the tool under the selected key and push up gently. If the key doesn't give way, than it may not be a good idea to continue trying to pull the damaged key out. If it does, good, now just replace the key.


If you have found that replacing your key has not solved your problem than you may need a new keyboard. Many times with things such as water damage, people may not be able to fix them just by replacing the selected key. On the other hand, if you have only scratched a key, or there is a dent in one of the keys, this will be very helpful to you and you will be glad that you do not need to spend you're money on another keyboard. If you need more detail on this, there are many videos and websites out there dedicated to hardware repair out there. The site that I own goes into a little more detail on how to do this process.


You can visit it by clicking here: How to fix keyboard keys.


If the article was not helpful to you, I hope that my website will be of a little more use for you. Here is a simple summary of what we went over:


1. We went over the common sense rule: If you don't know what you're doing, don't do it!


2. We determined what kind of keyboard we were trying to fix. Either a laptop keyboard, or a desktop keyboard


3. We detailed how to fix keys, and the steps to successfully removing them


4. Finally, the last thing we did is we went over what to do if our plan of action didn't work.


Disclaimer: I take no responsibility in the damage or your property as a result of this article. You are responsible for everything you do after reading this. Please be careful and smart about removing keyboard keys. You can find more information by clicking Fix Keyboard keys.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jared_Hoernemann




How to Upgrade Your Laptop's Memory

If you want to drastically improve the overall speed of your laptop computer then you will need to consider a ram memory upgrade. Before setting out to upgrade your current memory you will need to do some basic research beforehand to insure you make the right purchasing choice. With so many type of memory available it is crucial to purchase the right type and size for your laptops needs to gain the most benefit. By investigating your laptop manual or via the manufacturers website you will be able to find the type of memory your laptop accepts as well as upgrade possibilities.


Finding out how much memory your computer laptop currently has.


There are 2 ways to check the amount of memory you have installed on your laptop. The quickest way is to check through the bios of your laptop. This is usually accessed when the laptop boots up and requires to press the appropriate key to enter setup. Bios setup menus vary from laptop to laptop so just have a quick browse through the memory settings to get a clear idea on what your system currently has.


Another method to check your memory is via your system menu in the control panel. This can be accessed if you have windows xp or later by clicking on the control panel option in the start menu then locating the system icon. From there you will find other specifications such as processor speed and memory currently installed.


How much memory is needed?


This all depends on your speed requirements. If you find your computer is not running as smooth as you would like then its advised to essentially double the amount of memory by purchasing another of equal amount. This will usually suffice for many and it is often rare to go further than this unless you have an older model of laptop.


Checking if there are additional ram slots available for upgrade & installation.


Underneath your laptop you will find a panel labelled in many cases with a little engraving of a memory module. These panels are usually attached via 1 screw or clip function and can be removed to access the memory bay of your computer. If you are not sure where the ram panel is I advice you consult the manual of your laptop to find it's exact location.


Once you have access to the panel you will be able to tell if there are additional slots available to place your new ram or if you need to replace an existing module with your new memory stick. If there is a lot available then simply install your new memory by diagonally placing the connector side into the appropriate slot and lowering the rest of the ram module.


Choosing the right ram memory for your laptop


The important thing to remember when purchasing any sort of ram is that an upgrade can only be performed in pairs of equal amount or single for 1 slot. As an example if you find you have slot taken by a 1gb memory stick and still have 1 slot available you should install in that free slot a memory module of equal amount not greater or less equaling to a total of 2gb memory. You could do this another way by removing the 1gb memory stick and placing 1x2gb memory leaving another slot free in future for an additional 2gb stick. The choice is totally up to you. It is advised to get the biggest amount of memory you can purchase to save you cash in the long term so you do not need to remove and rid of old modules to replace with new ones.


Robert has been writing articles for over 2 years now. Come and visit his latest site over at http://4gbmemorycard.org for more information on the various 4gb memory cards available.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_Roderick




How to Upgrade Your Laptop's Hard Drive


If you have a laptop that's a few years old, you may be running out of hard drive space, or you may have noticed that it's getting slower and slower, especially compared to newer models or desktops. Is it time to get a new laptop? Not necessarily. If you're willing to put a bit of work into it, installing a new hard drive is pretty easy. (You may also want to add more RAM, but that's a different subject).


One thing to consider before replacing it is: will changing the hard drive void the warranty on your laptop? In many cases it will, and even if something else goes wrong with your laptop that does not have anything at all to do with your new drive, the manufacturer will most likely blame it on the fact that you replaced it. Check the manufacturer's website, or call customer service to be sure. However, if you've had your laptop for so long that the warranty has expired anyway, that's obviously not a concern.


Once you have your new drive you are ready to go. Before getting replacing it, you need to do some house cleaning of your current hard drive. Delete all the files and programs you don't use, and backup the rest on disks or an external drive. Then defragment your internal hard drive.


To make the data transfer easy and painless, I recommend getting a data transfer kit. There are several different brands available and they come with a cable, software (that copies all the content from your old drive to your new one) and some includes new hard drive and some only come with a case. Make sure you get one that's compatible with your equipment (and read other peoples' reviews online - some work better with certain laptops than others).


Using one of these kits, pop your new drive in the case that came with the kit, hook it up to your laptop and run the software. It will copy everything from your old drive to the new one. This may take quite a bit of time, so do it when you don't need your laptop for a few hours (or more). Once everything is copied, it's time for the actual replacement. Turn off and unplug your laptop and remove the battery. Laptop hard drives are usually located in an easily accessible place - on some, you need to unscrew only a small cover, and on others you may have to remove the entire back cover (your laptop's manual should tell you where your drive is located).


Remove your old hard drive and carefully install in your new one (no shaking or dropping it!). On some laptops, the drive sits directly in a panel and on some, it's in a caddy. Install your new drive exactly the way the old one was installed. Make sure it's in there snugly and securely (and the right way) before putting the panel back on and closing the laptop up again. Plug the laptop back in and start it up. Since you copied everything from your old disk, it should start without any issues. If it doesn't, put your old hard drive back in and troubleshoot the new one.


What do you do with your old drive? Well, you can keep it as a backup of your system, or put it in the case that came with the kit and use it as an external hard drive.


DeeDee Dobson blogs about pink laptops and all the different peripherals and laptop components.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=DeeDee_Dobson




How to fix a laptop.


 Are you sick and tried of your computer breaking and don't knowing to do? Are you sick and tried of paying the tech guys hundreds of dollars just for a simple problem? Do you want to know how to fix a laptop. If this is the case then keep reading. In this module I am going to teach you how to diagnose the problem and what I use to fix it.


First off there are two kinds of computer problems software and hardware problems. Software problems are programs not responding etc. and they can be easily fixed. For more information on software problems please visit http://www.pcbuyerbeware.co.uk/SoftwareProblems.htm . Now Hardware problems are more complex. The first step is to know were the problem is coming from. Lets say it is a bad hard drive here is some of the symptoms for a bad hard drive. 1, If you hear a clicking sound. 2, Computer keeps restarting. 3, Blue screen of death. For more info please vist http://ask-leo.com/how_do_i_fix_a_bad_sector_on_my_hard_drive.html


I have a hard drive problem how do I fix without having to pay a guy at best buy hundererds of dollars. First off you have to find out what the problem is . Lets say it is a bad hard drive. I go online and find a hard drive to buy. Now I have to know how to install it . What do I do?


Simple I use laptop repair videos to help me out. I have been using this service for years and they are great. The videos are in Hd format and they keep coming out with more videos. They have helped me repair several laptops and earn some money by fixing other people laptops as well. Check them out by clicking here http://www.laptoprepairvideos.com/?hop=akivadude .


About the Author


If you want to find out more please vist http://www.laptoprepairvideos.com/?hop=akivadude


Easy Laptop Repair with Tech Support

Laptops are complicated computing device as compared to desktop systems. Its compact structure is the main reason why hardware troubleshooting or replacement needs expert's involvement. But always mind the fact that laptop repair may not be as expensive as the tech support companies often lead users to spend. Initially laptop was only the choice of corporate and business users but now it has become a preferred choice of many. The smart structure of a laptop device occupies relatively less space and easy to carry around. The structure and portability is lovely, but at the same time, functionality matters.


Slow computer problem is one of the most common computing issues why system owners look for online technical support assistance. It has been found that laptop computers get slower earlier than desktop PCs. So, let's see how a remote help desk specialist can assist users work on such common and very basic issue through on-call direction or remote chat session.

Most branded laptops come up with warranty for its spares and post service laptop repair services. Ideally you should always go for such services to restore your system functionality. But certain situation arrives when you just need an instant tech support to keep your system alive. An online helpdesk specialist can only retain your sanity the very moment. Therefore, always stay prepared to face the odds- have some basic equipments at home to work on you laptop instead grabbing just anything found nearby. You may not need to access the hardware parts in case of troubleshooting slow computer problem, but what if your tech support vendor ask to upgrade the RAM or do something on the motherboard?


Here we will talk about the easy system speed up procedure commonly suggested by the laptop repair experts. While troubleshooting a laptop do not open the laptop case unless it is barely needed. First thing, a technician suggests is to defrag the disk drivers. When you give a certain command, your system memory jumps from place to place in search of the data. Defragmentation process allows your computer to stream and manage information which speeds up laptop computers in turn to process different programs.


You must eliminate as much startup programs as you can. Tech support experts help users identify the list of unnecessary programs and remove or disable them safely. Anytime you install a new program, it automatically gets started every time you boot. This dramatically slows down the system functionality. You can also think of updating your RAM memory for this matter.


Registry clean up is another important step to improve system functionality. You can get free registry cleaner software from online help desk specialist. Else, you can also do it manually. These are nothing but the ways of proper system optimization. You just need to keep your system well organized. Instead of spending dollars on pricy updates, think of resolving your basic computing errors at your own. Get online and talk to a remote tech support expert. They can actually help you resolve laptop issues for a least expense.


About the Author


Resolve laptop technical issues through tech support assistance. Laptop repair has now become even easier and cheaper than before with online technician's involvement. For more information please visit- www.mytechsupportstore.com.


Laptop LCD Screen Repair

Have you ever been in a situation where you either damaged or dropped your laptop. This is not an uncommon occurrence today.


With schools allowing digital devices in the classroom more students than ever find that they need laptop LCD screen repair.


This author has even found himself in the precarious position of dropping an expensive laptop, and having another laptop with pixels that became intermittent and faint.


Knowing now that accidents do happen how, might you ask, can you approach this problem? The answer is simply by people can simply become educated.


Have you ever tried to count from one to one million? It is next to impossible without digital assistance. The idea of vast number of items in a very small space is similar to counting to a high number.


You see every square inch of your laptop screen is composed of literally thousands of micro pixels. A simple bump or crack can permanently damage your ability to do school work or play your favorite video game.


Some sites will advise a user to replace an entire laptop because of prohibitive pricing. While prices are high laptop LCD screen repair is a rather simple process.


Auction sites like eBay offer great deals on laptop screens that have been scavenged from useless computers so, a savvy techie might find it useful to check an auction site before spending a fortune to replace a computer.


Another option is to see if the price of a used model on an auction site is close to the replacement cost of a screen. If replacement at a low cost is an option then all the user has to do is remove or transfer hard drive data and you are up and running in minutes.


Laptop LCD repair can become necessary, as stated if viewing a picture on your screen becomes difficult. One note to the discerning reader rental or home insurance will often cover the repair of devices if there is accidental damage.


So, before you have an accident you might consider including your digital devices on your home or rental insurance policy.


If you want to increase your laptop Lcd screen life I highly recommend to use Laptop LCD Screen Protectors, for more information please visit Laptop Screen Protector


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sharon_Hunter


Have you enjoyed this Article? Please leave your comments. Thanks!

How to Upgrade Your Laptop's Memory.

If you want to drastically improve the overall speed of your laptop computer then you will need to consider a ram memory upgrade. Before setting out to upgrade your current memory you will need to do some basic research beforehand to insure you make the right purchasing choice. With so many type of memory available it is crucial to purchase the right type and size for your laptops needs to gain the most benefit. By investigating your laptop manual or via the manufacturers website you will be able to find the type of memory your laptop accepts as well as upgrade possibilities.

Finding out how much memory your computer laptop currently has.


There are 2 ways to check the amount of memory you have installed on your laptop. The quickest way is to check through the bios of your laptop. This is usually accessed when the laptop boots up and requires to press the appropriate key to enter setup. Bios setup menus vary from laptop to laptop so just have a quick browse through the memory settings to get a clear idea on what your system currently has.


Another method to check your memory is via your system menu in the control panel. This can be accessed if you have windows xp or later by clicking on the control panel option in the start menu then locating the system icon. From there you will find other specifications such as processor speed and memory currently installed.


How much memory is needed?


This all depends on your speed requirements. If you find your computer is not running as smooth as you would like then its advised to essentially double the amount of memory by purchasing another of equal amount. This will usually suffice for many and it is often rare to go further than this unless you have an older model of laptop.


Checking if there are additional ram slots available for upgrade & installation.


Underneath your laptop you will find a panel labelled in many cases with a little engraving of a memory module. These panels are usually attached via 1 screw or clip function and can be removed to access the memory bay of your computer. If you are not sure where the ram panel is I advice you consult the manual of your laptop to find it's exact location.


Once you have access to the panel you will be able to tell if there are additional slots available to place your new ram or if you need to replace an existing module with your new memory stick. If there is a lot available then simply install your new memory by diagonally placing the connector side into the appropriate slot and lowering the rest of the ram module.


Choosing the right ram memory for your laptop


The important thing to remember when purchasing any sort of ram is that an upgrade can only be performed in pairs of equal amount or single for 1 slot. As an example if you find you have slot taken by a 1gb memory stick and still have 1 slot available you should install in that free slot a memory module of equal amount not greater or less equaling to a total of 2gb memory. You could do this another way by removing the 1gb memory stick and placing 1x2gb memory leaving another slot free in future for an additional 2gb stick. The choice is totally up to you. It is advised to get the biggest amount of memory you can purchase to save you cash in the long term so you do not need to remove and rid of old modules to replace with new ones.


Robert has been writing articles for over 2 years now. Come and visit his latest site over at http://4gbmemorycard.org for more information on the various 4gb memory cards available.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_Roderick




Learn How to Repair a Laptop Screen.

For a laptop owner, one of the most common issues to handle on the hardware part is a broken or malfunctioned laptop screen. As we know, laptop screens are the important part of a laptop and also the most delicate part of any of the hardware. All in all, these laptop screen problems are unexpectedly easy to repair by oneself even if you know nothing technical about it.


There are a number of usual reasons that contribute to laptop screen problems. Firstly, damaged pixels will cause difficulties to read the words on the screen. Even if there are only a few pixels spoilt in one area, it can disrupt your computing task. When this happens, it is best to remove the problematic screen and then replace it with a functional one.


Secondly, sometimes you will find the laptop screen producing faint images. This occurs when the back light of the screen does not work properly. Therefore, look for the back light switches which are usually located adjacent to the laptop hinges. Check if the switch is active. If is not, then try to open and shut the laptop for a few times, else tap gently or use a small pin to un-stick the switch.


Thirdly, when the laptop screen starts to flicker on and off, it is probably caused by an inverter problem. The inverter is responsible to supply power to the back light of the screen. It can be repair simply by replacing the inverter with a new one. On the other hand, if the screen shows a solid white color, then the root cause might be due to a loose cable connection between the monitor and system board. In that case, ensure that the cables are not damaged and the connections are setup correctly.


Last but not least, images from the screen can get jumbled up at times. Although it looks like it is one of the laptop screen problems, but it can be due to the video card too. Do a short test to confirm on whether the monitor is the reason behind the jumbled screens by connecting a good monitor to your laptop. Then, check the images in the other monitor if they are all jumbled up. If yes, then you can be certain that you will need to replace the video card of your computer.


Author of this article is writing for many websites, He enjoys writing and sharing content on wide range of topics such as laptop screen problems and rent a laptop. Visit to find more information.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stuart_Michael_M


Have you enjoyed this post? Leave your comments and questions below. Thanks.

My Laptop is Running Extremely Slow - How to Make Your Laptop Run Fast Again in No Time!

With long use, I'm sure that you have experienced the laptop slow running problem. If you do not get these problems resolved, they can result in some serious errors with your laptop and leaving you looking for an answer about how to make your laptop run fast again instantly.

Now you can get all of these problems fixed to speed up your laptop and be free from system slow running.


#1. Install a security program to protect your computer from Virus, Trojan, Adware and spyware. The infected files work in the background silently consuming your computer resources. Sometimes, they can be the main causes of computer slow performance. Therefore, you had better clean up your system with a professional security program timely for speeding up your machine.


#2. Take the old software you rarely use out of your hard disk to free resources. We usually do not realize that there are countless programs that silently eat up system resource thus lead to laptop running slow. Removing these superfluous programs will help to make laptop run fast massively.


#3. Add more RAM to guarantee PC running smoothly especially for those low configuration computers, as it is known to all, enough space will promptly help with increasing the speed of your computer and keep your laptop away from running slow.


#4. Run a free scan to detect and fix the errors of your windows registry regularly. Actually, the redundant registry entries, if cannot be deleted in time, will result in your laptop running slow and cause many serious annoying consequences. A registry cleaner will find all the problems inside windows registry and then work to fix them all for you.


If your laptop is running extremely slow and you still wonder how to make laptop run fast again, CLICK HERE you can scan your registry errors for free and speed up your favorite laptop in no time.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jimmie_S_Meng








How to Clean Your Laptop Computer

Do you know how to clean your laptop computer? If you're purchased a good laptop, it only makes sense to keep it clean and dust-free.

Not cleaning your laptop can lead to a lot of problems. Dust can build up in your laptop cooling vents and cause your system to overheat. Dirt may also get trapped on your screen or keyboard and cause problems.

In this article, we will learn how to keep your laptop spick and span in a few a simple steps.

1. Read the User Manual

Before you start cleaning your laptop, I'd recommend that you take a look at any special instructions in the laptop user manual. Manuals will usually highlight to you any special precautions you need to take, e.g. not to use any harsh cleaning agents or rough material on any part of the laptop. Once you understand the special precautions to take, you can get started on the cleaning process.

2. Equipment Needed

You'll usually need the following to clean your laptop computer:

* Compressed air

* Some cotton swabs

* Cleaning solution

* A soft cleaning cloth (e.g. cotton t-shirt)

You can also find some good laptop cleaning kits available in the market, such as the one below.

3. Cleaning the Exterior

The first step is to clean the exterior of your laptop. What you do here is to use a soft damp cloth to clean the casing of the laptop. Never, ever use an abrasive cleaning cloth or use harsh cleaning products. If you do that, any glossy finish on your new laptop will get eroded very, very quickly (ouch).

4. Cleaning the Display

To me, one of the most irritating areas where dust and grime accumulate is the laptop screen. This is because the screen is where you view the output of your work, your movies, etc. So any dust on the screen is very noticeable.

When cleaning the display, first you need to turn off the laptop. Again, don ever use abrasive cloth or paper towels to clean your display. You will scratch it and leave more than dust and grime on the screen.

You can try to use monitor cleaning solutions which come in spray form. Spray some on a cloth first, then wipe the screen conscientiously from left to right, and top to bottom.

5. Cleaning the Keyboard

I also get very frustrated when dirt gets into my laptop keyboard. One key thing to remember is to keep food and drinks away from your laptop! Even if you don't spill something directly on the laptop keyboard, you just might dirty the laptop with the food and grime on your fingers. Try to get some cotton swabs to clean in and around keys.


6. Cleaning the Cooling Vents


The cooling vents on a laptop tend to trap a lot of dust and grime. What you can do is to use a can of compressed air to spray and clean those cooling vents. One thing to be careful is to avoid spraying so much that you get liquid on the fan blades.

Conclusion


Make sure you regularly set aside time to clean your laptop. Laptops which have not been cleaned in a long time are not only more unattractive, they are also potentially more prone to problems. Take care of your laptop and it will serve you faithfully for many years to come.


Gary Hendricks runs a website about laptops. Visit his website at Best-Laptop-Guide.com to learn more about selecting the best laptops and accessories to suit your needs.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gary_Hendricks