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How-To
How to Upgrade Your Laptop’s Hard Drive to an SSD
Want to speed up your laptop and lengthen its battery life? Swap the hard disk drive out for a speedy solid-state drive.Hassle-Free PC
Repair Stalled Print Jobs with Stalled Printer Repair
This freebie utility solves one of Windows' most vexing (and longstanding) problems: stuck print jobs.How-To
Printer Buying Guide: Shopping Smart
Ready to buy a printer? You can navigate a store or Website with confidence by deciding on what you want before you get there. We’ll help you prepare.How-To
Printer Buying Guide: Printer Specs You Need to Know
Printer specifications can go on forever. We guide you through them and show you what's important to consider for any printer.How-To
Long Live Your Laptop Battery!
Keep your laptop battery working for years (and for hours between charges).Hassle-Free PC
Easily Switch Between External Displays in Windows 7
One of Windows 7's best-kept secrets is the keyboard shortcut that lets you choose your external-display configuration with just one click.How-To
8 Creative Weekend Printer Projects
Think printers are just for spitting out business reports and family photos? Here are eight exciting ways that you can organize your life, decorate your space, and beat boredom–all with an inkjet printer.Hassle-Free PC
Create the World’s Fastest, Easiest, Cheapest, and Best iPhone Stand
It's perfect in a pinch, and it works with everything: Android phones, iPods, Zunes, you name it.Hassle-Free PC
Disable Your Laptop’s Touchpad While You Type
If you're encountering weird cursor behavior, it's probably the result of accidental touchpad touches. A free utility may help.Answer Line
USB Interferes with Boot
Richard Purdy's PC won't boot when he has a flash drive plugged into itHow-To
Top Tech Support Survival Tips
No one likes talking to tech support. Use our tips to help get your problem fixed–and maybe receive a little something extra, as well.Hassle-Free PC
Make the Most of Your ‘Home’ and ‘End’ Keys
How to stop neglecting two of the handiest shortcut keys on your keyboard.How-To
How to Use Your Console Gamepad With Your PC
Games aren't the same without a gamepad under your thumbs. Play on your PC with your Xbox 360, PS3, or PS2 controller–and other game devices.Hassle-Free PC
Raise Your WIndows IQ: Learn Your Laptop’s Power Settings
Don't fall victim to your PC's unreliable standby mode. Instead, do like bears do, and choose hibernation.Hassle-Free PC
Raise Your Windows IQ: When to Single-Click, When to Double-Click
There's no shame in admitting you don't when to click once or twice. Follow these simple rules and you'll be a click-master in no time.Answer Line
Windows 7’s Built-in Backup
Robert wants to know if Windows 7’s built-in backup program is worth usingAnswer Line
Reasons to Partition
Michael Crandall wants to know if dividing his hard drive into multiple, smaller partitions will improve its speedHow-To
Free Up Hard-Drive Space, Fast
Need to clear some storage space on your hard drive? Here's how to put it through a crash diet and free up a few gigs right now.How-To
Disaster-Proof Your PC: Image Your Drive, Make a Backup Plan
Here's how to prepare for disaster by imaging your hard drive and setting up a data backup system.How-To
How (and Why) to Partition Your Hard Drive
Use Windows' built-in Disk Management tool to make your backups easier, to set up an emergency recovery partition, or even to install another operating system.Answer Line
Restore Data After Motherboard Death
Peter’s motherboard died. How can he retrieve the data on his hard drive?
How-To
Bring Your Middle Mouse Button to Life
That middle button is often ignored, but you can tap its potential for browsing more efficiently, scrolling quickly, and more.Hassle-Free PC
Make the Most of Your Middle Mouse Button, Part 4
There's one last way to get some extra use out of that third button: Click it, hold it, and drag your mouse to scroll up or down on a page. Very handy!How-To
How to Buy a Monitor
Which monitor you need depends on the applications you use, the amount of desk space you have, and how much you want to spend.
How-To
Hardware Tips: New Use for an Old Laptop, and More
Turn a laptop into a second display, force a stubborn disc tray to open, and solve an iPhone sync problem.Digital Focus
Shopping for a Photo Printer
Looking for a good photo printer this holiday season? Follow these four tips for a smart buy.Answer Line
Securely Wipe a Dead Hard Drive
Dwma needs to return a dead hard drive to the manufacturer. Is there a way to first remove sensitive data?Hassle-Free PC
Turn a Spare Laptop Into a Second Monitor
Oldie-but-goodie MaxiVista is back with a new version that supports Windows Vista and Windows 7. It totally rocks.How-To
Speed Up Everything
Is your PC dragging? Does your broadband network creep along at dial-up speeds? Do Web pages take forever to load on your smartphone? Don't wait! These fixes will get you back into the fast lane.Answer Line
When the Backup Drive Gets Full
Rat74136’s external hard drive is full. How does he keep backing up?Answer Line
Why is My Computer Slowing Down?
A41202813 asked the Answer Line forum why his once quick PC is slowing downHassle-Free PC
Should You Use Standby or Hibernate?
Most laptops give you a choice, but which mode works best, and why? Answers coming up.Hassle-Free PC
Are You Neglecting Your Windows Key?
A tap of the Windows key takes you to the Start menu, where–in Vista and 7–you can start typing to dynamically search for apps, files, e-mail, and the like.Hassle-Free PC
Protect Your PC From Sudden Power Outages
You never know when the lights will go out, taking your data–and perhaps even your entire PC–with them. An inexpensive battery-backup can save the day.Hassle-Free PC
Save Printer Ink by Choosing an Ink-Saving Font
Is there such a thing as a "green" font? There is, and it's called, aptly enough, Ecofont. It's free, and it's fabulous.Answer Line
Could I Just Destroy the Hard Drive?
Joel Edillon wants my opinion on physically destroying a hard drive instead of wiping itHow-To
7 Backup Strategies for Your Data, Multimedia, and System Files
Nobody likes backing up, but one day, it’ll save your bacon. Here are the most efficient methods of protecting your stuff, no matter what your situation.How-To
Heal Your Hardware
PC won't boot? Dead battery in your iPod? Water in your cell phone? Don't scrap your broken tech. Fix it yourself with our step-by-step repair guide.How-To
Get More From Your Mouse
Use your mouse wheel to scroll tabs in Office and open new tabs in Firefox–plus, never double-click again.
Mobile Computing
Recharging Laptops, Netbooks, Gadgets Abroad
Here's what you need to know if you're traveling with a laptop, netbook, GPS device, or other portable gadget.How-To
How to Resurrect a Crashed Hard Drive
Recover data using the freezer and Frisbee tricks and more.
How-To
Laptop Q&A: Power Off Quickly, Fix Sticky Keys
What do you do when your laptop won't turn off? And how can you fix sticky, broken keys? Rick Broida has the answers.Answer Line
More on Image Backups
Mike Bell asked the Answer Line forum what an image backup actually backs up; I offer more advice than he asked forAnswer Line
What Size External Drive?
Carperl asked the Answer Line forum what size external hard drive he should buy for backupHassle-Free PC
Reduce Cable Clutter with Flush-Mount USB Desk Hub
Got 12 bucks and a grommet hole to spare? This cool hub mounts flush inside your desk.Hassle-Free PC