Latest Accessories How-To Stories
SEE ACCESSORIES STORIES BY CATEGORY
How-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
Turn Off Your Monitor By Pressing a Hotkey
Here's a simple way to save electricity: Turn off your monitor whenever you get up from your desk.Answer Line
Your Laptop and International Travel
Gmartin12 asked the Answer Line forum for advice before talking a notebook overseasHassle-Free PC
Instantly Create New Folders in Windows 7
A simple keyboard shortcut saves you two, two, TWO mouse-clicks in Micrsoft's keyboard-friendly new OS.Hassle-Free PC
Fix a Laptop’s Sticky, Broken Keys
Don't consign your laptop to the scrap heap just because it has a worn-out keyboard. You may be able to replace it with a few bucks and a few minutes.Hassle-Free PC
Six Windows 7 Keyboard Shortcuts You Need to Learn Right Now
Why reach for the mouse when you can access common Windows 7 features right from the keyboard?Answer Line
Remove Sensitive Data Before You Sell an Old PC
Brian Ellis wants to know the best way to secure an old PC for a new ownerAnswer Line
Dump the File Cabinet and Scan Your Important Papers
Sue Bulot wants advice about digitizing all of her important papersThe Cost Cutter
Keep Laptops and Phones Powered for Productive Travel
When your gadgets conk out, you're paying for it. Follow these tips to keep them charged.Answer Line
Should I Image the Hard Drive or Clone It?
Tom Luoma asked why I often recommend backing up your hard drive with imaging software, but never mention cloning software.The Cost Cutter
Add System-Wide PDF Creation for Free
PDFCreator acts as a printer, letting you export PDF files within your applications.Hassle-Free PC
Reverse ‘Uh-Oh’ Moments with Undo
Graduate from "clueless" to "novice" by mastering one of Windows' most important, and rudimentary, features.Answer Line
Maximize a Window From the Keyboard
Robert Hall wants a keyboard shortcut for maximizing a windows.How-To
57 Amazing Things You Didn’t Know Your Tech Could Do!
We've worked long and hard to come up with the best tips and tricks for your PCs, smartphones, cameras, game controllers, music players, and the Web. Let's start with PC, laptop, and networking tips.How-To
Smartphones: 14 Great Things iPhones and BlackBerrys Can Do
Control 7 different devices with your iPhone, play Internet radio on your BlackBerry, and more.How-To
The List: 57 Amazing Things You Didn’t Know Your Tech Could Do!
Here are all 57 of the tips and tricks we've pulled together for PCs, laptops, smartphones, cameras, the Web and more.The Cost Cutter
Online Postage Tools Can Save You Time and Money
Prepare for the May 11 postage rate increase by taking advantage of USPS web tools.Answer Line
I Think My Hard Drive is Dying
Repartitioning software told Bloodboughtme that his hard drive had "bad blocks." He asked the Answer Line forum for advise.The Cost Cutter
Save Paper Costs by Shrinking Prints
This little bit of printing sleight-of-hand can save your small business some real money.How-To
‘How to Build a PC,’ the Interactive Geek Tech Video
Anyone can show you how to build a PC from scratch. We're going to let you pick your path through PC construction through the use of an interactive YouTube video!Answer Line
When Your Laptop Screen Breaks
James dropped his laptop and broke the screen. What should he do?Answer Line
How Do I Create a Bootable Flash Drive?
Margaret T. wants to boot from a flash drive and work on documents from thereMobile Computing
Laptop Battery Power Tips
Learn how to keep your notebook going when you're away from a wall socket and there's no power port in sight.Hassle-Free PC
Another Way to Fix a Troublesome Touchpad
Tired of your thumb accidentally brushing the touchpad? Here's a simple fix that doesn't require mucking around with system settings.Hassle-Free PC
Hidden iTunes: The Five Best Keyboard Shortcuts
The five best ways to zip around iTunes without ever taking your hands off the ol' QWERTY.Answer Line
My PC Doesn’t See My New Hard Drive
Bobby installed a second internal drive for backup purposes, then he asked the Answer Line forum how come it doesn't show up in My Computer.
How-To
Extend Laptop Battery Life With Hassle-Free PC
PC World blogger Rick Broida has tips for improving battery life on the road, making your laptop battery last longer, and saving energy with Windows Vista.Hassle-Free PC
Give Your Laptop Battery a Longer Lease on Life
Here's a trick for deskbound laptop users: Pull the plug. But not the one you think.How-To
How to Spot a Technology Money-Waster
These ideas sound like they'd save you some dough, but they'll end up costing more than you'd expect.How-To
Cheap Printing: 5 Ways to Save Bucks on Ink and Paper
Nobody likes buying more printer ink. Follow these tips and you won't have to do it nearly so often.How-To
4 Green Technology Tips That Will Save You Money
Save money on batteries and find a new use for your old PC with these tips.How-To
How-To: Use Your iPhone as a Wireless Laptop Modem
The next time you’re stranded without an open WiFi network (but your 3G signal is going strong), you’ll be glad you installed Addition’s iPhoneModem 2 (free to try, full license is $9.99).How-To
Copy Everything From Your Old Drive to Your New One
Whether you need to replace your old hard drive or add a second drive to expand your storage, the right software tools will make it easy to put all your files where you want them.BizFeed
iPhone PowerPoint Remotes Give Perfect Presentations
Control PowerPoint from your iPhone, with previews of the current slide, notes, and more.Digital Focus
Correct Your Monitor’s Colors
Fine-tune your display settings to get the best on-screen results with your digital photos.How-To
Your Backup Resolutions: Five Strategies to Back Up Your Data, Now
We help you find the perspective and the technology to put yourself on the path to smoother backups.BizFeed
Pick Simple Upgrades to Boost Your PC Performance
These hardware upgrades conserve costs while still making your PCs run better.How-To
Fast Fixes for Common PC Problems
Struggling with dead components, a recalcitrant Windows, and uncooperative applications? Our easy hardware repairs, simple software remedies, and quick tweaks will put your PC in the pink.How-To
Reinstall and Restore Your Windows PC in Eight Easy Steps
Eliminate problems and improve performance by wiping out Windows and reinstalling it from scratch. Here's a simple guide to help you back up your data and restore your PC quickly.Hassle-Free PC
Stop Accidental Touchpad Touches While Typing
Tired of ruining your document because your thumb grazed the touchpad? There may be an easy fix.Hassle-Free PC
Five Firefox Shortcuts You Need to Learn Right Now
Work faster and smarter, Firefox users, with these easy-to-remember keyboard shortcuts.How-To