PC World How-To's and Tips

Should You Use Standby or Hibernate?

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:30:00 -0800

Most laptops give you a choice, but which mode works best, and why? Answers coming up.

Green Computing: The Good And The Bad

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:41:00 -0800

It's easy being green, thanks to eco-friendly hardware and software.

Are You Neglecting Your Windows Key?

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:16:00 -0800

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.

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Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:16:00 -0800

Does Windows 7 Have Contacts?

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 07:08:00 -0800

Brian Colgin read that Windows 7 lacks an email program, but does it still store contacts?

Inside the Atari 800

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:01:00 -0800

It's the 30th anniversary of this 8-bit PC classic. We celebrate the occasion as we always do, by tearing the product apart and showing you the pieces.

Free Tools for Fine-Tuning Your Windows 7 Setup

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:45:00 -0800

No-cost apps and Web services help you set up your Windows 7 computer just the way you want it.

Protect Your Kids from Profanity-Laden YouTube Comments

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 09:51:00 -0800

YouTube seems harmless enough, but kids who read certain user comments may get an eyeful. A handy Firefox extension filters out the bad stuff.

Windows 7: What You Should Know About XP Mode

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 06:01:00 -0800

New Windows 7 users who have held on to XP are particularly vulnerable to compatibility issues. XP Mode virtualization can ease the pain of transition.

Photograph Spectacular Christmas Lights

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:10:00 -0800

Follow these tips to take stunning photos of holiday lights in your neighborhood.

Migrate to Windows 7--Slowly, Part 5: Migrating Your Bookmarks

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:33:00 -0800

The easiest way to copy your browser bookmarks from old partition to new? The fabulous freebie known as Xmarks.

Which Windows 7 Version is Right for Your Business?

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 08:38:00 -0800

Now that Windows 7 is here, you have some decisions to make. Microsoft has a virtual smorgasbord of options to choose from and it can get a little tricky trying to figure out which flavor of Windows 7 you should choose.

Calibrate my HDTV

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 06:54:00 -0800

Alex Goldstein wants to know the best way to adjust a new HDTV

How to Buy an MP3 Player

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 03:00:00 -0800

Get the right device for your lifestyle and music collection.

Google Voice Makes Small Business Sound Bigger

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 12:26:00 -0800

For small and medium businesses, Google Voice is an opportunity to use advanced call management features typically reserved for expensive voice solutions in larger enterprises.

Are Your PCs Ready for Windows 7?

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 06:30:00 -0700

Even if your PCs meet the Windows 7 minimum system requirements, there are a variety of other issues to consider with existing software and peripheral hardware devices.

Make Windows 7's Taskbar More Like Vista's

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:42:00 -0700

Not wild about Windows 7's label-free taskbar? You can restore the ol' label-filled Vista/XP model with just a few clicks.

Reletter a Drive

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 07:55:00 -0700

Windows turned drive F: into drive G:. Can it be changed back?

Migrate to Windows 7--Slowly, Part 4: Installing Your Apps

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 09:08:00 -0700

A killer service automates the process of downloading and installing popular software--and it's free!

Six Ways to Botch Your Backups

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:01:00 -0700

Want to lose all your data and sink your business? Follow these six simple rules.

Virtualization Revs Up Small Business

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:05:00 -0700

How a new virtualization system turbocharged a Vancouver Volkswagen dealership.

Old Software on Floppies

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 07:45:00 -0700

Helmut Schwemmer wants to use very old software on a new PC

Refresh Firefox Tabs Automatically

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 06:44:00 -0700

Tired of hitting the Refresh button every time you want to, say, update an auction listing? This extension will do it for you.

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Wed, 28 Oct 2009 06:44:00 -0700

Skeptical Shopper: Get the Most Out of Black Friday Bargains

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 22:00:00 -0700

Scoring the best tech buys on the biggest shopping day of the year requires a little preparation and research.

Synchronize Your Data With Multiple PCs, Macs, and Mobile Devices

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 18:00:00 -0700

Gone are the days of carrying important files on optical discs and thumb drives. Here are some easy ways to synchronize your files across multiple platforms.

On Your Side: Is That Laptop Still Under Warranty?

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:00:00 -0700

Proving a laptop's warranty status makes all the difference in who pays the repair and bank service charges.

'Fix' Facebook's New Home Page

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:33:00 -0700

Don't like the new 'News Feed' and 'View Live Feed' presentation? Here's an easy way to make Facebook like it was before.

Migrate to Windows 7 at Your Own Pace

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:00:00 -0700

You don't have to jump into Microsoft's new OS right away; here's how to make the switch gradually.

Migrate to Windows 7--Slowly, Part 3: Installing Windows 7

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 12:04:00 -0700

The path to a gradual Windows 7 deployment continues with the all-important installation of the new OS.

Frequently Asked Photo Questions for October

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:27:00 -0700

Dave answers reader questions about using older flashes on digital SLRs, photo metadata, scanning black and whites, and more.

Diagnose a Bad WiFi Connection

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 08:24:00 -0700

B2CAC asked the Answer Line forum why his laptop couldn’t connect wirelessly to his router

How to Automate Windows 7 Backups

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 07:00:00 -0700

How to set up and automate backups in Windows 7.

Capture the Spirit of Halloween in Pictures

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 17:00:00 -0700

Create spooky special effects with your digital camera, a photo editor, a flashlight--and a lot of imagination.

How To Set Up a Windows 7 Network

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 18:00:00 -0700

Senior Editor Robert Strohmeyer shows guests at his Windows 7 launch party how to set up a Windows 7 network and share files.

Five Things You Should Know About Upgrading From XP to Windows 7

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:24:00 -0700

Microsoft has tried to provide the tools users need to make the transition as easy as possible, but you may hit some snags. Here are five things you should be aware of as you upgrade from Windows XP to Windows 7.

Migrate to Windows 7--Slowly, Part 2: Partitioning Your Drive

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:43:00 -0700

Step one in making a gradual migration to Windows 7 is partitioning your hard drive. It's easy, especially if you have Vista.

Save Web Sites Offline

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 08:16:00 -0700

Slik asked the Answer Line forum how to save an entire web site offline

Windows 7: A Guide for Gamers

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 22:00:00 -0700

Manage, tweak, and control your PC gaming experience with Windows 7's built-in features.

How to Install Windows 7 (Before Your OS Launch Party)

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 18:00:00 -0700

Welcome to the party! Senior Editor Robert Strohmeyer shows you how to install Windows 7 before you celebrate its launch with your friends.

Connect to Customers With E-Mail Marketing

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:24:00 -0700

The Emma e-mail service lets you send personalized messages to customers, automating bulk mailing while giving it a unique touch.

Protect Your PC From Sudden Power Outages

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 09:13:00 -0700

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.

Migrate to Windows 7--Slowly

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 18:17:00 -0700

Who says you have to make the move all at once? A gradual migration might make things easier--and safer.

Make Windows 7 Work Your Way With Easy Customization Tricks

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 17:00:00 -0700

Tweak Windows 7's interface to simplify menus, start up faster, and make your files and apps easier to find.

Make Dialog Boxes Smart (Or Stupid)

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 08:09:00 -0700

Beerbrain asked the Answer Line forum about a mouse cursor that automatically moves to the Yes button when a dialog box opens

Nonprofit Network Overhaul Assists Families of Ill Children

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:01:00 -0700

Memphis-based IT pros give Ronald McDonald House Charities an extreme-tech makeover.

Manage All Your Media in Windows 7

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 17:00:00 -0700

From online streaming to all-new library controls, here's how to get more out of Windows 7's new multimedia features.

How to Manage Users in Windows 7

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 17:00:00 -0700

Use Windows 7's built-in tools to manage multiple users on your PC and your network.

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Tue, 20 Oct 2009 17:00:00 -0700

Fix a Corrupt Outlook Profile

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 12:37:00 -0700

Step one: don't panic! It's scary when Outlook won't run and gives you nothing but cryptic error messages, but there may be a fairly simple fix.

Free Downloads Make Your Computing Life Easier

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 01:00:00 -0700

These free apps add a launcher to your cursor, organize your desktop--and help you save money on printer ink and toner.

Windows 7 Keyboard Shortcuts

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 22:00:00 -0700

10 must-know keystrokes to speed up your workflow in Windows 7.

A Guide to Windows 7 Networking

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:00:00 -0700

For home, the office, or in between, here's how to set up a network with Windows 7.