By MellowD / Tips and Advice / / 0 Comments

Installing a SSD or solid state drive in your new Dell notebook or ultrabook PC has many advantages over the older hard disk drives, like faster boot times and longer battery life.

And they are easy to install too, here's how.

But before you begin there are a couple things you need to know.

First, if you're installing an SSD in a new computer, setup will be a breeze, just make sure you have the install discs that came with your computer.

Otherwise, you will need to backup or clone your existing drive.

And before upgrading anything in your computer, it's always a good idea to make sure your system BIOS is up-to-date.

Check Dell's website before you begin.

Next, your work surface should be clean and you should ground yourself first by touching an unpainted metal surface to prevent damage to any components.

And lastly, in many cases, a simple Phillips head screw driver is all you'll need to replace the hard drive in your notebook computer.

With your computer shutdown, remove the power adapter and the battery.

And just to be sure all the remaining power is drained from the computer press the power button after the battery is removed.

Next, find where the hard drive is located.

Usually on the underside of your computer.

If you have trouble finding it, check Dell's website first.

Now, unscrew and remove the cover and you should have a good view of the old hard drive in your computer.

Each model will be slightly different, but carefully remove the screws, to disconnect the SATA and power connector, usually by sliding the drive away from the connection to remove the drive from the computer.

And if you have a supporting bracket, like we do, remove it and set it aside.

When installing the new SSD drive, re-attach any brackets that were used on the old drive to the new SSD drive first.

And it's important the SATA and power connection is securely connected when you slide the SSD into the drive bay.

It'll fit snugly, but don't force it in.

Screw it into place.

Replace the cover and the battery, now flip the computer back over and turn the computer on.

You may be alerted that there's no operating system, just insert the original install discs that came with your computer and restart again and boot from the CD-ROM.

Just follow the prompts to install the operating system and restore from a backup.

And that's it.

If you have any other questions or need additional help installing a SSD in your computer, be sure to visit www.

Kingston.

Com/support for more information.

Thanks for watching.

By MellowD / Tips and Advice / / 0 Comments

Installing an SSD, or a solid state disk drive in your DELL desktop computer has many benefits over the older hard disk drives, like faster boot times, plus, it's really easy to do.

Here's how.

But before you begin there are a couple things you need to know.

First, if you have the install discs that came with your computer, the setup will be a breeze, otherwise, you will need to backup or clone your old hard drive.

And it's always a good idea to make sure your system BIOS is up-to-date first, so check Dell's website before you begin.

Next, your work surface should be clean and you should ground yourself first by touching an unpainted metal surface to prevent damage to any components.

Start by shutting down your computer and removing all cables from the back.

And it's important to remember where each cable belongs when plugging them back in after you're finished.

If you plan on adding the SSD drive, instead of replacing your old hard drive, you need an available drive bay, which should be easily accessible inside the computer, by removing one of the side panels.

In most cases, you wont need any tools whatsoever to remove the side panel, because several computer manufacturers have switched to easy-to-remove thumbscrews or latches.

Otherwise, consult Dell's website before you begin.

Once you get it open you'll have a clear view of the drive bays, find old hard drive and you'll most likely find another bay nearby.

If you don't have a 2.

5" drive bay available, you'll have to attach a bracket, like this, to the SSD to fit the larger 3.

5" drive bay.

Slide the drive in to place with the SATA and power connector facing outwards where you can access them, and line up the holes to screw it securely into place.

Now, locate an unused power cable inside the computer.

Any one will do, just follow the group of cable coming from the power supply until you find one.

Or, use the existing power cable from your old hard drive and connect it to the SSD.

Next, connect the SATA cable from the motherboard to the SSD.

You can follow the SATA cable from your old hard drive to the motherboard to find and available SATA connectrion or use the existing cable that was connect to your old hard drive if your replacing your old hard drive.

Now, connect the other end to the SSD.

Slide the side panel back on, screw it into place, plug the cables back in, and with that done, now turn on your computer and insert the operating system installation CDs.

And when prompted, boot from the CD-ROM drive.

You can now install the operating system to the new SSD, just be sure that if you left your old hard drive in, that you don't re-install over your old hard drive, or you could lose all your data.

And you might also have to change the boot order from the old hard drive to the new SSD before copying over your files or after you restore from a backup.

And that's it! If you have any other questions or need additional help installing an SSD drive in your computer, be sure to visit www.

Kingston.

Com/support for more information.

Thanks for watching.

By MellowD / Tips and Advice / / 0 Comments

Before you begin You need a Phillips head screwdriver.

Remove all CDs and DVDs from the optical drive.

Turn off the computer, and disconnect all cables.

Transfer the computer to a clear, flat, stable work surface over a non-carpeted floor.

Place the computer face-down on a soft flat surface.

WARNING:Make sure the computer is disconnected from power before starting.

let's start.

Remove the VESA cover Loosen each of the three captive Phillips head screws Remove the rear cover to access the internal components CD/DVD Drive – HP touchsmart 520 Hard Drive – HP touchsmart 520 System FAN – HP touchsmart 520 Memory and CMOS Battery – HP touchsmart 520 Swing up and remove the EMI shield covering the memory slots Memory4 GB PC3-12800S To insert a memory module,angle the module to about 45 degrees and engage the notch on the module with the tab in the socket Press the memory module down into place until the retaining levers snap into position over the sides of the module To remove the battery, simultaneously press the tab to release the battery and lift it out CMOS BatteryCR2032 3 Volt To replace the battery, simultaneously press the tab and insert the battery in the same orientation with the writing facing the same way as it was on the battery that was removed.

Replace the shield that covers the memory Align the rear cover onto the back of the computer.

Making sure the cover is correctly placed over the side I/O ports.

Press down firmly until the cover snaps into place.

The bottom edge will not be flush against the front bezel Replace the three screws on the rear cover Replace the VESA cover how to replace memory on hp touchsmart 520.

By MellowD / Tips and Advice / / 0 Comments

Before you begin You need a Phillips head screwdriver.

Remove all CDs and DVDs from the optical drive.

Turn off the computer, and disconnect all cables.

Transfer the computer to a clear, flat, stable work surface over a non-carpeted floor.

Place the computer face-down on a soft flat surface.

WARNING:Make sure the computer is disconnected from power before starting.

let's start.

Remove the VESA cover Loosen each of the three captive Phillips head screws Remove the rear cover to access the internal components Memory and CMOS Battery Hard Drive – HP touchsmart 520 System FAN – HP touchsmart 520 CD/DVD Drive – HP touchsmart 520 Remove the Phillips head screw for the CD/DVD drive Push out on the small bracket at the rear of the optical drive and.

Pull the drive out the side of the computer compare optical drive sata and power connector.

Eject button and emergency eject hole Detach the two small screws from the bracket at the rear of the optical drive Attach the bracket to the optical drive use a paper clip and straighten it out.

Insert it into the hole emergency eject(it's a very small hole near eject button) Remove the CD/DVD drive bezel To replace the CD/DVD drive bezel,align the tabs on the bezel.

Then swing and press the bezel into place Slide the drive into its cage , until.

The screww hole on the rear bracket of the drive aligns whit the screw hole inside the computer Align the rear cover onto the back of the computer.

Making sure the cover is correctly placed over the side I/O ports.

Press down firmly until the cover snaps into place.

The bottom edge will not be flush against the front bezel Replace the three screws on the rear cover Replace the VESA cover how to replace optical drive on hp touchsmart 520.

By MellowD / Tips and Advice / / 0 Comments

How to find out shorting in laptop motherboard First Set your Multimeter on Diode or continuity mode Connect the black probe to the ground of the Board Fix it to any of the ground hole or use crocodile clip And reconfirm that the ground is connected properly So the ground is connected properly.

Let’s troubleshoot and find out the shorting Test the SMD Coil on the board with multimeter Testing Method : One Probe connected to Ground and other Probe on any side of the coil If the coil is Ground, You will here the buzzer sound Check all the coils, with continuity test If any of the coil is short, Motherboard will not Turn On Battery Detection Resister.

Troubleshooting Procedure: Remove Coil one by one with the help of hot air gun and locate to the fault section Let’s start with the first coil and test the board As you can see the first coil has been removed We will remove all the components, in the section (ie IC, capacitors, mosfet.

) We have found the faulty Mosfet, from the same section Mosfet Testing Method Touch Porbe to both side, you should get reading (240 to 960 = Ok) Recomended (450 – 550 = Perfect condition) if not then the mosfet is Short or Leak Replace the faulty part with same or equivalent part with the help of data sheet.

By MellowD / Tips and Advice / / 0 Comments

How to Speedup Windows 10

1.

Reduce Animation Type Windows Key + X Click on System Click on Advanced system setting Check Adjust for Best Performance Click Apply

2.

Disable Startup Application Type Ctrl+Shift+Esc on keyboard Click on Startup Right click to Disable unwanted application while startup

3.

Uninstall program you don’y use Search control panel>click on uninstall program Or Go on My computer and click on my Pc Click on Uninstall or change a program and then just click on application to remove

4.

Fast Startup Right Click on Power icon on right bottom side of window click on power options click on Choose what power button do Click on change settings that are currently unavailable Check the Turn on Fast Startup click on save changes

5.

Check for viruses and spyware If you don’t have any antuvirus use windows defender search windows defender scan once a week to avoid virus and spyware which slowdown your pc or laptop

6.

Turn Off Search Indexing Type services.

Msc on Run Find windows search Right click and click on properties On startup type select Disabled Click on apply.

By MellowD / Tips and Advice / / 0 Comments

How to Convert MP4 to MP3 in Windows 10

OK, recently I got asked about converting.

Ugh, converting video files you know like MP4 to audio files – MP3s (Sigh) Yeah, first it’s best to understand what the hell you’re talking about so here’s some geek speek.

MP4 is a newer file format and supports video encoding.

Compared with MP3 which is older and isonly for audio files.

MP4 is a multimedia container and can technically support not just audio and video but, also text and images oh boy.

So why would you want to convert an mp4to an mp3? The most reasonable answer would be for conserving drive space.

Although smartphones and dedicated music players can handle MP4s no sweat, it’s often far easier to convert the files to mp3 to lighten their footprint.

I mean really, if what you want to do is listen to the audio you certainly can talk about the unnecessary excess baggage! Ahh and this one cracks my ass up.

No matter what anybody tells you, changing the file extension from mp4 to mp3 in Windows Explorer is not I repeat not converting the file.

It’s just renaming it.

It might work in apinch, but you still have this huge-ass file and all you really need or want is the Damned audio.

Okay so enough talk already let’s convert the files for free.

In the App Store for windows 8 or 10, you really should move up to 10, you need to search up “mp4 to mp3”

First you want to make sure your system meets requirements.

Most likely it does, but it never hurts to check.

Click “Get the App” and it will take you to the download page in the App Store.

Click”Free” Gotta love free! Then when it’s done installing click “Open”.

It doesn’t take long to install and it’s so easy to use, you’ll think you messed up.

Simply select the video and it will start converting and saving it to another pre-selected folder.

Now if you don’t like the folder the program shows – change it – before you convert any files.

But once you’re happy with the folders, select your video and watch out fast it starts converting it right away and save it to another folder without losing your original.

So simple even us old farts can do it.

Now there are other free converters out there, but this one is by far the simplest and quickest and since it comes from my billionaire buddy Bill Gates, I’m reasonably certain that doesn’t have any viruses or malware.