Latest PCs & Components How-To Stories
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Hassle-Free PC
Toggle Between Two Firefox Tabs with FLST
Handy Firefox extension lets you switch between two tabs with a keyboard shortcut.Answer Line
Why Can’t My DVDs Hold as Much as Other DVDs?
Sharful wants to copy some DVDs, but they contain more information than will fit on his blank discs.Hassle-Free PC
Turn Your Vista Notebook Into a Wi-Fi Hotspot
Vista makes it quite easy to share your wired or wireless Internet connection with nearby users.Hassle-Free PC
Find Hard-to-Find 800 Numbers
Can't find a service or support number for AOL? Microsoft? Yahoo? This site has hundreds of them.Hassle-Free PC
How to Combine Multiple Word Documents
Forget cutting and pasting. Word users can easily append one or more documents.Hassle-Free PC
How to Simplify Folder Sharing on Your Home Network
Tired of wrestling with your home network? Network Magic conjures easy folder sharing, among other nifty tricks.Answer Line
Is My Power Supply Powerful Enough?
While planning to buy a new, custom-built PC, Pinkston32 asked the Answer Line forum if a 750-watt power supply would be sufficient.Answer Line
What’s the Best Way to Backup What I Need to Backup?
David Edelbaum wants to know the best techniques and programs for backing up his PC.Hassle-Free PC
Three Keyboard Shortcuts You Need to Learn Right Now
Put…the mouse…down…and save time with these shortcuts.How-To
5 Easy Hacks for Your PC and Wi-Fi Network
Speed up your CPU and graphics card, add advanced features to your wireless router, boost your network's range, and tweak your PC's power consumption for extra efficiency.Answer Line
Which Disc is Which and What Can My Drive Burn?
Charles Woods, a self-defined "rank amateur," needs clear definitions of the optical disc varieties that his new PC's DVD/CD drive can burn.How-To
Get Started With Virtual Machines
Virtualization is the safe, easy way to run any operating system on your PC or to run multiple OSs simultaneously. Here's how to add virtual computers to your system right now, using powerful free tools.Answer Line
When Windows Update Won’t Update
Ralph Isaacs wants to know why Windows is telling him that it can't install its own updates.How-To
Quadruple Your Fun (and Productivity) With a Four-Monitor System
Think dual-display systems are the bee's knees? This quad-head setup will blow your mind.Steve Bass’s Tips & Tweaks
Dual Monitors, the Only Way to Go
Using two monitors can make your computing day much easier–Steve Bass tells you how to set them up.Answer Line
How I Upgraded My Laptop’s Hard Drive and Almost Lost My Mind
In which a simple hardware upgrade allows me to channel my inner Laurel and Hardy.How-To
Six Hacks For Your Mobile Gear
Unlock your iPhone, supercharge your camera, and take your TiVo shows on the road for free. These six hacks unleash the hidden power in your mobile gadgets.Answer Line
Why Does My PC Suddenly Shut Itself Off?
Phil Sydell of Boynton Beach, Florida asks why his PC suddenly shuts down for no perceptible reason. It displays no error message or blue screen of death, and starts up just fine.How-To
Five Insane Upgrades That You Should Never Do (and How to Do Them!)
Feeling a bit nutty? These five upgrades are a little risky and time-consuming–but if you're up for a challenge, you could end up with the coolest rig on the block.How-To
Turn Any PC Into a Media Center
Looking to turn your computer into the ultimate home-entertainment device? Here's how to get a top-notch media experience out of the PC you already own.
How-To
Clever iPhone Tricks
Did you know you can dictate e-mail messages to your iPhone? That's just one of the tricks up our sleeves.How-To
Step-by-Step: 5 laptop upgrades you can do yourself
Your notebook may be old, but that doesn't mean its days are numbered. We'll show you how to breathe new life into your portable by opening the hood and upgrading some basic components.Mobile Computing
Essential Gear for the Business Traveler, Part 1
Traveling lightly is a must these days, but Jim Martin found two gadgets worthy of a spot in the carry-on.Mobile Computing
Many Gadgets, One Carry-On Bag
The practice of packing only one bag for air travel is gaining popularity–but has drawbacks, as Jim Martin found.Mobile Computing
Laptop Buying Tips, Part 3
Here's how to find the best places to buy a laptop, plus how much to pay and how to finance the purchase.How-To
How to Buy a Motherboard
Whether you're building a new PC or overhauling an old one, a new motherboard is the place to start. Here's our advice for choosing the right one.Steve Bass’s Tips & Tweaks
Ten Tools to Make Windows Shine
Add a layer of protection against spyware, stop Kaspersky's annoying audio alerts, and hide your files and folders. Plus: More fixes for the pesky Insert key.Answer Line
Answers to Vista Users’ Nagging Questions
Should you revert to XP? How can you make Vista navigation more XP-like? And why doesn't System Restore restore your system? Our Answer Line columnist solves these Windows mysteries.How-To
How to Prevent a Data Disaster
If a natural disaster wipes out your hard drive, it will probably destroy your local backups, too. Here's a backup plan that will get you through even the worst-case scenario.How-To
How to Buy a Desktop PC
Buying a new computer is no small task. Making the right choice requires more than just knowing how fast a CPU you need or how big a hard drive you want–you need to have a good idea of how you'll use your new rig. Let PC World's experts break the details down for you.Answer Line
What to Do When Windows Gets Really Messed Up
Even when Windows routinely gives you the Blue Screen of Death, all may not be lost. We'll show you how to restore both your data and your sanity.How-To
How to Do Everything Faster
22 smarter, more efficient ways to make short work of common tech tasks–from reinstalling Windows to crushing spyware to setting up a Web site.How-To
Six Steps to a Faster Broadband Connection
Even if you're paying top dollar for high-speed Internet service, you may not be getting the performance you expect. Follow our guide to boost your broadband speed.Windows Tips
Shift Any Version of Windows Into High Gear
Use the OS's own tools to maximize your PC's performance without spending a dime.Answer Line
Painless Backups to USB Drives
Low-cost USB drives make it easier than ever to back up your data and take it with you.How-To
How to Buy WorldBench
The tool that the PC World Test Center uses to benchmark desktop and notebook PCs is now available for purchase.How-To
The Cheapskate’s Guide to Printing
You want great-looking output. You don't want to spend a fortune on ink and paper. These tips and tricks can help.How-To
How to Set Up Your Home Network
Wired or wireless, getting connected is easier than ever. Follow our steps and you'll have your PCs talking to each other in no time.Step-By-Step