PC DIY Repair

Dissemble PC mainboard - Intel Core2 LGA775 Motherboard

2021-04-08T01:49:00.003+08:00

Hi my friends,

This is a video I did showing how to remove a #LGA775 #Intel #Core2 #motherboard from a #PC casing.

Video ended a little early due to the memory card full. But I think you guys should know that after I remove the 6 screws, the motherboard will come out easily.

Cheers.

Is my broadband internet connection stable? How to test broadband connection consistency

2017-06-19T23:13:00.001+08:00

Hi guys,

It's been some time since I last posted. Been busy with kids and work etc.

Sometimes you feel that your Internet connection aren't stable or consistent. The webpage sometimes load fast but sometimes lagging.

You may want to check if the servers or website that you are connecting are consistent.

Here's a FREE tool that I use to monitor my connection. Especially to test long term consistency.

Download FreePing fromn below links:-
http://www.tucows.com/preview/332657
http://download.cnet.com/FreePing/3000-2085_4-10048421.html
http://freeping.en.lo4d.com/download

Description :-
FreePing is a free ping software utility which will ping all your IP addresses in free-definable intervals. FreePing automatically pings in the background and shows statistics for each pinged hosts.

After downloading FREEping, please install it.

1) Open FREEping,
2) choose Host > choose add > pls add your internet provider public IP address and name and click ok. (or you may use google IP address which is 8.8.8.8)
3) add your router IP address and click ok (e.g. 192.168.1.1)
4) add your favorite website domain name and click ok (e.g. yahoo.com or youtube.com)
5) after adding the ip address and domain name, close the program.
6) open FREEping and you will see that Freeping automatically ping and track the consistency of your internet connection to your router, ISP and favorite website.

You can read the connection delay and the consistency of the connection in percentage.

You can leave the software to run in the background while you do your things.

You will have an idea how consistent is your Internet connection.

Call you ISP or support technician if you consistently get results that is below 100% and long delay over a few hundred (ms) as good Broadband internet connection should always have 100% results

Unless you have poor wifi wireless signal or you are using wireless 3g or 4g connection in a weak signal area you result should be as above.

Have fun.

Cheers.

Flush dns

2013-08-01T01:25:00.001+08:00

Is your web browser keep popping up advertisements all the time? You may try flush your computer DNS cache.

Follow this link : http://www.whatsmydns.net/flush-dns.html

Another alternative is to download malware scanner such Malwarebytes.

Cheers.

TM Innatech Innacomm Modem Dafault Password

2013-06-09T01:29:00.004+08:00

So you have got your TM Streamyx Installed, but they installer gave you a WIFI ID that you don't like.

You wanted to log in the modem and change they WiFi SSID or other settings.

Here's how to do it :-

Connect you PC or laptop to the Modem with WiFi or cable.

Type IP address 192.168.1.1 in your Internet browser (eg. Firefox, Chrome)

Type the username : tmadmin and password Adm@XXXX . (XXXX is the last 4 digit word of your modem MAC address printed on the bottom of your modem (marked red in below picture).

- Choose -> Interface -> WLAN ->
- Change the SSID to the one you want.
- Apply changes.
- Wait for the modem to restart and then connect to the new SSID with the same password.
- You now should have the funky SSID you like.

Cheers.

How to install Windows 8 Start Button? Try Classic Shell.

2013-06-03T18:10:00.001+08:00

Do you know that you can add a Start Button into Windows 8 Desktop, which was omitted by Microsoft?

I personally use Classic Shell which I find very user friendly.

Download Classic Shell here for free.

You can even choose to use between Windows Classic, XP or Vista Start Button Style. Very handy.

Enjoy.

How to Auto Shutdown your PC?

2013-06-02T03:37:00.001+08:00

I am sure sometime you can't shutdown you PC when you need to go out but don't want the PC to be running the whole day.

Here's a simple automatic shutdown program for Windows.

Auto Shutdown 1.1.0.53: Free Download

Just schedule a time, choose Turn Off and Apply. The PC will turn off at the time you specified.

Cheers.

How to backup Microsoft Outlook contact and emails

2013-04-04T01:48:00.002+08:00

To backup Outlook database, you first need to search your PC for outlook data file. These files are with pst extension. See below,

1) Choose > Start Button -> Search -> Search for Files

2) Type *.pst in the seach box and press 'Enter'

3) The outlook data files with names ending with .pst will be listed

4) Copy the paste the files to your backup drive or external hard disk

5) Below is how I backup into my SD Card

6) Remember to close Microsoft Outlook before backup because Windows doesn't allow you to copy opened files.

Happy Prosperous New Year 2013

2012-12-30T23:37:00.002+08:00

How to setup Dlink wireless router?

2012-12-30T23:30:00.000+08:00

So you bought a new Dlink router for your home or office but having some problem getting the ADSL to and wifi work.

Here's 2 wonderful guide for your reference.

1) http://www.plus.net/support/broadband/hardware/dsl2640b.shtml

2) http://techtips.salon.com/set-up-d-link-router-4840.html

God luck and Happy New Year 2013.

Merry Christmas

2012-12-25T00:44:00.002+08:00

I would like to wish everyone Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Enjoy this special festive season with love, peace and prosperity.

Cheers.

Windows 8 Acer Iconia W510 tablet

2012-12-12T01:10:00.003+08:00

My first experience with Windows 8 on Acer Iconia W510 tablet / laptop

After waiting 1 week for the stock to arrive, I had finally started my adventure with Windows 8.

Mine is Acer Iconia W510 with Intel Atom processor, 2GB RAM & 64 GB storage.

You can use it with a dock keyboard or just use it as a table.

The first thing I like to highlight is that it's not a iPad. The user experience is no where near iPad. The tablet is hard to hold, screen isn't easy to navigate with touch and applications are not so touch friendly.

As a laptop, the screen it a little too small and a little slow.

But, it still do both quite OK. Just ok that I don't get frustrated using it.

Windows 8 is a little weird with the new metro & desktop without start button.It uses the Windows button to navigate.

While in dock mode, I use the Windows desktop. While in tablet mode, I would use the metro icons.

After a few days testing, I feel that I can live with this as my laptop & tablet.

I have long trying to leave my laptop behind and use my tablet but tablet are just not ready for everyday work.

So the hybrid tablet & laptop is still the best for my job as a IT manager.

Now I just carry my Acer Iconia along insted of a tablet and laptop everywhere.

If you are in my shoes, give the Windows 8 hybrid a try.

Here's some references for you :-

http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/09/acer-iconia-w510-review/

http://reviews.cnet.com/tablets/acer-iconia-w510-1422/4505-3126_7-35472859.html

Hot to clean hard disk for re-use

2012-11-19T20:40:00.001+08:00

Ever wonder how to wipe out a hard disk data and reuse it?

Here's how to do it.

http://forums.cnet.com/7723-7588_102-577455/best-method-to-clean-out-hard-drives-of-data-viruses-for-reuse

Laptop battery failure?

2012-11-03T11:42:00.002+08:00

Having laptop battery failure. Here's a forum that I would like to share with yo.

http://forums.cnet.com/7723-19681_102-576395/laptop-sudden-battery-failure-or-something-more/?tag=nl.e497&s_cid=e497

How to add RAM into Dell Inspiron N5050?

2012-11-01T15:05:00.000+08:00

How to add RAM into Dell Inspiron N5050 while there is no opening in the bottom of the laptop?

Well, the RAM slot is below the keyboard rather than on the bottom of the laptop.

Follow this video to learn how to change the RAM.

The following operation may void your warranty or may damage your laptop if you are not familiar with technical stuffs. Do it with caution.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyYLwyXl1G8

How to protect from Internet Spam and phishing

2012-10-30T09:49:00.000+08:00

Internet is great but you have to be careful not to be cheated.

Here's some good article about protecting yourself while using Internet :-

http://netsecurity.about.com/od/secureyouremail/Secure_Your_Email_and_Protect_Your_PC_From_Phishing_and_Spam.htm

DVD burner stop working?

2012-10-29T09:19:00.003+08:00

Here's some problems that you may face while using your DVD burner. Take a look, it may solve your problems.

However, most of the time damaged DVD burner can't be repaired and should be replace by a technician.

http://forums.cnet.com/7723-7586_102-574917/what-s-causing-my-cd-dvd-burner-to-suddenly-stop-working/?tag=nl.e497&s_cid=e497

How to change (upgrade) desktop PC RAM

2012-09-16T12:28:00.000+08:00

Here's how to change or upgrade RAM.

Make sure you know what type of RAM you PC is using.

Here's a reference of RAM type

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DDR_SDRAM

If you don't know what RAM your PC have, it's a good idea to take out the existing RAM and take a picture and show it to the shop.

Make sure shut down the PC and turn off power supply and unplug the power plug before doing any repair or upgrade operations. Stay safe.

Video how to change motherboard

2012-09-15T12:39:00.001+08:00

This is a good video to share with everyone.

How to protect data in my external hard disk?

2012-08-13T23:25:00.000+08:00

The story,

The are people having nightmare of losing their external hard disk. Their files and documents all gone to the wrong hands. I recently left mine at our site office and worried that the people there might open my files.

You may try this free open source program called Truecrypt.

Here's a CNET discussion that may interest you.

How can I secure my external hard drive?

How to remove Babylon Search in Internet Explorer

2012-07-28T09:42:00.000+08:00

The Story,

My office PC Internet Explorer suddenly gets infected by Babylon Search. It changed my default Google search to Babylon's own.

This is a Malware as I never installed the program myself. Here's a few ways to remove it :-

Computer newbies forum: Unwanted search site

How do I remove the Babylon search engine from my browser?

Speed up Firefox

2012-07-18T12:38:00.000+08:00

The Story,

My Firefox browser is getting slower and freezes sometimes. Do you have the same problem?

Here's a DIY remedy for you.

A quick-and-dirty way to speed up Firefox (a lot)

Can surge protectors really protect your PC?

2012-07-10T00:36:00.001+08:00

The Story,

I am reading this Cnet forum about surge protection "PC hardware forum: Do surge protectors merely give us a false sense of security?"

People doesn't believe that surge protection works.

I can tell you this, if not for lightning surge protectors, all our computers in our construction site would be blown by now.

During bad weather season, our site (the tower and tower cranes) get hits almost every week and the surge will follow the current all the way into the site office.

We may have many equipment burned but those computers protected by the reliable Belkin Surgemaster always survives the hit (most of the time).

Even our CCTV system is protected by Surgemaster and other lightning protectors.

I can tell you that surge protectors won't work 100% of the time as we are dealing with nature (Thor). But better be protector then sorry later.

How to change PC power supply

2012-07-04T23:06:00.001+08:00

The story,

Since I have showed you how so check for power supply failure, I should also show you how to change it.

Here's how to do it

Turn off AC power to the PC and remove the power cord from the PC power supply.
Open the CPU casing
Disconnect the connections from the power supply to the motherboard, hard disk, DVD-ROM and any other power connection (Picture 1)
Open the 4 screws of the power supply from the back of the CPU (Picture 2)
Take out the power supply
Attach a new power supply and screw it to the CPU casing (the 4 screws)
Connect all the wire connection to the Motherboard, hard disk, DVD-ROM and others.
Double check if all the connections are tight and no wires are blocking the CPU fan from spinning
Close the CPU casing and plug in the power cord.
Turn on the PC and check if it works. If not, check the connections again.

Picture 1

Picture 2

Stop those nasty pop ups! How to remove Malware?

2012-07-03T10:11:00.000+08:00

The story,

While I was searching Internet for printer drivers on my friends laptop, the adult friend finder window popped up automatically.

This is a malware that creeps in while you surf Internet. These pop ups are very annoying. It is worst when naked pictures start to pop up all the time.

You will need a good Malware scanner beside your Antivirus to remove it.

I would recommend Malwarebytes, Spy Sweeper, AVG Internet Security and Ad-Aware.

The following is a link to another Malware removal article for your reference.

Why You Need a Second Opinion Malware Scanner

How do I know PC power supply failure?

2012-07-01T16:11:00.004+08:00

The story,

The power distribution in many industrial areal aren't so consistent. Therefore we frequently have dead PC power supply.

So if we cannot turn on the PC, how do we know if it is the power supply failure and not the motherboard?

Here's a simple solution,

Open the PC casing, and look for a small LED green light (mostly beside the power connection to the motherboard.
This is a power standby indicator that signal there is power into the motherboard.
If there is green light when AC power from wall socket is turned on, this signal that the power supply is OK and vice versa (picture below).
If there is no light, change a new power supply.
If after change the power supply also no light, then it's the motherboard problem.

Additional note :

Don't attempt the repair the power supply unless you are a trained electrical technician. The power supply is so cheap that it's not worth to repair even you are a technician or engineer.
There are still charges in the capacitor that might kill you even it's not plugged in. Don't pass these hazardous things to children or anyone else. Stay safe.
To keep your power supply healthy and lasting, I suggest you use a AVR (automatic voltage regulator or UPS (uninterruptible power supply) regulate the AC input power.