Latest Components How-To
- 01 October 2013
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How-Tos: Tech Jargon Buster
Each month we explain technology terms in plain English. Here's our updated A-Z of technology jargon explained.
- 25 September 2013
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How-Tos: Learn to build a PC in under two minutes
Building a computer is a great way to get a custom configuration, save some money and have fun. In a how-to video, we'll show you how to build one in less than two minutes.
- 24 September 2013
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How-Tos: Test the memory in your PC or laptop
We show you how to check that the memory installed in your PC or laptop is working correctly. Here's how to find out if your RAM is faulty.
- 20 August 2013
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How-Tos: Should I boost my PC's memory?
Will more RAM speed up your PC? We explain how to boost your PC's speed by increasing the installed memory.
- 16 August 2013
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How-Tos: Fix power surge damage to PC
How to check your PC for damage after a power surge. How to fix your PC after a power surge.
- 31 July 2013
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How-Tos: How to speed up a computer
We show you how to speed up a PC or speed up a laptop. Free software tweaks to speed up Windows, and the best hardware upgrades to boost your PC or laptop.
- 23 July 2013
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How-Tos: Push your PC's productivity with better, faster gear
You thought your PC was fine. It's not that old, and you make sure it's not loaded with bloatware or other software-level performance drags. And yet it still seems to wheeze as it boots up each morning, and applications take forever to launch.
- 22 July 2013
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How-Tos: How to overclock your new Haswell CPU like a pro
Speed freaks, take note: If you shelled out for an unlocked version of Intel's new Haswell processor and haven't overclocked your PC yet, you're missing out on some serious--and free--performance improvements.
- 05 July 2013
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How-Tos: How to change drive letters--even when the letter you want isn't available
Jack McCabe wants Windows to identify his data drive as D:, but D: is already taken.
- 21 May 2013
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How-Tos: How to upgrade your external hard drive to USB 3.0
Ready for an unconventional upgrade? How about this: You can turn an old, pokey external hard drive into a blazingly fast one with about 10 minutes of your time and $15 of your money.
- 20 May 2013
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How-Tos: Improve performance with a hard drive upgrade
Alloystory asked the Laptops forum about speeding up a PC by replacing the hard drive with something faster.
- 29 April 2013
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How-Tos: 21 tips for supercharging your cloud storage
Cloud storage isn't just for files and photos. With the right tools and services, you can do much more: organize data, or automate uploads and downloads. Synchronize, of course. Score extra space without paying an extra cent. Run a basic Web site from a cloud service, manage media, or even fax.
- 22 April 2013
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How-Tos: Fact or fiction: Eight Mac energy-saving techniques tested
We're all interested in saving energy. Maybe you conserve to be a better global citizen or to save money on your utility bills. Maybe you use your laptop on the go and want to squeeze every possible minute of battery life out of it. But what if the daily computing practices you follow to save energy end up wasting it instead? What if your assumptions about Mac power usage are wrong? To investigate this possibility, Macworld's lab compiled a list of eight widely held opinions about energy conservation, grabbed our trusty power meters, and started logging power usage.
- 01 April 2013
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How-Tos: How to install a new CPU cooler – step by step
If your PC quite literally never fails to make itself heard, you might want to take a look at the usual suspect for persistent fan noise: Your CPU cooler. Here's a detailed, visual guide on how to replace it with something better.
- 20 March 2013
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How-Tos: Speed up your PC with an SSD – and the right tweaks
If you are still using a conventional hard drive, there has never been a better time to upgrade. Prices for SSDs have finally dropped to under £1 per Gigabyte, making them one of the best hardware investments at your disposal. In this How-To, we'll tell you how to prepare and what to keep in mind for the upgrade to an SSD.
- 28 February 2013
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How-Tos: How to check for bad RAM modules in your PC
If you have become the victim of unprovoked bluescreens and frequent system crashes as of lately, you might want to have a look at your RAM. We'll show you how you can thoroughly test it with specialised tools.
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How-Tos: Problems with PC? Here's how to check your power supply
If your PC or laptop has been behaving erratically, it might be your PC's PSU. This handy tip from PC Advisor reader Andy Scott explains how to check your PC's power supply, and find out what's wrong with your PC.
- 27 February 2013
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How-Tos: How to add USB 3.0 to a PC
Our Helproom Editor explains how to add a USB 3.0 port to your PC.
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How-Tos: Replace PC's fan without having to buy new cooler
Our Helproom Editor explains what to do if a fan in your PC starts making a lot of noise.
- 26 February 2013
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How-Tos: How to update your BIOS in ten steps
Updating your BIOS can prove to be a tricky and dangerous endeavour – at least without proper help. We’ll lend you a hand and show you how to update your PC’s BIOS safely in ten easy steps.
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iPad mini vs Tesco Hudl tablet comparison review: should you buy a Tesco Hudl tablet or an iPad mini?
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14 best smartphones: The best phone you can buy in 2013
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How to close running apps in iOS 7: iPhone now works like Android
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Apple iPad 5 release date, price and specs rumours
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Apple iPhone 5C vs iPhone 5 comparison review: What’s the difference between the iPhone 5c and iPhone 5?
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iPhone 6 release date: When will the iPhone 6 be launched?
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iPad mini 2 release date, specs and price in the UK 2013
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Google Nexus 5 release date, price, photos and specs rumours
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PS4 release date, specs and its backwards compatibility issues: What you need to know about the PlayStation 4
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Apple iPhone 5S and iPhone 6 to launch in September
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iPad mini vs Tesco Hudl tablet comparison review: should you buy a Tesco Hudl tablet or an iPad mini?
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Apple iPhone 5C vs iPhone 5 comparison review: What’s the difference between the iPhone 5c and iPhone 5?
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Kindle Fire HD vs Tesco Hudl vs Kindle Fire HD 8.9 tablet comparison review
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LG G2 review: The best smartphone you can buy
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HTC One review: great high-end Android matches, but can't beat the best. A good deal
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How to close running apps in iOS 7: iPhone now works like Android
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How to set a song on your iPhone as a ringtone
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How to format a write-protected USB flash drive or memory card
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How to transfer photos from computer to iPhone the easy way: use Photo Stream
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How to transfer files and apps from Android phone, Android tablet to SD card
Latest Videos
Tesco Hudl video review - why wouldn't you buy Tesco's cheap Android tablet?
Here's our video review of Tesco's £119 inc VAT Hudl tablet.
Latest Reviews
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Chillblast Defiant Mini 13 review: good value 13-inch gaming laptop
The Defiant isn't perfect by any means, but it still provides very good value for money, with…
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TomTom Multi-Sport GPS Watch review: track your workout with this sporty smartwatch
TomTom's Multi-Sport GPS watch is an easy to use device that lets you monitor your running,…
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Brother HL-3140CW review: a sub-£150 colour LED printer
The Brother is almost an exceptional machine. The colour is well-produced and fast, but it is…
Downloads
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hubiC 1.1.12.128
Get 25GB free online backup space
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FXiTe 0.92
A capable programmer's editor (but you might like it, too)
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Bitdefender TrafficLight for Firefox 0.2.10
Protect yourself from phishing sites, malware and more
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Bitdefender TrafficLight for Chrome 0.2.14
Protect yourself from phishing sites, malware and more
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IPNetInfo 1.50
Discover everything there is to know about a particular IP address