Operating Systems Features

How To: Troubleshoot Windows memory problems

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to quickly troubleshoot memory problems in Windows. Begin by clicking on the Start menu. Type "mdsched" into the search bar and press Enter. The Windows Memory Diagnostic window will then appear. Click on "Restart now and check for problems". Your machine will then be rebooted and will run its memory diagnostics tool. It will look for any issues that may cause problems for your system. Advanced users can press F1 when it starts to specify certain opti...

How To: Pimp your quick launch bar in Windows Vista

One nice little feature built into Microsoft Windows, since Windows 95, in fact, is the ability to dock the quick launch bar on the side of your screen. While this feature has been removed in Windows Vista, in this video tutorial, you'll learn how to create something comparable with a toolbar. For more, or to try the this Windows trick for yourself, take a look!

How To: Prepare your computer to upgrade to Windows 7

Rocketboom Tech correspondent Ellie Rountree recommends 5 tips for installing Windows 7. Before making the big switch to Windows 7, check out these tips. Some topics covered are backing up your files, picking out the right version of Windows 7 for you, and when to make the switch. Follow along and learn how to prepare yourself, and your computer, for an upgrade to Windows 7.

How To: Get a Vista-style Taskbar in Microsoft Windows 7

New to Microsoft Windows 7? Pining for the old Vista Taskbar? It's easy to restore it! So easy, in fact, that this free home computing how-to can present a complete (and somewhat talky) overview of the process in just under a minute's time. For specifics, and to get started using a Vista-style Taskbar on your own Win 7 computer, watch this PC user's guide.

How To: Increase your computer's low virtual memory

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to increase a computer's low virtual memory. Begin by clicking on the Start menu. Then right-click on My Computer and select Properties. Then click on the Advanced tab and click on Settings under Performance. In the Performance Options window, click on and Advanced tab and click on Change under Virtual Memory. Now select your hard disk and check Custom Size. For both Minimal Size and Maximum Size, set it at 2500 MB. Finish by clicking on Set and OK. U...

How To: Open .zip files

In this tutorial, we learn how to open .zip files. First, go to the start menu and search for "regedit.exe", then press enter. After this, a new window will pop up, open the computer icon, then open "current user", "software", "Microsoft", "Windows", then "current version". Now, click on the explorer folder, then the "file exts" folder and ".zip" folder. You should now see three different folders, right click on "user choice", then delete it. Exit this program, and now return to your zip fold...

How To: Calibrate a Mac display

In this video from MacOSG we learn how to calibrate a Mac display by using ColorSync. Go to apple menu and select system preferences. Then go to Display. In there, click on color tab to access the profiles for your monitor. Click the calibrate button. It will bring up the Calibration Assistant. Make sure expert is checked. The goal here is to make the apple logo match the outside grid as much as possible. Click Continue and repeat the process. Next is gamma selection. In most cases the native...

How To: Install & uninstall programs on a Mac

If you have recently switched from PC to Mac or are just getting used to your new Apple computer, you may need help on adding and deleting programs. In order to fully appreciate your Mac you will want to install fun programs. In this tutorial, learn how to add useful things to your computer and delete ones you don't use to save space. This process is incredibly easier to do on a Mac than it is on a PC, and you will be able to master it in no time. Follow along with Luke as he shows you the st...

How To: Use the copy and paste functions on a Mac or PC

In this video 2 people show you copy and paste functions on a Mac and a PC. On the PC, the girl copies a paragraph of text on a web page by highlighting it, right clicking, and selecting copy. Then she opens up a TextEdit program and pastes it into there and saves it. On a Mac, just like the PC, he highlights the paragraph, but this time he drags the highlighted portion right to the desktop. This will automatically create a file right on your desktop. If you open it up, it will open up in a t...

How To: Install Windows 7 on your PC from a USB drive

Some computers might now have a working DVD drive and in such cases you can use a USB pen drive to install Windows 7 on it. To do this first connect the USB drive to your computer. Now go to the command prompt and run the 'diskpart' command to find the details of the hard drive. Use the 'List Disk' command to list all the drives on you computer. You can also find the USB drive in the list. Now use the Select disk command to select the disk. Perform a clean command of the disk. Next create a p...

How To: Adjust taskbar clock settings in Microsoft Windows 7

Need some help figuring out how to modify taskbar clock settings in MS Windows 7? This video tutorial will show you how it's done! It's easy! So easy, in fact, that this home-computing how-to can present a complete overview of the process in just over a minute's time. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, watch this Win 7 user's guide.

How To: Change the background or screensaver in Mac OS X

In this quick video, you are shown (and told) in a very simple way how to change your background or screen saver on your Mac computer that runs OS X. This is very simple to do, just click the apple, go to System Preferences, then click Desktop and Screen Saver. From there, you will be able to customize your background or screen saver, whether you choose to use the ones that came with your Mac, or your own pictures or downloads. This is a great video for new or inexperienced Mac users.

How To: Take a screen shot on a Mac or Windows PC

Want to capture an image of your screen, either in full or in part? Whether you use Mac OS X or any variant of Microsoft Windows, this video tutorial will hae you taking screengrabs with ease regardless in no time. For specifics, and to get started taking your own screenshots, watch this free video guide from the people at Lynda.