Cybernetics – the embedding of digital and mechanical components into naturally-growing objects – has been a sci-fi dream (or nightmare to some) for many years. While you can’t yet install a Blu-ray drive in your lower torso, however, you can use nature’s own construction material, w
Computers are complex, however, and this can lead to headaches when trying to upgrade. Nothing is more frustrating than finding out that you have a compatibility issue while you’re in the process of installing new hardware. Let’s review 4 potential trouble spots you should check before digging into your desktop’s intern
This is probably the hardest step of all. Before securing the motherboard to the case, I made sure to write down a quick diagram of the jumper pins for the case switches and LEDs as they’re difficult to see once the motherboard is in place. These can be found on the bottom left, if you were looking down into the machine, and they look like t
Operating systems generally are not a limitation when you are upgrading hardware, which is why the topic shows up last in this article. This doesn’t mean they are never an issue. It’s possible that you may find yourself with a hardware upgrade that is physically compatible with your system in every way but still doesn’t w
You can carefully vacuum the keyboard to remove loose particles and dust. Afterwards, wipe the keys with a lint-free cloth that is lightly dampened. Finally, disinfect the keyboard using alcohol wipes or spray some alcohol-containing cleaner on your cloth. If the keyboard is seriously manky, you can also take it apart and wash the keys in bulk. Be sure to take a photo of the keyboard first, so that it’s easier to re-assem
Structure-wise, don’t rely on the narrow bricks; instead, design your case to use the wider type of bricks, those with 2 x 3 or 2 x 4 pegs. Offering more support, these pieces are also more similar to real-life bricks. Flat, “plate”-style pieces should also be used in areas of the case where additional structural support is requi
With the arrival of Spring in the Northern Hemisphere, houses across the globe get a nice cleaning to rid them of dirt and clutter that has accumulated over the past year. Dust and junk also settle on our computer. Whether your PC is suffering from a clocked up fan or an overloaded hard drive, it is time to give it a thorough spring cleaning. With the following checklist this will be a bre
How exactly this is done depends on your computer model. I recommend searching Google and YouTube and I’m sure you will find instructions. Generally, you can expose your computer fans, then use a vacuum cleaner or canned air to remove dust, and a damp cloth to wipe it down. Do the same for the intake grills and vents. DO NOT remove the heat sink unless you are prepared to replace the thermal compo
You should check the specifications of the hardware you’re buying to see what operating systems it is officially compatible with. If you are using a Linux distro, you should check its help forums. You’ll often find lists of fully and partially compatible hardw
This isn’t a how-to article though – I couldn’t possibly write about how to build a PC from scratch in one article. Instead, I will give tips and describe the process in a whirlwind manner, but you should maybe think of it more as motivation for you to try the same. The whole process took about 2 ho
Whatever electronic equipment you are cleaning, do not clean it while it is turned on! Do turn the device off and remove the power source. Do not use dripping wet sponges or cloths. Do use damp cloths and alcohol-based cleaners as they will dry faster. Do not attempt to dismantle a device if you are unsure whether or not you will be able to put it back together. Do consult a manual or instructions from the manufactu
Once you’ve accounted for these four points you can safely purchase a hardware upgrade. Yes, I know – checking all of this can be a bit annoying and will take some extra time. But it does reduce the chance that you’ll buy incompatible hardware. It will also make you more familiar with your system and with computers in general, which means you’ll have less homework to do the next time you want to upgr
Whatever materials you plan to use, weigh up what is necessary from your build by using spare components to plan the amount of bricks or size of case necessary. If components aren’t available, substitute cardboard boxes or foam blocks, although note that these won’t reliably reflect the finished project’s weight and structure requirements. All reasonable safety precautions should also be taken appropriate to the materials you’re us
No Lego in your home? No problem – you probably have a trashcan lying around, or perhaps an old stereo system that can be cannibalized. If you’re looking for a good long-term project, however, why not try building your PC case Recommendations|Https://Pcbuildinsight.com/ case from wood? The end result can be extremely impressive, although you might find a few challenges in the shape of a noisier-than-usual compu