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Questions tagged [technology]

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Hacks related to using technology -- such as computers, phones, televisions, etc. -- safely and effectively.

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2answers
151 views

How can I stow my webcam behind my monitor?

This is my monitor with my webcam mounted: Typical setup, nothing special. Now, I dislike keeping my webcam on top of my monitor - even if I cover it. It's distracting. So - I want to "stow it ...
2
votes
5answers
247 views

Gadget to find discharged phone in woods behind house, without using a computer?

My friend tends to lose his cell phone, for example in the woods behind his house. When the phone has little or no charge left. I thought of getting him a Tile, but I'm not sure that will work, given ...
3
votes
3answers
114 views

Prevent accidental button presses on watch

I use a digital watch; at the moment, I have one that hangs down from the belt loop on a pair of jeans, but I have the same issue with wristwatches - buttons will accidentally get pressed as I move ...
1
vote
2answers
490 views

Reduce Laptop Mouse Clicking Sound

How do I reduce the mouse clicking sound on my lap top? Every time I click on something the neighbor can hear me.
1
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0answers
118 views

How to make/find a program that parses a web page and texts me when it finds something [closed]

I want to make or find a program that does the following: it logs into a webpage with username and password it parses a page (I'm interested in a table, with changing number of rows) every 15 seconds ...
2
votes
1answer
110 views

Can I fix a PS4 controller my 4yr old dropped in an aquarium?

My 4yr old dropped a PS4 controller it my 30 gallon tank and it was there for a minute before I could get it out. Is there any way to repair it?
1
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4answers
292 views

How to minimize the sound of my laptop fans

I need to make sure to connect my monitor to my laptop, whilst it is quiet enough for me to work. I'm thinking of getting a 4 meter cable so that I can place the laptop under a nearby couch, whilst in ...
1
vote
3answers
171 views

How can I take a picture of something small and print it out so the item in the picture is the same size as the item actually is?

I am trying to print a picture of a product my company is selling. I want the product in the picture to be the same size as the product actually is. How can I accomplish this? The paper is going to be ...
0
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2answers
179 views

How to test health of rechargable batteries

I came across this answer How do I test rechargeable batteries? to the question of how to test rechargeable AA batteries and plan to try it. What I am wondering is how to apply this to other types of ...
0
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2answers
136 views

Corroded iPhone Lightning connector

How do I fix the lightning connector (not the cable) of my iPhone which I believe is either corroded or covered with carbon?
1
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3answers
221 views

Is there any way to fix these keys?

I have 2 malfunctioning keys in my laptop's keyboard. First I tried to buy replacement keys online, but they are only available in foreign countries and charges are too high. Then I tried to buy a ...
2
votes
2answers
1k views

Hack to indicate a forward slash or backslash in a filename when those are reserved characters?

In some common operating systems, including Windows, both the forward slash and backslash are reserved characters that cannot be used in filenames. Yet sometimes one has a good reason to want to ...
0
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9answers
650 views

How to be alerted when someone enters my room

I sit in a room using my computer with my back to the door and headphones on. I'd like to be alerted when someone comes into the room by some visual indicator (or a noise in my headphones I guess!). ...
0
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0answers
87 views

Water marks on my TV

My TV, a 65" Samsung HD 7 series has dripping watermarks on it. How will I fix it? Please help. I tried cleaning with alcohol but the drops are still there.
2
votes
2answers
102 views

How to resolve rubber feet coming off a trackball pointing device?

I use a trackball as a computing pointing device (see this Lifehacks SE questions for the model and a couple photographs). The rubber feet on the bottom of the trackball frequently come off during ...
4
votes
3answers
269 views

Question on Increasing Longevity of Laptop Batteries

Is it possible to make my laptop charger only charge when the battery is almost dead? Then, once it is fully charged to not activate charging again until it becomes close to dead again? Would that ...
1
vote
3answers
128 views

Cancelling echo in a recycled phone microphone-speaker set

The speaker and microphone of my Android phone have stopped working, but the headphone jack still works. I don't want to always use a headphone, so I removed everything from a discarded non-smart ...
1
vote
2answers
216 views

How to remove ear wax and other dirt that went into my pods without opening them?

I have these pods from Oppo for almost 5 months now and they are causing problems. Basically, after I use them for some time the audio from the left starts decreasing till I can barely hear it. But if ...
6
votes
7answers
503 views

I keep forgetting to take out my wireless mouse dongle -- how can I make it more conspicuous?

I have a wireless mouse and keyboard combination that uses a USB dongle like this: This is at a desk that I share with other people, so it is important that when I (or others) leave and take my ...
3
votes
3answers
87 views

Physics laboratory setup for fluid dynamics experiments

I'm beginning research on how the Earth's Coriolis Effect affects solids suspended in moving liquids. I have run into a challenge that lifehackers may be able to help solve. I would like to compare ...
0
votes
1answer
90 views

What can I use for an easy iPhone speaker?

I love my music loud and I was wondering if there’s a hack for an easy iPhone speaker? I’ve tried putting my phone inside a cup but it’s still not loud enough.
2
votes
1answer
214 views

A broken stylus stuck inside the phone

I have a Samsung Tablet A with S Pen. That tablet has a dedicated slot for an S Pen. The problem is, why S Pen is broken into half, so when I inserted the S Pen into that slot, the S Pen is stuck and ...
5
votes
2answers
169 views

Could I remove the back-light from an LCD screen and let sunlight illuminate it from behind?

I like to use my laptop outdoors, but it's often so bright outside that I can barely see my screen - even with the brightness turned all the way up. I've often wondered: What if opened a LCD screen ...
1
vote
1answer
501 views

How do I fix a broken stylus pen? “Jamjake superfine bib active capacitive”

My baby brother chewed on the tip of my stylus pen, resulting in my iPad not responding to the touch of the pen anymore. It has chew marks on the sides, so I’m not sure how to fix that. I’m hoping it’...
0
votes
2answers
303 views

How to fix a bent earphone jack

How can I fix this kind of bent earphone jack? It still works if I constantly push it in, but it won't work if I don't push it, because it doesn't really fit inside anymore...
2
votes
4answers
308 views

Simple cheap solution to plug in one pair of headphones into two audio sources (two laptops)

I have a nice comfy pair of over the ear headphones which i would like to plug in to two audio sources (two laptops or one laptop and one phone). Are there any cheap solutions for this, like a reverse ...
2
votes
7answers
631 views

I like my computer keyboard but the letters have nearly worn off

My computer keyboard look scruffy and old but works perfectly and is more comfortable to use than others I have owned. It's wireless and part of a set (keyboard, mouse and USB dongle) I don't want to ...
1
vote
3answers
93 views

Alternative way to have clear non wrinkle protection layer covering for these electronic devices?

So I’ve tried kitchen cling film and it’s neither easy to apply and keep clear and non wrinkly, nor feels thick/ strong protection enough to prevent scratches & impact damage. It’s also a mess ...
1
vote
1answer
77 views

How to correctly replace a key in my laptop keyboard?

Recently, a sibling accidentally took off the "W" key from my laptop. I followed YouTube tutorials on taking out the 2 plastic pieces that surround the rubbery circle below the key and I removed ...
4
votes
3answers
666 views

How can I mark micro SD cards in order to distinguish them?

I am aware of the question How can I organize Micro SD Cards?, but don't want to put them in pill box or other organizer. I want to mark each permanently, so that I can distinguish them - even if a ...
2
votes
3answers
150 views

How to prevent an inket printer from clogging up from lack of use?

I tend to print, at most, 5 pages per month: usually 2-3 black and white pages, and 1-2 color pages. In the past 3 years, I've gone through 4 inkjet printers because they all clog so fast. I've ...
1
vote
1answer
208 views

How to reduce accidentally pressing the right-button on a trackball?

Instead of a computer mouse, I use a trackball for a pointing device. I find that it is much healthier for my wrist, elbow, and shoulder. The only downside I experience is that I often accidentally ...
-1
votes
3answers
316 views

How to cover hair for a barber to prevent cutting that particular hair?

I lengthen my hair to be gathered to a ponytail when the time comes. I started that process about 3 months ago from starting point, that is, after totally shaving my head. My problem My problem is ...
0
votes
4answers
2k views

How can I convert a wireless mouse to USB mouse?

My family received 10 wireless mice in excellent condition for free, but must eschew the hassle and cost of batteries. How can I add a cable to them to plug them into USB ports like USB mice? Please ...
4
votes
4answers
548 views

How to stabilize a laptop power plug port?

I have previously had the power plug port on a laptop fail because of the continual stress of the power plug, and getting occasionally accidentally pulled, or touched in literally any way, or whatever....
2
votes
2answers
843 views

How do I block other people from viewing my desktop screen?

In my office my seat is located at a point where almost anyone can view what's going on my screen. At times its irritating and to make it worse some people ogle at my screen when I do something ...
0
votes
2answers
267 views

How to prevent Kindle Paperwhite turning itself off?

The Kindle Paperwhite must a contender for worst designed product! The on/off switch is at the bottom, like this: so when I use it at a lunch counter and sit it on the counter, it constantly powers ...
3
votes
5answers
698 views

What to do with old contacts on phone that aren't used anymore?

This question pertains to saved contacts on a smartphone (Android in my case). I find I have a lot I don't use but don't want to get rid of them because if I ever go through text messages it would be ...
0
votes
1answer
152 views

Keeping a laptop screen clean

Is there any filter or privacy filter I could add to my laptop that would keep dust and marks off of it. I often have to keep cleaning my screen, and wondered if there is some way or hack around this?
0
votes
2answers
2k views

How to fix watch wristband made out of plastic

I have a watch and the wristband is breaking apart. It seems there is no easy way to attach a new wristband to the watch. What are some alternatives to fix the wristband of the watch?
5
votes
5answers
2k views

How can I remove melted chocolate from my phone's headphone jack?

I had my Motorola Moto e5 Play phone in my bag, and a bit of chocolate melted into the headphone jack. I tried to use tape on the end of a toothpick, but it didn't work. I need my headphones to chat ...
0
votes
3answers
1k views

Increasing mouse/mousepad stopping power?

Despite already having a supposedly pretty good mousepad (a QcK) and a decent gaming mouse specifically for precision, it still slips sometimes by about a pixel when I click (not everyone needs pixel-...
0
votes
2answers
278 views

How can I flip pages printed in the wrong order, with a printer with duplex printing?

An office printer had an option for automatic duplex printing, but not manual. I commanded it to print firstly all even pages in normal order, and they ended at the paper output tray face-down (p. ...
0
votes
4answers
5k views

How do I remind someone of my birthday?

How do you remind someone its your birthday with out telling them? Today is my birthday and I know we all forget birthdays so how do I remind them indirectly?
0
votes
1answer
82 views

How does belt fit around roller

I dissembled a printer/scanner for parts. This is a belt and roller and I think it was used for the scanner. I can not figure out how the belt fits on the roller? The belt is a continuous piece and ...
9
votes
4answers
1k views

How to prevent cables getting intertwined

I have a problem that hopefully one of you wizards could address. When I pack up my work laptop at work everyday I pack the laptop first, then the power cable, then the mouse (with a cable). I do not ...
7
votes
6answers
2k views

How to remove or seal in mold mildew on vintage electronic cables

Bought some vintage electronics, and the 20 foot data cable bundle smells like mildew very strongly. I need something to seal in that smell and kill the fungi on the insulators, without damaging the ...
1
vote
4answers
2k views

How to clean & prevent stickiness on hard plastic of mouse, in spite of no rubber coating

How to clean & prevent stickiness on hard plastic of mouse, in spite of no rubber coating Product (originally available in white, now in blue only): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01IX4GFMG/...
0
votes
2answers
3k views

Projector buzzing noise

I have a mid-sized projector (Optoma HD142X). After about a year, and perhaps because of the recent warmer temperatures and therefore more internal fan use, the unit makes an irregular and ...
0
votes
1answer
121 views

Pulled headset wire

The mic on my headset has stopped working and I think it is because I pulled the wire that connects it from the setting panel halfway up the wire to the headset itself to hard. If I wiggle the wire I ...

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