Questions tagged [technology]
Hacks related to using technology -- such as computers, phones, televisions, etc. -- safely and effectively.
33
questions
22
votes
13
answers
35k
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How to clean crevices of electronics without compressed air?
For cleaning keyboards and other computer components not reachable with a cloth, I generally use a can of compressed air.
However, the can is empty. What else can I use that would be a general ...
- 11.5k
18
votes
8
answers
14k
views
How to dry out a wet phone?
I unfortunately dropped my aunt's phone in water. I didn't tried anything yet (I'm afraid of a short circuit). Is there a quick and cheap way to completely dry out the internals of this mobile phone ...
- 1,087
7
votes
4
answers
20k
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How to store loose CDs and other discs without scratching them?
At home I have a load of loose disks that I have either lost the case for or it never had a case in the first place and these usually end up getting scratched up and quickly become unusable, not to ...
- 6,504
32
votes
8
answers
13k
views
Cleaning a dirty computer screen
Sometimes my computer screen gets dirty and dusty, and this grime doesn't come off by just wiping it. (Besides the fact that wiping it by hand will just make more problems)
What can I use to clean a ...
- 4,277
10
votes
4
answers
108k
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Substitute for a tablet stylus
I do a lot of sketching and drawing on my iPad. I usually use a stylus, but I recently lost mine. I can draw with my fingers, but I would prefer to use a stylus because it's just easier and I can do ...
- 11.2k
212
votes
13
answers
40k
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How can I keep my cat off my keyboard?
This is a common scenario when typing:
When the family assembled for Sunday dinner,
With their minds made up that they wouldn't get thinner
On Argentine joint, potato^DR&FTGYB`...
- 7,450
47
votes
10
answers
238k
views
How can I remove ants from my laptop keyboard?
There are ants in my laptop keyboard again. It's happened before and ended up killing my productivity occasionally as the little critters suddenly show up from within the gaps of the keyboard. I had ...
- 1,040
40
votes
10
answers
7k
views
How to keep your hands warm in winter while working on a laptop?
It's really cold here nowadays so I usually have a quilt over me. My problem is that I can't get my laptop under the quilt because I won't be able to see what I'm doing. Because of this, I have to ...
- 511
33
votes
10
answers
26k
views
How can I clean my sticky keyboard?
My keyboard is sticky. Obviously, since it is electronic, I can't use an abundance of soap and water.
I've tried a damp cloth, but it is not effective. How can I clean it, without ruining it?
- 11.5k
19
votes
10
answers
8k
views
How can I make sure I get the USB plug in the right way up?
In short, how can I avoid this problem depicted below?
- 7,450
17
votes
6
answers
24k
views
Cleaning MicroUSB socket on mobile phone
I have a Motorola Nexus 6, and recently I noticed the charging cable wasn't staying in place as well as it did when the phone was bought - my phone is charging, but if I picked it up whilst plugged in,...
- 272
16
votes
14
answers
16k
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How can I organize Micro SD Cards?
I have several Micro SD Cards for my Raspberry Pi. However, they often get mixed up because they are so small:
image source
Unlike regular SD Cards and Flash Drives, I cannot label them. How can I ...
- 11.5k
14
votes
4
answers
83k
views
How can I reduce the sound of clicking my mouse
I have a wonderful mouse except... I'd like it to click more silently (left and right buttons). Probably it was that loud, probably it is the work of Time, but the current sound doesn't suit me now, ...
- 3,408
12
votes
11
answers
5k
views
How can I safely destroy a hard disk?
When a computer need to be replaced, I remove the hard disk. However it seems a hell of a job to physically destroy the hard disk without heavy tools, which i don't have.
What is a safe way to ...
- 243
11
votes
15
answers
2k
views
How to reduce eye strain caused by constant exposure to computer screen?
When I am using my laptop for more than an hour or two, I get some eye strain. Is this a common problem for computer users? What should I do to prevent being affected?
11
votes
3
answers
13k
views
How to remove large quantity of dust from electronic/mechanical equipment?
Say for example, I have a computer with many many fans, and which that computer sits on the carpet floor.
What is the best way to get dust, hair, bits of trash, maybe even bugs, out of a moving piece ...
- 213
10
votes
4
answers
6k
views
Is there any way to restore faded receipts?
Many stores are using receipts that, intentionally or not, fade over time.
I bought something about a year ago that I never used and I want to return it. But the receipt is faded to the point of ...
9
votes
4
answers
17k
views
How to stabilize a loose/failing USB connection?
I always end up having a 'USB device not recognised' error while I fix my external harddisk to my laptop. Even a slight disturbance causes this error due to the weight of the disk, and I find it ...
8
votes
7
answers
54k
views
How can I open an iPhone's SIM card slot without the included pin?
When purchased, iPhones come with this pin that you use to open the slot on the side to insert your SIM card. Now it's way beyond me how it's happened but out of the 3 iPhones I have I only have the ...
- 722
8
votes
2
answers
13k
views
How to avoid paper sticking together in a printer?
A problem I've often had when loading paper into a printer is when two or more sheets get stuck together. This is unnoticeable when you put a big stack of paper into the printing tray, but becomes a ...
- 1,410
7
votes
4
answers
1k
views
More effective way to clean a CD/DVD?
I have a music compact disc. When I insert it into my computer, I get through tracks 1-3 just fine, and part way through 4 before the player throws an error. I get an identical response in another ...
- 11.5k
5
votes
5
answers
3k
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 ...
- 51
5
votes
2
answers
1k
views
How to clean a dusty television screen?
The screen of my LCD television often gets dusty. I've tried cleaning it with a microfiber cloth, but it just pushes the dust into the corners of the screen. How can I more efficiently clean the ...
- 11.5k
4
votes
2
answers
14k
views
How do I test rechargeable batteries?
I have 17 old AA rechargeable batteries and would like to figure out the fastest way to know which AA batteries are at the end of their recharging life.
Currently, I am putting each AA battery into ...
- 182
4
votes
3
answers
16k
views
How to prevent plugs from falling out of a wall socket?
Despite carefully securing a plug in an outlet, many times I find that the plug falls out minutes after the fact (it happens all the time with things like phone chargers). I have been careful in ...
- 163
4
votes
5
answers
384
views
How can I keep a USB mini 2.0 (or other) cable from tearing?
What are some ways to protect the ends of a USB mini 2.0 charging cable (or other thin insulated wire) tearing up?
Anytime the electrical outlet is at a height greater than the device it is attached ...
- 41
4
votes
5
answers
10k
views
How can I fortify micro USB connectors
Perhaps I'm heavy-handed but I've accidentally broken many micro usb cables by bending the connector on the cable and pulling it out of it's housing. I've tried a premium cable but even that broke the ...
- 1,739
4
votes
4
answers
468
views
Increase legibility of computer screen in the sun
In Western Europe, we currently have a long spell of warm and dry weather. The perfect moment to combine sunbathing with working from home. However, outside in the sun, the legibility of my laptop ...
- 1,040
3
votes
2
answers
13k
views
How to clean old sticky pc mouse with rubber coating?
I have an old Logitech MX510 mouse which is very sticky on the sides. How can I get rid of this stickiness?
- 181
3
votes
2
answers
12k
views
How to make an adapter for a micro SIM?
I currently have an iPhone 4S and these models use a 'micro-SIM' which is smaller than a standard SIM Card (see below):
The thing is I need to move the SIM from the iPhone (micro-SIM) into an older ...
- 6,504
3
votes
0
answers
224
views
How to clean off hands oil from a touchscreen? [duplicate]
I don't find anything here that would help to my situation, and wiping the screen don't seems to remove the oil that has gotten trough my hands. I need a method without baby wipes which I don't posses,...
- 139
2
votes
4
answers
33k
views
Remove Ink That's Scribbled on top of Printed Text?
I have a piece of paper that has a ton of text printed from a computer.
One of the words on the paper has been scribbled through horizontally with an ink pen. I've tried holding it over the iPhone ...
- 31
1
vote
1
answer
656
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 ...