Back-to-BIOS Button

This is a feature on some Intel motherboards, and as of January 2011, the boards are including this option are: DP55WG and DP67BG.

The PowerSpec Models that use these motherboards are:

G157
G158
G159
G160
G210
Location of the Back-to-BIOS Button on the back of the computer:



What it does
When it is active (it will glow RED), the computer starts and goes directly into BIOS.
There is

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Backups and Archiving

1) Plan your backup The first step is to determine what needs to be backed up. How and what to backup are personal decisions based on how you use your computer. The following are some examples.Basic system: Data onlyDo you use your computer for personal use with its original factory configuration and perhaps an additional program or two? Consider a Data Only Backup Solution. Frequency of

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How to Check the Security Status in Windows 7

This is a how-to article on checking the Security Status in Windows 7. This can be useful to verify that the system is protected.

Click on the Start button in the bottom left, then choose Control Panel.




In the top left corner underneath System and Security, click on Review your computer's status.



If there are any security issues, they will show here under Security. In this example,

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BYO BSOD: Build Your Own "Blue Screen of Death"

(Micro Center Random Access Newsletter, January 2009)Prices on hard drives, video cards, and processors continue to fall, and memory prices aren't too bad either. I assembled what should be a decent performance system, using an EVGA 780i motherboard, an Intel 9600 series CPU, 6GB of Corsair 1066 DDR2 memory, a pair of NVIDIA 9800 SLI video cards, and a couple of 1 TB hard drives. What occurred

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How to Create and Save an Access Database

This articles will demonstrate how to create a basic database using Microsoft Access.

Open Microsoft Access.


Click File » New » Select Blank Database.





In the bottom right, input the name of the database and click Create.


 


Click File and Save Database As.




Select the file location and save the database.

If a window appears asking to close all open databases, click Yes to

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Troubleshooting: Power-On-Self-Test Failures

Over the years, many customers have come to us after assembling their new computers and finding that their system will just not start up. Here are some things to double-check that we have found wrong before: Did you read the motherboard manual or Quick Start guide? Is the 115/230 Volt switch on the back of the power supply set to 115 Volts? Is the system getting power? Do the fans start to spin

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Backing Up Files and Settings with Windows 7 Backup

This is a walk-through on backing up files in Windows 7.

Click on the Start button and type "backup" in the search programs and files field.



Select Backup and Restore from the results.



Click on Set up backup option.



Select the destination drive for the backup. Click Next.


If unsure which option to select, choose the Let Windows Choose (Recommended)
option and click next. If the

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What is ODBC?

ODBC Stands for Open DataBase Connectivity. This was developed by the SQL Access group in 1992. This is a standard database access method.

ODBC allows access to any data regardless of the database management system that handles the data. This process is managed by inserting a database driver. This driver is in between the application and the database management system. This layer translates the

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Using Extended Character Sets in Windows

Windows includes a handy utility for previewing, selecting and transferring special characters to most applications that support pasting from the Windows clipboard. This is the accessory called Character Map. If it has been installed it is usually found in the Accessories list under your Start Menu (Start, Programs, Accessories, Character Map.)[caption id="attachment_359" align="aligncenter"

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Windows Keyboard Shortcuts

Use shortcut keys as an alternative to the mouse when working in Windows. You can open, close, and navigate the Start menu, desktop, menus, dialog boxes, and Web pages using keyboard shortcuts. Keyboard shortcuts may also make it easier for you to interact with your computer. Menus may have an Underlined letter in a command name on an open menu; with the menu list open, pressing the letter will

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How to Activate Microsoft Office Product Key Card

The following article describes the processes for using your Microsoft Office Product Key Card. The first part covers the process if Microsoft Office 2010 is preloaded on your computer. The second part covers the process if Microsoft Office 2010 is not preloaded on your computer. Check to see if your PC is preloaded with Office 2010. To do so, click the Windows Start menu, and then click All

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Media Streaming: You can take it with you...

For several years, I have been playing around with different ways to access and stream media from a TV tuner or home PC. Usually, it's just an experiment to see how much I can do with a Windows Media Center system, or to show off the capabilities of various devices, like my Windows-based PDA phone...There are several ways to do this by using a PC or with stand-alone hardware such as a Slingbox or

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How to Temporarily Disable Antivirus and Antispyware Protection

ESET NOD32 Antivirus and Antispyware can on occasion interfere with certain activities. This guide will walk-through how to temporarily disable Antivirus and Antispyware in ESET NOD32.

Open the ESET software by clicking Start »
All Programs » ESET Folder »
ESET NOD32 Antivirus folder » ESET NOD32 Antivirus.




Click Setup on the left.




Click Temporarily disable Antivirus and antispyware

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Data Recovery and Securing Your Personal Information

[caption id="attachment_315" align="aligncenter" width="257" caption="Erasing files is not enough. "][/caption]It's getting dark outside; do you know where your data is?Although various operating systems handle file allocation and directory organization differently, they all pretty much do the same thing when it comes to erasing data. To keep the process simple and fast when a file is "erased",

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How to install an nVidia Graphics Card

This article is a walk-through on how to install a graphics card. If your computer performs poorly in games or other media intensive applications, one of the major causes is the video card. This article shows how to install a new PCI-Express video card.
Power off the computer and disconnect all cables from the machine.
Remove the side cover of the computer. In most cases, two screws hold it

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Digital Camera Photography Tips

When working with a digital camera instead of a film camera, many of the same operational concepts still apply. Even with basic digital cameras, you usually have the ability to adjust when and how to use the flash and you may be able to force different distance modes for close-up, normal, or landscape settings. Some cameras allow you to manually adjust focus, exposure, or select special filter

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The Quetzalcoatl CaseMod, Part 6

Part 6: Surface texture and coloringFor the surface detail and texture, I am using a commercial paper mâché product called Celluclay. Celluclay is available in a gray (unbleached) or white (bleached) from most hobby and craft stores. To color or tint the material, just add some water-based tempera paint to the mixing water. Add the paint and water mixture first, and then add additional water

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How to Play a Blu-ray movie using PowerDVD 9

Blu-ray movies give the ultimate high definition experience. Blu-ray video is not yet a supported media by default in any Windows system so a third party program is required to play them. The most common of these is CyberLink Power DVD. This guide will walk you through the steps of playing a Blu-ray movie using CyberLink PowerDVD 9.

**NOTE: Verify your system meets the requirements to play

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How to Password Protect ESET NOD32 Against Settings Changes

ESET NOD32 has multiple options that can only be changed with administrative privileges. This guide will walk you through setting up a password within ESET NOD32 so to confirm these changes a password is required.


Open the ESET software by clicking Start » All Programs » ESET Folder » ESET NOD32 Antivirus folder » ESET NOD32 Antivirus.



Press the F5 key to open the Advanced options window.

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Creating a Strong Password

This document provides some simple guidelines for creating a user account or network access password which combines a higher level of security with a better chance of remembering it.Why Do I Need a Password?A personal computer system is very fast, but also very literal. It has no real means (in the human sense of the word) of distinguishing good data from bad or authorized commands from

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How to Add a Comment in a Word Document

When given a Microsoft Word document to edit, the most useful tool is the ability to add comments to the document. This guide will walk-through how to add comments to a Microsoft Word 2010 document.


Open Microsoft Word 2010 by clicking Start » All Programs » Microsoft Office » Microsoft Word 2010.



Open the desired file for editing.
Click the Review tab across the top of the page.

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The Quetzalcoatl CaseMod, Part 5

Part 5: Electrical - Front panel switches and lightsThe time to think about any lighting effects, switches, or other connectors you want to make available through the modified shell is during its rough construction. If you wait to run wires after you start finishing the surface, you may have problems getting the wires concealed or run where you want them to come out. The best solution is to plan

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How to Change Page Size in Microsoft Word 2010

Microsoft Word 2010 opens by default with an 8 1/2 x 11 paper size. Legal paper and certain printers contain other paper sizes. This guide will walk-through how to change page size in Microsoft Word 2010.

Open Microsoft Word 2010 by clicking Start » All Programs » Microsoft Office » Microsoft Word 2010.




Click the Page Layout tab across the top.




Click the Size button.




Click More

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How to Enable or Disable ThreatSense.Net

ESET NOD32 contains what is called the ThreatSense.Net Early Warning System. This is what allows ESET to actively protect you and attain updates on the most current threats to it can protect against them. This guide will show you how to enable or disable this feature.


Open the ESET software by clicking Start » All Programs » ESET Folder » ESET NOD32 Antivirus folder » ESET NOD32 Antivirus.

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How could an LCD display be blurry or out of focus?

Look around, more users than ever have Liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs), not Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) displays on their desks. These desktop versions of laptop LCD displays use less power than a CRT display of the same size, and provide high-contrast and brilliant color images all in a slim, high-tech package.Just as features and styles vary from vendor to vendor, the appearance and quality of the

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How to Create a Watermark in Microsoft Word 2010

To add a creative spin to your Microsoft Word document, you may consider adding a watermark. A watermark can be anything from an image to text set as the background of the word document with a level of transparency so that text can still be read over top of the image or text. This guide will walk-through how to create a watermark in Microsoft Word 2010.


Open Microsoft Word 2010 by clicking

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The Quetzalcoatl Case Mod, Part 4

Part 4: Packing foam, it's not just for packing stuff anymore.Last time, I outlined the process I used for modifying the side panels, adding a top air duct, and adding a hinged front panel. A metal mesh "hardware cloth" screen was bent to fit over the top of the case and held in place with a strip of Velcro tape. Hot glue over the back of the sticky side of the Velcro tape anchors it firmly to

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