Category Archives: computer tips

Reset the BIOS / Supervisor Password on Acer Aspire One AO722

Question from reader M.H.: Hi J.D., Thank you so much for those great step-by-step memory upgrade instructions. As you obviously know much more about the AO722 than I do, I was wondering if I could pick your brain on something. As I’ve forgotten my computer’s BIOS supervisor password, would you be able to let me know how to clear it or otherwise get into my BIOS? (that is, other than sending the netbook back to Acer and paying them over

Toshiba Satellite F01N unknown device / pci simple communication controller [driver download]

Q. Hello, I have toshiba satellite c850 fo1n “unknown device and pci simple communication controller” not working can you help out? A. Sure! If your device manager is showing a yellow question mark for unknown device F01n as well as the simple communications controller on the Satellite C850, that problem should be solved by the following driver download: [download id=”10485″ format=”1″] (Intel Chipset Utility for Toshiba Satellite laptops, both 32 bit x86 and 64 bit x64) NOTE: this driver may also work

Projector recommendations

Update: there is a new 1080p ViewSonic projector that would also be a very nice choice. It is called the View Sonic PJD6553W and it replaces the PJD6531w. A good friend asked for a projector recommendation late last year. He needed to replace a failed projector and here was my recommendation: First starting with criteria, then ending with specific model recommendations. CRITERIA These criteria are based on my desire for the new projector to be as good or better than the old projector in

Work 1 failed, Error = 504.00 1 1 DVDFab to iPad [solved]

[starreview tpl=16] I recently received error 504.00 1 1 in DVDFab: This error occurred while trying to use the video converter to convert an MKV to h.264 for use on an iPad (1st generation and 3rd generation). I tried a variety of options in the settings menu and I also perused the forum threads below. What eventually worked was installing the latest beta edition of DVDFab: DVDFab8192QtBeta.exe (dl direct or [download id=”10480″ format=”1″]) After installing the beta version, my video converted successfully! 504.00

Get rid of annoying file grouping in a Windows 7 folder view

If you have a folder that shows groupings of files and you want to get rid of the groupings, here’s how: Go to the folder in question Find a blank area in the file listings and Right Click in the empty space Select the Group By option and select None. (see screenshot below) Voila, you’re done! If you have been struggling with this issue then I hope this helps! 🙂

Use your e-reader as a display for your computer

Over at Pocketables (one of my fav tech sites) they posted a nice little article asking Why are ereaders still stand-alone only devices? It is a valid question and if the Pebble watch is any indication, there is a lot of pent up demand for ultra-long lived devices using e-ink displays. If Pocketable’s premise was e-ink is good for a lot more than just reading books, and that the current ereaders should do more… then this along those lines, here

mysql error 1130 host is not allowed to connect to this mysql server

Question from Steve. Hello, I installed XAMPP on my Window sLaptop and then tried to access it via Navicat from my Desktop as root I get this error: mysql error number 1130 host STEVE-DESKTOP is not allowed to connect to this mysql server Can you please help me? Answer from JD. Sure Steve, I am happy to help! Your issue is caused by there being insufficient permissions in the MySQL users table, specifically your desktop machine does not have permissions

WildBlue US Government Recovery Act Program and Plans

If you are in the market for Exede or WildBlue Broadbrand, make sure to checkout the WidlBlue US Recovery act plan first: US Government Stimulus Program | Satellite Internet Service from Wild Bluehttp://get.wildblue.com/recovery-act-program.htmlThe limited time U.S. government Recovery Act Program is currently in effect, but funds are running out. Don’t miss out on this opportunity for discounted monthly rates, plus… WildBlue & the US Recovery Act | Low Cost Broadbandhttp://www.wildblue.com/options/recovery-actThis special program is available to rural unserved households under the