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Questions tagged [technology]

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

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

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249 questions
211
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13 answers

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,…
fredley
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128
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30 answers

Best (law-abiding) ways to inconvenience cold callers?

Like many people, I don't wish to receive unsolicited phone calls/texts/emails from people who are trying to sell me something or scam me. I am aware of passive ways of dealing with the problem but I am asking here for ideas for actively…
chasly - supports Monica
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48
votes
10 answers

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 to bring it over to my uncle and he got rid of the…
Unihedron
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45
votes
11 answers

How can I boost my wifi range?

I want to be able to connect to my wifi network from downstairs in the garage. My apartment is three floors up, and, while the signal is detectable there, it's very weak. I have tried lifting the laptop up higher. The reason is depicted here: How…
Adam Miller
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40
votes
10 answers

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 keep the laptop on my lap outside of the quilt,…
SSC
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33
votes
10 answers

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?
Mooseman
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32
votes
8 answers

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 computer screen, without resorting to (relatively…
Shokhet
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26
votes
11 answers

How to avoid background reflection Computer display

At work I am sitting in front of a conference room which has lots of glass wall. It is always very bright and it makes my computer display look like a mirror. I tried playing with my display setting but it does not help. I can not change anything…
vikrant
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24
votes
5 answers

Hiding or covering annoying LED lights on computer and accessories

As many of you know, computers cases and their accessories come with all flavors of LED lights these days. When I was in high school, they were all the rave. Now, they very specifically annoy me, especially when I run my computer at night or with…
VP.
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22
votes
13 answers

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 household item?
Mooseman
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20
votes
15 answers

Stop keyboard wobble due to uneven desk

I've just acquired and finished setting up a new wooden plank computer desk. Upon finishing the new setup I naturally went to use my keyboard and noticed that the wooden planks aren't exactly flush resulting in my keyboard wobbling with each…
Daniel Storm
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19
votes
3 answers

Remove and restore stickers from back of laptop

I have a dozen stickers from hackathons on my laptop that I want to save. I am switching laptops and want to save them and put them on my new laptop. Anyone know a way I can do this? Even removing them and regluing them will work. Thanks :) Some…
Tristan Wiley
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19
votes
9 answers

How to keep a laptop cooled down

Sometimes my laptop heats up too much and it will shut down my computer (it also burns my legs if it's on my lap). Nothing permanent has happened yet, but I'm afraid that it will sometime. I use it in different places around my house, usually at my…
michaelpri
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18
votes
8 answers

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 so it will not fail when I turn it on? Phone:…
Harish S
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18
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9 answers

How can I charge my smartphone faster?

Sometimes I get home and need to go out again soon and only have a short while to charge up my phone before I leave. Any tips or tricks on how to charge my phone any quicker? I don't want to have to mess around with the charger or the phone…
MrPhooky
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