Do you struggle with your computer? Are you always looking up websites that may, or may not, help you with your computer?

I thought I would put a couple of easy to do computer tips out there for everyone to read. Maybe these will take a little of the stress off you while using your computer.

Tip #1:
Did you know that you can search your entire computer from the “Start” button? Right click on the Start button and select “Explore”. A split window opens and there is a “file tree” along the left side of your window. From there you can look into any folder or drive you have in your computer.

Tip #2:
Shift+Tab will move your cursor “backwards” one field in a form or selected item on a web site. Go ahead and try it. And of course just Tab will move the cursor forward one field.

Tip #3:
Opening links in a new tab will keep your browser from getting all messed up or putting tons of open browsers on the bar on the bottom of your screen. Just right click any link and select “open in new tab” (IE 7, only) and whaalaa, you are now checking out two sites in one browser window.

Do you have a newer computer? Maybe less than 3-4 years old? The reason I ask is because you might not be aware that you have a graphics card that is capable of setting up dual monitors on your system. You might not think that another monitor will do any good for you, but let me tell you from experience, that second piece of real estate is worth it. Of course, if you are not online all the time, like I am, then it might not even be useful to you.

I am online a lot of my free time and I cannot believe that I went so long without another monitor. Do you know what you need to have in order to set up dual monitors, besides two monitors? The first thing you need is 2 outputs on your video card. Either VGA or DVI outputs on your video card will work, but you do NEED to have two of them. To check this, it’s as easy as looking at the back of your computer and see if you have two outputs. There is NO reason to open your case at this point.

Do you have TWO outputs? If not, you need to buy a graphics card that is capable. You can check out Amazon for starters. If you do have two outputs, then read on. The second step is really just to make sure you have the right cables to complete the cast. You may need to get an adapter to go from DVI to VGA for one, or both, of your monitors. If you do not have the cables you can check out Amazon or Best Buy for them. You should be able to get them for around $20.

Ok, now you have the extra cable, monitor and a video card that can handle the two monitors. Once you have them both connected and powered up, you will have to change some display settings under your control panel. Here is the way you check the settings you need to change:

1. Click “Start”
2. Access your control panel
3. Click the Display icon
4. Go to the Settings tab
5. Right in the center you can see “display” and there are TWO options (one for each output)
6. Right under that you can simple check the box that says “extend my windows desktop onto this monitor”

Typically, if everything is connected, this is really all that you have to do. Under the same tab you can see your two monitors and select which one you want as your primary. And there you have it, another place to open more browsers, another program or whatever you feel like. I use my second monitor to have my email client, TweetDeck, Music, Photoshop all open while I can read, write and browse on my primary monitor.

It’s a great time saver and I really can feel the difference in my productivity. Give it a try and if you cannot afford a new monitor, ask around for a used one, you can usually get them for under $50, like I did.

Do you have a multi-monitor setup?

This week I was running into an issue where my video card would get so hot it wasn’t able to work correctly.  I have a BFG nVidia 8800GT OC card that has a fan built into it.  The card is about 1 year old and I haven’t had much more than a hiccup with it’s performance since installation.

After going into my nVidia control panel to adjust the fan settings, I noticed that even at 100%, my fan was making little noise, which is very unusual for any GPU fan.  I opened my computer case and noticed that my fan was moving very slowly with a “vibrating wobble” to it.  I feared the worst and have read about the bearings, brushes and fans going bad out of nowhere.

I searched eBay and various other places to see if I could just get the fan, since it wasn’t that hard to get to and remove.  I was only able to find used video graphics cards and wasn’t sure that was my best option, at least, it would be my last option.

Without a budget to just upgrade to the tune of $150+, I decided to see what I could do to add extra cooling.  I have plenty of 4 pin adapters coming off my power supply, why not search for a case fan that can be plugged directly into that?  After searching BestBuy.com (we have a local store) and Amazon.com (backup to Best Buy), I found that Best Buy has a couple of options that fit into my budget.

What I Found

I was able to find an Antec 80mm 3-speed LED TriCool fan.  I am not a fan of the LED, but it seemed every fan had that as an option.  Moving on, I removed the fan from the package, connected it to my power supply and bingo, instant cooling to my GPU.

Warning

Just so you know, I took the cover off my video card to allow the new fan to pull heat right off the cooling fins.  I do not recommend removing your video card and tampering with it unless you feel 100% confident with electronic items like this.

Right now the new fan sits right on the cooling elements and keeps my card at a cool 150 degrees fahrenheit.  The fan base is thick plastic, but because the card will NOT overheat, there shouldn’t be any fear of it melting.