Hardware

What to look for in a USB flash drive

Dave Farquhar Hardware, security , , , , ,
What to look for in a USB flash drive

USB flash drives are pretty much a necessity these days. They’re far more convenient for moving files around than optical discs, and they make good backup devices. But not all USB flash drives are created equal. Here’s what to look for in a USB flash drive.

Here’s a tip: I don’t just use USB flash drives for transporting data and backups. I like to keep a modest-sized USB flash drive plugged into my router, turning it into a small NAS. It gives me a convenient, reliable place to back up data from any of my computers.

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Cleaning copper contacts

Dave Farquhar Hardware
Cleaning copper contacts

There are any number of methods out there for cleaning copper contacts, but some of them are safer than others. Here’s my favorite method to thoroughly and safely clean copper contacts. It’s very thorough, safe, and cheap.

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Best Pfsense hardware

Dave Farquhar Hardware, security , , , , ,

The best Pfsense hardware is rather subjective. I think the ideal Pfsense box should deliver solid performance while being affordable.

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Boot a Lenovo Thinkcentre off USB

Dave Farquhar Hardware
Boot a Lenovo Thinkcentre off USB

It’s easier to boot a Lenovo Thinkcentre off USB than some other types of computers. But if you’ve never had to, it might be hard to figure out. Here’s how.

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How to disassemble a Linksys EA6200 router

Dave Farquhar Hardware ,

The Linksys EA6200 is hard to open or disassemble. But there’s a trick. This trick looks like it will work with other 6000-series routers as well, such as the EA6300, EA6350, and EA6400. Here’s how to disassemble a Linksys EA6200 router.

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Lenovo Thinkcentre M58 upgrades

Dave Farquhar Hardware , , , , ,

I picked up an off-lease Lenovo Thinkcentre M58 over the weekend. Based on the date code on the hard drive, this one dates to 2010. It’s a serviceable machine. You have a few options when it comes to Lenovo Thinkcentre M58 upgrades. I wouldn’t necessarily use one as a basis for a $100 gaming PC but you can make a great general purpose home PC out of one.

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Boot a Lenovo Ideapad 100 from USB

Dave Farquhar Hardware ,
Boot a Lenovo Ideapad 100 from USB

If you need to boot a Lenovo Ideapad 100 from USB, there’s an easy way to do it. Here’s how.

The Lenovo boot menu appears when you hit the Novo button on the side of the machine. Here’s how to find the Novo button and how to push it, since it’s usually recessed.

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Lenovo Ideapad 100 laptop won’t turn on? Fix it

Dave Farquhar Hardware , , ,

If your Lenovo Ideapad 100 won’t turn on, you’re in good company. I have a friend who has that problem with his Ideapad 100 laptop a lot. Incredibly, nobody I know of documented this fix before. Here’s the secret.

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Buying used computer parts

Dave Farquhar Hardware , , , ,

Someone asked me the other day about buying used computer parts. I recommend it actually, although I more frequently buy the whole computer. But you can save a lot of money and get higher quality by buying used computer parts.

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How to fix a computer that won’t turn on

Dave Farquhar Hardware , ,
How to fix a computer that won’t turn on

When a computer won’t turn on, it’s usually a simple repair you can do yourself. Frequently it doesn’t cost anything and doesn’t require any parts. If you do need parts, you can expect it to cost $70 or less and get it done in less than an hour. Here’s how to fix a computer that won’t turn on.

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