SechoDB, trekking through tech...

Examining the internals of the dead power supply we tested on the previous video post to find out why it went bad. Should I attempt to fix it? Hmmm...

Testing a Desktop power supply 3 different ways.

Testing and Repair on a power supply used for AIO (All In One) computer models, like the Lenovo M90z or HP TouchSmart.

How to find the proper part # for Dell units.

Basic troubleshooting and testing on laptop power adapters.

How to choose the right multimeter for computer/laser printer repair.

Recommended here:

The Extech EX330 (Auto-ranging with Non-Contact-Voltage detector)

How to look up part #s for HP machines. You will need to go to partsurfer.hp.com and have the serial number for the machine in question to access the right information, and remember that only part numbers that end in -001 are valid for in-warranty repairs.

You'll need a good multimeter, a 9V battery, a 9V battery clip and common sense (remember ESD precautions and be careful when testing live components!)

In this tutorial I use an Extech EX330 multimeter, a 9V battery, and a 9V battery connector.

When it comes to computer jargon, there are tons of different terms that many use interchangeably and improperly. One common misconception is the idea that a virus and a malware are the same thing and that an antivirus program will rid a computer of both. Unfortunately that’s not true.

What is malware?
Malware is a broad term that encompasses a vast amount of malicious programs designed to infect or harm a computer. Such malware includes viruses, adware, spyware, worms, and more. They all have different methods but each one has a specific target: to infect your computer.

What is a virus?

As mentioned earlier a virus is actually a type of malware, but it’s quite different than the rest of the malwares. A virus’s intent is to infect your computer and cause problems (ie crashing it, preventing programs from opening, and more), but where it differs is that a virus can spread and replicate itself. Much like viruses that infect humans, the longer a virus is on a computer infecting it, the more replicas it will make of itself and the harder it will be to kill.

How to get rid of malware and viruses

An antivirus program targets viruses completely while a malware program searches for a broad spectrum of malicious programs. Fortunately for you there are tons of free programs available that should effectively clear up your computer from any type of malware! Check below for the top free antivirus programs and free malware programs.

Antivirus Programs:

AVG Free
Avast!
Comodo

Malware Programs:

Malwarebytes
Spybot Search & Destory
Combofix