Attempting to identify an integrated circuit (IC) can be confusing as there is no standardized numbering system. Manufacturers use their own data sheets and identification numbers. It may be difficult to find a cross reference for a similar part from another manufacturer. However, there are three approaches to finding this information: data sheets, electronic parts retailers and the equipment manufacturer’s schematics and part list. Tips Warnings Writer Bio

Polaroid instant photos give a nostalgic feel to pictures, but these images were once limited by color negation and blurry qualities. Polaroids also never provided negatives. Without a negative, enlargements or copies of Polaroid pictures became nearly impossible. With photo editing software, however, photographers and artists digitize the Polaroids and reveal color correction and sharpness in the images. Older Polaroids still do not have the same image quality associated with traditional film due to resolution, but improvements still allow for a better picture....

Updated September 15, 2017 Launch your Web browser from your computer’s desktop and access a site that offers driver downloads for CIF single-chip cameras (see Resources). Click on the “Download” tab near the driver to download the driver to your computer. Place your CIF single-chip webcam on top of your computer and plug the USB power cable into an available USB port on your computer. Press the “Power” button on the camera itself to turn it on....

Prior to using an external hard drive, USB flash drive or any other type of mass storage device, you will need a driver for the device installed on the computer. A driver is the software that tells the computer and the installed device how to interact. Almost all modern mass storage devices are plug-and-play, meaning that once the device is plugged into the computer, the computer will automatically install its drivers....

Webcams have come a long way in both capabilities and functionality. These cameras now can be purchased with a built-in Wi-Fi connection that can be accessed remotely. This means that you are no longer required to dedicate a computer with a USB connection to broadcasting video as you chat with family or friends. Additionally, the wireless aspect of these devices makes it possible to place one or several cameras around your home or office for remote security surveillance....

While most viruses and spyware are relatively easy to remove with standard anti-virus software, some viruses are so sophisticated that they can prevent the user from installing anti-virus software and in some cases, can disable or uninstall existing protections on the computer. These viruses are often the most difficult to deal with because they are able to prevent the user from taking actions that could result in the removal of the virus....

Updated February 10, 2017 Visit the downloads section of Brother’s official website (see Resources). Choose “Printers” from the “Select Product Group” menu. Locate the model number on your Brother printer. It is probably on the top or front of the printer and begins with a letter or series of letters, such as “DCP,” “HL” or “M.” Choose the matching model number from the “Select Model” drop-down menu and click “View....

Ghostscript is a PostScript code reader and interpreter for Mac computers. The software is open-source and free, but installing it requires a bit more work than other programs need. In addition to downloading the requisite files, you have to use Apple’s Terminal program to configure the software to work with your computer.

When people open Windows Media Player to listen to music or watch a video, they expect sounds to come out of their speakers or headphones. When that doesn’t happen, and they restart Windows Media Player and the same thing occurs, the first thing that comes to mind is to download another version of the program. The program may not necessarily be the problem, however–an outdated device driver could be the culprit....

Create Tumblr Account Open the Tumblr Sign Up Page in a browser (link in Resources). Type your email address, then type a password for your account. Type a username that you will use on the Tumblr platform. The username that you assign to your account will be the first part of your Tumblr blog URL. For example, if you chose “JohnDoe” as your username, your Tumblr blog URL will be “johndoe....

Microsoft Excel is one of the best software options for creating graphs. Excel offers many different features that make creating any graph easy, be it a pie chart, a flow graph or a bar graph. A quick way to make an useful graph with Microsoft Excel is to enter all of the data and present it in the form of a pie chart. It is important to know how to label a pie chart in Microsoft Excel to get the most out of the graphing features....

If you have Microsoft Windows XP with service pack 3 installed, you have a great operating system running on your machine. Yet, this operating system cannot be considered impervious to computer errors. In the event of an emergency, you will need a boot disk to allow for a recovery of your system. Unfortunately, your old Microsoft Windows XP boot disk will simply not work with service pack 3. You will have to do a complete installation of your computer with the old disk, rendering all of your services, programs and files extinct....

When you increase the resolution of Dell laptops in your office, you enlarge each screen’s viewable area. All elements, including text, appear smaller on the screen, which may strain some workers’ eyes, but the higher resolution sharpens these elements and lets more fit on the screen at once. This is particularly important when employees use several applications at once. Larger screens also let you view high-resolution images or documents in fullscreen as clearly as possible....

If you frequently find yourself cleaning the CDs, DVDs and video games, you are probably tired of constantly buying special disc cleaner from the store. Not only is it expensive, but it can also be hard to find outside of electronics shops. Fortunately, it’s very easy to make a simple disc cleaning solution at home. Tips

Updated September 18, 2017

Microsoft Word 2013 not only lets you type and format text for documents, but includes graphic elements to transform that text into images that help your readers really visualize your writing. To add graphs into your files, step through a custom chart maker that displays information, without you having to open another software program. Charts are available for varieties of data, from single-plot points to multi-line scatters and bars. Tips Warnings Writer Bio

The power of Google Chrome’s browser is in its simplicity and customization options. You can open a new tab by simply clicking on the next blank tab to the right of other open tabs (hover your mouse over it and it displays “New tab”). When you open a new tab, you can visit a frequently visited or favorite site by simply clicking on its thumbnail image. You can also return to any recently closed tabs using the shortcut “Control-Shift-T....

Paper Stock You can purchase ready-to-print paper stock that accommodates the dimensions of DVD-case labeling areas on sheets (see Resources) that fit through desktop output hardware, including inkjet and laser printers. These sheets work with templates that provide pre-positioned imprinting areas for the covers and spine. Choose your paper so it matches the printing device you use. Stock that suits laser printers may not provide the ink-drying characteristics that inkjet printers need, and ink-friendly surfaces may not work well in the high heat of a laser printer’s fuser....

Visual Basic is the Microsoft sponsored, event-based, programming language that supports the .NET and .COM programming models. Since Visual Basic is component-based, software developers are able to create advanced programs in a rapid manner by re-using predefined components in Visual Basic. A common task for Visual Basic developers is to create a graph with Visual Basic to display data to the end user. Private Sub Command1_Click() Chart.Column = 1 Chart....

If your television is compatible with a wireless networking adapter or comes with a wireless card, you can watch streaming videos from Netflix without physically connecting the TV to a wired Internet connection. Your television must also be compatible with streaming media and have a Web browser or a Netflix-specific application so you can load and view your programming choices. Writer Bio