Blog
Short, practical guides for checking your hardware and fixing what the tests find.
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Tests
Picture frame rattles beside a subwoofer? How to check
Find out whether a picture frame, subwoofer, or nearby object is causing the rattle. Use a bass sweep to locate it, then stop the vibration.
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Tests
How background tasks affect CPU benchmark results
Find out how downloads, updates, and open apps can change CPU test scores, then compare single-core and all-core results under fair conditions.
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Tests
What loaded ping reveals about a congested home router
Learn what loaded ping says about router congestion, how to test bufferbloat, and how to tell whether Wi-Fi, another device, or your ISP adds delay.
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Tests
How to test speakers after replacing a sound card
Check left and right channels, confirm the new sound card is selected, and troubleshoot silence, swapped audio, distortion, or missing frequencies.
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Tests
How to check printer quality after a firmware update
Print a consistent test page, inspect text, lines and color blocks, then find out whether a firmware update changed settings, drivers or output.
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Tests
How to inspect a camera's field of view in a browser
Use a browser camera preview to check what fits in frame, compare crops, and spot settings that change your webcam's view.
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Tools
Screen recording has no sound: what to check
Find out why a screen recording is silent, check tab or system audio and microphone capture, then fix browser, macOS, Windows, or playback settings.
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Tests
External GPU heating up your desk? What to check
Learn whether an external GPU is warming your desk normally or trapping heat. Check airflow, workload, warning signs, and safe next steps.
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Tests
How to spot setup problems on a donated PC
Check a donated desktop's keyboard, display, sound, storage, and connection in your browser, then separate setup issues from hardware faults.
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Tests
Why internet speed drops when a backup is running
See whether a backup is using upload bandwidth, Wi-Fi airtime, or device resources, then measure the slowdown and reduce its effect on other internet use.
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Apps
How to blur part of a photo to hide private details
Select the private area, apply enough blur to make it unreadable, and check the finished photo at full size before sharing it.
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Tests
How to compare memory cards with different speed labels
Compare memory card speed labels with real read and write tests, and learn why a faster rating may not win in your reader or camera.