Computer Hardware

It's a foundational element of device integrity, but you wouldn't be the first person to beg the question, "What is a UPS?"

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

The parallel port is still an obsolete way to connect a printer to a PC. Learn how parallel ports operate and how they came about.

By Jeff Tyson

Your computer is working slower than molasses, but why? We look at five of the most common reasons and how to fix them, with the help of experts.

By Dave Roos

In an earlier time, people routinely shut down their computers at night, and some folks still do. But is this necessary?

By Muriel Vega

Before you sell or give away an old computer, you need to wipe the files from the hard drive. But deleting data takes more than just dragging and dropping it to the trash bin.

By Talon Homer

Don't let the spinning wheel of death win!

By Jeremy Glass

Overclocking a processor allows it to run at higher than factory speeds, but it also can lead to reliability issues if you don't do it safely. So how do you do it, and does it void your computer's warranty?

By Talon Homer

In the Windows operating system, shutdown and restart both can be used to turn off your PC. But they don't do it exactly the same way. Which one should you use and when?

By Patrick J. Kiger

You're typing along on your laptop when, all of a sudden, your computer fades to black. What's causing your black screen and how do you fix it?

By Chris Pollette

The old saying goes something like this: That shiny new computer you just bought is obsolete the second you take it out of the box. Well, there might be some truth to it. Our modern electronics might actually be built to break.

By Beth Brindle

Amazon has released several Kindle models, but the Paperwhite is designed to completely change the e-reader experience. How well does it succeed, and are any challengers stepping up to the plate?

By Bernadette Johnson

Touch-screen interfaces are everywhere -- most smartphones and tablets use them today. See interesting facts and graphics on how touch screens work.

Supercomputers are capable of some serious computing, so it's not surprising that they're used for serious purposes. In 2012, a new champion claimed the top spot of fastest computer. What was it?

By Patrick J. Kiger

As manufacturers struggle to find new ways to cram transistors on computer chips, it would seem that Gordon Moore's famous prediction will one day fizzle out. Should we retire Moore's Law?

By Jonathan Strickland

Cloud computing is no longer the wave of the future -- it's the wave of now! So is it time to go ahead and move the contents of your computer's hard drive online, or are some things better off staying home?

By Jonathan Strickland

People aren't always familiar with the role drivers play in their computing experiences because this software is often updated automatically. But if you do need to update them yourself, we've got some tips for you.

Most myths have a bit of truth in them – which may be why most people believe that powering down and restarting a computer leads to wear and tear. So, what's the truth behind the myth?

By Dave Roos

There's no worse feeling than lost data as a deadline approaches, or a folder of digital photos that are lost forever and can't be replaced. With just a little daily maintenance, you can help your odds of avoiding such tragedies.

By Jacob Clifton

In the early years of home computing, buying a machine was a huge investment. Many models sank, but these 10 broke sales records and gave many of us our first glimpse at the digital world. Did your favorite computer make the cut?

By Wesley Fenlon

Computers run our modern lives, but how many of us actually know how these everyday machines are made? We'll take a peek at the parts and processes that create the digital tools we can't live without.

By Nathan Chandler

Today, sleek, lightweight mobile computing devices grace the palms and laps of many modern computer users. But back in the '70s, "portable computer" had a very different meaning.

By Shanna Freeman

Hard drives are getter bigger and bigger, capacity-wise. But do you really need terabytes' worth of space? We'll ponder optimal hard drive size in this article.

By Kate Kershner

Does the name Sequoia ring a bell with you? How about Mira, or Tianhe-2? If you're not up on the latest supercomputer news, those words may mean nothing, but they're major players when it comes to petaflops.

By Wesley Fenlon & Bernadette Johnson

We know your digital life is important to you — all those apps, files, photos, and music. But here's the 50-million-dollar question: Is a solid-state drive (SSD) or a hard disk drive (HDD) the right technology for the job? What is an SSD, exactly? Read on to find out!

By William Harris

Supercomputers are the whiz kids of the computing world – they're the fastest, most powerful machines around. Find out what they're used for – and what makes them so "super" – in this article.

By Kate Kershner