How to Connect PC to HDMI TV

1.Turn your computer off, and turn it around to view the rear of the unit. Find the cable that comes from the computer's monitor, and follow it to the back of the PC. The cable will be plugged into the output of the video card, which will be either a 15-pin VGA port or a 29-pin DVI port. If you are fortunate, there will be a second port directly next to it, of either the DVI or VGA variety. On the newest machines, you may even find a regular HDMI port on the card.


2.Choose the connection for video output. If your computer has an HDMI port, you can simply connect an HDMI cord of the correct length between the computer and the TV. Otherwise, you will need to make a few decisions. If your computer has only a single video output and it will not be used solely with the television, you may want to invest in a new video card. Purchase one with either a DVI or an HDMI output, and install it in an available slot, according the instructions included with it. If you intend to use the VGA output on a single-output or dual-output card to drive the HDMI display, then a special device will be needed to convert between the formats. The price of the converter is actually about the same price as an entry-level video card that will be easier to use with your TV. In that case, it may be a wise idea to upgrade the card in order to obtain a DVI or HDMI port. However, if your chosen output port is DVI, an inexpensive DVI to HDMI cable can convert your computer's output into the proper HDMI input for your TV.


3.Connect the HDMI cable from your television to your computer. Install the correct adapter or converter for your computer, if necessary. Unless your computer has HDMI output, cords will also need to be connected from the sound card output to the HDMI video cable or adapter, because HDMI carries both video and audio signals.


4.Boot your PC, and configure the new display by selecting "Control Panel" from the "Start" Menu. Double-click the "Display" icon and click the "Settings" tab. The manual for your HDMI TV will list the screen resolutions it supports, along with the refresh rates. Configure the resolution in the "Settings" tab, and then click the "Advanced" button to set the refresh rate. If you are using the HDMI TV as the second monitor, you will also have to configure how it is used by Windows, according to the instructions pertaining to your video card. Most cards offer a "Clone" or "Mirror" mode, where both screens display the same content. Alternately, the "Extended Desktop" mode will allow each monitor to operate independently.


5.Reboot your PC to apply the changes, if necessary, and prepare to relax on your couch and watch movies on the big-screen HDMI TV.

How to Download a Windows XP Recovery Disk

If you're running Windows XP and your computer software crashes or becomes unusable, you may have to run Windows XP recovery to reestablish your software and make your computer usable once again. When purchased, many computers don't come with a Windows XP recovery disk, but you can download one for free. The Windows XP recovery disk holds almost all of the computer software and files that came loaded with your PC and can assist you in rebuilding your hard drive.


Place a formatted floppy disk in your floppy disk drive. Click on the "Download a Windows XP recovery disk from Microsoft" link in Resources below. Click "Download." Then click "Save." Find your floppy drive on the menu and click "OK."


Remove the floppy disk when the Windows XP recovery disk download is complete, and place it in the computer on which you need to use it.


Shut down your computer; then turn your computer back on. Your computer will automatically start up running on the Windows XP recovery disk, which will allow you to install Windows XP once again

How to Format a Computer with Windows XP

1. The first step in learning how to format a computer with Windows XP or 2000, is to insert Windows CD and restart your computer.
2. Your computer should automatically boot from the CD to the Windows Setup Main Menu.
3. At the Welcome to Setup page, press ENTER.
4. Press F8 to accept the Windows XP Licensing Agreement.
5. If an existing Windows XP installation is detected, you are prompted to repair it. To bypass the repair, press ESC.
6. Use the ARROW keys to select the partition or the unpartitioned space where you want to create a new partition. Press D to delete an existing partition, or press C to create a new partition.
7. Type the size in megabytes (MB) that you want to use for the new partition, and then press ENTER, or just press ENTER to create the partition with the maximum size.
8. Select the format option that you want to use for the partition (Recommended: NTFS), and then press ENTER.
9. After the Windows Setup program formats the partition, follow the instructions that appear on the screen to continue installing Windows.