Posted 10/06/09 at 10:00:00 AM by Justin Kerr

Home broadband routers are remarkably complex devices that few ever take the time to truly understand. As long as the lights are blinking, and webpages load, most people are inclined to leave them be. The few brave souls who venture into the firmware are often rewarded with a maze of menus that betray the true complexity of these underappreciated appliances. Wireless channels, security modes, and even port forwarding can be frustrating concepts for those without a networking background, but are absolutely critical to understanding how to optimize your home network.

In this guide we will teach you the finer points of security, as well as give you surefire ways to boost your router's performance. Topics covered include:

• How to Safely Secure and Isolate a Network
• How to Maximize Your Route's Broadcast Strength
• How to Make Your Router Play Nice with Skype and BitTorrent
• How to Improve Transfer Speeds with QoS and WISH
• How to Expand Your Network by Stacking Routers

Read on to get started!

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Posted 05/28/09 at 11:30:40 AM by Gordon Mah Ung

A sucker buys a new PC at the first signs of a slowdown. A savvy power user gives his aged PC a fighting chance for redemption. From tweaking your OS to compressing files to overclocking your videocard or CPU, there are plenty of ways to tune up a computer, and none require a trip to Bob’s House of New PCs. Follow along this step-by-step as we show you 21 of our favorite techniques for making a PC better, stronger, and faster — for free. These essential tweaks and tune-ups range from common-sense caretaking measures to practical adjustments that you'd be foolish to ignore. Combined, they release your PC's untapped potential and breathe new life into your system.

Read on to get started!

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Posted 01/21/09 at 06:00:00 PM by Norman Chan

It's been over a week since the Windows 7 Beta was released to the public. You've read our initial impressions and even followed our guide to installing the OS using a USB key. So what now? Microsoft's post-Vista Windows experience is more than the obvious Taskbar and user interface updates; there are plenty of hidden features and shortcuts that haven't been advertised. But fear not: we've compiled a list of every known Windows 7 tweak and secret. Follow these 20 tricks to make the most out of this beta and become a Windows 7 power user.

Read on for all the tips!

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Posted 10/06/08 at 01:00:00 PM by Gordon Mah Ung

When man first booted the PC, he saw the BIOS screen: a jumble of monochromatic numbers that made about as much sense as the binary language of load lifters. Sadly, not much about the BIOS has changed since the DeLorean and skinny ties were cool. Decades later, in our modern, visual-based world, we’re still greeted with a screen full of text from machines 1,000 times faster than those that were around when the ol’ BIOS was born.

Most PC lightweights simply ignore the BIOS and wait for their OSes to take over. Power users, however, know that the BIOS can be a friendly and rewarding place to go spelunking.

And by spelunking, we mean caving. And by go, we mean hit the jump. 

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Posted 08/03/08 at 09:30:06 AM by Justin Kerr

When Vista launched over a year ago we had many compelling reasons not to upgrade. But as time progressed and Microsoft silently addressed our woes, it seems clear; the Vista of today could be somewhat misjudged. That doesn’t make it perfect however, and Microsoft has owned up to this by releasing a 14 page guide with tried and tested tweaks that improve overall performance and boost notebook battery life. This free and easy to follow PDF guide walks you through native tools built into the OS which allow you to optimize Vista’s performance. The contents are especially helpful if you are new to Vista, having just come from XP, but even Vista veterans are bound to find a few things of note. If you manage to make your way through the Microsoft guide and are still looking for more, a host of other tweaks and tips can be found in both our online archives and Maximum PCs March 2008 print issue.  

Looking for a summary of Microsoft’s tips?

Click the jump to find out.

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Posted 02/19/08 at 11:53:37 AM by Paul Lilly

Forget what you think you know about Windows! Whether you use XP or Vista, these 51 tips and tweaks will give you a whole new OS

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