Sometimes a laptop may encounter different problems that you should know how to solve to enjoy using it. One of the significant issues that you may face is the power jack not working. This can make it impossible to charge the laptop. Fortunately, you can fix this if the DC jack is connected via a wire connector. Remove the power jack from its socket and place it back as you applying pressure. Apart from ensuring that the power jack does not move, you can also consider replacing a damaged power jack. Here is more!

Start by checking if the battery is working

If you are having trouble charging your laptop, you should confirm if the battery is working. Take the battery out, and then plug the charger into the laptop. Connect the charger to a source of power and confirm it the laptop is charging. This can help you confirm if you are dealing with a faulty battery or if, indeed, the power jack is the problem.

If you plug in a power adapter and remove the battery, the laptop will not run if it does not have a constant power supply. When you remove the power adapter from the outlet, you should expect the laptop to turn off since it will not have a power supply.

Confirm the battery life via CMD

Checking the battery life can help you understand the condition of your laptop’s battery more. Click on start, then select. When a file path shows up on the screen, you should open windows explorer. Proceed to the battery information section so that you can check the last full charge and design capacity. You then need to divide these two values and multiply by 100%. If you get a high percentage, it indicates that the battery is healthy.

Test the power adapter

Before you attempt to fix the power jack without soldering, you should confirm that the AC adapter is not acting up. Utilize a multimeter to measure voltages. Plug in the adapter into a power outlet. Ensure that you set the Multimeter into DC Mode to 20V. The Multimeter leads should then touch the metal components of the adapter connector. Check the reading on the multimeter. It should be somehow similar to the one on the AC adapter.

Consider opening the laptop’s case

If you have experience with fixing different issues, you can fix the power jack without soldering. You need a screwdriver to unscrew the laptop’s case. Once you achieve this, you can take out different laptop components such as the RAM, storage, and battery.

Ensure you remove all the screws while opening the case. You can now assess the power jack. Confirm that the power jack has not moved. Remove it from its socket for a while, and then place it back in as you apply enough pressure. You can then proceed with putting the different components of the laptop that you had removed back in. Ensure you screw everything back correctly to avoid any issues once you turn the laptop on.

If you notice that the power jack has some serious damage, you should consider replacing it. A damaged power jack can prevent a stable connection and make it hard to use the laptop as usual.

Here is a brief summary of these steps.

Conclusion

When a laptop shows a low battery, you start looking for the laptop charger. If the charger does not charge the laptop, this can be quite frustrating, especially when working. A faulty power jack could be the problem. You can either repair it without soldering or replace it.

FAQs

What does the power jack do?

This is a crucial part of a laptop that provides the electricity needed to charge the battery.

What is the first thing that I should do to fix a power jack?

Inspect the laptop. Find out if the power jack can be fixed without soldering and do some research on a suitable power jack in case you have to replace it.

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A micro SD card is an excellent alternative to using a flash drive. For you to insert it into a laptop, you should use an adapter. Put the card into the adapter correctly. You can then put the adapter into your laptop through the card reader. Once you do this, you can now transfer files as you please. Here is more!

Inserting a micro SD card into a laptop

Most of the laptops come with a reader that is built into them. You require an adapter to put the card into the laptop. Insert the small SD card into the adapter, and then insert the adapter into the laptop. Most of the cards come with an adapter which is included in the packaging. Look for the adapter in the box you bought the card with. The adapter has the same appearance as a regular SD card. It, however, includes a compartment that you can put the card.

Opening the card

The process of opening the small SD card on your laptop is not hard. Click on the start menu on the laptop. This is found at the bottom part of the screen. Proceed with opening file explorer. You will see different folders under the file explorer. Look for micro SD card and click on it.

If you don’t see the card showing up on any of the folders, try using the PC icon. Click on the section labeled devices and drives. The card should be listed here by name. If you are using a new card, you can locate it by looking for its brand name. If you renamed it, look for the specific name you assigned it.

Click on it so that you can open it and view files. If you are using a new card, you should expect it to be empty. Feel free to load different files into it from your laptop. This can help you store some files as a backup. If you utilized the card on a different device, you could easily see the files it contains. You can click on specific files or even move them as you please.

Moving files from and to the micro SD card

Suppose you want to move certain files from the card. Go through the files, choose the specific ones you want to transfer to the laptop, and then click on the home tab. Once you click on move to, decide the specific location on the laptop where you wish to move the files to. Choose the folder in your laptop where you want the files to be, then click move. Once you click out, you should be able to see the files that you have just transferred from the card to the laptop.

You can also transfer some files from the laptop to the card with ease. Start by going to file explorer on your laptop and choose the folder or file that you wish to transfer to the card. Select the home tab, then click on the section labeled move to. The location you choose should be the micro SD card. You can then click move.

Click out and confirm that the files you have transferred to the card are there. If they show up and open, it means that the transfer was successful. If you cannot access the files that you were trying to move to the card, you should consider formatting it. Once you are through with using the card, you should eject it. Look for the flash drive icon. Click on it and pick the option eject.

A summary of how to put this card into the laptop

Conclusion

Transferring files to and from the laptop has become much easier thanks to the arrival of different storage devices. If you don’t want to use a regular flash drive, you can still do this through a micro SD card. Follow the instructions above to insert and use the micro SD card.

FAQs

Why isn’t my laptop reading the micro SD card?

The driver could be corrupted or disabled. The card port may also have shorted out. Try reinserting the card.

How can I increase storage on my computer?

Consider uploading files to cloud storage or upgrading the hard drive.

The post How to insert micro SD card into a laptop appeared first on Laptop Grader.

To tune the car, you only need to install the right kind of software into the laptop. The software can alter the operating parameters of the ECU, leading to a better-performing vehicle. You can, for instance, use software such as use the Ecu+ win, Toad Pro, Viezu K-suite, or MaxxEcumTune to tune the car with a laptop.

Introduction to car tuning

Car tuning was once associated with racing. This made it easy for drivers that engaged in different races to enhance the performance of car engines. Tuning of cars has become quite popular over the years since more drivers, even those not interested in racing, now tune their cars. This process involves adjusting the vehicle’s ECU settings and parameters to optimize the vehicle for better performance.

By tuning a car, you can increase the response, engine handling, and power. This can also make the car more fuel-saving. You can modify engine parameters in different ways to alter the car’s performance. The engine control unit (ECU) controls the engine’s performance electronically. The ECU controls how the car’s engine produces as well as delivers power.

Tuning the car can involve using certain software or replacing some of the components of the engine. Most of the time, car tuning is done at the factory to meet different drivers’ needs. When engines are tuned at the factory, the emphasis is on boosting use comfort, safety and reducing harmful emissions. Such settings sometimes affect the overall power of a vehicle. If you want to tune a car, you can do this with a laptop.

Tuning a car using a laptop

To tune a car using a laptop, you need to access input tables in the car’s ECU (Engine Control Unit). You can achieve this using automotive tuner software. One of the software that can help you tune your car using a laptop is Ecu+ win. You first need to install this laptop in your vehicle, then get a friend that can help you out. Look for a deserted and smooth road that you can do full throttle runs on. The range for the speed limit should be between 50 and 60 MPH. Ensure that the road does not have residential neighborhoods or consider tuning the car using the laptop at night since roads are less business then.

Use a street sign as the starting point. Your friend can begin an Ecu+ capture. Use the second gear to lug the vehicle along the road. Ensure that the car is at a very low RPM. Pay attention to this RPM. When you pass the street sign, ensure that you floor the accelerator. Once you accelerate up to redline, coast back down. You can get off the road and advise your friend to save the capture.

Repeat this until you achieve consistent torque numbers as well as HP. Take some time between captures for the vehicle to cool down. The Ecu+ win software has an overlay function that you should use to display different dyno graphs on top of one another. As you start noticing consistent numbers, you can now start altering a few things. Assess if the vehicle lost or picked up HP in the specific ranges that you have modified, then adjust correctly.

You should do this a couple of times and gradually tweak the vehicle for maximum torque and HP. Also, pay attention to the captures for any signs such as lean mixture or retarded timing during runs. Once you are done, you can also look at the captures further to identify other areas that can be altered. Performance tuning using this software can help you modify the fuel system of your vehicle.

It can adjust the amount of fuel that is injected as well as the ignition timing to make the engine more powerful. Consider making alterations that can help the vehicle achieve a proper ratio of air-fuel. Apart from the Ecu+ win software, you can also use other software to tune the vehicle. Some of them include the following.

Conclusion

Apart from professional mechanics, home enthusiasts use different software to tune their vehicles using a laptop. The right software can help boost the overall health of your car. Try using one of the recommended software to achieve this.

FAQs

Can tuning my car using a laptop void its warranty?

Yes. The aspects of the car that you modify with the help of your laptop will not be covered by the manufacturer’s warranty. Only people who have great skills in automotive repairs should do this.

Can I increase the speed of my car after performance tuning?

Yes. This is possible. The primary goal of performance tuning is, however, enhancing the engine’s torque.

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Most laptop owners wonder how they can take a screenshot of an Asus model. This is not that hard to do. It is possible to take screenshots on such a laptop using the windows screenshot feature. This can help you capture various areas of the screen. For instance, you can use it to capture an entire screen, a particular window, or take a custom screenshot. Follow these steps.

Capturing the entire screen

To achieve this, start by pressing the PrtSc key. When you press it, the current screen on your laptop is copied to your clipboard. Use the Windows logo key to look for the paint program. Once it shows up, open it. You can then press Ctrl and V at a go so that the screenshot gets pasted into this program. Once you have pasted it, click Ctrl and S so that you can save the screenshot.

Are you using Windows 10 or 8? If yes, the process of capturing the entire screen is also straightforward. Press the PrtSc key and Windows logo key at the same time. This screenshot will still be copied to the clipboard. Proceed to local disk C, then click on users then pictures. Under pictures, look for the section labeled screenshot so that you can view the screenshot you have just taken. Alternatively, you can still paste it into Paint then edit it according to your preference.

Taking a screenshot of the window you are using

If you need to capture the specific window you are using rather than the whole screen on the Asus laptop, you should start by clicking anywhere on the particular window so that you can make it active. You should then click on PrtSc and alt at a go so that you can take the screenshot. Use the Windows logo key to find the paint program, then open it.

Click on Ctrl and V on the keyboard to paste the screenshot of the active window into this program. You can then save it by pressing Ctrl and S at a go. Once you do this, the active window will be captured on the Asus laptop.

Taking a custom screenshot

You can also capture a particular area using different methods. If you are windows 10, you can take such a screenshot using the keyboard. Click on Shift, S, and the Windows logo key at a go. Once you do this, you should then click and drag the mouse to the particular area of the screen that you would like to capture then release the button.

Once you do this, open paint the paste the image you have captured by pressing Ctrl+ V at a go. You can now edit the screenshot from the paint app then save it by pressing Ctrl and S at a go. Doing this saves the screenshot to your Asus laptop.

Alternatively, you can also capture a custom screenshot by using the snipping tool. Click on the Windows logo key and type snip. When a list of search results shows up, click on the snipping tool. Look for the section labeled new on the snipping tool and click on it. Click on the mouse and drag it so that you can choose a particular area of your screen. Once you do this, release the mouse. You can now save the custom screenshot by clicking on the save snip icon.

How to use the windows screenshot feature

Conclusion

Following the simple steps above can help you easily capture a screenshot on the laptop Asus. It only depends on what exactly you wish to capture.

FAQs

What is the PrtSc key?

This is one of the keys present on a laptop keyboard. It is located on the right upper part of the keyboard.

Why am I having problems trying to take a screenshot on my laptop?

Confirm if there is an F mode. This can disable the PrtSc key, making it hard to take a screenshot on the laptop.

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For gameplay to be displayed on your laptop screen, you need a laptop with a video input and most laptops have an HDMI port that is a unidirectional, not two-way connection. Both the HDMI ports on the PS4 and your laptop are output ports, so the only way you can play PS4 on your laptop with HDMI is either through a capture card or streaming service or remote play.

Other things you can do with your PS4

How to play PS4 on laptop with HDMI

Here are some simple methods of converting your laptop into a screen for PS4 gameplay.

Using video card capture

This is a very simple method that you can follow that will allow you to use your laptop as a screen for gameplay with very little effort but you’ll have to dig deeper into your wallet. You’ll need your laptop, internet either wifi or Ethernet, video capture card, PS4, file sharing enabled, HDMI cable.

Steps to follow

1. To enable file sharing, on your PS4 menu settings go to network settings then open the internet connection settings to find your router and make sure it’s connected. If you don’t have a wireless connection, you should configure your PS4 and your laptop to the same router using Ethernet cables to allow for seamless streaming between the two devices.
2. Connect the video capture card to your laptop using the USB port which will also be an S-video connection. Install the software for the video card to allow it to function properly. Make sure the video card is of high quality.
3. Connect your PS4 console to your video card using an S-video connection cable. Then connect the HDMI-IN on the video card and the HDMI-OUT to the PS4.
4. Open the application software for the capture card and power up your PS4. The software will search for your PS4 and show it on your laptop screen. Make sure the application is in full-screen mode to allow it to display full resolution.

Now you can configure your laptop to stream gameplay from your PS4 with HDMI easily and with speed.

Using remote play

Remote Play is a streaming service offered by Sony that allows Mac and PC users to enjoy PS4 gameplay on your computer devices. For this to work you’ll need a PS4 system, laptop, internet, USB cable, and a PlayStation Network account. Before streaming the remote play on your laptop, you’ll need an LCD or screen at hand to help you tweak some settings in your PS4 system.

Here are the steps to follow

1. Download the latest version of remote play for your laptop either Mac or windows. Then run the installer to start the installation process. If you have more than one PS4 in your home, go to the next step otherwise skip this step.
2. If you have more than one PS4, you should activate one of the PS4 to be the primary console. Turn on your PS4 and go to settings then go to Playstation network settings and scroll to account management and click on activate as primary PS4. Also, update your PS4 software to 3.50 by going to the settings then to system software update and manually downloading the latest update.
3. Go to settings then to remote play connection settings to enable it. Keep your console on or put it in rest mode to allow you to access the games through on your PC or Mac devices.
4. To activate rest mode go to settings then to power save settings then go to set features available in rest mode then confirm if the enable turning on PS4 from the network is ticked to be able to stream your PS4 to your laptop.
5. Open the remote play app on your laptop after tweaking the settings in your PS4 then click on the Settings option on the left corner of the app. You can set the resolution to 1080p, choose the frame rate to a high of about 60fps which will consume a lot of your network.
6. Use your USB cable to connect the controller to your laptop. Hold down buttons on your controller for share and circular PlayStation till the light bars start flashing, then connect your USB adapter into your laptop and hold it for 3-4 seconds in a pushing position to allow your controller to get paired.
7. Click the start option on your remote play app on your laptop to access your PlayStation network. The app will search for your PS4 then you can access your PS4s home screen. You can use the mic and keyboard on your laptop to chat and text type.
8. If you want to power off your PS4, press down the PlayStation button on your USB adaptor then on your power settings click on rest mode to terminate the connection stream.

Conclusion

For a gamer, the PS4 is a great source of entertainment and a source of joy at home not forgetting a great way to interact with other gamers.

FAQ

Does PS4 remote play use a lot of data?

If you’re playing using the internet then remote play will use a lot of your data since your PC will be downloading a lot of data and your PS4 will be uploading a lot of it. At about 5 Mbps, a 30-minute session can use about 9 gigabits.

Can you use PS4 remote play without wifi?

If you’re using remote play at home through your wifi router or direct connection, it doesn’t use the internet. You only use the internet when connecting over the internet when away from home.

The post How to play PS4 on laptop with HDMI appeared first on Laptop Grader.

It’s possible but it can be difficult to repair your water damaged keyboard. You just need to use a dry cloth and wipe the excess water from the surface of your laptop, especially near the ports, keys, and vents, and open the top as far as it can go. Turn your laptop upside-down and put a towel or anything absorbent over it and let the water drain out. If you can remove the backplate and wipe it off with a lint cloth before letting it sit to drain.

Different liquids that can damage your laptop

How to deal with water spill on your laptop keyboard

The first thing you do when you spill any liquid on the keyboard is to unplug it from your PC so that there’s no power getting to it. For most keyboards, especially the ones with cheaper membranes a little water spillage won’t harm your keyboard, but for more complicated gaming and mechanical keyboards that have extra circuitry, they’re at a higher risk of long-lasting damage which makes the repair process more complicated.

The main goal is to disassemble the keyboard piece-by-piece so that you can remove any moisture. Take a picture of your keyboard for reference later.

Here’s are the steps to follow

• First, turn off your laptop and immediately disconnect it from the power source and remove the charger and the battery. If the water reaches the circuits on your laptop while they’re active, it will most likely short out your laptop, so time is of the essence.
• You then need to disassemble your laptop and wipe it down, but this process will depend on your laptop model. You can get disassembly guides for any laptop on YouTube, but most laptops are built for easy disassembly. However, others are harder to disassemble than others. For some, you just need a screwdriver while others need specific tools that you’ll find in your laptop’s repair kit.
• Remove your laptop from any excess water to minimize your laptop’s exposure to more water and reduce the risk of electric shock. Pull out all the keys since almost every keyboard has keys that you can pop in and out without causing any damage. You can use a screwdriver to pull them out and put them somewhere safe.
• Flip your keyboard over and remove all the screws one by one so you can remove the top layer of your keyboard and get to the layer underneath. If you have a membrane keyboard, you’ll find either one or two layers of a thin membrane that covers your keyboard.
• Remove all the membrane layers – they’re easy to remove, but sometimes there’s a metal frame that you’ll need to pull out or unscrew.
• Once you’ve separated all the components, carefully wipe them with a dry towel, and make sure all the moisture has been soaked up. In case you’ve spilled soda or juice on your keyboard, it will be sticky so you may need to use some alcohol swabs to wipe off the residue.
• Once you’ve removed all the moisture, leave the components in the open air to dry for about 12-24 hours to allow any hidden moisture to evaporate. Then you can reassemble your keyboard and place the keys back to their original position with the help of the photo you took.
• In most cases, this will fix your keyboard, but the more complex keyboards with extra functionality and LEDs may require you to do more disassembly and there’s a risk that your keyboard may be damaged beyond repair. In such a case, you should contact the manufacturer to find out if they do repairs and replacements.
• If your battery came into contact with water or any liquid, you should buy a new one. The liquid will not only damage your battery, but it can also cause your laptop unsafe to use. If you’re not sure about what to do, consult a professional.
• After reassembling your laptop, turn it on and if it doesn’t reboot or there’s distortion in the display or sound, take it to a professional repair shop.

Waterproofing options

To protect your laptop from water damage in the future, invest in a clear plastic or silicone keyboard cover. You can also get a fully waterproof shell for the top and bottom halves, but make sure not to cover the ventilation holes and a waterproof laptop screen protector.

Conclusion

Liquid can quickly destroy your electronics, but if you act fast you can salvage your laptop or computer. Ensure that you unplug it from the power source and hold down the power button for at least 5-7 seconds until it totally shuts off.

FAQ

Can I use a hair drier to dry my laptop?

You can use the coolest setting on your blow drier or a can of compressed air to carefully dry your laptop while it’s upside down to allow the liquid to drain from the hard to reach places.

How long should you let a laptop dry?

Let it air dry for at least 24 hours or more to allow it to dry completely before turning it on to avoid any moisture left doesn’t cause a short circuit which will cause more damage.

The post How to fix laptop keyboard water damage appeared first on Laptop Grader.

Your laptop is mostly equipped with an HDMI output cable and it’s very rear that it’s powered by an HDMI input. So you might be wondering how you can change the HDMI output to input on your laptop. However, it can be tricky to change the HDMI output to input on your laptop directly because its circuitry is designed in that way. You can use external adapters that can take in HDMI input from an external device which can then project it to another device using a USB port or another port.

What is HDMI?

HDMI is the abbreviation for High Definition Media Interface. It’s a video and audio interface that is used to transmit quality videos without any compression or distortion. It provides a connection between your laptop and other devices using ports by plugging the cable into your laptop and your laptop screen is projected on your TV.

What is HDI output?

Most laptops contain an HDMI output port that helps to send out output to your TV and share video or audio form your laptop to an external device like your TV or other devices. A standard HDMI port has 19 pins that it uses to transmit minute signals for data transmission. The HDMI system has drastically changed from 2002 1.0 version to the current 2017 2.1 version with a bit rate of 48 Gbps which is very fast.

Why do you need a laptop with an HDMI input?

If you’re a gamer, you may want to display your video games on a high-end 4k display of your laptop. This means you’ll need an HDMI input from your gaming console to your laptop. You may also want to use your TV decoder output on your laptop screen for more personalized use. However, it doesn’t make any sense to transmit video from a large screen to a smaller one like your laptop. And laptops aren’t designed to support heavy video games because they have limited hardware. However, very few high-end laptops can support HDMI input.

How to change HDMI output to input on your laptop

There are several ways you can do this and several products like adapters you can use for this purpose.

Display port

This is a small device that comes with an HDMI connector on one side and a port on the other side. This helps you to convert HDMI output to input and you can mirror your laptop display on your TV and vice versa. You can stream 4k videos and with the help of the dual-mode, you can easily work on two separate things on the connected devices.

Magwell USB capture HDMI plus

This device has 2 HDMI ports on one side and a 3.5 mm audio jack and USB port on the other side. You can use one HDMI port with your headphones for listening to audio from an external device and the other for HDMI input that you can connect to your laptop using the USB port to watch movies or play video games from external cable networks.

INOGENI 4K2USB3 HDMI to USB 3.0 converter

This device can capture the HDMI video with 4k resolution and transmit it through a 3.0 USB port. The USB port will allow easy connection to your laptop or PC and you will not experience any signal loss in the video. You can also use this device as an input with your laptop’s HDMI port although it doesn’t have a dedicated HDMI port.

There is software you can use without the need of using a cable that will allow you to screen share between two devices.

Mirecast

This technology allows HDMI streaming using wifi and this feature is supported by Windows 8 and above. However, the device you to extend or mirror your display must support Mirecast. You must connect both devices to the same internet connection and be in range. You can also use this feature in your phones that have Android 4.2 or more working frameworks.

Space desk

You can easily download this application from the internet then download the drives for your particular windows.

Also, make sure that both devices to be shared are connected to the same network. You can then interface the devices remotely.

Home streaming

This is a feature that is ideal for gamers who want to stream their video games onto their laptop screens. You can download this application from Steam for free then install the program to allow you to select the game you want to play and click stream. This will stream the display onto your laptop.

Versions of HDMI

Conclusion

Normally, all HDMI ports found in laptops are output only and it’s not directly possible to change them into input ports. However, you can use converters that are compatible with your laptop’s hardware or opt for software for a wireless sharing of the display which is popular with many devices.

FAQ

What is the use of the HDMI port on TV?

HDMI is an audio and video interface that transmits uncompressed video data and digital audio data from an HDMI device to a compatible computer screen or digital TV.

Why do computers have HDMI ports?

HDMI ports enable you to display high-quality video and audio onto HD-capable devices like TVs and audio receivers.

The post How to change HDMI output to input on laptop appeared first on Laptop Grader.