Computer Hardware Hacks for IT Professionals

#1. Test a faulty power supply
using a simple, free tool.

Your tools are on the other side of the office. And you
suddenly need to test a power supply on the spot. You just
need a little ingenuity. Little, like the size of a paperclip.
Yes, the ubiquitous office paperclip.
It’s simple. Turn off the power supply and unbend the
paperclip into a “U” shape. Insert one end into the green
wire opening of the 24-pin connector of the power supply
and the other end into any black wire opening. Let go of
the paperclip and turn the power supply back on. If the fan
turns on, the power supply is good.

#2. Silica gel pack hack.

Humid environments can create particular problems for
printers. The moisture makes paper stored in paper trays
curl, stick together and jam the printer. Not to mention how
much more the toner smears. If that’s the case with your
printers, try this simple remedy.
Reuse those little silica gel packs that often come in
packaging with new shoes or new equipment. Tuck them in
the paper tray and they’ll soak up some of the unwanted
humidity and help keep your paper dry. You can also toss a
couple in your tool kit to keep your tools from oxidizing.

#3. Your go-to-tool for
seeing what you can’t see.

When an Infrared (IR) remote sends its signal across the
room, you can’t see it with your naked eye. Nor can you see
when an unlabeled fiber optic cable is live. And testers are
unpleasantly expensive.
Fear not. You might be sitting on the answer right now.
Because the answer is the camera on your smartphone. Most
smartphone cameras can “see” IR and other wavelengths our
eyes cannot see.
Just aim your smartphone camera at the IR emitter on a
remote and press the button. If it’s working, you will see
the emitter flashing on the phone’s display. To find an unlabeled
fiber optic pair attached to a device, aim the camera
at the other end of the cable. You should be able to see the
laser signal from the device at the end of the cable on the
camera’s display. Never attempt this with your unprotected
eye, as lasers can harm your eye.