Tuesday, January 2, 2024

How to find the MAC address of a Ricoh Image Scanner IS200e

Ricoh Image Scanner IS200e

On network-connected printers and copiers, you can typically print out a configuration page which shows useful network information -- IP address, effective protocols, MAC address, etc.  But dedicated scanners don't have that option.

On a Ricoh IS200e scanner, you'll have to navigate the menus to view network information on-screen.  Follow the steps below to find the MAC address of an IS200e.

  • Press the User Tools button on the operation panel.
  • Press 1 to select "System Settings."
  • Scroll down through the menu using the button below the on-screen down arrow until you get to "9. MAC Address."
  • Press the button below the "Settings" option.
  • The MAC address will be displayed.
  • Press the User Tools button again to exit out of the menu.

🛈 The System Settings menu can also be used to display other network configuration settings, including the scanner's IP address.


(Originally published on Helium.com, 2012)

Saturday, December 23, 2023

How to make a Magic Chef MCD795SW microwave oven stop beeping


The Magic Chef MCD795SW is a decent microwave, but the beep that it makes every time you press a button (and when it's done cooking) is very loud and high-pitched.  Fortunately, the microwave comes with an easy way to turn the beeping off, which is helpful for using the microwave when people (especially babies) are sleeping.  With the beep turned off, the microwave will run silently, except for the low hum it makes when cooking and the sound of the door opening and closing.

  • On the microwave's keypad, press the Help button (on the left side, next to the Clock button).
  • The display screen will scroll through the available options, but you don't have to wait for them.  Press 3 to get to the beep setting.
  • Once you've chosen the beep submenu, the screen will display the two options: 1 to turn the beep on, or 2 to turn the beep off.  Press 2 and the microwave's beeping will be silenced.  (If you ever unplug the microwave or have a power outage, the beep will be turned back on as the default setting.)

🛈 If the microwave clock has not been set yet, you may not be able to access the help menu. Set the clock first (or press Cancel).

🛈 The microwave's Help menu allows you to do other things as well, such as lock the keypad so that children can't use it, or change the display language from English to Spanish or French.

🛈 These instructions are written specifically for the MCD795SW microwave, but the steps for other Magic Chef models may be similar.


(Originally published on Helium.com, 2011)

Wednesday, December 20, 2023

How to remove the hard drive from a Dell Latitude D610 laptop

Dell Latitude D610 laptop

On desktop computers, removing a hard drive can be a time-intensive procedure.  Typically you have to open the computer's case, disconnect the hard drive's data and power cables, and remove or unscrew the hard drive.  But on a laptop, where everything is smaller and more accessible, removing a hard drive is often much simpler.

To remove the hard drive from a Dell Latitude D610 laptop:

1. Locate the hard drive
With the computer powered off, disconnect all cables, including the AC power cable.  Remove the battery and place it somewhere safe.  (If you need help removing the battery, see this guide for step-by-step instructions: How to remove the battery from a Dell Latitude D610 laptop.)

Close the computer's lid and turn the laptop over so you're looking at the bottom.  You'll see several different panels and many small screws.  As you're looking at the bottom of the computer, with the fan vent in the upper right corner, the hard drive will be located in the lower right corner, next to the battery compartment.  There is a rough rectangular outline to the hard drive bay (about 3" by 5") that you can use to identify where it is.

2. Remove the screws
Two screws secure the hard drive; these are located along the right side of the hard drive bay.  In the lower right corner of the laptop, you'll see a screw that's sunken into the laptop case -- the first hard drive screw is located just above this case screw.  The second screw is located along the right side of the laptop, about three inches above where the first screw was.  Remove both screws using a small Phillips screwdriver, and place them somewhere safe.

3. Remove the hard drive
With the screws out, the hard drive can slide right out of the computer.  There's a ridged panel located along the lower right side of the laptop, between the two screws you just removed.  This panel is connected to the hard drive.  Grip this panel and slide it out of the laptop, to the right.  It may be hard to remove, but if you apply additional force, be sure to slide the panel out straight, rather than at any sort of angle, to avoid damaging the hard drive or laptop.

🛈 While you have the hard drive out, now is a good time to clean out any dust or debris that has built up in the hard drive cavity.  You can blow it out with a can of compressed air or wipe it clean with a lint-free rag.


(Originally published on Helium.com, 2011)

Monday, December 18, 2023

How to get the page count for a Lexmark T642 printer

Lexmark T642 printer

On many printers, when you want to find out the current page count or meter you print out a status page.  This page shows some basic information about the printer, including the page count.  Depending on the brand of printer, this status page will be called something different (HP printers call it a configuration page; Brother printers call it a user settings list) and there will be a different procedure for printing it out.  On the Lexmark T642 printer, this page is called a menu settings page, and it can be printed by following the steps below.

  • Press the Menu button on the printer's operation panel (located on the left side, with a picture of a key on it).
  • In the menu, the entry with the check mark next to it is the active entry.  Scroll down (using the down arrow on the operation panel) until Reports is the active entry. Press the check mark button (in the middle of the four arrows) to select it.
  • Menu Settings Page is the first option in the Reports menu, so it will already be the active entry.  Press the check mark button to select it.  The menu settings page will print out.
  • The page count will be listed in the Device Information section (probably on the last page).  "Page Count" will be the first entry in that section.

🛈 The Menu Settings Page is actually multiple pages.  Its exact length will be determined by the printer's configuration, network setup, and the accessories that are installed on it.

🛈 In addition to the page count, the Menu Settings Page also displays other information about the printer, such as the current toner level, a list of installed options, device settings, and network configuration.

🛈 These instructions also apply to other Lexmark models, including the T640.


(Originally published on Helium.com, 2011)

Sunday, December 17, 2023

How to view the MAC address on a Droid Razr Maxx

Some networks use MAC address filtering as one layer of network security.  To join a network that uses MAC filtering, you'll need to know your device's MAC address.  On a Droid Razr Maxx smart phone, you can find your MAC address easily by following the steps below.

  • Press the Settings button on your phone (the button with the three lines).  A short menu will appear; select System Settings.
  • Scroll down until you see About Phone (it may be the last option) and select it.
  • On the new menu that appears, select Status (toward the top).
  • Scroll down until you see Wi-Fi MAC address.  The characters under that heading will be your phone's MAC address, broken down into pairs and separated by colons.

🛈 If your phone's MAC address shows as "Unavailable" or "Unknown," try turning on the Wi-Fi connection and then checking the MAC address again.


(Originally published on Helium.com, 2013)

Wednesday, December 13, 2023

How to find the IP address of a Motorola E5 Play smartphone

To view your Motorola E5 Play's current IP address:

  • Tap Settings (the gear icon) in the app gallery
  • Scroll down to the bottom of the menu; tap System (it'll have the Motorola logo next to it)
  • Tap About phone
  • Tap Status
  • Scroll down to "IP address" (about halfway down the list)
    • Note: If you're on a network that uses IPv6 as well as IPv4, you'll see both IP addresses (IPv4 and IPv6).

Tuesday, December 12, 2023

How to find the Bluetooth address of a Samsung Galaxy A02s smartphone

To view your Samsung Galaxy A02s smartphone's Bluetooth address:

  • Tap Settings (the gear icon) in the app gallery
  • Scroll down to the bottom of the menu and tap About phone
  • Tap Status information
  • "Bluetooth address" will be listed about halfway down the page
    • Note: If Bluetooth is currently off, "Unavailable" will be displayed instead of a Bluetooth address.