Everything About Computer

Computer Care Tips

2010-10-20T17:59:00.000-07:00

For those of you who have computer at home and want to learn how to take care of these computers, I give some tips for caring your computer so that your computer maintain in good condition. Below are the following tips :

1. Clean the motherboard and other peripherals (hardware) from dust on a regular basis. To clean it use a small smooth brush and a medium size brush. Open the casing first and then clean the motherboard and other peripherals (RAM, Video Card, Modem, Sound Card, CDR / CDRW / DVRW, TV tuner) with a soft brush. When the computer is not used close it (monitor, CPU, keyboard / mouse) with a cover so dust does not easily enter into a computer. At least once every two months this should be done.

2. Uninstall or remove programs that are not useful. Disk space consumed too much will slow down the read / write drive so that the workload will be heavier so that the disk will be easily damaged. Usually a warning will appear when our disk space is full. Windows operating systems already support with something like this

3. Clean the Recycle Bin on a regular basis. Actually the files / folders that we deleted from the hard drive does not disappear because it will be accommodated first in the Recycle Bin, but there are several types of settings that we can use, among others, provide a warning when deleting, remove and then store it temporarily or permanently removed. Full Recycle Bin will consumed a lot of hard drive and will also take up space that could lead reading on the hard drive so slow. How to run Windows Explorer>> click the Recycle Bin>> click File>> click Empty Recyle Bin. Or you can run the Disk Cleanup function Click Start>> Programs>> Accessories>> System Tools> Disk Cleanup>> then select the drive which will be cleaned>> Tick the Recycle Bin option or if you need more space also check the other (such as temporary files , temporary internet files), after that click OK.

4. Install anti-virus program and update regularly. To be able to recognize new virus/trojan, you should update your antivirus program regularly.If the virus is already spreading on the computer, it can make you re-install the computer. This is will costs you, and also cause your hard drive will be more easily damaged than if it is not often re-installed.

5. Close programs that you do not use, because when its run requires memory (RAM) so more program which run also consumed more memory. This is can cause the computer to run slow and also workload will be more heavier which can shorten the life of the component / computer

6. Use UPS or Stavolt in anticipation if the electricity suddenly goes off which can result in damage to the hard drive. If you have no UPS, use Stavolt to anticipate the ups and downs of electric voltage.

7. Activate the screensaver, the screensaver has another function which is important. CRT monitor use phosphor to display images. If the monitor displays the same image for a while then there is the phosphorus that burns continuously. This can lead to problematic monitor which the picture becomes dim / less clear. But if your monitor is LCD, the LED has already equipped with energy saving, the screensaver is not too needed any more.How to enabled screensaver can be done in many ways, one click Start>> Control Panel>> Display>> click the screensaver tab, then choose what you like.

8. Defrag your hard drive regularly. Defrag function is to organize and sort your files by type of hard drive files / data in such a way that will facilitate the read / write process and make the workload will be lighter which could ultimately extend the life of the hard disk. How to defrag ? click the Start menu> Programs> Accessories> System Tools> Disk Defragmenter. When perform this function, there is no other programs running including the screensaver because it would disrupt the function of this defrag. For this method advisable not too often, why ....? Defrag is the process of setting the file on the hard disk. To set it to be in a position adjacent to the tracks that made friction to move. Defrag that is too often will cause the hard disk easily damaged because etching too often.

9. Adequate ventilation, place monitor and CPU in such a way that the ventilation air to and from the monitor / CPU quite smoothly. Lack of good ventilation will cause excessive heat so that the components / electronic circuit in it will be a heated so it can shorten component life. Therefore, try to distance between the monitor / CPU with wall / wall of at least 30 cm. If need use a fan in the room. It would be better if using air conditioning.

10. Do not put Speacker Active too close to monitor, the existing magnetic field on the monitor speacker will affect the color of the monitor to be uneven or mottled.

11. Connect the ground wires. If the casing give electricty shock, take a cable with a length as needed, on the tip of the cable associated with the CPU (the casing) while the other end planted in the soil. This will be to neutralize the electric current so it can make more durable electronic components.

Source : ngajari.com

Keep Your PC From Dust

2010-10-16T18:19:00.001-07:00

Try to look inside of your PC, open the casing. Is it still looks clean? Or have a lot of dust? Especially the dust on the main board (motherboard). When the dust had seen thick and cover your PC's motherboard, you should take immediate preventive action. Do not let this situation for long. Because its can make the components inside charred / burnt because the dust factor. Why did this happen?
Dust particles turned out to contain electrical / electricity, where the particle can cause a short circuit between components (shorting). Although short circuit happened in a second, its can cause components on motherboard burnt. So be careful when the dust is thick, especially in the section adjacent to the processor.
For precautions, clean the motherboard with a brush, or if there is a vacuum cleaner, use a vacuum cleaner. Having looked clean, try to keep the cable in order. If The cable look not in order caused the air circulation inside the casing is not going well. Its could caused, the components will be easy to heat. It is feared because of excessive heat, the component will be quickly worn / damaged.
Therefore, You should peek at the inside of your PC every 2 or 3 months, so your PC remains durable. PC durable, money can be saved...

By Herry Santoso

Want to Know More About LCD Monitor ?

2010-10-10T03:39:00.000-07:00

Some advantage of LCD monitor :
1. Bright character more comfortable and distortion-free
LCD monitors tend to be bright but comfortable in the eyes. Character LCD, make the eyes do not get tired and make your comfortable in front of computer for hours. Unlike a CRT, which is sometimes over-bright. LCD Monitor relatively free distortion and flicker. The LCD monitor also has a pretty good contrast. The focus of the picture is better and free moire.

2. Does not depend on refreshrate.
Unlike CRT should use high refreshrate for more comfort in the eyes, the LCD does not require a high-refreshrate to make the eye comfortable. It's rare that LCD offers a high refreshrate than CRT. Some even say refreshrate 60Hz at LCD approximately equal to 100Hz on a CRT.

3. User frendly
On CRT monitors, sometimes we have to set the geometry, the size of vertical, horizontal, etc. To fit the look on display. On the LCD monitor is just set on auto choice and automatically fit on the screen.

4. Saving electricity
Power-saving LCD monitors are superior. At the same diagonal size, the consumption of LCD monitor power is only half compared to CRT monitors. LCD monitor fits with the trend of green computing to reduce energy use and heat released. Even so, some users still do not feel the energy savings of LCD monitors than CRT, except for use in large quantities.

5. The size of a compact, lightweight and cooler.
There was no denying that the size of the LCD monitor is much more compact than CRT. LCD monitor does not take up much space, so its suit to be place at a narrow room. The LCD monitor is also lighter than CRTs, making them easier moveable. Form a thin LCD monitors create an elegant impression and techno so it looks more cool.

Source : kaskus.us

Xecure Browser – Internet Banking Specialized Browser

2010-10-05T05:30:00.000-07:00

Be careful, your money which is stored in the Bank will be depleted and disappear. You may not realize that this often happens. Bank guarantees about the security of banking began to fade away. And the Bank could only be argued when customers ask, where our money?

The Bank is concerned with internal security. Physical and digital security that protects your money from looting. But where is the security when the money would be taken? or when the money had been taken? That's customer affairs, that was the answer according to many victims.

As you know, break-ins money can through hypnosis, ATM card fraud, and phishing. Phishing is a cunning technique to obtain sensitive information while transacting through Internet Banking. They stole your information such as the username, password, credit card numbers and so on-depending on the form of phising

Gildas Deograt and Information Security Community come to fix this problem. And a few days ago they published the presence of secured browser, which was named "Xecure Browser Portable" which of course is still the release candidate version.

You could download it via a link or Google XecureIT and please give feedback after testing.

This application is based on Firefox technology as one of the most secure browsers with more than 300M users, Gildas wrote in the email. The attacks that can reppeled such as :
1. Anti-Phishing / Anti-Social Engineering
2. Browser Hijacking Prevention, and
3. Anti Network-Hijacking

Present in the form of Portable Application and Support Multiple OS: Windows, Linux and Mac OS.

This software is available FREE and ready to use. Concern about security of banking transactions comprehended by Gildas Deograt and Information Security Community.

The question is, do you care about your account?

Source : www.kompasiana.com

Read This Before Update Your Windows XP to Windows 7

2010-09-23T01:20:00.000-07:00

By : erakomputer.com

Windows 7 was released, but still many users of Windows XP in the world who still enjoy to use thi OS. Changing or upgrading operating system does not favored by computer users because besides having to spend more money, we have to mess around with the compatibility of old and new operating systems and a lot of other technical issues. Likewise, when the Windows 7 was released and what about those who are using previous versions of Windows?

For those who are using Windows Vista this time will not face many problems if you have to upgrade to Windows 7 but for the new Windows XP users will see some problems.

Below are 5 things that we should consider when trying to upgrade from Windows XP to Windows 7.

1. We can not directly upgrade
Unfortunately Microsoft has not set up Windows 7 ability to be upgraded directly from Windows XP. This is because so many changes that occur between Windows XP and Windows 7, start from the kernel itself, registry, drivers, etc.. Therefore we must install it all over again (fresh install)

2. Or maybe we can upgrade directly?
Although we can not upgrade directly but there is a gap that can be used to upgrade it by upgrade it twice, first upgrade to Windows Vista and then to Windows 7. The good news probably we do not need a licensed Windows Vista because we do not need to do the activation, just install it. In general, this step is not likeable.

3. Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor

If we have an old printer, maybe we would have difficulty to find a driver for the printer which can run on Windows 7 and therefor Microsoft provides a tool called Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor that will scan hardware and software that we have and recognize what problems are likely to be faced. This tool also provides guidance on how to solve the problem.

4. Windows 7 Easy Transfer

A tool provided by Windows 7 so that users can backup their data and preferences. The actual file is migwiz.exe. We can find this file on the DVD of Windows 7 in Support \ Migwiz. First, run this file in the current Windows XP system to move user profiles to external storage media. After installing Windows 7 rerun this file to re-import the user profiles to Windows 7.

5. Security software

Because of changes kernel in Windows 7 which is designed to be more secure, so chances that are antivirus software, antispyware, firewall we have in Windows XP may not run in Windows 7. But do not worry as the firewall in Windows 7 better than the firewall in Windows XP and Microsoft has provided free security software such as Windows Defender and Microsoft Security Essentials.

In conclusion:

Upgrade from XP to Windows 7 takes more time (backup all files and configurations), and also would cost more (if you don’t have a backup media so you must be prepared once / purchased). Furthermore, after install Windows 7 is completed, you should restore all the backups. Expensive and complicated process, and we don’t sure whether the features in win 7 (which they says soo good ) would be useful, or just an old feature repacked and replaced the name only, like its predecessor Vista.

Data Backup - The Problems & Solutions

2008-10-14T07:43:00.000-07:00

Despite the importance of information within any business, the vast majority of small businesses do not have adequate backup and data recovery systems in place. Even when a solution is in place it is often fraught with problems; some of which are only discovered when it’s too late.

Home users are no different; often storing treasured photos of occasions never to be repeated in one place with no copy!

So why don’t we protect the information on our computers?

At The PC Support Group we have looked into this and it would appear that a combination of factors contribute to this potentially dangerous situation.

The first issue is simply that most businesses, particularly smaller ones, don’t fully appreciate the value of the information they have stored on their computers and believe that manually retrieving it (presumably by making a few phone calls and checking old paperwork) is a relatively trivial process.

This belief seems to stem from the fact that most businesses develop from the knowledge and skills of one or two people. Those people are often the major decision makers in all areas for some time and, due to day to day activity and pressures, they don’t realise the quantity or quality of information that is building up to help the business operate. As a result they don’t put protecting that information very high on the agenda.

Those that have recognised the need to protect their data are then faced with the challenge of knowing what the threats are and how to protect against them.

Data can be lost through hardware failure, software problems, malicious software such as viruses, theft of equipment, human error or major physical disasters such as fire and flood. Considering all these issues can be a major challenge in its own right.

The next issue is that backup solutions are notoriously difficult to run and manage reliably - no one wants to take day-to-day responsibility for them and all too often they are left failing for prolonged periods.

Finally we have the old favourites: time and money. With all the other pressures placed on small businesses it is natural to put data backup on the “to do” list. Spending money on marketing and sales is seen as more important, so protecting the data will just have to wait… after all, it’s not likely to fail, is it?

So let’s look at a few statistics:

• Half of all companies that lose their data go out of business overnight (Source: Baroudi Bloor International - research firm)
• 93% of companies that lost their data for 10 days or more filed for bankruptcy within one year of the disaster (Source: National Archives & Records Administration)
• 34% of companies fail to test their backups, and of those that do, 77% have found backup failures (Source: Home Office Computing Magazine)
Pretty scary stuff! Clearly taking care of your information is paramount to any business and is sensible from a home user’s perspective too.

So what is data backup and what are the options these days?

Data backup is the act of ensuring your important information (which could be customer contact details for a business or cherished photos for a home user) isn’t only stored in a single place, which leaves it vulnerable to being lost through damage or theft. Since a backup system contains at least one copy of all important data, the risk of total data loss is minimised. And any data loss does not result in a total standstill of the business or heartache for the home user. Using the backup data, the system can be restored and normal service resumed.

Finding the right data backup solution can be confusing. It depends on what to backup, how to backup and what type of computer or network is being used. It might sometimes seem difficult to choose the right backup solution. Not because they are difficult to find, but because there are so many of them.

For small quantities of data you can consider simply copying it to a CD or a memory stick; both are cheap and easy to use. The main problems with these are that they are limited in what you can store and more importantly you have to physically remember to make the copy and then file it appropriately.

For larger quantities it is recommended that a local backup is made to another system such as a Server or an external hard drive. This protects you from the most common data loss issue - hardware failure. Your entire system is stored on an hourly, daily or weekly basis to a permanently connected independent disk, ready to be restored at any time. Depending on how sophisticated the solution is, you may be able to quickly search for and retrieve individual files that have been accidentally deleted… Data Backup isn’t just for total system failures!

To guard against major disasters such as flood or fire, where your entire office or computer room is destroyed, off-site storage is required. There are two ways in which you can do this. You can sign up to a service that automatically creates a backup of your critical files over the internet to a secure off-site location. Alternatively, or in addition, you can take a manual backup which stores a password protected image of your entire system onto portable disk drives that are taken off site on a rotational basis. The main advantage of this is that a complete system can be more rapidly restored than from a backup of only files and folders.

Choosing a backup system, setting it up and then managing it can be a complicated undertaking. Luckily there are companies, including The PC Support Group, who offer data backup and recovery services to both businesses and home computer users to take all these headaches away. If you decide to use on of these then you need not worry about the technicalities, process or intricacies of the data backup procedure.

One thing is certain, if you don’t arrange to have a data backup, it is not a case of if you lose your data but when, and the consequences will be at least upsetting or in the case of a business, could be catastrophic. Don’t delay, act now!

Resource Box: For further information on data backup and recovery solutions, or for any other computer support related matter, contact The PC Support Group via our web site www.pcsupportgroup.com or call us on 0845 2233116.

Canon Pixma IP 2600 – Review

2008-10-14T06:42:00.000-07:00

There are various models and brands of printers that are available in the market but Canon Pixma IP 2600 is a new innovation in itself. If you compare Canon Pixma with older models of printer you will find the difference.
This latest model of printer has slim and stylish body with sleek exterior of 5.6×17.4×10 inches. It is more convenient and finished than ever. It does not take more space and can be mixed with IPod and desktop accessories. If you are looking for budget printer then Canon PIxma is the best choice for you. The control panel of the printer is just limited to power button an power button. The power input and USB port are located on the back side of printer. You can also print your pics through digital camera.

The printer cartridge is available in three colors and with standard black cartridge PG37. These cartridges are low consumption cartridges. The black cartridge consists of 11 ml of ink and color cartridge contains 9 ml consisting of 3ml of each color including cyan, magenta and yellow however you can buy cartridges of high consumptions that are little expensive than these cartridges. You can print large quantity of papers and your daily cost of print decreases.

In speed test, the Canon Pixma has outperformed and it just prints like flash and gives outstanding results. It approximately print 6 pages per minute with black print that is equitant with expensive printers like HP Deskjet D4260 and Lexmark Z845. It has successfully passed all quality tests and never created blur even in the low amount of ink in it.

The photos printed in the format of 4×6 are impressive and reviewers have admired this printing. This budget printer is just launched in the market and received good comments from consumers. You can buy this printer in the price of £50.

Resource Box: Nouman Umar

Windows Has Detected Spyware? Get Rid of Spyware Now

2008-10-14T05:41:00.000-07:00

Sometimes when you looking for spyware removal software and anti-virus program, you suddenly face a pop up windows that ask to click for instant scan your pc so never do it because it can infect your system instead of removal an existing one.

Spyware can cause serious problems to your system and you can damage all of your data at once if you don’t get this spyware fixed. It not only endangers your pc performance but can be harmful for the theft of your personal identity. Your personal information can be misused and you can suffer with huge loss.

If you detect any spyware in your pc then you have to find a way to get rid of this before it incurs more damage to your system. You have to first find out ways that have infected your system so that you can block those doors that can make you safe in future.

Process Killer software:

Whenever you detect any of the virus or spyware in your system then first of all you should use a process killer that can disinfect your system and point out those areas that are highly infected and need immediate action. Once you indentify those areas, you can simply remove those spyware with the help of spyware removal or anti-virus.

The process killer do the major responsibility and de-stabiles or de-activate spyware then you can remove it easily.

Kasper Sky:

You can use this software that is highly effective in removal of spyware and virus through your computer. You can simply remove all viruses by using this software and it can also protect your computer in future. This is the way you can get rid of spyware and viruses.

The process killer is freely available online to various websites and you can simply download it to scan your system root and partitions.

Resource Box: Nouman Umar

Create a Bootable USB Flash Drive to Boot Your System

2008-10-14T04:39:00.000-07:00

A bootable flash drive is a memory device that anyone can make that facilitates users to boot their windows on any computer by just plugging your flash disk into the computer USB port.

The bootable device is primarily used for two purposes:

• To boot up your computer or windows in case of any troubleshooting.
• Sharing applications and windows programs on different physical locations like from office to your home.

First of all you need to make changes in your system BIOS so that it allows you to configure your flash device to run as boot device. When you enter your flash drive into computer port then it pops up into BIOS items on the setup screen. Then you can select your USB as first boot device in the option of boot sequence. While in some cases, you need to press F10 button to select your flash memory device for boot setup.

However you will also need software that will allow you to make changes into Windows to run on flash memory device. There are many software but I have used PE Builder that is easy to install and configurable. You can download this software from any website and install it on the same directory where you have installed your windows. You have to make a folder on the root directory such as C: PEBUILDER3110a that is called as SRSP1 to download windows Server 2003 from this software.

You will only need two files Setupldr.bin and ramdisk.sys. Don’t disturb any other file because it may corrupt your existing windows.

When you get these two files on your system then you can run PR Builder software and press shift button so that it don’t get auto-start on launching of CD. Start PE Builder manually. When the Source field on the main PE Builder screen, enter the letter of the drive in which you put the CD. Check to see that the Output box contains BartPE and that the “None” option is selected in the Media Output panel. Once you have this entire squared away, click Build. You can watch the progress of the compression.
When it’s complete you’re prepared to format and copy the Windows XP Professional bootable image to the UFD with the BartPE USB Installer. Open a Command Prompt window and use the CD command to switch to the pebuilder3110a folder. Next, insert the UFD into a USB port; note the drive letter to which it is assigned, as you’ll need to enter it into your next command prompt that you type.

Suppose that that you have assigned the drive H: you need to type this command pe2usb –f h:

When the process is complete then you can exit the program and can use flash drive as bootable drive.

Resource Box: Nouman Umar

How to Make a Success of Your Software Project?

2008-10-11T04:59:00.000-07:00

Outsourcing in the Virtual World

With outsourcing becoming the most preferred business strategy in recent times, several small and big businesses have reaped huge benefits in terms of costs, quality and speed. The outsourcers make a bee-line for cheaper countries like India which have abundant English speaking skilled programmers and other professionals and the quality of services delivered is comparable with the best in the world. Plus it is available at minimal prices.

Thanks to the World Wide Web, we now have the cyber marketplaces for outsourcing in the virtual world. These are basically web portals which act as a dedicated point of contact between the outsourcers/ buyers and service providers/freelancers to strike a deal. They enable the service buyers to find the kind of professionals they need and the freelancers to find buyers for their services. All kinds of services are traded here ranging from copy writing and a simple logo design to hardcore programming like C/C++, Java, .NET and software development!

Projects

The buyers or the project managers as they are often called, convey their need for outsourcing by posting their projects on a web portal. Qualified freelancers come and bid their prices for those services. The project manager then chooses the best bid and closes his project. The chosen freelancer and the buyer are then put in contact with each other by the web portal.

Every project posted attracts several bids, leaving the project manager spoilt for choices as well as a little confused over who to choose. But it is not as easy as it sounds. Not all projects are carried out to their successful completion for various reasons, a few get mired in disputes, sometimes the bidding period expires and the project gets frozen without the project being awarded to any freelancer. How to avoid such situations? And how to make a success of your project? These are some of the issues we shall try to deal with in the following lines.

What goes into the making of a successful project?

A project can be certified as successful only when the project manager is satisfied and happy with the end-result! Success of a project is established in six consecutive steps:

1) You have a clear and realistic set of expectations from posting the project
2) You prepare your text for posting accordingly and post the project
3) The project attracts the kind of freelancers it needs
4) The most deserving freelancer wins the project
5) The project is completed under the supervision of the project manager in time.
6) The end-result is a quality product.

How to post a Project?

Before a project manager posts a project, he must analyze his own requirements carefully. Posting a project should not be viewed as an end in itself. It is rather a means to achieve the end of-- being able to select the freelancer you need. Understand the whole process of your project thoroughly and finally settle on a realistic set of expectations. Only then go ahead with the posting.

A posting is good and effective when it serves its purpose of attracting your targeted freelancers and has enough details for the freelancers to make an informed bid on the whole project. So, you’ve got some work to do here! After all, your posting is going to speak on your behalf. It must communicate clearly and effectively. So, the content should be lucid, to the point and easy to read and understand. Typically a good and effective posting covers the following areas:

· Your introduction (Usually, this portion is skipped by most managers. Or, this could be short and terse. A project manager can choose as per his/her individual approach and preferences.)

· Job type (Here, you mention the basic skill-set needed to carry out the job. e.g. C/C++, SQL, Graphic design etc.)

· Necessary job specifications (You give details about the job
aspects. e.g. “we need you to handle x, develop y and create z as a part of the project.” The purpose is to give the bidders a clear idea about all the work involved in the project so that they make an informed bid.)

· What are your time constraints? (Your can mention your expected time for project completion. Try to keep a reasonable time-frame since that would translate into a better quality for you.)

· What is your estimated budget? (Here, you quote a tentative price you are ready to pay for the said services which should ideally take in to account the skill set and expertise you are asking for, as well as the time and labor needed. You can specify the exact price or mention a range. Sometimes, the project managers mention ridiculously low prices or entirely skip any mention, in anticipation that this would lead to great cost savings but that could also translate in to a shoddy service as well. So, one should not hesitate to pay the deserved price. Outsourcing as well as competitive bidding is already lowering your costs a great deal.)

· Project’s open time (This is the time-span of the active project i.e. from the time your project is posted till the time it expires. This time is given to the project to accumulate enough number of qualifying bids.)

· Do mention your terms and conditions, confidentiality agreements or special requests, if any.

TIP--It’s not a great idea to circumvent business ethics and deliberately make a hazy posting that doesn’t give the bidders a fair idea about what they are signing up for! Eventually, you might need the services of the same freelancers again!

Remember, a comprehensive posting about the project would prevent repetitive questioning from the bidders, would save you from any disputes later on and also cast you in the light of a sincere business person. No wonder, good postings are always flooded with qualifying bids. I hope, you are ready to post a good project by yourself!

Sort out, correspond and confirm

After you’ve posted your project, you give some time for the project to accumulate sufficient number of qualifying bids. Meanwhile, you can go through each bidder’s profile, message, bidding details, pm’s and other files they have attached. Once you’ve sorted out the bids and have sufficient suitable candidates to choose from, you can begin to correspond with the good and promising bidders through the messaging system provided by your portal. You can keep on eliminating bidders from your list when they don’t meet your expectations. You can ask questions and demand sample work in order to confirm their credentials and gauge their suitability for your project. Subsequently, before the project period expires, you need to zero in on ‘the’ one! Once you finalize the winning bidder, the project is deemed closed.

(Several portals charge exorbitant amounts from both buyers as well as service providers. Some even charge for signing you up. www.e-guru.in is the one portal that is secure and reliable, and doesn’t charge the buyer anything for posting a project. Besides it offers a host of other benefits and features for the buyers, like its secure escrow payment system which acts as a safety net for the buyers.)

Project Implementation

Now comes the time to get some work done! Since, you would be given contact details of the contracted freelancer; you can convey your needs in greater detail and co-ordinate with him/her on how to go about the project. You can communicate via a variety of means like e-mails, IM, WebEx, Net meeting etc. Now the ball is in your court. You need to be pro-active at all the project stages, in monitoring and guiding your service provider as per your requirements. I am sure that henceforth, your project would take up your desired shape with the expert help of the professional you chose.

Conclusion

Belief in business ethics, professionalism and mutually beneficial business practices go a long way in determining your long-term success as a business person. With this note, I urge you to make the most of the opportunities that are there because of the internet. You now have the tools and the insight to make your projects an astounding success. Happy Posting!!

By Jason T

Increase Server Uptime With Automatic Defrag

2008-10-11T02:57:00.000-07:00

In today’s computing environment, uptime is a critical factor. This is because information technology has slowly crept up from the supporting position it had years back—suddenly we look up and IT is not merely enhancing business operations, it in itself has become business operations. When a customer is placing an order, it is directly or nearly directly with a computer. When a shipment is received by a customer, the receiving signature is scanned and receipt is immediately confirmed through a computer. Messaging, quotes, accounting, inventory—they’re all done straight through automated systems that cannot afford downtime.

Now that so many servers are “front and center” and must run 24X7, time to perform tasks such as anti-virus, backups and defrag has become incredibly scarce. So scarce, in fact, that some sites put off defrag until performance is absolutely intolerable and the only choice is to bring a system down and run a manual or scheduled defragmentation.

Disk fragmentation occurs when a file is broken up into pieces to fit on the disk. Because files are constantly being written, deleted and resized, fragmentation is a natural occurrence. When a file is spread out over several locations, it takes longer to read and write. But the effects of fragmentation are far more widespread: Slow performance, long boot-times, random crashes and freeze-ups — even a complete inability to boot up at all. Many users blame these problems on the operating systems, when disk fragmentation is often the real culprit.

In the context of administering computer systems, defragmentation is a process that reduces the amount of fragmentation in file systems. It does this
by physically reorganizing the contents of the disk to store the pieces of each file close together and contiguously. It also attempts to create larger regions of free space using compaction to impede the return of fragmentation. Some defragmenters also try to keep smaller files within a single directory together, as they are often accessed in sequence.

Jim Bernal, Senior Network Engineer with Howe Barnes Hoefer & Arnett in Chicago, Illinois, found out just how bad it can get. “We constantly had servers running slowly and getting really fragmented from constant file access and over time file access would almost halt or take minutes to access a file,” Bernal said. “We also had problems with users logging in with domain controllers sometimes rejecting users because of timeouts in communicating with our DNS servers.”

Like many sites today, Bernal’s company was running the whole gamut of services and applications, including Microsoft Exchange, SQL, fileservers, domain controllers, print servers, Terminal Services, Live Communications servers, accounting software, SharePoint and Virtual Services servers for virtualization.

But also like many sites, Bernal’s fortunately discovered Disk Defragmentation. Only a high quality disk defragmenter utilizes only otherwise-idle system resources, so defrag takes place whenever and wherever possible. There is never a negative performance hit from defragmentation, and no scheduling is ever required. Performance is always maximized, so systems can remain up and running.

Today, taking your systems down is the same as taking part of your business down. Therefore it is always well said that its better to take care of your servers & systems before the problem becomes incurable. So go ahead & download your copy of a free Disk Defragmentation Software.

By C Toumayan

Online Articles Google Custom Search How to Choose Your USB Memory Stick Supplier

2008-10-11T02:53:00.000-07:00

There are currently many suppliers of Branded and Promotional USB Memory Sticks. This makes it a fiercely competitive market, which bodes well for the consumer as this naturally leads to lower prices. However, this also puts a lot of pressure on suppliers to reduce their costs. Some suppliers take this too far so it is important to consider factors other than price when choosing your USB Memory Stick supplier, four important considerations to take into account are:

1. Speed of Service
2. Quality of USB Memory Sticks
3. Financial Stability of Company Supplying Flash Drives
4. Reputation.

Speed of service will largely depend on the company's business model. Many companies claim to have fast turnaround times, but when asked to supply large amounts of branded USB Memory Sticks they fall short on initial promises and the turnaround times go up 2 or 3 times. Other companies who have more control over their supply chain will live up to their promises and these are naturally the companies you'll want to choose.

Quality control is crucial for products that will end up representing your company. It is important to find a supplier that understands this and won't cut corners or send you defunct goods. For instance, some USB Flash Drive suppliers cut costs by using refurbished NAND flash memory. This is generally less reliable than brand new NAND Flash. It may save you money, but do you want the product you've given to a client failing? This is not going leave your company in a good light, and once they've thrown the USB Stick away they're no longer carrying your companies name around with them.

As with any company you're going to enter into a financial relationship with it's always prudent to run a credit check to make sure it's not going to go under in the next month or so, if it does you're unlikely to get your money back. As mentioned earlier, this is a very competitive industry and insolvency is not that uncommon, if your supplier goes bankrupt you wont only lose the money you paid them you'll also miss your deadline.Reputation speaks volumes, if a company has delivered similar sized orders of USB Memory Sticks in the time frame you want many times before, they can probably do it again.

About the Author
Chris Proth is an expert in promotional technology abd for promotional Branded Memory Sticks Chris Proth recommends www.USBMemorySticks.co.uk.

DDR memory

2008-10-11T01:49:00.000-07:00

Double data rate random access memory, or DDR RAM, is a memory technology used for storage and high-speed retrieval of data on a computer. It builds on the now-obsolete Single Data Rate (SDR) synchronous dynamic random access memory, and enables the computer to achieve greater bandwidth by double-pumping data. That is, the transfer of information is doubly fast with a DDR RAM.

The more recent versions of DDR RAM are DDR2 and DDR3, which have faster memory bus signalling capabilities and clock frequencies. DDR2 operates at a clock frequency of over 400 MHz. The central powerhouse of your system operates faster and more efficiently on such improved memory circuitry, retrieving information faster and enabling you to run multiple applications.

It must be remembered that if you want to upgrade the memory of a computer that uses DDR1, you cannot buy a DDR2 module and use it to supplement a DDR1 chipset. The slots for DDR1, 2 and 3 are different. Some motherboards, however, have slots for all these DDR formats. The booklet on the motherboard should tell you how to install additional RAM on your computer. Sixty-four bit processors often support more than 3.5 GB of DDR RAM. A 64-bit Windows Vista system, for example, will support memory of up to 128GB.

A DDR RAM operates at a lower voltage than an SDR RAM, resulting in lower power consumption. Though it has the same architecture as an SDR RAM, a DDR RAM has 184 pins, instead of 168. It also has a single notch at the connector, not two. The bus width of DDR memory is 64 bits per channel. Most DDR-based chipsets come with matched pairs of modules and are made for processors that are 1GHz or faster.

What a DDR RAM does is, it performs twice as many operations as an SDR RAM per clock cycle. The advent of DDR RAM was hailed as a landmark development that revolutionised the technology of random access, or volatile memory, but recent developments that have resulted in revision of DDR models have been just as interesting. At the beginning of the millennium, aspersions were cast on the use of DDR memory in home PCs, but now, all those doubts are gone and one can hardly live without the reassuring pace and efficiency of a DDR RAM. A big difference in systemic performance, coupled with improved BIOS efficiency, is an undoubted result of the quantum leap from SDR to DDR.

by oempcworld
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OEMPCworld.com
2800 Bowers Ave
Santa Clara CA 95051
Tel: (408) 350-0341
TF: 1 866 839-5875
Fax:(408) 521-1888
www.oempcworld.com

12 Top Threats to your Computer

2008-10-09T23:23:00.000-07:00

The internet is undoubtedly a fantastic resource for families and offers a rich vein of educational content.
However, there are potential dangers - welcome to the seedy world of viruses, spam, trojans, pornography, spyware and other nasties.

Here are the Top Twelve Threats No Computer User Should Ignore:

1. Viruses - A computer program that copies itself. They often disrupt your computer system or damage your data.
Viruses are usually received by email attachments so be careful opening anything from a dubious source. They can affect anyone, for example, the destructive Mydoom worm affected one out of three small and mid-sized businesses.

2. Spyware - Sends information about you and your computer to somebody else. Spyware may send the addresses of sites you have visited or worse still, transmit personal
information. With today's concerns about identify theft this is a real worry. For example, CoolWebSearch may hijack web searches, home page, and other Internet Explorer
settings. Spyware is normally received as part of shareware or freeware downloaded from the web.

3. IP Spoofing - A technique to gain unauthorized access to computers, whereby the intruder sends messages to a computer with an address indicating that the message is
coming from a trusted host.

4. Trojans - An apparently legitimate computer program that is really intended to disrupt and damage computer activity by sending information, perhaps even passwords onto a third party without you knowing. As an example, recent emails entitled "Osama Bin Laden Captured" attempted to download the "Trj/Small.B." Trojan if the embedded URL
was clicked. This trojan attempts to hijack the PC.

5. Spam - Unsolicited mail often promoting products of a dubious financial or sexual nature. Don't leave your email address on websites and internet bulletin boards as they
are harvested by spammers.

6. Adware - puts advertisements on your screen. These take many forms including popups, popunders and advertisements that appear later, even if your browser is closed. Some are
sent using the Windows Messenger service which allows a spammer to direct an advertisement straight to your computer by sequentially sending messages to IP addresses.
Always irritating, they are also often of a pornographic nature.

7. Diallers - for those of us still with dial up modems, dialler programs redirect calls to a very expensive number. You won't know until you get the bill.

8. Hijackers - Hijackers take control of your web browser and may reset your home page, search bar and search pages. They can redirect you to undesirable sites or stop you
going to particular sites.

9. Hackers - With so much personal data available online to anyone with a password you must be sure your password is secure. If you are using your mother's maiden name, your
cat's name or your birthday then your password is at risk. Here are two tips for making a secure password. Method One - pick two random unrelated three letter words and two
digits. Mix them up and what do you have? A secure password such as "red19cat" or "hotpin73". Method Two - pick a short sequence of words such as Now Is The Winter Of Our
Discontent Made Glorious' and you have a password of "nitwoodmg". You could even change the I's and O's to digits.

10. Phishing - Emails purporting to come from reliable sources such as Paypal, Ebay or your bank. Often wanting you to verify your account details, they can look very realistic but are generally scams to harvest usernames and passwords. Always open a new browser winder and type the address there, rather than clicking on the link provided.

11. Hoaxes - Chain letters, scams, false alarms. At best they take up time and bandwidth but at worst vulnerable can be victims of fraud. Pass it on!

12. Stranger-danger - For those of us with children - do you know what they actually do when they are online? Are they working on homework tasks, downloading illegal music or pornography? Or are they chatting to strangers in chat rooms? You should consider blocking access to undesirable sites and logging their activity with a surveillance tool.
Oh, and don't forget that where children are concerned, computers should always be kept in a family room and never in their bedroom.

Three Step Action Plan

There are three essential steps that should be taken to ensure your PC is kept threat-free.

Firstly, be sensible when opening attachments or following email instructions from apparently reputable sites.

Secondly, make sure you are using the latest service pack of Windows as Microsoft is continually closing loopholes to tighten up security.

Finally, there's a range of low cost tools such as firewalls, antivirus, spam blockers and spyware killers available. Like everything else they vary in quality and you tend to get what you pay for so always do your research first and perhaps try a free trial before getting your credit card out.

http://www.surfcontrols.com specializes in providing reviews and recommendations of top-rated tools to help protect your online experience. There's a quick reference list to dozens of top sites promoting different aspects of safe surfing packed with useful information and there's
also a great set of top tips for safe surfing.

Did you find this article useful? For more useful tips and hints, points to ponder and keep in mind, techniques, and insights pertaining to computers, software, viruses and data recovery, do please browse for more information at our websites. www.infozabout.com www.data-recovery.infozabout.com

Difference between Virus-Worms-Trojan Horses and SpyWare

2008-10-09T23:20:00.000-07:00

The most of peoples make blunder when the topic of a computer virus arises is to refer to a worm or Trojan horse as a virus. While the words Trojan, worm and virus are often used interchangeably, they are not the same. Viruses, worms and Trojan Horses are all malicious programs that can cause damage to your computer, but there are differences among the three, and knowing those differences can help you to better protect your computer from their often damaging effects.

Computer virus

(1) Attaches itself to a program or file so it can spread from one computer to another, leaving infections as it travels. Much like human viruses

(2) Computer viruses can range in severity: Some viruses cause only mildly annoying effects while others can damage your hardware, software or files.

(3) Almost all viruses are attached to an executable file, which means the virus may exist on your computer but it cannot infect your computer unless you run or open the malicious program. It is important to note that a virus cannot be spread without a human action, (such as running an infected program) to keep it going.

(4) People continue the spread of a computer virus, mostly unknowingly, by sharing infecting files or sending e-mails with viruses as attachments in the e-mail.

Worm

(1) A worm is similar to a virus by its design, and is considered to be a sub-class of a virus. Worms spread from computer to computer, but unlike a virus, it has the capability to travel without any help from a person. A worm takes advantage of file or information transport features on your system, which allows it to travel unaided.

(2) The biggest danger with a worm is its capability to replicate itself on your system, so rather than your computer sending out a single worm, it could send out hundreds or thousands of copies of itself, creating a huge devastating effect. One example would be for a worm to send a copy of itself to everyone listed in your e-mail address book. Then, the worm replicates and sends itself out to everyone listed in each of the receiver's address book, and the manifest continues on down the line.

(3) Due to the copying nature of a worm and its capability to travel across networks the end result in most cases is that the worm consumes too much system memory (or network bandwidth), causing Web servers, network servers and individual computers to stop responding. In more recent worm attacks such as the much-talked-about Blaster Worm the worm has been designed to tunnel into your system and allow malicious users to control your computer remotely.

Trojan Horse

(1) Trojan Horse is full of as much trickery as the mythological Trojan Horse it was named after. The Trojan Horse, at first glance will appear to be useful software but will actually do damage once installed or run on your computer.

(2) Those on the receiving end of a Trojan Horse are usually tricked into opening them because they appear to be receiving legitimate software or files from a legitimate source. When a Trojan is activated on your computer, the results can vary. Some Trojans are designed to be more annoying than malicious (like changing your desktop, adding silly active desktop icons) or they can cause serious damage by deleting files and destroying information on your system.

(3) Trojans are also known to create a backdoor on your computer that gives malicious users access to your system, possibly allowing confidential or personal information to be compromised. Unlike viruses and worms, Trojans do not reproduce by infecting other files nor do they self-replicate.

Spyware-Adware

(1) Spyware and Adware collect information about you without appropriate notice and consent.

(2) Spyware can get installed on your computer in a number of ways. One way is via a virus. Another way is for it to be secretly downloaded and installed with other software you've chosen to install. You and I both know how easy it is to skip reading all the documentation on a free program and just click "OK." That's often how they get you.

Spec-India is Software Development Company that offers Mobile Software Application Development, ASP.Net Application Development, HandHeld Computer System Development, Outsourcing Software Development and .Net Framework Application Development

Breaking News Unleashes Malware Worldwide

2008-10-09T23:18:00.000-07:00

Today’s world is a dangerous one, and many of us like to stay informed. It’s been said that nearly half of all individuals with internet access get their news online, and given that the majority of those with access use e-mail as well, it’s no wonder that so many find headlines delivered to their inbox a helpful idea. Unfortunately, however, having news headlines delivered to your inbox may actually harm your computer.

In early August, thousands of e-mail users began receiving deliveries to their inboxes with headlines like "CNN.com Daily Top 10", "CNN Alerts: Breaking News" and "MSNBC.com Breaking News" in their subject lines. Because of the overwhelming temptation to get the news conveniently via e-mail, many of those users chose to open those same e-mails, thus unleashing rogue programs that have damaged machines on a worldwide basis.

Why Shouldn’t I Click? I Trust These Sites
It’s unfortunate. Many people do trust respected names like CNN and MSNBC in the world of news. After all, they’re the corporate news giants many people have grown up hearing. Unfortunately, none of these e-mails were sent by these news giants. Instead, they were created to ensure malware might be downloaded to your machine, thus opening security holes for other programs to filter through.

One study suggested that 250 million of these CNN e-mails were sent in just one day. Another one said 2.5 million of these MSNBC e-mails were transmitted every hour on a given day.

What’s the Real Danger?
Opening one of these e-mails can seriously harm your computer. It downloads a file called adobe_flash.exe, which is actually a Trojan. Most sources have said it is the Trojan “EncPk-DA” or “Exchanger.mn.” Either way, once installed on your machine, you’ll be connected to another server to ensure other rogue programs are installed on your computer, putting you in a very sticky situation.

What Do I Look For?
Whether you’re getting the CNN version or the MSNBC version, all of these fake news e-mails have a very convincing subject line and a fairly official format. In the CNN e-mails, the subject line says something like “CNN Alert: My Custom Alert” or “CNN.com Daily Top Ten.” The Daily Top Ten e-mail will proceed to list the ten most popular stories on the site. Clicking on any one of them will send you to a fake link which will ask you to install a file so you can view the story. Clicking “Yes” will install the Trojan on your computer.

In the case of the MSNBC e-mails, you’ll see a subject line that says something like “MSNBC.com – BREAKING NEWS” followed by a stunning headline. Here are just a few that have been noticed over the past month:

McCain told lies to win votes
Abortion made illegal in New York
Tiger Woods to take a 2 year break from golf
I will be suing you
Bomb scare grounds thousands of flights at UK Heathrow airport

Once you open the MSNBC version, you’ll see a very official looking e-mail that looks something like the below:

Find out more at http://breakingnews.msnbc.com
=======================================================
See the top news of the day at MSNBC.com, and the latest from Today Show and NBC Nightly News.
=========================================
This e-mail is never sent unsolicited. You have received this MSNBC Breaking News Newsletter
newsletter because you subscribed to it or, someone forwarded it to you.
To remove yourself from the list (or to add yourself to the list if this
message was forwarded to you) simply go to
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25384336, select unsubscribe, enter the
email address receiving this message, and click the Go button.
Microsoft Corporation - One Microsoft Way - Redmond, WA 98052
MSN PRIVACY STATEMENT
http://privacy.msn.com (http://privacy.msn.com/)
Clicking on any of the links, of course, takes you to a site that then installs the Trojan. Once you click, you get a message about your flash player. It will ask you if you want to install the file, and if you say yes, you’ve just invited the Trojan on to your computer.

Monitoring Your System
If you think you may have opened one of these e-mails, there are a few ways to tell. First, you’re immediately going to notice a slow down in your system processes. Remember, you’ve opened several security holes by clicking on that e-mail, and it’s a bit like opening the flood gates. Your computer is literally being taken over by other programs, so there’s very little room to run your web browser or even your word processing program.

Additionally, you may notice a program called Antivirus XP 2008 has been installed on your computer. Because this is a rogue antispyware program, you will probably see fake scans of your machine and frightening messages suggesting that you’ve been infected with malware. They will all suggest that the only way to get rid of it is to purchase and download the full version of the program.

You may also notice that your desktop background looks a bit different. It is now probably a warning message about your computer’s numerous infections. It may even say that you can no longer change your desktop background because of the number of infections on your computer.

What Do I Do If I Opened One?
If you did open one, and you’ve noticed the signs above, there is something you can do about it. Many people believe that simply running their currently installed virus software will solve the problem if one of these SPAM e-mails has opened security holes in your system. Regrettably, this is simply not the case. The programs one of these e-mails may have downloaded to your computer are not viruses in most instances. As a result, your anti virus solution, even if it’s been properly updated, will not be able to remove the traces of these programs from your system. The best thing to do if you have opened one of these e-mails is to run your anti spyware program. If you have yet to invest in a reputable anti spyware program, now is the time to do so. Solutions that help to tackle rogue programs and other kinds of threats to your machine, reputable anti spyware programs should be part of your computer’s security system.
Before you purchase any anti spyware program, though, carefully research your options. Talk with colleagues as well as friends and family members about the software they have chosen. Research each of their selections carefully, and evaluate each program to ensure that it will function as you need it to. Purchase the one that you think the best selection for you, download it, and scan your machine. It should remove any problem files immediately, and as long as you update it frequently and scan your machine on a regular basis, problems like these e-mails will become a thing of the past quickly.

By Mindy Matter forwww.removeadware.com.au/ - Here you'll learn about online privacy and how to remove rogue programs: www.removeadware.com.au/ - Please link to this site when using this article.

Corporate Antivirus vs. Residential Antivirus

2008-10-09T23:16:00.000-07:00

Technology Seed supports the computers and networks of business and home users. In the past, I've written about some of the things you can do to stave off the most common home-user issue: virus infection. Well, if so many home-users are infected so often, what do businesses -some with hundreds of computers - do to stay virus-free?There's a big difference between the typical business computer and the typical home computer: the network it sits on. Because most business PCs are part of a large, server-based network, there are some things that we can do to protect them. Note: "server-based" means that a powerful computer/server is responsible for "serving" the needs of the network.1) Desktop Antivirus. We install antivirus software on every computer on the network. We use the same packages available to home-users. However, being part of a larger network, we can use the server to monitor the individual computers for antivirus compliance. Meaning: Using one server, we can make sure every computer on the network is up-to-date with its antivirus software - we don't need to rely on each user to install/check their software themselves.2) Email Scanning. Since many businesses use a central server to store their email, we can strip off viruses at that email server before the recipient gets it. So, if we keep that one email server updated with proper antivirus software, we can effectively strip off any virus coming over email (that, alone, solves 95% of the antivirus problem!).3) Gateway Scanning. Many home users use a router to share the internet connection with several PCs / laptops. Names like Linksys, Netgear and Belkin are very common. Business uses similar routers, but they have 2 big differences: They cost a lot more and they allow us to block certain types of content. So, we can install software on the router to block viruses from getting past the internet connection. It's the equivalent of Comcast blocking the virus before it gets to your home network!To sum it up: In a business setting, we can force computers to keep their antivirus software current, we can strip viruses out of email before they reach the recipient, and we can block viruses from entering the internet connection in the first place.Have an IT question you'd like answered? Email questions@tseed.com - we're happy to help!Kurt Simione is the owner of Technology Seed, LLC (www.TSeed.com). We provide IT Support, Business Phone System Support and Website Design to businesses across the country. 603-537-2700.

By: Technology Seed

Microsoft Access: Unleash the True Potential Today

2008-10-08T17:33:00.000-07:00

Thinking of developing your Access skills? New to Microsoft Access and don't know where to start? Want to know more about what Access can do for your business?

Microsoft Access is a popular application designers often use to store and retrieve information. It is a database management software application (DBMS) used by small businesses, large corporations and by home "have-a-go' programmers.

Access has become one of the most widely-used applications of the well renowned Microsoft Office. Today's office environment often demands more than just email and report writing. As a result, skills in key office applications have become paramount for many business's success. But do we get really get the high performance results we know these applications are capable of?

Access provides powerful, easy to use design tools with relatively little effort. Its ease of use, often utilised by untrained office workers can sometimes be as much of a hindrance as a blessing as many "have-a-go' developers overlook the true power and business value it possesses, mistaking it for a limited data modelling application.

The underlying factor for this misunderstanding is largely due to lack of knowledge and training. Learning Access from dull manuals is often difficult to learn and far from enjoyable.

However, this no longer has to be the case! Many training companies are offering instructor led Microsoft Access training courses, delivered in a professional and easy to digest manner. Trainers combine their experience with real development knowledge - they really do know their stuff and are able to break down key concepts into manageable units.

The Microsoft Office Suite has come along way in the last decade and fortunately so too has the training. Gone are the days of large classes, limited training material and questionable delivery. Microsoft training is now a booming industry with a selection of course venues, availability and competitive prices to match.

These days you can expect professional Access training, delivered by Microsoft certified trainers in Microsoft authorised centres. Many of the larger training companies now offering up to three Microsoft Access public schedules courses a week at introduction, intermediate, advanced and VBA (programming) level according to the users experience and understanding.

So Access "newbies' can benefit from the introduction training level, learning important concepts such as how to use tables, fields and records in relation to simple queries, forms and views. The more advanced users will develop skills in SQL queries and how they relate to relational databases.

Students with more tailored needs can take advantage of bespoke training or even consider a mentoring approach in the form of consultancy. Consultancy can be a great choice for users who need to understand or tweak an already existing Access application. Consultancy can also help with database design or re-design and development to improve robustness, efficiency and usability.

Students may find it convenient to have classes conducted and/or tailored at their company site. This is becoming an increasingly popular approach. Public schedules, near-site, one-to-one and consultancy are also widely offered.

These days, you can choose the best time to learn. Public schedule courses for Access, run many times a month and on-site training can be scheduled around your team's workload allowing more control and focus relating to your business goals. You can also gain recognition of your Access skills by taking Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certified examinations examinations.

The future looks bright for Access students, with a plentiful supply of courses in an extremely competitive market. The Microsoft Office training industry often offers promotional rates and easy online booking. With the variety of training and competitive rates there has never been a better or easier time to develop key Microsoft Access skills.

By: Christine Harrell

Author is a trainer with a Microsoft Office training company. For more information on Microsoft Access training, visit www.MicrosoftTraining.net.

PHP MySQL Database Scripts - Generate Online

2008-10-08T16:32:00.000-07:00

History of PHP
PHP (it originally was abbreviation of for Personal Home Page) was first written by Rasmus Lerdorf . These were Perl scripts to track users of his Web pages. On communication and suggestions from other people he rewrote it as a scripting language and added support for forms. As its popularity grew, a core group of developers created an API for it and turned it into PHP3. Presently we have version 5. (PHP5) and its growth is likely to continue.

Plus Points of PHP.
PHP will run on all platform, including most UNIXs, Windows(95/98/NT/2000) and Macs. As this uses the same code base, all scripts will run identically on all the platforms.
PHP is similar to C. So anyone who has experience with a C-style language will easily learnd PHP. In C-style languages we can also include Javascript and Java. In fact, much of PHP's functionality is provided by wrappers around the underlying system calls (such as fread() and strlen()) so C programmers will immediately feel at home.
PHP is extendible. This allows programmers two ways of extending PHP to do some special processing, either by writing an extension module and compiling it into the executable, or by creating an executable that can be loaded using PHP's dynamic loading mechanism.
PHP currently will load into Apache, IIS, AOLServer, Roxen and THTTPD. Alternatively, it can be run as a CGI module.
Lots of database interfaces. PHP currently will work with MySQL, MS SQL, Oracle, Informix, PostgreSQL and many others. These are binary level interfaces, and ODBC is also provided for those situations where the database is not supported.
If a PHP user wants to interface to particular library, then it is easy to write an interface for it, and many have done so, and contributed to the main PHP source repository. So you can find modules for graphics routines, PDF files, Flash movies, Cybercash, calendars, XML, IMAP, POP and a host of others. If the library you need is not supported, you can either write one yourself, or employ your favourite programmer to do it.
PEAR. The PHP Extension and Add-on Repository. Similar to the CPAN network for Perl, although still in its infancy, the idea of PEAR is to provide a set of PHP scripts that would be installed by default with the PHP installation
Fast. PHP is normally used an Apache module and this makes it very fast. It is entirely written in C and is quite small, so loads and executes quickly with small memory footprint.
PHP is Open Source. Therefore programmers are not dependent on a particular manufacturer to fix things that don't work.

What are the main disadvantages of PHP?
A scripting language has advantages and disadvantages. PHP also has some disadvantages. Some are direct disadvantages and some are indirect regarding functionality. PHP's main drawback is Error Handling. PHP has a very poor ability in this regard, but even this disadvantage can be over come using a feasible advantage solution.
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Intel D945GCLF2 Dual Core Mini-ITX Carputer Motherboard

2008-10-08T15:34:00.000-07:00

Alas, the Intel D945GCLF2, based on the Intel Atom, is finally released. One of the key features that caught my eye was the dual core Atom processor. Not only is it dual core, but its power usage is outstanding. It's estimated to use 4 watts under load while consuming milliwatts (thousandths of a watt) when idle. Being in a carputer, power consumption is a vital specification because you need to figure out how large of a power supply you will need. The power consumption spec can also give you an idea of how much heat will be disappated, because after all, the power not used for computing will dissipate into heat.

The power supply I am using is an Opus 120. It's rated for 120 watts and has powered my previous build just fine. I ran into one snag that I didn't expect, however. The motherboard uses a 12v P4 ATX connector (see pic on the actual website) as well as the standard 20-24pin ATX connector. The power supply I have (and most that I've seen) do not have this connector incorporated into their harness.

To solve this problem, you can either purchase a molex to P4 adapter, or you can mod your existing wiring harness and add the P4 connector. I chose to mod my existing wiring harness and add the P4 connector to one of the existing molex connectors. Basically, I cut off the P4 connector from a regular ATX power supply, stripped the wires, and crammed them into an existing molex connection. See the pictures on the site to see what I mean.

After everything was setup, I installed the full Windows XP Pro with SP3. I opted not to use TinyXP because I felt that it could cause issues down the road with all the drivers it has stripped out. After the installation, I installed the usual Winamp, VLC media player, SpeedFan, iGuidance, Centrafuse, and finally the drivers. Instead of configuring Windows to hibernate after the car was shut off, I chose to shutdown completely because I've had lots of issues with hibernation such as it not resuming correctly.

With 1GB of RAM and a 2.5" 80GB 4200RPM hard drive, the performance isn't too bad. You would think that a 4200RPM hard drive would be kind of sluggish, but I can hardly notice it. Windows starts up from a cold boot quickly and so do all of the programs I use. I'm never left waiting for the next song to load or a program to open.

The low power consumption of the board is also very noticeable. With my old board, the CPU temperature would always be at least 45C upon boot, and rise to a little over 60C after being used for awhile. On a cold morning, at about 55F, The Intel Atom managed to boot up at 30C and after 20 minutes, it had only risen to 35C! Now, when I open my glove box, there's no more hot air oozing out. The air inside the glove box is almost the same temperature as the air in the cabin! However, the temperatures will differ based on the ambient temperature inside the cabin, so the CPU will run hotter on a warmer day. On an 80F day, the CPU boots at 30C and rises to about 55-60C, still not bad on a very warm day.

All in all, the Intel D945GCLF2 is a great buy. At only $89.99 from Mini-box.com, you get tons of features, and best of all, a dual core processor. With low power consumption, low temperatures, and high performance it seems as if the board was made explicitly for carputer usage, in which it excels.

By: prochobo

Visit http://www.IsYouGeekedUp.com for more carputer information

10 Reasons Why Your Business Needs A Server

2008-10-08T15:27:00.000-07:00

Ever wonder how a server could benefit your business? LANstar offers you some free computer support information and the reasons why...

Computer ServersBecause you don't want to lose data if something goes wrong – Any reliable computer technician will tell you that backing up data stored on individual computers is not only impractical, it's unreliable. Storing all your data on a server and then backing up all of the data on that server is more likely to work properly without interruption and it is also easier to manage. Even if you decide to back-up via an on-line service, backing up one machine is typically easier and less expensive than backing up multiple computers.

Because you want your data secure – Storing sensitive accounting, human resources, or intellectual property information on your workstation or even an auxiliary storage device does not ensure that the data is restricted and protected. Sever security settings can easily and effectively limit data access to just certain people in the office.

The ability to work from home/remotely – In today's work environment, mobility and accessibility are the name of the game. With a server in your office, you can easily access all of your internal data without incurring the additional monthly cost of a router or remote access program.

Because you are running out of space to store data – Servers offer the flexibility of massive data storage on redundant and fault-tolerant drives. So, even if one of the drives fails, the remaining drives will still contain all of your data.

Because you need/want to use Microsoft Exchange - If you have numerous email addresses and/or you are tired of having to rely on your Email Service Provider to set up or delete email addresses employees come and go, Exchange may save you time and money. Exchange allows you to add, delete, or change all of your own email addresses easily and immediately without any monthly cost to you.

Because you're concerned about viruses and/or spyware on your network – The two ways to keep your computers protected are either to continually and constantly monitor each workstation or to install virus/spyware protection on a server. By using a server, protection updates are automatically downloaded to the server, which is then responsible for ensuring that every workstation connected to the network has the latest protection installed.

Because you have applications all employees must access – The most common way of sharing applications is to install it on one workstation and “share” it with other users. Unfortunately, this will ultimately slow down that user's workstation and limited to the abilities of the application's performance. This can result in poor performance and a great chance of long-term failure.

Because you need to centrally manage all employees/computers – Without a server, each employee can only log onto his/her computer, and when an employee leaves it becomes difficult or impossible to recover the password. With a server, all usernames and passwords are managed from one central location so you can add, delete, and change the access levels and passwords without needing to know the old password.

Because my computers are slow – Two of the most common causes of slow computers are an old processor and insufficient memory. Moving applications to a server can allow a user to take advantage of the improved speed and performance of a server without requiring an upgrade to the workstation. The money saved on workstation upgrades can quickly eclipse the entire cost of a new server.

Because I need a domain – A domain is the way by which a server tells every network computer which devices are supposed to be on the network and which therefore be trusted. All devices that are part of a domain are registered with the server to that it knows to allow access and and from certain domain devices. A domain is often required by many centralized database applications so that the server can properly communicate with each workstation, but it is also another valuable layer of security.

By: Joel Ray

After 10+ years of computer network experience, including 6 years of employment in the network department of an enterprise-size local company, Joel Ray, MCSE, CNE formed LANstar, LLC in 2000.

Software Making- You get the best quality of the free products!

2008-10-07T09:44:00.000-07:00

Do you ever feel that you just get the latest software package to do something marvelous with your computer and as soon as you spend the money it's obsolete? Do you feel like you just want to stop progress for a few minutes so that you can catch up to innovation? Probably that's not a realistic wish, but there is a way you can take advantage of the latest technology without spending a fortune in purchasing the products you want and use. Just consider using one of the free software sites to find the latest products and try them out. For example, if you need software to perform defragmentation quickly you must visit to www.instant-software-products.com and efficiently, just enter the term 'defrag' in the search box on a free site and you will find dozens of possibilities. Most are for specific operating systems, but you can limit the results even further by defining the search terms you require. You can make sure you get the best quality of the free products by looking at reviews prepared by previous users. It is probably also true that different users will get different results from the same product, because of the way in which it is used.
If you are looking for a product to use in burning your CDs and DVDs why not look for the free tool that provides you with the ease to burn DVD and CD images. This popular tool is known as imbrue. This tool supports all the major drives that are currently out there. This includes the ability to do book type and bit setting on many of the drives. If you are looking for a product to facilitate burning CDs and DVDs and you don't want to spend anything--consider the excellent tool found with imbrue. It's easy to download and it's easy to use for your own applications. Perhaps you've been looking for additional protection and detection tools. Another free tool that is available as a free product is spigot search destroys. Those who have been using the product regularly since its beta launch in 1999 swear by the quality, effectiveness and ease of use.
Spigot search destroy tools search out all the little modules used by many of the programs to display ads. If you don't want them reporting your internet surfing activities, use this software to remove them. This type of tool is extremely popular for anyone who wants to improve privacy and protection of their surfing habits from prying eyes. There are many other tools that are available at no cost to you when you use one of the free sites you can check it out from www.newbies-guide-to-making-software.com These sites are maintained and developed by companies who are looking for beta testers for their products and for individuals who see a need and work to create a solution to fill the gap. You can find reviews on the newest products plus comments responding to the reviews. Often the reviews and comments provided by users will help the product to get improvements or revisions that will make it even better.
www.newbies-guide-to-making-software.com
www.instant-software-products.com

Partition Recovery Is Not Merely For Business

2008-10-07T08:42:00.000-07:00

Caring for your precious data is becoming an ever increasing issue as more and more storage devices you have come to bank on so willingly and each one has its own memory.

The trouble is that we are merely becoming too self-satisfied with the procedure we manage our valuable data and rarely amuse backing it up awaiting that crucial day when it is no longer accessible to us.

Online backups are the most widely used concept and are readily available from a number of companies. The backups allow you to restore your data in a quick and easy way after data loss.

Just on your laptop or PS alone, you might have important documents, emails, spreadsheets, images, sound and music files, videos, financial records and many similar. So with the risk of losing these files, if you have not considered backup yet, then you should consider as quickly as possible.

Luckily, the capable data recovery companies offer powerful data recovery solutions to handle data loss cases after accidental deletin, hard drive formatting, partition loss, file system corruption and the like.

In cases of file system corruption, partition loss etc, the data recovery is possible with the help of partition recovery software. Partition recovery software are the third party applications which allow you to have Do It Yourself data recovery in an easy and effective way.

There is a wide range of partition recovery software available in the market, developed by various data recovery companies. All these partition recovery software come with a different set of features and price tags.

Partition recovery in case of file system corruption is somewhat different from other cases and complicated too. General partition recovery software can not perform the recovery in such cases. It requires something which is extremely powerful and uses outstanding scanning mechanism.

Stellar Information Systems Ltd is the leading and the foremos provider of data recovery solutions. The company has the most excellent track record of offering sophisticated partition recovery software to its customers all across the globe.

Stellar’s partition recovery software are available for all computer operating systems including Windows, Macintosh, UNIX, Linux and Novell and are supportive to all of their corresponding file systems. These software are powerful enough to carry out successful partition recovery even in case of file system corruption.

This partition recovery software applies tremendously influential scanning algorithms for effectively scanning the affected hard drive and extracting all of the data from it. Due to interactive and intuitive user interface, these software are very easy to use and do not demand any sound technical knowledge from users’ side.

Author: Simpson

Digital Photo Restoration Software

2008-10-07T07:41:00.000-07:00

Digital image file recovery utility is used to retrieve your weddings albums, birthday’s photographs and memorable snaps which have been missed or erased due software corruption, accidental deletion, virus attack or any human error. Lost digital picture rescue tool recovers deleted or corrupted images, photos and animated files from all type of removable USB drives like picture cards, pen drive, digital camera, multimedia cards etc. Erased digital photo restoration software rescues lost or undetectable photographs, pictures and digital albums from damaged or inaccessible windows FAT NTFS partitioned hard disk or other removable storage drives. Digital pictures retrieval tool provides facility to salvage corrupted image files from all major USB storage brands such as Kodak, Casio, Olympus, Nikon, Sony, Canon, Konica etc. You can successfully get back your erased or damaged gif, jpg, tif, tiff, riff, png, jpeg format files from logically crashed storage devices. Deleted digital photographs restoration tool salvages missing or lost photos albums, animated files, snaps from emptied recycle bin or bad sector affected hard disk drives. Features: * Digital photograph recovery software quickly recovers erased or lost important images, snaps, pictures from damaged compact flash card, memory cards or multimedia cards. * Lost digital photo restoration utility salvage encrypted or undetectable digital image files from formatted hard disk or removable storage media. * Erased digital image retrieval tool supports all major brands of USB storage drives like Canon, Toshiba, Sony, Konica etc available in all different capacities. * Digital picture retrieval software can also restore all formats of digital image files such as gif, jpg, tif, tiff, riff, png, jpeg etc. * Digital photo restore utility supports all windows operating systems including Vista. * Digital image file rescue tool does not need to have technical skills to install or uninstall.

http://www.24hr.in/24hr/dig-pic-rec.html
http://www.24hr.in/downloads/DigiPhotoRecDemo.exe

The Facts about Data Loss and Data Recovery

2008-10-07T06:40:00.000-07:00

In modern organizations, computers have become indispensable tools for commerce. The computer facilitates greater output in lesser time. For example, accountants need computers to speed up their work on financial statements. Architects and engineers use software for making their designs perfect. Each professional, at one time or another requires becoming accustomed with computer.

But along with the prospects, come liabilities. The computers are subject to deterioration. But most likely the biggest threat to computers is the individual who is using it. Yes, me and you. Human errors posed the major troubles to computers.

It won’t be a pretty sight to open the computer one day and find out that it was not running any longer. Some nasty viruses have entered in it or a mechanical problem occurred. All your valuable files are lost. And you end up, spending valuable efforts and time of the company in recovering the lost data.

The data recover could be tedious. The good news for the data recvery victims is that the data recovery is possible in all circumstances. The data recovery can be performed in either of the two ways: using data recovery software or through data recovery service.

The data recovery software can help you in retrieving your lost valuable data in all logical cases of data loss. The data recovery software are Do It Yourself tools to carry out easy and quick data recovery without having a sound technical knowledge.

The data recovery service can do more than the data recovery software and perform data recovery in physical cases of data loss. Data recovery service is more extensive and need more technical knowledge.

The data recover experts clone the damaged hard drive to a new one, then work on the cloned one. As for the damaged components, they repair or replace them. The data recovery service is oftentimes a lengthy process and more expensive as compared to the data recovery software.

The harder fact about the data recovery solutions is that only the powerful and effective ones can guarantee you of the highest success rate. The poor quality data recovery software or data recovery service can ruin the situations and could separate your data for the life.

Stellar Information Systems Ltd is the market leader of the data recovery industry and offers both of the solutions. The company has the most excellent track record of providing sophisticated data recovery software and data recovery service since 1993.

The data recovery software of the company are highly developed and the most influential. These are available for all computer operating systems counting Windows, Macintosh, UNIX, Linux and Novell and are supportive to all of their corresponding file systems.

The personalized hard drive recovery service of Stellar is the best of data recovery industry and is offered in controlled and clean environment of Class 100 clean Rooms by the experienced and highly knowledgeable data recovery professionals. The tools and techniques, applied by the data recovery experts to end up at perfect data recovery, are superior and best in the quality.

Author: spears

Why are Driver Scanners Useful for Inexperienced users

2008-10-06T06:18:00.000-07:00

Inexperienced computer users commonly suffer problems on the installation of the right device drivers for their machines. Since they are not familiar with how device drivers work for a specific platform or why it is necessary to install only those that are compatible with the driver, this often leads to complications hindering the functionality of the system.

A solution to this problem is the use of third-party applications bundled with hardware programs called driver scanners. A driver scanner has the following characteristics/functions:

1. Driver scanners use the active Internet connection on the user's machine to connect to the remote server of the hardware manufacturer. The application will retrieve the list of drivers for the installed hardware and will automatically download and launch without requiring user input.

2. Other driver scanners show users the list of device-compatible drivers and give them the choice to choose a specific driver to download for their hardware. These are often categorized according to version, the operating system used, functionality, patches, bug fixes, and so on.

3. Driver scanners sports an easy-to-understand, navigable GUI (Graphical User Interface) that can allow the user to set configurations for scanning the devices in their system and setting the parameters for downloading and installing the said program.

Driver scanners are often bundled with the hardware device. Some can be downloaded from the Internet as an add-on program to support the functionality of the device according to the platform used. Manufacturer-based driver scanners are often attributed to the following devices:

• Display Adapters (Video Cards)
• Printers
• Scanners
• Chipset (for on-board peripherals)

There are driver scanners individually developed to cover all these devices. These can be downloaded from the Internet for free, though the most advisable ones are those from credible software companies requiring a license to use the said application. Freeware driver scanners are mostly attributed to malware infections as claimed by a few users.

Third-party driver scanners scour the machine for installed hardware. After scanning, it will retrieve the ID for each device and subsequently connect to a remote server in order to search for compatible drivers and applications for it. These programs will look for drivers compatible with the user’s operating system.

After the search, the driver scanner application will prompt the user of any updated driver it found and will prompt the user for installation. The installation process may require further verification, like agreeing to the license agreement, configurations and application settings, location for the driver installation, and so on.

A tool which I personally recommend to anyone, guru or newbie, and even intermediates is DriverScanner by Uniblue. This piece of software updates your drivers automatically without you having to worry if you misplaced your HP scanner's CD or the Creative sound card's driver. DriverScanner as the name implies makes a free driver scan of your existing drivers against their extensive list of thousands of drivers fresh from the device manufacturer's ovens in order to check for outdated drivers, lets you back your driver up in case some conflict occurs so that you can restore the previous functioning firmware with ease and quickly update them to the latest version with the touch of a button. Updating your device drivers helps the perfomance of your computer Now that's what I call silver service!

Remote Computer Repair. Is it Safe?

2008-10-06T05:17:00.000-07:00

Remote computer repair is still a new idea to many; however it’s been available to you for years now. Rather than an expensive on-site visit, technicians connect securely to your computer using an advanced screen sharing program. This in turn, allows you to have your computer fixed right away, and at a lower cost due to the lower amount of overhead costs to the companies. But is it really safe?

The short answer is yes. Let me explain why… First, you remain with your computer at all times. When you drop your computer off at the store, you will be asked to return in a week or whenever they finish it. During this time, who knows if anyone is reading or copying your files? Can you be sure they haven’t taken or switched some piece of hardware? Will they even do anything to it before recommending you purchase their new model on isle 9? When having your computer repaired remotely, you’ll be able to watch the repair taking place as it is happening. Your tech should be available for questions through a chat window or the phone if you need him, however no one will know if you are watching or not thus ensuring the techs integrity. Ask your local super store geek if you can sit and watch them fix the computer and see what they say.

With on-site repair, not only do you have to pay very high fees, but you have to wait for the tech to fit you into the schedule when you need your computer working now! Then you must allow a stranger into your home. I’m reminded of a recent news story regarding a national on-site support chain and a camera phone left in a bathroom. If you want to watch what the on-site tech is doing you’ll have to literally watch from over his shoulder because he or she will be sitting in your seat.

With remote computer repair, you must pay with a credit card. Some people still have reservations on using credit cards online. The fact is that credit card companies want you to use their card online for everything. Ask your card company if you’ll be responsible for any fraud or stolen activity. You’ll likely be happy with their response. Plus if you think you are getting ripped off by the online computer repair service, you can use your credit card company to dispute the charge. Note: that a bank debit cards with a Visa or MasterCard usually don’t offer dispute services.

Because this new option for residential computer repair is so popular, a lot of new companies are sprouting up constantly. There are a few important things to look for in a remote computer repair service. Are they in the same country as you? This important because if laws are different, you’ll have a tough time disputing a problem with them should you come to have one. Do they have a No Fix, No Fee guarantee? Many per minute or hour services charge you for their time and do not guarantee to fix anything. What does that say about their trust and training of their own techs? Finally, be cautious of an insanely low price. In my experience, low pricing always means inexperience or a scam. You can expect to get a better deal than any in-shop or on-site service however.

So the next time you have a computer problem, give the remote approach a try. If you find a no fix, no fee guarantee companies then you truly have nothing to lose and such a convenience to gain.

This article was written by the folks at RemoteComputerRepair.org. Visit them at www.remotecomputerrepair.org or by calling 1-888-392-2785.

Basic information of copying CD’s

2008-10-06T04:16:00.000-07:00

CD copiers are used to make copies of database from original CD to blank CD. They are made of 12 disk drives, one of which is called the parent CD. The CD copier is designed in such a way that it can copy one CD or several CD’s at a single point of time. These copiers are used in homes and offices where there is a need to replicate a CD for distribution purposes.

They are of different types. Here is a brief description of some of the common CD copiers-

Single CD copier - This kind of CD copier is made of two CD drives in which one holds the blank CD and another holds the original CD. The models based on single CD copying can do CD writing, re-writing and CD reading. A single CD copier does not require any computer interface or driver software to process CD copying. The single CD copiers can be used as external CD-R/ROM/RW drives.

Multiple CD copier - Another popular CD Copying hardware available in the market for duplicating the CD is called multiple CD Copiers. As the name suggests it contains several empty CD slots where a single slot is meant for the duplication of original CD. This one CD slot is arranged in the form of tall tower. A multiple CD copier can also serve the same purposes as that of a single CD copier by providing quality CD writing, rewriting and CD reading services.

In order to buy a quality CD copier, the buyer should check the product review, charges and functions of the copier. Here are some important tips that the buyers must remember while choosing a copier-

Speed of the CD copier - When purchasing a CD copier, have a proper check on its speed. It must be able to duplicate the CD at a fast pace. You must choose a CD copier having speed of 52X or more for a speedy recording. Always remember that a fast CD copier can easily duplicate a 650MB CD within three minutes.

Check the form of CD - In order to duplicate the CD conveniently without making use of computer, one can choose a standalone CD copier. The one, which can easily fit into a CPU’S drive bay and provides hassle free CD burning.

For further information on CD Copier,CD Duplication and CD Packaging. Please contact A1 Duplication Ltd directly on +44 (0)20 8748 0440 or visit at www.a1duplication.co.uk

Buying a new Mouse: Guide

2008-10-06T03:14:00.000-07:00

There are many kinds of mouse you can find in the market nowadays, which are varying in price and function. You may wonder which one you should buy, which one would suit to your need.

Here is some information to help you get more understanding what are you going to pay for. I hope that it can help you find the best one that you are looking for.

Step I.
First of all, you should take a look at the back of your computer case and find the port. Normal PC should have a PS/2 port which has a shape like the picture shown below.

The green one is PS/2 port for mouse

But for laptops, most them don't have this connector. They use the USB port instead. The USB port has a shape like the picture shown below.

The USB port and connector

Nowadays, the used of USB port is keep increasing rapidly. Sometimes you may find that it hard to find a PS/2 version of the mouse that you want to buy. However, there's a PS/2-USB adaptor available in the market.

Step II.
Wheel, Optical or Laser?? You may wonder what is different between these kinds of mouse. For wheel mouse is kind of outdated in present. It's quite hard to find one in the market nowadays so I wouldn't mention it and I won't recommend you to buy it. The different between Optical mouse and Laser mouse is that the Optical mouse uses an infrared to track the movement of patterns on the surface. It need a mouse pad to work well. For laser mouse, it uses an invisible light instead. It can be used on surfaces with less defined texture such as metal or dark woodgrain desktops without mouse pad needed. For example, try using an optical mouse on a piece of high gloss photo paper and it'll probably not move while a laser mouse is still able to see surface detail. But the price of laser mouse is, of course, higher than the optical one.

Step III.
Corded or Cordless?? I've made a post of this question already. Please take a look.
Here is the link ... Corded VS Cordless Mouse

Step IV.
Next, you should decide that which kind of job that you want your new mouse doing for you.

* For basic users - I'll recommend that you should buy any mouse that has a reasonable price, acceptable durability in a color and style that you like. But you should concern about the size as well, choose the mouse that has a suitable size with your hand.
* For internet users - I'd recommend you to buy a mouse that has a scroll wheel button. It's a must !!
* For advanced users - You'd know quite much about these mice. The thing I'd recommend is find a mouse that have many buttons which you can bind it to perform specific task, it' ll save you a lot of time. Just find one that suit to your working style.
* For gamers - There are many mice that design for gamers available in the market. I' ll make a post of these mice in details later. The link will be placed here soon.

Step V.
For advanced users and gamers. The things you should know before select the mouse is:

DPI or Dots Per Inch - The DPI is the amount of Dots per inch the optical sensor can read. The Higher DPI means more sensitive the mouse can be. High and adjustable DPI mouse is suits for gamers, especially Action or FPS(First Person Shooting) gamers.

A good gaming example would be in a first person shooter when many gun types are used. When roaming free you will want a high DPI on your mouse so that a quick movement can be performed with ease. However when sniping a lower DPI will help with a much slower movement giving greater accuracy in this instance. If you do a lot of gaming or have reason to believe that changing the DPI will be beneficial to you then a mouse with on-the-fly DPI changing will be a great use.

Step VI.
Choose brand, color, and style.
I'll make a post of mouse brands analysis in details later. The link will be placed here soon.

Step VII.
Make a decision and buy one !!

Hope this post will help you, and enjoy with your new mouse ^^

iGofx

More articles available on my blog.
http://danewblog.blogspot.com

Why use an Anonymous Proxy?

2008-10-04T22:52:00.000-07:00

by MARTIN GREIF

Do you think your personal and sensitive information is safe on “secure” sites? Do you think anonymous proxies are only for people with something to hide? Think again. There are several reasons a normal, everyday person may need an anonymous proxy for perfectly legitimate reasons. Anonymous surfing is entirely possible and, at times, entirely necessary.

One reason to use an anonymous proxy is a simple desire for privacy. Search engines, such as Google, track every search query. Some people, even if doing nothing wrong, are uncomfortable with being perpetually watched by a third party they have never met. The major search engines not only track people's searches, but also store this information for up to eighteen months. It's easy to see how any person would be disturbed by this infringement to their privacy.

Another reason to use an anonymous proxy is to avoid targeted ads. Certain advertising companies track a person's movements throughout their internet sessions so they can use pop-ups to advertise on that person's computer screen. Other companies track the information and then sell it to the highest bidder so they can use similar methods of advertisement--or do whatever they want with the information. This can mean that anyone, criminal or honest, government or corporation, may be able to track you.

Some people use anonymous proxies because they have been unfairly banned from a website or chat room. Sometimes moderators or webmasters at a favorite site arbitrarily block someone for purely personal reasons. Although this is a violation of a person's fundamental right to move freely about the Internet, there is little one can do to get unblocked beyond appealing to the person responsible for the blocking. Using an anonymous proxy not only allows people to visit sites from which they have been blocked, it effectively keeps them from being blocked again.

Sometimes people use an anonymous proxy or anonymous surfing practices to find information about competitors or family members without being traced. Unfortunately surfers can be traced through their IP address by any website they visit. Using an anonymous proxy effectively thwarts this. Because anonymous proxies use different IP addresses, and none of them traceable to the user, people can browse while secure in the knowledge that they are completely anonymous.

People with websites also benefit from anonymous proxies because they can post positive comments about their websites in popular forums without being discovered as the website owner. This kind of word-of-mouth advertising is both the rarest and the most effective. If you aren't using this deceptive, but entirely legal, method to bring traffic to your website, you are at a distinct disadvantage because other websites out there are using this technique.

Anonymous proxies can be used for anonymous reporting in cases where people fear reprisal. Although most people believe the government is on their side, there are too many cases of corruption for this to be realistic. An anonymous proxy makes sure whistle blowers and reporters are entirely anonymous and thus, entirely safe. In other countries, anonymous servers help oppressed citizens notify the world of injustices in their community without fear or imprisonment and death.

Some people feel that using a proxy for internet surfing is unnecessary because the most current version of Internet Explorer has a privacy mode. Although this will keep people who have access to the computer from tracking these users, it will not keep the visited websites from tracking the user. Even in privacy mode, there is no privacy. The only way to achieve true privacy is to use an anonymous proxy.

Are you still convinced that surfing the web is safe and anonymous without an anonymous proxy? Even as you read this, there are people out there who can track you. If you are comfortable with that reality, you truly have no need for an anonymous proxy. If you think this violation of your basic right to privacy is disturbing, now is the time to take action. Sign up for an anonymous proxy and start anonymous surfing today!

How to Install a New Font

2008-08-29T17:04:00.000-07:00

Due to the activating apple we alive in, a lot of bodies appetite to use fresh fonts for character and appearance abnormally in designing their web sites or web pages. An archetype of a fresh chantry is the Harry Potter chantry admired by Harry Potter addicts. If a being wants to apprentice how to install a fresh font, there are a lot of assets begin on the Web that they can analysis out.

There are abounding fonts that you can download off of the internet. Already the being has best the chantry that captured his/her interest, the abutting affair to analysis about is how to install the fresh chantry in the laptop or the PC. Of course, application chase engines such as Google and Yahoo will advance you to assorted sites alms instructions on how to install a fresh font.

If Microsoft Windows is your operating system, you will acquisition it accessible to install fresh fonts. Most of the chantry bales that can be downloaded from the Internet are in .zip files. The files are aeroembolism to accept a faster download rate. Unzipped the book aboriginal above-mentioned to installation.

The accomplish to install a fresh chantry are listed below:

1. All accessible Windows programs or applications charge be bankrupt first.

2. Abutting is to bifold bang on the Control Panel and again baddest Appearances and Themes.

3. Bang on See Also, again Accept Fonts. If a binder timberline appears, however, bang Folders, and again already See Additionally appears, accept the class Fonts.

4. Under the Book menu, you will see the option: Install Fresh Font. Baddest that option.

5. Already that advantage is selected, you will be asked to baddest a drive.

6. Look in the Folders account and baddest (double-click) the binder that holds the fresh fonts that you admiration to add.

7. Baddest the chantry you accept absitively to add begin in the Fonts List, and already selected, bang OK.

Additional Information:

If you accept absitively to add added than one font, columnist the CTRL key and authority it down, afterwards again bang on al the fonts you appetite added to your PC. You can additionally annoyance the fonts from addition area into the Fonts binder to install the fresh chantry faster.

If you are planning to use addition computer aural your Local Area Network (e.g. your PC is adulterated so you absitively to use the PC of your aide who is built-in beside you) the fresh fonts you accept installed will not arise in your colleague's PC. You can install the fresh chantry into the said PC if you absolutely charge to use that specific font.

This article was written by Tech 31 Other great articles we have written are how to increase virtual memory

What is Web Proxy and How Does it Work?

2008-08-28T17:00:00.000-07:00

There are 2 altered types of proxies, one that involves your machines and added is a web based proxy. But admitting that both of them allotment the aforementioned outcome, to browse the web in a safer way.

As I said that In any of the cases a proxy works the aforementioned way it will acquiesce you to defended you aloofness such as you IP abode but additionally accord you admission to assertive places that may accept been block to your networks. I am talking about your assignment place, schools, libraries and so on.

With the advice of a proxy you will able to ameliorate those websites that accept been blocked with your network's provider. As this will accredit you to cream the internet application addition server with addition IP address.

So if you are blocked in any web abode is not the end of the apple because you can cross still application a proxy and not alone that, by application a web based proxy you will browse safer because again you do not crave to install any anti spyware or anti virus on your system, because you are surfing with a proxy and the agreeable is filtered so no abuse can do to your machine.

So here you go: the advantage of using a proxy or proxy based website. And if you are interested in a web proxy, one I like to use is surfproxy.us It's fast, free, and it also has some other feature such as testing you internet speed and many other cool tools which are also free.

http://surfproxy.us

How to Choose Between External Storage And Internal Storage Drives

2008-08-18T23:32:00.000-07:00

The decision on whether to use an external storage drive versus an internal storage drive with your PC or device can be difficult. It is not just an aesthetic decision, but rather one that should be based on your needs versus the pros and cons of each type of drive.

The first thing you should consider when you begin looking for a new storage device is, no matter what kind will be whether you need or want an internal or external device. They each have their own sets of pros and cons, so it is important to be educated on each.

The first, and most obvious, benefit of an external hard drive is that it is easier to set up and get started with, especially if you are a computer novice. In most cases, it is a matter of simply plugging in the proper power source and USB cables, installing the proper drivers (which your computer will often lead you through), and you are ready to start using your external storage drive. This is really the best way to go if you are not confident or at all interested in messing around with the wires and cables inside your desktop or laptop.

A second, and perhaps less obvious benefit of the external memory drive, is that they are much easier to share between different users. Most of the USB/FireWire hard drives available today are "plug and play." This set up makes it simple to move the drive from one machine to another, since you simply unplug the drive from one machine and plug it into another. You can, then, more easily transfer files from home, to work, to school, or to a friend. The value of the convenience alone may be worth it to you, depending on your individual situation.

On the other hand, the downside of an external storage drive is that they are certainly slower than internal ones. Internal drives usually are connected to the computer through IDE/ATA busses, which are what support higher data transfer seeds than USB busses, which is how most external storage drives are connected. Also, in a simple manner of cost, since external drives generally have their own casings, they are often more expensive than internal drives.

As a general rule, internal drives are both faster and less expensive than their external counterparts. The biggest, perhaps most obvious, drawback of the internal storage devices is installing them. So, if you decide to go the internal route, look for a package that includes with it all of the cables and hardware required for installation. You will also want something that has a manual that is illustrated and easy for you to understand. In addition, good installation software can make or break it. If the package is a good one, even the most novice PC user will be able to install in internal drive.

Another advantage of internal storage drives is the price. As a rule, the greater the capacity of the media involved with the storage device, the cheaper the price per megabyte, but obviously the price is higher per device. Either way, since internal storage devices do not require their own casing, they run cheaper than their external counterparts.

The disadvantages to internal storage drives are more on par with their convenience. With most internal storage drives you lose the ease of user changing. You will have a much more difficult time removing an internal drive and transferring it to another person's computer. Of course, if you are using a laptop, such convenience is a little less necessary.

There are obviously a number of factors to take into account when making the decision between internal or external storage solutions. You must figure out what kind of access speed you need, how much backup storage you will need, overall storage needs both now and in the future, how much security and privacy you need, and a number of other memory factors. The thing is that in the end, you will do fine whether you select an internal storage drive or an external storage drive. Storage devices are more affordable than ever with more space available than ever. So make an educated guess at what is best for you and go for it, you really can't go wrong either way.

Gregg Hall is a business consultant and author for many online and offline businesses and lives in Navarre Florida with his 16 year old son. For data recovery tools and equipment go to http://www.datarecoveryfast.com

Toner Cartridges: Should You Use Remanufactured or Compatibles?

2008-08-18T23:31:00.000-07:00

First a little history....
In 1938, the first invention that would lead to the laser printer and toner cartridge was patented. The process, knows as "electro photography", used a dry printing method, not that different than today's laser printer. It was 1948, however, before the commercial application of electro photography because available.

In 1959, the first automatic reproduction machine, the Xerox 914, which used a dry printing process. In 1978, the fine-tuned technology was applied to the computer printing needs of business and private citizens. Physically large and with a large price tag as well, the Xerox 9700 laser printer that used a toner cartridge wasn't affordable by individuals except the wealthy.

Everything changed in 1984 when Hewlett Packard began to market the "LaserJet" printer. This printer came with a replaceable toner cartridge that was not difficult to change, although it could sometimes bit a little messy. The really problematic part was that people who used the LaserJet had stacks of expensive but empty toners stacked in the storage room or wherever they could find to store the toner cartridges.

This problem was quickly resolved by environmentally aware designers by re-manufacturing the laser toner cartridge. This significantly reduced the cost of using laser printers.

What's happening today?....
Nowadays we have the luxury of having a laser printer on our desk at home if we want that type of printing. The as well as the initial outlay for the printer has become quite affordable and provides a unique, very professional looking print out.

Today, laser printers are manufactured by many companies and the price tag is only slightly more than the common ink printer (though colour laser printers are still quite expensive the gap is getting smaller). The laser toner cartridge costs have been reduced so that it is reasonable to use the laser printer at home as well as at the office. In fact the toners are usually much cheaper when you take into account the larger number of pages you get for the amount you pay (the industry uses the terminology 'cents per page' or CPP)

Basically there are 2 types of cartridges, originals and non-originals and there are 2 types of non-originals being compatibles and remanufactured (this goes for inks also as does the information below). Otherwise known as non-genuine, after market this is how they work:-

- Compatibles are actually a brand new cartridge manufactured to work in the same way (without breaking the trademark, copy protection laws) as the same original cartridge with the same machines. The benefit you gain from these is obviously cost savings with at times massive savings up to around 50%. The downside is they are not as environmentally friendly as remanufactured toners and there are the occasional failures and complaints about lower quality (though failure rates for the top companies making these are within industry norms and not significantly higher than those of the original manufacturers themselves)
- Remanufactured toners however are a little different as they take an empty original (it should have only been used ONCE) and fill it with toner. As long as you buy from a reputable retailer it will have also been checked to determine if parts need to be replaced as well as toner refilled. You also get good cost savings as you do with compatibles but the environment wins out big time as you helping 'close the loop' by reusing an empty original. Once again the same applies as above with quality and failures (both negligible in my experience as a retailer in this industry)
NOTE: Its worth making a special note here that disposing of empty toners is a problem worldwide as the plastic they're made of takes so long to break down and the toxicity of the toner inside. In many countries today there are programs available where you can get rid of your empties without just throwing them in the bin. In fact if you hunt around you'll probably find a company will pay you for them as they need a constant stream of empties coming through so they can remanufacture them.

Something to keep in mind....
When purchasing a re-manufactured laser toner cartridge, be sure to read the box carefully and ensure you are selecting the right toner cartridge. The first time you purchase a re-manufactured toner cartridge, the box may look entirely different or very plain because these inexpensive toners are often not packaged in fancy, colourful boxes like the name brands. But then they don't cost what the name brand toners do, either.

The bottom line....
If you use a reputable retailer for your home/office supplies they should have a clear policy in place not only about faulty toners but what happens if a cartridge has somehow caused damage to your machine (this would be very unusual by the way). Under these circumstances this policy should give you a full warranty to have the equipment repaired ASAP at no cost to you.

With my clients when they ask what I suggest I always recommend they try a non-original to see for themselves the quality etc. In any case the trick is to be able to make an informed choice with someone you trust so at least if something goes wrong the people you bought from haven't skipped the country

Mr James has owned The Cartridge Specialists (Melbourne) since 2004 selling ink, toner, fax rolls etc & regularly writes articles about his industry

Advantages of a USB Adapter

2008-08-18T23:29:00.000-07:00

Finding an available port for your computer peripheral could be very difficult especially if you require several ports for your numerous devices. And the difficulty gets bigger if what you are looking for are ports with serial, parallel and non-USB connectors since modern computers have either reduced or removed the use non-USB ports.

So if you cannot locate any available non-USB ports, you can still make use of your non-USB devices. Simply buy USB adapter. You wonder: Is a USB adapter better than the conventional expansion card? Here are the advantages of using a USB adapter:

1. Universality. During the past, there are certain ports that are only compatible with specific devices like printers and modems particularly for printer ports. USB Adapter accommodates all (depending on the type of USB adapter) non-USB connectors of any computer peripherals. This would include joysticks, modems, keyboards, and mouse with 9- or 25-pin serial connectors.

2. No additional expansion cards required. Usually, when you link devices with non-USB connector to you computer you would require additional expansion card for each of these. So if you would add a joystick and a modem or any peripheral with non-USB connectors, you have to add an equal number of expansion cards for individual use. With USB adapter, all you need is a USB port to link any non-USB device to your computer.

3. Compatibility. Whether you would like to connect the serial, parallel port, or any other non-USB ports to your computer using the USB adapter, you wont have any problem for they would run. The USB adapter makes your devices work if connected to a USB port.

4. Multipliable. Since a single USB port can accommodate up to 127 devices (hubs included), you can attach several non-USB devices without the need of expansion cards. This means that when you have several non-USB devices, all you need to do is to provide each with USB adapter and a hub to connect them to the source.

5. Practicality. While most of the devices on the market have USB connectors, computers and other hosts have also used USB ports. And since non-USB ports are harder to find, you can resort to USB adapter connect your non-USB devices to your computer.

6. Price. Buying an expansion card is more expensive than buying a USB cable.

7. Availability. USB adapters are more abundant than expansion cards and in turn, they are easier to locate. A local computer store and even the Internet could be a rich source of these.

8. Easy installation. If you prefer to use an expansion card for your single device, you have to remove the whole computer assembly in order for the expansion card to be installed on your motherboard. But that is not all. You still have to turn of your computer and booth it several times for the card to start working. With USB adapter, all you have to do is to attach the connector of your non-USB device to the adapter, connect the adapter to the USB port of your computer and in no time, your device is working- even while your computer is turned on.

With all these lay down, would you still prefer using expansion cards for your non-USB devices? Certainly not! The availability of USB adapters has made connecting devices to your computer faster, cheaper, and easier.

S. Stammberger is the owner of Computer
Geek Blog. On her blog you will find helpful computer info for anyone. Don't get stuck on a problem again.

9 Warning Signs You Might Be Infected With Spyware And/Or Adware

2008-08-18T23:27:00.000-07:00

FACT: Chances are your machine is hosting spyware. There are currently over 78,000 Spyware and Adware programs on the Internet that can affect your PC.

Here are 9 warning signs you should be aware of, if any of them pertain to you then your PC is most likely infected:

If you start you Internet browser and the homepage that pops up is not the one that has been set by you. You then change it back to what you want and then it goes back to something you didn't set again. This is one of the more common features and ways to tell that you have been taken over by some sort of spyware and that you should rid your system of it immediately.

If you get pop-ups that have been personalized with your name on them or you begin to receive pop up ads while you are not even connected to the Internet or don't have a browser open. This is one of the more annoying ways that your system will let you know that you have something other than normal operating in your system.

You start receiving very expensive phone bills that have you placing many calls to 900 numbers that you never heard and ones that have hefty per-minute rates. Spyware takes over your phone line due to the connection that you have in conjunction with that phone service, whether dial-up or broadband.

You enter a searchable item into your required Internet toolbar or address bar and then all of sudden an unapproved searching system handles your search. More infamous items are infected with stuff such as Mysearch Bar and other spyware type search engines that only take you to their approved sites.

Another sure fire way to know that you have spyware operating on your system is that you have view your favorites list and you have favorite sites in their that you did not put in yourself and have found that other sites you put there are no longer found. You delete these items but they always show up again in your favorites.

Your system begins to run slower than normal. If you are a updated Windows OS user you pull up your task manager system information screen and see that your system is running at 100%, then you are infected with spyware because your system always needs a little free space in order to process information, which is why your system slows down when you have spyware on it.

At a time when you are not doing anything online, the send or receive lights on your dial-up or broadband modem blink just as wildly and lively as when you are online downloading a file or surfing the Internet. Also, your network icon on your screen will be flashing rapidly showing you that you are working on receiving and sending information from your system at a very rapid rate. This is the job of spyware here to send and receive information to your system without telling you.

A search toolbar or other browser toolbar appears even though you didn't request it or install it. Your attempts to remove it fail, or it comes back after removal. Parts of spyware registry files hide themselves in your system under aliases and unless you find all of them and remove them, then they will never leave your system, causing them to show up over and over again.

And the final sign is: Everything appears to be running normal but the most deceptive and devious spyware leaves no tracking information for you to find it anyway. This is the sure way to get you to check your system on a routine and regular basis so that you are sure you have no signs of an infection.

When not on his soapbox, Andrew Wroblewski is doing battle with the thousands of spyware programs that can affect you via his anti-spyware and spyware removalwebsite: http://spyware.pcwash.com where you can get a FREE spyware scan of your computer system.

How to Secure Your Wireless Home Network with Windows XP

2008-08-18T23:26:00.000-07:00

In my experience as a computer support tech for residential customers I would estimate that 9 out of 10 home wireless networks are not properly secured and left open for anyone in range to use the internet connection or worse, hack into the files. Most people don't even realize that their network is not secure. They buy a wireless router plug in all the cables and if they get an active internet connection from all PCs then they are done.

In this article I will show you how to secure your home network using Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) through a Preshared Key (PSK). WPA is the newest standard for securing home and small business networks. Most vendors now offer hardware and software that supports WPA including Windows XP SP2 which offers support for WPA using a Preshared Key (PSK) also known as a passphrase.

The first thing you need to do is log into your router and change your wireless network name from whatever default the router manufacturer has given it and create a passphrase. I would recommend doing this from a wired computer.

Once you are logged in to your router go to the wireless section. This will vary according to your router model but look for the fields labeled SSID and Passphrase. Now enter a value for each of these fields. It is a good idea to use some random characters in the SSID and enter a long string of all random characters for the passphrase. (I make my passpharse 50 characters; you can use up to 63).

TIP: Enter values for SSID and passphrase in notepad first so that you can just copy and paste them as you need them. This also decreases the chance of a typo.

While you are logged in to your router it may also be a good idea to change your router password from the default if you have not already done so.

Ok, now it is time to configure windows XP on your computer. First unplug your network cable from the back of your PC.

- Click on Start / Control Panel and double click the icon 'Wireless Network Setup Wizard'. If you do not see this icon then your computer may not have Windows Service Pack 2 installed. Click on start / All Programs / Windows Update and download it.
- When the wizard pops up click next
- Copy your SSID from notepad into the field labeled 'Network Name (SSID)'
- Select 'Manually Assign a Network Key'
- Put a check in the box 'Use WPA Encryption ...'
- Click Next

On the next screen do the following:

- Uncheck the 'Hide Characters as I Type' checkbox
- Copy and paste your passphrase from notepad into the 'Network Key' field
- Click next

On the next screen you decide how you want to setup other devices on your network. If you have a USB Flash drive then choose that option, it will save you some time. You will simply have to plug the USB drive into any other wireless computer and the configuration is done automatically. If you do not have a USB flash drive just manually configure each computer in the same way as above.

Well that about covers it. You now have a secure wireless network.

C Henry is a computer support writer for Computer Tech Support, a troubleshooter and toolbox for experienced and beginner computer techs.

Keep Your Computer Cool

2008-08-18T23:23:00.000-07:00

If the computer after several hours' use suddenly rebooted and does not show any sign of system failure, there could only be one thing. The computer is overheating.

Unknown to many, (especially those who are not into technological stuff) the computer could generate a large amount of heat when it is in use. Adding video or sound cards could also add more heat generation from your computer.

The temperature inside the computer or laptop that has high-powered processors that runs with multiple applications reaches one hundred forty (140) degrees.

The more drives, memory and even colored lights stuffed in today's CPUs and laptops, the less space there is for internal air circulation. Combine that with poor exhaust or surrounding ventilation, and systems slow, applications run poorly, or the computer could reboot to cool itself down, or crash altogether.

The popularity of cheap computers is fast increasing. People are drawn to buying the cheap computers but they are not aware of the reductions made just so to meet the demand.

One of these reductions is the size as well as the effectiveness of cooling fans on the computer. As the computer gets warmer, the computer speed also gets slower.

With the proper cooling device in the computer, rest assured that the performance of the computer would be better. It could also extend the life of the computer, motherboard and the processor.

Cooling products help drop the temperature of the CPU and its components by circulating, dissipating, cooling and pulling air from a desktop or laptop computer.

Some fans mount in the front drive bays of computers, while others slip into PCI slots to suck air out the back. Copper or aluminum "heat sinks" mount atop the processor to cool that device itself.

When buying a new computer, visit a retailer and touch the computer case to see how hot it gets. Consider adding additional fans to the PCI slots or atop the processor.

Other cooling tips include cleaning dust away from the CPU's fan, or opening the unit and using a can of compressed air to blow dust off the components.

Keep the CPU off the floor, and install filters atop the fans, to reduce dust, pet fur or other debris from getting into the unit. A small electrical fan aimed to blow across the CPU also can help disperse heat and cool the unit.

Keep the computer in a location where air can circulate freely. Keeping the tower in a desk cabinet, leaving the doors open or removed to aid circulation also helps air to circulate inside the computer.

For general office cooling, a flat-panel monitor, or LCD, can reduce the amount of heat generated, as compared to a traditional CRT monitor.

Laptop heat is especially common. Many road warriors, teleworkers and home office workers place the laptop literally upon their laps to work.

This not only can block exhaust fans, but can trap and build heat. Laptop pads dissipate heat by either elevating the unit from the surface, or by using fans to help draw heat away from the device.

Many slot coolers are being marketed today. There are two things that you have to consider before buying one. The intake of fresh cool air is very important. Case temperature drops with the intake fan in the case. T

he position of the fan is the other. It has to be positioned one slot away from the AGP card. The extra space would help the airflow inside the computer. This way the computer heat would be lessened.

James Monahan is the owner and Senior Editor of
CoolingBase.com and writes expert
articles about cooling.

Do You Know How To Install The Cpu In A Computer ?

2008-08-18T20:56:00.000-07:00

Without the CPU a computer can never run and therefore everyone should know the basics about how to install it in the computer. Everyone who is related to computer operating process must know the essential parts and its functions in a computer because the user may feel the need of the hardware knowledge anytime while operating it. The processes of installing CPU are a bit technical for which the user should have some prior knowledge.

The process can be described in a few steps which are fairly easy for the user. The person installing this should be very careful and cautious because a little carelessness on his side may lead to the damage of the motherboard and the minor pins.

As the CPUs are of two types, the processes of installing these are also different. The two types are the Athlon XP and the Pentium 4 among which the first one is a bit tricky and demands careful attention. The most important thing to be noticed while installing it is the pins. The pins should not be broken while inserting the wires in the holes.

The installer has to first match the pins with each other. The pins are designed in a manner where the other point can be inserted in a hap hazard manner. In fact, the person has to match the pins with the holes and the missing pins with the missing holes. In this attempt, most often it has been noticed that the person trying to do so breaks the pins. Once the pins get fixed you can be assured that the first step of installation is completed.

For keeping the CPU cool, the use of the thermal paste is most often suggested. This paste keeps it cooler and this helps in its smooth functioning. The thermal pastes are of various kinds among which the Arctic Silver is the best. It comes in the form of an injector style tube. While applying the paste the person has to be a bit careful because the attempt should be to make only a thin layer. For that the paste should be squeezed in a small drop on the CPU and then it should be split by a thin knife. This should be done smoothly and softly without giving any pressure on the paste.

The installation is not so tough as it looks to be. The person doing this can very easily do so by following the steps or the guidelines mentioned in the handbook. However, if the person installing it is not feeling comfortable in following the technical and mechanical steps, then it is better to approach a hardware engineer or a professional in this field. The computer parts are very fragile in nature and that is why the job demands some extra care too. Any mistake in this respect may result in heavy loss too.

By: Victor Epand

Victor Epand is an expert consultant for computers, laptops and software. When shopping for used computers, used laptops and used software, we recommend you shop at only the best online stores for used computer CPU, used laptop, used installing CPU software.

The Lens Cleaner Can Make A Song Play Smoothly

2008-08-18T20:54:00.000-07:00

The importance of the CD Rom is known to almost all of us. Lots of people use the computer only for playing music and for watching movies and these functions require the presence of the CD Rom in the computer. The lens in this is an integral part of the CD Rom which should be kept clean otherwise the discs used in the lens are sure to get spoiled. When the lens is not cleaned on a regular basis, the dust particles and other materials falling in it makes the whole lens improper for running a CD. Under such circumstances when the CD is played certain scratches or marks fall on it which either destroy it or corrupt the records in it. Therefore the CD Rom laser lens cleaner is very much essential for every user to keep their discs and the CD Rom in good state.

Very often it has been noticed that the player or the Rom gets stuck and the same words keeps on repeating making the picture trapped. This same incident keeps on repeating until you bring the disc out and clean both the lens and the disc. Therefore, for keeping the discs and the player in a good and running condition the CD Rom laser lens cleaner must be kept ready.

The cleaner has to be good enough to keep the lens clean and for that the buyers too have to be careful so that they do not buy any fake product. Nowadays, various brands are available in the market out of which it is often very tough to find out the best quality. The buyer should buy only the reputed brands or those which they have used before.

Along with the necessity of the CD Rom laser lens cleaner, the users should also follow certain instructions to keep the discs clean and make these last long. The discs should never be touched by its bright side because a simple touch in this portion can create scratches on it. The cloth with which the lens cleaner is rubbed on the lens should be very soft. It should also be noticed that the duster do not leave any fibre on the disc. Moreover, the lens and disc should not be cleaned by water.

The rewritable CDs get destroyed very easily and for these noting else but only the cleaner is the best means to clean with. The usefulness of the cleaner can be judged very easily for which a simple test is enough. If a disc is not running smoothly and the sound and images are stuck in the same note then it should be brought out and cleaned with the cleaner. The outcome can be seen in a minute just after rubbing the disc with the liquid. The disc will run as smoothly as a new one.

By: Victor Epand

Victor Epand is an expert consultant for computers, laptops and software. When shopping for used computers, used laptops and used software, we recommend you shop at only the best online stores for used computer cleaner, used laptop cleaner, used CD Rom Laser Lens Cleaner software.

Gaming Laptops: What You Must Know Before Buying

2008-08-18T20:53:00.000-07:00

You're a gamer, and you want to take things out on the road. You're going to need a laptop, of course, but what kind to choose? You may think your options as a gamer are limited, but there are still a few things you need to consider when looking for the right gaming laptop for you.

First of all, you need to decide whether this will be a gaming only laptop, or if you'll be wanting to do some work on it as well. Now, most laptops powerful enough to run today's games will have no problem with your basic productivity software, but understanding your needs in this regard is important, since it will determine what kind of options you get, especially with regard to operating systems and installed software.

Secondly, you need to decide how portable you need this laptop to be. As you may have seen, some gaming laptops are simple enormous, not the kind of thing you want to be carrying very far. If you're just looking for a dedicated gaming machine that will be easier to take to LAN parties than your desktop, these can be great, but if you're looking to be taking it to class, or travel with it, you might want to look into something smaller.

This is really why you need to understand your intended usage. The super brick like gaming laptop will perform extremely well when it comes to playing even the most modern games, but you won't get much battery life, and you will hate your life as you carry it around. A smaller laptop may be a joy to travel with, but choke when you try to play any modern games at decent graphics levels. Its an unavoidable compromise, and you will need to decide where your preferences lie.

Of course, if you're not playing the latest and greatest games out there, you can get away with a lot smaller and cheaper laptops. There are many classic games that are lots of fun to play, and will run great on an older or smaller machine. Try to think about what games you'll be playing the most, and base your decision off that.

When it comes to choosing the actual machine, you'll want to pay particular attention to the included graphics card, as this will most likely be the main determiner of the laptops suitability for playing games. Keep in mind that while mobile graphics chipset often have the same names as their desktop counterparts, they are by no means the same chipsets. Be sure to look up some benchmarks on any mobile chipset you're looking into buying so that you be sure you get one that will perform well enough to run what you need.

As you can see, buying a laptop for gaming is basically one giant compromise. However, if you spend a little time clearly delineating what you want from your laptop, you'll find that you should be able to find a machine that will work for you most of the time. Good luck with your search, and happy gaming.

By: David C. Wilson

David Wilson is the man behind Used Laptop Central, a site devoted to helping you find affordable used laptop computers. Here, you can find used Alienware laptops, which make great gaming machines, at very low prices. Check it out, and start saving today!

The Random Hang-up Problem

2008-08-18T20:52:00.000-07:00

Are you experiencing having your computer intermittently hang-up, or may re-boot itself for no apparent reason. This can be annoying, not to mention you have lost valuable work that you we in the process of creating.

If this has happened once, then your chances of explaining the cause are remote in the extreme. If you find it happening regularly, then it is clearly in your interest to find and fix the problem.

There are a few things you can check for yourself and may save you a trip to the repair shop.

With most modern computers, the system comes with built in circuitry to monitor the state of the computer. One of the checks built into your system is to test the operating temperature. The computer may shut down if this moves outside the desirable operating range. This may mean it is to hot or even to cold.

For your system to run at the correct operating temperature it is imperative that air circulates freely in and around the case. Do you have the computer case installed inside an enclosure? This may be the first thing to consider changing. Similarly, I have seen computers covered with books, manuals and paper documents. These again can hinder air circulation, and these items should be removed. Look at the slotted vents in the sides of the case. These slots can become blocked by an accumulation of dust. Your computer is usually always drawing some power, giving it a constant electrostatic charge. A computer is second only to a vacuum cleaner when it comes to sucking in dust and lint.

Taking off the cover of the case will also show the dust and lint build-up inside the computer. Be careful removing dust accumulations from internal components. You can do this with a soft artist’s brush or an aerosol can of compressed air.

Next, take look at the internal cooling fans. Modern computer usually have a cooling fan perched on top of the processor. This fan should be clear of dust, and running freely. There should be no obvious scraping noises when the cooling fan is running. It is OK to start the computer with the case cover removed. Just be careful not to poke things into the various components. There will also be a cooling fan inside or attached to the power supply. This again should be free of dust and running freely. Some computers may also have an additional case fan. This will be screwed on over one of the slotted case vents. Typically, it is running from a cable connected to the motherboard. Not all machines have a separate case fan. If it does, it is there for a reason. Apply the same checks to this fan.

Have you identified any mechanical faults with your cooling fans? It may require a trip to your local repair shop. The repair technician may also suggest that he remove the CPU heat sink so he can replace it with fresh heat transfer compound. This is a straightforward job for an experienced technician.

By: RR Smith

www.used-laptop-deals.com/”>Used Laptop Deals.Com Find the New or Used Laptop that you have been searching for and at a great price! Acer, Alienware, Apple, Asus, Averatec, Dell, Fujitsu, Gateway, HP, IBM Panasonic, Sony, Toshiba, and Wholesale lots.

Multifunction Devices For Offices

2008-08-18T20:50:00.000-07:00

What are multifunction devices?

Multifunction devices are machines that perform several different functions, most typically serving as a printer, copier, scanner and fax machine all in one. Some multifunction devices even have document editing tools such as hole punchers and staplers. All of these functions are combined into one physical unit.

Multifunction devices capable of sending email are becoming increasingly common, as are machines that can store and retrieve scanned documents. Multifunction devices are available in both inkjet and laser jet varieties. Note that as with computer printers, some will print only in black and white while others will also print in colour.

Why should I get a multifunction device for my office?

Multifunction devices present numerous benefits for any office. Because they replace up to four different machines with one, multifunction devices can save you lots of space. Typically a multifunction device is only slightly larger than a regular computer printer so you can keep it on your desktop, leaving open valuable floor space. You'll also have fewer cords and plugs to deal with.

In addition to saving space, you can also save money. For starters, purchasing a single multifunction device will cost less than buying each piece of equipment individually. Secondly, all of the devices will run off the same toner or ink. There's no longer any need to purchase separate cartridges for your printer, copier and fax machine.

Efficiency is another reason to purchase a multifunction device. Centralized document handling saves you time and helps you group together similar tasks. Often times the same document will need to be processed in multiple ways. With a multifunction device you can take care of it all in one place.

Another benefit of multifunction devices is cutting back on the amount of upkeep and maintenance you need to perform. You'll have only one machine to keep in working order. Similarly, you'll have only one machine you need to learn to operate. Learning the ins and outs of four separate devices can be time-consuming and frustrating.

But what if you already have all of those machines? Does that mean you don't need a multifunction device? Not necessarily, because multifunction devices make excellent backups in case one of your other machines breaks down.

This article was brought to you by Canon New Zealand.

About Canon New Zealand
Canon New Zealand was established in New Zealand in 1991 and is a subsidiary of the US$29.9 billion Canon Inc. group. The company is an industry leader in professional and consumer imaging solutions with a comprehensive product line that includes: networked multifunction devices, digital and analogue copiers (colour and black & white), printers, scanners, video conferencing, image filing systems, fax machines, digital video cameras, cameras and lenses. Canon New Zealand also operates its own lease finance serve, Canon Finance New Zealand, which facilitates "one stop" shopping for customers wanting to lease or finance their equipment solutions. Canon Inc. is a top patent-holder of imaging technologies.

By: Canon

For more information visit Canon New Zealand
For more Information on Multifunction Digital Devices, Click Here

Ups – An Important Back-up Providers

2008-08-18T20:49:00.000-07:00

UPS is a device that can protect computers and other electronic components from the power supply problems. The use of UPS ensures that there is no direct connection between the wall outlet and the power supply of the computer. Instead both the wall outlet and the power supply of the computer are connected to the power supply. It is a battery-driven power supply that is active even whenever sudden loss of power has occurred. There are certain types of uninterruptible power supplies with variety of capacities. There is a small unit type that can service a single computer in a home or office and there is also a type of UPS that can provide protection to a business environment that runs with a big computer network.

Uninterruptible power supplies are important back-up providers that are used in both large business establishments with a wide network of computers and in a home or office with individual computers. UPS is the most common used in the event of a power failure. In the case of power cut entire company's operation stops and this can carry a significant lost in the production. UPS is also used during voltage sags and spikes. It helps in regulating the flow of the electric current. Ultimately, the continuous flow of power can be beneficial in thousands of circumstances. These can include helping computers maintain functionality, avoiding severe data loss, keeping automatic doors operating properly and countless other uses.

An uninterruptible power supply works by taking its power from two or more sources simultaneously. It is usually powered directly from the AC mains, while simultaneously charging a storage battery. In case of dropout or failure of the mains, the battery instantly takes over so that the load never experiences an interruption. This can supply power as long as the battery is charge e.g., in a computer installation, giving the operator sufficient time to effect an orderly system shutdown without loss of data.

UPS may also be use in an internal combustion engine or turbine to continuously supply power to a system in parallel with power coming from AC mains. The engine-driven generators would normally be idling, but could come to full power in a matter of a few seconds in order to keep vital equipment running without interruption. Such requirements might be found in hospitals or telephone central offices.

UPS can maintain voltage flow and provide a constant source of electricity to one’s solitary computer at home or to critical applications in a large data center. They are available in various sizes and power capacities and are priced according to their features and power capacities. One should invest in a robust UPS to mitigate the risk.

By: Article Manager

Riello UPS provides many UPS Power Solutions which give various types of protection for computers and other electronic components from the power supply problems. Uninterruptible Power Supplies are an inexpensive way to prevent unscheduled downtime or data loss due to power problems.

Top 10 Ways To Make Your Broadband Home Router Even More Useful

2008-08-18T20:46:00.000-07:00

Chances are you’re probably already using your Broadband Home Router (BHR) to take advantage of the speed boost with Verizon FiOS or to transfer recorded episodes of The Office from your DVR to laptop. But did you know this same device can be used to activate parental controls on your home network or connect your Xbox to the wireless network? Here are 10 ways to use your BHR to enhance your home networking.

• Connect an Xbox to the BHR
• Set up advanced filtering
• Set up multiple static IP addresses
• Set up a static NAT
• Set up port forwarding
• Activate parental controls
• Use network objects
• Use IP address distribution
• Use a DMZ host
• Block specific computers from accessing certain services on the Internet

Connect an Xbox to the BHR
It’s easy to connect your Xbox to the BHR to enjoy wireless networking and online gaming.

1. Open the management console of your BHR by entering "http://192.168.1.1" in the Address bar of a web browser.
2. Enter the BHR's username and password (default login: username – "admin"; password – "password" or "password1").
3. Select Wireless Settings from the BHR's graphical user interface (GUI). Write down the SSID and WEP key (they'll be needed later). Note: Before a computer can connect to the BHR through a wireless signal, it must be configured with the appropriate SSID and WEP key.
4. From the Xbox Dashboard, select Settings then select Network Settings.
5. Click Advanced, and then click Wireless.
6. From the "Wireless Status" screen, select Settings.

• The BHR can be configured to either broadcast or not broadcast its SSID. If configured to broadcast its SSID, from the list of SSIDs in the "Select Network" screen, select the SSID written down in step 3. If the BHR is not configured to broadcast its SSID, select OTHER from the list in the Select Network screen. Then use the Xbox Dashboard virtual keyboard to enter the SSID written down in step 3.
• Select Network Mode as "Infrastructure." Then select Security Type and configure the Xbox Compatible wireless bridge with the same security settings ("NONE," "64-bit WEP," or "128-bit WEP") as the BHR.
• Press A to save the new settings, and then press B to go back.

7. From the "Wireless Status" screen, check that the Xbox is connected to the network name (SSID) specified in step 3. Press B twice to go back.
8. From the "Network Settings" screen, select "Connect." When the "Connect Status" screen appears, verify the Xbox is connected.

Set up Advanced Filtering
With the BHR’s advanced filtering options, you can prevent a particular computer on the BHR network from accessing a protocol, such as a game, website, or application.

1. Open a Web browser and enter "http://192.168.1.1" in the Address bar. Then, press the "Enter" key on the keyboard.
2. In the "Login" screen, enter the BHR's username and password (default login: username – "admin"; password – "password" or "password1"), then click OK.
3. In the next screen, click Security.
4. Select Advanced Filtering from the left side the "Security" screen.
5. Advanced filtering can be used on any connection controlled by the BHR, including Network (Home/Office), Broadband Connection (Ethernet and Coax), Ethernet, etc. In this procedure, we will implement advanced filtering for Network (Home/Office). Under the heading ‚"Network (Home/Office) Rules," click Add.
6. Select the computer to filter in both the "Source Address‚" and "Destination Address" sections of the screen from the appropriate drop-down lists.
7. Select the protocol to be filtered from the "Rule Name" section drop-down list. Activate "Drop" in the "Operation" section by clicking the appropriate radio button. Finally, click Apply at the bottom of the screen.
8. When the previous screen (Security) reappears, note that the rule has been added under the heading "Network (Home/Office) Rules." Click OK at the bottom of the screen to apply the changes made. The selected computer will be blocked from accessing the selected protocol.

Set up multiple static IP addresses
For most users, a dynamic IP address is just fine. For others looking to add their own e-mail server, access their computer remotely with a custom Virtual Private Network (VPN), host their own server or many other uses where you need to know your computers location, using multiple static IP addresses can be valuable. To set up multiple static IPs on the BHR, do the following:

1. Open a Web browser and enter "http://192.168.1.1" in the Address bar, then press the "Enter" key on the keyboard. Click OK.
2. The "Login Setup" screen appears. Enter a new User Name and Password in the appropriate fields. Click OK. Make sure and write down this information, as it will be needed in the future.
3. Click on the Security icon.
4. Select Static NAT from the left column.
5. Click Add from the "Static IP Mapping Table."
6. An IP address (example: 192.168.1.2) can be entered, or the name of the computer can be selected from the "Networked Computer/Device" list.
7. Enter one of the public addresses from the public IP address block assigned to the customer in "Public IP Address" text field.
8. From the "WAN Connection Type" list, select All Broadband Devices.
9. Make sure the check box next to "Enable Port Forwarding for Static NAT" is active (has a check mark).
10. Select the service/protocol that needs to be accessible from the public IP address, then click OK. (selecting "ANY" will allow all services to be accessible).
11. From the "Static NAT" screen, click Apply, then OK.

Set up Static Network Address Translation
A static NAT allows devices behind a firewall and configured with private IP addresses appear to have public IP addresses on the Internet. This allows an internal host, such as a web server, to have an unregistered (private) IP address and still be reachable over the Internet. To set up Static NAT:

1. Open a Web browser and enter "http://192.168.1.1" in the Address bar, then press the "Enter" key on the keyboard. Click OK.
2. Select Static NAT from any "Security" screen. The "Static NAT" screen appears.
3. Click Add. The "Add NAT/NAPT Rule" screen appears.
4. Select a source address from the drop-down list. Usually, this is the public IP address assigned by the ISP.
5. Select a "Destination Address from the appropriate drop-down list.
6. Select the protocol that needs to be accessible from the public IP address from the "Protocol" drop-down list.
7. From the "Operation" drop-down list, select ‚"Static NAT" or "NAPT" (Network Address Port Translation), depending on the type of rule.
8. Define when this new rule will occur from the "When should this rule occur?" drop-down list.
9. Repeat these steps to add more static IP addresses from the network.

Set up Port Forwarding
In its default state, the BHR blocks all external users from connecting to or communicating with the network, making it safe from hackers who may try to intrude on the network and damage it. However, the network can be exposed to the Internet in certain limited and controlled ways to enable some applications to work from the local network (game, voice, and chat applications, for example) and to enable Internet access to servers in the network. Port forwarding (sometimes referred to as local servers) supports both of these functions.

To grant Internet users access to servers inside the local network, each service provided, as well as the computer providing it, must be identified. To do this:

1. Open a Web browser and enter "http://192.168.1.1" in the Address bar, then press the "Enter" key on the keyboard. Click OK.
2. Select Port Forwarding from the left side of any Security screen. The "Port Forwarding" screen appears.
3. Click Add. The "Add Port Forwarding Rule" screen appears.
4. Enter the local IP address or the host name of the computer providing the service in the "Networked Computer/Device" text box. Note that only one local network computer can be assigned to provide a specific service or application.
5. Select the Internet protocol to be provided from the "Protocol" drop-down list. To see all options, select All Services.
6. To select a port to forward communications to (this is optional), select Specify from the "Forward to Port" drop-down list, then, in the text box that appears, enter the port number. If no port is identified, select Same as Incoming Port.
7. If this port will be active all the time, select Always from the "When should this rule occur?" drop-down list. If the rule will only be active at certain times, select Specify Schedule and click Add. Then, add a schedule rule.
8. Click Apply to save the changes.

Activate Parental Controls
With the BHR’s "Parental Controls" screen, you can create a basic access policy for any computer on the BHR's network by creating a set of rules (for example, block access to certain websites). To do this:

1. Open a Web browser and enter "http://192.168.1.1" in the Address bar, then press the "Enter" key on the keyboard. Click OK.
2. Click Parental Control from the top of the Home screen.
3. The "Parental Control" screen appears. From the "Networked Computer/Device" list box, select a computer/device, then click Add. The computer/device appears in the "Selected Devices" list box.
4. In the "Limit Access by" section of the screen, select one of the following options:

1. Block the following Websites and Embedded Keywords within a Website - blocks all websites or keywords entered in step 4 from being accessed on the computers/devices selected in step 2.
2. Allow the following Websites and Embedded Keywords within a Website - allows access only to the websites or keywords entered in step 4 on the computers/devices selected in step 2.
3. Blocking ALL Internet Access - blocks all Internet access on the computers/devices selected in step 2.

5. Enter the URL address of a website and, if applicable, the embedded keyword within the website. Click Add. The websites and/or keywords selected will appear in the textbox to the right. If you make a mistake, or wish to delete a previously entered website/keyword, select it, then click Remove.
6. If needed, you can create a schedule for when you want the rule to be active, or inactive. In the "Create Schedule" section, select the affected days.
7. Select whether the rule will be active or inactive during the schedule you created by clicking the radio button next to the appropriate option.
8. If you want more precise control over the schedule, set up an hourly schedule by entering the start and end times in the appropriate text boxes. Don't forget to specify AM or PM. Note: The hourly schedule only affects the days selected in step 5. For example, if you select Saturday and Sunday, a start time of 10 a.m., and an end time of 3 p.m., the scheduled time will be Saturday/Sunday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
9. In the "Create Rule Name" section, enter a rule name and description in the appropriate text boxes.
10. Click Apply to save and apply the new rule.

Use Network Objects
Network objects are used to define a part of the BHR's network (for example, a group of computers) by MAC addresses, IP addresses, and/or host names. The defined part becomes a "network object," and settings, such as configuring system rules, can be applied to all the devices defined as part of the network object at once.

For example, instead of manually setting the same website filtering configuration to five computers one at a time, the computers can be defined as a network object, and website filtering configuration can then be applied to all the computers simultaneously.

Network objects can also be used to apply security rules based on host names instead of IP addresses. This may be useful, since IP addresses change from time to time. Moreover, it is possible to define network objects according to MAC addresses, making rule application more persistent against network configuration settings. To define a network object:

1. Open a Web browser and enter "http://192.168.1.1" in the Address bar, then press the "Enter" key on the keyboard. Click OK.
2. Click Advanced, then click Network Objects in the "Advanced" screen. The "Network Objects" screen appears.
3. Click Add. The "Edit Network Object" screen appears.
4. Specify a name for the network object in the "Description" text box.
5. Click Add. The "Edit Item" screen appears.
6. Select the type of network object type from the "Network Object Type" list box. Options include "IP address," "IP Subnet," "IP Range," "MAC Address," and "Host Name."
7. Repeat to create other network objects, if needed. When finished, click Apply to save all created network objects.

Use IP Address Distribution
The BHR's DHCP server makes it possible to easily add computers configured as DHCP clients to the network. It provides a mechanism for allocating IP addresses to these hosts and for delivering network configuration parameters to them. For example, a client (host) sends out a broadcast message on the network requesting an IP address for itself. The DHCP server then checks its list of available addresses and leases a local IP address to the host for a specific period of time and simultaneously designates this IP address as "taken." At this point, the host is configured with an IP address for the duration of the lease.

The host can choose to renew an expiring lease or let it expire. If it chooses to renew a lease, it will also receive current information about network services, as it did with the original lease, allowing it to update its network configurations to reflect any changes that occurred since it first connected to the network. If the host wishes to terminate a lease before its expiration, it can send a release message to the DHCP server, which will then make the IP address available for use by others.

The BHR's DHCP server:
• Displays a list of all DHCP hosts devices connected to the Router.
• Defines the range of IP addresses that can be allocated in the network.
• Defines the length of time for which dynamic IP addresses are allocated.
• Provides the above configurations for each network device and can be configured and enabled/disabled separately for each network device.
• Can assign a static lease to a network computer so that it receives the same IP address each time it connects to the network, even if this IP address is within the range of addresses that the DHCP server may assign to other computers.
• Provides the DNS server with the host name and IP address of each computer connected to the network.

To view a summary of the services currently being provided by the DHCP server, click IP Address Distribution in the "Advanced" screen. The "IP Address Distribution" screen appears.

Editing DHCP Server Settings
To edit the DHCP server settings for a device:

1. Click the appropriate icon in the "Action" column. The "DHCP Settings" screen for the device appears.
2. Select the "IP Address Distribution" from the drop-down list. Options include DHCP Server, DHCP Relay, or Disable.
3. Complete the following fields:

• Start IP Address Range, End IP Address Range - determines the number of hosts connected to the network in this subnet. "Start" specifies the first IP address assigned in this subnet and "End" specifies the last IP address in the range.
• Subnet Mask - used to determine to which subnet an IP address belongs. An example of a subnet mask value is 255.255.0.0.
• WINS Server - The WINS (Windows Internet Naming Service) server determines the IP address associated with a network device.
• Lease Time - each device will be assigned an IP address by the DHCP server for a limited time ("Lease Time") when it connects to the network. When the lease expires, the server will determine if the computer has disconnected from the network. If it has, the server may reassign this IP address to a newly-connected computer. This feature ensures that IP addresses not in use will become available for other computers on the network.
• Provide host name if not specified by client - when activated, the Router assigns the client a default name if the DHCP client does not have a host name.

4. Click Apply to save the changes.

To view a list of computers currently recognized by the DHCP server, click Connection List at the bottom of the IP Address Distribution screen. The "DHCP Connections" screen appears.

To define a new connection with a fixed IP address:

1. Click New Static Connection in the DHCP Connections screen. The "DHCP Connection Settings" screen appears.
2. Enter a host name for this connection.
3. Enter the fixed IP address to assign to the computer.
4. Enter the MAC address of the computer's network card.
5. Click Apply to save changes.

Note: A device's fixed IP address is actually assigned to the specific network card's MAC address installed on the network computer. If this network card is replaced, the device's entry in the DHCP Connections list must be updated with the new network card's MAC address.

To remove a host from the table, click the appropriate "Delete" icon in the Action column.

Use a DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) Host
The DMZ host feature allows one device on the network to operate outside of the protection of the firewall. This can be used:

• To use an Internet service, such as an online game or video-conferencing program, that is not present in the Port Forwarding list and for which no port range information is available.
• To expose one computer to all services without restriction or security.

Warning: A DMZ host is not protected by the firewall and may be vulnerable to attack. Designating a DMZ host may also put other computers in the local network at risk. When designating a DMZ host, consider the security implications and protect it if necessary.

To designate a local computer as a DMZ host:

1. Open a Web browser and enter "http://192.168.1.1" in the Address bar, then press the "Enter" key on the keyboard. Click OK.
2. Click Security, then select DMZ Host from the left side of the screen. The "DMZ Host" screen appears.
3. Click in the "DMZ Host IP Address" check box, then enter the IP address of the computer to be designated as a DMZ host. Note that only one network computer can be a DMZ host at any time.
4. Click Apply. Click in the "DMZ Host IP Address" check box again to disable the DMZ host.

Access Control
Use access control to block specific computers within the local network (or even the whole network) from accessing certain services on the Internet. For example, one computer can be prohibited from surfing the Internet, another computer from transferring files via FTP, and the whole network from receiving incoming e-mail. Access control defines restrictions on the types of requests that can pass from the local network out to the Internet, and thus may block traffic flowing in both directions. In the e-mail example, computers in the local network can be prevented from receiving e-mail by blocking their outgoing requests to POP3 servers on the Internet.

Access control also incorporates a list of preset services in the form of applications and common port settings. To view and allow/restrict these services:

1. Open a Web browser and enter "http://192.168.1.1" in the Address bar, then press the "Enter" key on the keyboard. Click OK.
2. Click Security, then Access Control from the left side of the screen. The "Access Control" screen appears. Note: The "Allowed" section is only visible when the firewall is set to "Maximum."
3. Click Add. The "Add Access Control Rule" screen appears. Note: To block a service, click Add in the "Blocked" section of the Access Control screen. To allow outgoing traffic, click Add in the "Allowed" section of the screen.
4. If this access control rule applies to all networked devices, select Any from the "Networked Computer/Device" list box. If this rule applies to certain devices only, select Specify Address and click Add. Then, create and add a network object (for more details about adding network objects, see the "Advanced Settings" chapter of this manual).
5. Select the Internet protocol to be allowed or blocked from the "Protocol" drop-down list.
6. If the rule will be active all the time, select Always from the "When should this rule occur?" drop-down list. If the rule will only be active at certain times, select Specify Schedule and click Add. Then, add a schedule rule (for more details about schedule rules, see the "Advanced Settings" chapter of this manual).
7. Click Apply to save the changes. The Access Control screen will display a summary of the new access control rule. Note: To block a service not included in the list, select Specify Protocol from the Protocol drop-down menu. The "Edit Service" screen appears. Define the service, then click OK. The service will then be automatically added to the top section of the "Add Access Control Rule" screen, and will be selectable.

An access control can be disabled and the service made available without having to remove the service from the Access Control table. This may be useful to make the service available temporarily, with the expectation that the restriction will be reinstated later.
• To temporarily disable an access control, clear the check box next to the service name.
• To reinstate the restriction at a later time, select the check box next to the service name.
• To remove an access restriction from the Access Control table, click Remove for the service. The service will be removed from the Access Control table.

By: Lesley Kirchman

About the author Director of Corporate Marketing for Actiontec Electronics since 1999, Lesley Kirchman is responsible for all aspects of marketing, corporate brand, and end user experience. Her leadership helped drive sales at Actiontec from $35 million in 1999 to over $180 million in 2007, secure coverage in hundreds of leading publications and news outlets, as well as expand brand visibility through co-branding campaigns with Verizon, Qwest, and AOL.

The Fundamentals Of Computer Network And Its Support Services Put Simply Speaking

2008-08-18T20:44:00.000-07:00

Hardware is the term given to the computer machinery and the various individual pieces of the computer. It refers to the physical devices of the computer system. The same hardware can be loaded with different software to make a computer system perform different types of jobs to produce useful outputs.

In a computer system hardware and software must work together .If you find some problem with the computer components you look for hardware solutions. There are many companies who take annual maintenance charges from the customer and provide complete software and hardware solutions to them. They have their own trained engineers in both the fields (hardware or software) that find the problem and give solution for it.

Many online websites and PC manufacturing companies are providing hardware solutions in there questionnaire and support their customers by sending representative to monitor the problem of your hardware and give the solution of the same.

In order to understand the work of network installation service, we should know about computer networking. A computer network is a network of geographically distributed multiple computers connected to each other in a manner to enable meaningful transmission and exchange of information among them.

The network installation service refers to the way in which the nodes of the network are linked together. The network installation services determine the data paths, which may be used between any pair of nodes in the network. There are several organizations such as banks, insurance companies, hospitals, railways etc. that need on-line processing of large number of transactions and require many computer system to communicate and interact with each other on the same network. In such a computing environment the role of network installation services is vital.

There are several types of physical channels through which the data can be transmitted from one point to another. Most common data transmission medium are wire pairs, coaxial cable, microwave system, communication satellite and optic fibres.

Network security and support services design and maintain numerous services through which you can protect your PCs from viruses by getting firewalls installed in them, reporting spam etc.

The network security and support services give you assistance in maintaining the various networks and give solution for any troubleshooting situation in the network.

By: Smit

Smit Mathur is an expert for writting Articles and is currently working for Swift Computers.For more information related to Network security and support services, small and large business networking solutions, network Installation service please visit www.swiftcomputers.com.au/

5 Key Installation Guidelines Of Hard Drive

2008-08-18T20:43:00.000-07:00

Hard drive is one of the important components for the computer. It saves databases and images as well as song according to the usage of the computer.

Some computer also saves engineering drawing as well as 3D images. Hard drive is available in different sizes depends on your usages. If you want to install new drive or reinstall the drive than you must have to follow some steps.

1. First you need to install the hard drive in the computer. It needs to remove the panel if you require. The most crucial thing is to install the jumper of the driver properly. You must need to check that the jumper must be fixed over the pin.

2. Once you install the driver than you need to install the drive into the case. There is a removable bay inside your case. Some drive have removable bay so it is easy to remove it. Incase you do not have removable bay than just insert the hard drive into the driver bay.

3. It is essential to give connection to all cables that attached to the hard drive. You must have to connect the cables with motherboard’s primary and secondary connector. It connects the four pin connector to the power supply.

4. You must have to close the case panel into the case and fit the case with screw.

5. You need to make the power cord and attached in the AC cable. Turn the power on and once your PC get start BIOS setup will detached the driver.

By: Alex Bellweather

Alex Bellweather is a writer for Cheap Hard Drive, the premier website to find external hard drives, hard drives, laptop hard drives, internal hard drives, computer hard drives, best external hard drives, cheap external hard drives and many more.

It Starts With A Motherboard

2008-08-18T20:42:00.000-07:00

It all starts with a motherboard when talking about computers. Simply put, this is a vital organ for all computers much the way our organs are in our own bodies. Technically, it is a primary printed circuit board that can be found in a complex electronic system. A better example of a complex electronic system known to pretty much everyone is the computer.

The motherboard has several other names, proving Shakespeare's theory that a rose by any other name would indeed smell as sweet. Known as a main board, baseboard, system board, planar board, logic board, and mobo, this is one pc supply that can't be skipped when building your own computer. It also means that a memory lapse may not mean that you can't get the part. I've seen techs recognize even the most bumbled explanations of what is wanted because of the vital nature of this component of computers.

The simplest of motherboards include sockets, slots, chipset, non-volatile memory chips, clock generator, and slots for expansion cards, power connectors, and circuits. Each of these is a necessary component that works together in tandem to be the brains of your computer. Sockets are the holders of the microprocessors as this is where they are installed. Slots hold the computers main memory while chipsets form an interface between the computer's busses and the main memory. Non-volatile memory stores the firmware for the computer and the BIOS, which is necessary to boot the computer. The clock generator is responsible for the system clock signal and synchronization capabilities while slot expansions interface through the busses. The power connectors receive the electrical power that makes all of the motherboard come alive.

As you can see, this one piece of equipment is vital to building a computer. No computer can operate without one. Because of the integral role of the motherboard, it is not surprising that the motherboard should be carefully chosen. Not all motherboards are created equal. Not all motherboards will work for all operating systems. These are unique pieces of equipment that your computer needs to operate and they need compatible components to work with them. If you build a motherboard for XP, for example, and you load Vista, you will probably have a problem that shows up as a silent computer regardless of your sound card choice. You would likewise see difficulties if you load a computer whose motherboard is compatible with Mac Leopard system with Linux or Windows. It simply won't work to your advantage.

When you begin shopping around for motherboards, it is important to know a little about what you want from the computer you are building as well as the operating system you plan to install on it. Upon investigating further, you should tell your sales representative about your must haves for the motherboard since this is the center of activity for your computer. This will help them help you get the perfect motherboard for your dream computer and at a cost that fits into the total budget that you have set for your project.

By: Victor Epand

Victor Epand is an expert consultant for computer memory, PC supplies, and computer games. When shopping, we recommend the best online stores for PC supplies,choosing a Motherboard, computer memory, RAM, and used computer games.

Symantec Norton Antibot The Latest In Norton Computer Protection Software

2008-08-18T18:00:00.000-07:00

It seems like every other month a new “program” comes along to make our lives that much easier. For example, first we could bookmark favorites, and then RSS feed them, and then came widgets and now “bots” which are robots that do a lot of our computer work for us in the background. Examples of friendly bots are weather bots, game playing bots, instant messaging and my favorites are those on AOL Instant Messenger which do all kinds of functions for me like shop, find movie times and even give updates on the Wall Street Journal.

Unfortunately not all bots were created “equal.” Some are friendly and some are not. The ones that are not friendly can be a form of malware that allows control of your computer to be released, providing hackers with the opportunity to access your information and spread harmful bots to others. This type of computer virus can then be used to spread spam and commit various types of identity theft and other online fraud.

So with new threats to our computers and information, new methods of protection are required. One of the oldest and most well known software protection designers has recently released a new protection program, Symantec Norton AntiBot. This is a software product designed to prevent the hijacking of one’s personal computer by bots and uses the bots on design programs against them, to located and destroy them.

Many people already employ some form of protection on their personal computer, such as increasing the protection level from internet information to “high.” But these cannot detect some of the most recent bot programs and may not be the most efficient means of information protection, especially with the Internet being used more and more frequently for online shopping, ticket purchases, travel and other “high risk” activities.

A more effective method of detecting and eliminating threats caused by bots is to install software designed specifically to detect, destroy and prevent bots from having access to your computer. With Symantec Norton AntiBot software, protection against bots is enhanced several times and the threat of bot attack is greatly diminished. It’s program protects against bots by blocking bots from entering your computer through downloads and e-mail attachments (two of the common ways bots enter a personal computer), checking for any unusual behavior on your personal computer and eliminating it, and detecting malicious bot software at all levels; keeping your personal, financial and credit card information safe and stopping identify theft before it can occur.

Because bots operate in the background and are not detectable by antivirus or antispyware programs, many computer users are completely unaware that their personal computer has become infected. Many problems caused by bots go undetected until it is too late. Warning signs that your computer may have been accessed include: slowness of computer speed and unusual or irrelevant error messages. However, many times com these symptoms are sporadic and computer users will take little notice. Many people will continue to use their personal computer, unaware that bots have hijacked their personal computer and are slowly at work; looking for credit card numbers, passwords, and logon information which can be used for identity theft and in committing other types of online crime. This program scans your personal computer on a continuous basis, closing the gaps that could allow bots to infect your personal computer and better ensuring that bots do not invade and gain control.

The use of Symantec Norton AntiBot to determine what a harmful or useful bot and allows you to continue using those bots you love and have come to depend on for information and services. It can be used in addition to several other antivirus and antispyware programs. Its compatibility is not limited to only Norton products.

The cost of this software is $29.95 for one year of service. It was awarded PC Magazine’s Editor’s Choice Award (2007) and underwent rigorous testing which included using AntiBot on computers with existing threats as well as allowing threats to try to access the computer after installation.

With the growing threat of identity theft and credit card fraud Symantec Norton AntiBot offers an additional level of protection needed to combat the threat of bots and prevent them from turning one’s personal computer into a robotic that turns into an instrument of destruction to both your personal and financial well-being.

About The Author
Lisa Carey is a contributing author for http://www.IdentityTheftSecrets.com. You can get tips on Identity theft protection, software, and monitoring your credit, as well as learn more about the secrets used by identity thieves at http://www.IdentityTheftSecrets.com

Compaq Presario V3424AU - Stylish Laptop with all Useful Technologies

2008-08-18T17:56:00.000-07:00

In the fast paced life of the modern times, it is very necessary to do more work in less time. With the increasing competition in the work field, you have to be constantly on the go. You need to work rigorously not only when in office, but also when at home and sometimes, even while traveling. It is in such cases that a laptop becomes all the more essential.

It saves important data for you and makes it readily available whenever needed. It is enhanced with upgraded technology that makes work easy for you. To add to this, when you are tired, you could also refresh yourself with some good music since it is enabled with some entertainment features.

Key Features

Compaq Presario V3424AU is enabled with AMD Turion 64 MK38. It has a processor cache memory of 512 KB. It acts as an intermediary between the RAM and the CPU. It makes sure any data frequently used by the CPU is readily available as and when needed. Compaq Presario V3424AU has a processor speed of 2200 MHz. It has an inbuilt memory of 120 GB. So, you can store all your important documents safely. This is one of the finest features of the laptop since storing such a huge mass of data is not everyone's piece of cake.

Design

Compaq Presario V3424AU is equipped with a 14.1? BrightView screen. It has a maximum display resolution of 1280 x 800 dpi. The image quality discerned from this laptop is extremely precise. As a result, you will enjoy each and every moment of work. It is enabled with three USB ports for enhanced transferability of important data.

With the dimensions of 334 x 237 x 39 mm and the weight of 2.46, Compaq Presario V3424AU comes under the category of somewhat heavy notebooks. It is not always possible to take it along with you wherever you go.

Core Information

Compaq Presario V3424AU is enabled with Windows Vista Home Basic operating system. As a result, you get good results without putting in too much hard work.

Conclusion

Compaq Presario V3424AU is an ideal work mate since it is enabled with the latest technology. Its processor speed is also fairly good which enhances the pace of your work. Go for it!

About the author
Pooja Lapasia is a well known author and has written articles on Laptop Computers , Laptop store, Compaq Laptops, online shop and many other subjects.

How to actually deploy the Backups?

2008-08-18T17:54:00.000-07:00

For avoiding the need of data recovery by the other means, doing the regular backup is the part of necessary concern. There are two possible types: online and offsite backups. The offsite backups are quite easy to be performed, but on the other hand they can be time consuming and problematic. While of you are using the online server backup program, then this is comparatively safer for conserving the vital information in a quick and unattended way.

Using different kind of storage media is the great option, but ultimately they become full and someone has to step in and put in a fresh tape. Now you can run the backups either during the day time or night time. In the day time if the strength of the organization is large then this would slow down the server, while during the night, a night operator has nothing to do other than watching the spin.

On the other hand, the online backup doesn’t involve media swapping and problems as attached with the earlier one. Some of the organizations also take the decision of shifting the backup media to some other location in which lot of money and time is spent, but at the end of day this proves useful if some disaster strikes.

But you can’t restore from the offsite storage so quickly. Even if a single relevant file gets lost then someone has to run and get those storage media which can add to the wastage of time.

If you look on restoring from the remote backups then this will sound as easy as restoring from the media kept in the same room and thus saves your lots of time. But if the remote connection goes down or some similar problem encounters which resists you from restoring your data then your overall disaster recovery appears to be failed.

So the proper mechanism would be, to have multitude of precautions. This includes retaining both types of backup and the awareness about data recovery solutions. The combination of both types of backups offer you a high resisting power from critical data loss situations and the completeness gets added when you know how to recovery the data when not a single backup plan is working.

Data recovery solutions run on the matter how you had lost your data. If no physical damage is bothering your hard drive, then data recovery software is the key whereas for the physical ones, you need to adopt the data recovery services.

Stellar Information Systems Limited plunks as the leading provider of data recovery solutions. The data recovery software for the range of operating systems, viz. Windows, Linux, Novell, UNIX and Macintosh, possess the wonderful power to scan you media for recovering each bit of your data.

The skilled data recovery professionals of Stellar have the great ability to examine each media and enable data recovery in all cases, howsoever the damage may be. The clean and dust free environment of Class 100 Clean Rooms, use of the advanced tools and techniques are few of the attributes which ensure you the perfect and maximum data recovery.

About the author
Andrew Watson a student of Mass Communication doing research on data recovery software. He is also a freelancer for http://www.stellarinfo.com

5 Criteria For Selection Of Sound Card

2008-08-18T17:52:00.000-07:00

There are various types of sound card use in different types of systems. The sound card is media that provides an audio visual effect on the computer and other instruments.

There are different capacities of sound cards use in different system according to the system requirements. You must have to consider various factors before selecting the sound card.

1. First thing is to get the sound card is to know the basic requirement of sound card. There are various applications of sound card so it is essential to get the suitable sound card as per your needs.

2. There are various companies provides online catalogue with image and specifications. You need to select the sound card by reading the specification and the image given in the sound card. The online shopping sites also sale the sound card of the reputed companies. You can also shop the sound card through local stores too.

3. You must have to select the sound card according to your budget. If you have less budget than no-frill sound card is available at lesser rate while in special application like multi media, you need high-end sound card.

4. If you want to select the high-end sound card, you need to use special types of sound card that gives quality output in the 3D environment. You can connect more than two speakers at a time to get better sound.

5. You must also need to know that which types of sound card are fit to your system. It is one of the crucial needs before purchasing the sound card.

About the author
Alex Bellweather is a writer for Computer Sound Cards, the premier website to find PC Card Sound Card, Computer Sound Card, Sound Card Drivers, Download Sound Card, Sound Card Packet, Soundcard tips, Soundcard company, Sound Card Shopping and many more.

Zip files recovery tool

2008-08-18T17:51:00.000-07:00

Recovery Toolbox for Zip is an intelligent solution, that repairs files from corrupted archives in ZIP format. Despite its small size, Recovery Toolbox for Zip is a very powerful tool, that quickly scans corrupted archives with zip extension and attempts to extract as much data, as it is possible. Recovery Toolbox for Zip uses several independent data recovery algorithms, developed by our engineers, it guarantees the highest level of data recovery services, provided by Recovery Toolbox for Zip. This program also checks data integrity, it improves the quality of data repair.

Despite its powerful features, Recovery Toolbox for Zip is very easy to use. No need to have good computer skills to take advantage of this program for zip recovery, the process of zip parsing is a sequence of easy steps, that can be reproduced by all users. If you’re pressed in time, you can skip instructions, because zip archives can be restored intuitively, without any help.

In should be noted, that Recovery Toolbox for Zip does not modify the source file, it gives you a chance to try another zip repair service, if zip recover is necessary. We are sure, that Recovery Toolbox for Zip works better and repairs more files, than other data recovery services. Feel free to download demo version of Recovery Toolbox for Zip and make sure, that it’s right.

Recovery Toolbox for Zip can also restore the data from corrupted media, like flash drives, floppy disks, CD disks and other storage facilities. Please drop us a note, if you have any questions with regard to recovery zip.

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5 Basic Tips To Selection Of Motherboard

2008-08-18T17:50:00.000-07:00

Motherboard is one of the important parts of the computer. The entire computing process is based on the motherboard.

The technology of the motherboard are always upgrade frequently in a year. The system is getting more compact and the capacity of the motherboard is get increases. People always love fast speed and they are always in search of higher version of the CPU.

1. System upgaradation includes change in capacity of the processor. The new versions of processors are available from many companies. If you are looking for upgraded version of the processor, you must have to select the processor based on the present system configuration.

2. Apart from the processor, it is essential to select the proper upgraded processor as per your budget. You must have to consult the system engineer to get the suitable version of the processor to replace the current processor. In the earlier years the Celeron mother boards were installed in most of the system and in laptop or notebook.

3. In the present era, Pentium grade and new version of processor are available with higher capacity of the processing the database. Similarly you must have to upgrade the BIOS as per your configurations.

4. If you install the faster processor than it carry more power load and if you install old version of motherboard than it does not work so it is better to select the proper motherboard that suits to your requirement.

5. The motherboard is available around $100 pr more. You must have to select the proper version of the processor based on the motherboard. If you want to install the motherboard you must have to get the details about the capacity of the motherboard that suits to your needs.

It is better to select the motherboard that suits to your existing needs.

About the author
Alex Bellweather is a writer for Best Motherboards, the premier website to find motherboards, motherboard upgrade, motherboards reviews, best motherboards, PC motherboard, motherboard industry, Motherboard Designed, Motherboard Guide and many more.

Build and personalize your home computer … no experience needed!

2008-08-18T17:46:00.000-07:00

This article is intended to teach novice persons how to build a basic personal computer. The techniques and applications used below will save you money and help you custom build your computer just the way you want it. Computers are plentiful and most definitely an assets. Unfortunately, many conventional ready made computers come with unnecessary applications, software, programs and advertisements you don’t want or need. So, cut out the middle man, unnecessary cost and build your exclusive one of a kind PC and get exactly what you want and have fun doing it.

I will provide significant information and required components which are easily upgradeable along with general specifications which are currently being used.

NOTE: Please remember there are a myriad of quality manufacturers, components, and specifications to choose from. This is what makes this article fun, you can choose what you want and need to create your personal masterpiece. Moreover, this article should be used as a basic foundation.

I will list each item in the order purchased to simplify. All items can be found at most local computer outlets, depots or any reputable computer establishment. Online computer stores are a great resource as well. However, you will pay extra for shipping, handling and any additional cost provisions.

1. Computer Cases/ Computer Towers (price range $30-$300)

This is where the Power Supply, Motherboard, Hard-drive, Video Card and other devices are stored. Purchase an “ATX” case; this is the modern day shape and layout of PC motherboards. Get creative; cases now come in all shapes, designs and colors such as acrylic and even clear to show off your internal power.

2. Motherboard (price range $30-300)

This is the main circuit board of a computer. It contains the connectors for attaching boards and peripheral devices. Purchase either an AMD or Intel “ATX” motherboard. There are others but these two boards are the most popular. Common board manufacturers are ASUS, Gigabyte and ABIT just two name a few. Make sure the motherboard you choose has the following specs: 2600MHZ, 6 to 8 USB 2.0 ports, 4 memory slots, memory standard of DDR2 1066 and 2-PCI express slots 2.0.

3. Central Processing Unit/Processor (price range $25-600)

The CPU is the brains of the computer; this is where most calculations take place. When purchasing your processor make sure the Heat-sink and fan is included. Also, ensure the processor matches the motherboard specifications (if you have an AMD motherboard you need an AMD Processor). The same procedure works for Intel boards and processors as well.

4. Random Access Memory (RAM) (price range $25-100)

The most common type of memory used. RAM allows you to access previous information stored on your computer. Ram is readily available at most if not all computer stores. Purchase a minimum stick of 1GB of DDR2 1066 Ram for your computer. Remember your motherboard above requires a memory standard of DDR2, 1066. Therefore, your RAM must meet your motherboard specifications.

5. Power supply (price range $25-150)

This component supplies power to the computer which converts AC current to DC current. Make sure you purchase an “ATX” power supply with two fans and a minimum of 500 watts.

6. Hard-Drive (price range $25-100)

This mechanism reads, writes and stores data on a hard disk. A 500GB hard-drive is more than enough storage space. Make sure your HD has a minimum of 7200 RPM, 16MB cache and a SATA interface of 3.0gb/s. There are several excellent hard-drive manufactures to choose from.

7. Video Card (price range $40-$150)

The video card is the responsible for producing visual output from your computer. Virtually all programs produce visual output. Therefore, purchase an all-in-one PCI Express 2.0 x 16 card with the minimum specs: Core clock: 700MHz, Memory Clock: 1800MHz, DirectX: DirectX 10, DVI: 2 and TV-Out: HDTV / S-Video Out

8. Card Reader/Writer (price range $25-$50)

A plug-and-play device used to read, copy and backup data from portable flash memory cards that are used in a wide variety of consumer electronics products. Floppy drives are a thing of the past and Flash memory drives are in. Purchase a 3.5" All-in-one USB 2.0 Internal Card Reader with USB 2.0 interface port. Ensure it is supports the following media: Compact Flash, Memory Stick, Multi Media Card (MMC), Secure Digital (SD), SmartMedia, and XD.

9. CD/DVD Burner (price range $25-$75)

This enables you to write data to a CD or DVD. Purchase a 20X DVD±R DVD Burner 3.5” SATA model. The burner should meet the following specs and supports the following media : DVD-ROM Access Time: 160ms , CD-ROM Access Time: 140ms, Cache 2MB, DVD+R 20X, DVD+RW 8X, DVD-R 20X and DVD-RW 6X.

10. CD/DVD drive (price range $25-$75)

This drive is completely optional. This will allow you to burn a DVD or CD to another media (DVD/CD) instantaneously. The specification will match your CD/DVD burner above.

11. LCD Monitor (price range $120-$200)

The LCD display takes up less desk space and much lighter than conventional CRT monitors. Purchase a 17” 5ms LCD monitor with the following specs: Resolution: 1280 x 1024, Viewing Angle: 160°(H) / 160°(V), Pixel Pitch: 0.264mm, Display Colors: 16.7 million, Brightness: 300 cd/m2 and Contrast ratio: 700:1.

12. Keyboard, Speakers and Mouse (price range $100- 150)

These three items combined should cost no more than $150. Purchase a USB keyboard and mouse unless you want a wireless mouse. Purchase a decent set of computer speakers with volume control. You can purchase a sound card instead of speakers but remember you are creating your masterpiece. Besides your music, movies and videos will sound so much better.

13. Operating systems (prices range $70-$210)

This is the most important program that runs on a computer. All computers must have an operating system to run other programs. You get to chose between Windows, Macintosh and Linux as your system of choose.

That is it, you have accomplished all action task required to assemble you master piece. Now a little research is involved on your part. Locate a reputable computer business with valid certified credentials. Please take your time on this segment. Ask around town to see who has good reputable timely service. Once you here a business name three or four times normally that’s a good sign. Once satisfied find out the total cost, turn around time of assembly and installation of the operating system. Once you are satisfied take all of your components to have them professionally installed. Write down all serial and/or part numbers of all equipment to include the key code on your operating system. Once your masterpiece is ready have the business open the side of your computer to verify all components and don’t forget to get your operating system disk back. A good business will start and run the computer for you on pickup to verify the system is working correctly.

John W.

http://www.3000assets.com

2 PC Annoyances and How To Solve Them!

2008-08-18T17:43:00.000-07:00

I have a love-hate relationship with my computer.

In fact, often I love to hate my computer!

It will do things I know even the great Mr. Gates didn't
intend, and it usually does them at the least convenient
time (like when I'm on a deadline or in a hurry).

Rather than the usual whining and doing nothing about it,
I've decided to share a couple of things that previously
annoyed the heck out of me and the solutions I found to
help you avoid these same problems.

*Disappearing Internet Explorer Status Bar*

The status bar at the bottom of the Internet Explorer web
browser serves many purposes.

It allows you to hold your mouse over a link to see where
the link will take you.

It enables you to see a page's loading progress as you wait
for it to download.

Most importantly, the status bar allows you to see the
little gold "lock" symbol that lets you know you've made a
connection to a secure server (very important to know
before you input credit card data).

For some inexplicable reason, from time to time, this
status bar disappears from my browser.

Also, the toolbars at the top tend to move periodically and
mess up my "system" for surfing the Internet.

Now, it's not the end of the world, but it really ticks me
off when things change and I didn't change them! If this
ever happens to you, here's how to literally "lock" the
toolbars and status bar in place so they don't disappear or
move again.

First, close all your Internet Explorer web browser windows
except for one. If the status bar doesn't already appear in
the window, go to "View" and then click "status bar."

Also, make sure you have all the toolbars arranged the way
you want them.

Next, place your mouse over a blank spot on one of the tool
bars at the top of the Internet Explorer browser window.

Right-mouse-click and a menu will appear where you should
check the option "Lock the Toolbars."

Then, while holding down the key, click the "X" in
the upper right corner of the window to close it. This will
set your selection.

If you ever need to change your toolbars in the future,
simply right-mouse-click on the toolbar and uncheck the
"Lock the Toolbars" option, make the changes, and then re-
lock the toolbars to keep them from moving or disappearing.

*Missing File Extensions*

One of the biggest pains in the neck involves opening
Windows Explorer, viewing a list of files, and not being
able to see the file extension (.doc, .txt, .html, etc.)
for each file.

For some reason, Windows considers this classified
information!

To make the file extensions show up, click "Start" then
"Control Panel." Double-click "Folder Options" then click
the "View" tab. Scroll down the list and uncheck the box
that says "Hide extensions for known file types."

You will now see the file extensions any time you open up
Windows Explorer.

About The Author:

Jim Edwards, a.k.a. TheNetReporter.com, is a syndicated
newspaper columnist, nationally recognized speaker, author,
and web developer. Owner of nine (9) successful e-businesses
as well as a professional consulting firm, Jim's writing
comes straight off the front lines of the Internet and e-commerce.

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How To Make Your Computer Run Faster

2008-08-18T17:40:00.000-07:00

When you add a file or a new program to a new computer, the hard drive is relatively empty so new data is saved to the hard drive in one whole block. When you need to use that information, the computer can quickly access it because it is all in one place.

When using your computer adding files and applications, the hard drive starts to become full. when you delete or remove programs you create little empty gaps among the other data that the computer will reuse. Eventually, the computer is no longer saving information in big blocks. Instead, it puts information in the many small empty areas of your hard drive. The result is that one program or file is broken up, or fragmented, into small bits pieces and stored in several different areas of the hard disk. The computer ingeniously keeps track of the location of each piece of data and puts it all together when it is needed. Yet, obviously, the more in pieces the information is, the longer it takes to access the information and the slower the computer becomes.

To make your computer run faster we need to defrag it, read below to find out step by step how to do this!

1.From the start menu point to "all programs"

2.Point to "Accessories"

3.Point to "System Tools"

4. Click on "Disk Defragmenter

5. The disk defragmenter will display the hard drives on your computer. Just select and click Defragment.

If you have multiple hard drives here, defrag each drive.

Did you like this tip? Would you like to see this tip with step by step instructions complete with pictures? Great! Click below now to see this tip and several other on how to make your computer run faster. You will see many ways to improve the performance of your new or old PC. There are also some fun things to check out like the 10 fastest things on the internet videos. This site has great tutorials for beginner and advanced computer users alike, check it out now below!

http://www.squidoo.com/makecomputerrunfaster

8 Tips To Enhance Your Computer Performance

2008-08-18T17:38:00.000-07:00

SIGNS OF A COMPUTER WITH PERFORMANCE PROBLEMS! (If this is indicative of your computer, you need help!) Programs run slower than they used to. Frequent freezes or crashes. Sporadic system instability. Frequent blue error screens. Requires frequent reboots because of system hangs. These 8 simple tips will help clean up your computer and you'll be surprised at the performance improvement!

CLEAN UP YOUR WINDOWS REGISTRY This essential task is often overlooked but will remarkably improve PC performance. Most PC users don't even know there is such a thing as a Registry much less that that it should be regularly cleaned. In fact, Microsoft doesn't even include a cleanup tool in Windows.

Every time a program is installed or uninstalled changes are made to the Windows Registry which is a huge internal database of Windows' settings. All programs, as well as Windows itself, store a huge amount of information in this database and these entries control the way everything in the computer looks and behaves.

Many times, changes to a computer are not handled correctly leading to conflicts and the slowing of the computer due to a corrupted Registry. Some things which can cause this are:

* frequently installing or uninstalling programs

* removing a program and leaving traces behind

* leftover entries from a hardware uninstall

* power failure or system crash in the midst of updating the registry

* unused drivers on the system

* Spyware or Adware type programs that come back every time the PC is restarted

The Registry can be edited manually using a Windows program called RegEdit, but woe to the novice; this is really a job best left to the experts. Instead, you need to use a special program which makes the cleanup for you.

EMPTY THE RECYCLE BIN Regularly empty the Windows' Recycle Bin thereby releasing hard drive space and helping to improve performance. When you delete a file, instead of removing it completely from your computer, Windows puts it into the Recycle Bin. You then can restore these flies from the Recycle Bin back to their original place on your computer if you should need to.

REMOVE UNNECESSARY PROGRAMS If you're like me and download a lot of free programs or free trials, after a while your computer might begin to slow down. That means it's time to remove some of the old programs you don't use any more (and most you probably only used once just to see how they work).

After installing a program, if you decide you don't need it and won't use it, get it off the computer thereby freeing up system resources. Most programs come with their own uninstaller but if it doesn't you will have to use the Operating System's Add/Remove Programs feature which you can get to through The Control Panel.

Uninstalling unused programs will help speed up your computer, but removing the wrong files can cause you some really big problems. NEVER, NEVER EVER just delete a program file by using the delete key; this can really mess up the Registry. Be careful and if you are not sure, ask for help from someone you know who is more experienced. If you are unsure whether or not to remove a program, it's best to leave it.

Some programs leave uninstalled junk all over the Windows Registry! Therefore, to improve PC performance AFTER AN UNINSTALL, IT'S ESSENTIAL TO CLEAN THE REGISTRY.

RUN DISK CLEAN UP Windows Disk Clean Up is a great built-in utility that automates regular maintenance tasks to improve PC performance. Whenever you "surf the net", open file attachments, delete files, etc., your computer saves a record of your activity. Most if not all of these files are harmless, and are very small. But if you spend a lot of time on your computer, before long they will use up enough space to slow your computer down a tad.

Double-click My Computer, right click on the 'C:' drive, then click Properties, then click Disk Cleanup. The PC will then spend a few moments analyzing.

When it has completed analyzing, Windows will give you a list of areas where it has found files to cleanup. To clean an area, check the box next to it. To leave something intact, such as Temporary files, just remove the check mark next to the item and click OK. Your computer will then begin the removal process which can take a good while.

DISK DEFRAGMENTATION When Windows stores programs and files on your hard disk it saves fragments of files in the nearest empty spaces and then links these pieces together. When the computer needs to retrieve a file, it has to go through the process of chasing these links hunting down the fragments and piecing the file back together. This can really slow down a computer, especially if it has small internal memory and has to do a lot of caching and file swapping.

The cure is to routinely run the Windows Disk Defragmenter which gathers together the fragments of files and puts them back in the right order in as near contiguous space as possible.

This makes it far easier for your computer to find what it's looking for on the hard drive, enabling programs and files to load more quickly.

To defragment your hard disk click Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools and then Disk Defragment. When the program has loaded, click Defragment. Before starting you need to run "scandisk" which checks for disk errors. Without scanning your disk first for possible errors, defrag may refuse to continue its defragmentation routine.

The process can take over an hour. Because defragmenting your hard disk takes such a long time, you really don't want to go through the process very often; maybe every 3-4 months and it's best not to use the computer while defragmenting

GET A HIGH SPEED INTERNET CONNECTION If you spend a lot of time on the internet, a high speed internet connection is a must. It is more expensive, but for most people the savings in time and effort is worth the added expense.

Some of the advantages to having a high speed internet connection: faster surfing, web pages open more quickly, files download faster, and if you send or receive large files, like pictures or video, they will open in a flash when compared to a slower dialup connection.

If you're already spending money for your dialup connection (through your phone line) then you'll find DSL to be comparable in price, and a lot faster.

A cable internet connection might cost a little more, but it is usually the fastest type of internet connection you can get from home.

REMOVE SPYWARE & ADWARE If you've ever had spyware or adware on your computer, you know how frustrating it can be. All kinds of strange things happen: your homepage changes seemingly on its own, unwanted and inappropriate popups, unfamiliar icons, and the list goes on. Spyware or Adware are files that are often downloaded onto your computer without your knowledge (or at least without you knowing what they really are).

Unfortunately, many of these programs "sneak" their way onto your computer, and avoiding them entirely is difficult, especially if you spend a lot of time on your computer, surfing the Internet and downloading new programs and files.

There are ways to remove these unwanted files from your computer. Check out these 2 adware/spyware removal programs that are simple to use (both are free): Ad-Aware http://www.lavasoftusa.com/support/download/ Spybot http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html

Adware/Spyware continue to be such a problem because most of these programs make money for the people creating and spreading them. If you find these unwanted intruders on your computer, don't panic. In most cases, it is not vicious like a Virus or Worm. You just have some extra "junk" on your computer. However, keeping it off of your computer will help it perform more efficiently.

ADD MORE INTERNAL MEMORY (RAM) AND A LARGER HARD DRIVE If you have done all/most of the above and your Computer's performance is still so bad that you are thinking: Gee, I guess I am going to have to buy another computer! If everything else about the computer is satisfactory to you, then you might consider an Upgrade. If the PC is only a couple years old, it can easily be upgraded.

If you still have the manuals that came with it, you can determine the type of memory it uses and buy it off of the internet at a good price. If you don't have the manuals, take it to Best Buy or Circuit City and ask them if it can be upgraded (or take the model and make info to them). Their upgrade cost is not that bad and certainly cheaper than buying a new computer.

Another alternative: if you know a High School Kid who has taken some computer courses, he/she can probably do it real cheap.

I have personally maxed out my computers memory and added another hard drive. Together with the items above, my computer runs like a "Tiger chasing a Scared Bunny".

I hope this has been of help to you. I have prepared a brief video which depicts the frustration I was having with my computers performance and how I Cured My Computers Performance Problems. You can see it by clicking the link below.

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Xavier Friendly Computer Tips Blog features latest news, articles, tips & advices about computers stuff and others technology. Gain more informations and seek the solutions for your technical problems here. If you want to or need to learn more about the computer and other such technology, a good way to do will be through this blog.

How to Resolve System32 Corrupt or Missing Error in XP

2008-08-18T09:41:00.000-07:00

Sometimes you may face that your XP operating system stops booting with an error message:
“System32 Corrupt or Missing”

This error may be the possible reason of corruption in “System32”. It may corrupt due to some changes in software or hardware configuration.

System32 is the most important part of your computer. It’s like the heart and brain of the operating system without which the computer wouldn’t be working at all. Its generally located in the “C: Windowssystem32” and is generally hidden in order to avoid any accidental alterations by the user.

You can resolve this problem manually without any professional help in two ways:

1. Reboot your computer and press F8 until you get into the menu. Choose “Boot Using Last Known Good Configuration”. Your computer will now try to start using a configuration that has worked last time when it started.
2. If you are still facing the same error, insert XP recovery CD and reboot you computer. Select the recovery console. You need to be more careful while using this step because you have to write some specified commands here and if you type incorrectly, your system may severely damage.

You can try to solve your problem using these steps but these are neither safe nor comfortable. Any kind of minor mistake may lead to big system problems. In case when you fail to resolve this problem using these methods, your system may become completely inaccessible and may lead to data loss.

In these situations, your can’t access your system in normal way as your operating system is corrupted and you need to reinstall it in order to access your system. When you reinstall the operating system, you have to format a drive and it can permanently delete the data. To access the data from this formatted hard drive, you need for data recovery solution. In this case, as the problem arose due to software malfunction, you need to use Windows Data Recovery software.
Windows data recovery are special recovery tools designed to retrieve the lost data from windows based computers. These are easy to use and powerful data recovery programs. These software uses advanced scanning methods to search and locate the lost data from formatted hard drive. These software can also recover data in other situations of data loss like accidental deletion, operating system corruption, and virus attack.

Stellar Phoenix Windows Data Recovery is well knowndata recovery software for windows users. This is a read only and non destructive data recovery software that recover the data from windows hard drive without changing the original contents. The software can recover data in almost all possible cases of data loss. Windows data recovery software provides several recovery options for FAT and NTFS file systems from all versions of windows operating system including Windows 2000, XP, 2003 and Vista

Author: Joshaf Smith

Top 10 Ways to Protect Yourself from Computer Viruses

2008-08-18T08:40:00.000-07:00

As more and more people are becoming comfortable using their computers at school, home or in the office it’s only a matter of time before they encounter a computer virus. Here are our top 10 steps to protect you from computer viruses.

Use a high quality anti-virus program. There are many different anti-virus computers programs on the market some of them are better than others. Look to reputable computer magazines or websites for ratings to help you find the one that matches your needs.

Always use your anti-virus software. Make sure your anti-virus software is always turned on and scanning, incoming and outgoing email messages, and any software programs you run.

Keep your antivirus programs up to date. Most programs come with a yearly subscription make sure you take advantage of the updates. More advanced programs allow you to schedule updates or full system scans for “off hours” like 2AM when you aren’t likely to be using your computer.

Keep your computer up to date. From time to time operating systems fall victim to security holes or issue updates. Make sure you check periodically to make sure you are running stable up to date versions of your software.

Backup your data regularly. Most windows computer users keep their documents in the “My documents” folder. This makes it easy to back up all of your important documents. Make weekly or monthly copies to CD or USB drives.

If you use floppy disks or USB drives on public computers like your school computer lab, Kinko’s, or even digital photo printing store make sure you scan them for viruses. Public computers are notorious for not being up to date and properly protected.

Be wary of email attachments. Treat any email attachment as potentially dangerous. Never open attachments from people you weren’t expecting. Also be careful of attachments from people you know but weren’t expecting. Many computer viruses replicate themselves by reading the contacts from an infected computer.

Use text email if possible. While HTML email is prettier and allows you more control over formatting it also can carry computer viruses. If you use text based email the only way to get a virus is by opening an attachment.

Use downloaded freeware and shareware files or software with caution. Try to download them from popular reputable sources that scan the programs before they are uploaded. To make sure you are safe scan the program before you install it on your computer.

Be wary of links in IM or instant messaging software. Don’t accept invitations from people you don’t know and never click a link from someone you don’t trust, they can easily redirect you to another website that will try to install a virus on your computer system.

Author: Gayu

Computing / Gaming Buyer’s Guide

2008-08-18T08:39:00.000-07:00

It goes without saying that computing and gaming can be a fairly expensive hobby so many will turn to the second hand market to get started or look to progress further with whatever systems they prefer to use. It’s an area littered equally with pitfalls and opportunities for the buyer but how do you know just what to look out for?

For those of you looking to console gaming on a budget, then older systems are definitely worth considering. Playstation 2s are becoming more common on the second hand market as more and more are upgrading to the vastly superior Playstation 3, as is the original XBox with owners again upgrading. Don't always expect a lot of games as many sellers will keep a lot of their games to use on their newer consoles but you should still be able to grab a bargain or two. Games for both are still easy to pick up on the high street at knock-down prices so they’re still worth thinking about.

Onto the current wave of consoles and this is where you will have to give more consideration about what system you want to buy as each has its advantages and disadvantages.

Nintendo’s Wii is targeted more at a family audience as most of its games demonstrate and it takes a fairly novel approach to gaming with its innovative motion-sensitive controller. It’s certainly not the most technologically advanced of all of the consoles, hence its lower price, but it has proved to be incredibly popular. Because of the lower retail price, this is the cheapest way to get into “next-gen” gaming, but more serious gamers might be put off by the family bias in the catalogue of games available.

Since it’s launch the XBox 360 has proven to be a smash hit despite confusion over the different models available. It’s a very powerful system with the most extensive range of games available of all of the latest machines at present. There have been some technical issues with the hardware and reliability problems experienced by some users and there does seem to be an over-reliance on PC-style games but for the hard-core gamer this shouldn’t be a problem. If you’re on the lookout for a second hand model, your best bet here if you are looking for a machine as cheap as possible is the “Arcade” version of the XBox 360 which comes without a hard drive (which you could add yourself later), but if you’re more serious about gaming, then you are better off spending the extra to buy one of the other models.

The Playstation 3 is still something of an enigma to many. It suffered from a rocky start due to an incredibly high retail price, and a poor selection of games, hampered further by high game prices. This is changing now following the price drop and game releases seem to be coming out on a par with the XBox 360. The one concern that owners did have was that many early games were almost identical to those on the XBox 360, despite the PS3’s superior capabilities. This is starting to be addressed now so players will start to see the real difference between the machines... not to mention the fact that the PS3 is also a rather nifty Blu-Ray player!

As these hardware differences really start to become noticeable, you may start to see some XBox 360 owners making the switch to the PS3 (as was seen in the high street following the PS3’s price drop in late 2007) so this could start to see more second hand XBox 360s appearing on the market so it could prove to be a bargain entry-level machine if you want to join the latest wave of next-generation gamers.

Some second hand PS3s do turn up however but buying second hand is complicated as there are two models available. The current machine comes complete with a 40Gb hard drive, but the original model was released with a 60Gb hard drive. As well as that there are other subtle changes to the new model. The new version no longer has the memory card slots for digital cameras (although this is no great loss), there are now only two USB ports instead of four, and it is no longer compatible with Playstation 2 games. While Sony argued that many users didn’t need this feature, if it is something that’s essential then you are either going to want to track down the 60Gb model (which are selling for a premium price) or settle for owning both a 40Gb Playstation 3 AND buying a Playstation 2 as well.

One thing I would say is that - no matter what console you buy - is to make sure that you try to stick to the European models of the machines and not be tempted by a Japanese or American import. While some of these may be cheaper, you will have problems getting them repaired when things go wrong and most consoles are restricted to playing games (and DVDs) to a specific part of the world so buying Imported consoles could make life difficult for yourself in the long term.

For the older games players looking to reminisce over their youth, there is continual interest in retro gaming and while old computers and games consoles don't tend to appear in classified adverts too often, they can be fantastic value for money. The obvious great bargains are the seminal classics Commodore 64 and Sinclair Spectrum along with the Sega Megadrive and Nintendo SNES. The great thing with retro gaming is that old consoles and computers generally hold very little value to anyone apart from those looking to buy them, so you can often pick up some fantastic deals, just don’t always expect all of the games and accessories to be in full working order!

Looking into the PC camp, prices of new PCs are dropping daily and hardware is becoming more reliable. While this is great if you are buying new, it makes buying second hand systems harder when you are looking to get a PC that will be able to run more contemporary software and nigh-on-impossible if you’re on a shoestring budget.

The first thing to always bear in mind when shopping for a second hand PC is what you’re going to need it for. I know this sounds like an obvious question to ask but it’s something that a lot of people don’t always think about and just decide that they want a PC and nothing else. If all you are looking for is a PC for simple home use (word processing etc), basic games and using the internet then you are not going to need a state-of-the-art computer and as such your budget will stretch a lot further.

While most retailers will push you into buying the latest all-singing, all-dancing PC running Windows Vista, you’re not going to need this if your needs are fairly simple. You should be able to manage with an older PC running Windows XP, a 64Mb or 128Mb graphics card, and an 80Gb hard drive. In terms of memory, 512Mb would be more than enough to suit pretty much any user for most casual games to keep the average family happy.

While a flat screen monitor would be a great addition to this sort of set-up, most of the more affordable deals would be likely to come with older style CRT screens but all of this shouldn’t set you back more than £200, possibly even with a printer thrown in from the right seller! If you do find a PC with lower specifications than those mentioned, it’s not too hard to upgrade cheaply.

For the serious games player who is looking for something capable of running more contemporary games then you are really looking at having to spend a lot more and despite its flaws, will have no choice but to look for a PC running Windows Vista. Whatever PC you go for here, you are going to need something with at least 1Gb of RAM, 256Mb graphics card and a 120Gb hard drive or larger. Anything less than these and - to be perfectly frank - it just isn’t worth trying to run Vista properly.

Laptops are a different matter altogether. They DO seem to hold their value better but you have to remember that if you want to run games, you are better off buying a desktop that you can expand as most laptops aren’t really suited for gaming other than casual or older games.

The obvious drawback with laptops is that once you have bought it, you can’t upgrade it so you have to be certain that the specifications of the machine you buy is exactly what you need from the start. Equally, from the start laptops are generally behind desktop PCs in terms of their capabilities in relation to the price you can expect to pay so you are already at an immediate disadvantage so if you even think that you may want to do more with your PC in the long term, then a desktop will always be your best option. Price wise though I’d say you’re going to be looking at about 25-50% more than the cost of the equivalent desktop PC including monitor.

Another point to bear in mind with laptops is how you intend to use it. If is meant to be your main day-to-day PC then you have to take into consideration that laptops can overheat very easily so they need plenty of ventilation, need to be used on flat surfaces and shouldn’t really be used for more than a few hours at a time without a break. This applies even more so with older models that have seen plenty of use as the components can wear out all-too quickly. Some brands are more susceptible to this than others but I have only found a few that seem to be able to cope with being left on for hours on end and work as a desktop replacement.

To be perfectly honest, if this is something that might be of concern to you then you might want to reconsider laptops as laptop repairs can be frighteningly expensive - especially if it is a fault caused by overheating - and will almost certainly cost more than the price of a second hand laptop!

I’ve barely scratched the surface with games consoles and PCs and haven’t even looked at PC software and accessories - those two would cover another article of their own - but hopefully this will give you a few pointers and steer you in the right direction when making some of your second hand computing / gaming purchases.

One thing I can’t stress enough is that when you do buy a second hand PC or games console is to try to see them working before handing over your money but as long as you can do that and just be aware of what you are buying and how much you’re paying, you should be able to develop your hobby further without having to break the bank.

Have fun!
by:martindavis

Windows Data Recovery

2008-08-18T08:38:00.000-07:00

Data recovery refers to the recovery of unattainable or contaminated data from media that has been damaged in some way. With the advancement of technology, nowadays computers are exposed to several dangers and loss of data is a common phenomena. Thus, data recovery is being increasingly used these days.

I am sure we have all had those moments when we have lost some significant data due to impact damage, through being dropped, virus, vibration damage, accidental reformatting of partitions, water, coffee and other liquid damage, hard disk component failure and crashes, corrupted data, inaccessible drives and partitions.

Here are seven relatively easy and straightforward methods to perform window data recovery.

1) To recover lost data, shut down the computer and then download your computer recovery software on another computer that has Windows 2000 or XP installed in it and remove the hard drive from the computer you were working.

But prior to removal of hard disk it is advisable to create an image of your whole drive with the help of a disk imaging software as there is a possibility that your drive may not ever work on your computer again.

The following process will assist you in recovering significant data. Once you are done with the above mentioned processes take the hard drive and install it on the second computer as a data drive.

2) You can connect hard drive of laptop computer to your desktop computer with the help of an adapter. In case your recovery software does not work with USB, but you are competent of using IDE, you just require a 44 to 40 pin IDE adapter.

3) You are required to use the data recovery program to run your windows data recovery on the second computer. In case you are using only one computer, shut it down instantly. With the previous step, you can still take out the hard drive of the computer.

4) Thereafter install a new drive, reinstall windows and use your recovery software on it, but don’t forget to take safety precautions, as several people use software to recover data. In case the drive is damaged it can make recovery process nearly unfeasible.

5) Subsequently use your recovery software to get back the lost data to your new hard drive. But ensure that the windows "check disk" utility program do not attempt to repair the drive when it is booted.

6) Ensure that you have recovered the entire data. For smooth operation of windows data recovery ensure that your file is protected.

7) To safeguard your file, once you have installed and downloaded the recovery program on your computer, it can be used to search files that you have been incapable to locate and recover them on another drive.

Author: irenadcosta

Invalid partition Table and Recovery

2008-08-18T08:37:00.000-07:00

Today data loss has become very common problem for computer user. It can happen due to a number of reasons including logical crash, physical crash and human error. If data loss happens due to any of these situations, you need data recovery solutions, either data recovery software or data recovery service, to recover your lost data. Following is an example of data loss and recovery method:

Sometimes when you power up your windows system, your system may stuck in boot window with an error message showing:

“Invalid Partition Table”

In this situation, your system stops booting and become inaccessible.
Cause

When you start your computer, it examines the master partition table to decide which volume to use for booting the operating system. This message occurs when more than one hard drive partitions are set “active” or bootable. In this situation, the system detects invalid information within it. This error occurs due to missing or incorrect active partition. This error message may also occur due to possible corruption or deletion of master partition table.
Resolution

you can resolve this issue by considering the following steps:

1. Boot your system with Windows Bootable disk and select “correct boot up device”.
2. In the DOS command prompt, type “fdisk”
3. it will display the option to change active drive

This method works in most of the cases where you have set the invalid active partition but in case where the master partition table is corrupted, it won’t work. In this situation, you need to reinstall the operating system to fix the problem.

Reinstalling is never safe as it requires formatting the drive and may lead to possible data loss if you have stored your critical data on primary partition or you haven’t partitioned your hard drive. In these circumstances, your critical information may loss and can create serious problems for you.

To resolve this data loss problem, you need to recover your lost data that is possible with the help of data recovery software. In this particular case, you can recover your data with the help of Windows data recovery software.

Windows data recovery software are specially designed data recovery tools that can help you in getting your precious data back in almost all possible cases of data loss. These software are able to retrieve your critical information back in their original format and original location.
Stellar Phoenix Windows Data Recovery software is a powerful software to recover lost data in all windows partition volume of your hard drive. This software is helpful in recovering data lost due to boot sector corruption, partition table deletion, formatted hard drive and accidentally deleted files. It is a fast and easy to use data recovery software with very attractive GUI (Graphical User Interface). This software is capable to recover data from FAT and NTFS partitions of Windows 98, 2000, XP, 2003 and Vista operating systems.
Author: Joshaf Smith

Best Color Laser Printers of 2008 under $600

2008-08-18T08:36:00.000-07:00

Have you been looking for a good quality laser printer? If you want to get the best quality within a tight budget then look no further! Here we provide you a list of the top color laser printers in 2008 which fall under the 600 dollar bracket!

Knowing what you want

The first rule of thumb even before you actually go ahead shopping for your favorite color laser printer is to know what you want! What are your expectations in terms of print quality? Do you want the printer to print high resolution pictures with high finish? Do you need to print a large number of documents on a daily basis? If so, then would you prefer a laser printer which can take on bulk print jobs. You also need to assess the economical factors like how much you can afford to shell out. Maybe you are looking for a laser printer under 600 dollars but what is the ballpark figure you can afford? Having answers to these critical questions will make you better prepared on your next shopping spree.

Lexmark X520

The Lexmark X520 comes at 699 dollars which is a tad higher than the 600 dollar budget but it is worth every penny spent! This is a holistic all-in-one laser color printer. In addition to the perfunctionary laser printing it also acts as a fax machine and even a scanner. It even functions as a copier and sends email too! Therefore it certainly is a well rounded package and considering these features the price is very reasonable.

Samsung CLP-300N

The Samsung CLP0-300N is priced at an unbelievable 300 dollars – the lowest in our list! The compact and lightweight design is an added attraction in this color laser printer. The good thing about this printer is that it comes along with a network connector which facilitates easy connectivity with your home or office network. The small color laser printer does not take up much room in any interior and delivers more than what you would expect from its price.

Ricoh Aficio SP C210

This color laser printer certainly has a host of qualities considering the price range it comes at! Starting prices of this laser printer model are from 350 dollars and the maximum price is at 1068 dollars. The printer is able to print black and white images with a rapid pace while color images are comparable in terms of speed with some of the best in the market today. The only drawbacks in this color laser printer would probably be in its bulky size and large weight. The significant advantage of the Ricoh Aficio SP C210 is in its ability to handle large paper capacities. One drawback is in its driver which does not automatically detect the optimal color mode.

About the Author:
This Article is written by James Kara Murat from PrintCountry.com, the contributor of Printer Reviews. More information on the subject is at Best Color Laser Printers of 2008 under $600, and related resources can be found at Canon Ink Cartridges.

Xerox, Okidata Error Codes and How to Fix Them

2008-08-18T08:35:00.000-07:00

Both Xerox and Okidata have taken the world by storm with their innovative technologies. However, there are still many error codes that baffle users. Here we discuss common error codes and their troubleshooting tips.

Error message: job canceled

This error message occurs when you have deleted a scan job before it could be completely transferred into the scanner’s database. Try resending the scan and make sure you do not delete the job.

Error message: failure in the remote directory’s lock

This error could happen because the folder with extension .ick was not removed properly after the scan. It could also occur if the destination disk is completely full. Maybe the directory or the volume for scan database has been incorrectly provided in the Xerox device. Try to remove the .ick folder and resend scan.

Error message: Invalid protocol

This type of error message occurs when the particular protocol has not been enabled inside the Xerox printer. You need to enable the particular protocol.

Error message: File transfer failure

This kind of error message happens when the network is down or if the disk is full or if the scan database path is incorrectly specified. You need to check the status of the network as well as amount of disk space.

Error message: system canceled job

This error message occurs when the sensors for the document handler is defective. It could also happen if these sensors have not been installed properly or if a person is lifting the edge of a large document from the trail sensor. You need to resend the scan and if the problem isn’t because of a person then it is definitely hardware or a setup issue.

Error code: 71

This error code in your Okidata device indicates it is a fuser error. Make sure to replace your fuser. Or else try checking the main board.

Error message: Error engine

This happens usually in the Oki Laser 400 series. Make sure to replace the ROM chip first. If this does not work, try replacing the circuit board of the engine controller.

Error code: 173

This error code means that the fuser temperature is low. You need to replace either the fuser or the thermistor inside the fuser.

Error message: fatal error 140

This error code 140 means the drum down and up process of the images are not functioning properly. The error code 140 means the error is with the yellow drum while 141 and 142 indicate problems with the magenta and cyan ones respectively. Try reseating the drums for image first. Then try reseating toner cartridges. You also will need to reseat the assembly for the sensor spring for the contact.

Error code: 020

This is another of the fatal error codes and indicates a power problem in the network. You need to make sure that the power cable is in direct connection with the outlet on the wall. You could also try replacing the cable or use a different network if this does not solve it.

About the Author:
This Article is written by James Kara Murat from PrintCountry.com, the contributor of Printer Reviews. More information on the subject is at Xerox, Okidata Error Codes and How to Fix Them, and related resources can be found at Xerox Toner Cartridges.

Dell Laser Printer Error Codes, How to Fix Them

2008-08-18T08:34:00.000-07:00

The Dell Laser Printer is one of the best around in the market. However, many users complain about the numerous error codes they frequently receive. Here are some troubleshooting tips on fixing these errors effectively.

Error code: 004-332

This type of error code implies that you need to restart the printer again. However, do check to see if toner cartridges are seated in the proper position. Also ensure that they have been locked in. This is an error commonly associated with the Dell 3100cn laser printer.

Error code: 016-370

This is yet another error message asking you to restart the printer. You need to switch off the printer and then connect it via the USB cable. Press the hold and cancel buttons simultaneously. Then power on the printer again. On your LCD display you should typically see a message saying ‘ready for download mode’. You will then need to initialize the firmware update process.

Error code: 009-360

Sometimes the Dell laser printer only recognizes the yellow toner as ‘missing’. Hence you need to replace the Dell toner with a new one. It can happen when the toner is a remanufactured one with a different chip.

Error type: Not printing black text

This type of error happens because of a problem with the power supply. You need to check if the I/O cable is connected properly or not and that all connections are in place.

Error type: Printing text in red

At certain times you might be able to print perfectly well the first two times and then you see the text being covered in red color. This can happen if the unit is still not properly clean. You could try cleaning the tube.

Error message: Insert yellow toner

Sometimes in spite of replacing the yellow toner in your Dell 5100 cn laser printer you might still get this error message. Try to change the black cartridge. You could also check to see if the toner cartridges are locked appropriately.

Error message: Print head error

This type of error message typically happens when the printer head is not clean enough. You could try installing software that is used to clean the head of the printer. You could try clicking on ‘start’ then go to ‘settings’ and then ‘printers’. Select your printer and right click on it and go to ‘properties’. Check to see if there is any such software installed.

Error code: 1200

This error code is commonly associated with the Dell 922 printer. Usually you might see the cartridge moving front and back and slamming itself against the printer. You need to tighten the strings located on the back of the printer and then it should work fine.

Error message: Parallel port maybe used by another application

This is an error message commonly found when you are trying to make a second scanning operation. Try downloading the printer driver according to your specific operating system. You could also try setting a different parallel port in the BIOS.

About the Author:
This Article is written by James Kara Murat from PrintCountry.com, the contributor of Printer Reviews. More information on the subject is at Dell Laser Printer Error Codes, How to Fix Them, and related resources can be found at Dell Ink Cartridges.

Flat panel monitor

2008-08-18T08:32:00.000-07:00

Flat panel monitor commonly known as either a computer or television monitor that utilizes LCD or Plasma technology which in turn permits the monitor to have a thin profile. Due to its high end features such as, light weight, small footprint, precision and digital technology it has emerged as the monitor of choice.

A flat panel monitor is the best option when space is a premium! A sleek, thin, flat panel monitor will offer greater space than conventional, CRT monitors. They can be used as both computer monitor and television.

Several models possess USB ports that are integral and easily available, different from the USB ports on various computers. You can easily plug in and display off your latest digital photos as they were meant to be viewed; in crisp, sharp, digital quality color.

The high price tag associated with the flat panel monitor may deter you from making a move ahead. They may cost a bit more than their CRT counterparts but in turn they consume less power and emit less heat.

Ensure that you buy a flat panel monitor that has low response time; the lesser the response time the sooner the liquid crystal cell can transit from one color to another.

The power consumption of a flat panel monitor is much lower in comparison to any normal monitor. Moreover, you will not have to suffer from the subtle distortions which are common in conventional curve screen monitors. Furthermore, a curve screen can even cause eyestrain. Try a flat panel monitor and feel the difference! Your eyes will definitely thank you. Moreover, a flat panel monitor provide clearer image in comparison to other monitors. The colors are highly vibrant and lack the unsteady shine of a normal monitor.

If you love to watch movies on your computer then it makes sense to buy a flat panel monitor. The images will be quite impressive as there will be no distortion that can cause unsteadiness and you will not feel uncomfortable anymore. And the best of all the saving on space…you can fit it in a smaller space which will allow you to have more space on your desk.

Author: irenadcosta

Windows XP – How to Run a Time Server using NTP

2008-08-18T08:28:00.000-07:00

Time synchronisation in modern computer networks is essential. It not only provides the only frame of reference between all devices, it is critical in everything from securing, planning and debugging a network to providing a time stamp for applications such as data acquisition or email.

Microsoft Windows XP has a time synchronisation utility built into the operating system called Windows Time (w32time.exe) which can be configured to operate as a network time server. It can be configured to both synchronise a network using the internal clock or an external time source.

For many applications, an internal clock can be quite adequate, although, on a network problems can arise such as sharing network files or in some environments even fraud and so it is vital for security reasons to use an accurate timing source for your network.

NTP (Network Time Protocol) is a protocol already installed on Windows XP and is used by Windows Time to keep machines synchronised to the single time source. There are several timing sources available on the Internet but Microsoft and others strongly recommend that you configure a time server with a hardware source rather than from the Internet where there is no authentication.

Specialist NTP servers are available that can receive a reliable time source via the GPS signal or specialist radio transmissions that get their time from atomic clocks.

To configure Windows Time to use an external time source
Run Registry Edit and locate the following:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesW32Timeparameters

In the right pane, right-click Type, then click Modify
In the Edit Value box, under Value Data, type NTP and then click OK.

Now as before in the Config folder, right-click AnnounceFlags, Modify and in the Edit DWORD Value box, under Value Data, type 5, then click OK.

Locate and click the following
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesW32TimeTimeProvidersNtpClient

In the right pane, right-click SpecialPollInterval, then click Modify.
In the Edit DWORD Value box, under Value Data, type the number of seconds you want for each poll, ie 900 will poll every 15 minutes, then click OK.

Now enable the NtpServer:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesW32TimeTimeProvidersNtpServer

In the right pane, right-click Enabled, then click Modify
In the Edit DWord Value box, type 1 under Value data, then click OK.
Now in the right pane, right-click NtpServer, then Modify and in the Edit DWORD Value under Value Data type Peers, then click OK.

To configure the time correction settings, locate:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesW32Timeconfig
In the right pane, right-click MaxPosPhaseCorrection, then Modify, in the Edit DWORD Value box, under Base, click Decimal, under Value Data, type a time in seconds such as 3600 (an hour) then click OK.

Now go back and click:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesW32Timeconfig

In the right pane, right-click MaxNegPhaseCorrection, then Modify.
In the Edit DWORD box under base, click Decimal, under value data type the time in seconds you want to poll such as 3600 (polls in one hour)

Exit Registry

Now to restart windows time service, click Start, Run and type:
net stop w32time && net start w32time

And on each computer, other than the domain controller, type:
W32tm/resync/rediscover
And your time server should be now up and running.

Copyright 2008 © Richard N Williams

Richard N Williams is a technical author and a specialist in the telecommunications and network time synchronisation industry helping to develop dedicated time server products; ethernet clocks, GPS time servers, NTP servers, digital wall clocks, atomic clock servers and SNTP time servers. Please visit us for more information about NTP products and NTP servers

Powerful Sound System For Your Computer

2008-08-16T19:12:00.000-07:00

There are several factors that affect the working of a good computer system. Video and sound modes are the two areas that can be noticed first. Since both of these are very basic features of the system, their quality should never be overlooked. Good, high quality sounds can be enjoyed by the two mediums and that is what this article will discuss. Computer speakers are the external devices that are connected to the main computer. They are equipped with a low power amplifier. They are the systems packed with plastic boxes. These boxes provide average sound quality. However, thanks to the latest technologies, some of the latest computer speakers come with the treble and bass control and improved quality of sound as well. Some of the common features of these are that a user gets a remote control with them, they have the volume controller and sometimes equipped with bass and treble controller as well. They have a 1/9 inch of headset also. Some of the main computer speaker companies include Dell, Edifier and others. Depending upon their manufacturing companies, they provide a wide range in features and prices. Sound cards are the second choice for the computer users in the field of speakers. These cards are installed in the computer system to enjoy real and magnificent sounds. Now-a-days, most of the latest models are coming with sound cards. These sound cards can be easily replaced once they get overused. They are available in the market with a set of small and stylish speakers. You can also connect them to your CD player or stereo and use them as music speakers. Some of the basic features of the computer sound cards are discussed in the coming lines. These sound cards have a sound chip which converts the digital data or recorded data into the analog arrangement. Advanced sound cards consist of a number of sound chips helpful in the uniform functionality of the sound system. Especially, when a person is listening to music on a computer or playing any of the computer games, it will not be interesting to get poor quality sounds. It can, in fact, disturb your mood as well. That is why; special measures should be taken while going for the selection of sound systems for your personal computer. The computer sound cards are better than the computer speakers in every way. Even now they are available by a number of companies in the same amount computer speakers. This is one of the main reasons why a large number of people are going for them. In simple words, if you ask us to tell you about the best choice for the computer sounds, our answer will be the computer sound cards; there is no doubt about it.
Author: Shobha Narwal

What is FAT32?

2008-08-16T18:28:00.000-07:00

FAT32 is an abbreviation of File allocation table. This file system was originated in 1980s supporting operating systems are windows MS-Dos. Later on Windows 95 and windows 98 were based on this FAT32 file system. FAT32 was the default file system of windows 98 and windows Me. This file system can also be installed on the windows2000-server and professional version, windows XP and windows 2003, even if they support NTFS file system.

FAT32 has some advantages as well as some disadvantages and most common of them are given below:

Useful Features:
1. FAT32 can provide support 2 terabytes of partition.
2. It is very useful in a sense that it uses almost all the space of hard disk. Cluster size used by FAT32 is very small as for 4GB disk, cluster size is almost 4kb.

Drawbacks of FAT32:
1. It is slightly slower than FAT16 depending upon the size of disk.
2. It does not provide support to older management tools, motherboard and BIOSâ€™s.
3. It is not very much secure, recoverable and tolerant incase of any mishap like system crash and power failure.
4. It does not allow compression to files.

Structure of FAT32
MBR (Master Boot Record) is considered to be same for all kinds of operating systems. The information of MBR is present at first sector of hard disk; it is accessible at cylinder number 0, head number 0 and sector number1. When operating system boots these are the lines which execute just after the checking of all the hardware. Main and important part of system information is placed in the partition table and this partition table is placed in this section. If any thing goes wrong with this table, it affects the working of hard drive.

First sector of partition contains information about FAT32 boot record. Second sector of the partition contains all the information of file system used by the operating system.

Webmaster: http://www.optimumrecovery.com/
Optimum Data Recovery, Inc. Specializes in data recovery service for deleted files and folders from Windows, Linux, Mac and other file systems.

How To Prevent Unwanted Windows Programs From Loading At System Startup

2008-08-16T18:27:00.000-07:00

Sick of those pesky programs that insist on running everytime you start Windows? Find out an ingenious way to use Windows in-built security to put a stop to them.

We all have them in our system tray, programs that load up and use precious memory resources and take up valuable space on your taskbar. Some of them you need, but most you can do without. Take charge and clean them out.

Some of the kinder and well written programs are configurable and allow you to change the settings that starts them up. If this option is available, then this is the best approach.

There are, however, many programs that do not give you the choice and no matter how many times you remove them, they return. Two that I find really annoying are the "Windows Messenger" and the "Quicktime Task". Both sit in the system tray and I don't need or want them there. I'll show you how to get rid of them forever if you have Windows XP Pro or Windows 2000. For those with Windows XP Home, this solution will not work.

First and foremost, however, I'd like to discuss a little gem of a program called Startup Control Panel, written by a young chap called Mike Lin from Boston. The program is available as freeware from www.mlin.net and Mike takes donations from those who want to contribute to his efforts.

This program works under all versions of Windows and is a vital part of any Windows installation. It's a program that will allow you to control exactly what programs load at system startup. This is one of the first things I install after setting up a computer with Windows. The program can either be loaded as a standalone program or incorporated into your Control Panel. I prefer the latter, but both work equally well.

When you invoke the program, there are a series of tabs across the top. The 4 that you should be concerned about are labelled, "Startup (user)", "Startup (common)", "HKLM/Run" and "HKCU/Run". These represent 4 different methods by which your computer can run programs when the system first starts. There are 3 other tab, which are not as important and are self-explanatory anyway. Note that the tabs may be on 2 levels depending on the windows size. I usually drag the window and make it wider so that all the tabs fit natly across on the page in a line.

Going through each of the 4 tabs, look at the checked items that will run. To stop them from running, uncheck the box. If you are unsure about a program, uncheck it and see what the effects are. You can awlays revise this later if something stops working. As an exercise, run the Windows Task Manager (by hitting the Ctrl, Alt and Del keys simultaneously) and note down how much memory is taken up by your system on a fresh start. The figure is listed on the status bar of the Task Manager under "Mem Usage". After unchecking all the unwanted programs, restart your system and compare the number and see how much less memory is being used. This is the amount you have saved and all things going well, you'll notice that your system is snappier and definitely less cluttered.

You will soon find that some programs do not like being unchecked. Yes, you guessed it, the two that I mentioned above, "Windows Messenger" and "Quicktime Task". They will reappear everytime you delete them. Worry not for there is another way for those running Windows 2000 or Windows XP Pro on the NTFS File System.

The NTFS File system comes with security built-in meaning that access to files, folders and programs can be limited. This is precisely the method which we will use to stop these pesky programs from loading.

Open up a Windows Explorer window and navigate to where these programs reside. For "Windows Messenger", it should be in your "C:Program FilesMessenger" folder and is called "msmsgs.exe". Right click on the file and click on the "Security Tab". The security settings will show. Basically you want to apply the "Deny" access for all users and administrators. Do this by selecting each group and then clicking on the "Deny" checkboxes. When finished, click on the OK and you're done. The next time you restart the system, this program will be denied access to run. There are many who will rightly point out to me that there is an easier way to do this and that is to run Windows Messenger, navigate to the Tools menu and turn off the startup option. I have done this in the past but find that when a service pack or patch is loaded, that this program sometimes notoriously starts up again, so the Deny option works permanntly. Windows Messenger is a useless program and is superseeded by the MSN Messenger program.

Repeat the same for the Quicktim Task program which you can find by doing a search for "qttask.exe". You should find it in the "C:Program FilesQuicktime" folder.

You can deny access to any program that you don't want to run. This is a powerful method of controlling your environment. It can be reverted by unchecking the Deny boxes at any time.

For those running Windows XP Pro, by default the Security system is disabled. This is easily fixed by opening up "My Computer" and selecting "Tools, Folder Options, View". The item either last on the list or close to last on the list will read something like "Use Simple File Sharing (Recommended)". Uncheck the box and click OK and your system will now have full security settings on all file or folders. The properties window of any file will then have the "Security" tab.

There is also the possibility that you have a Windows XP Pro system running the FAT32 file system instead of NTFS. The FAT32 file system does not have the in-built security of NTFS and will not allow you to allocate Deny permissions on files, folders or programs. You can however, easily convert the FAT32 file system to NTFS though using tools in XP. To find out how, do a Google search for "convert FAT32 to NTFS".

I wish you all the best with your computing experiences.

About The Author:

Balraj Dhaliwal is an Internet Consultant for BSD Register, a well respected and liked domain and hosting provider because of its no nonsense simple approach to getting things done. Visit BSD Register at http://www.BSDRegister.com

Improve PC Performance - 6 Tips You Must Know.

2008-08-16T18:24:00.000-07:00

Improve PC Performance: 6 Tips You Must Know. - Are you frustrated with your PC? Is it feeling sluggish or crawling at a snail's pace? Are programs running slower than they used to? Are you just plain fed up with frequent slowdowns, freezes or crashes? Then it's time to stop what you're doing and optimize your system to improve PC performance!

Are you frustrated with your PC?

Is it feeling sluggish or crawling at a snail's pace?

Are programs running slower than they used to?

Are you just plain fed up with frequent slowdowns, freezes or crashes?

Then it's time to stop what you're doing and optimize your system to improve PC performance!

Follow these 6 simple sure-fire tips to help improve PC performance and you'll be surprised by the results! Each comes with an indication of how often you should do it.

Improve PC Performance Tip #1: CLEAN UP YOUR WINDOWS REGISTRY (Frequency = Daily)

This is an essential, but often overlooked, task to improve PC performance. In fact most PC users are unaware of the necessity to regularly clean the Registry as Microsoft does not include a cleanup tool in any version of Windows.

Every time a program is installed it makes changes to the Windows Registry - a huge internal database of Windows' settings. Virtually all Windows programs, and Windows itself, store a massive array of information inside the database. These thousands of entries control the behavior and appearance of virtually everything on your system.

Changes to your PC system are not always handled correctly in the Registry, leading to conflicts and the slowing down of your PC. Over time this leads to a bloated and possibly, corrupted Registry. Reasons for this include:

- frequently installing or uninstalling programs
- removing a program which leaves traces behind
- leftover entries from a hardware uninstall
- unused drivers on your system
- Spyware or similar programs that reappear every time you reboot

You can edit the Registry manually using a Windows program called Regedit, but this is really a job best left for hardened PC experts.

Thankfully, programs are available that can clean up your Registry automatically to help improve PC performance, such as "Registry Optimizer '06". This scans your Registry, looks for entries that are redundant or invalid and lists them so that they can be corrected with one mouse click. As an added bonus, to improve PC performance, it runs automatically in the background every time you start your PC.

Improve PC Performance Tip #2: EMPTY THE RECYCLE BIN (Frequency = Weekly)

Regularly empty Windows' Recycle Bin.

This will release hard drive space and help improve PC performance.

When you choose to delete a file, rather than removing it completely from your computer, Windows first puts it into the Recycle Bin. This gives you a second chance, as it means you can restore flies from the Recycle Bin back to their original place on your computer.

To ensure optimum PC performance, empty your Recycle Bin weekly (or even daily). To do so, right-click the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop, and choose Empty Recycle Bin.

Improve PC Performance Tip #3: REMOVE PROGRAMS (Frequency = Monthly)

Installing programs is easy - but once you have, it's just as easy to end up leaving them languishing, forgotten, on your hard disk.

Most programs come with their own uninstaller. You'll find this under the program's entry in All Programs, from the Start menu.

If the program doesn't come with its own uninstaller, open Control Panel from the Start menu, and double-click Add/Remove Programs. Your PC will pause briefly while it gathers a list of all the programs you have installed.

Once it has done so, find the program you'd like to get rid of, click it and then select Change/Remove.

Be aware that some programs leave uninstalled traces all over the Windows Registry! Therefore, to improve PC performance after an uninstall, it's essential to clean the Registry.

Improve PC Performance Tip #4: RUN DISK CLEAN UP (Frequency = Monthly)

Windows' Disk Clean Up is a fantastic built-in utility that automates regular maintenance tasks to improve PC performance, such as deleting Temporary Internet files, Setup log files, etc.

To start Disk Clean Up, double-click My Computer, right click on your 'C:' drive and then select Properties. Now click Disk Cleanup. Your computer will then spend a few moments analysing itself.

When it has completed the audit Windows will give you a list of areas where it has found files to cleanup. To clean an area, put a tick in the box next to it. To leave something intact, such as Temporary files, just remove the tick next to the item and click OK.

Your computer will then begin the removal process to improve PC performance - this can take some time.

Improve PC Performance Tip #5: DISK DEFRAGMENTATION (Frequency = Quarterly)

When Windows stores programs on your PC hard disk it saves fragments of files in the nearest empty spaces.

This slows down your PC as it has to spend time hunting down the fragments and piecing files together.

There is a simple cure - running the Windows program Disk Defragmenter. This gathers together the fragments of programs and puts them back in the right order.

This makes it far easier for your hard disk to find what it's looking for, enabling programs and files to load more quickly - a sure-fired way for improving PC performance.

To defragment your hard disk click Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools and then Disk Defragment. When the program has loaded, click Defragment.

The process can take well over an hour. Because defragmenting your hard disk takes such a long time, you really don't want to go through the process too often.

Defragment your hard disk every 3 months or so - this way you'll get the best results and optimize the performance of your PC.

Improve PC Performance Tip #6: EMPTY THE PREFETCH CACHE (Frequency = Quarterly)

To improve the time it takes to load programs, Windows guesses which files are likely to be needed next and loads them into a pool or 'cache'.

This process is called prefetching, and it generally works well. Overtime, though, the prefetch cache can become clogged with files you no longer need - and that can slow down Windows' startup.

To clear Prefetch, choose Run from the Start menu, and enter Prefetch into the text box that appears. When you've done that, you'll be confronted by a window filled with icons. Press Alt+A to select them all and press Delete.

The cache will quickly refill with links and files that Windows really needs. As a result, your system will feel more responsive and benefit from a PC performance speed up.

So there you have it, 6 sure-fired PC performance tips to revitalize your PC. Now you know how to improve PC performance - simply follow these steps and repeat them regularly.

About The Author:

Michael Braid makes it easy to clean up your PC and regain lost performance. For details and to claim your free PC Windows Health Check, visit this website now: protect-soft.com

Buying Printer Ink

2008-08-16T18:23:00.000-07:00

Most homes these days have at least one printer hooked up to their personal computer

Most homes these days have at least one printer hooked up to their personal computer. And a personal computer gets a fair amount of use through the day as an average family of four find a variety of uses to fill their time at the computer, including entertainment, information, to help with school work, to find recipes, to shop, to browse the Internet, etc.

So it is no surprise then that the printer gets a lot of use. With so many computers in North America running so many printers for so many people, it is no wonder that many printer manufacturers sell their printers at almost no profit because they make huge profits on ink refills.

Ink refill can be expensive, especially if you have a color printer, since you have to refill the black cartridge plus the three primary color cartridges as well. Filling a modern BubbleJet printer can cost well over $100!

It does not have to be that way. There are options available that are more affordable. Here is a review and evaluation of your cartridge refill options:

You can go out and buy the manufacturer's ink cartridges. It is quick, easy, clean but can cost $100 or more if you have to replace all four ink cartridges. However, by staying loyal to the brand, you maintain the warranty on your printer.

Affordability factor: low -- Cleanliness factor: high -- Convenience factor: high

You can buy off-brand ink cartridges. These may void your warranty, but you can be sure that they will likely work in your printer since many other people are purchasing them as well and the off-brand ink cartridge manufacturing company does not want to lose customers by producing a product that does not work..

Affordability factor: medium -- Cleanliness factor: high -- Convenience factor: high

You can go to a printer refill kiosk in the mall and have then refill your cartridges. This will void your warranty as well, but for people who find the high cost of ink cartridges prohibitive, this is an excellent option. It's also environmentally sound since there is little waste.

Affordability factor: medium -- Cleanliness factor: high -- Convenience factor: high

You can purchase a commercial ink refilling kit and do it yourself. This is the most affordable method but it can be messy, and take a long time if you have never done it before. And while it may only cost you a few dollars, you void your warranty by using any non-manufacturer-approved ink and equipment.

Affordability factor: high -- Cleanliness factor: low -- Convenience factor: low

For most people who are willing to risk the warranty and who don't want the hassle of doing it themselves, buying off-brand cartridges or getting used cartridges refilled at a kiosk is the best option.

About The Author:

Jeff Lakie is the founder of Printer Ink Resources a website providing information on Printer Ink

REGISTRY PROBLEMS TROUBLE: THE WORKING OF OPERATING SYSTEM

2008-08-16T18:21:00.000-07:00

Why and when registry slows down the computer?

Registry structure of the operating system saves all the registry files related to the software which are frequently installed and removed from computer. It keeps track of all the DLL (Dynamic Link Library) files of all the installed components. Registry needs to be monitored and troubleshoot on regular basis, for healthy processing of computer.

According to the research made by computer repair agencies that almost 90% computing power of computers is affected by corrupted registry files. Most of the computer systems report errors due to missing important registry files.

The registry is affected only when you have installed programs on the computer and uninstall them after some time. Most of the time uninstall utility dose not work properly, and leaves some unnecessary files in the computer. The size of the registry grows and makes use of large space of memory. Frequent addition and deletion of software from computer gives rise to the registry fragmentation, corruption and registry failure.

Most common problems of the computers, when registry fails are listed below:

# Corrupted applications show error while opening an application
# Useless and failed objects related to browser like temporary internet files which occupy a lot of space of primary drive
# Missing files related to applications installed on the computer
# Damaged components of active X and COM objects by adding and removing new system files to them.
# Reliability of registry files becomes suspected

Being a layman, a computer user is not much familiar to cope with such kind of computer problems. Some of the symptoms are mentioned below, which indicate the failure of registry files.

# Slow speed of processor
# Very low performance
# Instability in the applicationâ€™s processing
# Frequent errors while work is in progress
# A very slow startup of windows
# In most severe case, windows denies from getting started.

These problems are only encountered when programs are constantly installed and removed from the computer. Some of the files are left behind in computer registry even the un-installation process is finished. Such files create problems for the operating system to work properly. The best solution for this issue is to scan the whole computer and use of efficient registry cleaner software.

Webmaster:
Optimum Data Recovery, Inc. offers professional data recovery service for all storage devices including hard disk drives, RAID, Laptop and other removable media.

How To Play the iPod on Your Computer's Speakers?

2008-08-16T18:17:00.000-07:00

Sometimes you want to fill the room with your iPod's music but don't have any speakers. If there's a computer with iTunes handy you can play your iPod on computer speakers -- problem solved! Read on for quick how-to tips and tricks for living with your iPod.

How to Play iPods on the Computer: You'll love this. Open iTunes and click on your iPod from the left-hand menu (the device list). The main part of the iTunes screen should show your iPod and a bunch of tabs. Make sure the "Summary tab is selected. You should see a checkbox called "Manually manage music and videos" on the screen -- click the checkbox. Ready to play? Select the song or play list you want to hear (from the list below your iPod on the left-hand menu) and hit iTunes play button. Okay, this may all sound a little confusing. I've put some pictures on my website to help you out if you're still not quite sure.

Alarm clock: I use my iPod nano for my alarm clock. Have you ever had to spend the night in a hotel and worried about whether the alarm clock would go off? I used to travel 4 nights a week for work and carried a travel alarm clock -- until I figured out my iPod could handle it. No more waking up in the middle of the night worrying about whether you'll wake up! Here's how.

Navigate to the Extras menu and choose Clock > Alarm Clock. Your first step is to make sure the Alarm is toggled on. Next, choose Time and scroll to set when the alarm should ring. Now choose the Repeat menu and decide if the alarm should go off once, daily, weekdays, weekends, once a month, and so forth. Now for the bigger decision: Sound. You will set the iPod to Beep or to a Play list. Play list sends the sound through earphones or an external speaker -- which is what I use at night. Beep uses iPod's built-in speaker. Ok, your alarm is set up and ready. Enjoy!

Using the Sleep Timer: If you like to fall asleep to music, there's another section in Extras you'll like: the sleep timer. When I go to bed I plug my iPod into speakers in the bedroom and set the sleep timer for 60 minutes. Now you have music to fall asleep by.

Setting the Volume limit: Does your iPod seem too loud (or not loud enough)? Head over to the Settings menu and select Volume Limit. Use your click wheel to adjust your iPod's maximum volume up or down. You can also adjust the mix of sounds by adjusting the equalizer. It's listed as EQ in your Settings menu.

Author: manit mehra

Touch Screen technology – the Death Knell for the Computer Mouse

2008-08-16T18:15:00.000-07:00

It is now nearly 40 years old but one of the most familiar office tools is about to become obsolete, according to analysts.

Invented nearly 40 years ago by Dr Douglas Engelbart while working for the Stanford Research Institute; billions of computer mice are now in operation all over the world.

However, thanks to new technologies such as touch screens and facial recognition software, it seems compute mouse’s days are numbered with analysts predicting that they could be completely obsolete within five years.

Recent years has seen an explosion of new input devices particularly with the expanding PDA and mobile phone markets where touch screen is now becoming the number one input method.

Touch Screen technology has actually been with us since the 1970’s although traditionally they were expensive and normally only used in industrial applications.

However, recent advances in technology now mean touch screen is relatively cheap and they can be found in everything from mobile phones, ATM machines, information points and even microwave ovens.

It is predicted that touch screens along with other technologies such as gestural systems like facial recognition are soon-to-become the replacement for the mouse.

The main advantage of a touch screen over the conventional mouse, keyboard and monitor layout is that the screen itself acts as both input and output devices. Not only does this save space but also it means that a computer can be placed in locations where a keyboard and mouse layout would be impractical such as outside or left unattended.

Touch screen technology is also widely used in industrial applications as not having a keyboard and mouse means that contaminants such as grease, dirt and dust cannot enter and clog up the input devices. Touch screens can also be enclosed in an industrial computer enclosure protecting it from water, dust and even explosive atmospheres allowing a computer to be placed even in the most inhospitable environments.

Touch screen technology is changing the way we interact with computers and allowing technology to be placed in areas where traditional computers would not have been placed.

Richard N Williams is a technical author and a specialist in the industrial computer industry helping to develop industrial computers and protection for all environments. Please visit us for more information about touch screens or other industrial computer solutions.

Renovate Your Computer A Thousand Fold With Memory Optimizer

2008-08-16T18:09:00.000-07:00

When computers begin running slowly, most people take it for granted. They think that the computer must be just burdened with some software, or must be finding it difficult to do a particular task. The common notion is that deleting some programs from the computer will make the computer run at its normal speed once again. But what most users do not realize is that a computer running slowly is not just about the load of resources on it. Quite probably, some program is trying to write into the system memory and that is slowing it down. The simple thick of things is that the memory of your computer has become so full that there is nowhere else programs can write on your PC. Hence, it uses the RAM which is reserved for the system tools. It is now easy to understand why the computer slows down. Also, if the computer has its RAM written into like this, it indicates that the computer is slowly going to conk out completely, since the system tools will not be able to function to their fullest. For all you know, this could be the last time your computer worked before crashing completely. This is where memory optimizer software can help a great deal. Memory Optimizer is PC cleanup software. As programs keep writing into the computer's memory, the software keeps cleaning up all the temporary unused files, such as installation files. This frees up space on the computer, which would otherwise have been rendered complete and useless. The result is that the RAM of the computer is untouched, and it can keep functioning at its fullest potential. At the same time, it must be noted that the memory optimizer software will never add any load on the computers. The software contains small installation files, and it goes on in the background all the time your computer is working. In this way, the PC cleaning software will not take any major share of your memory. This is important for the computer to function effectively. All memory optimizer software programs are total PC management software too. They can help keep the PC clean (and thus working fast) by cleaning out the temporary files such as those in the cache memory, the recycle bin, the auto-recovery and back up files, etc. When all these files are continuously removed, it ensures that the computer gets free of unneeded resources and it begins running faster.

Author: Nitin

5 Points To Consider While Purchasing The Video Card

2008-08-16T18:07:00.000-07:00

It is important task for the user to know the compatibilities of computer and the video card.

It is essential to see the configuration of the computer to provide support to the video card.

1. When you buy the video card, you must have to know the speed of your CPU because CPU play an important role in delivering the graphic design work. Normally it is advisable to purchase the 500 MHz CPU to make the work faster while less capacity CPU can’t run fast.

2. You need to get the 3D API which is very fast responding. There are different types of video card available by the different manufacturer to get the suitable video card. Depends on the application, you need to select the suitable video card.

3. In certain video games you need to access higher frame. To access this you need to use the faster accelerator.

4. The 3D designing firm also needs editing work of 3D games. It is important to install the suitable video card which supports the editing work.

5. At present 3D development centre install combination of 2D and 3D card so that they perform both works at same speed.

There are different types of 3D video card are available in the market by the video card companies in different models. Each card has its own speed so you need you need to select the card based on the capacity and speed. One of the most essential things while purchasing the video card is to know the CPU configuration properly to know suitable card you need to purchase.

About Author:
Gary Zivkovich is a writer for Video Cards, the premier website to find best video card, pc video card, external video card, pci slot video card, xfx video card, cheap video card, usb video card and many more.

Computer Crash! How to Prevent Loss of Valuable Data

2008-08-16T08:47:00.000-07:00

Have you ever had a computer crash whereby all your data was lost? What very likely happened is that your computer's hard drive became defective. Yes, it happens more frequently than one might expect. There are all sorts of reasons why computer hard drives can fail and there's not a whole lot that can be done to prevent these failures. Another consideration for the protection of data is the possibility of fire and theft. The main objective of this article is to provide you with some practical strategies that will allow you to easily protect and recover your data.

First let's talk briefly about what is meant by valuable data. On any given computer system there are generally two types of data stored on the computer's hard drive. The first type is "software" data and the second type is "user" data. Many people don't actually realize that software is data in its own right. But software data is not the kind of data that you really need to concern yourself with when it comes to recovery of data. The reason for this is that software data is easily recoverable from the installation disks received when software is purchased.

The data that we will focus on in this article is "user" data. Let's define user data specifically. User data is the data that users create from the software that is run on a computer. For example, if a word processor is used to create a document or a letter, the word processor provides functions to save this data. The data that is created and saved through the word processor is "user" data. Most programs will create and save data somewhere on the hard drive.

There are many kinds of user data that can and will be created on the hard drive. For example, picture files, documents, accounting data from a money management program, music files, video files, and email and email address data are all different types of user data. This is not an exhaustive list. But it does highlight the types of data that accumulates on most computer hard drives through the use of various programs or software.

Here's the bottom line when it comes to recovery of data of both types. If a hard drive crashes and the operating system needs to be completely reinstalled or, in the worst case, the hard drive needs to be completely replaced, software can easily be recovered by simply reinstalling these from their installation disks. However, if the "user" data has not been backed up, then it is lost for good. Most people do not pay enough attention to this basic fact about computer systems until it's too late.

Remember, the key concept here is "prevention" and in order to prevent loss of valuable data you must always anticipate the possibility of hard disk failures, fire damage, or theft. So let's talk about some basic options that are easily available to implement a good data management plan.

Option 1: Consider having two internal hard drives.
Most home computers generally all come with only one internal hard drive. This one hard drive stores both software and user data. Which means that this one single hard drive is experiencing a lot of wear and tear. Every time a program is launched it's being accessed. Every single function that the operating system invokes will likely hit the hard drive etc. This heavy wear and tear can eventually lead to physical failures. Also, many viruses are designed to hit the operating system. If the user data is on the same physical drive as the operating system, then it can be severely impacted by viruses as well.

So why not install a second internal hard drive. Very few people ever think of this option and, with the price of hard drives going down drastically, it's a very cost effective approach to securing user data. What does this accomplish? Well first of all, using this approach, the user data can be physically separated from the software data. The main drive, also known as the boot or master drive, would be strictly dedicated to holding only the operating system and all other software. The second hard drive (known as the slave drive) would be strictly dedicated to storing only your user data.

Here are the benefits of this approach. First and foremost the user data is completely isolated to a more secure and less used drive. This drive would experience a lot less wear and tear. Also, it would be much easier to back up your data onto other storage mediums such as writable compact disks (cds) or digital versatile disks (dvds). That's because this data would be in one centralized place. In other words, user data is much easier to find when it is isolated on a separate drive.

Another key point regarding storing user data on the primary drive is that it is also much more at risk for viruses. Again, by isolating user data onto a physically separate drive, the risk of data loss or corruption from viruses would be greatly minimized.

Another strong point for this option is that total system recoveries (i.e. re-installing the operating system) is much easier if you don't have to include re-installing the user data as well. The main hard drive can quickly be reformatted without worrying about backing up the user data and then re-imaged with a fresh copy of the operating system.

Option 2: Save your data to cd or dvd disks.
This is by far the cheapest option and a very good approach to securing user data. All that is needed is a cd or dvd burner and some blank disks, which cost pennies to buy. This option can be the only option used for securing data but it is highly recommended that option 1 be used in conjunction with this option for two reasons. First, the back ups to cd or dvd will only be as current as the last time the backups were done. Secondly, if the operating system needs to be completely re-installed, the user data will also need to be copied from cds or dvds onto the single hard drive. Thus making the recovery a bit more cumbersome but still doable.

The main benefit of saving user data onto cds or dvds is that it is being further isolated and one step removed from the hard drives. When using this option, two copies should be maintained. The reason for maintaining two copies is so that one of the copies can be stored off site. This means keeping one set of disks at some other location other than at home or the office. The reason this is an important consideration is because of the possibility of fire and theft. Another reason is that a cd or dvd backup can also become corrupted. It's better to have two or more copies.

Option 3: Attach an external USB Hard Drive to the system.
With the price of hard drives getting much cheaper, this is another really good option. By attaching an external USB hard drive to the system, special backup programs can be installed and scheduled to run over night. There are many cost effective backup programs available. Do an Internet search on these. Backup programs can be configured to save user data to the external hard drive. This option can also be used in place of options 1 and 2. But some of the benefits achieved by these other options are lost or minimized if this is the only option you choose. However, it is another good option because the back up process is fully automated and the user data is still physically separated from the main hard drive.

Hopefully this article has raised the importance of user data. The options presented here are the very same options used by many highly experience data processing centers and can be easily adopted by the average computer user. The most important point to remember is that good planning for potential disasters is the best protection against loss of valuable user data. You may not think of it this way at first but the user data that you accumulate on your computer takes time to build up and acquire. If you value your time then you'll value your data. Your data has a lot of value. So why not take a few simple steps to protect it.
By : John Hamill

How To Find Good Clipart and Photos For Your Projects

2008-08-16T08:40:00.000-07:00

By : Jacqueline Nielsen,
Whether you are writing an ebook, putting together an HTML newsletter, or setting up a personal web site, you may find that you need good, quality artwork, either illustrations (clipart) or photos.

There are generally two problems you may encounter when you look for clipart or photos online. The first problem is finding something that you can legally use. If you do not know that you have the permission to use a piece of art, then you probably do not. You can use work that you have purchased the right to or have been given the right to use. You cannot use your favorite cartoon character or a professional photograph of your favorite singer.

The rule of thumb in looking for graphics online is to look for royalty-free clipart and photos. This means you may use the work without paying a continuing royalty fee for use. You may receive the right to use the artwork free of charge, you may pay a fee to access such artwork (say $15.95 a month for unlimited downloads), you may pay for the right to use that particular piece, or you may agree to link back to the creator's site in exchange for the royalty-free use of the artwork.

The second problem with finding clipart and photos online is that good royalty-free art may be more expensive than you would hope. This is changing rapidly as sites like StockXchange, iStockPhoto and Dreamstime make it easier for photographers to sell their work and for consumers to find clipart they need.

The key to finding exactly the right art for your project is to have a very good idea of what you are going to need before you start. Think about color, shape, size and resolution (whether it will be printed or posted online makes a difference).

While you cannot predict exactly what you want without looking at some art and having an aha moment, you can know in general what you are looking for. When you find the right art for your project, try to get a low-resolution file (sometimes called a comping image), to try in your layout. This image cannot be used in your project and will have a very large visible watermark on it but it will allow you to see firsthand how it will look.

Especially if you have selected a fairly expensive image, this is a crucial step in deciding whether you have found exactly the right image for your project. It is surprising how often the "perfect" image looks positively awful once it is placed.

The most important thing may be to realize that you are not going to find the "perfect" image and just go for what you believe works. You may find something that looks great, but your are tempted to keep looking to see if anything else can be found that is better. The advice is don't!

Decide what you need, find something that fits the bill, and move on with the rest of your project. Otherwise you may spend a waste a lot of time searching for something that may not exist. The biggest obstacle to finishing a project on-time and on-budget is trying to go from great to perfect, when great is usually good enough.

Learning How to Maintain a Computer

2008-08-15T17:23:00.000-07:00

Computer maintenance, sounds like a dreadful task. It can well be frightful, but more terrifying than this are repair costs and hard drive crashes. Maintenance may not guarantee the blockage of each and every threat that surrounds the machine physically like dust and other elements as well as logically like internal bugs and glitches. However, if proper maintenance is applied, one might actually form a long and lasting bond with little to no breakdowns, meltdowns, and crashes.

Most people would only realize the importance of maintenance after a couple of crashed units and a few thousand dollars of repair bills. In our population, there are those who invest in formal training that offers intense hands-on sessions and in-depth reference materials. However, these specialized classes may be quite expensive.

See here, computer maintenance is not that identical to computer repair---meaning knowing how to actually maintain a desktop computer is not a quick trip to a sweet destination. The topic at hand concerns more on keeping one’s own computer in tiptop shape. A maintenance class may or may not incorporate hardware repairs and installation.

Hardware Cleaning

First of all, it is essential that the pieces of hardware be cleaned regularly, though this is easier said than done. Sometimes dust build-up can only be removed utilizing a spray or vacuum solely intended to remove any accumulation. And if possible, keep your computer, CPU, and every peripheral off the floor. If a collection of dust (and oftentimes cobwebs) be tangled in the fan, then overheating is not far behind. And as we all know, overheating can be equated to crashing.

If you are planning to wipe the dust off, do not use a damp cloth. This may come as an insult, but sometimes, common sense is not so common.

Shutting Down

Continuing the tone in the previous paragraph, people seem to have a hard time following simple instructions. Admit it, we are all guilty of pressing the power button more often than we care to remember. May be because we are in a hurry or probably because hanging and logging are two frequent events that prompt our fingers to immediately press the power button instead of shutting it down properly.

This negligence may prove to be damaging in the long run. Bear in mind that this disregard accounts for over seventy percent of the causes that trigger the development of errors leading to a computer breakdown.

Software Update

The software installed and the operating system itself must be regularly updated and evaluated. A weekly error check will facilitate to repair errors. Aside from this, virus check is also vital. Nowadays, virus is an ever present item. Whether it is a virus, a worm, or a bug, all of these can infect our system.

Discontinue Downloading

If you are one of those individuals who cannot help but download everything in sight, then you are simply giving your computer a one-way ticket to the frozen recesses of the techno world. Download is one of the few words that will initially provide delight and will eventually transform into dread and doom. From songs to movies and every byte of download in between, these may be a carrier of numerous Virus, Trojans, Spyware that will gnaw on your system.

So whether it is in maintaining the computer or its components, the best way to learn how is to actually carry it out. The best methods and points will make little or no difference if the users neither perform it nor acquire any hands-on experience from it.
About the Author
The Auther of this article is Benedict Yossarian. Benedict recommends New Horizons IT courses such as MCSE, CCNA and Photoshop Training. Benedict recommends Comm Store for hardware such as swtiches and Cat5e UTP cable.

How to Speed Up Computer - The Hassle-Free Way

2008-08-15T17:22:00.000-07:00

Are you aging as you wait for your tediously slow computer to respond? Getting overly frustrated with crawling processor speeds? Wish you had a sleek, new fast computer? Computers don’t have to be slow. Slow computers don’t have to stay that way. If you are willing to take action, you can have a fast, responsive computer. If you are worried that a quick computer repair is going to cost you a bomb, then fret not because there are hassle-free ways available for you to give your PC a fast and easy tune up.

No matter where we are, using a computer in an inescapable task in modern society. Considering how dependent we are on it, it is only natural to want a fast computer. If you are ready to part with your money, then shouldn’t have problems buying a high end computer on a whim. But if you’re not, then let’s examine some hassle-free, low costs ways in which we can speed up our computers.

#1 Avoid multi-tasking

Everyone is guilty of this. It is normal for computer users to open an array of applications at one go. The problem with this is that when too many applications are running all-at-one-go, chances are your RAM space gets used up all at once. As such, this causes your computer to become laggy and eventually your computer screen will freeze up. So, to avoid the problem of laggy computers, simply learn to minimize the use of numerous applications at one go.

#2 Simplicity is the best

Keeping everything simple on the desktop can also minimize the problem of laggy computers. Computer users like to use fancy wallpapers, animated mouse pointers and such. But little did we know that these fancy ‘things’ on our desktop can slow everything down. So try your best and avoid using high-resolution pictures as your wallpapers and resist the temptations of using that pulsating heart as your mouse pointer. You’d better ask yourself if it is worth your while to turn your desktop into an animated circus.

#3 Easy computer checkups

Just like humans, computers need regular check ups too. Regardless of how new a computer may be or however seemingly ancient it may look, it is necessary that you conduct constant check ups on your computer. There are free computer check ups available online. Some of these free computer check ups are as good as their commercial counterparts. Simply make full use of the free computer checkups, as they are able to diagnose any errors, viruses and spywares that might be present in your computer. The great thing about this is that these free computer checkups will also help to solve the errors for you too.

Speeding up your computer does not necessarily have to be expensive. The tips and tricks mentioned above won’t even cost you a dime! Just remember to do regular check ups on your PC and you can be assured of a hassle free experience the next time you use your PC.
About the Author
Click Here to speed up your computer for free. Logan Albright helps thousands of people optimize their computers through a proper computer check up. He is an authority on troubleshooting computer problems at http://www.pcaholic.com .

Computers – The Best Tool For Video Editing

2008-08-15T17:19:00.000-07:00

Computers were designed to make things easier for us and a lot faster. That is also true with using computers for video editing. Computers are being used for video editing nowadays because it saves a lot of time. If you are familiar with computers it will be a lot easy and you can finish the job in about an hour. Using computers for video editing is known as Digital Video Editing. All you have to do is just take a video or a shot then connect your camcorder to the computer. After that you can start editing it and add whatever filters or titles you want to put.

The computer will play an important part in making you video a good one. You have to download or install video editing software first. Also, check your computer. You must have a CPU processor that is fast. The CPU processor is the life of the computer for this is where information is stored. As like what they say the muscle and the brains of a computer. If the CPU is fast, it will produce better edited videos and you could check or preview the video at present time.

Large Hard Drives is also a must in using computers for video editing. You will not only use software for editing but usually the files of the video are large therefore consuming a large space on your hard drive. This is essential in creating a high quality video. It is also recommended that you get an external hard drive so that you will still have enough space for your computers hard drive. It is a good way to store your videos if you use an external hard drive. A factor to consider is the RAM that you have in your computer. It is one of the factors that will give your computer a good performance as well as create a good quality video. You may use 1GB of RAM but if you can upgrade it to 2GB it will be better.

Hardware equipment for video editing has two kinds: analog and digital. We use video capture card for analog format. This will transfer analog picture from your computer to other sources like television, analog camcorder and VCR and will format it to digital video. Firewire is also available and in demand. This video editing hardware equipment allows us to transfer the video in digital format thus making us capture the video digitally and would not have to go to the process of transferring video from analog to digital format.

With digital video editing we can make simple videos like your summer vacation or a special occasion a quality video. Chances of making a documentary film is also big just by using digital video editing. It is less expensive. Also, the image quality will not diminish since we are using digital format. We can further enhance the video instead of making it poorer in quality. Computers will make your video editing faster, easier and would produce quality videos that you may benefit in the future.
About the Author
You can visit Computer Juice for more video editing info at homemade videos, homemade video and home made videos.

Computer Viruses - What Are They and What Do They Do?

2008-08-15T17:18:00.000-07:00

A virus is known to many as an agent that causes different diseases. They have many modes of infecting all of the members of the animal kingdom. Although there are different types of viruses, they have one commonality; they are all harmful. Nowadays, the term virus has taken a different turn when it comes to the meaning. Now, it is more commonly associated with anything that brings a computer to its demise or to something close to that.

Computer virus has to be the most popular phrase when the thought of internet comes to the minds of most people. The reason is that they remember the destruction it brings. Computers have changed the way all people live. It has become important in all aspects of living may it be politics, religion or business. Just when we thought it could not get better, the Internet came along. Among all of the benefits of the internet, the one that people are most happy about is how it made communication much easier. In the old days, the only connection you have to your loved ones in other countries is through mail or telephone. Now, there are more efficient and faster ways of communicating. You can send an e-mail or a private message which will only take a few seconds and your message will be received immediately.

This advancement took a tragic turn when someone smart enough decided to make a computer virus. A computer virus, sticking to the true meaning of the word virus, is something that infects a computer, jams its programs and causes many problems to the user. It can bring any time of destruction from a small computer glitch to making your whole computer system crash.

Sadly, there are many ways that a virus is transferred from one computer to another. Storage devices such as USB can be a medium to transfer a virus. If two or more computers are connected via a network connection, a virus can be transferred. The most devastating news is that not only can it be transferred offline; it can be transferred online too. The internet became the most notorious aspect of the computer when it comes to getting it infected.

This is why the whole world, or the people who uses computers, rejoiced at the birth of antiviruses. These are the programs that are designed to track down and get rid of computer viruses from its system. Now, there are many ways on how to protect your computer using antiviruses. Although there are many antivirus programs out in the market today, they have one common factor: they prioritize prevention. They gave importance of detecting a virus that is threatening to invade a computer so that they can block it before it can cause any harm. Now, antiviruses are also wise enough to detect viruses that are already in the computer before they were installed and delete or clean it.

Aside from antiviruses, the users can also follow guidelines to prevent their computer from getting infected such as don’t access sites that are about pornography since most viruses are found here.
About the Author
You can visit Computer Juice for more virus info at avg 7.5, avg 7 and avg7.

What is a Computer Flash Drive?

2008-08-15T17:15:00.000-07:00

If you were looking around at computer peripherals, looking for a way to move around your data, you find that you have many options to choose from.

Which one is known as a computer flash drive.

If you're in a professional situation where you want to move data from one computer to another, you may already be seen as sending information to a wireless network, or simply networking two computers so, but you will find that the adoption of a look and see the solutions that a computer flash drive can give you a method would be much easier to achieve that goal.

A computer flash drive is essentially a camera with a flash memory on it and it was generally a USB interface that will connect to your computer. Once it was connected, you find that your computer simply read as another player, a place where you can copy information or to take immediate information. In this perspective, you notice that you can put virtually any amount of information on your flash drive as long as you do not exceed the limits of memory. It is a great deal of help when it comes to copy information from one computer to another.

When considering a computer flash drive, the first thing you need to know is that it is non-volatile. This means that the information is stored on the disk will not need to be switched to be updated. A flash drive can simply sit as it is, without being able to run and maintain your information in good condition. You will see that it is very useful when it comes to preserving your data and ensure that you do not lose in case of problems. When you want to make sure that your work is saved in a place that is not dependent on your primary energy source, a flash drive is ideal.

Thinking of a computer flash drive, you find that you have several different sources available to you, a flash drive one of them. These flash drives can be as small as a pack of chewing gum and when you intend to ensure that your data are safe, you find that you carry around with May be an idea. This means that, no matter where you are, you will have access to data that you need to work. It also means that you do not depend on an Internet connection and you'll be able to operate independently on many other systems around you.

Take time to think about what buying a computer flash drive can mean for you. You will find that it is an important part of your work being done and keeping security in the event of an emergency, so take a look and see what happens when it 's acts of these devices within reach.

About the Author
Derek Rogers is a freelance writer who writes for a number of UK businesses. For logo branded USB Flash Drives, he recommends Flashbay.com.

How to Choose a Registry Cleaner

2008-08-15T17:12:00.000-07:00

Part to having and use a computer at home or work is to learn how to properly take care of it. If you use the Internet, or install programs on your computer, you are making changes to your computer registry, which can clog it with the data you do not need more time. The first part of the battle here is recognizing that you need to find a way to keep your Windows registry gunk free, and the second half of the battle is over the choice of a clean record who will work for you .

Your computer registry is like his brain, because some are very vital parameters and pieces of information stored within. This cache of information is truly essential to keep your system running right. When you install new programs, for example, information is stored in your Windows registry so that May be consulted later. Unfortunately, when these programs are uninstalled, the registry information does not always go with them. Another cause regrettable for a clogged registry on your computer spyware, adware and other garbage. Even when you remove the pop-up and programs, registration data can remain that can cause problems for your computer.

The answer lies in the choice of a clean record who will make the distinction between the important information in your registry, and what needs to be removed. It is normal for a record of errors occur, but that simply does not mean you have to put up with them. Avoid leaving your computer to get overloaded by choosing a clean record. Most registry cleaners offer free trial versions so you can test them before making a purchase.

However, most of these trial versions make no repairs, they let you know the errors. There is no real use knowing that you have registry errors without being able to do anything about them, rather than rely on a trial version of a program, 'make a little research on the choice you register a cleaner for best results.

Choose a registry cleaner is not difficult. There are a number of online sources that will give comments and feedback on potential products for your consideration. An example of a registry is cleaner repair XP Pro, which offers a trial which does repair any errors it finds, for a total of fifteen days. This program is more than just a registry cleaner, and, as it has the ability to defragment your registry. This means that it will optimize your computer registry to run faster and more efficiently. The most effective and efficient your computer registry, the better your computer will run in the long term. This, above all, is why the choice of a registry clean is so important.

Computers need to run as well as perhaps to deliver the best results. In keeping clean the register of your Windows XP Pro is a big part of keeping it well maintained. The choice of a register own gives you a chance to take better care of your computer, enabling it to function more effectively for much longer.
About the Author
Do not buy any software or cleaning registration before checking our own register RegCure comments under consideration.

Runtime Error and the Trojan Virus Explained

2008-08-15T17:08:00.000-07:00

Most threats specialize in carrying out a display of pop-up tasks, the collection of user data, change browser settings and can be easily classified - they are spyware. However, there are still many other threats that cripple differently your PC and perform a variety of different actions and are therefore more difficult to label.

Mistakes are executing one of them. They are the most common Windows error message and infect the majority of computer users.

Their goal is to serve as a reminder that there are serious problems that occur in your system while a particular program is being "run". This is mostly due to the fact that there is a large number of software on your computer registry of the computer can not function at an optimum level because these programs are in conflict with each other due to errors execution.

A very few signs that mistakes are implementing infect your computer are:

1. Constant error messages

2. A lack of memory

3. Extremely slow start and

4. Slow PC

Another serious threat computer is the Trojan horse virus. These "Trojan horse" programs take their name from the legendary wooden horse that carried Greek soldiers hidden in the city of Troy. These poor performing computer programs feature hidden, often to useful applications still in effect, make Spyware Adware or functions, and / or allow remote access to your PC.

The problem of Trojans explained

If you read these lines, there is really a good chance that your PC is already infected with a Trojan virus. Trojan virus can be installed on your computer simply by visiting a Web site that is carefully designed by an attacker. When you visit the Web site, the attacker sends to your computer, the code that is designed to be executed on your machine using the vulnerabilities of the software installed on your machine or vulnerability in the operating system itself.

If your PC is infected, it can be used by the attacker to send unsolicited e-mail to email lists that the hacker has focused. These e-mails spam can not be attributed to the attacker, because they come from your machine. This is make your PC slow, and the attacker is using your Internet bandwidth for free. If you think your Internet usage is excessive, this May a contributing factor.

How do I get?

Trojan virus can be installed on your computer simply by visiting a Web site that is carefully designed by an attacker. When you visit the Web site, the attacker sends to your computer, the code that is designed to be executed on your machine using the vulnerabilities of the software installed on your machine or vulnerability in the operating system itself. Many pirates / torrent sites and pornographic sites often infect your computer with viruses, errors registry and malicious programs. DO NOT visit them or they'll visit.

How can I remove my computer

Many of these types of Trojan viruses once installed on your system will keep themselves reinstalling the start unless you've completely removed the virus from your system, including the system registry. Often, these viruses to connect to a server on the Internet without your knowledge, notify the attacker and reinstall on the system.

You must remove all parts of Trojan virus for a complete elimination of the virus. A good anti-virus will do.

For errors of execution, a good record set your own problem and at the same time increase the speed of your PC and return it to its original performance.

AMD Athlon Computers: At the Top of the Game

2008-08-15T17:05:00.000-07:00

Two of the leading manufacturers of CPU processors are Intel and AMD Athlon. Both companies have been raging war against each other since AMD Athlon beat Intel to release a 64-bit processor. But despite this, AMD Athlon computers have not completely won the battle yet. The two companies have tried to beat competitors in terms of price, the clock speed or performance, energy consumption and heat production. There was a release after another of these companies, making the processor CPU shopping even more difficult. The good thing but with this war between Intel and AMD Athlon, is that we are given a table of the best processors.

AMD Athlon computers have been around for a while now. They started with the release of the Athlon processor x86 classic way back when Intel Pentium 3 was the market leader. AMD Athlon the first Intel processor just hit the market then. But in 2000, AMD Athlon dropped a bomb on Intel by releasing its processor Thunderbird. This time, AMD Athlon computers obtained the title of market leader on Intel Pentium 3. And ever since then, AMD Athlon has been coming up to compete with processors that seem to match, if not more fulfilling Intel processors.

Let's talk about speed!

If you're looking for a processor, you can check how AMD Athlon match with Intel in terms of price and performance. Over the years, AMD Athlon has continuously sought to improve its clock speed and other characteristics. Current processors AMD Athlon 64 are x2 series and 64 FX series. The 64 x2 series offers a range of clock speeds of 2.3 GHz and 3.0 GHz while the 64 FX series offers a range of clock speeds of 2.6 GHz to 3.0 GHz. AMD Athlon May not always correspond to achieve on each processor or Intel processor but did later. The fx -74 Intel processor makes Core 2 Extreme QX6700, with a clock speed of 3.00 GHz compared to its slow speed 2.66 GHz.

The price factor

Since AMD Athlon is the new brand, it is only natural that they provide affordable prices. In fact, all prices are lower compared to Intel. The AMD Athlon 64 X2 series, for example, is lower prices, between $ 170 and $ 500, compared to Intel Core 2 Duo series are prices between $ 180 and $ 600. AMD Athlon are much more affordable, although later fx 64 - 74 is also a price to its Intel counterpart.

The diversification of small processing enterprises

AMD Athlon has also affected the market for notebook processors, with the series Turion and Mobile Athlon XP. To install a notepad size, these types of smaller processors are for the most part, is less heat and energy consumption.

Choosing the right processor

Although the speed and price are important factors to consider when buying processors, using your PC must be the first factor. Why would you go for a high-speed processing of your PC when the use will not reach this speed? If your PC is limited use of word processing and Internet browsing only, choosing from a list of AMD Athlon processors will be no difference. However, if you use your PC for high-speed computer games that require faster clock speed, you want May to check the upper part of the AMD Athlon computers list.

In addition, May also you are thinking of buying cooling fans if you go to high speed processors. Although AMD Athlon processors are manufactured using less heat, cooling fans will cool processors more effectively, especially if you plan to clock on your CPU.

About the Author
Felix K is the author of Pcmarketusa – USA’s best computer system and Computer Parts Reseller. If you are looking to get Computer cases, CPU processors, Mp3 Players, AMD Athlon Computers, digital cameras or other items then visit at pcmarketusa that is best source for you.