Computers and Technology

Here's some personal advice on how not to screw up your computer or laptop based on stupid things I've done over the years. This article should be of help to people who are brand new on the computer, people without much experience and possibly people with mid-level computer skills, who if nothing else can use this as a refresher. I've also included some other advice and pointers to help you avoid other potential computer pitfalls. I'm sure this is elementary advice to the more experienced computer user.

What Not to Do on Your Computer or Laptop if You Don't Want to Mess Them up:

1. Do not delete anything that you don't know what you're deleting. For example, if you delete a driver, you can totally screw the computer up. So do not delete anything unless you know what you're deleting & know it won't harm your computer by deleting. If you're not sure, do not delete.

2. Do not go to porn sites at all. This has nothing to do with morality but a lot of them have viruses,spyware and adware on them.

3. Do not open up any email with an attachment that you do not know who the sender is. Delete them. I also would not open up any email period if you do not know who the sender is. If you see an email from a place like Ebay, Paypal and Amazon, a Bank, etc. and the subject does not make sense- I.E., "Your account is suspended", etc., do not open it up, chances are its bogus with some nasty hidden computer code attached or its a scam email, On a lot of these suspicious emails you can check if they're genuine by looking at the messages on the actual site. I would never open up any eBay message for example unless it is in your eBay message Box.

4. Do not download any software from a site unless you know it is a legitimate site. A lot of sites are known to contain spyware, adware, and perhaps viruses. If you are going to download free software, I would only do it from sites like Download.com, Tucows, Microsoft, the software company's website, etc.

5, If you are not sure how to install a program, ask someone with experience. If you do install a program, initially just use the defaults and don't try to custom install it because the chances are you will screw it up.

6. When deleting a program, go to the control panel where it says add or delete a program and if during the deletion process it asks you if you wish to remove all files or a certain file which may cause damage, click no and/or no to all. This will seem clearer to you when that happens.

7. If you see some outrageous offer like free dinner, etc., for clicking a site, don't click it. Chances are you'll be getting spam, spyware, adware or worse.

8. Keep a separate email address for personal email for people you know. Keep a separate one for e-commerce.

9. Try to not put your personal email address on anything you buy online, use a separate email address for online purchases. I would also try to avoid using your correct phone number, address, full name, etc., unless you absolutely have to or the website is from an established place like Amazon, etc. Obviously if you purchase something online you will have to give a correct address and name but you don't have to give a correct phone number. I would also give incorrect birthday dates that you'll remember. On websites/services that will not be sending you stuff in the mail, I would try to avoid giving your true information out altogether even if it means changing it after your original info was put in and verified. I mean there's nothing like an angry person you sold something to online, harassing you by phone. Do not give out your Social Security Number! Repeat do not give out your Social Security Number.

10. Do not open up your computer and put things in like extra memory, drives, etc., if you haven't done that before as you're liable to screw things up big-time.

11. Have your computer plugged into a good surge protector that you get at a computer place or retail store like Best Buy based on a salesman's recommendation or online reviews. Do not buy at your local supermarket. If there is lightning outside, I'd recommend shutting your computer off completely as it still could get messed up even with the surge protector.

12. Do not let a friend or anyone else use your computer without you seeing what they're doing as they''re bound to do things covered here that I said you shouldn't do!

13. Don't leave your laptop outside for a long period of time if its hot as that could cause your computer to overheat.

14. If you hear your computer making a strange sound or smell anything burning, turn your computer off at once. The sound is probably coming from its fan. I once had a computer at work start to burn up from the fan.

15. Treat your laptop with care. If you drop it, bang it, etc., there is a good chance you will have caused some damage.

16. I personally recommend if you're not that experienced with a computer, to always buy a new one that has most things already installed- plug and play. If you buya used one, there's a chance that there could be something wrong that an experienced person could fix right away but you can't. Let the buyer beware. Here's justa quick example. I bought a used laptop online from someone years ago and he said everything was set to how the laptop was when it was in the store. Well Idiscovered massive amounts of spyware, adware, some viruses, etc., on it but I was experienced enough to know how to remove them with the aid of the right software. If you're not and try to do it, your asking for possibly even worse problems.

17. Don't drink any soda, water, etc. near your computer and try not to eat near the keyboard, either.

18. If a key gets stuck on your keyboard, do not pull it out, especially on a laptop, A lot of times, if a key comes off a laptop and you can't put it back in place, if you get it fixed, they will replace all the keys and charge you accordingly. Bummer.

19, I would get an extended warranty on a computer because if disaster strikes at least you won't be totally wiped out. Think of it as insurance.

20. Make sure you understand what you're doing with new software programs before you start using them.

These are just a few basic things and I'm sure I haven't come close to touching the surface but things will come fairly easy to you once you use the computer regularly.

A slow computer can be so frustrating, slowing down to a snail's crawl whenever you need to get some work done. Is your HP computer having problems? I will go over a few great and free ways to get your computer running quickly again.

Clean Up Disk Errors

Whenever a program on your computer crashes or your computer is abruptly shut down, errors are created on your hard drive. Eventually, these errors will slow down your computer. Your HP computer comes with a free utility to clean any errors on your hard drive.

Click on Start -> My Computer -> Right click on your hard drive (usually the C-drive) -> Properties -> Click on the Tools tab -> Click Check Now in -> Check all boxes and click Start -> Click Yes

Next time you restart your computer, a disk check will be automatically run. This can take more than an hour depending on hard drive size and number of errors. I would recommend running this process once per month.

Remove Temporary Files

Whenever you're on the internet or working on programs such as Word, temporary files are stored on your hard drive, which take up hard drive space and slow down your HP computer. Your HP computer comes with a free tool to delete these unneeded temporary files.

Click on Start->My Computer -> Right click on your drive (probably the C-drive) -> Properties -> Disk Cleanup -> Click OK

I would suggest repeating this process once per week.

Defragment Your Computer

Just like a room, a computer can get unorganized with much usage and little maintenance. Your hard drive often writes the same single file to many different sectors of your hard drive, filling in wherever it finds space. This is called a fragmented file, and they result in slower computer speed, as your computer has to search through your entire hard drive each time it needs to access one of these fragmented files. Your HP computer comes with a free utility to defragment your computer.

Click on Start -> All Programs -> Accessories -> System Tools -> Disk Defragmenter

This brings up the Disk Defragmenter. Before running this program, I would suggest closing down other programs and waiting to begin the process until you are not going to need to use your computer. Once you begin, the process can take many hours depending on the size and fragmentation of your hard drive, and it should run uninterrupted. Once you are ready, click on Analyze, and then on Defragment once it is done with analysis. After completing these steps, you should definitely notice at least a small performance increase. Good job, and good luck with resolving your HP computer problems.

Today, it has become very essential to earn a professional degree from any recognized university to survive in the present competitive world. Earning a professional degree works as a passport to enter the corporate world. Now-a-days, Computer Science and Information Technology has emerged as one of the most important streams in education. With the advent of technology, the importance of computer science and information technology has increased. Now, it has become one of the core pillars that are responsible to bear the burden of any country's progress. A large number of computers and IT colleges and institutes in India available today providing various Full Time and Part Time courses at Post Graduate and Under Graduate Level across the country.

In India, there are countless number of leading universities, such as IITs, Private Institutes, State Level Engineering Colleges and Regional Engineering Colleges that are engaged in making the career of future computer and IT engineers.

The demand of Indian Computer Science and IT Professionals is increasing day by day on a worldwide level. That's why in a current scenario becoming a computer science and IT professional is a dream of many a young youth of India.

There is a broad spectrum of computer training comes under the study of computer science and information technology. When it comes to finding computer science schools, anyone has to go through a deep research that sometimes open different choices to the users. Computer courses can offer high-tech training for professional certification and several levels of college degrees in computer technology and computer science. It is completely up to you whatever you decide.

The main purpose of computers and IT colleges and institutes in India is to design programmes in a way that can prepare future network engineers, programmers, computer technicians and others for professional employment in the computer sciences field. A huge range of computer technology is covered under the study of computer sciences, so anyone should think think about his/her ultimate goal before enrolling himself/herself in any computer science courses.

If you are one of them who are looking for professional certification in one area of computers and information technology, you can find a number of colleges and institutes in India that provide computers and IT education. Among them, there are some institutes that demand for previous experience or training in computers and information technology. There are also some colleges that allow you to start from scratch.

If you are one of them who always seek for getting an advanced position in computer networking or information technology, you will have to find complete information about all college degrees in computer science. Some highly respected degrees of this field are Master of Science Degrees (MS),Bachelor of Science Degrees (BS) and Associate of Science Degrees (AS). The terminal degree of this filed is Doctorate of Science in Computer Science offered by renowned and widely-known universities in India. The higher degree you have, the more salary will come into your hand.

You can also include some business courses along with your computer and information technology education, if you are thinking to pursue your career in management, office administration or business technology.

There are a huge number of widely-renowned computers and IT colleges and institutes in India offering excellent computer science and information technology education required to be a computer and IT professional. You can get this education by enrolling yourself in any of the top colleges and institutes. These colleges and institutes help you to earn a diploma or a degree course according to you potential and skills by practicing them as professional.

Some colleges that offer excellent and specialized computer science and information technology courses and fellow programs are Amrita Institute of Computer Technology, Bankatlal Badruka College for Information Technology, Academy of Computer Technology, B.I.I.T. Heights Institute of Information and Technology, Baba Saheb Ambedkar Technical Educational Society, Alakananda Computer Training Centre, Department of Computer Science, Godavari Institute of Information Technology, etc. Some other institutes are A.J. College of Science and Technology, Axis College of Economics and Commerce, Academy of Computer Studies, Allahabad Agricultural Institute Deemed University, Banaras Hindu University, etc.

If you're like many of my patients, perhaps your job requires you to spend a great deal of time in front of a computer every day. If so, you've likely experienced a form of eyestrain associated with prolonged computer use called computer vision syndrome. I'd like to talk to you about some ways you can reduce, or even eliminate, the symptoms of this common condition.

Facts About Computer Vision Syndrome

The American Optometric Association reports that 70-75% of Americans who spend a lot of time in front of a computer have computer vision syndrome! That's right. Most people, however, do not attribute the symptoms of this condition to computer use. They include:

•Headaches
•Eye strain
•Blurred vision
•Shoulder and neck pain
•Dry, scratchy red eyes

Your eyes do not respond to reading print on a computer screen the same way they do reading printed material from, say, a newspaper or magazine. That's because words in printed material stand out from their background much more distinctly than words that appear on a lighted computer screen. With the glare that comes from the lighted computer monitor screen, your eyes constantly have to focus thousands of times trying to read computer screen text.

Also, you blink less often reading computer text than regular text, in fact 5 times less, and this causes the eye to become dry and irritated. In addition, the eye muscles become overworked and that's where all the strain, headaches, and neck pain comes from. Standard vision tests fail to properly diagnose computer vision syndrome because they only show how well characters are seen up close and far away. Computer vision syndrome falls somewhere in the middle.

Can You Remedy Computer Vision Syndrome?

The question most frequently asked by my patients when we discuss their eyestrain is, "how can I avoid this condition if I have to work all day on a computer?" Unfortunately, you can't completely avoid the eyestrain symptoms of working on a computer all day. However, you can do several things to prevent, or ease, some of the symptoms.

•Adjust room lighting/screen lighting: Room lighting should be about the same or slightly darker/dimmer than your computer screen. Working in an overhead-lit room with fluorescent lighting will aggravate symptoms significantly. If possible, try to reduce the brightness of overhead lighting.
•Computer ergonomics: Position your screen so it is at or slightly below eye level. Position the screen so that it does not reflect outside light or overhead light. Position monitor close enough so you can read text without having to lean forward into it.
•Blink frequently: You will likely have to remember to blink more often while working on your computer. Some eye lubricant like Artificial Tears can help alleviate irritation.
•Eye Exam: It can help to get a complete eye exam, and if necessary, a prescription for computer glasses than are specifically designed to prevent computer vision syndrome.
•Replace your monitor: Old, CRT (cathode ray terminal) monitors give off a lot of glare. Get a new, LCD (liquid crystal display) to help avoid eyestrain.
•Exercise your eyes: To reduce "focus fatigue", these simple and quick exercises can help reduce spasms of the muscles around the eyes. A. 20-20-20. Look away from your computer every 20 minutes at something about 20 feet away, for 20 seconds. B. 10-10's. Alternative looking at something distant, and something close up for 10 seconds each, repeated 10 times. Blink frequently during the exercises to lubricate the eye.
•Take a Break: Take more frequent mini breaks throughout the day where you get up and move away from the computer screen. Walk to the restroom, break room, or get some water.
•Hydrate: As always, drink adequate amounts of water, at least one gallon a day, more if you are sweating a lot. Eye tissues are predominantly water. If you become dehydrated so do your eyes.
•Supplements: Be sure you are getting enough eye healthy vitamins like beta-carotene, antioxidants C, E, selenium, bilberry, lutein and zeaxanthin either from the food you eat or additional supplements.

In these days of computer-dominated workdays, social media and the Internet, many of us spend an inordinate amount of time in front of a computer screen. Our eyes may be paying the ultimate price for all our computer savvy technologies, however.

To minimize and/or alleviate the symptoms of computer vision syndrome, give your eyes a break from your computer at regular intervals. As I tell my patients, try to use weekends as computer rest time and go without any computer screen usage to rest your eyes completely. Follow at least some of the recommendations above so that your eyes will stay healthy and your vision good long into your golden years!

Mark Rosenberg, M.D.
Institute For Healthy Aging

http://www.healthyanswers.com

Computers are an essential part of everyday life. It's hard to find someone who hasn't used a computer and doesn't use one regularly. It is such an essential tool because it is used everyday, therefore it's important to keep it in tiptop shape. However, because it is used so often, the computer can start to run slow. There are several reasons as to why this problem occurs.

Corrupt registry

The first thing to look for when dealing with a slow computer speed is the registry. The registry holds all the system, hardware and software preferences. The registry can become corrupt if it isn't cleaned often. Cleaning it not only frees up space, but also solves some system errors that can give you trouble in the future.

If you are looking to get your registry cleaned, there is an easy solution. Commercial software developed for cleaning registries are plentiful today. Just make sure you get one that is up to date and top rated. Also, another tip is to get one that is also an optimizer. Cleaning your registry will do wonders for your computer's performance, optimizing it will get your speed running on overdrive!

Spyware

The second thing you should look into if you want to speed up your computer is checking to see if there is spyware and/or trojans infecting it. Surfing the Internet can be harmful to your operating system because there are so many harmful things out there waiting to damage it. Of course, I'm not advocating you stay off the "Net." I would never be able to go a day without surfing the Internet. I don't even know how I survived 15 years ago!

What I am saying is this, you should make sure you have a virus and spyware scanner installed on your computer and set up to run daily. Any decent spyware cleaner is also geared to clean your computer of known viruses, as well. On top of this, it will also scan for adware, malware, trojans and the like and it will delete these parasites after it finds them. So, this why it is important to have a quality spyware, or more accurately stated, a quality anti-spyware program installed on your computer.

Remember, even though it is not spyware's intent to slow down your computer, it does. Sometimes it will slow a computer down to an absolute halt! Automatically running a spyware scan, automatically will make sure you won't run into problems with this type of garbage slowing down your computer's speed, especially if you are using a highly rated spyware cleaner.

Too little memory

Another thing you should look for when your computer is running slow is the amount of memory or computer ram you have. As technology progresses, more and more programs are requiring more ram to run smoothly. Having adequate ram is essential to keeping the computer fast, especially if you plan on running multiple programs at once, which of course, we all do.

A computer running Windows XP can usually run well with 512MB of memory, unless it is a super gamer. In this case it may require twice as much RAM. A computer running Windows Vista needs 1024MB or 1Gig of memory in order to assure it will not run slowly.

Recently I've seen computers sold that were originally designed to run Windows XP. At the last minute, the manufacturers loaded them with the newly released Windows Vista. So, these computers were unbearably slow right out of the box because they only had 512MB of memory.

So, if you have a new computer with Vista and it has been slow right from the very start, see if it is one of these computers. It will be easy enough to have another memory stick added and your computer will be off and running.

There are other things that could be slowing down a computer but these things are not too common unless the computer is really old. Corrupt registry, spyware and insufficient ram are, by far and away the most common reasons why a computer loses speed.

If you are an avid online gamer, you most certainly have suffered from game lag and computer freezes. Many have spent hours trying to tweak in-game graphical settings in order to increase the frame rate and boost the performance of their favorite games. However, in more case than not, those efforts award the player with only a slight improvement in overall game play. Your system might even meet the recommend hardware specs for optimum performance but the game causes computer freezes when the action gets heavy. However, tweaking the in-game specs and upgrading hardware may not be the best way to overcome game lag and computer freezes.

This irritation may be attributed to conflicting software that is competing for your system's resources or improper configuration. Most online games such as World of Warcraft should run smoothly on an average setup. Game manufacturers assure us that their recommended specs should run the game smoothly. However those recommendations are calculated when the games are tested on PCs that were optimized for those particular games. There are very few who are willing to dedicate a whole computer specifically for a single game. Nevertheless, there are a couple steps that you can take to free up more resources for your game play. These tips will allow you to better optimize your PC for smoother game play booth online and off-line. .

Stop Game Lag and Computer Freezes Tip #1: Get more bang out of your bandwidth.

There are literally dozens of services running on your Windows operating system. These programs have no respect for your online play. They need bandwidth and system resources just as much as your online games. Many of the programs automatically startup when you log on to the net or at the moment Windows loads. Windows service programs can perform a host of operations from searching for updates, downloading, and even sharing applications with your games. The task is to cut down on the amount services running while your are playing the game in order to free up bandwidth and resources. This is a great tip to stop game lag and computer freezes. Here is how.

1. Click on "Start"

2. Click "Run"

3. Type services.msc

4. Select "Extended" from the Services Window to view a detailed description. Also note the status of the service in question.

5. To stop the service, select "Stop the service" or right click the service, choose "All task" then click "Stop"

6. Click "OK"

Stop Game Lag and Computer Freezes Tip #2: Turn off your Anti-virus/Anti-spyware programs during play.

I am sure the suggestion scares you. However, these programs are very taxing on your computer. They can cause game play lag and computer freezes by initiating a host of small applications and processes during game play. Turning these programs off during your game play is not entirely risk free but you will be amazed at the results by doing so.

Stop Game Lag and Computer Freezes Tip #3: Making sure hardware and software can "communicate"

This an extremely important step that many gamers tend to miss. DirectX is essential to most next generation Windows games. High multimedia graphics and sound cards require lighting fast APIs, application programming interfaces, to deliver high end graphics and sound. The API acts as a kind of bridge for the hardware and the software. In essence, APIs provide the language for hardware and software to "communicate" with each other. If there is some "miscommunication" caused by improper setup, you will suffer from game lag or computer freezes. The task here is to make sure that your audio and video hardware is properly configured with Windows DirectX technology by using DirectX diagnostics tools. Here is how:

1. Click "Start"

2. Click "Run."

3. Type dxdiag and press enter to load the "Direct X Diagnostic Tool" menu.

4. Click the "Display" and "Sound" tabs.

5. Verify that DX features are enabled and there are no problems.

Perform the test were need. If there are any problems reinstall Direct X and update your hardware drivers. Also you can open the Task Manger by pressing Ctrl-Alt-Delete and viewing the process tab to gauge which services are taking up the majority of system resources. Visit the "Cause of High CPU Usage" page for more details

Stop Game Lag and Computer Freezes Tip #4: Clean and Organize your Hard Drive.

A simple yet overlooked necessity to stop game lag. The faster your game can find files the less you have to worry about game lag and computer freezes. By defragging you help to cut down on the amount work the hard-drive needs to find files. Cleaning your registry cuts down on the errors and will create more free space for your RAM and CPU to work more efficiently. These two steps are a necessity to stop computer freezes. The link "4 Ways to Speed Up Your Computer" will show you how to perform these steps.

Without a doubt the habit of upgrading your computer's hardware for the next generation of games will allow take advantage new graphic and sound card technology. However, this act makes PC gaming a more expensive hobby than it really needs to be. Hopefully, the tips above rewarded you smoother game play and will help to end your days of computer freezes and game lag.

The enemies of disk drives are dust, heat, impacts, liquid, voltage spikes, and Windows (I might be kidding about Windows). Let's address them one at a time and what to do about them.

Liquid.

Don't use your computer in the bathtub. Don't use your computer around happy hour. Don't spill your double mocha soy latte on your keyboard. I have dealt with recovering data resulting from spills around the latter two conditions. Yes, all the data came off, but martinis, coffee, and most other liquids simply don't mix with electronic components. It's useful to get a keyboard protector "skin" if you must imbibe and compute simultaneously.

Should you spill onto your keyboard or laptop without such a covering in the way, immediately flip over the keyboard (or laptop) onto a towel, unplug it, and let it dry out overnight or for a day or two. This works enough of the time that it's worth the wait. I have not personally had much luck with taking them apart and cleaning them out if this doesn't work.

Impacts.

Don't drop your computer! Don't drop your disk drive. Have a padded bag for your laptop, but still treat it with care. Tossing and dropping a laptop, even in a padded bag, is bad for its health. Think how you would feel, tossed around in a bag! Many bags do not have enough padding on the bottom, so I have a hand towel in the bottom my laptop bag for extra padding. It's a good idea to position a desktop computer away from doors, away from inkjet printers, away from feet and pets, and away from drawers that might bang into the computer.

Voltage spikes.

There are power fluctuations all day long in almost everybody's wiring. A surge protector power strip will help, but for full protection, one should really use an uninterruptible power supply (UPS). They're currently available for less than $50. There are models that will actually shut down your system "gracefully" - shut it down as if you were doing it, rather than just cutting off the power - in the event of a total power outage. Your data is worth the cost.

Another kind of voltage spike is a static discharge. This is what you get when you shuffle around on the carpet, then kiss your significant other, or zap your little brother in the cheek with your finger. It's actually high voltage and can damage your computer, especially if you have opened up the box & touched something inside. You can discharge yourself (after you have stopped shuffling on the carpet!) by touching grounded metal before touching your computer.

Heat

Heat is public enemy number one for computers. Heat kills computers and disk drives. Disk drives generate heat and many people stack several disk drives together in their computer with no space between. Don't do it! Or at least add a hard drive cooling fan, which can be had for less than $5 at places like geeks.com. If possible, keep your computer out of sunny windows, and in a room (or car) at a reasonable temperature. If it's uncomfortably warm for you, it may also be so for your computer.

Dust

Heat and dust walk hand in hand to damage your computer. Dust makes a fine blanket that accumulates over time to heat up you disk drive, your processor, plug up your fan, and - as an added bonus - it's conductive and can short out components in your computer.
What to do?

Change the computer's location. A computer on the floor - especially on a rug under your desk - is a prime candidate for getting an internal blanket of dust. Place the computer off the floor - preferably a foot or more off the floor - and on a hard surface. Many of us have a desk that has a perfect little enclosed spot just made for a computer. It is also a perfect breeding ground for dust bunnies.

Dust out your computer every three months or so. If you've never done it, you will be shocked at how much dust comes out of it. You'll want to use clean compressed air - canned air works great, but if using an air compressor, make sure the air coming out is clean and dry by blowing it at a piece of white notebook paper first. Dirty or wet - don't use it. If using canned air, don't shake the can while spraying, or you will spray out ice-cold propellant that give components a thermal shock and wastes your canned air as well.

You will want to have the computer unplugged. If possible, you'll want to have the computer's case open (unless it is a laptop). Blow out the system fan and any other fans that you see. Be careful not to dislodge the fan on the processor chip on the mother board.
Blow out the space between the hard drives. Blow from the back of CD or DVD drives, and from the front of any floppy drives. Blow out any ports like USB ports or memory card slots. Blow out any other vents or slots. Keep going until no more dust comes out.

So, to review: heat bad, dust bad, dropping bad, liquid bad, voltage spikes bad, Windows - it's up to you.

To remedy: keep your computer comfortably cool; dust it out from time to time; locate it in an area free from bumping doors, feet, printers or pets; use a UPS; and for goodness sake, when you drink, practice safe...computing.

There are many things to consider when buying a computer and it can be quite difficult if you do not know what you are looking for. Some of the things you will want to consider when looking for a computer will be storage size, memory size, screen quality, etc, however lets look at one of the fundamental decisions that consumers often get wrong when buying a computer. Should I buy a desktop computer or a laptop/notebook computer?

First off let's look at obvious option, portability. By portability I simply mean are you looking for computer that will sit on a desk in your home and stay there or are you looking for a computer that you can move about the house and even take with you on the road to work. In the first instance you will probably want to settle for a desktop computer which is basically a unit which contains all the computer components and the screen, keyboard and mouse are separate. These types of computer a normally the most powerful of home computing and will be able to deliver you high end performance, the only one down side is that they are not very portable since there are many different separate components.

On the second instance you will be looking more to go with a laptop or notebook computer. A notebook computer is a computer that houses the computer components, screen, keyboard and mouse all in one. These types of computer come with a screen that folds in and out and only weigh a few kilograms so that you are able to carry them where ever you go. But as you could guess, with this portability comes a little less performance ability since the computer is quite small and can only hold a certain amount of hardware.

As I said above one other key thing to consider is how much power will you be needing in your computer, this is very important to consider if you are going to be using your computer for high end graphics, audio and video. If you require a computer that is going to need to deliver a lot of power than it is probably safe to go with a desktop computer since they will be able to give you the latest in technology advancement and will be able to do your job to the highest ability. On the other hand if you are after a computer that is just required for day to day stuff and business than you defiantly just settle for a notebook computer that will fulfill this plus give you the portability factor.

Anyway there is a quick insight into the differences of desktop computer to laptop/notebook computer and some of the key pros and cons that each comprise of. Remember to consider these when you are going out to buy a computer and make sure that when you do so always consult a person that knows what they are talking about so they can help you out even further.

Is a computer armoire the most useless piece of computer equipment on the planet? After all, who needs an armoire to house your computer when you can put it on an ordinary computer desk at half the price?

Surprisingly, the choice of a computer armoire is a sensible choice for many people these days. A computer armoire houses your computer safely and discreetly, along with all it's related hardware, and allows you to make the best use possible of your space.

The modern trends in housing, including real estate prices, house design and modern apartment living, are leading us to make more of limited space. Gone are the days for many families when it's easy and cheap to include a dedicated study or office in the apartment, and space is at a premium for many of us.

A computer isn't the most good looking piece of of hardware, and combine a computer with wide screens, printers, faxes, endless wiring and all the other paraphernalia that goes with computers, and they can be downright unsightly.

No problem if you have a dedicated study, or office. Close the door when guests come to visit and all that clutter is out of sight.

No study? No office? What do you do to make sure your house doesn't look like an office?

Buy a computer armoire. They are designed to be a functional and good looking item of furniture, and at the same time solve your problems of what to do with your computer. A computer armoire, or computer cabinet to some, is usually designed to house all your computer equipment in one place, in a way that is easy and efficient to use, but which can all be hidden away at the close of a door.

You can't put your computer and hardware on a computer desk bang in the middle of the lounge room or the bedroom can you? It looks awful. But use a computer cabinet to do so and no one would know it was even there.

Computer armoires come in all sorts of sizes and shapes and designs. Armoires like Broyhill computer cabinets or Sauder computer cabinets are specifically designed to house all sorts of computer equipment in it's own place, with racks and shelving, and even a height adjustable pull out keyboard shelf. A well designed cabinet will have folding doors that close to conceal it all, but open and fold back along the sides to make best use of space.

And they are designed as furniture. A simple computer desk, whilst cheap, isn't furniture. It's just that, a desk to put a computer on, and it looks it.

But an armoire is a good looking piece that anyone would be proud to display in their lounge room. Whether it's a corner computer armoire, or a wall one, a narrow one or a wide one, you can get them all.

And in a choice of wood colors and finishes, either out of solid wood or manufactured wood. A solid wooden computer armoire in, say, cherry, or any one of a range of other modern furniture timbers, is a fine piece for furniture for your home, with a function.

So if you're short on space and don't want a computer desk stuck in your lounge room covered in computer stuff, consider a computer armoire. They're more expensive than a simple desk, but worth every cent.

For many of us, personal computers have become an indispensable tool. Computers are everywhere. In our homes, in the office, schools, the grocery store, library and installed in some of our cars. They watch us while we do our banking! Computers are making life easier.

You don't have to be a rocket scientist and you don't need a master's degree in engineering to use and understand a computer. But what you do need is basic information that can turn you into a smart computer user.

Every computer user should know something about the computer they are using and the software installed. A user should know what to do if the computer stops working or what to do if the software gives you an error message.

Without exception, each user should have the following manuals:

• a hardware guide to computer operations
• a software guide for each software program installed
• a guide to the disk operating system

Each user should have a virus utility to keep the system virus free and a backup of data should something go wrong and it will! You cannot afford to be without a backup. It is better to be safe than sorry.

These are the key items needed to help you safely use your personal computer and keep it running. Read your manuals and follow all information that came with your computer. Do not throw these manuals away. If you have a hardware or software problem, one or more of these resources will be used to correct the error or problem, otherwise, you will have to seek the assistance of a helpdesk technician, computer consultant or other qualified personnel.

Assistance can be very costly and having these resources can save you time and money. Did you know that some problems can be resolved by just turning the computer off, waiting about 10 seconds, then turn the computer back on?

If you were to seek the help of a qualified technician, you can expect to pay as much as $35 to more than $150 or more to resolve a problem. Most problems can be resolved by the computer user.

Caution! If you get someone else to help you other than the computer manufacturer or the software developer, make extra sure they know what they are doing, otherwise, you may end up with a dead system. At this point, you might be looking at hundreds of dollars to revive your computer. Why take chances. Take care of your computer and it will take care of you.

No matter how well you take care of your computer or how well you understand the software you are using, at some point in time something will go wrong. It can be very frustrating and time consuming. It is very important that you document the error or problem. Turn the computer off, wait about 10 seconds then turn the computer back on. Do you still have the same problem? If you are unsure what to do, ask for help.

If all else fails, you will need to seek assistance from a professional technician. Check your hardware and software warranty contract for warranties and service. Before calling for assistance you will need to know the following:

• Describe the problem the best that you can.
• Know the machine type, model and serial number of your computer.

This information will assist the technician in determining the best solution for your computer needs, updating device drivers and replacing defective hardware components. Please keep a computer log and record each problem and how it was resolved including the technician's name and contact information. This documentation can be very helpful if you continue to experience the same problem frequently which may signal that you have a defective system and need a replacement. Just be aware that some hardware and software problems are due to defective hardware or corruptive software that was installed when the system was assembled. Make sure you understand your computer's warranty and follow the manufacturer's recommendations. Add or update hardware and software that is recommended by your manufacturer. Never install hardware or software that is not compatible with your computer. Failure to follow these instructions can result in your warranty becoming void.

"Take care of your computer and it will take care of you."

Computers are not the mere tools of information accumulation and storing. Your computer reflects your style insignia. It gives others a techno savvy impression about you. You can make your style aspects brighter by purchasing an attractive computer desk. Computer desks add a majestic look to your computer. Computer desks are not the expensive ones now. The price has been reduced significantly due to the availability of discounts and gift vouchers.

When the design of the computer desk is concerned so many lofty models lures the mind. Now days a wide range of models are available which can quench your thirst for style and royal look. The stunning U shaped desks, sleek L shaped ones or the elegant executive series, models are available in market to suit your personality, taste and style. The price is not very high. But the utilities are superb.

You can have an up-to-date knowledge about the availability of stylish but cheap computer desk from the internet and computer stores. A large number of websites are engaged in the sales of computer desk. So before your purchase, pay a visit to these websites. Compare the price and features of different models and purchase the one which is most affordable.

The factory outlet of many manufacturers also provide attractive discount on computer desks. They are also specializing in the production of low priced models. You have to pay a regular visit to these websites and stores to have a detailed idea about the low priced models. Some stores also offer free computer desks in case of a new purchase. If you are on the verge of purchasing a new computer, take the advantage of this type of opportunity. It will make your investment low and bring you more satisfaction.

When you are purchasing a computer desk always give emphasis on the space available at your home. Choose that computer desk which fits your available space correctly. If you have more space available there is more flexibility to adopt the various ranges of style. When the space availability is less, you decision making process is more confusing. Compare the features available in different models meant for less spacious rooms. After comparison purchase that computer desk which answers your space constraint most effectively.

Computer desk is a necessary ornament which beautifies your computer. When you are purchasing this precious ornament at a comparatively low price, your satisfaction will be more. The look of your computer will be elegant. But before purchasing a computer desk, try to find the cheaper options to make further modification process simpler and at a lower cost.

Let's face it for many being on the computer is hassle-full. Being on the computer isn't fun and productive any more.

Whether your home or business computers are online or offline over time they seem to slow down and many times crash. Being on the computer isn't fun and productive any more. What is it that
causes these problems?

It's my experience that the average individual knows a lot about his/her chosen field and very little about computer repair services and protecting information stored on a home or business computer.

Most of us are looking for a simple easy way to work or play on our computer. Unfortunately, computers have become complicated, necessary tools. Yet, it seems, several months after purchasing a computer it begins to bog down and run slower. You might experience mysterious freeze ups and crashes. Once this problem turns into a nuisance, generally, the computer is taken into a computer repair service shop where it will be out of commission for a week or so and a few hundred dollars spent to clean it up.

Most people don't understand the relationship between a slow running computer and cyber-crime. Yet, the relationship is huge. There is a huge need to develop safe computer practices and rely on an emerging computer industry called "Personal Computer Services."

One of the ways I like to describe computer safe practices is by comparing it to safe dental practices. We are encouraged to develop an everyday practice of flossing and cleaning teeth, right? We do this to keep the teeth clean and avoid dental problems like infection and tooth decay in the future. In other words we do this to avoid dental hassles. We want a hassle-free dental experience.

Now, when you compare best dental practices to keeping your computer running like new, you need to implement similar measures. Only this time instead of brushing and flossing you have to develop safe computer practices including purchasing the computer repair service money can buy. On top of that, you'll also need to set up a safe practices guideline for everyone in your family.

A slow running computer or a computer that crashes frequently may be a sign of Malware (Trojans, viruses, worms, and other malicious code) on your computer. These hacker tools not only can be used to steal sensitive information from your computer they slow your computer down or even cause computer crashes. Unfortunately, traditional over-the-counter computer protection products don't keep up with this growing problem. If they did would we continue to have these problems?

Over the last three years there's been a huge shift from curious hackers to professional hackers creating devious methods to steal proprietary information from computers like yours. This evolving threat is costing individuals and businesses tens of billions of dollars every year. V. McNiven, an advisor to the U.S Department of treasury has stated, "The proceeds from cyber-crime are now greater than the sale of illegal drugs.

These evil hackers continue to find more devious ways of stealing financial and proprietary information. It is important that every individual, family and business have a computer repair service plan in place to protect themselves from these cyber terrorists.

You might be surprised to learn that computers that don't go online are vulnerable through file sharing from infected flash drives, cds and floppies. These devices, when infected, can install scrambling software or logic bomb software that opens up the possibility of extortion to get your proprietary information back.

A 2007 PC Magazine survey of 42,000 PCs worldwide released last September showed the top speed killers. The problems included:

· Over 52 percent of the PCs surveyed were clogged up with spyware

· Over 60 percent of the PCs surveyed had un-optimized Internet settings slowing the Internet down and even signaling that spyware and other malware have secretly stolen portions of your bandwidth to run on your PC.

· Surveyed computers also contained an average of twelve serious registry problems per unit that may have been caused by spyware and other malware.

Incredible, many of these computers are supposedly protected by the over-the-counter products that aren't doing what they promise to do. So how can individuals and small businesses protect against identity theft, fraud and extortion? How can they get their computers back to running like new again?

Here are six crucial steps to protecting your computer and making it fun and productive again:

1. Keep your computers patched. Microsoft has automatic patch updates. Make sure are signed up to receive them.

2. Use professional enterprise grade anti-virus and anti-spyware at the email and web gateways. Install a professional grade by-directional firewall to guard against backdoor threats.

3. Use sender-authentication technologies, such as Sender Policy Framework (SPF) to make phishing far more difficult since - In theory - phishers will only be able to send their spam from "unapproved" domains.

4. Develop and enforce a password policy. This will make passwords difficult to be guessed. Use a different password for each situation. Make sure these passwords are changed frequently. If you use one password for every web site, for example, and a phisher manages to steal it, all of your online activity is at risk. Sophos, an enterprise grade Internet Security Company, recently conducted a business poll and discovered 41 percent of the respondents were using the same password for all web sites.

5. Keep an eye on the advice from organizations promoting safe computing. Many of their web sites will list the latest threats, and give advice on how to protect your home and business against them.

6. Always report suspicious activity.

Just as important, find a computer repair service that offers "Personal Computer Services." Your personal computer service should include online repair at no additional cost. The end result: hassle-free computing making being on the computer fun and productive again. With the right computer repair service, using computers at home and at work should be hassle-free allowing you to focus more on your home and business activities.

Have you noticed that most branded computers today have become very expensive? If you have, then you probably have been shopping in the market for a new computer system. You might be confused why they're so expensive when prices have fallen in certain sectors that contribute to the making of computers. For example, the prices of memory have hit an all time low. This is because of the enhancements in manufacturing volumes of memory manufacturers.

The prices of mother boards and other assorted computer parts have also decreased significantly. Well, you have to remember that the branded computer manufacturers are in the business to make their own profits. That is why good computers remain expensive despite the reduction that we have been witnessing.

Fortunately, you can still avail yourself of a good computer system these days. You can do this by sourcing your computer from dealers who specialize in wholesale computer parts. A lot of people are sourcing out and building their own computer through wholesale computer parts. However, some folks think that these parts are in some way inferior to the parts available in branded computers. To be honest, I used to be one of those people.

In the past, I believed that cheap and inefficient computer parts manufacturers use wholesale computer parts to offload their inferior stock on unsuspecting customers. However, my views about this issue changed when my computer broke down. I got a quote that was very high when I took it to the authorized dealer. I had no choice but to go to a local wholesale computer parts dealer because my funds are low and I desperately need to have my computer fixed.

I was amazed when I saw that this wholesale computer parts dealer has his own repair service. The repair quote I got was a fraction of what the authorized dealer had given me after they opened up my computer and diagnosed the problem. Naturally, I was curious as to what had created the difference, so I suspiciously eyed the wholesale computer parts on display. The dealer sensed that I was suspicious so he opened up my computer to show me that the replacement parts were the same with what my existing computer had. He willingly explained the wholesale computer parts business to me when I asked him how this was possible.

He patiently explained that computer parts manufacturers usually manufacture more parts than required by an order from a branded computer manufacturer. This is an in-built quality control feature that ensures that a sudden spurt in demand or a quality crisis can be handled quickly and efficiently. When the order is processed without incident, the excess parts are then offloaded to dealers for a huge discount. These equally good computer parts are then sold for a discount to users like you and me.

COMPUTERS AND HALLOWEEN, DO THEY MIX?

Computer backup is so important to your computer that to ignore it is to risk its damnation.

Computers require care and feeding. They require that you attend to their needs. If you don't, then they will most surely be sent to Hell.

Halloween means Hell. What! What do you mean that Halloween means Hell?

Well, if your computer is given the option of trick or treat, which will it accept? Will it accept the trick or the treat? What do you think?

Halloween is the time that computers are subject to tricks or treats. Did you know that more computers fail on Halloween than any other day of the year? That's right. It's true (smile). Your computer is in danger! Protect it. Do your computer backups.

Back to the Hell thing. Hell you say? Yep. Well, what do you mean by Hell?

Computer hell is the place for computers without computer backup. The failure to perform hard drive backup means that you are playing Russian Roulette with your data. Data needs your protection. Failure to protect your data may cause your home or business records to be sent to Hell.

Hell in this instance is for the records and files that cannot be resurrected. Resurrected you say, what does that mean?

It means that without computer backup as a source of salvation then the files can safely enjoy eternal oblivion. Oblivion you say, what does that mean? That means they are eternally lost from computer resurrection.

Is there any mercy for my precious files, you ask?

Why yes there is. Would like to know what the mercy for your files is? Yes! Yes! You say.

OK boys and girls listen carefully. The salvation, mercy, resurrection and redemption of your files lies in regular and consistent and persistent computer backup.

If you backup your computer consistently and persistently your files will be resurrected and saved from accidental deletion, hard drive failure and those nasty things like fire, flood, theft, earthquake, hurricanes, tornados and the like!

Computer backup is the key to your data's salvation!

Do your computer backups boys and girls.

Milk and cookies will be served in the pantry.

Trick or treat for your computer backup?

What is an Internet Computer TV Software?

This is basically a software that enables you to watch satellite TV via your computer. The computer TV softwares are configured to automatically access the internet websites of TV networks, logging you in to video and audio TV streaming via the internet.

The nature of online TV is that it is global and therefore is available all over the world. Likewise, there are over 70 different countries TV networks featured in any one satellite TV software for computers. What then this does for you is avail over 3,000 free world TV tuner stations at the touch of a mouse.

How do I get TV on my computer?

There are three main ways that you can view computer on TV.

Computer to TV Connector by Using Free TV Online Websites

The first and absolutely free way to display computer on TV is by accessing the free online TV websites. There are several websites that offer free satellite TV for PC including beeline.com, channelchooser.com and many others.

Due to the large number of people looking for free TV, these websites are usually congested and you will be lucky to watch free online TV for more than 10 minutes straight. You could give it a shot after reading this article just to make sure.

Free TV on computer through installing PC TV cards

The other method get TV on your computer is by buying one of those PC TV cards. These are slotted into your computer and come with an inbuilt TV tuner toolbar that you activate by use of a special PCTV software. If you have no knowledge on the internal workings of your computer hard drives, you will be better off hiring the services of a computer technician to manually install the PCTV card.

An external aerial is required in order to receive the TV signals from satellite transmitter stations. The broadcasts you will receive are mostly Free-To-Air TV channels but at least you will be able to capture such news channels like BBC, CNN, ABC, CBS and FOX News.

Computer TV software-What are they and how do they work?

The last method that you can watch TV on your computer monitor is by download of a computer TV software. This is the more recent development that enables you to capture satellite TV through the internet. Unlike the free online TV websites, this method of accessing TV online is not congested.

You are able to watch seamless video and audio TV streaming from many global countries. This method of watching internet TV is especially useful to people living ways from home in a third country.

The Computer TV softwares are especially a favorite with Expats, travelers, people on mission work in Africa, diplomats, and immigrants to the USA. The TV softwares for computer offer over 3000 TV channels to chose from and TV is available in over 70 languages.

Read More Reviews on how to Watch TV on Computer Monitor

You can read more reviews on satellite TV softwares for computer downloads at the links given below in the author's box or see a demo of picture quality by following through with links from the blog.

Best of viewing

Computers have been long since introduced among mankind; and it was not so long after people adopted it and became iconic as they are now. Most residence, nowadays, own a set or two of computers; varying from desktops, laptops, notebooks and the sophisticated palm versions. Computers have opened the Information World; and Information Technology now dominates most aspects of living from the outskirts of business districts to the desks of those rendering public service in the government, from the armed forces to the school grounds.

Amidst these overwhelming innovations, though, there are still those who're left with their simple beliefs and lifestyle; not even knowing how to perform a simple operation in a personal or desktop computer. And if you're among them, there's still time for you to catch up and start computer training.

Computer training will help you get familiarized with computers, its applications, dynamics and the technologies incorporated with them. You will be assisted by the knowledge you'll acquire throughout your journey while living in the computer age.

Advantages of Computer Training

Since your everyday life will mostly involve the use of computers and other digital facilities; it will do you better to gain proficiency with each of them. Computer training will arm you with the knowledge you need in operating computers and the things associated with it such as hardware, software and computer applications.

Most jobs and employment opportunities nowadays also require proficiency in computer and IT matters; most computer and IT-related careers commands high salaries and an employee's marketability largely depends on the diversity of his/her computer skills. Thus, being acquainted with every aspect of computers through computer training will give you the edge and high possibility of getting hired especially in multi-national companies.

Also, the business sectors and other aspects of society have evolved along with the evolution of computer technology; and most business establishments run their entities with computers. It is advantageous to have systematic business processes like staffing, accounting, filing and other transactions made possible with computers; thus, if you're planning to start-up a business or wants to establish your business, it will help you a lot if you're aiding your daily business routines with computers. Hence, the need for you to undergo computer training for improved business handlings.

Computer Training Schools

Computer training is mainly divided into several divisions of learning so as to have organized learning process; these are mainly hardware, software, networking and web development. Other computer training will also include basic computer safety, maintenance and troubleshooting. And you'll learn all these in computer training schools and centers.

There are many schools and training centers that offer computer training and educations; they mostly offer certification courses or degree programs. Here are few tips on how you can find good schools for your computer training:

- Consider the size of the class. It is better to enroll in a computer training course where there are fewer students for the instructor to attend to; you'd be given more attention and guidance through the learning process in this case.

- Look for a school that offers enough training facilities. It is better to learn computers through hands-on process, thus, it would be better if each student is provided a computer. It is also good to learn in a more conducive place.

- The school you're planning to attend for computer training should be certified so you'll be assured of the quality of teaching that you'll get from them. And they should issue certificates for your training; you can use these as proof of your computer studies.

- Your school should also have convenient location and scheduling. Especially for those who are already working and needs certification, you should find schools that offer classes in your most convenient time and are located in a more accessible area.

- Lastly, you must look for computer training schools that offer reasonable training costs and fees. There are also available financial aids that may help you out.

There are also many programs and software available on the Internet that can aid you with your computer training; thus, you can have self-taught computer training at home in your most convenient time.

You are probably familiar with the saying "different strokes for different folks". Well, this phrase rings especially true when it comes to computers and their uses. While a computer may be perfect for one person, it may be useless to somebody else. This is because there are so many variations of what's actually inside a computer. For this reason, many people are opting to have their computer systems custom built. If you are one of the many people contemplating a similar idea, you may be unsure as to where to start. In this article, we'll present you with a guide to choosing a custom built desktop computer.

The number one appeal for people in choosing a custom built computer is price. It is often far cheaper to build a computer than it is to buy one new from a company. To get the most out of your custom built computer, you will first have to identify the key components that you absolutely need. This will help save you time and money. So, let's take a look at the perfect custom built desktop computer for a variety of users.

In today's world, many people use a desktop computer for only two reasons - word processing and internet surfing. If you fall into this category of user, you will have no problem choosing a custom built desktop computer. When deciding on a processor you basically have two choices; Intel and AMD. It is important to note that for simple web browsing and word processing, there is virtually no difference between the two processors. It is recommended that you go with an Intel Pentium 4 or an AMD Athlon. This is strictly a matter of preference, and you may want to do additional research to determine which is right for you. You will also want to determine the amount of memory you make available in your desktop computer. Again, for simple tasks such as these, anything more than 512MB will be more than sufficient. The rest of your system can be built with average secondary components, such as sound and graphic cards, and a CD/DVD drive.

If you happen to be a big-time gamer, you will need a computer with more RAM as well as better graphics capability. It is recommended that you upgrade to 1MB or 2MB of RAM. It will also enhance your game-play experience if you install a faster processor, perhaps even a dual core processor. These processors make it much easier to multitask while providing the ultimate gaming experience. Lastly, don't forget to add a nice monitor and speaker system if you are building a computer geared towards gaming. This will also add to your overall enjoyment of your system.

The final type of user we would like to cover in this guide is the person who does a lot of work on the computer. This person will need a high-quality motherboard, which is always the most crucial element of any good computer. A motherboard helps your computer run at its optimum level, while ensuring all secondary components work properly. Somebody who stores a lot of data on their desktop computer will need to invest in a high-end motherboard. In addition, this type of user will also benefit from extra RAM, which will help in storing files.

This guide to choosing a custom built desktop computer should only serve as your first step in making a more informed buying decision. In addition to the aid of this guide, you should also perform thorough research and work with a trusted builder. It is important to remember that what you are putting into your custom built desktop computer will allow you to get the most out of it. Good luck!

That New Computer Smell

If you are like most people when they go out and buy a new Personal Computer you probably get excited when you take it out of the box, turn it on and marvel at how fast it runs. When a computer is new it always seems to run faster and boot up quicker than your old computer. The applications and games seem to run without any slow down and when you get on the internet the pages load instantly on the screen, and you can quickly surf from one website to another. Overtime though, your computer can slow down and not run as quickly as it did when it was new.

This slow down can occur for a variety of reasons and when it happens it can be frustrating and spoil your computing experience. Often times when this happens it can be corrected by either cleaning up your hard drive, or running some diagnostics. Perhaps the computer has a virus and once you remove the virus, performance can be restored. What do you do though if you have done all those things and your computer is still running slow?

If your computer is running slow even after you have removed any viruses and attempted to improve system performance, it could mean that the demands you are now placing on your computer have exceeded the computer's capability.

As we use our computers we tend to install new software applications and attempt to run more applications simultaneously. The new software we install can require greater computer resources such as more computer memory and a faster CPU, or central processing unit to run the software applications or games properly.

If you are like me you like to have multiple software applications running or multiple internet browser windows open at the same time and that can utilize greater amounts of computer resources as well. The more resources you use, the slower the computer will run.

This is a constant problem in computing because computer technology doubles roughly every 18 months. In a demand for more feature rich software applications, software developers create more resource consuming software programs. To meet the increased demands of the software, computer manufacturers continue to build faster, more expensive computers. This, in my opinion, is a vicious cycle where in order to maintain a fast and enjoyable computing experience, the computer user is forced to go out and buy a new computer every few years.

Fortunately for me I have never had to worry about that problem. I am a certified computer professional and have been building and repairing computers for over 15 years. When I want a faster computer I do not go out and buy a new expensive computer. I have learned how to break the new computer buying cycle by upgrading my computer. By upgrading my computer rather than buying new, I can simply make myself a faster computer at a fraction of the cost.

You can break the computer buying cycle too and you do not have to be a computer professional like me to do it. You only need to know a few things about computers, be handy with a screw driver and be able to follow a few simple instructions; but before you begin to think about upgrading your computer, it might be important to get a brief overview on how a computer works.

Computer Basics

Computers are made up of a combination of hardware and software working together. When you aren't familiar with how a computer functions then they can seem very complex. You can reduce that complexity, once you understand how a computer works at a basic level.

At its most basic level a computer receives input and produces output. A computer receives input through input devices such as the keyboard and mouse (hardware). Every time we click the mouse on a link or move the mouse across the screen we are giving the computer input or an instruction to do something.

The computer receives the input as an electronic signal created by the mouse click or keystroke on the keyboard. This signal is transmitted through the computer and is converted into digital data where it can be interpreted as an instruction by the operating system, software application or game.(software)

The computer processes digital instruction data and produces output as either an image or words on the computer screen or perhaps as a printout on a printer.

What makes a computer fast is its ability to receive input, and produce output quickly. There are several components a computer needs in order to function but there are three primary components that directly affect how fast a computer can operate.

The three primary computer components which handle the processing of input and make a computer fast are the:

• Motherboard or Main System board
• CPU or Central Processing Unit
• RAM or Random Access Memory

The Motherboard

Without getting too technical, the Motherboard is the computer component that connects all the hardware together on the computer. You could think of the Motherboard as a data freeway that links together all the components of the computer and allows them to transmit data between each other and and communicate.

Every computer component on the computer connects to the Motherboard either by being connected directly to the Motherboard or connecting via a data cable. The devices or components that connect to the Motherboard are the CPU, RAM Memory, Hard Drive, CD ROM/DVD drive, Video Card, Sound Card, Network Card, Modem, Key Board, Mouse and Monitor.

There are additional peripheral devices which can connect to the Motherboard as well through a variety of data ports which are connected to the Motherboard such as a printer, digital camera, microphone, and even a HDTV. These devices can connect to the Motherboard using one of several ports such as a USB, Parallel, Fire-Wire, SATA (Serial-ATA), or HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) port.

In short the Motherboard provided the data communication infrastructure which allows communication between all the devices. What makes one Motherboard faster than another is the volume of data it can support being transmitted across what is called it's data BUS and the speed at which it can transmit the data. One way to think of it is in terms of a street. Think of the data bus as a street and the data are like cars driving down the street. Older Motherboards communication was the equivalent of a two way two lane street with a speed limit of 25 MPH. Today the new Motherboards are like 8 lane highways with 200MPH speed limits.

New Motherboards are faster because they can allow more data traffic at higher speeds.

The CPU

The CPU or Processor is the brain of the computer. The CPU carries out all the instructions that you in conjunction with the Operating System, like Windows XP or Windows 7, asks it to do. CPUs can only carry out one instruction at a time but they do it so fast it seems like they are doing multiple tasks at one time or "Multitasking".

Newer CPUs are faster because their "clock speed" or "clock cycle" is faster. The clock speed is the speed at which a CPU can carry out instructions. You can think of clock speed like the timing of a metronome, the device that helps musicians keep the right musical time. A metronome has a hand on the front of it which swings back and forth at a timing interval you set. As it swings back and forth it ticks like a clock. Like the metronome the CPU also ticks at a set interval but a CPU ticks at an incredibly fast rate which is measured in Mega or Gigahertz. The CPU carries out an instruction on every tick of its clock cycle.

New CPUs can not only carry out instructions at very high clock speeds but they can also be made up of multiple CPU Cores. Each Core can carry out its own instructions. When you have a Dual Core CPU it can carry out two instructions at the same time and a Quad Core CPU can carry out four. There are even six Core CPUs out now and like the newer Motherboards these CPUs also have a larger Data BUS to send and receive data faster through the Motherboard enhancing the computers overall performance.

RAM Memory

RAM or Random Access Memory is what stores all the instructions you have asked the computer to carry out. Every time we interact with our computer we are creating instruction data for the CPU to process and even the simplest interaction, like moving the mouse across the screen, requires many single instructions the CPU must carry out. You can imagine that playing a computer game or running an application like Adobe Photo shop can create a tremendous amount of instructions for the CPU. The CPU is fast and can execute a lot of instructions quickly but it can't do them all at once which is why we need a place to store the instructions until they can be processed. This is why RAM was created.

RAM is basically the storage place for all the instructions that are waiting to be executed by the CPU. You can sometimes tell when you don't have enough RAM when you have clicked on the mouse or hit the enter key to initiate a program and the hour glass just sits there spinning on the screen. It can appear that our computer has locked up or froze but what is actually happening is the computer is completing the series of instructions it has been given before it can perform any further instructions. When this happens we usually see it as the computer briefly locking up. It is also very frustrating.

The best way to resolve this problem is by simply adding more RAM to your computer. Adding more RAM is possibly the easiest way to increase the performance of your computer. Increasing the amount of RAM in your computer can help your computer run faster because it allows your computer store more instructions. This lets the computer carry out a lot of instructions while you continue to do your work and it reduces the computer freeze ups.

The speed of the RAM you use can also help the computer. If you use RAM that has a faster Data Bus speed it can send the instructions it is storing to the CPU at a faster rate. The faster the CPU gets the instructions the faster it can carry them out and the faster your computer will run.

The amount and type you can use is dictated by the type of CPU and Motherboard you use. The Bus speed of the CPU and Motherboard as well as the capacity of RAM the Motherboard can recognize will determine what type of RAM and how much you can use.

Some Motherboards will allow you to install as much as 32GBs of RAM and most Motherboards will recognize multiple Bus speeds so you can use several different types of RAM. Generally speaking the faster the BUS speed and the larger storage capacity of the RAM, the faster your computer will perform. The important thing to remember though is that with larger capacity and speed comes higher price.

What's nice about upgrading RAM is most Motherboards can accommodate several different speeds and capacities of RAM so you can start out with a slower speed and smaller capacity, which will be less expensive reducing your initial upgrade cost and then later down the road you can upgrade your RAM to a larger capacity and high speed.

Replacing the Motherboard, CPU and RAM is actually a lot easier than you may think. The CPU and RAM are directly connected to the motherboard so you can replace all three components at the same time by simply swapping out the motherboard.

To do this you must first determine what kind of form factor of motherboard your current computer supports.

The Motherboard Form Factor

Many computer manufacturers such as HP, Compaq, Dell, Gateway, eMachine, and Acer build their computers based on 4 primary motherboard form factors or design specifications and they are:

• ATX = Full Size Motherboard generally found in full size Desktop computers and Towers
• Micro-ATX = Mid Size motherboard found in Mid Tower and Smaller Desktops
• Mini-ATX = Small Motherboard found in Mid Towers, Smaller Desktops
• Mini-ITX = Newest motherboards very small size found in new smaller towers and desktops

These form factors refer to the size of the Motherboard itself. The computer case is designed to accommodate a specific size of Motherboard. Once you have determined which form factor your computer model is, then all you need to do is purchase the correct form factor Motherboard that fits your computer models case.

It would work like this. Let's say you have an HP Pavilion 750n desktop computer. This is an older computer with a single core processor. Nice computer when it first came out but very slow by today's standards. You decide that you want to make it faster by upgrading it to a Quad Core CPU but you need to determine if you can upgrade it.

You can determine whether or not you can upgrade that particular computer by going to the HP support website. On the site you would type in your computer model and look at the hardware specifications for that computer. HP will list the form factor information in the specifications guide. Having done this many times, I already know the 750n uses a Micro-ATX form factor.

Each computer manufacturer I named has a support site on their webpage where you can go to determine your models form factor. You can also do a search on Yahoo, Google, or Bing and ask what form factor your computer model is. If that doesn't work simply email me or leave a comment on this article and I can help you locate it.

Once you know the type of form factor your computer model supports you are now ready to decide what performance level you would like to upgrade your computer to.The performance level of the computer is generally dictated by the CPU it uses. You may recall I indicated the CPU is often referred to as the brain of the computer because it processes all the instructions and it sets the computers overall speed based on it's clock speed.Since the computers overall speed is set by the CPU, you typically start your upgrade by determining the CPU performance level you want.

How you decide which performance level you would like to upgrade to can be based on how you use your computer and how much you want to spend to upgrade it. Generally speaking if you only use your computer to send and receive email, browse the web, and save and share digital images from a digital camera, then you may only need to upgrade to a Dual Core CPU to significantly improve you computing experience.

If you play lots of games, burns DVDs, edit movies or sound files, and work with high resolution images or graphics, then you may want to select a Quad Core CPU to increase performance and improve your computing experience.

From a cost perspective you can expect to pay more for a faster CPU than you would for a slower CPU and Quad Core CPUs are generally more expensive than Dual Cores. As a rule I believe you should purchase as much as you can for as little as possible that way you get the most for your money and you won't have to upgrade again for quite a while.

When you are ready to select your CPU you will have choices based on manufacturer and type and there are also some differences between the various types of CPUs from each manufacturer which you should be aware of.

There are three primary CPU manufacturers Intel, AMD and Motorola, but for the purpose of this article we are only going to focus on Intel and AMD. Motorola is primarily responsible for making CPUs for Apple Computers. Apple computers, are a proprietary computer model and it can be more difficult and more costly to upgrade an Apple computer.

This article is focused on helping the budget conscious, who own what is generally referred to as an IBM compatible computer, upgrade their computer easily and inexpensively. IBM compatible computers are identified as those computers which primarily run a Microsoft Windows based operating system such as Windows XP or Windows 7. Intel and AMD manufacture CPUs that support IBM compatible computers so those are the two manufacturers we will focus on.

For the purpose of this article I am not going to go into great detail about the differences between Intel and AMD CPUs. There is already a significant amount of detailed information available on the internet which describes each manufacturers CPU chip architecture, as well as gives side by side comparison.

I would invite you to do a little research on how each manufacturers chips are designed and then review a website that benchmarks each CPUs performance. There are many links on CPU design, comparisons and reveiws on the weband this can help you make your CPU choice.

The prevailing sentiment regarding AMD vs. Intel is that both CPUs, in either Dual or Quad Core configuration, perform similarly with Intel being slightly faster. Intel CPUs have always been associated with executing business applications quickly while AMD CPUs run multimedia applications quickly. As you research their benchmark scores you will see Intel on a graph seems to dramatically out perform AMD but when you look at the duration of time between the two it is minimal.

Where you will see a significant difference between the two manufacturers is in cost. AMD CPUs are almost always less expensive than Intel CPUs. The question I always ask my clients is, "Is a 4 second faster speed difference worth an extra $200 or $300 dollars more by buying an Intel CPU?" To me it is not.

I am looking for an overall performance increase compared to what I am currently using. Once you upgrade your computer you are not going to be comparing it to another computer of equal performance, you will be comparing it to the speed of your last computer. If after your upgrade, you find your computer runs significantly faster than your last computer and it didn't cost much for you to achieve that performance increase, you will be happy with your upgrade and that is what is important.

CPU Cache

Earlier I indicated that RAM stores all the instruction data being transmitted to the CPU and throughout the computer. The CPU Cache is another form of high speed memory only it is specifically devoted to the CPU. It has been shown that a CPU can process data faster if more of the data it must process can be stored on memory located closer to the CPU itself.

All CPUs come with a cache but some newer CPUs will come with an additional cache that is faster and can hold more data closer to the CPU. Typically CPUs operating at a higher clock speed and having an additional, faster cache will offer higher performance.

A good example of this is the difference between the AMD Athlon and Phenom Series of CPUs. Both the Athlon and Phenom series come in Dual and Quad Core configurations but the Phenoim Series has an additional L3 cache making the CPU faster. It also makes a Phenom series CPU more expensive than the Athlon Series.

Another interesting tidbit is there is now a version II for both the Athlon and Phenom Series. The version II offers a more faster cache hence both CPUs are supposed to be faster than their predecessors however the benchmark numbers show a relatively small increase in performance.

Be sure to do a little research on the differences between the AMD and Intel CPUs and select the one you feel will be appropriate for your computing needs while meeting your budget goals. Once you have chosen the CPU you want you will then be ready to select the Motherboard that supports not only your CPU but your computer form factor as well.

One last thing regarding CPUs are both AMD and Intel have different CPU form factors so when you are selecting a Motherboard for the form factor that meets your computers specifications you also need to select the one that fits your CPU choice. This may seem complicated but it is not that difficult once you start looking at the Motherboard and CPU combinations.

The resellers I have showed you have filtering options on their web pages which allow you to select Motherboards that can support either AMD or Intel. You can also filter by both CPU and computer form factor as well which can help you narrow down your decision making.

Once you have made a decision on the CPU, you want to select the Motherboard that will support the CPU you have chosen. As far as Motherboards go there are several major manufactures of Motherboards and they all produce the 4 main types of Motherboard form factors. The major manufactures are:

• ASUS
• Biostar
• Gigabyte
• MSI
• Foxconn
• ECSJetway
• Zotac

This may seem like a lot to choose from but as you begin to filter on the CPU type you can narrow down your focus and make selecting the right Motherboard easier.

Each motherboard will come with common features that are necessary for standard computer operations and some can come with additional features that may or may not be beneficial to you. The primary thing to remember about the Motherboard is that all of the components connect too it and you can choose to customize your computer upgrade as much or as little you want depending on the Motherboard you purchase.

For example, you can purchase a Motherboard which has the video and sound card integrated into the board. This saves you both time and money because it eliminates the need for you to choose a video or sound card, but if you want a specific video or sound card, you can select a Motherboard that does not come with those integrated components and then pick the video and sound card you would like to install as add in cards onto the Motherboard.

Here is a list of common Motherboards features:

• Keyboard and Mouse input often referred to as a PS2 connector
• USB - Universal Serial Bus ports for connecting computer peripherals such as (Keyboard, Mouse, Printer, Digital Camera, external Hard Drive etc...)
• Parallel Printer Port (not as much in newer motherboards as printers use USB)
• Local Area Network or LAN connection for a network or internet connection
• Dial-up Modem (not as common in newer boards due to high speed internet connections)

Optional Motherboard Features:

• 1394 or Fire-wire connection (higher speed data connection)
• External SATA or Serial-ATA connection (higher speed data connection designed to connect external SATA devices such as a Hard Drive)
• HDMI - High-Definition Multimedia Interface to connect an HD Monitor or TV, or to an external High Definition Audio component

We touched on RAM earlier and we know that the RAM you choose must be supported by the CPU and Motherboard you choose. To make it simple it breaks down like this when upgrading. The CPU determines the type of Motherboard you have to choose and your computer model determines the type of Motherboard form factor you select.

The Motherboard will dictate what type of RAM you will be able to use so that will make your selection easier. The only thing you will have to decide when it comes to RAM, is the size of RAM meaning the amount of Gigabytes, Gigs or GBs of RAM you choose and the RAM speed you select.

One other thing you must be aware of is the newer Operating Systems such as Windows Vista and Windows 7 require a minimum of 2GBs of RAM to run properly so you will want to select at least 2GBs of RAM when you upgrade. Knowing this can make your decision regarding the amount of RAM pretty straight forward. As far as the speed of RAM you select that again will depend on the speeds the Motherboard will support, the amount of performance you want and how much you are willing to spend.

As far as determining the speed of RAM your Motherboard will support that is not difficult to determine. As you begin to look at Motherboards you will see they clearly specify the type and speed of RAM they support.

I have covered a lot of information up to this point and I hope you have a better understanding of what is required for you to be able to identify the Motherboard, CPU and RAM components you would need to upgrade your current computer. Buying these components and upgrading them your self is far less expensive then going out and buying a new computer and I am confident with this information as a starting point you too can save money buy upgrading the computer yourself.

There are however, two important additional pieces of information you should know before you attempt to upgrade your computer.

1. Before you upgrade your current computer you should back up all of your important data on to an external storage device such as an external hard drive, USB jump drive or burn it onto a CD or DVD.

The reason this is important is when you upgrade those components you will be forced to reinstall the operating system and that will erase all the current data on your hard drive. In additional if you don't have an installation disk for your current operating system, you will need to purchase a new copy of Windows XP, Vista or Windows 7 to install once you have upgraded the components. This may not actually be a major concern for you if you were already considering upgrading to a newer version of Windows. Also I can help you find an inexpensive copy of the Windows operating system if you it.

2. The new components you will install in you current PC will be more advanced from a power consumption standpoint and upgrading them will most likely require you to also upgrade your power supply.

The upgrade is not expensive and is a very easy to accomplish. The type of power supply you will want to select will be roughly 400 watts at least and will need to be a 20x4 pin or 24 pin power supply. This is the type of power supply supported by the newer Motherboards. Again the Motherboard specifications will indicate the power supply requirements.

To make your computer faster all you need to do is upgrade the Motherboard, CPU and RAM. You start by identifying the type of Motherboard form factor your current computer will support, and the performance level you want to upgrade to. Then you buy the CPU that fits your performance needs along with the Motherboard and RAM that fits both your computer model and CPU specifications.

The one thing I didn't cover is the actual installation of these components once you have purchased them and are ready to install. At a high level the process is nothing more then:

• Unplugging the computer and disconnecting all peripheral components such as the keyboard, mouse and monitor from the case
• Before you open the computer, discharge yourself electrically or purchase a static strap to ground yourself to the chassis, this will help you avoid static discharge which can fry a computer component.
• Removing the side cover off the computer case
• Disconnecting all the power cables and Data cables from the old Motherboard
• Unscrewing and removing the old Motherboard from the case
• Unscrewing and removing the old power supply
• Install the new power supply
• Install the new Motherboard into the case
• Reconnecting all the power and data cables
• Powering the computer back up and listening for proper post sound
• Now you are ready to install the operating system

I know once you decide to start this process you will have many questions which is why there is one last thing I would recommend you do before you begin to upgrade you computer.

There are many do it yourself computer repair and upgrade manuals available online and they can provide you all the help you need to do your computer upgrade. Many of the books will provide you step by step explanation on how to replace just about every component on your computer and provide you with detailed diagrams so you can see how to actually perform the removal or install. I would suggest you make a small investment and purchase one of these books.

If I could recommend any do it yourself computer manual it would be "Self Computer Repair Unleashed".This book covers all aspects of computer upgrade and repair in a clear concise format and provides full color diagrams and step by step instructions to help you through any computer upgrade or repair. I can't recommend this book enough. I have provided a link to this book on the links page of my website below in my signature.

I thank you for reading my article and I hope it has inspired you to go out and tackle what you may have originally thought was an impossible task. You can upgrade your computer yourself and save yourself a lot of money too.

ATXPowerSupplies.Com writes this article on "choosing the right computer case for your computer" to help you in your decision making process. There are literally thousands of computer cases on the market which sometimes makes choosing the right computer case quite a task.

First and foremost select a computer case that appeals to your personal tastes. Once you have found one that looks good to you then there are a few other attributes about computer cases that you should be aware of.

Does it have front USB? It almost doesn't make sense to have a computer case without front usb. Front USB ports come in handy for hooking up digital cameras and downloading images. This enables you to avoid pulling the computer out to search for the usb ports in the back. Almost all motherboards have ports for front usb as well as rear usb. Other uses of front usb ports are: memory stick insertion, mp3 player docking, portable printer docking, and temporary networking between computers.

How does the motherboard install into the case? If possible try to find a case that has a removable backplane for mounting the motherboard. The backplane is able to be removed from the case to mount the motherboard. Using this method it is possible to install the motherboard out in the open where there is plenty of room to work. Installing a motherboard in a computer case without a removable backplane can be cramped. You also run the risk of cutting your hands on the surrounding case chassis. Of course, if the computer case is large then it may not be necessary for it to have a removable backplane. The removable backplane feature becomes more important if the computer case is small sized.

What form factor is your motherboard? There are several form factors that motherboards are usually manufactured. The major form factors are: Micro ATX, Full ATX (commonly referred to as ATX), and Extended ATX. Every computer case should denote which motherboard form factors it accepts. If the case doesn't describe which motherboard form factors it accepts then it's best to move on; you run the risk of buying a computer case that doesn't fit your motherboard. Physical measurements of a motherboard are mostly unimportant. As long as the form factors of the case and motherboard match then you should have no problem with installation.

What size power supply does the computer case have? Ask yourself this important question because most companies that sell computer cases will include a small power supply that is, most of the time, too small for your application. Having an undersized power supply can lead to erratic computer operation, most often denoted by frequent rebooting. Most computer cases at ATXPowerSupplies come standard without a power supply. People have different needs so we provide the opportunity for the customer to add whichever size power supply they need in their case.
Be sure to check out our article on choosing the right power supply for your computer.

How many device bays will your computer need? It is necessary to know how many 5.25" and 3.5" bays you'll need in your computer case. If you're installing four cdroms in your computer then it will be necessary to have a case with at least four 5.25" bays. You'll also need a certain number of 3.5" bays. Floppy drives and hard drives fit into 3.5" bays. For floppy drives the bays should be external, meaning that they are accessible from the outside of the computer case. Hard drives are mounted in the internal 3.5" bays. The bottom line is to be sure you have enough bays for all of your devices.

Will the physical dimensions of the computer case fit into your location? Be sure to pick a computer case that fits inside whatever space you have designated for your computer. Pay close attention to the overall height, width, and depth.

Does your space provide for ample cooling of your computer? In most applications where the computer is set in open space the fans in the power supply and on the cpu are enough to cool the computer. In places such as cabinets you might want to add one or two fans to aid in the cooling process. Another application that might call for additional cooling fans is when overclocking of the processor is performed.

Check out our other article on how to install a front usb adapter.