Computers and Technology

Having a computer equipped with the necessary tools for proper circulation is crucial. If a computer overheats, it can cause your computer to freeze or even cause irreversible damage. There are many factors that play a role in keeping a computer at a cool enough temperature to be safe and operable. If you continually have problems with your computer freezing up claiming, "My computer keeps freezing!" you might want to check the hardware's temperature.

The list of reasons why a computer can overheat is quite a few. Making sure these problems are dealt with is important to keeping a computer healthy. It would be like a person ignoring a cold and letting it develop into the influenza virus when it is as simple as washing your hands. Keeping dust out of a computer is important but not entirely practical. Dust, hair, and other small particles WILL make their way into a computer. Once a month, or whenever you see your computer covered in dust, you should clean it out. Important things to remember are that the components inside of a computer are fragile. To clean them, use a dry paper towel - not a wet paper towel, and not a wash cloth. Using a dry paper towel insures that no moisture reaches those electrical components, and fuzzy residue does not get left behind inside the computer from a wash cloth or dish towel. Lightly wipe the components to remove the dust. Having a vacuum hovering over what you are wiping is also a nice idea as long as it is a safe distance away from the computer. Hitting a computer with a vacuum is never a good idea.

While dust is the most easily fixable annoyance concerning overheating computers, you also must make sure you have enough circulation. It does not matter if your computer is sparkling and dust-free, the more power your computer has, the more heat it is going to exert. One way to combat this is to make sure enough fans are installed in your computer tower. What is "enough"? The average computer does not need more than one tower fan and one CPU fan to adequately cool the system. Also, pre-built computers are designed with cooling in mind, so unless they screw up, a cooling system should have already been placed with-in your computer capable of cooling it efficiently.

Other factors become important, though, when you upgrade something in your computer. A new graphics card, for example, might make the computer run at a higher temperature. An added fan might make the transition easier for the computer to manage. If you upgrade a CPU, take careful consideration when picking out the heat sync and accompanying fan. If you upgrade the CPU and not the fan that goes with it, you could possibly end up with a broken computer because it could not handle the heat of the new processor. A good indicator of an overheating CPU is starting up your computer only to see that it shuts off within a few minutes (or seconds if it is really hot). You cannot just say, "slow computer, fix yourself." Actions need to be taken to cool down your computer.

New desktop computers come in innovative designs and space saving models. It makes use of the latest technologies, which include high speed microprocessors and memory devices. It can support dual monitors without using any hardware. The systems that support dual monitors have two Digital Visual Interface (DVI) connectors or two Video Graphics Array (VGA) connectors at the back. Some other systems have both the connectors. New systems are easier to manage than the traditional personal computers. It has an average capacity of about 20GB.

New desktop computers are obtained with Windows installed, in most cases. This is because of the fact that the operating system Windows is considered a standard for desktop computers. Even though the computers are obtained with windows installed, certain simple tasks are performed at the beginning to start the machine. Initially, all the required hardware is connected. Then, the Windows set up is allowed to run. A number of questions appear on screen and the installer has to answer the questions accordingly.

New desktop computers come with software programs such as word processing, databases, and spreadsheets. Educational applications such as encyclopedias are included in new computers. Almost all new computers have CD-ROM drives and zip disk drives. This benefits users to run CDs. However, these computers do not have drives for inserting a floppy.

New desktop computers of recent years have additional features such as on board network card and high speed modems. It has video capture software along with browser facility. With these features, it is easy to access World Wide Web with new computers. The cost associated with accessing is relatively low in new systems.

New desktop computers with basic operations such as typing letters, Internet facility, and desktop publishing are available at cheaper rates, at about 450 dollars. These computers with upgrade capabilities are easily bought for 1000 dollars. Printer and other peripheral charges are not included along with this cost. New computers are also available from discount stores such as Wal-Mart, at around 800 dollars.

Everyone is searching for the solution to keep their computer operating at high performance. And, there are many tactics that each of should use, right down to a high performance anti-software. However, many of us overlook the simple fact that our computer, just like anything else in the home, needs to be cleaned. Cleaning the computer and it components will keep your computer functioning properly and from spreading germs.

The environment of you computer is important, and keeping it in a clean environment is vital to your computers performance. The regularity of cleaning will depend on how dirty your computer becomes. There are a few considerations that will affect your computer such as the type of environment it is in. Is it in a home? Do you smoke at your computer? Does the dog shed? Is the computer on the floor? Do you have an unusual amount of dust? Obviously, if you answered yes to any of these questions, you are going to need to be cleaning your computer a bit more often.

To start, turn off your computer before cleaning. Begin by wiping your computer with a clean dry cloth. Do not add liquid to your computer. We will later clean the computer with Endust for Electronics. Use a vacuum to clean your keyboard and the outside of your computer- BUT DO NOT USE A VACUUM ON THE INSIDE OF YOUR COMPUTER TO CLEAN IT! To clean the components within the computer begin by referencing your owner's manual. If there are specific instructions than follow the instructions. If there is not then gather the following supplies and follow the instructions in this article:

A can of compressed air, Endust for Electronics, a soft brush such as a paintbrush, and a anti-static rag.

Disconnect all peripherals from your computer and remove the computer cover. Touch a metal part of the chassis to ground yourself. Place something between the fan blades to keep them from moving and spray the compressed air on the blades, the power supply chassis, the drive chassis, and circuit boards. Using your soft brush, gently brush off any remaining dust. Brush the dust from the bottom of the chassis as well. Spray Endust for Electronics on your rag and wipe the inside and outside of the computer cover.

Once you have wiped the computer down, replace the cover and put your supplies away! It is vital that you do not use a regular household solvent when you clean your computer. This can damage the computer and cause its components to fail.

Schedule regular cleaning of your computer. When you begin to see a gathering of dust on the outside it is likely that it is on the inside as well and your computer needs cleaning. If your computer is still under warranty or you have a maintenance plan on your computer, the manufacturer may provide cleaning for your computer. Read your agreement. If cleaning is covered, definitely send it in to be cleaned, as this is the best option.

A clean computer case will keep the internal components cooler, thus making it last longer with fewer problems due to the reduced heat.

A computer worm infection is certainly nothing to take lightly. Just like a computer virus or trojan, computer worms can wreak havoc on a system. At their least damaging, computer worms are a nuisance, and at their worst they can leave a system completely non-functional. But, just what is a computer worm, and what makes it different from a virus or Trojan?

The short definition of a computer virus is malicious code that is usually attached to some kind of computer code that gets run by the user or a user's application, and then spreads itself. The short definition of a computer trojan is malicious code that usually pretends to be something else. Trojans quite often open up a back door on a system after being run by the user or a user's application. A computer worm, in contrast, does not need to be run by anyone. Computer worms by definition look for weaknesses in a system and spread themselves. There is no need for a user to run anything for a computer worm to infect their system.

This ability to spread themselves to other systems is what makes computer worms different and particularly nasty. One common way for computer worms to spread is to look for weaknesses in the services that many computers are running that most users are not even aware of. As nasty as it seems, a worm could automatically spread to your computer from some other computer anywhere on the internet. In turn, you system could then automatically start spreading the worm to other systems. This could happen without you ever knowing it is happening.

There are some rather easy steps to take to help mitigate the threat of computer worms:

In my opinion, every computer attached to the internet should have quality antivirus software up to date and running at all times. Quality antivirus software is very easy to install and run. The vendors have made their software very user friendly. The firewall recommendation is also quite important. Since computer worms can spread simply by any computer connecting to yours over the internet, a properly configured firewall is what is recommended to block these incoming connection attempts. However, there is a learning curve associated with firewalls. An improperly configured firewall could very well be useless. Not to mention, some firewalls can cause difficulties with playing online games, or using services such as FTP unless you are able to get them properly configured.

I hope this has given you a bit of a better understanding on what a computer worm is. Since they can spread themselves automatically, it is no wonder they have caused billions of dollars in damage when they wreak havoc.

Quantum computers open up a new era for high-speed computations.
They will be 1,000,000,000 times faster than current silicon-based computers. Today's high-speed computer sitting in front of you is fundamentally no different from its 30-tonne ancestors,
which were equipped with some 18,000 vacuum tubes and 805
kilometres (500 miles) of wiring!

Moore's law:

In 1965, Intel co-founder Gordon Moore saw the future. His prediction, popularly known as Moore's Law, states that the number of transistors on a chip doubles about every two years. This observation about silicon integration, made a reality by Intel, has fueled the worldwide technology revolution.

What is a quantum Computer?

In a quantum computer, the fundamental unit of information (called a quantum bit or qubit), is not binary but rather more quaternary in nature. This qubit property arises as a direct consequence of its adherence to the laws of quantum mechanics which differ radically from the laws of classical physics. A qubit can exist not only in a state corresponding to the logical state 0 or 1 as in a classical bit, but also in states corresponding to a blend or superposition of these classical states.

The power of quantum
Computers:

As the technology evolves, several factors work together to push us toward quantum computing, and push out the classical silicon-based chips. These factors are scaling in size, energy consumption,
economics of building leading-At the current rate of chip miniaturisation, energy efficiency and economics, the classical

computer of the year 2020 (if it could happen at all) would contain a CPU running at 40 GHz (or 40,000 MHz), with 160 GB (160,000 MB) of random-access memory (RAM), and run on 40 watts of power.

Scaling: The computing world is
full of innovations, and many of them
involve more powerful and smaller
chips. Chip capacity has doubled every
18 months, according to Moore's Law,
but the chip size remains constant. The
number of transistors on a single chip is
also rising exponentially. It seems that
if miniaturisation continues at the current
rate, a bit will be represented by a
single atom by the year 2020.

Future Computers:

Atoms Packed In An "Egg Carton" Of Light?
Scientists at Ohio State University have taken a step toward the development of powerful new computers -- by making tiny holes that contain nothing at all.

The holes -- dark spots in an egg carton-shaped surface of laser light -- could one day cradle atoms for quantum computing

Fundamental limitation to quantum computers

Quantum computers that store information in so-called quantum bits (or qubits) will be confronted with a fundamental limitation. This is the claim made by Dutch theoretical physicists from the Foundation for Fundamental Research on Matter (FOM).

Obstacles and Research:

The researchers said that the potential for quantum computing is huge, and that recent progress has been encouraging -- but there are still many obstacles to overcome before quantum computers become commercially available. To be viable, quantum computers must have at least several dozen qubits before they will have the ability to solve real-world problems.
Currently, research is underway to discover methods for battling the destructive effects of decoherence to develop an optimal hardware architecture for designing and building a quantum computer, and to further uncover quantum algorithms to utilize the immense computing power available in these devices. Naturally this pursuit is intimately related to quantum error correction codes and quantum algorithms.

Single board computers are small circuit boards that have all the components necessary to function as a complete digital computer. We do not see them often and when we do, we have a hard time recognizing them. However, most of us must have used a single board computer in one form or another. These components are often embedded in cell phones, fax machines, GPS receivers and other electronic products that make use of computer technology.

Electronic products are not the largest market for single board computers. They find wider use in industrial applications. Such computers are called industrial single board computers, or simply industrial computers. They are used for a variety of industrial functions. Most of these computers are embedded in industrial machines that perform complex tasks, while others are arranged in a rack-mount format and are used for data acquisition and processing, as well as in product research and development.

Industrial single board computers are different than your regular home or office desktop computers. They are even quite different from other single board computers embedded in electronic products. These differences are dictated by their industrial functions. Industrial single board computers are usually designed to perform a solitary task, unlike desktop computers that are for multitasking. Because they are used in industrial processes, industrial single board computers are specifically designed to withstand various industrial factors such as shocks, vibrations, humidity, electromagnetic interference, radio frequency interference, dust, flash and mist.

Looking at the history, most industrial single board computers were initially manufactured in-house or by companies that use them. There are several reasons for this. First, industrial single board computers are often used for company-specific applications, so companies find it more practical to hire engineers to manufacture their own single board computers m rather than let another company manufacture single board computers for them.

Another reason is the lack of standards for single board computers, so the development in a particular single board computer does not necessarily affect other single board computers. Everything changed, however, when PCs began conquering the computer world. Shortly after the PC dominated the computer scene, standards for single board computers started to appear. These standards gave rise to the creation of off-the-shelf single board computers that conform to particular standards and can be programmed to perform specific tasks.

Because these single board computers cost less and are usually updated with new technologies, many companies have opted to use them rather than develop their own industrial single board computers. Some companies still opt for custom single board computers and purchase them from manufacturers rather than develop them in-house.

We all know about computers. The computer consists of multitude of large to minute parts. As much as the knowledge abut the computers is necessary, so as it is essential to know about the various computer parts too. It is because, your whole computer may crash sometime due to not knowing properly about the different computer parts and its functions resulting in its mishandling. That is why, a general idea on the various computer parts is necessary. Your knowledge on the computer parts will help you to gain knowledge on the functioning of the computer system and thus will help you in its operability. In other words, it will help you to work on your computer more efficiently while deriving the best out of your system.

To know about the computer parts, you need not open your whole system apart and start doing the anatomical study on it. I am going to suggest and easy way out to do the same. This article will give you a brief idea on the various parts of the computer system that you can identify with easily. You might already know the names of these computer parts then you can look out what purpose they serve in your system. So, let us get a holistic view of the various parts of a computer.

To tell you in very few and concise words, the computer system has basically two parts, the hardware and the software. Software is the programming part which is fed on the computer to operate different functions. Anything that makes a physically appearance in the system and consists of the bulk of it is the hardware. The hardware is the one which contains the A to Z of the computer parts. The first to name is the Central Processing Unit (CPU) which in itself is a composition of certain parts which I will mention at a later stage of this article. Then there are the output and the input devices. The numbers of output and input devices are quite large. The common input devices range from the keyboard to joystick, scanner and to the graphic tablets and many more. Similarly, in the output devices we can name the monitor, the projector and the printer are of common use.

As I have mentioned earlier in this article that the CPU itself is an integration of several parts. So let us have a look on these too. Processor, PCB, Motherboard and the CPU fans are the things that the CPU consists of. It consists of the hard disk, and the Random Access Memory (RAM). The CPU is the one which processes all the signals given to the computer through the input devices and gives out the result through the output devices. Also it stores the data in its memory and allows the user to access it when required. The CPU stores documents as well as media files.

the other parts are mouse, the UPS, the web camera, speakers, headphones etc. Although these are accessories of the computer, but are essential parts of it.

Being a computer technician pays
nice money and has for a very long time. Why?well,mainly
because a lot of new computer owners fail to learn how to use
and maintain there new computer.
Before purchasing my first computer back in 1998,I took an 8 hour
class on the basics of operating a windows 95 system based
computer..Even with the class,within the first few months,I
had crashed the computer 3 times. This gives you
somewhat of an idea about what we have here today..Alot of
people now are getting computers because there friends have
one,or to just get into the chat rooms,or the adult
sites..point being..they dont know how to use a
computer,much less maintain one.

To save yourself
allot of money and needless trips to the computer shop for
repairs,there are a series of very simple steps you can take
to keep your new computer running fast and
efficient. Myself,I have windows xp home edition
running on my computer. I find it to be the best system out
there at the moment.The choice is of course yours as to what
operating system you install on your machine.
When you get your new computer home and you configure an internet
connection,the first thing I recommend that you do is to get
to the windows update site. The site will automatically
update your new operating system with files to prevent
people on other computers from accessing your data.
Next step is to install an anti-virus and spyware program on
your computer.

If your buying a new computer from a big
outlet,this is usually included with your purchase but not
always.Make sure to inquire about this when purchasing your
computer. Both these programs,the anti-virus and the
anti-spyware are a must have in today's computer age..You can
get good information from Google (http://www.google.com).
Just type in anti-virus in the search box..you will get
choices for a lot of programs..same for the
anti-spyware.

Over time,you will visit a lot of
websites..Most of these sites has what are called
"cookies".These are little embedded packages of
data(files),that the sites you have visited leave on your
computer to track your browsing habits. After awhile,these
files need to be purged,deleted from your
computer.

Other files that need to be purged at
least once a week,are your temporary internet files and your
history files. Failing to do this will really slow down
your computer to a crawl and possibly cause a system
crash,meaning you will have to re-install your operating
system.

When you open up internet explorer,at the
top left of the page,you will see options..Look for the
Tools option.Left click "Tools",then left click "Internet
Options".From there it should be straight forward for
you.After you have deleted your temporary internet files and
history files,click "OK" I do this at least once a
day,really keeps my computer running fast.

You will need to defragment your files on your hard drive at least once a month.
Over time,if this is left undone,your programs will run slower,your computer will not be running at maximum efficiency. To do this,left click the start button,look for accessories,look for disk defragmentor.Run the program. You will find that if you have not done this for a long time,it will make a big difference in the overall performance of your computer.

For computer users with a DSL or Cable modem:

Sometimes you will notice that your browsing speeds are slower,the websites that your visiting are taking a long time to load.A remedy to this is shutting the computer off,disconnect your modem from the modem box for a few minutes..reconnect the modem and turn your computer back on. This is called renewing the modem. I do this a few times a week and my speeds are always fast.

Now im going to share with you,some things you can do about whats
inside of your computer "the case"or your computers
"hardware". No matter how clean the surroundings
where you have your computer placed,over time,alot of dust
and particles gather on the inside..your motherboard,inside
the power supply,on your cpu,all your
cards"video,sound,etc." I clean the inside of my computer
every 3 months and I recommend all new users do it also.

Here is how to do it: First,before you do anything,make sure
the computer is unplugged from the outlet and is completely
turned off! Next is to get a screwdriver for those little
round screws you will need to undo to get inside your
case. When both sides of the case are removed,you will
need a can of compressed air..you can buy this from any
computer store for under 5 dollars. You then spray all
the areas inside the case..you will see the dust and dirt
flyng off from the places you sprayed. Doing this 4
times a year(every 3 months)Is a great way to save a lot of
money and keep your computer running like its brand
new.

I hope you all have enjoyed my

computer tips.

Sincerely,

William

Computers and Information Technologies are as ubiquitous in our lives today as the air we breathe. Computers have led to a third information revolution taking its place alongside agricultural and industrial revolutions. We see computers everywhere, in Desktop PC's, PDA's, cars, washing machines, ATM's - everywhere. The resulting multiplication of humankind's intellectual strength has affected our daily lives and also changed the way in which we search for new knowledge and resources. At a steady rate of around 11%, the last decade has seen an unprecedented boom in the computer industry - and nearly everyone is being affected by the phenomenon. This unprecedented growth rate has led to amazing technological progress since the inception of electronic computing in late 1940's. By way of comparison, had the transport industry kept pace with the computer industry, today we could travel from coast to coast in about few seconds for roughly few pennies. Of course in almost any case, growth can lead to growing pains. In the case of the computer industry, the expectation that nearly everyone has a computer leads to the need for nearly everyone to own a computer.

The Internet as a Computer Sales Driver

The advent of the internet has certainly spurred on the success of the computer industry. The increase in the number of internet users worldwide has grown from 274 million in 1999 to 605 million in 2002 with a staggering growth of 119 percent. In the US alone, the number of Internet users has increased by 53 million (16 percent) with a penetration of 52 percent. The percentage of total population in the world with internet access has increased from 7 percent 1999 to 9 percent in 2002.

Explosive Growth In Computer System Sales

During the past 5-6 years, there has been explosive growth in the number of PC buyers - not only in developed countries like the United States and Europe but also in the Asia Pacific and other regions of the world. In fact, the Chinese computer industry grew a whopping 38 percent in 2004 almost dwarfing our growth rates of the United States , which has been 35.2 percent over the period of 1990-2000. Worldwide growth in the sales of Personal Computers has increased from 394 million in 1999 to 550 million in 2002. Total numbers of PC's in US are 178 million which accounts for 62 percent penetration in US households. As an example, in the United States 625 people have PC per 1000 inhabitants. This high ratio is in contrast to the percentage of the total world population where only 9% of people have a personal computer. However this has been a radical increase from 1999 when only 5 percent of the world population had personal computers. Because of this explosive growth, the market competitors, in anticipation to tap this highly growing market are keeping their prices at rock bottom and producing in huge volumes thus effectively maintaining their profit levels despite of low margins.

Computer Financing to the Rescue

While this unparalleled growth is a benefit, there are unintended consequences. One unexpected effect of this explosion in technology is that with the expansion of the availability of computers, the individual need for a computer system is also increased. In a world where it is assumed that everyone has access to a computer and an internet connection, it is becoming increasing difficult to succeed without these resources. As this need increases and computer prices decrease, the only missing component is a catalyst to push computer ownership to the "tipping point". Enter computer financing; now with very little cash and low monthly payments, many individuals can purchase a very powerful computer system and level the playing field for themselves in the workforce. With this increasing demand for cheap computers that are actually cutting-edge high-performance machines, a computer loan can bridge the gap between needing and having a computer. Companies like My Computer Club offer computer financing for those with bad credit thus enabling those who would normally not be able to purchase a computer to have a powerful computer system.

Most of us consider computer to be one of our most important investment. In fact, most of the jobs these days are dependent on computers. Therefore, it becomes essential to give utmost care to the maintenance of your computer system. For this, the most important thing is to make your computer secure.

We have seen a constant rise in the number of cases where some people take advance of the Internet and due to this the online threats have increased to a great extent. There is a huge risk of your computer getting infecting. The best way to make your computer secure is to install one or more of the various computer security software that are available. All computer should always have some or the other security software installed in it which may include spyware scanning software, anti-virus software or a firewall.

Firewall is a software that protects the computer from the impact of hacking and malware. Malware actually are the malicious codes that cause harm to the computer. A firewall monitors all the traffic coming into your computer and in case of irregularities, block the program. But always take care to install a firewall that is easy to use.

Spyware scanning software is another security program that detects the programs that run in the background of the computer and gather private information stored in the computer. It slows down the computer and has to be removed. Some of the best known softwares for this are the Spy Sweeper and Adware. The anti-virus is the most important. It scans the files and check for any attributes that might be in virus or linked to it. Norton and McAfee are the best and most popular in this category.

These are some of the computer security software that can be installed on the computer. Always take care to choose the software that suits the configuration of your computer the best.

There are a number of cheap and used software and spyware scanning softwares available in the market to enhance the security of your computer. When you are installing one of these, you are tackling the security problem most cost effectively. Installation of the used computer software provides you the dual advantage. Firstly the price is significantly lower than the new software available and secondly it makes the door open for further modifications. With passage of time new innovations are added to the cyber world regularly. Installation of a used computer software means you have the option to replace it with an advanced version without a hesitation.

So when you are thinking to install software to enhance the security of your computer at an affordable choice, the used computer software appears as the most economic choice. Opt for this choice to have the reduction in expenditure and maximization of the security level.

If you still have the same old computer monitor that you have had since you bought your first computer then you need to seriously upgrade. The newer models of computer screens that we have the choice to buy today are way better then any computer screens I have ever seen. They even have some computer screens that look like plasma TVs. You just need to get out and go get a new monitor for your computer so you can actually enjoy yourself and your computer. If you haven't upgraded your computer and monitor for like 5 to 8 years then you need to get a whole new setup because that old medieval computer is not going to help you today.

When you are looking for a new monitor for your computer you have a few new options and you still have the same old option, you can either buy an awesome new flat screen monitor for your computer or you can stay old school with your CRT screen. If you can not afford a good flat screen monitor then you can just get a newer version of your CRT. You can just go do that buy going online to EBay or going to some overstock site. If you do however want to spend the little bit of money that it takes to upgrade then I would do so because the new flat screen models are awesome. You should either get a Samsung or a Sony or something. There are many to choose from but only a few are cheap and actually worth the money. So you need to either go online or go to a local computer hardware shop.

LCD displays are having a serious impact on our computer world that we live in today. Liquid crystal displays or LCD's are a new form of computer screen that allows the user to see and work on the computer as if they were just watching the computer. The screens picture quality is so fine that you could stand back 20 feet and still either read what was on the screen or see at least what was on the screen. These types of new monitors are crazy good and will introduce you to a whole other world of computer business.

The other option you may have if you are millionaire is the option of having a plasma TV monitor for your computer. You can hook up TVs to computers in case that you didn't happen to know that already. Even though it wouldn't be for computers it would still look good. However I have heard that they have actually made a new plasma for computers so if you are wanting to figure that out you should go to best buy I am pretty sure that they have what you seek.

So your old computer is outdated and slow and you have decided to buy a new computer. If you are not too familiar with computers, buying one can be quite a complicated process. Most of you who don't know enough about computers will more than likely be taking the sales representatives word for it. However, to prevent any future problems that you may have, its actually better to do your research before you buy a new computer.

The first question you have to ask yourself is what is it that you are going to be doing with your computer. This is also the first question the sales rep will probably ask you as well. Whatever your answer is to this question will let you know what type of computer you need. The two most common types of computers that are being sold are Multi-media computers and workstation computers.

Multi-media Computers

These computers will have most of what you need to do just about anything you can think of. Want to watch TV on your computer? Want to play graphic demanding games? Do you like to listen to music or watch dvd's on your computer? How about producing your own music or home videos? Well, if you answered yes to any of these questions than your safest bet would be to go with a multi-media computer.

Multi-media computers are typically a lot more expensive than work station computers. They come with more RAM, better graphics, better sound cards, bigger hard drives and usually come bundled with some very nice software. However, you will most likely be having more problems with this type of computer.

Workstation Computers

These types of computers are a lot cheaper. Since you use this kind of computer for doing things like browsing the web, writing up all sorts of documents, sending e-mails and getting business done you will not be needing a lot of expensive hardware to make it work really well. The most expensive hardware in these types of computers is the CPU. Every other piece of hardware is pretty much the cheapest of the cheap. Retailers do this to keep costs down and appeal to the consumer looking for the 'budget' computer. They come with both on-board sound and on-board graphics. While it possible to play a few games with this type of computer, don't expect to be playing highly demanding graphical games on max settings. Possibly the best thing about getting a workstation computer is the amount of room you have for upgrades. By using on-board graphics and sound, you will have open 'slots' to latter add a graphics card or a sound card of your own. But, unless you know how to install these things yourself, it really is a gamble.

Now that you know what type of computer you need you can buy accordingly. However, if you are wanting a multi-media type computer but can't afford it you could get away with purchasing a workstation computer and upgrading to a multi-media computer at your convenience. Before you do, you must get as much information from the retailer about the computer as possible. You need to know what type of motherboard, CPU and RAM you have to make changes that significant to your computer. Without having this sort of information, any hardware you purchase for an upgrade could do more damage to your wallet.

A computer is an electronic machine that changes input in the form of some result. A computer consists of hardware and software and available in different sizes and designs. Today, computer is used in each and every field whether it is an educational institution, hospital, home, business etc.

There are different types of computers: super computers or mainframe computers, personal computers, laptop computer and many more. Large companies generally use super computers. Small computers or PC's are meant for individual use. A laptop is also a small computer that can be easily transported and handled. The commonly used type of computer in these days is embedded computer that also control another devices.

A computer mainly consists of four main sections: Arithmetic and logic unit (ALU), control unit, memory unit and input and output devices. It is the important part of the CPU that performs various arithmetic and logical operations. The various input and output (I/O) devices are those through which a computer receives information and changes into the form of results. There are different I/O devices like keyboard, mouse, monitor, printers etc. A control unit controls the overall operations of a computer. The control unit is divided into two different parts: microcoded control units and hardware control units.

There are numerous companies that offer best computers for your service. It is very important to choose the best computer company. Some of the best companies are Dell, Compaq, E Machines, Gateway, Toshiba, HP and Midwest Micro.

You can also shop for computers online. You can also make price comparisons on PC's, laptops, notebook computers and other computer devices online. This can save your time and money and ease your confusion.

We all get excited every time new computers get more powerful and hold more stuff. Just hold tight as computers take the next giant step in a few short years. We've seen the computer shrink in size as the 'microchip' becomes smaller and smaller. Now, scientists know that we can reduce the size of the same tasks down to the size of single atom! These are some of the more interesting developments in computer technology.

Quantum Computers are the future...

The weird world of quantum mechanics doesn't follow the laws of classical physics at all. A quantum bit (qubit) doesn't exist in the typical 0 or 1 binary state of today's computers - a qubit can exist in either, plus a blend of both states. This subtle-sounding difference is the reason quantum transistors will enable a computer to operate 1,000,000,000 times faster than current computers! If you think a computer running at 4 GHz is fast, try one running at 40,000 GHz as predicted. While there are many hurdles to overcome, new techniques and discoveries are being made every day. Many people think that quantum computers could be a reality within just 5 to 10 years.

Optic Computers and Photonics are making progress...

Optic Computers take advantage of the speed of light rather than the speed of electricity, which makes them a good choice for data transmission. Electricity only flows at about 1/10 of the speed of light, but optic or photonic transistors should be able to operate thousands of times faster than today's computers. Already, fiber optic cables are common, but optics will soon be used for switches in computers. Individual photons can be directed to create the off/on switch used in transistors. But, unlike electricity, light beams can travel 'through' each other, eliminating the need for the bulky paths of conventional wiring. This will enable the optic computer to be as small as needed for any application.

Nanodot Storage could be the new hard drive storage...

A nanodot can be 50 nanometers wide and has north and south poles like a magnet. It can respond to outside changes, which makes it a prime candidate for storage. Current research shows that a nanodot drive could hold more than 100 times the capacity of a current hard drive in a much smaller space. Nanodot storage is not too far away, and will revolutionize the way we look at information storage.

Spintronics - another promising yet weird type of storage...

Current computer memory has limitations now that manufacturing processes are approaching limits on the size of transistors. Besides that, computer RAM (temporary memory storage) loses information when the computer is switched off. Now that things are at the quantum level, new possibilities are emerging. One field, called 'Spintronics', measures the 'spin' on an electron. Better yet, even when the computer is shut down, the information is not lost. Spintronic memory works with just a few atoms, probably on a surface created by ingaas fabrication (indium gallium arsenide), a promising new material.

Nanotubes and Graphene instead of silicone chips...

Today's computer chips sit on a silicone wafer, but the future computer may use nanotube fabrication or graphene fabrication instead. A graphene sheet is only one atom thick, and a nanotube is a 'rolled up' sheet of graphene with a diameter of one nanometer. These are considered the future of transistor manufacturing because these structures have excellent properties, such as electrical conduction, good strength and efficient heat properties, plus they can be used for many other types of materials as well.

Going Ballistic - deflecting electrons like a pinball game...

The ballistic deflection transistor bounces atoms around to create a new type of computer transistor. This atomic transistor can operate at terahertz speeds, over a thousand times faster than today's computer, as suggested by a Rochester team developing the technology. Computer chips made with BDT technology would be easy to manufacture and could just be the next wave in computer technology.

While not comprehensive, these are some of the coming trends of the future computer. They may sound like distant dreams, but they are all real, they are all being developed, and will be in your computer store sooner than you imagined.

Frequent use of computers often causes them to develop many problems that need to be rectified as soon as possible in order to keep them functioning at their best. These problems could range from slowing down of computers to shutting down without any warning. Sometimes several windows start piling up and machine goes dead, while other times programs may hang up or system may not shut down. These are some problems that users experience and indicate that computers need to be checked for efficiency.

Computer checks have to be performed on the whole computer system in order to find out relevant problem. Computer malfunction may be rectified by using specific software or manually as well. Improved versions of software are available in electronic markets that may be used to conduct all checks automatically. Various brands of software are available for different types of computers. A thorough check and simultaneous cleansing of all parts are conducted through computer checks.

Most customers do not have in-depth knowledge of computer operation and maintenance. It is beneficial for them to opt for computer checks by manufacturers and other technicians. Some computer stores offer discounted service for their regular and loyal customers who have been visiting them from a long time. Many computer stores provide discounted services for a thorough check up of their computer as a special service. It is advisable for customers to check the background and authenticity of these service providers before authorizing them for computer check up. Discounts are also given on monthly and yearly periodic checks, which the customers can opt for as per their need and convenience.

Many computer manufacturers also offer periodic computer checks to their genuine customers who have purchased their brands of computers. A lot of servicing software and services are available at discounts on the Internet or at local computer stores, which customers can take advantage of.

As an owner of one of the internet cyber cafes in this world, I have come to know much about computers more than I used to know when I was still at school. In school we could find our computers already waiting for us and we couldn't know the procedures the administrators pass through to make them run as they used to do.

After getting much time with computers everyday I now know why computers are sometimes slow. All computers are the same as long they are maintained by the person who can manage them efficiently. It doesn't need you to first go for master's degree in computer science to make your computer run faster. Just follow my simple explanations and your computer will be faster.

You should always avoid unnecessary start up programs .Whenever you install a program on your computer, I think you have seen that it tries to show up every time you start your computer. Let come what may, this will retard the speed of your computer. What you must do is always to avoid them to start without your knowledge because they are also using an unnecessary amount of RAM on your computer.

o The first thing to do is to run a disk clean up...How do you do this?

Go to Start

Then to Programs

Then Accessories

Then to System tools and then lastly click on Disk Cleanup.

This will automatically show you all the files that need to be removed and the space you will gain after removing those files..

o Ever heard disk defragmentation? The amount of the data you put into your computer is scattered on your computer hard disk and what is needed is to make it come together so that the computer doesn't use a lot of force to get the expected data through different paths.

How do you do disk defragmentation?

Go to start

Then to programs

Then to accessories

Then to system tools

And lastly to Disk Defragmenter.

This will show the possibility of first to analyze how your computer's data is scattered on your computer and after analyzing it shows you how much space you are not using because of the fragmentation of data on your computer. Then you will have to defragment and make your computer faster.

o If you're through with disk defragmentation, you can now go for registry congestion clean up. When ever you are on your computer especially using the internet, you always download programs from the internet. These programs are always on the computer registry and even if you delete them or sign them out, they are still in the registry and for that matter you need to clean up the registry to get the space for more downloads and quick access to your computer.

Lastly but not least, if you are using your computer to browse the internet, I think by now you have known that there are some free programs that can be used to clean your computer just by one click on your computer. For me I have been using CCLEANER for almost a year now and I haven't seen any problem with at all.

What you have to do is, Go to Google and write install free ccleaner and you will be directed on how to download it. It will not take more than 5 minutes. To assure you this program will make your computer faster than before.

Computer is a very common device nowadays. Computers are no more an appliance that is used in offices but it is becoming a part of our study room in home also. It is a mechanical gadget that finds its use in every aspect in every ones life. Most of the ladies are very particular in keeping their rooms clean. They supervises the servants and sometime even themselves dust the furniture, sweep and wipe the floors and they take many more efforts to make and look their room clean.

But computer is still driving their attention as they are not satisfied with the age old cleaning tools to clean the computers. By particularly pointing out the ladies, I do not want to offend any section of people. In many cases even men are observed. Cleanliness is such a habit that cannot be characterized to any one section of people. For all the lovers of cleanliness, computer cleaning products serve greatly. Let us see the various computer cleaning products and know about them.

There are a lot of innovations in the field of computers. There are many forms of computers. The most common are the laptops, desktops, and palmtops and notebook computers. For the different forms of computers there are various forms of computer cleaning products. Even the computer cleaning products are characterized by hardware cleaning products and the software cleaning products. The software cleaning products are the software itself. These are the anti-virus software that check for the virus and also clean the computer from viruses. Even there are virus scanners, which scan for the virus and clean the computer if any.

Let us now come to the hardware computer cleaning products. The monitor of the PC is often covered with dust and if you simply wipe them with a piece of cloth, some scratches appear on the screens. To avoid getting these scratches, use cleaning sprays. These sprays are a part of computer cleaning product kit. Besides liquid sprays, you also need some soft pads that would help you to wipe of the dust from the monitor. To remove dust that remains in between the keys in the keyboard, you should use the mini vacuum suction. These are most often referred to as blowers.

Whatever may be the part of the computer, whether hardware or software, you need to take particular care while cleaning them. Many computer cleaning products are available in the market. You can purchase them both online and offline. But while purchasing note that it is compatible for your computer type. You can also seek assistance from the computer cleaning experts. Such expert advice is often found on the net. There are many parts in the computer, cleaning them need certain skills and expertise. Like the inside of CPU and UPS. You should not take the risk of cleaning them that could even mess them up. For the cleaning of these parts you should go for the computer cleaner. Cleaning of such parts is not necessary regularly required. Once or twice in a year you should call for the cleaners to clean your PC.

Keeping your computer clean with the good and quality cleaning products would increase the longevity of your computer and will also offer you enhanced performance.

Eventually, there may come a time when you realize that your computer is just not performing as well as you need it to. And since every computer owner needs his/her machine to perform tasks efficiently and as quickly as possible, your computer becomes obsolete when it becomes less than you need it to be. However, before tossing it on the junk heap in favor of a new machine, perhaps you should consider some upgrades. You will likely spend less money and be able to meet your needs at the same time. With that being said, here are three of the most popular upgrades users commonly choose for their computers.

Your computer's memory is an essential component of its internal operating system. Memory upgrades probably rank as one of the most popular upgrades for computer owners. It is also a pretty simple upgrade and one of the quickest, easiest things that you can do to boost your computer's productivity.

If you are planning on upgrading your computer's memory, you will first need to determine how much memory your computer currently has. You will also need to know how many empty slots you have for upgrading the memory. If your computer was new when you purchased it and you have not upgraded it, this information is normally provided in the user manual that came with your system. Otherwise, you will need to perform a BIOS check to see how much memory you currently have. Then you will also need to open your computer's case to check the number of empty slots.

Once you have checked these things, check your computer's manual to find compatible memory types. When you are purchasing memory modules, it is usually best to buy the most memory you can with the least amount of modules.

Another popular upgrade many people consider when upgrading their systems is DVD/burner upgrade. Though most computers now include at least DVD player/CD burner, some older computers only include a CD player. These days, though, much of the media disbursed in video format, especially with the recent explosion of video online. If you are considering an upgrade, then you will want to choose a DVD+R/RW drive which lets you read and burn both CDs and DVDs. These drives can also format information as well as burn it to a disc at the same time.

If you love playing all of the graphics intensive games that are now available, you may find yourself needing a more advanced video card, which is another popular computer upgrade. With some of the newest games, a high end video card is a requirement to even play the game.

Choosing a video card can be a little confusing, though, because there are so many on the market. You will first need to check either your computer manual or motherboard to determine which video cards are compatible with your system. You should purchase a video card that allows for the fastest rate of data transfer. Ask a computer specialist to explain the differences between the video cards if you are uncertain about your choice.

These are only a few of the most popular upgrades for computers. Some others include sound card and motherboard upgrades. Before trading in your computer for a new one, be sure to shop around to see if an upgrade might be a more cost effective option.

Being an Information Technology (I.T.) Consultant - or a "Computer Guy" as I prefer to be called - can be a dangerous profession. Sometimes when people find out what I do for a living, I practically get tackled! "Hey, I'm about to buy a new computer...what should I get?" After being a computer guy for nearly twenty years, I'm a good person to ask. In this article, I will share with you the my advice on how to buy a new computer.

There is nothing more frustrating than spending your hard-earned money on a new computer and ending up being frustrated because you didn't get what you wanted. By following a few simple guidelines, you can buy the perfect computer for your needs without spending an arm and a leg.

If you are considering buying a laptop, please read my article "Should I Buy a Desktop or Laptop computer?" (available at my website) to help you make up your mind. If you are certain that a desktop is the right choice for you, then here is my advice on how to pick the perfect new computer to suit your needs.

What Kind of Computer?

There are many brands of computers available. (I happen to be an unabashed fan of Dell Computers. I have recommended Dell desktop, laptop, and server computers to my friends, family, and clients for many years and continue to be impressed with their quality, value, and performance. Each Thursday I check out the latest Dell deals as they come out, and post the deal of the week on my website.) However, if you prefer another brand, just take the following guidelines into account and you'll be fine.

I specifically do NOT recommend that you buy your new computer at a big retail outlet, discount club, or office supply store for the following reasons:

-- Windows XP Professional is usually not available on retail store computers.

-- The Office suite is often a "Trial", requiring you to pay more money in 60 days to keep using it.

-- Technical support is often expensive, outsourced overseas, and not great quality.

What Operating System?

I strongly recommend Windows XP Professional for your operating system. The professional version is a $100 upgrade from the Home Edition, and it is worth it. While the interface is nearly identical, there are some important features that XP Professional has that you want., such as:

-- Advanced networking features which are required for any office environment where you will be attached to a server.

-- Better networking and security features

-- Fax capabilities

-- Enhanced backup/system recovery options

-- Remote Desktop, which allows you to take over your computer from anywhere in the world! (Forget paying $20/mo for GoToMyPC or LogMeIn...just buy WinXP Professional and the functionality is built in!)

What about WinXP Media Center edition and Windows VISTA? I'm not a fan of either. WinXP Media Center turns your computer into a jukebox, Tivo, and DVD player. If you are a college student with limited space in your dorm room, this might be ok. But my experience is, people invest in a WinXP Media Center computer, and after the newness wears off, they go back to using their TV to watch TV again. I don't believe in clogging up your computer with software that you aren't using on a regular basis.

Windows Vista is too new, and while it shows promise, I don't recommend a new operating system until Service Pack One is released. As the old saying goes, "You can always tell the pioneers by the arrows in their backs". Let someone else debug Vista. My opinion on this will likely change later in 2007 or early 2008 when some of the issues have been worked out.

How Much RAM??

Get a minimum of One Gigabyte (1024 Megabytes) of RAM. The single most important thing you can do to speed up your computer is to make sure it has plenty of RAM. Invest in a GIG now and you'll never regret it. Your computer may run fast when you first pull it out of the box, but once you start installing software, surfing the Internet, downloading music, or doing whatever it is you do...trust me, things are going to start to slow down.

512Megs is the bare minimum for a Windows XP computer with Service Pack 2 installed (my rule, not Microsoft's). 768Megs is better, and a Gig is optimal. If you are into video editing, CAD/CAM, or Photoshop, you might want to invest in more than a Gigabyte. Another reason to buy more now is so you can upgrade to Vista later. If that is your plan, get two Gigabytes now.

What Kind of Processor??

The minimum processor and hard drive are probably adequate. For most people, the "slowest" processor offered is probably more than adequate. Faster processers are often available for $50-$500 more, but I think you're wasting your money if you are like most users and just want to surf the web, read email, do some word processing etc. Spend that extra money on more RAM or an external hard disk for backups instead!

How Big of a Hard Disk??

Similarly, unless you really plan on downloading tons of music and movies or take LOTS of big digital photos, the "smallest" hard drive available is probably adequate. As an example, Windows XP and Microsoft Office combined take up less than 4 Gigs. Most of the hard drives I see have less than 20 Gigs used. Just go for the minimum drive (it's probably 60-80 Gigs) and, if you run out of space you can always invest in second internal or external hard drive later.

An exception to this rule is that lately I have noticed Dell charging only $10 to upgrade from an 80Gig hard drive to a 160Gig hard drive. Obviously, it is worth a mere $10 to double your hard drive space.

Summary?

By following just a few guidelines, you can save yourself a lot of money and buy the best computer that will serve you well for many years to come. Remember to seriously consider Windows XP Pro, get a GIG of RAM, and go with the minimum processor and smallest hard drive. For more advice, tips and tricks, visit my website.