Computers and Technology

Computer errors are very common and every computer user may face different kinds of issues so they should learn about the solutions of the common computer related problems. The common factors that cause problems in computer are viruses, spyware, Trojan horses, adware, corrupted registry, faulty hardware, low memory, low capacity hard disk, low CPU speed and stuffing computers with large number of software applications. In this article, I have compiled a list of the most common computer problems and their solutions.

Computer is very slow

This is very common issue and it arises due to the several factors such as too many programs running at the startup, low RAM, low processor speed, spyware running as a background application, errors in the Windows registry and the buildup of the garbage files on the hard disk. Scanning your computer with an up-to-dated anti virus and anti spyware program, cleaning and repairing Windows registry, increasing memory, deleting temporary files, deselecting the programs at startup and uninstalling unwanted software applications can solve this problem to a very large extent.

Network Server is not accessible

In a networked environment every computer depends on the server for logon authentication, files access, internet and printing access and sharing server resources. The downtime and the communication failure with the server are very problematic and frustrating for the users. Check both end of the network cable and make sure that the attached RJ-45 connectors are properly plugged into the LAN card and hub/switch. Ping the server's IP and make sure you get the reply from server. Ensure that your server is on and working fine. A large number of the running applications on the server and simultaneous access to the server from a number of users can slow down the performance and speed of the server. Scan your PC with an up-to-dated antivirus program because certain viruses and spyware are responsible for the communication failure. Replace your LAN card with new one and assign different IP address and try to connect with the server.

Computer locks up or freezes

Missing .dll files, viruses, faulty registry, defective RAM and spyware slows down the performance of the server and it locks up frequently. Scanning PC with the anti virus and anti spyware program, cleaning and repairing registry and increasing RAM can solve this issue.

Computer won't boot

Faulty power cable, power extension and power supply all contributes to this problem. Checking one by one each of the above components can pinpoint the problematic part. Simply replace that part with new one and your compute is okay.

Computer reboots itself

Defective cooling fan, power supply, RAM, viruses and spyware can cause this to happen.

Memory usage is maximum in computer

Either the memory is less than the recommend memory to run certain applications, swap memory chips with each other, scan your computer for viruses and spyware, increasing the page file and physical memory can overcome this problem.

Browser's home page has changed itself

This is most likely a spyware problem and scanning computer with an up-to-dated anti spyware program can fix this issue.

Computer's clock losing time

If you see that your computer's clock is losing time frequently replace your CMOS battery.

My computer can't get connected to internet

Check IP address, gateway address, scan your PC for viruses and spyware, check network cables and make sure that server's or gateway's firewall application is not blocking http requests from your PC.

Computer making noises

Faulty RAM, VGA, hard disk, Sound card, Processor and other components produce noises. Make sure that each hardware device is properly connected inside the PC and if the problem is still not resolved then replace the faulty hardware component with new one.

Computers are always prone to error like humans. There are many tips that must be followed to speed up and fixing computers that go slow with time. Many things must be dome to make the computer perform well with as the time advances. This will make the computer robust as it operates longer.

Maintenance tips can keep the computer perform better so the user won't have to wonder why is my computer very slow. The person's computer is exposed to a number of harsh elements on a regular basis, including heat, dust, and moisture - all of which can cause its deterioration and make it very slow. The first thing needed to be mindful is the way it is is turned off and on. The user should turn off a computer only after Windows has properly shut down; otherwise, adverse effects can occur to the hard drive. When turning on a computer, one must avoid entering commands until Windows has fully started up; otherwise, the computer will slow down.

In connection with power, it is strongly recommended that the user protect his computer from critical power outages and high and low voltage occurrences by using an uninterruptible power supply or UPS. A UPS performs better than a surge protector; it will help the user computer hurdle through power disasters of any kind and keep it away from crashes that can turn a computer very slow. Loss or cutting of power may lead to the loss of important data or the impossible recovery of files. Another way to protect from these unfortunate events is by performing back up every time. Most homes have UPS; the user just needs to search his house for one that he can use.

One of the most critical reasons that can slow the computer and make it unhealthy is the malware, viruses or any attacking program that reside on the computer which are viewed as enemies to the computer system. These types of virus can damage many parts of the computer such as the hard drive and memories besides slowing it. It is therefore important the computer user scan the computer on a regular basis against viruses. To scan the computer, antivirus software must be installed on the computer. The best ones are the kasper and Norton anti-virus software.

The user must also clean computer registry all the time to make sure that the computer will remain fast all the time. Many clean up software are existed that can perform the cleaning process. Cleaning registry is one of the secrets for maintaining fast computer. Memory cleaning will not just make the computer faster but it will prevent computer runtime errors.

Doing maintenance on a computer is easier than most people think. It is the best and cheapest way to make the computer healthy. If the user regularly does scan on his computer, it will save him many things including time, work, and money. Also cleaning up registry will keep the processor working well.

I know for a fact that not all of us can afford to purchase high-end computers, but I'm pretty sure of one thing. You can make your computer faster just by performing a Windows cleanup on a regular basis to fix Windows registry. Slow computers can get really annoying especially if we need to finish something very important. This article will show you the main cause of a slow computer and how you can make your computer faster by conducting a Windows cleanup to easily fix Windows registry.

If you know how to make your computer faster, you can be more efficient and finish multiple tasks at the same time. However, you need to know the reason behind a slow computer before conducting a Windows cleanup. This will help you better understand why you need to fix Windows registry and how it can make your computer faster. The process of a Windows cleanup is very easy and if you have the right tools, you can make your computer faster almost automatically.

One of the most common causes of a slow computer is a corrupted registry. In order to successfully perform a Windows cleanup and make your computer faster, you need to know how to fix Windows registry. But before showing you how you can easily fix Windows registry to make your computer faster, let me first show you what a registry is and how it can cause a slow computer.

The registry is a vital part of your computer that stores all the information needed in order to perform a specific task or successfully launch an application. Every time you download files and install or uninstall programs the registry is being modified in order to match the system settings and your preferences. These configurations make the registry more prone to corrupted files that can slow computer down. In order to make your computer faster, you need to remove all these corrupted files and fix Windows registry by performing a Windows cleanup.

Unfortunately, the computer doesn't have the capability to fix Windows registry, hence you need to restore a slow computer manually or automatically using Windows cleanup tools. Once the registry is filled with corrupted files, the computer will have a hard time finding the files that it needs in order to properly launch an application, which is why you have a slow computer. You need to perform a Windows cleanup using a registry cleaner in order to fix Windows registry and make your computer faster again.

With the help of a registry cleaner, you can restore a slow computer and fix Windows registry automatically. Although you can manually perform a Windows cleanup in order to make your computer faster, the process can be too complicated and a single mistake can lead to even bigger problems. I'm a computer expert myself, but every time I deal with a slow computer, I always prefer to use a registry cleaner to perform a Windows cleanup because it helps me fix Windows registry more efficiently.

If you want to successfully conduct a Windows cleanup, you need three very important tools; an antivirus, an anti-spyware, and a registry cleaner. These programs will not only protect your computer from harmful files but will also help you make your computer faster. Always remember that if you are dealing with a slow computer, the first thing that you need to do is to fix Windows registry.

Have you bought your personal computer already? And just don't tell me you have a Tandy 1000! I am sure you have hurled it in an empty room. I am talking about a real up-to-date computer. Is it a computer with all Internet access capabilities? Is it one, which is the latest array of technology! Maybe I'm going too far with this computer stuff. I just want you to be sure that you have the proper PC or Mac.

In order to witness the latest achievements of technology you'd better upgrade your computer. Otherwise, you should be acquainted with the wide variety of computers for sale. The computer is such a complicated machine that if fact there is no limit to what is available for sale. Computers can perform many complicated tasks nowadays. Do you want to burn a CD? Do not worry at all! Do you want to have high-speed cable Internet access at home? You will surely have it! Up-to-date machines can satisfy all your whims. You just need to search for computers for sale. If you don't have a proper computer, computers for sale are your only chance.

Now, we must make sure that you are aware of where to look for computers for sale. PCs shopping are not a difficult challenge. Computers for sale are available almost everywhere. I guess that there is even a PC shop on your street. May be one of the best places for shopping for PCs is Circuit City.
Computers For Sale

Then, you should think twice of what you want your personal computer to be able to do. If you want your computer to perform simple tasks like Internet access, sending e-mails and typing documents, it will be easy to choose. Moreover, your computer won't cost very much. For example, you can buy a Dell desktop package for around 300 dollars. This is a reasonable price. The package consists of monitor, tower, keyboard, mouse and often a printer. Another good shop for computers for sale is Best Buy. You can find there great alternatives of computers for sale ranging from Sony to IBM.

Do you prefer to buy a simple desktop PC or you dream of a mini notebook computer? I was very glad to see that nowadays they offer computers for sale as small as a half an inch thick. These computers even work as good as the desktop PCs! Using your computer, you are able to spend less to buy your favorite music. You can do this by simply downloading the tunes to the computer, and then burn them to a CD.

On the World-Wide-Web, a superfluity of computers for sale is available. The choice is so big that you may find yourself lost it the variety of computers for sale. Have you already searched for computers for sale? You can find online everything that is connected with computers in some way. Try to receive an advice that you are offered the best deals on hardware and software. Isn't it time to take a look at the computers for sale online? When talking about computers, things are changing every day.

Many people, including myself, choose to custom build our own computers from scratch, part by part. Although it is very fun to build your own computer, this isn't the only reason that we choose to build it ourselves. There are many advantages to building your own computer.

1. Low Cost

Isn't money the number one motivation to do anything? When I say building it yourself is low cost, I really mean it. You aren't going to save just a little bit either. I am talking about savings of up to $800 when you build it yourself. That's right! The brand name pre-built computers are way overpriced. They are making a killing off of you. The only thing that is worse than the brand name pre-built computers are those online custom computer configuration shops. I am talking about those guys that let you choose your own parts, assemble it for you, and then ship it to you. Those guys rip you off big time!

2. Building a Computer is a Great Skill

How many households have a computer today? A recent survey estimates that as much as 80% of American households have at least one computer. Some households have more than one. Hell, I have three computers and one notebook in my house! Now think about it. Building a computer is a skill that can be used in over 80% of American households.

3. You Will Learn so Much

When you first build a computer, you gain a lot of knowledge. You will learn about all kinds of things that you never would have stopped to think about. Maybe you will learn that you are more into technology than you first thought. All of the best jobs are in IT. Who knows? Maybe after you build your first computer you'll be ready to change careers!

4. You Know Exactly What is Under the Hood

Besides low costs, this is the second biggest reason why I choose to custom build all of my computers. Big computer retailers throw in all kinds of low-quality parts into your system. Many of the parts don't even have a brand name. When somebody asks you what kind of video card is in your computer you won't even know because the computer vendor doesn't have to tell you! They do it on a daily basis. Go to any website that sells computers and try to find out what brand of parts are used inside of the computer. I guarantee you won't find the names of the parts anywhere! Even those online custom computer configuration guys do it. They put generic, no-name parts into your computer, then charged you an extra $800 for nothing! That money goes straight into their pockets. If you decided to custom build your own computer you could have put that money into a faster processor, a better graphics card, more memory. You could have used that $800 to build an entire gaming rig! Build your own computer with all custom ordered parts and you will know exactly what brand and model of parts are being used in your computer. Besides that, you know the parts are high quality.

5. Most Parts Come With a 1-Year Warranty

That's right! You know how most brand name computer warranties are void even if you just open up the case or touch any of the parts? Well not with a custom built computer. Each part that you order will come with it's own warranty. That means you get a separate warranty for the case, the processor, the memory, the hard drive, etc. If one part goes bad you can just send it back for a new one. It's really hard to void these warranties also. As long as you don't pour a bottle of Coca-Cola all over your computer, the warranty should be fine.

As you can see, the advantages of custom building your own computer seriously outweigh those of buying a pre-built computer. Building your own computer really isn't as hard as you'd think either. You probably know somebody who could help you build your first one. And even if you don't, a lot of instructions come with the parts that you buy. The first time I built a computer alone, it took me a little over an hour to do it. Now I can build one in maybe 30 minutes to an hour. The time it takes is nothing when you think of the fact that you are saving hundreds of dollars by doing it yourself!

Computer games are enjoyed just as much by adults as they are by children. Computer games are not just for pleasure but they can also teach you to think clearly and make quick decisions. The computer game is usually sold on standard storage media, such as compact discs, DVD, and floppy disks. Computer games are available for the home PC or can be played in different forms at Amusement arcades and many Corner stores.

Learning With Computers

Computers have the potential to address the requirements of a wide range of learning styles, and sometimes many needs can be accommodated within a single computer game program. Computer games allow you to step into their virtual worlds, to become part of the events that are taking place within the game. Computer games offer the pleasure of mastery, both visual and intellectual. Computer software today is not really that highly priced compared to other forms of common entertainment. Learning can sometimes become boring and repetitive but by using computer games to help with the learning process the attention span can be captured and maintained for many people including children.

Computer Games

Games are a fundamental part of human existence. There are many areas of computer gaming available for example, gambling, fantasy role playing and war games. Games played on home computers may utilize a joystick, keyboard or game pad (usually in some combination with each other). A broadband connection to the internet is very common in most households and allows game players to interact in multi player games with others across the world as though they are sitting next to each other in the same room. Games are objectively unreal in that they do not physically re create the situations they represent, yet they are subjectively real to the player.

Playing Games

Computer games are also now adult entertainment, and we shouldn't actually be surprised that adults want the same sort of things out of games as they do out of movies. Computer games are continually pushing the envelope of a computer's capabilities so to create a computer that handles them with ease hits a high mark. As technology increases and better computer hardware is made, the computer game programmers are able to build even more life like games to entertain the masses. Now that PCs can easily handle full-motion video, nearly every modern computer game is structured into levels punctuated by cinematic interludes. The game is wrapped in a story, and the reward for successfully realizing the game goals is that you get to see more of the story unfold.

Playing chess will make you better at strategic decisions, while playing football will keep you fit. Playing video games can keep your mind active and is fun whilst helping you develop and improve hand to eye co-ordination and quick decision making skills. These skills are very useful in life and are used in many different situations we encounter in day to day life. There is a massive choice of computer games on the market today, so no matter what your taste, there will be a computer game for you.

We all want our computers to hum along without fail. Some basic maintenance can prevent the majority of problems. If problems do happen, here are ways to get them fixed as quickly and easily as possible.

General principles

1. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Most problems can be avoided if some prevention is done.

Here are some computer maintenance tips

• Prevent viruses and other malicious software from doing damage to your system by implementing effective computer internet security
• Maintain your computer speed by taking steps to correct things that will slow you down.
• Be careful what you download to your computer. Don't download risky or questionable software.
• Be sure that software that you install is the right software for your operating system. This is especially true for Vista since many companies haven't caught up yet and may not have the proper software for Vista.
• Maintain the physical state of your system. Heat is the worst enemy of your hardware. Don't allow your computer fans to be blocked. Be careful with liquids or food around the computer. The computer hates water.
• Backup your computer so that you can recover any data lost through error or hardware failure.

2.If problems do arise, the guidelines listed below will simplify problem solving to a great degree.

3. You have to determine what the problem is before you can fix it. There are many aids to troubleshooting available.

1. Your operating system provides help from the start menu. It provides step by step guidance on a great number of problems.
2. There are a number of websites that offer to help troubleshooting for free.
3. You can contact your computer and/or hardware manufacturer in most cases. Many have 24/7 toll free service and they can help you evaluate your problems.
4. You can search for solutions to your problems on the web.
5. There are websites that have experts to help you if you have a subscription.
6. There are online services that will analyze your computer for a fee. They may also be able to solve your problem directly on your computer.
7. If all else fails, you will need to bring it to a computer repair outlet. You should check the rating of these repair sites before using them.

4. You can fix many problems but some require more care or expertise.

Keep track of your installation software CDs and keys and any manuals provided. Once you know the cause of your problem, in many cases you can fix it yourself. In general, you should be very careful about repairs that require changing the registry. If you need to install a new driver, back up first and do it if the instructions are clear and don't raise any concerns.

Replacing or adding memory or changing hardware can be done with some care by those with a bent for do it yourself.

Changing the motherboard (the main board on which all the computer's main components and hardware control resides) is something best left to experts.

Summary

With some tender loving care, your computer can serve you faithfully and worry free.

A Gaming Computer, also known as gaming PC, is a personal computer that is capable of playing computationally and graphically demanding video games. They are very similar to conventional computers with the exception that these machines are fitted with performance-oriented video card and other specifications. This type of computers can be easily bought in the market but at a much higher price compared to the conventional computers. Since most of the gamers are both cost and performance conscious, most of them opt to build their own gaming computer than buying a built-in gaming computer.

Building your own custom gaming computer simply means you buy all your computer components separately and piece them up together to guild your gaming PC. With this method you can achieve a fast and cost-effective gaming computer suited to your own gaming needs. Besides saving a lot of money and having an efficient machine, building your own gaming computer can also be a lot of fun.

How to choose your components?

Perhaps the biggest challenge one can face when building their own gaming computer is choosing the right components for your needs. So without further ado, here is a simple guide in order to help you in building your own gaming computer.

1. Central Processing Unit (CPU)

The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is one of the most important core components in all computer systems. The CPU is a portion in the system that carries out the instructions of a computer program. In simple terms it could describe as the brains of the computer. The performance of your games and other applications will depend on this microprocessor.

Choosing the best Central Processing Unit (CPU) for your gaming computer can be a hard decision to make. Picking the latest, fastest, or most expensive processor on the market won't always result in the right CPU for your particular system. Some processors are designed to work with a certain or specific motherboards, thus the CPU type limits the motherboard type you can use.

For a gaming computer, you will really need a powerful CPU for it to performing superbly. Luckily these CPUs are supplied by Intel and AMD (Advanced Micro Devices) at an affordable price.

Intel has the Core i7 and Core i5 processor models. Currently these models are the most popular ones used for gaming purposes, which are mostly recommended for gaming computers.

AMD, on the other hand, has the Athlon and Phenom series. If you want to go AMD, you can try the most recommended Phenom X4 series.

2. Motherboard

The motherboard is the hub of the computer system. It is where all other components are connected to. If we consider the CPU as the brain of the computer system, then the motherboard is the central nervous system. Thus buying the best motherboard is a good investment.

After choosing your CPU, next you need to consider choosing your motherboard for your gaming computer. When selecting a motherboard, you should remember three things.

First, a motherboard will generally support one type of processor only. Different CPUs have different connectors that physically vary with one another, Make sure that your CPU plug is suitable to your mother board connector.

Second, motherboards have a certain speed limitation depending on the processor model. Maximum processor speed allowed by the motherboard will be quoted in the motherboard specifications. Before buying, check whether your selected motherboard can support your chosen CPU.

Third, motherboards are the ones who can dictate the type and amount of RAM you can have. In a gaming computer, you would want to have either DDR SDRAM or RDRAM which is at least 1G worth. So ensure that your motherboard can support this type and amount of memory.

Here are some examples of well-known motherboards manufacturers where you can browse for your perfect gaming motherboard: ASUS, ABIT, MSI, XFX, EVGA, Intel, and Gigabyte.

3. Hard Drive

The hard drive is the computer component responsible for storing your files and programs. When buying a hard drive for your gaming computer, consider these three main features: speed, size, and the type of interface.

[Speed] Basically the faster the hard drive spins the fast you are able to access and transfer your data. Currently, the best hard drives in the market these days can have a speed around 7200rpm (rounds per minute). In a gaming computer, you don't want anything less than this; else it will cause delays between reading and writing data.

Faster hard drives that reach speeds of 10,000rpm and 15,000rpm are available in the market at a higher price. For your gaming computer, a 7200rpm hard drive is already enough for but if you can shell out more money, then you can opt for these faster hard drives.

[Size] Hard drives come in different sizes, which can range from 80GB to 500GB and more. For your gaming computer, it is always recommended that you purchase the largest hard drive you can afford. This will allow you to store lots and lots of software and data (including games).

[Interface] The interface of the hard drive is responsible for managing the exchange of data between a computer and the hard drive. Currently, the most commonly used hard drive interface used today is Advanced Technology Attachment (ATA); which comes in two forms, the original Parallel ATA (PATA) and the newer and faster Serial ATA (SATA).

There's also the expensive Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) which are used primarily for high-end workstation computer. For you gaming computer, it is sufficient enough to have the SATA if your motherboard can support it.

4. Video Card

Choosing the right video card that is supported by both your CPU and motherboard is a very important and tough decision to make. The gaming video card you choose will be responsible for producing the dazzling 3D graphics and effects seen in the latest computer games. A better graphics card can deliver a better 3D gaming experience, so the best and affordable video card should be bought for you gaming computer.

The graphic processing unit (GPU) can be connected to your motherboard through AGP or PCI Express slot. For you gaming computer, it is recommended that you use a graphics card connected through a PCI Express slot on your motherboard.

The speed and efficiency of the GPU should not be the only thing that counts when buying your video card. You should also consider the advance 3D rendering effects such as anti-aliasing, anisotropic filtering, bump-mapping, pixel shaders and much more. For your gaming computer, consider a video card that can support such latest 3D rendering techniques in the software world.

Like the CPU market, there are two primary competing companies that current dominate the graphic card. These companies are ATI and nVidia. ATI is responsible for the Radeon series, while nVidia is marketing the GeForce line of cards.

5. Power Supply

One of the vital and overlooked components of the computer system is the power supply. Without a power supply, the computer will not be able to operate its functions. Its main purpose is to convert AC power from the main line to usable low-voltage DC power for the internal components of the computer. The power supply gives out three different DC voltages to your computer 12VDC, 5VDC, and 3VDC which are used differently by computer components.

Each power supply has a certain amount of energy or wattage based on their maximum output power. Wattages commonly ranges from 300W to 500W but some high-end gaming power supply can reach ranges of 800W to 1kW.

If you want to use a power supply for you gaming computer, it is recommended to have at least a power supply ranging from 500W and above.

6. Gaming Monitor

One of the most expensive components in your gaming computer would be the computer monitor. When buying a gaming computer monitor you only need to consider three things: size, native resolution, and price.

[Size] Computer monitors comes in different sizes from the small 15 inches to a larger 23 inches, and even larger. 17 inches is a common size and large enough for most people, but if you want to increase your viewing and gaming experience then a larger size monitor is advisable.

[Native Resolution] Each monitor has been designed for a certain resolution, which is known as the native resolution. If you change the resolution of a monitor to a resolution that doesn't coincide with its native resolution; the image will then be scaled and the quality will be lessen significantly. Native resolution of a monitor is dependent on its size. Here are some examples of native resolution for common sizes:

17 inches 1024x768

19 inches 1280x1024

20 inches 1600x1200

[Cost] Prices vary greatly between sizes, where smaller ones cost cheaper than larger ones. So choose a size that can satisfy your need while taking into consideration your budget.

7. Gaming Keyboard

Custom built keyboards designed specifically for gaming can give an edge to a gamer using it. But currently, there is no general gaming keyboard that can be recommended for all gamers. Why? This is due to the fact that different gamers have different or varying styles of play, posture, and wrist anatomy. So basically, there is no such thing as a gaming keyboard that is best for everyone.

According to Build-Gaming-Computers, one of the best gaming keyboards available in the market is the Logitech G15 Gaming Keyboard. This keyboard has been custom-made to meet a gamer's need. It specifically features:

a. An adjustable, backlit LCD screen that displays important in-game information during gameplay;

b. Backlit keys to play in the dark or low-lit areas;

c. 18 programmable "G keys" used to execute macros; and

d. Timer controls to keep track of game events.

8. Gaming Mouse

Like the gaming keyboard, choosing the best gaming mouse can help increase the level of your gaming experience. Using a custom-designed gaming mouse gives the best accuracy and control which allows you to play games at your best.

Computer mouse come in different types which are the optical, laser, and ball mice types. Currently, optical and laser type mouse are commonly used due to their precision and better tracking, allowing for more accuracy and control.

When selecting the best mouse for your gamin computer, you should consider a number of factors. One of the most important one is the resolution. Resolution is the number of pixels per inch a mouse's optical sensor and focusing lens can see when you move the mouse around. The higher the resolution a mouse has, the better the accuracy and precision.

Next consider the responsiveness of the mouse. It is the number of megapixels per second the mouse can process. This is important especially in fast-paced games such as first person shooters games. The more megapixels per second the mouse can process, the more responsive it is; thus it offers faster and precise control in your games.

So when buying a gaming mouse, consider the resolution and responsiveness of the mouse you are going to buy.

Custom Gaming Computer Builds

Here are some examples of custom gaming computer builds suggested by Build-Gaming-Computers.

The Budget Gaming Desktop

CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Quad Core Processor

Price: 140.00

Motherboard: Asus M4A79XTD EVO Motherboard

Price: 100.00

RAM: Corsair XMS3 4GB Dual Channel DDR3 RAM

Price: 50.00

Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar Black 500 GB

Price: 55.00

Video Card: Sapphire 100283-3L Radeon HD 5770 Video Card

Price: 100.00

Power Supply: Thermaltake TPX-775M Toughpower XT 775W Power Supply

Price: 70.00

Total

Price: 515.00

The Mid-Range Gaming Desktop

CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K BX80623I52500 Unlocked Processor

Price: 230.00

Motherboard: ASUS P8P67 Pro Intel P67 Motherboard

Price: 200.00

RAM: Corsair XMS3 4GB Dual Channel DDR3 RAM

Price: 50.00

Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar Black 500 GB

Price: 55.00

Video Card: XFX HD585XZAFC Radeon HD 5850

Price: 150.00

Power Supply: Cooler Master GX Series 650W

Price: 95.00

Total

Price: 780.00

The High-End Gaming Desktop

CPU: Intel Core i7 960

Price: 570.00

Motherboard: ASUS P6T Motherboard

Price: 230.00

RAM: Corsair XMS3 Tri Channel 12GB

Price: 230.00

Hard Drive: Intel X25-M Solid State Hard Drive 80 GB

Price: 220.00

or

Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB

Price: 95.00

Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 5970 2GB

Price: 680.00

Power Supply: Corsair TX750W 750-Watt Power Supply

Price: 110.00

Total

Price: 2135.00

Miscellaneous

Mouse

Logitech MX518 Gaming Mouse

Price: 43.00

Logitech Gaming Mouse G500

Price: 50.00

Keyboard

Logitech G15 Gaming Keyboard

Price: 95.00

Logitech G19 Gaming Keyboard

Price: 190.00

Monitor

ACER X223WDbd 22" Widescreen LCD

Price: 150.00

Samsung P2570HD 25" Widescreen LCD

Price: 290.00

Samsung P2770HD 27" LCD Monitor

Price: 350.00

HP 2709M 27" Full HD Widescreen LCD Monitor

Price: 380.00

Computers are all the rage these days, and it seems that just about nothing can be accomplished without the aid of computers. The dramatic growth of the computer industry has led to an ever increasing demand for trained, qualified computer professionals. This demand has, in turn, led to the mushrooming of an enormous number of computer centers that offer computer education.

Various computer centers focus on different needs, with some centers offering general computer education for beginners and novices while others teach advanced computing courses for skilled professionals. Still others teach courses that focus on a particular programming language or operating system, with the intention of making the student an expert in that specific programming language or operating system.

General computer courses teach basic skills relating to various operating systems like Windows, Mac, Linux or Unix, and also a few important pieces of software such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Internet Explorer, Netscape, etc. Some examples of advanced courses are those that deal with database administration, security specialization, systems administration, network administration, graphics designing, advanced programming languages, etc.

Computer education centers vary in size, quality and teaching methods. There are centers that have facilities which allow them to cater only to a few students while others are capable of handling hundreds of students at once. It's important to remember that the larger size of a computer education center does not automatically translate into better quality. In fact, centers with a few computers are able to provide their students with the sort of personalized attention that larger centers cannot. Most computer education centers focus on "hands-on" training, with the emphasis being on practical work rather than classroom teaching.

When hunting around for a computer education center, it is wise to pick one that has been certified by leading companies in the computer industry, like Microsoft, IBM, Cisco, Oracle, Intel, Apple, etc. Each of these companies provides specific computer education centers with certification, which is basically permission to operate courses that relate to products released by them. Such certification is provided only after the credentials of the center have been thoroughly verified, so joining a certified center is a safe bet that one will have access to the best of facilities and instruction.

Computer performance optimization solutions are at need in today's computer world. With so much software and terabytes of information running through your computer, your computer will eventually start to lag or even crash. Latest computers are capable of executing billions of operations per second, but you might notice that no matter how good your computer is, it tends to slow down and eventually stall. How does this happen, even when latest computers are advertised saying that their capable such massive number of operation per second. Well the truth is no matter if your computer is brand new out of the box or ancient as dinosaurs, the key to computer performance is the computer's registry. Since this is pretty complicated topic, I have formatted this article in a question and answer format and explained everything in simplest context.

What is computer registry?

The windows registry is in charge of all the hardware and software setting saved on your computer. It is one of the most important processes required to run your computer. Without the windows registry your computer won't remember any of your settings every time you boot up your computer.

How can the windows registry help in my computer performance optimization?

The windows registry can also be referred to as a giant cache. A cache set of data that has been duplicated and stored in a location where the computer can access it easily when ordered to. The original set of data maybe harder for the computer to access because it's in a farther location than the cache. The data stored in the cache include software settings, hardware settings, etc. The computer goes to the windows registry call out information that it needs when your order it do a specific task (starting up, logging on, shutting down, launching any program etc). The problem is with today's computing is that there are so many programs that run on your computer and jam packs your registry with tones of data. This state causes the registry to access data which is located at a more distant place than the cache/ registry which causes the computer to operate at a very slow pace, and depending on how much information it's ordered to process it may freeze. Therefore a healthy registry results in a faster and fully optimized computer.

How do I know if my computer needs performance optimization?

If your computer does any one of the following symptoms, then your computer needs performance optimization

• Slow startups, logons, shut downs
• Freezing / Crashing / blue screens at any time
• Takes forever to open a program or document
• Internet is very slow
• Music seems to chop/ break up
• Unexpected errors
• Often asks you to run a disk clean up or a disk defragmenter
• Programs or documents won't open up when asked to
• Always asks you to send Microsoft crash reports

Most people result to buying additional RAM (random access memory) for their computer. This is very expensive, and won't fix the problem at all. The best thing can fix such is issues is to invest in a computer optimization program. These programs scan your entire system especially the windows registry and fix every single problem. You will be able to instantly experience the results right after you run one of these programs.

Computer hardware means the physical part of a computer and it is totally different from computer software or computer programs and data that are used within hardware. The hardware of a computer is rarely changed as compared with software and data, which are readily shaped, modified or erased on the computer. Normal users do not see most computer hardware as it is enclosed as embedded systems in automobiles, microwave ovens, compact disc players and many other household appliances.

A typical personal computer consists of a case in desktop and other different parts. Motherboard or system board with slots for expansion cards and holding parts including Central processing unit (CPU) , Random Access Memory (RAM) for program execution and short-term data storage. It also consists of PCI bus, PCI-E or AGP bus, ISA bus, USB and power supply that holds a transformer, voltage control and fan.

The storage controllers of IDE, SATA, SCSI or other type, that control hard disk, floppy disk, CD-ROM and other drives. Video display controller that produces the output for the computer display Computer bus controllers to connect the computer to external peripheral devices such as printers or scanners.

Some type of a removable media writer includes CD, CD-ROM Drive, CD Writer, DVD, DVD-ROM Drive, DVD Writer, DVD-RAM Drive, Floppy disk, Zip drive, USB Flash Drive, Tape drive - mainly for backup and long-term storage, Internal storage that keeps data inside the computer for later use. Hard disk is used for medium-term storage of data. Sound card translates signals from the system board into analog voltage levels and has terminals to plug in speakers. Networking is used to connect the computer to the Internet and/or other computers and modem for dial-up connections.

In addition, hardware can include external components of a computer system. Mainly the computer input devices includes keyboard, pointing devices, mouse, trackball, gaming devices, joystick, gamepad image, video input devices, image scanner, web cam, audio input devices and microphone.
Output devices consist of printer, monitor, audio output devices, speakers and headset.

Computer Forensics is a new field of study that has many job opportunities for felons. What is computer forensics? Computer Forensics, also called computer forensic science or computer disputation, deals with legal evidence that is found in computers and other forms of digital storage media. Computer forensic jobs for felons is a field that increasing in demand.

A computer disputation professional investigates computer crimes as well as any other types of crime where digital data can be used as evidence. In addition, Computer Forensics experts also help in the pre-trial information gathering stage known as electronic discovery.

In other words, computer science job opportunities for felons involve using technical and legal knowledge to gather data and evidence from a computer system, including digital evidence extracted from hard disks, CD-ROMs, email messages, JPEG images, etc.

Computer forensics jobs for felons are expected to increase in number in the near future because of the current upward trend of computer crimes. Many types of crimes like child pornography, financial fraud, consumer fraud, corporate espionage and international crime issues are in on the rise. This means that there will be many Computer Science jobs for felons available. Due to the highly technical expertise needed for this type of job, the salary of Computer science professionals is well above the average compared to other non-technical positions.

Computer Forensics Job Description

What types of job opportunities for felons are available in Computer Science Forensics?

Since it is a very technical type of job, these job opportunities for felons require an Associate Degree in Computer Science. Entry-level jobs for convicted felons include forensic laboratory technicians, computer forensics specialists, cyber-squad technicians, security administrators and security telecommunications technicians.

There are basically four types of Computer Forensic jobs for felons - law enforcement, consulting, financial and academic jobs.

Law enforcement job opportunities for felons in this computer field are the most numerous. These are jobs in crime labs or police departments.

After around ten years working in computer disputation, many professionals chose to work as a consultant to lawyers, accountants, private security companies and other similar organizations.

Forensic science professionals can also find teaching job opportunities for felons. These academic jobs do not pay as well as the other types but there is less stress involved. Financial institutions sometimes also have their own professional forensics that prevent or investigate any crimes or anomalies.

To succeed in this field, a person needs to be very organized and methodical. Computer science job opportunities for felons require solving complex problems and uncovering a digital evidence trail which means a lot of hard work, patience and attention to detail.

Jobs for Convicted Felons: Computer Science Online Courses

Educational institutions nowadays offer a choice between online and on-campus Computer Science associate degree programs. Getting the right Computer Science education is very important.

Online courses are ideal for people who want maximum flexibility in their daily schedule. Students study at their own pace and do not need to spend extra money on transportation, on-campus meals or accommodations. Likewise, online courses are also cheaper since students don't need to buy books since all of the coursework material will be provided online.

Core subjects focus on technical and criminal justice areas of study. The technical subjects are about the identification, collection, preservation, documentation and other important aspects of computer evidence. The criminal justice subjects teach students about the investigative process, the judicial system, the chain of evidence, etc.

Computer Forensics job opportunities for felons are expected to grow rapidly so it is a good career path for convicted felons. These types of jobs require a degree in Computer Forensics. People who are methodical and good problem-solvers should be able to succeed in this field. The pay for computer forensic jobs for felons is really good and considered a high paying career for felons.

For a gamer, what can be more fulfilling than to build your own gaming computer? In fact, the only way to get the best out of your computer and maximize your gaming experience is to build it yourself. However, there are tightly kept secrets among computer retailers that they don't want you to know, because it will affect their profitability to a great extent. This article will reveal the secrets that all gamers need to know.

Secret 1) It is very easy to build your own gaming computer

If everyone knows how easy it is to build a computer, then no one will be buying from the computer retailers. This is why most computer retailers tell you that it is very troublesome and complicated to build your own and it is better off to buy one off the shelf. In actual fact, my 10 years old kid took only 1 hour to figure out how to build a computer. How long do you think you need?

Secret 2) It is much cheaper to build your own gaming computer than to buy one off the shelf

Keep in mind that the main focus of the computer retailer is to make as much profit from you, not how good your gaming experience is. As such, never expect a cheap gaming computer from computer retailers. Occasionally, computer retailers may package their computers in a low price to entice you to buy. The fact is: you will not be getting the quality component that your price is paying. Most of the parts in the computer will not be suitable for gaming usage. It might boost the latest CPU in the market, but the power supply, graphics card, motherboards and memory are parts that get obsolete very fast. If you are patient enough to shop around and source for the parts you want, you can save up to 30 - 50% of what you going to pay at the retail stores.

Secret 3) Off the shelf computers are not upgradeable

Building your own computer allows you to choose the parts that are upgradeable in the future. Off the shelf computers don't and the retailers are keeping mum about it. Most off the shelf computers are using parts that will grow obsolete in a year or two times and the only choice you have then is to buy another computer from them again.

Secret 4) You don't need extended warranties and technical support

Your computer retailers will definitely sell you the benefit of having extended warranties and technical support because they know that most of the time, it will not realise and it is a pure profit for them. By buying one, you're betting that your product will break, that the extended warranty will cover the damage, and that repairing the product would cost more than you paid for the extended warranty. In that case, why bother to buy from them in the first place? When you build your own gaming computer, each part comes with warranty. Even if it spoils, you only have to change the individual part rather than the whole computer. This is much cheaper than what you pay for the extended warranty. In addition, the lifespan of a computer system is generally 3-5 years. By the time your whole computer system is spoilt, it is also time to get a new one because all your computer parts will be obsolete by then.

The only way to get the best out of your computer, be it the cost or the gaming performance, is to build your own gaming computer. Computer retailers are keeping mum about this fact and trying means to entice you to buy from them. If you are serious about gaming, don't ever let the computer retailers stand in your way of owning your very best gaming computer.

At home I have a computer with no anti-virus or software firewall installed on it. My computer rarely slows down or crashes, and my anti-spyware applications only report Internet cookies as problems. I don't recommend that anyone go without an anti-virus, anti-spyware, and software firewall installed, but those tools will only work properly if you let them. This article will describe how to work with those tools to keep your computer clean of viruses and spyware.

Anti-virus Software: You have probably heard of these software packages, and also probably have one installed and running on you computer right now. These applications load up when Windows loads and stay in the background until needed. Many scan your computer at scheduled times, and also when you download e-mail attachments. You can also manually run a scan whenever you need, and hopefully clean, any viruses that may be active on you computer. McAfee and Norton are the two major anti-virus software companies today. There are also smaller ones, such as AVG, that can be just a good.

Software Firewall :There is some debate as to whether this is an important piece of software, especially to those behind a hardware firewall. In my opinion it is very important with regards to managing your computer's security. A software firewall controls access to and from you computer. This means it monitors the traffic to your computer from the Internet, as well as the traffic from an application on your computer to the Internet.

You may be wondering why it's important to monitor traffic from your computer to the Internet? There are many viruses and spyware that will execute on your computer and send data over the Internet to another machine. Such information such as passwords or keystrokes can be sent from your computer to the machine on the Internet. When one of these applications attempt to send information, the software firewall will notice and send you an alert, usually asking for confirmation about the application connecting to the Internet. If you disallow the application, it can't send data over the Internet. This will also allow you to investigate the application and take action, such as running your anti-virus or anti-spyware application.

Anti-spyware :These tools are similar to anti-virus tools, but they search out and eliminate known spyware on your computer. The two most common tools are Ad-aware and Spybot - Search & Destroy. It is advisable to install both tools as each one cannot indivdually remove all known spyware. Together, however, they can eliminate most of them.

Hardware Firewall :This is not a tool that can be installed on your computer, but rather it is a physical device that is connected between your modem and your computer. This means that any traffic that comes from the Internet, must first go through the hardware firewall and then to your computer. The hardware firewall is similar to a software firewall, but it usually only blocks traffic from the Internet, and not from your computer. This should be your first line of defence against any viruses or spyware.

Including the tools listed above, here are some tips to help keep your computer clean:

1. Ensure that your anti-virus and anti-spyware software is up to date. It is important that the data files are recent as new viruses and spyware are discovered on a daily basis.
2. Don't open e-mails from people you don't know.
3. Schedule your anti-virus software to run at a specific time each week as many have a built-in scheduler.
4. Run your anti-spyware applications on a weekly basis as well to ensure your computer remains clean.
5. Only allow known applications to access the Internet from your computer.
6. Ensure that you have secured your hardware firewall with a strong ID and password.
7. Don't visit Web sites your don't trust.
8. If you have children, institute parental controls on your firewalls to prevent them from visiting less than ideal Web sites.

In the end, however, the best defence for your computer is simply common sense. If you don't trust a Web site, then don't go to it. If you don't trust an e-mail attachment or the sender, then don't open it.

Following the steps listed above, and the information in this article will help keep your computer free from viruses and spyware, and make your computer and information secure.

Cheap computer selection can be fun and exciting. Or it can be mysterious and end-up costing you more than it should. Here are some ideas to help. Selecting a computer all boils down to your computer needs and computer strength. You should understand both before you go shopping.

Computer strength is determined by certain key components. They are the CPU, RAM memory, the hard disk drive, the graphics card, and the sound card. This article will review these parts and explain them so you will be able to avoid the many pitfalls in selection when purchasing any computer or laptop.

Your Intended Use

First, it is important to determine exactly what you intend to use the computer for. This is because you should buy a computer suited to your needs, and NOT only because of price, color, cabinet design, or because it's what a store has in stock. Your primary considerations should be a balance between your ability to pay and if the computer is powerful enough to handle your computer needs. Otherwise you are paying for excess Processor and Ram that you will never be used.

I recommend you write down on a piece of paper exactly what you want to do with a computer. If you know what software programs and games you will run, write them down. If you have these programs and you still have the box they came in, look on the box and see what operating systems (O/Ss) they will run on and the amount of RAM Memory and other requirements your programs require.

Note that the most popular O/S today is Microsoft Vista©. Unfortunately, many or all of the software programs and games you now have will probably not run on Vista.

Vista is a more complicated system and software must usually be created specifically for Vista in order to run. If you wish to keep the programs and games you now use, you may want to look only for a new computer that has Microsoft XP (usually Microsoft XP Professional) or you will have to buy upgrades or new programs and games that will run on a new computer that has Vista.

Most new computers will come with some software already installed on the computer, such as Microsoft Office, which includes several programs such as Microsoft Word.

Your Budget

You will need to consider your budget when buying any computer or laptop. Standard or basic computers are low-end systems that will handle most everyday computer needs for home, light office, individual and student users. Such uses would include surfing the Internet, using email, writing and editing reports, bookkeeping, downloading and listening to some music, watching some video, and light graphics editing. Many games will play on a standard computer, if an adequate graphics card is installed.

However, dedicated gamers, and those that wish to do considerable graphics and photo editing and video editing will need the more expensive higher-end systems that have the correct Athlon or Intel processors, the correct graphics and sound cards, and plenty of RAM Memory for good 3D rendering and heavy graphics use.

In determining your computer needs, you should assess how much power you need. If you have specific software graphics programs, such as an Adobe program, or games you have or wish to buy, look on the software and game boxes for recommended system specifications.

These specifications should be your guide when looking at computer systems.

Computer Components

Okay, so it gets a little complicated here, but I'll keep it simple. It is important to understand computer components so you have a better idea of what makes computers run. Here are the most essential components and parts in a computer.

THE PROCESSOR

The processor, or CPU, is the brain of the system. It is only a chip and is located on the motherboard, which is a large board system in the computer. All other computer components are designed around the processor because the processor is the master regulator of the entire system. It is the most expensive item in a computer, so the general strength of a computer is determined by the quality of the processor.

At the present time the AMD Sempron and Athlon are common low-end processors. Low-end RAM chips will only handle minimal graphics, meaning older or undemanding games and typical display graphics. The AMD Phenom Quad and Intel Core (TM) 2 Duo are mid-range, meaning they are stronger and can handle more. While the AMD Phenom X4 and the Intel Core(TM) Quad Q9450 are high-end, they are fully capable of full 3D rendition and heavy graphics use.

RAM MEMORY

The system's Memory, or RAM or RAM Memory, is the temporary memory of the computer. Typically, the more RAM you have the smoother the computer will run. A good standard computer not long ago would have 512 MB of Memory. Things have changed. Now, many low-end and mid-range computers today will have up to 1 GB of DDR II RAM. High-end computers will have 2GB or even 4GB of DDR II or DDR III RAM.

HARD DISC DRIVE

The hard drive is the permanent memory of the computer. In general, it is best to get as much as possible, and hard drives are no longer expensive. Today, a typical hard disk in a standard computer should have a minimum of 40 GB, but will usually have about 80 GB. Mid-range computers will often have 200 GB or more. While high-end will have up to 1,000 GB. Look for the speed of the hard disk, 7200 RPM Serial ATA is desirable.

A person that downloads a lot of MP3 or that edits video (non-professionally) will want at least 160 GB, minimum.

GRAPHIC CARDS

Lower-end computers and some mid-range computers will have an integrated motherboard, meaning the graphics card is part of the motherboard. This will work well if you will use the computer mostly for non-graphics intensive programs, including non-3D games.

Serious gamers, photo editors, video editors, and those in graphics creation will want a separate, higher-quality graphics card, which is sometimes called a video card. Popular graphics cards include the NVIDIA® GeForce® 9300GE and the ATI® Radeon(TM) HD 4870 X2. Right now, the top quality high-end cards include the Dual ATI Radeon® HD 4850-CrossFire and the NVIDIA® 9800 GTX.

SOUND CARD

On many lower-end systems, the sound card is "integrated" on the motherboard. On other lower-end and some mid-range systems the sound card is "integrated" with the graphics card.

A separate sound card (not integrated with the graphics card or the motherboard) can indicate a better sound system, but that depends on the quality of the card. Top-end sound cards include the Creative Labs Sound Blaster® Audigy®2 ZS High Definition and the Intel® High-Definition 7.1 Audio.

MONITORS

Monitors are a matter of personal taste. Some people still prefer the older CRT monitors, even though they use-up more room on a desk and they are heavy. However many LCD monitors are now being sold. LCD is now the standard even for low-end computers. I recommend at least a 17 inch screen. Of course, the bigger the screen the better.

PORTS

Look and make sure the system comes with support for the latest USB 2.0 specification. If you plan to do any video capturing and editing, make sure the computer has FireWire ports.

In Summary

By understanding computer components and other vital parts, and by understanding your computer needs, you can make a wiser cheap computer selection. Buying only what you need is good for the environment, and you will save money in the process.