Install An Amd X2 Processor Motherboard

Building your own PC can be a very gratifying experience. In addition to saving you money and allowing for far greater customization than you can get with retail sets, having an understanding of all the pieces and how they got there will greatly expand your ability to upgrade your computer in the future. While installing an AMD X2 compatible motherboard might seem daunting at first, it is well worth the time and effort.

Instructions

Preparing the Case

1. Unpack your motherboard carefully and place it on top of the antistatic bag it came in. Note the included rectangular metal piece that has holes that line up with the ports on the side of the motherboard; this is called a "finishing."

2. Remove the metal cover from your computer's case. Inside, there will be a large, empty area dotted with screw holes. This is where your motherboard will go.

3. Remove the finishing from the back of the computer case by pressing it toward the inside of the case, and replace it with the finishing that came with your motherboard. You may need to use the backside of your screwdriver to hit the finishing into place.

Installing Your Motherboard

4. Install your processor onto the motherboard. (See "Resources," below, for a video tutorial.)

5. Gather your standoffs from the selection of screws that came with your computer's case. The standoffs have hollow tops and threaded interiors that allow screws to be inserted into them.

6. Screw the standoffs into the case while gauging get them to line up with the metal-ringed holes interspersed along the motherboard's four sides.

7. Place the motherboard on top of the standoffs, and make sure that the motherboard's metal-ringed holes line up with the standoffs you have in place. It is okay if you do not have enough standoffs for all the holes.

8. Screw the motherboard onto the standoffs using the screws that came with your case. Be careful not to over-tighten the screws.

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Find Sata Hdd Drivers For Xps 400

Dell is a popular manufacturer of desktop PCs and laptops. One of Dell's desktop PC product lines is the XPS line, a line of gaming and entertainment PCs. Computer performance is of utmost importance when running computer games. If you have a Dell XPS PC, you may wish to locate device drivers to update your system hardware, such as the SATA hard disk drive. Drivers for the XPS 400 are hosted on Dell's official support site.

Instructions

1. Go to Dell's driver support site (See "Resource" section link 1 below).

2. Click "Select a Model," click "Desktops," scroll down and choose "XPS Desktop," "400" and click "Confirm."

3. Change the value listed in the drop-down menu called "Operating System," to your computer's operating system if necessary (Windows XP will be selected by default.).

4. Click on the "Category," drop-down menu to change the value from "All" to "SATA Drives." A list of drivers and other downloads for your SATA drive will appear. Click "Download" to download any update and then run the installer that you download to install the software.

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Use A Flash Drive To Update My Bios

A BIOS is responsible for the communications between your operating system and your computer hardware. Without an updated BIOS, some of your hardware may not work correctly with your operating system. Flash drives are one of the many ways you can update your BIOS. You can use a flash drive of any capacity as long as the drive is completely empty of all non-BIOS-related files. The entire process of downloading and updating your BIOS takes 10-15 minutes.

Instructions

1. Format a flash drive. Insert the flash drive into any available USB port. Go to "My Computer" and right click flash drive. The name will vary based on your model. Select "Format" and press "Start." Don't remove the flash drive after formatting.

2. Reboot your computer and enter your BIOS doing the boot process. The BIOS entry key depends on your computer manufacturer. The key typically is "F2", "Esc", or "Del."

Write down your BIOS version number and the motherboard manufacturer. These will be displayed on the first page of your BIOS. Exit the BIOS. See the bottom of the BIOS screen for exit instructions.

3. Open an Internet browser window and visit the motherboard manufacturer's website or the website listed in the Resources section.

For the manufacturer's website, look for a Help, Support or Downloads section for the BIOS update.

For the website in the Resources section, select your manufacturer from the alphabetical list, click the link and view available downloads.

4. Download your BIOS update file. Be sure to select one that is compatible with flash drives. If no specific information is given, the file can be used by with any removable media, including flash drives.

Other types you may see include floppy disk only and executables you can run straight from your desktop.

5. Open the folder you downloaded, if one exists. If there is only a single executable file, copy the file straight to your flash drive. View any text files as they may include manufacturer-specific instructions. Follow any instructions to copy the file to your flash drive. If none exist, copy the entire downloaded file or folder to your flash drive.

6. Reboot your computer with the flash drive still inserted. Boot from the flash drive. If it doesn't boot from the drive automatically, press "F12" during the boot process for boot options. Choose "USB Drive." Allow the BIOS update to run. Your computer will reboot once the process is complete.

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Dell Dimension 3100 Specs

The Dimension 3100 is considered an affordable desktop computer made by Dell.

The Dell Dimension 3100 is a desktop computer geared toward "basic entertainment needs," such as the ability to play music, handle photography and watch television. According to Dell, the Dimension 3100 is not shipped with a monitor. CNET Reviews rates the computer at 8.5 on a 10-point scale.

Processor and Memory

The computer's standard configuration includes a Pentium 4 processor. The processor is capable of operating at 3.20 GHz and has a 2 MB cache. The computer has 2 GB of DDR2 SDRAM memory, running at 400 MHz.

Operating System

The computer is shipped with Windows XP Home Edition. XP was released in August 2001, and has been succeeded by several other Microsoft operating systems, including Windows Vista and Windows 7. Windows XP was the successor of Windows 2000 and Windows ME.

Video and Sound

The machine contains a "Blaster Audigy" sound card and includes two stereo speakers. The system delivers standard "integrated 2.0 channel high definition audio." A "Sound Blaster Live! 24-bit HD" sound card is optional. Video is delivered through an Intel Extreme Graphics 2 video card.

Drives and Storage

The computer is equipped with an 80 GB hard drive, which can be expanded to 160 GB. The computer comes with a choice of several disc drives: CD-RW, DVD-ROM, a combination CD-RW/DVD-ROM drive or a DVD+RW/R drive.

Warranty Options

The Dimension 3100 has a standard 90-day limited warranty, including "on-site service," and hardware support. The warranties can be expanded to one, two or three years.

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Overclock The Asus P5q3 Motherboard

Motherboards such as the Asus P5Q3 allow the user to overclock them.

The Asus P5Q3 motherboard from ASUSTeK Computers is designed on the Intel P45 motherboard architecture and supports both Core 2 Duo and Core 2 Quad CPUs. Because both of these processors use the same basic structure, overclocking either of them on the Asus P5Q3 board is an easy and simple task that requires users to know only both basic arithmetic and enter their PC's BIOS.

Instructions

1. Power down your computer, then turn it back on. You can do this either through your Windows Start menu or by physically holding down your power button.

2. Press "F10" at the Asus splash screen during boot up to enter your BIOS menu.

3. Use the directional arrows on your keyboard to navigate the menu, highlighting the "Advanced" tab. Press "Enter" to go into the submenu.

4. Highlight the "CPU Ratio Setting" option and press "Enter" to adjust the setting. This is your computer's multiplier. You can use either the number keys on your keyboard or the arrow keys to manually input a new ratio.

5. Press "Esc" to back out of the settings, and press it a second and third time to back out of the "Advanced" submenu and your BIOS completely. When prompted, press "Y" to save your settings and restart your PC.

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Completely Remove Ati Driver Applications

While many computers come with an integrated graphics card that is part of the motherboard, those who want a system with a little more juice will need to install a separate dedicated graphics card. AMD's ATI series of cards are popular among gamers as they can handle more demanding programs without slowing down the system. AMD uses their own drivers for these cards as well as their own installation software. To correctly remove all the ATI drivers and software, you must use the Windows program uninstaller.

Instructions

1. Click "Start," then type "Programs and Features" in the search box. Click on the "Programs and Features" link from the results list.

2. Look on the program list and scroll down until you see "ATI Catalyst Install Manager" or other ATI-named installation program. Select this program and click the "Uninstall" button at the top menu bar. The ATI installation wizard will begin.

3. Click "Next" at the uninstall start-up screen then select "Express Uninstall ALL ATI software." Click "Next" to uninstall.

4. Click "Yes" if prompted to confirm the uninstall. Wait for the program to completely remove all ATI software then click "Finish." You can also select the "View Log" option to see what exactly was removed from the system.

5. Return back to the "Programs and Features" uninstall windows and let the list refresh. Scroll down and check to make sure that all ATI software has been removed. If you spot another ATI program that was missed, complete the uninstall procedure again for this software.

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The Maximum Ram Capacity In A Hp Pavilion 6730

The HP Pavilion 6730 requires specific memory in order to run properly.

Released in 2000, the Pavilion 6730 PC is a desktop computer manufactured by Hewlett-Packard. If you own the Pavilion 6730, it's important to know how much memory the computer can hold to prevent system problems or spending too much money on extra memory.

Type

According to HP, the Pavilion 6730 takes 168-pin unbuffered Intel PC SDRAM with revision 1.0 compliance. This uncommon memory type may be difficult to find, especially dating back to 2000.

Stock Memory & Slots

The HP Pavilion 6730 comes with two memory module slots located within the PC tower. The 6730 comes standard with only 64MB of RAM.

Maximum Capacity

The Pavilion 6730 can hold up to 256MB of RAM between its two memory slots. The RAM can be configured in sticks of 16-, 32-, 64- and 128-MB memory modules. Unlike some computers, the modules don't need to have the same capacity. For example, you can put a 64MB RAM module in one memory slot and a 128MB module in the other.

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Make A Bios Flash Disk

Basic Input/Output System, abbreviated as BIOS, is a special setup program integrated into the computer motherboard. BIOS allows you to configure the computer hardware, such as processor, memory, hard drives or peripheral devices as well as some system settings. Motherboards commonly come with outdated BIOS, and you often need to update (flash) BIOS in order to fully support the computer hardware. Copy a latest BIOS file to a floppy diskette (disk) for BIOS flashing.

Instructions

Disk formatting

1. Slide the plastic tab on the top of the diskette, closing the hole to remove write-protection.

2. Insert the diskette into the floppy disk drive on your computer.

3. Click "Start" in Windows, and click "Computer" to start Windows Explorer.

4. Right-click the diskette icon denoted as drive "A," and choose "Format."

5. Click "Yes" to start diskette formatting, and wait for a message that indicates formatting is complete.

Copying a BIOS File to the Formatted Disk

6. Use a web browser to navigate to the motherboard support website (see Resources).

7. Find your motherboard model on the website, and go to the download section.

8. Expand the "BIOS" category by clicking the "plus sign" to display the list of available BIOS versions for your motherboard.

9. Find the latest BIOS version, which should be at the top of the list, and click the "Download" link to save it on your computer.

10. Insert the formatted diskette into the floppy drive on your computer.

11. Click "Start" in Windows, and click "Computer" to open Windows Explorer.

12. Use Windows Explorer to copy the BIOS file to the diskette that is the drive "A."

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Disassemble A Gateway Computer Tower

Disassemble a Gateway Computer Tower

After you've had your Gateway desktop computer for a few years, you may find you want to upgrade the RAM for faster computing speeds or replace a part that is no longer functioning correctly. Gateway desktop towers can be disassembled on your desk or table at home without any specialized tools or training.

Instructions

1. Remove the power plug from the back of the Gateway desktop. Unplug all the cords from the monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers and printer. Pick up the entire desktop tower and set it on its right side, with the left side facing up, toward you on a stable work surface.

2. Unscrew the case screws on the top and bottom ends of the case's side panel. Push down slightly on the panel and then slide it off to the left so that you can see the internal components.

3. Unplug the yellow SATA cables connected from all the drive bays to the motherboard and the power supply. Remove the screws holding the CD or DVD drive, the card slot drive and power supply into place. Slide them out of their drive bays. Unsnap the plastic covers holding the RAM modules into place and pull them out.

4. Pull back the metal clamps holding the processor fan into place, and pull it out. Pull the processor out carefully to make sure you don't bend any pins.

5. Remove the screws holding the Ethernet networking card and any other expansion cards your Gateway model may have, such as a graphics or audio card. Pull the cards out and set them aside to finish disassembling the tower.

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Assemble A Computer

Computer Chassis

Building or assembling a personal computer gives you insight into how they work. There are many reasons for assembling your computer. You save money and use parts of your choosing. It also gives you the knowledge to upgrade your system when you need to do so and increases your comfort level when using your computer. Here is assemble your personal computer.

Instructions

1. Assemble all the parts you need on a table. Place them on anti-static mats or leave them in the packages you received from the manufacturer. Place an anti-static band around your wrist. Attach the band to any metal part of your computer Chassis to ground yourself. Following manufacturer’s instructions, attach the Central Processing Unit (CPU) to the Motherboard. Secure it with the clip. Attach the CPU fan or heat sink to the top of the CPU. Secure firmly. Attach the power supply to your Chassis if it didn’t come attached.

2. Attach your Motherboard to the Chassis. Align the holes on the corners of the Motherboard with those on the Chassis and attach the motherboard to the chassis with screws provided by the manufacturer. Use Screwdriver to tighten the screws firmly.

3. Install the Random Access Memory (RAM) sticks to the Motherboard. Press down firmly until you hear a click to indicate it is locked in place. Repeat this step if you have multiple RAM sticks.

4. Install the Hard Drive. Your options are IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics) or SATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment) Hard Drives. Make sure your Motherboard and Power Supply support your Hard Drive. Most computers have support for IDE Drives. Using screws provided and Screwdriver, attach the Hard Drive to the Chassis. Be sure to align it with the front of the Chassis to avoid protruding. Connect the Power Supply and Cables to the back of the Hard Drive.

5. Connect the CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, CD-RW or DVD-RW to the Chassis being careful to align it with the front of the Chassis. Use the Screwdriver to tighten the screws firmly. Connect the Power Supply and Cables to the slots on the back of the Drive. Set the jumper on the back of the Drive to slave or master if you’re using more than one Drive.

6. Install your Video, Sound and Network Cards if they are not on-board the Motherboard. Newer Motherboards come with these cards on-board. Confirm they are not on-board before installing a new card.

7. Close your Chassis. Turn on your computer after plugging it to a power source and attaching your mouse and keyboard. Open your CD-ROM drive, place your operating system in the Drive and close the Drive. Follow the operating system developer’s instructions and install the software. Install the drivers for the Motherboard and other on-board devices. Enjoy your new personal computer.

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Compare Label Makers

Make your own labels.

A label maker is typically a handheld device that allows you to quickly print up small labels. This is helpful when placing items into storage and you want to know what is in every box. However, there are dozens of different label makers available on the market, many with different options and features. What you are using the label maker for can determine what product you should purchase.

Instructions

1. Look at the price of the label maker. Because of the sizes and features of label makers, there is a wide gap between the most and least expensive makers.

2. Check to see if the label maker has an actual keyboard or if you need to scroll through each letter, one at a time. Having an actual keyboard makes the printing process faster. This is helpful if you are using the label maker a great deal of the time.

3. Find out what size of printer paper the label maker uses. Some makers can accept large rolls of label paper, while others require you to use small inserts. Using large rolls is useful when you are using the label maker for an extended period of time.

4. Check out the alphabet you can create with the label maker. Although all makers allow you to create letters and numbers, you may want to create symbols. Some label makers allow you to do so, while others don't.

5. Look to see what the device creates a label maker for. Some create labels for CDs, while others come in the shape of a gun and make small labels for boxes.

6. Inspect the label maker to see how much battery power you need to use. Using more batteries is going to make the label maker heavier.

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Choosing The Right Cpu For Your Pc Motherboard

Choosing the Right CPU For Your PC Motherboard

If you're deciding what parts will work best in your computer, it's best to note the importance of finding the right CPU, or central processing unit, to complement your motherboard. Motherboards offer various "socket types" that only work with processors that match the required socket. These socket types vary based on the CPU manufacturer. For example, an Intel socket type will not work with an AMD processor, and vice versa.

Instructions

1. Determine your motherboard's socket type. This information is printed in the motherboard's manual. If you do not have the manual, you can also visit the manufacturer's website to find this information based on the motherboard's model name.

2. Determine your CPU's socket type. This information can once again be found on the manufacturer's website or on the packaging for the CPU. An example would be an LGA-1156 CPU socket type which can be used with an LGA-1156 CPU compatible processor such as the Intel i7-860.

3. Find a CPU that offers compatible FSB speeds with your motherboard. FSB refers to front side bus. For example a motherboard that supports up to 800MHz will not work with a CPU running at 1066MHz. However you can install a slower FSB CPU on a faster front side bus motherboard; you simply will not receive the faster FSB speeds.

4. Use the Intel chipset finder to determine what chipsets are available and what type of processors are available for Intel processors. This process works best if you have not yet chosen your motherboard and would like to find a compatible socket type. AMD users can visit the AMD processor search page and on the left side choose the required socket type from the drop-down menu.

5. Check in the motherboard's manual or on the motherboard's website for a list of compatible CPUs. Many motherboards will provide information about compatible Intel processors or AMD processors (on AMD motherboards).

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Features Of The Foxconn P35as

The Foxconn P35A-S is a motherboard for desktop computers manufactured and sold by the Foxconn International Holdings Ltd, a Taiwanese firm. The product is sold in the U.S., Asia and Europe.

Processor and Chip Set

The Foxconn P35A-S is compatible with Intel Socket 775 processors. They include Intel Core 2 Quad, Core 2 Extreme and Core 2 Duo processors. The motherboard features an Intel P35 North Bridge and Intel ICH9R South Bridge chipsets.

Memory and Hard Drive

The Foxconn P35A-S will work with up to 8 gigabytes of memory. It has four DIMM memory slots. The motherboard can work with one ATA 133 hard disc drive.

Audio and LAN

The Foxconn P35A-S is equipped with a 7.1 channel audio with Realtek ALC888 chipset. It also comes with one RJ45 LAN port with Realtek 8111B chipset.

BIOS

The Foxconn P35A-S has an 8 megabyte flash read only memory BIOS, aka Basic Input/Output System.

Other Ports

The motherboard features one parallel port, one PS/2 keyboard port, one PS/2 mouse port and one External SATA port. The Foxconn P35A-S also comes with one audio jack and four USB 2.0 ports.

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Evga 680i Motherboard Specs

The 680i has six USB ports, and headers for four more.

The EVGA nForce 680i motherboard is an ATX-form factor system board designed to work with Intel's Core 2 Extreme, Core 2 Quad, Core 2 Duo and other processors with Socket 775 connections. One of its more powerful features is SLI, which allows you to bridge two graphics cards over the fast PCI Express x16 bus to allow for better graphics performance.

Expansion Slots

EVGA equipped this board with a number of slots, including two regular PCI slots and two more PCI Express x1 slots. It also has two standard PCI Express x16 slots and one PCI Express x16 graphics expansion slot for use with a second graphics card over SLI.

Storage Options

Both a floppy drive connector and Ultra DMA 133 connector are present on this board for use with legacy drives. For current drives, it offers six hot pluggable Serial-ATA connectors running at three gigabits per second. In addition, the onboard RAID controller allows the ports to be used in a drive array running RAID 0, 1, 5, 0+1 or even JBOD mode.

Ports

The 680i's rear panel has a large array of ports including six USB 2.0 ports and a 400 megabit per second IEEE1394a FireWire port. Two RJ-45 LAN connectors are present, both supporting ten, one hundred and one gigabit per second Ethernet connections, as well as two legacy PS/2 connections for a mouse and keyboard. EVGA built this board with support for up to 7.1 channels of audio, so six audio output and input jacks are included as well as a TOSlink optical digital S/PDIF digital audio output. Users who need more ports can use the motherboard's headers to add four USB 2.0 ports, one FireWire port and a COM1 RS-232C serial port.

Memory

Dual channel DDR2 memory works in this board's four DIMM slots. It accepts standard dual channel DIMMs at speeds of 533, 667 and 800 megahertz as well as SLI-Ready DIMMs at speeds as high as 1200 mhz for use when the board is being overclocked.

CPU Compatibility

The Socket 775 present on this board works with many Intel dual- and quad-core CPU chips including the Core 2 Extreme, Core 2 Quad, Core 2 Duo, Pentium Extreme Edition and some Pentium 4 processors. Although its front side bus' nominal top speed is 1333 megahertz, the board also supports overclocking for even higher speeds.

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Run A Graphics Card & An Onboard Video Simultaneously

New computing technology was developed circa 2007 to allow multiple discrete graphics processing units to operate simultaneously. This graphics technology allows for increased graphics efficiency without requiring a complete system upgrade. AMD, through their ATI graphics division, developed a multiple GPU configuration that utilizes onboard graphics as well an add-in graphics card simultaneously. This technology is known as hybrid Crossfire and is available with many known add-in cards.

Instructions

1. Download and install the latest ATI graphics driver software. This installs the "Catalyst Control Center" utility.

2. Launch the Catalyst Control Center utility from the desktop icon.

3. Click the "Crossfire" button located in the left side of the main program window.

4. Click the "Enable Crossfire" button located on the right side of the program window.

5. Click the "Apply" then "OK" buttons located in the bottom portion of the program window. This enables the Crossfire configuration that boosts the add-in graphics card's efficiency with the onboard GPU.

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What Are The Differences In Computer Processors

With the ever-growing market of today's computer industry, it is oftentimes a chore to keep up with every model and type of hardware released. Computer processors or CPUs are no different in regards to either frequency of release or degrees of difference. However, with a little knowledge under your belt, you will quickly find that there is an underlying dynamic to computer processors that can aid in comparing them.

History

The original computer processors available for the consumer market were manufactured by the Intel corporation. They were of the 808x family and had processing speeds of up to 10 MHz.

Function

Computer processors receive and output data after carrying instructions out on the data. The manner in which they do this can be very different, however, between different processor types.

Types

Nearly all computer processors in today's market come in families. That is the first differentiating quality. For example, Pentium, Celeron and Itanium are all examples of processor families from Intel today.

Size

One of the most often overlooked specifications is that of the process size. The process size describes the size of the transistors used within the processor. Today's current leading technology possesses a 45 nm process size and can fit 800 million transistors on one CPU.

Warning

Due to electrical leakage and resistance, all CPUs build heat at amazing rates. For example, the latest Core i7 offerings from Intel produce 135 Watts of heat as waste. Due to this, it is of great importance that proper thermal management be implemented with any CPU during operation.

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Asus Motherboard Information

Asus, a Taiwan-based hardware manufacturer, produces a number of motherboards. Both Intel-based and AMD-based, Asus motherboards target overclockers and gamers, small business owners and general users. A number of Asus motherboards are compatible with Windows 7 and with Linux and offer Energy Star 5.0 features. Due to their popularity with the overclocking community and their stability, Asus motherboards have received a number of awards from hardware review sites.

Energy Star 5.0 Compliance

Asus became the first motherboard manufacturer to release products that met Energy Star 5.0 requirements. Energy Star initiated new Off Mode, Sleep State, and Idle State standards as of July 1, 2009, and a number of Asus motherboards are compatible with these updated specifications. These modes reduce energy consumption of PCs by shutting down unused and unneeded hardware components. Energy Star 5.0-compatible motherboards include Asus' P5Q and P5KPL Intel series and M4A78 for AMD CPUs.

Windows 7 Compatibility

The Asus P5Q Pro was the first motherboard to attain Windows Hardware Quality Labs' (WHQL) certification for the 32-bit version of Windows 7. Asus now offers a wide range of Windows 7-compatible motherboards, including several in the Republic of Gaming (ROG) series, Intel Socket 1366, Intel Socket 1156, Intel Socket 775 and AMD boards.

TUF Series

Asus unveiled the TUF (The Ultimate Force) series of motherboards on Oct. 1, 2009. The first TUF motherboard, the Intel-based SABERTOOTH 55i, features CeraM!X heat sinks that cool through ceramics-based compounds as opposed to anti-oxidant compounds. According to Asus, the TUF motherboards undergo more extensive testing than their other motherboards. Further, the motherboard's capacitors are certified for military-grade usage.

Linux Compatibility

Asus has tested and supports a wide range of both Intel-based and AMD-based motherboards on four different Linux distributions---Fedora Core, Red Hat, Suse and Ubuntu. Asus offers a list of motherboards supported, along with the Linux distribution and version number.

Awards

The Asus Crosshair III AMD-based motherboard has won the HotHardware.com Approved Award and the Editor's Choice HardOCP Silver Award. Intel-based motherboards such as the P7P55D Deluxe and the P7P55D EVO have won Bjorn3D.com's Golden Bear Award and Benchmarkreviews.com's Golden Tachometer Award, respectively.

Republic of Gamers

Asus manufactures motherboards, video cards and laptops under its "Republic of Gamers" (ROG) brand. Founded in 2006, the current ROG motherboard line-up includes the AMD-based Crosshair II and III, the Core 2 Duo-based Rampage Extreme and Striker II, and the iCore7-based Maximus III and Rampage II.

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Install A Computer Power Supply

One of the most common problems that makes a computer inoperable is a faulty power supply. Whether due to a power surge, overheating or just dying from age, chances are you will have to replace a power supply at one time or another.

Instructions

1. Open your computer case. Depending on the case, you may or may not need to use a screwdriver.

2. Disconnect all the power cords from the dead power supply from the computer's devices. The power supply is a cube located in the upper back part of the tower case with a bundle of cables come from it that connect to all devices that require power. It is the box that that houses the power switch. You will have to disconnect plugs from your motherboard, hard drives, CD/DVD/floppy drives and any other devices that the bundle is connected to. Take note of each device that you disconnect, so you are sure to reconnect it later.

3. Unscrew the power supply; usually there are 4 small screws holding it in place. Set the screws aside.

4. Slide the power supply away from the back of the case and remove it from the computer. Depending on how crowded your case is and the size of your power supply, you may have to remove other devices to get the power supply out.

5. Install the new power supply. Slide the new power supply into the computer and use the screws you removed earlier to lock it in place. Next, connect your motherboard and other devices to the power cables. Finally, close the case.

6. Start up the computer and ensure that all devices are receiving power. All case fans should be spinning, and your peripheral devices should be on.

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Custom Build A Workstation

Building a custom workstation gives the you the opportunity to make sure all of the components you want and need are included. You control every aspect of the machine from the cost to the power. If you have a limited budget, you will find many decisions must be made to create a workable computer with the money you have. It is possible to custom build a very powerful workstation for under $600. Plan on spending 15 to 20 hours in total to select parts, purchase parts and build the custom workstation.

Instructions

Build a Custom Workstation

1. Purchase all of the components you need to build the workstation, including a motherboard, CPU, hard drive, cables, keyboard and monitor.

2. Make sure the motherboard, processor and memory are all compatible. The memory must match the bus speed and slots on the motherboard. The processor must match the pins and speeds the motherboard needs.

3. Open the case.

4. Attach the power supply with the fans facing the back opening of the case and the wires facing forward for use in the computer. Select the proper voltage setting (120 or 220) for your electrical supply.

5. Attach the CPU and memory to the motherboard. Press each piece down firmly, with pressure across the whole component.

6. Apply a thin amount of thermal paste to the top of the processor and attach the heatsink/fan.

7. Configure the motherboard to match the processor, power supply and memory. Read the motherboard's manual to find and manipulate jumpers/switches on the board to match the components.

8. Attach the motherboard to the motherboard plate on the side of the case by using the standoffs (which keep the motherboard from actually contacting the case) and screws with the matching holes. Don't attach standoffs until you find holes matching the board and case.

9. Configure the various drives as either a master or slave by adjusting jumpers, if using more than 2 drives of any type. The master is read first and the slave second. The primary hard drive must be the master.

10. Install each of the drives into the various bays on the case and use the accompanying screws to secure the drives in place. You may have to remove face plates to install the floppy/disk drives.

11. Place the video card into the proper PCI slot by applying pressure along the edge of the card and sliding it straight into the slot.

12. Install the audio card if the motherboard does not have an audio system built in.

13. Attach drive cables to the motherboard and the various drives. Attach IDE cable 1 to the primary hard drive and a second drive if needed. Use IDE cable 2 for other drives.

14. Connect the power cables from the power supply to the motherboard and all of the drives.

15. Attach the mouse, keyboard, monitor, speakers and power cable to the computer.

16. Turn on the monitor and allow it to power up before moving on.

17.Power up the computer and listen for the fans and hard drives to start spinning.

18. Set your BIOS preferences.

19. Edit the CMOS on the BIOS screen to set the order in which the drives are used to start the machine. Place the drive the system disk will be in as number 1.

Tags: hard drive, power supply, drive cables, drives Attach, keyboard monitor

Separate Gold From Circuit Boards

Circuit boards contain a large amount of gold.

Printed circuit boards contain a large amount of precious metals like gold. This is because precious metals are very good conductors of electricity. There a number of methods that can be used to separate the gold from a circuit board. While scraping the gold from circuit boards can be the method that recovers the most gold, it can be time consuming and is not the most effective method. A chemical circuit board stripping solution is a much more effective method of separating the gold from a circuit board.

Instructions

1. Put on safety glasses and rubber gloves; circuit board stripping solutions are very acidic and can damage eyes and skin if you don't use proper safety equipment.

2. Mix the circuit board stripping powder with water to make one gallon of solution. Follow the directions for your specific brand of circuit board stripping powder, as each type will require a different ratio of powder to water.

3. Place circuit boards into the solution. Soak the boards for six to eight hours.

4. Remove the circuit boards from the solution. Rinse off the circuit boards, making sure that you rinse off all of the gold flakes that have been separated from the board by the stripping solution.

5. Filter the rinsing water to recover the loose gold flakes. Dry the flakes and melt or refine them using any method of gold refinement.

Tags: circuit board, board stripping, circuit board stripping, gold from, gold from circuit, board stripping powder

Diagnose A Dv5000 Laptop Screen

The Pavilion DV5000 is a PC laptop computer model manufactured by Hewlett-Packard. Its LCD screen is powered by a back-light and a screen inverter board. Over time, it is possible for your laptop screen to become damaged or even to fail. Pinpointing the exact problem with the screen will help you determine if you can repair it yourself. Even users with moderate computer knowledge can use these steps to diagnose a screen problem.

Instructions

With a Dark Screen

1. Turn on your laptop, using a wall outlet power supply rather than the laptop's battery. If the screen is completely dark for no reason, or if the images on the screen are pixelated or smeared, there could be a problem with the screen.

If the screen shows pixelated/color-smeared images, a screen replacement may be required. But if the screen is dark, proceed to the next step.

2. A dark screen usually means a bad inverter. To examine this possibility, turn off the computer and unplug it. Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove all the screws on the plastic frame around the LCD screen.

3. Pry the plastic frame off the unit to expose the rectangular inverter board mounted below the screen.

4. Unplug the cables that attach to the ends of the inverter board and remove the screw holding the inverter board in place.

5. Remove the inverter board and replace it with a new one (available from a computer supply or electronics store). Replace the cables and screw. Inform the store you are looking for an LCD screen for a DV5000 laptop. Provide the user manual and model number if possible. If a larger retailer does not have your screen, you may be able to find one from a local PC laptop repair shop.

6. Replace the bracket screws, plug the inverter wires back in and replace the screen frame. Power on your computer in order to test the screen.

With a Pixelated Screen

7. Turn off your computer and remove the screen frame to expose the inverter board.

8. Unplug the cables that connect to the ends of the inverter board.

9. Remove the screws from the brackets on either side of the screen and tilt the screen forward to expose the ribbon cable behind the screen.

10. Unplug the ribbon cable that connects to the back of the screen and remove the screen from the brackets.

11. Fit a new screen between the brackets and plug the ribbon cable into the port at the back of it.

12. Replace the bracket screws, inverter cables and screen frame. Power on your computer and test your LCD screen.

Tags: inverter board, ribbon cable, screen frame, your computer, bracket screws, cables that, DV5000 laptop

Cpu Ram And Motherboard Troubleshooting

Turning on your computer, you find that the screen is dead or that the fans are running without any video; or perhaps the computer freezes when booting, and programs are behaving erratically. These issues may indicate a problem with the motherboard or RAM. Knowing troubleshoot these issues properly can help solve your issue.

Dark Screen

Check that the computer has power if you have a dark screen. No video can indicate a larger issue, but often power can be the main cause. Make sure all of the power cables are plugged in and that the battery is charged if your system is a laptop and no power supply is available. Most computers have a power indicator light. If this light is not on, you may have a power issue. If you are receiving power but still have a dark screen, check that the monitor is plugged in if you are using a desktop computer. If it is plugged in, or if you are using a laptop, you need to check the graphics card. Refer to your system's user manual to find out whether the video card is attached to your motherboard. If it is, as is generally the case with laptops, you may find that a graphics card failure means getting a new motherboard. Otherwise, try to find a compatible graphics card and plug it in. If you get video, the graphics card is the issue and should be replaced. When using a laptop, plug in an external monitor and see if you get any video. If you do, the laptop screen may be the issue; if not, the motherboard or the CPU may need to be replaced.

Beeping

Beeping from your machine may indicate that the RAM has been knocked out of place or that one of the modules is faulty. Check in your owner's manual whether your machine requires you to install your RAM in pairs. On Intel Core Duo machines, this is required for best performance. Turn off your computer and remove any components that block the RAM. On most laptops, the RAM can be accessed by lifting up the keyboard or removing a small door on the bottom of the machine. On desktops, the access panel will need to be taken off. Access the RAM of your computer, take it out and reinstall it. Turn on your computer and listen for beeps. If the beeps are still present, replace the RAM with a new module. If the RAM needs to be installed in pairs, try one piece of the old RAM with one piece of new RAM to isolate which one is faulty. If after replacing both pieces of RAM the machine still beeps, you may have a RAM slot issue, meaning you need to replace the motherboard.

Reseating CPU

If you are experiencing video issues, you may need to reseat the CPU. Open up your computer and check to see if the CPU is lying flat. If it is not, lift it up and reseat it. Usually the CPU is attached to the heat sink, so take care when lifting it up so as not to separate the two. Check to see whether the computer gives you video. If it does not, you may need to reset the computer's motherboard to its default settings. Each motherboard is reset differently. Look up the make and model number of the motherboard to find out reset procedures.

Tags: your computer, graphics card, dark screen, find that, have dark, have dark screen

Asus G1sx1 Vs X2

The ASUS G1S-X1 and ASUS G1S-X2 are gaming-oriented laptops or notebooks from Taiwanese computer product company ASUSTeK Computer Inc., hence their membership in the ASUS G series of personal computers. Released in 2007, both notebooks are currently discontinued. Differences in processor specifications and flash memory accommodations puts the X2 slightly ahead of the X1. Apart from that, however, they are the same computer product.

Operating System, Processor and Memory

The ASUS G1S-X1 and ASUS G1S-X2 are based on the Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium operating system. The processor is from Intel's Core 2 Duo brand, usually the 2-GHz T7300 or the 2.2-GHz T7500 -- both with an 800-MHz data transfer speed and 4-MB cache for high-speed data access. The X2 receives two of either model instead of one, thus giving it a quad-core processor basis and consequently double the processing power. Each notebook has 2GB of pre-installed system memory.

Storage and Multimedia

Each ASUS G1S-X1 and ASUS G1S-X2 laptop has an Integrated Drive Electronics interface-connected 160-GB hard disk drive. For removable storage, each computer has a flash memory card slot. The X1's adapter supports Secure Digital, MultiMedia Card, Memory Stick and Memory Stick PRO. ASUS adds a fifth brand, xD-Picture Card, on the X2. The optical drive is a CD/DVD player and recorder with dual-layer disc and "minus" and "plus" DVD recordable format support. Also included is a 1.3-megapixel camera, Intel High Definition Audio chip for sound and 256-MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT graphics processor for video and graphics.

Networking and Connectivity

Each ASUS G1S-X1 and ASUS G1S-X2 has a 56-kilobits-per-second Motorola modem. For wired networking, each computer has a 1,000-megabit-per-second Ethernet connection. A built-in Wi-Fi card that complies with Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 802.11a/b/g set of standards and Bluetooth v2.0 + Enhanced Data Rate technology provide the wireless networking. Apart from the RJ-11 and RJ-45 jacks for the modem and Ethernet, respectively, the notebooks' external connectors include four USB 2.0 ports, High definition multimedia interface, Video Graphics Array port, S-video output and three audio jacks.

Size, Display and Power

Each ASUS G1S-X1 and ASUS G1S-X2 computer has a 15.4-inch widescreen with a display quality measured at 1,680 by 1,050 pixels in resolution. Physical dimensions consist of approximately 13.9 inches in depth, 11.2 inches in width and 1.5 inches in height, with a weight of about 6.8 lbs. In addition to the 100-to-240-volt AC power adapter, each laptop comes with an 8-cell, 4,800-milliampere-hour lithium-ion battery that provides up to two hours of operation.

Tags: ASUS G1S-X1, ASUS G1S-X1 ASUS, ASUS G1S-X2, G1S-X1 ASUS, G1S-X1 ASUS G1S-X2, Each ASUS, Each ASUS G1S-X1

Compare The Dell Dimension Motherboards

The motherboard contains the electronic circuitry required to pass data to each device installed to the computer. The processor, memory, power supply, hard disk, optical drive, expansion cards and all other peripheral devices connect to the motherboard. Dell Dimension is a line of desktops designed for consumers and small businesses. Although Dell replaced the Dimension with the Inspiron in 2007, high-end Dimension desktops are still on the market. If you are intend to buy a Dell Dimension desktop, comparing the motherboard specifications will allow you to get the most out of your purchase.

Instructions

1. Compare the processors. Dell Dimension desktops use Intel or AMD processors. The CPU (central processing unit) performs basic logical and mathematical operations, while carrying out the bulk of the computer's data processing. The speed of a processor is measured in gigahertz (Ghz). A 2.0 GHz processor performs 2 billion cycles per second. The higher the processing speed, the faster the computer can carry out instructions.

2. Compare the chipsets. Chipsets determine which memory modules, storage devices and expansion cards you can install to your computer. Chipsets also support a variety of features, such as high-definition audio, RAID and high-performance graphics. Chipsets that support PCI Express (PCIe) x16 and Serial ATA (SATA) are superior to chipsets that support IDE or AGP. Look up the chipset on the Intel or AMD site to see which features the chipset support.

3. Compare the RAM (Random Access Memory). The greater the amount of RAM, the better the computer's performance. RDRAM and DDR2 perform better than DDR; DDR performs better than SDRAM. Motherboards will only recognize a maximum amount of RAM and will not register anything higher than the pre-determined maximum. If you intend to upgrade your system down the line, check how much RAM the Dell Dimension desktop will recognize.

4. Compare which graphics cards the motherboards support. The best graphics cards use PCIe x16 connections. If you're looking to eventually upgrade the desktop to a gaming or graphics machine, choose a motherboard with PCIe x16 support.

5. Compare the storage controllers. Motherboards support either SATA or IDE (also referred to as ATA, PATA or EIDE). IDE can transfer data at a maximum speed of 1.33 gigabytes per second. SATA 1.0, on the other hand, transfers speeds at 1.5 gigabytes per second. SATA 2.0 and SATA 3.0 perform significantly better than SATA 1.0.

6. Determine which peripheral devices the motherboard supports. All modern computers require USB 2.0 support. Motherboards may also offer connections for devices using technologies such as PS/2 or FireWire.

Tags: Dell Dimension, better than, Dell Dimension desktop, Dimension desktop, Dimension desktops

Run Cnc Programs Off A Pcmcia Card

A CNC machine can run programs off a PCMCIA card, known as a PC card, allowing it to automatically process machine tool commands. PCMCIA cards store more programs and commands in memory than the actual CNC machine itself. This means an operator does not have to manually enter the same commands or launch programs from the CNC machine numerous times to initiate production. However, the option of running commands without having to reset the machine is not an excuse for the operator to walk away from the machine.

Instructions

Setting the CNC PCMCIA Card

1. Turn off the "CNC" machine, and insert the "PCMCIA" card in the slot next to the LCD screen.

2. Turn on the "CNC" machine, and enable the "Parameter Write" option.

3. Set the "NC" parameter number to 20 to 4, then disable the "Parameter Write" option.

4. Turn off the "CNC" machine, and remove the "PCMCIA" card from the slot.

Loading Programs from the PCMCIA Card

5. Select "Edit Mode" from the Main menu.

6. Select "Head 1," if control has only one side or "Head 2," when control has two sides.

7. Press the "Prog" hard key, then the "Dir" soft key.

8. Press the "Oprt" soft key, then the "Right" arrow soft key.

9. Type "O-9999" to output all the selected programs or type "O-XXXX," where XXXX is the program's number. Press the "Punch" soft key and the "Exec" soft key, then the word "Output" should appear in the corner of the LCD screen.

Tags: Turn machine, from machine, Parameter Write, Parameter Write option, PCMCIA card, soft then, Write option

Find Ip Address Using Command Prompt

The "Ping" command, accessed through a command prompt, which is usually used to test whether Internet connections are working properly, also can be used to identify the IP address associated with a domain name. Using this method may be a quicker way to accomplish this task than using one of the domain locator services such as WHOIS with your browser, although the latter will provide more information about the registered owner of the IP address.

Instructions

1. Click on "Start" on the bottom left corner of your screen and then "Run." Type "cmd" in the Run box and click on "OK." A black screen will appear with a blinking cursor.

2. Type "ping" after the cursor, followed by the name of the IP address site you are trying to locate. For example, to locate the IP address of Comcast.com, type "ping comcast.com" (omit the quotation marks) and hit enter.

3. Make a note for future reference of the results. They will appear like this: "Pinging comcast.com [68.86.60.144] with 32 bytes of data:" followed by the results of the ping contact repeated several times.

4. Close the command window by clicking on the small "x" in the upper right-hand corner.

5. Verify the IP address by going to the whois.net site (see Resources) and selecting "Whois By IP address." Insert the IP address you found and click "Search."

Tags: will appear

Apple Compatible Mother Boards

Those looking for an Apple compatible motherboard sometimes have to look a little harder than their Windows counterparts. Not every motherboard out there is compatible with the Mac OS X operating system. As of November 2010, two companies have emerged as making the best motherboards for Apple. Of course, you can also go to Apple directly.

Gigabyte

Gigabyte knows computer components. In fact, it's all the company makes. The reason gigabyte is the number one choice for those looking to install a new motherboard in do-it-yourself fashion is that Gigabyte's boards use almost all of the same parts as Apple and the boards have native support in Mac OS X.

Asus

Asus has come into its own as a full-blown PC manufacturer these days, but the company has not forgotten where it got its start: motherboards and other internal components. Asus motherboards are not the first choice due to some driver issues with Mac OS X. You may need to hunt around the Internet for the correct drivers to install on the computer when using an Asus board. Still, many people stick with Asus because it is an established company that has a successful track record with motherboards.

Apple

Of course, the easiest way to get an Apple-compatible motherboard is to go directly to Apple itself. If your computer's motherboard is dead or on the way out, Apple does offer a repair service. There are many Apple Authorized Service Providers across the country who have a connection with Apple and can order the correct board for your computer.

Tags: Apple course, motherboards Apple, motherboards Apple course, your computer

Evga K8nf44 Motherboard Specifications

The motherboard's full name is 131-K8-NF44-AX. EVGA Corp. designed it to be compatible with central processing units (CPUs) from Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) and graphics processing units (GPUs) from Nvidia. Any brand of memory will work with the board provided it meets type, speed, capacity and socket interface requirements. The K8-NF44 can only fit in computer chassis capable of housing boards with a 9.6-inch by 9.6-inch form factor.

Processors

The K8-NF44 is only compatible with certain AMD processors. The board uses processor socket 939, but not all AMD processors that fit into socket 939 are compatible with the board. According to the website Newegg, Athlon 64 X2, Athlon 64 FX and Athlon 64 processors that use socket 939 are compatible with the board.

Memory Type

The board has four memory slots, each capable of holding 512 MB of memory for a maximum capacity of 4 GB. The board uses only DDR SDRAM memory, or Double Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory. This means that memory operation is timed with the motherboard's clock cycle, and that the board allows the memory to make two data transfers per cycle. The board only accepts unbuffered, non-ecc memory modules that use a 184-pin configuration, according to the website Crucial.

Memory Speed

The board is not compatible with all DDR SDRAM speeds. Compatible speeds include PC-2700 and PC-3200. These are memory modules that operate at peak transfer rates of either 2700 or 3200 megabits per second (Mbps). While faster memory may work in the K8-N4FF, once installed, it will not exceed 3200 Mbps. PC-2700 and PC-3200 have transfer rates of 333 and 400, respectively. Thus, they are also known as DDR-333 and DDR-400.

Front Side Bus

The board uses a 1 gigahertz (GHz) front side bus. That is, it allows data to transfer between the processor and the motherboard at a rate of 1 billion cycles per second. However, the bus uses HyperTransport technology, which transfers data twice per cycle, according to the HyperTransport Consortium. This means that the K8-NFF makes 2 billion transfers per second.

Graphics

The board is compatible only with video cards produced by Nvidia. It comes standard with the Nvidia nForce4 SLI northbridge, which interfaces with two PCI express expansion slots. This means that the board allows users to install two Nvidia graphics cards at the same time. The website Tech-Hounds states that the SLI feature allows users to link the video cards together so they work simultaneously to perform rendering tasks, rather than taking turns.

Tags: compatible with, board uses, means that, This means, This means that

Explain The Parts Of A Computer

Explain the Parts of a Computer

When explaining the basic functions of a computer to someone who hasn't had any previous experience on the subject you need to discuss some of the different parts of the computer. Telling the individual about the parts of the computer and how those components function can help the person grasp a firm concept of the computer and what it takes for it to run properly and smoothly.

Instructions

1. Discuss the main parts of the computer first. State how the monitor displays all of the video content of the computer while the keyboard allows you to type. The mouse controls the cursor on the screen. The main tower, or the CPU, houses all the components of the computer such as the hard drive, RAM and motherboard.

2. Explain what the hard drive is. The device saves all your programs and created files so you can access them later in time.

3. Talk about the RAM. The RAM, or random access memory, is the present time memory, meaning it controls what is currently running on the computer. The more RAM you have installed on your computer the more programs you can run at the same time.

4. Explain the processor. The process is what controls the speed of the computer. The faster the processor, the quicker the computer typically is.

5. Tell the individual about the motherboard. The motherboard is the large memory board inside the computer that everything connects to. It tells all of the equipment what to do and when to do it.

Tags: computer more, Explain Parts, Explain Parts Computer, hard drive, individual about

Import Dragon Voice Profiles

You can import multiple voice profiles into Dragon Naturally Speaking.

Dragon Naturally Speaking can take dictation, control your computer, and even help you surf the web. Simply speak and your computer responds. The results that you achieve using the software vary, depending on the level of training that you give the program. Every Dragon Naturally Speaking user has a voice profile containing speech data specific to that user. Export your profile or import other voice profiles using the Dragon Naturally Speaking control panel.

Instructions

1. Click the Windows "Start" menu and type "Dragon Naturally Speaking." Press "Enter" to open the program.

2. Click "Naturally Speaking" and select "Manage Users" to open the Manage Users window.

3. Click "Advanced" and select "Import." A window will open and display the folders on your hard drive.

4. Navigate to the folder that contains the voice profile and click it to highlight the folder. Click "OK" to import the voice profile.

Tags: Naturally Speaking, Dragon Naturally, Dragon Naturally Speaking, voice profile, Manage Users

Get Stuff Off Of A Computer With A Dead Motherboard

A bad motherboard can stop your computer from working.

Everything inside your computer is connected to your motherboard in some type of way. If your motherboard fails and you are unable to start your computer, then all of your documents, files and other stuff are inaccessible to you. You can buy a new computer or buy a replacement motherboard, but in the mean time you can get your stuff off the computer by taking the hard drive out and connecting it to another computer.

Instructions

1. Open the computer case by removing both side doors. The doors are usually screwed into the back of the computer case with Phillips screws.

2. Locate the hard drive at the front of the computer. Disconnect the power and data cable. Unscrew the drive from the case on both sides of the drive. Lift the hard drive out.

3. Find a similar computer of about the same age. It must have a DVD or optical drive installed. Open this computer case on just the side where the hardware can be easily accessed.

4. Disconnect the DVD or other optical drive's power and data cable. Connect the hard drive from the first computer using the power and data cables from the optical drive.

5. Restart the computer. In Windows Explorer you should see both hard drives. Copy all of the data and files off of the original hard drive and onto the second computer's hard drive. Shut down the computer and disconnect the hard drive and reconnect the optical drive.

Tags: hard drive, optical drive, computer case, power data, your computer, data cable

Install Geforce 8600

Learn to install GeForce 8600.

GeForce 8600 is a video card manufactured by NVIDIA. This card model is available in two variants: GeForce 8600 GTS and GT. Both these models have 256 MB memory on board but the GTS modification features a faster graphic processing unit, GPU (675 vs 540MHz). The GeForce 8600 card has two DVI (Digital Visual Interface) video ports and permits users to connect two monitors to their computers. This video card needs to be installed into the PCI-E (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express) slot on the motherboard.

Instructions

1. Turn off your computer and unplug the power cords from its back panel.

2. Open the computer case by removing the side panel, then lay the computer on its side.

3. Find a PCI-E slot located in the middle-left part of the motherboard. Note that the PCI-E is longer than the standard PCI slot.

4. Insert the video card into the PCI-E slot of the motherboard. Note the card only fits in one orientation.

5. Fasten the metal bracket of the video card to the chassis with a screw.

6. Close the computer case.

7. DVI video port

Connect the monitor to the DVI video port of the card using a DVI to DV cable.

8. Switch on your computer.

9. Log into an administrator user account in Windows.

10. Insert the CD with video drivers into the computer's CD/DVD drive or execute a driver setup file downloaded from the NVIDIA website.

11. Follow the onscreen prompts to install the NVIDIA video drivers on your system.

12. Click "Yes" at the end of the drivers' installation to restart the computer.

Tags: GeForce 8600, video card, computer case, into PCI-E, motherboard Note, PCI-E slot

Install An Ati Radeon 9550 Without The Installation Cd

How do I Install an Ati Radeon 9550 Without the Installation CD?

The ATI Radeon 9550 is one of ATI's "budget" video cards--that is, it's not the best nor the worst, but falls somewhere in the middle and is priced accordingly--often included in mid-range gaming computers. Usually, installing the drivers for the Radeon 9550 is as simple as inserting the CD and walking through the automated install process. Occasionally, however, you may find yourself with no CD. Fortunately, the driver files are available for download online.

Instructions

1. Launch your preferred Internet browser.

2. Navigate to the driver file download page. (Find a link to the site in the "Resources" section.)

3. Click the "Download ATI Radeon 9550 Catalyst Software Suite v.10.2" link text in the lower right-hand corner of the screen. This will take you to a new screen.

4. Scroll down until you see the text box with the words "Enter Code from Image" followed by a randomly generated anti-phishing image next to it. Enter the characters displayed in the image into the text box, then click the "Download File" button.

5. Click the "Click to download 10-2_legacy_vista32-64_dd_ccc.exe" link text to begin the download.

6. Launch the install file once it has finished downloading to start the automated install of the ATI Radeon 9550 drivers. Once the drivers are finished installing, you will need to restart your computer in order to complete the installation.

Tags: Radeon 9550, 9550 Without, 9550 Without Installation, automated install, Install Radeon 9550, link text, Radeon 9550 Without

Disable Onboard Video On A Gateway Motherboard

Many inexpensive computers have a chip on the motherboard which handles the video processing for the computer. This chip reduces the cost of the computer by eliminating the need for a separate video card. However, an on-board video chip generally does not offer the kind of performance in games that can be achieved with a video card. Disable the on-board video on your Gateway computer if you install a video card to conserve system resources and eliminate hardware conflicts.

Disabling On-board Video on Newer Gateway Computers

Most Gateway computers manufactured since the late 1990s have a single expansion slot on the motherboard devoted to video cards (AGP or PCI Express). Therefore, if a card is inserted into a slot, the motherboard assumes that it is a video card, disabling the integrated video chip automatically. If your Gateway computer uses an AGP or PCI Express slot for video card upgrades, nothing else needs to be done to disable the on-board video.

Disabling On-board Video on Older Gateway Computers

If you have an older Gateway computer with a 486 or Pentium OverDrive processor, the on-board video must be disabled using a jumper on the motherboard. While the computer is open and you are upgrading the video card, look for the jumper blocks on the motherboard. This is a small bank of metal pins with small plastic pieces bridging two pins out of each set of three. Each group of three pins will have a number printed on one side, and a semicircular outline on the other side, indicating pin 1.

Find the jumper numbered "J16." If you are upgrading the video card on a computer that previously used on-board video, the plastic piece for this jumper will be bridging pins 1 and 2. Move the plastic piece so that it bridges pins 2 and 3 to disable the integrated video on your motherboard.

Tags: video card, Gateway computer, on-board video, bridging pins, Disabling On-board

Compare Computer Video Cards

A video card is one of the most important components of a computer.

A good video card is the centerpiece of any high-performance computer, so choosing the right one may be the single most important decision you make when building a new system for gaming or 3D software. Unfortunately, there are now more video card models than there are models of any other single computer component type except memory. From budget cards costing less than $100 to extreme performance cards costing more than $1000 there is a vast number of choices available, making it hard to select just the right one.

Instructions

1. Compare each card's memory bandwidth in gigabytes per second (GB/s). To do this, you must first calculate it by multiplying the memory speed in megahertz (MHz) by the bitrate of the memory interface, then dividing the result by 8000. For example, a video card with 4500MHz memory and a 128-bit memory interface has 72GB/s of memory bandwidth. Memory bandwidth is what allows the processor to communicate with the memory, so more is always better.

2. Compare the amount of memory each card has. Video memory (VRAM) stores the data used to draw images to the screen as well as the images themselves, so in theory it's always better to have more of it--otherwise the processor might have to redo the work it's already done. However, an analysis by YouGamers.com of the amount of VRAM used in even the most graphics-intensive environments suggests that cards in the $150 to $200 price range routinely have more memory than they'll ever actually use.

3. Compare each card's processor (GPU) speed. VRAM is important for storing data, but the GPU does all the heavy lifting. A faster GPU will draw frames to the screen more quickly, resulting in a smoother visual experience.

4. Compare each card's performance by visiting review sites like Tomshardware.com and Anandtech.com. These sites strenuously test cards under a variety of conditions and then post the results in thorough reviews. Because of the tradeoffs of things like memory bandwidth and GPU speed, card A may outperform card B in some cases but not others.

5. Compare each card's price. With prices running anywhere from below $100 to over $1000, the real question when choosing a video card is what performance you can get for the price you want to pay. The "mid-range" cards between $150 and $200 are widely considered to be in the "sweet spot" because they can handle all the current games, although not necessarily at the highest settings and resolutions.

Tags: each card, video card, Compare each, Compare each card, memory bandwidth, always better

Upgrade My Celeron D Socket 478

Upgrading the Celeron D Socket 478 Processor

Most computers with the Celeron Socket 478 processor can be upgraded to a Pentium 4 processor, but you should check the motherboard vendor's website for CPU compatibility. Though you could also just upgrade to a faster Celeron processor, you will realize the most performance enhancement by installing a Pentium 4 processor. The main difference between Pentium 4 and Celeron processors is the on-die cache and Hyper-Threading support. The Celeron has 128 KB of L1 cache and the Pentium 4 has 256 KB of L1 cache. This allows the Pentium to store more instructions than the Celeron. The other advantage of moving to a Pentium 4 is Hyper-Threading. If your motherboard supports it, Hyper-Threading makes it appear as if there were two processors on the motherboard. Intel still uses Hyper-Threading on its Core i7 processors.

Instructions

1. With the computer powered off, remove the power cord to the power supply. Remove the left side cover. You may have to remove two or three screws at the back edge of the cover. Some cases have a latch that you press to release the cover.

2. Lay the computer on its side. Locate the processor fan and heat sink. It's usually at the top of the motherboard. The fan sits on top of an aluminum-finned box. Find the two metal retaining clips on the sides of the heat sink. Push down and out on the tabs on top of the latches. This will release the retaining clips from the tabs on the plastic heat sink retainer on the motherboard. Remove the metal retainers.

3. Trace the wires on the fan that is on top of the heat sink to where it plugs into the motherboard. Note how it plugs onto the motherboard. Unplug it.

4. Twist the fan and heat sink assembly back and forth while lifting up on it. This should release it from the processor. Sometimes the processor will get pulled out of the socket with the heat sink. If it does it's okay. They do that sometimes.

5. Locate the processor retaining arm on the side of the processor socket on the motherboard (if the processor did not come off with the heat sink). Move the end of the arm a little bit to the side to disengage it from the socket and lift it up. Grasp the processor by the edges and lift it straight out of the socket. Be careful not to bend the pins on the processor. You may have a use for it later.

6. Clean the metal top of the new processor with a paper towel dampened with rubbing alcohol. Be extremely careful when handling the processor so as not to bend the tiny pins on the underside.

7. Place a green pea-sized amount of thermal paste (you MUST use thermal paste) on the center of the new processor's metal heat spreader-the metal cover on the top of the processor). Use a credit card or some other firm piece of plastic to spread the thermal paste into a thin layer covering the entire metal surface of the heat spreader. If you use the edge of a credit card, wipe it off with a paper towel dampened with rubbing alcohol.

8. Note the arrangement of the pins on the processor. They are in a square arrangement, but one corner of the square has pins missing. Look at the socket on the motherboard. The square pinhole arrangement has holes missing at one corner. Match up these corners and gently press the processor into the socket. When the processor is seated flat on top of the socket, lower the retaining arm until it snaps into place.

9. Look at the heat sink. You will see that one side is stepped up higher than the others. This stepped-up side goes over the part of the socket where it says "SOCKET 478." If you position it any other way, the heat sink will not seat properly. Sit the heat sink down squarely on the processor. Install the metal retaining clips by hooking the end without the push tab onto the plastic retainer on the motherboard, then pushing down on the tab until the other end of the metal clip snaps into place on the plastic retainer. Install the metal clip on the other side in the same manner.

10. Plug the connector for the heat sink fan back into the motherboard. Replace the side cover. Plug the power cord back into the power supply. Power on the computer.

Tags: heat sink, Celeron Socket, retaining clips, thermal paste, back into, credit card

Emachines Specifications

eMachines are good for the budget buyer.

eMachines is a budget computer brand currently owned by Acer. They offer a variety of computers, ranging from all-in-one style desktops (similar to the iMac) to laptops and netbooks. As budget PCs, they are not very powerful for gaming or processor-intensive applications, but are more than enough for web browsing and basic office work.

All-In-One

eMachines offers one model of all-in-one computer that ships with an Intel Atom processor and Windows XP. The integrated display is 18.5 inches with on-board Intel video and one gigabyte of RAM. It comes with a DVD burner and 160 GB of hard drive space.

Desktops

eMachines has several desktop models with different specifications depending on cost. At the low end is the EL1600-01 that has an Intel Atom processor and ships with Windows XP. On the other end of the spectrum, is the EL1352-51 which has a dual core AMD processor, an Nvidia video card, two gigabytes of RAM and Windows 7. A monitor is not included.

Notebooks

Two notebooks are available from eMachines. Both have the same amount of RAM but one (the eME527-2537) is designed for mobility and general media use on the go, while the other (the eME442-V133) is for productivity and has more powerful ATI integrated video instead of Intel graphics, along with almost 100 gigabytes more hard drive capacity.

Netbooks

eMachines also offers its own version of the netbook, a popular, small form-factor laptop. Like their other low-performance machines, the eMachines netbook has an Intel Atom processor and Intel integrated graphics. Only Windows XP is available as the operating system. Because of the small form factor there is no optical driver. However, there are ample USB ports for external devices and a 160 GB hard drive.

Tags: Atom processor, hard drive, Intel Atom, Intel Atom processor, ships with

Asrock Motherboard Problems

Use the latest drivers and BIOS for your motherboard.

When it comes to computer parts like motherboards, there are many different products from different manufacturers. It's common to bump into problems when building or using a computer. Asrock are prone to hard-drive related problems.

Causes

The vast majority of problems that arise with motherboards are due to incorrect BIOS settings or incompatibility with other hardware components. Asrock motherboards don't always accurately detect the hard drives, especially when the hard drive has a high capacity or uses a SATA connection.

Prevention/Solution

Updating the BIOS of your Asrock motherboard to the latest version available will typically resolve the hard-drive related issues. If the problems persist, you may also need to update the drive's firmware.

Caution

Some Asrock motherboards support SATA Hot-Plug, which allows SATA drives to be connected or disconnected without turning off the PC. However, if this operation is not done correctly, the hard drive may be permanently damaged. Ensure the hard drive is Hot-Plug compatible and follow the instructions in the Asrock motherboard's manual on safely use this feature.

Tags: hard drive, Asrock motherboards, BIOS your, hard-drive related

Use A Router To Make A 2computer Home Network

You can use a router to set up a home network.

You can use a router to connect two computers and create a network for your home. A network allows two computers to share files, folders, printers and Internet connection. Certain software can also be shared between computers. You can purchase a router online or from any computer retail store. This router can be wired or wireless, depending on the type of network you would like to set up. Both computers will also need to have a network card to make the network connection. Network cards are usually installed on desktop computers by default, but can also be purchased at a computer retail store if you need to install one.

Instructions

1. Plug the router into a power outlet in a location that is central to your computer network. If you will be using a high-speed Internet modem for an Internet connection, you should place your router near to your modem.

2. Locate the numbered network jacks on the back of the router. These jacks are used to connect the computers to the router. You may also see a jack labeled "Internet." This should only be used by the modem.

3. Connect one end of a network cable to the "Internet" jack in the back of the router and the other end to the network jack on the back of your high-speed Internet modem. This will provide an Internet connection for your network.

4. Connect one end of a network cable to one of the numbered jacks on the back of the router.

5. Connect the other end of the network cable to one of the computers in your network.

6. Insert and run the router software CD in your computer if it is required for the router's initial setup. This will configure your router for a first-time run.

7. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the router setup. This may be a different process for different brands of routers. Also, not every router will require a setup process.

8. Connect the end of the second network cable to a second numbered jack on the back of the router.

9. Connect the other end of the network cable to your second computer.

Tags: network cable, back router, Internet connection, jack back, other network

Build A Core I7 Computer

Build a Core I7 Computer

Intel's new processor, the Core I7, is its fastest processor since the Core 2 Quad processors. These new processors use smaller pins to transmit data from the processing cores in the CPU to the motherboard. This improvement allows data to be transmitted at faster rates, and is more efficient in terms of power consumption due to the smaller pins. Building a Core I7 computer requires a Core I7 processor and a Core I7 compatible motherboard.

Instructions

1. Read the manual for your motherboard, computer case, and CPU cooler as these parts can vary greatly in structure and may need some extra instruction to install properly.

2. Lift the CPU socket lever on the motherboard to expose the socket. See picture in resources. Raise the metal protective plate. Gently pick up the CPU and slowly lower it into the socket. Close the metal protective plate and lower the CPU lever.

3. Align the CPU cooler with the holes provided in the motherboard, which are around the CPU socket. Attach the CPU cooler to the motherboard.

4. Fit the memory sticks into the slots provided in the motherboard. Make sure the retention clips are locked down (see link in Resources; they are white). Attach the video card to the appropriate slot, which is usually PCI x16. Note that some motherboards have onboard (built-in) video, which allows them to display images and video without a graphics card. If you want to save money and don't need very high quality graphics, buy a motherboard with onboard video. Install the sound card now as well.

5. Screw the standoffs (picture in Resources) into the case wall. There should be no more standoffs attached to the case than the screw holes in the motherboard. If there is an extra standoff touching the back of the motherboard when you turn on a computer, it can cause the motherboard to short circuit, which can destroy your computer.

6. Lower the motherboard into the case and align it with the standoffs. Fasten screws to the standoffs through the holes in the motherboard.

7. Attach the power supply to the computer case. Fit the hard drive into the 3.5 inch drive bays (smaller) and fit the DVD/CD drive into the 5.25 inch drive bays (larger). Connect the cables from the power supply to the appropriate ports on the motherboard, hard drive, and optical drive. Connect the data cables from the hard drive and DVD/CD drive to the motherboard.

8. Connect all of the power button, reset button, warning speaker, and LED light cables from the case to the motherboard. Close the computer case. Now you can attach other components such as the keyboard, mouse, and monitor to your computer. Power on your computer to test it.

Tags: cables from, computer case, hard drive, your computer, Build Core, Build Core Computer

Troubleshoot A Processor

Troubleshooting a processor issue is one of the most difficult computer repair problems. When a processor begins to fail or overheats, the signs are hard to distinguish from other common issues. Here are several steps to analyze the problem.

Instructions

1. Unplug the computer. Open the computer case. Ground yourself by holding the metal part of the case. Unplug the power source for the fan sitting atop the processor. Remove any screws that hold the heatsink and fan. Unlatch the clips on the side of the heatsink and fan and remove.

2. Touch the processor. If it is too hot for you to keep your finger on the processor, the processor may be overheating.

3. Check to see that the processor is properly faceted to the socket. If any of the hundreds of pins that fit into a socket on the motherboard are bent or not seated properly, the computer will not function.

4. Check the BIOS for proper processor settings. If the BIOS is set to the wrong processor speed, the hardware can overheat and cause problems with the computer. Check that the BIOS displays the right processor speed and type when booting the computer.

5. Swap out a good processor with the one having issues, if you have a spare processor that is compatible with the motherboard. If the computer runs fine with the other processor, then replace the processor.

6. Check with the motherboard manufacturer to ensure that a new processor you have bought or may buy is compatible. Most motherboard manufacturers list compatibility specifications on the corporate website.

Tags: Check that, processor speed, that processor, with motherboard

Motherboards That Support Amd Socket A 462

Socket 462, also known as Socket A, is a socket designed for the AMD K7 processor. Motherboards support CPUs of a certain socket type, as room and connectors for the processor model must be made specific to each motherboard. If you wish to use a Socket 462 Processor, which supports the AMD Athlon and AMD Duron from speeds of 600 MHz to 2200 MHz, you will need to purchase a motherboard capable of seating the CPU.

MSI MS-6390

The MSI MS-6390 is a Socket 462 motherboard that supports a maximum of 1 gigabyte of DDR memory . It has an AGP graphics slot and onboard audio. The integrated 3D adapter allows the system to function with enhanced graphics even when a dedicated video card is not installed. It a MicroATX form factor, meaning that it will fit into smaller form MicroATX cases.

DFI AD77 Infinity KT400

The DFI AD77 Infinity was released in 2002 and features onboard audio, USB 2.0, FireWire, 100 MBPS LAN and 8x AGP acceleration. It allows for up to four RAM DIMMs to be connected, supporting 4 gigabytes of memory. A cooling fan for a graphics card can be placed above the card slot because it has a dedicated connector near the video card. Error codes on the DFI AD77 are displayed with a series of LEDs that offer visual cues if your system has startup problems.

ASUS A7V8X-LA

The A7V8X is a motherboard released by Asus in 2003. It supports an 8x AGP video card, 3 gigabytes of DDR SDRAM and onboard audio and Ethernet connectivity. The system's BIOS allows you to change voltages and overclock hardware without realigning jumpers, and it comes with PS/2 connector ports for use with older, non-USB mice and keyboards.

Tags: onboard audio, video card, AD77 Infinity

Enable Acc In A Gigabyte Motherboard

A Gigabyte motherboard

GigabyteTechnology Co. manufactures various computer hardware, including motherboards for both Intel and AMD processors (CPU). The BIOS (Basic Input Output System) firmware on Gigabyte motherboards includes the Intelligent Tweaker module that allows a user to change and tweak settings for CPU and memory--the process commonly referred as overclocking. ACC (Advanced Clock Calibration) is one of the tweaking option that, if enabled, improves the overclocking potential of a processor. Note that ACC is only available for certain types of the AMD processor family.

Instructions

1. Restart your computer.

2. Press the key "F2" on the keyboard when the Gigabyte logo appears on the monitor; this allows you to enter the BIOS setup.

3. Use the arrow keys on the keyboard to get to the BIOS setup option "MB Intelligent Tweaker (M. B. T.)" and press "Enter."

4. Navigate to the option "Advanced Clock Calibration" with the arrow keys and press "Enter."

5. Choose again "Advanced Clock Calibration" in the BIOS submenu using the arrow keys and press "Enter."

6. Use the "up" and "down" arrow keys to choose the option "All Cores" and press "Enter" to enable ACC for all cores of the processor.

7. Press the key "F10" to save changes and exit BIOS; the computer will continue booting.

Tags: arrow keys, press Enter, Advanced Clock, Advanced Clock Calibration, Clock Calibration

Start An Ibm Aptiva In Dos Mode

Create a bootable diskette to boot your IBM Aptiva to DOS.

The IBM Aptiva is an older, 1990s-model computer. The machine includes a floppy disk drive that can be used to boot the computer to an Microsoft DOS prompt. A bootable diskette contains the files necessary to boot directly to the prompt. This is beneficial when you want to format the hard drive or copy files directly from DOS to a device. You can create a bootable diskette from the Windows command prompt, reboot the machine and access DOS.

Instructions

1. Insert your blank floppy diskette into the Aptiva's drive. Click the Windows "Start" button, select "Run" and enter "cmd" into the text box. If you are running an older operating system, such as Windows 98 or 95, enter "command" to open the command prompt.

2. Type "format a:/s" into the command prompt. This formats the floppy diskette. The "/s" switch copies essential system files, which makes the disk bootable.

3. Leave the floppy diskette in the drive and reboot the machine. The computer detects that a floppy disk is inserted and reads the boot files from the disk. After a few seconds, you'll see the DOS prompt.

Tags: bootable diskette, command prompt, floppy diskette, floppy disk, prompt This

Update My Bios Free

Updating your computer hardware is generally a straightforward task. However, one part of your computer -- the motherboard -- should not be updated unless absolutely necessary. Updating the motherboard by flashing the BIOS should only be done as a last resort; if this task is performed incorrectly, it could permanently disable your motherboard. BIOS updates can be obtained free of charge by navigating to your motherboard manufacturer's website.

Instructions

1. Determine your computer's make and model by referring to the documentation supplied by the manufacturer. This information is not available using Windows' built-in utilities such as Device Manager. You must obtain the information from the owner's manual.

2. Open a Web browser and navigate to your motherboard manufacturer's website. Go to the "Support" tab and and then follow the link to the "Drivers" section. Locate your motherboard on the product list and download the most recent BIOS update available. Choose "Save" to save the driver to your hard drive.

3. Insert a floppy disk in your computer. Open Windows Explorer and locate the BIOS file you just downloaded. Right-click on the file and choose "Copy." Right-click on the drive letter representing your floppy drive (usually "A:") and choose "Paste." The new BIOS file should be copied to the floppy disk.

4. Restart your computer. Access your motherboard's main menu at bootup by pressing either "F1," "F10" or the "Delete" key. The specific key will vary depending on your motherboard and BIOS; instructions will usually appear on the motherboard splash screen when you boot your computer.

5. Select the "Upgrade BIOS" option and press the "Enter" key. This option is usually found on the main menu that appears when you access the motherboard options. The computer should automatically detect the BIOS file found on your floppy disk.

6. Press the "Y" key if any on-screen prompts ask you to confirm that you want to upgrade the BIOS.

7. Reboot your computer once the BIOS has been flashed. Access the motherboard menu screen using the same method as before. Choose "Load Optimized Defaults" and press the "F10" key to save your settings. The BIOS has now been flashed and optimized. Allow the computer to continue booting

Tags: your computer, your motherboard, BIOS file, floppy disk, been flashed

Reset A Bios Password For A Dell Xps M1330

The Dell XPS M1330 is a personal notebook computer with a 13-inch display and an Intel Core 2 Duo 2 GHz processor. The BIOS utility lets you modify basic hardware configurations and other settings. By password protecting the BIOS, you prevent unauthorized users from making changes. Reset the BIOS password on a regular basis to keep it secure.

Instructions

1. Turn the Dell XPS M1330 computer on or restart the system if it is already on.

2. Press the "F2" key as soon as the "Dell" logo appears on the display.

3. Type the current BIOS password in the field provided. Press "Enter."

4. Press the down arrow key to navigate to the "Security" tab on the left menu. Press "Enter."

5. Press the down arrow key to highlight "Set Supervisor Password." Press "Enter."

6. Type the current password in the "Current Password" field. Type the new password in the two fields provided for the new password. Press "Enter."

7. Press the "F10" key to save the changes and exit the BIOS. Highlight "Yes" to confirm that you want to save the changes. Press "Enter" to exit.

Tags: Press Enter, Dell M1330, Enter Press, Press Enter Press, BIOS password, down arrow, Enter Press down

Use Vaseline In Cpu Sockets

Lubricate your motherboard's CPU socket by using Vaseline.

If you've ever attempted upgrading your computer's processor chip, you have probably experienced a stuck CPU socket. Over time, it becomes harder to easily connect and disconnect your processor from the CPU socket. This is why it's important to regularly lubricate the sockets on your motherboard. While it's preferable to use a substance such as dielectric gel on your CPU socket, Vaseline or petroleum jelly is an adequate substitute.

Instructions

1. Shut down your computer through the operating system. Unplug the power cable, peripheral devices and networking cables from the back of the computer tower. Attach an anti-static wrist strap to your wrist to avoid damage to your motherboard from static electricity in your body.

2. Rotate the computer so the back panel faces you. Remove the Phillips-head thumb screws, or disengage the retention clip securing the computer's side access panel in place. Lift or slide the side panel off of the computer tower to reveal the motherboard. Lay the tower on its side so the computer case's opening is facing up.

3. Remove the processor's cooling system. Disengage the retention clips, or unscrew the Phillips-head screws fastening the cooling unit to the motherboard. Lift the cooling system out of the computer to reveal the processor chip.

4. Lift up on the processor chip's release lever, or turn the locking screw one-half turn in the counterclockwise direction. Grasp the processor chip and lift straight up to disconnect the processor from the motherboard socket.

5. Apply some Vaseline to a clean cotton swab. Wipe a coat of Vaseline on the bottom side of the CPU chip. Place the processor firmly inside the socket. Disconnect the and reconnect the processor to the socket to work the Vaseline into the socket's pin holes. Repeat this until the processor chip can easily be connected and disconnected from the socket.

6. Reverse the disassembly procedure to reinstall the processor, and put the computer back together.

Tags: processor chip, your motherboard, computer back, computer tower, cooling system, from socket