Build Computer Gaming Rigs

Gaming rigs contain powerful hardware.

Computers intended for gaming must contain powerful hardware. Buying a computer gaming rig from a store can be very costly, so those with a little bit of tech savvy can save a lot of money by building their own rigs. Doing so is not terribly difficult, so long as all of the correct components are purchased. These components include a computer case, power supply, motherboard, processor, video card, random access memory chips, CD/DVD-ROM drive, hard disk drive and operating system.

Instructions

1. Purchase the required components as they are listed in the "Things You'll Need" section. Be sure to do your research to find the best prices possible. To make a good gaming rig, you'll need high-end components; as of the time of this writing, you should buy components with these minimum specifications:

Power supply: 550 W

Motherboard: Enabled for dual core processors (preferably quad core), SATA compatible, onboard sound

Processor: Dual core above 2.4 GHz

Video card: 1 GB of designated video RAM

Random access memory chips: 4 GB total

Hard disk drive: 500 GB of storage space, SATA

Operating system: Windows 7

2. Unfold and display the instructions that came with your motherboard; these will be invaluable during the assembly process.

3. Open the computer case by taking off its side panel, and mount the motherboard into it according to the instructions.

4. Install the processor onto the motherboard; follow the instructions specific to your motherboard for doing so. You may need to press harder than you think for this step, Don't worry about breaking the hardware, as it's stronger than you think.

5. Mount the power supply into the computer case at the designated slot, which is usually on the back side of the case toward the top. DO NOT plug in the power supply until everything else is hooked up.

6. Insert your RAM chips and video card into the designated slots on your motherboard. If the video card requires a direct line to the power supply, hook it up to a compatible cable now.

7. Mount the hard disk drive and CD/DVD-ROM drives into their brackets toward the front of the computer case.

8. Run wires from the power supply to the motherboard and disk drives as detailed in the hardware pieces' instruction manuals.

9. Connect the proper cables from the hardware pieces to the motherboard as instructed by the motherboard's manual.

10. Check all of your connections one last time, close the computer case, plug in external hardware (mouse, keyboard, monitor, etc.) and turn on the computer.

11. When it is fully powered up, insert your operating system disc into the CD/DVD-ROM drive and follow the instructions that are displayed to install the operating system.

Tags: computer case, disk drive, power supply, your motherboard, access memory, access memory chips

Repair A Ps3

The PlayStation 3 shares a common problem with other next-generation game consoles: a power surge in the electrical line can cause a fuse to blow out. This fuse prevents the PS3 from working altogether, and it can cost a hefty amount to replace it at a service center. Repairing the PS3 by replacing the fuse on your own will save you money, but it is not a casual repair. It should only be done if you have a basic understanding of electronic components and are comfortable taking apart electronic devices.

Instructions

1. Lay newspaper down on a table. Remove the power cord and all other cords from the PS3. Put the PS3 face up on the newspaper. Use the flat edged screwdriver to remove the two rubber feet at the left side of the console. Remove the screws that are under the rubber feet using the Phillips screwdriver. Remove the outer shell of the PS3 by sliding it off to the right and place it aside.

2. Use the Torx screwdriver to remove the seven screws now exposed on the PS3's case. Release the two clips at the back of the PS3 with the flat edged screwdriver. Raise the case up and toward the back. Remove the USB connectors if the PS3 is a first generation model. Put the case aside.

3. Unscrew the power supply from the motherboard using the jeweler's screwdriver. Lift up the power supply and remove the power plug from the motherboard by squeezing the plug on both sides and pulling it straight up. Place the power supply down on the newspaper.

4. Remove the fuse from the power supply by twisting it back and forth and then pulling it out using the needle nosed pliers. Clean out the space where the fuse was and around the motherboard in the PS3 with compressed air.

5. Insert a replacement fuse into the power supply. Insert the power plug into the socket on the motherboard, and then place the power supply back into position on the motherboard and screw it back on.

6. Reassemble the PS3.

Tags: power supply, edged screwdriver, flat edged, flat edged screwdriver, from motherboard, power plug

Install An Intel 845g Motherboard

Put your Intel motherboard in its place.

Installing a new motherboard can be a daunting task. As the central hub of your computer, a proper installation of the motherboard is vital. For those who own an Intel 845G series board, installation is straightforward. You’ll have your computer up and running in no time, and rest assured your motherboard is safe and secure.

Instructions

1. Install the motherboard’s I/O shield into the case. This plate sets up your case to fit precisely with all the connections at the back of your motherboard. You might need to take out the default I/O plate present on your computer’s case already. Press firmly from the back of the plate, and it should snap out of place. Install the I/O shield included with your Intel motherboard by pressing it firmly into the slot from inside the case. The shield should snap into place.

2. Screw your motherboard onto your computer case. The board attaches to the case via eight clearly marked mounting holes scattered around the motherboard. Use screws to mount it to your computer’s chassis. Make sure risers are used (unless your case has risers built in) to ensure the motherboard does not make contact with the metal of the case, as this can cause a short circuit.

3. Install the processor heatsink base to the board. Insert the four white pins of the base into the corresponding holes located around the processor.

4. Install the processor. Raise the processor socket lever on the motherboard. Drop the processor into place ensuring the processor and the socket are properly aligned. Return the socket lever to its original position to lock the processor into place.

5. Install the processor’s heatsink. To do this, insert the four heatsink pins into the corresponding holes in the heatsink base. Press gently on each of the four pins to lock them in place with a click. Connect the heatsink’s power cord to the fan connector located to the left of the processor socket.

6. Connect all remaining PC parts. Refer to the hardware manuals to ascertain connect the parts to the motherboard.

7. Connect power to the motherboard. Take the 20-pin connector from your power supply and connect it to the appropriate socket on the left side of your motherboard.

Tags: your motherboard, into place, processor socket, your computer, corresponding holes

Overclock A Gigabyte Motherboard

Gigabyte has added full support to its boards for overclocking capacity, with public overclocking competitions and a new "cloud" overclocking technology. The company has added multiple native programs to its line of motherboard utilities, including its proprietary "easy tune" software and "Cloud OC" software, both available from Gigabyte's utility websites. Using these software applications, Gigabytes motherboards can be overclocked from the PC or with a wireless connection in the case of Cloud OC.

Instructions

1. Navigate to Gigabyte's support website (see Resources). Select "Support and downloads" from the top menu and your product from the drop-down menus.

2. Navigate to the "Utilities" section of the support site to locate the version of EasyTune or Cloud OC that is compatible with your motherboard. Download and install the software on your PC.

3. Open the software you have chosen and select the overclocking button if using EasyTune. In both applications, select which components you wish to overclock and set the speeds or frequencies to higher levels. Both programs allow the user to overclock the CPU, memory, fan and add-on cards.

4. If using Cloud OC, and you wish to set up remote overclocking, follow the instructions provided in the program to overclock from a distance. To begin the process, set up a master password, determine the IP address of the machine and connect to the machine with a remote device using the IP address and master password. The controls can be used on the remote device in the same way as if you were running the program from the machine itself.

Tags: master password, remote device

Overclock A Geforce Fx 5500

Video cards are shipped to work at about 75 percent or more of their true power, depending on the quality of the materials making up the card. Overclocking a card, or pushing its performance beyond its factory settings, produces excess heat and can potentially be damaging to your computer. The risk is enough to keep most content with their preset settings, but others who take care with their equipment can be well rewarded.

Instructions

1. Open your Command Prompt from the "Accessories" folder of the Start Menu.

2. Type the command "Regedit" into the Command Prompt and press "Enter."

3. Navigate through the browser on the side of the Registry Editor that appears. Open the folder labeled HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, then expand its subfolders in the following order: SOFTWARE, NVIDIA Corporation, Global, NVTweak.

4. Right-click in the right-side window, hover over "New," and click "DWORD (32-bit) Value." Name it whatever you want to call it that is easily recognizable. Right-click it and set its value to "3."

5. Navigate through the desktop context menu (that appears after right-clicking or pressing the "Context Menu" button that may be on your keyboard) and click "Personalize." Click the "Display Settings" link and click "Advanced Settings..." from the dialogue box that appears.

6. Select your graphics card from the tabs available in the window that appears. From the options available, click "Auto-overclock" to let your computer determine what your realistic maximum output is based on your hardware and cooling apparatus. If your computer seems to be running too hot, lower the settings slightly until your find a comfortable level.

Tags: that appears, your computer, Command Prompt, Navigate through, with their

Fastest 32bit Cpus

Older 32-bit CPUs process less data per cycle than newer 64-bit processors.

There are two major brands of CPUs that each have high-end 32-bit processors with distinct features. The fastest 32-bit processors from Intel are part of the Pentium 4 family, while the fastest processors available from AMD are part of the Athlon XP family of processors. These processors boast high processing speeds and large data caches; however, they are only single-core models and cannot surpass the speed of newer, multi-core processors.

Pentium 4 570

The 570 is a processor from the Pentium 4 family made by Intel. It has an operating frequency of 3.8 gigahertz and a maximum bus speed of 800 megahertz. This processor uses the LGA775 socket and was first introduced in November of 2004. It is based on the Prescott processing core and is available in several core steppings (revision numbers). This 32-bit processor has a 16 kilobyte L1 data cache and a 1 megabyte L2 data cache. It provides users with twelve processor instruction sets including MMX, SSE-1, -2 and -3 and Hyper Threading Technology, Thermal Monitor 2 and Execute Disable bit. Five sets of power-saving processor instruction sets are also included in the instructions for the Pentium 4 570. This processor operates at 1.2 to 1.425 volts and uses 115 watts of power.

Pentium 4 Extreme

The Intel JM80532PH0992M processor is the Extreme edition of the Pentium 4 family. It has an operating frequency of 3.4GHz and uses a 1066Mhz bus. It is compatible with socket LGA775 motherboards and comes in the FC-LGA4 processor package. It was introduced in November of 2004 and uses the Gallatin processor core. It has a total of 20KB of storage for its L1 data cache, a 512KB L2 data cache and a 2MB L3 data cache. Its operating voltage is between 1.525 and 1.6 volts and it uses 110.7 watts of power. It provides eight processor instruction sets including SSE, SSE-2, MMX and Hyper-Threading Technology. The power-saving instruction sets provided with the P4 Extreme includes: Stop Grant, Auto HALT, Sleep and System Management modes.

Sempron

The Sempron line of processors by AMD includes both 64- and 32-bit processors. The Sempron 3300+ SDA3300BABOX processor is the fastest 32-bit Sempron with an operating frequency of 2.0 GHz and an 800 MHz bus. It uses a 754-pin lidded organic processor package designed for use with socket 754 motherboards. It uses a single Palermo processor core and provides a 128 KB L1 data cache and a 128 KB L2 data cache. This processor supports five processor instruction sets including: MMX, SSE, SSE2, CoolnQuiet and 3DNow!. It also provides an integrated single-channel DDR memory controller and HyperTransport technology. Its operating voltage is rated at 1.4 volts and it uses 59 watts of power.

Athlon XP

The Athlon XP 3200+ has an operating frequency of 2.2 GHz and supports bus speeds of up to 400 MHz. The XP 3200+ is compatible with Socket A (also called Socket 462) motherboards and uses a 453-pin organic PGA processor package. It was first introduced in May of 2003 and uses the Model 10 Barton processing core. The XP 3200+ utilizes a 128 KB L1 data cache and a 512 KB L2 data cache with an integrated Floating Point Unit (FPU). This processor uses 60.4 watts of power during typical operating conditions with a maximum of 76.8 watts during heavy operation. This processor has a voltage rating of 1.65 volts and provides seven sets of processor instruction sets including: MMX, SSE, 3DNow! and four power-saving instruction sets.

Tags: data cache, instruction sets, processor instruction, processor instruction sets, This processor, instruction sets including

Make Money On The Internet

This is money, in case you didn't know. You can earn a lot of it on the internet.

You've probably seen a lot of articles already (including here at eHow) on making money on the internet. This one pulls it all together, and separates the good, the bad, and the ugly. You CAN make money online, and NO, not everything out there is a scam.

I'll be updating this regularly (most recent update is Winter 2011), so you might want to bookmark it, and check in once a month or so.

Instructions

1. **Read this, just for a bit of inspiration**

I make about $3,500 a month on the internet. Not quite enough for me and my family to live on, but a nice addition to my income just the same. It's pretty easy, and pretty quick, to get a SMALL income stream started. It takes time and effort to build it up. Might as well get started today.

2. **Take stock of what you have to offer**

If you are a writer, programmer, designer, or photographer, there are oodles of opportunities for you. If you have a speciality of any sort -- carpentry, raising kids, planning vacations or weddings, playing Guitar Hero 3 -- you can get paid for your expertise.

Even if you think all you can offer is time, there are plenty of opportunities for you as well.

3. **Scan the available steps**

I've listed a lot of options in the steps that follow, all of them legitimate. Pick the one that seems the best fit for you and your skills, and start exploring.

4. **Freelance Work**

If you have a skill to offer, check out the various freelance sites (sometimes called "personal outsourcing"), like elance.com and guru.com (see the Resources section for the links I mention).

You can post your skills at these sites, so potential customers can check you out, and you can also look around for freelance projects that others have posted.

There are tons of opportunities for freelancers, in very varied fields. Common projects, though, are writing, computer or graphics design work, creating web pages, programming, writing brochures or reports, illustration, photography, and so on.

Pay can be pretty good, especially after you've earned a quality rating at one or more of the freelancing sites. At the same time, though, keep in mind that you're competing with freelancers from around the world.

Take a look at the "How Elance Works" video on their main page to get a quick overview.

5. **Try Writing Web Content**

There are a quite a number of ways to take your skill as a writer and turn it into cash.

One of them is right here at eHow. Write brief "How to" articles on any topic of your choosing, and get paid for the article. The more popular the article, the more income you can expect. A good article will bring in $50 per year or more. Write 10 top-notch articles, and that's $500. A hundred articles...you get the picture.

I can't say enough good things about eHow. To my mind, it is the best income generating opportunity available. Google the term 'ehow101' to learn more about make it work.

UPDATE: eHow is now run through its parent company, Demand Media Studios (DMS). If you want to apply to write for eHow or other DMS properties, or to be an editor, check out the freelancer's application at demandmedia.com.

6. **Write Product Review**

ConsumerSearch.com, a site owned by the N.Y. Times, pays freelance writers a minimum of $350 per article for product reviews. While that sounds like good money (and it is...and you can earn even more than that!), their particular brand of reviews requires good research and writing skills, and takes a lot of work. Check 'em out at consumersearch.com/jobs.

7. **More writing opportunities**

--At SoftwareJudge.com, write reviews of select software products...top reviews earn up to $50 each.

--Product Reviews. You may be familiar with epinions.com, but did you know they pay cash for good quality reviews. You won't get rich, but you can get started.

--Suggest domain names according to site descriptions at Pickydomains.com Get $25 for each name that is chosen.

--At Xomba.com, write anything you feel like, and collect 50% of any advertising income from Adsense clicks on your page.

--Become a fledgling journalist at examiner.com, and cover a special topic area in your neck of the woods...they pay pretty well.

--Other writing sites include associatedcontent.com, firehow.com, helium.com, and Squidoo. In fact, one of my eHow colleagues has put together a very nice Squidoo 'lens' with 101 sites where you can get paid to provide content...check it out in the Resources section.

8. **Check out Q&A Sites**

I earn much of my income as an online researcher, answering folks questions on everything under the sun: investments, market research, divorce law, homework help...you name it. If this sounds like your cup of tea, here are some resources to explore:

--The Association of Independent Information Professionals (aiip.org) can help you build you own Q&A website and business. I've built my research business at xooxleanswers.com, and it is a steadily growing source of income for me.

--I also work with Uclue.com Though they are not accepting new researchers right now, it's worth a look to see how a well-developed Q&A site works.

--Another Q&A site is JustAnswer, and they offer small payments for answers to questions.

9. **Earn money from your own blog or website**

The key is to generate as much traffic as you can, and to have your visitors click on ads and affiliate links. The more people visiting your site, clicking on ads, and buying affiliate products, the more income you can earn. As good as this sounds, income is generally more a trickle than a flood. But again, steadily building your site (or sites), and building traffic, is the key to generating a steadily growing stream of income.

Google Adsense is the most commonly used service for placing banner and text ads on blogs and websites. As I've learned to maximize Adsense income over the years, I've come to recognize this as one of the best income-generating opportunities available.

You can also incorporate in-text ads (the colored, underlined text with small pop-up ads). I like InfoLinks.com for this, and Kontera.com is another commonly used service.

Affiliate ads usually pay whenever a sale is made for a product. Amazon.com has one of the most well-known affiliate programs that all you to sell books or other Amazon products on your site or blog, and earn a cut of the sale.

Other good affiliate resources are Commission Junction at cj.com, LinkShare.com, and AssociatePrograms.com.

10. **Blog With the Best of Them**

If you don't have a site of your own, starting a blog is pretty easy at sites like Blogger.com, and Wordpress.com. Blogs make money through online advertising and affiliate sales, such as through the Amazon.com affiliates program. Blogger makes it very simple to automatically place Google Adsense ads on your blog.

Also, at Orble.com, you can take ownership of an abandoned blog with a specific focus, like Film, or Travel, and collect a portion of the ad revenues. The advantage of this is that the blog is already well-represented in search engines, and can often generate much more traffic than a new blog of your own. See Orble under the Resource links for more information.

11. **Sell your photos**

At sites like istockphoto.com and shutterpoint.com you can upload still photos or videos for sale, and receive a royalty payment every time someone makes use of your content.

12. **Take Online Surveys**

I mention survey work with a good deal of trepidation...the surveys are tedious, the pay is meager, and there are many sites that are dubious, or out and out scams.

The most legitimate operation I know is GlobalTestMarket.com. They offer real surveys, and they pay real money. Again...tedious, and earning takes a long, long time.

CashCrate.com also pays users to take online surveys. They strike me as legitimate, but I confess, I don't have any first-hand experience with it, so approach with caution...

SurveyScout.com is another possibility, but unlike CashCrate, they charge a membership fee before you can get started (Boo!). I've also heard some negative feedback from users of this site, so proceed with caution (if you proceed at all!).

13. **Teaching and Tutoring**

Search on [ Online tutoring ] and you'll uncover dozens of sites in this booming corner of the internet. Many accept applications for online tutors, with variable rates and topic areas. Two to consider are tutor.com and ehomeworkhelp.com

14. **Check into online "Jury Duty"**

Here's an odd one. Lawyers looking for feedback on how a case will play before a jury can make use of online e-jury sites to solicit input from the type of average citizens that show up on juries. Yes, you get paid. Fees for complex cases can run over $50, though $20 is more typical. To serve as an online juror, check out onlineverdict.com, or trialpractice.com.

Be aware, though, that none of the sites I've registered at has ever actually contacted me for a jury case, so I'm not sure just how active these services are. If anyone knows more about them, please leave a remark in the Comments.

15. **Become a virtual office assistant**

At TeamDoubleClick, you can sign on for temporary jobs as an office assistant, handling correspondence, emails, bookkeeping, data entry, and other office jobs. Think of it as an online temp agency for virtual work. Pay is varied, but you are not obliged to take jobs that don't meet your financial needs.

16. **Play games**

At moola.com, you can get paid to play.

This is probably the strangest one yet, and I can't personally vouch for it (I've only tinkered with the site), but it looks legitimate. Moola starts you off by giving you a penny, which you can then double, and double again, through a variety of games and activities.

Presumably, they make oodles of money through ads, and are willing to throw some of it your way by participating in their zany set of games and marketing gimmicks. They call themselves a "Massively Multiplayer Rewards Game". It's too complicated to explain here, but worth a look.

17.**Participate in crowdsource design**

"Crowdsourcing" is the buzzword for getting a lot of people to do your work for you. If you're good at designing things like t-shirts, logos, fancy fonts, and other graphics, take a look at the challenges at 99designs.com and threadless.com.

If your design is chosen, you can collect hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

18. **More blogging opportunities**

How does $100 a month sound for writing a few blog posts every week? That's what you can be paid (actual range is $84-140) if you get accepted as a blogger at Creative Weblogging. They are a large blog network, and seem to have mastered the art of monetizing their many sites. All they need are people to write them, and keep the content fresh.

UPDATE: Creative Weblogging has changed hands and is changing how -- or if -- it pays bloggers. Stay tuned for additional updates.

19. **Earn with any type of content**

Blogging, articles, photos, video, you name it. Flixya offers 100% of ad revenue to anyone who posts at their website (you need to have your own Google Adsense account to participate). Words, pictures, videos, whatever ya got. Post it, bring in some traffic, and collect some ad clicks. (Haven't tried it yet myself, but Flixya has a good reputation).

20. **Just Visit**

Another site that pays for content is mylot.com, but they also promise earnings everytime you use the site!. They also pay for referrals. Haven't given them a test run yet, so use them with caution, but they seem worth exploring, at least. If you have experience with them, please post a comment, below.

21. **Listen to music**

At slicethepie.com, you can get paid for listening to music.

Say what!!! Yep, listen to upcoming artists, and review their music. The more reviews you write -- and the better you are at spotting new talent -- the more you can get paid. Some folks are pulling in several dollars per review.

22. **Typing and Dictation**

If you have good typing skills, consider Speak-Write.com, an online dictation service.

23. **Stay focused**

You can participate in online focus groups at 2020research.com, where you review a product you've used, or discuss an issue of interest to you. Payment ranges from about $50-150 per session. Participants are typically asked to join a group once or twice a year.

24. **Work for Google**

Ha, ha...couldn't resist. But you can earn through Google by posting content at Google Knol.

This online encylopedia-like site is a place where anyone can contribute content, and you can "monetize" your efforts by placing Adsense ads on your article to generate revenue. I wrote a Knol about eHow. You can see it by searching on the term ehow101.

25. **Review websites for usability**

You can get paid for reviewing websites. Usertesting.com pays $10 per website review, where you provide feedback on quality and usability. It's not open-ended...you have to be selected to test, based on your demographic profile.

26

**Earn money reading emails**

Really! Of course, there are ads involved, and you might be asked to click a few things, but it's not difficult. Expect to get 5-10 emails a day (more, if you register multiple email addresses), and earn a few pennies per email. Check out InboxDollars.com.

27

**Try a little bit of everything**

Genuinejobs.com is a legitimate work-at-home (telecommuting) site that lists hundreds of jobs, none of which require a fee, and many of which can be done online. Registration is simple...worth checking out.

28

**Write for the NY Times**

Really! The Times owns two sites that regularly hire writers.

I already mentioned ConsumerSearch.com up above, a site that uses freelance writers to create detailed reviews of common consumer products...minimum pay is $350 per write-up, and they do a lot of hiring.

About.com, another Times property, hires writers as guides. These positions, paying $725/month or more, are tough to get, but worth looking into.

29

**And don't forget...**

At the risk of repeating myself, eHow is just about the best opportunity out there. Although getting on board through Demand Media Studios takes more work than at the eHow of old, it's still worth the effort.

Tags: Google Adsense, site that, with caution, your site, about eHow, Adsense your, article more

Connect A Usb Front Panel

Add a USB hub to your computer so you'll always have an available port.

Installing an internal USB hub in one of your computer's front drive bays is an inexpensive way to greatly expand your PC's functionality. With so many new electronic devices requiring USB connectivity, adding a USB hub or two will ensure that you always have an available port for your devices.

Instructions

1. Shut down and unplug your computer, and unplug all devices attached to it. Move the computer to an area in which you have ample room to work.

2. Open the computer case. Depending on the model, one side of the case (usually the left) is secured using two or three large "thumb" screws, flat-head screws or Phillips-head screws. Locate these screws at the rear of the case and remove them. Carefully slide the side panel off and place it out of your way.

3. Remove the existing device, if present, from the computer's 3.5-inch drive bay. If the bay is occupied, it most likely contains a floppy disk drive. Unplug any cables running from the device to the motherboard. Depending on the computer model, the device in the 3.5-inch bay is held in place either by plastic rails or by two screws. The rails enable you to slide out the peripheral without a tool. In a screw-fastened setup, remove the two screws located on the left side of the metal bay support cage to release the device.

4. Install the new USB hub. Slide the hub assembly into the empty 3.5-drive bay. Secure using the screws provided with the hub or the rails that were used to hold the previous device in the bay. Locate the USB header pins on the computer's motherboard. The location and arrangement of the USB header pins may vary, depending on your motherboard, but should be clearly labeled "USB." Carefully plug the USB cable from the hub into the motherboard.

5. Reattach and secure the computer's side panel. Plug all peripherals back in, plug the computer into an AC outlet and power it up. Most USB hubs are "plug and play," so it is not necessary to install drivers or software unless the manufacturer recommends doing so.

Tags: your computer, always have, always have available, available port, have available

Update Display Drivers In Windows Xp

Updating your display drivers in Windows XP takes just a few minutes.

Drivers are software programs that allow the hardware devices in your PC to communicate with the CPU and operating system. You may need to update a driver from time to time. Updates are released by hardware manufacturers to fix known bugs, and upgrading will improve your computer's stability and performance. Learn update the display drivers on your Windows XP computer.

Instructions

1. Click on the "Start" button in the lower left corner of your desktop. A dialog window opens. The window is divided into two vertical columns; in the right column, below "My Computer" and above "Set Program Access and Defaults," you'll find a button labeled "Control Panel." Click on this button.

2. Click on "Performance and Maintenance" at the bottom of the left column in the next window that opens. Another dialog window opens, replacing the previous one.

3. Select "See basic information about your computer" under the "Pick a Task..." header.

4. Look at the seven boxes in the next dialog window that opens. The boxes are located along the top of the window, just below the title bar. Select the one labeled "Hardware."

5. Click "Device Manager" on the "Hardware" tab. The Device Manager window opens.

6. Click on the "Display Adapter" tab near the top of the Device Manager window to expand its contents. The name of your video card will appear here. Right-click on the contents and then select "Update Drivers…" from the pop-up menu.

7. Click on the radio button for "Yes, this time only," then click "Next".

8. Click on the radio button to select "Install the software automatically" and click "Next." Wait as the wizard searches for updates for your computer. This could take several minutes

9. Click "Finish" at the bottom of the window if no updates are found. If updates are found, wait while the wizard installs them and then click "Finish." Click "OK" to restart your computer.

Tags: your computer, Device Manager, dialog window, window opens, click Next

Change Agp Speed Vista

AGP connection

Windows Vista does not directly affect a computer's Accelerated Graphics Port speed. You can adjust AGP speed on a computer running Windows XP, Vista or 7 through the computer's Basic Input/Output System settings.

Transfer Speed

You can adjust the transfer speed under the Advanced Chipset Features settings in BIOS. The speed is measured by two times and four times bandwidth protocols. This setting adjusts the speed that data enters the AGP video card. The greater the number, the faster the transfer.

Clock Speed

You can fine-tune the AGP speed on some motherboards through a setting called AGP Frequency found in the Advanced Chipset Features in BIOS. This setting is often used to speed up the AGP speed when the default settings are not as fast as those the AGP card can support.

Considerations

Different motherboard manufacturers don't always allow you to adjust the same things. You can almost always adjust the transfer speed for AGP, but fewer motherboards let you adjust the clock frequency

Accessing BIOS

You can access your computer's BIOS through the splash screen when you first turn on the computer. The screen might says something like "press (key name) for setup." That key will activate the BIOS settings

Tags: adjust transfer, adjust transfer speed, Advanced Chipset, Advanced Chipset Features, Chipset Features, This setting

Build A Cheap Media Pc

A PC remote control is an option, but not a requirement for your media PC.

Building a cheap media PC is mostly a matter of making use of what you have rather than buying new equipment. The only parts that you absolutely must have that are unique to a media PC are a TV card and A/V cables (and an IR blaster, if you use cable or satellite). They can be had for just a few dollars--the top of the line ones cost more, but a basic TV card and A/V cables, as of October 2010 can be had for around $40 to $50. IR blasters, if needed, usually come with the TV card.

Instructions

1. Ground yourself by touching the metal part of your computer case. This will be prevent you from releasing static electricity which may damage sensitive components inside your computer. Open the back of your computer using the screwdriver. Typically, there will be two screws on the right side of the computer case. Remove the case.

2. Locate a free PCI slot and line up your TV card with the slot. The bottom should align perfectly, with the back of the card showing through the back of the computer into one of the slots on the back. Press down firmly but gently until the card will not go down any further. Secure the TV card using the screw to hold it in place.

3. Replace the computer cover and put the screws back where they were.

4. Attach your A/V cables to the back of your cable or satellite box. Attach the other end to your newly installed TV card or video capture card. Some TV cards also will come with a male to male 3.5mm headphone jack cable. If you have a cable like this with your TV card, there should be a headphone jack on your TV card. Attach one end to the card and the other to the headphone jack on your computer. If you are using only over the air TV, attach your antenna to the TV card using the cable from the antenna. If there is no plug on the card for that kind of cable (usually coaxial), see tips.

5. Attach your IR blaster to a USB port on your computer and place the other end--which often looks like a bulb or may be black and shiny--next to your cable/satellite box's IR receiver.

6. Download and install media software from a site like GBPVR.com, Team-mediaportal.com or Freevo.sourceforge.net. Note that if you have Windows Vista/7 Home Premium or above you may be able to use Windows Media Center instead of one of these. However, Media Center requires a much more powerful computer than one of these other programs.

Tags: your computer, cable satellite, headphone jack, your card, back your

Multiple Monitor Faq

Multiple Monitor FAQ

Many times, computer users don't know where to start when looking to add a second monitor to their setup. There are many different options that you have when using multiple monitors on your computer. Check out the following FAQ to get you started.

Can I Run Multiple Monitors on My Desktop Computer?

Most of the time, you can run multiple monitors on your desktop computer. However, you will need to check to see if your computer's hardware is capable of doing so. To do this, look at the back of the tower on your desktop computer. You will see a panel where all the miscellaneous cords are plugged in. Look specifically at the part that your monitor cord connects to. This is your video card.

If you see an extra monitor port on your video card that is not being used, then you can run multiple monitors. You will just need to buy an additional monitor and connect it to that port. The port will be either a DVI or VGA port.

If you do not have an extra monitor port on your video card, you will have to upgrade to a better card to use multiple monitors.

What Kind of Video Card Do I Need?

If you do need to get a new video card, you have many options. Some good reputable companies that sell video cards are EVGA, Sapphire, XFX and MSI. Make sure that you get a video card with "dual monitor out" connections. This will allow you to run multiple monitors.

Your video card interface connectivity will depend on what type of motherboard you have. Contact your computer manufacturer to find out this information. Some common video card interface connections are AGP 4X/8X, AGP PRO 4X/8X, PCI, PCI Express 2.0, PCI Express x1 and PCI Express x16.

Can I Run Multiple Monitors on My Laptop?

Most laptops cannot run dual monitors. This is because laptops have built-in graphics cards that are normally soldered into the main board. Most of these graphics cards have only one monitor out connector.

However, you can get around this if you have a free USB port on your laptop. You will need to get a USB monitor hookup. These adapters work by allowing you to connect an extra monitor to your laptop through an available USB port. The signal from your video card is translated through this adapter into a usable signal by both your laptop and your computer. Simply explained, it is an external graphics card.

What USB Display Adapter Do I Need?

As of 2009, there are not a lot of USB display adapters on the market, so your options are limited. Two adapters that have gotten some great reviews are the EVGA UV-12 and the EVGA UV-16. They are basically the same thing, except the UV-16 allows for higher screen resolutions.

After you have the adapter, simply plug in the VGA or DVI connector into it, and connect to your laptop.

Is There Anything Else I Need?

If Windows does not automatically detect the USB monitor, you will need to download some drivers for it. You can find everything that you need to know at Display Link (see Resources).

Can I Use an Old Monitor as My Second Monitor?

You can use an older monitor. Even if it is an older CRT monitor, it should be connectible to either the desktop graphics card or the USB monitor adapter. Most all monitors use a VGI or DVI connection. If your monitor connects in a different way than DVI or VGI, then these methods will not work for you.

Tags: video card, your computer, your laptop, your video card, extra monitor

Difference Between Agp & Pci Video Adapters

The video card on your PC is largely responsible for what you see on the monitor.

It's not an item that you see when you look at your computer. However, your video card is responsible for the image that shows up on your monitor. A good video card is, in many ways, more important than having the right monitor. Understanding the different types of video cards, including AGP and PCI video adapters, is crucial when it comes to picking the right video card for your needs.

PCI, AGP and PCI Express

When shopping for a video card you will see terms like "AGP," "PCI" and "PCI Express." These designations are crucial for getting the right video card. They refer to the video bus on your PC. That's the interface where the output for the computer is sent to the video card. You will need to know which bus your computer uses because a video card built for one bus will not fit a different one.

PCI

The PCI bus was developed before either PCI Express or AGP. That means it wasn't designed with the most modern video needs in mind. For that reason, it's more limited than the other two choices. These cards are generally the least expensive, though. While most newer machines will use one of the faster video buses, older PC's (and perhaps some less expensive current ones) are likely to need a PCI card.

PCI Express

While PCI Express cards are technically not the same as "PCI" video cards, the similarity of the names causes confusion in the minds of many. The PCI Express card will not fit into a PCI slot (or vice versa), so it's important to be clear on which bus you have. PCI Express is actually the newest technology of the three and is more advanced than the others.

AGP

AGP arrived on the scene after PCI, but before PCI Express. Within AGP there are two types of buses (AGP and AGP 2.0). AGP 2.0 and 3.0 cards will only work with AGP 2.0 buses, while AGP 1.0 will not work with AGP 2.0. It is, therefore, important to be clear which type of AGP bus your PC utilizes. AGP is more advanced than PCI, but falls behind PCI Express.

Performance

It's important to understand that within different brands of video cards (and different bus architectures) there are variations in terms of performance. Some generalizations can be made, though. The PCI bus is the slowest of the three. That means it will work for general computing, but for those with high end gaming needs, it's unacceptable. AGP graphics cards can improve performance over PCI by as much as 800 percent. Comparing PCI Express to AGP, though, the improvement (depending on specific cards) can be equally impressive.

Tags: video card, card will, video cards, advanced than, card your

Create Your Family History Scrapbook

A family history scrapbook is a memory collection.

Family photos gather dust on the shelf; newspaper clippings slowly disintegrate in the cupboard; grandma's handwritten letters lie forgotten in a bottom drawer. It is time to get the family history organized. Creating a family history scrapbook is an effective way to plot family trees, collect memorabilia and have an heirloom to pass on to future generations so they can better understand their background. Producing a history scrapbook can become a family project that involves the youngest to oldest members helping to gather materials to put in a book.

Instructions

1. Decide on the format of the family history scrapbook. Do you want to slide the loose pages into plastic protectors in a binder or would you rather glue them? If you go for the latter, invest in archival paper that is acid- and polyvinyl-chloride-free to preserve your family treasures.

2. Make copies of important family documents--birth certificates, immigration papers, newspaper clippings--to include in your family history scrapbook. This allows you to cut and paste without worrying about ruining the original.

3. Design a cover for your family history scrapbook. You may want to highlight an extended family photo, or feature the earliest ancestors in the family tree or go for a collage of family images.

4. Show your draft cover to other family members and get their opinions. See if they can come up with any other suggestions you may not have thought of.

5. Use colored markers to record different branches of the family. Decide if you will use the traditional tree shape--think of a coniferous tree with the branches representing different sections of the family--or opt for another design. Either way, the design has to start small at the top to represent the great-great-grandparents and then get larger as subsequent generations "branch" out.

6. Make photocopies of your family history scrapbook for family members. Display the original in a prominent place--such as on your coffee table--so people will refer to it.

Tags: family history scrapbook, history scrapbook, family history, your family history, family history, family members

Benchmark Tools For Pc

Benchmark tools are used to determine the performance of your personal computer (PC). The most common ones test your central processing unit (CPU), motherboard, memory and network connection. Benchmark utilities are important in PC optimization and troubleshooting. Brien M. Posey, a contributor to the System Management Tips section of SearchDataCenter.com, states that one important consideration when choosing the right benchmark tool is system compatibility, which greatly affects the accuracy of the results.

PassMark Performance Test

One benchmark tool that works on Windows 2000 and later platforms is the PassMark Performance Test. This benchmark tool evaluates the PC in terms of speed and compares the result to other hardware. The package includes 28 standard benchmark tests that are categorized into six test suites. In addition, seven advanced testing utilities for custom benchmarking are also available.

PassMark Performance Test not only allows you to compare your machine to similar units; you can also measure the effect of any upgrades or changes in your hardware's configuration. Both of these can help you make an objective evaluation of your hardware, especially when you are deciding on a purchase. On the other hand, the advanced features can help you create your own benchmark scenarios for better PC enhancements.

You can download a free 30-day trial version of the software from its website. If you're satisfied, you can purchase the full standard version from the same website for $24, as of 2010.

PC-Wizard

Available to download free of charge, PC-Wizard is another computer diagnostic and benchmark tool that works on most Windows platforms, Windows 2000 and later. PC-Wizard is a utility that helps detect and analyze your hardware configuration and system components. It has been on the market since 1996. The CPUID website, a technical resource that hosts this program, claims that the tool is constantly being updated to provide accurate results.

PC-Wizard is specifically designed to analyze and benchmark computer hardware system performance including that of the CPU, cache, memory and hard drive. It also has specific benchmark tools for operating systems and processors.

Fresh Diagnose

Another free software program you can use to analyze your PC's performance is Fresh Diagnose--also compatible with most Windows systems from Windows 2000 onwards. This utility is used to benchmark hardware such as the CPU, hard drive, video system and motherboard. You can install the software on your system, and it will automatically scan and give you a comprehensive report about your computer hardware and its software.

Tags: benchmark tool, PassMark Performance, PassMark Performance Test, Performance Test, Windows 2000

Test A Patch Without A Jtag

If you are playing a modified or hacked version of "Modern Warefare 2," you can test your new patch using a program called alterIWnet. If you have written a custom patch for the PC version of the game, you can test it in online play before fully loading it into the client. Once you have your new patch set up, you can open multiplayer via alterIWnet and test your patch on a private server.

Instructions

1. Open AlterIWnet, select your nickname and press "Save."

2. Open Modloader, then select ".ff Viewer."

3. Select the patch you wish to test, then copy the code.

4. Open your "Modern Warfare 2" folder and create a folder named "MyPatch." Create a folder by right-clicking and selecting "New," then "New Folder."

5. Open the folder you just created and create two sub-folders named "mp" and "Gametypes," respectively.

6. Open the Gametypes folder, then right-click and select "New" then "Text Document." Name the document anything you wish.

7. Rename the file extension from ".txt" to ".gsc." Click "yes" to confirm the change.

8. Right-click the .gsc file you just created, then click "Open With" and select "Wordpad."

9. Paste the code you copied in Step 3, then pres CTRL+S to save the file.

10. Open the "MW2_Modder.ini" file in Wordpad.

11. Change "Mod0" to "Mod0=MyPatch."

12. Change "CurrentMod "1" to "CurrentMod=0."

13. Open the "Modern Warfare 2" folder, then right-click "config_mp.cfg" and open it in Wordpad.

14. Change "r_fullscreen "1" to "r_fullscreen "0," then save your changes.

15. Open alterIWnet, then load "Modern Warfare 2."

16. Open LoaderX.in Modloader.

17.Tab over to "Modern Warfare 2," then click "Play," then "Private Match," then "Start."

18. Click "Auto Inject" in ModLoader while the level is loading. This will load your custom patch and allow you to test it in a private server.

Tags: Modern Warfare, your patch, custom patch, folder then, folder then right-click, just created

Buy An Asus Laptop

Are you in the market for a laptop but don't want to spend a whole lot of money? If so, consider the ASUS name brand. ASUS has many years of experience in the industry and makes some of the highest consumer rated laptops.

Instructions

1. Set a budget for yourself before you shop for your laptop. Laptops can vary greatly in price. Choose an amount that you can afford and be sure to account for the cost of the laptop, shipping and any accessories you wish to add. Don't forget about any taxes that may apply.

2. Visit the official website of ASUS. On the homepage, click on the location that corresponds with you. On the subsequent page, click on the "Products" link near the top of the page. The subsequent page shows a list of ASUS products. Click on "Notebooks" to see the laptops that ASUS manufactures.

3. Find the laptop that suits you the best. Consider not only the price of the laptop, but also the features included with the purchase. Remember to make sure the laptop fits the budget that you decided prior to your shopping.

4. Find reviews of ASUS laptops. Consumer reviews give you insight to the product from people who have actually purchased the laptop.

5. Read the small print on the ASUS website to learn about the return policy and the money-back guarantee. Once you are ready, continue onward and place your order.

6. Expect your laptop to arrive within 15 business days. If your laptop hasn't arrived in the timeframe, you can contact ASUS at (888) 678-3688 to check on the status of your order.

Tags: your laptop, subsequent page, your order

Definition Of A Riser Card

Riser cards are used in computers

A riser card is another name for a circuit board. Typically found on some motherboards, riser cards are used to plug in peripheral hardware when there is no space for perpendicular placement in a small computer case.

Function

Riser cards are designed at a right angle to allow for space to plug another card into the motherboard, according to Orbit Micro. When other cards are plugged into a riser card, they then sit parallel to the motherboard in the computer case.

Types

There are riser cards available to accommodate numerous types of plug-in devices. These include PCI, AGP, ISA and numerous other types of buses. Depending on your needs, you can purchase riser cards with one, two or three slots to plug in your devices.

Considerations

According to PC Mag, some riser cards come equipped with networking, modem and audio functionality. However, these capabilities are built into most modern motherboards, making these types of riser cards obsolete.

Tags: riser cards, cards used, computer case, riser card, Riser cards

Compatible Sound Cards For An Asus P4pe

The ASUS P4PE Pentium 4 motherboard has an integrated sound chip called the Analog Devices AD1980 SoundMAX. The AD1980 SoundMAX features support for 20-bit audio and sample rates up to 96 kHz, has six digital sound channels and features analog and digital output connections. If you are unhappy with the quality or capabilities of the AD1980 SoundMAX, the P4PE also supports several types of third-party sound cards.

Internal Devices

The P4PE has six slots for conventional PCI add-on cards; it does not support the newer PCI Express form factor. Internal sound cards make cable management simpler, as you can run your speaker cables through the same conduit that you use for your computer's other input/output devices. PCI sound cards may also be preferable in performance-sensitive applications such as recording and gaming; the PCI bus has a maximum transfer rate of 133MB per second, while USB 2.0 -- the only option available on the P4PE for external sound cards -- can transfer data only up to 60MB per second.

External Devices

The P4PE can support an external sound card via one of its USB 2.0 ports. External sound cards are convenient; if you frequently connect items such as headphones and microphones, an external sound card puts these connections at your fingertips. An external sound card gives you a physical control for volume adjustment and is portable; you can easily remove an external sound card and connect it to another computer.

Compatible Sound Cards

Some of the sound cards compatible with the P4PE include the Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Extreme Audio and Turtle Beach Riviera -- both PCI cards -- and the M-Audio Fast Track Pro, an external USB device. The Sound Blaster X-Fi Extreme Audio has the ability to convert 16-bit MP3 files to 24-bit during playback for enhanced sound quality, while the Turtle Beach Riviera supports Dolby Digital and DTS home theater receivers. The M-Audio Fast Track Pro is marketed to recording enthusiasts. It features multiple connections for microphones, musical instruments and MIDI synthesizers. It also has the ability to deliver "phantom power" to microphones that require it.

Disabling Onboard Audio With the BIOS

The P4PE is designed to detect when you have installed a new sound card and disable the integrated audio chip automatically. If this feature fails, you may notice system instability after installing a sound card. You can disable the integrated audio chip of the P4PE to prevent a system resource conflict from the BIOS setup utility. To enter the setup utility, press the "Delete" key after turning your computer on. Locate the "Onboard AC97 Audio Controller" option under the "I/O Device Configuration" heading and set it to "Disabled."

Tags: sound card, external sound, external sound card, AD1980 SoundMAX, sound cards, audio chip

Access A Pc On A Lan Without A Password

Configure LAN access without requiring a password.

Local Area Networking has trickled down from corporate offices to common home use. Routers and switches connect multiple computers allowing home users to share resources such as files, printers and the Internet. Since this technology was designed for corporate environments originally, security was addressed early on and has been incorporated into modern operating systems, such as Microsoft Windows. When accessing a PC on a LAN, a user name and password is expected and required by default. However, computers can be configured to allow open access on a LAN without a password.

Instructions

Windows XP

1. Right-click the folder to be shared on the network, then left-click "Sharing and Security."

2. Click the "Share This Folder" button and enter a share name.

3. Click the "Permissions" button. Click the "Add" button.

4. Type in "Guests" (without quotes) and press the "Enter" key.

5. Click the "Full Control" check mark under both "Guests" and "Everyone." Click "OK" twice. LAN users now have full access to the shared folder without requiring a password.

Windows Vista and 7

6. Right-click the folder to be shared and select "Share With > Specific People."

7. Type "Everyone" and press the "Enter" key. Type "Guests" and press the "Enter" key.

8. Change the permission level setting to "Read/Write" for both "Everyone" and "Guests."

9. Click the "Share" button. The appropriate permissions are changed and the full network path is displayed. LAN users now have full access to the shared folder without requiring a password.

Tags: press Enter, requiring password, without requiring, without requiring password, access shared, access shared folder, access without

Inspiron 1150 Won'T Boot Up With Battery Or Power Cord

Power and boot issues have been commonly reported by users of the Dell Inspiron 1150 laptop. Rather than a software error, these problems are often caused by a faulty power supply, an old battery in need of replacement, or a damaged motherboard. As there is no one fix for this issue, tracking down the cause of the problem can take some time.

Instructions

1. Check the pin on the power adapter to make sure that it fits securely into your computer. A bent or loose connection can render the power source undetectable by the computer, resulting in a useless adapter and a dead battery. If the pin does not fit securely, you will need to acquire a new adapter.

2. Check the battery lights on the laptop case. If the lights are indicating a fully charged battery, then the battery is functioning properly. If the lights are blinking or have gone dead, then the problem is most likely with the battery itself, in which case a replacement will need to be purchased. You may be able to acquire a new battery from the manufacturer under warranty.

3. Make note of the sounds coming from your computer when you try to turn it on. Does a fan turn on and then quickly turn off? Is there a beeping sound? No sound at all? If the previous two steps did not solve the problem, then there is most likely an issue with the laptop's motherboard. Unless you are proficient with computer hardware repair, it is best in this case to contact the manufacturer or take your laptop to a computer repair specialist. Describing the sounds of the booting computer will help identify exactly what sort of error you are dealing with.

Tags: Inspiron 1150, most likely, will need, your computer

Replace A Motherboard In A Sony Vgcrb30

Motherboards allow your PC's components to communicate with each other.

When you want to upgrade your motherboard and you no longer have your Sony PC under warranty, you can take it to a shop and pay for someone to replace the motherboard or do it yourself. Your Sony VGC-RB30 motherboard has many other pieces of hardware on it and you must remove them before you proceed; be aware that the new motherboard needs this hardware placed back in the correct location as you proceed.

Instructions

1. Turn the Sony VGC-RB30 with the back facing toward you and remove all its cables and unplug the power source.

2. Remove the screws on the right edge holding the panel to the case and pull it out with the small handle that protrudes. Pull the panel off horizontally when it no longer pulls back.

3. Lay down the tower on its side so that the internal components in your computer face up toward you.

4. Remove all cables leading to the motherboard, which is the large board sitting on the back of all your components.

5. Remove all peripheral cards attached to your motherboard by pulling them on one side gently until you can just lever the other side out.

6. Remove the screws holding your motherboard to the bottom side.

7. Pull out the motherboard carefully so as not to damage any other components.

8. Press on the clips holding your memory cards to the motherboard and move them apart from each other to free the memory units. These cards usually are located close to the large fan near the top of the motherboard. You might need them again for your new motherboard.

9. Remove the large fan on the motherboard by pressing down on its clips and slanting them slightly outward. Remove the processor under the fan by moving the processor lever up and pulling it out.

10. Use some napkins to clean your processor's surface and the surface of the fan that sticks to it. You can do what you want with this processor if you don't want to use it on your new motherboard.

11. Place your new motherboard on a static-free surface to work on it.

12. Place the processor you want to use on the motherboard and lower the lever to lock it into place.

13. Place thermal grease on the surface of your processor and rub it gently until a thin layer covers the surface.

14. Place the fan on top of the processor, aligning its clips to the motherboard's holders and press down on them to lock the fan in place. Don't forget to connect the fan's cable to the connector nearby.

15. Place the memory from your old motherboard on your new one if they're compatible. If not, you must have the correct type of memory at hand to place it down firmly on the motherboard until it clips on.

16. Seat the motherboard into the computer's casing and screw it on tightly

17.Connect all the cables your computer uses to the motherboard, making sure you don't miss any of them.

18. Put all peripherals back in the opposite way you took them out in Step 5.

19. Close your case by sitting the panel on the casing with a slight offset and push it in. Don't forget to screw it in.

20. Sit your computer upright and connect all its cables again. Turn it on now.

Tags: your motherboard, your computer, each other, gently until, holding your, Place processor, processor want

Troubleshoot A Computer I/O Board

Troubleshooting problems with your computer's I/O board, or motherboard, can be a daunting task, because the motherboard represents the spine of the computer, linking together all of its subsystems. Troubleshooting the motherboard is a process of elimination, where you will attempt to identify the root cause of the error and proceed accordingly.

Instructions

1. Identify the root cause of the error. For example, if your motherboard is producing memory errors, begin your examination at the RAM slots. If you have impaired video, begin your examination at the PCI-E (video card) slot.

2. Turn off the computer and unplug it.

3. Remove the screws at the back of the case and slide off the side panel.

4. Remove the potentially offending component and replace it with a model that you know to be functional. This will tell you whether the issue is with your motherboard's slot or with the component itself.

5. Remove and replace any cabling leading from the item (such as power cables to the video card or power and data cables from the hard and optical drives). This will tell you whether the problem is with the motherboard connector or with the cable.

6. Unplug the device from its current connection slot on the motherboard and plug it into a different slot of the same type. This will tell you whether the entire motherboard is faulty or whether a particular slot on the motherboard is bad.

Tags: tell whether, This will, This will tell, will tell, will tell whether

Reset Bios On An Asus Motherboard

An ASUS motherboard's BIOS starts when the computer is turned on.

The ASUS company manufactures computer motherboards for both Intel and AMD processors. The Basic Input/Output System, commonly abbreviated as BIOS, is a program (firmware) built into the motherboard. The BIOS starts each time the computer is turned on or restarted to check and initialize all hardware components. The BIOS setup on ASUS motherboards typically includes many options to configure hardware such as the processor, memory or hard drives, as well as to tweak the system settings. But some changes in the BIOS may destabilize your computer and cause, for example, random crashes (blue screen of death). The ASUS BIOS has an option to reset all settings to factory defaults.

Instructions

1. Restart the computer.

2. Press "Del" on the keyboard when a logo appears on the display; on some ASUS motherboard models you will get a direct message to "Press DEL to enter SETUP."

3. Wait up to five seconds until the BIOS setup menu appears.

4. Use the arrow keys to get to the menu tab labeled "Exit" and press "Enter."

5. Select the "Load Setup Defaults" option to reset the BIOS settings to factory defaults.

6. Press the "F10" key to save changes and exit the BIOS menu.

Tags: ASUS motherboard, BIOS setup, BIOS starts, computer turned, factory defaults

Reset Bios With Flash Bios Driver Software

Reset BIOS With Flash BIOS Driver Software

Resetting or rebooting a BIOS using flash driver software is an intimidating task, and not without good reason. If something goes wrong during the BIOS flash process, your computer essentially becomes useless until it's repaired, which can take days or weeks, depending on whether you utilize a certified technician or send it back to the manufacturer. However, you can reset your BIOS with a minimum of hassle.

Instructions

1. Look through your computer's operating manual or contact your manufacturer to determine your motherboard's brand and model. Write this information down, so you have easy access to it in the future if need be.

2. Go to your motherboard manufacturer's website, and search through the support pages until you find BIOS files. Enter your motherboard's model number to find the appropriate files for your PC. Download the latest revision (the one with the highest version number) to a 3.5-inch floppy disk. If you don't already have it, download the specific Flash BIOS Update software to the floppy as well.

3. Go to the BootDisk.com home page (click on the link in the Resource section), and download the Dr. DOS file. Insert another blank floppy disk into your computer, and run the downloaded file to create a boot disk.

4. Restart your computer. As the system loads, read the startup messages, and press on the indicated key to enter BIOS. Once in BIOS, go to the Boot Menu, and change the first boot item to the "A" drive.

5. Insert the boot disk you created in Step 3, and reboot your machine again. Once the computer reaches the "A" prompt, change the disk to the other floppy disk that contains your new BIOS file.

6. Type in the name of the Flash BIOS utility at the "A" prompt, followed by a single space, followed by the name of the new BIOS file that you downloaded. Include the entire file name--double-check the spelling, and include the extension as well (the three letters following the period--.exe, .sys, etc.). This resets your current BIOS.

Tags: your computer, Flash BIOS, floppy disk, your motherboard, BIOS file, boot disk

Upgrade Memory On Your Msi Wind

The MSI Wind netbook supports more memory than it includes. The MSI Wind's motherboard contains an extra RAM slot, allowing you to upgrade its memory by inserting another stick of RAM into the empty slot. The MSI Wind supports up to 2 GB of memory and includes up to o1 GB, depending on the version, so purchase a 1 GB stick of RAM. Unscrew the bottom of the MSI Wind's case, and insert a new stick of RAM like you would on any other computer--unfortunately, taking your MSI Wind apart voids its warranty.

Instructions

1. Power down the MSI Wind if it is running.

2. Turn the MSI Wind netbook upside down.

3. Remove the MSI Wind's battery by pressing the unlock button and pushing the battery away from the netbook's case.

4. Remove the MSI Wind's battery by pressing the unlock button and pushing the battery away from the netbook's case.

5. Unscrew and remove the nine screws on the bottom of the MSI Wind using a mini Phillips-head screwdriver.

6. Remove the MSI Wind's bottom case by pulling at the corners. Don't pull too hard; verify all nine screws are removed if the case isn't easily separated from the laptop.

7. Insert the RAM stick into the MSI Wind's memory slot. Pick up the RAM and turn it so that the teeth face the motherboard and the notch is closest to the hard drive. Insert the RAM into the memory slot under the black tape between the hard drive and fan at a 45-degree angle. The RAM snaps into place without much force; realign the RAM if it isn't going in easily, don't push too hard.

8. Snap the bottom case of the MSI Wind back on without pushing too hard.

9. Screw the MSI Wind's nine screws back into the bottom of the netbook.

10. Re-insert the battery into its space on the bottom of the MSI Wind.

Tags: bottom Wind, nine screws, Remove Wind, away from, away from netbook

Remove Sony Laptop Keyboards

Remove Sony Laptop Keyboards

Sony manufactures some of the most popular laptops. Sony laptop users are commonly fans of the brand itself, and have forked over extra bucks to invest in what they believe will be a quality laptop. So for many users, getting rid of a Sony laptop just because of a small problem such as a worn down keyboard is out of the question. Replacing a keyboard on a Sony laptop is a very simple thing to do.

Instructions

1. Turn off your laptop and unplug it from any power source. Remove the battery cover and remove the battery from underneath the laptop.

2. Close the laptop screen and turn the laptop over so that the bottom side is facing upwards.

3. Remove the two screws, one at the very top left and the other at the very top right, on the back side with a Philips screwdriver. On some Sony laptops, there is only one screw to remove and it may be toward the middle of the underside.

4. Turn the laptop back over, and open the screen. Look between the crevice just above the actual keyboard for two small, black spring loaders above the F4 and F12 keys. On some Sony laptops, there may be four spring loaders above the keyboard. Those might be above the F4, F6, F10, and PrtSc keys.

5. Use the flathead screwdriver to press each spring loader down. This will release your keyboard.

6. Pry your keyboard out with the flathead screwdriver. (If your keyboard feels stuck, you probably have not unlatched it with the spring loaders properly. Try step 5 again.) Remove the keyboard carefully since it is still connected to the motherboard by the ribbon cable.

7. Unhook the ribbon cable from the motherboard by flipping the latch upwards with your finger.

Tags: spring loaders, your keyboard, flathead screwdriver, Laptop Keyboards, laptops there, loaders above

Asus Notebook Troubleshooting

Troubleshoot your ASUS notebook to make it work perfectly.

ASUS notebooks may experience some difficulties during their lifetime. Internet connection problems, power cord problems and issues with hardware and software are common occurrences for any brand of laptop computer. Troubleshooting your ASUS at home before contacting a retailer or repair facility can save you time and money. Never open your ASUS notebook case, though, because it could void your warranty or any service plans you purchased when you bought your computer.

Instructions

1. Disconnect any external cables from your notebook. Leave it to cool for 30 minutes before plugging all cords back in and restarting the system.

2. Run Windows System Restore. Open the Help and Support Center, select "Roll Back Changes to Your Computer With System Restore" on the left side of the screen and follow the prompts to restore your system to an earlier version. This can correct any software changes to your ASUS notebook.

3. Clear all your Internet files and recycle bin, then run the Disk Defragment Wizard. You can access this by selecting "Start," opening all programs and navigating to "System Tools" under the "Accessories" menu.

4. Visit the ASUS support forum. List the model of your notebook, the exact problem you're experiencing and what you were doing the first time it occurred. People with technical experience may be able to offer a user-friendly solution.

5. Call 888-678-3688 to talk to ASUS technical support. They'll be able to guide you through repairing or replacing computer components.

Tags: your ASUS, ASUS notebook, your ASUS notebook, System Restore, your notebook

Increase Virtual Graphic Memory

Increasing your virtual memory can give your computer's graphics a boost.

Virtual graphics memory became available with the Windows XP operating system. This allots a certain amount of virtual memory to your computer's graphics system. Your computer examines your RAM and finds areas that have not been recently accessed or used. It uses these empty areas of RAM as virtual memory, allowing your computer to render graphics faster and more efficiently. Many applications such as games or photo-editing software may require a higher amount of virtual memory. If this happens, you will receive a pop-up box stating that your virtual memory is low. You can increase the size of your virtual memory through the Control Panel. Changing the virtual memory in systems running Windows XP or newer can be done by following a few steps.

Instructions

1. Click the "Start" button and open your Control Panel. Click the "System and Maintenance" button and then select the "System" option.

2. Select "Advanced System Settings" in the left pane of the window. Enter the administrator password if you are prompted.

3. Click the "Settings" box at the top of the pop-up window under the "Performance" section.

4. Click the "Advanced" tab and in the virtual memory section click the "Change" button.

5. Unselect the option "Automatically manage paging file size for all drives."

6. Select the radio button beside "Custom Size." Enter new values into the Initial Size and Maximum Size value boxes and click the "Set" button, then click "OK."

7. Exit out of the system windows and close the Control Panel.

Tags: virtual memory, your virtual memory, Control Panel, your computer, your virtual, amount virtual

Diagnose Logic Board Issues On A Macbook

The logic board, or motherboard, is the central printed circuit electronic board inside a MacBook laptop that everything is connected to. The logic board is the pathway for all data flowing into and out of the computer. When the MacBook begins to function incorrectly due to hardware issues, the logic board must be tested to diagnose problems it may be having. Each Apple MacBook laptop ships with a diagnostic suite called the Apple Hardware Test. You can diagnose issues with the logic board, and other hardware on the MacBook, by running the Apple Hardware Test.

Instructions

1. Insert the disc containing the Apple Hardware Test suite in the disc drive, then restart the computer. MacBooks that shipped with Mac OS X 10.5.4 or earlier have the Apple Hardware Test located on the first Mac OS X install disc. MacBooks that shipped with version 10.5.5 or later have the program located on the second install disc.

2. Press and hold the "D" key on the keyboard until the MacBook begins to boot from the disc.

3. Click to select your language, then click the "Next" arrow.

4. Press the "T" key to run the basic tests. If no errors are reported, proceed to the next step.

5. Click the check box next to "Perform extended testing," then click the "Test" button. This may take several minutes to complete.

Tags: Apple Hardware, Apple Hardware Test, Hardware Test, logic board, install disc

Overclock A Dfi Motherboard & Cpu

Be very careful when overclocking your CPU.

Most motherboard manufacturers don't include options for overclocking in their motherboard's BIOS. DFI, though, makes motherboards designed for overclocking. Each board comes with a suite of features found on few other motherboards. DFI's custom BIOS makes changing your CPU's settings easy. Keep in mind, though, that overclocking your CPU is inherently dangerous and should be attempted only if you're comfortable voiding your CPU's warranty and potentially damaging your system.

Instructions

Setting the Overclock

1. Save your work and reboot your PC.

2. Access the BIOS by pressing the appropriate key at the power on self test (POST) screen. The access key is usually the "Del" key, but it may vary among models. Check your owner's manual for specific instructions.

3. Use the arrow keys to navigate to the section labeled "Overclocking," "Advanced Motherboard Settings" or "Frequency and Voltage Settings." Press "Enter" to select the menu option.

4. Locate the "CPU Frequency," "FSB Frequency" or "FSB Clock" heading. Press "Enter" to select the heading.

5. Select the "Clock Speed" heading and increase the value by 3-5mhz. Press "F10" to save the settings and reboot the computer.

6. Wait until the computer boots back into Windows stably. Restart the computer again and re-enter the BIOS. Increase the "FSB" setting by another 3-5mhz. Reboot the PC and make sure Windows runs stably. Continue increasing the FSB and rebooting until Windows no longer boots properly. Reduce the FSB setting by 7-10mhz and reboot the PC.

Test the Overclock

7. Point your web browser at the Prime95 download site (check the Resources section) and download the program file to your desktop.

8. Double-click the program file to launch the program. Select the "Just Stress Testing" option and click "Ok."

9. Allow the test to run for at least 12 hours. Check back on the program periodically to make sure it's still running. Should the test fail, you'll need to reduce your overclock in the BIOS by 3-5mhz and try to run the test again. Once the test has run for at least 12 hours without interruption, your overclock can be considered stable.

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Computer Benchmark Tools

Computer benchmarking programs are tools designed to test the performance levels and capabilities of your system. The results of these tests will give you an indication of computer processor speed, graphics card performance, RAM capabilities and hard drive transfer rates. Computer benchmarking programs can also compare your system against other, common systems so that you can gauge how your computer compares to the current market. Benchmarking your computer is particularly useful if you wish to purchase modern games or other resource-intensive software to run on your computer.

Processor Benchmark Utilities

The best processor benchmark tools are designed to test single and multi-core processors. These tools will generally test the power of your CPU by testing its ability to quickly render advanced 3D graphics. Once the test is complete, the results will be plotted against other computer processors in the same range of your system.

RAM Benchmark Utilities

Utilities that benchmark the RAM are primarily concerned with the ability of your computer to manage multiple open applications simultaneously. These tests will load multiple small applications to the RAM and cycle through them, measuring response time, stability and overall performance of the system under these stresses.

Video Benchmark Utilities

Benchmarking tools that test the graphics card are usually most concerned with DirectX performance. Since many computer-intensive programs will largely tax the processor, it's important that a DirectX testing component is included. DirectX is the de facto standard graphics-rendering software used in high-end video games. Video benchmarking tools will test your graphics card's ability to render shadows, water, smoke, fog, and other highly advanced graphical elements. Video card benchmarking tools will also put your computer to the test by displaying large amounts of graphical data (for instance, battle scenes that feature thousands of soldiers) which test the memory capabilities of your graphics card.

Hard Drive Benchmark Utilities

Hard drive benchmark utilities test data transfer rates and responsiveness of the drive. The basic test will perform basic data transfer tasks and measure the speed and accuracy of the transfer. Generally speaking, hard drives using the SATA transfer method will perform better than older hard drives. The best-performing hard drives are solid-state hard drives.

Comprehensive Benchmark Utilities

Comprehensive benchmark tools provide a suite of applications for testing every aspect of your computer system. These tools are bundled with processor, RAM, video card and hard-drive testing tools as well as a slate of other tools for testing other aspects of your computer system.

Tags: your computer, Benchmark Utilities, graphics card, hard drives, tools will

Compare Computer Companies

There are many categories in which you can compare most modern computer companies. They can be compared by their product prices, their manufacturing process, hardware reliability and other data, but they can also be compared by the size of the company, where they get their materials and how they rate by customer service. Comparing computer companies may yield different results depending on what specifics you are looking for, but it is a relatively simple process.

Instructions

1. Determine what companies you are trying to compare. For example, you may need to differentiate between the actual computer companies and computer resellers, and you may want to narrow your searches to companies that provide a specific type of computer or hardware. You can search for lists of computer and IT companies online. One such list is the Top 100 IT Companies at netvalley.com (see Resources).

2. Establish your criteria for comparison. If you are looking for data such as reliability, customer satisfaction and similar records, you may have to look in a variety of locations where you can find consumer reviews and in-depth critiques of products by other companies. If you're looking for data such as sales, profits and sales-based ranks, this information may be available as a list.

3. Create categories for your comparisons. For example, you could make a list that compiled information on consumer ratings, reliability and product pricing. This personal list will give you the best information on your searches. This information will make it easier for you to make a decision based on your findings.

Tags: computer companies, data such, looking data, looking data such, your searches

Build A Windows Home Server Pc

Build a Windows Home Server PC

Windows home server is an operating system by Microsoft designed to provide easy data backup, data recovery, media server and document management for the home network. A server does not have the same needs compared to a desktop computer. Because the server needs to provide data storage only, it can have a low power processor. A Windows home server also needs a large storage capacity to store backup data from several computers, as well as common data such as documents and media files (audio, video and pictures).

Instructions

1. Purchase a low power processor and motherboard with integrated video card. The Intel ATOM solutions and AMD "e" processors are best for that use. Purchase 2Gb of RAM and 2 to 4 hard drives.

2. Install the RAM memory by sliding it in the memory slot and pressing on both end of the memory stick. Once the memory stick "clicks," secure the latches on the side of the stick.

3. Secure the power supply in the case if your case does not come with one already. Secure the motherboard inside the case and install the hard drives. Secure them all with screws provided with your case.

4. Connect the power cords to the hard drive and motherboard following the motherboard manual. Connect the SATA cables to the hard drive and either the SATA card or the motherboard. If you are using a SATA card, only connect the hard drive for data to that card.

5. Plug the computer to the outlet and connect a monitor to the video card port on the back of the computer. Connect a keyboard and mouse. Insert the Windows Home server CD in the drive and boot your computer.

6. On the Welcome screen click "Next." Select "New installation" after making sure all the hard drives installed are seen by the system.

7. Follow the on screen instructions, enter your "Windows Key" and enter a name for your server. After clicking "Yes" to acknowledge that all the data on the drives will be lost because of the formatting process, the installation begins.

8. After the installation is complete, enter a password when prompted. Microsoft then asks you a series of questions on what type of data you want the server to send back in case of a problem. After answering those questions the server is ready to use.

9. Unplug the keyboard, mouse and monitor and move the server where you want it to be. Connect the network cable, turn it on and go to your computer to configure the users and the shared folder using your home server manual.

Tags: hard drive, hard drives, Windows Home, backup data, Build Windows

Find A Computer Model Number

Find a Computer Model Number

In order to purchase additional memory, hardware-specific accessories and replacement parts for your computer, you need to know your computer's model number. The model number is a unique alphanumeric, sometimes numeric, code used to identify the particular version/series of your computer. As new computers are developed, certain older models are discontinued, and by knowing your computer's model number you can contact the manufacturer to see if it has been discontinued or if parts are still available for your system.

Instructions

1. Turn your desktop computer around so the back of the device is facing you.

2. Use a flashlight to shine on the back of your desktop computer's case.

3. Look for a sticker containing the wording "Model Number" or "Part Number." The number or alphanumeric string of characters next to the wording is your computer's model number. You may also see "Serial Number" or "S/N," which is your computer's serial number.

4. Write down your desktop computer's model number on a piece of paper.

5. Lay your laptop computer upside down on a flat surface--a desk, countertop or workbench--if you don't see a sticker on the back of your computer.

6. Look for a sticker on the desktop's underside containing the wording "Model Number" or "Part Number." The number or alphanumeric string of characters next to the wording is your computer's model number.

7. Write down your desktop computer's model number on a piece of paper.

8. Look on the front of your desktop or laptop computer for a numeric or alphanumeric code, if you don't see a sticker on the back or bottom of your computer.

9. Write down your desktop computer's model number on a piece of paper.

Tags: your computer, computer model number, your desktop, desktop computer, your desktop computer

Clear Computer Ram Memory

Clear Computer RAM memory

Sometimes you need to clear computer RAM memory because a program is frozen and has stopped responding. RAM (random access memory) holds data for currently running programs and the operating system. RAM is much faster than a hard drive, but unlike a hard drive, the data in RAM is lost when power to the computer is cut off. This means shutting down the computer is the only effective way of totally clearing computer RAM memory.

Instructions

1. To partially clear computer RAM memory, close some programs that are currently running. In Windows, right-click on any program in the task bar and choose the "Close" option. That will free up the memory that was used by the program. Even if you close every program running on the task bar, a big chunk of memory is taken up by the operating system. The RAM used by the operating system cannot be cleared without shutting down the system.

2. To clear computer RAM memory totally, you have to shut down the system. In Windows, click on the Start Menu and click the "Shut Down" option. Unix and Linux have similar options. When this process is complete, all RAM will be cleared.

3. If you are somewhat impatient, turn off the computer by pressing the power button on the computer. This is slightly quicker than the previous step.

4. If you are very impatient, unplug the power cord of the computer. If it is a laptop, disconnect the battery as well. The computer's RAM memory will be cleared immediately upon the power source being disconnected. This method of shutting down the computer usually causes corruption or some other problem when the operating system is booted up again.

Tags: computer memory, operating system, clear computer memory, shutting down, clear computer, computer This, currently running

Definition Of A Video Card

A video card is an important device inside a computer or gaming console. This card displays graphics to your monitor or TV. Games, videos and even surfing the web requires a video card. The type of media that you wish to view may depend on the style of video card you currently have. Certain games and other media may require an advanced device.

History

The Monochrome Graphics Adapter was the first video card on the market. IBM, in 1981, sold their first set of computers with this device. Even though, it was a graphics design, in the early computer era, text could only be in display. The component was 4KB with a color scheme of only green.

In the mid 1990s, video cards were available with multi-color schemes. The design was also with a display of 2D and 3D graphics. The first video card with complete 3D graphics capability was the Voodoo. The manufactures 3dfx had a release of this device in the late 1990s.

Since the early development of video cards hit the market, several companies began mass production. The initial manufacturers include IBM and 3dfx. In the late 1990s, companies such as ATI and NVIDIA also began production with faster 3D graphic accelerators.

Significance

A video card is a device with a circuit board. The installation inside a desktop computer is simple. However, changing a laptop video card needs a certain skill level that most people do not possess. Replacement video cards for a gaming console do not exist. The video card uses a signal that runs though the motherboard and releases into the monitor or TV. The more RAM the video card offers, the better the quality. This also assists the speed of the graphics from the video card to the screen.

Function

Video cards have a large role in the computer industry. With the development of games at a rapid rate, these devices are always changing. However, advanced card are not only for games. Websites and videos on the Internet are ever changing. A high performance graphics accelerator is important to be able to view and use online material.

A graphics accelerator has RAM and a processor. These assist the motherboard in relating the picture to the screen. The more RAM and processor speed your video card has available, the quicker the images appear. The graphics on the screen is comprised of dots commonly known as pixels. The video card is a small component in a full circuit. The motherboard powers the card. The processor in the computer tells the video card what to do with the information. Then the monitor releases the information onto the screen.

Some motherboards have integrated video. This means that it is directly on the motherboard sharing other components. Usually, this will only work by giving you a connection from the monitor to the motherboard. If you decide to play games or view videos, your options may be limited. This is because the integrated video is shared and the most RAM you may get out of this is only 32MB. Usually, videos and games today uses a minimal of 64MB of ram.

Types

The PCI video card is the oldest in existence at this point. This is installed on the motherboard in the PCI slots, which are commonly white on a motherboard. These slots house sound or Ethernet cards. PCI devices are out-of-date and sluggish. They are also not adaptable for videos or advance games. You can however, install a PCI and AGP video cards in the same motherboard at the same time for duel video.

The AGP video card is a more popular type. They have their own slot on the motherboard. These are longer than other installable components and have a different design. The AGP cards are approximately four times faster than the PCI video and compatible with videos or most computer games.

PCI Express video cards are the most recent type of the market. They are completely compatible with any graphics including advanced videos and more developed games. However, you will need a compatible motherboard to install a PCI Express card. This type of card works with a lane system. Each lane has data connecting to the screen output. PCI Express has between one and thirty-two lanes of data. The most common form, which you may have in your computer, is 16 lanes.

Features

There are hundreds types of video cards on the market. Each one has distinct features. Some of the more popular features of video cards will be outlined.

The higher end video cards have between 256MB to 512MB of RAM. Even though, the RAM on certain cards can reach 4GIG. They have network speeds between 100Mpbs to 1000Mpbs. The graphic devices come with drivers. A driver is software that assists the video card to run smoothly on any computer.

Some cards have TV and video capture options. TV tuner features allow you to use your computer as a TV and receive all satellite and regular channels.

The newer video cards have duel monitor support. They also have better drivers to receive the correct resolution for your video and gaming needs.

Tags: video card, video cards, video card, cards have, cards market