Computer Hardware

Finding Cheap Ink Jet Cartridges

2009-03-03T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Oliver Turner

Printer users will know how expensive it is to buy new printer cartridges for your ink jet printer. The best way to save money is to buy cheap ink jet cartridges. Finding cheap ink jet cartridges can be easy if you know where to look for. There are mainly two ways of buying printer cartridges shop online or from the retail store.

The internet is the best place to buy cheap ink jet cartridges. Due to increase in demand for printer cartridges many printer suppliers find it profitable to sell their products online. The online dealers have their websites, which offer information on the various types of ink jet cartridges available for purchase. Most online sellers offer discounts, especially on bulk purchases. These are really useful for office set-ups. Shopping online gives you the option of comparing the prices offered by the different sellers and choose the cheapest discounted price. Visit three to four websites before placing your order.

But care has to be taken when you are buying online. Make sure that you buy from reputed online printer suppliers. Reputed dealers give guarantee on their products and service. Some even have replace faulty cartridges without any extra charge. Buying cheap ink jet cartridges online doesn't mean that you save only on the product. You can save on shipping and traveling expenses as well. Online dealers may have free shipping facilities, if you spend over a certain amount.

The other option of finding cheap ink jet cartridges may be your local retail computer supplies store. Though prices of ink jet cartridges at retail stores are considerably higher than those offered by the online stores, sometimes the retail stores may also offer discounted prices on their printer supplies. So you have to watch out for such deals and discounts offered by the retail store.

We have tested all printer ink online sources and found the best one. Find the results only on the Cheap ink jet cartridges test. All about printer inks on http://www.leandernet.com

Top Three Factors To Consider While Choosing A Data Center For Your Business

2009-03-02T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Vinodh Pushparaj

Data Centers are the core of the Internet. The computer servers that power the Interne,t call Data Centers their home. If you think of how many billions of online transactions that happen every day you will be amazed to know that the final resting place of all these stored transactions is the Data centers. This Amazement quickly turns into Panic when you think about how much private data and vital data is stored there. Over years the Data Center technologies have evolved a lot into much advanced techniques like server virtualization and high speed power houses. There are more than 100 factors one should evaluate a data center against before choosing one to home their servers. In this article we will see the three main that in turn dictate the rest of the factors.

1. Security: We just now saw how much data is stored, processed and served by the data centers. All these are vital data that makes or breaks a global economy. Security includes the data encryption capability of the servers, the security of the uplinks or the backbone networks that are employed. It includes security mechanisms like the Public key dongles and the capability to store the data securely and safely. The less talked aspect is the physical security of the box and the whole data center itself. We are talking about limiting snooping and sniffing the packets, but what happens if one person just walks in carries off a server. How much credit card data, transaction details, bank details and the SSN's get compromised! You can have a slow box but an insecure one creates a ton of problems in the form of countless lawsuits. Choose the data center that excels in all aspects of security. Ask pointed questions, expect the right answers.

2. Reliability: The next important aspect is the reliability of the systems and the data center infrastructure itself. We are just not talking about backup machines or RAID 5 HDD. We are talking of highly available power systems with sufficient backup time and in house generators for emergencies. The additional aspect to consider is reliability of the company that offers the data center and the persons working for the company. You many want to talk a little bit about their hiring and daily authentication and authorization process if you are even a mid-sized company. Disaster recovery systems are critical for the five 9's in reliability don't be stalled because a California power-company had a complete emergency shutdown due to an earthquake or a hurricane in Florida. You should be able to gracefully failover to alternate sites.

3. High Speed: The third aspect is the much needed speed. This is more complex than you think. Adding a word saying that we have the high end servers making a data center a high speed infrastructure is minimum requirement. The network uplinks and the Internet backbone the center are connected to are also very important. You have to ask for custom solutions like caching technologies, load balancing blueprints and high end routers, switches and backplanes.

This article just touches on these major concepts and you have to do sufficient research on the keywords employed in this article. As I said there are 100 factors to consider before choosing the right datacenter. Any good company owning a data center would openly help you evaluate their infrastructure against these factors.

You can find a good Data Center with many of the good capabilities discussed in this article in fastpcnet.net. Ask them about their custom solution and how they measure against the deciding factors and you will be happy at the answers.

Author Holds a Masters in Distributed computing and does freelancing for many great Internet companies through the no fee free freelance website freelancefree.com.

Understanding Barcode Labels

2009-03-01T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by John Barth

The bar code is a tool to efficiently and accurately identify items and collect information. The patent for the bar code was issued to Joseph Woodland and Bernard Silver in 1952. This first bar code was not the rectangle of thick and thin lines that we now know, but a bull's-eye-type symbol made of concentric circles. It looked much like the rings on the inside of a tree.

While the bull's eye bar code did help companies to maintain their inventory and keep track of their products, it soon became evident that some sort of universal bar code system needed to be set up. The Uniform Product Code, or U.P.C., was invented in 1973 to allow retailers and manufacturers to coordinate their bar codes.

The use of bar code labels is a simple way to save the time and energy of your employees. With a bar code system, you can quickly and accurately inventory your stock instead of spending hours counting and recounting. Bar codes help to reduce time spent by employees marking and changing price tags on products.

With barcode labels, you'll be able to increase productivity in your employees and save your company money. To have a barcode system you need to get your bar code system set up including bar code labels, bar code ribbons, bar code rewinders, barcode printers and bar code scanners. Blank barcode labels and blank laser label sheets can use in conjunction with most bar code software.

If there are any bar code supplies that you need but are not on our website at http://www.adazonusa.com than give us a call at (847) 235-2700. We are happy to order products specifically for a customer. Find Barcode Labels and a large selection of the latest Barcode Printers at AdaZon.

What Is The Best Way To Backup Data

2009-02-28T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Christine Harrell

Although businesses realize the severe loss associated with losing their data, a surprising majority still aren't backing up. Most people have good intentions of implementing some sort of backup service, but aren't entirely sure where to begin. Here we'll take a comparative look at 3 types of information backup plans: direct access storage, tape backup drives, and online storage.

Direct Attached Storage:

The best thing about direct attached storage is that it's easy to access the information if your main drive is lost. Data in its correct form can be accessed right from the direct attached storage drive and you can quickly go on with you life.

For most small to medium sized businesses, a direct access storage unit is the most logical option. The backups can be scheduled to occur automatically and do their job consistently and regularly without the need for a person to manage it full time. The size of a direct access storage unit is often plenty of room for a small to midsized business.

Tape Backup Drives:

There are 3 main benefits to keeping a tape library with a tape backup drive.

Off Site Storage The first benefit is that the data can be stored off site to reduce risk of loss of both your primary data and your backup data due to fire, flooding, or other natural disasters.

Unlimited Storage Capacity For businesses that have a great deal of data, not using tape backup drives means filling up numerous hard disks, which doesn't make sense economically. Instead of purchasing a new storage unit each time the drive is full, a new tape can be placed into the existing hardware and the full tape can be added to the tape library.

Chronological Records Direct access storage and online storage solutions often present the storage of only the most current document as an asset. In most cases, having only the most current document is all that matters. However, many businesses require 'snapshots' of various documents throughout their lifespan and a tape library is an excellent way to accomplish this. With a tape backup drive, you can look back on a document such as a customer contract during different stages of its development to look for critical variations.

Online Data Backup:

Online data backup services can cost $1500 per year on the low end for just one Window based computer. While convenient, the cost may not be justifiable for many small businesses who can buy a tape backup drive or a direct access storage drive for a fraction of the yearly cost of an online service. Also, you'll want to do a good deal of investigation as to how safe your data actually is.

The obvious benefit to an online service is that the data is being stored outside of the office and better dispersed. In the event of a fire, it's best to have your data in multiple locations so to reduce risk. However, this can also be achieved by storing tape libraries in a remote location or fire resistant safe.

Because each business is different, there is no one right way to handle information backup. Companies who specialize in backup products can be a great source for information and consultation as to which type of backup system to choose. If you're not backing up your information now, make it a goal to have a system implemented by the end of the month. It's a natural tendency to put off preventative measures as long as everything is fine today. Once you implement a system it can, for the most part run on its own and you'll be back to business as usual with an even greater sense of security.

Author is a writer for Sunstar Company which specializes in direct attached storage and tape back drives. For additional information you can visit http://www.SunstarCo.com.

Hard Drives

2009-02-27T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Kent Pinkerton

A hard drive, or hard disk drive (HDD), is the storage device you use in your personal computer (PC). These are non-volatile storage devices used to store the data of your computermeaning you can be assured that whatever data is stored in these devices, it cannot easily be erased. However, there is no guarantee that your HDD would not encounter problems causing it to crash and causing you to eventually loose your data.

Inside the HDD, there are many mechanisms that move around to perform read and write functions. The HDD is made of rotating platters, commonly called disks. Each of these platters has a planar magnetic surface where the data is stored. This data is sent to a read-write head, which sends an electrical charge, executing the transaction. These moving parts and electrical charges could possibly cause the breakdown of your HDD, but manufacturers have already designed firmware into the HDD to allow more efficient scheduling of reads and writes if the HDD surface and the remapping of sectors of the disk fail. Also, HDD manufacturers have collaborated with motherboard makers in developing the Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology, or S.M.A.R.T., that can warn you of possible failures, allowing you to make necessary backups before data loss occurs.

An HDD is accessed with the following bus types: ATA (which includes IDE and EIDE), SATA, SCSI, SAS, FireWire (or IEEE 1394), USB and Fibre Channel. Aside from the connection, you have to select your HDD by the capacity, nowadays measured by gigabytes; the physical size, normally, if you are using a desktop, you would need a 3.5" HDD, whereas 2.5" is what you would use for a laptop; the reliability or the estimated number of uses before you HDD fails; speed or the number of reads and writes per second; power consumption; transfer rate; random access time; and the G-shock rating, which is very important if you plan to travel with your HDD a lot.

Hard Drives provides detailed information on Hard Drives, External Hard Drives, Hard Drive Data Recovery, Format Hard Drives and more. Hard Drives is affiliated with Hard Drive Recovery Software.

What Tablet Pcs Can Do For You

2009-02-26T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Nick Smith

Tablet PCs are great. If you are a mobile person, and you have never considered getting a tablet PC in the past, now is as good a time as any to start checking them out - the technology is cutting-edge, the usability is superb, and prices are starting to drop.

There are two main types of tablet PCs: convertible and slate. Convertible tablets look a lot like normal laptops except the screen can be rotated all the way around and laid down flat across the keyboard. You then input information through the screen using a stylus. Slate tablet PCs include only the screen interface though they are fully integratable with peripherals like keyboards and mouses, the computer itself does not have them. Both types are viable options, depending on your personal preferences and what you'll be using it for.

As with any technology, tablet PCs have advantages and disadvantages. Thanks to the last few years of development and enhancement, the disadvantages are shrinking in number, and the perks are becoming more and more enticing.

Advantages of Tablet PCs

Far and away, the best thing about tablet PCs is their mobility. You can take and use them anywhere you go, the same way you would take notebook and pen. That means that when your boss bumps into you in the hallway and gives you a number of assignments, you can write them down. In meetings you don't have to hide your face behind the monitor of your laptop because you can lay the tablet PC flat on the table. For students, this mobility is great - you can study your notes while you're waiting in lines or even in the car.

Tablet PCs let you use digital ink to store handwritten notes, graphs, charts, and pictures. You don't have to worry about taking your laptop and a notepad and pen to meetings or classes. Using the stylus, tablet PCs record your handwriting and drawings. They can convert your handwriting to text if you need to turn in an assignment typewritten.

All of the money you have been spending on pens, pencils, highlighters, notepads, papers, binders, folders, staples, and paperclips stays in your pocket. Because of the digital ink option on tablet PCs, much of the need for paper supplies and writing utensils is eliminated. You can keep all your notes on your computer.

Finally, one of the advantages of tablet PCs over regular laptops is that you don't lose any functionality from your computer. Tablets operate on similar platforms and run many of the same programs. In fact, many programs integrate all of their normal functions with digital ink, so you can add notes to documents and even email your handwritten notes to someone.

Disadvantages of Tablet PCs

Despite my obvious zeal for tablet PCs, I recognize that there are still some disadvantages. First is the price. The prices for tablet PCs are coming down quite a bit from when they were first released, but on average, you can expect to spend more for a tablet PC than for its equivalent laptop. Depending on the bells and whistles you're looking for, expect to pay anywhere from $1,000 on up.

The handwriting-to-text conversion does not always work the way you wish it would. Just like speech-to-text systems require a trained style of speech to work properly, tablet PCs recognize a trained penmanship easier than the way you may write naturally. A lot of the kinks in these conversion systems have been worked out - but don't plan on handwriting your next novel expecting to be able to convert into a print-ready copy with no problems.

Finally, their smaller size is both an advantage and disadvantage. They are much more mobile than their laptop counterparts, but the viewing area is also smaller. Likewise, the keyboard also shrinks down to accommodate the smaller size, so if you feel like your fingers are already cramped on a laptop-sized keyboard, you'll want to make sure you're going to be able to use the tablet PCs before you buy one.

Nick Smith is a client account specialist with 10x Marketing - More Visitors. More Buyers. More Revenue. For organizational software that will help you take full advantage of tablet PCs, visit GoBinder.com.

Data Storage Media A Guide To Selecting Media For Storing And Backing Up Computer Data

2009-02-25T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by David Haysom

Data, or information stored on your computer, can either be held on fixed disk drives inside the computer or on removable media such as CD's that can be inserted and removed. Removable media can be used to transfer files between computers or to backup the data already existing on fixed disk drives. There are three types of removable media: Magnetic, Optical and Flash.

Magnetic Storage Magnetic Storage: Hard disks, floppy disks and digital audiotape are examples of Magnetic storage. They operate through a read/write head, which creates and reads magnetic impressions on the disk.

The downside

The magnetic impression only lasts for around five years

The capacity of most removable magnetic disks is too low for many types of files

Optical storage Optical Storage holds information in digital form that is written and read by a laser. All CD and DVD devices are examples of this.

The upside

Increased capacity: one Optical disc can store the same amount of data as over 500 diskettes

Durability: they last up to seven times as long as Magnetic forms of storage

Flash Memory (Solid-State Removable Storage) Solid-state memory (or Flash memory) is a high-performance plug-and-play storage device that contains no moving parts. It is found in digital cameras, video game consoles and digital audio players. You can use it in the form of USB Flash Drives to transfer or backup data. Flash memory is small, light and fast.

Backup Backup is the copying of files onto portable media so that if your computer crashes, data won't be lost in oblivion. Backup is usually routine in large businesses but is often neglected by individual users. Some suggest backing up data files and duplicating your hard drive weekly. It takes around 45 minutes to backup a 500-megabyte hard disk.

There are two options - local or Internet backup. The following is a list of Local backup options. Most of these also double as devices used to transfer data between computers.

Diskettes

Zip Drives

CD's

DVD's

Flash Drive

Internet Backup Another backup option is sending your files to an Internet site for safekeeping. If your computer crashes you can simply download them from the site. Here are a few examples of such sites: Backup Defender (www.backupdefender.co.nz) and My Backup (www.mybackup.co.nz). N.B. The author does not recommend or endorse any of the above service providers.

Diskette A Diskette is a 3.5-inch removable magnetic disk. The older version, the floppy disk, is 5.25 inches square and flexible. Copying to a diskette is quick and economical.

Ideal for

Those who use their PC for personal finance - the diskette enables you to retrieve checkbook balances etc.

Projects that need to be continuously backed up such as a film script, as it is a cheap alternative.

Not so good for

Some newer computer and laptop models that do not have a diskette or floppy drive installed.

Large amounts of data as diskettes don't have a great storage capacity

Zip Drives A Zip drive is a small, square shaped magnetic disk that is ideal for backing up your PC. The 100-megabyte size holds the equivalent of 70 floppy diskettes. They also come in a 250-megabyte size

Ideal for

Duplicating your entire disc drive

Archiving

Storing graphic images or other large files

Transferring large files

Keeping certain data separate from files on your hard disk

The downside

They seem to be a fleeting technology - most computers do not have a Zip Disc drive installed and opinion varies on how long they will be around for.

Compact Disks There are different standards of CD's that have different capabilities. Just to confuse us they are recognized by seemingly similar acronyms; CD-R, CD-RW, CD+RW, DDCD and E-CD.

CD-R CD-R (Compact Disc - Recordable) is a CD that can be recorded to only once. It usually holds 74 minutes of audio or 650 MB of data, although newer versions hold up to 80 minutes of audio (700 MB of data). If your PC has CD burning software and a compatible CD-R or CD-RW drive, the CD-R can be used in the same way as a diskette. However unlike a diskette it cannot be deleted or overwritten. Look out for CD-Rs that have an additional protective layer which make them less susceptible to damage caused through scratching.

Ideal for

Making music CD's

Storing photos

Storing permanent data

Not so good for

Transferring files as they can only be used once

CD-RW/CD+RW A CD-RW (Compact Disc Rewritable) and CD+RW can be recorded onto as many times as desired. Data can be overwritten and erased. Other than this, the CD-RW is identical to the CD-R. If it wasn't for their finite durability CD-RW's and CD+RW's could be reused endlessly.

Ideal for

Transferring files

Holding temporary data

Not so good for

Holding important permanent files-in case they are accidentally deleted

Double Density CD (DDCD) This disc has a much greater storage capacity than an average CD-R or CD-RW.

Ideal for

Backing up

Storing archival data

Enhanced CD Enhanced CD (E-CD) is an audio CD with CD-ROM data added. CD-ROM data is added in the space not taken by audio. Recording artists can use this to include videos, lyrics, interviews or promo material. The E-CD can be played on a CD player but to view additional material you need access to a multimedia-capable device, such as a CD-i player, DVD-ROM, or CD-ROM drive.

Bridge Disks A CD-Bridge disc holds extra information on a CD-ROM XA track. The disc can be played on either a CD-i player attached to a television, or a CD-ROM XA drive attached to a computer. Software such as Photo or a Karaoke CD player can provide lots of fun with the Bridge Disk.

DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) Although DVD's have become more associated with video, they can also hold audio and computer data; hence their name Digital Versatile Disk. Like the CD, a DVD is a 120-mm by 1.2mm thick disk. However the DVD has more tracks than a CD so holds far more data. CD's have an unvarying storage capacity of 750MB, whereas DVD's store up to 17GB.

A range of acronyms is also used to distinguish between the different types and capabilities of DVD's available. These include DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+RW and DVD-Audio.

DVD-ROM DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disc - Read Only Memory) is similar to a movie DVD, but is designed for computers. The DVD-ROM stores data in the same way that the CD-ROM does and is used in the DVD-ROM drive of your PC.

The upside

Larger storage space hold more data than a CD

Can be filled with nearly everything; video, music or computer specific data

A base speed of 1.32 megabytes/sec

The downside

Many older computers do not have a DVD-Rom drive installed

Can be recorded on only once

DVD-Audio DVD-Audio (DVD-A) is designed for audio data and high-quality music. Its storage capacity is seven times that of a CD and provides at least twice the sound quality. Like the Enhanced CD, DVD-A can contain other data, providing the listener with extra information such as lyrics or images. DVD-A is predicted by many to replace the standard audio CD in the music industry.

DVD-R Like the CD-R, the DVD-R (Digital Versatile Disc-Recordable) can be recorded on once.

The upside

A DVD-R can contain an assortment of information; video, text, audio and computer data

A DVD-R can be played on your normal DVD video player but remember, if you have additional data not of the same format e.g. video and audio together, you will need a DVD-ROM or Multimedia player of some kind

A DVD-R is read at the same speed as commercially made DVD's

DVD-RW and DVD+RW Similar to the CD-RW, a DVD-RW or DVD+RW (Digital Versatile Disc Rewritable) can be recorded on, rewritten and erased multiple times. Other than this they are identical to the DVD-R. DVD minus and plus are just different versions with the same functionality.

The Future of CD/DVD Storage The majority of the technology industry predicts that soon DVD's, with their larger storage capacity and faster access time, will replace CD's. DVD-ROM drives are likely to be sold with new computer systems in the way that CD-ROM drives once were. However we are always on the cusp of newer technologies, such as the HD-ROM.

HD-ROM (High Density-Read Only Memory) HD-ROM uses a more precise particle beam to write data. This enables information to be written on more durable materials such as metal so storage is virtually permanent. HD-ROM has hundreds of times the storage capacity of the CD-ROM.

Flash Drives A Flash drive is a small portable memory stick that holds anywhere from 1Mb to 1GB of data. It is surprisingly lightweight and is often worn around the neck or carried as a funky key chain. They are compatible with any PC that has USB port and with Mac OS 9 and OS X, Windows 2000 and XP or Linux 2.4.17.

The upside

Durable - more so than CD's or DVD's

No need for batteries or a separate power source

Convenient - your computer should recognize the additional drive as soon as you insert it into the USB port

Ideal for backup

Larger storage capacity then many other portable devices

More portable than ZIP drives, CD's and Diskettes

Quick transfer rate (approx. 1Mb/sec)

Edit, rewrite, delete as many times as desired

Help desk personnel can use Flash Drives as a portable toolkit that includes system updates and recovery tools.

The downside

More expensive than other portable devices

Viruses - The portability and compatibility of the Flash Drive increases the chance of spreading viruses. In many cases viruses carried by a Flash Drive will not be detected as most antivirus software is reactive and only recognizes known viruses

Theft - a Flash Drive can make it easier for data to be stolen from an unlocked PC

Little Security - the size and weight of the Flash drive makes it very easy to misplace. Most have little or no security features and data is accessed easily. Some Flash Drives do have built in security; either a password or in some cases a finger print system - but this comes at a price.

Article by David Haysom. David is the eCommerce Manager for OfficeRocket http://www.officerocket.co.nz/. OfficeRocket is an online store that offers a wide range of office supplies including computer data storage media.

You Will Need To Change A Toner Cartridge Because

2009-02-24T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by David Skul

1. Your printer implicates that toner is not full enough to print. Note: Low toner generally implies you can print a couple hundred extra pages without a problem.

2. The pages turning out of the printer appearance withered or washed out.

3. The pages develop a repeating shortcoming of some variety.

4. Users are able of and required to be capable to change toner in black and white printers. Note: Color printers are harder so if you are diffident of how to change color toner ring the helpdesk and they will usually help you.

First thing you will want to realize is what model of printer you develop.

This might be scripted on the printer somewhere, there are two names that you will likely find on the printer, one is the name of the printer. The other is the model name . You may want the model name.

With this information, most stores might be capable to tell you which exchange toner cartridge to apply. Note: If there is a nuiscance identifying which exchange to employ call the printer manufacturers helpdesk. Supply them your serial number and they will make sure you have the replenishment toner cartridge that you should.

Utilize the following process to replace the toner cartridge

1. Take the new cartridge back to the printer and take the fresh toner cartridge from the package.

2. Power the printer off.

3. Open the toner cover on the printer.

4. dislodge the old toner by extracting and away from the printer. Note:It should come to low to print with only a modest amount of pressure

5. dislodge the new toner from its bag, remove the protective strip from the cartridge. Note: This is a small tab on the side of the cartridge that is bound to a plastic strip.

If you do not dislodge this strip the printer will only print blank sheets. Attend to stay away from getting the toner on you once you rip off the strip. Spilled toner is best cleansed up with a dry textile. If you splatter any toner on yourself you can wash it off with cold water

6. Place the new cartridge into the printer the like way the old unit came to low to print Note:there will be arrows or other prompts to help you line up the cartridge right and itt had better glide in with minimal force. If it does not glide in easily, make sure you develop the cartridge aligned right and that you are using the correct cartridge

7. Once you develop the cartridge sat down all they way in place then close the toner cover.

8. Power the printer back on.

9. Print a couple of test pages

If the prints appearance wonderful, you are just about done, bundle the old toner cartridge in the pack the new toner came in and Give it to the recycler. Most palce get a credit for the old cartridges. Now you are finished.

If there is a problem with the trial pages, some cartridges are refurbished and sometimes the cartridges can be faulty. If you see runs, duplicated flaws, bleached out pages or extra defects that did not survive before you changed, toner it will be because of a issue with the toner cartridge. Try acquiring another new cartridge, installing that cartridge, and printing occasionally trial pages. If the printouts are uninfected, then the First cartridge is a blemish, return it to the supplier for credit.

If each new toner cartridges appear to develop problems call up the manufacturers helpdesk. There is in all likelihood something improper with the printer. Please Note: Toner cartridges are light sensitive if you are resorting to leave them to low to print of the package or printer for extra than a couple of minutes please cover them to stop breakage.

Visit one of the most fact filled toner cartridge resources on the web.

SEO Solutions and one way link publicity services provided by LinkAcquire.

Discount Dell Laptops

2009-02-23T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Jimmy Sturo

Recent additions to Dell's computer services division include low-cost used Dell laptop computers. These machines are generally sufficient for the Internet, e-mail, and word processing. One advantage is that, unlike other used Dell computers purchased from a friend or local computer shop, each computer stocked has received a complete inspection by certified computer technicians and has been restored and tested to like-new condition.

Dell guarantees that each used Dell GX110 computer purchased directly from them will be in perfect working condition. Dell supports this guarantee statement by providing each used Dell GX110 computer along with a 30-day replacement warranty. Also, a keyboard, mouse, and power cord are included with each purchase.

Each of these computer systems are formatted but are without an operating system but a preinstalled licensed copy of any Windows operating system is available at an additional cost. Dell also provides these in wholesale lots.

Most of these discount computers contain Pentium III - 866 MHz, 10GB+ hard drive, 128MB memory, integrated video, sound, LAN along with a keyboard, mouse, power cord.

The Dell Computer Corporation has also recently announced up to 10 percent price cuts on selected configurations of its LatitudeTM notebook. The Latitude notebooks provide manageability, reliability, and performance for business and institutional customers in networked environments.

Dell also provides excellent coupon codes that can help to save even more money on their already low priced computers, printers, monitors and accessories. In addition to Dell's online coupon codes, they occasionally provide stackable coupons that allow the customers to use more than one coupon at a time. Stackable Dell coupons are marked to avoid confusion. Be sure to read the price points of the Dell coupons a number of times so as to qualify for an even greater discount if using the most appropriate coupon. Please study the rules and restrictions to check if they can be bought for the required purpose.

Refurbished Dell computers sold directly by Dell are excellent systems with good warranties. However, their prices tend to run a bit on the high side. Click on the button "REFURBISHED SYSTEMS" on their navigation bar to go to the Dell Outlet.

Discount Laptops provides detailed information about discount laptops, discount laptop batteries, and more. Discount Laptops is affiliated with Live Spy Cam.

Ink Refill Kits The Economical And Environmentally Friendly Way To Reduce Printing Cost

2009-02-22T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Kwan Lo

Inkjet printing is the most popular printing technology for home users and small businesses. Inkjet printers are versatile, inexpensive and produce good printing quality. The price of inkjet printers has dropped considerably over the past few years but the cost of replacement ink cartridges remains extremely high.

To reduce the printing cost, consumers are looking for cheap alternatives. There are many options available, such as compatible / generic cartridges or remanufactured / refurbished cartridges. But the most economical and environmentally friendly way is to use the ink refill kits.

For example, a typical name brand replacement cartridge costs $20-30. The price of a dual refill kit is only $10, which can refill the ink cartridge twice. That means consumers can save 75-80% buying one refill kit instead of two new cartridges. Refilling old cartridges is also good for the environment. It saves landfill space to dispose used cartridges and extra resources to produce new cartridges.

Most people can refill the cartridges themselves. One customer was quoted saying "It is not difficult at all, I just follow the instructions and my ink cartridge is good as new in 10 minutes". Nevertheless, some precautions should be taken when refilling your own ink cartridges.

In general, the cartridge should be refilled before it has run out of ink. If printing continues after the ink has run dry, the cartridge's nozzle may burn out and be permanently damaged. Once the nozzle is damaged, it is impossible to reuse the cartridge. In addition, refilling the cartridge with too much ink can also cause it to overflow or uneven absorption of ink into the sponge, resulting in ink leakage and poor print output.

Kwan H Lo is the owner of http://inkjets.4reviews.net, an online review site promoting high quality discount ink and toner cartridge.

Why Using Compatible Printer Inks And Ink Refill Kits Is A Smart Consumer Choice

2009-02-21T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Carla Weaffer

Many consumers make use of a consumer printer in addition to a personal computer for a number of reasons. With the purchase of a consumer printer also comes the need to purchase replacement printer ink cartridges as the ink runs out of the cartridge you are currently using. Replacement printer ink cartridges that are purchased from printer manufacturers can often cause quite an expense for consumers. Many manufacturer-made replacement printer ink cartridges can even surpass the purchase price of the printer they are used with. This is why buying compatible printer inks is a wise consumer choice. There are many ways why using compatible printer ink cartridges can be beneficial.

The main reason that using compatible printer ink cartridges and inkjet refill kits appeals to many consumers is that it will save you money. Individuals will find that more often than not a compatible printer ink cartridge will be less of an expense than the purchase a replacement printer ink cartridge from a printer manufacturer. Inkjet refill kits is also a great money saving option for consumer printer owners that may be on a budget or those that just like saving some money. An ink refill kit can greatly extend the life of a printer ink cartridge if the cartridge is refilled before the ink cartridge is completely empty.

Another great benefit to purchasing an inkjet refill kit or a compatible printer in cartridge is that they are extremely easy to purchase. Most consumers very much appreciate that they can order a compatible printer ink cartridge online for a great price and have it delivered right to their front doorstep.

The quality of the print job a compatible printer ink cartridge can provide you with is another great reason to use compatible printer inks. If you have purchased a good quality compatible printer ink the quality of the print work should be equal to an ink cartridge purchase from a printer manufacturer.

If you are an ecologically conscious consumer you will appreciate that compatible printer ink cartridges and ink refill kits decrease the amount of solid waste dumped into landfills each year as the can be reused several times. Also if you wish to purchase compatible printer ink cartridges or refill kits in bulk if you buy a good quality ink you will not have to worry about the future print jobs you printer will produce as the ink should store quite well. This option is can be found to be a real money saver with a lot of consumers.

There are very few models of printers that will not work with compatible inkjet printers so you would not have to worry about limited choice when looking into buying a printer you can use compatible printer inks with. Deciding to use compatible printer ink cartridges instead of replacement ink cartridges from a manufacturer can provide you with high quality print work at a much more reasonable price. So keep all of this useful information about compatible printer inks in mind as soon as you begin shopping for a new printer or your current printer is in need of new ink.

Carla Weaffer manages a business supplying Epson compatible printer inks. This article is brought to you in conjunction with Web Design Liverpool and UK Therapy Directory. It is free to republish within the boundaries of the terms and conditions of the source. The content and resource box must remain unchanged and all hyperlinks active.

Cpu Guide Detailed Information About The Cpu Of A Computer

2009-02-20T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Donny Duncan

CPU - Central Processing Unit

The brain of the computer. A lot of people like to call the entire computer case the CPU, but actually, the CPU is a tiny chip connected directly to the motherboard, with a big fan connected directly to it. Without the fan, the CPU would burn up very quickly.

There are two primary brands of CPU on the market right now, Intel & AMD. A better of the two is hard to state, but you can check Toms Hardware for more in depth hardware reviews.

One thing to note about CPU's is that you can't just slap any CPU into any Motherboard. The Motherboard must support your specific CPU, which can make upgrades very hairy, so typically, if you're going to upgrade one, it's a good idea to upgrade the other. See more on Motherboards on the Motherboard page.

There are also two different types of CPU's, socket and slot. Socket snaps directly into the motherboard, with a fan directly attached, while slot has a casing which holds the CPU, with a fan connected to the casing. Again, there really is no better of the two, but Socket is becoming more common, and is generally easier to keep cool, which is a BIG factor in CPU's at higher speeds.

CPU speeds are rated in Megahertz (Mhz), up to 1000, then they are referred to as Gigahertz (Ghz). One major misconception regarding CPU's is that the bigger the number (the megahertz/gigahertz), the faster the CPU. While this is generally true, there are several other factors that effect the overall speed of the CPU.

Front Side Bus - Regulates the speed of communication between the Ram and the CPU

Onboard Cache - Comparable to Ram, except used strictly by the CPU to speed up calculations

So the next time you're shopping for CPU's, remember to not only look at the CPU speed, but check out the other factors most people don't generally notice. When buying a CPU, it's very important to know what you need it for. Most basic users only need internet and some word processing and basic picture editing. Using Windows XP (since it's the most common home Operating System right now) 2.0 Ghz should be your minimum. This speed is just right for these basic functions, and should be fast enough to last a while, and most of all, it is very cheap.

One thing to note here is that the price difference between the 2.0 Ghz and the upper 2.x Ghz CPU's (like 2.6 or 2.9) is so slight that you might be better off to get the one slightly higher to last longer over time.

I do NOT suggest buying the fastest cpu on the market, ever.. simply because what you pay six hundred dollars or more for now, will be only a few hundred dollars in a couple of months, and this will always be true as long as cpu speeds keep increasing.

This article taken from Computer Discounts Guide - CPU Guide . View the website for more helpful guides.

Donny Duncan, the author of Computer Discounts Guide has been in the computer field for over thirteen years.

Lexmark Printer Cartridges Home Printing Ideas

2009-02-19T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Martin Smith

Lexmark printer cartridges are among the most well-known manufacturers of printers. Lexmark utilizes a two cartridge printing system. The color cartridge is a CMY-cayan, magenta, and yellow cartridge. The black cartridge is simply black. How long they last will depend on the volume of printing you will be doing.

There is a wide variety of things you can do with your PC with appropriate applications and your Lexmark printer and ink cartridges. You can create very professional business presentations including but not limited to graphs, charts, spreadsheets and databases. You can create your own business cards as well.

You can create a scrapbook. You can get inspiration from almost anywhere such as sports, birthdays, weddings, and births. Templates are available from the internet. Clip art is a great way to add to the decoration of scrapbook pages. You can make frames, backgrounds, borders, and/or journaling.

Photo albums can be created as well using your Lexmark cartridges. To get the highest quality photos use photo print paper which is specially designed to print photos. You will need your Lexmark printer and its cartridges. Take your own pictures, develop them and you can document your pictures with built in text options. You will need to have a digital camera with a memory card. Take your pictures and save them to a memory card. The memory card is then inserted into the photo printer to print out your photos. To get the best quality photos you should use photo paper- the output will be enhanced.

Are you a writer? You can self-publish your own book. You will need your PC and as mentioned the appropriate applications and your printer. You should use high quality paper in standard and/or specialty larger sizes depending on the size of the book. If you are going to design your own cover you need high-quality card stock paper. You will need a hot glue gun for binding your book.

Another fun project to do with your Lexmark cartridges and your PC is creating your own family cookbook. You will want to get various colors of printer paper, for example if it's a Thanksgiving cookbook, you might choose Autumn colors. Gather your favorite family recipes together and giving credit to the person who submitted them print them up on recipe cards you create with your pc and printer. You can also print them up on quality paper and put them in a decorated binder. You will need the following your pc and printer, assorted colored paper, laminating paper, a three-hole punch, adhesive reinforcements, and a glue stick. The paper should be acid free because it will reduce the yellowing and aging of the paper. You will also need a one inch hard covered binder. A digital camera is optional but if you want to take pictures of the dishes you have received it would certainly help. The greater the pixels the greater the capacity of the camera. One with a memory card is best.

The projects are numerous that can be created with Lexmark cartridges and your pc. As mentioned before any paper you buy should be acid free as should the glue stick. Experiment and have fun with it.

Martin Smith is a successful freelance writer providing advice for consumers on purchasing a variety of Printer Reviews if you have time drop by his site for some tips and information.

Installing A Pci Wireless Card

2009-02-18T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Lee Asher

Installing a PCI wireless card might seem like a bit of an adventure -- after all, you have to open the case, find where to put the thing, close it again... and then you have to deal with the software! Even if you've never opened your computer before, though, you shouldn't have too much trouble with it if you follow this simple 10 step guide.

Step 1: Look at the Manual. Yes, I know it seems like a dull thing to do, but you really need to at least skim the manual for things if you're going to go putting them in your computer. It's much better to do it now than to realise afterwards that you missed an essential step in the installation. A few cards, for example, require you to install the software before installing the card -- do this now if you need to.

Step 2: Switch the Computer Off. Before you even think about opening the computer, you've got to switch it off. You should use the 'Shut Down' option to make sure that the computer will start fresh next time, and wait for it to shut down completely.

Step 3: Unplug the Computer. To be safe, you should disconnect the computer from the power supply now. If there is anything connected to the computer, you should unplug that from the power too, as well as unplugging the wires from the back of the computer. If you're nervous that you won't remember which wire goes where when it's time to put them back again, you could draw a diagram before you start this step. Most modern computers have a matching color coding system on the rear panel. Pink goes to pink, green to green etc.

Step 4: Remove the Case. To avoid damaging your computer's parts or electrocuting yourself, you should be wearing an anti-static wristband (also known as a ground strap) whenever you open your computer. If you're not sure how to get the case off, consult your computer's manual. It's usually just a matter of unscrewing, though -- but make sure you keep the screws somewhere where they won't get lost.

Step 5: When the cover is removed, the first thing to do is to locate the PCI slots on your motherboard, different motherboards have different amounts of PCI slots, for example you may already have a PCI card installed, in which case just choose an empty slot to install your new PCI card. PCI slots are long, rectangular slots inside the computer. Some of the available PCI slots might be used by existing modems or Ethernet cards. If there's no space for your new wireless card, then you might need to remove some of this old equipment.

Step 6: Insert the PCI Card. If you're using a PCI slot that hasn't been used before, you'll need to unscrew the piece of metal filling the gap in the back of the computer created by there being no card there. Make sure you store this piece in a safe place, in case you ever need it again.

When you insert the PCI card into the slot, do it as carefully as you can. Try not to touch any of the circuits on the card. Once it's in the slot, you will need to press firmly, but don't use too much force. You should also make sure that you point the wireless card's antenna upwards.

Step 7: Close the Case. Just do what you did in step 4 in reverse -- put it all back together.

Step 8: Plug In and Start. You need to plug your computer back in and start it. If you don't want to re-attach all your cables right now, you will at least need to plug in the keyboard, mouse and monitor. Many people are scared when they turn on their computer again after installing a PCI card and it doesn't work -- only to find that the error was caused by them not reconnecting their keyboard! When you reboot your machine Windows (or other OS) should find the card automatically, it will then prompt you for the driver disk/cd that came with your card, insert the CD and follow the on-screen instructions.

Step 9: Install Drivers and Software. Once the computer's done starting, it should notice it has some new hardware. This is when you should insert the CD that came with the card, and leave Windows to do its thing. If everything's gone to plan, the PCI card should be set up automatically. If things don't happen automatically, try inserting the CD before you panic.

Step 10: Configure Your Network. Your PCI wireless card gives your computer a permanent wireless connection. The first time you use it, you should be asked which wireless network you want to connect to. Choose your wireless network from the list, and you're ready to go!

Information supplied and written by Lee Asher of http://Eclipse Domain Services.com
Domain Names, Hosting, Traffic and Email Solutions.

Drop On Demand Printers

2009-02-17T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Bill Smith

Most HP and Epson printers are drop on demand printers. They use electrical pulses to fulfill requests for ink. The ink is expelled out of the print head by a bubble which forms as a reaction to being heated. Once the ink is propelled out of the cartridge, the bubble cools, contracts, and forms a vacuum of sorts, which pulls more ink into the nozzle.

HP DeskJets and BubbleJets are popular examples of printers that use this technology.

Epson printers work on the same principal with the exception of a minor twist they use a transducer to produce the droplets in what is referred to as piezoelectric DOD.

So what about the ink does it matter what kind you buy as a replacement?

The answer is yes, it does matter.

The ingredients that go into ink play a huge role in the quality of your printouts. All ink manufactures work to strike the delicate balance between print quality, time it takes to dry, and nozzle performance. As you might have guessed, as the print quality improves, the dry time increases.

Manufacturers have to be careful that the ink does not dry too quickly there is the danger that it will actually dry on the nozzle. This can ruin your print head, definitely clogging up your nozzle, and reducing the print quality.

Bill Smith is an expert on printers. Read more about printer and ink at http://www.buythebestbuy.com

Graphic Cards How To Choose The Best

2009-02-16T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Garry Allen

Do you remember the old computing days when there were no sounds except for maybe a beep occasionally and printers making more noise than a cat on a scratching post or how about monitors that offered nothing more than a green or orange glow?

Well, I do! Thank goodness those days are nothing more than history and now we can enjoy the glow of our high resolution monitors that offers us life-like images on a daily basis. We no longer have to squint at some fuzzy displays but can enjoy almost picture perfect animation on the majority of websites.

Now, these images are nothing more than a mass of barely visible dots, known as pixels, and monitors today can display more than a million pixels but it's up to the computer to interpret how to allocate these pixels in order to create an actual image.

This interpretation process happens on the graphics card and these cards can be upgraded. In fact, many users are tempted to look for the latest and greatest (or should I say expensive) card out there, but there is a better way for choosing just the right graphics card for the job? Here are a few helpful solutions that will help you to determine which the best graphics card for your computer is.

First, before you go out and buy the latest graphic card because you think you need it consider what you will be doing with your computer. If you don't expect to do much more than some internet surfing, some word processing, maybe using your email or doing some chat room or forum activities. Then you most likely won't need any additional graphics support than what will most likely be found on the motherboard with integrated graphic capabilities.

But, if you do plan to work with graphic arts or plan to play a lot of games on your computer you will definitely need to get a graphics card that has a lot of memory as well as a high-speed processor.

A tool you may wish to use is the frame rate measurement which is often a major advertising component for the different graphic cards that are available. Basically this rate refers to the measurement of frames per second or FPS which is nothing more than the rate of complete images a graphic card will display in one second. Now, High end cards will display more than 60 FPS (which by the way is more than twice the amount the human eye can process per second) and therefore provides the illusion of animation and animated scrolling.

If you are going to be doing a lot of graphic work then you will not be contented with the FPS rating. As anyone that does any 3-D imaging on the computer will tell you, FPS will actually do very little to measure the worth of a graphics card for them. In actuality 3-D images are nothing more than triangles, and graphic cards catering to the graphic artist demographic offer a rating that calculates how quickly the card can calculate the triangles and build the frame image.

One thing that really is a concern of everyone is speed. All graphic cards speed is directly influenced by their hardware. If the clock speed and bit rate are low on your computer, then the card will operate much slower than if it were high. In addition the pre-existing hardware also plays a critical role. A high- end graphics card cannot make up for an otherwise outmoded computer system, and a low end computer processor or motherboard will counteract the speed of even the fastest graphics card.

It is apparent that upgrading a graphics card is not so simple a task, and remember bigger is not always better. If you have a somewhat out of date system, it may be a useless attempt to only upgrade your graphics card, since your system most likely will work against any speed increase your card may be able to offer you. In the same way if your needs are very simple (in computing terms) then it might not be worthwhile to spend a lot of money on a graphics card that you will not use to its fullest potential. Hence it is always wise to know what you will require prior to buying, and to be fully aware of your systems hardware and software configurations prior to adding a new component to the mix.

Garry Allen is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Best-Rated-Laptops-and-Computers.info. Providing you with more information on computer technology and answering the question what's the best rated laptop that you can research in your bathrobe on his website.

Purchasing A Power Supply Unit For Your Computer

2009-02-15T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Jason Busch

In a related article The PSU Factor, I said that it is inevitable a PSU purchase is looming on the horizon. The reason being, your current PSU is probably a few years old, it came with your computer system you bought online at a great price, and you have no idea what the specs are. Taking into consideration your computer manufacturer more than likely had a reliable power supply as being LAST on their list, or not on their list at all, pretty much guarantees something is about to happen shortly you won't like.

The PSU Explosion

Over the last few years, the number of manufacturers producing power supply units have increased almost exponentially. If the company makes computer fans or computer cases, chances are they also manufacture PSUs. This makes for a confusing market for the consumer because of the massive selection of power supplies and the varying differences in the quality of those power supplies.

Determine What You Need

Before you begin any type of shopping for a PSU, find the amount of power required which your computer system is currently using. If you plan on upgrading your computer system and will be using the power supply, then it is wise to forecast the wattage for your future computer system. One particular way of determining this, is using an online PSU wattage calculator. The one I reference, eXtreme PSU Calculator, is in my opinion, the best one found online so far, and takes into account many of the latest systems such as dual- and quad-processors, overclocking, SCSI, SATA, and much more. In addition to the eXtreme PSU Calculator, eXtreme Outer Vision's website is also a great place to go for other calculators relating to other aspects of your PC.

Once you have a general idea of how much wattage your computer system will need, the amperage and the number of rails provided need to be determined.

Rails, Wattage And Amperage

Knowing the total amount of watts your system requires is certainly a good thing, but what's even more important, is knowing how many amps the PSU will provide, and on what rails the amperage will be distributed. The most important rail is the 12V line. Today's motherboards, processors, graphics cards, hard drives, and other components, use the 12V line. The 5V line is not so important anymore and computers built several years ago use them. When you see a 500W PSU, and notice there are 50A on the 5V line, then this should tell you there will be problems. Why? Because that's 250W which is basically available for your entire computer system--but it cannot use it because the newer PC components require a 12V line. So, now you're talking about 250W remaining that is actually usable. Puts things into perspective, doesn't it. Your 500W "SLi Ready" or "High Performance" PSU is far less than what the outside of the box says it is.

Be sure your 12V rail has enough amps to support your system. How do you know what the proper amount of amps should be? Well, suppose you find out after entering in all your component information in a PSU calculator, you come up with 625W. Take 625 and divide this by 12, which will give you the amps. This gives you 58A which should be on the 12V rails exclusively. You might also find it interesting to take manufacturer's PSU wattage claims and then divide them by 12 and see how many amps are actually offered on the 12V rails versus how much you need.

The Rails

When discussing a PSU or reading an article/post about power supplies and especially figuring out which PSU to purchase, the term rails will more than likely come up. A rail is basically the voltage output of a PSU, and there can be several voltage outputs. Ideally, there should be separate rails for hard drives, graphics cards, and CD/DVD drives. Why? Well, because if you have only one "rail" delivering power to all of these components, the power will be split up between all of these components. This is not the preferred method of power current delivery because all of these components have different requirements. One faulty device could send off a chain reaction to other devices since the power is being distributed through one cable. So, finding a power supply with separate rails and their own separate power current for specific devices, is what to look for.

Temperature, Temperature, Temperature!

All this preparation and know-how is great, but unfortunately, we still have to be careful when looking at the specs of power supplies. Many manufacturers are now competing with legitimate ones by simply changing a very important factor of PSU specs: the temperature the PSU was tested at when the specs were taken. Currently, only one PSU manufacturer tests their PSUs at realistic temps, which are tested at 50°C. The manufacturer is PC Power & Cooling, Inc. You've probably heard of them mentioned as the most serious PSU manufacturer, the most upfront and direct when it comes to dispelling the myths of PSUs, and you've probably noticed their products are not for the squeemishly budget-minded either. One thing is certain, if you want to avoid future troubleshooting of your PSU, PCP&C are the people you should get to know. They publish their 50°C temperature specifications on every PSU and are not hiding behind the withholding of such information.

Changes Are Needed

I will say for the record we need the latest ATX specifications to be more strict on testing conditions. Currently, the testing conditions can be anywhere from 10°C (50°F) to 50°C (122°F). I don't know about you, but the inside of my computer case is rarely 10°C (50°F). And even if it was, I don't want a power supply to be rated by the coolest my computer has been or could be, I want the PSU to be rated at the HOTTEST my computer has been or might be if I have it running full throttle. Makes sense, right? When you buy tires for a sports car, those tire ratings aren't for driving at 20MPH speeds in a School Zone.

Are Cheap PSUs Bad?

Actually, no. It really depends on what you're going to use the PSU with. However, more and more claims of "Sli Ready", "SLi Certified", and "High Performance" paired with 600W-700W PSUs selling for only $150, the marketing is clear: You don't have to spend a lot of money for a high-end PSU to power your high-end computer. Nothing could be further from the truth. But as we should know, classic marketing has always told the consumer you can get something for just about nothing. And as we should know, the consumer ends up losing down the road for the cheap purchase.

If you don't have or plan on purchasing two video graphics cards, two processors on your motherboard, don't overclock, and basically just use your PC for checking email, then yes, a $50 PSU would probably suffice. However, if you're thinking you can get a cheap PSU to power your high-end system, it just isn't going to happen. Well, it will happen--it just won't happen the way you intended it to happen. You spent all that money on video cards, a performance motherboard, high-end memory, and yet for some reason you're skimping on a PSU--a component which is literally the "heart" of your computer system. Please don't. Spending a few hundred dollars on a PSU is a wise investment.

Conclusion

The biggest factor you should take from this article is making sure you know the testing temperature of the PSU you are planning to buy. Chances are, the manufacturer will quote you 25°C at best, when it should be 35°C-40°C at the least. If a manufacturer doesn't tell you, refuses to give direct answers, or doesn't get back with you, then it is best advised to not buy that product.

An inexpensive PSU can still be a viable solution if you don't have a lot of components which require a massive amount of power. So, if you do have a basic computer system and don't plan on expanding or adding a lot of components, then an inexpensive PSU might be your best purchase initially. However, be aware there is no guarantee on the reliability and your computer system could suffer.

Purchasing A Power Supply Unit For Your Computer

A part of The DigitalDingus Guide To Computers & Hardware series.

Building A Computer Advice To The Beginner

2009-02-14T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Michael Quarles

A good computer "build" must be based on knowledge and planning. If there is one piece of advice I can give to the prospective builder, it is to learn all you can, and use the knowledge you gain to plan your computer as throughly as possible. This is the key to a smooth, satisfying experience, resulting in a computer that works exactly as you want.

The knowledge you need may be acquired through several routes. There is an almost unlimited number of websites offering information about building computers. If you prefer books, there are guides written at almost every level, from beginners, to something an engineer would have to puzzle over.

Most important is that your information be recent. Computer building has gone through many changes in only the last few years, so that a text five years old is almost hopelessly out of date. It is not that simply chips and motherboards and such have improved, the very techniques of assembly have changed. Many steps have been streamlined and simplified, giving today’s builder a much easier time than when I first took up this pursuit.

To me, the most enjoyable part of building a computer is the planning stage, where I can select the features I want to accomplish whatever job the computer is intended for. I experiment mentally with different combinations of motherboard, CPU, graphics card, and all the rest, trying to get it all right on paper before I ever commit a dollar of money, or a minute of time to an actual build. I believe if you follow this approach you’ll find your problems fewer, and your rewards far greater.

Michael Quarles is the author of Building a PC for Beginners.

Buying A Computer Vs Building Your Own

2009-02-13T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Jared Strop

First of all, pre-built computers come with some parts you don't want or need as well as useless software. On the other hand, building a computer lets you decide exactly what to put in it and what to install on your computer. That helps out by freeing the hard drive, but sometimes computer companies have great deals on their software bundles. If you know somebody that has the software, don't bother buying a pre-built computer. You can just use his/hers for free (unless they charge you haha).

Secondly, building a computer is usually cheaper since you don't pay for labor. All you do is pick out the parts you want in the computer, put them together, and install your software. It's really not as hard as you think it is and you'll save some cash doing it. One the other hand, if you are absolutely lost when it comes to computers, then you should probably just buy one. Building a computer isn't hard, but it's much easier if you have a basic understanding of computers.

Thirdly, there is no warranty when you build computers. Since it doesn't come from a manufacturer, there will be no damage protection for it. If something goes wrong, you'll have to replace the parts. The bad news? Well, you'll have to spend some money to get it fixed. The good news? It'll usually happen after 2 years which means it needed to be upgraded anyway. The warranties by Dell or Gateway aren't free and they will charge you even more if you want it for 2-4 years and during that time, you can not upgrade your computer yourself or else you'll void the warranty.

So if you like do-it-yourself projects or love complete control over your computer, building a computer is for you. If you don't even want to think about it or think you might need a warranty, then buying a computer would be best for you.

Jared Strop has been using a computer for as long as he can remember and now is a dedicated webmaster. He created a site called http://www.gaming-computers-authority.com to help people with building computers and even recommendations on computer parts.

Pic Micro Hardware Programming Methods

2009-02-12T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by John Main

There are three ways to program a PIC microcontroller

Using normal programming hardware (high volt programming HVP).
Low volt programming (LVP).
Bootloading.

The first two methods use the programming port of the PIC microcontroller labeled ICSP (In Circuit Serial Programming).

This port is shared between the existing pins of the microcontroller and after programming the pins revert back to normal microcontroller operation.

Note: To make ICSP work correctly you have to consider the effects and requirements of the ICSP programmer e.g. for HVP a high voltage exists at the Vpp pin (your circuit must be able to handle the high voltage - up to 13V). Also the loading for the other signals PGC and PGD must not be too high i.e. don't put an LED on these pins that uses 20mA - if you did the voltage levels would not be high enough at the inputs to the PIC for programming.

It's fairly easy to design for ICSP use by using isolation resistors to normal circuitry and choosing not to use heavy loads on these pins.

ICSP provides 6 connections from the pic ICSP programmer to your board as follows :

VPP - (or MCLRn) Programming voltage (usually 13V).
Vcc - Power (usually 5V).
GND Ground (zero volts).
PGD - Data usual port and connection RB7.
PGC - Clock usual port and connection RB6.
PGM - LVP enable usual port and connection RB3/RB4.

PIC Micro: High Volt Programming

To use the first method a hardware interface is needed or 'PIC programmer' to interface between the programming software (usually running on the PC) and the PIC chip. This hardware takes its information from the PC via one of three interfaces either:

The RS232 COM port
The Parallel port
The USB port

You choose the interface you want to use and then choose an appropriate PIC programmer. The PC then communicates with the hardware generating the serial (ICSP) signals to translate the PIC hex file into a serial data stream suitable for the target microcontroller.

Note: Almost all PIC microcontrollers use the ICSP interface so once you have a HVP you can program virtually any PIC microcontroller. e.g. you can program 12F675, 16F84, 16F88, 16F877(A), 18F2550, 18F452 etc.

There are several programs for programming PIC micos e.g. ICPROG and many different hardware programmers.

PIC Micro: Low volt programming (LVP)

LVP is exactly the same as HVP except:

The Vpp voltage is set to the normal supply voltage.
The PGM pin indicates programming mode.

Note: In this mode you can not use the PGM pin for anything else it is dedicated solely to LVP control.

Devices are manufactured with PGM mode enabled and the only way to turn off the PGM mode is to program it using an HVP programmer.

Note: Some PIC microcontrollers can only use the HVP method since for the LVP method you have to sacrifice one pin - PGM - (to tell the PIC Micro either that it is being programmed (high volts e.g. 5V) or that it is not being programmed (0V) ) and some PIC micros only have 8 pins e.g. 12F675. For this chip the PGM pin is not available so HVP is the only way.

The real benefit of using the LVP mode is that you can program several PIC Micros on a board without having to individually program each one - you could daisy chain each extra micro to a master micro which would then program each one in turn - and this is only possible since the Vpp signal is a normal logic level in LVP mode.

PIC Micro: Bootloading

Bootloading uses any available interface to load a program into program memory. It requires a bootstrap program to interpret the interface data and translate it into program memory instructions.

Note: Note only the newer devices that are capable of programming their own memory can use this method.

Typically a serial port is used for bootloading and the PIC micro bootstrap program will wait for a set time after power up listening on the serial port for a reserved word that tells the bootstrap program to start i.e. it listens for sequence of characters that is not normally used on the interface

Once it receives this sequence it enters bootstrap mode where a hex file is transmitted to the microcontroller over the interface. It interprets this and programs the memory of the microcontroller and then starts the program.

There are two issues with this method:

You have to program the bootstrap code using HVP or LVP.
It uses up some of the microcontroller resources.

Once programed it provides a convenient way of using the device as you won't need programming hardware anymore and one major benefit is that you can re-program a device without undoing the equipment e.g. if you boxed up you project you could still re-program it using the serial port!

You can find more information from the website here and how to build a website like it here.

http://www.best-microcontroller-projects.com

Optimize Your Computer For Peak Performance

2009-02-11T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Lanard Perry

Is your computer running slower than ever? Does it crash a lot?

If so it might be because advertisers have loaded it up with Spy and Adaware without your knowledge.

"Spyware" is a common term for files that are installed on your system that allow companies to monitor your Internet activity.

"Adaware" is software that will show you pop up ads over and over. These files can be extremely dangerous to your PC and could cause major problems.

They track the websites you visit, items that you buy online, the emails you send and your Instant Message dialogues. In a worst case scenario they can even record your credit card number, personal identification numbers, and all of your passwords.

I know all of this because I learned the hard way. Fortunately, I never had any personal data stolen, at least that I'm aware of. But every now and then, when least expected, my computer would crash, sometimes resulting in days of lost activity and income.

It seems like I spent a small fortune fixing one problem after another. I bought expensive software programs that actually made my problems worse, then another hard drive that I really didn't need.

Ultimately I had to take my computer to 2 different techs to work out all the bugs. If only I knew then what I know now.

After months of frustration and too many hundreds of dollars I care to admit to I finally learned what it takes to keep my computer healthy and functioning properly.

Below is what I learned and a recommendation that can help you avoid what I went through.

1. Get a spyware removal program. You've heard it before, but have you done it? This helps as your 1st line of defense against hackers and viruses.

2. Avoid opening email attachments from people you don't know. When in doubt, don't do it. Granted, this isn't so easy to do when you're in the people business, but I still encourage you to manage it as best you can. This alone eliminated a lot of my problems.

3. Scan for viruses and clean your registry at every opportunity. I spend a lot of time on the Internet working on my website marketing products, sending and receiving email and the like.

Consequently, my computer is vulnerable to attack from a lot of different ways. So, I scan it for viruses and clean my registry daily; sometimes several times a day depending on how long I've been on it.

If you don't have a good spyware program you should get one. It'll help you optimize your computer's performance, and get it in tip top condition in no time.

Here are the benefits.

They'll let you:

know if you have any files that are infecting your PC

help protect your computer and eliminate trojans, worms, dialers, browser hijackers, etc., and

help you avoid serious problems before they happen

You'll be amazed at how much speed and problem free use you can regain from the use of your computer after you install a good spyware program.

If you don't have one I strongly recommend Spyware Nuker. It's relatively inexpensive and is money well spent to safeguard your computer and personal and professional information stored on it.

You even get to try if for free before you buy it and I believe it comes with a 90 day satisfaction or money back guarantee.

Happy listings and please feel free to call me if I can be of assistance.

About The Author
Lanard Perry is the author of "Farming Expired Listings", a real estate listing system that shows how to list 1-2 listings a week. Visit http://www.farmingexpiredlistings.com for more info.

How To Choose A New Hard Drive For Your Computer

2009-02-10T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Peter Stewart

If you are running out of space on your computer or find that programs load a little slow, or that big files take a long time to open, it may be time for a new hard drive.

Making a more careful decision about the hard drive can mean a much longer working life for the hard drive. Better reliability, allowing the hard drive to run for many years without mechanical failures or the worst of all, losing your precious data to errors on the drive.

Obviously the main thing that people think about when getting a new drive is size. Although a 400GB drive sounds great, there are very few people who actually use this much space. Only if you save DVD movies to your hard drive, or if you do serious amounts of video editing will you need this much space. The smallest size drives available today are about 40GB and will suffice for all your needs. However if you want the latest technologies, bigger sizes are inevitable.

Over the years the speed at which hard drives work has increased. One of the main technologies to improve is the connection between the hard drive and the rest of the computer. It passes the information back and forth from the hard drive, the faster it is the faster information can be passed, and so speeding up the programs you use and the files you use.

There are 2 main varieties for this connection:

The old IDE kind, which comes in 4 flavors: ATA33, ATA66, ATA100 and ATA133, each number corresponding to the transfer rate in MB/s, the bigger the faster. This type is pretty standard. If your computer is older, you may only be able to use this kind, and depending how old will determine which speed.

SATA is a newer kind. It uses a different cable and allows much faster information transfer. The slower kind is 150MB/s and the faster is 300MB/s, so they are much faster than IDE.

A newer technology called Native Command Queuing (NCQ) speeds up how fast things are found and done on the hard drive. Just briefly, it orders the read and write commands given to it in such as way as to get the tasks done quicker and with less delay.

Drives are most often separated by their size and this is a big factor in the pricing of a drive. The smallest drives today are around 40GB, you can get a little smaller, but no point really. The largest of 400GB will be enough for a really long time.

The other thing that affects pricing is the rotation speed, which is the speed at which the big disk spins inside the disk drive. The faster it spins the faster information gets found. Look for rotation speeds of 7200RPM as standard and 10000 for the fast end.

With all of this it may be hard to decide, but here are my suggestions.

For a main drive, which has your Windows and programs on it, go for something faster, but bear in mind that even for me my ATA66 drive is fast enough for my uses. But a faster one will speed up how fast your programs go. It might be a good idea just to go for one big, fast drive.

Brand name drives are often worth getting, as manufacturers like Seagate, Maxtor and Western Digital are well known for long lasting quality products, which will not make any difference in the short term usually, but will pay off with long life and reliability.

If you want or need two drives the second one can sacrifice speed for size, as that's what's most often needed for a second drive, which usually stores all your information.

You should now have enough to make a smart choice in your next hard drive purchase. A good one can be kept for a very long time and minimize any hassles in the future.

Peter Stewart is a computer enthusiast, his interest in computers and focus on practicle down to earth advice inspired his two websites.

http://www.computer-buying-guide.com - Practical buying tips

http://www.computer-reviews.net - Fair and honest reviews and opinions

A Review Of Samsung Laser Toners

2009-02-09T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Max Bellamy

Samsung laser toner is just as popular as its Hewlett-Packard and Brother counterparts. Samsung is a group of products and services that began in Korea in 1938. Today Samsung operate five different business areas: Telecommunications, Digital and Home Appliances, Digital Media, LCD, and Semiconductors. They started their Electronics section in 1969. Today they are one of the top 100 brands in the world, and their printers and cartridges continue to gain a loyal following.

You can buy Samsung laser toner from their official website. There you will find a complete list of all their products. Enter "laser toner cartridge" in the website's search field and start comparing prices. You are guaranteed to get a quality from this site. Their website offers full specifications, so that you can find the right cartridge for your printer.

Another option is to go to the PCWorld website. Look for "printers" in the drop-down menu. They have a database of websites selling quality third-party laser toner. You can search for "Samsung" via a menu bar on the left. One color ink cartridge is available for under $30, for example. Be careful when you buy third-party laser toner products. Some of these will be sold as "compatible" or "remanufactured" but aren't up to specifications with the manufacturer's original standards. One good review website is Epinions, which allows users to rate all kinds of products, including laser printers and accessories, so that you can get a non-marketing perspective on products you are looking to buy.

You can find a list of authorized retailers of Samsung products on their website. That way, you won't accidentally end up buying a counterfeit Samsung laser toner cartridge.

Laser Toner Info provides detailed information about later toner cartridges and refills, as well as reviews of laser toner products. Laser Toner Info is the sister site of Brochure Printing Web.

How To Install A Cpu And Heatsink

2009-02-08T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Gary Hendricks

The most critical part of building your own computer is knowing how to install a CPU and how to install a heatsink. The CPU is the brain of your computer and is the most delicate part. It's easy to damage, although most CPUs are designed so that they're nearly impossible to install incorrectly.

Installing a CPU is one of the most important steps in building a PC

The heatsink cools the CPU and keeps it from frying. Heatsinks are fastened to the top of the CPU and sometimes come with an additional substance called "thermal paste." This is a thin gel that adds an additional layer of cooling. Let's look at the basic steps for installing the CPU and heatsink.

1. Locate the Processor Socket

Before you can install a CPU you should find the processor socket on the motherboard. This is the square socket with numerous pinholes in it. Lift the lever to the side of this socket so that you can install a CPU into it.

Look closely at the pin pattern on your CPU socket. Notice that there is a diagonal corner where it appears some pinholes are missing. It might appear as a triangular pattern. This is there to help you properly align the CPU to the CPU socket. Carefully grab the CPU by the sides and turn it over to examine the pins at the bottom.

Compare the alignment of your pins with the pattern on your socket and you'll see that there is only one correct pattern for alignment. Again, it's virtually impossible to install the CPU incorrectly unless you force it. Make sure that you have the CPU and socket aligned correctly before proceeding onto the next step.

2. Mount the CPU

Once you are sure that the CPU pins and socket pins holes are matched up correctly, you can insert the CPU into the socket. Again, be sure to use that diagonal pin pattern as your guide.

You might meet some resistance as you are pressing down. This is a delicate procedure and if you've never before learned how to install a CPU, you might think you are doing it incorrectly. However, learning how to install computer components takes practice. The resistance is normal. Again, the socket design and CPU pin patterns are designed to match perfectly.

Press down past the resistance point and then the CPU will slide smoothly into the socket. The CPU may make a snapping sound as it slips into the socket. When you're sure it's complete, lower the lever at the side of the socket to lock the CPU into the socket.

Check to see if your particular brand of CPU or cooling solution came with a protection plate. If it did, place it above the CPU as explained in your documentation.

3. Apply the Thermal Compound

Next comes the thermal compound. Some people choose to avoid this step altogether, while others who teach on how to install a heatsink swear by it.

Generally a properly designed heatsink will ensure that you may not need a thermal compound. However it doesn't hurt to be too safe, especially with CPU processor speeds increasing and generating more and more heat. Thermal paste can usually shave off a few extra degrees of hot temperature off of your CPU.

Apply the thermal paste to the areas of the CPU that will make contact with the CPU. Begin by applying a little bit of the gel to the center of the CPU and then gently spreading outward. Don't apply too much of thermal compound. A little dab will do you. Be sure to spread an even, thin layer of the gel to ensure that there is complete coverage over your CPU.

4. Install the Heatsink

Now we learn how to install a heatsink. This is a very crucial step. If the heatsink is not installed properly it might come loose. Your CPU will overheat and be toast in no time.

Before we explain how to install a heatsink, check to see if your heatsink has a fan separate from the unit. If it does, you'll need to attach the fan to the heatsink first before attaching the heatsink to the CPU.

When you're ready, mount the heatsink over your CPU according to the specifications for your manufacturer. The directions will vary. Some heatsinks are installed by requiring you to clamp down on them with levers and attaching them to metal hooks on the motherboard. With other heatsinks you may have to screw the whole unit into the motherboard.

Whatever the procedure, follow it closely and be very careful. If you need to use a screwdriver to install the heatsink you could very easily slip and damage your system components.

5. Install the Heatsink Fan Header and Configure BIOS

The final step in learning how to install a heatsink involves connecting the power leads from the heatsink to their proper headers on the motherboard.

Locate the header for the CPU fan on the motherboard. Then plug the power cable from the heatsink into the fan header on the motherboard. There will be more than one header on the motherboard, so be sure that you pick the right one. Choose the wrong one and your computer might get a power surge that will fry the processor.

Check the documentation that came with your motherboard to properly locate the correct header. Once installed, be sure that it is securely in place.

Afterwards, assuming that the rest of your computer has been installed properly, you can configure the BIOS. The BIOS will need to detect the type and speed of the computer processor that has been installed. Again, the exact procedure will vary depending on the manufacturer; check the documentation that came with your motherboard.

Conclusion

Learning how to install computer components like a CPU and heatsink might seem like a daunting task to someone who's never done it. However, it's not as hard as you think. CPUs and heatsinks being made today were designed to fitly snug together with a minimum of fuss.

You don't need much in the way of mechanical skill and about the only tool you will need is a screwdriver. Yet this is by far the most delicate operation you will perform on your computer. Once you pass this hurdle, everything else will be a breeze.

Gary Hendricks runs a hobby site on building computers. Visit his website at Build-Your-Own-Computers.com for tips and tricks on assembling a PC, as well as buying good computer components.

Usb Hubs And Ports Explained

2009-02-07T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Nigel Stephens

The USB standard has become the universal means of connection peripheral devices and equipment to the computer. Computers have either two or four USB port connectors. Each of these can support a large number of connections but to be able to attach more than two or four devices requires a multi-connection hub. There are many different types of hubs and this article seeks to explain some of the important considerations in selecting the best choice of hub for your system.

The USB bus system in computers was introduced in 1996 and has gone through a number of developments and enhancements. It started out as USB 1 which was very slow and had many bugs. Version 1.1 brought a higher bandwidth of 12 MBits/second. The latest version of 2.0 gives a bandwidth of 480MBits/second and is fully backward compatible with USB 1 and 1.1. Link to a table showing differences between USB speeds (http://www.usb-products.com/usb-speed.aspx)

Port Connections and Power
All USB standards support up to 127 connections (or devices) per computer port. It is unlikely that this would be achievable as the port can only supply 0.5 Amps maximum. Some devices consume a full 0.5 Amps, so are powered from a power adaptor from the mains supply.

Bandwidth Sharing
Generally, the bandwidth of the port (http://www.usb-products.com/usb-port.aspx) is shared between all the devices that are attached through a hub. This means that if you want to add two USB 2 devices with a USB 1.1 device, the bandwidth is shared between all three devices. However, there is an extra complication. Most hubs (http://www.usb-products.com/usb-hub.aspx) have a single chip controlling the bus. This means that the hub will work at the lowest bandwidth determined by the connected devices resulting in the USB 2 devices working at much lower transfer speeds. Nearly all USB hubs on the market today (passive and powered) operate like this.

Multiple Chip Hubs
The transaction translator (TT) is the name for the controlling chip that assigns bandwidth to each connected device. In hubs that have one TT all devices share the same bandwidth and operate at the speed of the slowest. In hubs with a TT per socket, each receives a share of the bandwidth, but this is not restricted to the slowest device. Examples of this type of hub is the Belkin Tetra hub (http://www.usb-products.com/Products/Hi-Speed-USB-2-0-4-Port-TetraHub.aspx) This has 4 ports each with its own TT.

What this means in reality is that a multiple TT hub will provide much higher bandwidth per port when several devices are connected from one hub.

Maximum Performance and choice of Where to connect a device If you are after maximum performance for each of your USB 2 devices, each device should be plugged into its own USB port in the computer. Additional plug in cards can provide a vast number of USB ports for most needs. However, this situation might be going too far except for the most demanding of situations. Although several USB devices might be connected at the same time it is unlikely that they will all be in use together.

A useful compromise is to plug small bandwidth devices together into a single hub. These would include: mice; keyboard; Speakers; little used devices.

For devices that require a high bandwidth and are used often, direct connection in to a USB port is the best option. Devices would include: Flash memory drives; external disks; Web cams; Other frequently used devices.

If you don't have sufficient ports then either more ports should be added with a plug-in card or a good quality hub with multiple transaction translators should be used. The devices placed on the hub are those that are used less often. Those devices placed directly on the port are used most often.

Link to a selection flow chart that helps in selecting a hub (http://www.usb-products.com/USB-Hub-Selection.aspx)

Access Considerations
What type of configuration and mix of port and hubs will depend on the number of devices that you wish to attach. Desktop computer cases usually have ports in the front of the case for easy access. These can be used for devices that are often plugged / unplugged and require the highest bandwidth. These are flash memory drives and portable external drives and MP3 players.

USB hubs tend to clutter up the area with cable connections and power lead. These naturally go out of sight if possible or behind the monitor. For mobile computers, a small compact hub can be obtained. These may have there own wind-in or tidy away cables.

Powered and Passive Hubs
Hubs may be restricted in their use without a power connection as passive hubs rely on the power of the USB bus. Powered hubs have a mains power adaptor to provide additional power for devices. These devices range in the power they require. It is possible to run a number of different devices all from a single passive hub running of a USB port as long as they have low power requirements. With only 0.5 Amps current it only takes one of the devices requiring the full power requirement for the hub to be overwhelmed. Nothing serious is going to happen though except that the single will degrade and many or all the devices will loose connection with the computer. To avoid this situation a powered hub should be used.

Nigel Stephens heads an online business at http://www.usb-products.com supplying computer hardware products. Nigel's emphasis is in providing useful information so that consumers can make more informed choices.

Wireless Classrooms Mobile Laptop Labs For Schools

2009-02-06T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Eric Meyer

Wireless networks in schools is not a new thing but it's rare to see the wireless network used to it's full potential.

Technology with out wires gives the teacher the ability to bring the technology to the student instead of the whole class going to a computer lab.

Wireless mobile laptop labs can be used for many purposes:

	Wireless Streaming Video  	Research  	Report Writing  	Teacher Guided Instruction  	Report writing  	Typing

What ever a student can do in a wired lab they can do with a wireless laptop mobile lab.

What are the features of a wireless mobile laptop lab:

1. Wireless Laptops - Laptops for schools should meet the following specs. First they need to have at least 512 mb of memory. Anything less will cause educational software to crawl. The laptop should weight about six pounds, a heavy laptop is about eight pounds plus and a light laptop is about 4lbs. The ultra light laptops are over $2,000 each and too expensive for schools. So six pound laptops are easy enough for schools to carry around. Now some people will tell me I'm wrong but school laptops don't need cd-roms or DVD -roms. Why you ask? It's because they will be the first thing to break and all software will run off the hard drive. The case needs to be a slim case so students can have proper hand placement when typing. Bluetooth devices are becoming all the rage so built in Bluetooth will be something to think about also. Hard drive size should only be about 30gig because nobody is going to download music or large media files.

2. Mobile Laptop Carts - They need to be easily moved, easy enough to take out and put in the laptops, and have a built in power strip for charging. Laptop carts can hold any where from 6 to 30 laptops at once. I recommend using laptop carts of 15 or smaller and spreading them through out the school.

3. Access points and printers - If you school can not afford permanent wireless access points have a wireless access point mounted on the card and plug it into a network port when needed. Also the cart can have a printer on it if needed, but I recommend network printers not desktops.

Studies have shown that students who use laptops in classrooms are more focused and have an easier time typing. Wireless networks free students from their desktops and frees them from having to go a computer lab to work with technology.

Come find the answers to your wireless networking problems. Join the most popular wireless networking newsletter on the internet at http://www.wirelessninja.com The Wireless Ninja makes the difficult easy, check out the Ninja certified wireless cameras http://www.wirelessninja.com/wireless_hidden_cameras.htm

Finding A Cheap Pc

2009-02-05T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Dave Stewart

The key to finding a cheap PC is where you look. Large department stores often offer 'bargains' with claimed huge discounts, but the actual computers are very basic models. Although it can go without saying, when you're buying a computer, go to a computer store. Specialist stores will provide lower prices and higher quality PC's than department stores or home office outlets. There are a number of paths you can go down in search of a cheap pc, the three we recommend are; refurbished desktop computers, dell packaged desktops or specialist computer package deals.

Refurbished desktop computers are a great way for people on a budget to buy a computer. Refurbished computers provide adequate machines at bargain prices. As long as you only really want the computer for basic tasks such as word processing, sending and receiving email, using the internet etc then a refurbished pc is perfect for you. Do to the large volume of second hand desktop computers, there is a huge supply market with relatively low demand. Making them great for people looking to pick up a bargain. When buying a refurbished or second hand pc, make sure you check all the details such as warranty, specifications and terms of service, to avoid any nasty surprises later on.

When shopping in the 'budget computer' market, you should really consider some of the big companies such as Dell, HP, IBM etc... These big corporations, because they trade with such high volume, can often offer computer packaged systems cheaper than other computer stores. In particular, Dell is a good choice to look at because of their product line specificly aimed at the low-end computer market. Additionally, buying through Dell has the ability to customize your system, so you can pick and choose the features you want.

Specialist computer stores often offer package systems, which they have assembled themselves onsite. These computers can often be real bargains. Take a trip down your local computer shop and have a look around, talk to someone about it. I personally find that these guys give the best advice you can get when looking for a new computer. Being able to talk to someone face to face about your purchase, being able to explain to them exactly what you want in your pc and the limits of your budget often results in a more comfortable, less stressful purchase and a better final product.

Before buying a computer look around a bit first, do the research now. Check and compare prices online, read reviews and talk to someone at you local computer store before committing to a big purchase. This way you'll ensure you get the most for your money and hopefully you can find that cheap pc.

Before you look at a Dell PC, you may find reading http://www.discountdesktopreviews.com/articles/considering-a-dell-desktop-pc.html helpful in explaining the product range.

About The Author
Dave Stewart

3 Uses For An External Hard Drive

2009-02-04T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Erick Charles

An external hard drive is a hard disk drive (much like the one in your computer) that is placed externally, outside of the case. You can buy them pre-made, or purchase a hard drive and an enclosure, and make your own. They came in many sizes, are relatively inexpensive, and are well suited to perform various functions. In this article, I will detail 3 specific uses for your external hard drive.

For one reason or another, you may have chosen a computer whose storage capacity you've outgrown. It may be full to capacity with files and programs, and you need room to expand. So the first example is to use your external hard drive to add expandability to your computer. This is true in case all of your PC's hard drive bays are full, and especially if you have a laptop which has only one hard drive bay.

A second example is to use your external hard drive as a shared storage drive. You can attach it to a PC, set permissions and share-ability, and start saving, and sharing various files. For example, you can share and save pictures, MP3s, and video files. By using it in this manner, you'll be able to free up tons of space on your computer's local hard drive, and you'll be able to share files with everyone in your home network.

Another possible use for your external hard drive is to save important documents. For example, you can scan wills, deeds, insurance information, leases, bank account and credit information, and store them on your external hard drive. You can also take pictures of all your valuables, and keep these safe in your external hard drive for future reference. If it's important to you, then it's worthy of being saved in your external hard drive. You can then store this hard drive in a secure location such as a fire-proof safe, or a safety deposit box. This will surely save you tons of headaches in case of theft, or worse yet, a disaster.

There you have it. That's 3 possible uses for your external hard drive. They're versatile, and come in sizes that you can choose according to your specific needs. If you have a lot of files to save, then you can get a 500 GB hard drive, or larger if you wish. If you only have a few important documents to save, then maybe a 15 GB hard drive will suffice. The important thing is that it is you who can choose the size you need. It is you who can choose what its primary function will be. And if you need to, you can get more than one external hard drive. That's what makes them so ideal.

Erick Charles has worked in the IT field for over 2 years. He is eager to share his knowledge and has created a websites geared towards the non-techie. You can visit it at http://thetechboy.com.

Super Computers For Our Earth

2009-02-03T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Lance Winslow

If you stay up on the Scientific Magazines and Journals you will know that NASA has come a long way in their research to study our Earth. They now have more data than ever before and can use this data with the aid of super computers to process it. In the past computers could not crunch the numbers fast enough to handle the massive data sets and numbers of data sets. Now super computers have changed all that, now we can develop models to answer questions, which help us know the future. To many these models appear like magic.

Such modeling can help us understand the effects of an asteroid or god, forbid a comet hitting the earth and what will be the most likely outcome of such. Which regions will be devastated by the blast and which regions will receive its long-term effects and where life will survive conquer and adapt.

We can use such modeling to predict pollution coming from Fires in CA or China and how they affect the entire Earth Atmosphere Grid. We can know the currents of Volcanic Ash as it sweeps and dissipates around the planet. We will even be able to predict what this ash will most likely do to the current and near future weather patterns and what such a chain reaction will do to our surface plants and animals long term. We can also understand the climate changing effect of burps of Earth through volcanic activity and the extent that space weather, solar flares and our own pollution contribute or take away from the whole of the atmospheric earth system. Super computers are making this a reality today. Think what this means to the future of mankind?

Lance Winslow

A Review Of The Ati Allinwonder X600 Pro Graphics Card

2009-02-02T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Gary Hendricks

ATI has recently released a slew of PCI Express cards and this baby is one 'wonder' of a card. Traditionally, ATI All-In-Wonder cards combine all the features you need to enjoy TV and video games on your PC.

Let's see what features it has and what it is good for.

Graphics Processor and Memory

If you're looking for a graphics card, the most important thing you look out for is the graphics processor. How does the X600 Pro stack up when it comes to the graphics processor? Well, the card itself comes equipped with a ATI graphics processor clocked at 400MHz and with 256MB of DDR memory. That is plenty for playing the latest games and running the latest video applications.

Design and Construction

In terms of design and construction, this graphics board is a looker. If you're seen boards from ATI (or the latest graphics cards for that matter), you'll realize that many of them come with nice shades of blue or red and intentionally so. It is to attract the attention of the consumer and the hardcore gamer and they do a good job of it. The ATI All-In-Wonder X600 Pro looks really cool and it's worth a look at if you want a pretty board.

Bundled Software and Accessories

If you are a stickler for good software in graphics cards, then you won't be disappointed with the ATI All-In-Wonder X600 Pro. It comes with Pinnacle Studio and Meditator 7.0 and also some TV recording software which is great for capturing your local TV programs and enjoying TV digitally on your computer.

I've always liked All-In-Wonder cards in the sense that they allow this TV recording feature, but in terms of price you have to pay more. However, if TV recording is a feature you're dying to have, then its worth paying the money for.

Overclocking Features

If your want to overclock the card, there are many resources out there on the Internet to teach you how to do it. I, for one, do not really like to go and overclock a nice graphics board from ATI (or any other brand for that matter). But the choice is yours. If you want to squeeze every bit of performance out of your board, then overclocking is a good way to go. Just don't burn your board while doing it.

Graphics Performance

How does the ATI All-In-Wonder X600 Pro perform? Well, a quick scan of the Internet reveals that the card gives great scores on all gaming benchmarks. But it is not the drop dead type of card that will give you the highest frame rates. However, given the ice performance for its price, it's a good value card to buy.

Shortcomings

If you're thinking if this card has shortcomings well, one of them is certainly the average TV quality. Apparently, the programs captured by the card are reported to be of merely average quality compared to higher end cards. So if you bought the card for TV recording as the main purpose then maybe you should reconsider.

Conclusion

Overall, the ATI All-In-Wonder X600 Pro is a great graphics card and gives decent TV recording capabilities. If you want super high end graphics performance, this is not the card to get. But if you want a decent 3D card for general gaming and video, then you should certainly consider it.

Gary Hendricks runs a hobby site on building computers. Visit his website at Build-Your-Own-Computers.com for tips and tricks on assembling a PC, as well as buying good computer components.

Ddr Ram

2009-02-01T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Ken Marlborough

The DDR SDRAM or double-data-rate synchronous dynamic random access memory, offers greater bandwidth than ordinary SDRAM. It is a type of memory-integrated circuit used in computers that transfers data on both the rising and falling edges of the clock signal. Highly efficient, it nearly doubles the transfer rate, while maintaining the frequency of the front side bus.

For example, if data is transferred 8 bytes at a time the DDR RAM transfer rate could be calculated as (memory bus clock rate) × 2 (for dual rate) × 8 (number of bytes transferred). This means with a bus frequency of 100 MHz, DDR-SDRAM gives a maximum transfer rate of 1600 MB/s. DDR Memory has 184 pins and one notch. The DDR operates at a voltage of 2.5V.

The DDR SDRAM package sizes and the standards of speed have been set by JEDEC (Joint Electron Device Engineering Council). There are two sets of specifications: one for memory chips and the other for memory modules.

There are no architectural differences between DDR SDRAM designed for different clock frequencies. The number just indicates the speed that the chip is guaranteed to run at. When you run DDR SDRAM at lower speeds than specified, it is called underclocking. Running it at higher speeds is known as overclocking. Overclocking should be tried only by pros who know what they are doing, and only on high-quality memory.

To double or even quadruple actual bandwidth, some new chipsets use these memory types in dual or even quad channel configurations. With the dual-channel configuration, a matched pair of memory modules should be used for full efficiency.

The new-gen DDR-2 with a few alterations, allows higher clock frequency and is fast replacing the DDR. It also faces competition from the Rambus XDR-DRAM. Other options like QDR (Quad Data Rate) are too complex to implement, while XDR offers no support. Today the DDR-2 is set to become the standard.

RAM provides detailed information on RAM, RAM Memory, DVD RAM, DDR RAM and more. RAM is affiliated with Linux Mail Servers.

Gaming Headsets

2009-01-31T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Josh Riverside

Headsets or headphones are actually miniature speaker systems. They are stereo hearing systems that are wearable, providing mobility to the user. Traditional headsets were bulky and large with two speakers for both ears encased in padded ovular ear cups. These ear cups were attached to a headband in the shape of an arch that went over the head. Each of these ear cups had a signal wire joined down together as a single wire, which was connected to the audio player/radio through a headphone jack.

Today, normal headsets can't match the excitement generated by computer games. To feel the real action you need a headset that delivers the right acoustics and sound effects to make the game sound real. Modern gaming headsets have stereo sound effects to suit the high-definition audio that most games have. Plus, they are lightweight and comfortable, with flexible and unobtrusive wiring to wear for longer hours. There are also cordless gaming handsets.

The basic aspects to be considered while buying a headset are: is it comfortable? Does it stay securely in place for long hours? Is the microphone flexible and unobtrusive? Is the cord long enough for easy movement? Are the volume and other controls easily accessible? Is the sound quality on both the lines clear?

The leading manufacturers of gaming headsets are Plantronics, GN Netcom, Headsets.com, Sennheiser, Jabra, and Sony. Gaming headsets are also very inexpensive, depending on the kind of model. A good pair of headphones costs around $10 though a model with all the works may cost up to $150-$200 or more. The Internet is a good source for locating the ideal gaming headset. There are several web sites that provide comprehensive information about the wide range of gaming headsets available in the market today.

Headsets provides detailed information about headsets, wireless headsets, phone headsets, aviation headsets and more. Headsets is the sister site of Free Phone Conferencing.

Wireless Networking Part 2 Setup And Security

2009-01-30T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Jason Kohrs

The first installment in this two-part series of Tech Tips provided an introduction to the basic capabilities and hardware involved in wireless networking. In the final installment of this two-part series, we will look at some of the basic setup and security considerations that should be addressed. The physical installation of a wireless network may be easier than a wired network, but the more difficult part is setting up the software and security to make sure everything stays up and running without incident.

Although this Tech Tip is by no means an exhaustive resource on configuring a wireless network, it will provide information and pointers that can be applied to most typical installations. Many of these tips are general enough that they may provide some good advice for those utilizing wired networks as well.

For the sake of this article, we will assume that the hardware has been successfully installed physically, and that the user is now prepared to set up and secure the system through software. Wireless devices, especially routers / access points, generally include a web-based configuration utility that allows the user to customize the hardware to meet their needs. The hardware will most likely work with minimal configuration, but to make it work so that the integrity of the network is protected may take a few more steps.

In addition to the configuration interface provided with the wireless networking hardware, Microsoft has integrated a "Wireless Network Setup Wizard" with the release of Windows XP Service Pack 2 that will lead a user of any expertise through the installation of their network. In addition, the "Microsoft Broadband Network Utility" will help them monitor and maintain the network just as easily once it is set up.

Change Default Password

Routers, whether wired or wireless, require a password for configuring the various settings, and all of them ship with extremely simple default passwords. The first step taken in setting up the router should be to change the default password to something more difficult to guess. Longer passwords that use a combination of letters and numbers are preferable as they make hacking attempts that much more difficult.

Change Router IP Address

Most routers ship with a default IP (Internet Protocol) address, something like 192.168.1.1, which is utilized by the user for accessing the configuration utility interface, as well as by the network itself for negotiating the LAN and WAN connections. The configuration utility of most routers will include a page that will allow for the default IP address to be manually changed by the user. Although changing the default IP address doesn't provide a great amount of security since it can easily be discovered anyway, it may deter intrusion by local users that may be casually scanning the network.

Configure Router or Access Point Use

In the first part of this series of Tech Tips, I mentioned that almost all routers intended for home use can also double as wireless access points, and this is generally accomplished by clicking a check box within the control panel software. If a wireless router is being added to a network with an existing router and broadband connection, the new device needs to be set to access point mode. Otherwise, there could be a conflict as the network may not know where to expect the internet connection, since it will now have two routers that both want to serve as the gateway. If the wireless router is replacing an existing router, or is the only one on the network, this should not be an issue as these devices generally ship configured to operate as a router by default.

Broadcasting the SSID

The SSID, or Service Set Identifier, is basically the name assigned to a particular wireless network. The user can choose just about any name they want, as long as it is less than 32 characters long, and they just need to be sure that all computers on the network are configured to use the same name. Two steps related to the SSID can be taken to help improve the security of the network:

First, change the default SSID to a unique name that includes a combination of letters and numbers that doesn't reveal anything personal about you or your network. Second, disable the broadcast of the SSID once all of your computers are successfully connected, even if your router / access point recommends broadcasting it. I have used a few wireless routers, and all of them have a check box in the control panel for enabling/disabling the broadcast of the SSID, and they have all recommended leaving broadcasting enabled. Broadcasting the SSID allows new computers to easily find your network, and then all they have to do is access it given the proper credentials. Broadcasting your SSID puts it out there for anyone within range to see, and it just allows would-be hackers to get one step closer to compromising your security. In a home environment, there are probably few computers that need to access the network, and if more are ever added, you can temporarily enable the broadcast to get them set up.

DHCP Server

The DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) Server is a feature of most routers that makes adding new computers extremely simple. Whenever a new computer connects to the network, the router will assign an IP address to it, instead of the user having to assign an IP address to each manually while sitting at that particular computer. This makes configuring a network very easy, but it also leaves the network vulnerable, as any new computer detected will be welcomed to the neighborhood and assigned an IP address automatically. Two different approaches can be taken to improve security, as related to the DHCP server:

One method, and the best as far as security is concerned, is to disable the DHCP server. This will require that all computers that are authorized to connect to the network be configured manually, but it will prevent unauthorized computers from obtaining an IP address. The second method, which doesn't provide bulletproof security, is better than doing nothing. In general, a DHCP server can support up to 250 computers, and by default leaves a range of addresses readily available for that many to connect. If disabling the DHCP server doesn't seem convenient for a user, they can limit the DHCP server to only provide as many IP addresses as they know they need. If you know there will never be more than five computers connected, limit the range of available IP addresses to a total of five within the configuration utility.

Different Levels of Encryption

All wireless components support some sort of encryption, which simply scrambles the information being sent across the network so that it can not easily be read by anyone else connected to the network. There are different types and levels of encryption, and a brief overview is provided for them below:

WEP, or Wireless Equivalency Protocol, was the first format of encryption available on wireless networks. WEP allows the network administrator to assign an encryption string to be shared by all computers authorized to access the wireless network. The encryption through WEP is either 64bit, 128bit, or 256bit, where the higher number represents greater encryption, and the strings can be generated by the administrator as a series of letters and numbers.

WPA, or "Wi-Fi Protected Access," is an improvement over WEP that starts off with a similar master encryption string and then mathematically derives encryption keys to keep the security dynamic. WPA continually changes the encryption keys used for each packet of data, and due to the extra processing required to support this protocol the overall throughput of the connection may suffer slightly. Despite the potential for decreased speed, WPA is considered to be far more robust than WEP, and should be implemented where possible. In some instances, WEP encryption has actually been defeated, making WPA all that more appealing.

Although most components support both of these encryption formats, and users can select the type they wish to use from within the control software, not all do. All devices on the network must be set to operate at the same level of encryption, which may mean that some devices will force others to be less secure than they are capable of. For example, a wireless network setup around this router (http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=DI-824VUP&cat=NET) could support either WEP or WPA encryption. When two computers are added to this network using one of these network adaptors (http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=WN-4054P&cat=NET) in one case, and one of these network adaptors (http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=PBW006-N&cat=NET) in the other case, things change. Note that the second adaptor does not support WPA; therefore the whole network must now be configured to use WEP to accommodate it.

Router Position

As discussed in the first part of this Tech Tip, wireless devices can have a range of up to a few hundred feet in free space. When installed inside a home, this range may decrease greatly due to walls, floors and other obstructions, but the signal may still be strong enough to carry beyond the confines of the dwelling. A simple step that may help reduce the strength and reach of the network signal outside the house is to position the router / access point as close to the center of the house as possible. The potential for someone to detect the network from outside the home when positioned like this is now much less than if the router was placed near a window, for example.

Final Words

There are definitely additional issues that could be considered when setting up a wireless network, but covering these basics will make a wireless network much more secure than it was straight out of the box. Many people are confident that no one would be interested in their home network and feel security is just one more headache of technical mumbo-jumbo that they would rather not deal with. Whether a hacker wants access to personal files on the network or to simply gain unauthorized access to the Internet, a few simple steps are worth the peace of mind to know you are as secure as possible.

Jason Kohrs
Computer Geeks tech tips and computer help.

All About Your Computers Bios

2009-01-29T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Gary Hendricks

Are you confused by the computer BIOS? The BIOS is a fundamental component of any PC and if you really want to get into the guys of a computer, it's good through understanding what BIOS Is all about.

This article gives you a summary of what BIOS is and how you can play with the basic and advanced options in a typical BIOS configuration.

Definition

First up, let's just define what the BIOS is. The BIOS stands for the Basic Input-Output System of a PC. It is stored on a BIOS chip on the motherboard and it is the interface between your operating system and the computer's hardware. All the software actions you make, e.g. click a in Windows XP, are translated into machine instructions which pass through the BIOS and then subsequently to your monitor, graphics card and what not.

The BIOS is a crucial component of a PC If it fails, your PC isn't going to boot up. I always skip a heartbeat if I see any funny behavior with a PC's BIOS. Because it spells (almost certainly that is) doom for the computer. Make sure you're very, very careful if you intend to fiddle around with the BIOS in anyway. Children, don't do this at home without the supervision of a technie.

Basic Options

Let's run through the basic options of a BIOS setup. Right after you power up the computer, there is usually a key you can hit (usually F8) which allows you to access the PC's BIOS.

In the basic menu in the BIOS, you should see settings for configuring hard drives and boot up options. You can specify which are your primary and secondary hard risk and which will boot up first. You can also specify if the floppy disk or CD Rom boot support before or after the hard disk.

Advanced Options

If you go in to the Advanced Options menu, you can delve into the advanced options for the BIOS configuration. If you're into overclocking, you can specify a different CPU frequency than the default. But be very careful when you do this you may end up burning your CPU chip if you don't know what you're doing.

In the advanced options menu, you can also change memory frequency and timing, as well as the AGP speed for your graphics card. Again, exercise extreme care when playing around with these settings. You can damage your PC if you don't know what you're doing.

There are many other options in a computer's BIOS you can play with. Some of them include password and security options to limit access to the system, or stuff like power saving options. You can also control things like whether the Numlock key should be on or off when you first start the system.

Conclusion

I hope the article has helped you understand a little of what goes into a com0utper's BIOS and how you can make use of it. Remember, the BIOS is such a fundamental component of any PC that you MUST exercise extreme caution when meddling with it. If you're not sure don't change anything. It's best to understand the BIOS properly from an expert or read a good book before changing it in any way.

Gary Hendricks runs a hobby site on building computers. Visit his website at http://www.build-your-own-computers.com for tips and tricks on assembling a PC, as well as buying good computer components.

Color Inkjets

2009-01-28T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Richard Romando

Color inkjets are perfect for small companies or private parties. Color printers have enabled computer-users to engender and turn out color documents in artistic and vibrant ways. Coupled with either desktop publishing software or a graphics program, color printers can make eye-catching outputs ranging from massive billboards and photographic tarpaulins to the smallest customized stationeries like sticker-photos and business cards.

Inkjet, laser, solid ink, thermal wax, and dye sublimation are the five types of color printers available today. They emit ink droplets on the surface of the paper by using jets or nozzles. These nozzles are found in the inkjet cartridge, which comes in various set-ups. Some color inkjet printers have ink separate cartridges for each ink colors. Color inkjets are the least expensive among the other color printers but are difficult and costly to maintain. Branded inkjet cartridges are expensive compared to laser cartridges but a growing number of thrifty consumers resort to compatible off-brand inkjet cartridges.

High-end color inkjets that are available today for home and small-business applications can print images and graphics that look almost as good as standard prints and make visually interesting presentations and documents. However, they are susceptible to smudging and blotting.

Aside from the ordinary printers for home and office use, there are printers that are at work with professionals like graphic design artists, architects, and engineers. These color inkjet printers can produce an output up to six meters wide. They are used to print billboards, building graphics and banners, and huge photos for art exhibits and gallery displays.

Inkjets provides detailed information on Inkjets, Inkjet Cartridges, Inkjet Printers, Color Inkjets and more. Inkjets is affiliated with Inkjet Printer Cartridges.

Dc Power Supplies

2009-01-27T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Steve Valentino

The electricity that flows in two ways, AC or alternating current and DC or direct current, is actually a movement of electrons along the conductor. The difference of the two lies in the direction, wherein the former keeps the moving electrons in a switching manner, while the latter is in a steady single track. The AC system of the power supply is utilized for transmitting long distance power to various power companies. Therefore, high voltages are needed to fill the transformers of those companies. DC power supplies, on the other hand, provide current on a small-scale basis.

The direct way of supplying a current is typically found in the form of a battery or batteries, in which positive and negative terminals are moving in a single direction. DC power supplies are used in various mechanisms such as car audio equipment, DC-powered radios, mobile phones and a whole lot more. In the competitive market, there are all different kinds of DC power supplies in different wattages and voltages. The specifications of each DC power supply that you will find will vary depending on what the battery is used for.

DC power supply is already an indispensable and ubiquitous component in our everyday life. It provides power to almost all of the portable electronic gadgets that we use such as our laptops, cellular phones, handheld computers and MP3 players. Make sure that the DC power supply that you purchase meets the specification of the equipment you need it for. If you use the wrong power supply, you just may damage your equipment.

Power Supplies provides detailed information on Power Supplies, What Power Supply Do I Need?, Uninterruptible Power Supplies, DC Power Supplies and more. Power Supplies is affiliated with Welding Inverters.

Printers A Practical Buyers Guide

2009-01-26T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Iggy Quazi

Buying a printer can be a complicated business, there are more shapes, sizes and types of printers available to the home and small business user than ever before. Printers have also become specialised for their intended purpose.

It is no longer a case of "a printer is a printer". Printers are now designed to be good in a particular area rather than a "Jack-of-all trades", which will do everything.

An often overlooked issue, is the very serious consideration of cost of ownership, which is all about of how much it will cost to keep your printer running (see below). So making that decision on which printer to go for can be a seriously arduous task, especially if you are keen to buy a printer that is not only affordable to buy but also cheap to run.

So here is the information that you need to know and consider, but no one tells you! We have not expanded on which printer is the best at any given time because models constantly change and you can find that information in any current glossy PC magazine off the shelf. Instead, here you will find the good, bad and ugly bits from the different types of printers available so you can make an informed decision yourself.

Inkjet Technology

Inkjet printers form images by spraying tiny droplets of liquid ink onto paper. The size and precision of the dots of ink and the type and quality of the ink itself govern how good the print quality is. A quality inkjet printer can produce very near photo-quality images using specialist photo coated paper. In general there are two types of inkjet printers, those with the printhead built into the printer like Epson, Brother etc and those where the printhead is actually on the ink cartridge like HP and Lexmark. There are many arguments for and against both technologies, but in our experience we have found both to be very good, the major difference seems to be that the cost of running a printer using the "printhead" type ink cartridge is usually higher.

Inkjet ink is specially formulated for specific printer models and their purpose, much technology is involved in the development of these inks to improve print quality, longevity, drying speeds and printing speeds etc. Most inkjet ink is produced using dye based ink which can flow easily through the tiny nozzles of the printhead, this type of ink is good for photos and colour shades but not so good for longevity or solid vibrant colour, think of it like a water colour painting. In recent years pigment ink technology has advanced considerably to enable use in inkjet printing. Previously ink pigments were too large and would block up the nozzles. This type of ink is good for solid colours and longevity, think of it like an oil painting.

Manufacturers like Epson, HP and Jet Tec are now increasingly using a fusion of dye based and pigmented inks to create superb quality photo printing with vibrant colours and longevity too.

Inkjet printers use anything between two and eight ink cartridges to do their job. Generally speaking the entry-level machines use two cartridges, good all round machines use four and specialist photo printers use six or more. The two cartridge system works fine though can be a bit wasteful on the colour ink, so go for a four-cartridge system where possible especially if you do colour printing. The six or more cartridge systems produce outstanding photos, but can be costly and a pain to keep changing cartridges (printer does not work if any one cartridge is empty).

Inkjet printers are the best solution for most people and are usually the most cost effective way to print - unless you are printing large volumes.

Portable Inkjet Printers These printers are small, lightweight and ideal for people on the move. Although the printing of high quality photographs is usually beyond this type of printer, basic colour printing is of good quality and the quality of text print is mostly outstanding considering the size of these tiny portable A4 printers. These printers are not suitable for high volume printing.

Inkjet Printers

The Inkjet Printer is the most commonly used type of printer among home and small business users. With excellent all round printing capabilities, from black & white text print and good colour prints through to very hi-resolution, high quality photographs using Inkjet Photo Printers. Inkjet printers are available from cheap entry level to high-end business use machines and can print from photo size prints to massive A2 and bigger sizes, there are models for occasional use and others for high volume print jobs too. One of the many great things about Inkjet printers is that you can use a wide variety of media to print on, including standard paper, photo paper, card, t-shirt transfers, canvas, projector film etc, achieving different looks and textures for your prints and print for different purposes. Most Inkjet printers are USB connections and not suitable for networks, although models are also available for networks and with parallel connections.

Multi-Function Inkjet Printers

Multi-Function Inkjet Printers have been built to meet the needs of home offices and small businesses. These excellent value machines provide multiple solutions in one compact and easy to use machine i.e. printing, scanning, copying and some also have built in fax machines too. Not only are these machines great for saving space on your desk, but they are also very good for printing too using the same technology as standard inkjet printers. The only thing you should be aware of is that you can only use one function at a time and if anything goes wrong with an "All-in-one" machine, you may lose the all the functions at once!

Laser Printers

Laser printers work in a similar way to photocopiers, except they use a laser instead of a bright light to scan with. They work by creating an electrostatic image of the page onto a charged photoreceptor, which in turn attracts toner in the shape of an electrostatic charge. Toner is the material used to make the image (as ink is in an inkjet printer) and is a very fine powder, so laser printers use toner cartridges instead of ink cartridges.

Laser Printers have traditionally been the best printing solution for heavy office users as they produce a very high quality black text finish and offer relatively low running costs. However, laser printers have advanced a great deal recently and their prices have steadily dropped, as a result there are now compact laser printers, multi-function and colour laser printers all at very affordable prices. Laser printers make sense if you need to do a lot of high quality black or colour prints, not photos. The great thing about a colour laser printer is that they can print a very good quality colour image on standard copier paper, so you do not need to use expensive photo paper for large jobs. Do check the prices of the consumables before you buy the printer as these can be very expensive for colour laser printers.

Laser printers are the best solution for people who are printing in large volumes, that is, in 100's of pages at a time or 1000's of pages per month. Colour lasers also take quite a while to warm up, so are not ideal for printing single pages.

Solid Ink Printers

Solid ink printers use solid wax ink sticks in a "phase-change" process, they work by liquefying wax ink sticks into reservoirs and then squirting the ink onto a transfer drum from where it is cold-fused onto the paper in a single pass. Solid ink printers are marketed almost exclusively by Tektronix / Xerox and are aimed at larger businesses and high volume colour printing.

Solid ink printers used to be cheaper to purchase than similarly specified colour lasers and fairly economical to run owing to a low component usage, today it is not necessarily any cheaper than a colour laser printer. Output quality is good but generally not as good as the best colour lasers for text and graphics or the best inkjets for photographs. Print speeds are not as fast as most colour lasers.

Dye-Sublimation Printers

Dye-Sublimation printers use heat and solid colour dyes to produce lab-quality photographic images. Dye-Sub printers contain a roll of transparent film made up of page-sized panels of colour, with cyan, magenta, yellow, and black dye embedded in the film. Print head heating elements vaporize the inks, which adhere to a specially coated paper, as the ink cools it re-solidifies on the paper. Colour intensity is controlled by precise variations in temperature.

Dye-sublimation printers lay down color in continuous tones one color at a time instead of dots of ink like an inkjet, because the colour is absorbed into the paper rather than sitting on the surface, the output is more photo-realistic, more durable and less vulnerable to fading than other ink technologies.

The downside of Dye-Sub printers is that they are generally more expensive to buy and run, usually limited to photo sized prints only and can only print onto one type of specialised paper as well as being quite slow to print.

Dye-Sublimation printers are best for those who want to link up their digital camera to a purpose built printer and print out the finest quality photos at home without fuss.

Dot Matrix Printers

Dot matrix printers are relatively old fashioned technology today with poor quality print, slow and very noisy output. This type of printer is no longer used unless you wish to create invoices using the continuous paper with holes on both sides. The good thing is that they are very cheap to run!

Cost of Ownership

Many printers today are very cheap to buy, but people are sometimes shocked to discover the cost of replacing the consumables (ink or laser cartridges, imaging drums, fuser, oils, specialist papers etc). The cost of replacing the ink can sometimes cost more than the printer itself! This is one of the most commonly overlooked factors when printers are reviewed and yet one of the most important things to consider before handing over your hard earned cash. Tests run in 2003 by Which? magazine famously compared the cost of HP's ink with vintage 1985 Dom Perignon.

A Sheffield City Council report aimed at helping schools decide on the best-value printers to buy, calculated total cost of ownership over the lifetime of a printer (not sure how long that is!). Adding up all the running costs, ink or toner, paper, maintenance and even electricity, SCC worked out that a colour inkjet costs approx 38p per page to run compared to a colour laser which costs approx 7p per page. Sheffield City Council advised its schools that if they printed more than three colour pages a day (assuming a 40-week academic year) they should buy a laser.

These figures cannot be taken hard and fast due to the many variables involved, but it is generally accepted that the cost per print of a laser printer is cheaper than that of an inkjet, which is in turn cheaper than that of a sub-dye printer. However, you would have to do a fair amount of colour printing to take advantage of the economy offered by a laser printer.

Summary

When buying a printer, firstly carefully consider its use, is it mostly general printing or for photographs, is it for occasional use or high volumes, will it be a stand alone device or connected to a network? Then using the guideline information above you will be able to decide on which type of printer is most suitable for you at the time.

Article by Iggy Quazi director of Ecommerce business Mouse2House based in Essex, England stocking a wide range of digital imaging devices. ...For more information visit http://www.mouse2house.co.uk for the latest digital media products. For a wide range of Canon ink cartridges see http://www.mouse2house.co.uk/index.php?CatURN=51

Inexpensive Pcs As Cnc Machine Controllers

2009-01-25T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Dan Staber

Part I, Utilizing an off the shelf PC as a CNC Controller

There are two main groups that can take advantage of today's low cost PCs as an effective and inexpensive CNC controller.

Retrofits to existing CNC machines with outdated or proprietary controls in need of service.

Shop built and home built CNC machines.

Inexpensive PCs can cost as little as $150.00 and yet provide a dependable and effective CNC machine controller. Some sources to consider for obtaining such a system are outpost.com and dell.com. Oupost.com is an outlet for Fry's electronics. They have one PC on sale ranging from $150.00 to $199.00. Several have successfully used this PC in conjunction with MACH2 CNC controller software.

Tradeoffs: Price vs. Quality. With the lowest cost PCs there a tradeoff in performance, quality, and reliability. The manufacturers of these machines use low cost hardware in their manufacture and they make compromises in the design of the systems to keep their costs down. Inexpensive hardware translates directly to a higher failure rate and more difficult to obtain manufacturer support. This can be a deciding factor by itself if you rely on this machine for production.

Design compromises which are common in low cost PC have an impact on performance. The primary concerns are: insufficient memory, the use of shared memory, and on-board graphics devices. The primary hardware requirements for a PC based CNC controller are sufficient memory, and sufficient processor speed. You can see that the compromises present in these systems are in direct opposition to the requirements for CNC controller.

At the bottom end of the Inexpensive PC market there are off the self solutions that will function well as a PC based CNC controller. As with all things, you tend to get what you pay for, so the buyer is advised to be aware of the requirements and limitations that are in play.

Part II in this series of articles will examine an alternative to buying an off the shelf solution and explore building a PC to meet your specifications.

Dan Staber is president of Apex Mechanical, Inc. a single source provider of mechanical engineering and metal fabrication services. Dan is also a licensed mechanical engineer is the states of South Dakota and Washington. For more information please vist - http://www.apexmechanical.com

services@apexmechanical.com

The Importance Of Ergonomic Products

2009-01-24T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Vinodh Pushparaj

Interestingly, ergonomics though sounds to be a modern and trendy phenomenon, its principles are based on primitive life style. It is a known fact that earlier generations did not have to face a whole lot of medical complications that our generation is facing. Some of the factors that contribute to these medical complications are associated with our poor work conditions and our unhealthy life style which our forefathers and mothers instinctively avoided. We are running short of that life saving instinct. They knew how and how not an action is to be performed, when and when not something can be done easily. They were attuned to nature and to their own bodily nature. They were sensitive to the bodily cues and were able to modify their actions and hence lead a healthy life.

However there is a wide new awakening in this area in the form of Ergonomics. The word Ergonomics finds its root in Greek. "Ergon" in Greek means work and "nomoi" means law or rule. So ergonomics means law of work. Ergonomics is a branch of science that deals with the design of objects, systems and environment. Though can be mislead by the etymological meaning of the word, it is not limited to work but generally physical actions including sports and leisure activities of human beings. Ergonomics is not a stand-alone branch of science like many other branches science. Ergonomics relies on the principles of many other branches of science including, psychology of human beings, anatomy and physiology and also on results of cultural studies. Ergonomics seeks to produce a job environment that will help people to operate in their optimum levels and increase efficiency by increasing comfort in work and reducing fatigue. For example, a 6 feet tall individual cannot be comfortable in a low car where he or she has to place himself or herself in unnatural bodily postures that will result in fatigue that would even undermine the safety measures. This means that a car has to be designed to accommodate a six feet tall individual to drive comfortably without straining oneself.

Studies have proved that ergonomically designed products reduce stress at work places. This applies especially to people who work in the IT industry. Many psychological disorders have been associated with people who work in poor IT environments. This has lead to an in depth study on how to reduce the anomalies, which in turn has lead to the booming market of ergonomically designed IT products. Some of the computer accessories that are designed using ergonomic principles include, vertical mouse, ergonomic keyboard, adjustable computer furniture and the list extends.

While it is good to choose ergonomically designed products for your use, you have to be careful in choosing a genuine product. Because, there are lot of products that markup their price at an exorbitant rates in the name of ergonomic products. It may not be necessarily so ergonomic product need not necessarily look too different from the one's that are already in use. We often wrongly associate ergonomic products with fancy looking products on which the product manufacturers thrive.

For some the best ergonomic products in the market today you can visit the dedicated e-store at http://www.ergo-items.com. Ergonomic computer products for the office including ergonomic keyboards, ergo arm-rest, ergo mouse-cursor support, ergo stickers. The website also has many Computer safety ergonomic products for the workstation.

Understanding Flash Drives What Is It

2009-01-23T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Mike Singh

The flash drive was born in 1998 at IBM, as a floppy drive replacement for the ThinkPad line of products. Almost all people know what a floppy drive and a floppy disk is - but a larger percentage isn't quite sure about the flash drive. Technically, it is a "NAND-type flash memory data storage devices integrated with a USB interface". It is fairly new to technology, yet many computer literate people enjoy its small size, lightweight, removable and the fact that it's rewritable. Another huge advantage is its memory capacity, ranging from 8 megabytes to 64 gigabytes - limited only by the densities of its current flash memory. Unfortunately, as its capacity moves up, so does the price. Almost all types of drive use the USB mass storage standard, supported by the modern operating systems, and most flash drives are active only when powdered by a USB computer connection. They require no other external power source or battery source.

There are several advantages of the USB flash drives as compared to the other portable storage devices, such as the floppy disks, Zip disks, and the CD-R/CD-RW discs - with the floppy disc as the most popular. The USB flash drive is much faster, definitely holds more data, and is more reliable due to their lack of moving parts. They ignore the scratches and dust that plagues any earlier forms of portable storage, such as compact discs or floppy disks. Their design means they often survive impacts, dropped, crushed, and washed with a load of clothing. Because of all of this, they are perfectly ideal for transporting personal data or work files from one place to another. The user also wants to use them for carrying around personal data that they can access in different places. Being available in 8MB, 16MB, 32MB, and 64MB, they were marketed as the true floppy killer.

If you are the athletic type, a runner or jogger, who likes to listen to the tunes during your workout you want to look into a flash drive player. Even if you have a hard drive player it is smart to own a flash drive player because you'll want to take it running or jogging with you because the hard drive is bulkier (hence "hard" drive) and weighs more. It will skip and even break, where a flash drive is more comparable to the old school walkman players in its durability.

Next, most flash drive players come with neat little additions like a stopwatch or voice recorder. At first this may sound worthless or pointless to you, but sometimes a stopwatch can be handy while running and who hasn't had a great idea while exercising only to have it escape during the cooling off process? A flash drive player will give you more extras while coming for a reduced price tag.

Another nice extra when buying a flash drive player is you almost always have an FM tuner included, meaning if you are tired of the music you downloaded you can listen to your favorite local station. Flash drive players give you this, along with what was mentioned above, for a reduced price tag. Most flash drive players go for as little as $59 and as much as $149 depending on the brand and the size.

Six percent of the internet usage in year 2000 U.S. will jump to 62% in 2010, due to music downloading and the use of data compression, quickly transferring music over the internet. Also, a corresponding rise of portable digital audio players, and digital cameras became very popular due to their smaller sizes and much reduced cost.

Check out http://www.mp3playertop.com/ for more articles on mp3 playes and mp3 player portable.

All About Dyesublimation Printers

2009-01-21T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by John Sollars

Dedicated photo printers differ from all-purpose printers as they are designed to print photos only, as opposed to text or graphics documents in addition to photos. They are generally compact in size and lightweight, and some models even feature batteries that allow you to print without the need for an outlet. Most photo printers, including dye-sublimation (or dye-sub) printers, are built around a thermal dye engine, though there are a few that feature inkjet technology.

For many years, dye-sublimation printers were specialist devices used in demanding graphic arts and photographic applications. The advent of digital photography led to the entry of this technology into the mainstream, forming the basis of many of the standalone, portable photo printers that surfaced in the second half of the 1990s.

The term "dye" in the name refers to the solid dyes that were used in the process instead of inks or toner. "Sublimation" is the scientific term for a process where solids (in this case, dyes) are converted into their gaseous form without going through an intervening liquid phase.

The printing process employed by true dye-sublimation printers differs from that of inkjets. Instead of spraying tiny jets of ink onto a page as inkjet printers do, dye-sublimation printers apply a dye from a plastic film. A three-pass system (featuring solid dyes in tape form on either a ribbon or a roll) layers cyan, magenta, yellow, and black dyes on top of one another. The print head on a dye-sub printer uses tiny heaters to vapourise the dye, which permeates the glossy surface of the paper. A clear coat is added to protect the print against ultraviolet light. Although this method is capable of producing excellent results, it is far from economical. Even if a particular image does not need any one of the pigments, that ribbon segment is still consumed. This is the reason it is common for dye-sub printer compatible paper packs to contain a transfer film capable of producing the same number of prints. In addition, dye sublimation inks need a paper that allows the ink to remain on the surface of the paper.

Nowadays, a number of inkjet printers on the market are capable of deploying dye-sublimation techniques. The cartridges in such printers spray the ink, covering the page one strip at a time. The print head heats the inks to form a gas, controlled by a heating element that reaches temperatures of up to 500° C (higher than the average dye sublimation printer). A big difference in the results with dye-sublimation technique is that because the dyes are applied to the paper in gas form, they do not form distinct dots with a hard edge like inkjet printers. Instead, the edges are softer and blend into each other easily. Additionally, the infusion of the gaseous dye into the paper yields a more colour-fast picture.

Comparing Dye-Sublimation Printers and Inkjet Printers
Although it is difficult to point out every possible advantage and disadvantage when comparing inkjet and dye-sub printers, the following list mentions the major points that apply to most people printing photos at home.

Advantages of Inkjet Printers over Dye-Sub Printers:
· Prints are very precise with sharp edges
· Latest models offer incredible detail that exceeds most dye-sub printers
· Variety of papers/surfaces availableincluding matte, luster, glossy.
· Not locked in to one manufacturer's paper
· Some archival inkjets can produce prints that long-lasting
· Most inkjets can print on many different surfaces that are designed to accept ink, including CDs, CD inserts, envelopes, etc.
· Inkjets have a considerably larger colour gamut and usually produce more vivid photos than dye-subs
· Easier to obtain large format inkjets that can print 11x14, 13x20 sizes, or larger
· Inkjet printing is often cheaper than dye-sub printing
Inkjet Printer Disadvantages:
· Often much slower than dye-sub printers
· Most non-archival inkjets produce prints that fade a little (sometimes a lot) faster than dye-sub prints
· Print heads sometimes clog and require cleaning, or even replacement

Advantages of Dye-Sub Printers over Inkjet Printers:
· Very fast
· Relatively maintenance-free
· Smooth with no dot patterns visible, even under magnification
· Produce excellent shadow detail in dark areas where some inkjets may be "blotchy"
· Prints are usually more durable and more waterproof than inkjet prints
· For many viewers, dye-sub printers produce photos that look and feel more like real photographs due to the smoothness of the prints and the absence of visible dot patterns
Dye-Sub Printer Disadvantages:
· Consumer level models often smear high contrast edges (like a black square on a white background) to some degree, making charts, graphs, and line art look a little less "precise"
· Dye-sub prints typically only last as long or slightly longer than a good non-archival inkjet printer and are generally not considered "archival"
· Paper type selection is very limited and while dye-sub printers produce excellent glossy photos, most fall behind or do not even offer the option of matte prints
· Dye-sub printers use an entire page and an entire page worth of ribbon even to print one small wallet size photo
· Pages cannot be normally fed through the printer twice to fill more of the page as they can in inkjets
· Dust can sometimes get inside and cause vertical scratches on prints
· Dye sub printing and the cost of paper and toner (ribbon) is often higher than inkjet printing

Few Popular Models of Dye-Sublimation Printers

Canon Selphy CP710
Dye-sub printer for 150x100mm photographs

Samsung SPP-2040 photo printer
Dye-sub printer with 300x300dpi resolution

Samsung SPP-2020
Digital photo printer that produces 100x150mm snapshots

HiTi Photo Printer 641PS
Dye-sub printer for 152x102mm photographs

Sony PictureStation DPP-FP30
A user-friendly dye-sub photo printer

Kodak EasyShare Printer Dock 6000
A dye-sublimation printer for compatible Kodak cameras

Olympus P-10 Digital Photo Printer
A dye-sublimation printer that prints straight from your Olympus digital camera

Polaroid PP46d photo printer
A dye-sub photo printer

Olympus P-440
Dye-sub printer capable of printing A4 photographs

Sony DPP-EX50
Dye-sublimation photo printer

John Sollars is the managing director of Solar Electronics, which are both ink and fax toner suppliers based in Shropshire, UK. To access a comprehensive online shop of original and re-manufactured printer ink cartridges including products by Canon please visit http://www.stinkyinkshop.co.uk/acatalog/Canon_Inkjets.html

The Newest Thing In Lighting Led Lighting And What It Can Do

2009-01-20T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Paul Forte

The other day my son said to me, what else could anyone possibly invent? Sometimes it would seem that way, but I think that couldn't be further from the truth. Back in the late sixties and early seventies someone realized that light emitting diodes could be used for indicator lights. They only were available in the color red, but that didn't stop anyone, in fact we all became quite familiar with that red color in things like calculators and hand held games. That is pretty much where LED's stayed until a few years ago.

Suddenly LED's were available in different colors. A new super bright LED was developed. Controllers made color changing possible as well as mixing colors to create almost any color in the spectrum. A whole new market is emerging now. Many municipalities have started to change over the traffic lights to LED bulbs. I am sure you have seen them; they appear as many small dots of light for the Red and the Green. Car manufacturers are using them inside indicator lights.

The most exciting aspect of LED lighting for me is the entrance of LED's into residential lighting. They can be used for accent lighting in many applications such as under cabinet lighting and inside cabinets. Cove lighting is another application where they can be used. There are LED bulbs that can replace some existing bulbs like an MR 16 low voltage bulb.

As of right now in their development accent lighting is where they are best suited, the time for them to replace conventional light bulbs is not far off. As an example of where LED's can really shine is a pool light that can change into seven different colors just by turning the regular switch on and off to change modes. There are other types of color changing bulbs that can be used for decorative purposes. If you want to do some really creative lighting projects, you need to look into LED's.

If your wondering what is so great about LED's, let me explain. They have great advantages over conventional light bulbs. Here is a list of just a few things:

· Huge energy savings, possibly as high as 80% - 90%
· Very long life some claims as high as 100,000 hours
· Durable and resistant to heat, cold, shock and vibration
· Endless color possibilities
· Instant on with no flickering
· Small size allows lights in tight spaces
· Almost no heat and no UV rays

The one place they still are weak in is general lighting use. When they have that ability though the energy savings will be on a huge scale. The traffic lights I mentioned earlier use a 10 watt LED bulb to replace a 150 watt bulb used in the past. To give you an idea how much this saves at 12.5 cents a KWH, the savings for a single bulb in one year is about $75. Pretty amazing, especially when you consider some 150,000 traffic lights across the country have been retrofitted with these new LED light bulbs. That is an energy savings of over 11 million dollars. (c)Paul Forte 2005

If you would like to know more or see some of the great LED products available, follow the link below or visit http://www.forteelectric.com/LEDlighting.html

Paul Forte has been in the lighting and electrical field for over 25 years. He has helped countless homeowners across the country with their lighting needs, through his website. Learn more about LED lighting or visit Forte Electric

Ata Vs Sata

2009-01-19T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Jason Kohrs

Hard Drives: ATA versus SATA

The performance of computer systems has been steadily increasing as faster processors, memory, and video cards are continuously being developed. The one key component that is often neglected when looking at improving the performance of a computer system is the hard drive. Hard drive manufacturers have been constantly evolving the basic hard drive used in modern computer systems for the last 25 years, and the last few years have seen some exciting developments from faster spindle speeds, larger caches, better reliability, and increased data transmission speeds.

The drive type used most in consumer grade computers is the hearty ATA type drive (commonly called an IDE drive). The ATA standard dates back to 1986 and is based on a 16-bit parallel interface has undergone many evolutions since its introduction to increase the speed and size of the drives that it can support. The latest standard is ATA-7 (first introduced in 2001 by the T13 Technical Committee (the group responsible for the ATA standard)) which supports data transfer rates up to 133MB/sec. This is expected to be the last update for the parallel ATA standard.

As long ago as 2000 it was seen that the parallel ATA standard was maxing out its limitations as to what it could handle. With data rates hitting the 133MB/sec mark on a parallel cable, you are inviting all sorts of problems because of signal timing, EMI (electromagnetic interference) and other data integrity issues; thus industry leaders got together and came up with a new standard known as Serial ATA (SATA). SATA has only been around a few years, but is destined to become "the standard" due to several benefits to be addressed in this Tech Tip.

The two technologies that we will be looking at are: ATA (Advanced Technology Attachment) a 16-bit parallel interface used for controlling computer drives. Introduced in 1986, it has undergone many evolutions in the last 18+ years, with the latest version being called ATA-7. Wherever an item is referred to as being an ATA device, it is commonly a Parallel ATA device. ATA devices are also commonly called IDE, EIDE, Ultra-ATA, Ultra-DMA, ATAPI, PATA, etc. (each of these acronyms actually do refer to very specific items, but are commonly interchanged) SATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment) a 1-bit serial evolution of the Parallel ATA physical storage interface.

Basic Features & Connections

SATA drives are easy to distinguish from their ATA cousins by the different data and power connections found on the back of the drives. A side-by-side comparison of the two interfaces can be seen in this PDF from Maxtor, and the following covers many of the differences

Standard ATA drives, such as this 200GB Western Digital model, have somewhat bulky, two inch wide ribbon cable with 40-pin data connections and receive the 5V necessary to power them from the familiar 4-pin connection. The basic data cables for these drives have looked the same for years. A change was made with the introduction of the ATA-5 standard to better improve the signal quality by making an 80 wire cable used on the 40-pin connector (these are commonly called 40-pin/80-wire cables). To improve airflow within the computer system some manufacturers resorted to literally folding over the ribbon cable and taping it into that position. Another recent physical change also came with the advent of rounded cables. The performance of the rounded cables is equal to that of the flat ribbon, but many prefer the improved system air flow afforded, ease of wire management, and cooler appearance that come with them.

SATA drives, such as this 120GB Western Digital model, have a half inch wide, 7 "blade and beam" data connection, which results in a much thinner and easier to manage data cable. These cables take the convenience of the ATA rounded cables to the next level by being even narrower, more flexible and capable of being longer without fear of data loss. SATA cables have a maximum length of 1 meter (39.37 inches), which is much greater than the recommended 18 inch cable for ATA drives. The reduced footprint of SATA data connections frees up space on motherboards, potentially allowing for more convenient layouts and room for more onboard features!

A 15-pin power connection delivers the 250mV of necessary power to SATA drives. 15-pins for a SATA device sounds like it would require a much larger power cable than a 4-pin ATA device, but in reality the two power connectors are just about the same height. For the time being, many SATA drives are also coming with a legacy 4-pin power connector for convenience.

Many modern motherboards, such as this Chaintech motherboard, come with SATA drive connections onboard (many also including the ATA connectors as well for legacy drive compatibility), and new power supplies, such as this Ultra X-Connect, generally feature a few of the necessary 15-pin power connections, making it easy to use these drives on new systems. Older systems can easily be upgraded to support SATA drives by use of adapters, such as this PCI slot SATA controller and this 4-pin to 15-pin SATA power adapter.

Optical drives are also becoming more readily available with SATA connections. Drives such as the Plextor PX-712SA take advantage of the new interface, although the performance will not be any greater than a comparable optical drive with an ATA connection.

Performance

In addition to being more convenient to install and drawing less power, SATA drives have performance benefits that really set them apart from ATA drives.

The most interesting performance feature of SATA is the maximum bandwidth possible. As we have noted, the evolution of ATA drives has seen the data transfer rate reach its maximum at 133 MB/second, where the current SATA standard provides data transfers of up to 150 MB/second. The overall performance increase of SATA over ATA can currently be expected to be up to 5% (according to Seagate), but improvements in SATA technology will surely improve on that.

The future of SATA holds great things for those wanting even more speed, as drives with 300 MB/second transfer rates (SATA II) will be readily available in 2005, and by 2008 speeds of up to 600 MB/second can be expected. Those speeds are incredible, and are hard to imagine at this point.

Another performance benefit found on SATA drives is their built-in hot-swap capabilities. SATA drives can be brought on and offline without shutting down the computer system, providing a serious benefit to those who can't afford downtime, or who want to move drives in and out of operation quickly. The higher number of wires in the power connection is partially explained by this, as six of the fifteen wires are dedicated to allowing the hot-swap feature.

Price

Comparing ATA drives to SATA drives can be tricky given all of the variables, but in general it is the case that SATA drives will still cost just a bit more than a comparable ATA drive. The gap is closing rapidly though, and as SATA drives gain in popularity and availability a distinct shift in prices can be expected. Considering the benefits of SATA over ATA, the potential difference of a few dollars can easily be justified when considering an upgrade. Computer Geeks currently has a limited selection of SATA drives, but several technical sites, such as The Tech Zone and The Tech Lounge, offer real time price guides to see how comparable drives stack up.

Final Words

The current SATA standard provides significant benefits over ATA in terms of convenience, power consumption and, most importantly, performance. The main thing ATA has going for it right now is history, as it has been the standard for so long that it will not likely disappear any time soon. The future of SATA will be even more interesting as speed increases will help hard drive development keep pace with other key system components.

Jason Kohrs Computer Geeks tech tips and computer advice

Understanding The Components Of A Home Network

2009-01-18T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Jeff Heaton

Home networks are becoming more common. People want to be able to share a single broadband Internet connection to several computers in the house. There are many different devices that you can use to make up your home network. If you have never heard network terminology device names like router, hub, etc may seem confusing.

The purpose of most of these devices are to control how the network passes around information. This information is sent in the form of "packets". I will refer to the term packet several times in this article. It simply means the data that the network is transporting. I will now explain the purpose of the major components of a home network.

What is a Hub

A hub is a device that has several Ethernet ports on the back of the device. One of these ports will likely be labeled "Uplink". This port allows you to connect multiple hubs together, if you run out of ports on your hub. If you do not have an uplink port on your hub, the hub can not be easily extended if you run out of ports.

A hub is a device that attaches multiple computers on an Ethernet network. If you have a number different computers that you want to connect together, you could connect each to the hub. Any packet that is sent out by any computer on the network will immediately be transmitted to the other computers. Each computer will determine if the packet was really intended for it, and filter out packets that were intended for other computers.

You really should not use a hub in a modern home network. You should always use a switch in place of a hub. Switches will be discussed in the next section.

What is a Switch

A switch is a device that has several Ethernet ports on the back of the device. One of these ports will likely be labeled "Uplink". This port allows you to connect multiple switches together, if you run out of ports on your switch. If you do not have an uplink port on your switch, the switch can not be easily extended if you run out of ports.

A switch serves the same function as a hub. It allows you to connect multiple computers together, so that they can exchange packets. However, a switch is much more efficient than a hub. A switch will only send Ethernet packets to the computer that the packet was intended for. Because of this you should always use a switch in place of a hub.

What is a Router

A router is a device that has several Ethernet ports on the back of the device. One of the connectors will be labeled WAN. You should connect the WAN port to the Ethernet connection on a broadband source, such as a cable or DSL modem. The other ports on the router can be connected other computers or switches/hubs that will share the WAN connection.

Routers allow you to share your broadband connection with multiple computers in your house. Rather than connecting your computer directly into your cable or DSL modem you connect the router to the cable or DSL modem. Now any computer that you connect to the router will have access to the Internet.

If you run out of ports on your router you can always connect an additional switch to the router. To connect a switch to a router simply connect the switch's "uplink" port to one of the routers Ethernet ports. Of course, don't connect to the router's WAN port. The WAN port should only be connected to something such as a cable or DSL router.

Some routers come with additional features installed. Most routers also include a firewall. Firewalls are discussed in the next section. Some routers will also include a wireless access point (WAP). The WAP allows you to use wireless devices, such as wireless laptops, with the Internet.

What is a Firewall

A firewall controls traffic flow between your network and the Internet. A firewall can be either hardware or software. Windows XP SP2 or higher includes a software firewall. A hardware firewall is included with most routers.

A firewall is a very good idea. It can protect you from inbound virus attempts. By inbound virus attempt I mean other computers that will connect to your computer and attempt to infect your computer. You do not want to run a computer directly connected to the Internet, without a firewall. There are just too many other computers out there that can connect and infect you without you even noticing.

What is a Network Attached Storage (NAS)

A network attached storage device is s device that allows a hard drive to be shared across the network. This hard drive is NOT attached to any of your computers. It is simply made available by the NAS. This can be a convent way to add a hard drive that can be accessed by several computers on your network. The other common way to add a network hard drive is to simply share a folder on one of your computers. However, with the NAS, you do not need to keep one of your computers on at all times.

There are two types of NAS commonly available. The first type comes with a build in hard drive. The second accepts a USB or Firewire external hard drive. The advantage to using a USB or Firewire hard drive is that you can upgrade the hard drive if it ever were to become too small.

What is a Print Server

Just like you can buy a device to allow you to share a hard drive, you can do the same with a printer. A print server connects directly to your printer. Your printer is then shared to all of your computers on the network. This is convent because you do not need to leave the printer hooked to a computer, which must be turned on to print.

Conclusions

As you can see there are many different components. Perhaps the final component that I have yet to mention is the cable. These components are connected together with CAT5 Ethernet cable.

You are now ready to pick out the components for your home network!

Jeff Heaton is author, consultant and college instructor. Jeff maintains the "Heaton Research" website that contains many Java tutorials and other computer programming information.

Easy Guide On Networking Your Home Computers

2009-01-17T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Pinky Mcbanon

Easy Guide on Networking your Home Computers

Let's say you have 3 desktop computers at your home. One in your kid's room, in your home-office and one in your family room. Your idea is to have all these 3 computers connect to the internet. One computer has an internet connection on a DSL or cable modem (this is just a terminology for that little box that you connect from the phoneline or cable port!).

So you want all these 3 computers connect to the internet, share files? print from any of this computer?

Here are your step-by-step guide:

(1) Your DSL or cable internet service already comes with a modem. This is a connection from your phoneline to the modem. And then, you will notice your computer#1's network cable directly connect to this modem called the Ethernet port (or on the USB port).

(2) For the other 2 computers to share internet connection, you must have a router with 4 ports (at least!) --- looks like a telephone ports. There are a lot of router brands, one is Linksys and is my favorite. But as I have said there are a lot of different brands out there!

You must buy a network cable if you don't have one. You can buy it from most electronic store.

(4) Here we go! (considering ofcourse we are networking a Window-based computers-- Windows XP (home & professional) and Windows 2000 and higher)

(5) Connect a network cable on your router (port name: "internet" or "ethernet" - this is usually a separated port from the other 4 ports). The other end of the network cable will directly be connected to the DSL or Cable modem's (port name: "ethernet").

(6) Connect a network cable on each computer that you want to get connected to the internet-- (connect this cable at the back of the computer (port name: ethernet).

(7) The other side of each of this network cable will then be connected on each of the port on the router

(8) Now you are ready to be connected! -- turn on your dsl/cable modem. Make sure all lights are on and solid. Turn on your router.

(9) Then turn on your computer(s) -- make sure the light at the back of the computer is blinking! (this is a good sign that you are connected on the network!)

(10) Then set up your router which is normally you choose the proctocol PPoE and just enter your username and password supplied to you by your internet service provider. Oh! by the way, depending on the router, the admin window of the router is on the manual. It's so easy to find it. Trust me.

(11) If your username and password provided to you by your internet service provider is valid... then you should be connected to the internet!.Go and start browsing the internet!

*** most of the routers available in the market now are interlligent routers! There is really nothing complicated on how to set it up. Its entirely DHCP (automatic IP assignment). I don't want to be technical but .. there you go! Enjoy and be safe on the internet!

Ms. Mcbanon is an experienced Medical Biller and Coder based in New York. A graduate of Bachelor Science in Computer Engineering. A Medical Practice Billing Consultant.

She shares her expertise and knowledge with www.medclaimsplus.com. She has extensive knowledge and skill in the area of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Anesthesiology, Surgery, Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy, Mental & Behavioral Health, Pediatrics & Internal Medicine.

Read more about the author as she shares her knowledge and expertise in her field by visiting her personal website at www.justmypassion.com

Home Wireless Network Security Issues

2009-01-16T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Greg Lietz

Running a business from home has its advantages, including no commute, a more accommodating work schedule, fresh coffee and home-cooked meals at any time you want.

But running a business from home using a home wireless local area network (WLAN) with your computer may lead to thievery of confidential information and hacker or virus penetration unless proper actions are taken. As WLANs send information back and forth over radio waves, someone with the right type of receiver in your immediate area could be picking up the transmission, thus acquiring access to your computer.

Here is a list of things that you should consider as a result of implementing a home wireless network setup used your business:

Viruses could be loaded onto your laptop which could be transferred to the company's network when you go back to work.

Up to 75 per cent of home wireless network WLAN users do not have standard security features installed, and 20 per cent are left completely open as default configurations and are not secured, but are made for the users to have their network up and running ASAP.

It is recommended that home wireless network router/access point system setups be always done though a wired client.

Always change the default administrative password on your home wireless network router/access points to a secured password.

Enable at least 128-bit WEP encryption on both card and access point. Change your WEP keys periodically. If equipment does not support at least 128-bit WEP encryption, consider replacing it. Although there are security issues with WEP, it represents minimum level of security, and it should be enabled.

Change the default SSID on your router/access point to a hard to guess name. Setup your computer device to connect to this SSID by default.

Setup router/access points so as to not broadcast the SSID. The same SSID needs to be setup on the client side manually. This feature may not be available on all equipment.

Setup your home wireless network router to block anonymous internet requests or pings.

On each computer having a wireless network card, network connection properties should be configured to allow connection to Access Point Networks Only. Computer to computer (peer to peer) connections should not be allowed.

Enable MAC filtering. Deny connection to wireless network for unspecified MAC addresses. MAC or physical addresses are accessible through your computer device wireless network connection setup and they are physically written on network cards. When adding new wireless cards / computer to the network, their MAC addresses should be registered with the router /access point.

Your home wireless network router should have firewall features enabled and demilitarized zone (DMZ) feature disabled. Periodically test your hardware and personal firewalls using Shields Up test available at http://www.grc.com. All computers should have a properly configured personal firewall in addition to a hardware firewall.

Update router/access point firmware when new versions become available.

Locate router/access points away from strangers so they cannot reset the router/access point to default settings. Also, locate router/access points in the middle of the building rather than near windows to limit signal coverage outside the building.

You should know that nothing is 100%. While none of the actions suggested above will provide full 100% protection, countermeasures do exist that will help. The good collection of suggested preventative actions contained herein can help you deter an intruder trying to access your home wireless network. This deterrant then makes other insecure networks easier targets for the intruder to persue.

Greg Lietz is an internet business man, freelance writer and computer enthusiast. His websites provide information on wireless internet networking and personal computer hardware that may be of interest to you.

Dvr Reviews

2009-01-14T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Max Bellamy

DVR's are now being used in areas like surveillance and entertainment. DVRs have managed to get a good response from the market and the future will see DVRs being employed in new areas like weather forecasting and ship to shore communication.

DVRs have carved a niche in the field of satellite television. HDDVRs with all their features have managed to attract the attention of many a couch potatoes. The futuristic feel of the product and the control that it has given to the viewer has added a new dimension to TV viewing and some are already comparing it with the transformation brought on after the onset of color television in the last century. However, it may take a while before this technology becomes the norm and broadcasters start airing programs that are tailor made or customized to HDDVR sets. With DVR technology, the reception of signals at the viewer end is digital and now the onus has shifted to the broadcaster to provide signals of matching quality to further enhance viewing pleasure.

As far as surveillance does, DVRs are fast replacing the conventional VCRs. Extensive research and development work is going on in many corporations and labs to develop better DVR devices to suit varied market requirements. The remote location monitoring option by which offices could be monitored from anywhere in the world, has caught the attention of the market. There is also extensive demand for the embedded DVRs because of their independence and ease of operation. Many banks, security firms, commercial organizations have already switched over to this technology and are enjoying the benefits.

In the transport sector, the technology is now fast catching up as many cargo firms are now depending on DVRs to obtain real time information on the movement and safety of their goods. Along with the GPS system, this technology has given companies another avenue to monitor cargo movement. The demand for DVR in this sector is expected to increase in the years to come.

With the use of DVRs in multiple sectors, the stage is now set for development of customized DVRs. These will take a different path of evolution from their predecessors and may even be developed into a completely different technology.

DVR provides detailed information about DVR, DVR reviews, DVR cards, DVR software and more. DVR is the sister site of CD Copier Software.

How To Properly Install A New Sound Card

2009-01-13T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Otis Cooper

Sound Card installation is indeed simple and rather straight forward,that is,when you know how to do it. Opening the system unit can be a scary task for some of us,especially if we have not performed this task before.

The key is to be calm,take your time,and make it fun. Look forward to looking inside the computer and see just how many components you can readily identify.

Remember to touch a doorknob or any grounded metal object to remove static electricity from your body.To install your new sound card,let's perform the following.

OPEN THE SYSTEM UNIT

Remove the system unit cover and locate an empty expansion bay.Note that the rear cover of the slot may have to be removed on most computers.Before touching anything,ground yourself to remove any buildup of elecrtical static charge from yourself. Touching the computer case or a boorknob will do the job.

With the cover removed from the system unit,lay the computer on its side.You may have to remove other connections or devices to have clear access to the empty card bay.

Take notes of any devices or connections that you make so that you can refer to them during installation of the new card.

New sound cards must be installed in the PCI slot. After removing the small rear cover,remove the new card from its protective wrap.This wrap is intended to keep the card away from electrical static charge.

INSTALLING THE SOUND CARD

Grasp the card and align it with the PCI slot. Slowly but firmly press the new card completely in the PCI slot.Check to be sure no part of the yellow contacts can be seen when the card is pushed in.

Secure the sound card to the system unit by using the screw that you removed when removing the rear cover.Use this screw to secure the card to the case.

If you have on sound installed on the motherboard and you want to install another card,most systems will disable the motherboard integrated sound.If not, consult your computer manual to find the correct jumpers to disable the motherboard sound.

Now the cdrom audio cable must be connected. Insert one end of the audio cable for the cdrom or dvd drive into the CD-IN socket of the sound card. The other end is inserted into the audio-out socket of the cdrom or dvd drive.

Check and double check all connections before you replace the system unit cover.If all connections are good,replace the cover and reboot the system after all peripherals are reconnected.

REPLACE THE SYSTEM UNIT COVER

The computer should automatically detect the new card and attempt to install the device drivers needed to communicate with the card.Windows should prompt you to install the software needed to allow the card to communicate to the computer.

The new card should have come with a cdrom with device drivers and other software for the card.Simply inserted the cdrom in the cdrom drive and select the cdrom installation when prompted.

Test the new sound card by re-booting the computer. You should hear the Windows startup sound if the card is operational.In some cases,the new card will be operational without rebooting your computer.

Installing or upgrading your sound card is that easy. You will need a quality speaker system to take full advantage of your new sound card.Get a speaker system with a super woofer for maximum sound quality.

Those new games and your new music cdroms will be much more exciting with that new sound bursting from the new sound card.If you're blessed enough to have two computers,install the card in the other system,at your convience.This will give you the added training of installing computer components.

Otis F. Cooper is solely dedicated to boosting the knowledge and confidence of every computer user. Sign up to receive his informative articles every month and learn PC Repair absolutely free.Sign up now at http://www.ultimatepcrepair.com

Upgrading The Sound On Your Home Computer

2009-01-12T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Sezer Bozkurt

Computers these days are becoming more than just an avenue to surf the web and do word processing. They are becoming multimedia stations that allow us to watch movies and listen to the latest music. Especially with new solutions such as renting DVD's online and pay per download music downloading programs. This is why having good sound on your computer is important for the best possible multimedia experience.

There are two ways you can increase the quality of sound coming from your computer. I will discuss both.

The first would be to upgrade, or get a new, sound card for your computer. The quality of the sound signal being sent from your computer is determined by the sound card. Also the amount of channels that are being sent, and the number of connectivity options you have. This is why having a good quality sound card is important. There are several cards on the market that can deliver a great listening experience.

The second way to enhance your sound quality would be to get a quality set of speakers. There are an infinite number of options you have in this regards. You can get a standard 2 speaker system, a 2.1 speaker system (2 speakers and a subwoofer), a 4.1 system and the ultimated 5.1 system. The most enhancing system would be the 5.1 system.

The 5.1 system consists of 5 speakers and a subwoofer. The subwoofer will deliver the bass and the low frequency sounds. The other speakers would be positioned strategically around the room to give the best array of sounds.

Computers today are not the simple machines they were years ago. They have the capabilities to be a lot more. With this in mind utilizing these capabilities will be very cost effective. Now you do not need to buy a stereo system and a television. A computer can fulfill both these duties.

For more great technology related articles and reviews please visit the links below http://www.technologyslice.com/Articles.htm http://www.technologyslice.com/Reviews.htm http://www.technologyslice.com

7 Ways To Save On Your Inkjet Printing Costs

2009-01-11T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Mark Idzik

Inkjet printers are not only getting better, they're also getting less expensive. Why is that?

The inkjet printer manufacturers have built their business around the supplies rather than the printer itself. They make the printers as inexpensive as possible, sometimes selling them at cost, or less and making long term profits from the inkjet cartridges.

Manufacturers regularly warn about using generic cartridges, and highly recommend their own. Truth be told, there is very little difference between the two and you can regularly save over half of your current manufacturer branded cartridge purchases.

To help keep your inkjet supply costs low, here are seven tips that will keep you under budget:

1. When printing inter-office, internal, personal or draft documents, use the "draft" and "grayscale" options in your printer settings. This will save on both black ink was well as color ink. Save color and standard black for your final document print.

2. Select inkjet printers that use separate black and color inkjet cartridges like the Canon "i" series. Many of these printers have 2 black and 4 color cartridges that allow you to replace only the colors that are running low, not just the one 'color' cartridge as many printers often do. This saves on long term cartridge costs and lengthens the time between cartridge replacements.

3. Purchase "generic" cartridges made for your printer. These are of similar quality to the manufacturer's brand, and often at less than half the price.

4. Purchase "remanufactured" cartridges compatible with your printer. These are cartridges collected from the original owner, cleaned and re-filled with the same ink.

5. Purchase a cartridge "refill kit". You'll receive a kit that will allow you to refill the ink in your cartridge rather than a new cartridge. This is a great way to recycle and the quality is high and costs low.

6. Purchase your cartridges in bulk to save on shipping costs and discounts are sometimes available on larger single purchases.

7. Order your cartridges online to save time and money. Many local stores don't carry the generic versions and costs are normally substantially lower online.

Using any combination of the tips above will save you both time and money and help you manage your inkjet printing supply needs easily.

Mark Idzik is a technology specialist and assists small businesses to use the web effectively. He runs http://www.ReviewInkjets.com where he reviews online inkjet supply companies. Find out more at: http://www.reviewinkjets.com

Cheap Printer Ink Cartridges

2009-01-10T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Elizabeth Morgan

Printers have become a daily utility instrument and are commonly seen in homes, offices, hotels, restaurants, and many other places. The two basic requirements for any printer to function are electricity and an ink cartridge. A printer cannot function without either one of them. The ink in the cartridge is in limited supply and is consumed quickly. If the printer is not used for a period of time, the ink may dry up and cause the printer to malfunction.

The ink used in a particular printer is not appropriate for use in all printers. Different varieties of ink are broadly classified into dry and wet ink. Ink used in laser printers is toner, which is a dry power-type substance. The ink used in other printers, such as the desk jet series, is liquid ink.

The ink, whether dry or wet, is stored in a cartridge that is placed in the printer. The cartridges are made in such a manner that refilling them is an easy task. However, this needs to be done professionally or the cartridge will cease to function. The printer ink cartridge industry has seen a great demand in refilling of cartridges as this works out as a cheaper alternative compared to buying a new cartridge. They are an efficient and economical alternative to purchasing new ink cartridges. Cheap printer ink cartridges are usually remanufactured printer cartridges that consistently provide high standards of prints with greater efficiency while delivering clear and crisp images.

The quality of ink provided in a ?cheap? ink cartridge is as good as that of a new, regular ink cartridge. Companies selling these ink cartridges guarantee reliable performance with every print and suggest that the use of these ink cartridges will not hamper the printer's warranty.

Printer Cartridges provides detailed information on Printer Cartridges, Discount Printer Cartridges, Inkjet Printer Cartridges, Buy Printer Ink Cartridges and more. Printer Cartridges is affiliated with Printer Ink Refills.

Power Supply Tips

2009-01-09T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Peter Stewart

The power supply keeps things in your computer running smoothly. When they run well, you won't even think about them, but when things go wrong, it can become very annoying.

The power supply doesn't just run the power to the different parts of the computer. It needs to run different voltages to different parts, and besides that, it has to deliver them within a very tight range set out in the ATX standard.

Power supplies went through a phase of being extremely unreliable. This is because the actual parts are very cheap and standard and the profit margin in the power supply business is higher than almost any other computer part. The flooding of the market with poor quality power supplies led to lots of failures and complaints.

More recently, the problems in that sector have decreased, the general quality and build of power supplies has increased to a level where nearly any power supply will deliver what it claims it will and within specs. Most, but not all.

As with computer monitors, power supplies are one part that does not need to be upgraded very often. The only additions have come from SATA specific power plugs and the additional P4 plug in recent years and even those are not always necessary.

So what do you actually need from a power supply?

The most basic requirement is that its power output can match the power needed by the components inside your computer. Each part has its own requirement and its own maximums and minimums on what it needs. The claimed maximum power for each voltage are added together to give the power rating for the power supply.

The main power user in the computer is the CPU. Some Pentium 4 processors are known to gobble lots of power. Hard drives use some power too, but no more than 10W each, optical drives even less. The motherboard itself uses some too. The other major user of power are graphics cards.

As graphics cards have become more powerful, and with the advent of Graphical Processing Units (GPUs), which are like CPUs which are dedicated to graphics work, and situated on the graphics card, they can now use more power than a CPU. If you are running a very fast PCIe graphics card or a pair of them, you will need more power.

At the most basic a 300W power supply will be more than enough for most day to day use desktop computers, even if they have a small AGP graphics card. Only get more than 300W if you know you need it, or expect you will need it in the future after upgrades. 500W will more than suffice for even the most demanding system with 2 graphics cards, but it needs to be a reputable brand.

Enermax, Antec, Fortron and Seasonic are good names in the power supply business, you will not go wrong with their products. Even though there is a small price premium, the security in knowing that nothing will go wrong is worth it. Another power supply I like is the X-connect from Ultra. Each of the cables that come from the power supply are removable, so only the ones you are using need to be in the box. Very convenient and neat, as long as I don't lose the cables.

Pre-assembled computers are known for having the cheapest power supplies in them. As no-one really checks the power supply when buying they just put the minimum inside. These are usually fine, but will often buckle under the load of extra upgrades you may make. Bear in mind that you might have to upgrade the power supply when installing those new, really cool graphics cards.

So, keep these things in mind...

Stick to major brands

300W only unless particularly needed

Functionality before looks

Peter Stewart is a computer enthusiast, his interest in computers and focus on practical down to earth advice inspired his two websites. http://www.computer-buying-guide.com - Practical buying tips http://www.computer-reviews.net - Fair and honest reviews and opinions

Troubleshooting Hard Drive Problems Part 1

2009-01-08T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Sarah Lake

It is extremely important not to make or write any changes to data on the hard drive without first verifying the hard drive configuration. Therefore, the first priority when unable to access information on a hard drive is to verify all of the configuration information dealing with the suspect hard drive.

Partition Parameter
Value or Equation

Partition Status
Bootable

Starting Head
1

Starting Sector
1

Starting Cylinder
0

Partition Type
Bigdos (drives greater than 30 MB), otherwise DOS 12

Ending Head
Total Number of Heads -1

Ending Sector
Sectors per Track displayed in Volume Boot Sector

Ending Cylinder
Number of Cylinders set in CMOS - 2

Total # of Sectors
Number of Sectors displayed in Volume Boot Sector

Start Absolute Sector
Number of Sectors per Track in Volume Boot Sector

Boot Signature
55AA

Step One: Make sure that Micro-Scope detects the hard drive

In Micro-Scope, System Configuration, Compare Settings - check to make sure that there is not an asterisk beside the number of hard drives detected value. If there is an asterisk, either the CMOS is set incorrectly, or there is an electronic problem (controller, cable, drive).

Step Two: Compare the BIOS parameters against the drive partition information.

In Micro-Scope, System Configuration, System Information - note the information displayed for the hard drive, specifically the parameters for the drive in question. Compare these parameters to the parameters in the MBR display under Micro-Scope, System Configuration, Partition Display using the following formula:

System Information
Master Boot Record

Cylinders
Ending Cylinder + 2

Heads
Ending Head + 1

Sectors
Sectors Per Track

If the information does not match, either the partition information is corrupt, or the CMOS setup or controller BIOS setup (if one exists) is incorrect, or there is a problem communicating with the drive.

Step Three: Check the drive functionality

In Micro-Scope, Diagnostics, Fixed Disk Tests - check the information in the Fixed Disk Selected window. Make sure that the proper drive type, model, and native parameters are showing in this window. If any of the information is incorrect, there is an electronic problem. Check the cable, controller and drive, re-seating all connections, and repeat the above procedure. After correcting the electronic problem, perform a read test on the first 10 cylinders of the drive. If any errors occur, then this is the most likely cause of the drive failure. Perform a read of the entire drive to determine if the errors are electronic in nature, or physical in nature. Electronic problems will result in the errors displayed not always being the same type or in the same location on the drive. If the problem is electronic, replace the cable, controller, and finally drive electronics and repeat the read test until no errors occur. If the error is physical, use an INT 13 type editor (such as Norton Advanced Editor), to block the entire drive and write the information to a daisy chained drive set to the same parameters as the faulty drive.

The next step, after the drive passes the read test on the first 10 cylinders, is to check the original partition setup of the drive.

Step Four: Check for the physical location of the master boot sector and the volume boot sector.

In Micro-Scope, Utilities, Fixed Disk Editor - use the FIND feature to search the last two bytes of each cylinder for a boot signature (55 AA). The first location where a boot signature should be found would be at cylinder 0, head 0, sector 1 (the master boot sector). The second location where a boot signature should be found is at cylinder 0, head 1, sector 1 (the volume boot sector). It is also possible to use the FIND feature to locate the volume boot sector by searching for MSDOS (in DOS based systems) or MSWIN (in Windows95 systems).

If there is a duplicate copy of the master boot sector found before the location of the volume boot sector, then it is possible that a boot virus has infected the hard drive in the system. The Rebuild Master Boot feature of Micro-Scope will eliminate any boot sector virus. Be sure to boot the system to the Micro-Scope diskette and immediately do a cold reboot of the system after using the Rebuild Master Boot feature.

If the volume boot sector is found in a location other than cylinder 0, head 1, sector 1, count the actual number of sectors before the volume boot sector, and compare that value to the value for the sectors per track displayed in the partition table described in step 2. If the values match, the most likely cause of the system failure is an incorrect CMOS setup. In this case the CMOS needs to be reset to the values indicated by the partition table described in step 2, remembering to use the formula described in step 2 when doing so. If the values do not match, set the CMOS Sectors Per track to the number of sectors counted before the volume boot sector and continue to the next step.

Step Five: Check the partition tables to make sure they are correct

Reboot the system to Micro-Scope and go to System Configuration, Partition Tables. Check the information displayed in the master boot record to see if there is any obvious corruption (that is, excessively large numbers, all partitions non-bootable, etc.) If there is no obvious corruption in the master boot record, then perform step 2 again. If the information matches at this point, go to step 6. If the information does not match, then set the sectors per track in the Master Boot Record to the number of sectors per track currently set in CMOS, set the starting head to 1, starting sector to 1, and starting cylinder to 0, and write the information to the drive.

Step Six: Verify the Master Boot Sector information

Display the Volume Boot Sector and use the values for heads and sectors per track (on the right half of the screen) to perform step 2 again.

If the values match, then the volume boot sector is probably okay. If any values in the Master Boot Record do not match the table to the right, reset the values to match the values in the table, and write to the drive.

If the values still do not match, both the Master Boot Record and the Volume Boot Record are probably corrupt. At this point, e-mail Technical Support for help in this situation. Future articles will provide more insight into the repair procedure.

Step Seven: Check the FATs

Check to see if the first FAT starts on the sector just beyond the volume boot sector. Use the find feature in the Fixed Disk Editor to search for F8 FF FF in the first three bytes of each sector. The first occurrence should be on sector two of head one. Continue to search until the second FAT is found, indicated by the second occurrence of F8 FF FF. Note the location of the cylinder, head and sector of the second FAT.

Based on the start of the second FAT, and the start of the first FAT, calculate how many sectors are in the first FAT. If necessary, read each sector starting at the first sector of the first FAT, keeping a count of the sectors that have been read until F8 FF FF is seen in the upper left of the HEX display, which would indicate the start of the second FAT. After calculating the sectors per FAT, compare this value to the value in the volume boot sector. If the values match, the drive should be accessible through DOS at this point.

Step Eight: Attempt to access the drive

Boot to a DOS-bootable floppy diskette and attempt to access the drive. If the root directory and sub-directories on the hard drive are readable at this point, then attempt to boot to the drive. If the drive boots at this point, the problem has been corrected. If the drive is still not bootable, e-mail the Micro 2000 Technical Support department for help.

Disclaimer - The Micro 2000 Tech Tip is a free service providing information only. While we use reasonable care to see that this information is correct, we do not guarantee it for accuracy, completeness or fitness for a particular purpose. Micro 2000, Inc. shall not be liable for damages of any kind in connection with the use or misuse of this information.

Micro 2000 Inc has been helping to solve the day-to-day challenges that IT departments face in order to keep their businesses operational as well as profitable for over 14 years. The company's primary goal is to put the customer first - through feature-rich, simple-to-use IT tools that can help IT administrators manage their jobs more effectively.

For more advice and free articles be sure to visit: http://www.micro2000.co.uk

A Guide To Ultrasonic

2009-01-07T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Kent Pinkerton

Ultrasonic generally refers to acoustic frequencies above twenty thousand hertz, which is the upper limit of human hearing range. These frequencies are however audible to certain animals such as mice, bats, dolphins, and dogs that have a higher hearing range as compared to humans. The human inability to hear ultrasonic sound waves is caused by the middle ear that acts as a low-pass filter.

Humans would have been able to perceive ultrasonic sound waves if these waves could somehow be directed into the skull bone to reach the cochlea without passing through the middle ear. Deep-sea divers who are exposed to high frequency sonar signals above fifty thousand hertz sometimes experience this effect known as ultrasound hearing.

Ultrasonic sound waves form a part of many devices used in industrial and medical sectors. The most commonly used device is an ultrasound machine that is used in the treatment of benign and malignant tumors via a process known as ultrasound surgery (FUS) or high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU). Medical research conducted to study the effects of ultrasonic waves on the human body suggests that the waves have the ability to stimulate bone-growth and has the potential to disrupt the blood-brain barrier for drug delivery.

Industrial devices also use ultrasonic sound waves to locate microscopic flaws in materials such as metal parts and plastics. Ultrasonic frequencies used in these devices usually range from two to ten mega hertz. Ultrasonic sound waves used in cleaning devices are usually in the range of twenty to forty kilohertz. These are generally used for cleaning jewelry, optical parts, watches, dental instruments, and surgical instruments.

Advanced research work is currently underway to develop a system for producing a phenomenon called sonoluminescence that has the potential to enable nuclear fusion reaction. This will provide a safe and cheap means of producing electricity and will help in solving energy problems faced by countries worldwide.

Ultrasonic provides detailed information on Ultrasonic, Ultrasonic Transducers, Ultrasonic Cleaners, Ultrasonic Nebulizers and more. Ultrasonic is affiliated with Electronic Test Equipment.

Ergonomic Computer Accessories

2009-01-05T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Josh Riverside

Ergonomics is a science concerned with the design of safe and comfortable machines for humans. A branch of ergonomics deals with furniture that avoids causing backaches and muscle cramps. In the computer field, ergonomics plays an important role in the design of monitors and keyboards that prevent discomfort and strain while working for long hours.

Injuries have increased with the use of computer technology in the workplace. Repetitive and prolonged work at the computer workstation can lead to discomfort, muscle aches and work related injuries. Posture and proper body positioning at a computer workstation is important

The importance of ergonomic design was stated in old records dating back to the 17th Century. Long periods of sitting, continuous movement of the hand and strain on the eyes are common complaints.

The CPU stand provides a secure and speedy way of relocating CPU throughout the office space. It also creates convenient, mobile, under-the-desk CPU storage that allows for more workspace and leg space, keeping the user more comfortable over long periods of time.

Ergonomic armrests provide full forearm support to combat cramping and fatigue while using the mouse. A smooth and spacious computer mouse pad surface of polyurethane ensures comfortable movement of the mouse while the wrist rests on the arm support.

CPU holders can be installed under the desk where users can comfortably load media without bending. This system can be installed quickly and provides easy storage away from the operator's knee, which can be in the way without this sort of accessory.

Multifunction glare filters protect the LCD display surface while protecting the user's eyes from glare. The LCD surface can be easily damaged, but using a glare filter increases the screen's durability and prevents distortion.

Today, numerous universities have carried out intense research about ergonomic workstations and accessories. Their research is important for the worker as well as the employer, who is interested in limiting absenteeism and increasing worker productivity.

Computer Accessories provides detailed information on Computer Accessories, Notebook Computer Accessories, Discount Computer Accessories, Ergonomic Computer Accessories and more. Computer Accessories is affiliated with Karaoke Microphones.

Linear Actuators And Linear Motion

2009-01-04T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Gordon Petten

Mechanical energy is an area of science that is making strides every day. The study of how actuators produce mechanical motion by converting various forms of energy into mechanical energy is a source of great exploration. Science finds new ways to make use of actuators every day including for medical purposes. Many scientists believe that the more they study these seemingly simple machines, the more they will discover ways of helping mankind.

The way in which a linear actuator works is that there is a motor that rotates a drive screw using a synchronous timing belt drive. Some linear actuators can also use a worm gear drive or direct drive. Which ever the choice, the turning of the screw pushes a drive nut along the screw, which in turn pushes the rod out and the rotating the screw in the opposite direction will retract the rod. According to the Association of Sciences, the drive screw is either an ACME or ball thread or is belt-driven which is what gives the machine its motion. A cover tube protects the screw nut from environmental elements and contamination thus allowing for the machines use continually without the chance of it getting gummed up. Radial thrust bearings permit the screw to rotate freely under loaded conditions and gives the linear actuator its strength.

Linear actuators usually serve as part of motion control systems. These days most are run by computers. Control systems, a device that you find linear actuators in, move or control objects. This is made possible by the actuators.

There are various forms of energy that run actuators. These forms of energy include, hydraulic, pneumatic, mechanical and electrical. Linear actuators are used a lot in robotics and factory automation.

Linear motion is when an object moves in a straight line. This is the basic concept that drives the linear actuator. One has to stop and consider when choosing a linear actuator which type they need to fit the purpose of their project. Some things to keep in mind are the speed, stroke length and load rating of the actuator. Programmability of the actuator is also a factor especially when the application will be one that requires specialized detail. A linear actuator can be used in just about any forum. Ask yourself some questions when attempting to choose the right one for your project such as are there particular safety mechanisms required, environmental concerns to be addressed or space issues?

Rotary Tables

Linear Actuators

All About The Hp Colour Laserjet 3600n

2009-01-03T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by John Sollars

Design

With a price tag of £480, the new HP Colour LaserJet 3600n is small, weighs 27kg and has deep handholds, so one person can carry it easily. At 15.7 by 15.7 by 17.7 inches (HWD), this laser printer can easily fit into a busy home office or individual office in a large company, should you need this level of speed and paper capacity. Its simplistic design makes jam-clearing and maintenance uncomplicated. However, the wall and hinges don't appear to be too sturdy. It can be setup in the standard manner applicable to its class of printers, and the network installation routine is fully automated.

Paper Handling

The HP Colour LaserJet 3600n offers high-speed performance, with an engine rated at 17 pages per minute (ppm) for both colour and monochrome, fairly good graphics quality, even better text, and photographs that are good enough for client newsletters and the like. HP has also included an Ethernet connection for easy sharing over a network.

However, the main paper tray feels a little unsteady and has nothing to stop it when pulled out, so users should be careful not to drop it. The paper-length and paper-width guides are easy to adjust. The printer has a 100-sheet auxiliary feed in addition to the enclosed 250-sheet tray. You can boost this number to 850 by adding a 500-sheet feeder for £280.

Features

A two-line backlit LCD screen on the 3600n's top panel displays a complete set of menus, which is easy to navigate with buttons for going through menus, selecting items and going back.

This printer comes with 64MB of memory and unfortunately you cannot expand that, nor add a duplexer, which makes expansion options very limited. If you need the extra memory, then consider HP's 3600dn, a £670 model with a duplexer and twice the memory.

Performance

The 3600n prints black text at a reasonable 13ppm and colour graphics a bit faster, at 13.5ppm. In contrast, the Lexmark C522n prints text at 14.2ppm and graphics at 12.3ppm. However, if saving money is your real priority, and you don't print much colour, consider Ricoh Aficio G700, which prints fine text at 12.1ppm but misses the cut on graphics speed and quality.

The 3600n disappoints the user with its print quality. In a few tests carried out by popular technology magazines, the text looked greyish instead of black, showed some roughness in large point sizes, and lost fine strokes. This is also the case with some of the 4-point output, which looked slightly grey, rather than black. Colour graphics did not negotiate shading ramps smoothly and produced blockish transitions. However, the printer makes the cut with colour accuracy and detail. Additionally, it prints greyscale photos very well, with fine detail and smooth shading.

Graphics are easily good enough for internal business use, but not satisfactory for handing out to important clients or customers. The most important issue in a number of tests was misregistration, with the colours slightly out of alignment. It resulted in a noticeable white gap between some blocks of colours, around some lines, and around some colour text on a colour background. Thin lines also tended to disappear. Additionally, colours tend to shift toward darker shades, losing detail in dark areas and making some colours look muddy.

On the whole, the 3600n's text output has high enough quality for most purposes. Unless you have an unusual need for small font sizes, it is unlikely that you will print any text that the 3600n can't handle. Lexmark's similar C522 sells for around £100 less and offers equal speed and better quality, though Lexmark's cost per page is slightly higher than HP's and the difference may add up over time.

John Sollars is the managing director of Solar Electronics, which are both ink and pc peripheral suppliers based in Shropshire, UK. For a comprehensive range of original and re-manufactured hp ink cartridges check out http://www.mega-office.co.uk/acatalog/hewlett_packard_printer_supplies.html Alternatively visit http://www.mega-office.co.uk for a full range of ink supplies.

Television Tuners Making Television On Your Computer Possible

2009-01-02T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Sezer Bozkurt

Television tuners allow a user to watch television on their computer monitor. There are several different types of television tuners which we will discuss in this article.

The most common type of television tuner for a computer is the USB television tuner. USB ports are common on all computer so this type of connectivity make it possible to connect the tuner to pretty much any computer.

The television tuner acts just like a normal television would but with the need for a bulky antenna. USB television tuners can receive standard definition, or high definition signals depending of the type of tuner you have.

Most television tuners are bundled with some sort of software. This software allows the user to record the streaming television onto their computer so they can watch programs at a later date. In most cases this software is easy to use and easily setup.

Television tuners are constantly evolving. The newest wave of television tuners allow the user to use two streams from the one tuner. Meaning, you can record one television show while watching another. This is very convenient but at present, only one stream can be recorded and the recorded stream cannot be viewed in conjunction with the non-recorded stream.

Television tuners are a great way to watch television on notebook computers. With the portability of notebook computers, watching television anywhere your notebook can go is possible.

Television tuners can be bought for different prices depending on the quality of the product and the features/software they provide. A simple tuner can be bought for around 50 dollars whereas a more expensive alternative with more comprehensive software will cost upwards of 100 dollars.

With portability becoming more and more of an issue with today's consumers, a USB television tuner is a great solution to watching television from your computer.

The It Consultant Keeping Spare Parts On Hand

2009-01-01T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Joshua Feinberg

As an IT consultant, you should know most PC vendors would be happy to cover inexpensive items like a mouse under the standard warranty.

However, given that your client could purchase a spare replacement mouse for about $10 to $30, is it really worth one of their employees being without a mouse, or worse yet without a PC, for a day or two while they await the replacement part under standard PC warranty coverage?

Clients Should Have Spare Parts on Hand

If your clients have spare mice on hand, warranty claims can be deferred a few days, or a few weeks, until time permits. In the interim, as their IT consultant, you've helped your clients mitigate the downtime for a very nominal advanced planning expense.

As your clients' IT consultant, keeping a spare keyboard and monitor at their site also makes sense. The cost of these items is very inexpensive versus the potential productivity loss resulting from waiting for replacement parts to arrive. These three external items can all be installed rapidly by internal gurus.

Spare Desktop PCs

As the price of entry-level desktop PCs has plummeted and expectations for zero downtime have risen, we've seen many small businesses purchasing an extra PC, to keep fully-configured and plug-in ready.

Today, if the standard, fully-configured entry-level desktop PC only costs around $600, an office with as few as six PCs can fully fund the purchase of a spare desktop PC, simply by self-insuring on the warranty coverage for years two and three.

Advise Your Clients Wisely

As their IT consultant, you should recommend to your client that they invest some of their technology budget on select spare parts, and a full desktop PC.

This way, they can handle warranty claims at their leisure, not when their company is swamped and functioning in panic mode. If your clients are outsourcing this sort of project management work to you as their IT consultant, keeping spares on hand will lessen the need to pay costly emergency rate premiums.

Copyright MMI-MMVI, Computer Consultants Secrets. All Worldwide Rights Reserved. {Attention Publishers: Live hyperlink in author resource box required for copyright compliance}

Joshua Feinberg helps computer consultants get more steady, high-paying clients. Learn how you can too. Sign-up now for Joshua's free Computer Consultants Secrets audio training.

Discount Ink Cartridges

2008-12-31T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Damian Sofsian

What to do with those empty ink cartridges after they run out of Ink? Well, there are several computer shops willing to buy those cartridges for a good price while there are also some that are more than willing to take them off your hands.

These stores offer a highly much discounted price on the ink cartridges. They are very affordable and offer an alternative solution to those expensive ink cartridges.

On the market today, we have four known discount ink cartridges available: the compatible cartridge, the original equipment manufacture, or OEM cartridge, the remanufactured ink cartridge, and the refilled ink cartridge.

The compatible ink cartridge, as the name suggests, is the one most likely to be compatible with a certain printer. They may not be of the same quality, but the manufacturers of the compatible ink cartridge do attempt to reach the standard set by the makers of the original printer/ink cartridges. They are manufactured mostly by stationers, retail chain stores and companies that specialize in office and school supplies.

The original equipment manufacturer cartridges, or OEM ink cartridges, are produced by the companies who usually make the ink and cartridges of the big printer manufacturer's brand names. They are costly, but the performance is guaranteed to be top of the line and obviously is of high quality. It is a good option also to purchase OEM ink cartridges, as they are referred by the printer manufacturers because they often cancel warranties once they find out you have been using other ink cartridges.

The remanufactured ink cartridges, or refurbished ink cartridges, are recycled cartridges. The empty ink cartridges are cleaned and checked for spoiled parts. The spoiled parts are then replaced, rebuilt and filled up with a toner. It is then tested, sealed, and delivered to specialty stores. Since some parts are changed and are replaced by new ones, the performance of the remanufactured ink cartridges is just like the original.

And lastly, there are refilled ink cartridges. These are relatively cheaper, but there is no guarantee about their performance. It is even risky to try using these, as they can be harmful to your printer. You should only have your Ink Cartridges refilled by a professional and, if possible, the one endorsed by your printer company.

Ink Cartridges provides detailed information on Ink Cartridges, Discount Ink Cartridges, Printer Ink Cartridges, Cheap Ink Cartridges and more. Ink Cartridges is affiliated with Printer Ink.

What Can You Do With A Mac Mini

2008-12-30T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Jeff Heaton

If you have not seen the newest addition to the Macintosh line, it is worth taking a look. It is a very small computer that is only 6.5 x 6.5 x 2 inches. The Mac Mini is about the size of one of those internal CD-ROM drives you install into a PC. By far one of the smallest computers you can buy. And its relatively in expensive, the base model costs only $499. Additionally, you need not buy a new monitor, mouse or keyboard. It is 100% compatible with PC monitors and PC USB keyboards and mice.

But what exactly can you do with this mini computer? Quite a bit! The base model comes with more than enough features for most computer uses. It is a full fledge Macintosh, nothing small about this machine except its physical size.

In this article I will talk about three main uses for the Mac mini. First, I will discuss what Macs are known for; their audio and video capabilities. Secondly, I will discuss general Internet uses such as browsing, email and chat. Finally I will discuss word processing. These three are some of the most common tasks for most computer users.

Digital Video, Photos and Music

Music has become what Apple is known best for. Who has not seen one of their iPod music players? The Apple Macintosh comes with iTunes, which allows you to play MP3 music, as well as purchase legal copies of songs directly from the iTunes music store. Songs only cost ninety nine cents, and the selection is huge. If you have an iPod you can attach it to the Macintosh and use it directly with iTunes.

The Mac Mini also comes with iMove and iDVD. These two applications allow you to edit and burn your home movies to a DVD. However, if you want to record your own DVD's you will need a Mac Mini with the optional DVD burner, which adds $100 to the price of the Mac Mini. If you have a digital camcorder you can transfer your movies directly into the Mac Mini.

Digital Video has become very easy with the Macintosh. Just drag clips from your video together and make a complete movie. If you are like me, your home video includes many scenes where the camcorder is not pointed where it should be. The video editing software makes it very easy to remove such footage from your movie.

If you have a video camera you can use iPhoto to download and organize your digital photos. The iPhoto application allows you to quickly move your pictures from your digital camera to the computer. Photos can be organized into catalogs and printed.

Browsing, Email and Chat

The Mac Mini comes with both Internet Explorer and the Safari browsers. Internet Explorer is provided for sites that require it for compatibility. You can also use the built in Macintosh browser Safari. Safari works very much like Internet explorer, only with many additional features and fewer security issues. Safari supports tabbed based browsing, which allows you to open multiple websites and quickly switch between them.

Email can easily be setup on a Mac with iMail. The iMail application will connect to your mail provider and allow you to send and receive mail messages. Chat is provided by iChat which allows you to use your existing instant message accounts to communicate with your friends. Additionally, most of the major chat networks have chat clients that can be downloaded free of charge for the Macintosh.

Word Processing

The Mac Mini comes with Apple Works. Apple works is a full featured office automation product, similar to Microsoft Office. It can open files created with Microsoft office. Apple Works comes with all of the standard "office applications" that you would expect. It includes a word processor similar to Microsoft Word. Additionally, Apple works includes a database application, similar to Microsoft Access. Spreadsheet functions are provided as well, similar to Microsoft Excel. Finally, a presentation application is also included, similar to Microsoft Powerpoint.

The word processor is full featured and includes all of the tolls you have come to expect. Files created with Microsoft word can be opened. Additionally, you can save your files as Microsoft Word documents. Whether you are writing a report for school or a resume for a new job, Apple Works is ready.

Conclusions

The Mac Mini is a very powerful computer, despite its small physical size. The Mac mini also comes with a great deal of software already loaded. The only add-on that I discussed in this article is a $100 DVD burner, if you want to record your movies to DVD.

Using a Macintosh is very similar to Windows. The average Windows user will soon be right at home with a Macintosh. Many things are actually much easier on the Macintosh. The Macintosh operating system is based upon the industrial strength UNIX operating system. This makes for a very stable operating system, without many crashes. If you are thinking of trying something other than Windows, the Mac Mini is a great option.

Jeff Heaton is a college professor and author. To read more articles by Jeff Heaton visit http://www.heatonresearch.com.

It Consultants Recommend Clients Buy Video Monitors Along With Pcs

2008-12-29T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Joshua Feinberg

Although there are really no major compatibility issues to consider between PCs and monitors, most PC vendors offer good deals on monitors purchased at the same time as desktop PCs. In this article, we'll assume you are IT consultants who recommend brand name PC products to your clients.

IT Consultants: What Are You or Your Clients Actually Paying?

For due diligence, IT consultants should always price the PC with and without the monitor, to see what you or your clients are actually paying. Then look to see whether that monitor price is in line with purchasing a comparable monitor separate from the PC. However, besides the purchase price, there are some even greater soft cost considerations.

When purchasing the monitor along with a desktop PC, the monitor warranty generally is incorporated into any on-site warranty coverage with the PC. That means, if a client's monitor needs replacement during the on-site warranty period, the PC vendor usually will arrange to cross-ship a replacement monitor.

IT Consultants: Know The Benefits of Warranties

This provides a few very compelling benefits.

No need to store and retain packing materials. Your clients don't have to worry that they've thrown away the box and packing materials for the monitor. There's no need to purchase return shipping supplies as they'll be able to return the broken monitor in the same box their replacement comes in.

Save time with freight logistics. Your clients doesn't have to locate a shipping outlet. In most cases, the PC vendor in-cludes return shipping labels (call tags) for a specific freight carrier - generally the same freight carrier used for shipping the replacement to them.

Save money on freight costs -- If the PC vendor supplies return shipping labels, your client won't have to pay for return freight. Depending on the monitor size, origination and destination shipping points, this easily can save your client $25 or more.

While the third bullet point affects your clients' direct out-of-pocket costs, the first two items can be labor-intensive chores for you or your clients' internal computer administrators ("internal gurus").

So, buying a monitor along with a PC, and getting both purchases folded into on-site warranty coverage, easily can save a half-hour to an hour (or more) every time a monitor needs replacement.

Copyright MMI-MMVI, Computer Consulting 101 Blog. All Worldwide Rights Reserved. {Attention Publishers: Live hyperlink in author resource box required for copyright compliance}

Joshua Feinberg, co-founder of Computer Consulting 101, helps computer consulting businesses get more steady, high-paying clients. Learn how you can too. Sign-up now for your free access to these field-tested, proven business strategies on the Computer Consulting 101 Blog.

Computer Upgrades The Most Important Question

2008-12-28T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Michael Quarles

Of all the concerns you may have about your computer, there is one that overrides all of them. Can it do the jobs you need it to do?

If your main needs are a machine for balancing your checkbook, doing a little word processing, and surfing the web, then almost any computer of recent vintage will do. Actually, these tasks won't be much of a challenge for it.

But let's say you've got a mini-DV camera, and want to try your hand at editing some of the video you've shot. When you turn to your trusty PC, doubt begins to cloud your mind. The only line out from the camera is a firewire, but there's no firewire port on your computer. And it seems kind of slow compared to your friend's new machines. Will that cause problems? What about those giant size video files? Is there enough space on the hard drive?

Whoa! All those questions might have you ready to look for a new computer. But I'd say you can probably address each problem with the PC you have.

Start with the firewire port. If you have a PCI slot open, adding a firewire card is as simple as plugging one in. There's not much more to it than that. Speed can be improved in most computers by adding extra RAM. This also is a simple matter of plugging memory into the appropriate slot. If you need more hard drive space, you can get a bigger drive, or just add an extra one. Installation isn't that hard.

Now, look again at your PC. Can it do the jobs you need it to do? The odds are it can. Perhaps with the help of an upgrade or two you can take yourself to a whole new level of computing.

Michael Quarles is the author of Building a PC for Beginners. His website is www.monkeyseemonkeydobooks.com.

Usb Cables

2008-12-27T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Elizabeth Morgan

USB cables are data cables used to connect a computer or laptop to an outside source of data such as digital cameras, video recorders, mobile phones and mp3 devices. These cables are compatible with the standard USB ports present in computers and laptops.

One end of a USB cable connects with the USB port present in the computer while the other end connects to an external device such as a digital camera. The cable enables direct data transfers from devices that are not a part of the computer. This saves precious time and effort and provides error free data transfers.

Today there is a USB cable available for every electronic device that requires data transfers. In most cases, companies manufacturing electronic devices like digital cameras sell these cables. A customer will need different cables for each device, as a cable for a camera may not be compatible with an mp3 device. A common feature among all types of USB cables is the presence of two power conductors and two signal conductors. The USB port in the computer provides automatic power and external power supply is needed only in some types of computers.

More and more people are opting for digital cameras and other electronic gadgets. This has increased the demand for USB cables. Earlier, USB ports were non-existent in computers, but now they have become standard equipment.

An USB cables is an important tool used to transfer electronic data. However, technology is changing very fast and customers are shifting to wireless technology. Innovations like Bluetooth and Infrared technology enable wireless data transfer. Modern day mobile phones use this technology for data transfer. These advanced methods may soon become a standard part of every electronic device, phasing out the USB cables.

Cables provides detailed information on Network Cables, Cables, Computer Cables, USB Cables and more. Cables is affiliated with Cable Modem Reviews.

When Is Professional Computer Repair Advisable

2008-12-26T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Joe Duchesne

There are many computer repairs that the average person can perform without much problem. Things like installing CD-ROM drives, sound cards and other expansion cards don't take much computer knowledge. How can you know though when you are over your head and need professional computer help?

Some computer repairs are difficult for the average person to do without causing damage to their computer or a peripheral. There are some repairs I'd classify as beginner level, some as intermediate and others as advanced. I've already mentioned some repairs I would call beginner level. Some intermediate repairs include replacing your hard drive and installing an operating system. There was a time when something like this was advanced but with modern Microsoft operating systems like Windows XP and Windows Vista, operating system installations are not as advanced as they used to be.

So what repairs should a beginner not attempt? I would suggest some things like replacing your motherboard. The need to replace your motherboard can come either when you are ready to upgrade your motherboard to something newer or when your computer case power supply kicks the bucket.

Another repair I would caution against is based in software. That's when you need to clean out a nasty virus or spyware program. It is very easy to cause you much grief if you don't do it right. You could lose access to the data on your hard drive if you mess up your operating system. Now if you don't care about the data on your hard drive, simply re-installing your operating system while making sure to format your hard drive can usually solve a software problem. Kind of like killing a fly with a large shovel. It works but it is overkill. A professional computer repair technician can help you keep your data while ridding you of a virus infection.

Joe Duchesne is webmaster of GreatComputerInfo.com which specializes in computer repair related topics. Reprint freely as long as you maintain the live keyword rich link in this resource box with this article.

Refurbished Laptops Warranties

2008-12-25T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Max Bellamy

Most resellers refurbish the laptops prior to shipping and supply them with all the required power leads, adaptors and modem cables and the latest version of Windows operating system pre-installed. Almost all of them sell their laptops with a 3-month parts and labor return to base warranty. The prices are inclusive of VAT and shipping charges.

Laptop warranties do not cover cosmetic marks and scratches. But if there are serious blemishes that affect the functioning of a laptop, it would be specifically mentioned by the supplier and there would be change in the price because of that.

All laptops come with a 24 hour "Dead on Arrival" warranty for batteries unless indicated differently in the detailing. Customers would be given 24 hours in which to test their sets. Batteries that do not hold charge should be notified immediately and faulty ones would be replaced for which shipping charges would be paid by the supplier. But in any case, the useable time of the battery won?t be guaranteed by any supplier/reseller of laptops, since they are consumable items and the usage varies from person to person.

Refurbished laptop warranty is applicable only to failure of components and does not cover damages due to external causes like abuse, misuse, accidents, electrical power, failing to follow the manufacturer?s instructions as to use, installation or maintenance of the goods. The warranty extends only to the person who buys directly from the supplier and it is not transferable.

If the laptop develops troubles that require the supplier?s technical service, or if you want to return the laptop because you are dissatisfied with it, you can always return it within 7 days of original receipt for a refund. The laptops should be returned with adequate packaging, preferably in the original box along with all supplied cables, batteries, accessories etc. The returned package will be inspected and a refund for the original purchase amount, after deducting the return shipping charges, will be issued or credited within 7 days of receipt of returned goods.

Refurbished Laptops provides detailed information on Refurbished Laptops, Cheap Refurbished Laptops, Dell Refurbished Laptops, IBM Refurbished Laptops and more. Refurbished Laptops is affiliated with Used Cheap Laptops.

Why Do We Defrag The Hard Disk

2008-12-24T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Stephen Orgill

What is Defragging?

Defragging is process done to a hard disk in order to improve performance and recover some lost disk space. Defragging is an essential part of a PC's upkeep as it keeps all the data on your hard disk in an easily readable order. If a hard disk is left without defragging, then over time the disk will begin to lose performance and also slowly reduce the available capacity to data. As you will be aware if your hard disk is running slowly then this will affect the rest of the system performance, in all applications and especially in games, where frame rate is important.

How does Defragging improve performance?

When you defrag your hard disk you re-arrange the order in which the data is stored on the drive. The PC will arrange the data so that data that belongs together and needs to be read together is actually put in the same place on the drive. The obvious question here is why doesn't the PC store the data in the correct way in the first place? In an ideal situation (such as a blank disk) the PC would do these as a first option. However with the amount of data being deleted and wrote to the disk every second the PC is on it is no wonder that the data cannot be stored together.

Lets have a look at an example. Say you write 3 files to a disk all 10Mb in size the data would be all in a line each 10mb block after the other. This is how your PC would prefer to store the data for maximum performance. It stands to reason that this is how you would like it to be stored as well if you needed to search for the data. But now lets say that you decide to delete the middle file as its no longer any use to you. You now have a gap inbetween your files.

Lets say this time you write a file of 15mb in size. This file will be written in the first 10Mb of space and the remaining 5Mb added to the backend of the free space.As you can imagine with the millions of files being written to and deleted from the disk each day, not to mention the temporary files that windows uses on a frequent basis its not hard to imagine the state in which your hard disk can be in after months of use. After a defrag in this simple example your PC would re-arrange the disk to look as follows.

When files or indeed groups of files that belong together are stores next to each other the PC has a much easier time locating the data plus the disk heads don't have to travel to different parts of the disk to retrieve the data required. This of course speeds up the disks performance and so in turn increases overall system performance. There are of course levels of performance gains. It becomes more negligible as you move to faster hard disks with large memory buffers to compensate for file fragmentation however I would not ignore the problem of fragmentation, it doesn't take much effort to defrag your disk now and then

How does defragging increase disk space?

Simply put defragging doesn't really create any free space on your hard disk. It may appear when you look at the graphics that defrag programs show you, that the disk looks like it has more space, but all you are doing is moving data about not removing any. Any disk space gain is negligible and is caused when the defrag program puts together half clusters of data. Clusters can hold a number of files, but if not filled the next file is started at the next cluster. If a file is broken into pieces around the disk and defrag can put the file back into a single cluster, or just save a cluster somewhere a small amount of space will be released.

Advanced Defragging

Some defragging software can go a little beyond just sorting your files so they are all together. Programs such as Norton Speed Disk can also sort your entire sets of files and programs into the order that they are used. For example it can be set so that your windows swap file is at the fastest part of the disk, followed by games and most used applications which also need the fastest part of the hard disk., Then documents etc and rarely used application can be put to the back of the disk., This gives the priority speed access to the applications that need it most. Again this may only be a small increase in performance but every little helps.

Software to use for Defragging

You will be pleased to know that Windows comes with an adequate defrag program which everyone can use. There are also some other pieces of software out there for a more specific use. Norton Speed disk is one option on the market which comes as part of Norton Utilities and Norton Systemworks. Doing a search on Defrag software on your favourite search engine will give you some options of free to use and pay for software.

Stephen Orgill
Editor - http://www.pantherproducts.co.uk
Computer related articles and reviews.

Mouse Hunt Not The Movie Choosing The Perfect Mouse For Your Computer

2008-12-23T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Ismael Tabije

Computer Mouse it's something you wouldn't run away from. Instead, it is the one thing you would search for. In fact, every body is in search for a good one. And it has actually become a not-so-easy task to "hunt" for a good mouse for your pc.

What do you look for, when you say "good computer mouse?" Often, when you buy a whole pc set, a mouse is already included. But there are others who still search for a good one.

In choosing a mouse, you must consider its compatibility with the pc and of course, with you, the user. As the technology advances, there are many types of mice to choose from ranging from mechanical (the ball-inside-type) to optical (ones that use laser to detect movement). Check the connectivity, as there are different mice with different connectivity ports: RS-232C serial port, PS/2 port and the USB.

The cordless (or wireless) mouse uses infrared and Bluetooth devices to receive and send signals. The advantage of cordless mouse is that the user wouldn't have to deal with messy wires. It is necessary though, for the pc (or laptop notebook) to have a Bluetooth or infrared capabilities. Also, most cordless mouse require batteries to operate.

Use the foot mouse when you do not want your hands to get off the key-board. This unusual idea was prompted by Hunter Digital, for the purpose that both hands can continually work on the keyboard while the foot can simultaneously move the mouse.

The touchpad (or glidepoint) is a usual input device found on laptop notebooks, and portable PCs. This built-in mouse and mouse pad is operated by the fingers gliding along the pad which sends signals to the censors and eventually moves the cursor. Like a normal external mouse, the touchpad also has two buttons which you can click to access icons, buttons and tabs.

The intellimouse, which is also known as the scroll mouse has become the standard mouse that comes along with the PC set. It has a "wheel" in between the two buttons that can be used to scroll up and down on the window. You don't have to point and drag on the vertical scroll bar which is usually at the side of the window. On some programs, the wheel can be used to open a link in tab.

Normally, the ball of the mouse is found inside the mouse. However, the trackball mouse has the ball on top of the gadget. This reduces the movement of the wrist of the user. The fingers or the thumb are used to move the ball that prompts the cursor to point at an object in the screen.

The trackpoint is another built-in device found in most laptop notebooks and portable PCs. It is a subtle, almost like a pencil eraser isometric joystick located between the letters GH and B. It enables the user to navigate the cursor without removing his hands on the keyboard. The two buttons of this joystick are found under the spacebar.

You must choose a mouse in which you, the user, will comfortable using. It would be best to check for the following in choosing a mouse:

Find a mouse that is as flat as possible and that would fit just right in your palm. This would reduce wrist extension.

Find a mouse that would easily glide as you prompt it. This way, you can reduce tension in your wrist and you can prevent restrictions in the circulation of blood. Remember, it is in your wrist where your pulse is--it should have a relaxed and free flow of blood to avoid injuries.

It is also beneficial to find a mouse that easily be configures to a left or right hand usage. This way, should your other hand be tired, you can shift the work to the other and give the former hand a little rest.

The writer, Ismael D. Tabije, runs the website, http://www.bestlaptopnotebookdeal.com, where one can buy cheap laptop and notebook computers of top brands like Acer, Apple, Compaq, Dell, HP, IBM, Sony and Toshiba. The site also offers tips on buying laptops, renting computers, choosing PDAs, care of your laptop batteries and more valuable articles

Used Desktop Computers

2008-12-22T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Marcus Peterson

Used desktop computers don't always mean second-hand computers on the verge of falling apart. Many can be recertified and refurbished computers.

A recertified and refurbished desktop computer means that these computers have been fully re-checked and any technical faults or misgivings are corrected. The computers are then sold with a warranty to ensure that they are working perfectly. These refurbished computers are the safest way to get a used computer.

There are many online stores that sell refurbished, well-maintained and completely new desktop computers at very low prices. For as little as $200 to $400 one can get a decent desktop computer. There are many websites that provide recertified and refurbished desktop computers made by quality manufacturers such as Dell, Compaq, Sony and the like. All you have to do is seek and you will find.

You can also buy OEM versions of the Windows operating system and install it yourself. These OEM versions are cheap, but you need to know how to install it yourself.

Sometimes you may not find the used computer you are looking for. Fret not, you can always buy that extra CD drive you wanted and put it in yourself, or ask a technically inclined friend to put it in for you.

Now you know that if you just need a computer setup at home just to listen to a few MP3 tracks, watch a couple of movies, check your email and work on your presentations for work, you don't need to spend a fortune on a computer just get a "used" desktop computer.

Desktop Computers provides detailed information on Desktop Computers, Cheap Desktop Computers, Custom Desktop Computers, Used Desktop Computers and more. Desktop Computers is affiliated with Flat Screen Computer Monitors.

Hyperthreading In Nutshell

2008-12-21T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Syed Feroz Zainvi

The article summarizes the Hyperthreading technology as best as possible in just ten steps.

1. Hyperthreading (HT) is term coined by Intel for Simultaneous Multi-Threading (SMT).

2. Hyperthreading is meant for dual-core or multi-core processors like Pentium 4 with HT or Xeon MP.

3. The technology aims at better utilization of execution units in a processor which otherwise would be idle.

4. This technique is better than its predecessor Multithreading and Superthreading in the sense that in each instruction cycle, a processor can execute instructions from mutliple threads.

5. Hardware implemetation of Hyperthreading is not very complex as reported by Intel "Implementing HT took only 5% more die space in Xeon".

6. Implemeting HT needs hardware resources to be divided into Replicated(e.g. Instruction Pointers), Partitioned (e.g.Queues) and Shared (e.g. Caches)

7. For actual performance gain, your applications have to hyperthreaded i.e. you have to parallelize your code.

8. Hyperthreaded applications use Shared Memory Programming Model. Most famous Shared Memory Programming standard is OpenMP (Open specifications for Multi-Processing), an effort initiated by Silicon Graphics Inc. and now supported by major industry players. OpenMP library is available for C,C++ and Fortran on both Windows and Unix platforms. OpenMP programming constructs consists of few compiler directives for parallelizing the code.

9. There are compilers and other automating tools that support shared memory parallel programming libraries like OpenMP. Some examples are Intel C++ Compiler, Intel VTune Performance Analyzer and High-Level tools from KAI Inc.

10. Hyperthreading does not necessarily increase performance. With wrong mix of code, it can even decrease performance.

Syed Feroz Zainvi has obtained M.Tech. (Comp Sc & Engg) degree from Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (INDIA). His areas of interests are distributed computing, computer graphics and Internet Technologies. Currently, he is involved in Software Project Planning, Development and Management. His other interests include writing for magazines and contributing utility softwares on Magazine's CDs. He also have flair for teaching computer science with new teaching methodologies.

His web-page URL is http://www.zainvi.tophnors.com

Call Center Headsets

2008-12-20T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Josh Riverside

For most companies, communication is a major prerequisite for maintaining good customer relations. And the most cost effective way to do this is through telephones. Call centers or contact centers specialize in the activity of communicating with customers over the phone for complaints or for sales. And most of the communication is done over the telephone.

Call center executives use the telephones for hours on end. This has been found to cause a lot of discomfort as well as health problems like neck, shoulder and back strain. This is the reason why most call centers are shifting to the use of headsets with their telephones. Headsets give them hands-free comfort and also the ability to multi-task. This has increased the productivity of call center executives.

The main aspects to be considered while choosing headsets for call centers are: the noise level in the office, the mobility required by the user, the cost of ownership, the product range, various options like the kind of ear piece (monaural/ binaural), the kind of phone or computer connection used with the headset (Bluetooth, USB, 3.5mm/ Analog), the compatibility to computer hardware and software, the kind of computer usage (VoIP, video conferencing), the range of bass or treble, the power of the speakers, the comfort in wearing the headset, and durability.

Advanced call center headsets have unique options like discriminatory noise cancellation ability that minimizes external noise and also improves the voice of the caller. They also have dynamic voice control options to keep the volume at a pre-set level. Other options include the conference call feature that enables internal conferencing of up to five people; intercom function, push-to-talk function with mute option, wall mounted system for space optimization, and so on.

To find the best headsets, locate a good vendor who understands call center requirements. The vendor should also be able to update your inventory whenever required and effectively minimize transaction costs. The vendor should also be able to offer training to the call center agents for using the headsets. Some vendors provide online support and training through videos and websites. Headset management is also an important aspect, which is best left in the hands of a specialist. Headsets, like any other electrical device need to be serviced regularly and maintained in good condition.

There are several websites over the Internet that offer advice as well as call center headsets for sale. Manufacturers update their web sites regularly to include special offers of warranties and discounts.

Headsets provides detailed information about headsets, wireless headsets, phone headsets, aviation headsets and more. Headsets is the sister site of Free Phone Conferencing.

Esr Meter The Capabilities To Check Beyond Electrolytic Capacitor

2008-12-18T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Jestine Yong

There is something good about esr meter because besides electrolytic capacitor it can be use to measure other type of capacitors such as the non polarity capacitor. From esr meter specification, it is usually mentioned only checking the electrolytic type. When i began to experiment with the Dick Smith ESR Meter i found that it have the capabilities to check other type of capacitors as well.

However it is limited to checking capacitor in the higher value only such as .1uf(104), .22uf(224), 1uf(105) and etc. Lower capacitance value don't get any reading from the esr meter due to it can only read until 99 ohms. Perhaps other esr meter such as the B & K esr meter have the range to check it.

You will even be surprised to see that the dick smith esr meter can check the non-polarity capacitor in-circuit (without removing the cap).

True case example-Monitor came in with display jumping horizontally. You can see a bunch of horizontal black lines across the top display (picture). From experienced it will tell you that vertical section have problem. I begin to troubleshoot the vertical section. Supply voltage checked ok, vertical driver and oscillator IC replaced, all components connected or nearby vertical driver and oscillator ic have been checked ok. By the way I used digital capacitance meter to check the non-polarity cap and esr meter to check the electrolytic cap. The problem is still there and can't be solve!

When i use Dick Smith ESR Meter to compare the esr value of a non-polarity capacitor located near the vertical driver ic, i noticed that there is a big different in the esr value. The good esr value for a .22uf non-polarity cap is between 6.5 to 7 ohm but the spoilt one have a value of 14 ohm! Almost double the value, that's why the display jump. The good thing is i discovered the culprit while the capacitor still in the circuit which mean this esr meter can check non-polarity cap in-circuit. However my recommendation for you is to solder out one leg and check unless you already have the experienced in checking components on board. Replacing the cap solved the display problem.

Conclusion-In order to accurately test a non-polarity capacitor, besides checking the capacitance value and using analog meter to check the charge and discharge to see if it has develop any short circuit when under load, you are also required to check the esr value as well.

Jestine Yong is a electronic repairer and a writer. For more information about electronic repair please visit his website at http://www.noahtec.com/electronic-repair-articles.htm

Review Of The Epson Stylus Pro 9800 Its First Year In Retrospect

2008-12-17T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Kirk Economos

It has been year since the first announcement of the Epson Stylus Pro 9800 printer, the new generation of 44 inch width, inkjet printer from Epson. Like many of the new releases from Epson, the printer was highly anticipated; offered breakthrough new features; and was impossible to get for about 7 months. The initial rush has past, they are finally readily available, and it is time to take a moment to reflect on the good and bad points of Epson's latest printing wonder.

In my opinion there are far fewer negatives than positives, so I will address them first.

1. You have to perform an ink swap to switch your dark black ink from photo-black to matte black. For a brief time Epson offered the Stylus Pro 4000 which had 8 inks including both the matte black and the photo black, there was no need to swap dark black inks if you changed from photo paper to mat paper. This new generation still uses 8 inks but has added a light light black ink instead of offering the two varieties of dark black inks. The additional of light light black ink has enable the printer to produce finer gradations of tone and finer detail in the highlight area, but having to swap out the dark black inks to optimize printing on photo paper as opposed to matte paper is an inconvenience and an unfortunate waste of money.

2. There are quirks with the LCD menu on the printer. One in particular, comes up frequently with a message that says "Power Cleaning?" Y or N. Having been prompted many people select yes to this prompt, thereby executing a power cleaning cycle which wastes a good bit of ink and maintenance tank capacity. I have had a number of clients really upset about this situation and I hope Epson will rectify it soon in a firmware fix.

3. Dark ink density not improved when using matte black ink on matte papers. The new K3 inks made a giant leap forward in providing richer blacks when using the photo-black ink on photo surface types of papers. The K3 matte black ink on matte papers seems not to have improved black density, and some users report that matte black is less dense on matte papers than the previous UCM matte black ink. I find the blacks to be the about the same density as with the previous inks, but had hoped for more from the matte black K3 ink.

4. Epson designed the new 220 ml ink cartridges to fit inside the ink bays, unlike the previous 220 ml cartridges that stuck out to the point where you could not close the cover. Well you can close the cover with the new cartridges but the new cartridges are pressurized and occasionally arrive leaking. This has led us to always check cartridges for leaks before sending them out. If you are using the new 220 ml cartridges, check them for leaks as soon as you receive them.

5. A final negative, although not affecting the quality of the printer, was that for nearly 7 months of last year, dealers like myself, that focus mostly on the Epson printer line, had no Epson printers to sell. Epson announced the new printers, stopped supplying the previous models, and was unable to ship the new generation of printer for what seemed an eternity. Our belt was tightened more than a few notches.

That's it on the negatives, so here's some of the positive highlights:

1. The printer is about 2.5 times faster than the previous generation, but Epson hasn't sacrificed quality for speed. Epson built the new model with a print head that is more than twice as large as the previous print head, thereby more than doubling the speed.

2. Time consuming and confusing manual nozzle checks and print head alignments have been streamlined and are now carried out automatically, at the touch of a button.

3. Metamerism and bronzing, which were significant problems with the previous UCM inks, have been virtually eliminated. If you don't know what these are, consider yourself lucky and know that you won't have them with the new printers and K3 inks.

4. Deeper, richer blacks when using photo-black on photo surface papers. This represents a significant improvement over previous models and inks.

5. A new advanced black and white mode in the driver that produces stunning black and white prints.

6. Improved color gamut- not earth shattering improvement like in black density but still a nice addition to the color palette.

In my opinion, the positives far outweigh the negatives and this new generation of Epson Stylus Pro printers will take their rightful place in Epson's track record of award winning, superior value and outstanding quality, large format inkjet printers.

Kirk Economos is President of Meridian Cyber Solutions, digital equipment and printer dealership headquartered in San Francisco, that offer products and services nationwide. Kirk is also a practicing fine art photographer and fine art printer. Kirk Economos recommends you visit Meridian Cyber Solutions to get an in-depth price catalog for the Epson Stylus Pro 9800 printer. For more information call (888) 782-7878

How To Install A Primary Hard Drive

2008-12-16T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Gary Hendricks

In this tutorial we learn how to install a primary hard drive. The primary drive is your main drive, not a secondary drive. Installing a secondary drive is similar but you will have to configure your drive differently. Be sure to have your documentation handy at all times.

Learning how to install computer components like a hard drive is not hard, but proper preparation is the key to making it a smooth experience.

Before beginning you should completely shut down your computer. Also be sure to switch the power supply switch into the off position and pull the AC cord from the wall outlet.

1. Remove the Case and Set Your Drive Jumper

The first order of business is to open your computer case so that you can install the hard drive. The method of doing this varies, but most modern cases use a mini-tower design and have side panels that are screwed onto the chassis.

You will need to find the panel that sits above the motherboard and remove the screws in the back to slide the panel out. If you have an older computer design, you may have to remove all of the screws in the back and then slide the chassis out.

Next you must configure your hard drive. To install hard drive components properly you will need to set your drive jumpers. On the back of your drive you will notice pairs of metal pins pointing to various positions. There will be a jumper over the pins in one of these settings.

Consult your documentation. Basically, if you are installing the first and only drive you will set the jumper to "Cable Select." (If you were installing more than one drive, you would choose "Master" for the main drive.)

2. Insert the Drive into Case

Once the drive is configured you are ready to insert it into the case. Examine the design of your case to see what your options are here.

Inside your case there is what is known as a drive bay. Some of the new-fangled case designs offer a removable version of this drive bay or cage. If you have that, consider yourself lucky. It's much easier to know how to install computer components when you don't have to poke around in the case the whole time.

If you have a removable bay, then remove it now. Align the mounting holes on the drive bay with the mounting holes on your hard drive, and then screw them together. When you are done, insert the drive bay back into the case and screw it back on.

If, however, you don't have a removable bay, then all is not lost. Just insert the hard drive into the drive bay, align the mounting holes together, and screw it on. It's not that difficult; it's just a bit of hand and eye coordination.

3. Attach All Cables

Of course to install hard drive components, or any other components for that matter, you will need to attach cables somewhere. In the case of the hard drive you will need to attach an IDE cable from the motherboard to the motherboard, and then attach the power cable.

First, install the IDE cable to the motherboard. For your added convenience the IDE cable is color-coded for you. It is usually blue at the bottom and also has a red stripe on the side. This cable is to be inserted into the motherboard at the IDE0 (Primary) or IDE1 (Secondary) connector.

As an added check, make sure that the side of the cable with the red stripe lines up with the back of the motherboard labeled "Pin 1." Once you're done, connect the other end of this IDE cable to the hard drive. Connect the black controller and be sure that the red stripe is aligned with "Pin 1" on your hard drive.

Finally, plug the four-pin connector from your power supply into the back of your hard drive, and you're done!

4. Close Up and Power Up

Now it's time to close up and power up. Restore the case panel you removed earlier or slide the computer chassis back into the computer case.

Screw it back on, flip the power switch to the on position and attach the AC cord. Turn the computer back on. At this point your system BIOS is going to detect that a new hard drive has been attached.

You may have to configure the BIOS to properly detect the hard drive or at least supply some specific settings. As we always say, consult your documentation and follow their instructions. Much of our tutorials on how to install computer components apply across the board, but you still need to tweak some settings depending on your manufacturer.

Conclusion

Learning to install hard drive units is not hard from a mechanical standpoint. It can be done very easily.

However, it's more than an installation. The drive unit needs to be properly configured. Jumper settings need to be set properly, and then afterwards the BIOS must detect your new drive. Afterwards, you will then need to format your drive and install your operating system.

As you can see, beyond the basic installation there are a number of additional details. That's why we encourage you to have patience and follow these tutorials step by stepand as always, read the instructions!

Gary Hendricks runs a hobby site on building computers. Visit his website at Build-Your-Own-Computers.com for tips and tricks on assembling a PC, as well as buying good computer components.

Lcd Vs Crt

2008-12-15T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Jacob Bodnar

When buying a new computer, or upgrading your monitor, you may be in somewhat of a conundrum deciding between an LCD or CRT monitor. That's understandable because for most people the difference is just size. But there is much more behind each option than just some space saving. In this article we'll outline the pros and con's for each choice and then tell you what will best suit your needs.

LCD

Pro

The most noticeable difference in an LCD vs. a CRT monitor is the size. The average LCD 15 inch monitor will run about 7 inches in depth. While on the other hand a CRT monitor can run more than two times that depth. If you are in a tight area such as a dorm room or small apartment this may make a huge factor.

Another positive side of the LCD monitor is that it is energy friendly. The average 17 inch LCD monitor will take up about 35 watts of power. That's about half of a light bulb. If you can leave a light on all day you'll have no problem leaving an LCD on the entire day. Let's take, for example, you leave your LCD monitor on eight hours in the day, five days a week. If you keep consistent with that pattern in four years you'll spend around $45 in energy costs for it. That's far less than a CRT.

An LCD monitor will also give you more life for the money you pay for it. There is one component that ages in an LCD monitor, that's the backlight. That takes around 50,000 hours to age. If we were to use the example from above that means the average lifespan for an LCD monitor is about 26 years, of course by then you might have upgraded.

There is no flicker what-so-ever on an LCD monitor. What do we mean by flicker? Basically it means the image on the screen gets unsteady or might flash. The reason for this is because an LCD doesn't refresh, like a CRT. From the minute you turn the monitor on to the minute you turn it off those pixels on the screen is illuminated.

Con

It may seem like the LCD is just the perfect monitor, well that may not be the case. The major set back to an LCD monitor is the price. The average 15 inch monitor can start out as high as $300. However you'll probably want a 17 inch monitor, the starting prices on those can run as high as $450. If you're on a strict budget the LCD may not be such a good choice.

This con may not be the most obvious set back, but it does have an impact depending on your living conditions. The LCD monitor is easily damageable. It is unbelievably easy to scratch or damage the screen in any way, sometimes all it takes is a simple push with a finger.

This con has been corrected in many monitors but still exists in some consumer level monitors. If you are a heavy gamer, an LCD monitor may not be right for you. Because the monitor doesn't refresh it can display games in a slight lag, most of it isn't noticeable but if you play games all day everyday it can become a hassle.

CRT

Pro

If you are a graphics artists or someone who relies heavily on colors, than a CRT is the way to go. CRT's can display colors at a much richer level than most LCD screens. This pro might not be that important to the average consumer, unless he/she works with a lot of family photos, or photo editing. Then vivid color is a must.

Let's say you intend on having people from many different angles view what is on your screen. Maybe for teaching a class or showing TV or videos off, the CRT is probably the better choice in that scenario. Because of the way LCD's are built viewing angle is limited. Since CRT's are built much like TV's their viewing angle is in a wider range so people from all areas can view what is on the screen.

CRT monitors, in general, have a quicker response time than LCD monitors. This can come in handy while playing fast paced games or videos. This happens because LCD pixels respond slowly (or slower) to voltage (being turned on and off) than it takes for a CRT to redraw an image on the screen.

The price difference between and LCD monitor and a CRT monitor is hundreds of dollars. If you shop around you can probably find a 15 inch CRT starting at around $100 - $150. Even more impressive and lighter on your wallet is that a 17 inch starts at around $150 - $250, that's almost $200 less than an LCD monitor.

Con

The most noticeable con in the CRT monitor is the size difference. Most CRT's can be up to 17 inches in depth and that can be hell on your desk space. As mentioned before, if you are in a small area, than a CRT just won't fit your lifestyle.

Energy bills can be a little bit higher if you use a CRT versus an LCD. Using the same scenario that we used in the LCD example, a CRT running eight hours a day, five days a week will cost you around $91 in four years. That's about $30 more than an LCD. Although that doesn't make up the difference between the two in cost, it can still make a small impact.

CRT monitors also tend to "die" at a faster rate than an LCD monitor. As we stated previously the LCD monitor ages in only one way, however the CRT monitor ages in two ways. First an oxide layer will form on the cathode of the electron gun decreasing the beam current over time. Second the phosphor (the organic material that produces light by being excited by the electron gun) will age and become less efficient. This can all happen at around 15,000 hours of usage, making the CRT's lifespan (using the previous example) about eight years. That's around 18 years shorter than the average LCD monitor.

What should I buy?

As anything else that you may be looking at purchasing, buying a monitor depends on the situation of your computer lifestyle. Read the following descriptions and if either one applies to you buy the monitor that coincides.

CRT Monitor

If you are low on money, need a good monitor for watching video, viewing images, or showing people around you what is on the screen, or if you are a big game player than a CRT is probably the choice for you.

LCD Monitor

If you are short on space, have the money to spend, don't mind some loss in color and game play on some PC games, and want to keep this monitor for a long time, then an LCD monitor is perfect for you.

This article was originally posted on http://www.p2btech.com

p2btech.com offers a podcast that covers sports and tech. We also have on demand video that covers games, sports, tech, and comedy. You can also listen to your favorite music on our live online radio.

Aside from all those things we also have unique how to's to accomplish tasks on the computer.

http://www.p2btech.com

I Have My Ipod Nano Wheres Yours

2008-12-14T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Jacob Loeb

Take out four credit cards from your wallet. Stack them and hold them in your hand. Apple's iPod nano http://www.powermax.com/cgi-global/generate_css_temp.cgi? i=PM_MP_IN&t=The+iPod+nano is about the same weight and half an inch less wide than that stack of cards. Now put three cards back in your wallet and use the remaining card to go buy yourself a nano.

The nano's introduction should not be misinterpreted as just another iPod in the lineup. It is, in fact, exactly what the iPod should have been in the first place: a flash-based jukebox with a long battery life and stunning color screen. This new iPod is not a smaller version of another iPod, or combination of any other two iPods. The user interface is the same (which has always been iPod's strength) but that's it. The differences here are under the skin, most notably with the screen.

Color screens are not new to iPods, but the way you see the color is. The nano's 1.5-inch color LCD has a blue-white LED backlight. LEDs achieve full brightness faster than standard LCD backlights. This is particularly useful because iPods turn on and off their backlight often to save battery power. The number of seconds this saves you per day is not going to give you an extra hour of sleep at night. But the LCD's quick start up allows your eyes to focus near instantaneously, which makes using the nano feel that much faster. LEDs produce brighter light than other backlights without washing out the image. That gives the nano screen a deep bright color. Over all the nano's LCD is the best I have seen in the 1-inch to 3-inch size.

Another difference from previous iPods is the nano's lack of FireWire support. Although iPods have come with only USB 2.0 cables for some time, they have always supported syncing through a FireWire cable. The iPod nano is the first to be USB only. When you connect a nano via a "FireWire to Dock Connecter" cable it displays a message that this is a USB only device. It will still charge off the FireWire cable but no file transfers can be done. If your computer has only the older USB 1.1, the nano will still sync with iTunes but you are stuck moving files over at an extremely slow speed.

Amazingly, the nano has no moving parts except the click wheel. This was done by using flash memory for song storage. Every iPod ever made has had flash memory, but it was used on most iPods as a data buffer. Song data was pulled from the hard drive and stored in the buffer for skip protection. However, iPod hard drives are very slow and can cause delays when loading a song off the drive. So Apple also uses the buffer to preload songs, so you don't hear a pause between songs. Of course, not every song is in the buffer so sometimes there are pauses between songs. Changing songs in the nano, however, is faster than with hard drive based iPods because it has one big buffer. An added benefit of using flash memory is a significant reduction in weight.

The small size and weight of the iPod nano is its best feature. It slips into a shirt pocket without being felt or seen. The difference between the nano and its hard drive based brothers is equal to the difference between the brick sized analog cell phones of the 1980's compared to the cell phones of today. A close second place feature is that it comes in black. When Apple released the third generation of iPods, they photographed it in the shadows. The picture made it look black and it looked good in black. Almost every person that walked by that poster asked when could they get a "black one." After a couple of years, Apple finally realized "U2" fans were not the only ones who like black.

The iPod nano is the only product I have ever ordered the day it was released. I saw instantly it possessed all that had been missing from the iPods that came before it, and at a spectacular price. I just couldn't wait another day so what are you waiting for?

PowerMax's http://www.powermax.com/ resident Mac expert, Jacob Loeb, has been using Macintosh computers professionally since 1990. He founded a pioneering Mac based DVD production company and later worked as an IT administrator for several Portland, Oregon companies. Over the last four years Jacob has retained a top Apple Product Professional ranking. As a PowerMax technician he's repaired, trouble shot, and tested every model Mac we sell.

Printers

2008-12-13T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by John Gibb

Do you feel overwhelmed when buying a computer or a new printer?

You are not alone. With so many products to choose from I know exactly how you feel. The best approach when buying a computer related product is to educate your self. This way you are making your own decisions from your own self-judgment. That's go to be more powerful than listening to a sales guy, who is more concerned about getting commission than you - the customer, obtaining the right product for your needs.

How do you educate yourself? Start of slowly, most people don't want to become experts, they just want a computer or printer to do what is expected. Learn the basics of what computers and printers can offer you at http://www.computer-and-printer-reviews.com

Not only will you find reviews guides and here. You will also find how to fix printers yourself. Learn how to set up your firewall correctly knowing you are safe from intruders. Never feel as frustrated as you once did, knowing the truth about computers and printers. Be sure to check out http://www.computer-and-printer-reviews.com/printer-reviews.html.

Learn the difference between LaserJet and inkjet printers. Learn what the advantages are from certain computer products. With the wealth of information here, you will know other people are willing to help you and can understand where you are coming from.

Don't forget everyone has computer and printer problems. The good news is, what ever your budget is, there is always a solution. Remember if you intend to phone a computer support line, seek a plan of action. Don't let them fob you off with technical meaningless babble!

About The Author

John Gibb is currently the webmaster of several support and guide sites for various specialized topics. His latest addition is http://www.computer-and-printer-reviews.com

Team@computer-and-printer-reviews.com

A Guide To Bar Code Reader Downloads

2008-12-12T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Ewen Chia

Bar code readers have proven themselves to be essential tools in modern day business. Establishments, both big and small, have started to rely on bar code readers to make their operations quicker, more convenient, and more efficient. Yet, thousands are still interested to hop aboard the bar code bandwagon, but they don't know much about the said technology. This article will discuss a variety of barcode reader downloads for every need.

Bar Code Reader Downloads For Beginners

If you're itching to find out more about bar code readers and bar code technology in general, the World Wide Web is a good place to start. Cyberspace is home to thousands upon thousands of bar code reader downloads that could teach you the basics of this truly advantageous technology.

Almost every manufacturer offers a bar code reader download of a tutorial that would serve as an engaging introduction to bar codes and bar code readers. One such manufacturer, and one such website, is www.microscan.com where a bar code reader download entitled Bar Codes 101 can be acquired. The file is in .pdf format, which means that you could read it online. This bar code reader download would serve as a magnificent foreword to what should be a rewarding experience with bar codes and bar code readers.

Bar Code Reader Downloads For Updates

Bar code readers, of course, operate through a program that allows them to decode the encoded data. But bar code inscriptions change with the changing times. New needs emerge that necessitate new encoding procedures for bar codes. With new encodings, new decoding processes are required. This shouldn't be taken to mean that you should throw away the bar code readers which you have previously purchased. You could always update their decoding software through the appropriate bar code reader download.

By updating your bar code reader software with the corresponding bar code reader download, you would be able to decrypt the latest inscriptions in bar codes. This would allow your bar code reader to keep up with the changing times.

Bar code readers seldom become obsolete, even with the influx of new models and technologies. With excellent support from the manufacturers, bar code reader downloads are always available to ensure that your bar code reader would serve you and your business for a long, long time.

Simply refer to your bar code reader's manufacturer's homepage for the corresponding update via bar code reader download.

Bar Code Reader Downloads For Extra Features

There are some bar code readers that can do more than just the usual expectations. PDA-type bar code readers, for example, are the rave these days, as a variety of applications can be obtained aside from the usual reading and decoding of bar codes. For them, support in the form of bar code reader downloads is essential to maximize the potentials of the said devices. Bar code reader downloads for these types include a plethora of amazing programs that range from entertainment to office applications.

Aside from their respective manufacturers, bar code reader downloads for this group of bar code readers can also be obtained from countless third parties that have tinkered with such technology to give you the most value for your reader.

Ewen Chia is the owner of BarCodeReader.info providing excellent bar code reader information, news plus completely *free* barcode fonts! ==> http://www.BarCodeReader.info

The Abcs Of Computer Memory

2008-12-11T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Ron King

Computer memory is called Random Access Memory (RAM). The information stored in RAM can be accessed randomly, rather than sequentially. This means that data can be found in any location at the same rate of speed. Other storage media, such as CD-Rom and hard drives, must wait while the drive spins to the correct location before the data can be accessed.

Computer memory is simply a storage area for the program code and the data that program uses. Computer programs use RAM to write and retrieve information, allowing for fast data retrieval and manipulation.

How Much RAM is Enough?

Simply stated, the answer is, as much as possible. Keep in mind, though, once you've reached a certain upper limit, which is determined by the computer program(s) used, investment in more memory will see a diminished return.

Adding more memory is one of the best ways to maximize computer performance. If you compare 2 identical computer systems, the one with the most memory will over-all be the faster. More RAM allows the computer to place more program instructions into memory, relying less on the slower hard drive.

Think of 512 Megabytes (MB) as the base standard for a modern computer. With that you can multi-task (run several applications concurrently). For instance, you can check email and download MP3s, without noticeable sluggishness.

Some applications, however, are more memory-hungry than others. Graphics programs, for example, are notoriously greedy. Memory needs are further exagerated by the operating system used. Microsoft Windows is far more demanding than, say, Linux. Currently, most PCs use Windows, though.

Should you notice your computer slowing down, consider adding more memory. Before committing to that option, however, try de-fragmenting your hard drive with a utility (program) designed for that sole purpose. A fragmented hard drive is a common cause of stalled computer performance.

Types of RAM

Right now DDR SDRAM is the most popular memory module. DDR stands for Double Data Rate, which means that the memory can be accessed twice per clock-cycle. SDRAM, the acronym for Synchronous Data Random Access Memory, has been the standard for memory modules for nearly a decade.

To add memory to your computer, you must install modules with the correct contact layout. Before purchasing new memory, you must know which type your motherboard will accept. The most common form factors are 168 pin, 184 pin and 200 pin.

You'll also need to know whether there are slots available on your motherboard. If all the slots are already in use, you'll have to replace 1 or all of the current modules with higher capacity ones. If there is at least 1 free slot, you can simply buy a new memory module and insert it in the empty slot.

A word of caution: whereas some motherboards can accept either SDRAM or DDR SDRAM, the 2 types cannot be mixed. You must decide on 1 or the other. Check the motherboard manual first to determine which kind of memory your computer requires.

And finally, when you are ready to install your brand new memory module, make sure of 2 things: the power is off (for your safety) and you are electrically grounded (for your computer's safety).

Ron King is a full-time researcher, writer, and web developer. Visit http://www.build-computer-now.com to learn more about this fascinating subject.

Alienware Vs Rockdirect Vs Dell Finding The Best Gaming Laptop

2008-12-10T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Titus Hoskins

So you want to buy a gaming laptop.

But not just any old gaming laptop, you want to buy the best gaming machine on the planet, the best gaming machine money can buy -- the fastest, the most powerful, the ultimate kick-ass, take no prisoners, meanest motherboard of all gaming laptops.

Well, there's some good news for you, things have really changed in the laptop world. No doubt you are probably aware there have been some major developments in laptop construction and technology in the last year or so. Technology that puts the gaming laptop on par or near par with its main rival, the desktop PC.

Recent changes in technology have really brought gaming laptops into the spotlight with a whole list of new Technologies: PCI Express, Sonoma Chipset, SLI, Hyper-Threading, Dual Graphics, Better RAM, and now Dual Core gaming laptops. Gaming notebooks are just now entering the specs and performance arena which was exclusively reserved for the bulky yet much more powerful desktop PC.

Just in case you have had your head buried in term papers and study sheets lately -- hey, it happens! Here's a brief rundown of these new technologies that will give you the fastest gaming laptop:

Graphics Cards: these are the real heart of any gaming machine. They are getting faster and more powerful. We also see the use of dual graphics cards and better transfer of data with new pipelines and buses.

PCI Express: is a new standard for expansion cards that comes in different versions. Presently, we have the x16 and x1 lanes, they offer increased bandwidth. For example, x1 lane offers 500MB/sec instead of just 133MB/sec for PCI.

NVIDIA SLI: SLI stands for Scalable Link Interface, technology that lets you use a couple of GeForce 6800 graphics cards together with PCI Express X16. Basically, SLI will speed up graphics on a single monitor by deploying two graphics cards. It also lets you combine 4 GPUs in one system for the fastest graphics yet.

An alternative system would be ATI's CrossFire which is a SLI-like configuration using 'Master' and 'Slave' cards to combine two Radeon GPUs for improved and faster graphics.

Hyper-Threading: Gives processors better performance especially when combined with dual-core processors, capable of handling four software threads which will put a smile on any gamer's face.

Better RAM: DDR3 SDRAM (Double Data Rate Three Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory) this new DDR memory standard will use 40% less power and run at speeds up to 800 MHz. Don't confuse this with GDDR3 (in Graphics Cards) which is a totally different technology.

Dual Core: just as the name says, you put two CPUs into a laptop for more power and faster computing. Rockdirect's Xtreme 64 was one of the world's first dual core notebooks to hit the market.

Also be on the lookout for Intel's Dual Core Notebook Chip dubbed Yonah, it will be somewhat different in that this notebook chip will not only have two cores but these cores will share a 2MB cache which will greatly boost performance.

In most cases, keeping ahead of all these developments and improvements can be a pleasurable chore for most gamers but it can sure eat into your gaming time. And as the notebook technology evolves, the gaming laptop will get even more smaller and more powerful, offering a real alternative to the gaming desktop PC even for the most die-hard Power Junkies.

Serious gamers will also know laptop or notebook gaming technology is constantly evolving and mutating. Therefore, most gamers will only purchase a fully upgradeable open architecture notebook, they look for a laptop design which can be easily upgraded with the newest and latest technology, if at all possible.

Despite this option, as laptop gaming technology steadily improves, gamers are still left with the choice of which gaming system to buy. Just in case you have be hibernating for last five years -- hey, it happens. Here's a quick rundown of the different systems on the market ...Voodoo, Alienware, Mayhem, Vigor, Sager, ASUS, Rockdirect, M-Tech, Dell...

Despite the fancy lapels, serious gamers know that most laptops are made by the same two or three companies in Taiwan! The same components and mainframes are assembled under different brand names and marketed to the public.

Not to get too cynical, but sometimes it's the laptop with the better paint job or the better advertising that will win your purchasing dollar. Not that savvy gamers are easily fooled, perish the thought, but packaging may rule the day, performance may be the same or negligible in gaming machines with basically all the same components and specs.

Regardless of this sober reality, gamers are still left with the choice of which gaming manufacturer has tweaked these components into the best gaming laptop on the market. There are numerous gaming specialists that make high quality machines well worth your consideration but because of limited space here we will only examine three major gaming manufacturers, sometimes for entirely different reasons.

These three are Alienware, Rockdirect and Dell. All produce serious contenders for the ultimate gaming laptop. Here's a brief rundown on all three makers and their gaming laptops which may be of some help to anyone looking to purchase a high-end gaming monster.

Alienware Laptops

First, we will start with the most distinctive looking gaming laptops on the market. Those coming from Alienware, a company founded by two avid gamers, Nelson Gonzalez and Alex Aguila, in 1996. It has become one of the leading producers of revolutionary gaming PCs and Notebooks. It has also won raves and rewards from such top industry publications as CNET, PC Gamer, Computer Games and many more.

Their flagship model is the Area-51m 7700. This scary monster can be outfitted with an Intel Pentium 4 Processor with Hyper-Threading Technology - (2.8GHz - 3.8GHz, 800MHz FSB, 1MB Cache, Socket 775) Intel 915P + ICH6 chipset with NVIDIA GeForce GO 6800 ULTRA with 256MB DDR3. It has a 17 inch WideUXGA 1920x1200 LCD Display and 4 dedicated SO-DIMM slots for Dual-Channel DDR2 Memory. Warranties can be purchased for up to 4 years.

The Alienware Area-51m 7700's base price starts at around $2000 but if you want to max out this system, be prepared to double that amount. High price for high performance. Runs quiet and cool. This one is dressed to kill.

Rockdirect Laptops

Next, we go across the pond, for a company that produces some high priced yet powerful gaming machines. Rockdirect gaming notebooks are another group of machines that many gamers should consider. Rockdirect, formerly known as Rock, is a British company that's on the cutting edge of notebook technology. They have had a long history of making high quality laptops for business and gaming. Rockdirect laptops are expensive, there's no way to get around that fact.

Rockdirect's Xtreme 64 is one of the world's first dual core notebooks using AMD Athlon 64 X2 4800+ processors and twin 100GB 7,200RPM hard drives. With NVIDIAGeForce Go 7800 GTX graphics and a 17 inch WSXGA+ (1680x1050) display with X-Glass for better viewing. Around 2,300 pounds or $4,000 USD. Three Year Collect and Return Warranty.

Dell Laptops

Hey dude, this can't be a DEll?

Dell with the introduction of its XPS second generation gaming laptops has to be considered by the serious gamer. Don't laugh! With the introduction of the XPS Gen2 laptops, Dell entered the gaming market for real. A lot of people stood up and took notice.

Even more people stood up when Dell introduced the XPS Renegade 600 desktop gaming system with 4 NVIDIA 7800GTX GPUs at the CES this year. Now that's putting SLI to some good use!

Dell's top Notebook Model is the XPS M170 powered by Intel Pentium M Processor 780 (2.26 GHz/2MB Cache/533MHz FSB) and 2GB1 Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz 2 Dimm Memory on a 100GB 7200rpm Hard Drive. It uses 256MB NVIDIA GeForce Go 7800 GTX and has a 17 inch UltraSharp Wide Screen UXGA Display. Priced at around $3,896 with a two year warranty and longer warranties may be purchased.

Show me the Facts!

Anyone can pick a top gaming notebook and say its the fastest in the world. However, you have to prove it or back it up. That's where benchmark testing enters the picture, these are standard tests that rate the performance level of your gaming laptop. Hey, tests are good for something!

One good site that has performed a whole slue of tests on the gaming laptops mentioned above is www.hexus.net. You can see the different Benchmark tests here: http://www.hexus.net/content/item.php?item=4188

Testing for memory bandwidth and latency, picfast, cryptography, raytracing, realistic render, encoding and so on. The dual core Rock XTreme 64 showed impressive numbers, even beating out an Athlon 4000+ Desktop in many areas.

WildCard Entry: M-TECH!

There's another laptop maker many novice gamers don't consider when buying their ultimate gaming machine. It may not be as well known as the ones above but the real wildcard entry is M-TECH. This is basically the American equivalent of Rockdirect, although the companies are in no way connected. They just have a similar philosophy of working with and using cutting-edge technology and firms to produce some superior gaming machines.

M-TECH, a Michigan company, started in 1995 and has close strategic partnerships with Tech firms in Silicon Valley. It is favorably reviewed by many industry magazines such as Laptops, Mobile Computing, CNET, PC TODAY and others.

M-TECH produces some powerful low priced (relatively speaking) gaming laptops such as the D900K and the D900T:

You can configure your D900T with two 100GB (7200RPM) SATA HDD Hard Drives with Pentium 4 3.8GHz 2MB L2Cache with a RAID setup. With Nvidia GeForce Go 7800 GTX w/256MB DDR3 and a 17 inch TFT WSXGA+ Glassview LCD display for around $3500 USD. One year warranty, longer warranties may be purchased.

When buying your laptop, keep in mind, just because a gaming laptop has a lot of style doesn't mean it has sacrificed performance. It is not a matter of style over substance, it just means you have to pay highly for all that style/advertising/packaging. If you can afford it, go for a higher priced gaming laptop. People buy Ferraries don't they? There's no accounting for how people spend their money, if you want one of these dual core laptops from Rockdirect and you can take a little bit of heat and noise with your games, go for a Rockdirect Xtreme 64 or the older Xtreme Ti.

If you want a dressed to kill Alienware laptop, go for the Area-51m 7700. If you're on a budget, look closely at the Dell XPS M170 or the other XPS systems and watch for special Dell coupons and discounts. Dell is known for giving some great discounts so keep your eyes peeled. And if you really want to go against the mainstream, why not check out M-TECH. Especially the M-TECH D900K or the D900T, ultimate performance at a good price.

No matter which gaming system you go with, try to pick one that has a fully upgradeable open architecture structure so you can easily upgrade when the time comes. Keep in mind, laptop technology is changing so fast by the time your dream machine is configured, it is probably already out of date. Sobering thought but more true than any of us would like to believe.

Finding the fastest gaming laptop may be an on-going process of outfitting your dream machine with the latest technologies and hardware as they come on stream. Hey, nobody said life would be simple.

Just wondering how you can fit Quad SLI with 4 GPUs into a laptop. Hey, it can happen and probably will!

For more on the best gaming laptops click here: Gaming Laptops. For information on upgrading your gaming laptop click here: Laptop Memory Upgrade. Titus Hoskins Copyright © 2006. This article may be freely distributed if this resource box stays attached.

Server Racks

2008-12-09T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Josh Riverside

A "rack" is designed to hold items, and it is usually on a two-post or four-post frame. So a server rack is a frame that contains server components. The new server racks are designed to hold the servers and also to cool them and other electronic equipment by allowing air to flow in a front-to-back direction.

Server racks come in various shapes and sizes, adhering to the needs of a prospective customer. A customer can design his own server rack according to the viable space he has to accommodate the rack. The price of server racks range from $153 to $265 with and without additional options. The Open Frame Server Racks have sizes from 24U to 50U. These racks have an optional caster kit, and a 2Post Server Rack is also available with large datacenter installations. The cost of 24U server rack starts from $429, and that of 50U server rack starts from $469. Normally, most server racks should meet with EIA standards.

Server racks generally come with advanced features such as cooling, power distribution, and cable management for servers and networking applications for IT atmosphere. The rugged, fully welded CORACK comes with unique features such as 180 degree door hinges, curved door, flush latch, etc. Server racks are mostly designed with smoother edges to reduce cable damage and chaffing. Some primary advantages of server racks are improving cabling management, providing superior physical security, and easy hardware maintenance. Modern designs provide accommodations for keyboard, video, mouse switches, Ethernet hubs, etc. These server racks also come with a high-tech appearance.

Server racks of the utmost premium quality can be equipped with multiple shelves, glide-mounted drawers, or keyboard shelves with ambidextrous mouse trays, etc. When servers are locked up into a rack, the risk of server knocking is avoided.

Server racks ensure that your servers stay up and running and are safe. Online shopping is the best way to shop for a server rack, as you can compare several types, models, and brands of server racks, so that you find what that will work for you based on your desired configuration, security, capacity, and other features.

Server Racks provides detailed information on Server Racks, Computer Server Racks, LAN Server Racks, Vertical Server Rack Storage and more. Server Racks is affiliated with Hard Drive Data Recovery.

How To Read Zener Diode Code

2008-12-08T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Jestine Yong

Many technicians are confused on how to really read a zener diode code. There are many types of code number indicated on it's body. The look and shape of a zener diode sometimescan be mistaken to be a normal signal diode. To differentiate it, is by looking at the codenumber on it's body- whether it is a normal diode or zener diode. Thanks to the manufacturers where their main boards are printed with the word 'ZD' which referred to zener diode and 'D' means a diode.

However, from my experienced some printed circuit board the marking of 'D' also can represent zener diode. This will misled a technician into believing a zener diode is actually a diode. We as a technician or engineer must know or be sensitive about the marking. The only way to find out is by referring the code number printed on the component's body from a semiconductor data book. Without data book it is quite difficult to know the actual zener diode voltage. If you do not have the data book you may go to google search engine and type the following code and hope you can find the answer there! A wrong substitution of zener diode may caused your equipment to malfunction and sometimes will even blow your equipment. Time and money are loss due to that we lack of knowledge of identify the right zener diode voltage. If you are unable to identify the code, do not worry as this newsletter are here to guide you to successfully on how to read the zener diode code.

5.1=5.1Volt zener diode

5V1=5.1Volt zener diode

12= 12 Volt zener diode

12V= 12 Volt zener diode

BZX85C22=22Volt 1 watt zener diode (refer to ECG PHILIPS SEMICONDUCTORS MASTER REPLACEMENT GUIDE)

BZY85C22=22Volt 1/2 watt zener diode (refer to ECG PHILIPS SEMICONDUCTORS MASTER REPLACEMENT GUIDE)

Note: There is also part number such as BZVXXXXX where you have to find it from ECG SEMICONDUCTOR BOOK.

1N4746= 18 Volt 1 watt zener diode (refer to ECG PHILIPS SEMICONDUCTORS MASTER REPLACEMENT GUIDE)

6C2=6.2 Volt zener diode. (If you look at the zener diode code it is written as 6C2 READING FROM TOP TO BOTTOM) Don't read from bottom to top otherwise the value you get is 2C6 which you cannot find from data book!

I believe many will ask how do I get the voltage for the code of 6C2. Still refer to ECG book, you have to search for HZ part number. That's mean instead of finding 6C2, search for HZ6C2 and you will get the answer! The lowest zener voltage that I came across was 2.4 volt and the highest was 200 Volt 5 watt.

Conclusion- Be alert when checking the part number of a zener diode. Don't always assume that a small signal diode is always a zener diode. Carefully observe the marking on the main board and read the zener diode part number refer to the semiconductor book, preferably ECG SEMICONDUCTOR DATA BOOK which you can get from your local electronic distributor. With this knowledge in mind, you will be successfully find the right voltage of a zener diode.

Jestine Yong is a electronic repairer and writer. For more information on electronic repair please visit his website at http://www.noahtec.com

Using The Windows Double Monitor Feature To Increase Your Productivity

2008-12-07T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Todd Jirecek

Within windows, you can use a feature that is pretty powerful to increase your productivity. This is the windows multiple monitor feature. Imagine having a document on your computer that you need to see while you type another document. This is what the double monitor feature allows you to do.

This feature is supported nicely in Windows XP. You can have a smaller monitor off to the right while you type your document on your main monitor.

To use this feature, you will need to buy a video card that supports multiple monitors. ATI manufactures a great video card called the VGA All In Wonder. You can pick this card up at your local computer super store for around $100.00.

If all you want to do is use the two monitor feature and are not big into games or multi tasking many programs at once, then this is all you will need. However, if you like to play high graphic games, then you will want to get a video card with a good amount of memory. Just ask the sales person at the store to help you. Make sure they understand what it is exactly, you are trying to do.

Once you purchase the video card, if you can install it yourself then great. If not, then see if the store can do it for you or find a knowledgeable friend to help you out. Just having a friend install the card, can save you anywhere from $50.00 to $100.00.

After the video card is installed, it's time to hook up your second monitor to number two VGA output of the video card.

All you will really need is a cheap monitor for your 2nd monitor. Look in your local phone book for used computer dealers or on the internet. Just go to Google and type in "used computer monitors" and your location. This should allow you to find somewhere close to your home.

Using the multiple monitor feature in Windows.

Once you have everything set up with both monitors in place. Turn on the other monitor in Windows. You do this by clicking on your main desktop and selecting properties from the pop up menu. Next you need to click on the setting tab. Here you will see the numbers 1 and 2 in bold white letters. Click the number 2 and you should see two little check boxes off to the left. Click on the one that reads, extend my Windows desktop onto this monitor. If you other monitor was off and the light was just blinking, then doing this should turn it on.

Once the 2nd monitor is turned on, all you have to do is open whatever application you want and resize it to half screen. Then, just drag it all the way to the other screen. You should now be able to move your mouse and applications freely between both monitors.

Todd Jirecek knows how to keep a computer virus free. He has been doing so for the last 15 years and he wants you to Learn how to keep your computer Virus Hacker and Spyware Free for good once and for all. http://www.virushackerfreeinanhour.com

Building Computers Reusing An Old Case

2008-12-06T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Michael Quarles

In planning to build a computer, the majority of a person's thinking centers on the CPU, motherboard, and hard drive. What case to use is of secondary concern, with the decision based often on personal taste rather than technical reasons.

Some builders may want to re-use an old case.

The logic of it seems sound. Perhaps you have an old computer, nothing of which is salvagable but the case. Or, maybe a friend has gutted his old system, scavenging parts to make a new computer. Re-using a case can shave dollars off the cost of your new system, and make use of an item that might otherwise be trashed.

In the light of reality, however, using that old case makes economic sense only if it comes with a sufficent power supply to fill your needs. Many older cases were sold with 230 or 250 watt units. These are completely inadequate for today's needs.

The most basic internet and homework sort of computer requires 300 watts. If you have ambitions of anything beyond web browsing and word processing, then start thinking higher. For some pursuits much higher. Top level gaming and heavy duty video work may require 500 watts.

If you still want to use that old case, there's a lot you can do to upgrade it. The most obvious move is to install a stronger power supply. Since they usually mount with only 4 to 6 screws, this is an easy operation. Just lately, I've noticed some 400 watt units being sold at bargain prices, so this can be done without busting your budget.

If you need firewire and USB ports in the case's front, they can be installed in one of the 3.5 inch bays. Low cost kits, that come with cables, can get the job done. You can hook up cameras, flash memory, and other good stuff without fiddling about in the back of the case.

Does the case need a new fan port cutout made? Now is the time to do it, while the case is empty. My prefered method is to saw out a small rectangle, and cover the hole with steel mesh. I use the screws that hold the fan to keep the steel clamped in place.

In the case's previous use, PCI cards probably were installed, and now you're left with one or more holes than need to be filled. If you can mount your cards there, do so, or get replacement caps to cover them. Leaving the holes open can let a lot of dust in, and change the airflow patterns, reducing cooling efficency.

Michael Quarles is the author of Building a PC for Beginners.

Make A Linux Home Data Server Of An Old Pc

2008-12-05T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Adam Knife

So, you've got an old computer, and you don't know what to do with it. Sure, it can't play new video games, maybe can't run the latest and greatest software, don't fret, it's not totally worthless. Converting your old computer in to a home data server opens a range of possibilities, and a range of new things you can do with your computer(s) and the network.

So, how do you do it? Well, if it's already set up for Windows Networking, you've got the basics set up for a Windows file server, and can simply use your local area network for transfering/working with files, however, this article is going to show you the more effective, and more powerful way: setting up a Linux file server.

The first step is to pick a Linux distro, DistroWatch.com lists the most popular distributions, and reviews a range of distributions, we're going to use the Ubuntu [5.10] operating system, with a server installation, simply because it's the operating system this author uses for his desktop, and is quickly becoming the most popular distribution around.

Your old computer likely has enough memory, and a powerful enough CPU to run Ubuntu, however, if you intend to use this server as a major central file server, it will likely need a new hard-drive. You can deal with that on your own.

When you insert the Ubuntu CD, and boot to it, instead of just pressing [enter] at the boot screen, type 'server' then press enter - this will prevent it from installing any of the *-desktop packages, and not setting up any unneeded applications.

After following the steps of installation, you will be prompted with a logon screen - enter the username and password you provided during installation, and you are in your brand new Linux system. From here, you can do everything from browse the web, to set up the computer for various networking tasks, to play a range of Linux-based games.

Package management is a critical part of running a Linux system, luckily Ubuntu comes with two distinct and useful tools to aid in your package managing. Aptitude [which, is actually just a UI for apt-get] and apt-get.

A package called "samba" will allow you to set up proper networking between Linux and Windows computers (at least, we hope you've got your networking issues sorted out). Running "sudo apt-get install samba" in your new command line will tell the apt-get application to install the samba package, and set it up with default settings.

Once samba is installed, you'll want to set it up to share certain files/directories, and set them up on your network - samba networking is a massive topic of it's own, and way beyond the scope of this article, however, running "man samba" will give you the samba manual file, which lists off a series of other manuals to look at. Google's always helpful too. :)

Now, once you have networking and samba set up, you should be able to transfer files between Windows and Linux through Network Neighborhood/smbclient - you've now got a basic data server set up. That was easy, wasn't it?

For those who want to go further, Pure-FTPd will allow you to set up a fully featured FTP (file transfer protocol) server on this box, which you could use to access your files remotely from any computer set up with an FTP client (Windows Explorer has one built in!), setting up an Apache based web-server is fairly simple with Ubuntu's apt-get packages, and OpenSSH allows the user to remotely log in to the Linux shell from any computer equipped with an SSH client.

A slight advancement to this system could allow you to set up Bash scripts combined with cron would allow you to set up scripts which immediately backup files every X days, or scripts to do certain processing to files at certain times - the possibilities are effectively endless.

Adan X. Knife is a computer scientist, entrepreneur and web developer. He currently runs a network of websites including one about High Definition Technology and a Free Games Library. He also runs a range of communication related sites including his cellular phone reviews site.

Become 100 Certain About Your Inkjet Or Toner Cartridge Types Know The Difference

2008-12-04T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Joseph Mercado

Here are your ink and or toner cartridge types and what they mean exactly.

OEM:

Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) is produced by the original manufacturer. Guaranteed to be free from defect in material and workmanship during its lifetime.

Compatible:

Manufactured to the original manufacturer's specification by other manufacturers. Most resellers guarantee to be free from defect in material and workmanship during its warranty or lifetime.

OEMC:

OEM-Compatible cartridges are manufactured to meet or exceed OEM performance. All drums and working parts are new. Guaranteed to be free from defect in material and workmanship during its lifetime.

Remanufactured:

Original products disassembled and rebuilt with new parts if needed. Guaranteed to be free from defect in material and workmanship during its lifetime.

Refill Kit:

This is a refill kit that is designed to refill your OEM inkjet cartridge multiple times for significant savings. The kits include all tools required, step by step instructions and of course the specific inks for your printer's cartridge(s).

Generic:

These are basically cartridges that contain little or no chemicals in there ink cartridges. They are water down and diluted with non-absorbent ink. You will find these cartridges mostly imported from overseas or from a domestic private company who are refilling cartridges as part of their business.

*Note: This is very important for you to remember about ink and toner. OEM (original equipment manufacturer) toner cartridges contain both new and used parts.

It matters how many times your current supplier changes the parts after they have been used several times before wearing and tearing of that specific part.

You're actually paying for is the retail box itself because of the marketing and branding purposes that OEM (original equipment manufacturer) manufacturers spend millions of dollars on so they can brand you into buying their product from the retail store.

You end up spending more money than you should at one of them stores, it's crazy and in my eyes, it's unfair. So, don't be fooled from by the genuine product that you see, it may be a reman after all. You just never know.

In description of, Joseph Mercado is known as the Motivational Marketer. He specializes in the consumable market involving studies on marketing inkjet cartridges; http://www.InkSecretsRevealed.com

Linear Motors And Stepper Motors

2008-12-03T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Gordon Petten

A linear induction motor is made up of an inductor which is made of individual cores with a concentrated polyphase. Linear motors can be directly substituted for ball screw drives, hydraulic drives, pneumatic drives, or cam drives.

A linear induction motor is basically what is referred to by experts as a "rotating squirrel cage" induction motor. The difference is that the motor is opened out flat. Instead of producing rotary torque from a cylindrical machine it produces linear force from a flat machine. The shape and the way it produces motion is changed, however it is still the same as its cylindrical counterpart. There are no moving parts, however and most experts don't like that. It does have a silent operation and reduced maintenance as well as a compact size, which appeals many engineers. There is also a universal agreement that it has an ease of control and installation. These are all important considerations when thinking about what type of device you want to create. The linear induction motor thrusts ratio varies depending mainly on the size and rating. Speeds of the linear induction motor vary from zero to many meters per second. Speed can be controlled. Stopping, starting and reversing are all easy. Linear induction motors are improving constantly and with improved control, lower life cycle cost, reduced maintenance and higher performance they are becoming the choice of the experts. Linear motors are simple to control and easy to use. They have a fast response and high acceleration. Their speed is not dependant on contact friction so it is easier to pick up speed quickly.

Stepper motors are a special kind of motor that moves in discrete steps. When one set of windings is energized the motor moves a step in one direction and when another set of windings is energized the motor moves a step in the other direction. The advantage of stepper motors that the position of the motor is "known". Zero position can be determined, if the original position is known.

Stepping motors come in a wide range of angular resolution and the coarsest motors typically turn 90 degrees per step. High resolution permanent magnet motors are only able to handle about 18 degrees less than that. With the right controller stepper motors can be run in half-steps, which is amazing.

The main complaint about the stepper motor is that it usually draws more power than a standard DC motor and maneuvering is also difficult.

Rotary Tables

Linear Actuators

Lifetime Of A Cdrom Disk

2008-12-02T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Bob Rankin

How Long Will a CD or DVD Last?

As with any backup medium (floppy disk, tape, CDROM, etc.) the lifetime of the data is an important consideration. Kodak has done extensive accelerated aging tests which indicate that their Infoguard CD-R should last 200 years. TDK say that their discs will last "about 100 years". Others tell horror stories that no-name CDs which they have burned are no longer readable after a few months.

Optical disk manufacturers advise that storing your backup disks in a cool, dry environment will help to prolong data life, while direct sunlight and fingerprints may cause damage to a CD or DVD. A good rule of thumb (no pun intended) seems to be to buy a brand-name disk, treat it as per the guidelines above, but don't expect it to last more than five years.

But even if your CDROM data remains intact for 50 years, will we still have CD and DVD readers commonly available then? Technology changes rapidly. When was the last time you saw a computer with a 5.25 inch floppy drive? Even the 3.5 inch floppy is an endangered species, now that most computers are sold without them. In a few decades, the CDROM may be outmoded.

I suggest you revisit your backup strategy every few years, and re-copy all critical data to new media on the same basis. Now that portable USB flash drives are getting cheaper, you might consider using them instead of optical disks.

Repairing a Damaged CD-ROM

Even if you're careful, CDs can get scratched and become unreliable or unreadable. A few years ago, I read about the Toothpaste Cure. It sounds a bit hokey, but I can tell you it has brought some CDROM disks back to life when I thought they were goners. Here's how it works:

First clean the disk with warm water and mild soap to remove any oils from fingerprints or other sources. Dry it with a clean, lint-free towel and see if the disk will work now. If not, bring on the Crest!

Rub the disk gently with toothpaste (the pasty kind, not a gel) in a RADIAL (not circular) motion from the center of the disk to the outside edge. Wash and dry it again and see if it's readable.

Some people report success when using car polish, silver polish, or Rain-X instead of toothpaste. The idea is that small scratches are buffed out, and some of the polishing agent remains on the disk to fill in any irregularities on the optical surface. Due to the chance that the filler may fall out over time and gum up your CDROM drive, you should make a copy of the repaired disk and discard the original.

It doesn't always work, but it's worth a try when the only alternative is to throw away the disk. Some commercial products that may be useful are Wipe Out! and Discwasher.

Reprinted from: http://www.askbobrankin.com/lifetime_of_a_cdrom_disk.html

BOB RANKIN... is a tech writer and computer programmer who enjoys exploring the Internet and sharing the fruit of his experience with others. His work has appeared in ComputerWorld, NetGuide, and NY Newsday. Bob is publisher of the Internet TOURBUS newsletter, author of several computer books, and creator of the http://LowfatLinux.com website. Visit Bob Rankin's website for more helpful articles and free tech support.

Inkjet Printer Cartridges

2008-12-01T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Seth Miller

Inkjet printers are the most affordable and popular printers available today; they offer high quality and fine detailed printing output. The advent of the inkjet printer has made printing much easier and faster.

Since the 1980s, inkjet printers have evolved to become the most common printers used in homes and offices. Inkjet printers work by spraying minute dots of ink onto the paper through nozzles in the printer head. This type of printer is best used for low-cost, low-volume printing.

An important component of an inkjet printer is the inkjet printer cartridge. Inkjet printer cartridges are the receptacles that hold the ink before it is transferred to the paper or other printing medium. Typically, a single ink cartridge can produce 300 to 800 printed pages per cartridge. The main drawback of inkjet printers is that ink will run out quickly. Unfortunately, replacement ink cartridges usually come at a hefty price. Also, the printer heads of inkjets are also prone to clogging, and the ink cartridge will need to be replaced.

Ink, ink cartridges, and other consumables are very expensive. A new black ink cartridge you as much as $13, while a color ink cartridge may cost as much as $80. If you use the printer heavily, your printing costs can easily run up to the thousands. Fortunately, there are now less expensive alternatives available in the market. A compatible, non-branded ink cartridge meets the same standards that original cartridges do. However, beware of buying counterfeit ink cartridges, as these will do more damage than good. To ensure that you get only high-quality replacement ink cartridges, purchase only from an authorized and reputable seller. There are online retailers of both OEM and aftermarket ink cartridges, where you can shop conveniently and quickly. Make sure you buy only good-quality ink cartridges to prolong the life of the printer.

Inkjet Printers provides detailed information on Inkjet Printers, Inkjet Printer Ink, Inkjet Printer Cartridges, CD Inkjet Printers and more. Inkjet Printers is affiliated with Inkjet Printers.

Understanding Transistor Data And Replacement

2008-11-30T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Jestine Yong

If, for some reason, you can't get an exact replacement for the transistor that you want to replace, you can refer to one of the transistor substitution guides or book, and try to identify a "near replacement". Beware, however. A substitution guide will sometimes list a replacement for your part, even though the two parts are not very similar. The most commonly used transistor substitution guides is the Philips ECG semiconductors Master Replacement Guide. Selecting the right transistor parameters or specifications for the equipment you repair will avoid callbacks from customers. Callbacks or repeated repairs due to wrong transistor substitution will cost you extra money and a waste of time.

Some important transistor parameters are:

Maximum collector-to-base voltage (VCBO) The replacement part should have a VCBO rating equal to or higher than the original.

Maximum collector-to-emitter voltage (VCEO) The replacement part should have a VCEO rating equal to or higher than the original.

Maximum emitter-to-base voltage (VEBO) The replacement part should have a VEBO rating equal to or greater than the original.

Maximum collector current (IC) The replacement part should be able to handle as much (or more) collector current as the original.

Power dissipation (PD Watts) The replacement part should be able to dissipate as much (or more) power as the original part.

Gain (hFE) The replacement should have a gain equal to or better than the original and it should be as close to the original specification as possible.

Gain-bandwidth (fT) the replacement should have a transition frequency equal to or faster than the original and it should be as close to the original specification as possible.

Below is a table of application requirement and important specification that you can use for guidelines when comes to transistor substitution.

Application Requirement and Important Specifications

1. General purpose low level amplifier and switching transistors. Spec- hFE, IC (max), fT, VCEO

2. Power switching applications. Spec- VCEO, VCBO, hFE, IC (max), PD (max)

3. Low level IF/RF amplification. Spec- IC (max), fT, VCEO

4. Audio amplification. Spec- IC (max), PD (max), hFE, VCEO

5. High voltage transistors. Spec- VCEO, VCBO, IC (max), fT

Remember, the replacement transistor should not run hot and if problem still persist, try another replacement number or get the original number if possible. Do not overlook that the surrounding components also may caused the transistor to run hot even if original number is used.

Jestine Yong is a electronic repairer and writer. For more information about electronic repair please visit his website at http://www.noahtec.com

Flash Your Ati Video Cards Bios

2008-11-29T13:00:00.001-08:00

Writen by Jason Barrett

Flash your ATI video card BIOS.

You will need the following:

1. 1.44MB FDD (floppy)

2. FLASHROM utility copy

3. Compatible BIOS file for your video card. (search the manufactures website for bios details)

4. Required Drivers. (check manufactures website)

Alright now

First make an ATI BIOS flash boot disk.

-Bios flash operations for video must be performed in DOS.

-You will need a DOS boot disk, you can obtain one if you do not already ahve one at bootdisk.com, download there dr DOS image file after that run the .exe file that comes with it. Which will create a clean DOS boot disk. (if any problems folow instruction son the website)

-If you need other ways of obtaining a boot disk just post in a related thread.

Now that you have a DOS boot disk, copy the BIOS file you downloaded and the FLASHROM.exe file onto the disk.

Second
Make a backup of your ATI video card BIOS

Make a backup of your current video card BIOS before flashing the bios, incase of problems. (better safe than sorry)

-boot your computer with the boot flash-disk you had created in the first step.

-during the "A:\" prompt type "flashrom.exe -s 0 backup.rom" ENTER

-now the utlity FLASHROM will make a backup of your video's bios onto the bios flash disk (called backup.rom)

-Just in case, if we have to go back to the original bios.

Third
Flash your ATI video card's bios

-at the A:\ prompt type the following to flash your video bios

-"flashbios -p 0 (name of new bios file you downloaded including the extention) hit ENTER (no brackets around the name of your new bios file)

-Flashrom will overwrite your odl bios with your new bios.

-if any errors ocured do not restart; consult troubleshooting.

-if there is a pause in the procedure, for say the bios types do not match you may use a "-f" switch to force the operation (force if certian the bios suits your video card)

Forcing the BIOS flash type:

During the thrid section instead of typing -"flashbios -p 0 (name of new bios file you downloaded including the extention)

Type

-"flashrom -f -p 0 (name of new bios file you downloaded including the extention)

-If you had made it this far without any errors and everything seems to have gone correctly, than restart your system.

-monitor the post screen for the video card info

-double check that your procedure worked and your bios has worked correctly.

-also watch to see if your OS boots correctly

-plz keep in mind that your new bios may need new up to date drivers.

Hooray! Congrats! You have successfully changed your video card's BIOS.

Jason Barrett
http://www.computing-forums.com