Data Protection And Hard Disk Recovery Go Hand In Hand

When it comes to hard disk recovery, the best method is to insure that you will never need it. Besides making frequent backups, the following measures will keep your system running smoothly.
Antivirus Protection
New viruses are invented every day, and system security is a concern for every business. Malicious software can damage your system to the point where it will not even boot up. The latest versions of Windows are the favorite targets of malicious programs such as spyware and viruses, and it is helpful to use 2 or more antivirus/anti-spyware programs to prevent destruction or theft of your data.
Spyware Scanner
The clues that spyware is on a computer include a barrage of pop-up ads, a hijacked browser,a sudden or even repeated change of your computer’s Internet home page, the appearance of a new toolbar or new screen icons, malfunctioning keys, random error messages, and most of all, sluggish computer performance. Any sytem with access to the internet is prone to this problem, but there is software to block spyware installation. In addition, make sure all employees using the office network do not download from unknown sites, and set your internet browser security at "Medium" or higher. Install individual firewalls to prevent uninvited users from accessing your network. A firewall blocks unauthorized access to your computer and will alert you if spyware already on your computer is sending information out. Purchase an anti-spyware program from a vendor you know and trust. Set it to read on a regular basis, at least weekly and if possible each time you run your computer. Delete any programs the anti-spyware program detects on your computer.
Computer Maintenance
The best way to avoid having to use file recovery software is to be sure that no corrupt data is stored on your computer. Companies like Norton sell disk optimization programs keep your network running at top speed, correct problem files and maximize the available space on your hard disk. Run disk optimization and anti-virus programs at least once a week.
Hard Disk Recovery
There are disk recovery applications specifically geared to recovering files of a certain format, like graphics files as opposed to word document files, and there are general-purpose programs to hunt for any type of misplaced file regardless of the format. There is no program on the market that can guarantee recovery of every lost file, but you are able to increase your chances for recovery by selecting the appropriate program for the file you are trying to save.
Do-it-yourself programs are a lot less expensive than hiring a data retrieval company that specializes in information recovery, and to save money you should at least attempt to utilize of this type of program before calling a professional.
In addition to recovering deleted files, there exists information recovery programs that can restore files after you have formatted the drive, after a power failure, natural disaster, or even files damaged by a computer virus.
RAID
RAID is short for Redundant Array of Independent (or Inexpensive) Disks, a category of disk drives that employ 2 or even several drives in combination to improve data storage fault tolerance and performance. RAID disk drives are frequently installed on servers but can also run on individual computers. Because of the duplication of data, it is possible to recover files from one or another disk when the need arises.
As you might expect, RAID disk repair is quite a complicated process. However it is one of the most foolproof methods of data storage because the RAID architecture strategically distributes information randomly across the array. However, this sort of architecture demands the services of a recovery professional.
Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com - By: J Schipper

Tablet PC Review - The Best Table PCs On The Market

A tablet pc is a personal computer that has a touch screen. Much lighter and more manageable in small spaces than a laptop, a tablet pc is a truly personal computer. While a built in keyboard is not standard on a tablet pc a keyboard may be plugged in if the user prefers. To enter information on a tablet pc you simply write on the screen. The tablet pc is able to read your writing based on handwriting recognition. The handwriting is stored as a graphic and can be converted to text either in real time or stored and completed after you have finished your notes. If you would prefer to be more natural, comments, notes and doodles can be left in your own handwriting. Tablet pcs use Windows XP Professional as their operating system. There are a wide variety of additional software programs available to customize a tablet pc to meet your individual needs.
Tablet pcs are lightweight and are designed for students and business people alike. With their wireless capabilities tablet pcs are great for checking emails and keeping important files and information at your fingertips.
Tablet pcs on the market
* Hewlett-Packard offers a tablet pc that comes equipped with wireless options, integrated security and an outdoor viewable display. Battery life is up to 5.5 hours and an additional travel battery can be purchased for all day use. This tablet pc comes with a three-year warranty.
* Gateway offers a full bundle tablet pc that comes with USB keyboard, dock for a desktop, and DVD-ROM/CD-RW drive. It is a slate type model and comes with Windows XP Tablet PC software. Standard battery for this tablet pc lasts at least 3 hours. With a weight of three pounds this tablet pc is perfect for students or business people on the move.
* Toshiba is marketing a dockable tablet pc that combines a notebook pc with the versatility of the tablet pc. The fully rotating screen allows viewing in either the landscape or portrait orientation. This model of tablet pc is must for adding personal notes or diagrams to presentations.
Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com - By: Mike Singh

How To Recover Data Or Survive A Hard Disk Disaster

A hard disk drive (HDD, or also hard drive) is a fixed data storage device that stores data on a magnetic surface layered onto hard disk platters.
A hard disk uses rigid rotating platters (disks). Each platter has a planar magnetic surface on which digital data may be stored. Information is written to the disk by transmitting an electromagnetic flux through an antenna or read-write head that is very close to a magnetic material, which in turn changes its polarization due to the flux.

The information can be read by a read-write head which senses electrical change as the magnetic fields pass by in close proximity as the platter rotates.

Disk failure occurs when a hard disk drive no longer operates and the information on it can no longer be accessed by the computer.

This can happen for no reason at all or due to an external factor such as exposure to fire or water or High Magneticwaves or suffering a sharp impact
How seriously the disk failure is varies.

The most serious and well-known kind is the head crash where the internal read-and-write head of the device touches a platter or a magnetic data storage surface. A head crash normally causes severe data loss and, moreover, data recovery attempts may cause further damage if not done by somebody with specialized knowledge.

There are also controller electronics which occasionally fail. If that happens it may be possible to recover all data.

When your computer's hard disk starts to act funny, make sure that you have an up-to-date backup. Then you can prepare some simple diagnostics and possibly repairs. Both Windows and Mac OS come with built-in hard-disk utility software that scans your hard disk for errors and attempts to fix them.

This is what you can do for Windows Steps: 1. Double-click on My Computer to open the My Computer window. 2. Select the disk that you want to diagnose and repair. 3. Choose Properties from the File menu. You can see the Properties window for the drive that you selected. 4. Choose the Tools button. 5. Click the Check Now button under Error Checking Status. 6. Choose either "Thorough" or "Scan for and Attempt Recovery of Bad Sectors." 7. Click on Start.

Tools to recover data are various such as:

There is a Data Recovery Utility which examines your inaccessible hard drive for damages and corruptions and recovers the data back.

Hard drive can be recovered from Windows 9x / ME / NT / 2000 XP / 2003 disk recovery
Supports FAT16, FAT32, NTFS, NTFS5 file system
Provides data recovery from Formatted logical drives
Recovers data from Re-partitioned & Missing/ Lost Logical drives
Lost folder and deleted file recovery.

There is also a partition recovery utility available that helps you in recovering all your important data lost after accidental formatting, virus problems, software malfunction,and file or directory deletion. There are also easy to use FAT & NTFS Partition File recovery Utilities that examine your inaccessible hard drives for damages and corruptions and recover the data.

There are also systems which:

Provide Partition recovery from FAT16, FAT32, NTFS, NTFS5 file systems.
Recover deleted files/folders even after recycle bin has been emptied or use of Shift+Del key.
File recovery from deleted partition, lost partition missing partition or formatted logical drives.
File recovery from Missing or Lost folders.
Recognize and preserve long file names when restoring files & folders.
Multi-Disk Drive Support - Performs NTFS recovery on all IDE, EIDE and SCSI disk devices.

There is also software that recovers corrupt or lost data from floppy disks.

The software supports inaccessible floppy disk data retrieval, FAT, BOOT or ROOT area damaged situations, and rescues various corrupt files from a diskette. BadCopy Pro can recover data from floppy disks that Microsoft Windows identifies as "not formatted", "not accessible", or prompts you to format.

The software does not write data to your floppy disks, but saves the recovered data to a new file that you specify.
It can fix corrupted files on floppy disk.
It can restore damage to a FAT (File Allocation Table) or BOOT area of the disk.
It can repair damage to the ROOT area of the disk, so that files can be listed again.
It can erase Viruses on a diskette.

There is also software available that fixes corrupted or damaged Microsoft Word documents.

There is also a new product on the market; software that creates a Windows CD for you, and creates recovery files so you will not need to format to reinstall Windows.

It has been asked many times "I have Windows XP (or ME), how can I install Windows without having to lose all my files. I only have a Recovery Disk". Well it is really very simple, so long as you have a CD burner; or at least a second hard drive.

Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com - By: frank vanderlugt

Is Your PC Crowding Your Desk?

When your PC eats up almost the entire space in your computer table, it’s time to have a little re-organizing. Desktop computers, especially those bulky CPU’s and monitors could eat up quite a space which could be a room for other essentials such as folder stackers, telephone or fax machine. Nowadays, bulky personal computers can be really heavy to the eyes, especially since in today’s technology, the adage, “bulk is out, thin is in” is the mainstream.

Let’s start with your computer table. Its size may vary depending on your design. It may be wide enough to accommodate two “bulky” PC sets, or it could barely hold one, and you don’t have enough space left for the keyboard or the mouse.

First things first, remove all unnecessary files, folders, papers, trash, coffee mugs and saucers, ashtrays, etc. on your desk. Clear the area. Your computer table should be just that, a computer table and not a hodgepodge of everything else. However, top designers say that there are some essential things that should be within reach (especially for an office desk).

The telephone, for one should be within reach. Some very important and frequently used documents could be stacked inside an upright holder which can cover only a little space and is still within reach compared to when just piled up on top of the table.

However, if the area is already clear, but you can still barely fit a small pen holder on top of it, you should think of getting yourself a bigger desk or… a new set of personal computer.

Super space-saving computers have flooded the market nowadays. Try checking out flat monitors to replace your old, bulky one. Have your CPU re-designed or buy one of those small and slim tower CPUs. Small and compact keyboards are also available, reducing the size of a regular keyboard to almost a half.

And, if you do not have a place to slide your mouse in, try using a trackball mouse. That way, it occupies just that small space and you don’t have to glide it across a wider area.

Or have all of those pieces in one super sleek laptop notebook. People on the go prefer to have a laptop which they can take along whenever and wherever they go. And nowadays, laptops are not at all far behind in terms of technical capabilities vis-?-vis PCs.

It is always a good thing to see a clear and organized computer table. It would compel one to work well, without the mess adding up to the already full and cluttered working brain. And, admit it, it’s nice not seeing those bulky gadgets anymore. It helps ease the heaviness in the mind as well.

Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com - By: Ismael Tabije

How To Buy A Printer

A Lot of people tend to just go cheap when buying a printer, but in the long run it can end up costing you more. Even though Ink jet printers might be inexpensive up front the cost of replacement ink can drive up the overall cost over the time of ownership.
You know what I am talking about, some times the ink is more than the printer was.

Check the prices of the ink cartridges of the printer you are considering and find out how many pages each cartridge will print. Once you figure out approximately how many pages you will print per month, you can determine the cost of the printer plus ink over the course of a year. Consider getting individual cartridges if you know you'll need one
color more than others--for instance, if many of your documents have a red logo or if you print mainly black and white.

Manufacturers very often list faster print speed specifications on their packaging than we see when testing performance. A typical ink jet printer can produce two to four pages per minute of text and one full-page, 8.5-by-11-inch photo or graphic in two to three minutes.

Some color ink jets can print photos at a level that approaches the quality of a professional photofinisher. If you plan to use your printer primarily for photos or graphics, look for models that are built for that. If you plan to print mostly
photos, look for photo printers with features such as a built-in PC Card slot, an LCD panel that allows you to view and print an image without using your PC, and bundled image-editing software.

If you print mainly text documents, consider buying an inexpensive black & white laser printer. These printers provide superior text quality compared with high-end ink jet printers. Some monochrome lasers cost as little as $200, making them a good deal for
home users. If you need to print a lot of text and high-quality graphics, buying a good photo ink jet printer in addition to an inexpensive monochrome laser printer could save you money on ink and maintenance costs in the long run as opposed to buying an ink jet to do it all.

Many monochrome lasers come with optional ethernet ports for networks. If you plan to use the printer with one PC, don't pay the extra money for an ethernet card.

Color laser printer toner cartridges are the most expensive consumable you can buy for a printer, but their yield is so much higher than an ink jet cartridge that, in the long run, color laser toner is less expensive on a per page basis.

If you're not running a graphics department but still want to print color, you'll most likely choose an ink jet printer, which can create beautiful graphics at a tenth of the cost of a color laser. However, keep in mind that the inexpensive price of an ink jet is quickly surpassed by the cost of replacement ink.

Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com - By: Gregg Hall

Overclocking your Processor

Overclocking, which was once the domain of power users and high-end gamers, has now gone mainstream. It’s true that overclocking might prove to be a shot in the arm for your CPU. However, if things go awry, you could well have a fried CPU.

There are scads of information regarding overclocking on the Internet. But sadly, most of the websites tout overclocking as a walk in the park, misleading users by concealing the associated risks. A computer novice, unaware of the risks involved, may set out to overclock the processor based on some advice he got from such a website. This really makes me cringe. Is the whole process of overclocking a no-brainer?

In simple words, overclocking your processor requires an alteration in the hardware settings in order to make it run faster than the manufacturer’s specification. The ideology is that the manufacturer’s ratings are a result of stringent trials and tests performed against the CPU. Then onwards, the CPU is tagged with a particular clock frequency at which it can take up substantial workload on a regular basis without malfunctioning. This clock rate is often a notch lower than the maximum a CPU can sustain.

PC enthusiasts perceive this as a windfall, and try to breach the frequency barriers set by the manufacturers. This can be a viable option for CPUs which can be easily overclocked, since some CPUs have better overclockability than others. But in general, overclocking your processor can be a risk-prone endeavor.

Overclocking is also employed by a few unscrupulous component resellers. They overclock a processor, falsely remark it as a high speed processor, and then onwards sell it at profit. Major brands like Intel strive to curtail such swindling acts. Intel has employed a mechanism called CPU locking, where the clock multiplier is set to a permanent value. Therefore, overclocking your processor, especially if it’s an Intel product, is a bit harder than usual.

A point to be noted is that Intel’s CPU locking mechanism has much to do with unscrupulous vendors rather than end user overclocking. But at the end, it looks like you might have to seek out other means for overclocking your processor.

Let’s say you really want something extra from your existing CPU, but you are on a shoestring budget, and the best possible option is overclocking. Even if you opt for overclocking your processor, you need to take a few precautions, lest it can be a real bummer for you.

The conventional heat sink and CPU fan won’t do much good, since an overclocked processor dissipates a lot more heat. If not dealt with properly, you could face frequent hang ups, system crashes and random reboots. Though a rarity, your processor could also suffer permanent damage. It is recommended that you install an effective cooling mechanism for your overclocked processor, such as water cooling or Peltier cooling. Also ensure that you possess a computer case that enables proper ventilation for an efficacious cooling.

What I have presented here might appear dissenting to a few overclocking zealots, but it’s the truth. I suggest you carry out some basic research before you plan on overclocking your processor.

Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com - By: Nicholas Spriggs

What Computer Do You Prefer?

Which do you prefer - laptops or desktop computers? A laptop is a portable computer small enough to use in your lap. A desktop computer is a personal computer small enough to fit in a workspace. Both have their positive and negative qualities.

For example, because they don't require bulky cables or multiple plugs and outlets, laptops are extremely convenient if you have to travel or constantly move from one place to another. And since they're so small, they don't take up as much space as a desktop computer - a desktop computer can take up the entire top of a small desk! If you have a laptop and choose to resell it, you'll get more money for it than if you resold your desktop computer. Desktop computers lose resale value while laptops increase their resale value.

Unfortunately, the easy portability of laptops makes theft a lot easier than with a heavy and bulky desktop computer. In addition, laptops are harder to repair. A laptop can be repaired only by its manufacturer - regardless of its warranty.

Desktop computers, on the other hand, are much faster, inexpensive, and operable than laptops. Multimedia is much more enjoyable on desktop computers than on laptops, and desktop computers can be easily upgraded. Plus they're easier to repair than laptops - either by their manufacturer, the store from which they were purchased, a friend, or yourself!

But in situations where you need to use your desktop computer away from your workspace, you can't!

Some people find solace in owning and using both laptops and desktop computers. In this case, laptops play the roles of large floppy disks - used to receive transferred files, modify files away from the main computer, and then transfer those files back to the desktop. This is an excellent solution for those who need to show a multimedia presentation miles away from home.

Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com - By: Tamara Williams

Extend The Life Of Your Laptop Battery

If you are the owner of a laptop computer, you know how frustrating it can be when you are working on the laptop and your battery is low. If you are constantly on the go, it is sometimes difficult to find a place to plug in your computer to let it recharge. There are a few things that you can do to help you take care and extend the life of your laptop battery.

General caution should be observed when running the battery of your laptop. A laptop should be plugged in to the AC adaptor whenever possible. This will ensure that your laptop battery is always charged and ready to go when it is needed. Another tip is to not expose your laptop to extreme weather conditions, especially very cold temperatures. A cold battery will run much slower than one that is warm. Also, try not to use your laptop for long periods of time without recharging the battery. This can cause information to be lost if the battery sudden stops working.

When using your battery on your laptop, remember use as little power as you can by adjusting the settings on the laptop. This will make your computer go inactive when not in use for a certain amount of time. Adjusting the power setting is easy if you go into the control panel and set the display time. It is also possible to adjust the brightness of the screen display to help the life of the laptop battery. Remember to turn programs off that you are not using. This will waste battery usage quicker. Also, running movies and videos will quickly drain the battery charge.

When using your laptop battery you will want to make sure you check the battery charge frequently. Charge your laptop as soon as you see the battery getting low. Whenever you can, plug in your computer. It is a good idea to always plug in your computer so that it is ready to go. Also, take care of your battery. It is important to clean the laptop battery and keep it free of dust and debris. Using canned air or a cotton swab on a regular basis can do this. The battery will run longer if it is cleaned frequently.

Another tip is to have an extra battery on hand. These are easily purchased. Have at least one fully charged at all times for a quick battery change. Some laptops can run with two batteries. Most laptops are also compatible with external batteries that can easily be added and changed when necessary. Battery charges that work in the car are also good options for anyone taking their laptops on trips. Also, if you are purchasing a new laptop computer, consider buying a smaller, lightweight version. These are more efficient and are able to run longer on a battery charge than the larger laptop versions. Following these basic tips can help extend the amount of time your computer can run with a battery.

Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com - By: Dave Klein

Locating The Perfect Laptop Computer

Laptop computers are the perfect choice for people on the go. They offer all of the features of a desktop personal computer with the added benefits of portability. There are many kinds of laptop computers to choose from. When choosing a new laptop computer, look at the battery size, the memory and the physical size and weight of the computer.

When looking at new laptop computers, one thing you should consider is the battery size. All laptops come with a rechargeable battery. However, each laptop is different. Some batteries are designed to last longer than others. In general, a laptop computer battery will only last around two hours before needing to be recharged. As the computer ages and the battery gets older, the battery capacity will decrease. After approximately 1,000 charge and discharge cycles, the battery can no longer hold a charge. This usually equals about three years of normal laptop use. If you do not use the laptop often, the battery will become ineffective in about four years. If you plan on using the computers’ battery over plugging the laptop into the wall, the best piece of advice is to look for a laptop that has the largest battery life. Also, it is recommended to keep the laptop computer plugged in when possible so the battery does not constantly have to recharge itself. A second battery can also be purchased to use when the first battery runs out of charge.

Memory size is another key factor in choosing laptop computers. Memory size also varies from laptop to laptop. The amount of memory you purchase will depend on what you are using the computer for. If you need to store a vast amount of information on your computer or need to store pictures or video, you will need a larger amount of memory. Most new laptop computers come with a large amount of memory space already installed. Look for a minimum of 512 MB of memory. If you will need more memory space, check to see if the new laptop you are purchasing comes with expansion slots for more space.

Consider the weight of the laptop computer before purchasing. Laptops come in different sizes and some weigh a lot more than others. If you travel frequently or have the need to carry your laptop with you all day, consider a lighter weight laptop computer. Beware though, that while the laptop may be lighter, some of the components such as the AC adapter may not be included on the spec listing. Also, some of the ultra-light laptops do have smaller keyboards and screens, some only measuring 12 inches. Any laptop computer with a screen more than 15 inches can be difficult to carry. Consider the weight of the laptop when it is placed in a carrying bag, too. This will also add to the bulkiness of traveling with your laptop.

Other considerations to make when purchasing your new laptop are added features such as WiFi access, brand name and warranty. Most laptops come with a one-year warranty. An added warranty may be a good idea to protect your purchase.

Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com - By: Dave Klein

How Computers Add - A Logical Approach

We looked at Number Systems and counting (see It's a Binary World - How Computers Count) last time. As a quick refresher, we saw that computers are made up of many units of 0 and 1, the binary system. 1 is the highest digit possible so numbers in the computer are stored as for example 1010 or 10 in decimal. We also saw that these binary numbers can be seen as octal (8) or hexadecimal (16) numbers - in this case 1010 becomes 15 octal, or A hex.

You probably realise that the 'standard' PC code is in 8 bit bytes taking the hex system a stage further. You may also know that processors, and Windows software that runs on them, have progressed from 8 bits to 16 bits to 32 bits to 64 bits. Basically this means the computer can work on 1,2, 4 or 8 bytes at once. Don't worry if this is all Gobbledegook, you don't need it to understand how computers add!

OK now to the Math - cringe time! It's a little more complicated than last time, but if you think logically, like a computer, realising they are really dumb, you will sail through it!

We take a break here to look at a bit of math you may not have heard of - Boolean Algebra. Once again it's really simple, but it shows you how a computer works, and why it is so pedantic!

Boolean Algebra is named after George Boole, an English Mathematician in the 19th Century. He devised the logic system used in digital computers more than a century before there was a computer to use it!

In Boolean Algebra, instead of + and - etc. we use AND and OR to form our logic steps.
For example:-

x OR y = z means if x or y is present, we get z.
However,
x AND y = z means that both x and y need to be present to get z.
We can also consider an XOR (eXclusive OR).
x XOR y=z means that x or y BUT NOT BOTH must be present to get z.

That's it! That's all the math you need to understand how a computer counts. Told you it was simple!

How do we use this logic in the computer? We make up a little electronic circuit called a Gate with transistors and things, so we can work on our binary numbers stored in a register - just a bit of memory. (And that's the last electronics you'll hear about!). We make an AND gate, an OR gate, and an XOR gate

When we add in decimal, for example 9+3 we get 2 'units' and carry one to the 10s, giving 10+2=12

Remember the binary bit values in Decimal 1,2,4,8 etc? We start at 0 then 1 in the first bit position, the 1 bit. If we add 1 + 1 binary we have to end up with 10, which has a 1 bit in the second bit position, and a 0 in the first, giving Decimal 2+0=2. This second bit position is formed by a CARRY from the first bit.

To make an adder we must duplicate with a logic circuit the way we add in binary. To add 1+1 we need 3 inputs, one for each bit, and a carry in, and 2 outputs, one for the result (1 or 0), and a carry out, (1 or 0). In this case the carry input is not used. We use 2 XOR gates, 2 AND gates and an OR gate to make up the adder for 1 bit.

Now we go another step, and forget about gates, because now we have a Logic Block, an ADDER. Our computer is designed by using various combinations of logic blocks. As well as the adder we might have a multiplier (a series of adders) and other components.

Our ADDER block takes one bit (0 or 1) from each number to be added, plus the Carry bit (0 or 1) and produces an output of 0 or 1, and a carry of 0 or 1. A table of the input A, B and Carry, and output O and Carry, looks like this:-

With no Carry in:

A B c O C
0 0 0 0 0
1 0 0 1 0
0 1 0 1 0
1 1 0 0 1

With Carry in:

A B c O C
0 0 1 1 0
1 0 1 0 1
0 1 1 0 1
1 1 1 1 1

This is known as a Truth Table, it shows output state for any given input state.

Let's add 2+3 decimal. That is 010 plus 011 binary. We will need 3 ADDER blocks for decimal bit values of 1, 2 and 4)

The first ADDER takes the Least Significant Bit (decimal bit value 1) from each number. Input A will be 0, input B will be 1 with no carry - 0.

From the truth table this gives an output of 1 and a carry of 0 (3rd row). BIT 1 RESULT = 1

At the same time the next ADDER (decimal bit value 2) has inputs of 1, 1 and a carry of 0, giving an output of 0 with a carry bit of 1 (4th row). BIT 2 RESULT = 0

The next ADDER (decimal bit value 4) has inputs of 0, 0 and a carry of 1, giving an output of 1 with no carry - 0 (5th row). BIT 4 RESULT = 1.

So we have bits 4,2,1 as 101 or 4+1=5.

It seems like a laborious way to do it, but our computer can have 64 adders or more, adding simultaneously two large numbers billions of times a second. This is where the computer scores.

Next time we will get to how a computer performs more complcated operations, and it's simple!

Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com - By: Tony Stockill

What is Computer Hardware?

What is Computer Hardware?

Computer hardware is the physical components of a computer, whereas the data and computer files are referred to as the computer software. The computer hardware is called this because it is not often or easily changed, unlike the software, which is updated and changed frequently. Home computers usually consists of several hardware components, including the motherboard, which holds the central processing unit, and the RAM. Personal computers also consist of power supply, which holds a transformer, fan and voltage control, as well as video display, computer device controllers, which connect to things such as scanners
Or printers. You’re computer hardware also consists of the CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, floppy and hard disk drives, a sound card and a modem for online dial up connections.

Hardware also consists of several independent pieces, which include the keyboard, the mouse, gaming devices such as joysticks, web cameras, scanners, printers and speakers. These are the parts of the computer hardware that you are probably more familiar with. Computer hardware is designed with performance in mind, but also focuses around weight, appearance, size, reliability and power consumption.

Computer Hardware continues to evolve at an exponential rate. Scientists are constantly trying to improve on various types of computer hardware, in hopes that one-day computer will be small brain implants. If this sounds too far fetched then think again. We already have the ability to control electronics by electronic brain impulses alone. If you think about it, the brain is really just an organic computer. Our memory is like a hard drive and our synapses are like the circuitry of a motherboard. I believe that one-day computers will be living organisms, mini brains in a box with 3d displays and completely controlled by our thoughts. Until then, enjoy the hardware you have!

Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com - By: Bart Samuri

7 Tips For Buying Cheap Laptop

Laptops are gaining in popularity these days. Almost everyone is carrying one now either for work or entertainment. Laptops with the latest technology are introduced to the market everyday and these new laptops come with a huge price tag. However, that does not mean you cannot get a good and cheap laptop. I have put together a guide that may help you out in your hunt for a cheap and good laptop.

Buy cheap laptop with older technology

Rapid advance in technology makes it meaningless to buy the latest technology at a high price. When laptop with wireless capability first came to the market, a unit with this technology can cost up till US$2500. NOw after 2 years, you can get a relatively fast centrino laptop for less than US$1000

Buy used or refurbished laptop
The depreciation of a laptop value is so high, that after one year in the market, a laptop can easily lose half its value. So if you are looking for a cheap laptop, look for one which is close to one year old. Not all used laptop are in bad condition. You will be surprised to find that some used laptops are still in good condition because their owners are power users or gamers.

Buy laptop from power users or gamers
I like to buy electronic gadgets including laptops from hard core power users or gamers. Let me share with you why. Gamers or power users usually require the latest and most powerful technology to run their games or power hungry applications. They often will not settle for second best. They also have the tendency to chase after the latest technology. So after one year, they will be bored of what they have and will look to sell off their laptops so that they can buy a new one. Now if you are looking to buy cheap laptops with up to date technology and you happen to have friends who are gamers, do ask them if they are looking to sell off their laptops. Who knows, maybe you can buy a good and cheap laptop from them.

Scan through gaming forums and local gaming community
if you do not already have friends who like to play computer games, then scanning through gaming forums on the internet is another way to get good and cheap deals for used laptop. Internet makes it easy for you to do this. Go to google.com and start searching for gaming forums. Visit each and everyone and see if they have a Trading Section. You will definitely find many post from gamers looking to sell their gaming laptops.

Scan through local bulletin boards
Do scan through local bulletin boards near you for cheap deals on laptop.Especially if there are software companies around the area. Software companies do offer their used computers or laptops for sale when their software projects end. I personally had gotten a few good deals for my family and friends.

Look for cheap laptop with at least 512mb memory
This is especially important for used laptop. If the processor speed is slow, then having more memory can compensate for the lack in speed. In fact, The size of memory plays a big part in determining how fast a laptop runs an application. Just by increasing the memory size, you can see a huge difference in speed. A cheap laptop with at least 512mb memory can run most non graphic intensive application easily.

Get cheap laptop from reputable manufacturer
This is very important because if you are buying used laptop, then the chances of requiring servicing is higher than a new laptop. So if you buy from a reputable manufacturer, you will save alot of trouble and time if your laptop do require servicing.

Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com - By: Charles Wee

What To Do When System Hangs?

One of the thing windows is infamous for , is system handling. Everyone has had a run in with the Antarctic PC ( A frozen system) one time, or another. The problem is that this is one of the most complicated problems to solve. Almost anything can make a system stop responding- faulty hardware, software, drivers, etc., and with the sheer amount of hardware and software loaded on PCs today, it virtually impossible to prevent. However, if this happens too often, then you know you have a problem at hand.
The first thing you need to make sure of is that all devices are installed properly, with up-to-date drivers. Open the system Properties Device manager , and check the yellow exclamatory marks. These signify improperly installed devices. Reinstall the drivers for that device, or just remove it and check if the system has stopped hanging.
Check your system for a virus. Make sure that your anti-virus definitions are up to date, and use the through scan option to scan your system regularly.
Certain badly written programs can be memory hogs, and refuse to release the memory they had used. This leads to more and more memory being used, until the system is unstable and crashes. Update your Os and with all the Latest patches. Also, upgrade all applications and get all the available patches.
Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com - By: ravi chamria