Computer Hardware and Software

<span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" >by : Infusionx</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Looking to buy a new desktop personal computer system? </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Owing to the changing nature of the PC Hardware industry and declining prices, it makes it all that much more difficult. Here come many of the basic items to examine when comparing desktop computer systems so that you can make an informed purchasing decision. Most PC Dealer bundle the configuration you require. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">A PC is made up of the CPU (Central Processing Unit or Processor, as we know) and the Mother Board (MB) on which it fits into. MB supports many other hardware, either inbuilt or add-ons. It has slots for RAM (usually called Memory) and for other cards such as Modem, Video-graphics card, Sound Card etc. It also has lots of ports to support input, output and storage devices, peripherals and what not.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">For Processors there are two basic choices, brand and speed. A lot of change is happening in the market. Both Intel and AMD are starting to produce dual core processors, but they aren't required for most people. Budget CPUs can be found around the 2.4 to 3.0 GHz (PR of 3000+ and below) range, mid-range at 2.8 to 3.2 GHz (PR of 3200+ to 3800+) and high-end processors at or above 3.4 GHz(PR above 4000+).</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Budget Processors: these are on the verge of phasing out but are good for low end purposes such as word-processing etc.They are AMD Athlon 64, AMD Sempron 64, Intel Celeron D 300 Series, Intel Pentium 4 (Socket T), Intel Pentium D 805 Through 820. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Middle Processors: This is the segment of the market that is probably the best overall value for your computing dollar.The range is AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ to 4600+ (Socket AM2), Intel Pentium D 900 Series, Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 to E6700. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Top of the Line Processors: This is the cream of the crop when it comes to processing power. If you absolutely must have the best thing out there for your new computer than this is what you want to look at. AMD Athlon 64 FX-60 and higher, AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ and higher, Intel Core 2 Extreme X6800, QX6700 and higher.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">RAM is important because to run your system optimally. The minimum of 512MB PC2100 DDR or PC2700 DDR RAM should be there even for budget systems. Though1GB of RAM provides much better performance. DDR2 PC3200 can be found on newer Intel systems. When buying memory, try to buy as few DIMMs as possible to allow for future memory upgrades if needed.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Hard drives is for storage. Most hard drives available now will provide you with more than enough storage. Look for atleast 80 GB 7200 rpm drive as the minimum. If you really want performance, look for drives with 8MB or 16MB of cache. Drives will either be Serial ATA or IDE but performance levels are roughly the same.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Optical Drives. Most systems, including budget systems, sold now feature multiformat DVD burners that can support both the +R/RW and -R/RW formats and 16x for the recordable speed as well as Dual or Double Layer media support. If you don't need a DVD burner, try to at least get a CD-RW/ DVD combo drive of 24x recording speed to allow for CD media storage and DVD playback.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Video Card</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Owing to rapid change in technology it is difficult to choose the right one. Card that supports DirectX 9 future capability, with 128MB of memory is the best. DVI connectors for digital LCD panels and multi-monitor support are the need of future. Otherwise there is wide range to fit your requirement. New systems should use PCI Express graphics cards over the previous AGP interface.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">External Connectors</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Many I/O devices, upgrades and peripherals to computers now connect through external interfaces instead of internal cards. Look for systems that have at least six USB 2.0 and one IEEE 1394 or FireWire ports. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Monitors</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Choose least a 17 inch i.e 1280 by 1024 pixels resolution monitor. Choice is between bulky CRT or Sleek LCD monitors. CRTs provide a wide range of capabilities at a good price. LCDs take up less desk space but cost more and have limited capabilities. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Software</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Goes with the PC are the set of software you require to work on it. Try only the reliable and widely used operating systems and software, anti virus solutions and firewalls. Not only the support is readily available, the Help (F1) is also handy. Microsoft offers most value-for-the-money readymade yet customizable solution. But assess your requirement first. Do not overload your system with unnecessary stuff. I t will be pain-in-the-ass every now and then. Oracle, Adobe, Sun Micro, Symantec, IBM etc. are also proving reliable solutions. You can go in for the custom made software, if security and confidentiality is your prime need.</span><br /></div><br /><h4 style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">About the Author</span></h4><p style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" class="ArticleText"><span style="font-size:85%;">JBO Solutions provides computer hardware, software and services to all types of customers. Find out how you can reduce costs and increase productivity by using JBO Solutions Products and Services at <a href="http://www.jbosolutions.co.uk/" target="_blank">http://www.jbosolutions.co.uk/</a></span> </p>

by : Infusionx Looking to buy a new desktop personal computer system? Owing to the changing nature of the PC Hardware industry and declining...

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When, Why, And How Should I Reformat My Hard Drive?

<span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" >Submitted By: <a class="biggerlink" href="http://www.isnare.com/?s=author&a=Timothy+Scheiman">Timothy Scheiman</a></span><br /><p style="font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">Sometimes we have no choice when it comes to reformatting your hard drive. Just make sure you understand that all your data will be lost unless you take the time to backup files you do not want to lose. This should only be done as a last resort.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">When should I reformat my hard drive? If your windows files are corrupted beyond repair or you have files missing and all your attempts to repair have failed. If you have a virus and all your attempts at removal has not worked. Another reason would be if your computer is infected with spy-ware to the point you cannot open Internet Explorer or your computer's performance has slowed considerably. Another reason would be if your computer will not finish a successful de-frag</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">Why should I reformat my hard drive? One of the biggest complaints I used to get when working with a clients computer was that it was so slow and it used to be a lot faster. Computers will lose performance over many months of use if it has not been de-fragged, multiple spy-ware infections, multiple virus infections, registry errors, files left after we un-installed programs we are not using. All these factors over time will slow your computer to a crawl. It would be a good idea when your computer is to the point that all your attempts to correct the problems have not improved the situation. If your at this point than its time you make preparations to reload your computer.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">How should I reformat my hard drive?</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">1. Before you can begin to reformat your hard drive you must try to backup any files you may want to keep. Keep in mind if your computer is infected so can the files your backing up be infected. Before you proceed with the backup process separate the files you want to keep into a separate folder. Any folders that contain files you want to keep you can drag and drop those into this folder too.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">2. Run a scan virus and spy-ware on this folder and make sure these files are not infected. Any files that cannot be repaired get rid of them.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">3. You can backup your folder easy if you have CDRW or zip drive. If you have a secondary hard drive you could just drag and drop those files into it. Just make sure you label your folder backup so you can find it easily. Many of you have songs and pictures you want to keep you can backup those too as long as they are clean from infection.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">4. Don't forget to backup your history and bookmarks folder if you do not want to los that information. Take inventory of all items you want to keep and put them in this folder and scan them. This should keep your losses to minimum.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">5. Your computer manufacturer would have given you a restore CD and driver CD. You should have least one of each depending on the manufacturer you may have more than just two. If you cannot find your CD's or they are damaged you can get replacement from your computer manufacturer for nominal fee. It is a good idea when you first take your computer out of the box to put the CD's in a safe place. You can also make backups of them so if they become damaged you don't have to buy replacements.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">6. If your computer came loaded with Windows XP it is very easy to reformat your computer with the CD. Do not copy Windows over Windows always delete the partition when it prompts you and create a new partition. The next step it will ask you to format the drive and it completes these steps easily for you.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">7. It will than run Windows setup and load XP back onto your computer.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">8. If your computer is older and your running Windows 98/ME the process is basically the same except depending on your computer manufacturers restore disk you may have a some different steps. You may be required to reformat your drive with a DOS boot disk. Consult your manual for instructions.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">9. Your computer manufacturer also supplied driver disks and possibly applications disks. Once Windows is loaded you would use your driver disk to load the applicable drivers you need to operate your computer efficiently. Once all your drivers are installed and working correctly you can install any applications.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">10. Your computer manufacturer bundled some trial applications with your computer that the licenses have expired putting those back on at this point is not necessary. You do not have to put on any applications you are not using. If your not using them just save the space for other things.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">11. Now you can put the backup folder you created back on your computer. Once you have accomplished that you can drag and drop the files and folders into their original positions over writing any folders Windows created.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">12. Now you would install your virus and spy-ware program and make sure you can get on the Internet.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">13. Once your on the Internet do not do anything else until you have done all the windows updates. This is critical so you get your browsers security updated. Install any service packs and make sure your Windows firewall is activated.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">14. Run any virus definition updates and spy-ware updates.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">15. This process make take several hours to get everything up and running but it is important that you do this so your computer operates efficiently.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">If you have completed all the steps congratulations you just reloaded your computer and your ready to go.</p> <script type="text/javascript"><!-- google_ad_client = "pub-8542272527121315"; google_alternate_ad_url = "http://www.isnare.com/adsense-alt-728x90.php"; google_ad_width = 728; google_ad_height = 90; google_ad_format = "728x90_as"; google_ad_type = "text"; google_ad_channel ="8710800197"; google_color_border = "F5F7FB"; google_color_bg = "F5F7FB"; google_color_link = "0000FF"; google_color_url = "3E3F43"; google_color_text = "3E3F43"; //--></script><br /><div style="font-style: italic; font-family: arial;" id="authorbio"><p style="padding: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); width: 100%;" class="text"><span style="font-size:85%;"><b>About the Author</b>:<br /><br />A+ Certified Technician with many years experience in the Computer Support field. <a href="http://pcxpress.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" title="http://pcxpress.blogspot.com/">http://pcxpress.blogspot.com/</a></span></p></div>

Submitted By: Timothy Scheiman Sometimes we have no choice when it comes to reformatting your hard drive. Just make sure you understand that...

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