A-Z Computer Solutions

M is for Memory

admin — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0000

In computing terms, the word ‘memory’ is generally used to refer to RAM (Random Access Memory). RAM is put on chips which are attached to the computer’s motherboard. The data a computer holds in RAM can be accessed very quickly but is often limited. Early computers, in fact, had as little as one kilobyte of memory. This compares with the current average memory for PCs of two gigabytes, with many systems having more than that. Memory is one of the contributing factors to speed. If a computer runs out of physical memory it will create virtual memory, which is located on the hard drive. This process is referred to as ‘memory caching’. The more a computer has to cache the slower it will run. Adding memory, therefore, increases system performance and is often a cheaper option than upgrading the processor speed. However, computers can generally only take so much memory before reaching a hardwired limit. Most modern computers also have subsidiary memory for sound and graphics, taking the burden off of the central memory and also improving speed. Applications have specific memory needs and most software manufacturers post system requirements including the amount of free memory a program needs to run well.

L is for License

admin — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0000

When you purchase a piece of software for your computer, what you are actually buying is a ‘license’ to use that software. This license normally comes with conditions on it, such as a single-user license or a ‘family’ license which can be for up to five computers. Businesses often purchase site licenses, allowing them to use as many copies as they need in their office. It is normal for commercial software providers to use DRM (digital rights management) to limit software to licensed purposes. Licenses generally ban copying the software and may disallow reselling it or giving it away.Additional information can be found at http://atrilife.wordpress.com/2011/09/07/license-or-contract-the-form-of-the-open-source-license/.

Some small, independent software companies may provide software under non-commercial licenses. These include freeware (you pay nothing), shareware (normally, the basic version is free, but you pay for extra features), donationware (pay only if you want to) and open source (which allows other developers to take their software and legally create their own version). The Linux operating system is perhaps the best known example of an open source license. The most common open source license is GNU, which requires that derivatives stay open source.

Software licenses are part of how software companies control their intellectual property and secure their income, and may be very open or extremely restrictive. It’s important to remember that buying software does not mean you ‘own’ that copy, only the ability to use it.

K is for (Computing) Kernels

admin — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000

A kernel is the main component of an operating system and basically controls everything that occurs in the computer system. When you turn your computer on in the mornings, the kernel is the first element that will load into the memory and stays there for the complete duration of your computer session.

A kernel has many duties within a operating system by mananging the jobs of the computer and the computer hardware. The kernel is responsible for the allocation of memory that allows computer software to run. Multiple programs running at the same time will fight for the memory and the kernel will decide how much memory can be used per computer program and if it needs to allocate for more memory. The kernel can tell if a faulty program is trying to interfere with operational programs and will correct this from happening. It enables the CPU to be able to multitask by how many jobs are out there to run at one time. If a program needs to use the network driver or other hardware, it recognizes this and provides this capability. A kernal does it all and if your computer crashes it really means that the kernel crashed.

U is For: USB Drive

admin — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000

If you’ve bought a laptop or researched wireless internet providers in the last few years odds are your computer’s got a USB drive. They’re useful for all kinds of things and we’d like to share a few facts for those who don’t know much about them:
USB is an acronym for the Universal Storage Bus interface which nearly all computers are compatible with. Most USB drives weigh less than 30 grams and are much smaller than their predecessors, floppy discs.
Drives primarily are used for connecting to computer systems but most are also compatible with other operating systems like DVD players, Xbox and Playstation.
IBM started selling the first commercially available USB drive in 2000.
Most USB connectors are built to withstand around 1,500 connect and disconnect cycles which should lapse the entire lifespan of most people’s usage.
USB’s are becoming increasingly commonly used as marketing devices: in pens, by themselves and branded as shaped items, companies are giving out functional USBs to help people remember their names.
USBs are currently sold that allow for data encryption to prevent theft.

E is for Efficiency

www.azcomputersolutions.net — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 17:54:42 +0000

If your computer is running slower than usual, it could be due to a number of different factors. One of the main causes of slow efficiency is program buildup. The more software you add to your computer, especially ‘background’ software that starts when you turn on your computer (like Quicktime or RealPlayer), the slower your computer will perform. You should only install software if you absolutely need it and trust the source its coming from. To check for unwanted startup programs, start your computer in safe mode by pressing F8 during boot up then delete unwanted services and disable wanted services from opening automatically by turning off the ‘run in taskbar’ option.To enhance system performance and eliminate slow efficiency due to program buildup, clean out your internet temporary files by going to tools, clicking options, then searching and deleting files ending in ‘.tmp’. To delete fragmented files, go to ‘my computer’ and run a disk defragmenter. This will make it faster and safer to retrieve files. To clean up your disk, go to Start/All Programs/Accessories/System Tools/Disk Clean up. If your computer is still unnaturally slow and your computer is only a few years old, you might want to try restoring your computer to factory condition. This will delete any files you’ve recently saved, so you’ll want to back up any important information on an external hard drive or USB drive. Restoration can be achieved by a few simple keystrokes during boot. Use this chart to determine when and how to restore your specific computer.Another way to increase efficiency is to add more memory. Though it costs money, increasing RAM will provide valuable memory space and stop slowing down your computer’s speed. If your computer still performs poorly, it’s possible it has a virus infection. Antivirus software is a must have, and having it will do no good if you don’t perform routine checks. Run your antivirus software’s full scan to identify and eliminate any viruses your computer may have. You’ll also want to make sure you have a spyware program in action.

D is for Disposal

www.azcomputersolutions.net — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 17:52:21 +0000

When the time comes to get rid of your old computer and replace it with a new one, you’ll need to be prepared for both digital and physical disposal. You’ll most likely want to transfer important files and other meaningful documents to your new computer. Use an external storage device, a USB drive, or a CD to save your old files, and then wipe your hard drive clean so personal and financial information can’t be accessed. If there is information that could be used by an identity thief stored on your computer, you might want to consider using a program that overwrites or wipes your hard drive clean repeatedly. Once you’re sure you have the information you want to keep stored in an external source and the data you don’t need erased or destroyed, it’s time to handle the physical disposal. You can benefit from selling, recycling, or donating your old technology.One way to rid yourself of your old computer is by selling it on eBay or Amazon. This way, you can make money to put towards your new computer and help someone else out at the same time. Be sure to be as descriptive as possible when detailing the information on either of these sitesif buyers don’t receive the product promised there can be serious repercussions. If you have no luck selling online or don’t want to bother with online sites, you can sell individual parts or whole items at junk sales, yard sales, Gumtree, or car boot sales. If you’d rather avoid the hassle of selling all together, give back to the environment by recycling your old stuff. Find a local recycling company online or look them up in the phonebook to learn about the recycling policies near you. Computers contain many valuable metals as well as some non-recyclable parts, so it’s important you personally contact a recycler instead of tossing it in a recycling bin. Some companies, like Dell and Fonebak, will do the recycling for you. A less literal form of recycling would be to giving away unwanted outdated technology to someone else who wants or needs it. Try checking out www.Freecycle.org to advertise anything you want to donate to someone in your area. You can also donate to homeless shelters, children’s shelters, or other charitable groups that serve the less fortunate in your area.

C is for Cookies

www.azcomputersolutions.net — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 17:50:08 +0000

Computer cookies are small text files that keep track of information entered at a website. For example, the first time you go to ebay and register, cookies are used as you click through the pages on ebay so you don’t have to reenter your information on each page. There are two types of cookiestemporary and permanent. Temporary cookies are stored in your browsers memory then deleted as soon as you close your browser, hence ending the session. Permanent cookies are stored on your computer’s hard drive and don’t delete once a browser is closed. They transfer a text file with a unique ID tag to your hard disk, matching a file on your server. Now, when you log into ebay three days later, your login information will still be displayed.For the most part, cookies are relatively harmless. Their main threat lies in their ability to be used as spyware. It’s a good idea to install an anti-spyware program that will warn you before entering a site with cookies. You can choose whether to accept cookies and how long you want to keep them. The reasoning behind the need for anti-spyware is a privacy concern. Many people don’t want to be tracked or want their personal information remembered by a third party site. More serious problems caused by cookies and spyware is the intrusion of malware, or malicious software. This includes viruses, worms, Trojan horses, and spyware that can cause harm and infiltrate your computer system without your consent.To delete browser cookies, open your internet browser, go to the ‘tools’ button on the toolbar, select ‘internet options’, go to the ‘general’ tab and look for the ‘delete cookies’ option. You might also see an option under ‘browsing history’ where you can delete cookies and other temporary internet files.

B is for Brands

www.azcomputersolutions.net — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 17:48:41 +0000

The type of computer you choose to buy depends largely on what you’ll be using your computer for. Different brands cater to different needs. If you need a computer for business, you’ll want a different computer than someone who needs a computer for graphic design or for leisure. Regardless of their specialty, here are the top computer brands in the US, in alphabetical order.

Acer: Acer computers come in desktops, laptops, and netbooks. They have special models specific for business, students, and leisure. In 2007, Acer acquired the Gateway line (focusing on design and style) and the eMachine line (great value and function).
Apple: This premium well known computer brand sells desktops (the iMac or Mac Mini) and laptops (the MacBook or MacBook Pro). Though more expensive, Apple’s Macs are great for graphic design, leisurely use, and for students. They use the Mac OS X operating system with has fewer problems with viruses and other malware than other operating systems.
Compaq/HP: One of the top tier computer brands, HP offers the Pavilion for mainstream performance in desktops and laptops, the TouchSmart for an all in one desktop, the HP Mini as a netbook line, and the Compaq Presario line for lower cost desktops and laptops.
Dell: Dell is currently the largest seller of desktops and laptops in the US. Their Inspiron line is great for students and pleasure, the Studio line is geared towards design and style oriented users, and the Studio XPS models are perfect for gaming systems and offer premium performance (Alienware systems are available for hardcore gamers). Dell also offers the Mini, a netbook series great for young users and easy transport.
Lenovo: As a former line of IBM, Lenovo offers the ThinkPad and ThinkCentretwo highly ranked business computers. They also have consumer lines that feature desktops (IdeaCentre) and laptops (IdeaPad).
Sony: These computers are known for their extra software capabilities including free Sony multimedia programs. They sell desktops, laptops, netbooks, and an Atom-processor-equipped system called the Lifestyle PC.

A is for Accessories

www.azcomputersolutions.net — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 17:35:26 +0000

Like every good outfit, a computer is only complete with the right accessories. If you think all you need is the standard mouse and keyboard that come with most traditional computers, think again. Here are the must have computer accessories.

An external hard drive: If something were to happen to your current computer and all of your fileswork documents, pictures, music, your son’s 20 page term paper due tomorrowwere no longer accessible. To prevent your precious files from disappearing forever, back up files you wouldn’t want to lose on an external hard drive.
A wireless keyboard and mouse: Whether you use a desktop computer or a laptop, a wireless mouse and keyboard can work wonders for your computer’s versatility. You can use them traditionally, or hook your computer up to your TV and surf the web from the comfort of your couch. We recommend the Logitech Cordless MX Duo Keyboard and Mouse.
Speakers: Sure, you’re computer came with standard working speakers, but if you’re looking to upgrade and like high sound quality there are way better speakers out there. We recommend the Audioengine 5 or 2, the Altec Lansing Expressionist Ultra MX 6021, or the M-Audio Studiophile AV 40.
A quality printer/scanner: There is a great selection of wireless printers and scanners available today that make it easy to transfer your on screen viewing into your waiting hands. The Lexmark Interact S605 prints, scans, and copies through the use of wireless technology and an integrated touch screen. The Samsung ML-2525W wireless laser printer is also a reliable bet.
A video camera and microphone: If your computer doesn’t come equipped with a standard built in video camera and microphone, you’ll want to buy one to stay up to date with the latest video chatting trends. Through Skype and iChat, people around the world are staying connected face to face through video chatting capabilities.