Troubleshooting Tips for New Monitors - (February - 2009)

Here is some basic trouble shooting tips for new monitors:

1. The picture does not appear
   • Check to make sure the signal cable is firmly connected in the socket.
   • Check to see if the computer system's power is ON.
   • Check that the Brightness Control is at the appropriate position, not at the minimum.
2. The Screen is not synchronized
   • Check to make sure the signal cable is firmly connected in the socket.
   • Check that the output level matches the input level of your computer.
   • Make sure the signal timing of the computer system is within the specification of the monitor.
3. The position of the screen is not in the center
   • Adjust the H-Size, H-Phase or V-Size, V-Center controls.
   • Check if the signal timing of the computer system is within the specification of the monitor.
4. The screen is too bright or too dark
   • Check if the Brightness or contrast control is at the appropriate position, not at the maximum or minimum.
   • Check if the specified voltage is applied
   • Check if the signal timing of the computer system is within the specification of the monitor.
   • Especially, check the horizontal frequency.
5. The screen is shaking
   • Move all objects that emit a magnetic field, such as a motor or transformer, away from the monitor.
   • Check if the specified voltage is applied.
   • Check if the signal timing of the computer system is within the specification of the monitor.

Buying a Computer for Dummies, 2005 Edition

Dan Gookin, «Buying a Computer for Dummies, 2005 Edition»
For Dummies | ISBN: 0764576534 | 2004 | PDF | 332 pages | 5.85 MB

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CPU, Ghz, Mhz, DIMMS, RAM, ROM, AGP, ISA, PCI, USB, CRT, LCD, NIC, CCD, CIS, DP, Kbps. What do all of these acronyms mean? Are you baffled by computer technology and technology? Intimidated by computer salespeople who grimace or grin when you say “gizmo?” Buying a Computer For Dummies 2005 Edition gives you the ABCs of buying a computer. You don’t have to be able to talk tech; you just have to know what you want and how to get it. This guide turns evaluating the mind-boggling options into a simple five-step process, complete with software and hardware worksheets to help you pick a computer just for you.

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Notebook (Laptop) Purchasing-A few tips-Jokhio Salahuddin

Notebook (Laptop) Purchasing-A few tips-Jokhio Salahuddin

Everyone has a notebook or a laptop now. Before embarking on a notebook buying agenda, however, a few pointers will help you in the right direction. The first thing to decide is on the size of the screen. Generally speaking, notebooks which are thin and light will have 11“ to 13“ display screens. Sometimes they may be 14“ but that will come in the category of main laptops.

The usual notebooks do not have an optical drive as the drive takes up more space, carries more weight and consumes more power. Battery life for these notebooks is usually 5 to 8 hours. The larger screen notebooks have a 14“ to 15“ wide screen displays and some even have a 17“ display screen almost encroaching on the desktop replacement category. The thin and light ones weigh 5lbs or less while the heavier ones vary from 5lbs to 9lbs.

Most thin and light notebooks will have 1GB of memory but this renders the notebook just about functional. later on it is possible to upgrade it to 2GB later on your own. However, you have to make sure that the notebook has a 1 GB module already installed along with a free memory bay.

Sometimes to cut cost, these laptops will have two 512MB modules installed which would entail purchasing two 1GB modules and replacing the 512MB ones. This becomes quite expensive. The 512Mb modules are still available but they will make even the most tasks very slow. Also, you have to be technically able to open up your laptop to install the module. Therefore, it makes more sense to go in for a 2 GB one straightaway even tough it may cost a bit more.

Thin and light notebooks have dual core processors which are power-efficient. This means that they will not operate at the fastest rate possible to save power. A core2 duo T-series processor is there in most mainstream and desktop replacement laptops. This, though more expensive than the AMD Turion processor offers better value for money.

While choosing a notebook, there is no need to be picky about the hard drive but it should have enough space for your storage needs. Laptop hard drives usually max out at 200GB which is more than sufficient for most users but there are a few laptops having two hard drive bays accommodating up to 400GB storage.

As far as graphics are concerned, it really depends upon the user of the notebook. Some laptops offer integrated cards which are power-efficient. These are not too powerful and can barely function as DVD playback. The thin and light ones normally have this card. Some may be better for media playback and the occasional gaming but they are not suitable for long term gaming.

With the exception of a few laptops, most of the notebooks come equipped with an optical drive. The normal choice for such a drive is the DVDRW type which can burn discs and movies and create backups.

The operating system comes with Vista though XP is still being offered by some companies. If using XP, a 512 MB is absolutely imperative, if 1GB cannot be got. Regarding Vista, a 1GB is a must though a 2GB is naturally the preferred memory.

Notebooks are constantly being upgraded and there are laptops offering biometric security features which are especially useful for business travelers. Buying a notebook need not be a daunting job if the concepts are clear.

How to Install Hard drive-Jokhio

How to Install Hard drive-Jokhio

DECIDING ON A NEW HARD DRIVE

Installing a new hard drive is a pretty simple task and the actual install only takes a few minutes to complete. The first thing to be done in this process is purchase the new hard drive and make sure that it is compatible with your system this can be done by consulting your motherboard manual and your operating systems guidelines on what hard drives are compatible. You then must decide what storage capacity your new drive must have and any other factors including price you feel you should be taken into consideration when making the purchase.

PEPARING FOR THE INSTALL

Once you have purchased your new hard drive it is time to prepare for the install. I recommend first installing any software that came with your drive. Once this is accomplished it is time to think about safety. First power off the machine (I also recommend unplugging the tower from the power source.) Now remove the cover so that you can access the inside of your system. Usually it only takes the removal of a few screws and then lifting off the side panel to open the unit, however some machines differ from this rule and you may even need to remove a front portion in order to open the case. Either way once the case is open attach your antistatic bracelet if you have one if not continuously touch the metal outside edges of the case to expel any built up static electricity. This will prevent any sensitive components inside your machine from being damaged.

SETTING JUMPERS (Only for IDE)

Basically setting jumpers is how you configure the drive you are about to install. It is used to document and set the drive to its proper settings, for instance if the new drive you are going to install will be the only device on its IDE channel then it needs to be set to single-drive configuration. For a drive that is the first of two it will need to be set as the master of the IDE channel, and for a drive that is second on the channel it will need to be configured as the slave. Most often diagrams of the jumper settings will be included on the top of the hard drive case. If not you can find this information in the documentation accompanying your new drive. Once you understand how to set the jumpers you can grab a pair of needle nose pliers and set the jumpers for the configuration of your drive.

INSTALLING THE NEW DRIVE

First look for an open drive bay usually these bays are located at the front of the tower. If you are replacing an existing hard drive then it is probably best to insert your new hard drive in the bay that your old drive is currently occupying. Unscrewing a few screws and removing the old drive will allow you to access the bay to insert the new drive. However if you are planning to add the new drive while still retaining the old one it is a good practice to keep an open bay between the two hard drives. The actual mounting of the hard drive differs from case to case some bays are removable and you can remove these and then insert the drive for others the bays are stationary and require you to mount the drive inside the case. Either way the process is not difficult whether you have removed the bay from the enclosure or not the rest of the process is still the same and that is insert the hard drive in the bay being careful to line up the screw holes and then insert the screws. Once the screws are snuggly in place it is time to replace the bay if you previously removed it.

CONNECTING THE CABLES

From here we want to connect the cables. Depending on the type of drive used you are going to need to attach either an IDE cable or a SATA Cable to your new hard drive. If you are using IDE and replacing an existing hard drive all that is to be done is connect the Cable your old hard drive was using to your new one. However if you are adding a new hard drive while retaining the existing one you can either connect both drives to one cable or to separate cables. For performance reasons I suggest using two separate cables if possible. The primary IDE cable (most likely the one you were already using) should be connected to the fastest drive and the secondary cable should be connected to the slower drive. From this point ensure that the cables are connected properly to the connectors on the mother board if using IDE cables these are big black connectors and pretty hard to miss. Refer to the Drive and mother board manuals for locating these connectors if you are unsure about their location.

AFTER THE INSTALL

Now that the hard work is done the only thing left to do is close back up your system, plug it in, and turn it on to verify that the new hard drive is working properly.

That’s it you’re all done, not so hard after all right!