Hardware | WindowsTalk.org

Dec

Incomplete Or Obsolete: When To Buy A New Computer

by Guest Post

Have you looked at your computer and realized that it isn’t fulfilling all of your needs? It isn’t as peppy as it used to be, and you are wondering if maybe it is time to move on. Maybe your computer is OK, but you would love a new one that has all the latest gadgets and technology.

What Are Your Needs?

If you are just looking for something that will allow you to read your emails and visit your favorite sites, you don’t need anything fancy. There is no need to spend hundreds of dollars on a new laptop or a Tablet. It would be cheaper and easier for you to simply download a new version of your web browser, or clean out the cache every so often.

However, if you are a serious gamer, or you do most of your work online, you should certainly be upgrading every couple of years. You want to be able to stay connected wherever you are, and make sure that you have the memory capacity and the fastest Internet connection available.

Tech Savvy

If you don’t know what an app is, you don’t need a computer that allows you to sync with your smartphone, or to buy a new Tablet. It won’t be any use to you if you don’t know what it is you are buying. A simple laptop, or any computer with a keyboard and Internet connection should be fine.

For those who do know what a smartphone is, or enjoy reading books on their Kindle, it could be a good idea to buy a newer computer that can have those multiple functions in one device. The new Kindle Fire from Amazon will cost less than 200 dollars. A good computer can be both new and cheap at the same time.

Budget

Even if you want the latest technology, your financial situation could dissuade you from buying a new computer. While a new laptop, PC or Tablet could cost as little as 400 dollars, that could still be a lot of money in this economy.

In that case, simply downloading updates to your current computer should keep you going until you are ready to buy that new computer. For those who desperately need the latest technology, you can always use your phone as an Internet/app device.

So, should you upgrade, or buy a new computer? Upgrading is recommended for anyone who simply needs to use email and to visit the Internet every so often, doesn’t know how to use the newer technology or simply doesn’t have the budget. However, if you have the money and the know how, a new computer is always a good investment.

If your computer is grinding to a halt, freezing up, has constant error or is just generally too old, it is probably time to update, talk to Austin computer stores. Austin have 6 stores across Perth, so there’s bound to be one close to you, and each store has a service centre for any future upgrades or repairs.

Categories Hardware, Technology, The Desktop Experience
Comments (19)

Dec

Are You Lazy With Your Laptop?

by Guest Post

As I sit here writing this post on my laptop, I am trying to do everything in my power to stop myself falling into the trap of the kind of person I am about to describe. In fact, I am slowly starting to realise that, despite my criticisms, everyone is guilty of being lazy with their laptops in one way or another. Laptops were designed to improve the productivity and efficiency in our everyday lives. From razor thin laptops promising us the personification of cutting edge technology to notebooks packed with clam shelled charisma, enabling us to work whilst enduring those claustrophobic commutes; we owe a lot to our laptops.

Unfortunately though, we’re all human and some of us have that unruly gene causing us to take things for granted. Olympians, scientists, Beyonce… they all have far superior chromosome construction to the rest of us mortals and probably don’t fall fail of the technological slobbery we’re accustom to. So take comfort in the fact that if you’re reading this, you’re probably part of the majority. So sit back, balance that laptop carefully on the corner of your armchair, stuff your face with food and comfort eat your way through a few home truths.

Ask Yourself, Are You Guilty Of The Following:

Your Desktop Is Full Of Files

If your desktop is starting to look like a communal trashcan of Microsoft Office documents, you’re falling at the first hurdle in laptop maintenance. Modern laptops are meant to save time, and having a desktop full of files means you’re wasting hours of your life hunting down what exactly it is you’re looking for. It’s the equivalent of owning an office full of filing cabinets and filing your paperwork under the carpet. Just stop it. Now.

You Never Move Your Downloaded Files

I bet you’re too scared to even look in your downloaded files folder because you can’t face the fact that one day, you’re going to have to filter through all of those .exe files and PDFs and actually find something you were meant to file somewhere safe. Tut, tut. Get into the habit of removing all of those installation files after you’ve installed the software. It’s not hard. Oh and if you’re going to download Katy Perry songs illegally, at least make an effort to file them away somewhere appropriate. Such as the recycle bin.

You Leave Your Laptop At Home

It’s 8.27 and you know you should have left your house at 8.15. You rush around in and out of rooms, checking that that your hair looks pretty and that you’ve your keys and railcard. You peer knowingly across the room at your laptop sitting on the couch, just outside of its home, the laptop case. You quickly scan the room to see if you can spot the charger. You can’t. You then erase the last five seconds because you can’t be bothered to go through the process of finding your charger and putting the laptop in its case and then the agonising final step of putting the case in your bag. C’mon son. You could have got a head start by working on the train but now you’ll be late and have to catch up.

You Throw Your Laptop Away When The Screen Is Broken

At the first sign of visual disturbance you bury your head, instantly decide it’s an unsolvable problem and resign your laptop to a life gathering dust in a cupboard, or worse yet, you kill it off. This is what’s wrong with our generation. We need to learn how to overcome problems and not buy our way out of them. Ever had a spot between your eyes? Ever battled with a coldsaw on your top lip after a few heavy nights? We don’t just go and hang people because a few minor imperfections. Take your laptop to a specialist and see if it can be fixed, better yet, learn about how to fix laptops yourself.

You Torture Your Laptop’s Battery Life

You’re sitting watching X Factor on your laptop, draining both your soul and battery life simultaneously when a little pop up message informs you that you’ve got less than 20% battery life left. This is a common occurrence and you know that 20% will see you through at least five of Simon Cowell’s ‘darling’ fuelled escapades. Before you know it, you’ve sat through five Motown karaoke covers and another message pops up from your laptop, desperately informing you that it’s on its last legs and only has 5% of life left. Your laptop has thrown its last flare and yet you’re glancing across the room at the laptop charger, sitting just feet away. You can’t be bothered to lean over and put your laptop on life support and so instead you concern yourself with idiotic mathematics, trying to work out whether five per cent of battery life will be enough to last the last 10 minutes of the show. Your laptop charge runs out before the show ends, you close the lid, sigh and fall back asleep.

You Postpone Updates

Windows is giving you FREE updates to improve the performance of your laptop but rather unwisely they also give you the chance to postpone those updates for 10 minutes, or a few hours. You click 10 minutes because deep down you know it’s best to update your laptop and you’ll be done what you’re doing in a few minutes. Before you know it, those 10 minutes have passed and your laptop kindly asks again if you’d like to update. You’re addiction to looking at ninja cats on YouTube takes over and you feel you’re going to be there for a while. You postpone for a few hours and then repeat this process on a daily basis. Then you complain when your laptop is running slow. Stop moaning, get off YouTube and update. Simple.

When Everything Messes Up You Hold The Power Button Down

This is like overdosing on sleeping tablets when you can’t handle a week’s worth of washing up. Sort of. You’ve let problems build up on your laptop and eventually your computer can’t handle it and freezes. Instead of playing it cool and taking a look at task manager and your computer performance to see what’s happening, you hold down the power button and assume this will solve all of your problems. You’re wrong. You’re temporarily avoiding the real issue, and if your computer has crashed it’s likely to be something that will come back to haunt you at some point once again. Deal with it.

You Don’t Clean Your Screen Or Keyboard

You wash yourself every morning (hopefully). When your house is looking a little grubby you give it a spring clean (hopefully). So why the hell are you shouting, eating, spitting and coughing all over your laptop and just leaving all that bacteria, dirt and crumbs to breed, colonise and infest your screen and tracks between your keyboard? It’s disgusting. You’re not a 14 year old boy so grab the Domestos and some screen wipes and clean up your act. You’ll feel better for it and so will your laptop.

Free PC Speed & Security Scan

You Never Shut Your Laptop Down

How would you feel not sleeping for 7 days? A little tired right? Probably won’t be able to get things done as quickly? You might even crash and hibernate for days on end. You get my point. Rather than falling into the habit of constantly closing your laptop in a rush and never properly shut it down, get into the habit of giving it some sleep. Yes those 45 excruciating seconds of load up time when you switch your laptop back on are difficult to handle, but new laptops are designed to last, so start thinking of their long term health. Well done.

Scott is a writer who completed this post with 17% battery life remaining.

Categories Hardware, Technology
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Dec

Why You Should Not Attempt Computer Repairs On Your Own

by Guest Post

Many of us know the horror of finding out something is wrong with the computer. It is a horror like none other. After all, it is not uncommon to think of our computers as a natural extension of our everyday lives; we use them to interact with our loved ones, to shop, to take classes, to fulfill our job functions . . . these days it is hard to find any one aspect of our lives that is not affected by our relationship with computers. Unfortunately, computer repairs can cost a lot of money. When you consider the hundreds (or maybe even thousands) of dollars you spent on your beloved techno-friend, it may be tempting to try and cut repair costs by brushing up on your knowledge and attempting the repairs yourself. Whatever you do, do not give in to this temptation, or else you may find that your computer problems become much more than you’d initially bargained for. Here are some reasons why you should not attempt computer repairs on your own.

Guarantee. When you pay a shop to repair your computer, that repair should come with a guarantee (if you are smart and shop around for a reputable computer repair service). This means that if your computer is still not repaired after the job is done, you have the chance to either return for service or be reimbursed. However, when you attempt to repair your computer yourself, there is no guarantee on your work, and you could end up putting a lot more time into fixing problems that you created.

No room for error. Basically, if you break your computer, you have no one to blame (or pay for it) but yourself.

Warranty. By going into your computer, you automatically void the warranty on certain computer parts that are only guaranteed if they are handled by a professional. That means that perfectly good parts, in perfect working order, might need completely unrelated repairs down the line, but that those repairs won’t be covered by a warranty because you chose to open your computer with your own, uncertified hands.

Know-how. This is perhaps the most obvious, but there are so many people out there who seem to completely forget about this all-important fact: you are not a professional. You don’t necessarily have the skills or the know-how to repair your computer, no matter how many Google searches you do.

Sure, you mean well . . . but unfortunately, when it comes to repairing computer problems, it is not the thought that counts. Your computer’s health is a big deal. Don’t risk its health care on an amateur.

About the Author: Bernardo Sartorius loves working with computers. He has done plenty of repairs for those who have attempt to do a recover partition project or install hardware without help. Treat your computer with care and it will last quite a while!

Categories General, Hardware
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Dec

What You Need to Know about Processor Speed

by Roger Corwin

Processor speed is one of the most important factors to consider if you are going to buy a computer. Various types of processors exist, some made for laptops and others for desktop computers. Using the overclocking method, a processor can be made to run faster than it was originally intended to.

The processor speed or clock speed determines how fast the computer will perform operations and computations. Speed is measured in hertz. It is frequently referred to as the CPU (central processing unit) speed.

Clock Speed Measurements

Computers run at very high frequencies, so megahertz and gigahertz are used to express their speed. A single megahertz is equal to one million cycles per second. The gigahertz is equal to one billion cycles every second.

If a computer is advertised as running at 2.4GHz, it means the processor can perform 2,400,000,000 cycles per second. A computer that runs at 800MHz can do 800,000,000 cycles every second.

Multiple Cores

Majority of today’s computers have dual core processors. What this means is that separate processors can function in parallel. Dual core processors are common but there are also triple and quad processors available.

Types

There are several types of processors. Some are designed for desktop computers, while others are made for laptops, mobile devices and notebooks. Manufacturers will make different processors. For example, Intel makes the Celeron, Pentium and Core processors. Each one is a processor family with many variants.

AMD produces their own processors: the Sempron, Athlon and Phenom. AMD uses the Radneon processors for notebooks. Intel uses the Celeron and Core processors for laptops.

There are many other types of processors available. A processor is made for a specific computer (i.e., upgrade, built from scratch or pre-assembled).

What is the Socket?

The socket contains the processor. Both the socket and processor are on the motherboard. There is no standard socket design; it usually changes when the processor is modified. Some socket designs can be used with other processors.

Others cannot; once you change the processor, the socket has to be changed too. In some cases, you have to replace the motherboard too when upgrading the processor.

Overclocking and Processor Speed

Overclocking is a method used to increase the speed of the processor. This is attained by increasing the speed of the motherboard bus. The voltage of the power to the CPU is also increased. This will make the computer run faster. However it produces more heat. Overclocking may damage some components.

Overclocking first came into being during the early 1990s. It was a complex process. One had to open the computer casing and switch jumpers on the motherboard. The jumper positions determined the bus speed. By changing them, the computer would be forced to operate at a higher speed.

Today it is much simpler. You just have to reboot the computer and go to the BIOS settings. There you’ll be able to change the bus settings.

While processor speed is important, so is the Random Access Memory (RAM). If you are going to buy a computer, you need to look at the hard disk, video card and other components too.

Categories Hardware, Technology
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Dec

How to Clean My Computer

by Roger Corwin

If you’ve noticed that your computer has been acting a little slow and you’ve run every antivirus and antispyware program you own but can’t find anything wrong, you may want to take a quick look to see if there’s dust visible anywhere in your PC case or laptop. Dust you can see is an indication that there is dust that you can’t see, which is very likely clogging fans and vents and causing your computer to heat up and may very well be the cause of your computer woes. Keyboards with keys that “stick” or are difficult to press are also an indicator that you need to clean your computer. Following these steps will have your computer clean in no time.

Required Tools and Materials:

Soft bristled paintbrush
Lens cleaning cloth
Air duster (can be found at any computer accessory store)
Anti-static cloth
Phillips screwdriver
Small rod

Step One:

Unplug the computer and disconnect all peripherals (speakers, mouse, keyboard, printers, etc.)

Step Two:

Starting with the monitor, wipe all peripherals of the computer thoroughly with the anti-static cloth. Set each piece aside or move through them in order so that you donâ€™t double up on dusting as there is more to come.

Step Three:

Using the screwdriver, remove one side of the CPU housing by locating and removing the 2-8 screws that secure it to the frame.

Step Four:

Use a soft bristle brush to dust the visible dirt inside the case. Be careful not to unplug any wires as you go along.

Step Five:

Locate the fans inside the CPU – there may be 2 or more depending on the model. Use a small rod to prevent the blades from moving; use the soft brush to dislodge any large dust bunnies. Then holding the air duster upright, blow a steady stream of air onto the blades to displace dust.

Step Six:

Wipe the inside of the CPU once more with the anti-static cloth to remove any dust that has now been dislodged. When you’re finished, close the case by putting the screws back in place.

Step Seven:

Use the brush to “sweep” the keyboard a few times. Turn the keyboard over and gently tap to remove any dust stuck beneath keys.

Step Eight:

Holding the keyboard at an angle, use the air duster between each of the keys.

Step Nine:

Wipe down all the parts one final time to remove dust that may have settled during cleaning. Reattach all peripherals and plug in the computer to the power outlet.

Step Ten:

Finally, use the lens cleaning cloth to gently clean the monitor, being careful not to press into the screen as you wipe.

Tips and warnings:

If you’ve never cleaned your computer before, there may be a lot more dust that you would think possible present inside. If you can, move the computer to an open space or even to a garage or outdoors for cleaning.
Do not use wet or damp cloths on your PC or laptop as water make get onto the delicate circuitry and could cause shorting out, loss of data and in some instances fires.
Do not use astringents (alcohol, acetone, etc.) to clean LCD or LED display screens as they may cause damage over time.
Touch the frame of the computer with both hands to dissipate any static electricity your body may have stored.

Categories Hardware, The Desktop Experience
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Dec

How to Upgrade a Video Card

by Roger Corwin

With graphics that are more realistic than ever, PC/ computer games have become more and more popular in recent years. To keep up with ever increasing graphics of these games, it is a good idea to know how to update a video card. An out of date card will simply not allow some games to run or may cause lag and distort images during game play. If you are experiencing any of these problems, the likelihood is that new video card would be the remedy. Game performance would improve as well as image quality. Many existing games will automatically lower their settings to accommodate older cards, but many of the upcoming releases simply require powerful cards or they won’t run no matter how much tweaking is done to the settings.

Do some research

Before going to the store and purchasing the newest video card, you have to be certain that your current system is able to support the card. Minimum video card requirements have increased and it may work out to be more cost effective to buy an entirely new computer than to upgrade an older system to where it would be compatible with a new video card.

Using a screwdriver, open your computer and check to see whether the card is an AGP or PCI Express card slot. Systems over two years old may still have AGP and upgrading the system might be best.

If the computer has a PCI Express slot, then you are one step closer to upgrading the video card.
You will also need to determine whether the computer has enough space surrounding the video card slot to accommodate a new card. Many include now cooling fans that double the height of the card. Check the measurements to ensure the card you will purchase will fit. The dimensions of the card will be online or on the box.

Check the power capabilities of the system

Increased graphics means a lot of power consumption. The power supply for your computer may not be able to handle the increase in wattage caused by a new video card. If this happen, the computer may randomly turn off during game play or may even overheat. The power supply will usually have the maximum wattage capability printed on the back.

Turn the computer around and have a look. Ensure that the card selected can be supported by the PC power supply. At the very least, you will need 350W but 450W and upwards are recommended for serious gamers.

Select a video card and install.

One steps one and two are complete, it is easy to shop for a video card. Online retailers list in detail the capabilities and compatibility of the cards so it will be easy to narrow down what it is you need.

Installing the video card

One the card has been purchased, this is the easiest part.
Shut down and unplug the computer
Open the computer case, and remove the old card. A Phillips screwdriver is only tool normally needed for this.
Plug in the new card and replace the screw that secures it
Close the computer case and plug in.
Turn the computer on and the new video card is ready to be used

Tips and warnings

Use an anti-static wrist strap when opening the case and handling the video card

Categories Hardware
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Nov

Will Windows Be Top Choice for Tablets?

by Guest Post

Most people are familiar with the iPad, the most popular and currently desired tablet in the entire world. This well-known device runs Apple’s iOS operating system. However, as 2012 comes, Microsoft will bring out their new tablets running a touch-friendly version of the Windows operating system.
According to a poll conducted by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) which surveyed both American and Chinese citizens, the Windows OS could possibly dethrone the current king of tablets. Results from both groups that participated suggested they would prefer running Windows on a tablet, beating the iOS by a decent margin.

Wireless Internet Providers Changing the Game

Specifically, 44% of Chinese consumers preferred Windows over 34% that preferred Apple. 42% of American consumers preferred the mobile version of Windows over just 27% preferring Apple on tablets from wireless internet providers.

A senior partner of the BCG, John Rose, says that this does not necessarily indicate that 2012 will see Windows emerging on tablets throughout the world, taking over as king of the tablet empire. It also does not indicate that these consumers would even purchase tablets with the Windows operating system on them. The results of the survey are strictly hypothetical.

The Boston Consumer Group survey also showed that the market for tablets is just about certain to explode within the next couple of years, even going as far to say that the number of people who own tablets in the United States is expected to be double what it is now by the year 2013.

Attraction the Focal Point

Rose states that instead of attempting to pull current Apple users from the company, the various tablets that will run Windows should instead focus on attracting people who do not already have a tablet. To put that into perspective, it is similar to the release of the Android operating system; Google established their self in a growing market and Apple did not have any significant loss in sales.

Free PC Speed & Security Scan.

It is perhaps also important to note that this survey occurred prior to the announcement of the Kindle Fire tablet, which then received an incredibly high number of pre-orders. The tablet by Amazon featured a fully-formed media marketplace with a price just low enough to attract a new audience. It is the epitome of what Rose means by a company making and promoting a tablet properly.

Is Windows Greater than Apple?
However, it is still very interesting that nearly half of the surveyed consumers prefer the Windows operating system over both Android and the iOS. Rose claims that it simply could be due to convenience and a familiar name instead of any real excitement of the platform.

Tablet PCs at Amazon

After all, many tablet owners greatly enjoy having integrated multi-device functionality, which has a prominent presence within the world of Windows devices. However, there is a huge functionality gap that Apple tablets do not currently have bridging to those services, and it might just lead to its dethronement as far as the tablet market is concerned.

Future Windows Tablet Release

As of now, neither Microsoft nor any of the hardware manufacturers with which the company is affiliated have mentioned any dates as far as tablets that use the Windows operating system are concerned, although the Build conference back in September — the conference when Windows 8 was announced — saw a few thousand Samsung prototypes given to developers.

Interestingly, the new Windows 8 desktop operating system shows a major emphasis on being touch-friendly. In fact, it is precisely the sort of technology that would work very well ported onto a tablet. However, the major question still remains with regard to whether or not a tablet with the Windows operating system could actually take over nearly half of the tablet market, putting a halt to the Android/iOS party that has been so prominent these past few years.

Blake Sanders is a writer of tech news and information at broadband comparison site Broadband Expert. Blake specializes in high speed internet as well as wireless internet providers and industry info. Note: Photo courtesy of buckaroobayvia FlickR Creative Commons.

Categories General, Hardware, Technology
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Nov

Setting Up a Computer Home Network

by Mitz

Back in the old days, setting up a computer home network was unheard of. Normal home computer users simply did not have the equipment that was needed to set up a home network. Nowadays I do not know of any household that has not got a computer and an Internet connection, however some people still feel that setting up a computer home network is still out of reach.

Setting up a computer home network is probably cheaper and easier than you think. Of course you will still need a few things to complete this task, however you most probably do not need a computer technician to help you.

More than one computer

Of course if you want to set up a computer home network, you will need two computers to do this. Otherwise if you only have one computer you might as well just simply connect to the Internet. Setting up a home network allows you to share files and resources with other computers in your house. For example you might want to share a printer by adding a network printer and having it available to all computers on your network.

Internet connection

When you are setting up a computer home network, it is obvious that you will need an Internet connection. All you have to do is phone up your preferred Internet service provider (ISP) and sign up for an Internet connection. They will usually supply you with a modem to connect to the Internet. At this point, if you are new and are getting an Internet connection for the first time, you should probably opt in for a wireless modem which will make setting up your home network easier later.

Computer home network equipment

Your computer at home network equipment will depend on your needs. I’ll will quickly list a few options available:

If you have a wireless router modem, you will not need a router. However any computer that wants to connect to this wireless Internet connection needs to have a wireless adapter fitted to it. For example most laptops have inbuilt wireless adapters, but desktops might need a wireless adapter card added to them. These components will pick up the wireless signal from the modem.
If you have a normal modem that is not wireless, and you do not have a router, you can still connect two computers to the Internet. This is done by connecting one computer through an Ethernet port any other through a USB port. In this situation, with a normal mode, you will need cables to connect both computers.
To make your connection wireless, simply by a wireless router to connect to your normal mode. This will convert your signal into wireless.

Therefore when setting up a computer home network is the computers will need a network adapter, or a wireless network adapter, depending on which modem you have.

Wireless Routers at Amazon

Quick steps to set up a home network

Let’s presume that you have a router and a modem and you want to connect to computers to the Internet. Hopefully you would have already installed network adapters into your computers, or maybe you have a laptop that already has a wireless adapter built-in.

The first thing to do is connect the router to your computer so you can access it to set it up. Routers have an IP address that you have to typing to your Internet browser in order to configure the router settings. There is a router network setup wizard that will run you through everything. When you are buying a new router you will probably even have a set up disk where every step is laid out for you. After configuring your router, it is then time to uncloaked it from your computer, and plug it into your modem.

At this point, providing your modem has an Internet connection, the router will as well. This means you can either plug computers in via Ethernet cords or if you have wireless, connect to them wirelessly. This will set you up a basic home computer network. Things get a little bit more difficult when you start to share particular files and set permissions.

My name is Mitz Pantic and I’ve been working with computers for over 25 years and love to teach people how to use their computers. If you need any more information about setting up a computer home network, I have hundreds of networking tips available for free on my website.

Categories Hardware, Technology
Comments (30)

Nov

How to Clean a Computer Screen

by Roger Corwin

If you are having trouble seeing the information on your computer screen or it appears excessively blurry, it may be because your computer screen needs to be cleaned. Here are some tips on how to clean your computer screen.

Required Materials:

A piece of soft cloth
A cleaner (this can be a monitor cleaning fluid, eyeglass cleaner or electrical appliance cleaner)

Instructions

Collect the items that you will use to clean your computer monitor. Normally, you will need a soft cloth and a cleaning dluid
Ensure that your screen is turned off (disconnecting it from any power source is also recommended).
If you are using a fluid product, spray a small amount directly onto the rag. For aerosol products, refer to the directions written on the can.
Avoid spraying fluids in close proximity to the screen’s ventilation holes.
Firmly wipe down the entire screen, and then use a dry rag (or a dry portion of your current rag) to thoroughly dry the screen.
If your screen still appears dirty, repeat Steps Three to Five until your screen is clean.
If the plastic around your screen is also dirty, you can use a plastic cleaner to thoroughly wipe it off.

Avoid traditional cleaning products made for glass and paper towels. Traditional glass cleaning products can leave streaks, while paper towels can leave dust.

If you are a cleaning a laptop screen, be sure to follow the instructions provided in your owner’s manual. Laptop screens are not made of glass, and if improperly cleaned, can be damaged to point of requiring a replacement.

Categories Hardware, The Desktop Experience
Comments (30)

Nov

Treat your Computer Right and Reap the Rewards

by Guest Post

A personal computer is a big investment. Depending on the brand and style you choose, you could spend a few hundred dollars all the way up to a few thousand dollars. Add in accessories and software and you could be looking at a large electronics investment for your home.

But once you get your computer home, is there anything you can do to make it last? Of course! Just like you use floor scrubbers and cleaning equipment to extend the life of your newly installed flooring, there are things you can do to extend the life of your new computer.

First things first, get an anti-virus program. The Internet is chock-full of dangerous viruses and data-mining worms via questionable websites, certain emails and downloads. Protect your computer before it is exposed to the World Wide Web.

A Clean Computer is a Happy Computer

Eating at your computer means a certain early death. Crumbs in the keyboard can invite critters into your home office that can chew on wires. But even without a third-party involved, food particles in and around your workspace can still spell trouble.

If your keyboard is weighed down with cracker crumbs or sticky from spilled soda, certain keys might not work correctly. You can use a keyboard cleaner or electronics duster to clean your keyboard.

Eating greasy things at your workspace and then touching the screen can mean a disaster for your eyes. Today’s monitors can no longer be easily cleaned with Windex and a paper towel. Flat-screens require special (and often expensive) cleaners. Fingerprints and smudges can do permanent damage if not immediately taken care of.

It’s All about the Updates

It’s easy for a computer to become outdated. Programs and software come out with new versions all the time. Taking the time to update the software on your machine will help make it last. If you’re multiple versions behind, your PC may run slower, but software updates are a much cheaper investment than a new computer.

It’s also relatively inexpensive to add additional memory to your computer. By adding an external hard drive, you can free up the space that is taken up by pictures, movies and music. By freeing up space, your computer will run just like the day you bought it.

When in Doubt, Scan

Anti-virus software won’t always catch everything. It’s easy for certain viruses and worms to slip through the cracks. Running a virus scan periodically will help catch anything that your software didn’t protect against. Many programs offer settings that will automatically run scans on a daily, weekly or monthly basis based on your preferences.

By catching these things early, you can minimize long-term damage to your computer. If you can’t troubleshoot the problem on your own, you can take your computer to a repair shop. Many big box electronic stores now offer technicians to assist with most computer issues.

Now that you know more about cleaning your keyboard and monitor, expand your horizons and consider learning more about cleaning equipment for your home like floor scrubbers. Guest post written by Shane Jones.

Categories General, Hardware, Technology
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Archive for Hardware – Page 3

Incomplete Or Obsolete: When To Buy A New Computer

Are You Lazy With Your Laptop?

Ask Yourself, Are You Guilty Of The Following:

Why You Should Not Attempt Computer Repairs On Your Own

What You Need to Know about Processor Speed

How to Clean My Computer

Required Tools and Materials:

Step One:

Step Two:

Step Three:

Step Four:

Step Five:

Step Six:

Step Seven:

Step Eight:

Step Nine:

Step Ten:

Tips and warnings: