What Are the Main Components of a Computer System?

Posted on May 14, 2011 by Admin



We all know that computers are complex devices, machines made out of an amalgam of electronic parts and components. But which computer components are essential for a computer to run? Modern PCs can still function fully without Bluetooth or a floppy disk drive. Here is a list of computer components that a computer system cannot do without.

* Motherboard

The motherboard is a very basic unit in any computer system. This is the computer component to which all other internal computer components are attached. It links all the other main components of a computer system together. Consequently, motherboards are sometimes referred to as the “heart” of a computer system.

* CPU

The central processing unit or CPU is the computer component responsible for running programs and applications on the computer. Without a CPU in your computer, you will not be able to do any tasks — you cannot boot to an operating system, you cannot play music, videos and games, and you cannot do any word processing. For a computer to function, it has to have a CPU.

* RAM

Random Access Memory or RAM is another vital computer component. It is the storage media where a computer temporarily stores files and information that it can pull at random when running programs and applications. Together with the CPU, RAM determines the computer’s speed. A computer with a large RAM and a mediocre CPU can actually run faster than a computer with a powerful CPU but low RAM.

* HDD

As opposed to the RAM, the hard disk drive or HDD stores computer files and data long-term. Even without power, the hard drive still retains the files stored inside it. The hard drive can store important system files like the operating system, program files and other data. It can also be used to store mp3s and videos. If the computer runs out of RAM, it will temporarily use the hard drive as a virtual memory bank.

* Video Card

A video card allows a computer to display images on the computer monitor. It helps speed up the rendering of images onscreen and contributes to clearer and detailed pictures. PC gamers and multimedia software users will find a high-end dedicated graphics card helpful in running graphics-intensive programs smoothly.

* PSU

The power supply unit or PSU supplies all computer components with power. It converts the high voltages from an AC power outlet to lower voltages that are safe for internal computer components. Without a PSU, a computer and its components will not be able to power up.

A computer can also benefit from an optical drive to read and play CDs and DVDs, a network card and router for connecting to the Internet, and peripheral devices such as printers and scanners. The motherboard, CPU, RAM, HDD, video card and PSU are, however, the main components that make up a computer system.

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Free Computer Pets

Posted on May 14, 2011 by Admin



Free computer pets are virtual animals – they exist on your computer, but they allow you to have fun and play with them just like you would with a normal pet. You also need to take care of them and feed them, and over time you will watch them grow up.

There are many different kinds of virtual pet, including traditional animals like dogs and cats, and more exciting animals like dragons and unicorns. It’s up to you which animal you choose, and it will also depend on the service you choose, as each and every one has its own range of features. Just do a quick internet search to see if you can find a service that looks good to you.

Virtual pet websites are extremely popular, as kids and adults all love to interact with and take care of their own animals. The great thing about doing this online is that you can also meet a lot of interesting people – the other users of the website. You can meet their pets, complete challenges, and even earn virtual money to spend on items for your pet.

There are many different services providing free computer pets. Some will be available to download to your computer, whereas others will require you to be connected to the internet to play – meaning you’ll have to login regularly to check up on your pet. The one you choose will depend on the kind of pet you want, and the features that are provided. The great news is that you can try these services for free.

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Best Computer Virus Protection Reviews

Posted on May 13, 2011 by Admin



If you are looking for some quality computer virus protection reviews then you have come to the right place as in this article I will share a personal review of what I believe is the best computer virus protection software available.Now if you query the phrase ” best computer virus protection reviews ” then you will end up with a couple of million results of which all reviews will claim that their product is the best.So the question is then why should you believe me? At the end of the day you can read as much as you want but it is ultimately going to come down to which computer virus protection application works best on your operating system in terms of safeguarding it and effectively removing infections.

I personally use a computer virus protection program called Xoftspyse which has remained the number one selling spyware and computer virus protection tool on the popular affiliate promotion website Clickbank.The 2 main reasons why this product has been so successful is because of the fact that it has a very easy interface which requires no additional configurations before performing scanning and allows for signature database updates to help combat newer infections.To add to this an average scan takes about 30 seconds to complete after which you will be given a complete breakdown of the different malware, virus, adware and spyware infections on your system along with their risk levels.

Now this program is also great because it does not sit in system memory and use up large amounts of resources like many others and only comes into action when you want it to.Additionally, if you ever have any worries or questions about its features you can always contact the customer support at Pareto Logic and they will give you a prompt reply.

So with all this in mind it is ultimately up to you to decide what the best tool is for the job once you have read different computer virus protection reviews.If you would like to try out this popular program and scan your computer now please visit the link below for a direct download.

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My Windows Computer Keeps Crashing – How To Troubleshoot This Problem and Fix It Yourself

Posted on May 13, 2011 by Admin



If your windows computer keeps crashing before it reaches the startup screen there can be several reasons for this. What you may see is that the computer appears to start normally. Then when the windows start screen appears your computer will crash and restart again and the same thing will keep happening with your computer going round in a loop.

There can be several reasons for this.

#1 Your computer is attempting to start from an incorrect source

Make sure you have ***** inside the CD-rom drive that your computer is trying to start from. Some types of CD will cause your computer to lock up or freeze or just keep restarting. Also ensure you have USB storage devices connected to your computer when it is starting up.

#2 Defective memory

There is a possibility the memory or RAM in your computer is faulty. Instead of buying new memory you can run a quick check to determine if the memory is the problem. If your computer has more than one memory stick in it, as most do, you can do this. Remove one piece of memory and turn your computer back on to see if it starts normally. If it doesn’t do the same thing again with the other memory stick. Ensure you remove the power completely each time you do this.

#3 There is system or registry corruption on your computer.

Windows can still run even if there are corrupt files or registry entries. If the corruption keeps increasing though your computer will start to slow down dramatically as it struggle to cope with this and eventually will start crashing.

To determine if this is the case can be difficult and the problem could even be hardware related. If you have carried out the above steps there is a fast way to check if this is the problem. One easy way to tell is if you are constantly seeing registry error messages in windows, but this may not happen. The easiest way to tell is to save time and download a system and registry scanner from the internet. This will scan through the windows registry in minutes and determine if there are errors here. It will then do the same for windows files as well.

To be able to this if your computer is constantly restarting you need to start it in safe mode. To do this turn your PC on and press the F8 key before windows starts. From the start up options that appear select safe mode with networking and download a system scanner and run a full scan.

#4 You may have a virus or malware on your computer.

With the amount of viruses and malicious software constantly increasing it is very easy for your computer to become infected. All it takes in some cases is for your antivirus to de disabled for a few minutes and your computer will become infected quickly. To find out if your computer is infected do the following. Start your computer in safe mode using the steps above. Then start your antivirus software. Carry out a full antivirus scan and ensure there are no viruses. Present. Once you have done this run a full system and registry scan with a system scanner. This will check for malware that your antivirus software cannot find. Follow these steps if your windows computer keeps crashing and fix it yourself quickly.

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Steps To Add Security to Your Computer Running Windows

Posted on May 11, 2011 by Admin



Computer security is important, but a lot of people will have to pay a price that is too high if they fail to protect their systems and identity from hackers. Here are few steps to keep your computer system secure and to find an antivirus program that will not break the bank.

Do not download anything from random websites

Downloading smiley’s from pop ups, free music from some unpopular website, software from a random source or opening a link attached with spam emails that say you have just won a lottery can cause you more harm than just virus attack. Your accounts can be hacked and identity and credit card info can be stolen. BE CAREFUL and download reputable anti-malware program from a source you trust.

Use antivirus protection

Antivirus software is your system’s best line of defense against any obtrusive file or program that may comprise of malware, spyware or any malicious application. To get complete computer virus protection it is significant to choose virus removal software that suits your needs most. To get maximum benefit from your antivirus software, choose a virus removal program that provides cloud computing options.

Keep firewall protection on

Present in most operating systems, a firewall is a necessary tool that keeps websites and third parties from hacking your personal private information and keep you safe in your daily activities online. You can also save the files you have stored on your computer. Apart from this, a firewall also keeps you secure from any third party downloading files to your computer without your knowledge.

Monitoring your e-mail

Have you ever got an e-mail saying “you have just won a lotto or Mr. XYZ has left you a huge amount of money”. E-mails are the main source to transmit viruses and spyware into your computer system. It is important to use virus protection software that offers both online and offline protection. Make sure to always scan check your attachments even if it is from a trusted source to save yourself from potentially harmful scripts and files.

Whether you are unable to spend a large amount on antivirus protection or want to spend that amount on some other feature for your PC, free antivirus software can be a good choice that can provide you both savings and protection from viruses. Do not give online hackers a chance to use your identity and personal information to benefit themselves. Download a free antivirus program from a trusted site today!

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Computer Suddenly Slow – My System is Slow, How Can I Fix It

Posted on May 10, 2011 by Admin



Have you been wondering – “Why is my computer suddenly slow?” This probably happens to most of us at some point. What was once a very fast computer can suddenly become bogged down and act sluggish. Well my first recommendation when asking “why my system is slow”, is to not automatically assume you need to get an upgrade or buy a new system. This is the biggest mistake I see folks make. They trash their current computer and spend hundreds even thousands on new equipment.

Well it is very possible to fix a suddenly slow computer. You can even make your computer run like new. What you need to do is perform some speed tweaks to fully optimize your system.

Why is my computer suddenly slow

o You have too many startup and other programs running in the background. What this will do is eat up valuable RAM. Many of these programs run silently and can cause sluggishness without you knowing. Cut down on these programs by using the MsConfig command or installing software to get rid of them for you.

o Not utilizing the disk clean up and defragmenter. Microsoft recommends you run each once a month to maintain system performance. What these do is clean up valuable space and speed up the way your computer accesses information. You can run these programs yourself or use software to automate the process for you.

o Too many errors and corrupt files in the registry. The Windows registry is the most important area of your computer when it comes to performance. It controls information to run all software and hardware on your system. Unfortunately it also gets congested with errors and corrupt files which will make your computer suddenly slow.

If you are sick of asking why my system is slow, then perform these three tweaks to speed up your computer. You can attempt to do them yourself, or if you are lazy like me simply download software to do it for you.

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What to Do When Your Computer Shuts Down by Itself

Posted on May 9, 2011 by Admin



Whether you use your computer for work or for pleasure, you would undoubtedly want it to run smoothly. One of the most distracting things that can happen when you are trying to use your computer is for it to shut down by itself. Your computer shutting down by itself can actually be indicative of a severe problem, and you need to make sure that the damage doesn’t go any further. This article will tell you what to do when your computer shuts down by itself.

If you are using a computer rather than a laptop, you might find that the issue is a simple case of a problematic power source. Did something happen to the outlet, or does the power cord seem less well-seated than it might be? Take the time to find out the exact cause. This is something that can tell you a lot, especially if the problem escalates to a point where you’ll have to consult a technician.

Another thing that you will want to note is whether there are any symptoms that go along with your computer shutting itself down. Write down any errors that you might see, or any messages that may be displayed after your computer goes on the fritz. You will find that this can help you narrow down the likely cause. Remember that when you are dealing with this issue that you should always make sure that you are using your ears as well as your eyes. Is there any rattling or any beeping sounds coming from your computer? Do you notice that the fan might be working at double or triple the speed that it usually does? Does the computer itself feel hot? Could your computer’s cooling fan be malfunctioning and causing overheating and automatic shutdowns?

At this point you may be wondering if it is a software problem. This is most likely if your computer shuts itself down and then restarts itself. If this is the case, take the time to check out your computer for viruses. Update your anti-virus program, unplug your computer from the internet connection and then run the anti-virus in safe-mode. You will find that this is a great way to go ahead and get your computer clean.

When you are looking to see what happens when your computer shuts down by itself, remember that you might also have to deal with a hardware problem rather than software. You will need to take added precaution if your computer starts shutting down by itself. The truth of the matter is that hard drives can crash and sometimes, you will find that they cannot be recovered. When your computer crashes and cannot be brought back online, you may find that a new hard drive is necessary. This is a fairly common situation, and the truth is that there is usually no good way to guard against it, so make sure that you take the time to safeguard and backup your data.

If you find that your computer shuts down by itself, take the time to really think about it and to make sure that you are getting the results that you need. It is very important get your computer needs taken care of! Now that you know what to do when your computer shuts down by itself, you can take the necessary actions to prevent future recurrences, if any.

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Computer Locks for the Security of Computer Systems

Posted on May 8, 2011 by Admin



Computer security locks provide entire security to the computer system from any kind of unintentional damage or intentional theft. There are various security locks available such as tower computer locks, computer security cables and laptop computer locks.

While running common applications and Windows, your PC also silently operates an enormous number of tasks, behind the scenes as well as in the background. These silent or the invisible processes or tasks often trims down the processing power of you PC consuming huge amounts of memory. The booting time becomes lengthier and the performance diminishes to the extent where your PC gets extremely sluggish.

Various other background processes create a direct security threat, which interrupts or cause decisive damage to your computer. Destructive background processes like the viruses, warms and spy ware infects almost ninety percent of the computer with the Internet connection.

On the other hand, the hardware of your system might also get damaged such as scratches on the desktop and theft of the system. Thus, computer locks or computer security locks are very important in order to keep your system away from any kind of damage both internally and externally.

In order to secure your system and its software there are several computer locks available, they are:

Tower computer-locker: The tower computer lock is crafted from superior quality steel, coated with the powder coat finish in order to give it a professional yet attractive look and desired computer security locks. The tower computer locker is locked by two chrome plated zinc alloy cam security. The authorized personal could easily access with the key within a fraction of seconds. This locker is available in three sizes small, large and extra large.

Desktop computer-locker: The desktop computer-locker is made from a high quality of 16-gauge steel. This locker for desktop is coated with a powder coat finish for an attractive as well as a professional look. The solid construction of this computer security lock guarantees that the computer security lock will resist even the most indomitable efforts of the thieves and protects your PC from damage. This computer locker protects your system from unintentional damage by the employees and the maintenance personnel. This locker is available in four sizes including small, medium, large and extra large.

Mac-mini enclosure: It offers one of the greatest levels of external theft preventions obtainable. It locks the Mac-mini to a rigid object devoid of restricting functionality. For a formal and stylish look, this locker is coated with a powder coat finish. The two-piece unit consists of a cover and a base. The base safeguards the desk along the working surface, internally situated and flat-head screws. Once the Mac-mini is placed into the base, the cover is placed over the base. This cover is made with an 18 gauge steel.

Laptop locks: The laptop computer lock is locked with the one chrome-plated alloy of zinc cam lock. This laptop lock is available in one single standard size and is made up of 16-gauge high quality steel. The solid design of this lock ensures prevention from any kind of unintentional damage and intentional theft.

In addition, various kinds of computer cable locks are available such as combination security cable 1, computer cable lock X2, computer cable lock X1, computer cable lock X5, computer cable lock 3, keyed PC Case Lock. Each computer cable lock offers perfect computer cable security be it a conventional screen computer or a flat screen system. These security cables are a perfect solution for those PC possessors who need to secure their systems, yet maintaining their budget.

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Computer Addiction Symptoms

Posted on May 8, 2011 by Admin



You may ask yourself “What are the symptoms of Computer Addiction?” The answer is: “They can vary according to the extent of the addiction”. For instance, some people may be only addicted mildly to the internet and computer, therefore, they display little nor no symptoms other than the constant desire to be using the internet or computer.

On the other hand, those suffering from severe computer addiction may display a variety of symptoms, some of which can be hazardous to health. There are some symptoms of acute computer-related addiction outlined below with a brief description of each.

*Mood swings and irritability when not at the computer.

One of the first, and the most pressing signs of computer addiction is when the person shows anger, irritability and mood swings when not at the computer. Very often, all lifes’ situations become insignificant and they feel they must get back to the computer. The person seems to be completely preoccupied and focused on nothing else other than getting back online or back to the computer. If the person displays this sort of symptom, then it is a sure sign that this person is completely addicted to the computer.

*Showing signs of a lack of interest in offline activities.

This is a huge indication that computer addiction has taken hold. A computer addict may totally ignore their offline friends in favor of forming online relationships. It could even reach the extent that they sever relationships with their family as well. This is one of the most tragic symptoms, and when this happens, the computer addict needs to seek professional help as they are showing severe computer addiction symptoms.

*Loss of sleep and the abandoning of commitments to spend time at the computer.

This has a drastic effect on the health of a computer addict. They will often lose all track of time and will stay up all night to be at the computer with little or no sleep. They rarely go outside for fresh air and sunshine which will obviously affect their health. Another tragic computer addiction symptom is when the sufferer abandons their commitments to work, school, college, study and family to favor computer time. The abandoning of commitments will have a long-term effect on the life of the sufferer. Loss of their job, poor grades and failure of courses.

*Not eating balanced meals and lack of personal hygiene.

A person suffering from computer addiction, will very often miss meals. This is because it takes time to prepare a proper meal, time which would rather be spent at the computer. A computer addict will often favor snacks, fast food and soda. Another thing to bear in mind is the fact that a severe computer addict will not spend time for their ablutions. Again, these fundamental actions take time and some important conversation or a bad guy on the game who needs to be watched and could be missed if the addict were completing his or her ablutions.

*Lack of concentration and motivation for anything other than the computer.

The lack of motivation for any sort of activity outside of the computer environment. Computer addiction will cause lack of concentration, which could be very dangerous for those operating machinery or driving. This could have an obvious tragic effect on theirs – and others – health.

Sadly, these computer addictions are obviously very dangerous and should serve as a dire warning to the family and friends of addicts that the person needs to seek professional help before they crawl deeper into a virtual reality world with disastrous consequences. All these symptoms are due to computer addiction.

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The 5 Best Computer Buys of 2009

Posted on May 6, 2011 by Admin



I recently decided to buy my father a new computer (his was a dinosaur). Like most people in the market for a new computer, I wanted one that didn’t cost a small fortune, but was still “good” and would hopefully last a couple of years. Instead, what I found was quite a bit of stress and a LOT of hype. Everyone claims to be the best computer for your money, so how do you know if its true or not without being a computer genius? I decided to write this article with the hopes of saving you some time and tears when searching for the best computer for you. It is a simple list of my pick for the top 5 best computer buys of 2009.

Please note that I am not a computer guru and this was not written for computer gurus. It is a quick overview for the average Joe. There are some specs for each computer, and a link in my bio to find out more information about each model if you desire.

5. HP Pavilion s3500f Desktop

HP has always been a trusted favorite of mine. The Pavilion is a well-established product, and for good reason. This particular model comes with:
-AMD Sempron
-4GB DDR2 SDRAM memory
-a 500GB hard drive
-Windows Vista Home Basic 32 bit
-and a whole lot more.
A great computer for home use and is an excellent deal.

4. Acer Aspire M3201

Acer is a brand I personally have not owned before. However, the brand gets great reviews and the prices are unbeatable for computers. I’ve been hearing nothing but good things about it from friends and family members that own Acer computers, as well as the professionals. This particular model has:
-AMD Athlon processor
-3GB DDR2 SDRAM
-320GB Hard Drive
-and Windows Vista Home Premium 32 bit

3. Gateway DX4200-11

I think that the greatest thing about this computer is simply that it is backed by Gateway. They’ve always been very good with technical support and customer service for their products. I’ve always had very happy dealings with Gateway. The computer is a bit higher in price, but comes with:
-AMD? X-4 Quad-Core Processor
-6GB DDR2
-a 750GB hard drive (750 GB makes my head spin!)
-and Windows Vista Home Premium 64 bit

2. Acer Aspire X3200 Desktop

Yes, another Acer. You can tell that I fell in love with this brand pretty quickly. This model is actually the one I finally decided to buy for my father. It comes with:
-AMD Athalon processor
-4GB DDR2 SDRAM
-500GB hard drive
-and Windows Vista Home Premium 64 bit

The price is slightly higher than the other Acer listed, but the upgrade was well worth it for me. My father went from having a dinosaur to having a computer almost twice as good as mine!

1. Apple iMac Intel Core 2 Duo 24″ Desktop

This is actually the computer I’ve been eyeing for myself recently (Don’t tell my dad). A few months ago a friend of mine got one and every time I go to her place I ask to use it! Its quite a joy. I just fight with myself over the price tag and whether or not I truly want to switch to Mac. This is at the top of my list because its the best. If you are in the market to pay this much for a new computer, this should be the one!
-Intel Core Duo processor
-3GB DDR2, 320GB hard drive
-Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard
-24′ flat LCD screen monitor

This is my personal pick for the top 5 best computer buys based on the research I went through. Hope it saves some of you time and money! You can also read reviews from others on each computer, as well as 5 other great computer models to help your research by following the link in my bio.

What good is getting the best computer at the worst price? Be sure to save yourself some money!

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