June 2011

laptop troubleshooting: Problem watching blueray (BR) HD HQ video freezes

Toukir Rahman 0 blueray, Computer Tips/Tricks, hd, how to, hq, laptop, Tutorial 4:14 AM

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.screen-power.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/blu-ray-logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.screen-power.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/blu-ray-logo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Are you facing watching your favorite movies in blueray movies. I have faced the same problem and after a year i solve the problem. So, the problem is while you are watching the video it freezes or the screen stuck and go to another screen. This problem is a big issue for a lot of old laptops. I heard lot of people not able to watch and always think that is actually software problem or my computer configuration might not enough to play the videos.<br />
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Most of the problem what i faced watching : blue ray RIP (BR) , HQ , HD and others.<br />
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Sometimes i play a avi file which is more then 700 MB but still blue ray rip which is only 300 MB it freezes.<br />
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So i hope you are having the same problem as i faced.<br />
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So what is the solution for this ? is it a hardware problem ? is it software problem ? is it because my computer do not have enough configuration.<br />
Answer for all the question is : <b>NO</b><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Solution for blue ray HQ HD video freezes while playing </b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://backspacetab.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/laptop-overheating.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://backspacetab.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/laptop-overheating.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
This solution will work for all laptops or even desktop.<br />
1st of all lets check your laptop cooling fan. Is it working fine. While you are playing the video is your laptop is cool.I guess the answer will be no.The problem is your processor and AGP get heated and not able to<br />
 process the blue ray/HD/HQ data processes. So, if you have a better or higher configure laptop i guess you will not face that problem. But still with old laptop you will able to over come this problem by simple methods.<br />
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<b>THE METHODS ARE:</b><br />
<ul><li><b>Add new cooling fan in your laptop.    </b></li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.7gadgets.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/61.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.7gadgets.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/61.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<ul><li><b>Add cooling pad in your laptop.  </b></li>
</ul><ul></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.belkin.com/images/product/F5L001/STD1_F5L001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.belkin.com/images/product/F5L001/STD1_F5L001.jpg" /></a></div><ul><li><b>Always keep your laptop in a cool place.</b></li>
</ul><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://img.over-blog.com/300x261/3/76/81/35/asus-laptop-bamboo-plants.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://img.over-blog.com/300x261/3/76/81/35/asus-laptop-bamboo-plants.jpg" /></a></div><ul><li><b>Before watching any videos turn off your laptop for 10 minute.</b></li>
</ul><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.best-laptop-guide.com/image-files/how-to-shut-down-your-laptop-properly-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.best-laptop-guide.com/image-files/how-to-shut-down-your-laptop-properly-1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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<b>ANOTHER USEFUL METHOD:</b> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.dettecelectronics.com/images/laptop-cooling-fan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" src="http://www.dettecelectronics.com/images/laptop-cooling-fan.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>So still you are not able to watch the videos. I guess you need a better idea to solve the problem. The idea is you will need a table fan or a small or even big fan as you like. Then put the fan just near your cooling fan.Most of the cooling fan located in laptop corner side.Now all you have to do is place the laptop in such a place so that the wind/air coming from the big/bracket fan is going all thought your laptop. Must important part is down of your laptop. So it will be best if you just put 4 peace of anything near 4 side of your laptop so your laptop will be slide up.So the wind/air will able to enter down to your laptop.<br />
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<a href="http://latiftraders.com/Bracket%20Fan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://latiftraders.com/Bracket%20Fan.jpg" /></a><br />
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Most of the laptop always get hot down so you always have<br />
to keep your laptop cool down. Always place laptop somewhere that the heat is not conducting. If you place a fan near your laptop like the big/bracket fan your laptop will never get overheated even it will be cool always and you will able to work with your laptop more easily.<br />
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I hope this tutorial will going to work for you.If you face problem understanding any part of the tutorial please feel free to ask. Share your experience thought comments.<br />
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Thanks.

laptop troubleshooting: Problem watching blueray (BR) HD HQ video freezes

Are you facing watching your favorite movies in blueray movies. I have faced the same problem and after a year i solve the problem. So, th...

How to Build a Computer

Toukir Rahman 0 Computer Tips/Tricks, how to 12:15 AM

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.intelligenceunited.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/why-build-your-own-pc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="254" src="http://www.intelligenceunited.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/why-build-your-own-pc.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Have you ever thought about building your own computer? Actually buying a motherboard and a case along with all the supporting components and assembling the whole thing yourself?<br />
Here are three reasons why you might want to consider taking the plunge:<br />
<ol><li>You will be able to create a custom machine that exactly matches your needs.</li>
<li>It will be much easier to upgrade your machine in the future because you will understand it completely.</li>
<li>You may be able to save some money.</li>
</ol>And, if you have never done it before, you will definitely learn a lot about computers.<br />
In this article, we'll take you through the entire process of  building a computer. You'll learn how to choose the parts you will use,  how to buy them and how to put them all together. When you're done, you  will have exactly the machine that you need. Let's get started.   <br />
<table class="sideBoxLeft"><tbody>
<tr>         <td><br />
</td>       </tr>
</tbody>   </table>    The first step in building a computer is deciding what type of  machine you want to build. Do you want a really inexpensive computer for  the kids to use? A small, quiet machine to use as a media computer in  the living room? A high-end gaming computer? Or maybe you need a  powerful machine with a lot of disk space for video editing.  The possibilities are endless, and the type of machine you want to  build will control many of the decisions you make down the line.  Therefore, it is important to know exactly what you want the machine to  accomplish from the start.   <br />
Let's imagine that you want to build a powerful video editing computer. You want it to have a dual-core CPU, lots of RAM and a terabyte of disk space. You also want to have FireWire connectors on the motherboard. These requirements are going to cause you to look for a motherboard that supports:<br />
<ul><li>Dual-core CPUs (either Intel or AMD)</li>
<li>At least 4GB of high-speed RAM</li>
<li>Four (or more) SATA hard drives</li>
<li>FireWire connections (possibly in both the front and back of the case)</li>
</ul>Then it all needs to go in a case with enough space to hold multiple hard disks and enough air flow to keep everything cool.<br />
With any computer you build, knowing the type of machine you want to create can really help with decision-making.<br />
<br />
<div class="module articleBody moduleHeader2 marginClearBottom" id="ArticleWell">   <div class="inner">   <div class="hd">    <h1 class="articlePageTitle">Choosing a Motherboard</h1></div><div class="bd">       Choosing a motherboard is the most interesting part of any building project. The reason it is so interesting is because there are hundreds of motherboards to choose from and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. <br />
One easy way to think about motherboards is to break them up into a few categories. For example: <br />
<ul><li><strong>Cheap motherboards:</strong> Generally in the $50 range, these are motherboards for older CPUs. They are great for building inexpensive machines.  </li>
<li><strong>Middle-of-the-road motherboards:</strong> Ranging in price from $50 to $100, these are one step up from the cheap motherboards. In many cases you can find motherboard and CPU combos in this price range, which is another great way to build a cheap machine or an inexpensive home/office computer.   <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" style="width: 400px;"><tbody>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica;"> <center><img alt="A modern motherboard with callouts" src="http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/motherboard-callouts.jpg" /><br />
<span><strong>A middle-of-the-road motherboard</strong></span><br />
</center> </span> </td></tr>
</tbody></table></li>
<li><strong>High-end motherboards:</strong> If you are building a powerful gaming machine or video workstation, these motherboards give you the speed you need. They range in price from $100 to $200. They handle the latest CPU chips at their highest speeds.  </li>
<li><strong>Extreme motherboards:</strong> Falling into the over-$200 range, these motherboards have special features that boost the price. For example, they might have multiple CPU sockets, extra memory slots or special cooling features. </li>
</ul>You need to decide whether you are building a "cheap machine," a "high-end machine" or a "tricked-out super machine" and then choose your motherboard accordingly. Here are some other decisions that help narrow down your motherboard choices:<br />
<ul><table align="right" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" style="width: 200px;"><tbody>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica;"> <center><img alt="An Intel Pentium 4 microprocessor" src="http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/microprocessor-p4-alone.jpg" /><br />
<span>Image courtesy Intel Corporation</span><br />
</center> </span> </td></tr>
</tbody></table><li>Do you want to use an <strong>Intel </strong>or an <strong>AMD</strong> processor? Making this choice will cut the number of motherboards in half. AMD chips are often cheaper, but lots of people are die-hard Intel fans.  </li>
<li>What size motherboard do you want to use? If you are trying to build a smaller computer, you may want to look at micro ATX cases. That means you will need to buy a micro ATX motherboard. Otherwise you can use a normal ATX motherboard and case. (There are also smaller motherboard form factors like mini-ITX and even nano-ITX if you want to go really small.)  </li>
<li>How many <strong>USB</strong> ports do you want? If you want several, make sure the motherboard can handle it.  </li>
<li>Do you need FireWire? It's nice if the motherboard handles it (although it is also possible to add a card).  </li>
<li>Do you want an <strong>AGP</strong> or <strong>PCI Express</strong> graphics card? Or do you want to use a graphics card on the motherboard to keep the price and size down? If you want to go the cheapest route, make sure the motherboard includes a video card on-board (easiest way to tell is to see if there is a <strong>DVI</strong> or <strong>VGA connector</strong> on the motherboard). PCI Express is the latest/greatest thing, but if you want to re-use an AGP card you already own, that might be a reason to go with AGP.  </li>
<li>Do you want to use <strong>PATA </strong>(aka IDE) or <strong>SATA</strong> hard disks? SATA is the latest thing, and the cables are much smaller.  </li>
<li>What pin configuration are you using for the CPU? If you want to use the latest CPUs, make sure that your motherboard will accept them.  </li>
<li>Do you want to try things like dual video cards or special high-speed RAM configurations? If so, make sure the motherboard supports it.  </li>
</ul>If you don't care about any of this stuff (or if it all sounds like gibberish to you), then you're probably interested in building a cheap machine. In that case, find an inexpensive motherboard/CPU combo kit and don't worry about all of these details. <br />
</div></div></div><br />
<div class="module articleBody moduleHeader2 marginClearBottom" id="ArticleWell">   <div class="inner">   <div class="hd">    <h1 class="articlePageTitle">Buying Computer Parts</h1></div><div class="bd">        Once you have chosen your motherboard, you are ready to choose everything else. Here's what you need to get: <br />
<ul><li>The CPU that's the right brand and the right pin configuration to fit your motherboard. Pick whichever CPU clock speed fits your budget and intentions. (If you purchase a motherboard/CPU combo, you can skip this step.)  </li>
<li>The RAM with the correct pin configuration that will match your motherboard. If your motherboard is using a specialty RAM configuration (normally to improve performance), make sure the RAM you buy matches its requirements.   </li>
<li>If the case does not come with a power supply, you'll need to choose one. Make sure its connectors match the motherboard. Three hundred watts are enough for most machines, but if you are building a gaming machine with multiple video cards or a machine with lots of disks, you may want to consider something bigger.  </li>
<li>Choose a video card if you are not using the onboard video on the motherboard. Make sure the card's connector is appropriate for the motherboard (AGP or PCI Express).  <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" style="width: 400px;"><tbody>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica;"> <center><img alt="Basic AGP-based card" src="http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/agp-card.jpg" /><br />
<span><strong>A basic AGP-based graphics card</strong></span><br />
</center> </span> </td></tr>
</tbody></table></li>
<li>Choose an optical drive. If you are building a cheap machine, get the cheapest CD-ROM drive you can find. If you want to burn DVDs and CDs, make sure the drive can handle it.  </li>
<li>Choose a hard disk, making sure that it matches the PATA/SATA status of your motherboard.       </li>
<li>Choose an operating system: Windows XP (which comes in home, professional and media center editions) or Linux in its hundreds of different forms. </li>
</ul><strong>Buying</strong><br />
Now that you have picked everything out, it is time to purchase your parts. You have three options: <br />
<ul><li><strong>Mail order on the Internet</strong> - All kinds of stores sell computer parts on the Web. Visit a place like <a href="http://shopper.howstuffworks.com/"></a>  to compare prices. Don't forget about eBay.  </li>
<li><strong>A big national chain</strong> - Places like Tiger Direct, Fry's, and CompUSA have stores in most large cities that will sell you parts. They also have people on staff who may be able to answer questions. </li>
<li><strong> local parts retailer</strong> - Any big city will have a number of smaller, local shops selling parts. Look in the Yellow Pages or online. I live in Raleigh, N.C., and a typical shop of this genre in Raleigh is called Intrex. The people working at a shop like this can often answer lots of questions, and they may also be willing to help you if your machine does not work after you assemble it. </li>
</ul>Now that you have your parts, it is time to build. This is the fun part.   </div></div></div><br />
<br />
<div class="hd">    <h1 class="articlePageTitle">Installing RAM and the Microprocessor</h1></div>But before we start building, we need to say one thing about <strong>static electricity</strong>.  Most of the parts you will be handling when you assemble your computer  are highly sensitive to static shocks. What that means is that if you  build up static electricity on your body and a shock passes from your  body to something like a CPU chip, that CPU chip is dead. You will have  to buy another one.  <br />
The way you eliminate static electricity is by <em>grounding yourself</em>.  There are lots of ways to ground yourself, but probably the easiest is  to wear a grounding bracelet on your wrist. Then you connect the  bracelet to something grounded (like a copper pipe or the center screw  on a wall outlet's face plate). By connecting yourself to ground, you  eliminate the possibility of static shock.    <br />
Each combination  of parts is unique. But in general, here are the basic steps you will  need to follow when you assemble your machine:<br />
First, you'll need  to unwrap the motherboard and the microprocessor chip.  The chip will  have one marked corner that aligns with another marked corner of its  socket on the motherboard.  Align the corners and drop the  microprocessor into the socket.  You don't need to apply any pressure -  if it's aligned correctly,  it should fall into place. Once you have it  in, cinch it down with the lever arm.  <br />
Now, you need to install  the heat sink. The CPU box will contain a manual that tells you how to  do it. The heat sink will contain either a heat sink sticker or heat  sink grease to use when mounting the heat sink on the CPU. Follow the  instructions closely to install it. To install our heat sink, all we had  to do was put it in place,  cinch it down with flanges on either side  and lock it with a cam. Connect the power lead for the heat sink to the  motherboard.    <br />
Next, you'll install the RAM. Look on the  motherboard for the slot marked "one" and firmly press the RAM module  into it. It will probably take more pressure than you'd think to get the  RAM into place. Each side of the module should also have a rotating arm  that will lock the RAM down.  <br />
Now your motherboard is ready to put in the case.<br />
<br />
<div class="hd">    <h1 class="articlePageTitle">Assembling the Case</h1></div>Next, you'll assemble the case. You'll need to install the power supply, the motherboard, a faceplate and standoffs to hold the motherboard in place. You'll also need to connect some wires to the motherboard. <br />
Your motherboard should have come with a face plate for its back connectors. The case already has a hole cut in it for the plate, so you just need to put in the plate and press it until it clicks into place. Now you can put in in the motherboard. It needs to sit about a quarter of an inch away from the case's surface so that none of its connectors touch the case. You'll accomplish this by placing spacers, which are also included with the motherboard. <br />
Because each motherboard is different, you'll have to set it into the case first to see which screw holes on the motherboard match up with the pre-drilled holes in the case. Then you can take the motherboard back out, place the spacers, and put the motherboard in on top of them. Make sure that the motherboard lines up with the faceplate and the holes line up with the spacers. <br />
Find the screws that fit (these should have come with the case) the spacers and screw down the motherboard. Don't screw them in too tightly -- they just need to be in snugly. Be very careful when putting in the screws. If you drop them into the case, they could damage the fine wires on the motherboard. <br />
<div class="imageBox imageBoxRight" style="padding-bottom: 3px; width: 400px;"><img alt="The computer case should be big enough to fit the motherboard and other hardware. Find out how to assemble the computer case and install the power supply." class="article" height="267" src="http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/build-a-computer-10.jpg" width="400" /><br />
<span class="caption">Installing the power supply.</span></div>Now you can install the power supply in the case if it's not already installed. The power supply has two sides. The fan side faces outside the case and the wire side faces inside. Slide the power supply onto its brackets and secure it with screws (the case or the power supply should have come with them). <br />
Connect the power leads to the motherboard. There should be a large one and a small one, and it will be obvious as to where each one goes. <br />
You'll be left with about 15 more wires. Don't worry -- the manual has a page to tell you exactly where each one goes. Each of them has a label that corresponds to a label on the correct port<br />
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<div class="module articleBody moduleHeader2 marginClearBottom" id="ArticleWell">   <div class="inner">   <div class="hd">    <h1 class="articlePageTitle">Installing the Hard Drive</h1></div><div class="bd">               The last steps are installing the hard drive and the CD-ROM drive. The  case has a removable bracket with four rubber grommets on it, which  line up with four holes on the hard drive. It also came with four screws  made just to punch through those grommets. Screw the hard drive into  the bracket, then put the bracket back into its slot in the case. If you  are using IDE/PATA drives, be sure to set the jumpers correctly. Then  connect the hard disk to the power using one of the connectors coming  off of the power supply. If it fits, then it's a match.<br />
Now install the cables. One side of the cable has a red stripe on  it, which makes it " pin 1." Look on the motherboard and hook the cable  into the <a href="http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/ide.htm">IDE</a> connector marked "1." Insert the other end of the cable on the back of the drive. Now the drive is ready to go.<br />
<div class="imageBox imageBoxRight" style="padding-bottom: 3px; width: 400px;"><img alt="The hard drive sits in a bracket and is connected directly to the power supply. Find out how to install a hard drive and learn where the CD-ROM drive is located." class="article" height="267" src="http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/build-a-computer-14.jpg" width="400" /><br />
<span class="caption">Placing the hard drive into its bracket.</span></div>Install the CD-ROM drive next. Again, set the jumpers correctly. The  drive fits in the front of the case, and you may have to pop out a  faceplate to make room for it. Slide it in and screw it into place,  making sure that it's aligned with the front of the case. Just as with  the hard drive, you can use any available connector from the power  supply. You'll also use the cable that came with the CD-ROM drive to  connect it to the motherboard (align the red stripe for "pin 1") and  plug the other end into the drive. Connect the audio for the CD drive.  Again, there's an obvious place for it to plug in on the motherboard and  on the drive itself.<br />
If you're using a video card, now you'll install it as well. Our  motherboard has an AGP video slot so we have an AGP video card. The  motherboard only has one video card slot, so you should be able to find  it easily (you can also use the manual). Line up the card with the slot  and push it into place. If the video card has its own power connector,  connect it to the power supply. If the case has extra fans, make sure  they have power too.<br />
Now you can close up the case and add a monitor, keyboard, mouse  and speakers. In the next section, we'll cover what to do after powering  up the computer and what steps to follow if it doesn't work.<br />
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<br />
<div class="module articleBody moduleHeader2 marginClearBottom" id="ArticleWell">   <div class="inner">   <div class="hd">    <h1 class="articlePageTitle">Powering Up and Troubleshooting</h1></div><div class="bd">        Now, the moment of truth -- it's time to turn your machine on and  see if it works. If there's a switch on the back of the power supply,  make sure it is on. Also make sure that the power supply is set  correctly to 110 or 220 volts (some power supplies do this  automatically, others have a switch or a slider).<br />
Then push the power switch on the front of the case. In the ideal case, four things will happen:<br />
<ul><li>You will see/hear the fans spin up</li>
<li>You will hear the hard disk spin up.</li>
<li>Lights will light on the case.</li>
<li>You will see something happening on the monitor to indicate that the motherboard is alive.</li>
</ul>If you see/hear all of that happening, you are successful. You have  created a working machine. Using the manual that came with the  motherboard you can enter the BIOS screens and make sure everything  looks OK. Chances are you will need to set the machine's date/time, but  that is probably all you have to do. Everything else is probably  automatic. All the drives will be recognized and auto-configured. The  default settings on the motherboard will be fine.<br />
The next step is to install the operating system. And presto, you have a working machine of your own creation. Congratulations!<br />
<strong>Troubleshooting</strong>   <br />
What if you put it all together and it doesn't work? This is the one  possible downside of building your own machine. It is hard to describe  the feeling you get when you try turning on the machine and nothing  happens. You have put in several hours of work and a significant amount  of cash, so it's discouraging to get no response.<br />
All is not lost, however. Here are several items to check:<br />
<ul><li>Is the power supply firmly plugged in and turned on (many power  supplies have a small switch on the back)? Try a different outlet.</li>
<div class="imageBox imageBoxRight" style="padding-bottom: 3px; width: 400px;"><img alt="Make sure that your motherboard is connected to the power supply." class="article" height="267" src="http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/build-a-computer-11.jpg" width="400" />
<span class="caption">Make sure that your motherboard is connected to the power supply.</span></div><li>Did you plug the power supply into the motherboard? Look at the manual for details.     </li>
<li>Is the case's power switch properly connected to the  motherboard? If you have plugged the switch into the wrong pins on the  motherboard, it will not work. Check the motherboard manual.</li>
<li>Are the drives connected to the motherboard properly? Do they have power?</li>
<li>Unseat and reseat the video card. If the motherboard has onboard  video, try to remove the video card completely and boot using the  onboard version.</li>
</ul>If you have checked all of that and nothing continues to happen, it could mean:    <ul><li>The power supply is bad</li>
<li>The switch on the case doesn't work. We actually had this happen once on a machine we built at HowStuffWorks.</li>
<li>Something is wrong with the motherboard or the CPU.</li>
</ul>The easiest way to determine where the problem lies is to swap parts.  Try a different power supply. Swap a different motherboard into the  case. Play around with different combinations.<br />
If it is still not working, then you have a few options at this  point. You can go back to the shop that sold you the parts. If you  bought them from a small local shop, they can help you debug the problem  (although it may cost you). If they sold you a bad motherboard (rare,  but possible) they will usually help you out. You can also try to find a  more experienced builder who would be willing to help you. There is a  rational cause for the problem you are experiencing -- either a bad part  or a bad connection somewhere -- and you will find it.<br />
Now that you've seen how simple it is to build your own computer,  we hope that you'll give it a shot. You'll have a computer that you  understand completely and will be easy to upgrade. You can save money,  and it's a lot of fun too. So the next time you need a new computer,  consider building it yourself!<br />
For lots more information about computer parts, check out the links on the next page.<br />
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</div></div></div><br />
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How to Build a Computer

Have you ever thought about building your own computer? Actually buying a motherboard and a case along with all the supporting components...

How to Build Your Own Arcade Machine from an Old Computer

Toukir Rahman 0 arcade games, Computer Tips/Tricks, Game, Games, how to 12:15 AM

<div class="module articleBody moduleHeader2 marginClearBottom" id="ArticleWell">   <div class="inner">   <div class="bd">       <br />
<div style="float: right; padding-bottom: 3px; text-align: center; width: 200px;"><img alt="Space Invaders" class="article" height="300" src="http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/old-computer-arcade-1.jpg" width="200" /><br />
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<span class="caption">Space Invaders is just one of more than 3,000 games supported by MAME.</span></div>Did you find yourself feeding quarters to arcade machines in the '80s and '90s? Do you have any old computers  -- or even computer parts -- sitting around taking up space? Do you  want to relive those great arcade moments in the comfort of your own  home?  <br />
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It's all possible thanks to <strong>emulators</strong>. Emulators are  pieces of software designed to imitate a particular arrangement of  hardware and software. There are emulators for just about any sort of  hardware or software you can imagine. But when it comes to arcade games,  one emulator reigns supreme: the Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator, or  MAME.<br />
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The purpose of MAME is to preserve old arcade games. Most arcade  games were hardwired into processor chips. However, there were a few  games like Dragon's Lair and Space Ace that ran on laserdiscs. You might  also run into an arcade game that relies on some other form of storage  device, but for the most part, the code that makes your favorite arcade  games tick exists on physical chips attached directly to a circuit board inside the machine.<br />
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The MAME software emulates that hardware, including the arcade  machine's memory, processors or central processing unit (CPU) and  input/output (I/O) spaces. When paired with an arcade game ROM  (an acronym for read-only memory) and perhaps a selection of sound  samples, MAME can imitate that game. The MAME program supports thousands  of ROMs. But while MAME is free and easily available, you won't find  any ROMs with it when you download a copy. That's because most arcade  games -- even those made by companies that have since closed -- are  protected by copyright. Unless you own a copy of the physical hardware  for a particular arcade game, it's against the law to download and own a  ROM.<br />
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</tbody></table>But  let's assume you have a big pile of arcade game chips sitting in a box  at home. You've purchased each and every one legitimately, but you lack  the hardware to run them or the games themselves have deteriorated. In  that case, it's perfectly legal for you to seek out the ROMs for the  games you own and download them. Lots of sites on the Web host ROMs --  they aren't hard to find.<br />
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Of course you could just run the emulator and ROMs on your computer  and play games like that. But what if you want the real arcade  experience? You'll need to put in some work and be skilled in sketching,  carpentry, wiring and coding. But in the end, you could own an arcade  machine capable of playing practically any arcade game ever made.<br />
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<div class="module articleBody moduleHeader2 marginClearBottom" id="ArticleWell">   <div class="inner">   <div class="hd">    <h1 class="articlePageTitle">Choosing an Arcade Monitor and Computer</h1></div><div class="bd">      The first thing you need to keep in mind is that the designers of  MAME wanted to create a way to preserve video games -- the ability to  play the games is simply a byproduct. That means that while the goal of  the emulator is to recreate the arcade machine hardware's behavior as  faithfully as possible, it doesn't always translate into a playable  game. Programmers are always working to improve MAME, and older versions  may not support all ROMs.  Some games may run but will be extremely slow. You should test your  ROMs with the version of MAME you prefer before jumping into an arcade  machine project.<br />
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According to the MAME Web site, the minimum requirements for running MAME on a computer are:<br />
<ul><li>Any MMX-capable AMD or Intel processor</li>
<li>Windows 98 or later</li>
<li>DirectX 5.0 or later</li>
<li>A DirectDraw or Direct3D capable graphics card</li>
<li>Any DirectSound capable sound card</li>
</ul><br />
Most modern PCs  blow the doors off of these minimal requirements. The more powerful a  computer is, the better it will be at handling the processing  requirements of MAME. Computers that have a graphics card with  a graphics processing unit (GPU) may fare better than machines with  basic graphics cards. Because MAME is attempting to reproduce the  behavior of hardware, it requires a lot of processing power. Because of  this, some games may run poorly no matter how fast your machine is.<br />
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There are other versions of MAME called <strong>ports</strong> that will run on machines with a Mac or Linux-based  operating system. If you download the basic PC version of MAME, you'll  see that it's a command-line system. That means you must type in  commands to change settings and run ROMs. If you prefer, you can  download a MAME frontend that incorporates a <strong>graphical user interface</strong> (<strong>GUI</strong>). A good GUI will eliminate the need to incorporate a keyboard into the final arcade machine.<br />
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You'll also need a monitor for your game. Some MAME enthusiasts prefer cathode ray tube (CRT) television  sets to computer monitors. They argue that computer monitors provide  too sharp a picture and detract from the real arcade experience. If you  choose a television, make sure your computer and TV can connect with the  right cables.  A CRT with an S-Video port and a computer containing a graphics card  with its own S-Video port works well, but there are other options. To  find out more, read our post <strong>How to Connect Your Computer to Your TV</strong>.<br />
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<div class="hd">    <h1 class="articlePageTitle">Deciding on Your Arcade Controllers</h1></div><div style="float: right; padding-bottom: 3px; text-align: center; width: 200px;"><img alt="Arcade joystick" class="article" height="300" src="http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/old-computer-arcade-2.jpg" width="200" /><span class="credit"></span><br />
<span class="caption">A classic four-direction arcade joystick</span></div>What  kind of games do you want to play? Arcade games like Centipede work  best with a trackball. The classic game Tempest used a dial-like rotary  controller. Several driving games used a combination of a steering wheel  and pedals for the gas and brake. And of course, hundreds of games had a  combination of joysticks and buttons.<br />
   MAME supports many different controls. You could install standard  game controller ports on the computer you'll be using and hook up  standard computer joysticks, steering wheels or gamepads. You can even  use game controllers that connect to your computer via USB.  MAME doesn't automatically enable the controller function -- you'll  have to turn it on either by a line command or through a GUI.<br />
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These controllers should work with most games, but they don't  necessarily reproduce the feeling of a real arcade machine. For that,  you need to go out and buy actual arcade controllers and buttons. Some  vendors sell prefabricated game control panels that you can purchase and  incorporate into a cabinet. A prefabricated control panel will cost  more than the sum of its individual components, but it will save you  time when it comes to wiring and encoding your controls. Still, many  enthusiasts like the freedom they have when they buy each component  separately and design their own game control panels.<br />
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Some MAME arcade machine fabricators like to include multiple control  devices on a single machine. MAME enthusiast Jeff McClain built what he  calls the Ultimate MAME Cabinet and included four joysticks, a spinner  control, a trackball, a light gun and more than a dozen buttons in a  custom-built cabinet [source: Ultimate MAME Cabinet].  Many vendors sell arcade machine controls -- you should be able to find  most standard controls without too much trouble. If you want something  specific -- such as the Star Wars flying yoke or Spy Hunter's custom  steering wheel -- that might require a bit more effort to seek out.<br />
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<div class="hd">    <h1 class="articlePageTitle">Using Arcade Controls</h1></div>If you do decide to use real arcade controls, you'll face another choice: how do you connect these devices to your computer? There are a few different methods you could try, but perhaps the most popular and versatile method is to use a <strong>keyboard encoder</strong> (also known as a <strong>key encoder</strong>).  By default, MAME maps each arcade control to a specific key on the  keyboard. Keyboards contain a circuit board. Wires connect each key to a  specific connector on the circuit board. When you press a key, it  completes a circuit and sends a signal to the circuit board. The computer interprets the action as a keystroke. Each key is really a <strong>switch</strong>.<br />
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That's the secret: you can replace these switches with other switches. Most arcade controls are actually just switches. Arcade joysticks  are switches that move two, four or eight directions. A button is a  simple on/off switch. There are two main kinds of switches for arcade  controllers: leaf spring switches and microswitches. Many arcade  enthusiasts say that the leaf spring design provides a better feel when  playing a game. Microswitches tend to have a clicky, stiffer feel. But  leaf spring switches are hard to find and require maintenance more often  than microswitches. If you decide to go with leaf springs, be prepared  to search around for parts.<br />
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If you map each direction of the joystick to a different key on the  circuit board, you can program MAME to accept the input . Some key  encoder boards can accept input from trackballs and spinners, and some  MAME arcade machine enthusiasts have built special encoders that they  offer for sale.<br />
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There are other ways to wire controls to a computer, too. You might  be able to pull out the circuit board from a computer gamepad, wire your  controls to the circuit board and map everything out to the computer.  But most MAME enthusiasts prefer key encoders because they can handle  more inputs.<br />
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Not all key encoders are created equal so it's wise to do some research before purchasing one. Watch out for effects like <strong>ghosting</strong>.  Ghosting is when a key encoder sends a signal for a specific keystroke  even if you didn't push that particular key. It usually happens when the  key encoder receives several signals in a very short burst. This can be  annoying when you're typing on a computer. But when you're playing an  arcade game, it could cause you to make an unintentional suicidal jump  or accidentally shoot that princess you've been trying to save for 18  levels.<br />
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<div class="module articleBody moduleHeader2 marginClearBottom" id="ArticleWell">   <div class="inner">   <div class="hd">    <h1 class="articlePageTitle">Arcade Lights and Sound</h1></div><div class="bd">       <br />
<div style="float: right; padding-bottom: 3px; text-align: center; width: 300px;"><img alt="Computer speakers" height="300" src="http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/old-computer-arcade-3.jpg" width="300" /><span class="credit"></span><br />
<span class="caption">If your monitor doesn't have speakers built in, you can use computer speakers hooked up to your computer's sound card.</span></div>No  arcade machine is complete without a lit display on the top and a sound  system worthy of transmitting the bloops and bleeps of classic arcade  games. While you really want the graphics and controls to feel  authentic, it's the little touches that help complete the feeling of  playing on an actual arcade machine.  <br />
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For the arcade machine's overhead display, you'll need a light  source, some plexiglass and a marquee, which is a translucent material  with artwork on it. If you don't have the ability to make your own  marquee, you can buy one. Several Web sites sell marquees for MAME  machines and can cut the material to whatever size you need. Many even  offer designs that incorporate the MAME acronym into the artwork. Some  also offer graphics you can mount on the side of your arcade cabinet.<br />
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Fluorescent light fixtures are good light sources. They don't  generate a lot of heat, the bulbs last longer than incandescent lights  and you can find the bulbs and fixtures in different lengths.<br />
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You'll need to sandwich the marquee between the sheets of Plexiglas  to protect the artwork. Install the fluorescent light in the top of the  cabinet and make sure the light source is aimed toward the front of the  cabinet where the marquee will be. Test it out to make sure you've got  the effect you wanted -- you can make tweaks by either moving the light  source closer to or further from the marquee or by using a different  bulb wattage.<br />
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As for sound, that depends on what you're using as a monitor.  If you're using a television set, the set's speakers should work fine.  But if you've chosen to go with a computer monitor, you'll need to  install a sound card  in your computer, and mount some speakers inside the cabinet. You'll  also need to make sure the sound card is compatible with the version of  MAME you'll be using. It's a good idea to shop around for speakers since  you'll want something that can recreate the entire range of sounds  you'd find in arcade games. You may also want to mount the speakers near  the marquee if you want to avoid a muffled sound.<br />
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<div class="hd">    <h1 class="articlePageTitle">Arcade Machine Cabinets</h1></div>You can find arcade machine cabinets on sale at various warehouses,  auctions and Web sites, but they tend to be costly. Buying cabinet parts  is less expensive but still a significant cost. On top of the purchase  price you may have to deal with shipping charges and there's no  guarantee that your MAME setup will fit inside a prefabricated cabinet.  That's why many enthusiasts choose to build their own arcade cabinets  from scratch.<br />
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To build a cabinet, you really need to plan ahead. You have to take into consideration the <a href="http://computer.howstuffworks.com/pc.htm">computer</a>  and monitor (or television set) you're using, the controls you'll  install and even where you plan to put the machine in your home. Arcade  machines are pretty large, and if you want an all-in-one arcade game  yours will be larger than the average classic arcade machine.<br />
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If you're designing your own cabinet, you're really only limited by  the equipment you'll be using, the floor space you have available in  your home, your budget and your imagination. Enthusiasts have built MAME  machines that look like classic arcade cabinets, oversized machines  with multiple control systems, cocktail table systems and even cockpit  machines complete with a seat inside. The smallest of these systems is  the cocktail table, which places the face of the monitor up and has  controls on either end of the table.<br />
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You can find plans for arcade cabinets all over the Web. There are  designs for just about any configuration you could want. And nothing is  stopping you from designing your own version!<br />
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To build a cabinet, you'll need fiberboard or a similar material for  the body. You'll also need wood glue, screws, bolts and brackets to hold  it together. You'll require tools such as a drill, a table saw, a  jigsaw, a screwdriver and a rubber mallet. Optional hardware could  include hinges for a door in the front, a door clasp and a power switch.<br />
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You'll also need to plot out your game control panel carefully. You  need to make sure you have enough room for the wiring on the underside  of the panel, particularly if you're trying to combine several different  control systems into one setup. Some enthusiasts prefer to create  interchangeable panels designed specifically for different kinds of  games. But that would mean you'd need a place to store the control  panels you're not currently using.<br />
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It's probably best to find a set of plans on the Web and follow those for your first project. You can experiment later.<br />
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<div class="module articleBody moduleHeader2 marginClearBottom" id="ArticleWell">   <div class="inner">   <div class="hd">    <h1 class="articlePageTitle">Wiring the Controls</h1></div><div class="bd">       <br />
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<tr><td><div class="titleBlue">Caution!</div><div class="body">Whenever you work with electricity, you need to be extremely careful. Even something as relatively simple as discharging a television set or monitor can be deadly if you make a mistake. We recommend you read our post How Electricity Works before starting.</div></td></tr>
</tbody></table>We've  reached what is possibly the most challenging part of building your  arcade machine. Wiring takes time, patience and skill. There's also an  element of trial and error involved, particularly if you're not  accustomed to handling wires. Depending on the method you've chosen to  connect your controls to your computer, you may need the following:<br />
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<ul><li>Wires in the 22- to 28-gauge range (.326 to .081 square millimeters) for the controls</li>
<li>18-gauge wire (.821 square millimeters) for wiring that will connect to AC power or ground</li>
<li>Wire cutters, strippers and crimpers</li>
<li>Soldering iron and solder</li>
</ul><br />
You'll have to connect each control to the key encoder by crimping or  soldering the wires to the appropriate connectors. You can link the  ground wire connectors in series to a common ground. The key encoder (or  other interface) should connect to your computer using a connecter and a  standard cable  -- usually a keyboard cable. You can run the MAME program to test your  controls once you've wired them to the encoder. It's a slow process --  you have to determine which keystrokes your controls are simulating and  then map those keystrokes to the correct control settings in MAME.<br />
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Let's say you've wired up an arcade control system to an encoder. You push the left joystick  up and look to see with which keystroke that action corresponds. You  notice that it corresponds with T. You would need to tell MAME that the T  keystroke should map to player one pushing up on the joystick. You'll  need to repeat this procedure over and over again to map every action  for your system.<br />
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You'll also need to install a power strip or junction box inside your  machine if you want to limit your cabinet to just one exterior cable.  You can plug your various components into the strip or junction box. You  may even want to install an exterior power switch to activate your  computer and other electronics so that you don't have to open the  cabinet to switch on your machine.<br />
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Wiring can become a complicated task, particularly if you want to  maximize the number of inputs. We recommend you look at some of the  following Web sites to learn more about wiring and interfaces:<br />
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It's a lot of work, but for the dedicated hobbyist there's no better  payoff than building a working MAME machine. In the end, you'll have a  full arcade stored in a single cabinet. Game on!<br />
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Learn more about arcade games and other topics through the links on the next page.<br />
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How to Build Your Own Arcade Machine from an Old Computer

Space Invaders is just one of more than 3,000 games supported by MAME. Did you find yourself feeding quarters to arcade mach...

How to Avoid Spyware

Toukir Rahman 0 Computer Tips/Tricks, hackers, how to, maleware, spyware, trojan 12:05 AM

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The brief history of personal computing is replete with advances in  productivity, processing power and entertainment. From word processing  to e-mail  to the World Wide Web, computer technology has forever changed the way  we work and play. As with any new technology, however, these advances  have also provided new methods for criminals to separate us from our  money. One of those methods is spyware.<br />
According to a number of sources, the first use of the term spyware  occurred in a 1994 posting that made light of Microsoft's business  model. Later, the term was used to describe devices used for spying,  such as small cameras and microphones. In 2000, a press release from  security software provider Zone Labs used the current meaning of spyware  for the first time and it's been used that way ever since.<br />
<strong>Spyware</strong> is software that resides on a computer and  sends information to its creator. That information may include surfing  habits, system details or, in its most dangerous form, passwords and  login information for critical applications such as online banking. Many  spyware programs are more annoying than dangerous, serving up pop-up  ads or gathering e-mail addresses for use in spam campaigns. Even those programs, however, can cost you valuable time and computing resources.<br />
Often, spyware comes along with a free software application, such as a  game or a supposed productivity booster. Once it's downloaded to your  computer, the functional element of the software works exactly as  promised, while the information-gathering system sets up shop behind the  scenes and begins feeding your personal data back to headquarters.<br />
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</tbody></table>In  many cases, the hidden activities of the software are clearly described  in the end-user license agreement (EULA) that is displayed during the  installation process. This protects the developer from potential legal  action because they can prove you knew (or should have known) that the  program included this functionality when you installed it. Most of us,  however, don't read EULAs because they are long, boring and written in  hard-to-understand legalese. As further proof that there's a software  application for everything these days, you can now obtain software that  will read EULAs for you and display a warning if keywords or phrases  indicate there's a spyware risk.<br />
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<div class="module articleBody moduleHeader2 marginClearBottom" id="ArticleWell">   <div class="inner">   <div class="hd">    <h1 class="articlePageTitle">Other Types of Malware</h1></div><div class="bd">      In addition to spyware, there are other kinds of invasive programs  that can make your computing life miserable, so it's worth it to take a  moment to define a few terms:<br />
<strong>Malware:</strong> Short for malicious software, malware is a  catch-all phrase used to define any program that runs on a computer  without the user's knowledge and performs predetermined functions that  cause harm. In that sense, spyware can also be malware.<br />
<strong>Adware:</strong> Similar to spyware and malware, in that it  resides on a computer without the user's knowledge, adware specifically  refers to programs that display pop-up advertisements. The subject  matter of the ads is often based on surfing habits, but may also be tied  to a specific advertiser.<br />
<strong>Virus:</strong> As the name implies, a virus is a program that is designed to spread itself among files on a single computer or computers on a network -- usually the Internet.  Often, crackers (hackers with malicious intent) create these programs  just to see how far they will spread. Unfortunately, even a supposedly  harmless virus can have a serious effect on processing and network  operations.<br />
<strong>Worm</strong>: Similar to a virus, a worm spreads itself  around a network. Worms, however, do so by making copies of themselves  as they spread. They also may be capable of changing their profile to  avoid detection.<br />
<strong>Trojan:</strong> Like the infamous horse of Greek mythology,  the computer version takes on the appearance of something benign, such  as an update or add-on to an actual program. Once on your computer, it  may perform harmful functions such as erasing your hard disk or deleting  all your image files. Like spyware, a Trojan may also gather information and send it to the developer.<br />
<strong>Cookie:</strong> While cookies  aren't really malware, they can be used in similar ways. Cookies are  small data files used by Web sites to store information on your  computer. For example, a shopping site may want to identify items you've  looked at, but not purchased, or store data on current purchases until  you head for the checkout. A less scrupulous site, however, may decide  to look through your cookies for personal information, such as recent  sites you have visited.<br />
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<div class="module articleBody moduleHeader2 marginClearBottom" id="ArticleWell">   <div class="inner">   <div class="hd">    <h1 class="articlePageTitle">The Effects of Spyware</h1></div><div class="bd">      <div style="float: right; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; text-align: center; width: 400px;"><br />
<span class="credit"><a href="http://howstuffworks.com/framed.htm?parent=how-to-avoid-spyware.htm&url=http://apimages.com"><br />
</a></span><span class="caption"></span></div>In its most benign form, spyware  can gather data on your Web surfing habits and serve up ads for  specific products or services. It can also turn your computer into a zombie system, sending spam  e-mail messages to your contacts and far beyond. Your system can also  be used to store data, such as e-mail lists, personal information or  illegal images. Some spyware programs are designed to capture every  keystroke and mouse click, allowing hackers to follow you around the Web in real time, as you log in to your bank account or other important sites.<br />
Spyware cost one substitute teacher her job and almost put her in  jail. In October 2004, 37-year old Julie Amero was substitute teaching  in a seventh-grade class at Kelly Middle School in Norwich, Conn. Amero,  who said she wasn't an experienced computer user, had finished checking  her personal e-mail and left the room briefly to use the restroom. When  she returned, some children were standing around the computer giggling  at a series of semi-pornographic images that were popping up in various  windows on the screen.<br />
Amero said she didn't even know how to turn the machine off and tried  unsuccessfully to get the images to stop. When she asked for assistance  from the school's vice-principal, she was told not to be concerned  about it. At the end of the day, angry parents began calling the school,  having been informed of the incident by their children. Alarmed by the  frantic calls, the school alerted police, who arrested Amero.  Prosecutors charged her with several counts of risk of injury to a  minor.<br />
The prosecution relied on a witness who told jurors Amero had clearly  clicked on the link that brought up the dangerous images. As a result,  she was convicted on four counts and faced up to 40 years in prison.  Alex Eckelberry, CEO of Sunbelt Software, heard about the case and set  out to prove the incident was the result of spyware. With the assistance  of other computer experts, Eckelberry convinced the judge overturn the  conviction and order a new trial.<br />
As prosecutors waffled on whether or not to retry her, Amero agreed  to plead guilty to a single count of disorderly conduct in November 2008  to avoid further court time. At the time of this writing, Amero is no  longer allowed to work as a teacher and had been unable to find other  work [source: <a href="http://howstuffworks.com/framed.htm?parent=how-to-avoid-spyware.htm&url=http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Story?id=6739393">ABC News</a>]<br />
PandaLabs recently conducted a research study on identity theft spyware. The report contained some startling statistics:<br />
<ul><li>Of the 67 million devices PandaLabs scanned in 2008, more than  10 million had some form of spyware designed to steal personal data.  Only 35 percent of all devices had updated antivirus tools installed.</li>
<li>In the United States, personal data retrieval spyware affected more than three million people in 2008.</li>
<li>Infections grew by an incredible 800 percent in the second half of 2008, compared to the first half.</li>
<li>Based  on trends over a period of 14 months, PandaLabs estimates the infection  rate of ID theft spyware will increase 339 percent per month in 2009.</li>
</ul>Spyware is against the law -- sort of. The federal government and  many states have passed laws against installing software on a computer  without the user's consent and using spyware to gather personal  information, such as passwords. The problem is that many users actually  consent to spyware being included when they download and install free  utilities or games. As mentioned earlier, when you click on the Next  button to install software, stating you have read and understand the end  user license agreement, you're allowing spyware to go to work on your  computer.<br />
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<div class="module articleBody moduleHeader2 marginClearBottom" id="ArticleWell">   <div class="inner">   <div class="hd">    <h1 class="articlePageTitle">Avoiding Spyware</h1></div><div class="bd">         When it comes to spyware,  the best defense is a great offense. Taking action to avoid getting  spyware on your computer in the first place helps prevent you from  becoming a victim. That is, of course, easier said than done. However,  there are a number of actions you should take to guard against the  spyware threat:<br />
<ul><li>Keep Windows up-to-date by setting up automatic updates in the control panel. Microsoft issues critical updates at least monthly. Many of those are designed to eliminate or avoid specific spyware threats.</li>
<li>Install  an anti-virus software package and keep it updated at all times. There  are many of these available, some of which are free. The most popular  brands include Norton, Microsoft Defender, McAfee, Spybot, Search &  Destroy, Pest Control and Grisoft. Your Internet service provider may  offer a utility or guide you to a recommended solution, too.</li>
<li>Don't  download shareware (or anything else for that matter) from unknown  sources. Seek out reliable providers of free utilities, such as  download.com.</li>
<li>When you do download software, read the end user  license agreement before committing to the installation. When in doubt,  do not install the software.</li>
<li>Don't click on any pop-up or  advertisement for free anti-spyware software. These are almost always  fake, even if they carry the name and logo of a well-known publisher.  Ironically, this is a very popular method used to distribute spyware and  other malware. If you're looking for anti-virus software, go directly  to the company's Web site and be sure you're where you think you are.</li>
<li>Set your browser and operating system  security level to at least the medium setting (or higher) for best  results. You may see a few more warning messages, but it's a small price  to pay for security.</li>
<li>Install a firewall  and, if you have a home network, use a separate router, rather than  sharing the Internet connection through one of your computers. This puts  one more barrier between you and the bad guys.</li>
<li>Avoid questionable Web sites. If you visit a site that seems strange, there's a good chance you shouldn't be there.</li>
<li>If a virus  alert appears on your screen as you visit a Web site, don't click on  it, even to close it. Instead, type control-alt-delete to launch the  Task Manager and use the "End Task" command to close the window. Next,  use your own anti-virus software to run a complete scan of the system.</li>
<li>Never open an e-mail attachment if you're uncertain of its source.</li>
</ul></div></div></div><br />
<div class="module articleBody moduleHeader2 marginClearBottom" id="ArticleWell">   <div class="inner">   <div class="hd">    <h1 class="articlePageTitle">Spyware Removal</h1></div><div class="bd">      <table class="sideBoxRight"><tbody>
<tr><td><div class="titleBlue">What about the Mac?</div><div class="body">Macintosh computers have historically had very few problems with spyware or other malware infestations. The reason is simple: Windows computers make up more than 90 percent of systems in use, meaning it's simply not worth the time and effort required to develop spyware for the Mac OS. The results of a contest to "crack the Mac" appear to uphold this view.<br />
Each year, the CanSecWest security conference includes a competition called Pwn2Own in which experts attempt to crack the defenses of both Apple and Windows computers. In March 2009, a computer security expert named Charlie Miller was able to take control of a fully patched MacBook computer running Apple's Safari browser in just a few seconds. Using a utility developed over a period of several days, Mr. Miller claimed a cash prize of $10,000 and was allowed to keep the computer he cracked.</div></td></tr>
</tbody></table>If, despite all your efforts, you find your computer has spyware  on it, stop working immediately and disconnect the computer from the  Internet to avoid passing any information to the bad guys. Run a  comprehensive scan using your anti-virus software. It's also wise to  contact the help desk of the company that manufactured your computer for  advice on how to proceed. Your Internet service provider may be  helpful, too.   <br />
Updated anti-virus or anti-spyware software will probably catch  the errant program, display a warning and take care of the problem for  you. Again, that's only if you have a solid protection package in place  and are keeping it and your operating system updated at all times.<br />
If all else fails, you may have to reformat your hard drive,  reinstall the operating system and software and copy your data back to  your drive. While painful and time-consuming, this solution also serves  to clean up the system, eliminating unused applications and data. This  is almost certain to make the machine run faster and increase the space  available on your hard drive. Just be sure you have a recent, clean  backup of your data prior to taking the plunge.<br />
While the number of threats to computers seems to increase almost  daily, the defense mechanisms available to protect them are also growing  in number and sophistication. Today, most users can protect themselves  from spyware through the vigilant application and maintenance of the  operating system and reputable anti-virus software.<br />
For more information on viruses, spyware, Trojans and other nefarious software, scan over to the next page.<br />
</div></div></div></div></div></div>

How to Avoid Spyware

The brief history of personal computing is replete with advances in productivity, processing power and entertainment. From word processin...

How to Back Up a Hard Drive

Toukir Rahman 0 Computer Tips/Tricks, how to 12:04 AM

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTov5IVLkNokgXjIhO2m8_Sk-J6nCOgG0YFcATilrSv6xnV7ccO&t=1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTov5IVLkNokgXjIhO2m8_Sk-J6nCOgG0YFcATilrSv6xnV7ccO&t=1" /></a></div><br />
Personal computers  are perhaps the most significant invention of the 20th century. Nearly  every industry relies on them. Even trades such as construction and deep  sea fishing utilize computers to improve efficiency. But personal  computers can also be frustrating. If you use one long enough, you'll  probably encounter some sort of malfunction or hiccup that causes you to  either lose productivity or worse, all your work.<br />
<br />
Personal computers weren't always complex. The Altair 8800 was a  basic 8-bit computer released in 1975 that did very little in the way of  computing. Hobbyists bought them and tinkered with them -- even though  there were no monitors. Running programs allowed Altair users to watch LEDs flicker in sequence. The Altair had no hard drive.<br />
<br />
Fast-forward 30 years, and computers have become as vital to our  society as the automobile. We store our lives on our computers. Bank  account information, pictures from family gatherings and personal  information that we consider vital to our very existence is stored in  computers. As far as computers have come, the advent of the Internet  has changed the game. But as useful as the Internet undoubtedly is, it  comes with its fair share of baggage, including viruses and other  malicious programs.<br />
<br />
<table class="sideBoxLeft"><tbody>
<tr><td><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Whether  you fall prey to one of the people whose hobby is to turn your computer  into a boat anchor or your machine is nearing the end of its natural  life, it's imperative you back up the data on your hard drive. This  article will give you the tools you need to protect yourself from losing  all your important data stored on your computer.   <br />
Let's start by taking a look on the next page at what you can do  to minimize the damage by being proactive with your data storage.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>HARD DRIVE BACKUP SOLUTION</b></span> <br />
<br />
To make backing up your hard drive as easy as possible, you should  set up a backup profile. Most PCs with Microsoft Windows XP have a  program called Windows XP Back Up installed as a useful application.  Once you open the application, you can follow the instructions from the  backup wizard and decide what exactly you wish to back up. If your  computer's hard drive  is split into separate drives or partitioned, you can chose to copy  back to the original drive. This should safely store your data and be  retrievable should your hard drive crash -- though if you have corrupted data, this option may not be as helpful.   <br />
Macintosh computers with Mac OS 10.5 or later have a similar  application called Time Machine. This application allows you to back up  data and set up a profile that will allow you to save it on the machine  or export it to an external hard drive. We'll get to those in the next  section.<br />
Both of these applications give you the option of setting up a  schedule to perform backups. This allows you to back up data regularly  should you forget. What's more, these applications can send you e-mail  alerts when performing backups if the system experiences a malfunction.  You don't have to use either of these programs, however; there are lots  of off-the-shelf backup solutions available for both Windows and Mac,  though they come at an additional cost, of course.<br />
Once you've mastered how to back up data on your computer, you've  taken a big step toward protecting your important information. Now let's  look into some external places you can store that important data to be  able to retrieve it even if you do lose your primary hard drive. In the  next section, we'll explore some devices and methods you can use in your  defense against the unknown mysteries of hard drive failures.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>EXTERNAL HARD DRIVE BACKUP OPTION</b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://harddriveportable.net/wp-content/uploads/best-external-hard-drive.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="164" src="http://harddriveportable.net/wp-content/uploads/best-external-hard-drive.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b> </b></span> <br />
<br />
Now that you've learned some reasons why to back up your data, let's  explore the places you can send your data in order to retrieve it safely  should you encounter some sort of computer meltdown.   <br />
One option is to export your data to an external hard drive.  These devices are readily available at your local retail store and can  be found at various Web sites online. Most of these drives connect to  your desktop or laptop computer through the universal serial bus (USB) port on your machine. Installation is usually a matter of plugging them in and letting your operating system  discover them. Many of them come with third-party software to help you  back them up. One installed, you can access your external hard drive  much the same way you would access your internal drive or another device  connected to the computer. Backing up your data is as simple as  clicking and dragging those files you wish to back up into the external  drive. This is perhaps the best solution for backing up your hard drive.  Your data is safe on the external hard drive should your computer  crash.<br />
A second option, one which is gathering more popularity, is <strong>cloud storage</strong>, backing data up online to a virtual location. There are lots of cloud storage  sites on the Web; many offer a few gigabytes of storage for free but  require you to pay for more space. Many of these sites boast security  measures aimed to protect your vital information such as Social  Security, bank and credit account numbers. Still, anytime you put  information on the Web, you should do so with caution. Information on  the Web, no matter how secure, is susceptible to hackers and security  breaches.<br />
If you want, you can back up your hard drive on CDs, DVDs or on a flash drive.  CDs have a relatively small amount of storage space and are better for  smaller data backups. DVDs can handle about seven times more information  than CDs. Most CDs and DVDs are designed to be used once and can't be  rewritten, though you can buy discs that can be erased and reburned when  you back up your computer again. Flash drives, in comparison, can  handle a few gigabytes of information and can be rewritten the same way  you would with a regular hard drive. The downside is that larger flash  drives can be costly, which makes backing up an entire hard drive an  expensive proposition. If you use removable media, you can lock your  backups in a fire safe or safety deposit box -- which you can't do with  cloud storage and you may be less likely to do with an external hard  drive.<br />
If your hard drive crashes, chances are good that you will lose some  data. But taking a proactive stance by backing up your hard drive will  limit the damage. It's better to lose a few files than a whole life's  worth of work and information. For more on hard drives, viruses and  related articles, take a look at the links on the next page.

How to Back Up a Hard Drive

Personal computers are perhaps the most significant invention of the 20th century. Nearly every industry relies on them. Even trades such...

How to Avoid Facebook Scams

Toukir Rahman 0 facebook facts, facebook tips, Social Networks, social tips tricks 11:55 PM

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.allfacebook.com/images/facebook-scam-mail.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="http://www.allfacebook.com/images/facebook-scam-mail.gif" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
It's not an exaggeration to say that online social network sites have revolutionized the Web. They're at the forefront of the Web 2.0 movement and Facebook  is one of an elite few leading the charge. Every day, hundreds of  people join the Web site to reconnect with old acquaintances and make  new friends.<br />
But helping people make connections with each other is just one of  Facebook's qualities. Another important element is that Facebook allows  application developers to create small programs called apps (short for  applications) and use Facebook as a platform. In a way, Facebook is  acting like an operating system -- it provides the foundation for  smaller applications that tap into the social network's resources.<br />
Arguably, the most important resource is Facebook's user base.  Building an app can be time-consuming and challenging; however,  Facebook's community includes millions of people, and that gives  developers a built-in audience for their work. Without this audience,  developers could end up working long hours, creating a program that no  one sees or uses. But the nature of Facebook's community helps  developers spread their work virally. Facebook members grab the  application after seeing it on a friend's profile and soon thousands of  people are enjoying the app.<br />
<table class="sideBoxLeft"><tbody>
<tr><td><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Why  do developers create apps? Some developers just want to create a fun  application for people to enjoy. The app enhances the user experience on  a social network. Others are building programs that are part of a  marketing strategy -- they hope the application will nudge users to  purchase a particular product or subscribe to a service. A few create  applications that gather data in order to create targeted advertising.  And some are taking advantage of the open nature of Facebook to create  malicious programs or run scams in an effort to con users or cause  mischief.     <br />
How can you avoid these scams? And what should you do if you fall victim to one?<br />
<br />
<div class="module articleBody moduleHeader2 marginClearBottom" id="ArticleWell">   <div class="inner">   <div class="hd">    <h1 class="articlePageTitle">Facebook Scams</h1></div><div class="bd">      <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.usatoday.net/tech/_photos/2008/04/28/socialx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i.usatoday.net/tech/_photos/2008/04/28/socialx.jpg" width="234" /></a></div><div style="float: right; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; text-align: center; width: 400px;"><br />
<span class="credit"><a href="http://howstuffworks.com/framed.htm?parent=how-to-avoid-facebook-scams.htm&url=http://www.apimages.com"></a></span><br />
<span class="caption">Adrienne Felt, a computer security student, created an app that brought to light some Facebook security vulnerabilities.</span></div>Facebook  apps come in dozens of varieties with hundreds of examples in each  category. There are quizzes, games, tools and other apps that let you  rank everything from your favorite albums to the celebrities you'd like  to meet. Each of these apps requires you to install a few lines of code  to your Facebook profile. From your point of view, all you have to do is  click a button on a page, indicate that you accept the user agreement  and install the app.     <br />
But not all apps are innocent. You should pay attention to what  kind of information the app says it must be able to access to work  properly. Facebook's privacy policy is built on two principles: Users  should have total control over their personal information and they  should be able to access the information other users wish to share  [source: <a href="http://howstuffworks.com/framed.htm?parent=how-to-avoid-facebook-scams.htm&url=http://www.facebook.com/policy.php">Facebook</a>].  When you fill out a Facebook profile, you can include information  ranging from your date of birth to your address to personal contact  information. Facebook also tracks information about how you use the  site. If that information remains private, you feel safe. But what if  Facebook shared that information with someone you didn't know?<br />
That was a problem with some early Facebook applications. In order  to function, most applications need to access some of your information.  Early apps would often access far more information than they required.  That meant the developers of those apps could access a great deal of  personal information about users. Facebook tried to put a stop to this  and demanded that developers only request access to information that was  necessary for the app to work the way it should.<br />
Facebook points out in its privacy policy that users can choose  which information remains private. But it also points out that although  it provides privacy protection, no system is perfect. It's possible for  developers to find ways around safeguards and access information. It's a  good idea to do a little research about an app before you choose to  incorporate it into your profile.<br />
<br />
<div class="module articleBody moduleHeader2 marginClearBottom" id="ArticleWell">   <div class="inner">   <div class="hd">    <h1 class="articlePageTitle">Facebook Scam Warning Signs</h1></div><div class="bd">      <table class="sideBoxRight"><tbody>
<tr><td><div class="titleBlue">Video Killed the Facebook Star</div><div class="body">One of many scams to make the rounds on Facebook was a ploy to get users to visit a fake video site and download malware in the disguise of a video player. Once a user's profile was compromised, the malware would send out messages to that user's friends, claiming the recipient could be seen acting strangely in a video. Curious friends would visit the site, download the malware and the cycle continued.</div></td></tr>
</tbody></table>There  are several indicators that can usually clue you in to a scam. Two  major red flags that something underhanded is going on are a request for  a password or credit card information. Scammers collect passwords or  credit card numbers and use that information to take advantage of the  victims. These requests might seem perfectly innocent in the context of  the app but they should set off alarm bells in your mind. Again, do a  little legwork and research the app before you take the plunge.     <br />
If an app tries to take you to a new page, pay attention to  that page's domain name. Some scammers are clever enough to create a  mockup of a real Facebook page with a request for your password. If the  domain name seems fishy, you shouldn't insert your password. Pop-up  messages that advise you to download or install an additional  application after you've already started the process are another  potential sign of malware. Installing these programs may infect your  computer with a virus.<br />
Sometimes one of your friends will fall victim to a scam and you'll  receive messages that appear to be from him or her. These messages  usually ask you to visit a link included in the note. You should send a  message to your friend to confirm that it's a legitimate link. It's  possible your friend's profile has been compromised and the message was  sent to you automatically. If the wording of the message seems odd or  unlike your friend's normal style, that's another indicator that  something questionable is going on.<br />
There's a special name for the way scammers manipulate victims like this: social engineering. While it's true that malicious hackers known as <strong>crackers</strong>  sometimes pierce a system's security by using various software tricks  and hacks, it's also common for people to willingly give up information.  The scammer just has to make the victim want to share. There are a  couple of common ways scammers trick people into sharing:<br />
<ul><li>They appeal to the victim's vanity with a message that  suggests the victim can be seen in a compromising or funny way at a  certain Web site. The link to the Web site actually leads the victim to  downloading malware.</li>
<li>They make promises of get-rich-quick schemes.</li>
<li>They tempt the victim into sharing a credit card number, then commit credit-card fraud.</li>
</ul>Next, we'll look at what you should do if you're victim of a scam.<br />
</div></div></div><br />
<div class="module articleBody moduleHeader2 marginClearBottom" id="ArticleWell">   <div class="inner">   <div class="hd">    <h1 class="articlePageTitle">Recovering from a Scam</h1></div><div class="bd">        There are a few things you can do if you're the victim of a scam. What you do depends on what the scammer has done to you.<br />
If you've divulged your password, you should post a message to your  friends to warn them that your account was compromised. This might  prevent your friends from following any links that will compromise more  accounts. Change your password to something hard to guess -- a string of  unrelated characters is best. Avoid using the same password for  multiple accounts or services -- otherwise you could leave even more of  your information vulnerable. You can report the scam to Facebook through the Help Center.<br />
Facebook provides a form for victims of phishing attacks. <strong>Phishing</strong>  refers to the practice of tricking people into sharing private  information like credit card numbers and social security numbers. One of  the more common phishing scams is known by two names: the <strong>Nigerian scam</strong> or the <strong>419 scam</strong>.<br />
The basic scam goes like this: The person sending the message  claims that he or she has a large sum of money that's being held up in  another country. With your help, this person will be able to free up the  money and will give you an enormous reward. But to get the money, the  person needs some of your money first. This is just a cover story -- the  person is really trying to steal your money. If you see a message like  that, you should use the form provided by Facebook to make them aware of  the problem.<br />
If you're a U.S. citizen and the victim of identity theft,  you should file a police report, contact your bank and alert the fraud  departments of the major credit bureaus. You can report financial scams  or identity theft to other agencies as well. In the United States, this  includes:<br />
<ul><li>Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)</li>
<li>Federal Trade Commission (FTC)</li>
<li>Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)</li>
</ul>Facebook is a powerful social networking site that can help you  stay in touch with friends on the other side of the world. There are  lots of genuinely fun and useful applications on Facebook. With a little  caution, you can enjoy the best Facebook has to offer and avoid being  the victim of a scam. Just think twice before you install an app or  click on a link.<br />
<br />
<br />
</div></div></div><br />
</div></div></div>

How to Avoid Facebook Scams

It's not an exaggeration to say that online social network sites have revolutionized the Web. They're at the forefront of the Web ...

How do I know which cables to use?

Toukir Rahman 0 Computer Tips/Tricks, how to 11:50 PM

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.networksupplyinc.com/NEWimages/Patch_Cables.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.networksupplyinc.com/NEWimages/Patch_Cables.jpg" width="311" /></a></div><br />
The cable selection at the electronics store could be renamed the  "wall of confusion." Not only are there dozens of different kinds of  audio/video cable -- some for stereos, some for home theaters, some for  HDTVs and some for … who the heck knows? Even if you're lucky enough to  find the cable you need, you still have to decide between super  expensive and suspiciously cheap.  <br />
<br />
And then there's the salesman. "Have you heard of silver-plated  connectors?" What? "If you're buying speaker wire, then you should also  buy these stands that keep the wire from touching the floor." Why? "The  more expensive the cable, the better the sound." Really?<br />
<br />
<table class="sideBoxLeft"><tbody>
<tr><td><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>In  this article, we're going to give it to you straight. We'll explain, in  simple terms, what each type of audio/video cable does and where it  should be used. Along the way, we'll debunk some cable myths, starting  with the idea that the most expensive cable is the best.<br />
<br />
<div class="module articleBody moduleHeader2 marginClearBottom" id="ArticleWell"><div class="inner"><div class="hd"><h1 class="articlePageTitle">What is cable?</h1></div><div class="bd"><br />
The role of cable is to carry an audio or video signal from one  device to another. Cables carry signals between DVD players and TVs,  stereo receivers and speakers, and computers and video projectors.  Cables don't change the nature of the audio or video signal they carry.  They don't convert or process signals in any way. That's the job of the  devices on either end. The cable itself is just the messenger.<br />
<br />
Cables are made up of three basic parts: conductor, shielding and connector [source: <a href="http://howstuffworks.com/framed.htm?parent=cables-to-use.htm&url=http://www.crutchfield.com/Learn/learningcenter/home/cables.html#video_interconnects">Graves</a>]. The <b>conductor</b>  is the wire that actually carries the signal. One or more layers of  shielding prevent the wire from acting as an antenna that picks up radio  frequency interference (RFI) and electromagnetic interference (EMI)  [source: <a href="http://howstuffworks.com/framed.htm?parent=cables-to-use.htm&url=http://www.crutchfield.com/Learn/learningcenter/home/cables.html#video_interconnects">Graves</a>]. The <b>connector</b> is the plug at the end of the cable that connects to your device.<br />
<br />
<table class="sideBoxRight"><tbody>
<tr><td><div class="titleBlue">Monster Cable vs. Coat Hanger</div><div class="body">Can a bunch of blindfolded audiophiles tell the difference between music playing over a $125 pair of Monster audio cables and the same music playing over a pair of twisted coat hangers? According to one informal experiment, the answer is no. The Consumerist reported the results of a study posted on an audiophile message board in which five audio addicts were put to the test. All claimed that both the expensive Monster Cables and cheapo coat hangers sounded equally "excellent" [source: <a href="http://howstuffworks.com/framed.htm?parent=cables-to-use.htm&url=http://consumerist.com/362926/do-coat-hangers-sound-as-good-monster-cables">Popken</a>].</div></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Cables  are important components of any home stereo or home theater setup. If  you don't use the right cables for the right job then you could end up  with subpar sound or picture quality. And if you use cables that are  damaged or otherwise junky, you could really end up with a lousy  experience. For audiophiles, using low-end cables with a $5,000 plasma  HDTV is like putting crappy tires on a Ferrari.<br />
<br />
<br />
Some audio/video experts argue that consumers should spend 20 percent of their total system cost on cables alone [source: <a href="http://howstuffworks.com/framed.htm?parent=cables-to-use.htm&url=http://reviews.digitaltrends.com/guide/191/do-expensive-home-audio-video-cables-matter">Rushing</a>].  The truth is that many cheaper cables offer a listening/viewing  experience that most consumers could never tell from the really high-end  cables [source: <a href="http://howstuffworks.com/framed.htm?parent=cables-to-use.htm&url=http://i.gizmodo.com/266616/the-truth-about-monster-cable">Rothman</a>].<br />
<br />
To keep things simple, we're going to break down the overwhelming  amount of cable types into three categories: audio-only, video-only and  audio/video cables that carry both sound and picture.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>AUDIO CABLES</b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/a2zcables/audioplugimage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/a2zcables/audioplugimage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Let's start with audio-only cables. The most common audio cables are called <b>analog RCA cables</b>.  These are the cables with red and white, or sometimes red and black  connectors. RCA cables are widely used to connect devices like VCRs and  DVD players to TV sets or CD players to stereo receivers. RCA audio  cables come in pairs with two connectors on each end, a red one for  right stereo and a white (or black) connector for left stereo. They are  often bundled with video cables. Experts recommend gold-plated RCA  connectors for extra protection against corrosion, especially if you  live in a humid environment [source: <a href="http://howstuffworks.com/framed.htm?parent=cables-to-use.htm&url=http://www.crutchfield.com/Learn/learningcenter/home/cables.html#video_interconnects">Graves</a>].  <br />
<br />
The other most common type of audio cable is <b>speaker wire</b>.  Speaker wire runs from a stereo receiver to all speakers except the  subwoofer (that requires a coaxial cable). Each speaker needs its own  dedicated wire. Speakers not only receive audio signals via speaker  wire, but also power.<br />
<br />
Speaker wire is made from 99 percent oxygen-free copper and usually  comes "unshielded," which means you can see the copper conductor.  Speaker wire comes in different thicknesses or <b>gauges</b>  rated from 12 to 18 (thickest to thinnest). As a general rule, the  longer your speaker wire, the thicker the gauge you should use. For  speaker wire lengths up to 20 feet (6.1 meters) long, 14-gauge is  sufficient, but anything longer than 60 feet (18.3 meters) requires  12-gauge wire [source: <a href="http://howstuffworks.com/framed.htm?parent=cables-to-use.htm&url=http://forum.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/34579/207261.html">ecoustics.com</a>].<br />
<br />
Speaker wire is fairly simple, so you can get away with buying  inexpensive, bulk wire. And don't let anyone tell you that all of the  speaker wires in your system need to be the same length. That's a myth  [source: <a href="http://howstuffworks.com/framed.htm?parent=cables-to-use.htm&url=http://www.cobaltcable.com/pdfs/Common%20Cable%20Myths%20Explained.pdf">Cobalt Cable</a>].<br />
<br />
Most audio recordings are digital nowadays, and there are several  newer cables that specialize in carrying high-bandwidth digital audio  signals. <b>Optical digital cable</b> (also known as fiber-optic and Toslink) transmits audio signals as pulses of light and is impervious to interference [source: <a href="http://howstuffworks.com/framed.htm?parent=cables-to-use.htm&url=http://forum.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/34579/207261.html">ecoustics.com</a>]. Another digital audio cable is called <b>digital coaxial</b>.  It looks the old coaxial cables that connect satellite dishes or cable  TV signals to televisions, except this is specially designed to carry  digital audio. You'll find optical and digital coaxial jacks on newer  DVD players, CD players and stereo receivers.<br />
<br />
The last type of audio-only cable is called <b>analog multi-channel cable</b>. This cable is designed for use with special players such as DVD-audio  that play discs recorded at high sample rates for the maximum sound  quality. Analog multi-channel cable consists of six to eight bundled RCA  connectors, each responsible for a different audio channel on the back  of a stereo receiver.<br />
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Next we'll talk about video-only cables, a slightly more complicated topic.<br />
<br />
<div class="module articleBody moduleHeader2 marginClearBottom" id="ArticleWell"><div class="inner"><div class="hd"><h1 class="articlePageTitle">Video Cables</h1></div><div class="bd">The most common type of video cable is called <b>composite video</b>.  A composite video cable consists of one yellow RCA connector that's  usually bundled with red and white RCA analog audio cables. It's called  composite video because all of the video information -- color,  brightness and sync -- is composited, or squeezed, onto one cable  [source: <a href="http://howstuffworks.com/framed.htm?parent=cables-to-use.htm&url=http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-6463_7-5020551-1.html">Miller</a>].  Composite video cables were designed for older TVs and have a maximum  resolution of 330 lines. They're fine for watching VHS tapes on the old  TV in the basement, but if you have a newer television, or an HDTV,  composite video cables simply won't cut it.<br />
   <br />
<b>S-video</b> cables are a step up from composite video  with a maximum resolution of 400 lines. You will recognize an S-video  cable by its circular, nine-pin connector. S-video separates color  information from picture information, resulting in a crisper image.  Although S-video jacks are found on a lot of TVs, DVD players and home  theater receivers, the cable's initial popularity was quickly eclipsed  by <b>component video</b>.<br />
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Component video cables consist of three RCA connectors colored red,  green and blue. With component video, not only is color separated from  picture, but the color portion is split into two separate signals  [source: <a href="http://howstuffworks.com/framed.htm?parent=cables-to-use.htm&url=http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-6463_7-5020551-1.html">Miller</a>].  The result is a super-sharp image with deep color saturation. Component  video cables are ideal for connecting high-definition video components  like Blu-ray players and HDTVs. Most home theater receivers come with  several sets of component video jacks.<br />
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<b>DVI (digital video interface)</b> cables were designed  specifically for use with HDTVs and other high-definition video  components. They have large, 18-pin connectors that look like computer  cables. DVI cables offer the exact same image quality as component video  cables, except that DVI comes with a built-in copy protection protocol  called HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection). Critics of DVI  claim the built-in copy protection mechanism causes compatibility  problems with certain devices.<br />
<br />
<br />
Lastly, we'll look at three kinds of cable that carry both audio and video signals.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>AUDIO/VIDEO CABLES</b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://image.made-in-china.com/2f0j00kCZQFWKPlDbv/Audio-Video-Cable-s-Connectors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://image.made-in-china.com/2f0j00kCZQFWKPlDbv/Audio-Video-Cable-s-Connectors.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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There are a handful of cables that transmit both audio and video signals. For years, <b>coaxial video</b>  cables were one of the only choices for connecting video components.  Coaxial video cables have that famous one-pin connector, sometimes  called a stinger, that can either be pushed or screwed into place.  Coaxial video cables are now mostly confined to outside connections,  such as satellite TV or cable TV lines that come through the wall. A  single coaxial cable carries both video and audio signals.<br />
<b>HDMI</b> cables are an updated version of DVI. <a href="http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/hdmi.htm">HDMI</a> cables were also designed for use with HD components, but their connector is much slimmer, like a large USB cable. HDMI also includes HDCP copy protection. Manufacturers of HDMI cables tend to advertise their product as the only choice for connecting HD video components, but that's not true. DVI cables work equally well. However, if you're using an analog TV, all three work equally well [source: <a href="http://howstuffworks.com/framed.htm?parent=cables-to-use.htm&url=http://www.cobaltcable.com/pdfs/component_vs_dvi_hdmi.pdf">Cobalt Cable</a>]. <br />
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In Europe and the UK, the most popular dual-purpose cable is called <b>SCART (</b><b>Syndicat des Constructeurs d'Appareils Radiorécepteurs et Téléviseurs)</b>.  SCART cables have fat, 21-pin connectors. In Europe, SCART cables do  the work of RCA analog audio cables as well as composite, s-video and  component video cables, but they can't carry high-bandwidth digital  video or audio signals, such as those necessary for high-definition TVs.  HDMI is the preferred cable in Europe for HD components.<br />
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<b>FireWire</b>, or <b>IEEE 1394,</b> cables are  mostly associated with connecting devices to computers, but a few  high-end home theater receivers and HDTVs now come with FireWire ports.  FireWire is capable of carrying compressed MPEG-2 video and digital  audio. You might use a FireWire cable to connect a digital video camera  directly to your home theater system to show off some unedited footage.<br />
<br />
To sum up, here are the cables that you would use for some common home entertainment systems.<br />
<br />
<div style="font-weight: bold;">Home stereo system (CD changer, stereo receiver, speakers):</div><ul><li><b>Lower-end:</b> If you're playing regular CDs or MP3s, you'll only need RCA analog audio cables and speaker wire.</li>
<li><b>Higher-end:</b> If you want crisper digital audio, go for optical or digital coaxial cables and thicker speaker wire.</li>
<li><b>Highest-end:</b>  If you want the unparalleled sound of DVD-audio in full surround sound,  you'll need special DVD-audio cables and 12-gauge speaker wire.</li>
</ul><br />
<b>Home theater system</b> <b>(Blu-ray player, DVD player or VCR, video game console, home theater receiver, TV, speakers):</b><br />
<ul><li><b>Lower-end</b>: If you have an older  standard-definition TV and mostly use your system to watch regular DVDs  or VHS tapes, then you'll do fine with a composite video cable bundled  with RCA analog audio cables.</li>
<li><b>Higher-end:</b> For a  newer standard-definition TV, you should really upgrade to component  video cables. RCA cables will still do fine for audio.</li>
<li><b>Highest-end:</b>  Once you enter the world of high definition, you'll need to use either  component video cables or one of the two copy-protected options: DVI or  HDMI. You'll also want to invest in thick-gauge speaker cable to make  the most of your surround-sound system.</li>
</ul><br />
For more information on home audio and video systems, follow the links on the next page.<br />
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</div></div></div><br />
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</div></div></div>

How do I know which cables to use?

The cable selection at the electronics store could be renamed the "wall of confusion." Not only are there dozens of different ki...

How to Add RAM to Your Laptop

Toukir Rahman 0 Computer Tips/Tricks, how to, laptop 11:43 PM

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://img.ehowcdn.com/article-page-main/ehow/images/a04/8m/0v/choose-processor-laptop-800x800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://img.ehowcdn.com/article-page-main/ehow/images/a04/8m/0v/choose-processor-laptop-800x800.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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If you've ever switched from a desktop computer to a laptop,  the experience can be liberating. While some might enjoy having a  single space in which to work at a computer and organize files both  physical and digital, a desktop can also keep you feeling anchored to  the spot. It relies on electrical outlets 100 percent of the time, and  carrying all of its bulky components from one place to the next isn't  convenient, either.<br />
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Laptops, however, run on battery  power, and, once sufficiently charged, can operate anywhere you carry  them. They're small, thin and lightweight, so whether you want to lounge  on the couch or work at the coffee shop, laptops are portable and easy  tools to use.<br />
<br />
But the only real difference between a laptop and a desktop, of  course, is how they're put together. A laptop has all of the same  hardware and accessories a desktop does, like a screen, a keyboard, a microprocessor,  memory storage and a series of fans to cool the system down. Everything  is just arranged differently since it needs to fit in a much smaller  package. That means once you start building up more files, adding more  pictures, uploading more music and using more programs simultaneously,  you'll experience something many laptop computer users lament -- slow  load times and sluggish performance.<br />
<br />
<table class="sideBoxLeft"><tbody>
<tr><td><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Typically, the culprit behind any performance issue is an insufficient amount of <strong>random access memory</strong>, or <strong>RAM</strong>. Although some owners cringe at the thought of adding more RAM  because a laptop's layout isn't as straightforward as a desktop,  sometimes adding or upgrading the RAM on your system is the easiest and  cheapest solution to increasing your laptop's performance.<br />
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So what exactly are you doing when you add more RAM to your system?  How do you choose the right RAM? And once you've opened up that laptop,  how do you install RAM correctly?<br />
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<div class="module articleBody moduleHeader2 marginClearBottom" id="ArticleWell">   <div class="inner">   <div class="hd">    <h1 class="articlePageTitle">Choosing RAM</h1></div><div class="bd">       <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.freecomputerrepair.com/images/memory2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="http://www.freecomputerrepair.com/images/memory2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="float: right; padding-bottom: 3px; text-align: center; width: 300px;"><br />
<span class="credit"></span><span class="caption"><br />
</span></div>When most people refer to a computer's "memory," they're talking about random access memory, or <a href="http://computer.howstuffworks.com/ram.htm">RAM</a>.  RAM is considered important to your laptop's central processing unit  (CPU), because memory allows you to run several programs at once without  too much interruption. How do you know if you need more RAM, though?  <br />
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The telltale sign of too little RAM is slow performance. Usually, when you purchase a new <a href="http://communication.howstuffworks.com/laptop.htm">laptop</a>,  it takes very little time to start the computer and run its existing  programs. But as you add files and perform more tasks simultaneously,  things start to slow down. If you boot up your computer and it takes  several minutes for everything to work properly, chances are you could  use more RAM.<br />
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Fortunately, adding RAM to your laptop is probably the easiest and  most inexpensive method to boost computer performance. Even getting a  new CPU for your laptop might not do as much as adding RAM. But if you  do a little bit of searching on the topic of RAM, you'll find there are  several different kinds and many different sizes available. What's the  right RAM for your computer?<br />
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First of all, you need to judge the performance of your laptop and  ask yourself what kind of work you'll be doing. If you play games on  your laptop or run lots of programs that take up a lot of processing  power, you'll want a good amount of RAM -- 2 GB of RAM or more. If  you're using your laptop for simple day-to-day work, you probably won't  need more than 512 MB of memory [source: <a href="http://howstuffworks.com/framed.htm?parent=add-ram-laptop.htm&url=http://www.crucial.com/support/howmuch.aspx">Crucial</a>]<br />
<br />
So once you've chosen the right kind of RAM, how do you get it into your laptop?<br />
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<div class="module articleBody moduleHeader2 marginClearBottom" id="ArticleWell">   <div class="inner">   <div class="hd">    <h1 class="articlePageTitle">Adding RAM</h1></div><div class="bd">       <br />
Once you've purchased the necessary RAM module, you're ready to add more memory to your computer. Before you start anything, make sure the laptop  is completely turned off and unplugged from any power sources for the  sake of safety. It's also recommended that you use an antistatic wrist  strap while you're handling a RAM module.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://tom2network.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Laptop-Ram-Upgrade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://tom2network.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Laptop-Ram-Upgrade.jpg" /></a></div><div style="float: right; padding-bottom: 3px; text-align: center; width: 300px;"><br />
<span class="credit"></span><br />
<span class="caption"><br />
</span></div>Once everything is powered down, you'll need  to find the memory compartment door. Different manufacturers put these  slots in different places, but on most laptops, you'll find a small door  on the underside of the machine. Using the appropriate screwdriver,  open the door and take a look inside. There are typically two slots for  RAM. If both slots are full, you'll have to remove one of the modules  and replace it with a module with more memory to upgrade your laptop's  RAM. You can remove a                                                                                 <span class="caption">Although it might look a little difficult,  everything you need to add more RAM to your computer is right in front  of you once you open up the back of your laptop.</span><br />
<span class="caption">  </span><span class="caption">laptop.</span><br />
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<span class="caption"> </span>  <br />
RAM module by pressing on the little ejector clips  that hold the module in place. If one of the slots is empty, you can  simply place the new module in the slot. Adding a module is fairly  straightforward -- it should just slide into place and, once you give it  a little push, it'll lock down with the help of the clips. Again, your  experience may be different depending on the company that made your  computer, so make sure to check your owner's manual or support Web site  before you start opening your laptop's case.  <br />
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Once you have everything back into place, replace the access door and  turn on your computer. If everything goes well, your laptop should  automatically recognize the extra memory. You'll find that your computer  will boot much faster, run applications more smoothly and switch  between programs with less lag time.<br />
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For lots more information on RAM, laptops and computer technology, see the links on the next page.<br />
</div></div></div><br />
</div></div></div>

How to Add RAM to Your Laptop

If you've ever switched from a desktop computer to a laptop, the experience can be liberating. While some might enjoy having a singl...