
Technology has advanced so much during the past few years that any entry-level computer is going to have more than enough “horsepower” for the average computer user. So the days of being concerned about the size of the hard drive and speed of the processor have pretty much passed into history. RAM (memory) is still vitally important so I would not recommend any new system with less than 512MB. 1GB is even better; and if you’ve got your eyeballs set on the full, bells-and-whistles version of Windows Vista, 2GB will warm the cockles of Mr. Gates’ heart.One topic I always encourage when giving out computer tips and help to shoppers is to purchase locally, if at all possible. Virtually every community has one or more reputable computer shops that build computers. There are many advantages of purchasing locally as opposed to going through mail order or online through Dell, Gateway, HP, Compaq, etc. First and foremost, service is generally outstanding. A retailer that builds your computer will typically provide extraordinary service and support for all your computer problems, answers them in a timely manner, and realizes that their future business depends on their reputation within your local community.I usually purchase two new systems a year, each one built for me by a local computer builder/retailer. I’ve experienced first-hand through the years that if I have computer problems, answers are found quickly, with minimal or no “down” time, no 800-number calls to Banglagore, no bureaucracy, no messages that let me know how important my call is, only to advise me that my approximate waiting time is 37 minutes.In addition, many local computer builders will deliver and install your new system. Some will even copy data from your old computer to the new; and some will include an hour of training so they can show you how to use the CD-DVD burner or answer any questions you may have. But the primary benefit is cultivating a relationship with a local computer builder/repair service so that you’ll always have someone to turn to if a problem arises.If you purchase your new PC from a local retailer/builder, there’s also the benefit of keeping your hard-earned dollars right there within your community. You’ll be supporting the tax base while at the same time supporting your local merchants. How good is that?If you’re not sure who to go turn to for your new system, start making some inquiries; talk to friends, ask at local computer clubs for computer tips and help, and check the Yellow Pages and the business section of your newspaper. Keep asking and you’ll discover that there are always one or two names that continually come up.Another advantage of having a computer built for you is that you can get exactly the system you want. Or, if you’re not sure what you want, you can discuss with the builder how you use your computer and benefit from the builder’s suggestions and recommendations.When you purchase off-the-shelf or online from a national outfit, your brand-new system will generally arrive loaded with all kinds of software that you’ll probably never use. The first time you connect to the Internet, many of those programs will automatically register with their respective vendors which will open the door to pop-ups and nag screens galore, all inviting/harassing you to sign up for a variety of services, upgrades, etc., which creates unnecessary computer problems. Answers to any issues like this will always be to buy locally. I’ve never understood the philosophy behind loading up a new computer with gratuitous software. To me, that’s like buying a new car that the dealer then drives for a thousand miles under the pretense of testing it out for you. By the time you get it home, it’s a used car! Why accept a new computer with a hard drive that’s already infested with software that you’ll never use and probably never even know what it’s for?When I purchase new computers, the only thing I permit to be installed is Windowsthough these days I prefer dual-boot Windows/Linux systems. This gets rid of many computer problems, answers all my questions about what was installed on my computer, and allows me to pick and choose what I want installed. By only permitting the operating system to be installed, and whatever drivers or programs are necessary for any peripheral devices I might purchase, I know I’ve got a squeaky clean hard drive and anything that gets installed on that computer will be installed by me. Doing this also ensures that I’ll never look at my Programs or other folders and scratch my head wondering, “What’s that program?”Another one of my computer hints, tips and recommendations is if your computer builder normally installs a plethora of programs, review a list of programs beforehand and tell the builder which ones, if any, you want installed. It’s your computer; you should decide what’s installed or not. Once I setup my new computer, then I’ll install a few of my favorite ‘can’t-live-without-’em’ programs, and I’m good to go. You’ll find a list of Mr. Modem’s Favorite Programs in my Web-based Library.Last, but not least, when purchasing a new computer, tips and help I always give out is to obtain the original Windows installation CD. Some of the big-boy retailers won’t include the installation CD or will place a ‘restore utility’ on a drive partition, which serves no useful purpose if you experience a drive failure. Obtaining the original Windows installation CD is rarely a problem with local computer builders. In most cases, it’s automatically included, but it never hurts to mention it, just to be sure. If you ever need to reinstall Windows or if a file becomes corrupted, or if you need to reinstall a component, you’re pretty much out of luck unless you have the original Windows installation CD.Nationally syndicated columnist Mr. Modem delivers helpful, easy-to-understand computing tips and prompt, personal, plain-English answers to subscribers of his weekly newsletter. For additional information or to subscribe, visit www.MrModem.com. © 2006 Get-the-Net, Inc.
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What is the best media to store digitial photographs?I have alot of family photos that I have taken (birthdays, vacations, etc.) and I'd like to move them off of my computer's internal hard drive. What is the best / safest media to put them on? I have been shopping around with external hard drives but it seems like for every good review, there is a bad one. I'd love some professional advice / tips including brands etc. Thanks!
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March 6th, 2010
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Amazing painting, and love your song also.
fantastic!
you, sir, are freakishly talented. congratulations.
Just like any business, you need to define your target market and determine how to effectively reach them. Some possible target markets include:
- Small business owners, who more often than not do not have a dedicated employee for computer repair needs. Most of small businesses also would rather outsource the repair and maintenance of their computers rather than spend too much time away from their core business to do the repairs needed.
- Home business owners and one person businesses whose computers are extremely essential to the operation of their business
- Retired baby boomers are another important possible target market for this business. Most of the old folks will not drive to town to get their computer fixed. Plus, many of them are not willing or do not have the technical know-how to do even simple fixes or installs.
For additional information, read the following books:
Computer Repair Business Lessons Learned by Daniel Hand
How to start and run your own computer repair business by Joe A. Wisinski
Start Your Own Computer Business: Building a Successful PC Repair and Service Business by Supporting Customers and Managing Money by Morris Rosenthal and Reva Rubenstein
Try to stick to one site to avoid spending a lot on shipping. Go to newegg and make sure every item you get is either a combo item or has free shipping. I saved 80 dollars by using combos for every piece of my latest rig. Sink most of your money into a video card, I would go EVGA if you are getting an NVIDIA card. They have a step up program so that if something new comes out within 90 days of your purchase you can upgrade by paying the difference between how much you paid versus the new card. Adds a lot of life to your computer for only 30ish dollars. You can go cheap on the case as long as it gets good airflow. AMD Phenom 2s are the best for the money atm, Intels are more powerful but the platform will cost you a lot more. Don't go cheap on a power supply, and make sure you get ram from a decent brand (Corsair, OCZ, GSkill). Get a nice after market heatsink too, this can greatly increase your performance through overclocking.
Have fun, I love building budget computers.
Here's an example, remember you can save a lot of money by re-using old pars (HDD, CD-DVD drive just depends what is compatible.)
LITE-ON 24X CD/DVD Burner Black SATA Model iHAS324-08 –
Item #: N82E16827106291
Thermaltake Strike Mx VI6001BNS Black SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Item #: N82E16811133069
Western Digital Caviar Green WD6400AACS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive
MSI 770-C45 AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard –
Item #: N82E16813130228
EVGA 896-P3-1258-AR GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 SSC Edition 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported
Item #: N82E16814130441
OCZ StealthXStream OCZ700SXS 700W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL8D-4GBHK
AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Black Processor Model HDZ720WFGIBOX –
Scythe SCKTN-3000 92mm Sleeve "KATANA3" 3Heat Pipes CPU Cooler
Copied from newegg it was 705.00 without shipping. All of these parts can be scaled down by the way. Just make sure you get a good video card!
There are lots of good cameras out there. Anything 5 megapixels or above will be fine. I like the Canon A series cameras.
Here are some things to consider
Camera size, do you need a really small and thin camera?
Do you want rechargeable battery or easily obtained AA?
do you want to make video?
Do you need a high optical zoom or is 3x enough?
Memory card type. SD is pretty much the standard and new computers all have SD slots. Sony cameras use memory sticks and they have had compatibility issues.
hope this helps.
There are screw extractors out there, but for a low torque application like this the best way is probably to take a toothpick, cut part of the tip off so it fits flush into the circular hole, put epoxy on it and tape or support it there overnight while the epoxy cures. Should come right out after that. I wouldn't recommend superglue, it is too brittle.
Everyone knows that Windows computers can sometimes slow down over time. While not an exhaustive list of solutions to problems, this collection presents some ways to speed up a computer.
1. De-Fragmenting
Over time, the data on your hard drive gets scattered. Defragmenting your hard drive puts your data back into sequential order, making it easier for Windows to access it. As a result, the performance of your computer will improve.
a) Right click of C Disk.
b) Click properties.
c) Click tools tab.
d) Click "Defragment now".
e) Click Defragment.
2. Uninstall Unneeded Programs
Removing programs that you no longer use can free up space on your computer and speed up your system's performance. However, you need to uninstall the programs properly to see much improvement; deleting them is not enough.
3. Stop Programs from starting on Windows boot
One way you can speed up your computer is to prevent programs from launching themselves at start-up. Not only do the unwanted programs delay the start of Windows, they also continue to slow down your computer since they use system resources.
a) Open your Start menu.
b) Click Run
c) In the command screen type "msconfig.exe"
d) In the "system configuration utility", click either "service" or "startup" tab
e) Uncheck all programs that you are no longer using.
f) Click "OK"
4. Check for Spyware and Adware
Spyware is software that allows companies to monitor what websites you visit or even access your computer. Adware is software that displays advertisements. Both use system resources and slow your computer down. Detecting and removing the programs will improve system performance.
Get the best one from: <–http://toptenantispywareviews.com to scan your pc
5. Clean your Registry
Microsoft Registry Problems = Slow Computer!
Use the tool: <–http://downloadlk.com/themosteffectiveregistrycleaner.htm
Learn more information "why is my computer running so slow": <–http://downloadlk.com/WhyIsMyComputerSlow.htm
Your initial tables need to be :
components (id int(6) primary key auto_increment, description varchar(35) unique key, type_id int(6), obsolete int(1) default 0);
component_type (id int(6) primary key auto_increment, type_descn varchar(35) unique key);
client_selection (order_id int(6) not null, component_id int(6));
orders (id int(6) primary key auto_increment, user_id int(6), Order_date date);
Coupled with a client table using an auto_increment id field and carrying each user's details you can link each build to the client, and an order. A client can make hundreds of orders this way, the data is linked by id, and each build can be distinguished from previous orders. A quantity order could be created using an additional table for build_1, build_2 etc, including a quantity field, the primary key id from this can be used to link groups of components to each of a different machine on the same order. You would then add a field to the client_selection table to identify which part fits in which machine. Keep the fields in each table to a minimum, use id links to identify data to it's client, machine, order, build etc. A price table listing prices against component id allows for simple costing updates, a table for prices at date of order against component id on the order could mean selling at one price today, increasing the price tomorrow and building the machine next week without upsetting the client. He gets billed what he was quoted. Small amounts of data and linking makes the system flexible, don't be afraid to modify tables as required during testing.
my favorite actor! too!
Johnny Depp! best movie Edward Scissorhands! your Awsom! artist!
You can't limit it to a certan amount of time with out special softwhere which you will need to buy and install, but you can however make your comuter shut down at a certan time of day by pasting
'@echo off
title Scheduled Shutdown Batch
color A
echo Enter Time To Shutdown (Use 24 hr format, eg 21:35)
set /p stime=
cls
at %stime% ""shutdown -s -t 00"" >nul
echo Your PC Will Auto Shutdown At %stime%
echo Press Any Key To Exit
pause >nul
exit '
into a notepad doccument and saving it as .bat , then when o click it you can input the time you wish it to shut down.
Hope i helped =)
wow, amazing. Deep is my favorite actor too.
(Brasil)
no but scrubbug is a great place to visit!!!
AMAZING!! love it!
its like u took a picture@@
AMAZINGGG
take your own pepper spray
GOOD JOB! I Will Susrcibe!
amazing, how is that possible!? !?