How to Speed Up Your Computer: Part 1 by Nathan Segal
Q: My computer is running slowly. How do I speed it up? A: This relatively simple question isn't easy to answer, nor does this problem only affect graphics users, but pretty much anyone who has a computer with multiple software programs, music, etc. and is connected to the Internet. ... When was the last time you defragmented your hard drive? ... Many people think that adding more RAM, a faster video card with more memory, a hard drive or a motherboard upgrade is the best solution. ... If your answer to number 2 was that you didn't defrag your hard drive, that's a relatively simple solution.

Computer Viruses and the Damage They Cause by Jordi Shoman
Owning a computer is a relatively large responsibility, especially when one observes the amount of maintenance and cleaning involved in keeping your computer in as best a condition as possible. Through excessive use a computer can become quite crowded with useless information, which takes up... Basically a virus is a piece of software that seeps into your computers system and attaches itself to files on your hard drive. ... If your computer somehow contracts a virus, the process of removing it may be quite rigorous and likely result in the loss of the information on your hard drive.

How To Backup Your Hard Drive by Otis F. Cooper
We all know that we should back up our system as soon as possible. But if you're like most of us, you will get to it tomorrow. The problem is that tomorrow rarely ever comes until you experience a serious computer failure and then it’s too late. Taking the time to backup your data or entire hard... You can either purchase an internal hard drive and install it to your ide cable, or you may want to purchase an external hard drive that connects to your Universal Serial Bus or USB Port. ... Here you see the first letter as D but if your optical drive has a different drive letter, exchange the...

Computers: Do You Need An Upgrade? by Michael Quarles
Have changing demands left you unsatisfied with your computer’s performance? An upgrade may be called for. But which should you get to fill your needs? Computer repair shops make their money two ways: by selling their labor, and selling parts. The more parts they install, the more labor... Allow 35 watts for your hard drive, and another 35 for the CD/DVD. ... Hard Drive- You want space for all your stuff, and to be able to get at it fast. ... It can help if you ask your computer to do a lot of multitasking, and make a big difference if you do speed sensitive work like video captures.

Memory (RAM): Some FAQs by Logan Rokwild
Why should I upgrade my computer’s memory? Upgrading your computer’s memory is probably one of the easiest and cheapest ways of boosting its performance. More memory translates into faster computing. Compare the situation with your own work desk. As your work load increases, so does your paper... There are several indicators of insufficient memory – the computer working slower than normal, the hard disk drive audibly working ‘hard’, you having to wait long for applications to start. ... If RAM is too cluttered, it will have to retrieve information from the hard disk drive more often,...

Tech Buzz Today! A Look Inside The Mind Of Pop Culture And The Internet by Greg Richburg
Today’s pop-culture spouts hip-hop, camera phones, 50” Plasma HDTVs, high speed Internet access, web cams and integrated global espionage right there in your living room, office PC or PDA. I have access to more information today than I could have ever dreamed!! ... In a hard drive mirror, if the primary drive fails, a simple switch and you are back up and running in no time. ... If a hard drive crashes in a raid array, one of the other drives in the array can handle the load until the failed drive is replaced.

Upgrade Your PC With These Computer Parts by M Johnson
Like most people after buying a new laptop or desktop computer the like-new feeling goes away very quickly. Why? One reason is technology changes so quickly it is almost impossible to keep up, or is it? Instead of buying a new PC every year or so a better idea is to upgrade the computer... A very easy and inexpensive PC hardware component is to add an external hard drive, or if you have experience with computer tech, an internal hard drive can be replaced. ... Adding an external hard drive is as simple as plugging it into an available USB port and go!

Computer Upgrades: The Most Important Question by Michael Quarles
Of all the concerns you may have about your computer, there is one that overrides all of them. Can it do the jobs you need it to do? If your main needs are a machine for balancing your checkbook, doing a little word processing, and surfing the web, then almost any computer of recent vintage will... If you need more hard drive space, you can get a bigger drive, or just add an extra one. ... Is there enough space on the hard drive? ... Speed can be improved in most computers by adding extra RAM. ... Installation isn’t that hard.

Guide to Buying Hard Drives by Andrew Gates
Apart from being one of the most essential parts of your computer, hard drive storage is constantly updating, in terms of both capacity of disk space and in physical size. When it comes time to upgrade your disk storage, there are a number of factors for you to take into account. ... However, before you buy a hard drive for your portable computer, check that the hard drive's specifications will meet the standards of your computer, as many laptop hard drives are proprietary, and are not compatible with other brands and models.

Tips To Become a Master DVD Ripper by Ted Peterson
How difficult is to perform a DVD ripping? What should you look for and what do you need in order to do a successful job? Here are some tips that can be useful. If you are looking to become a master dvd ripper then you will have to learn the basics of the subject. ... One of the big factors is the drive speed. ... It is also important to have a fast machine that can handle conversion of dvds to your hard drive. ... Another factor that will effect how fast your dvd ripper goes is cpu speed. ... For instance an 8x drive will have the capability of ripping the dvd 8 times faster than the dvd...