Are YOU Looking for COMPUTERS? Here’s COMPUTERS information for you!

There are many fancy add-ons for computers, but the basic components of the computer are simple and universal. If 1 of these main components is missing, it’s not a computer.

The 4 essentials of every computer system are: a motherboard, a Central Processing Unit (CPU), memory, and a hard drive. These components are installed in a case to which are attached a monitor, a keyboard and a mouse. That’s your basic computer.

Mother WHAT?

The motherboard (”mobo” for short) is the foundation. Everything attaches to the mobo — the CPU, memory, hard drive, monitor, mouse, keyboard, add-on cards, even additional peripherals like printers, scanners, and speakers. The motherboard is like the nervous system and skeleton of the human body — it provides support for the internal components and also passes information between the computer parts.

CPU

If the motherboard is the nervous system, then the CPU is the brain. Most of the mathematical manipulations that make computers operate are done by the CPU. Other components may also have their own processors, but their results still have to be passed through the CPU.

The speed of the computer is usually measured by the speed of the CPU. Even though other factors also affect overall speed, the CPU rating is generally seen as the single most important measure of performance.

Modern CPUs are usually rated between 2.0 GHz and 3.0 GHz, although each passing month will see increasing performance. This measurement refer to the number of calculations the processor can make in 1 second. The higher the number, the faster (better) the computer.

CPUs generate a lot of heat doing this work, so they need a heat sink and fan to keep them from overheating. Heat is a major enemy of the computer and directly affects its life span.

Computer Memory

RAM (Random Access Memory) is the part of the computer that stores information the computer needs while it is operating. It is Random Access because the computer can get the data in any order, not necessarily the order in which it is stored. Generally speaking, the more RAM the better. 512 to 1024 megabytes is common for memory.

The most common type of RAM these days is DDR-SDRAM, which stands for double-data-rate synchronous dynamic random access memory. We already know what the RAM part means. DDR means that the data is accessed twice as fast as ordinary RAM.

The latest type of RAM is DDR2. It offers even faster access rates and is quickly becoming the standard for computer memory.

Hard Drive

All the data contained in RAM is lost when the computer is turned off, so there has to be a place to store it permanently. This is what the hard disk is for.

It holds the computer’s operating system. An operating system like Windows uses around 4 gigabytes of hard drive space. The extra space is used to install computer programs and to store your personal data.

80 gigabyte hard drives are common, but 400 GB units are available. Furthermore, you can install more than 1 in a computer case for added security and convenience.

Peripherals

All you need to complete the basic computer system is a monitor, keyboard and mouse.

Accessories like a printer or scanner are useful for office work, and gamers will probably want to add speakers and joystick controls.

So there you have it. The basic computer needs just 7 major components. For the best performance, these components must integrate well. The motherboard is the most important component for determining the type and specification of the other parts. Choosing an appropriate mobo for your computer needs is the first step and may require a quick call to your local geek.

Soon YOU will be considered the local geek!
About the Author

Ron King is a full-time researcher, writer, and web developer. Visithttp://www.build-computer-now.com to learn more about this fascinating subject.

Copyright 2005 Ron King. This article may be reprinted if the resource box is left intact.

Written by: Ron King

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Computer Cleaning May Be The Best Home Based, Part-time or Full-time Business

With the proper motivation, training, and advertising you will be able to charge for most all aspects of personal computer and computer system installation, repair, and maintenance.

But, unlike your competitors, you will engage in the two most lucrative and high-profit aspects of computer maintenance — computer cleaning (Note 1) and spyware removal (Note 2).

Imagine yourself being able to charge $50 to $75 per hour with almost no business expenses; no high-dollar office or advertising, no employees with their demands and aggravations.

Imagine yourself owning your own business within just a few days, no high-dollar startup expenses, no dealing with the bankers, no burdensome filing fees or taxes.

Imagine a work place with no boss watching your every move, no timelines except those of your making.

Your potential clients

Any individual, family, or business is a potential client. At one time or another, guaranteed, all are in need of your computer cleaning or spyware removal services. And, once your foot is in the door then the potential for ’rounding’ the business is tremendous. Hardware and software upgrades, new systems, additional client terminals, one-on-one training, it’s all there, just for the asking.

Nothing, other than a successful spyware removal is so appreciated by the customer as a physically clean system. Sticky keyboards make it difficult to type and a dirty monitor makes it difficult to read an e-mail or complete a spread sheet. Dust inside of the case can allow heat to rise until the system malfunctions.

In this guide we will be covering how to eliminate all of these dirt and contaminate related problems, as well as a few others that we’ve personally encountered.

Keep in mind that this isn’t the be all or end all to system cleaning. But, using this information should keep your customers’ systems in good shape and earn you their gratitude and dollars.

First, and most importantly, we need to emphasize that you should only perform these items if the hardware is turned off. Cleaning a computer while it is on could damage the equipment and possibly even cause harm to yourself.

Second, you must appear clean and tidy. A white lab or doctor’s coat makes a great impression. Upon request, we will supply you with a scalable image of our PCdoctor™ logo that many of us proudly display. An anti-static strap, while not absolutely necessary, is another item that makes a customer remember your service, not your bill.

Finally, computer cleaning is an on-going business. Do a good job the first time, bill reasonably, and the customer will use you on a regular basis. Establish for yourself a reminder system to calendar repeat visits. Call or write the account a few days prior to the next calendared visit.

Note 1 : Computer cleaning is the physical cleaning of a computer system to remove dirt, dust, and airborne contaminants that accumulate over time. Among the items you will learn to properly clean are the case (outside and inside), keyboard, monitor, mouse, external ports, removable drives, printers, etc.

Note 2 : Spyware removal is the process of removing (un-installing) spyware, adware, trojans, browser hijackers, telephone number dialer software and keylogger programs that your customers knowingly or unknowingly install on their systems through Internet access. These programs cause pop-ups, un-wanted advertisements, home page (or start page) hijacking, modifying search results, dialing out to incur unwanted long distance telephone charges, and can even delete entire hard disks of valuable data.

Jay Stikeleather

http://www.pcdoctorsgroup.com/

Author Info:

Jay Stikeleather is one of the founding partners of http://www.pcdoctorsgroup.com/ PCdoctors are computer and pc technicians specializing in personal and business computer maintenance, installation, upgrades, and training. Visit us today, you too can become a PCdoctor.

About the Author

Jay Stikeleather is one of the founding partners ofhttp://www.pcdoctorsgroup.com/ PCdoctors are computer and pc technicians specializing in personal and business computer maintenance, installation, upgrades, and training. Visit us today, you too can become a PCdoctor.

Written by: Jay Stikeleather

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PC Cleaning

Taking care of your computer will help it last longer and work better.

To clean your mouse – The trackball can pick up dirt and dust from your desk and mouse pad. Also, the wheels that the trackball come in contact with get dirty and need to be cleaned. If you notice your mouse “doesn’t work right”, it may be time to clean it. First, turn your PC off. Turn your mouse over and you will see the ball sticking out of a cover. Look at the arrows on the cover and turn it in the indicated direction to open it up. Don’t worry about anything falling out. The only thing that comes out is the ball, and maybe a little dust, and you want to take that out anyway. You can clean the ball with alcohol if it needs it, but usually just wiping it off will work. A cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol works well for cleaning the wheels. When you’re done, drop the ball back in and put the cover back on. If cleaning it doesn’t help, it may be time to replace it. PC mice are usually less than $10 and are sometime free if you watch for sales in the Sunday paper.

To clean your optical mouse – If you have an optical mouse, one with a red light under it, there is no ball and you can just wipe off the lenses with a cotton swab.

To clean your keyboard – Never spray anything into your keyboard, this includes coffee. You can use a vacuum cleaner to clean dust, dirt, staples and cookie crumbs from your keyboard, but make sure your computer is off before starting, and make sure you don’t have any loose keys. Rubbing alcohol works well to clean the keys and surface of your keyboard, but use it sparingly. Using a cloth works well, as paper towels tend to leave little pieces behind. If you spill something sticky like your favorite soft drink on the keyboard, the keys will likely start to get sticky as it dries. It could be time to replace it. They too are cheap and can be free if you watch for a sale.

To clean the computer – You can use a vacuum to clean around the vents and anywhere else that looks dusty. Be careful in the back of the PC to not knock any plugs loose. It is a good idea to keep the vents clean and free of dust, pet hair or lint. How often you clean your computer depends more on the environment it’s in than the manufacturer’s recommendation. I have 2 dogs that shed so I clean my computer about every 2 months. A cloth and alcohol can be used on the outside of the PC if it’s dirty but, again, turn it off first.

To clean your monitor – A vacuum can be used to remove dust from the vents. If you have fingerprints on the glass, you can use the same wipes that you would use on your glasses or use as soft cloth and warm water followed by a dry cloth. Think of your monitor glass the same way you think of glasses, if you wear them. They may have delicate coatings on them that can be scratched. Always avoid chemicals on displays. To clean a laptop display or LCD – These displays are plastic and can also be scratched by paper products such as tissues or paper towels or damaged by chemicals. Use a cloth made for glasses or camera lenses or a soft cloth and warm water followed by a dry cloth.
About the Author

Scott Dary, aka Parker Computer Guy, runs a computer repair and consulting business based in Parker, Colorado. Additional articles by Scott can be found at http://www.ParkerComputerGuy.com

Written by: Scott Dary

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In baseball, a “utility player” is one who plays more than one position. These players are usually backups, but they have a job in the major leagues because of their value to the team; since they can play more than one position, they have that much more value to their employer.

Too often in IT, workers become either LAN or WAN engineers, knowing little if anything about the other side. Many LAN administrators I worked with knew little about routing and switching, while many WAN engineers I knew not only didn’t know much about the LAN side of their network, but they didn’t want to know anything about the servers!

In today’s IT world, it’s a bad idea to specialize in only one thing and not know how to do anything else. Not only does it limit your future career prospects, but it limits your current prospects as well. Employers don’t want to hire someone and have them get up to speed on the job – they want someone who can walk right in and do the job. The more you know, the better your chance of getting a better job – or quickly being able to get another job if you were laid off tomorrow.

A term often heard on Wall Street is “diversification”, meaning that investors should not invest heavily or totally in only one stock; if that stock plummets, they’re in big trouble. Your career is the most important stock you will ever own, and you’re 100% in charge of it. Diversify. If you’re working primarily with servers, learn some routing and switching. If you know the routing protocols your company uses on its WAN, learn something about that protocol. (If you don’t know the protocol, ask!)

While you’re adding these skills, get certified while you’re at it! Adding a CCNA, MCSE, or other computer certification looks great on your resume while signaling to employers that you’re constantly adding to your skills.

Adding more skills and knowledge to your IT skill set is always a good idea. Don’t limit yourself to the technologies you work with every day. Make an investment in yourself and become a well-rounded network engineer. This will help you keep the job you have – and open doors in the future that might otherwise have remained closed.

About the author:

Chris Bryant, CCIE #12933, is the owner of The Bryant Advantage , home of free CCNA and CCNP tutorials! Pass the CCNA exam with Chris Bryant!

Written by: Chris Bryant

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When you wake up on exam day, one of two things is going to happen. Well, yes, you’re going to pass or fail. But what I’m thinking of comes before that, and has a lot to do with how you perform on exam day.

You’re either going to have a tremendous feeling of anticipation or the dreaded feeling of being nervous about it.

Anticipation is a great thing to feel on exam day. You’re driving to the exam center, excited about the exam. You’re much like a football player, slapping another player on the helmet or the shoulder pads before the game starts. (Warning: Don’t try this on the exam proctor.) You know there’s a challenge ahead, but you’re looking forward to it. In your mind, you’re already victorious you’re at the testing center only to make it official.

Conversely, there’s nothing worse than being nervous or feeling unprepared before the exam. I’ve driven up to an exam center and seen exam candidates doing some last-minute cramming in their car. Sadly for them, if there’s something you were unprepared for at 8 AM on exam day, you’re still going to be unprepared when you go into the test center, no matter what you read in the car at the last minute. You don’t see football players studying their playbook on the sideline before the game starts.

It’s all about preparation. I regularly tell my students and customers that you don’t pass a Cisco exam (or any other vendor exam) the day you take it. You pass when you turn the TV off for weeks before the exam to study you pass when you spend time and money to attend a class or buy a book or training video you pass when you give up a weekend to get some hands-on experience. That’s when you pass. The exam score you get is simply feedback on your exam preparation.

There’s a great saying “Prior Preparation Prevents Poor Performance”. That describes to a “T” what your strategy to pass the exam must include. Put the time in well before exam day and you’ll reap the rewards on the big day. If you’re just planting the seeds of knowledge in your car the morning of the exam, don’t expect much of a harvest.
About the Author

Chris Bryant, CCIE #12933, is the owner of The Bryant Advantage (http://www.thebryantadvantage.com), home of free CCNA and CCNPtutorials! For my FREE “How To Pass The CCNA” or “CCNP” ebook, write to chris@thebryantadvantage.com !

Written by: Chris Bryant, CCIE #12933

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