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OS Hard Drive Control and Configuration - ...ng sections are overviews of the programs.
FDISK
FDISK is a program that runs in DOS, and is useful mainly in 9x. Very old versions ...
Hard Drive Removal and Installation - ..., but it usually isn't difficult either.
Hard Drive Removal
The first step in removing a hard drive is, with all the cables and powe...
Hard Drive BIOS Settings - ...they don't have to detect the drives each time. The other option is often called User, meaning that the user sets the parameters. If you feel you need...
Hard drives are a common culprit in PC problems - ...ions.
Operating System Is Missing
One of the most obvious signs of a hard drive problem is an error message early in the boot process s...
There are several different types of removable storage devices - ... OSs on a single computer, a job usually done by setting up the different OSs on different partitions.
USB and FireWire (IEEE 1394) Drives...
CD drives are called optical drives because microscopic pits - ... used to read from CD data discs. Eventually came CD-R drives, which allowed discs to be burned (recorded) once only. There weren't too many of these ...
Maintenance of Optical Disc Drives and Discs - ...bacco smoke, or other pollutants.
Diagnosing Optical Disc Problems
The list of problems that can occur with optical drives i...
Video is the single most important feature of a PC - ... people use screen readers and keyboards to use their computers, but screen readers don't work until the OS boots. Consequently, repairs and other ope...
Video adapters are available in AGP and PCI - ...only the correct card can be inserted into a given slot. Each connector represents a different standard that includes a different signal voltage and o...
Older network adapters came in myriad types - ...motherboards come with built-in Ethernet adapters. Ethernet transmission speeds have increased from 10 to 100 to 1000 Mbps. Older cards worked at a fi...
Mice can be connected to PCs in at least one of four ways - ... the original interface used in personal computers. Serial devices are hot-pluggable. Although new computers no longer come with serial mice, the vast...
Keyboards are also crucial devices in the vast majority of computers - ... the typebars from jamming. Some keyboards come with features such as ergonomic shapes or built-in touchpads. Some have extra buttons used for turning...
Failure to connect to the Internet is a very common reason - ...You cannot connect to the Internet Service Provider (ISP).
You can connect to the ISP, but you can't open Web pages and/or use e-mail.
...
Different problems you can have connecting to the Internet - ... program vendor. Windows configuration can, however, play a big part in connecting, even if you're using third-party software.
On the CD Th...
Common Outlook Express Problems - ...Outlook Express and General E-Mail Information
Note We will be covering Outlook Express version 6 here, the latest as of this writ...
Troubleshooting Overview - ... the next thing to do is try a known good power supply. If that works, you have found the problem. Occasionally, that won't work either, but then you ...
Tips for Obtaining Personalized Assistance - ...r, it is rarely a good idea to pay for telephone support because the rates are often between $35 and $200 per problem.
Have access to the sys...
Why you should not scrimp on a new PC - ...strong> If you’ve bought a cheap computer before it’s quite likely that after a short while of using it, you noticed the speed at which it could perfo...
Why is selecting the proper case for your computer so important - ...isassemble
your entire computer, remove the motherboard and other components,
and move them all to a larger case.
Keep this upgrade pos...
Feeding power to your computer - ...
so it’s well-nigh impossible to make a mistake and damage a hard drive
or DVD drive because of an electrical short caused by a reversed connecti...
Your Motherboard Is Your Best Friend - ... small slots to hold
your RAM (memory) modules.
Ten years ago, buying a motherboard by itself was much harder. However,
with the const...
Adding RAM and a CPU to a PC - ...RAM acts as a
work area for the program: storing, changing, and retrieving data. As an
example, if you run an address book program on your compu...
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Below is a list of all PC components articles. If you want to find a tutorial by keywords, all you have to do is a quick search in our directory. Just use the search option available at the top-right side of the page. The website search is powered by web-articles. Or, if you want to read specific PC components tutorial, just point to it. The newest articles and tutorials are shown first in the list. To access the last ones, browse the pages 2, 3, 4... at the bottom. Also, you may browse articles alphabetically ordered.
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Below is a list of all PC components articles. If you want to find a tutorial by keywords, all you have to do is a quick search in our directory. Just use the search option available at the top-right side of the page. The website search is powered by web-articles. Or, if you want to read specific PC components tutorial, just point to it. The newest articles and tutorials are shown first in the list. To access the last ones, browse the pages 2, 3, 4... at the bottom. Also, you may browse articles alphabetically ordered.
Page# 1 (last added articles shown first)
Why is selecting the proper case for your computer so important (10/04/2009)
(...) Other drive bays remain hidden inside the case, with no access to the outside; these bays are usually reserved for additional hard drives, which don’t need to be handled during routine use. If coordinating your computer with your room is important, I bet those cases in designer colors and shapes are calling your name. But before you pick up an aerodynamic case in canary yellow or neon green, keep in mind that you’ll probably find it difficult to find other parts in such exotic colors later on. (...)
(...) Other drive bays remain hidden inside the case, with no access to the outside; these bays are usually reserved for additional hard drives, which don’t need to be handled during routine use. If coordinating your computer with your room is important, I bet those cases in designer colors and shapes are calling your name. But before you pick up an aerodynamic case in canary yellow or neon green, keep in mind that you’ll probably find it difficult to find other parts in such exotic colors later on. (...)
Feeding power to your computer (10/04/2009)
(...) (In fact, AMD recommends at least a 400-watt power supply for the Athlon 64.) If you buy a used case, make sure that it comes with a power supply and a working fan. You should also make sure that the power supply is UL listed just check that it has a UL listed sticker. (...)
(...) (In fact, AMD recommends at least a 400-watt power supply for the Athlon 64.) If you buy a used case, make sure that it comes with a power supply and a working fan. You should also make sure that the power supply is UL listed just check that it has a UL listed sticker. (...)
Your Motherboard Is Your Best Friend (10/04/2009)
(...) If you’ve found a used case or motherboard, make sure that whatever you buy fits your existing part. For example, an ATX motherboard requires an ATX case and an ATX power supply (ahem) an AT-size motherboard doesn’t fit in an ATX case. All of today’s processors require an ATX case. (...)
(...) If you’ve found a used case or motherboard, make sure that whatever you buy fits your existing part. For example, an ATX motherboard requires an ATX case and an ATX power supply (ahem) an AT-size motherboard doesn’t fit in an ATX case. All of today’s processors require an ATX case. (...)
Adding RAM and a CPU to a PC (10/04/2009)
(...) Just follow the appropriate steps and then test your chassis. FYI about CPUs You can choose from a number of CPU models these days, and you might be able to save a little money while shopping if you’re faced with a decision between manufacturers and speeds (or if you’re scavenging from an older PC). Therefore, review the general characteristics of the current crop of computer cranium components. (...)
(...) Just follow the appropriate steps and then test your chassis. FYI about CPUs You can choose from a number of CPU models these days, and you might be able to save a little money while shopping if you’re faced with a decision between manufacturers and speeds (or if you’re scavenging from an older PC). Therefore, review the general characteristics of the current crop of computer cranium components. (...)
Why you should not scrimp on a new PC (09/28/2009)
(...) They offer them with the latest operating system such as Windows Vista or Windows 7 and they also throw in a flat screen monitor all for not more than a few hundred pounds. Sounds great right? The problem is if you buy a cheap machine like this you will end up with the above scenario. You may think “This machine has got 4gb of RAM, it must be good” But the problem is unless you really know your stuff about PC’s you will be fooled. (...)
(...) They offer them with the latest operating system such as Windows Vista or Windows 7 and they also throw in a flat screen monitor all for not more than a few hundred pounds. Sounds great right? The problem is if you buy a cheap machine like this you will end up with the above scenario. You may think “This machine has got 4gb of RAM, it must be good” But the problem is unless you really know your stuff about PC’s you will be fooled. (...)
General Rules for Memory Installation (12/11/2007)
(...) Tip Motherboards with the Intel 875 and 876 chipsets take DDR SDRAM in a dual channel configuration. There are two channels of memory, A and B, and two slots for each channel, 0 and 1. For best performance, make sure to follow the motherboard manufacturer's instructions. (...)
(...) Tip Motherboards with the Intel 875 and 876 chipsets take DDR SDRAM in a dual channel configuration. There are two channels of memory, A and B, and two slots for each channel, 0 and 1. For best performance, make sure to follow the motherboard manufacturer's instructions. (...)
Hard disk drives are so named because they contain hard magnetic disks (12/11/2007)
(...) Tip For more information about BIOS settings, see your BIOS manufacturer's Web site, your motherboard/computer manufacturer's Web site, or access tech support at unicore.com. Overview of Hard Drives (Hard Disk Drives, HDDs) Hard disk drives are so named because they contain hard magnetic disks inside the housing. (...)
(...) Tip For more information about BIOS settings, see your BIOS manufacturer's Web site, your motherboard/computer manufacturer's Web site, or access tech support at unicore.com. Overview of Hard Drives (Hard Disk Drives, HDDs) Hard disk drives are so named because they contain hard magnetic disks inside the housing. (...)
Hard Drives and Operating Systems (12/11/2007)
(...) FAT32: FAT32 stores files more efficiently than FAT16 and has support for long filenames. FAT32 drives can be read by every version of Windows since the second version of Windows 95 (except for NT 4.0), and is the default file system for 98 and Me. (...)
(...) FAT32: FAT32 stores files more efficiently than FAT16 and has support for long filenames. FAT32 drives can be read by every version of Windows since the second version of Windows 95 (except for NT 4.0), and is the default file system for 98 and Me. (...)
OS Hard Drive Control and Configuration (12/11/2007)
(...) FDISK is available on all 9x boot floppies, and in 95 and 98 by booting to DOS from the hard drive. When you get the command prompt, type FDISK. The first thing you'll see, unless you have a tiny hard drive, is a message asking if you want to enable support for large disks (larger than 504MB). (...)
(...) FDISK is available on all 9x boot floppies, and in 95 and 98 by booting to DOS from the hard drive. When you get the command prompt, type FDISK. The first thing you'll see, unless you have a tiny hard drive, is a message asking if you want to enable support for large disks (larger than 504MB). (...)
Hard Drive Removal and Installation (12/11/2007)
(...) Cable Select is a setting that allows the slave or master condition to be determined by which connector on the ribbon cable the EIDE device is connected to. The cable and motherboard or IDE controller must support cable select in order to use it. Cables that do support cable select have three different colored connectors: black at one end for master, gray in the middle for slave, and blue at the other end for the motherboard. (...)
(...) Cable Select is a setting that allows the slave or master condition to be determined by which connector on the ribbon cable the EIDE device is connected to. The cable and motherboard or IDE controller must support cable select in order to use it. Cables that do support cable select have three different colored connectors: black at one end for master, gray in the middle for slave, and blue at the other end for the motherboard. (...)
Hard Drive BIOS Settings (12/11/2007)
(...) T. drive setting. This feature reports potential problems with the hard drive. (...)
(...) T. drive setting. This feature reports potential problems with the hard drive. (...)
Hard drives are a common culprit in PC problems (12/11/2007)
(...) Operating System Is Missing One of the most obvious signs of a hard drive problem is an error message early in the boot process saying that the system can't find an OS. However, before jumping to conclusions, make sure there is no floppy in the floppy drive. It is most common for a BIOS to be set to boot first from a floppy, so if there is a non-bootable floppy in the drive, you'll probably get a message such as "Non-system disk or disk error," or "ntldr is missing. (...)
(...) Operating System Is Missing One of the most obvious signs of a hard drive problem is an error message early in the boot process saying that the system can't find an OS. However, before jumping to conclusions, make sure there is no floppy in the floppy drive. It is most common for a BIOS to be set to boot first from a floppy, so if there is a non-bootable floppy in the drive, you'll probably get a message such as "Non-system disk or disk error," or "ntldr is missing. (...)
There are several different types of removable storage devices (12/11/2007)
(...) When installing one of these drives, make sure you follow the directions exactly, especially order of installation. You can expect problems if you don't. If you are asked to get one of these drives working after someone installed it incorrectly, you'll have to uninstall the drive and start over again. (...)
(...) When installing one of these drives, make sure you follow the directions exactly, especially order of installation. You can expect problems if you don't. If you are asked to get one of these drives working after someone installed it incorrectly, you'll have to uninstall the drive and start over again. (...)
CD drives are called optical drives because microscopic pits (12/11/2007)
(...) Unfortunately, there are several different incompatible types of DVD writable drives available, and the industry has not settled on a standard. The different types include the following: DVD-R: Can write to a blank disc once. The discs are compatible with most recent DVD video players. (...)
(...) Unfortunately, there are several different incompatible types of DVD writable drives available, and the industry has not settled on a standard. The different types include the following: DVD-R: Can write to a blank disc once. The discs are compatible with most recent DVD video players. (...)
Maintenance of Optical Disc Drives and Discs (12/11/2007)
(...) If the disc still can't be read, the problem is most likely to be in the disc. Scratches can often be repaired using a scratch repair kit. Follow the directions on the kit. (...)
(...) If the disc still can't be read, the problem is most likely to be in the disc. Scratches can often be repaired using a scratch repair kit. Follow the directions on the kit. (...)
Video is the single most important feature of a PC (12/11/2007)
(...) Video Adapter (Graphics Adapter, Video Card) Overview Many computers come with video built into the motherboard. However, many motherboards don't have built-in video, and some that do also have AGP slots for additional or replacement video adapters. There are also PCI video adapters available, although PCI isn't considered the best interface for video. (...)
(...) Video Adapter (Graphics Adapter, Video Card) Overview Many computers come with video built into the motherboard. However, many motherboards don't have built-in video, and some that do also have AGP slots for additional or replacement video adapters. There are also PCI video adapters available, although PCI isn't considered the best interface for video. (...)
Video adapters are available in AGP and PCI (12/11/2007)
(...) DVI video is available mainly in AGP video cards and as built-in video. DVI video can be better and faster than analog video. A computer's VGA port outputs analog video that the video adapter has converted from digital using a Random Access Memory Digital-to-Analog Converter (RAMDAC) chip. (...)
(...) DVI video is available mainly in AGP video cards and as built-in video. DVI video can be better and faster than analog video. A computer's VGA port outputs analog video that the video adapter has converted from digital using a Random Access Memory Digital-to-Analog Converter (RAMDAC) chip. (...)
Older network adapters came in myriad types (12/11/2007)
(...) They require wireless routers to work. They work similarly to cordless telephones; they have to stay within a certain distance of the base (router) to maintain a connection. Diagnosing Network Adapter Problems Many things can go wrong with networks, but not many problems can occur with the adapters; usually, they either work or they don't. (...)
(...) They require wireless routers to work. They work similarly to cordless telephones; they have to stay within a certain distance of the base (router) to maintain a connection. Diagnosing Network Adapter Problems Many things can go wrong with networks, but not many problems can occur with the adapters; usually, they either work or they don't. (...)
Mice can be connected to PCs in at least one of four ways (12/11/2007)
(...) There is no guarantee that ignoring this warning will fry the motherboard, but it is not worth the risk. Windows installs PS/2 mice transparently to the user unless the device has unusual features, in which case, a software disk might be needed. Note Many laptops have one PS/2 port. (...)
(...) There is no guarantee that ignoring this warning will fry the motherboard, but it is not worth the risk. Windows installs PS/2 mice transparently to the user unless the device has unusual features, in which case, a software disk might be needed. Note Many laptops have one PS/2 port. (...)
Keyboards are also crucial devices in the vast majority of computers (12/11/2007)
(...) This key doesn't actually cause the screen to print, at least in Windows. If it is enabled, pressing this key copies the screen to the clipboard so that if you open any document or image program and use the Paste command (<Ctrl> + <V> or Edit > Paste), the screen image appears in the document or image program. Holding the <Alt> key when you press Print Screen stores just the active window in the clipboard. (...)
(...) This key doesn't actually cause the screen to print, at least in Windows. If it is enabled, pressing this key copies the screen to the clipboard so that if you open any document or image program and use the Paste command (<Ctrl> + <V> or Edit > Paste), the screen image appears in the document or image program. Holding the <Alt> key when you press Print Screen stores just the active window in the clipboard. (...)
Failure to connect to the Internet is a very common reason (12/11/2007)
(...) When this happens, it might be because of OS corruption serious enough to require a clean install, or it might be one of those Windows things that happens for no real reason, and sometimes resolves itself with no real reason either. Note We don't cover wireless Internet specifically in this tutorial, although some of the information in this tutorial does apply to it. When setting up or troubleshooting a connection, there are some simple rules to follow, as we discuss in the following sections. (...)
(...) When this happens, it might be because of OS corruption serious enough to require a clean install, or it might be one of those Windows things that happens for no real reason, and sometimes resolves itself with no real reason either. Note We don't cover wireless Internet specifically in this tutorial, although some of the information in this tutorial does apply to it. When setting up or troubleshooting a connection, there are some simple rules to follow, as we discuss in the following sections. (...)
Different problems you can have connecting to the Internet (12/11/2007)
(...) Any other settings required by the ISP. Windows Dial-Up Networking (9x), Network Connections (2000/XP) Access Internet connection wizards in these places: 9x: Dial-up Networking is accessible in Control Panel, and often in My Computer. Create new connections and access existing ones in Dial-up Networking. (...)
(...) Any other settings required by the ISP. Windows Dial-Up Networking (9x), Network Connections (2000/XP) Access Internet connection wizards in these places: 9x: Dial-up Networking is accessible in Control Panel, and often in My Computer. Create new connections and access existing ones in Dial-up Networking. (...)
Common Outlook Express Problems (12/11/2007)
(...) To access the wizard, open Outlook Express. There might be icons for it all over the Desktop, but you should be able to find it in the Start menu program list. The first time you start it, the wizard will open. (...)
(...) To access the wizard, open Outlook Express. There might be icons for it all over the Desktop, but you should be able to find it in the Start menu program list. The first time you start it, the wizard will open. (...)
Troubleshooting Overview (12/11/2007)
(...) All Might Not Be What It Seems All might not be what it seems. The best example is when the computer locks up, as discussed in tutorial 9, "Input Devices." Many people see that the pointer freezes and assume that their mouse just broke. (...)
(...) All Might Not Be What It Seems All might not be what it seems. The best example is when the computer locks up, as discussed in tutorial 9, "Input Devices." Many people see that the pointer freezes and assume that their mouse just broke. (...)
Tips for Obtaining Personalized Assistance (12/11/2007)
(...) Always provide as much information as possible, especially when e-mailing. For example, writing "My sound doesn't work" isn't particularly helpful. Identify your exact OS version, your hardware (such as computer or motherboard model number, processor speed, amount of memory, and model of hardware that pertains to your question), and any other piece of information you think might be pertinent. (...)
(...) Always provide as much information as possible, especially when e-mailing. For example, writing "My sound doesn't work" isn't particularly helpful. Identify your exact OS version, your hardware (such as computer or motherboard model number, processor speed, amount of memory, and model of hardware that pertains to your question), and any other piece of information you think might be pertinent. (...)
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