In brief, the chipset drivers are small software programs that help the main board of a computer to work properly. All the chipsets need exactly the driver designed for them so they can interact with the operating system. In a more usual language, the driver is translating the flows of directions between the operating system and the chipset. If the translator is missing or is not working, then the operating system cannot understand what the chipset is saying.
The importance of a chipset driver is very high, if it has problems functioning, then everything else that is connected to it will have problems. An essential thing that everyone has to acknowledge is the diversity of existing drivers. Practically, every piece of hardware has a specific driver, which in turn can be divided into different versions. As there are different operating systems, each has its own set of drivers.
A useful thing that you need to know is that new versions of the existing drivers appear all the time and it is a good idea to update regularly so you will not encounter any problems. New versions are needed either to fix new problems or to add specific new things. So you should always keep searching for new versions.
Next, you can discover some easy steps on how you can find a driver for your new chipset or to update the one you already have. If you ever had troubles finding the right driver or you are new to this field, follow on:
- The first step in finding the best driver for your chipset is to know what you are searching for. The way to do this is by reading the information provided by the supplier of the hardware. It is written on the manual, on the packaging, or even on the chipset itself. If the information is not present, the solution would be to get a program that automatically identifies what you need.
- The second step in finding your driver is to start searching the web by using the data you acquired, and for this you should use your favorite search website. From the results, choose the one that has the best answer. If the company that produces the software is listed, you should try there first. If not, there usually are websites dedicated especially for driver download.
- If you cannot find a solution in the previous steps, you should try to connect with those who made the hardware. If you can provide a proof or a license for your product, most of the times they will provide you with a driver or they will direct you to where you can find one.
If you take the time to go through these recommendations, you should be able to come up with the perfect driver for you. The installation or update of the chipset drivers is usually pretty easy, as there are instructions on how to do that. If the process is completed, you will rest assure that your computer will continue to work.
Kamis, 25 Maret 2010
How to Find the Right Chipset Drivers
Rabu, 17 Maret 2010
My Computer Starts Slowly - The DIY Approach to Better Performance
Most of us these days love the do-it-yourself (DIY) approach to building, making, fixing, altering anything. There is something very empowering about the DIY approach to life. It offers us a certain sense of empowerment - giving us the feeling that we can do or fix almost anything in our daily lives that we may need or want.
And, there are plenty of companies these days willing to help each of us make that a reality. There are stores for helping you make your own home repairs and improvements. You can change your own automobile oil. You can assemble your own furniture and toys. You can even do maintenance on your own personal computer.
DIY Tune-Ups on Your Personal Computer
When it comes to computers, even the non-technical among us can perform simple DIY-style maintenance and repair work. For example, we can use canned air to spray-clean dust and other particles out of our keyboards or computer case. We can run some built-in utilities like disk defragmenter and disk cleanup in order to improve hard drive efficiency. We can empty our "recycle bin" full of unused files, thereby freeing up room on the hard drive. The slightly better-trained among us may even new memory or replace our processor when it becomes outdated.
My Computer Starts Slowly - What to Do
One commonly-experienced computer problem that does not seem to always have an easy DIY fix is that of a super-slow startup. If you are saying to yourself almost every day, "My computer starts slow," it means that the problem is serious enough to warrant a fix. If your computer is taking more than 2-3 minutes to start up, it is starting too slowly.
The reason why slow computer startups are so frustrating is that when you want to use your computer, you want to use it NOW. Nobody wants to have to wait for the computer to get going just to be able to use it.
What Happens at Computer Startup
To understand why computers sometimes take too long to start up, it is important to get a handle on what happens during startup. The basic process that occurs during startup is:
a. the system is supplied with power
b. the operating system is loaded into the computer's RAM (memory)
c. hardware is connected and made operational
d. any applications that are set to "run at startup" are launched
Why Some Computers Start Up Slowly
Your computer is starting up slowly for one or both of the following reasons. The first reason is that you have too many applications set to run at startup. Over time, most of us install more and more applications onto our computer. Many of them, unbeknownst to us, are set to launch at computer startup. Your computer may be currently launched 10, 20, 30 or more computers at startup. If this is the case with your computer, disable all of the unneeded programs that launch at startup.
The second reason has to do with something called your computer registry. This is a database that acts as a control mechanism for your computer. The registry operates at a level just below that of your operating system (OS) and hardware. It records all of the personal settings and other control features for your OS. The trouble is, over time, every computer registry starts to accumulate a lot of invalid "registry keys" (the files that make up your registry). Having too many invalid or incorrect registry keys can slow the performance of your computer during and even after startup.
How to Fix Your Computer Registry
You can run a reputable registry scan software application that will identify how many registry errors your computer currently has. If more than 20 registry errors are found, you should run the registry fix utility built into the software. This will remove or "clean" the invalid registry keys, helping restore your computer to its previous, faster startup times.
Try these DIY approaches to shortening your computer's startup time.
How to Find the Right Driver Download
Drivers are essentially a set of instructions that your computer needs to operate hardware, another description is a piece of software that determines how your computer will communicate with a device. If you are not familiar with drivers or a driver download then the following information will help you.
Most hardware devices require a driver in order to operate properly. If you buy a computer brand new, it will already have all the required hardware drivers installed, also your computer should come with a disc containing the drivers.
When you purchase a new piece of hardware, for example a sound card or a printer, it will come with a CD containing the drivers for the device. These drivers are specific to the make and model of your hardware.
Some devices do not come supplied with a driver disc, this could be because the drivers may be an intrinsic property of the device, this means any drivers required are on the hardware. An example is a mobile broadband USB stick. Once the stick is inserted into a USB port, its drivers will auto run and automatically install. It only takes a couple of clicks to confirm where you want the drivers installed, and your new device is ready for use.
Hardware like CD drives and hard drives are simple plug and play, no additional drivers are required. Some gadgets like mp3 players and cell phones come supplied with a driver disc, in many cases your mp3 player or cell phone can be used on your computer without installing any drivers. You may be limited to what functions you can perform. You will be able to perform basic operations like moving music files and pictures etc. But for more in depth activities such as synchronising your device you will need to install the drivers supplied.
There will no doubt come a time when you will need to download a driver. If you take your time to look around the internet you will probably find the driver you need for free. There are hundreds of sites that will let you download drivers for free.
But many sites out there will charge you for downloading drivers. Before paying for drivers always visit the manufacturer web site. Very often they will have drivers for all of their products available for free. When using a search engine to locate the file you want, remember to be specific in your search term. With so many drivers available and probably several different models of your device, it is very easy to download the wrong
one.
If you have exhausted every option and still cannot get your driver for free and your only option is to pay for it, then be sure it is the exact driver you need. Remember drivers are specific to the hardware, if you download the wrong one you will not get a refund, so be careful.
Some manufactures provide updated drivers for your device, these updates can come available some time after you purchased the equipment. So it is always worth checking on their web site for any driver download updates available.
Antivirus, Firewall Software – New Ways to Purchase Anti Virus.
Antivirus, firewall software – new ways to purchase anti virus.
Antivirus software has become a necessity for windows based operating system users. Due to the way windows is built and how it works makes it easy to write malicious software which gets into your personal computer without you knowing about it.
There are quite a few varieties of viruses, some make a backdoor channel into your computer and use its resources (Trojans), some only collect information about you (spyware), and some make certain advertisements popup onto your screen now and then (adware).
In order to keep your private information safe, you need a reliable, proven and effective antivirus program. Antivirus and firewall are a bit similar in purpose. A firewall is a specific program which only monitors the incoming traffic onto your computer and filters malicious data which could potentially harm your computer and yourself.
Most of the antivirus software available in the market today comes with a firewall of its own. It is automatically installed on your computer when you install the antivirus itself. Some of the corporate grade, or high end antivirus software does not come with a firewall in the default package, rather you either have to purchase the firewall separately or purchase a complete antivirus suite. Such suites can cost you as much as up to 40 to 60 USD (25 33 pounds).
While deciding about buying an antivirus you have to take a few factors in consideration. First and foremost, you don’t need to just go and buy the best looking software because some of the biggest names in the industry have been overshadowed by formerly less known vendors. Why? Due to the lack of support from the old and established antivirus companies and their failure to keep the users updated about upcoming threats.
Moreover, these companies usually charge you quite a bit of sum and you don’t need to spend your money on something which is all names and no real output. You also need to watch out for the opposite type of vendors, these vendors do not have any real piece of software to offer you, rather ironically the adware kind of viruses actually make you buy useless software and substandard antivirus and firewalls are also a part of this malicious software program.
You need to buy an antivirus or a firewall from a vendor who has recently gained ground in the industry; this can be a new company which has been making antivirus and firewalls for no more than three years.
Some people have even suggested that viruses we created only to give the antivirus companies a boost and are being created for the same purpose to date. It is logical not to rule out this idea because it has been the practice of the corporate world as long as humanity remembers to create a void for a product, prepare it before hand and release it at the very sweet moment. In short that is how marketing works.
Remember, you have to take the right decision and strike a balance between names a performance.
Rabu, 10 Maret 2010
How to Hook a USB Up to an Old Head Unit
The most common way of transferring data or music files from a mobile or a mp3 to a personal computer is by using a USB cable. The cable is used to pass the data from one device to another; the data can be music files also. One of the ways is to connect using the radio's auxiliary port and the other way is by connecting the mp3 player to a cigar lighter. But in a old car which uses only CD player can be given with such option. So it is very necessary that everyone to know how to hook a USB up to an older car stereo.
Though USB is very common in the personal computer but it not very common in the radio present in the car. There are only a few radios which have these USB facilities. But it is possible to connect a mp3 player to such radios using adapter cables. The cable allows us to connect the mp3 player in either of two ports
There are a few tools needed to complete this task. The usage of these tools reduces the time consumed for the job. These include a CD player of car and USB cable. These tools can be purchased individually. The USB cable is a very important component as only with it, one can transfer data or music from mp3 to the stereo of the car.
The first thing to be done before doing this process is to turn on the power of the car so that one can play the radio in the car. CD player installation is a must. As this adapter can be fixed to a CD player only and not to an ordinary tape record.
The adapter is inserted inside CD changer. The adapter has a resemblance to a CD which has in its middle a running cable through it. A feet distance is covered by this cable after CD player before getting connected to the display which is generally digital. This digital display is considered to be an integrated one in the adapter and the wires are just for manipulation and for moving the location.
Now the MP3 player is connected to the USB port or any other kind of device. Then the MP 3 player is powered on. And then the adapter screen displays the tracked information on it. It will give the relevant data for the next step to be done.
The play option in the car CD player is switched on. Stereo systems have got controls for various options in it. But these controls won’t function in the same way as it would work with an player with a CD inserted in it. These kinds of attachment can ensure good music in your car. Though it is old you can make such modifications in it and enjoy good music for your ears. It does not cost you much also.
Thus if one must know how to hook a USB up to an older car stereo.
Using Windows Scripts to Backup Files to External Hard Disk
One of the more routine processes that can be performed with a Windows script is backing up files and folders. Often times you just want to copy files onto a backup USB type jump drive or other external hard drive that can be removed and stored safely in case of emergency and can also be easily moved from system to system.
The first step in building this script is you need to assess what exactly needs to be backed up. Is it just a hand full of files or are there complete directory structures and folders that need to be saved in case of a disaster. If you are just copying files straight across to a backup drive you can use the copy command and some wild cards in place of file names along the lines of "copy *.*" which will copy all files from a source to a destination regardless of name or file extension.
There are additional switches you want to be aware of for use with the copy command. The V switch will verify all of the files copied with the original and can come in handy if you are copying files to a floppy disk using a questionable or flaky disk drive. If you want to create a script that can run in the background without user intervention then you will make use of the Y switch. The Y switch suppresses prompting when the copy command overwrites files in to the destination. For example if every day you backed up the same set of files to a backup drive you would want the copy to overwrite the files instead of prompting you to confirm each one.
Now if you want to keep a directory structure along with folders and sub-folders intact or copy them over verbatim, you will need to use the xcopy command. Xcopy is like the copy command only on steroids with many more features including the ability to copy whole folders and sub folders containing files. Executing this command would look like "xcopy source destination" with the E switch which will copy all files and folders. Just like copy the xcopy command supports the Y switch to suppress overwrite prompts.
When it comes to the xcopy command I could cover many more features which can be quite powerful when building Windows backup scripts for your workstations and servers. With this cool command you have the ability to copy over ownership and security information, file system attributes, and so much more. With either the xcopy or copy commands you also have the ability to pipe the detailed job log information into an output file using the > character followed by the file name. You can then go back and review the detailed log files to make sure all of the backups are running smoothly.
Once you have a backup script created you can take it a bit further by looking at ways we can schedule it to run automatically and then freeing up your time to do more important things. Automating a script like this can be easily accomplished using the task scheduler that comes pre-installed with Windows. You simply specify what days and time you want the script to run and your off to the races.
A Quick Guide on it Security
We have all used the excuse of a PC crash and virus attack, perhaps even more than its fair share to avoid working, giving in projects on time and missing deadlines. Many a times it is really just an excuse, but for many, it has posed actual problems causing loss of important and often irreplaceable data. How many times have you wanted to kick yourself for not bothering to get a good anti-virus, anti-spyware and firewall because thanks to it you ended up re-doing presentations. And doesn’t the loss of all your favourite videos, the pictures of your last holiday, and your best songs stored on your PC, make you wish that you had been more careful, and at least made back-ups? And if all this sounds familiar to you, and brings back unpleasant memories of computer crashes or irritating pop-ups or worse, your email and Facebook accounts being hacked, then it is time to sit up and pay attention.
The world of IT security has many dedicated professionals who work on developing new and safer anti-virus, anti-spyware, pop-up blockers and other software to protect your PC from hacking, virus attacks and in the worst case scenario - crashes. The importance of IT security has been acknowledged by one and all today. If you believe that only government or top-secret websites, or those who use net-banking and online purchase facilities need good IT security software, then it is time for a reality check. Don’t we all get spam mail all the time, and often, even if advertently end up clicking on some random link, or visiting potentially damaging sites and put our PCs to risk? It is not only people who give out personal information like credit card numbers, or bank account numbers online who need IT security, but anybody and everybody who has access to a PC with Internet. Spyware, malware and viruses are all risks that plague every PC, and often without even us knowing about them.
Many of us avoid buying original and authentic anti-virus and spyware programs, and try and make do with the free, easy to download versions online. However, what we forget is that these are generally trial versions that offer to scan your PC and alert you about potential threats but do not in any way get rid of them. Though buying an anti-virus CD will make you shell out a few bucks, but it is definitely worth the effort. The surety that you will not face computer crashes that are almost a matter of life and death for many, and have your personal emails hacked is worth each and every penny. With so many anti-virus and anti-spywares available today, there is really no excuse if you still end up having IT security issues.
Investing in a good and safe anti-virus would be the first step if you want to make your PC safe and secure against potential IT security issues. Anti-Spyware and malware lodge themselves in your PC and monitor your online activities and give away important personal information to hackers. In fact, not bothering about IT security is tantamount to throwing the field open for hackers to hack your emails and accounts. Pop-ups, are again something we all agree are irritating beyond a shred of doubt, but more than just that they are links to potentially damaging sites and spyware and an open invitation to security problems. A good pop-up blocker, available online (most of them are free of cost) would also be a wise decision.
The world of IT security offers solutions to all your PC safety and security problems, and to think that you could be least bothered by it is the worst thing you could do to your PC and your online activities.