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| Topic |
Category |
Some
Memory and HD Tips!
The Problem: I downloaded Memscope from m2tech.com and ran a
memory check. It reported no errors but it said it detected
480M of memory which concerned me because the BIOS setup says
I have 512. I am worried as to whether this is significant.
Basically I have 512M but your program reported that it found
480M. Does this mean I have a problem please? Answer.... |
HARDWARE |
|
Quick Tip
Processor Heatsinks Tip
1
One area we don't think much about
when diagnosing operating system hang-ups is the processor
heatsink, because it is usually out of view under a cooling
fan or air duct. Keeping the processor within the proper temperature
operating range is very critical, and if a dirty or clogged
heatsink is overlooked, it can cause operating system problems
or serious damage to the system. Just remember the old saying,
"out of sight, out of mind", should not be in a
technicians vocabulary.
- Thanks to “Bullseye” from the Micro 2000 forum
for this Tech Tip.
Processor Heatsinks Tip
2
Check the position of the heatsink/fan
combo to see if it is too loose. Sometimes the heatsink compound
will dry out and loose its wicking ability, which effectively
creates an insulation barrier. I had two AMD 400 processors
that would do this and I was continually replacing the heatsink
compound. I finally solved these problems by going to another
type of heatsink/fan combo other than the ones that came with
the processors. The newer processors seem to have a better
heatsink/fan shipped with the processors.
- Thanks to “Bird” from the Micro 2000 forum for
this Tech Tip.
|
HARDWARE
DIAGNOSTICS
|
Look
- don't Listen - Software or Hardware?!
Observing what is really there, observing what is obvious and
not taking anything for granted or making any assumptions, will
save you time and prevent you from costly errors. When faced
with a computer problem, the first thing to determine is whether
we actually need to solve the problem, or just get the system
going again. |
SOFTWARE/
HARDWARE |
Local
vs. Network Diagnostics
Obviously anyone who maintains PCs, whether local or on a network,
is bound to be familiar with the demands of getting the offending
machine back up and running as quickly as possible! |
HARDWARE |
Why
Suffer With Old Hardware
Hanging onto old computer hardware can become a habit, stemming
either from laziness or from the misguided conception that it's
going to cost a lot of money to replace it. |
HARDWARE |
Backup
Strategies
Anyone who has been around computers for very long at all has
at least heard horror stories of not backing up data. |
HARDWARE |
File
Fragmentation and Computer Performance
Defragmentation issues for home computer users and corporate
networks |
HARDWARE |
Backing
Up Drivers
Why Back up Device Drivers?
|
HARDWARE |
Trouble-shooting
Hard Drive Problems -
Part 2 |
HARDWARE |
Trouble-shooting
Hard Drive Problems -
This article is the first in a series that helps solve many
of the common boot problems with hard drives. |
HARDWARE |
Back
to Basics -
A list of helpful solutions that we hope will come in handy
for those times when you find yourself having to troubleshoot
your own PC woes. |
HARDWARE |
Got
a need for speed?
Even with DSL we once again we find ourselves asking the question,
“How can I make it go faster?” |
BASIC HARDWARE |
Local
vs. Network Diagnostics
Is it possible to pinpoint problems over a network? Read this
tech tip to find out more. |
BASIC HARDWARE |
All
Aboard the PCI Express!
The PCI bus, originally developed by Intel, debuted over a decade
ago as a high performance alternative to the ISA bus for desktop
systems. |
BASIC HARDWARE |
The
Nuts and Bolts of MPEG Compression -
How exactly does MPEG work? |
PERFORMANCE
TWEAKING |
Routers
and Bridges and Hubs, Oh My!
How to tell your bridges from your routers and hubs |
BASIC
HARDWARE |
BIOS
Setup
How to configure the BIOS (without creating disaster) |
BASIC
HARDWARE |
Using
Micro-Scope For Memory Testing (Part 2) -
Part 2 in a two part tip on memory testing with Micro-Scope |
BASIC
HARDWARE |
Memory
Errors and Testing?
The different types of errors and how Micro-Scope can help with
this. |
BASIC
HARDWARE |
DVR
- Better Than Live TV
What is DVR? |
BASIC
HARDWARE |
The
Power supply -
It’s a fact that power supplies can be a cause of many
possible problems in a PC |
BASIC
HARDWARE |
Choosing
the right video card -
There are many factors influencing your choice of video card
so here are some tips to make the right choice. |
BASIC
HARDWARE |
Video
Capture -
The basics of Video Capture and the technology of MiniDV |
BASIC
HARDWARE |
Possessed
Mouse -
Having problems with your mouse? Here are some possible causes |
BASIC
HARDWARE |
DVD
Formats -
There are many standards for DVD-video and DVD-ROM. What does
it all mean? |
BASIC
HARDWARE |
Ahh...Sweet
Memory -
There are so many kinds of RAM out there. Here's a list of the
different types and how they are different. |
BASIC HARDWARE |
64
Bit CPU's - Better or Just Bigger? -
64 Bit Processors are here, but do you really need that kind
of computing power? |
BASIC HARDWARE |
Back
to School Computers
Buying or building a computer for your kids? Here's some guidelines. |
BASIC HARDWARE |
Sound
Advice
Pick a sound card that's right for you. |
BASIC HARDWARE |
POST
Probe How-To -
Here's a tutorial on how to debug your dead systems using the
POST-Probe from Micro 2000, Inc. |
BASIC HARDWARE |
Overclocking
Basics -
The basic need to knows about overclocking your system. |
PERFORMANCE TWEAKING |
Removing
All Data From A Drive -
Every year, thousands of technicians expose themselves to a
legal nightmare when they dispose of a customer's old computer
or hard drive that still contains traces of personal information,
including credit card numbers, passwords, legal and financial
documents, or any other data that could be damaging or embarrassing
in the wrong hands. |
BASIC HARDWARE |
tech.com
