Add Memory to Your Computer

A very effective way to save money by prolonging the life of your PC by a few years is by adding memory (RAM) to your PC.

Step1

Computers are made with memory upgrades in mind. For instance, one of my previous computers, a dellnote, came with only 256MB (megabytes) of memory (RAM), but could be expanded all the way to 2GB. That means the computer could take 8 times the memory it came with when I bought it!
The first thing you need to do is look up what kind of RAM your computer uses and what the limit is. The best way is to peruse the website for your pc manufacturer and performing a search by model name or serial number.

Step2

PC Memory, or RAM After you've acquired your memory sticks, which are shown in the photo, you will need to unplug your pc and pop it open.

Step3

Memory slots You'll see slots, like the ones in the photo, where the RAM will be placed. Depending on how much you purchase, and how many total slots you have available, you may have to remove all the current memory sticks. Just pop them out, line up the teeth of the new ones with the slot, and firmly press down until you hear them pop into place.
Enjoy the money you saved!

So, When you need a pc upgrade, save by adding memory instead of buying a new one........

Upgrade Memory of Your Computer

To Improve ur computer performance is add RAM. Installing new RAM is quite straightforward for most PC owners, but if you're not confident of your abilities, have a store technician do the work.

Step1

Find out how much memory your computer has. Here's how:

Step2

In windows xp click on Start, then Control Panel, then Performance and Maintenance, then System. In other versions of Windows, double-click on My Computer, then double-click on Control Panel, then double-click on System.

Step3

In MAC find the Applications folder, double-click on the Utilities folder, and double-click on Apple System Profiler. In Mac OS 9 or earlier, select the Apple System Profiler (usually found in the Apple menu).

Step4

Check your manual or manufacturer's Web site to determine whether there are open memory slots on the motherboard. Also see what the maximum amount of memory your computer can take, as well as the type, category and speed of memory it uses. For example, PC2100 DDR 133 MHz RAM means PC2100 is the type, DDR is the category, and 133 MHz is the speed in megahertz.

Step5

Compare your current memory with the maximum. You have two choices: Add new memory in open slots; or, if all slots are full, replace the existing memory with new, greater-capacity modules.

PC Memory

Personal Computer Memory is temporary data storage. The Central Processing Unit (CPU) of a computer uses memory to retrieve the instructions it needs to process. There are two basic types of memory; Random Access Memory (RAM) and Read Only Memory (ROM). RAM is typically installed on the motherboard, whereas ROM is generally used in storage media such as CDs and DVDs, as well as in the Basic Input/Output System (BIOS.) The term "PC memory" only refers to RAM.

The memory which came with the first PC computers in the early 1980s was generally very small. The IBM 5150, introduced in 1981, came with 16 Kilobytes (K) of memory. Early PC memory was sold in Dual Inline Packages (DIPs) that were comprised of small chips. These were often soldered onto the motherboard, but could also be inserted into sockets in some cases. Later, these packages were placed on Single Inline Memory Modules (SIMMs) which simplified the installation of computer memory.

PC memory stores information so that the CPU doesn't have to access the hard drive directly. RAM modules are able to access and send data to the CPU much faster than the hard drive, which is limited by the rotation rate of the disk's platters and the speed of its arms and heads. Thus, memory modules dramatically increase the computer's speed. RAM comes in different speeds just like CPUs. Generally, the speed of RAM that should be installed on a computer is determined at the time of manufacture.

Modern memory modules are integrated onto circuit boards. In SIMMs the circuits appear on one side of the board, and in Dual Inline Memory Modules (DIMMs) they appear on both sides. SIMMs must be used in pairs, but DIMMs can be used singly. There are small electrical contacts on the bottom of the modules. These plug into small motherboard slots or "banks" so that the memory can communicate with the CPU.

PC RAM types include Synchronous Dynamic RAM (SDRAM), Double Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic RAM (DDR SDRAM) and Rambus RAM (RDRAM.) SDRAM and DDR SDRAM are the most common types. DDR memory has about double the bandwidth of single rate SDRAM. Designed by Intel, Rambus RAM comes in Rambus Inline Memory Modules (RIMMs.) While it can be up to 10 times faster than SDRAM, it is expensive and can only be installed on a motherboard with Rambus sockets. Memory also comes in Error Correction Code (ECC) and Non-Error Correction Code (Non-ECC). ECC memory can correct errors which occur during the transmission of data; Non-ECC cannot.

The benefits of memory depend on which type of memory you have installed. DDR SDRAM is superior to regular SD RAM. It is the best memory to purchase when upgrading a computer. ECC memory is typically only used in mainframes and servers. It is too expensive for PCs. Since PCs suffer very few errors, it's also unnecessary. Non-ECC memory offers the most benefits due to its lower cost. PC users should avoid registered, Rambus and static RAM for the same reasons.

Laptop Cooling Fans

To protect ur laptop from overheating u need help from laptop cooling fans. Chances are that your laptop already has one or more installed. However, there are many other cooling options that you can use to increase your comfort and to protect your laptop.

There are two basic types of laptop cooling fans. One is installed inside the computer, near the central processing unit or graphics processing unit. The other type is a stand or pad that contains a fan. Internal fans are essential for keeping your laptop from melting down. Laptop cooling stands and pads are optional. If you run your laptop for hours at a time, they can be a wise investment.

Internal fans are quite small and inexpensive. However, since laptops are hard to upgrade, the installation of an internal cooling fan is not for amateurs. Laptop cooling pads and stands come in a many different shapes and sizes. The typical laptop cooling stand has two fans for more even cooling. Many are streamlined or have ergonomic design features. For example, you may be able to tilt the stand upward to a comfortable angle. There are also stands that come with a USB hub for your peripheral devices. Also, some stands get their power from the USB port, so that you don't have to plug them into an outlet.

Laptop cooling fans can not only protect your laptop, but they can also protect your lap from being burned. They can also help to prevent heat damage to your furniture. A laptop stand or mat can place your computer at a more convenient and ergonomically correct position, preventing neck and back strain.

Heat can damage components, as well as shorten the computer's lifespan. By getting proper cooling for the computer, you will save more than you spend over the long term. However, all laptop cooling fans are not created equal; cheaper ones may break easily.

Check online shopping comparison sites for cooling stands. Many cooling fans are very inexpensive, yet effective.

How to Back Up Your Computer Files

is your computer home to priceless documents, pictures, and videos? Are you worried that your computer may some day crash and you may lose everything? You might even catch a virus that deletes your favorite photos or ruins your hard drive. Since you can never fully depend on your computer, you always want to make sure you have backed up your hard drive and all your files in case the worst happens. It is awful when we accidentally lose one thing, imagine if you lost it all. Make sure it doesn't happen by following these tips. Learn about free online services to back up all your computer files as well as external hard drives in this article.

Instructions :

Step1

Determine How Much Space Do You Need?
The first step you must follow when you want to back up your computer files is to figure out how much space you will need to back up all your files. There are a few different ways you can do this. First, you need to decide if you want to back up every file on your computer or just back up a certain amount of files. If you want to back up your entire hard drive, you can find out how large your hard drive is by clicking on the "My Computer" icon on your desktop and then looking at the C drive. If you read across from left to right you can see the total size. This is the approximate size of your hard drive plus around 6 GB for the operating system system. If you want to back up everything, you will need a back up system with at least this much space. If you only want to back up certain files, you will need to find out how big those files are. Create a file called "Backup" and copy all of your important files into it. Then right click on the folder, choose "Properties," and then choose the general tab at the top. This will tell you the size of the folder. Either option will let you know how much space you would ideally want to back up.

Step2

Now Choose A Back Up Method!
The next step is to decide how you want to back up your computer files/hardware. You can choose either an external hard drive (which cost between $50-$200 depending on the size) or use an online backup service. There are advantages and disadvantages to both. An external drive is convenient because you can plug it into other computers and immediately transfer or copy files without needing the internet or having to worry at all about security. However you have to carry the drive with you and always face the remote possibility both your computer and the hard drive would break or that you lose the external at the same time that your computer fails. The second option is to use an online backup service like idrive.com. These services range in price depending on the amount of storage. Idrive.com is free up to 2 GB and then costs about $4.95 a month for a larger storage space. Not bad considering the safety of having all your files safe and secure. The advantage of an online service is that you can access your files from anywhere as long as their is internet and it is generally cheaper, especially for small amounts of service. Also, you don't need to carry or store another piece of equipment.

Step3

Now Set Up Automatic Back Ups!
This is the most important step! Once you have chosen your method of back up - either an online service or an external hard drive - you can not forget the most important step - SET UP AUTOMATIC BACK UPS! This is the most commonly missed step and if you don't do it it defeats the purpose of backing up your files. You need to set up an automatic back up at the minimum weekly to make sure you continually add new files to your storage space. You don't want to go through the process of backing everything up and then forget to do it for six months and lose everything!

Tips & Warnings :

• Back up regularly to ensure you save everything!
• Prepare for more space than you initially need so you can add files as you upgrade computers or add more photos/music
• If you plan on storing a lot of media (photos, videos, music) make sure to have a lot of space since those are large files
• This is also a great way to free up some memory on your computer so it runs faster. Store your largest files in an online service area or an external drive and your computer will run better!
• Make sure to choose a secure online service if you choose the online option!!

(Resources : ehow.com)

How to Choose the Right Processor Speed for a Computer

A computer processor, often considered the brains of the machine, has the most significant effect on performance and price. If you want a computer to be able to keep up with technology over the next few years you should invest in a fast processor.

Follow The Step's below before you choose Your Processor.

Step1: Think about what you will be doing with your computer for the next 3 years. That is about the timeframe for machines these days.

Step2 : If you are just using your machine for casual use, such as word processing, web browsing and the occasional card game, consider an Intel Pentium Dual Core or AMD Sempron processor. If you prefer Macintosh machines, look into an Intel Core 2 Duo.

Step3 : If you are a middle of the road user, who likes all of the above things but also the occasional heavier game and multimedia use (i.e. pictures and mp3s), an Intel Quad Core would be better. The Quad Core is also great for heavy online multimedia games and heavier multimedia use.

Step4 : If Macintoshes are your taste and you are a heavier user, the Intel Dual Quad Core processors can take care of all your needs.

Step5 : If your budget allows it, try and spend as much as you can on the fastest processor. This is because technology evolves at a very fast pace and your machine will be able to keep up after a few years.

(Source : ehow.com)