Computer Motherboard Parts

What are the Computer Motherboard Parts
Knowing the basics of these Computer Motherboard parts will help you solve many problems that may arise from time to time. The layout and the manner in which the various parts are placed is known as the form factor. The shape of the case of the computer is also decided by the form factor.

To standardize the manner in which computers are assembled across the world, there are certain fixed models for deciding this form factor and most manufacturers adhere to these standards.

Computer Motherboard Parts

Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) Slot
Normally, the number of PCI slots on the motherboard could be anywhere between 1 and 6. The various peripherals like graphics cards, sound cards, ethernet cards, modems and DVD recorders are attached here, and the slots are 32 bit slots. PCI is a standard that has been around for almost two decades now, and a faster version of it known as PCI-E is also quite common today, and this allows the different computer components to be attached to the computer with ease.

Central Processing Unit (CPU) Socket
This socket is the home for your computer's processor. There are 2 types of sockets that are commonly used by the major processors (Intel and AMD), these are Pin Grid Array (PGA) and the Land Grid Array (LGA). The biggest advantage of these sockets is that they allow the simple swapping of processors inside a machine, and this allows computer users to really enhance the versatility of their computer.

Motherboard Battery Compartment
When you shut your system down, your data is stored using a battery on the motherboard. It is placed inside the battery compartment that is present on the surface of the board.


Power Connector
The motherboard requires the power to function properly and this power supply comes from the main power connector. There are usually two main types of connectors; 20 + 4 pins (when there are two connectors on the same motherboard), and the 24 pins.

RAM slots (DIMM and SIMM)
These are the slots that hold the RAM chips of your computer. They are usually of two types, DIMM (Double Inline Memory Module) and SIMM (Single Inline Memory Module). Memory chips of different sizes can be attached here so as to increase the efficiency of the machine, and to make it more comfortable to work on multiple programs at a time.


Apart from these components, the following are some peripherals that are specifically used for making connections with hardware devices. These connectors show up on the back panel of the computer, once the entire machine has been assembled and mounted.


USB (Universal Serial Bus) Port
There are many of these ports across the back panel. They are used for connecting external devices like USB flash drives, external hard disks, iPods, MP3 players and cameras. Every computer has at least 2 such ports, and more of them are always welcome. The versatility that USB ports offer is truly unmatched in the realm of computers.

PS/2 Connectors
Every motherboard contains two PS/2 connectors, one for the keyboard and one for the mouse. These are color coded ports (purple is for the keyboard and green is for the mouse) and have been around ever since computers showed up in the 80's. Today these ports are being edged out by USB ports, but they are still prevalent.



Display Connector
This port is used to connect the computer monitor of the machine to the back panel. This is the primary connection between the monitor and the CPU itself, so there is no question of this part being absent in any desktop computer.

Game Port
This port is mostly used to connect the devices that are used for gaming purposes. Gamepads, joysticks and other gaming accessories can be attached to the machine through this port and this flexibility is something that many users and gamers find highly useful.


Sound Card Connector
Your sound devices like headphones and microphones are connected here. Most computers have built in sound cards, but some people also choose to attach an additional sound card so as to improve the functionality of the machine. The most common use of this connector is for multimedia purposes.

All these parts are now a standard requirement for every computer to function properly, and their popularity has slowly transformed them into a necessity for every single computer motherboard

Most Damaging Computer Viruses

Computer viruses are harmful programs created by anti-social elements (hackers) which can self duplicate itself in the computer system to harm its smooth functioning. These viruses are not only a big cause of worry for casual computer users but they have also created problems for governments, hospitals, schools and huge organizations by infecting their systems.

Computer viruses spread faster than a cold virus thanks to the Internet which connects almost every computer in the world through its amazing technology.

Most Destructive Computer Viruses

Computer viruses are nothing but an online threat distributed through the Internet by hackers who like creating havoc in today's corporate world. Here are the names which have become immortal in the world of computers due to the amount of destruction caused by them.


1.ILOVEYOU aka Love Letter Virus
The ILOVEYOU virus is still known as the most dangerous virus ever written by a hacker. It is still regarded the most deadliest computer virus of all time.  The virus expanded by spreading itself through email. Once the user opened the email, the virus attached itself to the memory and infected all important files and folders.

Once in the computer the virus tries to reach other users by scanning all the addresses in the Microsoft Outlook List of the current user. The virus was originally written by a Filipino programmer who was still pursuing his college education at that time. This virus spread through the entire world in just 24 hours and affected system of multinational companies.

2.Storm Worm
This virus came to the fore in the year 2006 and the public began speculating about it when it was sent to millions of computers in the form of an email saying, '230 dead as storm batters Europe'. Different companies called this virus by different names. Basically Storm Worm is a Trojan horse program which makes computers into zombies or bots.

As the machines become infected, they can be controlled by the person who actually sent this worm. This virus is widespread, it is not very difficult to detect. Updating the computer anti-virus system is probably the best way to keep Storm Worm away.


3.Leap-A
Leap-A gathered a lot of press attention because it is one of those few viruses which have been successful in corrupting MAC systems. Yes, Apple is known to make software and hardware systems which are resistant to viruses, the company protects their systems by sending regular updates to their users.

MAC computers are protected from virus attacks with the help of a concept called Security through Obscurity. However, due to the recent popularity of MAC system, in 2006 a hacker created the Leap-A virus which uses the iChat messaging system to travel through various vulnerable MAC computers.

4.CIH aka Chernobyl Virus
Not only the name but the virus itself was so destructive that its release made international headlines all around the world. CIH was the most dreaded computer virus because it had the ability to remain undetected in a computer's memory for a very long time.

Once in the system, it used to hamper every program that was run. The virus first debuted in 1998 and affected various Windows systems of 95 and 98. This virus was also equipped with a trigger date and once the date was reached , the virus overwrote the files on the hard drive and destroyed it original contents.

5.Melissa
Another destructive virus which made worldwide headlines, Melissa virus was a type of mass-mailing malware which affected more than 20% of computers worldwide. Computers who worked on Microsoft, Intel were the worst sufferers and companies who used Microsoft Outlook for their emails also incurred heavy losses. The Melissa virus traveled through email with an MS Word attachment and when users opened it, the virus immediately mailed itself to the first 50 people in the Outlook list.


6.Code Red
Code Red was a computer worm which debuted in the world of computers in the year 2001. It specifically attacked computers running the Microsoft's IIS web server. It suppressed the Windows system by acting as a buffer overflow and sent huge amounts of data to the computer so that it is forced to shut down.

Even though technology today is highly advanced and secure, systems and networks keep getting infected again and again. This is because people don't spend enough money on a good anti-virus software and most of them are too lazy to update their anti-virus software after regular intervals.

These are Common Computer Viruses

A virus is a malicious software program that can infect your computer, replicate itself, and cause functional problems in your system. It is potentially harmful and can cause a loss of important data, besides corrupting your computer files.


Computer Viruses
Viruses may spread by attaching themselves in e-mails, instant messages, floppy disks, or pen drives, etc. They tend to corrupt your data, or even delete your important files. Anything and everything present on your hard drive can be erased by a nasty computer virus. These computer viruses are very smart. They tend to visit you, disguised as a greeting card, audio file, video file, or some other morphed entity.

When you are trying to download a software program or music file from the Internet, these computer viruses hide themselves in files, programs, and software, to get downloaded to your personal computer (PC). When you run a program file or boot sector program at boot time, they get activated.

 The program infected by the virus gets modified, and begins to run the viral code. Soon, it takes control of your PC and begins to replicate and spread. They damage your files, and begin to delete programs and folders in your computer. Some viruses are time activated. They will activate themselves on a specified date, and begin creating havoc on your computer.

List of Common Viruses
Computer viruses have caused a loss of over USD 10 billion to many companies, as well as private users. The following list contains names of viruses that have infected and caused considerable damage to computer systems around the world:

1. W32/Zafi-D
2. W32/Netsky-D
3. W32/Zafi-B
4. Trojan.Lodear
5. W32.Beagle.CO@mm
6. Backdoor.Zagaban
7. W32/Netsky-PW
8. 32/Mytob-GH
9. EXW32 Mytob
10. W32/Mytob-AS
11. W32/Mytob-BE
12. W32/Mytob-C
13. W32/Mytob-ER
14. Stator, Asimov.1539, and Terrax.1069
15. Elkern, Marburg, Satan Bug, and Tuareg
16. Relax
17. Randex
18. CMJ
19. Meve
20. MrKlunky
21. CIH
22. I Love You Worm
23. KAK
24. PSWBugbear.B (worm)
25. Lovgate.F (worm)
26. Trile.C (worm)
27. Sobig.D (worm)
28. Mapson (worm)
29. AnnaKournikova.jpg.vbs
30. CAP
31. Resume
32. NYB
33. Stoned Empire Monkey Virus
34. Melissa.A
35. Bablas
36. O97M/Y2K
37. Polyboot.B, AntiEXE
38. Way
39. Trj.Reboot
40. Trivial.88.D

Other Common Computer Viruses

1. Exploit-CVE2010-0814
2. Exploit-CVE2010-2568
3. Mal/Krap-I
4. Mal/VB-LP
5. Ms .NET JIT 3228
6. Ms IE HO RCE 2746
7. Ms Wind New Cl 3223
8. Ms Wind TLSv1 3229
9. Ms WindOTFont 2741
10. MSFT Win SMB Val Vuln
11. MSIL/Terdial.D
12. Stuxnet
13. Troj/Agent-PAP
14. Troj/Agent-PAQ
15. Troj/BredoZp-BH
16. Troj/Cosmu-K
17. Troj/FakeAV-BVP
18. Troj/FakeAV-BVQ
19. Troj/Mdrop-CZQ
20. W32/AutoRun-BJS
21. W32/Autorun.worm.q
22. W32/VBMania@MM
23. Exploit-CVE2010-0814
24. Exploit-CVE2010-2568

These were some of the most common viruses you should watch out for. It is extremely important that you keep your antivirus software updated. Do not operate your computer, especially if you have an Internet-enabled one, without having one of the best antivirus software installed.

You should always install applications, only from reputed sources. Open emails only from trusted friends and acquaintances. If you have any doubt regarding the origin or content of the email, delete it immediately, without opening it. Click on links, only after you verify them. Notice the link address at the bottom of your browser, before clicking it. And most importantly, clear cookies and the cache of your web browser regularly.

How to Remove a computer Virus Manually

Computers have become an integral part of our life. Along with computers, Internet has also become an indispensable part. However, there is a negative side to the Internet technology, which is the rampant spread of computer viruses.

 Therefore, computer security becomes a matter of major concern for every one. Although it is recommended that we should have an antivirus software installed on our machines, there are times that we may not have it installed and that is exactly when the computer may be infested by a software. This brings up the question, what are the steps to manually remove a virus so that the machine is not infested with the threatening virus.

Steps on how to Remove a Virus

You will need some computer programming skills to get rid of the computer virus. You will just need the knowledge of basic syntax. The first step you should take before you start with the computer viruses removal process is to take system back up. It is essential so that in case you delete a wrong file in the process, you will not lose important data.

In some cases, the file may be necessary to run the computer system. The data should ideally be backed up in an external device. Once the data has been backed up, you can format the system to get rid of the virus totally. However, it is not recommended that you use the system restore option to get rid of the virus, as this often leads to virus multiplication as opposed to removal.

The other process is a lengthy one which will need technical expertise. In this process, the first step is to identify the virus as there are many different types of computer viruses. To identify the virus you can seek help from various antivirus websites.

 From these websites you will be able to see the way the particular virus makes files. Now you will have to look for the behavioral pattern of the virus. Once that has been identified, the next step is to go to task manager. From the task manager stop the virus processes so that there is no chance that the virus replicates itself. The next step is to go to the file registry and delete the virus files, taking help from the information you have found from the different websites pertaining to the virus.

Steps on how to Manually Remove a Trojan Virus

If you do not want to use the options available online for the removal of the Trojan, you will have to undertake the process of removing the virus manually. To remove Trojan virus, you will have to first identify the system files which are infected by the virus. The next step is to erase the files so that normal functioning of the system is possible. You can seek help from online forums or antivirus software websites.

I would recommend that although there are steps one can take to remove the virus manually, it is best to invest in a reputed antivirus to avoid attacks to your system where your data is at risk.

Trick on How to Remove Trojan Horse Virus

A Trojan horse is a type of computer virus which cannot duplicate by itself, but allows unauthorized access to the user's system. This computer virus is designed to allow hackers to gain access to a distant computer system. The hacker could steal data, install software, download or upload files, or even crash the computer system infected by the Trojan.

Trojans enter a computer mostly through the Internet. It could be through movie or music downloads, e-mail attachments, application exploits, or software downloads. Since hackers want to attack your system through the net, they disguise Trojan viruses in files which are popularly downloaded.

There are specific antivirus software designed for removing Trojans. They help in detecting as well as removing the virus from your system; certain malware protection applications also help in preventing them from entering your system. It is also possible to manually detect and uninstall files infected by the Trojan.

Options to Remove Trojans

TRICK. 1
Go to 'C' drive and click on 'Program Files' → 'Common' → 'Microsoft Shared' → 'Msinfo'. This particular program will show you all the processes, including the hidden processes, which are running on your windows system. Check all task listings and detect the ones you do not recognize. Open these tasks and also figure out their file names and paths. Let your virus scanner scan through all these files.

TRICK. 2
Open the anti-virus software you have installed in your computer, and allow it to run a virus scan through your computer. Once the scan is over, if there was any value detected in the registry, delete it. You can do this by clicking on the 'Run' option present in the 'Start' menu. In the space provided for typing, type 'regedit' and click on 'OK'. Find the value detected in the virus scan you ran before and delete it from your system.

TRICK. 3
The best way of Trojan removal from your system is to run a scan. Ensure that you have the latest and updated version of antivirus software available in the market which can efficiently spot and delete any spyware, virus or adware from your system. In case you do not have one, there are certain free spyware removal programs available as well. Allow the virus scanner to do its job and once all viruses are detected and deleted from your computer, restart the system and it should work fine.

Removing Trojans in Windows XP

 Log on to your system as an administrator.

Drag your mouse cursor on the 'My Computer' icon, right click on it and select the 'Properties' option.

Click on the 'System Restore' option and select the 'Turn off System Restore' option.

You will now have to start your computer in 'Safe Mode'. For this, shut down your system and also switch off the power.

Wait for a minute and start your computer once again.

As soon as the computer starts booting, tap the 'F8' key for the 'Windows Advanced Options' menus to appear.

From this menu, select the safe mode option. Hit 'Enter' to allow the computer to start in safe mode.

Run your anti adware and anti spyware programs in safe mode.

Restart your computer in the normal mode and rerun adware and spyware programs.

On getting a clean report, follow the instructions given earlier to turn on the system restore.

If on completing your cleanup task, you notice the damage to your system was substantial, it is better you erase all data from your hard disk and re-install the operating system and other important software once again.

Cases of computers being hacked through introduction of Trojans are increasing and hence, it is important to have necessary knowledge about deleting them. To prevent any such situations, avoid downloading unprotected and unsecured files from the internet and try to keep your anti-virus software up-to-date.

How to Recover Deleted Files and Restore Lost Data in your computer.!!!

Computers are an integral part of our life today. A few years ago, computers were rarely treated as a dependable tool for business purposes. However, with the advent of paperless offices today, most documents are available only in e-formats. Therefore, data backup has become a necessity and is a must for computers used for professional as well as personal needs.

Data and files can be deleted from the computer for a varied number of reasons. Sometimes, important data may be deleted accidentally. This is when one tries to frantically recover deleted files or restore lost data.

Even if you have just deleted some files in the middle of the night accidentally, there is some hope. First off, if you have just deleted the file, you can always go to the Recycle Bin, select the file you need and then click 'Restore The File' from the toolbar.

This process is also known as 'undelete' in computer lingo. However, if you have deleted the file from the computer as well as emptied the recycle bin, you will have to depend on professional help to salvage your data.

One of the best options to secure and, therefore, restore your data is to keep a backup of your data on another computer or drive. You can also have your entire data written or burned on a CD or DVD. Today, there are portable data devices like portable hard disks, pen drives, and some MP3 players which double up as a portable hard disk. Therefore, it isn't necessary to have a whole computer system to have a backup of your system.

If you have not made a backup of your system in a long time, nor have prepared a CD of your important data, you still have options to restore lost data from your PC. There are various software available in the market which can restore your data. Though expensive, the day these software recover your data, they will be worth their cost in gold doubloons.

Such software is known as undelete software for windows, and these can recover data from almost any data drive like hard disks, pen drives, USB drives, and zip drives. They can even recover data from data cards in digital cameras and cell phones.

The software can recover files deleted and emptied from the Recycle Bin, files deleted using MSDOS commands, as well as data you have accidentally deleted using the Shift+Delete command. It also restores data lost during the 'Cut' 'Copy' or 'Move' command. More importantly, the software even restores data lost due to viruses.

Like all software, one can find various trial versions of such undelete software on the internet. You can use it for a while and judge whether it is perfect for your needs. Other than that, you can browse the Internet and find more about the features and details of the software, and decide which one suits your needs the best.

Undelete software isn't just necessary or important for professional users of the computers. It is the need of the day for everyone using a computer. Data loss can mean loss of all saved games for the gamer, the loss of the month's budget workout for the homemaker, or even the loss of a month's work for a work-at-home person.

Such software is economical and logical as compared to running to the computer guys once you have accidentally deleted data from your computer.

How to Fix Corrupted Files in your computer

Corrupted files are files that become non-functional altogether. There are several reasons for the file getting corrupted. It can be a glitch in the operating system or in the program utilizing the file, improper file saving procedure, a system crash, or a result of some dangerous computer virus.

 The damage could also be on the hardware level, if the file system sector or the hard drive itself is damaged. Let's learn how to understand when a file gets corrupted and the ways to fix it.

When the file you are trying to access does not open and displays a message like 'Cannot open file' or 'File data inaccessible' then it's a clear indication that the file is corrupted.

In case the file opens but the data within is unreadable, i.e., showing signs and symbols other than normal alphabets and numbers, then the file is corrupted.

Fixing Corrupt Files

AVI Files
AVI (Audio Video Interleave) files are video files that run on a program application that is designed to play an .avi file. To fix such files, all you have to do is download a software that renders an AVI file correct. If the software is zipped or compressed, unzip it using a software like Winzip.

 After all the files are displayed, click on the setup file and follow the instructions to set up the software on your computer. Now, run the software, the interface window will display the functionalities that the software renders. Browse and add the corrupted AVI files and click on the button for repair. The repaired files may be stored in the same location as the previous files, or it may prompt you to select a new location.

 Different software will provide different facilities, so select one that suits your needs. Few examples of AVI file repair software are DivXRepair 1.0.1, Avi Previewer 2.27, RegCure, ASF-AVI-RM-WMV Repair, etc.


Word Files

Word files are document files that contain text data. When a word file gets corrupted, download a word file repair software to resurrect the files. Click on the software's icon and follow the instructions. Some software may need installation while others may not.
Examples of word document repair software are Repair MyWord, Nucleus Kernel Word Document Repair Software, etc. Repair MyWord can be downloaded free of cost and it provides an easy interface for the retrieval of files.


JPEG Files

JPEG is the short form of Joint Photographic Experts Group. When a .jpeg/.jpg image does not open with any default application programs like Paint, Windows Photo Gallery, Fax Viewer, etc., it is corrupt. To retrieve the image, try renaming and saving the picture file with a .jpg extension.

Another option is to use JPEG image recovery tools. Using these tools is a trial and error process, as it is difficult to figure out which one of the tools will recover the images successfully. The procedure for downloading and executing the tools is same as that mentioned above. Examples of JPEG recovery software tools are JPEG Recovery, and Picture Doctor. You can also try opening the pictures with ACDSee, or Irfanview.


Zip Files

Zip files are the compressed form of large files. Files that are very large in size are generally zipped/compacted using a compressing software, specially if they are to be sent through a mail or have to be saved on an external memory drive of low capacity.

The procedure for recovering zip files is the same, and requires a recovery software tool. Download it, follow the steps and run the application. Add the zip file to be retrieved. The software will scan the zip file and show you the result. Select from the files the ones you want to repair and go to the next step. Software examples for fixing zip files are Zip Repair Software 1.0, Zip Repair Tool 3.3, and Actual Zip Repair 2.1.


Files on PSP

First and foremost, check if the file you are trying to open in your PSP (PlayStation Portable) is compatible with the PSP file format or not. If your PSP does not support the file format, you may have to convert the file to the file format supported by your PSP.

A direct method to repair the corrupted file is to connect the PSP to the computer and run the data recovery software on your PC. Include the files on the PSP in the recovery software and retrieve them. If that is not possible, put the corrupted files back on your computer, recover the files using a recovery tool for that file format and put it back on the PSP.

Some of the data recovery software may not be available free of cost. If they are not freeware then you can download a trial or demo version to repair your files. Also, remember that a software that works for someone else may not necessarily work for you.

 Hence, you may have to employ the trial and error method to check the validity of the software. In case of a virus, you may need to run an antivirus software, after which the corrupted files may open. In case of hardware failure, hard drive data recovery is also possible.

Trick on How to Retrieve a Deleted Files from Recycle Bin

Sometimes, extremely important files on your computer get deleted by mistake, or sometimes, you delete them and later wish that you hadn't. The common thing in both cases is that you want to know how to retrieve them from recycle bin?

The answer to this question depends upon how long it has been since you deleted them. If it has been only a few hours or a couple of days, the answer is very easy. But, if you have done it months back, then it's a little difficult. The following paragraphs will provide you with some tips on recovering permanently erased items.

The Truth About Deleted Files

When you simply delete a file using the delete option from the right click menu, it goes to the recycle bin. You can easily recover this item using the restore option. When you delete a file from the recycle bin, or when you shift+delete it, the same process happens as in the case of deletion to the bin. You can restore such items just as easily, although there is a small difference between the two types.

 In the later case (which we think of as permanent deletion), the reference to the deleted item, or the address by which the item is found on the hard drive, is completely erased. Also, the space that was taken up by that file is made available for reuse by new files.

If this space gets occupied by new items, it becomes impossible to retrieve the old deleted file. The point is that you can easily recover deleted items and restore lost data, even if it was done a couple of hours ago.

File Retrieval on Mac

Once you realize that you want a certain item back, make sure that you do not save anything on your computer till you have recovered it. The file deletion and retrieval process works in the same way for both MacBook and Windows. There are two ways of recovering deleted items from your Mac.

 The first one is to use the timeline utility. All Macs that were manufactured after 2007 have this utility pre-installed. Using this utility is very easy; just launch it and go back on the timeline where you still had the file and restore it. This is how it is recovered.

 The other way to achieve the same thing is to use an external data recovery software. There are free and paid software available, which are easy to use and retrieve your files efficiently. For example: Disk Drill Basic, FileSalvage, etc.

File Retrieval on Windows

Recovering deleted items in all the versions of Windows operating system is more or less the same. Unfortunately, Windows does not have a utility such as timeline in Mac. There is a third-party program called deep freeze that reverses all the changes you made in your computer after a restart. But, this can have several disadvantages.

So, it is suggested that you use some other data recovery software program that lets you recover your items, without making any other changes on your system. Here is a small list of software, which you can use for safe file retrieval:

1.Recuva
2.Wondershare Data Recovery
3.TuneUp Utilities
4.TestDisk
5.Recover My Files
6.FileRestorePlus
7.Norton Utilities
8.Data Recovery Pro

Thus, the important thing is to avoid saving anything on your computer till you have got your deleted file back. Because if the space gets overwritten, it will become impossible to retrieve it.

How to Clean your Computer Registry

There are many people who think that cleaning the computer's registry is a very complicated task. Though a wrong move can have an adverse effect on the system, using a good computer registry cleaner, you can easily clean out the unusable files and speed up the computer performance.

A computer registry is a facility available on computers having Windows as their operating systems. It is a place where the most important data necessary for the computer operating system is stored.

The details of every function that is performed on the computer gets stored in it; such as a visit to a website or installing or uninstalling a program. It also houses the data of important drivers and DLL files, which are used by multiple applications. In addition, it also keeps all the data of multiple users handy.

As you keep working on your computer over time, it is obvious that you will perform number of tasks, which will cause the registry to become full with data. Even if you uninstall any software in a proper way, it will still hold some of its files.

And this is one of the main reasons why a computer runs slow. If it is messed up with disordered and unknown files, it can even result in a computer system crash. Cleaning it is the best possible method of maintaining a good boot-up and functional speed of your desktop or laptop computer.

Cleanup Process

There are some people who may advise you to get the registry cleaned manually. This can be a very risky step for the proper functioning of the computer. Fiddling with it manually can actually render your laptop or desktop computer useless. Therefore, it is very necessary that you do not delete the files yourself, but instead use a cleaning software. There may be many types of such software available in your nearby computer shop.

Before starting the process of cleaning using the appropriate software, it is suggested that you have a backup of your data on an external hard drive, in case anything goes wrong in the process. Typically, the software will scan the registry and remove all invalid files found.

 However, in a majority of such software, you will be prompted an option whether you want to manually fix errors or want the software to fix it automatically. There is also a possibility that the software may delete crucial files, which are actually essential for the computer to run. Prefer manual deleting of these files as much as possible. It is recommended to use the software by referring to its guidelines.

I hope the article will give you a gist of what you need to do to get the computer's registry cleaned.

Computer Hardware Repair and Maintenance tip.!!

What computer hardware is? Hardware components like the monitor, keyboard, CPU , mouse, and other I/O (Input-Output) devices constitute a computer.

 The working of the monitor, keyboard, mouse, and I/O devices depends largely upon the CPU. Due to some minor causes, like loose connections or dust saturation, any of them can stop functioning.

Faults occurring in the CPU are most hazardous, as it has a very complicated structure. The CPU is an assembly of the motherboard, hard disk drive (HDD), random access memory (RAM), compact disc-read only memory (CD-ROM) drive, and the floppy drive.

Unless you are well-acquainted with the CPU hardware, it is extremely difficult to pinpoint exactly where the fault has occurred. If any one of these components fail to perform, there are a few repair tips that can be followed. In order to view the circuitry inside the CPU, its casing has to be removed.

1.Motherboard 

The entire functioning of the computer depends on this component. The processor chipset, that performs all the logical operations of the PC, is embedded in the motherboard. Ribbon cables, power supply, CPU, and RAM are the things to be checked first on the motherboard. Check if any of the ribbon cables or the power supply cord is loose.

Check if the RAM chip has been misplaced from its slot. The CPU  will not show any marks on the outside if it is blown. The only way to check whether the CPU is working or not, is to test it by mounting it on the motherboard of another PC.

The motherboard has a real-time clock, ROM BIOS, CMOS RAM, RAM sockets, CPU sockets or slots, cache RAM slots, keyboard controller, interrupts, internal connectors, and external connectors mounted on it.

 Do not tamper with these components, unless you know each and every one of it well. Do not touch the motherboard without turning off the power.

2.Hard Disk Drive (HDD)

Also known as hard drive, it is the long-term storage device of the system. If the hard drive cannot be detected, check the jumper setting. The jumper setting can change the mode of the hard disk from master to slave or vice-versa.

 Make sure the Windows version being used for partitioning is consistent. Check that each drive has been assigned a drive-type. Make sure the pin numbers of the plug are attached to the corresponding pin numbers of the socket.

Do not force the plug into the socket with extra force, the pins may bend. If the plug is not fitting perfectly in the socket, try inserting it again by flipping it over. Do not attempt to open the hard drive without enough knowledge of its components.

3.Compact Disc-Read Only Memory (CD-ROM) Drive

Data stored on external storage device like compact discs (CD) is read by inserting the CD in the CD drive. If the CD drive is not functioning, check if the CD is scratched. If the CD works fine in another PC, check if the power cable of the former drive is loose.

 Check if the plug and socket pin numbers match. If the tray of the drive is not opening, right click on CD-ROM icon and select eject option. If the tray does not open, insert a straight thin metal pin into the edge and try to pull it open.

Do not apply too much of force while doing so. Avoid connecting the CD-ROM drive on the same controller cable as the primary hard drive, this will slow down its performance.

4.Random Access Memory (RAM)

It is the temporary memory of the PC. The data in the RAM is erased when the computer is shut down. Check if the RAM is misplaced from its slot. While replacing the RAM in its slot, check the small niche at the center of the chip (the niche indicates how the RAM is supposed to be placed in the slot and may not be at the exact mid position of the chip-strip).

Do not forget to secure the side clips that hold the chip in place. If you are unable to secure them, it means that the chip is not placed correctly in the slot.



5.Floppy Drive

If the floppy disk is not opening, try opening it in the floppy drive of another PC. If the disk does not open, then it is probably corrupt. If the disk is stuck in the drive, hold down the eject button for sometime or right click on floppy drive icon and select eject option.

If the disk is still stuck, wiggle it up and down till it can be ejected or use tweezers to pull it out. Do not apply too much of force while doing so.


The CPU is the brain of the computer. Proper maintenance of the CPU, as well as all other components, enhances the computer performance.

How to Upgrade a computer Graphics Card/video card

The computer graphics card is also known as video card, graphics accelerator or display card. It is a printed circuit board that has three major components. These components are video memory, video BIOS and graphics processing unit.

The graphics card should be changed if it gives a poor performance/vision or if you want more speed options for the computer games. In the first case, you need to verify that it is the reason for the poor performance and not the computer.

To do this, use the scan disk or defragmentation options and look for bad sectors on the hard disk. You can also try using other ways to speedup your computer. If they do not work, you can conclude that the lowered performance is due to the faulty working of the card. Once it has been established that the graphics card is responsible for the low speed, you should upgrade it.

Some video cards are integrated in the motherboard and some are externally connected to the computer. Older versions of motherboards used a peripheral computer Interconnect slot in order to plug-in the video card. Newer versions of computers use the accelerated graphics port (AGP). The latest version of computers use the PCIexpress, which has a speed twice of the AGP slots.

The task of upgrading the graphics card in your desktop computer, involves finding out the type of slot in your computer motherboard. If your computer system is relatively quite old, then it is likely that it has a PCI slot. In this case, you have to upgrade related hardware in your computer system, as well. This is because, nowadays, graphic cards compatible only with PCIexpress are available. Additionally, they also render high-speed outputs.

The power supply required for a graphics card should also be considered before buying one. The power supply or wattage of the computer must be checked. The power supply ratings range from 350-500W. Also, the available computer RAM must be taken into consideration. Minimum RAM of 512 MB is required. Once all these steps are done, you can buy a new video card. Make sure that you compare all the options available in the market, and choose the one that best suits your needs.

To remove the older one and upgrade the computer hardware to a new video card, follow the 8 steps given below:

1.If you already have a graphics card, un-install the drivers of the same. Download the drivers of the new one that you've purchased and store them on your computer system.

2.Remove the overclocks, usually set to increase the performance of your computer by increasing the clock rate.

3.Set the computer system to its original specifications and turn it off.

4.The power cord should be unplugged. Open the cabinet and search for your PCIexpress slot.

5.The PCIexpress slot has a locking clip, which is used to mount the card. Remove the older card and mount the newer one.

 6.Store the older card in an anti-static bag, as you can use it as a back-up.

7.The computer system can then be switched on, after carefully placing the graphics card in its slot.

8.Start your computer and install the drivers which were downloaded earlier. This ends the up-gradation process and you can start playing games.

The graphics card is basically used to ensure performance, drive a digital screen, and support dual screens for playing games.

How to fix a Laptop Speakers that Not Working

The miniaturization of laptops comes at a price and one feature that seems lacking in most, is the quality of laptop speakers and the sound they provide. Often, most laptop users have to resort to external speaker systems to enjoy quality music or watch movies. Complaints like 'Laptop speakers stopped working' and 'Laptop speakers not loud enough', are some of the most common complaints on techno forums.The following are tips that will help you in fixing laptop speaker problems at a software level quite effectively.

Laptop Speakers that Not Working.What can you do??


Any laptop computer problem can be fixed, after you've properly diagnosed and isolated the underlying source. The problem either lies with the software or hardware. Every device attached to the computer has its hardware connections and control software, in the form of drivers. The case of dysfunctional speakers could be arising out of a software or hardware failure of some kind. Here are some simple things that you can do, to fix the problem, in case it's only a software anomaly.

1.Check Volume Mute Settings

Laptop speakers may not be working because of accidental muting of sound output. To check that, on your Windows XP operating system, click on the 'Start' button, then go to 'All Programs then accessories --}})Entertainment --}}}Volume Control'. You could also reach the volume settings by simply clicking on the speaker icon, which is normally present in system tray, in case of Windows Vista. See if the mute check box is checked. In case it is, then uncheck it and your problem will be solved.


2.Hardware Issues

A faulty headphone jack or sound card may be the reason for the continuing 'no sound' problem. There is a switch, within the headphone jack, that's used to switch off speaker sound, when a headphone terminal is inserted. Often, the switch tends to get stuck, even when a headphone is not being used, leading to muted speakers. Inserting and removing the headphone terminal in the jack a couple of times, might just fix your problem, if it prompts the stuck switch to work again. Otherwise, you'll need expert assistance in getting the part replaced.

3.Install Sound Drivers Again

Another problem might be the corruption of the laptop's installed audio drivers. In that case, you must delete the old sound drivers and reinstall them from your driver installation CD. To delete old drivers go to 'Start ---}}}Control Panel ---}}} System ---}}}Hardware ---}}}Device Manager ---}}} Sound and Video Game Controllers'. Delete the sound devices that are listed there, while taking care that the audio codecs and legacy audio drivers are not deleted. Then run the recovery driver CD to get the audio drivers newly installed. That should take care of your problem. All it takes is a few mouse clicks! If you don't have the recovery driver CD, search for sound drivers online, according to laptop brand and model number. Download and install the driver to restore sound.


4.System Restore

Sometimes the installation of certain software programs and virus problems may have messed up the audio software settings and data may have been lost. In such a case, go for a 'System Restore' that will reset all the settings as they were before. To do that, go to 'Accessories --}}System Tools ---}}} System Restore'. If this works, your laptop sound should be back.

Hope your laptop speakers problem is fixed with some of the solutions suggested here.