1. Know the indications of a corrupt RAM for replacing it. The major signs of bad RAM are long beeps, blue screen or random crashes when you run programs such as Photoshop or games.
2. Run the memory test software to determine if RAM is corrupt. You can easily download this software online.
3. Remember that if you have multiple memory sticks you need to run the memory test software individually for each stick.
4. Verify the type of existing RAM. Depending on the type of RAM, you will need to install either SIMM (single in-line memory module) or DIMM (dual in-line memory module) chips. You may have a single 1 GB chip or a pair of 512 MB chips.
5.Learn more about different types of RAM and notice differences between them in speed and parity. The most common types are SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic RAM) and RDRAM (Rambus Dynamic RAM). Pentiums and Celerons have SDRAM installed in the CPU. Newer machines have DDR (Double-Data-Rate) and RDRAM.
6. Become familiar with the installation process. First switch off your computer and shut down the power completely, if it is on. Disconnect all cables originating from and to the CPU carefully.
7. Open your computer case by using a phillips screwdriver.
8. Understand your motherboard. Locate the RAM socket, video card, hard drive and the processor box before you begin the installation process.
9. Examine the RAM socket (memory slots) and clean any dirt before inserting the RAM chip. Never use a cloth or liquid spray to clean. Carefully use a vacuum cleaner instead.
10. Open the RAM socket latch. The latch will often be secured with the clips to hold the RAM chip in place. Open all the clips. Your computer may have a 72-pin or 164-pin RAM socket, depending on the year of manufacture.
11. Place the chips securely in the latch and re-clip it. You should hear a "snap" sound that indicates proper locking.
12. Test the RAM installation. Put the covers on but do not screw the case closed. Reconnect all cables and switch on your computer. Look for BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) by pressing F2 or F8 on startup. Navigate the menu to locate RAM memory and make sure that the RAM you installed is detected.
13. Reboot your computer. Use My Computer to authenticate the newly installed RAM. Put all the screws back to the original position. Your computer should now run smoother and faster with more RAM.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Sunday, July 19, 2009
How to see hidden files in Windows Vista
To enable the viewing of hidden and protected system files in Windows Vista please follow these steps:
1. Close all programs so that you are at your desktop.
2. Click on the Start button. This is the small round button with the Windows flag in the lower left corner.
3. Click on the control panel menu option.
4. When the control panel opens you can either be in Classic View or Control Panel Home view:
If you are in the Classic View do the following:
6. Remove the checkmark from the checkbox labeled Hide extensions for known file types.
7. Remove the checkmark from the checkbox labeled Hide protected operating system files. Once this is done, your Folder Options screen should look similar to the following image.
8. Press the Apply button and then the OK button.
1. Close all programs so that you are at your desktop.
2. Click on the Start button. This is the small round button with the Windows flag in the lower left corner.
3. Click on the control panel menu option.
4. When the control panel opens you can either be in Classic View or Control Panel Home view:
If you are in the Classic View do the following:
- Double-click on the Folder Options icon.
- Click on the View tab.
- Go to step 5.
- Click on the Appearance and Personalization link.
- Click on Show Hidden Files or Folders.
- Go to step 5.
6. Remove the checkmark from the checkbox labeled Hide extensions for known file types.
7. Remove the checkmark from the checkbox labeled Hide protected operating system files. Once this is done, your Folder Options screen should look similar to the following image.
8. Press the Apply button and then the OK button.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Top Antivirus
#1 Shield Deluxe 2009 - Antivirus Protection 
#2 Trend Micro Antivirus Internet Security 2009
#3 Norton Antivirus 2009
#4 Panda Antivirus Pro 2009
#5 ZoneAlarm Anti-virus 2009
#6 ESET NOD32 Antivirus
#7 Kaspersky Anti-Virus
#2 Trend Micro Antivirus Internet Security 2009
#3 Norton Antivirus 2009
#4 Panda Antivirus Pro 2009
#5 ZoneAlarm Anti-virus 2009
#6 ESET NOD32 Antivirus
#7 Kaspersky Anti-Virus
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Slow Computer
1. Update the definitions of your anti-virus and run a complete scan of your hard drive in Safe Mode. Resolve any unfixable issues. Note that some viruses require additional steps before they can be removed; usually a websearch will find specific instructions or a special removal tool.
2. If the sluggishness is sudden, and you have recently downloaded an application, the problem may reside there. Test this by completely removing it. A wise user will generally perform a websearch about the application before downloading it because in most cases, any potential problem with malware or poor performance will have surfaced.
3. Adware and Spyware can drastically effect your computer’s performance, and these are all over the Internet. A very recent study indicated that one out of every 20 executable files on Web sites is spyware, and 1 in 25 domains contain at least one piece of spyware waiting for victims.Update the definitions of your anti-spyware applications and scan your hard drives in Safe Mode. Experienced users will regularly run two or three of these applications, because each company has its own criteria for what constitutes spyware and will only search against their own set.
4. Review applications that self-launch on startup.If, for example, you have Spybot Search and Destroy, you can use its startup tool that lists startups and allows you to turn off any you do not need.
5. Clean up your hard drive. Delete unused programs and transfer old files to a CD. Unplayed games, lots of family pictures, zipped files that you have already opened, applications you have not used in two years, software for that old printer you threw away last year---these are some examples of files you can delete. Then use Window’s Disk Cleanup to delete temporary internet files, temporary PC health files, etc..
6. Run scandisk/checkdisk in Safe Mode. Have it repair anything it finds.
7. Defragment your computer. Windows tends to put new files in any available open space; defragging will place associated segments of files closer together so your read arm has less travelling around the hard drive to do, saving wear and tear while speeding up programs.
2. If the sluggishness is sudden, and you have recently downloaded an application, the problem may reside there. Test this by completely removing it. A wise user will generally perform a websearch about the application before downloading it because in most cases, any potential problem with malware or poor performance will have surfaced.
3. Adware and Spyware can drastically effect your computer’s performance, and these are all over the Internet. A very recent study indicated that one out of every 20 executable files on Web sites is spyware, and 1 in 25 domains contain at least one piece of spyware waiting for victims.Update the definitions of your anti-spyware applications and scan your hard drives in Safe Mode. Experienced users will regularly run two or three of these applications, because each company has its own criteria for what constitutes spyware and will only search against their own set.
4. Review applications that self-launch on startup.If, for example, you have Spybot Search and Destroy, you can use its startup tool that lists startups and allows you to turn off any you do not need.
5. Clean up your hard drive. Delete unused programs and transfer old files to a CD. Unplayed games, lots of family pictures, zipped files that you have already opened, applications you have not used in two years, software for that old printer you threw away last year---these are some examples of files you can delete. Then use Window’s Disk Cleanup to delete temporary internet files, temporary PC health files, etc..
6. Run scandisk/checkdisk in Safe Mode. Have it repair anything it finds.
7. Defragment your computer. Windows tends to put new files in any available open space; defragging will place associated segments of files closer together so your read arm has less travelling around the hard drive to do, saving wear and tear while speeding up programs.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Windows recovery Environment for system restore
1. Insert the Windows Vista installation disc into the disc drive, and then start the computer.
2. Press a key when the message indicating "press any key to boot from cd or dvd" appears.
3. Select a language, a time and currency, and a keyboard or input method, and then click next.
4. Click repair your computer.
5. In the systems recovery options dialog box, choose the drive of your Windows installation and click next.
6. At the systems recovery options dialog box, click on system restore.
7. Follow the system restore wizard instruction as usual and choose the appropriate restore point.
8. Click finish to restore the system.
2. Press a key when the message indicating "press any key to boot from cd or dvd" appears.
3. Select a language, a time and currency, and a keyboard or input method, and then click next.
4. Click repair your computer.
5. In the systems recovery options dialog box, choose the drive of your Windows installation and click next.
6. At the systems recovery options dialog box, click on system restore.
7. Follow the system restore wizard instruction as usual and choose the appropriate restore point.
8. Click finish to restore the system.
Monday, July 13, 2009
How to Rebuild BCD
1. Put the Windows Vista installation disc in the disc drive, and then start the computer.
2. Press a key when the message indicating "press any key to boot from cd or dvd" appears.
3. Select a language, a time, a currency, and a keyboard or another input method.
4. Click repair your computer.
5. Click the operating system that you want to repair, and then click next.
6. In the systems recovery options dialog box, click command prompt.
7. Type bootrec /rebuildbcd , and then press enter.
2. Press a key when the message indicating "press any key to boot from cd or dvd" appears.
3. Select a language, a time, a currency, and a keyboard or another input method.
4. Click repair your computer.
5. Click the operating system that you want to repair, and then click next.
6. In the systems recovery options dialog box, click command prompt.
7. Type bootrec /rebuildbcd , and then press enter.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Startup repair from the Windows Recovery Environment
This is a post of 8 steps on how to do a startup repair from the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE).
1. Insert the Windows Vista installation disc into the disc drive, and then start the computer.
2. Press a key when the message indicating "press any key to boot from cd or dvd" appears.
3. Select a language, a time and currency, and a keyboard or input method, and then click next.
4. Click repair your computer.
5. In the system recovery options dialog box, choose the drive of your Windows installation and click next.
6. At the system recovery options dialog box, click on repair your computer.
7. Click the operating system that you want to repair, and then click next.
8. In the system recovery options dialog box, click startup repair.
1. Insert the Windows Vista installation disc into the disc drive, and then start the computer.
2. Press a key when the message indicating "press any key to boot from cd or dvd" appears.
3. Select a language, a time and currency, and a keyboard or input method, and then click next.
4. Click repair your computer.
5. In the system recovery options dialog box, choose the drive of your Windows installation and click next.
6. At the system recovery options dialog box, click on repair your computer.
7. Click the operating system that you want to repair, and then click next.
8. In the system recovery options dialog box, click startup repair.
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