How to Remove RAM from Your Laptop

<h1 style="font-size:20px;margin:0.25rem 0px;padding:0px 0px 0.5rem;border-width:0px 0px 1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-color:rgb(204,204,204);color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">To remove</span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> </span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">memory</span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> </span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">modules, orRAM, from a</span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> </span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">laptop, you follow very similar steps from one brand to another; today, nearly every laptop design places an access panel on the bottom of the laptop and uses similarly latching sockets. The description used here is for the Toshiba</span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> </span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Satellite</span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> </span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">P205 laptop.</span><br> </h1><p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">You first want to make sure that the laptop has no electrical power and is cool and stable. Take these steps:</p> <ol class="level-one" style="padding:0px 1rem;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px"><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> Turn off the computer using theWindows shut-down process.</p><p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Keep in mind that you lose stored data if you use Sleep orHibernation mode.</p> </li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Unplug the AC adapter cablethat runs to the laptop.</p><p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> Why remove the AC adapter and the battery before removing memory modules? First of all, plugging them in while power is on could result in damage to the RAM. Secondly, doing any work on a laptop while power is applied could result in a damaging spark.</p> </li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Remove the battery.</p></li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> Disconnect any other cabling to the laptop, including anEthernet cable or a telephonemodem wire.</p><p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">If the laptop has been running recently, allow it to cool for about 15 minutes; memory modules can become quite hot when they are in use.</p> </li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Locate a small Phillips-head screwdriver.</p><p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> This is the screwdriver with an X-shaped head.</p></li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Place a soft cloth or other protective mat on a desktop.</p> </li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Turn the laptop over so that its bottom is facing up.</p></li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> Locate the memory module slot cover.</p><div class="imageBlock" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;width:401px"><img alt="The illustration above shows the proper technique for removing the memory module slot cover on the " height="400" src="http://media.wiley.com/Lux/74/78974.image1.jpg" style="vertical-align: bottom; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; max-width: 100%; height: auto !important;" width="401"><div class="imageCredit" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px"> Credit: Courtesy of Toshiba America, Inc.</div><div class="imageCaption" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px">The illustration above shows the proper technique for removing the memory module slot cover on the bottom of a laptop.</div> </div></li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Carefully remove the screw that holds the cover over the memory compartment.</p><p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> Hold the screwdriver at a right angle to the bottom of the laptop and turn the screw carefully; it shouldn't require a lot of force to remove. Once the screw is removed, put it in a safe place. Use a piece of clear tape to attach it to the desktop or the side of the computer.</p> </li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Ground yourself before touching the memory module.</p><p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> Touch any grounded metal surface, like a light stand, or touch the center screw on an electrical outlet.</p></li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Carefully release the latches on the side of the module holder.</p> </li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Lift it to an approximately 30-degree angle from the bottom surface of the laptop.</p></li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> Gently slide the module out of its connector and out of the slot.</p><div class="imageBlock" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;width:535px"><img alt="Lift up the memory module holder and remove the memory. [Credit: Courtesy of Toshiba America, Inc.]" height="352" src="http://media.wiley.com/Lux/75/78975.image2.jpg" style="vertical-align: bottom; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; max-width: 100%; height: auto !important;" width="535"><div class="imageCredit" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px"> Credit: Courtesy of Toshiba America, Inc.</div><div class="imageCaption" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px">Lift up the memory module holder and remove the memory.</div></div></li></ol><p class="Warning" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"> At this point, you can install new memory. When you're done, follow these steps:</p><ol class="level-one" style="padding:0px 1rem;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px"><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> Reinstall the main battery.</p></li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Turn the laptop right side up.</p></li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> Reattach the AC adapter cable and other connections.</p></li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Restart the computer.</p></li></ol>

How to Remove RAM from Your Laptop

To remove   memory   modules, orRAM, from a   laptop, you follow very similar steps from one brand to another; today, nearly every laptop de...

Read more »

How to Remove RAM from Your Laptop

<h1 style="font-size:20px;margin:0.25rem 0px;padding:0px 0px 0.5rem;border-width:0px 0px 1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-color:rgb(204,204,204);color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">To remove</span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> </span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">memory</span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> </span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">modules, orRAM, from a</span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> </span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">laptop, you follow very similar steps from one brand to another; today, nearly every laptop design places an access panel on the bottom of the laptop and uses similarly latching sockets. The description used here is for the Toshiba</span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> </span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Satellite</span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> </span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">P205 laptop.</span><br> </h1><p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">You first want to make sure that the laptop has no electrical power and is cool and stable. Take these steps:</p> <ol class="level-one" style="padding:0px 1rem;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px"><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> Turn off the computer using theWindows shut-down process.</p><p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Keep in mind that you lose stored data if you use Sleep orHibernation mode.</p> </li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Unplug the AC adapter cablethat runs to the laptop.</p><p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> Why remove the AC adapter and the battery before removing memory modules? First of all, plugging them in while power is on could result in damage to the RAM. Secondly, doing any work on a laptop while power is applied could result in a damaging spark.</p> </li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Remove the battery.</p></li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> Disconnect any other cabling to the laptop, including anEthernet cable or a telephonemodem wire.</p><p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">If the laptop has been running recently, allow it to cool for about 15 minutes; memory modules can become quite hot when they are in use.</p> </li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Locate a small Phillips-head screwdriver.</p><p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> This is the screwdriver with an X-shaped head.</p></li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Place a soft cloth or other protective mat on a desktop.</p> </li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Turn the laptop over so that its bottom is facing up.</p></li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> Locate the memory module slot cover.</p><div class="imageBlock" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;width:401px"><img alt="The illustration above shows the proper technique for removing the memory module slot cover on the " height="400" src="http://media.wiley.com/Lux/74/78974.image1.jpg" style="vertical-align: bottom; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; max-width: 100%; height: auto !important;" width="401"><div class="imageCredit" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px"> Credit: Courtesy of Toshiba America, Inc.</div><div class="imageCaption" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px">The illustration above shows the proper technique for removing the memory module slot cover on the bottom of a laptop.</div> </div></li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Carefully remove the screw that holds the cover over the memory compartment.</p><p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> Hold the screwdriver at a right angle to the bottom of the laptop and turn the screw carefully; it shouldn't require a lot of force to remove. Once the screw is removed, put it in a safe place. Use a piece of clear tape to attach it to the desktop or the side of the computer.</p> </li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Ground yourself before touching the memory module.</p><p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> Touch any grounded metal surface, like a light stand, or touch the center screw on an electrical outlet.</p></li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Carefully release the latches on the side of the module holder.</p> </li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Lift it to an approximately 30-degree angle from the bottom surface of the laptop.</p></li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> Gently slide the module out of its connector and out of the slot.</p><div class="imageBlock" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;width:535px"><img alt="Lift up the memory module holder and remove the memory. [Credit: Courtesy of Toshiba America, Inc.]" height="352" src="http://media.wiley.com/Lux/75/78975.image2.jpg" style="vertical-align: bottom; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; max-width: 100%; height: auto !important;" width="535"><div class="imageCredit" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px"> Credit: Courtesy of Toshiba America, Inc.</div><div class="imageCaption" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px">Lift up the memory module holder and remove the memory.</div></div></li></ol><p class="Warning" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"> At this point, you can install new memory. When you're done, follow these steps:</p><ol class="level-one" style="padding:0px 1rem;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px"><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> Reinstall the main battery.</p></li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Turn the laptop right side up.</p></li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> Reattach the AC adapter cable and other connections.</p></li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Restart the computer.</p></li></ol>

How to Remove RAM from Your Laptop

To remove   memory   modules, orRAM, from a   laptop, you follow very similar steps from one brand to another; today, nearly every laptop de...

Read more »

How to Connect Your Laptop to an Unknown SSID in Windows XP

<h1 style="font-size:20px;margin:0.25rem 0px;padding:0px 0px 0.5rem;border-width:0px 0px 1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-color:rgb(204,204,204);color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">For security reasons, some</span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> </span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">wirelessnetworks</span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> </span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">don't broadcast their SSIDs. A wireless network not broadcasting its SSID doesn't showup</span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> </span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">in your list of networks.</span><br> </h1><p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">You first need to ask for the SSID from the person in charge of the network. After you know the SSID, you must manually connect. Follow these steps to do so:</p> <ol class="level-one" style="padding:0px 1rem;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px"><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> Choose Control Panel from the Start menu.</p><p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">The Control Panel windowappears.</p></li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> Click the Network Connections icon.</p><p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">The Network Connections window appears.</p></li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> Right-click the wireless network connection's icon and choose Properties from the pop-up menu.</p></li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Click the Wireless Networks tab.</p> </li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Click the Add button, near the bottom of the dialog box.</p><img alt="image0.jpg" height="400" src="http://media.wiley.com/Lux/79/79179.image0.jpg" style="vertical-align: bottom; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; max-width: 100%; height: auto !important;" width="332"><p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> In the Wireless Network Properties dialog box that appears, you can manually configure the connection to the unknown wireless network.</p></li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> Type the SSID in the Network name field.</p></li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Optionally, enter the network key or password.</p><p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> If the network key box is disabled, as shown in the above figure, another dialog box may appear and prompt you to enter the password.</p></li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> Click OK.</p><p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">At this point, the network should show up as available in the list. You can then connect to it by clicking its name.</p> </li></ol>

How to Connect Your Laptop to an Unknown SSID in Windows XP

For security reasons, some   wirelessnetworks   don't broadcast their SSIDs. A wireless network not broadcasting its SSID doesn't sh...

Read more »

How to Connect Your Laptop to an Unknown SSID in Windows XP

<h1 style="font-size:20px;margin:0.25rem 0px;padding:0px 0px 0.5rem;border-width:0px 0px 1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-color:rgb(204,204,204);color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">For security reasons, some</span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> </span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">wirelessnetworks</span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> </span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">don't broadcast their SSIDs. A wireless network not broadcasting its SSID doesn't showup</span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> </span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">in your list of networks.</span><br> </h1><p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">You first need to ask for the SSID from the person in charge of the network. After you know the SSID, you must manually connect. Follow these steps to do so:</p> <ol class="level-one" style="padding:0px 1rem;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px"><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> Choose Control Panel from the Start menu.</p><p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">The Control Panel windowappears.</p></li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> Click the Network Connections icon.</p><p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">The Network Connections window appears.</p></li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> Right-click the wireless network connection's icon and choose Properties from the pop-up menu.</p></li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Click the Wireless Networks tab.</p> </li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Click the Add button, near the bottom of the dialog box.</p><img alt="image0.jpg" height="400" src="http://media.wiley.com/Lux/79/79179.image0.jpg" style="vertical-align: bottom; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; max-width: 100%; height: auto !important;" width="332"><p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> In the Wireless Network Properties dialog box that appears, you can manually configure the connection to the unknown wireless network.</p></li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> Type the SSID in the Network name field.</p></li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Optionally, enter the network key or password.</p><p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> If the network key box is disabled, as shown in the above figure, another dialog box may appear and prompt you to enter the password.</p></li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> Click OK.</p><p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">At this point, the network should show up as available in the list. You can then connect to it by clicking its name.</p> </li></ol>

How to Connect Your Laptop to an Unknown SSID in Windows XP

For security reasons, some   wirelessnetworks   don't broadcast their SSIDs. A wireless network not broadcasting its SSID doesn't sh...

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How to Choose a Computer Processor

<h1 style="font-size:20px;margin:0.25rem 0px;padding:0px 0px 0.5rem;border-width:0px 0px 1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-color:rgb(204,204,204);color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Intel and AMD are the two leading computer</span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> </span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">processormanufacturers. Both today's Pentium series processors from Intel (Pentium 4, Pentium D, and Extreme Edition) and the Athlon 64 and 64 X2 series processors from AMD are excellent, so let price andchip</span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> </span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">speed be your guide.</span><br> </h1><p class="Remember" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">Just make sure that you get the right CPU for your motherboardbecause every motherboard is specifically designed for one brand of CPU.</p> <p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">These three processor features all have their own distinct advantages:</p><ul class="level-one" style="padding:0px 1rem;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px"> <li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"><b>Dual-core: </b>Essentially embodies the inner guts of two processors, even though there's only one physical chip.</p> <p class="child-para Tip" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">A dual-core processor is much better at multitasking and juggling more than one runningprogram at a time, or both "virtual" processors can work on the same task. It's very sexy — in a computer hardware sort of way, naturally.</p> </li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"><b>64-bit: </b>A 64-bit processor caninput and output much more data (and work with a whopping larger amount of RAM) than a 32-bit processor.</p> </li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"><b>Hyper-Threading:</b> Jeez, what a moniker — just think of a Hyper-Threading processor as much more efficient and significantly better at handling multiple programs at the same time than a processor of the same speed without Hyper–Threading. (Who thinks upthese names — the marketing guys?)</p> </li></ul>

How to Choose a Computer Processor

Intel and AMD are the two leading computer   processormanufacturers. Both today's Pentium series processors from Intel (Pentium 4, Penti...

Read more »

How to Choose a Computer Processor

<h1 style="font-size:20px;margin:0.25rem 0px;padding:0px 0px 0.5rem;border-width:0px 0px 1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-color:rgb(204,204,204);color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Intel and AMD are the two leading computer</span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> </span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">processormanufacturers. Both today's Pentium series processors from Intel (Pentium 4, Pentium D, and Extreme Edition) and the Athlon 64 and 64 X2 series processors from AMD are excellent, so let price andchip</span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> </span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">speed be your guide.</span><br> </h1><p class="Remember" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">Just make sure that you get the right CPU for your motherboardbecause every motherboard is specifically designed for one brand of CPU.</p> <p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">These three processor features all have their own distinct advantages:</p><ul class="level-one" style="padding:0px 1rem;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px"> <li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"><b>Dual-core: </b>Essentially embodies the inner guts of two processors, even though there's only one physical chip.</p> <p class="child-para Tip" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">A dual-core processor is much better at multitasking and juggling more than one runningprogram at a time, or both "virtual" processors can work on the same task. It's very sexy — in a computer hardware sort of way, naturally.</p> </li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"><b>64-bit: </b>A 64-bit processor caninput and output much more data (and work with a whopping larger amount of RAM) than a 32-bit processor.</p> </li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"><b>Hyper-Threading:</b> Jeez, what a moniker — just think of a Hyper-Threading processor as much more efficient and significantly better at handling multiple programs at the same time than a processor of the same speed without Hyper–Threading. (Who thinks upthese names — the marketing guys?)</p> </li></ul>

How to Choose a Computer Processor

Intel and AMD are the two leading computer   processormanufacturers. Both today's Pentium series processors from Intel (Pentium 4, Penti...

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How to Install a Hard Drive on Your Laptop

<h1 style="font-size:20px;margin:0.25rem 0px;padding:0px 0px 0.5rem;border-width:0px 0px 1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-color:rgb(204,204,204);color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">The best</span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> </span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">laptops</span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> </span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">make changing ahard</span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> </span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">drive</span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> </span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">as easy as swapping a battery. In the below figure you can see one example of a laptop hard drive in a carrier and the empty bay awaiting its installation.</span><br> </h1><img alt="image0.jpg" height="277" src="http://media.wiley.com/Lux/61/78961.image0.jpg" style="vertical-align: bottom; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; font-size: 16px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); max-width: 100%; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; height: auto !important;" width="535"><span style="color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px"></span><p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"> Turned on its back, you can see how this particular hard disk carrier design holds a drive in a cage; the data and power connectors plug into mating ports in the laptop.</p><p class="Warning" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"> Always remove both the AC adapter and the laptop's battery before handling any of the laptop's internal parts. Don't take the chance of having any electrical power in the laptop that could be shorted out by a tool, screw, or other conducting material.</p> <p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">Follow these basic steps for working with a drive that's already installed in a carrier designed for your laptop:</p> <ol class="level-one" style="padding:0px 1rem;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px"><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> Turn off the laptop.</p></li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Unplug the AC adapter.</p></li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> Prepare your work area.</p><p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">You want a clean, well-lit, and stable surface. Place a soft cloth or other cushioning material to protect the top of the laptop; you can use almost anything that isn't metallic or packing an electric charge.</p> </li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Remove the battery.</p></li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> Ground yourself before touching the old drive, and again before opening the bag or box that holds the new drive.</p><p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Ground yourself by touching the middle screw on an electrical wall outlet, or by touching a metal pipe.</p> </li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Locate the hard disk drivecompartment or bay.</p><p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> Your laptop instruction manual should include a chart showing its position.</p></li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Unscrew any locking screws that may be holding the drive in place, or unlatch any catches.</p> <p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Set aside the screws in a safe place; make notes on any unusual steps you had to take.</p></li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> Slide or lift the hard drive out of its bay or compartment.</p></li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Reverse the steps to install, latch, and power up the new drive.</p> </li></ol>

How to Install a Hard Drive on Your Laptop

The best   laptops   make changing ahard   drive   as easy as swapping a battery. In the below figure you can see one example of a laptop ha...

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How to Install a Hard Drive on Your Laptop

<h1 style="font-size:20px;margin:0.25rem 0px;padding:0px 0px 0.5rem;border-width:0px 0px 1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-color:rgb(204,204,204);color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">The best</span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> </span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">laptops</span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> </span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">make changing ahard</span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> </span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">drive</span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> </span><span style="font-size:18px;line-height:24px">as easy as swapping a battery. In the below figure you can see one example of a laptop hard drive in a carrier and the empty bay awaiting its installation.</span><br> </h1><img alt="image0.jpg" height="277" src="http://media.wiley.com/Lux/61/78961.image0.jpg" style="vertical-align: bottom; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; font-size: 16px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); max-width: 100%; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; height: auto !important;" width="535"><span style="color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px"></span><p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"> Turned on its back, you can see how this particular hard disk carrier design holds a drive in a cage; the data and power connectors plug into mating ports in the laptop.</p><p class="Warning" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"> Always remove both the AC adapter and the laptop's battery before handling any of the laptop's internal parts. Don't take the chance of having any electrical power in the laptop that could be shorted out by a tool, screw, or other conducting material.</p> <p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">Follow these basic steps for working with a drive that's already installed in a carrier designed for your laptop:</p> <ol class="level-one" style="padding:0px 1rem;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px"><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> Turn off the laptop.</p></li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Unplug the AC adapter.</p></li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> Prepare your work area.</p><p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">You want a clean, well-lit, and stable surface. Place a soft cloth or other cushioning material to protect the top of the laptop; you can use almost anything that isn't metallic or packing an electric charge.</p> </li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Remove the battery.</p></li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> Ground yourself before touching the old drive, and again before opening the bag or box that holds the new drive.</p><p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Ground yourself by touching the middle screw on an electrical wall outlet, or by touching a metal pipe.</p> </li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Locate the hard disk drivecompartment or bay.</p><p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> Your laptop instruction manual should include a chart showing its position.</p></li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Unscrew any locking screws that may be holding the drive in place, or unlatch any catches.</p> <p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Set aside the screws in a safe place; make notes on any unusual steps you had to take.</p></li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> Slide or lift the hard drive out of its bay or compartment.</p></li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Reverse the steps to install, latch, and power up the new drive.</p> </li></ol>

How to Install a Hard Drive on Your Laptop

The best   laptops   make changing ahard   drive   as easy as swapping a battery. In the below figure you can see one example of a laptop ha...

Read more »

Looking Inside a PC Console

<h1 style="font-size:20px;margin:0.25rem 0px;padding:0px 0px 0.5rem;border-width:0px 0px 1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-color:rgb(204,204,204);color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"><br></h1> <p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">You may want to see the components that make up your PCconsole, the PC's guts. For a peek inside a PC (without having to dissect your own), look no further. A PC's insides are shown in this figure, which is a sideways view of a typical mini-tower PC — as though you removed the right side of the console and looked inside. (In the figure, the left side represents the front of the console.)</p> <div class="imageBlock" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:16px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;width:396px"><img alt="A peek inside the console." height="400" src="http://media.wiley.com/Lux/08/80408.image0.jpg" style="vertical-align: bottom; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; max-width: 100%; height: auto !important;" width="396"><div class="imageCaption" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px"> A peek inside the console.</div></div><p class="Remember" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">Missing from this figure are the myriad cables that festoon the console's interior space; the typical PC's console is a lot less roomy. And, if you've owned the computer for a while, some dust is in there too — maybe even cat hair!</p> <p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">The three main parts of the console's tummy are</p><ul class="level-one" style="padding:0px 1rem;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px"> <li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"><b>The disk drive cage:</b> A contraption used to hold internal disk drives, an optical (DVD) drive, and a hard drive. The cage also has room for even more disk drives (the so-called "future expansion").</p> </li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"><b>The power supply: </b>Feeds the console that all-important stuff called electricity.</p></li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> <b>The motherboard: </b>The computer's main circuitry board.</p></li></ul><p class="Remember" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"> Everything inside the PC's case is amodular component: Individual pieces can be replaced without having to toss out the entire console. Modularity is one of the keys to the PC's success over the years.</p>

Looking Inside a PC Console

You may want to see the components that make up your PCconsole, the PC's guts. For a peek inside a PC (without having to dissect your ...

Read more »