Use Blogmapping to Show Where You're Blogging From

<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 class="Byline" 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"><i>Blogmapping</i> (or feed mapping) is a service that displays the geographic locations of bloggers on a mapping system, such as Microsoft Live Map or Google Maps. You can map your location based on your ZIP or postal code. You also may add your Web site address and RSS feed so that potential readers can easily reach you.</p> <p class="Tip" 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">One great thing about this kind of service is finding bloggers in your own neighborhood, so you can turn your online relationships into offline friendships.</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">Some blogmapping services also allow you to create <i>tag </i><i>clouds</i> (a visual representation of the keywords used to describe yourblog posts) and keywords so that you can easily view the subject of the blogs on your map.</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">Just think of all the great blog posts you can write about meeting and getting to know other bloggers in your neighborhood, thanks to your blogmap!</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">You can put a blogmap on your blog using one of these blogmapping tools:</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;line-height:24px"><a href="http://www.csthota.com/blogmap" style="color:rgb(1,69,138)">FeedMap</a></p></li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;line-height:24px"> <a href="http://www.frappr.com/" style="color:rgb(1,69,138)">Frappr</a></p></li></ul>

Use Blogmapping to Show Where You're Blogging From

Blogmapping  (or feed mapping) is a service that displays the geographic locations of bloggers on a mapping system, such as Microsoft Live...

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Use Blogmapping to Show Where You're Blogging From

<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 class="Byline" 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"><i>Blogmapping</i> (or feed mapping) is a service that displays the geographic locations of bloggers on a mapping system, such as Microsoft Live Map or Google Maps. You can map your location based on your ZIP or postal code. You also may add your Web site address and RSS feed so that potential readers can easily reach you.</p> <p class="Tip" 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">One great thing about this kind of service is finding bloggers in your own neighborhood, so you can turn your online relationships into offline friendships.</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">Some blogmapping services also allow you to create <i>tag </i><i>clouds</i> (a visual representation of the keywords used to describe yourblog posts) and keywords so that you can easily view the subject of the blogs on your map.</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">Just think of all the great blog posts you can write about meeting and getting to know other bloggers in your neighborhood, thanks to your blogmap!</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">You can put a blogmap on your blog using one of these blogmapping tools:</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;line-height:24px"><a href="http://www.csthota.com/blogmap" style="color:rgb(1,69,138)">FeedMap</a></p></li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;line-height:24px"> <a href="http://www.frappr.com/" style="color:rgb(1,69,138)">Frappr</a></p></li></ul>

Use Blogmapping to Show Where You're Blogging From

Blogmapping  (or feed mapping) is a service that displays the geographic locations of bloggers on a mapping system, such as Microsoft Live...

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How to Fix Your Computer Hard Drive

<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">The hard disk drive in your computer has a limited life expectancy. If you're unlucky, your drive will die suddenly. If you're lucky, it will break down slowly over a long period. Make no mistake, though: Someday, your hard drive<i>will</i> die. That's why it's important to check its health regularly and keep it in the best possible shape. Fortunately, you can do several things to check and maintain your drive:</p> <h2 style="margin:0.25rem 0px 1.25rem;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:19px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">Defragment the hard drive with Windows' defragmenting tool</h2><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"> For most users, the main hard drive is designated the C: drive; it contains Windows, your applications, and your data. This drive has the most storage. Here's how to defragment your hard drive:</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 Start→All Programs→Accessories->System Tools→Disk Defragmenter.</p><p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> The Disk Defragmenter dialog box appears.</p><img alt="image0.jpg" height="400" src="http://media.wiley.com/Lux/70/211870.image0.jpg" style="vertical-align: bottom; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; max-width: 100%; height: auto !important;" width="409"></li> <li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Select the drive that you want to defragment.</p><p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> Most people will choose the C: drive. You may also see a much smaller D: drive, which likely contains the files to restore your computer to factory settings. You don't want to alter anything on this recovery drive.</p></li> <li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Click Defragment (Windows XP) or Defragment Disk (Vista and Windows 7).</p><p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> <b></b>The defragmenter analyzes the disk for degree of fragmentation and then begins the defragmentation process. In Windows XP, you see a graphical display that represents the hard drive before and after defragmentation. In Vista and Windows 7, you see a countdown of the percentage of defragmentation completed.</p> </li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Choosing File→Exit (Windows XP) or click the Close button(Vista and Windows 7).</p><p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> The Disk Defragmenter closes.</p></li></ol><h2 style="margin:0.25rem 0px 1.25rem;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:19px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">Tidy up computer space with Disk Cleanup</h2> <p class="Tip" 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">How often you should run the Disk Cleanup utility depends on your habits. If you do a lot of Internet browsing, and disk space is running low, run the utility. Otherwise, every few months is probably often enough.</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 Start→My Computer or Start→My Computer.</p><p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">The My Computer/Computer 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 drive you want to check and choose Properties from the shortcut menu.</p><img alt="image1.jpg" height="400" src="http://media.wiley.com/Lux/71/211871.image1.jpg" style="vertical-align: bottom; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; max-width: 100%; height: auto !important;" width="294"><p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> <b></b>The drive's Properties dialog box appears.</p></li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Click the General tab, if it isn't already open. If you want, check the Compress This Drive to Save Disk Space check box.</p> <p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"><b></b>This option compresses old files that you haven't used for a while.</p></li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> 4.<b></b>Click the Disk Cleanup button.</p><p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">The system churns away for a while, examining your drive and calculating how much garbage it can locate. Finally, the Disk Cleanup dialog box opens, indicating how much junk is sitting around in places like the folders for downloaded program files, temporary Internet files, and the Recycle Bin, and suggesting files to delete.</p> <img alt="image2.jpg" height="400" src="http://media.wiley.com/Lux/72/211872.image2.jpg" style="vertical-align: bottom; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; max-width: 100%; height: auto !important;" width="305"></li> <li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Clear the check boxes next to any files that you want to keep; check the check boxes next to any additional files that you want to clear off the disk.</p> <p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">For most users, it's best to delete only the recommended files. If you choose to go further, click each file and read its description before proceeding.</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"> Windows asks you to confirm that you want to delete these files permanently.</p></li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Click Yes (Windows XP) or Delete Files (Vista and Windows 7).</p> <p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">The files are deleted.</p></li></ol>

How to Fix Your Computer Hard Drive

The hard disk drive in your computer has a limited life expectancy. If you're unlucky, your drive will die suddenly. If you're luc...

Read more »

How to Fix Your Computer Hard Drive

<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">The hard disk drive in your computer has a limited life expectancy. If you're unlucky, your drive will die suddenly. If you're lucky, it will break down slowly over a long period. Make no mistake, though: Someday, your hard drive<i>will</i> die. That's why it's important to check its health regularly and keep it in the best possible shape. Fortunately, you can do several things to check and maintain your drive:</p> <h2 style="margin:0.25rem 0px 1.25rem;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:19px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">Defragment the hard drive with Windows' defragmenting tool</h2><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"> For most users, the main hard drive is designated the C: drive; it contains Windows, your applications, and your data. This drive has the most storage. Here's how to defragment your hard drive:</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 Start→All Programs→Accessories->System Tools→Disk Defragmenter.</p><p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> The Disk Defragmenter dialog box appears.</p><img alt="image0.jpg" height="400" src="http://media.wiley.com/Lux/70/211870.image0.jpg" style="vertical-align: bottom; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; max-width: 100%; height: auto !important;" width="409"></li> <li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Select the drive that you want to defragment.</p><p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> Most people will choose the C: drive. You may also see a much smaller D: drive, which likely contains the files to restore your computer to factory settings. You don't want to alter anything on this recovery drive.</p></li> <li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Click Defragment (Windows XP) or Defragment Disk (Vista and Windows 7).</p><p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> <b></b>The defragmenter analyzes the disk for degree of fragmentation and then begins the defragmentation process. In Windows XP, you see a graphical display that represents the hard drive before and after defragmentation. In Vista and Windows 7, you see a countdown of the percentage of defragmentation completed.</p> </li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Choosing File→Exit (Windows XP) or click the Close button(Vista and Windows 7).</p><p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> The Disk Defragmenter closes.</p></li></ol><h2 style="margin:0.25rem 0px 1.25rem;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:19px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">Tidy up computer space with Disk Cleanup</h2> <p class="Tip" 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">How often you should run the Disk Cleanup utility depends on your habits. If you do a lot of Internet browsing, and disk space is running low, run the utility. Otherwise, every few months is probably often enough.</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 Start→My Computer or Start→My Computer.</p><p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">The My Computer/Computer 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 drive you want to check and choose Properties from the shortcut menu.</p><img alt="image1.jpg" height="400" src="http://media.wiley.com/Lux/71/211871.image1.jpg" style="vertical-align: bottom; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; max-width: 100%; height: auto !important;" width="294"><p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> <b></b>The drive's Properties dialog box appears.</p></li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Click the General tab, if it isn't already open. If you want, check the Compress This Drive to Save Disk Space check box.</p> <p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"><b></b>This option compresses old files that you haven't used for a while.</p></li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> 4.<b></b>Click the Disk Cleanup button.</p><p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">The system churns away for a while, examining your drive and calculating how much garbage it can locate. Finally, the Disk Cleanup dialog box opens, indicating how much junk is sitting around in places like the folders for downloaded program files, temporary Internet files, and the Recycle Bin, and suggesting files to delete.</p> <img alt="image2.jpg" height="400" src="http://media.wiley.com/Lux/72/211872.image2.jpg" style="vertical-align: bottom; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; max-width: 100%; height: auto !important;" width="305"></li> <li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Clear the check boxes next to any files that you want to keep; check the check boxes next to any additional files that you want to clear off the disk.</p> <p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">For most users, it's best to delete only the recommended files. If you choose to go further, click each file and read its description before proceeding.</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"> Windows asks you to confirm that you want to delete these files permanently.</p></li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Click Yes (Windows XP) or Delete Files (Vista and Windows 7).</p> <p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">The files are deleted.</p></li></ol>

How to Fix Your Computer Hard Drive

The hard disk drive in your computer has a limited life expectancy. If you're unlucky, your drive will die suddenly. If you're luc...

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How to Troubleshoot Basic Computer Hardware Problems

<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">Although there are unlimited possible combinations of hardwaresettings, you can trace most hardware problems to a relatively small number of causes. Here are some tips for troubleshooting some of the most common PC problems.</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>Your computer is suddenly silent.</b> Make sure that you haven't muted the sound. The sound card or adapter inside your PC has failed or is no longer adequate for your needs.</p><p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> <i>Solution:</i> Instead of opening the case, plug in an external sound adapter such as Creative's USB SoundBlaster Live! 24-Bit External, which attaches to aUSB port on almost any desktop or laptop computer.</p></li><li> <p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"><b>Your PC needs new or better wireless capability.</b> You want to give your computer the ability to communicate wirelessly with other devices, or you need to upgrade an outdated or malfunctioning built-in Wi-Fi adapter.</p> <p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"><i>Solution:</i> Several manufacturers offer external Wi-Fi adapters and antennas that connect to your PC through the USB port. One advantage of using an external Wi-Fi adapter is that it usually comes with a more substantial antenna than its internal equivalent, and you can adjust the placement of that antenna to get the best transmission and reception in your home or office. The latest "N" Wi-Fi technology adapters have a small footprint and offer better coverage than earlier models do.</p> <img alt="image0.jpg" height="400" src="http://media.wiley.com/Lux/65/211865.image0.jpg" style="vertical-align: bottom; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; max-width: 100%; height: auto !important;" width="198"></li> <li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"><b>You can't install programs on a computer with no CD/DVD drive.</b> If you own a minimalist netbook or a small desktopcomputer, the tiny size and low cost often come at the expense of things like a CD/DVD drive. But without a CD/DVD drive, how do you install new programs?</p> <p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"><i>Solution:</i> A couple of simple work-arounds are available. The first and most obvious solution is to download programs or data over the Internet or across a local area network or to use a device such as a flash memory drive to transfer program content to the computer. You can purchase very large flash drives to store up to 256GB worth of programs or data.</p> <img alt="image1.jpg" height="216" src="http://media.wiley.com/Lux/66/211866.image1.jpg" style="vertical-align: bottom; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; max-width: 100%; height: auto !important;" width="535"><p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> Another option is to install an external drive. Drives of this type are small units, similar to those used in full-feature laptops, that draw electrical power from wall current and connect to the computer through the USB port.</p> <img alt="image2.jpg" height="294" src="http://media.wiley.com/Lux/67/211867.image2.jpg" style="vertical-align: bottom; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; max-width: 100%; height: auto !important;" width="535"></li> </ul>

How to Troubleshoot Basic Computer Hardware Problems

Although there are unlimited possible combinations of hardwaresettings, you can trace most hardware problems to a relatively small number ...

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How to Troubleshoot Basic Computer Hardware Problems

<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">Although there are unlimited possible combinations of hardwaresettings, you can trace most hardware problems to a relatively small number of causes. Here are some tips for troubleshooting some of the most common PC problems.</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>Your computer is suddenly silent.</b> Make sure that you haven't muted the sound. The sound card or adapter inside your PC has failed or is no longer adequate for your needs.</p><p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> <i>Solution:</i> Instead of opening the case, plug in an external sound adapter such as Creative's USB SoundBlaster Live! 24-Bit External, which attaches to aUSB port on almost any desktop or laptop computer.</p></li><li> <p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"><b>Your PC needs new or better wireless capability.</b> You want to give your computer the ability to communicate wirelessly with other devices, or you need to upgrade an outdated or malfunctioning built-in Wi-Fi adapter.</p> <p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"><i>Solution:</i> Several manufacturers offer external Wi-Fi adapters and antennas that connect to your PC through the USB port. One advantage of using an external Wi-Fi adapter is that it usually comes with a more substantial antenna than its internal equivalent, and you can adjust the placement of that antenna to get the best transmission and reception in your home or office. The latest "N" Wi-Fi technology adapters have a small footprint and offer better coverage than earlier models do.</p> <img alt="image0.jpg" height="400" src="http://media.wiley.com/Lux/65/211865.image0.jpg" style="vertical-align: bottom; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; max-width: 100%; height: auto !important;" width="198"></li> <li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"><b>You can't install programs on a computer with no CD/DVD drive.</b> If you own a minimalist netbook or a small desktopcomputer, the tiny size and low cost often come at the expense of things like a CD/DVD drive. But without a CD/DVD drive, how do you install new programs?</p> <p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"><i>Solution:</i> A couple of simple work-arounds are available. The first and most obvious solution is to download programs or data over the Internet or across a local area network or to use a device such as a flash memory drive to transfer program content to the computer. You can purchase very large flash drives to store up to 256GB worth of programs or data.</p> <img alt="image1.jpg" height="216" src="http://media.wiley.com/Lux/66/211866.image1.jpg" style="vertical-align: bottom; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; max-width: 100%; height: auto !important;" width="535"><p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> Another option is to install an external drive. Drives of this type are small units, similar to those used in full-feature laptops, that draw electrical power from wall current and connect to the computer through the USB port.</p> <img alt="image2.jpg" height="294" src="http://media.wiley.com/Lux/67/211867.image2.jpg" style="vertical-align: bottom; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; max-width: 100%; height: auto !important;" width="535"></li> </ul>

How to Troubleshoot Basic Computer Hardware Problems

Although there are unlimited possible combinations of hardwaresettings, you can trace most hardware problems to a relatively small number ...

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How to Install a Scanner

<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">Before you can scan documents into your computer with a scanner, you need to install the scanner driver so that your scanner and computer can communicate. Start by connecting the scanner to your computer's USB port (see your scanner manual for information about how it connects to your computer).</p> <p class="Tip" 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">Some scanners use Plug and Play, a technology that Windows uses to recognize equipment and automatically install and set it up. If your scanner is Plug and Play-enabled, Windows 7 shows a Found New Hardware message in the Taskbar notification area (in the lower-right corner). Most Plug and Play devices will then automatically install, the message will change to verify the installation is complete, and that's all you have to do.</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 the scanner on.</p><p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">If you're not using a Plug and Play device or Windows doesn't have the driver for that device, you see the Found New Hardware message.</p> </li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Click the Found New Hardware message, click Yes, This Time Only, and then click Next again.</p><p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> You only need to do this step if you don't permit Windows 7 to automatically connect to Windows Update. Otherwise, you don't see the Found New Hardware Wizard.</p></li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> If you have a CD for the scanner, insert it in your CD drive and click Next.</p><p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Windows 7 searches for your scanner driver software and installs it.</p> </li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Choose Start→Control Panel and type scanners in the Search box.</p><p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> Windows returns a set of links.</p></li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Click the View Scanners and Cameras link.</p><p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> The Scanners and Cameras window appears.</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 Device button and then click Next.</p><p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> The Scanner and Camera Installation Wizard window appears. When you click Next, the next screen of the wizard appears.</p><img alt="image0.jpg" height="400" src="http://media.wiley.com/Lux/62/211862.image0.jpg" style="vertical-align: bottom; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; max-width: 100%; height: auto !important;" width="517"></li> <li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Click a Manufacturer in the list on the left and then click a model in the list on the right.</p><p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> Now it's just a matter of following the wizard directions based on the model of scanner you choose and whether you have a manufacturer's disc (a CD- or DVD-ROM). If you don't have a disc, Windows can help you download software from the Internet.</p> </li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">When you reach the end of the wizard, click Finish.</p><p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> The installation is complete.</p></li></ol>

How to Install a Scanner

Before you can scan documents into your computer with a scanner, you need to install the scanner driver so that your scanner and computer ...

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How to Install a Scanner

<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">Before you can scan documents into your computer with a scanner, you need to install the scanner driver so that your scanner and computer can communicate. Start by connecting the scanner to your computer's USB port (see your scanner manual for information about how it connects to your computer).</p> <p class="Tip" 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">Some scanners use Plug and Play, a technology that Windows uses to recognize equipment and automatically install and set it up. If your scanner is Plug and Play-enabled, Windows 7 shows a Found New Hardware message in the Taskbar notification area (in the lower-right corner). Most Plug and Play devices will then automatically install, the message will change to verify the installation is complete, and that's all you have to do.</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 the scanner on.</p><p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">If you're not using a Plug and Play device or Windows doesn't have the driver for that device, you see the Found New Hardware message.</p> </li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Click the Found New Hardware message, click Yes, This Time Only, and then click Next again.</p><p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> You only need to do this step if you don't permit Windows 7 to automatically connect to Windows Update. Otherwise, you don't see the Found New Hardware Wizard.</p></li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> If you have a CD for the scanner, insert it in your CD drive and click Next.</p><p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Windows 7 searches for your scanner driver software and installs it.</p> </li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Choose Start→Control Panel and type scanners in the Search box.</p><p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> Windows returns a set of links.</p></li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Click the View Scanners and Cameras link.</p><p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> The Scanners and Cameras window appears.</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 Device button and then click Next.</p><p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> The Scanner and Camera Installation Wizard window appears. When you click Next, the next screen of the wizard appears.</p><img alt="image0.jpg" height="400" src="http://media.wiley.com/Lux/62/211862.image0.jpg" style="vertical-align: bottom; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; max-width: 100%; height: auto !important;" width="517"></li> <li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Click a Manufacturer in the list on the left and then click a model in the list on the right.</p><p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> Now it's just a matter of following the wizard directions based on the model of scanner you choose and whether you have a manufacturer's disc (a CD- or DVD-ROM). If you don't have a disc, Windows can help you download software from the Internet.</p> </li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">When you reach the end of the wizard, click Finish.</p><p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> The installation is complete.</p></li></ol>

How to Install a Scanner

Before you can scan documents into your computer with a scanner, you need to install the scanner driver so that your scanner and computer ...

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How to Change Scanner Settings

<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">After you install a scanner, you may want to take a look at its default settings or even change them. Fortunately, modifying the scanner settings is an easy task.</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 Start→Control Panel. Type scanners in the Control Panel search field and press Enter.</p><p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">The Control Panel window appears.</p> </li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Click View Scanners and Cameras.</p><p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> You see a list of installed scanners in the Scanners and Cameras dialog box.</p><img alt="image0.jpg" height="400" src="http://media.wiley.com/Lux/54/211854.image0.jpg" style="vertical-align: bottom; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; max-width: 100%; height: auto !important;" width="413"></li> <li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Click any scanner in the Scanners and Cameras area and then click the Scan Profiles button.</p><p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> The Profiles dialog box appears.</p></li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Select a scanner and click Edit.</p><p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> The Edit Default Profile dialog box appears.</p><img alt="image1.jpg" height="400" src="http://media.wiley.com/Lux/55/211855.image1.jpg" style="vertical-align: bottom; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; max-width: 100%; height: auto !important;" width="495"></li> <li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Review the settings.</p><p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> These settings may include (depending on your scanner model) color management for fine-tuning the way colors are scanned and resolution settings that control how detailed a scan is performed. (The higher the resolution, the crisper and cleaner your electronic document, but the more time it may take to scan.)</p> </li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Click Save Profile to return to the Properties dialog box and then click the Close buttontwice.</p><p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px"> The Scan Profiles and Scanners and Cameras windows close.</p></li><li><p class="first-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">When you're ready to run a scan, place the item to be scanned in your scanner.</p> <p class="child-para" style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;line-height:24px">Depending on your model, the item may be placed on a flat "bed" with a hinged cover or fed through a tray. Check your scanner's manual for the specific procedure to initiate a scan (for example, pressing a Scan or Start button). After you begin the scan, your computer automatically detects it and displays a dialog box showing you the scan progress and allowing you to view and save the scanned item.</p> </li></ol>

How to Change Scanner Settings

After you install a scanner, you may want to take a look at its default settings or even change them. Fortunately, modifying the scanner s...

Read more »