Basic Knowledge of Computers and Computing

 

Here’s the 3rd episode of Basic Knowledge Of Computers & Computing. If you have not seen the first part yet, Click here to access part one .

1) How good is your PC

No need to argue about who’s computer is better than the other.  Run a bench mark software to test your system.  Whoever gets the higher score is the winner of the competition. You can get free versions from www.futuremark.com.  Use the version that is developed for the video card that was created nearest to the year.  For example Mark 3D 03 would be for 2003 and Mark 3D 06 would be for 2006.

2) Tidy up the computer’s internal chasis

Every one has their first time at doing up their own rig.  It gives them the feeling of success and achievement when the final product functions without issues.  But all of us would end up making a spider web of wires at the end, this mess of wires weaving in and out of each other is called ” bird’s nest ” in technical terms.  If you send it for repairs, one look and the experts can tell that this rig is done by a newbie.  Thus they would rip you off because they know you do not know much.

Apart from getting a rip off, such bird’s nest situation would result in lousy airflow and easily cause heat issues a few years down the road.  Before you start hooking up the cables, plan on how you intend to lay the cables in a neat fashion.  Casings have lots of holes all over, these holes are for you to fasten them to the side neatly with cable ties and not lying over the components itself.  Look for great examples from www.xtremesystems.org or www.million-dollar-pc.com for some of the best DIY PCs.

3) Spring Clean your computer

Windows Vista and Win 7 comes with a Disk Clean program that allows you to check all the temp folders and clear the clutter.  You can start this program by pressing the ” Windows Key ” + ” R ” .   Type ” cleanmgr /sagest:1 ” followed by enter. Click OK and you will see various locations for temp files that you can clear.  Put a check on the areas you wish to clean and click ok to continue.

4) Make your laptop’s battery last longer

You will need to find some time to allow your laptop’s battery to condition itself every 2 to 3 weeks by allowing it to drain it’s battery off totally, until it gets into sleep mode before you charge again.  This will make batteries last longer.

5) Using virtual machines

Go to www.virtualbox.org to download the software called virtualbox.  This software allows you to emulate operating systems in your current windows.  It comes in handy when you need to test some software that you do not trust or run some old games or software that works only in old Windows like Windows 98.  You can view this guide here for a tutorial on how to install Windows XP in virtual box.

6) Clearing out your hard disk totally

No matter how many times you format your hard disk, there will be data that can be salvaged using recovery software.  Do not sell your hard disk to anyone thinking that a format is enough to clean out your hard drive.  Use proper cleaning software to erase your drive totally before you junk your drive.

6.1) http://eraser.heidi.ie/ [ For Windows ]

6.2) http://www.edenwaith.com/downloads/permanent%20eraser.php [ For Mac ]

7)Project your photos direct from the camera

Most cameras now have the capabilities to project images direct simply by using the cable that is compatible with the camera that has a RCA video connector on the other end.  Hook them up together and pair them up.  This configurations can be done on the camera settings itself.

8 ) Cinema experience with Portable projectors

These days, portable projectors are made so small that it fits in a pocket.  But one may wonder if there is a use for this device.  It is so small that it might not be sharp enough to be put to use in a classroom lecture.  But it is good enough to be used in your bed room.  Lie on your bed, and point the device to project on the ceiling.  Turn off all the lights and you have the entire cinema to yourself.

9) USB drives not showing when connected

You hooked up an external drive and nothing happens, you are quite sure that you heard the ” ding ” sound from windows to indicate that the device is connected, but where is your drive?  Sometimes, you might have used this drive in the past, and it is assigned under a drive letter G: for example.

But sometime later on, you purchased more devices or drives and G : is now taken by something else.  One can easily have more than 5 other drives apart from the usual c: and d: .  For example, printers with SD card drives and USB cameras with flash drive features.  You will need to Press the ” Windows Key ”  + ”  R “.  Type ” compmgmt.msc ” Hit enter.  Look under Storage and right click on your device.  Assign another letter for it.

10) Install multiple OS on one platform

There is a free program out there called virtual box.  This program allows users to install operating systems inside the program itself by emulating exactly what should be happening in a real install to a full running windows.  You can view the guide on how to do it here.