The kind of motherboard in the computer determines the computer’s capabilities. Motherboards contain the central processing unit, microprocessor and memory chips, and other components like external storage, controllers, and peripheral devices attached as plug-in cards or cables. Motherboards also hold the motherboard chipset, sockets with microprocessors and memory, memory chips, the system’s BIOS (Basic Input/Output System), clocks to synchronize the various components, slots for expansion cards, power connectors to distribute electricity to components, and heat sinks and fans to cool the system during operation. All these parts are wired onto the motherboard and run the computer and all its peripherals like printers, scanners, keyboards, etc.

All the component’s critical connections are processed by this printed circuit board that houses the Central Processing Unit (CPU) and the BIOS chip. The CPU and the BIOS chip run a computer. The computer is turned on and the BIOS starts up, and it powers up the CPU which controls all the other main systems of the computer. The CPU consists of many transistors (sometimes millions) and devices that process a multitude of programmed tasks.

Motherboards normally last eight to ten years with normal use and care. The computer will not run with a damaged or defective motherboard and manufacturers will replace them if they fail while under warranty. If motherboards fail or are damaged outside of warranty, they will require replacement to be able to run the computer again.

Most motherboards will last eight to ten years, although some are defective right out of the box and some fail soon after initial use. Manufacturers will replace them if they fail while under warranty. If out of warranty, or for the purposes of upgrades, motherboards can be costly and difficult to replace.

Many things damage motherboards in computers making replacement necessary. Lightning, hard impact or dropping the computer, spilling liquids on the computer, strong magnetic or electrical charges, and fan or heat sink failure can all break and damage the delicate wiring and electrical components in the motherboard. A common sign of motherboard failure is if the computer will not boot up, but diagnostic testing is needed to determine if the motherboard is damaged. Replacing a damaged motherboard involves the cost of a new board plus installation.

A motherboard is a crowded piece of real estate inside a computer. It holds the CPU, memory slot(s), PCI and AGP slots, power supply plug-in, batteries, controllers, fans, ports, USB(s), and other types of plug-ins. It is the communications center in the computer, and the type of motherboard in the computer depends on the type of CPU running in the computer. Upgrading or replacing a motherboard begins with knowing what CPU is in the computer. However, most computer users won’t ever have to do anything with the motherboard, except know that it runs their computer.

Matthew Kerridge is an expert in consumer electronics. If you want more information about motherboards or are searching for a trusted motherboard company please visit http://www.ebuyer.com

Do You Want To Play The Latest Games

Initially it is a good idea to take a step back before making a purchase and ascertaining the level of upgrade that would be most suitable i.e. are you an ardent games player. Find out whether the majority are in 2-D or in 3-D

If most are older games then it could be a waste of money buying a mid to expensive card for a variety of reasons. Remember that the CPU speed is the variable that you’ll need to consider the most. Take care here before you buy anything. Buying a powerful new card may be in vain if your processor is simply not up to the task.

Not All Cards Are The Same

You may not be aware but people are often caught out by the different card slot types available, simply put if you get the wrong one it will not fit in your system.

Depending on your mainboard there will be a choice of suitable card types; PCI, AGP and Pci-e

Is There Enough Memory In Your Computer?

Often doing a graphic card upgrade will also require a computer memory upgrade too!

Graphics cards will be available with different gpu’s and varying amounts of memory, and if your computer only has a small amount of onboard memory then you will run into a big snag as you will have insufficient on board ram to support your system devices and installation will either fail or your computer will end up slower than before.

Does Your Computer Have Enough Power?

Bigger cards draw more power from your computer so you need to be aware of this as well, the older the power supply the smaller it may be, and it may only be around 200w or there abouts, so depending on if you have already added additional hardware to your system, this may over strain the supply which can make your computer very unstable indeed. Also don’t forget thatmany of the new breed of graphics cards may need an additional direct power connection so check your cabling before purchase and buy a splitter if your need one.

Is My Case Suitable?

Even some PC tech’s forget about this one as case design does vary from manufacturer to manufacturer or depending on the main board manufacturer, graphic card space may have not been a major consideration when the board was designed so a newer card will simply not fit!

The new generation of cards often have multiple GPU’s or large amount of memory so the tend to be a lot longer than previous cards. With newer cards working a lot harder they tend to generate a lot more heat so onboard cooling has been increase. This tends to lead to a thicker card as well so you may need to move other Pci cards to accommodate a larger graphics card.

A graphics card upgrade is worth the effort but you do need to take account of the above considerations, but if you mainboard is based on the older AGP graphics standard you will more than likely be better off buying new if graphics performance is what you require.

While many consumers tend to shop on price in the main this can be a big mistake as the usage you will put your PC or mobile computer to should be your most important consideration because if you “buy right” from day one you will have a system that will last for many years and you’ll be very happy with.

Conversely if you buy wrong then it will always be an issue for you and you’ll end up probably replacing your system far earlier than would of been necessary (and you’ll be lighter in the pocket).

Here is a useful article that my help you understand the importance of  function over cost.

Understanding Netbooks and What They are Good For

Author: Greg Black

Article: Even though netbooks are new to the technology development scene and to the realm of mobile computing they are gaining a lot of the market share. There are many consumers that are looking for ultra portable but powerful computing devices that provide access to their important programs, applications and information no matter where they are. With so many different names for portable computers including laptop, portable pc and notebook, not all consumers have a good understanding of what makes a netbook different from a laptop or notebook which is causing some confusion.

Even among the techie types, there is ongoing argument about the difference between laptop computers, and the general perception among consumers is that “a laptop is a laptop.” This is, however, not the case, and many people that purchased a netbook computer expecting the functionality of a regular laptop have experienced some buyer’s remorse when they discover the lack of functionality in a netbook.

The appeal of a netbook is the price. And when a consumer sees a “laptop” that costs £300 and a “laptop” that costs £900, they’ll choose the $300 model and assume that it will be “good enough.” The fact of the matter, though, is that the affordable price of a netbook computer comes at the reduction in features and functionality. When a consumer finds out that they are getting exactly what they paid for (a scaled down laptop), they can be a little disappointed.

The main point I am trying to make is that you need to understand the purpose of a netbook before you actually buy one. What is the true difference between a netbook and a normal laptop? Are the differences really that significant?

Netbooks are portable computers that are designed for the specific purpose of having access to the internet and wireless communications. All of their computing power is encased in a smaller casing which limits the amount of components that can fit in its small ultra portable case. Most netbooks are limited to the size of hard drive and memory and don’t have an optical CD or DVD drive which limits some memory intensive high-end applications from running on netbooks. Its size is what makes them a favorite for those on the go and so attractive with their light and durable casing.

Netbooks were designed with the average consumer user in mind. They are not meant for gaming, heavy database management or programming which are not typical consumer user activities. They are perfect for consumers who would like a way to surf the net, stay connected through social media and networks, communicate with friends and family through email and instant message, or just to have some computing power handy and available to them.

There are more and more companies that are offering web based versions of their popular programs which offer convenient access from anywhere. Even a basic netbook computer can take advantage of these online based programs to stay productive without an intense processing computer.

Netbooks may not be for everyone. It may not make sense for someone looking for an extremely powerful portable computer, but it could make sense for anyone looking to stay productive and connected from wherever they may be or go.

Greg Black is a huge fan of Netbooks<! They are a good solution if you are not wanting a large laptop. Visit Dell.com today for more information.

This article was written for the US market so uk readers will need to visit Dell uk of course, or one of the other netbook retailers if dell is not your prefered supplier, but hopefully this summary from a third party perspective will help you understand and take home the importance of making the right buying choice because of your own personal computing needs not because it seemed like a bargain at the time.

by Feliciano Mulen

Security is something most people should think about when they ever decide to install a wireless router. It does not matter if you have DSL, cable or any other provider as long as you are on wireless you will be less security than you would be wired. It does not have to be something that you should be worried about. Of course wireless is not completely vulnerable.

Nowadays, security comes built-in in most wireless routers. However, you may need to configure for the basic security for wireless and that is to have a closed Wi-fi rather than open. This itself would make it so that only an authorized person would be allowed on your network. Generally, when you first setup your router, you would have gone through the process. If you have your instruction manual it can help you a bit on setting the security up or changing it. If you can get on to the router configuration then you are one step closer to setting a secure wireless connection.

When you are able to get on to the router configuration page there is something you can do its works with the Media Access Control or MAC. It is a level of security that you can setup that you can add for security. On you computers’ controller panel under network you can find your wireless cards’ MAC address. When you find it you should go back to your routers’ configuration page where you would find a place where you can enter the MAC address. This would help keep unwanted users of you wireless network.

Back on to the router configuration page there should be something labeled SSID (Service Set Identifier). This is to identify a wireless routers’ individual network, or your WLAN. It can be be 32 characters long combining letters or numbers. To prevent anyone in finding your wireless network you should disable the SSID. This would make your network invisible. If you do this you must now reconfigure any other computers or wireless devices to the routers new name, and password if you enabled it as well.

Then there is Media Access Control or MAC. This is another level of security that you can setup that you can add for further improved security. On you computers’ controller panel under network you can find your wireless cards’ MAC address. When you find it you should go back to your routers’ configuration page where you would find a place where you can enter the MAC address. This would help keep unwanted users of you wireless network.

These steps may seem a lot to do and it maybe but for security it may be enough. There are other forms of setting up more security, most of with would require additional hardware so if you want that extra security you should.
About the Author:

It’s important to protect your wireless network. Bandwidth is expensive and knowing how your ADSL routers works can save you money.

Antivirus software alone is simply not enough to offer adequate protection anymore but a vast majority of users believe that there anti virus will do the job just fine (even if they fail to update it).

Here is a useful artical that explains some of the other options for protecting your system

Step By Step To A Secure Personal Computer

by Richard Lechner

If you are the user of a windows computer you might already be aware of how distressing and annoying an infection from various malware can be. Some of the things you may have noticed from a computer with an infection include slowness, security issues and generally other strange behaviour.

Probably the single most annoying thing is when you have antivirus software installed but it doesn’t pick up on a virus on your PC.

This article is geared to help you build your own effective computer security system which will protect your computer form various malware, trojans, phishing, viruses and adware amongst other stuff. We hope that you will then have a computer that is far more secure than it was before from such attacks. The other important thing is that your computer will then be fully immunized from virtually all of these online security issues with the help of a really effective firewall.

We aim to help you make your computer impenetrable from all security attacks.

The speed with which you can secure your computer need not be a hurdle. A secure system can be achieved fairly quickly and without costing a lot of money also. If you are concerned that it all sounds to complicated then fear not as building a secure system is a relatively simple process and even a computer novice can take the necessary steps quite easily.

Here follows all the necessary steps that you need to take to build your security system..

1. Probably the most essential step is to install a really good antivirus software package from someone like Norton, ESet, Kaspersky or McAfee to name but a few brands. There are plenty of good comparison websites that offer some good reviews to help you make up your mind.

2. It is also very important that you have installed an anti malware software package like spy doctor or Malwarebytes anti malware. This will work hand in hand with your main anti virus package and will help mop up all the nasty malware that your main anti virus software might miss.

3. The next most important and essential item on your security checklist is to have a really good firewall blocking any infiltrations from unwanted sources that is trying to invade your computer. The windows firewall is adequate but it is a good idea to install something more robust. Once again there are many reviews and comparisons available online for you to make a decision. Some good brands are zonealarm and Norton.

4. A good secure browser is also important. Firefox comes highly recommended for its awesome addon architecture which offers addons like ad blockers and script blockers.

5. Another important thing to do is to ensure that your browser’s security settings are set correctly and that any active X controls are set accordingly. You should also ensure that any restricted sites are set up properly.

So in summary, a good security system for your windows computer should begin with a good anti virus package and anti malware and spyware package. Also a good firewall will stop any unwanted intrusions.

To help you with the next step in making your computer safe, this site will help you find the best antivirus firewall software

Hopefully you found article helpful but if you do need help with antivirus remopval or trojan removal give computer repair London a call

What was once an “interesting” technology is now a fully grown communication medium and is being increasingly being adopted by business users giving them massive savings against conventional telephony costs, but this is also an area where private home users can save money too.

Surpringly however many people are still blissfully unaware of this technology or how it can save them money so here is an useful article explaining some of the pro’s and cons of VOIP.

VoIP Technology – Pros and Cons

If you are familiar with VoIP, the acronym for Voice Over Internet Protocol, then you know that it is one of the latest and greatest ways of communicating. Instead of making a phone call using the telephone, people can now communicate by voice over the Internet. But is VOIP truly all that it is cracked up to be? Lets look at both the pros and cons of VoIP technology.

There are many benefits to VoIP. The only requirement you need is a broadband connection with either DSL or cable. If you have this, you can use VoIP. If you use VoIP through a PC-to-PC connection, then your calls are free anywhere, as long as, the receiver of the call has VoIP also. In addition, most VoIP providers offer unlimited calling plans for calls made within a certain area, for one monthly fee. There would be a nominal charge for calls made outside this area. In all cases, traditional phone service is much costlier. Most providers also offer extra premium services such as caller id, without additional charges.

Another benefit, with the integration of voice and data, is that there is a need for only one system. This makes for easy installation and saves money. An IP address, or number identifies each IP phone, and it is known by this address no matter where it is plugged in. The only thing required would be a broadband connection. This makes for easy moving or addition.

Along the lines of easy transportability, phones can be utilized anywhere as long as they are connected to an IP network. This assists telecommuting and international offices. All of these relate to cost savings. They are also very light and easy to carry.

There doesn’t appear to be any downsides to this new technology or does there? One of the biggest problems with VoIP is that it is run by power. If there is a power outage, your communications are down. This is unlike traditional phone service, where you can still use your phone without the aid of electricity.

Voice quality, in general, is efficient, but when you get into cable broadband, high traffic times could result in poorer qualities. Since the data is broken down and transmitted, sometimes a packet of data is delayed and will be dropped. This will result in silent periods.

You may also need to update your phone equipment since VoIP may only work with newer phones. Depending on how many phones you have to replace, this could be an expense.

The fact is that VoIP still has some kinks to work out. It is anticipated that these bugs will be resolved sometime during 2007. They are temporary annoyances, which will be soon be eradicated. As you can see, VoIP’s benefits far outnumber its negatives. From all aspects VoIP is the phone of the future, but the future may very well be here and now.

The human body is not designed by nature to be permanently seated for what is for many in excess of 6 hours (and often 10??) and more so it is imperative to your health to ensure you have an excellent posture and your workplace is “set up” to meet your individual needs.

Who knows once the human race has had time to evolve things may change but as that will not happen in your life time you need to help yourself.

If you find yourself at the end of the day with stiff arms or shoulders, or even backaches then it may be either your office furniture or your posture to blame. There are many sources on the internet that you can check out that can offer advice and guidance one of which can be found here (this is for advice only and not a personal recommendation).

Addressing you posture will help your body feel more relaxed when working on your computer either at home or work so it is well worth the time to investigate this further.

The next thing that you need to do is to look for desktop computers. With so many shops offline and online, you will definitely find a supplier that can meet your own demands and standards.

You have to remind yourself though that there are factors that you have to consider before picking the right products. These factors include product quality, price, features and brand credibility. To shop online is another option that you can take. With big and reputable websites that cater to online shopping needs, looking for computers will not be that tough at all.

To start working from home with a desktop computer is very beneficial and favorable to anybody who is just trying it out. With internet, any entrepreneur will have an easier way to start a business well. Networking is one way of being able to reach a wider population as you target prospective customers. This is definitely a great start especially for those who want a business that can grow a good reputation as early as possible.

Social networking can make or break a small business based from home. With the right strategy, you will be surprised of the wonders of internet-use. Other needs that you have can also be met by the use of computers. Through these, you can create advertising materials such as leaflets, marketing e-mail and more. The possibilities are endless as long as you know how to use your creativity.

Desktop computers are reliable. They even have extra points over laptops. For those who do freelancing at home, using these is advantageous. With affordable prices, you will definitely be able to find products that you have been looking for. Working from home is now starting to be the fancy of many because this means that you get the convenience of time.

Before buying your own computer, you have to bear in mind that you are going to buy something that will mean a lot. Therefore, you have to pick something that will last. Consider the warranty that is also offered because you can never be sure of what may happen as you use it.

So, there you go. Some great pointers and tips to take into consideration in making the most out of your own computer. – 16342

About the Author:

Phil Flint specializes in the vast field of desktop computers.