Computers
How Do You Replace A Lost PC Power Cable
By jaysmyth at 24 December, 2011, 12:00 am
We have all done it, misplaced a power lead for our computer or television. After years working in the trade I can say you would not believe the amount of times a customer asked for a replacement computer power cable. The reason for the loss was usually due to the cable getting lost after a house move. Another common reason was the previous power lead was chewed by the dog, ouch! But did you know you don’t have to pay the sky high prices charged by your computer manufacturer for a replacement power lead?
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How To Secure A Laptop Or Notebook Computer
By jaysmyth at 22 December, 2011, 12:00 am
With so many computers being stolen it’s a good idea to use some form of security to beat the thieves. You can imagine the distress a stolen laptop can cause, especially when you consider the average laptop computer has personal photographs, audio library, personal letters, emails even business information on the hard drive. So what are the options for securing a laptop computer? By far the easiest solution is to use the Kensington type socket found on many computers. There are other options such as finger print scanning and tracking software such as Prey, this down loadable software needs to be installed onto your computer. If your computer is then stolen you can log into the Prey website and if the computer is connected to the internet it will give you the ISP address being used. This will enable the Police to trace your computer.
Read More >>Ethernet Cables – How Long Can The Cable Be
By jaysmyth at 22 December, 2011, 12:00 am
In today’s modern digital world almost of all of us use computers. The chances are if you use a computer you have also used an Ethernet cable. Ethernet cables are used to pass information between devices. A computer would connect to a router or modem with the use of an Ethernet cable. This is how you get your internet connection or network your computer to other computers. There are a few types of cable available, the two most common used categories of cable in use today are Cat5e and Cat6. The difference between the two is speed, cat5e is capable of speeds up to 100 mbs whilst Cat6 is capable of speeds up to 10000 mbs.
Read More >>How To Use Your Old Parallel Printer On A Computer That Has No Parallel Port
By jaysmyth at 22 December, 2011, 12:00 am
Many modern computers are not supplied with Parallel ports. They are often supplied with an abundance of USB sockets but parallel ports are seen as an outdated connection and thus omitted by many computer manufacturers, although if your machine is custom made you can often opt to have a parallel port fitted. This can cause problems if your printer requires a parallel connection. However this need not be a major issue as you still have a couple of options available to you that allow you to continue using your perfectly good, if a little old printer. The easiest solution is to use a USB to Parallel cable. The other solution is to add a PCI Parallel expansion card to your computer.
Read More >>What To Look For In An RJ11 Cable
By jaysmyth at 22 December, 2011, 12:00 am
So you want to extend the cable that goes from your telephone wall point to the back of your Broadband modem. With so many different types of connection on modern computers and modems, it can be quite confusing selecting the correct type. When you consider an Ethernet plug looks similar to an RJ11 plug you can see why people often purchase the wrong lead. In the United Kingdom you would usually use an RJ11 cable to connect from the wall filter that plugs into your telephone wall socket and then to the back of your modem.
Read More >>Ethernet Cables – Cat5e
By jaysmyth at 22 December, 2011, 12:00 am
So you have your new computer and you want to connect to the internet. But what are your options. You have heard about wireless internet but your PC can with Cat5e Ethernet cable. Yes wireless, or wifi to give it is common name is convenient. You don’t need any wires and visitors to your home or office can easily join your network and use your internet connection. However wifi does have it’s problems. People living in older houses often complain of signal black spots, these are areas of the home when the signal can’t reach, it’s usually due to thick walls or floors. If you do get a signal it can often be quite slow depending on the speed of your wireless router.
Read More >>My Printer Did Not Come With A Cable – Can I Use Any USB Cable?
By jaysmyth at 22 December, 2011, 12:00 am
You may find it hard to believe, but many major printer manufacturers do not supply a USB cable in the box when you buy a new printer. You open the box, diligently reading the instruction booklet, you install the ink cartridges, you’re about to print your first photograph and you realise there’s no USB printer cable. It’s up to your to source one. Many believe the reasons for this are twofold. Firstly the printer manufacturers can make extra money if your buy their own over priced cables. Another reason is to leave some profit for the shop you buy the printer from, they make more selling you an overpriced cable than they do selling the printer. But do you need to by the manufacturers own brand, the answer is simple, no you don’t.
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