Use Radeon Crossfire

A feature on many ATI graphics cards is CrossFire, the process of linking two graphics cards together to increase your video card power. CrossFire is used primarily in video games, where the power of your video card is used to determine the quality of in-game graphics and effects. Use the CrossFire bridge connector, which comes with every ATI CrossFire compatible video card and the included video card setup CD to get CrossFire running on your PC.

Instructions

1. Turn off your computer and unplug its components from the back.

2. Open your computer case. Since every case is different, consult your PC or case manual for instructions on open it.

3. Unscrew the metal bracket next to the slot you will be placing the video card. Place the screw in a safe location.

4. Connect the video card to the appropriate spot on your motherboard. For example, if your video card is a PCI-Express card, insert the video card into an available PCI-Express slot on your motherboard. These slots are generally labeled on the motherboard itself.

5. Replace the screw to keep the video card secure.

6. Repeat the process for the second video card.

7. Attach the CrossFire bridge connector to both video cards. Align the tab on both sides of the bridge connector with the golden tabs on the top of each video card. Firmly press down on the bridge connector until it clicks into place on each card.

8. Close your computer case and reconnect everything back into your computer. Connect your monitor cable into either of the available video cards; it doesn't matter which one.

9. Turn on your PC. Insert your first video card's setup disc and follow the prompts to install the drivers. Repeat for the second video card.

Tags: video card, bridge connector, your computer, your video card, your video, card setup, computer case

Make Money Recycling Computer Parts

Make Money Recycling Computer Parts

Believe it or not, the economics of the chop shop are best demonstrated in the tech world. If you're sitting on a stack of non-working, half-disassembled computers and peripherals, you'll make more money selling them part by part than you would trying to make a few working computers out of them. While there is money to be made by recycling the valuable components, pulling the parts from the computer and selling the specific parts to users who need that exact part can be a windfall.

Instructions

1. Take inventory of what you have. Note the make, model and speed of the part. While some computer components are compatible with a wide range of computers (a third-party video card, for example), some parts are specific to that brand or even exact model of computer.

2. Disassemble the computer and store the parts, labeling them correctly. Use static bags to store any components that are sensitive to static (RAM, motherboards, PCI cards) to keep them protected. If you want to wipe the data off of any hard drives, do that at this time. You can delete the files by putting the hard drive into another computer, or an external hard drive case, and reformatting it.

3. Put the parts up for auction on eBay or a site that specializes in computer equipment. You'll find that the market for a specific part is pretty strong, because it's often one simple component that stands between having a working computer and forking over the dough to buy a new one. Put as much specific information you can in the listing, along with a picture. If you need more data on a part, or you're unsure about something, do an online search to find out the specs.

4. Sell the valuable parts (the gold from the various components is the only real valuable metal there) to a metal refiner. These are companies that specialize in removing the gold from the circuit boards. The rule of thumb is that the older the computer, the more value it has in this department, as newer models employ less valuable metals. Again, a simple online search will yield scores of companies that specialize in this.

5. Recycle the carcass of the PC in a way that is environmentally safe. Just putting it in a box and having the garbage man remove it isn't the correct way to rid you of the unusable parts. Do an online search for computer recyclers in your area, and make a run there with as many computers you can, once you've stripped out the good stuff.

Tags: online search, companies that, companies that specialize, Computer Parts, gold from

Identify An Asus Motherboard

Identify an ASUS Motherboard

ASUS or ASUSTeK is a computer corporation based in Taiwan. The company's name has become synonymous with desktop PCs. Approximately one in every three desktops on the market is using an ASUS motherboard. Some manufacturers place ASUS boards into their systems without the ASUS name or make/model imprinted because the computers are made by someone else, such as Dell or Hewlett-Packard. Nevertheless, there are still several ways to find out if the motherboard is made by ASUS.

Instructions

1. Try to locate the motherboard's FCC number. It will have "FCC" on the motherboard and to the right of it may or may not state the Grantee or Equipment Code. Once you locate the FCC number, go to the FCC website and complete the search form with the Grantee or Equipment Code (see link in Resources). Once that information is completed, it will indicate through the search if your board is an ASUS.

2. Locate the motherboard's model number if you could not find the FCC number or your search was inconclusive. It will be located between the white PCI slots. Run the model number, such as M2N-VM or A8N32-SLI Deluxe, through the asus.com website to see if it matches the ASUS motherboard models (see link in Resources).

3. Access the BIOS through either the F1, F2, Del key, F10 or F11. To find out which key it is, watch the screen while your computer is booting to see what keystroke will get you into the BIOS. Look into the General information tab to discover the motherboard's model and BIOS revision.

4. Contact the product's original manufacturer if you could not determine the motherboard's make through its BIOS information. All manufacturers will have information about all their computer components available for disclosure.

Tags: Equipment Code, Grantee Equipment, Grantee Equipment Code, link Resources, model number, motherboard model

Get An Asus P5nd To Recognize Sli Dual Channel Memory

The ASUS P5ND is an older motherboard that supports DDR2 (double data rate, or dual channel) memory. Installing DDR2 memory to the motherboard so that it utilizes it in dual channel / SLI mode (allowing the computer to write to two memory chips concurrently) is a fairly simple procedure, requiring only that you install the memory chips into the correct ports on the motherboard.

Instructions

1. Shut down the computer. Unplug it from the wall.

2. Remove the screws at the back of the case and remove the side panel by sliding the panel slightly backward and pulling it away from the case.

3. Insert the DDR2 memory into the yellow and black memory ports at the top half of the board. Insert both chips into the slots of the same color (i.e., both in the yellow slots or both chips in the black slots) to enable dual channel mode. The number of RAM chips can range from two to four individual memory units, depending on the amount of RAM on your computer.

4. Press down until the RAM "clicks" into place, and move the retaining notches on either side of the slot into position (firmly secured against the body of the RAM module) to secure the chips.

5. Close up the computer and restart it. The startup message as the computer boots will read "dual channel mode."

Tags: dual channel, channel mode, dual channel mode, both chips, chips into, DDR2 memory

Flash A Bios To Upgrade

Pre-XP systems often require a floppy disk to upgrade the BIOS.

Solve hard drive, memory and other hardware issues after a system upgrade by flashing the Basic Input Output System (BIOS). Flashing is the process by which the BIOS is upgraded. When the upgrade is installed, the BIOS is flashed or replaced by a new version of the software. Flash the BIOS to upgrade only when necessary, as BIOS upgrades are only recommended after major hardware changes or operating system upgrades. Computer and motherboard makers release BIOS upgrades on an as-needed basis.

Instructions

1. Open an Internet browser window and navigate to your computer or motherboard maker's website.

2. View the Support, Help or Downloads section of the website. Each site is different. If you have problems locating these sections, type "BIOS" into the search bar of the maker's website.

3. Enter any required information to view the correct BIOS upgrades for your specific system. Some sites have drop-down menus, while others require you to choose from a list of links.

4. Press the download link to download the latest version of the BIOS.

5. Read all flashing instructions listed on the maker's website. If the instructions are not on the website, look for a "Readme.txt" file with your BIOS file.

6. Double-click the BIOS upgrade file to run the BIOS flash program. Follow any prompts to upgrade your BIOS. This applies mainly to Windows XP and later systems.

7. Place the BIOS file on a formatted floppy disk or CD. Boot your system with the disk inserted to flash the BIOS. This applies mainly to pre-Windows XP systems.

Tags: BIOS upgrades, maker website, applies mainly, BIOS file, BIOS This, BIOS This applies, BIOS upgrade

Use Asus K50 Webcams

Record and capture video clips with the Asus webcam.

Asus K50 series laptop computers ship with an integrated webcam and webcam software that allows users to capture and record video. The Asus webcam automatically switches on when the user launches the free LifeFrame software that comes with the computer. Users can also use the webcam to video chat with friends and contacts on instant messaging and chat services, and on social networks and email services that offer video chatting. Use the webcam on an Asus K50 laptop computer by launching the LifeFrame application from the computer's Start menu.

Instructions

1. Choose "Start" on the desktop taskbar; then select "All Programs."

2. Click the "Asus" or "Asus Utility" folder in the All Programs list. Double-click the "LifeFrame" icon to open the program.

3. Click the video camera icon button in the bottom left of the LifeFrame program window. The webcam's video output will now open in the main program window.

4. Click the circular "Capture" button with the right-facing arrow logo to capture and record the output of the webcam. Click the circular "Stop" button to stop recording the video.

5. Play the captured video clip by clicking the thumbnail video image in the pane on the right-hand side of the LifeFrame program window. You can also email the captured video file or upload it to your blog, website or favorite social networking site.

6. Launch your instant messaging or chat application, or open your Web browser and go to your online chat or instant messaging service. Click the "Video" or "Video Chat" button or link while you're chatting to a contact to start a video chat session. The application will automatically detect the Asus webcam and activate the camera.

Tags: Asus webcam, instant messaging, program window, capture record, captured video, Click circular

Replace The Motherboard On A Laptop Presario V6000

Although replacing parts on laptop computers, such as the Compaq Presario V6000, is not as easy as replacing parts on a desktop, it's certainly not impossible. If your V6000's motherboard fails, you can purchase a replacement motherboard and install it in the computer. Doing so requires you to perform a near total tear-down of the computer, but with a little patience you can perform this repair and breathe new life into your V6000.

Instructions

Disassembly

1. Disconnect all external devices and remove the computer's battery.

2. Lay the computer face-down with the front edge facing you. Loosen the two screws that secure the hard drive compartment cover and remove the cover. Use the small plastic tab on the hard drive to lift it out of the compartment.

3. Loosen the three screws on the memory compartment cover and remove the cover. Lift the two antenna cables off their posts, remove the two screws from the Mini Card module and slide it toward the rear of the computer to disconnect it from the motherboard. Spread the clips on each side of the memory module and slide the module out of the socket at a 45-degree angle. Disconnect the RTC battery cable and lift the battery out of its slot.

4. Remove the optical drive retaining screw from the bottom of the computer case. It's located about 6 inches from the edge of the computer. Insert a thin piece of wire into the hole on the optical drive door to eject the tray. Slide the optical drive out of its bay.

5. Remove the switch over screw from each rear corner of the computer case. Turn the computer over and open the display. Grasp the rear edge of the switch cover and rotate it forward to access the cables. Lift the LED board cable connector to unlock it and slide the cable out. Remove the screw from the number lock board, and remove the board and switch cover from the computer.

6. Turn the computer face down and remove the three keyboard screws. Two are in the battery bay and one just behind the hard drive bay. Turn the computer over and open the display. Lift the rear of the keyboard a few inches, slide the keyboard to the rear and flip it over so it rests face-down. Lift the keyboard cable connector, remove the cable and remove the keyboard from the computer.

7. Pull the display and microphone cables up off their motherboard connectors and remove the antenna cables from the clips on the top cover. Remove the two screws form each display assembly hinge and lift the display off the computer.

8. Turn the computer over and remove the 18 top cover screws. Three are along the top edge of the optical drive bay, six in the battery bay, five along the front edge, one in the hard drive bay, two on the right edge and one just left of the memory compartment. Turn the computer over and detach the power button board, LED board and touchpad cables. Remove the four top cover screws. One is in each rear corner and two near the center of the computer. Remove the top cover by rotating the front edge up until the top cover releases.

9. Detach the audio board cable from the board. Remove the two screws from the audio board, located near the front edge of the computer, and slide the board toward the rear to disconnect if from the motherboard. Detach the Bluetooth module cable, remove the two screws from the module and lift it straight up off the motherboard. Remove the Bluetooth cable from its clips.

10. Remove the two screws from the USB board, located in the left rear corner. Detach the USB and power board cables and lift the USB board out of the computer.

11. Remove the four screws from the ExpressCard assembly and slide the assembly to the right to detach it from the motherboard. Remove the two motherboard screws, one in each right corner. Lift the right edge of the board abouts6 inches and slide the board to the right to remove it from the base enclosure.

Prepare New Board

12. Lay the motherboard face down with the VGA port toward you. Detach the fan cable from the motherboard, remove the four screws that secure the fan/heat sink assembly and remove the assembly from the board. Clean off any thermal paste residue from the bottom of the assembly. Pay attention to the areas with the thermal paste applied.

13. Use a flat-blade screwdriver to turn the CPU locking screw 1/4 turn counterclockwise and remove the processor from its socket. Insert the processor into its socket on the new motherboard and turn the screw 1/4 turn clockwise to lock the CPU to the board.

14. Apply thermal paste to the bottom of the fan/heat sink assembly and place the assembly in place. Replace the four screws and attach the fan cable to the motherboard.

Assembly

15. Insert the motherboard into the bottom case from right to left. The ports on the left side of the board should fit into the openings on the bottom case. Insert the two motherboard screws. Replace the ExpressCard assembly and secure it with ts four screws.

16. Replace the USB board and secure it with the two screws. Attach the USB and power board cables. Replace the Bluetooth module, secure it with the two screws and attach the cable to the motherboard. Replace the audio board, secure it with the two screws and attach the cable.

17.Replace the top cover and secure it with the four top screws. Connect the Power, LED and TouchPad cables. Turn the computer over and replace the 18 top cover screws in the bottom of the case.

18. Turn the computer over, position the display assembly on the hinges and replace the two screws in each hinge. Attach the display and microphone cables to the motherboard, and route the two antenna cables through the top cover so they protrude into the memory compartment.

19. Place the keyboard face down on the computer and connect the ribbon cable. Press the connector down to lock the cable in place. Flip the keyboard over and slide the front of the keyboard into place, ensuring the tabs fit into the slots. Place the switch cover into place and connect the LED cable. Close the display, turn the computer over, and replace the three keyboard and two switch cover screws.

20. Slide the optical drive into its bay and replace the retaining screw.

21. Replace the RTC battery in the memory bay and connect its cable. Press the memory module into its slot at a 45-degree angle. When it's fully seated, press the module down to lock it in place. Replace the mini wireless card and secure it with the two screws. Press the antenna cables onto their terminals. Replace the memory compartment cover and tighten the three screws.

22. Slide the hard drive into its bay from right to left. Replace the hard drive compartment cover and tighten the two screws. Replace the battery and reconnect the external power adapter and any other peripheral devices.

Tags: computer over, hard drive, secure with, four screws, optical drive

Hp Pavilion A1723w Motherboard Information

The Pavilion a1723w is a desktop PC introduced by HP in 2006. The a1723w does have room for expansion; however, like most PCs the upgrades possible are highly dependent on the motherboard.

Board Manufacturer

The a1723w comes standard with a motherboard manufactured by ASUS. The motherboard is referred to as the P5LP-LE by ASUS and the Leonite-GL8E by HP.

Memory

The a1723w has four DIMM slots available for memory upgrades. It specifically requires DDR2 SDRAM PC2-4200. The motherboard only supports a maximum of 4 GBs of RAM, 1 GB stick per slot.

Expansion Slots

The motherboard has three standard PCI expansion slots for peripherals such as wireless network cards and modems. For graphics cards one PCI-E 16x is available.

Processor

The a1723w comes installed with an Intel Pentium D processor. The processor is dual core and has a clock speed of 2.8 GHz. The socket on the motherboard for processor upgrades is socket 775.

Integrated Devices

The a1723w comes equipped with standard integrated devices built into the motherboard. It has Intel integrated graphics, a 10/100 network interface card and a Realtek high-definition audio chipset.

Tags: a1723w comes

Repair A Hammond Organ

You may be able to repair your Hammond organ yourself.

The Hammond organ was the first electric organ. It was released in the 1930s. This beautiful instrument has became popular in gospel, jazz and rock music. A great addition to any home for its decor and graceful sound, these can also age quickly while sitting in one spot for too long, or from intensive play.

Instructions

1. Turn organ off completely.

2. Open up the top of the organ with a screwdriver.

3. Remove your old capacitors. The capacitors are the small, pinlike structures that help keep the tone of the organ. These are likely to fail due to the capacitance of the wax and paper caps increasing in age. Most of the older capacitors are made out of cardboard, with a paste around them.

4. Replace your old cardboard capacitors with new ones. There will also be silicon capacitors in the organ; do not replace these.

5. Change all of the dysfunctional or weakened tubes. The way to tell if the tube still has life and functions properly is if the light is on directly behind the tube. If this is the case for some of the tubes, do not replace them.

6. Carefully remove all of the tubes that function properly.

7. Remove all dust by gently wiping the tubes with warm water, followed by window cleaner. Put each of the tubes aside as you clean.

8. Wipe down the terminals the tubes reside in. This will prevent build-up from corroding your fresh set of tubes going back into the organ.

9. Replace all tubes.

Tags: Hammond organ

Repair A Gateway Ma7 Dc Jack

Do not apply pressure to the laptop power plug.

The DC jack on a Gateway MA7 laptop is soldered directly to the motherboard and can be manually replaced. The repair is simple, but it requires a moderate amount of experience soldering or at least some practice before attempting. A new DC jack can be purchased online and is a more affordable option than returning the laptop to the manufacturer for repair. For our purposes here, we'll assume the laptop is already disassembled.

Instructions

1. Turn the motherboard over and prop it up so that it is stable and level. Molten solder will roll along an uneven surface, which can both damage the laptop further and cause injury.

2. Plug the soldering iron in and wait a few minutes for it to warm up. A hot iron is much easier to work with than a cool one.

3. Hold the soldering iron in one hand and the copper braid or desoldering pump in the other. Heat the solder joints that hold the DC jack to the motherboard one at a time and use the pump or braid to remove as much of the solder as possible when it liquefies.

4. Use the needle-nose pliers to remove the old DC jack from the mounting holes. If it is stuck, heat up each connector individually and try to remove them one at a time. The copper braid may be more effective than the pump when removing trace amounts of solder.

5. Clean the circuit board by wetting the toothbrush with alcohol and scrubbing the board to remove scorch marks or other impurities that will reduce the effectiveness of the new solder joints. Allow the alcohol time to evaporate before continuing.

6. Place the new jack in place and solder the joint. When the area has cooled, plug in the power adapter. A light may turn on to indicate that the motherboard is receiving power. If not, you can check the continuity of the connections using a multimeter. Reassemble the laptop.

Tags: copper braid, solder joints, soldering iron

Remove A Socket 478 Cpu

A 478 socket CPU is a central processing unit that uses the 478 socket connector. The socket is labeled "478" because the processor that fits in the connector has 478 pins. The pins enable your processor to relay information back and forth with your motherboard. Your processor connects to your motherboard via the pins on the bottom of it. If you are upgrading your processor, remove your old CPU before you install your new one.

Instructions

1. Turn off your computer and remove the power cord from the back of your PC.

2. Remove the two screws that secure the side of your computer case, then remove the case.

3. Disconnect the cord extending from your heat sink that connects to your motherboard.

4. Lift up on the retention clip located on the left side of your heat sink. The clip on the right side will loosen.

5. Gently pull your heat sink away from your processor.

6. Lift up the lever on the left side of your 478 socket CPU.

7. Pull the processor carefully out of its chamber.

Tags: heat sink, side your, your heat, your heat sink, your motherboard, connects your

Install A Modem In A Soltek Slb7af

The Soltek SL-B7A-F is a Socket 462 motherboard that features an ATX form factor, support for up to six USB ports, integrated AC97 audio chipset, on-board Nvidia GeForce4 MX graphics and two RAM slots, designed for up to 1 GB of DDR SDRAM. The motherboard also includes a single 32-bit PCI expansion slot, suitable for add-on devices such as PCI-compatible fax modem. Installing a fax modem on your Soltek SL-B7A-F computer mainboard does not require any specialized tools or technical knowledge.

Instructions

1. Turn off the computer system. Disconnect the power cable from the rear of the computer. Disconnect any devices connected to the computer.

2. Place the computer on a non-conductive work surface.

3. Remove the left-side panel cover from the computer chassis. Certain computer cases may feature a one-piece design, requiring you to remove several screws, located at the rear, using a Phillips head screwdriver. Other computer designs may use small thumb screws to secure the left-side panel or one-piece cover to the chassis.

4. Examine the inside of the computer and locate the small expansion slot cover on the rear of the chassis, directly in front of the yellow, rectangular-shaped PCI expansion slot. Remove the small screw that secures the expansion slot cover to the chassis; lift out the cover to make room for the modem.

5. Remove the modem from the anti-static packaging. Be careful not to touch the circuits or metal contacts on the modem; hold the modem by the side and L-shaped bracket.

6. Seat the modem into the yellow-colored PCI expansion slot. Make sure the modem's L-shaped bracket hole lines up with the threaded hole for the expansion slot opening on the computer case chassis.

7. Replace the expansion slot screw to secure the modem to the chassis. Replace the case cover.

8. Reconnect the power cord and peripheral devices to the computer.

9. Start the computer and allow the operating system to load. Insert the modem software driver installation disc or diskette into the appropriate drive.

10. Run the software setup program and follow the installation prompts. Restart the computer to complete the installation process, if necessary.

Tags: expansion slot, chassis Replace, cover chassis, expansion slot cover, left-side panel, L-shaped bracket, slot cover

Increase Performance Of An Intel Pentium 4 Processor

At the time of its release, the P4 series was praised for its durability and overclocking potential. With modern cooling systems supporting a P4, you can push the default clock speeds of a P4 far beyond that of its factory settings.

Instructions

1. Restart your computer.

2. Quickly scan the flash screen (the first screen your computer displays after it's turned on) for the key needed to access the BIOS. It's generally the "Delete" key, but it could be different in your case. Press this key as soon as possible.

3. Use the arrow keys on your keyboard to find the "FSB Frequency" option (your BIOS may refer to it as "CPU host frequency"). Select that option and press the "Enter" key. Set the "FSB Frequency" one level higher than it is by default. Save the changes.

4. Look for "CPU Voltage." Set the "CPU Voltage" one level higher than it is by default. Doing this will increase the odds of maintaining stability in your processor. It can also fry your processor. Do not take it up anymore than one level. Save the changes.

5. Save the BIOS settings and exit. Your computer will finish booting and take you to Windows.

6. Run various application on your machine to test stability. Games, streaming video, movies--anything that will put some strain on your machine. If you don't encounter any large issues (such as lockups), you have successfully overclocked your machine.

Tags: your machine, higher than, higher than default, level higher, level higher than, Save changes, than default

Find Out The Usb Driver For My Computer

A driver is a program that is designed to tell your operating system the best way to communicate with a particular device. A number of crucial drivers are required on virtually every system, including the video driver, the audio driver, the network card driver and the USB driver. If you need to reinstall your USB driver after a system restore or other event, there are a few easy steps you can take to locate it.

Instructions

1. Find the make and model number of your motherboard--the guts of your computer. Locate this by looking through your computer operating manual or contacting your PC manufacturer. Write down the exact number, as USB drivers will be exclusive to your particular motherboard.

2. Go online to the home page for your motherboard manufacturer (e.g., ASUS, Abit, Intel) and head to the support page. The support page will contain all of the documentation that should have shipped with your PC along with all of the necessary files to utilize the hardware.

3. Go to the downloads page, and input your motherboard's model number to find the particular USB driver that will work with your computer. Download and save the file to disk or USB drive for safekeeping.

Tags: your computer, model number, support page, with your, your motherboard

Laptop Ram Compatibility

Laptop computers are designed to support only certain RAM types.

RAM, or memory, is one of the most important components in a computer, and a laptop's RAM directly influences its performance and speed. RAM is present as modules that are attached to predefined slots in the laptop's motherboard. Upgrading RAM will increase memory and enable a laptop to boot up and load programs faster, and to execute instructions more efficiently. In a laptop computer, upgrading RAM entails adding compatible RAM modules.

Specifications

RAM specifications that influence a laptop's performance include CAS (column address strobe) latency time and clock speed. In laptops with AMD processors, CAS latency time is a significant factor because of the processor's integrated HyperTransport technology that is already very efficient, with low latency times. In such laptops, lower latency times directly lead to faster system performance. For laptops with Intel processors, the CAS latency time does not affect system performance as much, and the speed that the laptop is able to execute instructions is determined mainly by clock speed.

Main RAM Types

Even though the technology may be the same, laptop RAM may have different form factors. The most common RAM modules in laptop computers are SO-DIMM, mostly used in standard laptops and notebooks, and Micro-DIMM. In terms of physical attributes, Micro-DIMM RAM modules have smaller dimensions and are more appropriate for more compact devices, such as smaller, ultra-portable laptops.

SO-DIMM

SO-DIMM modules are classified as either DDR or DDR2. DDR is an older technology, and laptops with Celeron M and older Centrino processors are equipped with DDR modules such as DDR 266 PC 2100, DDR 333 PC 2700 and DDR 400 PC 3200. The newer technology, DDR2, is steadily replacing DDR modules and includes module types such as DDR2 400 PC 3200 and DDR2 533 PC 4200, and are mostly used in laptops with Centrino processors. DDR2 offers certain performance enhancements over DDR RAM modules and are also more energy-efficient and less expensive.

Memory Upgrade

Depending on manufacturer and model, a laptop may support one type of RAM modules and not others. When upgrading memory, the replacement modules should be compatible with the motherboard. A laptop's RAM capacity may be increased or upgraded by adding more modules to any vacant slots, or replacing lower-capacity modules with higher-capacity ones. For each model, the manufacturer's website and the user manual may be referred to for information and details on supported RAM modules. If an incompatible type of RAM module is attached, it might damage the module and the motherboard port.

Dual Channel Operation

Some laptops, such as Centrino-based systems running DDR2 memory, are able to operate in dual channel. The feature allows performance benefits by adding more bandwidth to memory and allowing higher data transfer rates. Dual channel operation calls for two identical DDR2 memory modules, running simultaneously. For general users who use their laptops for basic applications such as word processors or web browsers, performance benefits of dual channel memory may be negligible. The enhanced bandwidth is more apparent and can be fully appreciated when running demanding and resource-intensive processes, such as multimedia editing and gaming.

Tags: laptops with, latency time, adding more, Centrino processors, clock speed, DDR2 memory, execute instructions

Disable The Overheating Sensor In The Ps3

The internal components of a PS3 console generate heat, which can damage the delicate technology of the CPU and motherboard. The heat sensor measures the temperature in the console and automatically activates the internal fans to keep everything cool. If your heat sensor is malfunctioning, you can disconnect it so that it stops placing error messages on the screen.

Instructions

1. Turn off the PS3 and disconnect all the wires, including the power cord.

2. Remove the rubber cap on the top left area of the console to access the screw securing the case.

3. Remove the screw and pull the top of the case away from the body of the console. Remove the seven screws that secure the internal metal casing and pull it out of the console to access the disc drive.

4. Remove the six screws securing the disc drive to the rest of the console. Carefully pull the disc drive out of the drive and disconnect the cable coming from the partially exposed motherboard.

5. Remove the six screws securing the metal casing over the motherboard and pull the casing and the motherboard out of the console. The cooling system is attached to the motherboard.

6. Remove the four screws securing the fan to the rest of the cooling system. The heat sensor is under the fan.

7. Disconnect the wires connecting the heat sensor to the motherboard to disable it.

Tags: heat sensor, disc drive, screws securing, console access, cooling system, metal casing, motherboard Remove

Pc Motherboard Components

The motherboard is an internal computer component that houses all of the cards and chips inside your computer case. Motherboards can vary in size and are designed to support certain types of component. Knowing what components do and what your motherboard supports are important when building a new computer or deciding on upgrades. Although these are not all of the components on a motherboard, these are the ones you are most likely to encounter.

Memory

When referring to motherboards, most motherboards come with multiple sockets for memory, or RAM (random access memory). RAM can affect how fast your computer loads applications and the overall performance of your machine. There are different types of RAM available, ranging from SRAM and DDRAM. RAM sockets are generally labeled on motherboards as "SIMM" or "DIMM."

Expansion Cards

Even the oldest motherboards will include one or two PCI slots and one primary graphics slot for either AGP or PCI-Express. As of 2006, PCI-E has become the standard for video cards, although finding AGP and PCI cards for various motherboards is not difficult. PCI slots can house video-card fans, sound cards and FireWire cards. Expansion-card slots are clearly labeled as "PCI" or the name of the primary graphics slot (AGP or PCI-E).

Connectors and Pin Connectors

Located all over the motherboard are various connectors and pin connectors. Most connectors are found on the left side of the motherboard, which protrudes on the back end of the computer case. Connectors are used to connect various USB-based peripherals, mouse and keyboards, Ethernet cables, headphones, microphones and anything that connects to your computer from the outside. Pin connectors are used to connect case fans, LED lights and the front panel (i.e., the power and reset buttons) on your computer case.

Tags: your computer, computer case, graphics slot, primary graphics, primary graphics slot, used connect

Know If There Is A Problem With Your Motherboard

The motherboard -- or main circuit board -- of your computer holds and connects all the machine's crucial components. That means if the motherboard develops issues, your computer's entire operation could prove compromised. Motherboard problems tend to include dirt or dust on the surface of the board, broken connectors or components and unseated cards or chips. You need to address issues with the motherboard immediately to avoid further problems arising with your computer.

Instructions

1. Restart your computer and listen for any unusual beeping. Your motherboard has a series of beep codes that indicate exactly what the issue could be when you boot up. Each motherboard has its own set of codes, so compare the beeps to either the on-screen error indicator or the manufacturer's definitions.

2. Check the connections on your mouse, keyboard and all other peripherals attached to the system. If your computer cannot detect the keyboard, it may not boot properly.

3. Shut down your computer and unplug it from the power cable. Remove the case cover with a Phillips head screwdriver or slide open the panel. Spray the inside of your computer with canned air. If you end up removing a large amount of dust and dirt, your motherboard may work perfectly fine once it is cleaned. Dirt and dust can cause serious hardware issues over time -- most notably, overheating -- so you'll want to clean your motherboard on a regular basis to avoid problems down the road.

4. Remove the power supply connectors from each of your components one at a time, paying special attention to the power supply connector going to the motherboard. Clean off each connector and interface port as you go.

5. Examine the motherboard and check for any burn marks, scorching or any other signs that some part of the board has burned out. Press the clips on each side of the memory modules and either swap the random access memory (RAM) chips for working modules, or test the chips one at a time.

6. Close the case after reconnecting all the components and start your computer. If your system behaves normally after you reseated the internal components, one of the parts may not have been inserted correctly.

7. Flash the motherboard with an updated BIOS. The flash procedure is unique to each manufacturer and performing it incorrectly may render your motherboard useless. Before you run a BIOS update, check the motherboard manufacturer's website for any available updates and carefully follow the on-screen instructions.

Tags: your computer, power supply

Find Out The Maximum Number Of Ram Gigs My Laptop Can Run

The amount of RAM your laptop can handle depends on several factors.

There are two main factors to consider when upgrading your laptop's RAM: the maximum capacity of the computer itself and the maximum capacity of your operating system. Even though your laptop may be able to handle up to 6GB of RAM, your operating system may only be configured to support 4GB of RAM. In this case, upgrading your laptop to 6GB would be a waste of resources and money. Before you upgrade your laptop's memory, check the hardware and software specifications to find out the maximum memory limits.

Instructions

Computer Limits

1. Check how much RAM your computer already has installed. Go to "Control Panel," select "System Properties" and locate your current memory size under then "Memory (RAM)" section. Write down the number shown, for example: 512MB or 3GB.

2. Go to Crucial.com or another memory information website. For Crucial.com, select the Memory Advisor tool on the right-hand side.

3. Enter your manufacturer, product line and model information on the drop-down lists. For example, on a Dell Inspiron XPS; the manufacturer is Dell, the product line is Inspiron and the model is XPS.

4. Find the maximum RAM capacity under "Maximum Memory." The page will also tell you how many memory slots are in your laptop and how many gigabytes of RAM each slot can handle. If your laptop is already at maximum capacity--which you checked in Step one--you cannot add any more RAM to your laptop at this time.

Operating System Limits

5. Identify your laptop's operating system. If unknown, go to "My Computer," click "Properties" and check the operating system and edition. Examples of operating systems and editions are: Windows Vista Home Premium, Windows XP Home and Mac OS X.

6. Check the website for your operating system, such as Microsoft.com, Apple.com or Linux.com for the RAM limitations. Otherwise, use XPfree.org (see Resources) and scroll down until you find your operating system. For Windows users, the second reference link below directs you to a table with every Microsoft Windows operating system release on Microsoft's official website.

7. Find your operating system's maximum RAM capacity. For example, with Microsoft 7 Home Edition, the 32-bit version has a maximum RAM capacity of 4GB and the 64-bit version can handle up to 8GB. (See References 2) This is the maximum capacity for memory that your operating system allows, regardless of how much your laptop itself is equipped to handle.

Tags: your laptop, operating system, your operating system, maximum capacity, your operating

Make An Atx Power Supply Work Without A Motherboard

Jump-starting a computer's power supply unit (PSU) is useful for testing component functionality without being connected to the motherboard. Even if you are not completely comfortable with the internal workings of a computer, it's a relatively easy and safe process.

Instructions

1. Find the motherboard connector. This is the largest plug coming from your PSU; it should be either 20 or 24 pins in size.

2. Bend your paperclip or wire into a U shape. You will use this in Step 4 to "trick" the PSU into thinking it's plugged into the motherboard so it turns on. If you're using a wire, make sure the ends are stripped.

3. Find the green wire. If the wires aren't colored, look for the "PS-ON" socket, socket 14 on a 20-pin connector and socket 16 on a 24-pin connector. Now find the black or "ground" wire (located next to the green wire on either side), and get ready to bridge the connection.

4. Make the connection. Insert one end of the bent paperclip or wire into the "PS-ON" socket (green wire) and the other end into the "ground" socket (black wire).

5. Plug in the PSU with the power cable and make sure the switch is turned on. The PSU should power up.

Tags: green wire, make sure, paperclip wire, paperclip wire into, PS-ON socket

Find Motherboards On A Netbook

Netbooks are effectively miniaturized laptop computers with more specialized components to cut down on space and power requirements. Finding out what sort of motherboard and motherboard chipset you have in your netbook can be done using third-party software. On a desktop computer, you can simply open up the case and look at the motherboard name and manufacturer written on the motherboard, but this is rarely practical on a netbook, and attempting to do so could void your warranty. Knowing what motherboard your netbook has is important in the case of upgrades, repairs and replacements.

Instructions

1. Download "CPU-Z." This is a simple freeware utility that provides important system information that other system information utilities do not. Install the program once the download is complete.

2. Start up CPU-Z from the "CPUID" menu in "Start Menu - All Program."

3. Click the "Mainboard" tab in the CPU-Z window when it starts up. You should be able to do this almost immediately, because the program does not need to scan over your system hardware first. On this page, you will find the motherboard manufacturer, model number and chipset type. Since this is a netbook computer, the motherboard manufacturer will usually be the same as the netbook manufacturer since netbook motherboards are designed for specific models, as is the case with laptop computers.

Tags: laptop computers, motherboard manufacturer, system information, your netbook

Find A Laptop Motherboard'S Manufacturer

A motherboard is a printed circuit board in which hardware components, such as a central processing unit and random access memory are installed. There are several software applications in existence that are designed to identify computing hardware, however, these programs typically cannot specify an exact manufacturer or model number of a laptop motherboard. Therefore, the only way to acquire accurate information is to contact the manufacturer of the laptop unit.

Instructions

1. Identify the exact model number of your laptop. This is typically located on a sticker on the bottom of your laptop.

2. Visit the official website of your laptop manufacturer, such as Dell, Toshiba, or Apple.

3. Visit the customer support contact page on the website. This should include a contact form in which you can send an electronic message to the support team.

4. Write a message specifying that you would like to know the exact manufacturer and model number of the laptop's motherboard. Ensure that you enter a valid email address into the contact form.

Tags: model number, your laptop, contact form, exact manufacturer, exact manufacturer model, laptop motherboard, manufacturer model

The Specs Of An Asus P4pe Motherboard

The motherboard is the brain of a computer.

According to Motherboards.org, the Asus P4PE is an 845PE chipset board that supports DDR333 and Hyper Threading technology. This motherboard offers a number of options for upgrading and expansion.

Processor and Memory

The Asus P4PE motherboard has a default clock speed of 2005 MHz. It supports DDR SDRAM and clock speeds of 200, 266 and 333. There are three memory slots. The motherboard can support up to 3 GB of RAM.

Connectivity

The motherboard is fashioned with six PCI slots and six USB 2.0 (high-speed) ports. The Broadcom BCM5702CKFB Ethernet component is available and can support LAN connections.

Voltage

Adjustable AGP voltage and adjustable memory voltage are both available with this motherboard.

Safety

The motherboard does not feature auto speed-down or shutdown if the fan fails or if the heat alarm is activated. It also does not feature active cooling on the chipset.

Tags: does feature

Solder Pc Board Components

Printed circuit boards, or PCBs, offer an inexpensive and highly reliable way to mass produce an electrical circuit. The board is coated with copper, and etchings allow for the electrical signal to transfer from component to component without the need for wires. Soldering on a PCB is similar to soldering any typical electrical connection, but a few special considerations should to be observed to avoid damaging the board and components.

Instructions

1. Prepare the soldering iron by tinning the tip: Heat the iron and touch the solder to its tip, coating it thoroughly in a layer of molten solder; this will clean the tip of the iron and increase its heat conductivity. Wipe the tip clean on a damp sponge after it has been tinned.

2. Clean the surface of the PCB with an abrasive cleaning pad, such as 3M Scotch Brite Pads. Be sure to use industrial strength pads that are free of soap and cleaners. Apply a bit of acetone solvent to help remove chemicals from the boards surface, and air dry with a canister of compressed air.

3. Place the leads of the component to be soldered into the proper pre-drilled holes in the boards. Items such as resistors, capacitors and diodes have long lead wires that can be bent at a 45-degree angle to hold the component in place. Transistors and integrated circuits (ICs) usually have shorter leads and can be held in place with masking tape.

4. Heat the surface of the joint where the component lead meets the PCB. Tin the iron tip again just prior to heating the joint to help in conducting heat.

5. Pull the soldering iron back and place solder directly onto the heated joint. If the solder does not melt and flow easily, the joint may not have been heated thoroughly. Do not touch the solder directly to the tip of the iron as you apply it, and create a thick and even pool of solder that completely coats the joint.

6. When all leads have been soldered, use wire cutters to trim back the component leads.

7. Repeat Steps 3 through 6 for each component to be soldered.

Tags: component soldered, have been, solder directly, soldering iron, surface with, touch solder

Replace A Nvidia Display Driver

NVIDIA video cards come in a variety of series, each card specifically designed for certain purposes, such as gaming, driving desktop graphics and handling multimedia demands. Regardless of your specific card, NVIDIA regularly releases updated drivers designed and tailored for your card. These updated video card drivers can unlock new features, better graphics, increased stability and more consistent performance for your card. In order to get the most out of your video card, you need to keep your display driver up to date.

Instructions

Updating Your NVIDIA Display Driver

1. Open the Device Manager. Microsoft.com instructs you to open the start menu, click "Control Panel," select "System and Maintenance" and then click "Device Manager." To open the Device Manager directly, select "Run" from the start menu, type "mmc devmgmt.msc" and press "Enter."

2. Select "Display adapters" from the Device Manager tree and double-click on the name of your video card from the expanded view. Click the "Driver" tab to check your current driver version.

3. Open your Internet browser and type "http://www.NVIDIA.com" to go to the NVIDIA homepage. If it is your first time visiting the website, you will be asked to select your country so NVIDIA can present you with a page customized to your region.

4. Click "Download Drivers" on the navigation menu of NVIDIA.com. NVIDIA gives two options to locate the drivers for your product: manual or automatic. The manual search is faster if you know what type of card you have.

5. Choose your product type, series, operating system and language from the drop-down menus on the manual option. Click "Search."

6. Review the returned result to ensure that it matches your video card and click "Download." Depending on your browser, you may have to click another option to allow the download to proceed.

7. Locate the downloaded driver installation package on your computer. Double-click the ".exe" file to automatically install the new driver to your computer. Your screen may turn black for a few seconds during the installation. Your new driver is now installed.

Tags: Device Manager, video card, your video card, your video, Display Driver, NVIDIA NVIDIA, start menu

The Installation Of Snap Buttons

Metal gripper-style snap fasteners can come in nickel or black finishes.

Small mechanical closures known as snap fasteners or snaps can substitute for buttons on garments and other fabric items, such as pillow covers and slip covers. The post-style snap fastener includes two parts: the ball and the socket. Sewing the ball half to the overlap section and the socket half to the underlap section will make a smooth transition on the fabric's right side with no visible stitching.

Instructions

Stitching

1. Mark the placement of the snap fasteners on the garment with tailor's chalk. For a row of fasteners, marking the fabric with the help of a straight edge will help keep the fasteners in line.

2. Cut approximately 12 inches of thread. Knot one end of the thread. Insert the thread through the needle eye.

3. Hold one part of the snap, the ball half, to the underside of the garment's overlap. Position the snap so it remains invisible from the right side of the garment.

4. Insert the threaded needle into one of the fastener's holes or slots. You may need to angle the needle to keep it between the two layers of fabric. Carefully draw the thread through one layer of fabric without penetrating the exterior layer. Try to keep the stitches inconspicuous.

5. Whipstitch with five or six stitches over the fastener's rim. Repeat this stitching for every hole. This fastener style usually has four holes. Knot the thread, and hide the trimmed thread under the fastener for a neat look.

6. Place the socket half on the right side of the garment's underlap. This socket half should align with the ball half.

7. Insert the threaded needle into the fastener's holes or slots. Repeat Steps 4 and 5.

8. Test the snap by pushing the two halves of the fastener together. If the fabric or garment section hangs crookedly, try repositioning one of the fastener halves for a smoother finish.

Tags: ball half, right side, snap fasteners, socket half, fastener holes

Tell If A Pc Battery Is Dead

If you buy a new computer every couple of years you may never need to replace a battery. However, after 5 years or so, you may need to purchase a new battery for your PC. Prior to the battery dying, your PC will give you signs that you need a replacement.

Instructions

1. Check your clock's time. If the battery's dying, your clock time won't stay accurate. The clock will display a lag time of either minutes or hours.

2. Look for dead battery warnings. When you start up your PC, your computer checks the battery's status. If your battery is going dead, an error message will appear at the bottom of the screen.

3. Notice any lost CMOS settings. A PC battery provides the power to store important data, referred to as CMOS settings. If your battery goes bad, you'll start to lose the settings stored on your computer.

4. Attempt to boot up the PC. Eventually, your PC may no longer boot due to the dead battery. At this point, you should buy a replacement or take the machine to a computer repair shop and have a professional replace the battery.

Tags: battery dying, battery dying your, clock time, CMOS settings, dead battery, dying your, replace battery

Move Acpi Bios To Mps In Windows

If you have a computer running a Windows operating system that you want to upgrade, you can use the installation disc for the new operating system to run the upgrade process. During the upgrade, you can choose to change the Hardware Abstraction Layer, or HAL, which determines how your computer boots and configures programs. For example, you can move from using an Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (or ACPI) Basic Input/Output System (or BIOS) to an MPS Multiprocessor PC.

Instructions

1. Insert the Windows operating disk for your system or an upgrade of the operating system into the CD-ROM. The installation window will appear.

2. Click the "Install now" option, and select the "Next" option.

3. Enter your product key into the text boxes, and click the "Next" button.

4. Click the box next to the "I accept the license terms," and click the "Next" button again.

5. Click the "Upgrade" option, and the upgrade process will begin.

6. Press the "F5" key.

7. Select the "*halapic.dll" file option for an MPS Multiprocessor PC, and complete the system upgrade.

Tags: operating system, system upgrade, click Next, click Next button, Next button, upgrade process, Windows operating

Install Memory In An Asus P5q

Computer memory is not too difficult to install.

The installation of memory into a ASUS P5Q motherboard does not require much knowledge about computers. Memory is an important part of a computer system that allows for quick loading and overall computer speed. You will not lose any stored information when you change the memory of your computer. Another common name for memory is RAM (random access memory) or DIMM (dual in line memory module).

Instructions

1. Choose the right memory. The user manual for the ASUS P5Q motherboard (http://www.docstoc.com/docs/10485188/ASUS-P5Q---User-Guide-Manual/) contains a chart on pages 39 to 41 of all the memory speeds and sizes that will work for this motherboard. Be sure to get the same clock speed and size; having identical RAM characteristics will allow your computer to maximize its speed.

2. Turn off and unplug your computer to prevent an electrical shock.

3. Find the memory slot on the ASUS P5Q motherboard. This motherboard has four slots with alternating color sets.

4. Pick the correct slots. The ASUS P5Q user manual states that for overclocking abilities, you should fill the yellow slots first. If you have one memory stick, insert it into any one of the slots. If you have two memory sticks to install, you MUST install them in the matching color slots. If you have four memory sticks, insert them as you please.

5. Ground yourself to make sure a discharge of static electricity doesn't ruin your computer parts! The article Hack Attack: Install RAM states that simply touching something metal from time to time will remove the static charge from you.

6. Unlock the memory socket by pulling the retaining clips outward.

7. Align the RAM to fit into the ports. Handle your memory by the edges only because fingerprints can decrease its performance.The RAM pins are split into two separate sections. One section will be larger than the other and it must fit accordingly in the motherboard.

8. Firmly push the memory stick into the slot until the retaining clips snap into place and the RAM is seated correctly.

9. Plug your computer back in and turn it on. The computer will automatically recognize and use the new memory. If you want to verify that it has been recognized, right click My Computer and under "Computer" you should see that your memory has changed accordingly.

Tags: your computer, ASUS motherboard, have memory, memory stick, memory sticks, retaining clips, slots have

The Importance Of A Motherboard In A Computer

Top view of the motherboard

A motherboard, also known as the "main board," is the central circuit hub that allows connection between all components and peripherals attached to the computer. It also allows all the components such as CPU, graphics card, hard drive and the memory to receive power from the attached power supply.

Motherboard Form Factors

The shape and layout of the motherboard is called its form factor. The form factor acts as a standard for defining the motherboard. It determines the power supply, the type of case and the place where individual components will fit. The most popular motherboard form factor in domestic and industrial computers is ATX as it reduces the size of the motherboard greatly.

Components of the Motherboard

The motherboard contains a few integrated components situated on board such as the chipset, the CMOS, the BIOS and the system bus. The motherboard also contains numerous sockets and ports including Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI), Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP), Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE), Universal Serial Bus (USB) and the memory or RAM slots.

Functions of the Motherboard

A motherboard controls the flow of external data through the ports such as the USB and the IDE and guides the data to the hard drives. The main function of the motherboard is to hold the microprocessor chip e.g. Intel Pentium 4, Intel Celeron and AMD Athlon. Also, almost all the components that help in the function of the computer are either parts of the motherboard or are plugged into it.

Tags: form factor, motherboard also, power supply

Replace The Motherboard In A Hp Nw8440

Replace the Motherboard in a HP NW8440

Your Compaq nw8440 laptop's motherboard is the main circuit board where all of your computer's hardware is connected. Replacing it is no simple task, and should be attempted under the supervision of an experienced laptop technician. Motherboard removal requires completely disassembling the outer casing of your laptop, and all hardware devices connected to your motherboard. Dissecting your laptop to this extent will most likely violate the terms of your Compaq nw8440 laptop's warrant agreement.

Instructions

1. Shut down your laptop and disconnect all cables and devices from your laptop's ports. Close the LCD screen, place the laptop face down with the front edge of the laptop facing toward you. Then remove the battery pack from the bottom casing of the laptop. Remove the three Phillips-head screws from inside the battery compartment.

2. Locate the memory compartment door on the bottom casing of the laptop. Remove the single Phillips-head screw securing the memory compartment door to the laptop. Grasp the top edge of the compartment door and remove it from the laptop.

3. Determine the first RAM module you want to remove from the memory compartment. Spread the retaining tabs on each side of the module. Tilt the module at a 20-degree angle and slide it out of the memory compartment. Repeat this step for each RAM module you remove from the laptop.

4. Locate the RTC battery next to the memory compartment. The RTC battery resembles a large watch battery. Grasp the battery between your fingers and lift it out of the RTC battery compartment. Set it aside.

5. Remove the single screw securing the hard drive compartment door to the bottom casing of the laptop. Remove the drive compartment door. Remove the single Phillips-head screw securing the hard drive to the drive compartment. Grasp the tab protruding from the hard drive, and then lift the hard drive out of its compartment and set it aside.

6. Remove the single Torx 8 screw on the bottom casing of the laptop that secures the CD/DVD drive to the laptop. Insert a small, flat-head screwdriver into the slot next to the screw you just removed. Push down until the CD/DVD drive disengages from the laptop. Slide the drive out of its compartment and set it aside.

7. Remove the two Phillips-head screws on the bottom casing of the laptop securing the keyboard assembly to the laptop casing. The two screws are located near the center of the laptop's bottom casing, and are about three to four-inches apart from each other. Place the laptop face-up and open the LCD screen.

8. Locate the four locking tabs behind the top row of keys on the keyboard. Grasp the keyboard from behind the top row of keys, and tilt the keyboard upward until the keyboard's ribbon cable is exposed. Disconnect the keyboard ribbon connector from the motherboard. Remove the keyboard from the laptop completely.

9. Locate the cooling fan assembly inside the laptop. Remove the four retaining Phillips-head screws from the cooling fan assembly. Grasp the cooling fan and lift it out of the laptop. Remove the four Phillips-head screws securing the thermal plate to the motherboard. The thermal plate is the metal plate that surrounded the cooling fan assembly. Lift the thermal plate out of the laptop and set it aside.

10. Remove the four Phillips-head screws securing the heatsink to the motherboard. Grasp the right side of the heatsink, and then lift up on it until the heatsink completely disconnects from the processor. Slide the heatsink to the right, and then lift it out of the motherboard.

11. Use a flat-head screwdriver to turn the processor's locking screw in the counter-clockwise direction one-quarter of a turn, or until the processor is released from its socket. Lift the processor straight up, and then remove it from the laptop.

12. Close the LCD screen and place the laptop face-down. Remove the single Phillips-head screw from the bottom casing that secures the touchpad to the laptop. The screw is located near the center of the bottom casing of the laptop. Flip the laptop over, and then open the LCD screen again.

13. Grasp the top edge of the touchpad, and then slowly lift up on the touchpad until it separates from the laptop casing. Locate the touchpad cable on the bottom side of the touchpad. Follow the cable to where it connects to the motherboard, and then disconnect the touchpad cable from the motherboard. Remove the touchpad from the laptop.

14. Grasp the hinge cover and remove it from the laptop and set it aside. The hinge cover is the thin strip of plastic covering the LCD hinges. The hinge should come right off at this point.

15. Disconnect the PCI antenna cables from the PCI card located near the front of the laptop base. Disconnect the LCD cable from the motherboard. Remove the three Phillips-head screws from each LCD hinge, and then slowly lift LCD screen off the laptop's base.

16. Place the laptop face-down, and then remove all Torx 8 screws from the bottom casing of the laptop. There are 11 screws total. Place the laptop base face-up, disconnect the fingerprint reader cable from the motherboard, and then remove the remaining four Torx 8 screws that secure the upper casing to the laptop. Lift up on the front edge of the top casing, and then slowly lift the rest of the casing off the laptop.

17.Locate the modem board near the center of the motherboard. Remove the four Phillips-head screws that secure the modem card to the motherboard. Disconnect the modem cable from the motherboard, and then lift the modem card out of the motherboard and set it aside.

18. Disconnect the remaining cables from the motherboard, and then remove the remaining four Torx 8 screws that fasten the motherboard to the base of the laptop.

19. Grasp the motherboard and slide it to the right until all the external ports and connectors are clear of their slots on the side casing of the laptop's base. Lift the motherboard out of the laptop and set it aside very carefully.

20. Install the replacement motherboard by repeating this process in reverse.

Tags: casing laptop, bottom casing, from laptop, bottom casing laptop, Phillips-head screws

Identify Integrated Sound Cards

Identify Integrated Sound Cards

Integrated sound cards or chip sets allow you to listen to audio on your computer and to input audio via microphones. Even though you have an integrated sound card, Windows and other system utilities will display the device as if it is a dedicated sound card. You can identify your integrated sound card by using the Device Manager, by examining sound card details in the DirectX Diagnostic Tool or by installing a system information utility and scanning your hardware.

Instructions

Use the Device Manager

1. Click on "Start," then "Control Panel." Select "Classic View" in the left column.

2. Double-click "System." Click on "Device Manger" in the left column of the "System Properties" window if using Windows Vista or Windows 7. Click on the "Hardware" tab, then click on "Device Manager."

3. Expand the "Sound, Video and Game Controllers" category by clicking on the "+" to the left of the category.

4. Double-click the sound card.

5. Note the name of the device and the name of the manufacturer on the "General" tab.

6. Click on the "Details" tab.

7. Select "Hardware Ids" from the "Properties" drop-down list.

8. Select the key that appears. Right-click on it, and left-click on "Copy."

9. Paste the hardware ID into a document or your Web browser. Perform additional research by using the device name and hardware ID.

Use the DirectX Diagnostic Tool

10. Click on "Start." In Windows Vista and Windows 7, enter "dxdiag.exe" and press "Enter." In Windows XP, click on "Run," then type in "dxdiag.exe." Press "OK."

11. Click on the "Sound" tab.

12. Examine the "Name" and "Device ID."

13. Click the "Save All Information" button.

14. Choose the folder where you wish to save the text file. Name the file. Click "Save." Close the program.

15. Open the file you saved. Copy and paste the sound device name and ID into your browser to perform additional research.

Download a System Information Utility

16. Examine and download a system information utility, such as SiSoftware Sandra or Belarc Advisor.

17.Double-click the installation file and follow the on-screen instructions to install the program.

18. Run the system information tool.

19. Examine sound card details under "Hardware" or "Multimedia."

Tags: sound card, Device Manager, device name, additional research, card details, Click Save

Install Sata Drivers Without A Floppy Disk

SATA stands for Serial Advanced Technology Attachment, and in computers, SATA refers to a common physical interface between the computer bus host and the computer's storage devices, such as hard drives. In order for your motherboard and drives to communicate properly, a SATA driver specific to your SATA type must be installed. When you upgrade to a new SATA or buy a new computer, a driver disk often comes in the packaging. If you don't have this disk, though, you can still install the necessary drivers through Windows.

Instructions

Using the "Found New Hardware" Wizard

1. Boot up the computer with the SATA device installed. Wait for Windows to fully load.

2. Look at the system tray in the bottom right corner of Windows for an alert balloon that says that Windows has detected new hardware. If you see this, the "Found New Hardware" Wizard will open in a few moments. If you do not see this, skip to the next section and install the drivers through the Device Manager.

3. Follow the on-screen prompts in the "Found New Hardware Wizard" to authorize Windows to download and install the appropriate drivers for you. It may take Windows a few minutes to do this, and you must be connected to the Internet for Windows to be able to download the drivers. At the end of the process, you'll see a dialog box that tells you whether or not the process was successful. If it was not, skip to the next section to try to update the drivers manually through the Device Manager.

Installing Drivers Through the Device Manager

4. Click the "Start" button in Windows and click "Run." In the Run window, type "devmgmt.msc" and click the "OK" button. This will open the Device Manager.

5. Expand the "IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers" category by clicking the plus sign next to it.

6. Right-click the first entry under this category and click "Install driver" or "Update driver," whichever appears. Wait as Windows searches for, downloads and installs any available drivers or updates. At the end of the process, Windows will display a dialog box letting you know whether or not any drivers or updates were successfully installed.

7. Repeat step three for every other entry in the "IDE ATA/ATAPI controller" category. This will completely install and update the drivers for all of your SATA hardware.

Tags: Device Manager, Found Hardware, Found Hardware Wizard, Hardware Wizard, drivers through, drivers updates, next section

Disable Spdif

S/PDIF streams can output audio to digital sound systems.

Sony/Philips Digital Interconnect Format, or S/PDIF, is a type of audio connection that uses a special jack. On computer systems, the S/PDIF connection is typically used to output audio streams to digital sound systems, such as a home theater speaker system or a digital audio receiver and is found on sound cards and newer motherboards with on-board audio. Users who prefer to use an analog sound connection or another audio interface can disable S/PDIF output completely.

Instructions

1. Click on the "Start" menu button, click on "Control Panel," click on "Hardware and Sound" and then click on "Sound." The "Sound" control panel will appear.

2. Select the "Playback" tab if it isn't already selected.

3. Right-click on the S/PDIF icon (it may appear as "Realtek Digital Output," "S/PDIF Output" or "S/PDIF," depending on your sound card or motherboard) and select "Disable" from the contextual menu.

4. Click "OK" to apply the changes and close the Sound control panel.

Tags: control panel, digital sound, digital sound systems, output audio, Output PDIF, Sound control, Sound control panel

Identify A Processor Socket

Processors each fit into a socket on the center-top area of the motherboard. The socket allows them to communicate with the rest of a computer's components. Your motherboard's socket must match the processor's socket number exactly in order for your processor to work correctly. Placing an LGA775 socket processor into an LGA1366 socket motherboard won't work, for example, and causes damage to both the processor and the motherboard. The processor's socket number appears on the top of your processor and near the socket on the motherboard.

Instructions

1. The rear connection panel of the computer should face you.

Turn your computer around and disconnect all the cables from the rear panel.

2. Remove the two or three screws holding the right cover to the right side of the computer's chassis.

3. Lift off the cover and lay the computer on its side so that the exposed interior faces up to you.

4. Your CPU cooling unit and fan might look something like this.

Unclip your processor's cooling fan and lift it off.

5. Thermal paste helps dissipate heat very quickly from the processor's surface.

Take a dry cloth and clean the surface of your processor of all the paste on it until letters and numbers start appearing on the surface. Look for a code starting with "LGA," "Socket," "Sct," or "S." This code represents your processor's socket number. Look below the socket on the motherboard. The closest number to the socket represents the motherboard's socket number.

Tags: your processor, socket number, motherboard socket, processor socket, processor socket number, socket motherboard

Install An Nvidia 8800 Gts

The NVIDIA 8800 GTS can be installed by anyone with PC repair experience.

Installing a new video card is a great way to improve the performance of your PC. Games, movies and imaging software all benefit from a boost in graphics processing. The NVIDIA 8800 GTS is an HD capable, PCI-Express video card that can be installed easily even without previous computer hardware experience.

Instructions

1. Turn off and unplug the PC. Disconnect all of the cables from the back of the computer and place the tower on its side.

2. Unscrew the screws that hold the side of the computer tower. Slide the panel off to allow access to the interior of the case.

3. Put on an anti-static wristband. Attach the wristband's extender to the metal near the outer edge of the case to become grounded, removing the chance that static buildup will damage the hardware.

4. Locate the PCI-E slot. Look for a horizontal slot on the motherboard with openings that match the video card's thin, gold connectors.

5. Remove the PCI-E slot backing plate. Follow the slot toward the back of the computer case to find the plate. Unscrew the screw that holds it on if present and pull the plate off.

6. Line the video card up with the PCI-E slot. Lower the card gently into the slot until it touches down. Apply gentle but increasing pressure downward until the card locks into place. Ensure the card is seated properly by making sure the plastic locking tab on the slot has clicked into the notch on the bottom of the video card. Screw the card's backing plate in place.

7. Move all wires away from the video card's fan. Remove the wristband and put the side panel back on the case. Replace all previously disconnected cables.

8. Turn the computer on. Cancel any automatic pop-ups that attempt to install the video card. Go to NVIDIA's driver download page and download the latest version of the driver software for the 8800 GTS. Double-click the downloaded file and finish setup by following the onscreen directions.

Tags: video card, PCI-E slot, back computer, backing plate

Flash A Bios Chip

Use a floppy disk for older computer BIOS systems.

All Basic Input/Output System settings are stored on a chip on your system's motherboard. Compatibility issues with hardware or operating system upgrades can be addressed by flashing the BIOS. Flashing the BIOS erases the current software on the BIOS chip and replaces it with new, updated software. A BIOS chip can be flashed or updated by running an update program. The exact process varies based upon the computer manufacturer, but individual instructions are provided with the BIOS update file.

Instructions

1. Navigate to your computer or motherboard manufacturer's website. Find your motherboard manufacturer by restarting your computer and entering the BIOS settings. Most manufacturers use "F1," "Esc," "Del" or "F10" to enter the BIOS at restart when prompted.

2. Locate the "Downloads," "Support" or "Help" section of the computer's website.

3. Enter your model, product line and current operating system to view the correct BIOS downloads for your system.

4. Download the latest BIOS chip update file. If no BIOS updates are listed, none are available for your system.

5. Read all instructions provided on the manufacturer's website for flashing the BIOS. Some manufacturers include the BIOS chip flash instructions with the downloaded file.

6. Flash the BIOS chip on Windows XP and later computers by double clicking the BIOS update file and following the prompts to flash the BIOS chip. Flash the BIOS chip on pre-Windows XP computers by installing the BIOS update on a formatted floppy disk or CD and restarting the computer with the disk inserted.

Tags: BIOS chip, BIOS chip, BIOS update, update file, your system, BIOS update file

Replace A Dell Dimension Motherboard

Replacing your Dell Dimension's motherboard requires that you completely dismantle your computer.

Your motherboard is the main circuit board where all hardware and devices connect with your computer. Replacing your Dell Dimension's motherboard is a challenging task, as with any computer. It requires that you completely dismantle your computer and disconnect all hardware from the motherboard. Though most motherboards are built for flexibility and durability, you can still easily damage your motherboard further during the removal procedure if you're not careful.

Instructions

1. Shut down the desktop through the operating system. Disconnect its power cable and all external devices. Orient the computer with the back panel---the location of all the ports and connectors---facing you.

2. Lay the computer tower horizontally on its left side. Remove the screws from the back panel's upper and lower corners with your Phillips-head screwdriver. (These screws secure the side access panel to the computer.) Grasp the right side access panel and pull it away from the computer until you can see the contents. Set the access panel to the side.

3. Place the computer tower vertically. Locate the release lever near the top of the front panel. This lever secures the front panel in place. Push on this lever, then use a flat-head screwdriver to disengage the three locking tabs along the front panel's right side. Rotate the front panel away from the computer.

4. Locate the floppy drive attached to the front of the computer's casing. Disconnect the data and power cables from the rear of the drive. Remove the Phillips-head screws from each side of the drive. Grasp the drive, and pull it out of its compartment.

5. Lay the computer on its left side again. Locate the PCI cards attached to the computer's back panel. Remove each card's single retaining Phillips-head screw. Grasp each card and pull straight up to disengage each card from its connector on the motherboard.

6. Disconnect all visible cables from the motherboard, while taking note of how and where they are connected. Locate the fan air duct near the center of the motherboard. Disconnect the fan's power cable extending from the fan to the motherboard. Grasp the air duct, and lift it until you've brought it to the upright position, revealing the heat sink assembly.

7. Disengage the locking tab on the bottom side of the heat sink. Tilt the heat sink upward, and remove it from the motherboard. Locate the cooling fan attached to the computer's back panel. Lift straight up on the locking lever situated to the left side of the fan. Remove the fan from the computer.

8. Remove the 12 remaining Phillips-head screws that secure the motherboard to the computer's casing. Carefully remove the motherboard from the computer, and set it aside.

9. Reverse this procedure to install the new motherboard.

Tags: from computer, from motherboard, front panel, access panel, back panel, Dell Dimension

Install An Amd X2 Heat Sink With Clips On A Motherboard

Installing a new processor is an ideal computer upgrade. All processors emit heat while in operation, and so a heat sink is required to cool them down, maintaining system stability and prolonging the life of the computer system. AMD processors feature a clipping system to secure the heat sink to the motherboard, ensuring good thermal contact with the CPU.

Instructions

1. Apply thermal paste to the processor. This ensures the heat sink and processor have good thermal contact.

2. Align the heat sink with the two brackets either side of the processor. The two grooves along the heat sink, which the clip will slot into when attached, should line up with two brackets on the motherboard.

3. Sit the heat sink on top of the processor.

4. Hook one end of the clip under the bracket to the right of the heat sink.

5. Lay the clip across the heatsink, making sure it falls into the grooves.

6. Hook the other side of the clip under the bracket to the left of the heat sink.

7. Apply pressure to the the lever attached to the clip. This will click into place when pushed down flat.

8. Wipe away any thermal compound that might have squeezed out while securing the heat sink.

Tags: heat sink, clip under, clip under bracket, good thermal, good thermal contact, heat sink processor

Flash A Bios File On A Asus M3a

Your BIOS can be flashed by special software from the manufacturer.

The ASUS M3A motherboard, like all motherboards, is controlled by the BIOS (basic input/output system) , a piece of software code that is written onto a read-only memory (ROM) chip on the board. Since a ROM chip cannot simply be written and erased like the information on your hard drive, in order to upgrade the BIOS you will need special software from the manufacturer to "flash" the BIOS, which means to erase it with a forced charge, and then rewrite it.

Instructions

1. Visit the ASUS support site at support.asus.com and download the BIOS update specific to your M3A motherboard.

2. Close all applications and programs on your computer before you begin. Double-click on the downloaded file in order to begin the BIOS flashing process.

3. Follow the steps presented in the software to flash your BIOS. Do not interrupt the process by turning your computer off or you will render your system inoperable. After the BIOS has been flashed, your computer will automatically restart itself with the new software.

Tags: your computer, computer will, from manufacturer, software from, software from manufacturer, special software, special software from

Install An Integrated Motherboard Network Driver

Install an Integrated Motherboard Network Driver

Network interface cards (NICs), also called Ethernet adapters, are hardware devices that allow computers to communicate through Ethernet cables. NICs are commonly used to connect computers to the Internet. Many NICs are designed as expansion cards that plug into a computer's motherboard, but some motherboards have NICs built in, which are known as on-board or integrated network cards. Regardless of what type of NIC you use, your hard drive typically must have driver software installed so that your operating system can recognize and use the network card.

Instructions

Install from a CD

1. Insert the motherboard driver CD that came with your computer.

2. Run the installer contained on the CD. It may launch automatically when you insert the CD; if not, click "Start," "Computer," and then double-click on the disk in the list.

3. Follow the instructions of the installation wizard by clicking "Next" when appropriate and selecting the features you wish to install when prompted. Restart your computer when installation is complete.

Install Drivers with Device Manager

4. Click "Start," right-click "Computer," select "Manage," click "Device Manager," and then double-click on "Network Adapters." If your network device is not functioning properly, it may be listed under "Other Devices," instead of "Network Adapters."

5. Right-click on your network adapter, select "Properties," and then click the "Driver" tab.

6. Click "Update Driver," then choose "Search automatically for updated driver software," and choose to install any driver software that your computer discovered. Restart your computer when installation is complete.

Download and Install Drivers

7. Go to the website of your computer or motherboard manufacturer and locate their driver support and download area. For example, if you own a Dell computer, go to Dell's official website and then click the "Drivers and Downloads" link. You can determine your motherboard model by using a freeware program called CPU-Z (see Resources for link). Simply install the program, run it and click the main board tab, to determine your motherboard model.

8. Download a driver installer for your integrated network card. Computer and motherboard manufacturers allow users to search and download drivers based on their computer or motherboard models. For example, if you have a Dell computer, on their driver support page click "Select Model," specify your computer model using the lists that appear, click "Go," open the "Network" group and then click the "Download" link next to one of the network drivers.

9. Run the driver install .exe file that you download by double-clicking on it, and then follow the instructions of the driver setup wizard to complete installation. Restart your computer when prompted.

Tags: your computer, computer motherboard, computer when, driver software, Restart your, Restart your computer, then click

Identify A Sound Card Chipset On A Motherboard

A sound card is a device that handles data-to-audio and audio-to-data translations, enabling a computer to play sound on speakers or to record sound from an external device, like a microphone. There are two general types of sound cards: dedicated cards, which are stand-alone chips plugged into a PCI slot on a motherboard, and integrated cards, which are chipsets built into the motherboard. Identifying an integrated sound card can be helpful, both for updating drivers, troubleshooting and upgrading sound devices.

Instructions

Identify the Sound Device with DXdiag

1. Click "Start," then click "Run."

2. Type "dxdiag" in the Run text field to begin the Direct X Diagnostic Tool. Click "OK." This will produce a diagnostic window containing vital information about your system's hardware resources.

3. Click the "Sound" tab on the top of the Direct X Diagnostic Tool window. If you have multiple audio devices installed, there will be more than one sound tab. The sound tab will list information about your sound chipset.

Use the Device Manager to Identify an Audio Device

4. Click the "Start" menu, and right click "My Computer."

5. Click "Device Manager" on the left side of the window.

6. Search the list of devices for "Sound, Video and Game Controllers." Click the plus sign next to that entry to expand the list. Your sound device will be listed here.

7. Double click the sound device to bring up a Properties window with additional information about the card and the card drivers.

Tags: information about, about your, cards which, Click Start, Device Manager, Diagnostic Tool

Remove An Xbox 360 Elite Motherboard

Removing the motherboard from your XBox 360 should take about 15 minutes.

Video game consoles have gotten more complicated since the first ones were sold in the 1970s. The XBox 360 is essentially a complete computer, able to be modified to a traditional PC if necessary. When the motherboard in your XBox 360 breaks, so does the console, rendering it unusable. To fix the problem, you have to replace the motherboard with a new one, which involves completely tearing down the console. First though, you have to remove the old one.

Instructions

1. Place the console down on a clean work surface so you can read the XBox 360 logo across the front of the drive. Push the button holding the hard drive to the console and lift the hard drive off of the unit. Pry off the grey panel on the side of the console using the spudger. Repeat for the gray panel on the other side.

2. Pry the faceplate off of the console, starting to the right of the drive. Insert the XBox 360 console opening tool into the front of the panel to pull apart the top and bottom of the plastic casing. Take off just the top of the console to start. Slide the eject button out of the side of the console. Remove the six torx-head screws from the top of the console using the torx-head driver.

3. Turn the console over and lift off the other plastic panel on the console. Pull off the white cover around the power button with the spudger. Unscrew the power button board from the console using the torx-head driver. Lift the optical drive off of the console, then unplug the wires from the back of the optical drive by hand and set it aside.

4. Pull off the white casing that goes over the fans with your hands. Lift up the metal flap across the top of the fans until you have enough room to pull the fans out of the case. Unplug the wire to the fans.

5. Turn the console over and remove all but two screws in the center of the metal panel using the Phillips-head screwdriver. Place a hand underneath the console and remove the remaining two screws. Catch the mother board and pull it away from the console.

Tags: console using, from console, console over, console using torx-head, drive console, from console using

Ide To Sata Pci

SATA hard drives require a SATA power and data cable to communicate with a computer.

SATA (Serial ATA) and IDE (also called PATA, which is short for Parallel ATA) refer to technologies used to connect hard disk drives to computer motherboards. PCI, on the other hand, refers to a technology that allows expansion cards, such as graphics cards and sound cards, to be installed on a computer's motherboard.

Background

Western Digital designed the first IDE interface in 1986. Its IDE hard disk drive quickly became the standard for personal computers and underwent numerous revisions. SATA, which is superior in both features and speed, burst onto the market in 2003 and quickly replaced IDE as the new standard for hard disk drives.

Connection

IDE connects a hard drive to the computer through a 40-pin data cable and four-pin power cable. SATA connects a drive to the computer through a seven-pin data cable and 15-pin power cable. PCI cards insert into an expansion slot on the motherboard.

Significance

Older motherboards do not support the SATA interface. Some newer motherboards support SATA drives only and no longer support the older IDE standard. Most motherboards, both old and new, have at least one or two PCI slots that can be used to connect stand-alone cards. On older computers, it is possible to install a PCI card with one or more SATA ports built onto the card, allowing the user to connect a faster SATA drive that otherwise would not be supported on the computer.

Options

SATA PCI cards are fairly common, since many older motherboards are still in use, and users often want to upgrade to the newer and faster SATA drive technology. Some of these PCI cards support two SATA drives, and some also include an extra IDE port.

Tags: data cable, hard disk, support SATA, computer through, disk drives

Find A Missing Asus Acpi Driver

ACPI stands for Advanced Configuration and Power Interface. Your computer's ACPI helps regulate a variety of power and system functions. Like any component on your computer, it has its own set of drivers. Without the appropriate drivers, the ACPI might malfunction. If you use an ASUS-brand computer and are missing critical ACPI drivers, you can find new ones on the ASUS website.

Instructions

1. Navigate to the ASUS homepage, www.asus.com.

2. Highlight the "Services" option with your mouse.

3. Click "Support" > "Download."

4. Click the "Start" button under the "Select Model Manually" option.

5. Click on your product type from the Product and Series columns. Click on the model of your computer and the operating system you are using in the Model column.

6. Click "Confirm."

7. Click on the plus sign next to the option "ATK."

8. Click on one of the download links for your ACPI driver to download the driver to your machine. If a variety of ACPI drivers are displayed, pick the one with the most recent date.

Tags: ACPI drivers, option Click