Replace Laptop Motherboards

You can replace a laptop motherboard at home.

You can replace or upgrade your laptop's motherboard (main board or system board) if it cannot be fixed. The entire process may take up to two hours, depending on your experience with electronics disassembly. Before you start, make sure the new motherboard is compatible with your laptop, and that you have enough time to finish the entire process. If you are not sure whether your laptop will support a particular type of board, refer to the manual or go to the manufacturer's website.

Instructions

Process

1. Turn off your laptop, unplug it from the AC mains and take off the battery. Some laptops have a locking mechanism that holds the plastic battery cover in place; undo the lock and take off the cover to remove the battery.

2. Remove external components from the bottom of the laptop, including memory module(s), wireless card and modem. Some laptops may have locks that will have to be undone before you can remove the plastic casing covering the component.

3. Take the plastic shell off the laptop's body. Different models have different holding mechanisms, which hold the plastic casing to the laptop in specific parts. Locate where the casing is attached, and undo the locks to release the case. Do not apply excessive force as this might break or damage the lock.

4. Remove all screws from the bottom and gently raise the keyboard assembly from the frame. You may have to take apart a securing strip to remove the keyboard. Place the keyboard aside on a level surface and unplug all cables that connect the various internal components.

5. Release the display assembly by undoing screws that attach it to the body. Lift the unit and unplug cables that run from it to the motherboard. You will now have access to the motherboard; remove the screws and unplug the cables connecting it to the power board.

6. Remove the board and unlock the central processing unit (CPU) from its dock. Insert the CPU into the new board and place it into the motherboard slot. Connect the board's cables to the other components and put the screws back on. Replace all the components in the the order you dismantled them. Connect each component's cables as you replace them.

Tags: your laptop, unplug cables, cables that, entire process, from bottom, laptop motherboard

Increase Processor Speed

Boost processor speed

Processor speeds can be enhanced by moving circuits closer together and by utilizing new semi-conductor materials. A number of strategies are being used to make computers faster. The simple steps below will enable you to become proficient as to upgrading the speed of your computer. When purchasing a computer from the original equipment manufacturer, the manufacturer will likely include documentation (a manual) that lists the system specifications of the computer. The best method of increasing the computer processor speed would be to familiarize yourself with your computer's manual and utilize the manufacturer's computer support. Also, various software utilities are available to list and detect the computer processor.

Instructions

Three Methods to Increase Computer Speed

1. There are many steps to increase your processor speed or system performance. Check the \"Upgrade Guide\" section of the computer's manual, based on the brand/manufacturer and model number. Another option is to contact customer support to determine if your machine can be upgraded.

2. Defragmentation is the major step that increases a processor speed. To perform defragmentation, go to My Computer, right-click on C drive, click on Properties, and choose the option Defragment Now. This can often be the fastest way to boost processor speed in your computer.

3. Automatic updates-.This can slow down your processor speed if you turn on Automatic updates. \nOther reasons are:\n\n1) Most of your RAM speed is used by Xp Operating System. If the resources of your XP is increased then Operating\nSystem may slow down.It indirectly effects the processor speed.\n2 ) If your click on Live Up dates then there may be chances of Virus entering in your system.which leads your\nprocessor speed slow

4. This option may decrease your system visual effects but increase your system performance. Right-click on My Computer, go to System Properties, and go to Advanced Settings. Click on the setting in Performance, and then choose the option \"Adjust for Best Appearance\" or choose \"Custom\".

Tags: processor speed, speed your, your computer, your system, choose option

Repair A Wire Harness

Repairing a wire harness is sometimes necessary, given the delicate wiring.

Repairing wire harnesses normally revolves around replacement of damaged pins or wiring. Given that the harness shell is typically very durable, the weakest part of the harness is the spindly wiring and pins. Fortunately, repairing a harness is made easier with the availability of tools specifically designed for the job. Repairing the harness is a multistep process, the result of which is a fully functional and potentially customized installation accessory.

Instructions

1. Insert the pin removal tool into the harness, surrounding the pin slated for removal.

2. Depress the plunger on the tool, pushing back the barbs. Simultaneously, pull in the wire behind the harness to remove the wire and pin.

3. Cut a length of primary wire to match the length of the removed wire or the other wires in the harness. Strip 1/2 inch of insulation from one end of this wire.

4. Slide the Molex pin connector over the wire. Center the lower insulation crimp 2mm below the bare wire. Crimp this using the Molex crimp tool. Attach the conductor crimp onto the wire using the same tool.

5. Insert the pin connector from the back of the harness until the barbs pop into the shell. Repeat the process for any other pins or wires requiring repair.

Tags: Repairing wire

Flash The Bios Of The P5evm Do

Flashing the BIOS to the latest version can add features, expand compatibility and fix bugs.

A motherboard's BIOS, or Basic Input-Output System, is the fundamental software of a personal computer. The BIOS contains and controls all the motherboard's basic settings and initiates the loading of the computer's operating system. Motherboard manufacturers periodically release new BIOS versions.

Instructions

Flashing from a Floppy Disk

1. Insert the floppy disk into the floppy drive. Remove all other removable drives and media.

2. Open "My Computer" (or "Computer" in Windows Vista and Windows 7) and right-click on the floppy drive's icon, then select "Format" from the menu. Double check that you have selected the correct drive, as this operation will erase all data on the target drive. Set the "File System" option to "FAT32." Leave all other options on their defaults and click "Start." Click "OK" on the message box after the format is complete.

3. Download the latest P5E-VM DO BIOS from the ASUS website.

4. Copy the downloaded BIOS file to the floppy disk.

5. Reboot the computer. As the computer boots, hold the "Alt" and "F2" keys. This will start the ASUS EZ Flash utility.

6. Use the "Tab" key to switch between drives until the floppy drive is selected in the left box. The BIOS update file will appear on the right.

7. Press the "Enter" key. The EZ Flash utility will check the selected BIOS update file.

8. Press the left arrow key to select the "Yes" button when asked to confirm the operation. Press "Enter" to begin the update. The system will automatically reboot once the update is complete.

Flashing from a USB Memory Stick

9. Insert the USB memory stick into a USB port. Remove all other removable drives and media.

10. Open "My Computer" (or "Computer" in Windows Vista and Windows 7) and right-click on the USB memory stick's icon, then select "Format" from the menu. Double check that you have selected the correct drive, as this operation will erase all data on the target drive. Set the "File System" option to "FAT32." Leave all other options on their defaults and click "Start." Click "OK" on the message box after the format is complete.

11. Download the latest P5E-VM DO BIOS from the ASUS website.

12. Copy the downloaded BIOS file to the USB memory stick.

13. Reboot the computer. As the computer boots, hold the "Alt" and "F2" keys. This will start the ASUS EZ Flash utility.

14. Use the "Tab" key to switch between drives until the USB memory stick is selected in the left box. The BIOS update file will appear on the right.

15. Press the "Enter" key. The EZ Flash utility will check the selected BIOS update file.

16. Press the left arrow key to select the "Yes" button when asked to confirm the operation. Press "Enter" to begin the update. The system will automatically reboot once the update is complete.

Tags: BIOS update, BIOS update file, Flash utility, Press Enter, update file, floppy drive, memory stick

Flash The Bios Of The Asus A7n8x Motherboard

A floppy is needed to flash A7N8X

The Asus A7N8X motherboard is a socket A motherboard made for some AMD Athlon and Duron processors. Flashing the BIOS of the A7N8X is the process of updating the system BIOS of the motherboard. The BIOS is the set of instructions that the computer follows in order to boot up. The A7N8X motherboard uses awdflash to update its BIOS, a program that must be run in DOS mode (the command prompt in Windows will not work). In order to run the computer in DOS mode, the computer must boot from a bootable floppy with awdflash on it.

Instructions

1. Insert the floppy into the floppy disk drive.

2. Right-click on the floppy disk drive in My Computer (most likely the A:/ Drive) and select "Format..."

3. Check the box labled "Create an MS-DOS startup disk", then click "Start" to format the disk.

4. Copy the awdflash.exe and Bios Update file to the floppy disk. The BIOS update file should end in ".bin"

5. Restart the computer and press "Del" to enter the BIOS. Navigate through the menus and change the boot device priority of the floppy drive into the 1st Boot Device, then save and exit.

6. Type "awdflash biosfile.bin" in the command prompt after the computer has finished booting from the floppy disk. "biosfile.bin" is whatever the specific name of the bios update file is. Type "dir" and hit enter to view the files that are on the disk to see the specific bios update file name.

7. Follow the prompts when awdflash runs to finish flashing the A7N8X motherboard.

Tags: floppy disk, update file, A7N8X motherboard, command prompt, disk drive

No Audio Device Is Detected On A Hp Pavilion Laptop Running Windows 7

Although the HP Pavilion laptop comes with a built-in sound device that delivers sound through built-in speakers, Windows 7 won't detect the device if it's missing vital software. Drivers allow the device to communicate with the motherboard in the computer to deliver sound through the speakers. If Windows 7 can't detect the sound card in your HP Pavilion laptop, Microsoft provides solutions to solve audio problems safely.

Hardware

If your laptop isn't detecting an audio device, in most cases, the sound card isn't setup correctly. To verify whether the sound card on your laptop is working properly, open the Device Manager from the System Security in the Control Panel. If prompted, enter your administrator password to open it. From the "Sound, video and game controllers" section, Windows 7 displays the sound card installed on your computer. If the sound card has a yellow question mark over it, it means the computer isn't detecting it. If you right-click the card and click "Properties," the Device Manager displays the card's status in the "Device status" box on the General tab. If the device is listed with an arrow pointing down, it means the sound card is disabled. Right-click the sound card and click "Enable" to re-enable the device.

Drivers

If the Device Manager determines the sound card isn't working properly, update or reinstall the sound drivers for your computer. You can update sound drivers from the Device Manager or using Windows Update on the Start menu. If you use Windows Update, your computer connects to the Microsoft server and downloads the latest drivers and system components automatically. If you prefer to update the sound driver manually, open the sound card's properties in the Device Manager. From the driver tab, click the "Update Driver" button and follow the guided instructions to install the driver safely. When the process completes, restart your computer for the changes to take effect. If the audio device failed after installing an update, clicking the "Roll Back Driver" restores the previously installed driver.

Troubleshooter

If you're not sure why your HP Pavilion laptop won't detect the sound card, run a troubleshooter to determine the cause of the problem. A troubleshooter is an automated tool that searches for problems and fixes them automatically. Download and run the sound playback troubleshooter from Microsoft's website. When the process completes, download and run the hardware and devices troubleshooter, and follow the instructions to restore audio drivers. Alternatively, run the "Find and fix problems" tool located in the Control Panel.

Other

If you're using an external speaker system, check the connections and volume levels. If the speaker system requires software or drivers to function properly, download and install the latest versions from the manufacturer's website to improve audio. If you're still unable to solve the audio problem, use the Recovery Manager on the Start menu to restore audio drivers.

Tags: sound card, Device Manager, your computer, Pavilion laptop, your Pavilion laptop, audio device, audio drivers

Install An Ide Driver

An IDE (integrated drive electronics) device is a type of computer component, often a hard drive, that is designed to connect directly to the motherboard. If you plan on installing a new IDE drive in a computer, you may need to install a specific driver before it will work properly. A driver is a small piece of software that helps a computer recognize and configure a specific device. When you purchase a new IDE drive, it often comes with the required driver on a disc. But even if you don't have this disc, you can count on Windows to automatically search for, download and install the required driver.

Instructions

Installing the Driver from a Disc

1. Install the physical IDE drive if it is not already installed. Make sure that the computer is turned off and unplugged before doing this, and refer to model-specific installation instructions to install the actual drive.

2. Boot up the computer with the new drive installed. When the computer finishes booting, open the CD-ROM drive, insert the driver disc and close the drive.

3. Wait a moment or two to see if the driver installation program will auto-launch. If it does not, double-click the "My Computer" icon, then double-click your CD-ROM drive icon. This may launch the driver installation software, but if it just opens the file folder on the CD, browse the contents for a .exe file like setup.exe or run.exe. When you find this file, double-click it.

4. Follow the on-screen prompts to install the driver. You may be prompted to reboot your computer at the end of this process. Once the installer closes, the driver should be fully installed.

Installing the Driver via Windows

5. Install the actual IDE drive in the computer before attempting to install the driver. The computer must be turned off and should be unplugged before you do this. Refer to model-specific, step-by-step installation instructions that came with your new drive to guide you through this process.

6. Boot up the computer. Wait for a few minutes after the computer boots up and keep an eye on the system tray in the bottom right corner of the screen. You should see a word balloon with a notification that Windows has detected new hardware. When you see this notification, it means that Windows is already searching for and configuring the appropriate driver. Within a couple of minutes, you should see a new word balloon with either a notification that the new device has been installed and is ready to use, or that Windows was unable to configure the new device. If you see the first message, the driver was successfully installed and there's nothing else you need to do. If you see the second message, proceed to the next step.

7. Click the "Start" button in Windows and select "Run" from the Start Menu. Type "devmgmt.msc" in the Run window and click "OK." This will launch the Device Manager.

8. Find the device category that describes the type of IDE device you installed. This may be "Disk drives," "DVD\CD drives," "IDE ATA\ATAPI controllers" or another category. When you find the one that fits your device, expand its device menu by clicking the plus sign next to it.

9. Find your newly installed device in the expanded list and right-click it. Select "Update Driver" from the list of pop-up options. If the driver is readily available, Windows will automatically detect, download, install and configure it. At the end of this process, you will see a word balloon appear in the system tray with one of the two messages described in Step 2. If Windows still cannot successfully configure the driver, contact the support staff of your device's manufacturer about either troubleshooting the conflict or requesting the driver in disc or download form.

Tags: driver disc, that Windows, this process, word balloon, actual drive

Flash The Bios From A Flash Drive

The dynamic flash drive

You can flash your BIOS (Basic Input Output System) by using a ready-to-boot USB (Universal Serial Bus) flash drive. Flashing or upgrading your BIOS can help improve its stability and enhance your computer's ability to detect newer devices and components. Before you start copying the BIOS flash upgrade files to the flash drive, make certain that it has several megabytes of space available to store the files.

Instructions

1. Prepare your computer for the BIOS flash. Consult your motherboard manual for information about the BIOS. You will need to know the manufacturers name and the model number. If you don't have this information, boot up your computer and during the POST (Power On Self Test), write down the version number of the BIOS. Browse the Internet and search the manufacturer's website to get information about your motherboard.

2. Download the latest version of the BIOS flash upgrade from the manufacturer's website. Make certain that it is the right BIOS for your system. The file should contain the Flash Utility file, upgrade data file and Readme file. Carefully read the manufacturer's instructions.

3. Insert the flash drive into the USB port located on the back of your computer. If this is your first time using the flash drive, Windows will display a message that says, "New hardware found." Follow the on screen instructions for the new device. Windows will show the device as a "Removeable Disk" with a drive letter assigned to it.

4. Press the "Start" button on the taskbar. Highlight and click "My Computer" from the "Administrator" menu. Locate the drive letter for the flash drive. You will need to format the drive. If there are any files on the drive that you want to keep, move them to another storage location. Then, right-click on the "Removeable Disk" icon and select "Format" from the shortcut drop down menu. Click the "Start" button to begin formatting the flash drive.

5. Copy the BIOS flash upgrade files to the flash drive. Then, restart your computer and enter your BIOS by pressing the "Delete" or "F12" key. Locate the "Advanced BIOS Setup" or "Boot" menu. Make certain that you adjust the settings, so that your computer boots from the flash drive. Save your settings and exit the BIOS.

6. Restart your computer again, and wait for the BIOS flash update to finish. Don't restart or turn off your computer during the update. You will be prompted when the flash has finished.

Tags: flash drive, your computer, BIOS flash, BIOS flash upgrade, certain that, flash upgrade

Flash The Bios With Winflash On An Ecs Ka3 Mvp

The ECS KA3 MVP motherboard features support for AMD socket AM2 Athlon 64 processors, eight-channel high-definition audio, dual LAN connections and provisions for overclocking the system. The WinFlash utilities that come with the BIOS update file package from the ECS website allow you to conveniently update your computer's BIOS from the Windows operating system. Flashing your computer's BIOS using the WinFlash utility will remove the need to directly enter the motherboard's built-in utility program.

Instructions

1. Navigate to the ECS support web page (the link can be found in Resources below). Click on the "Download" tab, followed by "BIOS."

2. Scroll through the list of available BIOS revisions displayed on the screen and click on one of the download sources under your chosen BIOS revision. Save the ZIP file to your computer's desktop when prompted. Uncompress the downloaded file using a ZIP file decompression software.

3. Click on the "winflash.exe" file extracted to your computer's desktop and allow the program to load.

4. Click "File" followed by "Open." Choose the extracted BIOS file located on your computer's desktop and click on the "Open" button to load the file into the WinFlash program. The updated BIOS file for your ECS motherboard will feature a ".BIN" file name extension.

5. Mark the appropriate check-box options labeled under "Update Options." Mark all of the check-box items under "Update Options" if you wish to perform a complete BIOS update.

6. Press the blue "Update" icon located on the lower left-side of the program window to begin the BIOS flashing process. After the flashing process completes, confirm that you wish to reboot your computer system.

Tags: your computer, computer desktop, your computer desktop, BIOS file, BIOS update

Set A Primary Key

The primary key of database table (known in Transact-SQL as a column constraint) is a field that holds unique data to identify a row (or record) in that table. Typically, a table may only have one primary key and no two data elements in a primary key are identical. You can set a primary key on the "ISBN" field of the "Books" table in a SQL Server database in one of two ways.

Instructions

Access the Database Server

1. Locate the SQL Server Management Studio icon by clicking "Start", "All Programs", "Microsoft SQL Server 2005" (or 2008).

2. Select "Database Engine" from the Server Type drop-down menu.

3. Enter the server name or select it from the "Server name" drop-down menu (if it already exists).

4. Select the authentication option from the "Authentication" drop-down menu (either "Windows Authentication" or "SQL Server Authentication"). You are required to enter your user name and password if using "SQL Server Authentication".

5. Click "Connect".

Set a Primary Key Using T-SQL

6. Click "New Query" from the "File" menu or "Standard" toolbar.

7. Type "ALTER TABLE dbo.Books ADD CONSTRAINT" and press "Enter" on your keyboard.

8. Type "PK_Books PRIMARY KEY CLUSTERED (ISBN)" and press "Enter" on your keyboard.

9. Type "WITH (STATISTICS_NORECOMPUTE = OFF, IGNORE_DUP_KEY = OFF, ALLOW_ROW_LOCKS = ON, ALLOW_PAGE_LOCKS = ON) ON [PRIMARY]".

10. Click the "Execute" button on the SQL toolbar or press "F5" on your keyboard.

Set a Primary Key Using the Table Designer

11. Expand the database containing the "[dbo].[Books]" table in the "Object Browser".

12. Right-click on the table and left-click "Design" in the menu that appears.

13. Right-click on the "ISBN" field and left-click "Set Primary Key" in the menu that appears.

14. Click the "Save" (disk) icon on the toolbar or use the "Ctrl + S" keyboard combination to save the changes.

Tags: drop-down menu, your keyboard, Books table, Enter your, Enter your keyboard, from Server

Format A Dvd To 8 Gb

Dual-layered DVDs can hold up to 8 gigabytes of digital files.

A standard DVD can hold just less than 5 gigabytes of data. However, if your PC or Mac computer has a dual-layered disk burner, you can use blank DVDs with storage capacities of up to 8 gigabytes. These dual-layered DVDs can have data written onto both sides of the disk. Before you begin transferring files and media to an 8-gigabyte DVD, you will need to format it with your PC or Mac computer.

Instructions

PC Instructions

1. Insert the blank DVD into the disk drive of your computer.

2. Click the "Burn files to disc" option from the list of actions that appears.

3. Enter a name for the blank DVD.

4. Select the "Mastered" formatting option. This will ensure that your formatted DVD will work with older devices.

5. Click "Next" to format the DVD.

Mac Instructions

6. Insert the blank DVD into the disk drive of your computer.

7. Launch the Disk Utility program, which can be found in the "Utilities" folder on the "Applications" section of your Mac hard drive.

8. Highlight the blank DVD from the list of media devices on the left side of the window.

9. Go to the "Erase" tab at the top of the window.

10. Leave the "Quick Erase" box checked and click "Erase" at the bottom of the window. Disk Utility will now format the blank DVD.

Tags: your computer, blank into, blank into disk, disk drive, disk drive your, Disk Utility, drive your

Free Up Memory Space On A Computer

Free Up Memory Space on a Computer

A computer often becomes boggled down by too many programs and files. A lack of memory space will cause problems with your computer, including a slower running speed. From time to time, you will need to free up memory space on your computer.

Instructions

1. Delete unused program files. This is the easiest way to free up the most memory. If you have programs that you no longer plan to use, get rid of them.

2. Get rid of any files that you do not need. If your computer is overburdened by word processing, music and movie files, remove them from your computer.

3. Clear out any downloads. If you have a lot of picture and other downloads that you do not need, get rid of them. This will free up a large amount of space on your computer. Remember to empty out your recycle bin after deleting files and downloads.

4. Run a disk cleanup. To do this on Windows, go to the start up menu and go under the "Accessories" tab, then "System Tools" and click on "Disk Cleanup." This will allow temporary Internet files and start up files to be removed.

5. Remove cookies on your hard drive. Deleting cookies, information that websites store on your computer, can free up memory space.

Tags: your computer, memory space, Memory Space Computer, Space Computer, space your, space your computer

Setup A Pci Sata Adapter For Raid

PCI slots on a motherboard

PCI SATA adapters allow for additional SATA ports that have a dedicated communications channel and disk controller to be installed in a computer. These adapters support various versions of RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) depending on their specifications and require installation and setup prior to use. Installation of these cards is identical to the installation of other PCI cards. Setup preparations for use as a RAID adapter requires only driver installation after the physical installation.

Instructions

1. Disconnect the computer from all electrical sources and remove the case's side access panel.

2. Locate a vacant PCI slot in which to insert the SATA adapter. PCI slots are located in the lower-left corner of the motherboard directly below the main I/O ports, such as the USB, Ethernet, and eSATA ports. PCI slots are white in color and possess no locking mechanisms on either end like PCI-e and AGP slots. The motherboard often has identifying labels printed beside them such as "PCI_0."

3. Insert the I/O blade of the SATA adapter into the PCI slot. This blade has an array of gold-plated contacts and can only be inserted into the PCI socket in one orientation.

4. Connect the SATA data cables from the hard drives you wish to use in the RAID array.

5. Replace the side access panel and reconnect all power sources.

6. Boot into the computer's operating system.

7. Install the SATA adapter's driver software that accompanied the SATA adapter. During this driver installation, you will be guided through the process of choosing the RAID disks and desired configuration.

Tags: SATA adapter, access panel, driver installation, side access, side access panel, slots motherboard

Install The Processor Fan & Heat Sink On An Intel Dg965wh

The Intel DG965WH system board is compatible with Intel Core 2 Quad and Duo processors, as well as the Intel Pentium Dual-Core and Intel Celeron Processor 400. These processors can use the stock heatsink and fan that comes with the processor, or you may install a third-party cooling assembly to provide the central processing unit with the required cooling. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Remove the cables from the back of the computer if any are attached after you installed the Intel DG965WH.

2. Take the case cover off of your computer tower. You may need to take the screws off of the side panel on the back of the computer case.

3. Take the plastic off of the bottom of the heatsink assembly or squeeze thermal paste onto the bottom of the heatsink with the thermal paste applicator.

4. Align the four corners of the heatsink with the four sockets on the CPU retaining mechanism.

5. Push down on the corners of the frame to snap it into place. Lower the levers one by one on the heatsink. Plug the fan power cable into the small pins by the central processing unit socket. Close your computer case.

Tags: back computer, bottom heatsink, central processing, central processing unit, computer case

Improve Performance On My Amd X2 4800 With Socket 939

The Athlon 64 X2 4800+ CPU is a dual core processor designed by AMD. This CPU is compatible with the Socket 939 motherboard form factor. When released, this processor and the family to which it belongs were designed to provide a performance boost of up to 80 percent over the then-traditional single core AMD processors. Despite its age, there are several methods by which you may increase the performance of your AMD Athlon 64 X2 4800+ based PC.

Instructions

Overclocking

1. Restart your computer. Press the "Del" key when prompted to do so in order to enter the BIOS screen.

2. Find the page in the BIOS that displays your RAM divider. Where this is found will vary by the make of the motherboard and the exact BIOS being used. Set this divider to a low value so that your CPU is able to scale in its own speed.

3. Locate the page in your BIOS wherein the CPU's Front Side Bus (FSB) value is displayed. Increase the FSB value in small increments. Increasing in large increments will likely cause extreme system instability. Make a note of each value.

4. Save and exit the BIOS. Use a system testing tool to check your PC's stability (see Resources). If your system is stable and you wish to further overclock, return to the BIOS and increase the FSB by another small increment.

5. Lower the FSB to its former value if your system becomes unstable.

Optimization

6. Defragment your hard-drive to improve performance. Click "Start," then click "All Programs." Select "Accessories" from the list of options, then click "System Tools." Click "Disk Defragmenter," then click "Defragment Disk."

7. Close any unnecessary background programs. Launch the "Task Manager" by pressing the "Ctrl," "Alt" and "Delete" keys simultaneously. Click on unnecessary processes, click "End Task."

8. Make certain all of your device drivers are up to date. Navigate to the manufacturer's website for each component and check the latest driver version with the version you have installed. Check driver versions by clicking "Start," then clicking "Control Panel," then clicking "Hardware," followed by "Device Manager." Right-click on individual devices and click "Properties" to view driver information. Download and install the latest driver if it is more up to date than your currently installed driver.

Tags: then click, Athlon 4800, latest driver, Start then, then clicking, your system

Get An Hp Desktop Pc Mother Board

Hewlett Packard uses a wide array of components to build their PCs. The types of hardware found in any HP is directly determined by its use. More robust computers used for gaming and video editing will have more powerful and therefore more expensive components. Obtaining a replacement motherboard, should your computer be under warranty, is as easy as contacting HP and following its instructions. Should your PC not be under warranty, however, a new motherboard can be purchased from any number of online sources.

Instructions

Finding Your Motherboard

1. Check your owner's manual for the model number of your HP's motherboard. This information will also be on HP's support website on the support page for your particular model.

2. Should you not be able to locate your model number online or in the owner's manual, remove the side of the PC's case by un-screwing the two (or more) mounting screws in the rear of the case. Using a flashlight, find the motherboard's model number printed on it's PCB.

3. Purchase your replacement motherboard directly from HP, as the company stocks exact replacements for all of their motherboards. Should your motherboard be discontinued, you will have to find a retailer that stocks genuine OEM HP replacement parts

Installing Your Motherboard

4. Attach the leads on your grounding bracelet to something metal and grounded. This will reduce the chances of electo-static discharge damaging your components.

5. Remove the side of your HP's case. Disconnect all of the power supply's connectors and hang them outside of the case, for ease of access. Remove the RAM and graphics card (if present). Disconnect the hard drive and any PCI cards that may be attached to the motherboard.

6. Unscrew the motherboard's mounting screws and remove it gently from the case. Carefully un-mount the heatsink/fan from the CPU socket. Un-clip the retaining mechanism from around the CPU.

7. Install the new motherboard into the case being careful not to over-tighten the mounting screws. Re-connect and re-install all of the previously removed parts.

8. If your PC is running Microsoft's Windows, you may have to perform a "repair install" of the OS. Place the restore disk that came with your HP into the optical drive, reboot and follow the onscreen prompts. Choose the "repair" option when asked.

Tags: model number, mounting screws, number online, owner manual, replacement motherboard, under warranty

Disable Sound On A Compaq Ms6577 Motherboard

The Compaq Ms-6577 motherboard, used in some Compaq computers, is compatible with Intel Pentium 4 and Celeron processors. Along with onboard video, the motherboard has an onboard sound chip. If you're intending on installing a separate sound card, disabling the onboard sound chip is required to ensure the proper functioning of the sound card. Leaving the sound turned on on the motherboard can cause device conflicts and improperly working sound.

Instructions

1. Restart your Compaq computer. Press the delete key as soon as your computer starts to boot up in order to enter MSI/Award BIOS. The BIOS (basic input/output system) controls your motherboard; use its settings to control the onboard sound chip.

2. Use your arrow keys to select "Integrated Peripherals," and press "Enter."

3. Press the down-arrow key until you highlight "AC97 Audio." Press "Enter."

4. Select the "Disabled" option to turn off the sound chip on your MS-6577 motherboard. Press "F10" to save and exit Award BIOS.

Tags: sound chip, onboard sound, onboard sound chip, Award BIOS, chip your, sound card, sound chip your

Find What Onboard Sound Driver You Need

Find What Onboard Sound Driver You Need

A sound driver is software required to make an audio device function properly with a computer's operating system. Onboard, or integrated sound cards, are audio devices that are build into the computer's motherboard. For computers with dedicated sound cards, the sound card manufacturer usually hosts driver downloads, but for those with onboard sound cards, driver updates are often hosted by the computer or motherboard manufacturer.

Instructions

Automatic Updates

1. Click "Start," "Control Panel," "Administrative Tools," "Computer Management" and then "Device Manager."

2. Click on "Sound, Video and Game Controllers."

3. Right-click on your sound device and select "Update Driver Software..." Your computer will automatically search for and install appropriate driver updates online.

4. Wait for new drivers to install and restart when prompted.

Manual Driver Installation

5. Check your computer manual to find out your exact computer model and the model of your motherboard. Often computer model numbers are printed on stickers attached to the computer's case.

6. Go to the website of your computer's manufacturer and search for driver updates specific to your computer. Computer manufacturers usually host driver updates and have tools that allow you to enter your computer model that will pull up any relevant driver updates for your computer.

7. Search through the available driver updates for your computer and download the most recent audio driver update.

8. Run the driver update file that you downloaded and restart when the installation is complete. If your computer manufacturer doesn't have any new audio driver updates, check for updates to download and install at your motherboard manufacturer's website.

Tags: driver updates, your computer, computer model, sound cards, your computer

Restore Bios Operating System On A Laptop

The inside of a PC.

A bad or failed BIOS update is one of the most annoying and problematic issues you can have with your laptop or any other PC. It is often difficult to recover a system from BIOS issues. However, you can take several steps if your system suffers from some kind of BIOS failure.

Instructions

Repairing the BIOS

1. Check with the manufacturer of your computer and motherboard before you attempt to do anything with your system's BIOS chip. Most BIOS issues are the result of the user attempting to "flash" (overwrite) a new version of the BIOS chip's code in place of what was there when he or she received the system. Luckily, some manufacturers have anticipated this eventuality and have a section of the BIOS that cannot be overwritten, which will allow the system to boot off of a live disc.

2. Download using another system or public PC--if you do not have one on hand--a live DVD of any free Linux operating system; Ubuntu or Fedora are easy to use choices for those not familiar with Linux. Once the operating system has loaded, open a web browser and follow the instructions provided by either your PC's manufacturer or your motherboard's manufacturer to download a working version of the BIOS.

3. "Flash" the BIOS, being careful to follow your manufacturer's instructions to the letter. It is important that you do not deviate from the instructions; if you do, you could find yourself in the same position

that you are already in or, worse, doing further damage to your BIOS, making it harder to resolve the situation.

4. Restart you computer once the process has finished. If your computer boots, then you are done and you have successfully repaired your BIOS. Otherwise, you have some decisions to make. You can either attempt to flash the BIOS again or try to install a new BIOS chip, if possible.

5. Contact your manufacturer for information regarding where to purchase a replacement BIOS chip. Depending on the age of your system, it may not be worth the cost of replacing your BIOS chip, especially if you have to hire someone to do it.

Tags: BIOS chip, your BIOS, your manufacturer, your system, BIOS issues, manufacturer your, operating system

Overclock An Amd Athlon 64 X2 Dualcore 5000

Increase the AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core 5000's performance with overclocking.

The AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core 5000 is a dual core processor found in desktop computers. The operating speed of the AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core 5000 determines the speed of the computer on which the CPU is installed. Overclocking the AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core 5000 raises the speed limit set by the factory and boosts computer performance. Changing a few settings in the computer's BIOS menu allows you to unlock the power of overclocking.

Instructions

1. Boot your computer that is equipped with the AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core 5000. Press the "F8" or "F11" key to enter the computer's setup menu. Navigate to the BIOS Feature Setup menu.

2. Highlight the "External Bus" field and press "Enter." Locate and highlight the "Front Bus" option. Press "Enter," press the "Up-arrow" key once, then press "Enter" again. This raises the AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core 5000's front bus speed setting one level.

3. Highlight the "CPU Core" option and press the "Enter" key. Locate and highlight the "Multiplier" option. Press "Enter," press the "Up-arrow" key once, then press "Enter" again. This raises the AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core 5000's front bus multiplier frequency.

4. Go back to the main setup menu. Press "Save and Quit." The AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core 5000 is overclocked when the computer fully boots.

Tags: Athlon Dual-Core, Athlon Dual-Core 5000, Dual-Core 5000, press Enter, 5000 front, again This

Install A Lucent Win Modem

One of your motherboard's slots must match the modem's connector.

The Lucent Win Modem has a long and complicated history. Lucent spun off a portion of its business, including its dial-up modem technologies, to Agere in 2002. In 2007, Agere merged with LSI Logic. Due to the number of changes and the age of the Lucent-branded modem chipsets, it can be difficult to find compatible drivers for your Lucent Win Modem. The age of the chipset means that you must have Windows XP or an earlier version of the Windows operating system to install the Lucent Win Modem. Your Lucent Win Modem will be either an ISA or PCI card, and your motherboard must have a matching slot to accommodate the card.

Instructions

1. Shut down the computer. Remove all cables and devices from the computer.

2. Remove a side panel of your computer. Remove any screws or manipulate your case's latches. If you are unsure of remove the side panel, consult your case or computer's documentation.

3. Attach the anti-static wrist bracelet's clip to a metal object and fasten the bracelet to your wrist.

4. Examine your Lucent Win Modem. Match it to a matching ISA or PCI slot on your motherboard.

5. Unscrew the slot cover screw and remove the slot cover from the motherboard.

6. Line up the modem's pins (the gold part on the bottom that fits into the motherboard) with the slot. Make sure that the sections of the pin align with the slot's sections.

7. Insert the card into the slot. Do not force the card. If you have problems inserting the card, remove it, realign it and try again.

8. Secure the Lucent Win Modem by screwing in the slot cover screw.

9. Replace the side panel. Screw in any screws you removed earlier or fasten loosened latches.

10. Reattach all power cables and peripheral devices. Boot up the computer.

11. Allow Windows to recognize the new hardware and install the drivers. Close the "install new hardware" program if Windows cannot find drivers, then double-click on the drivers package you downloaded to complete the Lucent Win Modem installation.

Tags: Lucent Modem, computer Remove, side panel, slot cover, your motherboard, cover screw

Improve Processor Performance

Your CPU ships with extra potential you can unlock yourself.

A processors is essentially the brain of your computer, and how fast your computer runs is mostly dictated by how fast your processor runs. Just because you buy a processor at a given speed does not mean that you have to accept that speed as your final computer spec. Processors usually will ship with either locked potential or potential that is under utilized by the factory speed rate. As of 2010, Intel began selling cards that allow users to unlock extra capability in some of their cards. For other cards, you can improve the processor's performance yourself through the process of overclocking.

Instructions

1. Download and apply the most recent driver and version of BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) for your motherboard. BIOS is the firmware which governs your hardware when you boot your computer. The easiest way to do this would be to download BIOS update tools from your motherboard's manufacturer.

2. Download system performance benchmarking tools. Run these to establish your system's baseline performance which you will improve upon.

3. Reboot your computer. When the black screen with your computer maker's logo comes up, press the appropriate key to access the BIOS menu. For many motherboards this is the delete key, but for others it can be one of the F keys. The key you need to press will be noted on the black screen itself.

4. In the BIOS menu, navigate to the "Frequency/Voltage" section. When you finish with a section, you can press the "ESC" key to leave after choosing if you want to save any changes you made to the settings.

5. Select the "FSB" setting. This stands for Front Side Bus. Your processor's speed is determined by two things: the FSB speed and the processor multiplier. Adjusting the speed of the FSB is one of the most common methods of improving processor speed. Additionally, if your processor's multiplier is locked by the manufacturer, then the only setting you can change is the FSB speed.

6. Increase the FSB speed in 5-10 MHz increments. Each time you do, restart you computer and try to load into your operating system. If the operating system will not load, go back to BIOS and adjust the voltage to the FSB (.05 is considered a safe increment). If your operating system will now load, go back to BIOS and increase the FSB speed another 5-10 MHz, and see if your operating system will load.

7. Repeat this process until your operating system will not load. When this happens, go back to the last FSB/Voltage setting that successfully launched your computer. Run the same benchmark tests with your new BIOS settings. If your computer crashes or suddenly reboots during the benchmark test, go back to BIOS and reduce the FSB speed and corresponding voltage until your computer can complete the benchmarks.

Tags: your computer, operating system, operating system will, system will, system will load, will load

Install An Intel Pd 940 Processor In An Athena 5 Motherboard

The Intel PD 940 series processor is part of the Pentium Intel family low-power 95 W performance processors. This series of processors utilizes a ZIF, zero impact force, motherboard socket to allow for relatively easy processor installation. This specification of motherboard processor socket is the most widely manufactured processor socket type. Due to this, it is important that any computer owner have a firm understanding of this type of processor installation.

Instructions

1. Locate the ZIF processor socket on the motherboard. Traditionally this is located in the upper left corner of the motherboard toward the I/O (Input/Output) components that feed out the rear of the motherboard chassis.

2. Locate the processor socket locking arm and lift it so that it is perpendicular to the face of the motherboard.

3. Insert the processor pins down so that the pins on the processor match the holes in the ZIF processor socket. The processor and socket are keyed so the processor may only be inserted in one orientation.

4. Lower the processor socket locking arm to secure the processor into the socket housing.

Tags: processor socket, Locate processor, Locate processor socket, processor installation, processor socket locking, socket locking

Find Out What Kind Of Motherboard Is In A Computer

The motherboard is the most important part of a computer. When you insert the components into the board, a complete circuit is accomplished. However, the processor and the power supply are the only two devices that the computer must have to function. You must find out what kind of motherboard is in the computer to install the proper processor, RAM and video card. If you place an incompatible component into your motherboard, you can fry both pieces.

Instructions

1. Download CPUZ. This tool presents information about a selection of devices for your computer. These include operating system, processor, motherboard as well as RAM. Go to the CPUZ page that is in the resource section.

2. Select "Download Latest Version" on the left-hand side of the CPUZ page. Click on the link and a "Save" window will pop up. Save the file to a separate folder. Choose "Save." The download will take approximately five seconds to complete.

3. Go to the download folder. You will need WinAce, WinZip or WinRAR to extract the file. Extract the file into the same folder. The "ini" file must be in the same folder as the program. No installation required.

4. Use a double click on the CPUZ file to open the program. It reads your computer's internal components. Choose the "Mainboard" tab. This gives you information about the manufacturer, model and chipset. This section also informs you about your computer's BIOS.

Tags: your computer, CPUZ page, information about, same folder

Upgrade Your Graphics

It definitely depends on what you are using your computer for, as to what may be required to give you the best graphics on it. It is always a good idea to keep your graphics card up to date, and this is one of the easiest ways to upgrade your computer's graphics. If you upgrade your graphics card, you will be able to run all of your multimedia applications quicker. It does not matter if you use your system for basic email and web surfing, your work activities, playing the latest game on it or for creating family albums and movies; you should constantly upgrade your graphics card.

Instructions

1. Find your graphic card information. Before you can upgrade your graphics card, you need to know what you have and what your motherboard can handle. Click on “Start," “Control Panel," “Appearance and Themes,” then “Display” and the “Settings” tab. The name of your graphics card will be displayed. Check the graphics card website to find out all of the information pertaining to your card. In addition, check your computer's manufacturers website to find out what cards will work in your system.

2. Buy a new graphics card that will be compatible with your system.

3. Remove all traces of the old graphic card. This includes all drivers, software or anything else that is connected to it. Right Click on “My Computer,” choose “Properties,” then the “Hardware” tab and “Device Manager.” Your graphics card's name will be displayed under “Display Adapter” (click on the “+” to the left, to open it). Double click on your graphics card's name, then select the “Driver” tab and click on the “Uninstall” button. Now click on “Start,” “Control Panel,” “Add and Remove Programs” and remove any application listed which is associated with your old card. Restart your computer.

4. Replace old card. Shut down your system. Ground yourself; remove the cover of your computer. Unscrew the card, and gently remove it. Line up the connectors and lightly apply enough pressure to insert the new graphics card in the slot. Replace the screw(s) to secure the graphics card and, if necessary, hook up power to it.

5. Restart your computer. Run any installation CDs that came with your new graphics card. Download the latest drivers from the graphics card manufacturer's website for your new card. It is very common for even the newest cards to have updated drivers available.

Tags: graphics card, your computer, your graphics, your graphics card, your system, upgrade your graphics

Processor Overclocking Software

Overclocking is the process of applying additional voltage to a processor to gain faster clock cycles and, in turn, faster processing of data. Computer software is used to achieve this.

History

In the past, overclocking required computer users to change jumpers on the motherboard to achieve higher frequencies. An upgrade came in the form of BIOS-managed overclocking capability. Nowadays, software compatible with operating systems can be used to overclock.

Monitoring Software

When it comes to processor overclocking, a good monitoring software is useful. CPU-Z is a top choice for monitoring every statistic in a computer's processor-memory infrastructure, from clock rates to voltage.

Tweaking Software

AMD chips can benefit from AMD's own processor overclocking software, AMD OverDrive, and Intel chips have Intel's Desktop Control Center. Additionally, many motherboards come with software packages that can be used to overclock installed components, including the processor.

Expert Insight

Although using overclocking software is risky, says Tom's Hardware, if you stay within certain limits, your processor should be safe from overheating damage.

Considerations

It's still best to make sure a processor has adequate cooling. Although overclocking can be achieved with standard retail heatsink/cooling fan combos, separately purchased fans often provide better overclocking performance.

Tags: processor overclocking, used overclock

Replace A Power Supply In A Dell Computer

Your computer's power supply unit (PSU) routes electricity from the power cord to the various parts of the computer. It is located at the upper left corner of the desktop tower. While power supply units usually last for the life of the computer, you may need to replace one due to mechanical failure, physical damage, or wanting to upgrade. You can exchange an old power supply for a new one by following these steps.

Instructions

Exchanging Power Supplies

1. Power down the computer. Unplug it from the electrical socket. Disconnect all devices and the power cord.

2. Remove the tower unit's side panel. The side panel is attached on back with a large, silver bolt. Loosen it and slide the panel towards the back of the computer. The panel has a notch in the side to use as a handhold.

3. Lay the computer on its side (opening on top). This will make it easier to see inside and keep the power supply from dropping once you disconnect it.

4. Touch a different metal surface to get rid of any static electricity on your hands before working inside the computer.

5. Before you disconnect anything, look around inside. Some models have a protective plastic covering over the power supply that you will need to swing out of the way. Use the flashlight if needed. You will see a nest of multicolored wires with white connectors on the ends leading out of the power supply. By following these wires, you can see which part each is attached to. Note where everything is connected. Make a list with the pencil and paper if needed. Don't feel the need to use technical terms for where everything is connected; note it in a way that you will understand.

6. Look at the new power supply and familiarize yourself with where each connector will go.

7. Remove the old power supply's white connectors from your computer parts. You may have to pull some of them firmly, but don't yank them loose.

8. Unscrew the power supply at the back of the tower. Once you have detached the unit, lift it out.

9. Place the new power supply inside and use the screws to secure it in place. You can verify that it is oriented correctly by making sure the fan is behind the perforated opening on the back of the computer.

10. Attach the new power supply's connectors inside the computer.

11. Slide the side panel back into place and reattach it with the bolt.

12. Reconnect your computer devices---you may just want to reconnect the bare minimum (monitor, keyboard, mouse) until you have verified the new power supply is working.

13. Reinsert the power cord and turn the computer on. Once it has powered up successfully and run for a few minutes, hook the rest of your devices back up.

Tags: power supply, power cord, side panel, back computer, everything connected, following these, inside computer

Install A Sound Device & Speakers For Windows Xp

Sound card installation in three easy steps.

Installing a sound card device and speakers into Windows XP is a multistep process that takes basic computer knowledge to perform. In most cases, sound devices will consist of a physical card or module with overlaying drivers or software that you will need to install. Depending on your sound device, the process may vary slightly. The most complicated part involves installing the physical sound card into the computer. When installing hardware into the computer, it is important to be careful to prevent damage to the components.

Instructions

1. Shut down the computer and remove the power cable from the wall outlet to prevent the risk of electrical shock. Remove any speaker cables connected to the computer. Remove the computer side panel by either unscrewing it or by releasing the clamps holding it into place. Before touching your hardware, touch something metal to ground yourself and prevent static from damaging the parts. Locate a free PCI slot to install the sound card in. PCI slots look like long beige clips coming out of the motherboard. If you have a pre-existing sound card, remove it by unscrewing the back plate and pulling it out of place. Next, insert your new sound card into the PCI slot and screw the back plate into the computer case. You may first have to pop out a metal placeholder clip on the back of the computer case for your sound card to fit into the PCI slot. Reconnect the computer side panel and power cables.

2. Install your new speakers by connecting the cables to the back of your sound device. Depending on your speakers, the type of connector cables may be different. If you are not sure what slots to plug your speaker cables into, refer to your sound card manual. After the speakers are connected, make sure that you turn them on if they are not automatically on. Generally, a light indicator shows whether your speakers are working correctly and receiving power.

3. Turn on your computer and allow Windows XP to load. Insert your sound device installation CD into the CD-ROM. After the installation wizard has launched, follow the instructions to complete the installation. In some cases, you may be required to restart your computer. Some sound devices may also be plug-and-play and will require no sound drivers or software.

Tags: sound card, your sound, card into, into computer, sound card into

Repair Bad Bios Flash

A motherboard holds all the central parts.

The BIOS is firmware instructions that the motherboard uses to connect all the devices and boot up the computer. Frequently, a motherboard manufacturer will update the BIOS so that the computer gains more functionality and errors are fixed. BIOS updates are important and critical to the longevity of a computer system and motherboard. A power surge or another complication could cause the BIOS update flash to end prematurely, causing a bad BIOS flash. Motherboards are equipped with jumpers and switches that help in these situations.

Instructions

1. Unplug the computer from all the connectors. Unplug the power cables, the monitor cable, the keyboard cables and all the associated cables. Place the computer on a clean table.

2. Lay the desktop computer flat and follow the instructions for removing the chassis cover on the side where the motherboard isn't mounted too. Usually this requires the removal of two primary screws located on the backside of the desktop.

3. Remove the chassis and place it on the side. Refer to the motherboard manual on where the BIOS reset jumpers are located. Take a two-pin jumper and place it on the pins according to the motherboard specification. Each motherboard has a different type of reset mechanism and jumper location for your specific problem. The motherboard BIOS reset options are located near the motherboard CMOS battery.

4. Plug the computer back in and boot up the computer. The computer will beep notifying you that the BIOS has been updated. Remove the computer power cable again and remove the jumper to put the computer back to default settings. Now you can flash the BIOS and run a clean update again.

Tags: BIOS reset, boot computer, computer back

Use Hdmi On A Laptop

Use HDMI on a Laptop

HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is becoming the connection of choice for high quality digital audio and video. HDTVs come equipped with HDMI connectors and now more and more laptops are getting in on the action. You may be wondering what to do with the HDMI port on your laptop. There are several useful applications for this technology.

Instructions

1. Connect the HDMI cable from the laptop to the HDMI input on an HDTV. This allows you to use the HDTV as a large external monitor. This is handy for watching digital video, gaming or sharing photos with friends and family.

2. Run the HDMI cable from the laptop to the input on the LCD monitor. This is similar to using an HDTV, but involves an external display that is designed for computer use. When shopping, be sure to check that the monitor has an HDMI input.

3. Hook up a projector by attaching the HDMI cable between the laptop and projector. This is useful for road warriors that need to give presentations or home users that want a large projection experience for video viewing or gaming.

Tags: HDMI cable, cable from, cable from laptop, from laptop, HDMI cable from, HDMI input

Flash Bios Without Having Video

BIOS is the most basic operating system on your PC, responsible for coordinating the various efforts of all the individual components. Flashing the BIOS is occasionally necessary if the BIOS becomes corrupted or when updating to a newer version with additional features is required. While flashing the BIOS in the absence of video is difficult, it can be done.

Instructions

1. Locate the make and model number of your computer's motherboard. This should be in your computer's instruction manual. If you do not have a manual, contact your PC's manufacturer for the required information.

2. Use your backup computer to download the BIOS file and flash utility from your motherboard manufacturer's website, and save them to a floppy disk. These files should be available on the Download section of the Support page. It's important that you download both the flash utility and the revision with the highest version numbers.

3. Create a boot disk using your other 3.5" floppy. Insert the disk into the drive of your working computer, then go to the Start menu. Click on "Run," then type "format a:" A number of options should appear--tick off "Format as MS-DOS Boot Disk" and press "Enter" or "OK" to start the formatting process.

4. Insert the boot disk into the drive of the computer without video, and turn it on. After the computer stops beeping, the boot disk will bring it to a DOS screen containing an "A:\" prompt.

5. Switch out the boot disk and replace it with the disk containing the new BIOS files you downloaded.

6. Type in the full name of the BIOS flash utility, followed by a space, followed by the full name of the new BIOS file. Include three-letter file extensions. For example, at the "A:\" prompt, type "biosflashprogram.exe newbiosversion.bin." Be careful not to make any typing errors, as you will not be able to see them. Press "Enter" after you are sure you input the file names correctly, and the flash process will commence.

Tags: boot disk, flash utility, BIOS file, disk into, disk into drive, full name

What Is A Standard Dual Channel Pci Ide Controller

The core of virtually every computer is the motherboard. Every device the computer accesses must be connected to the motherboard. For devices such as optical drives or hard drives, IDE is often used to make this connection. If a system doesn't have enough IDE channels available to connect all of the devices needed, a standard dual channel PCI IDE controller can be used.

Usage

The standard dual channel PCI IDE controller is a card installed into a motherboard's PCI expansion slot, providing space for additional IDE devices to be connected. Dual channel refers to the two ports on the card, each running a separate channel. Since IDE can support two devices per channel, or cable, a single dual channel IDE controller can provide connections for up to four additional IDE-compatible devices.

Compatibility

Standard dual channel PCI IDE controllers are widely compatible with virtually every computer that can support PCI devices. While some models of IDE controllers may have a few specific requirements, most modern machines should have no trouble matching those specifications. For the devices connecting to the controller, as long as they are IDE-compatible, they should work with every IDE controller. While IDE is not nearly as common as it once was, at the time of this writing (June 2011), it is still available on new optical drives and hard drives. Often, modern IDE-compatible devices are marketed as PATA, or Parallel ATA. There is no difference between PATA and IDE drives and both are compatible with standard IDE controllers.

Installation

Installing an IDE PCI controller is no different than installing any other PCI device into a desktop. The computer must be fully powered down and disconnected before being opened and an anti-electrostatic discharge device should be used to prevent shock trauma from damaging or destroying electrical components in the computer, such as the motherboard. The IDE controller is installed by lining it up with the PCI slot and gently, but firmly, pushing it down into place. The IDE controller card should not be forced or rocked into place, as it could damage both the card and the motherboard. Once seated firmly, the IDE devices can be connected and the computer reassembled and powered back on.

Warning

Some PCI IDE controllers require additional drivers to be installed before the controller--and connected devices--can be recognized and used. Refer to the instructions for your controller card for specific instructions. IDE devices also must have their jumpers set correctly in order to be used. The jumper on an IDE device is located on the back next to the IDE connector. The different jumper positions are typically printed on the hard drive's label. When two devices are connected on the same channel, meaning they share the same cable, one must be set to "master" and the other to "slave." New drives normally come preset to automatically detect and assign themselves a position using the "cable select" setting. If devices connected on the same channel are not accessible by the computer, you will need to set the jumper manually.

Tags: devices connected, channel controller, controller card, compatible with, connected same, connected same channel

Identify Agp

Counting the number of contact pins is a reliable way to identify AGP.

The Accelerated Graphics Port, or AGP, standard has largely been replaced by the faster and more universal PCI-E port. However, older computers may still accept AGP video cards, and it's not uncommon to encounter motherboards that still contain an AGP slot. Because not all AGP video cards have compatible voltages, using the wrong type of card can cause damage, so it's important that you be able to identify AGP where it appears.

Instructions

1. Turn off the computer and open the side of the case to expose the motherboard. Use a screwdriver to remove the screws holding the card in place, then carefully remove the card from the mainboard so that you have access to the motherboard. Gently set the video card aside.

2. Check the color of the slot. AGP slots are nearly always brown in color; if the slot is not brown, you probably have a PCI or PCI-E slot.

3. Use the ruler to measure the length of the slot. AGP slots are 2.8 inches long, whereas PCI and PCI-E slots are around 3.25 inches long. If you don't have a ruler, PCI slots are approximately the length of a credit card, and AGP slots are about half an inch shorter.

4. Count the pins along the side of the port; AGP consists of two rows of 66 pins, for a total of 132. PCI-E slots for video cards have 98 or 164 pins, so if you count 132 pins, you can be certain that the slot is for an AGP video card.

Tags: video cards, cards have, color slot, inches long, PCI-E slots, slot slots

Flash Bios With A Cd

Use a CD to Flash BIOS.

"Flashing" a BIOS involves updating the way that it operates. As the BIOS is the most important program on your computer (even more important than your operating system), this must be done with a certain level of caution. Flashing a BIOS via a standard CD-ROM is perhaps the easiest and safest way to accomplish this task.

Instructions

1. Insert your BIOS update CD into your computer's CD or DVD drive. Make sure the CD is inserted properly with the data side facing down. Close the tray.

2. Write down the name of the BIOS update file that is contained on your BIOS update CD. You can find the name of this file by clicking "Start," "Computer," and then right clicking on the CD and selecting "Explore." The update file will be the one with the ".exe" file extension.

3. Restart your computer.

4. Wait a few seconds as your computer recognizes the BIOS update CD in the drive. As opposed to launching your operating system (as your computer normally does), it will instead launch the setup program for your BIOS update CD.

5. Type the name of your BIOS update file (the file name you found in Step 2) onto the DOS prompt you see on screen. Then, hit "Enter."

6. Strike the "Y" key to confirm that you want to update your BIOS. The BIOS update program will now run, and your existing BIOS information will be "flashed" to the new version. Do not shut off your computer or remove the CD during this process. When your computer automatically restarts itself the process is complete.

Tags: BIOS update, your computer, your BIOS, your BIOS update, update file, your operating system, BIOS update file

Install Front Usb And Sound Cables

Add a USB and speaker jacks to the front of your computer by installing a front USB and sound cable card to the front of your personal computer (PC). Installing these connections at the front of your PC makes it easier to connect flash drives, digital cameras, headphones and other peripheral devices temporarily to your computer.

Instructions

1. Mount the front USB and sound card inside the computer case so that the ports and jacks line up with the appropriate hole in the front of the case.

2. Locate the sound cable, front USB cable and power cable on the card. The labels for the sound and USB cables are displayed on one side of the black connectors. The power cable consists of one black and one red wire twisted together into a beige connector.

3. Refer to the motherboard owner's manual for the locations of the motherboard USB connectors. Proper installation is easy as the front USB cable can only be inserted one way. Insert the cable where specified.

4. Connect the sound cable to the sound card. Again, proper installation is easy since the cable can only be inserted one way.

5. Plug the power cable into the motherboard where specified in the motherboard owner's manual.

Tags: front your, power cable, sound cable, cable card, cable only, cable only inserted

Find Out If An Onboard Sound Card Is Not Working

Find Out if an Onboard Sound Card Is Not Working

An onboard sound card is a small computer card that plugs directly into your motherboard. It tells your computer process sound information given to it by various programs, including your operating system. A program will send an audio signal to your sound card, which will process it and send it out to your computer's speakers.

Instructions

1. Check the Device Manager. Right click on the "My Computer" icon on your desktop and select "Properties." Click on "Device Manager" under the "Hardware" tab to bring up the Device Manager. This is a listing of every piece of hardware your computer currently recognizes. If your sound card has a yellow icon with an exclamation point next to it or isn't listed at all, there is a problem.

2. Plug a few different devices into your sound card. The inputs on your sound card are located on the back of your computer. You can plug external speakers, microphones and other types of audio devices directly into your sound card from here. If you are having trouble with one device, plug in a few others. If they all don't work, then there is a problem with your sound card.

3. Check your "Audio" options in the Control Panel. On your computer's Control Panel click on the icon that says "Audio." Make sure none of your speakers are muted. If your speakers are at a regular volume and you still cannot hear any sound, then your sound card is not working.

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Force A Bios Update

BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is a piece of software that is stored on your motherboard, helps regulate it and launches you into your operating system. You'll likely recognize it as the black screen with the logo of the company that made your computer on it that shows for a few seconds before your operating system launches. Updating your BIOS used to be difficult. You had to physically remove and replace a chip on your motherboard. If your motherboard was produced in the past few years, technology has advanced to the point where you can upgrade your BIOS without performing surgery on your motherboard.

Instructions

1. Log on to your motherboard manufacturer's website. Check to see if your motherboard model can be upgraded through software. If it can, look to see if there is an update for your BIOS. If there is, download it.

2. Extract the file you downloaded. It will probably be in a .zip format, so open it with an archive utility such as WinZip. This will extract the files in the archive you downloaded to the directory you choose. There should be two files: a data file which includes information for the update, and a program that will actually write the update to your BIOS. If your download only came with the data file, go back to the manufacturer's website to download the BIOS flashing tool.

3. Download a DOS boot disk. This can be either a floppy or a CD. Choose which medium you will use, then go to the Bootdisk website (see Resources). If you will be using a floppy disk, download the "Dr. DOS disk for flashing BIOS" file. Open the file, insert a floppy disk, and the program will turn the floppy into a boot disk. If you will be using a CD, then download the disc image file (.iso) and burn the image onto a CD using a CD using a burning utility that is built into your operating system, or download a CD utility such as ImgBurn.

4. Copy or burn the BIOS update data and flashing program to your floppy or CD. Copy the data to a floppy drive by opening a window to navigate your disk drive. Then drag and drop the files into the disk drive's window. Burn the data to the CD using the tool you used in step 3, using either your operating system's utility or one you downloaded. Replace the disk you just made with the disk containing the DOS boot disk.

5. Restart your computer, and boot from the DOS boot disk. See the tips section if your computer does not automatically boot from the disk. When the DOS environment boots up, you will be left at a command line prompt. At this point, eject the boot disk (the computer will be fine), and insert the disk with the other files.

6. Type in the name of the program, or batch file, that will perform the update at the command line prompt (include the .exe if its an executable). When further prompted, type in the name of the update data file. When the updater asks if you want to save a copy of your current BIOS, select yes. You will asked to type in the directory into which it will be saved. If you're using a CD, you'll need to save it onto a directory on your hard drive. Type in the address to which you want to save, then hit enter for the program to save your BIOS where you specified.

7. Hit enter, or "F," depending on the prompt you see. Confirm that you want to update, then wait while the update executes. After the process is complete, you will be told if the process was successful or not, then prompted to restart.

Tags: your motherboard, boot disk, your BIOS, your operating system, operating system

Improve Fcat Score

The Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) is a standardized test given in the state of Florida, at varying grade levels, which assesses students around the state in such areas as reading, mathematics and, at the higher grades, science. Standardized tests are often stressful for students, For those wishing to improve their scores, however, there are several helpful procedures to follow.

Instructions

1. Form a study group to help prepare in the weeks or months leading up to the exam. Working together in a group allows members who are stronger in an area to help other members who may struggle in that area.

2. Check your local classified ads online or in a newspaper for classes aimed at improving standardized test scores. Classes are often available which teach material geared directly for the test to maximize scores.

3. Purchase a FCAT study book which can offer advice on how best to prepare for the examination.

4. Practice using your calculator extensively before arriving to take the test. Arriving to test without being sure of use every function which may be needed on the test can result in missing questions which you could otherwise answer correctly.

5. Take the practice exams available from the FCAT's web site, which offers the 2007 exams, as well as a scoring key for each.

6. Sleep well the night before the exam. A common mistake before a big exam is to stay up late studying, but a good night's sleep is essential in being in your best form when the time to take the test rolls around.

Tags: before exam, standardized test, take test

Locate The Motherboard In A Computer

A motherboard is the most important component of a computer.

The motherboard of a computer links all other internal components together. If the motherboard is damaged, the whole computer will stop functioning because communication is impossible. Replacing a computer motherboard requires you to remove all other cards and peripheral devices. Locating the motherboard is a quick process, only requiring you to disassemble the computer.

Instructions

1. Shut down the computer and unplug it. Remove the laptop battery if you're working with a laptop.

2. Unscrew the Phillips-head screws holding the main panel on a desktop, or release the catches, if it's an easy-open unit. To disassemble a laptop, turn it over and begin removing the screws from the bottom of the base. For unusual cases or configurations, consult the user manual.

3. Disconnect front panel wires, ribbon cables and other devices such as video cards from the motherboard to gain access if necessary. Take care in removing these items so as not to cause any damage. The motherboard will be the largest card inside a computer.

Tags: computer motherboard

Install An Ethernet Controller On Windows Xp

Ethernet cable

An Ethernet controller, also known as an Ethernet card, is necessary for a desktop computer to be able to connect to a cable DSL Internet connection. If you do not have it installed yet in your computer or your old Ethernet controller is already malfunctioning, you need to install new Ethernet hardware and make sure that its driver, if necessary, is also properly installed.

Instructions

1. Shut down your computer and ensure that cables attached to it are not connected to a power source. Unscrew the outer casing of the computer to expose the motherboard and its components.

2. Locate a "PCI slot" by reading the labels written on the motherboard. The label should be right beside the slot where you will install the Ethernet controller.

3. Place the Ethernet controller on the PCI slot so that it follows the correct "pins". Push the hardware to the slot so that it is firmly positioned on the slot. Tightly secure the hardware with screws if it is necessary.

4. Cover the computer system with its case once again and secure it with screws. Turn on the computer and see if the hardware is working.

5. Navigate to "Device Manager" to see if the hardware is detected by the computer. Click "Start" and load the "Control Panel." Click "System" and then "Device Manager." Look for "Ethernet Controllers" or "Network Adapters." If you do not see any yellow or red marks, your hardware installation was successful.

6. If you see a yellow exclamation point, it means that you have to install the driver of the Ethernet controller. Place the software disc or CD installer on the optical drive (CD/DVD-ROM) and follow the on-screen instructions until you finish the installation process. Restart your computer.

7. Test your Ethernet controller by connecting to the Internet. Turn on your modem and attach one end of the Ethernet cable to the modem and another end to the "LAN" (Local Area Network) port of your computer. If the computer detects Internet connection, your Ethernet controller is up and running.

Tags: Ethernet controller, your computer, your Ethernet, your Ethernet controller, controller Place, Device Manager

Flash The Bios On A Gigabyte Board

Gigabyte motherboards, like most modern computer motherboards, use flash memory to store the BIOS data. The flash memory chip is more technically known as an electronic EPROM or EEPROM chip. Updating the BIOS on the motherboard allows computer users to keep the motherboard hardware compatible with the newest operating systems. This allows the motherboard to keep up with the newest technology for a longer period of time. Electronically transferring the updated BIOS file onto the Gigabyte motherboard is accomplished by flashing the EEPROM chip on the board using a special utility program called Q-flash.

Instructions

1. Go to the Gigabyte website (see link in References). Click "Support and Downloads" on the top menu. In the search box under "Downloads" enter the Gigabyte motherboard model name. Click the "Search" button.

2. Find the most current BIOS file by selecting the most current BIOS date for the correct motherboard.

3. Save the BIOS file to a USB flash drive or external hard drive.

4. Restart the computer. Keep the USB flash drive or external hard drive with the BIOS file attached to the computer.

5. Press the "end" key as soon as the computer shuts down and starts to reboot. The Quick Flash BIOS utility program, also known as Q-Flash, will open.

6. Use the arrow keys to select "Update BIOS from Drive." Press the "enter" key.

7. Use the arrow keys to select the drive containing the BIOS file.

8. Select the BIOS file and press "Enter."

9. Allow the BIOS to update. Do not turn off the power or remove the USB flash drive or external hard drive during the update.

10. Press any key to return to the Q-Flash main menu. Press the "Esc" key then the "Enter" key to exit Q-Flash and reboot the computer.

11. Press the "Delete" key while the computer is rebooting to load the BIOS setup utility.

12. Use the arrow keys to select "Load Optimized Defaults" and press the "Enter" key. Press "Y" and the "Enter" key when prompted to load the defaults.

13. Use the arrow keys to select "Save & Exit Setup." Press the "Y" key to save the BIOS settings and exit the utility program. The computer will restart with the new version of BIOS flashed to the motherboard.

Tags: BIOS file, arrow keys, arrow keys select, keys select, drive external

Fix A Broken Power Button On A Laptop

Fix a broken laptop power button.

Your laptop's power button sits directly on top of a device called a power button board. This is a small circuit board where all power and control buttons interface with your laptop's motherboard. The repetitive use of the power and control buttons can damage the power button board. Repairing your power button means removing and replacing the power button board, which requires partial disassembly of your laptop.

Instructions

1. Power down your laptop. Unplug the AC power adapter and all external devices from the computer. Close the laptop's LCD panel and place the laptop face down. Rotate the laptop so the front opening edge is facing you. Remove the battery pack from its compartment on the laptop's bottom side.

2. Flip the laptop over, and pull open the display panel as far as possible. Use a thin, flat-head screwdriver to pry the keyboard cover from the laptop. The keyboard cover is the plastic piece situated above the keyboard assembly that houses the power button board.

3. Lift the keyboard cover out of the laptop slightly, and disconnect the cables extending from the power button board to the motherboard. Remove the keyboard cover from the laptop.

4. Place the keyboard cover face down on a flat surface. Remove the Phillips-head screws fastening the power button board to the cover, and remove it. If your speakers are situated inside the keyboard cover, disconnect the speaker cables from the power button board before removing it.

5. Place the new power button board inside the keyboard cover. Align the screw holes on the button board with the holes on the keyboard cover. Replace the Phillips-head screws fastening the button board to the keyboard cover. Reconnect the speaker cables to the button board, if necessary.

6. Reconnect the power button board's main cable to the motherboard. Place the keyboard cover back inside the slot above the keyboard assembly. Press down on the cover until it snaps into place. Replace the battery pack and reconnect all cables.

Tags: button board, keyboard cover, power button board, power button, power button, your laptop

Find What Bios Version You Have

Find What BIOS Version You Have

If you are looking to upgrade your BIOS' firmware, it's important that you know your computer's BIOS version so that you can choose the correct update. Most computers installed with a Windows OS can use Windows' utilities to find out the current BIOS version. However, if your system does not use Windows, you can also find out the BIOS by checking the BIOS setup screen itself.

Instructions

Using Windows

1. Click "Start," "All Programs," "Accessories" and then "Run." Type "regedit" in the dialogue box and then hit "Enter." If you are using Windows Vista, you may need to click "Continue" or "Approve" if the User Account Control dialogue box appears.

2. Click the plus sign located next to "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE," then next to "HARDWARE," then finally next to "DESCRIPTION." Click on "System."

3. Look for "SystemBiosVersion" on the right-hand side of the window. Located under the "Data" tab, you should find your current BIOS version.

Using BIOS Setup

4. Restart your computer. Access your BIOS utility before the operating system begins to load. The way to access your BIOS utility will depend on your motherboard's manufacturer.

5. Once BIOS Setup loads, look around the screen for "BIOS Version." This is usually located on the top or bottom of the screen.

6. Exit the BIOS setup screen. Do not save settings.

Tags: your BIOS, BIOS setup, BIOS Setup, BIOS setup screen, BIOS utility, BIOS version, current BIOS

Repair A Nintendo Ds Lite Slot1 Card Socket Reader

Repair a Nintendo DS Lite Slot-1 Card Socket Reader

The Nintendo DS Lite handheld game console uses a card slot to play games. The games are inserted into this slot and the unit reads them. It's possible for the card slot, which is attached to the motherboard, to become loose. If this is the case, you can open up the DS and use a soldering iron to fix the problem.

Instructions

1. Turn off your DS Lite and turn the unit over. Remove the screw holding the battery compartment in place, remove the compartment cover, and remove the battery.

2. Remove all screws on the back of the DS Lite and set them aside.

3. Pry the back panel gently off of the unit to expose the motherboard inside. The card slot will be in the center of the motherboard.

4. Plug in your soldering iron and wait a moment for it to warm up. Solder any loose connectors on the sides of the card slot to their ports on the top of the motherboard.

5. Wait a few moments for the solder to dry and reverse the steps for reassembly.

Tags: card slot, Nintendo Lite, Card Socket, Card Socket Reader, Repair Nintendo, Repair Nintendo Lite

Replace The Power Switch On A Toshiba S103 Laptop

Replace the power switch on a Toshiba S103 laptop if it has been victim to wear and tear, and does not function properly. Replacing the switch can also be a means of troubleshooting other problems. If the laptop does not switch on, then a new power switch may fix the problem.

Instructions

1. Unplug the laptop from the mains power source. Detach the battery from the laptop by sliding the catch underneath and pulling out the battery. Do not attempt any of the remaining steps while the battery is still in, or while the computer is plugged in.

2. Turn the laptop upside down, and use the screwdriver to undo all of the screws on the underside. Keep the screws somewhere that they will not be lost.

3. Turn the laptop the correct way up, and carefully use the screwdriver to jimmy up the strip found above the keyboard. You may have to use a flathead screwdriver for this. Undo the screws that are underneath the plastic strip.

4. Lift the keyboard out by jimmying it gently out of position with the screwdriver. Lift the keyboard out of position, being extremely careful not to break the cable that holds the keyboard to the motherboard.

5. Loosen the top and bottom sections of the laptop from one another. Detach the cable from the power switch and remove. Insert the new power switch and reattach the cable. Place the keyboard back in, and tighten all the screws. Reattach the plastic strip and click it into place. On the underside, reinsert the screws and ensure that they are tight. Insert the battery and switch the laptop on.

Tags: laptop from, Lift keyboard, plastic strip, power switch, power switch, that they, Toshiba S103

Replace A Motherboard On An Hp Pavilion Laptop

Replace a Motherboard on an HP Pavilion Laptop

Laptops provide great convenience because of their small size and portability, but those features can become a real pain when you have a part that needs to be replaced. If the motherboard goes out on your HP Pavilion laptop, you can replace it on your own at home, but the cramped quarters and small parts can make it a very challenging endeavor.

Instructions

1. Power off your Pavilion laptop and remove the power cable. Flip the laptop over and press down on the raised knob on the battery cover. Push the knob away from you and then use your other hand to pull out the battery. Set the battery aside and turn the laptop back over. Open the lid so that the screen is up and facing towards you.

2. Slide the screwdriver in-between the two edges of the large plastic bezel piece above the keyboard on the bottom half of the laptop. Pry the plastic bezel upward. Remove the cable connected from the plastic piece to the motherboard and set the piece aside. Remove the screws holding the hinges in place that connect to the top half of the laptop. Pull the hinges out.

3. Remove the screws that are holding the keyboard and then pull the keyboard off. Pull out all of the cables that are connected to the other components such as the USB port, the hard drive and the wireless card (if your Pavilion has one).

4. Remove all of the remaining screws that are holding the motherboard into place. Carefully pull the motherboard out.

5. Place the new motherboard into the laptop case and re-attach all of the screws. Connect all of the cables back into place and then re-attach the keyboard, hinges and plastic bezel. Pop the battery back in and turn the laptop on.

Tags: plastic bezel, your Pavilion, half laptop, into place, motherboard into, Motherboard Pavilion, Motherboard Pavilion Laptop