Identify Your Computer Ports

Any self-respecting geek should know these, they do come in handy from time to time: Serial Port: A serial communication physical interface through which information transfers in or out one bit at a time PS/2 Connector: Is used for connecting some keyboards and mice to a PC compatible computer system. Its name comes from the IBM Personal System/2 series of personal computers Parallel Port: Sends several data signals simultaneously over several ...

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Troubleshooting Common problems

Below is a list of common problems experienced while assembling a PC. Please check the list which could have the possible solution to your problems. Problem: The PC does not boot, the power and HDD LED does not come on, there is no display on monitor. Solution: Check that your main power cable is plugged into the ATX power supply. Make sure you have connected the ATX power connector to the motherboard. Check if the cable for the power switch at front of the PC is connected to the correct pins on the motherboard. Problem: The power ...

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BIOS - Basic Input Output System

Introduction The BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is the lowest level of software in the PC. It is located on a separate chip on the motherboard and is the first thing that is loaded when we turn the computer on. The BIOS starts by testing each component to make sure everything is operating as it should and that the computer has everything it needs to load the OS. This starting test is called the ...

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Make Sense of Your Router and Local Network Settings

Quick, define the following: Default gateway, MAC address, and subnet mask. Didn't get all three right? That's OK. Even for seasoned vets who can build a PC blindfolded, networking often ends up being their Achilles Heel, the one area that manages to perplex and frustrate computer users of all skill levels. Blame it on the quirky terminology (Hint: a MAC address has nothing to do with Apple) or a fear of the unknown, but whatever the reason, ...

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Different types of Hard Disk Drive

Hard Disk Drive - It is a non-volatile storage device which stores digitally encoded data on rapidly rotating platters with magnetic surface.  Types of HDD : IDE : Integrated Drive Electronics. IDE drives are also known as PATA drives( Parallel advance technology attachment ) SATA : Serial advance technology attachment SCSI : Small Computer System Interface. SCSI is pronounced as scuzzy. SAS : Serial Attached SCSI IDE / PATA ...

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