Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Disk repair issues
If you having problems with your computer make sure your hard disks are running ok by checking out the machines file allocation table these programs below can assist.
Emsa DiskCheck 1.57
Emsa DiskCheck is a freeware dual-purpose utility for disk surface checking--prescan and full disk reading--with real conditions benchmarking. It scans the entire contents of a CD, DVD, or hard drive and shows found disk errors.
http://dw.com.com/redir?pid=10285212&merid=6255388&mfgid=6255388<ype=dl_dlnow&lop=link&edId=3&siteId=4&oId=3040-2086_4-10285212&ontId=2086_4&destUrl=http://www.download.com%2F3001-2086_4-10285212.html
Or
Drive Check 0.9
A program that will show the total available diskspace on your computer. Will add the space of all available fixed disks and show used diskspace. the program is placed in the systray for easy access.
http://dw.com.com/redir?pid=6997460&merid=81812&mfgid=81812<ype=dl_dlnow&lop=link&edId=3&siteId=4&oId=3040-2094_4-6997460&ontId=2094_4&destUrl=http://www.download.com%2F3001-2094_4-6997460.html
However, these work ok but you really should consult a computer technician for protecting your data against possible loss. However, If your going to proceed then perhaps downloading the disk checking software from your hard drives manufacturers website.
Emsa DiskCheck 1.57
Emsa DiskCheck is a freeware dual-purpose utility for disk surface checking--prescan and full disk reading--with real conditions benchmarking. It scans the entire contents of a CD, DVD, or hard drive and shows found disk errors.
http://dw.com.com/redir?pid=10285212&merid=6255388&mfgid=6255388<ype=dl_dlnow&lop=link&edId=3&siteId=4&oId=3040-2086_4-10285212&ontId=2086_4&destUrl=http://www.download.com%2F3001-2086_4-10285212.html
Or
Drive Check 0.9
A program that will show the total available diskspace on your computer. Will add the space of all available fixed disks and show used diskspace. the program is placed in the systray for easy access.
http://dw.com.com/redir?pid=6997460&merid=81812&mfgid=81812<ype=dl_dlnow&lop=link&edId=3&siteId=4&oId=3040-2094_4-6997460&ontId=2094_4&destUrl=http://www.download.com%2F3001-2094_4-6997460.html
However, these work ok but you really should consult a computer technician for protecting your data against possible loss. However, If your going to proceed then perhaps downloading the disk checking software from your hard drives manufacturers website.
Sunday, October 15, 2006
Overheating
Computer technical people are worse than plumbers! In a plumbers house there is often leaky taps because the plumber is usally to busy fixing everyone else’s water leaks rather than paying attention to their own plumbing problems. The same is often for computer techs. Well it is for this little duck!!!
The hot weather means a couple of issues for computer users. Overheating and my work shop has landed two computers needed TLC because of overheating and guess who’s machines they are? MINE they have so much fluff and dust in them I could use it to make a small portion of felt cloth. Last Saturday when Sydney in New South Wales hit 38 degrees my processor hit 96 degrees and the computer shut down to save it from combusting.
Ok so its time to get out the vacuum cleaner and make sure your PC’s has some important hot weather preparations. Dust needs to removed from the heat sink around the processor and video card processors. Fans need to be checked that they are running properly. Noisy fans need to be replaced. Often fitting additional system fans are very important but understand that wherever there is a flow of air there will be a flow of dust.
Make sure your PC has enough breathing room to allow space both behind, under and on the sides for air to circulate around the machine. Keep it off the carpet as well as this attracts a lot of dust.
Also consider air-conditioning your home, not for you but for your computer! You think I’m joking don’t you, well how many offices are air-conditioned but have a minimal compliment of personnel but have numerous computers? How many of us on a hot day find an excuse to go and hang out in the server room when we are at work? Your getting my drift?
Overheating can cause your computer lock up, reboot suddenly or slow down. Often the processor will throttle back it computations so that it doesn’t get to hot. So the more heat you can dissipate and the cooler the processor the more efficient it will run.
The following text comes from http://www.pcguide.com/ts/x/ggen02-c.html
Overheating is one of the main enemies of a reliable system. A PC that runs hot will have a shorter life span for its components, and at extremes of temperature, the possibility exists that the system will be unstable. It is even possible (though rare) for the overheating components to be damaged. The importance of system cooling is discussed in more detail here. One problem with diagnosing overheating problems is that symptoms can be related. For example, a processor overheating can lead to other components overheating; similarly, ventilation problems within the system case can exacerbate a problem cooling a processor that runs hot.
The hot weather means a couple of issues for computer users. Overheating and my work shop has landed two computers needed TLC because of overheating and guess who’s machines they are? MINE they have so much fluff and dust in them I could use it to make a small portion of felt cloth. Last Saturday when Sydney in New South Wales hit 38 degrees my processor hit 96 degrees and the computer shut down to save it from combusting.
Ok so its time to get out the vacuum cleaner and make sure your PC’s has some important hot weather preparations. Dust needs to removed from the heat sink around the processor and video card processors. Fans need to be checked that they are running properly. Noisy fans need to be replaced. Often fitting additional system fans are very important but understand that wherever there is a flow of air there will be a flow of dust.
Make sure your PC has enough breathing room to allow space both behind, under and on the sides for air to circulate around the machine. Keep it off the carpet as well as this attracts a lot of dust.
Also consider air-conditioning your home, not for you but for your computer! You think I’m joking don’t you, well how many offices are air-conditioned but have a minimal compliment of personnel but have numerous computers? How many of us on a hot day find an excuse to go and hang out in the server room when we are at work? Your getting my drift?
Overheating can cause your computer lock up, reboot suddenly or slow down. Often the processor will throttle back it computations so that it doesn’t get to hot. So the more heat you can dissipate and the cooler the processor the more efficient it will run.
The following text comes from http://www.pcguide.com/ts/x/ggen02-c.html
Overheating is one of the main enemies of a reliable system. A PC that runs hot will have a shorter life span for its components, and at extremes of temperature, the possibility exists that the system will be unstable. It is even possible (though rare) for the overheating components to be damaged. The importance of system cooling is discussed in more detail here. One problem with diagnosing overheating problems is that symptoms can be related. For example, a processor overheating can lead to other components overheating; similarly, ventilation problems within the system case can exacerbate a problem cooling a processor that runs hot.
Sunday, October 08, 2006
Wireless Woes
A Listener was speaking to me about wireless networking the other day and how much trouble she was having utilizing her network. They had gone wireless to allow their kids and other members of the family to use the internet around the house but the investment of 450 dollars worth of wireless equipment was almost down the drain.
The network would work ok for about 4 to five minutes then it would fail completely. So what could be causing it? Was it faulty equipment? Well I didn’t think so, however, I have had some experience with RF (radio frequency) interference. I went looking for devices in the house that use wireless communications.
Most wireless communications works on the 2.4 gigahertz and looking for devices in the house that might also be using this spectrum might well be a worth while exercise. On investigation we locate no more than 3 devices.
• . Cheap alarm system – that uses the 2.4ghz frequency spectrum to communicate between its sensor devices. This alarm system is basically crap because it would cause interference to the wireless network, secondly all the wireless devices require their own independent power supply so batteries are going to cost you a mint.
• 5 station cordless phone – the family used this rather than having cables installed in the house with extra outlets, whilst this is a highly advanced unit and very good at what it does it tends to interfere with the wireless networking.
• Cordless Video Sender – because they had a paytv set in the house the family wanted thr abilities to share it across the house so they purchased a couple of video senders that transmit it to tv is the house. However, they recon this never worked after they got the telephones.
All of these items will interfere with the wireless networking. Whilst you can adjust the routers channel settings to use a specific channel on the 2.4ghz spectrum it often has no effect in resolving the issues.
Well this family has a decision to make, sell off the wireless gear on ebay and cut their losses or sell off the telephone system and upgrade the alarm system. Either way they have lost money. This highlights you need to do research before going wireless.
The network would work ok for about 4 to five minutes then it would fail completely. So what could be causing it? Was it faulty equipment? Well I didn’t think so, however, I have had some experience with RF (radio frequency) interference. I went looking for devices in the house that use wireless communications.
Most wireless communications works on the 2.4 gigahertz and looking for devices in the house that might also be using this spectrum might well be a worth while exercise. On investigation we locate no more than 3 devices.
• . Cheap alarm system – that uses the 2.4ghz frequency spectrum to communicate between its sensor devices. This alarm system is basically crap because it would cause interference to the wireless network, secondly all the wireless devices require their own independent power supply so batteries are going to cost you a mint.
• 5 station cordless phone – the family used this rather than having cables installed in the house with extra outlets, whilst this is a highly advanced unit and very good at what it does it tends to interfere with the wireless networking.
• Cordless Video Sender – because they had a paytv set in the house the family wanted thr abilities to share it across the house so they purchased a couple of video senders that transmit it to tv is the house. However, they recon this never worked after they got the telephones.
All of these items will interfere with the wireless networking. Whilst you can adjust the routers channel settings to use a specific channel on the 2.4ghz spectrum it often has no effect in resolving the issues.
Well this family has a decision to make, sell off the wireless gear on ebay and cut their losses or sell off the telephone system and upgrade the alarm system. Either way they have lost money. This highlights you need to do research before going wireless.
