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Your desktop computer’s motherboard probably has one or more expansion card slots which you can use to add new functions, special connection ports, or powerful graphics capabilities to your computer. These expansion cards will increase the performance of your existing system.

Best Expansion Cards for PC:

Video graphics cards:

In order to play advanced PC games, run high-definition movies, or use sophisticated image-editing software on your computer, you’ll most likely need to boost the graphics processing power with a video card. Video cards take over processing 3D graphics and other video tasks, so your computer’s CPU can focus on other functions.

SCSI controller:

Your computer may not have the correct connection ports for connecting devices using the small computer system interface (SCSI), such as hard drives or certain high-speed scanners. An SCSI controller expansion card allows you to add a port for those devices.

RAID controller:

A collection of hard drives connected in a RAID configuration can share or back up data in various ways, giving you options for backing up data or increasing storage over several drives. A RAID controller expansion card gives your computer ports for multiple hard drives through high-speed connections, usually SATA cables.

USB port card:

Most desktops do have USB ports, but the version of USB they use may be too slow. You may also have more USB devices than you have ports. A multi-port USB expansion card adds high-speed ports to your computer that works faster than simple port-splitters. The latest version of USB is version 3.0, so any USB 3.0 card you install will be backwards compatible with your old USB devices and operate much faster than older ports.

TV tuner card:

If you’re setting up a home theater PC, you may want to be able to watch and record live TV broadcasts with a tuner card. Most tuner cards will include a coaxial cable connection to which you can attach an antenna or other video source. Some tuner cards will also be able to make recordings in multiple digital video formats.

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You don’t need a desktop computer to use a printer. Even the most basic laptop will connect to a PC printer in a simple and easy way. The process is as simple as connecting both devices together using the right cable. By following just a few simple steps, you can have your printer up and running in no time.

1.Locate your printer cable.

Most printers will come with a cable packaged into the box, though sometimes they won’t.

2.Make sure you buy the right cable.

Certain printer cables will allow you to connect the printer to your laptop via a USB port, while others will use a parallel port. Check your laptop for the proper connections. USB ports are small, rectangular ports while parallel ports are generally larger and have holes for several small pins to plug into.

3.Plug one end of the cable into your printer.

This end is typically square in shape and plugs into the appropriately labeled hole on the back of the device. If you have problems locating this port on the back of your printer, consult the diagram in the printer’s manual.

4.Plug the other end of the cable into your laptop.

If it is a USB cable, then it plugs directly into a USB port. If it is a parallel port cable, then you need to plug the cable into a free parallel port on the back of your laptop and secure it into place using the two tiny screws on each side of the cable.

5.Install any software that came with the printer.

Certain printers will work as soon as they are plugged in, while others come with a CD with the necessary software and drivers needed to make it work. If your printer came with a CD, then put it into your laptop’s CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive on your laptop and install the necessary software.

6.Make sure your printer is plugged into a power source.

While some printers can be powered over the USB interface, others will need external power. Plug your printer’s power cord into a wall outlet or power strip.

 

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Some of the most powerful and interactive video games are available exclusively to PC gamers with the powerful graphics and control of gaming PCs. When you’re ready to build your own gaming computer, the computer hardware must be up to the task. This gaming PC buying guide will describe some of the options available and help you decide how to buy or build a gaming computer that will let you get in on the action.

Buying a Gaming PC:

Get into the gaming culture.

Along with the highly detailed graphics and virtual worlds, PC gamers develop interactive communities and cultures around their favorite games. This creativity spills over into the appearance of their gaming PCs as well. For fun, you can construct your machine with an elaborate PC case, exciting shapes, lights and decals. Get creative with your hardware.

Start with a motherboard.

Your gaming computer’s motherboard will host your video card and processor, as well as connections to all the other components. When choosing the motherboard, consider the type of memory (RAM) you’ll be using, as well as the type of expansion slots it has available. Your video card and sound card will require specific slots, such as PCI-Express, in order to connect to your computer. Check all of your components to make sure they’re compatible.

Add a fast processor.

Your CPU, central processing unit, must match your motherboard’s processor socket. The speed of the processor, or each individual processor core, will be measured in gigahertz (GHz). Check system requirements for games you want to play on your gaming PC, using the minimum processor speed as a buying guide.

Pick the proper PC case.

When building a gaming PC, the computer case can limit your other hardware choices. The case is really just a box to hold your motherboard and other components. The case may or may not include a power supply, fans or a liquid cooling-system. Cases are constructed to fit certain motherboards, so you may want to make sure they match before buying. Alternately, you can purchase a “barebones system” that has basic components already installed, like a processor, video controller network card and a hard drive. You can add additional hardware to a barebones system to create your ideal gaming PC. No matter what you choose, make sure to get a power supply that will amply support your hardware.

Include a video card to handle graphics.

For the ordinary user’s computer monitor, the video processor on the motherboard is usually enough. Add-on video cards have their own processor and RAM, taking the load of your CPU. Games usually list the minimum video requirements your system will need:

Memory: Most games require a minimum of 2 GB RAM, and 4 GB to 8 GB of RAM are usually preferred.

Connectors: HDMI or DVI cables are needed for high-definition computer monitors and HDTVs. Some cards may include RBG, S-Video and other types of ports as well.

View those graphics on a widescreen monitor.

A widescreen, high-definition computer monitor gives your gaming PC a great display to show what it can do in great detail. Nearly any widescreen monitor will do. If your gaming PC can handle it, you can play your games on an even larger screens and higher resolutions. A frame rate of 60 fps is standard for most monitors.

Get great sound with a sound card.

Your headphones or speakers can deliver very realistic audio if you have a good sound card. Even the most basic sound card will give your gaming PC better sound than the integrated sound on you motherboard.

Configure one or more large hard drives.

The largest single hard drives have passed 3 TB, and get larger and larger every year. You’ll probably be storing music, movies and photos on your gaming PC, too, so a large hard drive is essential. For gaming, a hard drive that spins at 7,200 rpm or faster is best. It’s also worth considering buying a SSD (Solid State Drive) to put your operating system on; these cost more, but run much faster than traditional drives and can speed up the overall performance of your PC.

Connect your gaming PC to your network.

Interactive gaming on the Web requires a fast Internet connection. Connect your gaming PC to your home network router or directly to your modem. You can even go wireless with a USB wireless adapter and a wireless router.

Get an edge with gaming mice and keyboards.

Your keyboard and mouse are the main tools for interacting with your gaming PC and, therefore, your games. Gaming mice may include extra buttons, mouse wheels and even adjustable parts. Gaming keyboards may have a small LCD screen, programmable buttons and even glowing keys.

 

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Portable music, players, digital cameras and cell phones are typically powered by rechargeable batteries. You would normally charge these items through a USB cable connected to your computer or a wall adapter, but if you are on the road without your computer, you will need other methods to charge your USB devices. With the right accessories, you can charge your USB-capable devices right in your car.

Charging USB Devices:

1.USB to 12-Volt Adapter

This type of USB charger will plug into your car’s cigarette lighter slot. USB chargers have one or more USB interfaces on the other end. You can then connect your music player or other devices via the USB cable.

2.DC-to-AC Converter

Electronics are designed to use either alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC) power sources; plugging into the wrong source without a converter can damage your USB device. If your USB device requires a specific charger which requires an AC outlet, you can plug in through a DC-to-AC converter. This converter provides you with an AC outlet and converts the DC power from your car to AC power.

3.USB Interface Cable

Some USB devices require an interface cable which transfers data as well as power. An interface cable will usually have a USB adapter on one end, with the interface connector on the other. If your vehicle features a USB port on the car stereo or through the glove box, you may be able to plug in an MP3 player or other USB audio device. You can then listen to music on the device through your stereo.

4.USB Power Adapter

Laptops and other USB devices can also charge via a power adapter. One end can plug into your USB device charger – which is connected to your car – and the other end will fit the USB device’s power slot.

Device-Charging Tip

Avoid charging USB devices in your car while the engine is not running, as this will drain the battery. If possible, leave your USB device plugged in while you drive. You will be able to power your device without letting the car idle this way.

 

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Video entertainment should be just as portable as music, and a portable DVD player goes a long way toward making your movie library available almost anywhere. The ability to play DVDs frees you from the need to manage digital movie files, and the larger screen on a portable DVD player is a big improvement over smaller digital video players. These frequently asked questions about portable DVD players will give you a better idea of their features and your portable video options.

Portable DVD Player Questions:

What forms do portable DVD players come in?

Two major types of DVD players are commonly available: fold-up models and car DVD players. The difference between these two types is how your portable DVD player is connected to your vehicle. Regular portable DVD players are stand-alone devices with the player and folding screen in the same unit. Portable DVD players for cars may have one or more screens installed in car seats or the ceiling, with a separate player in the dash or beneath the seats. A normal portable DVD player has the advantage of going with you anywhere, while the portable car DVD player is easily integrated with your vehicle’s sound system. Another, less-common, portable DVD player type features a viewing screen built into a boombox or bookshelf stereo design.

Can I play Blu-ray discs on a portable player?

Some do. Portable Blu-ray players will play both Blu-ray and DVD. If the name of a product doesn’t clarify whether it plays Blu-ray, you can check the product description for the initials “BD” which stand for “Blu-ray Disc.”

How can I get better sound from my DVD player?

A separate set of speakers can really improve the sound you get from your player, usually plugging in through the headphone jack. Your portable DVD player may also come with adapter cables for your car stereo, allowing you to use car speakers for sound.

What if I want to use headphones?

Nearly every portable DVD player has at least one headphone jack; many have two. If you want to use two sets of headphones but don’t have two jacks, you can always use an adapter cable with a splitter.

 

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The AC adapter is an important component of any laptop. Without it, it would not be possible to recharge the laptop’s battery, which is essential for portability. The AC adapter also makes it possible to use the laptop without draining battery life, helping extend battery life on long days. Laptop AC adapters are not all created the same, however, and one of the distinguishing characteristics of different AC adapter designs is their polarity.

The polarity of an AC adapter refers to the way that power flows through the cable and into the laptop itself. The power coming from a wall outlet is what is known as alternating current (or AC power), but the power needed by the laptop is known as direct current (or DC power). The AC adapter converts the AC power into DC power at the correct voltage for the laptop.

The polarity of the adapter happens in the connector that is inserted into the laptop directly. The connector is comprised of a tip and a barrel. The tip is essentially the hole in the middle of the connector and the barrel is the larger area surrounding this hole. Power can only flow in one direction, either from the tip to the barrel or from the barrel to the tip. This is what is meant by polarity.

An adapter with a positive polarity means that its tip is positive and its barrel is negative. An adapter with a negative polarity means that its tip is negative and its barrel is positive. There is no standard design, so adapters and devices are often marked with a symbol to show their polarity. The side connected to the center dot is the tip, and the side connected to the symbol shaped like a C is the barrel.

It is important not to plug an adapter with the wrong polarity into a device. It will not supply power, and in some cases can cause damage to the device or the adapter. Visit uk-online.co  to find a compatible adapter for your laptop, or view specific sections, such as Sony Laptop AC Adapters and Toshiba Laptop AC Adapters to find adapters specific to your laptop’s manufacturer.

Many computer users experience slowdowns over time with any desktop PC. Unfortunately, as a computer gets slower, many of these users decide that it is time to purchase a new PC, but with just a few simple steps, it may be possible to regain much of this lost performance and speed, making your PC more enjoyable to use. Here are a few steps you can try to speed up your desktop PC.

The main cause of a computer slowing down over time is the amount of software installed on it. Many of the programs in your computer may be running in the background, consuming resources. Go to Control Panel, then Add/Remove Programs to see if there are any unused programs that can be uninstalled.

Viruses, spyware, and other malware can often cause a computer to run much slower. If you have antivirus installed, make sure it is up-to-date and then do a full scan of your PC, removing any malware it finds. There are many good free antivirus programs such as AVG antivirus available if you do not already have one installed. Many programs start automatically whether they need to or not. Check the Startup folder in your Start menu and remove any unnecessary programs. Also, you can right-click any programs in your taskbar and look for a setting to disable automatic startup. Remember that you can always open these programs manually when you actually need them.

If your desktop PC can support more RAM than it currently has installed, it is a good idea to upgrade the RAM to the maximum amount. This can have a significant impact on performance, as it allows more programs to be run at once with less slowdown. You can find out maximum amount of memory your computer holds by contacting a parts locator service. Defragging a hard drive will often not have a significant impact on performance, but a computer that has been in operation for a long time can sometimes have a very fragmented hard drive, which can hinder performance. Use the Windows defrag tool every few months or set it to run automatically for a little better disk performance.

If you try all of the steps above you should notice increased performance from your desktop PC. It may just be enough to save you from a costly upgrade or new computer purchase.

One of the most frustrating problems many users face is that random seeming event when your computer simply will not connect to the internet. You can’t tell why, there doesn’t seem to be anything wrong, but no matter what you do, your computer just cannot seem to get online. There are however, a few common culprits that can get between you and the great wide world of web, and luckily they’re pretty easy to remedy as well.

First, do a quick cable check. If you are using a desktop computer, check the cable connections from the back of your tower, to your router (if you have one), to your modem, and finally to your wall. All connections should be tight and secure. If you’re using a laptop on a wireless connection, you should still check the cables from your router, to the modem, and finally to the wall. Also, while you’re checking your modem, check its status lights. Is it sending and receiving information? If it isn’t, you may need to contact your internet service provider.

Another simple cause of connectivity issues that happens more frequently than you’d think is actually having the wireless card enabled. Most laptops will have either a button or switch right near the keyboard to toggle the wireless card on and off. Check that this is in the “on” position. If this doesn’t fix the problem, go into your computer’s device manager and check the status of the wireless card. It may not be functioning properly, or may have been disabled manually while your wireless switch remained in the “on” position.

When in doubt, restart your modem and your router. Sometimes, they just get stuck. Routers are notoriously sensitive machines, and the tiniest thing can throw them off. Usually, unplugging either of these devices for about 10 seconds and then plugging them back in gets them to refresh themselves, which in itself can sometimes fix whatever problem you may be having.

If none of these things work, contact your internet service provider. Many times their technicians will be glad to assist you in checking everything over, and they can double check and confirm the status of your internet service as well.