Computer Basics

A computer is not just one thing but is consisted of many parts that work together. A desktop computer is a computer intended for use at a single location only. It is usually bulky and consisted of many parts connected together by wires. Here are some of the basic parts of a desktop computer.

The CPU or Central Processing Unit. This is considered as the brain of the computer. This is what processed all the information and carries out the commands in your computer. This is regarded as the most important computer part because without this, your computer will cease to function.

The RAM or Random Access Memory. This is considered to be the short-term memory of the computer. The bigger memory capacity of your computer's RAM, the more files you will be able to store and more often, the faster your computer would work.

The motherboard. This is the main board in the computer. It contains many chips and circuitry. This is where the CPU and RAM are located.

The hard drive. This is where all the computer programs and information are stored.

The floppy/CD/DVD drive. Floppy drives are used less and less. This is where floppy disks are put in. CD/DVD drives are prominent today because of the high us of CD's and DVD's. Aside from reading CD's and DVD's, computers now have the ability to store information on them through a process called "burning."

The monitor. This is the computer screen that displays whatever you are doing on the computer. Today, computer monitors come in different shapes and sizes.

The keyboard. This looks like a typewriter and is what you use to type on the computer. This also serves as a control of whatever you are doing on your computer.

The mouse. This is used to control the pointer on the computer screen. It has two buttons, left and right, that is used to click and choose things on the computer screen.

A sound card found inside a computer allows for the output of audio through a computer's speakers or headphone. A video card on the other hand allows for the output of video that is displayed in the computer. Using both of these is usually helpful when using your computer for games or for viewing videos.

The power supply. This is connected to all computer parts and is what supplies power to all parts of the computer.

Aside from the basic computer parts, there are still many other parts that can be found on a desktop computer. You can add a printer to put into hard copy the files on your computer. A speaker, to hear the computer's audio. A scanner, to put in images into the computer. A webcam, to serve as a computer camera. A modem, used to connect your computer to the internet.

You may already know the parts mentioned or may have been familiar with them only now but whichever it may be, you are now ready to get yourself a new computer. Whether you want to get a whole new computer set or just looking to get some parts upgraded or changed, you can't go wrong with Cheap Shopping Center.look through this online store. You'll be sure to find your entire computer needs here without the hassle of going out and searching computer stores one by one. Browse this site and you can get brand new or pre-owned computer parts and accessories at the cheapest prices. You are definitely going to get a bargain at this store without sacrificing quality. So go on, visit www.cheapshoppingcenter.com [http://www.cheapshoppingcenter.com] and get that perfect computer for you!

Accessories For Your Computer - Get Them Now

Having a computer nowadays is not as simple as it was ten years ago. Today, there are more computer parts and hardware that can be added on. Using a computer has also become harder. There are many applications that can be used and many computer accessories that can be utilized and needed when using a computer, may it be a desktop or a laptop.

There are computer accessories that can be used for both desktop and laptop computers. A few of them are the following: Memory cards are used as an additional and mobile storage space for computer files. Card readers can be connected to the computer to read the content of a memory card. Headphones, headsets and microphones are connected to the computer to hear and record a computer audio. Instead of using the speakers, a headphone can be used for private listening. A microphone is used for recording audio in the computer.

A headset is a headphone and microphone in one. For people who use their computers for gaming, gamepads and joystick are very useful. This allows them to play computer games easily. Webcams are used as a computer camera and is very useful when communicating with someone over the internet. There are also Infrared and Bluetooth technologies with allows wireless file transfers. Most desktop computers do not have one already installed and older models of laptops may not have one installed either. Infrared and Bluetooth devices can be connected through the USB port of the computer. A graphics or computer tablet can be connected to the computer which allows one to input hand-drawn images into the computer and is used similar to a pen and paper.

Some computer accessories can be used for desktop computers only. Power supplies are used to give power to all parts of the computer. Voltage usually depends on what country it is used. There are also available Remote controls for computers which serve the same purpose as any remote control. Desktop computers can also have changeable cases. They may either be PC cases or tower cases which are more commonly used today.

Laptop computers have a little more accessories than desktop computer have. There are batteries for laptop computers. Since it is a mobile computer, batteries are important and a back-up battery is helpful when no power outlet is available to charge the battery already drained by using the laptop. A mouse can be connected to a laptop if one is not used to using a track pad or just feels more comfortable using a mouse. There are also available docking stations for laptops which depend on what computer brand you are using. It is also important to have a laptop bag that is sturdy and durable to keep your laptop safe while travelling. Using a laptop security device is also important in keeping your laptop safe. There are available locks especially designed for laptops computers.

If you are the type of person who likes to do things on your own, you can also choose to get a repair or service manual for your computer. If you are knowledgeable and confident enough, this can save you from taking your computer to service centers for simple repairs.

If you would like to get any of these accessories for your computer or to give as a gift to someone who would appreciate them, go on the internet and type in www.cheapshoppingcenter.com [http://www.cheapshoppingcenter.com/]. This computer store has all these accessories and more for all your computer needs. At Cheap Shopping Center you will get the best value for your money without having to sacrifice quality and conveience.

Don't Confuse Refurbished Laptop Computer With Poor Quality Technology

Many shoppers confuse a refurbished laptop computer with inferior quality merchandise. In reality, nothing could be further from the truth. In a very large number of cases, computer shoppers buying a refurbished computer can make a money saving purchases. More often than not, consumer hesitations associated with purchasing a refurbished computer are overblown. These computers are very often factory re-engineered and re-tested to the same rigorous manufacturing standards as brand new computers.

In the simplest definition, a refurbished computer is a computer that has been repaired, cleaned, and restored to its original condition. These laptops have been repaired or made as good as new. A refurbished machine almost always comes with a full warranty from the manufacturer. In fact, one of the best ways to spot a quality refurbished computer is to determine if a full warranty is offered to the potential shopper. The presence of a warranty means every aspect of the refurbished laptop computer has been brought back to the original electronic specifications.

Refurbished Notebook Computers

Refurbished notebook computers offer a very healthy, pocket pleasing cost benefit. In almost every case, the refurbished notebook computer is priced well below the cost of a brand new laptop computer. All of the major laptop computer manufacturers off their refurbished notebooks at reduced prices, when compared to the price of a brand new laptop with the same specifications. Dell, Hewlett-Packard, Compaq, Apple, Lenovo and other laptop manufacturers offer refurbished laptop computers at their outlet locations on the web. Without a doubt, the smartest way to obtain a refurbished notebook computer is to buy it directly at the manufacturer's outlet store, or at one of their authorized vendors. The Manufactures themselves and their authorized vendors take great care to offer the buying public quality products at cheap prices because they want positive feedback after the sale from satisfied customers.

Of course, it is important for shoppers to research the refurbished, cheap laptops they are considering for purchase. While a refurbished notebook computer is, in general, a cheap laptop computer, it is usually the case that the hard drive and amount of ram cannot be upgraded at the time of purchase. A cheap laptop computer, such as a refurbished laptop from a major manufacture outlet store, is usually a "buy as is" item. This means that the individual components cannot be upgraded at the time of purchase. While a cheap laptop computer may not offer the purchaser upgrade options at the exact time of purchase, they are still great bargains because the warranty offers replacement services for the components that accompany the cheap laptop computer.

Cheap Laptop Computer

Cheap laptop computer is not to be confused with poor quality because they are a lot less expensive than their newer counterparts. On the contrary, since refurbished portable computers have been restored to their original specifications, they are simply less expensive than new machines. Now, it maybe the case that the computer which has been refurbished is an older model, but that does not mean it isn't fully functional or that it cannot be upgraded after the purchaser has taken possession of the computer. in fact, given that bigger hard drives, ram and new keyboards can be easily purchased from resellers of laptop parts, the cheap laptop computer is an excellent consideration for those on a tight budget, such as most college students or the retired person just learning how to use a computer for the first time.

The purchase of a cheap computer that will fit your computing needs does require some research and cost comparison before making the final purchase. Ordinarily, consideration before the purchase of a cheap laptop computer should be given to the type of software to be run on the computer, the amount of ram necessary to run the software smoothly and the weight of the entire laptop. However, the purchased of a cheap computer that has been refurbished to meet the original manufacture specifications can be a financially rewarding experience. For those on a budget and those buying a first computer, a cheap laptop computer that meets the users' researched requirements and comes with a standard refurbished computer warranty can be a very smart and rewarding approach for first time computer buyers.

Computer Appreciation For Beginners (Part 1)

To those who really want to be perfect in computer operation and understanding, this article which shall come in 'parts' will lead you gently from the basics of computer to the complex usage of the software in the system. Before one starts using the programs in the system, he or she wants understand the system components and their usage. And so I wish to let you know of the meaning of computer and probably the generations of computer.

Definition of a Computer System
Computer is defined in so many ways by so many people based on their field of specialization. A computer is a set of interrelated and interactive devices, which uses electronic components to perform a predefined operation with accuracy. But generally, a computer system may simply be defined as an electronic device, which is capable of accepting data as input, process the data, store the data and provide a result as output in human readable form. The four basic parts of a computer are Monitor, Keyboard, Mouse and System unit.

A Brief History of Computer
Computer history and development is always traced to Charles Babbage, the Father of computers and Lady Ada Lovelace, the Mother of Programming. The computer we have come to use today perfectly without any much stress and difficulty was not invented the way we have seen but passed through series of processes and stages. There exist five generations of computer as briefly discussed below:

First Generation Computer (The Vacuum Tube Technology)
This generation of computers consists of computers developed between 1944 and 1959. ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator And Calculator), EDSAC (Electronic Delay Storage Automatic Computers) and UNIVAC 1 and 11 are first generation computers. This generation of computers were very bulky, dissipates a lot of heat, some were very heavy, weighing up to 200 tons. Because of the heat, they needed special cooling system. The characteristic technology of this generation was the use of vacuum tubes as the basic building blocks for the logic parts of the computers. In terms of speed they were very slow compared with computers of later generations.

Second Generation Computer (The Transistor Technology)
The technology, which gave the distinguishing characteristics of the second -generation computers, was the transistor technology. Although this device was developed in 1948 in Bell Telephone Laboratories, and was used largely in the electronic world, it was not until 1959 that it was introduced in the manufacture of computers. These transistors replaced the bulky vacuum tubes. In addition to doing everything that the vacuum tube could do, the transistors would do so with greater reliability, with less power requirement, generate less heat, less costly to manufacture and much smaller in size. The computers developed between 1959 and 1964 are called the second-generation computers. Examples: IBM 7030, 7070, 7090, 7094, Boroughs 200 series, UNIVAC III, Honey-well 800 etc. The development of high level programming languages like FORTRAN and COBOL was another innovation brought by the second-generation computers and were 10 times faster than the first.

Third Generation Computers (Integrated Circuit Technology)
Between 1964 and 1971, the third generation computers were developed. It was the technology of integrated circuits that opened the gates to the third generation computers. In fact we can say that the integrated circuit technology really revolutionized the computer technology itself. Integrated circuits are attached to a small piece of silicon chip. This technology cam progressively from Small Scale Integration (SSI), which contained about twenty interconnected transistors and diodes, through the Medium Scale Integration (MSI) which had over hundred interconnected transistors on a single chip, to Large Scale Integration (LSI) of over tens of thousand of transistors and diodes on a single chip. The achievements of the Integrated circuit technology led to even faster, more reliable, cheap and small-sized computers, whose powers were multiple of those of the earlier generations. In deed, this generation of computers gave birth to the mini computers, whose power of operation was more than the earlier generation, greater reliability and speed, yet was far less in size and in cost. They could do hundred times as many calculations per second and hundred times faster than their second-generation counterparts could. Examples: IBM 31360 - 31370 series, CDC 6600, 7600, Boroughs B5000 and PDP II series.

The Fourth Generation Computers (VLSIC Micro Technology
The very large-scale integrated circuit (VLSIC), made possible by the micro technology of the period 1971-1982 ushered in the fourth generation of computers. VLSIC has between 5,000 and 50,000 gates (transistors), upon which micro-processors were built. The effect of this technology was smaller and smaller but more and more powerful computers whose speed and reliability trivialized those of the earlier generations. This era also produced the micro-computers that could do the job of first generation large computers with thousand of times faster speed and affordable prices even by individual. This generation also produced a wide variety of software packages like word processing packages, graphics, games, spreadsheet packages and database management systems. Networking capabilities were also enhanced in this era. Examples of the fourth generation computers include the IBM 3033, HP 3000 mini computers, Apple II, Boroughs B7700.

Fifth Generation Computers (Era of Artificial Intelligence)
The technology of this generation of computers is characterized by Super Large Scale Integration (ULSI), Ultra Large Scale Integration (ULSI), parallel processing, Artificial Intelligence, Speech Processing, Pattern Recognition and Expert System. The distinguishing characteristics of this generation of computer are their tremendous speed and power. Continuous miniaturization of computers is the order of the day, newer, smaller, more powerful computers are seen day by day. Powerful microcomputers have today dwarfed the capability of the older days mainframe. Pentium II mother board with clock speed higher than 300 MHz and hard disk storage space over 20 Gigabytes with unbelievable capabilities, are now affordable by even low income earners. Networking, ranging from local, wide area to Internets are the common features of this generation of computers and has reduced the whole world into a global village.

How to Fix Your Computer From Freezing?

It's very common to have your computer freezing up one you at least once in a while when you have too many applications running at the same time. But having a constant freeze of your computer wastes your time and you will find it difficult to get any work done. So the question is how to fix your computer from freezing?

Fix your computer from freezing is not simple but the more effective way is to prevent it from happening. That is exactly what you are going to read here. Each and every computer has something called as a computer registry which stores your data in files and folders for your use. At start up your computer will sort through the different folders and start any of the folders which have instructions to run at startup. But what if there are quite a few downloads you have got from the Internet and all are designed to run at startup?

The computer gets confused and cannot decide what to do and typically shuts down while trying to decide what to do! As a result you get the typical static scene where nothing seems to work and everything is frozen! Typical frozen computer! But you should be able to detect your computer getting stuck on you and here are a few computer signs and symptoms you will see of a slow computer.
One very common reason for your computer freezing up is because it is using nearly every availed amount of random access memory or RAM memory at that specific point of time. As a result the computer is running on almost nothing and you will have to wait till your computer has about released some extra RAM for your computer to start working again.

How to fix your computer from freezing? Well, try to avoid having many programs running at the same time. Sometimes we are tempted to get better and more software of the internet to install on your computers. But please be aware that these software programs may not be designed specifically for your computer programming system and when your computer tries to run these programs an error is caused which takes some time to process, resulting in a screen freeze.

Running multiple programs at the same time is really not a good idea at all. Select what programs you want and then delete the remaining of the free downloads which you've not used more than at least five times with a program that is given from Microsoft. But that is temporary because the root of the problem, the invalid files in your registry are not yet fixed. This is why you need a good registry cleaner program that can sort through the different programs in your computer to remove the bits and pieced of old and faulty programs which are cluttering up your system.

A big fault in your computer Windows registry or a system fault may also cause your computer to freeze and you will not be able to work well.

Now you have the answer to how to fix your computer from freezing. Well, another cause of having frequent computer freezes can also be due to viruses and make sure you run your disk protection software regularly to have your computer protected for functioning.

As said before fixing your computer from freezing is easy but to prevent it you have to maintain your computer, by using registry cleaners you can easily clean up your RAM to remove all old and unused pieces of soft ware to prepare free RAM for the computer's daily processing in a regular basis automatically. Please do get good registry cleaners to clean out your computers at least once a week.