Saturday, November 27, 2010

External Hard Drives



Trying to find a decent present for the person who has everything can be a holiday hassle. Even when the Holidays are not around it can be a hassle. What really can you get the person who has everything? Well if the person has a computer, a removable hard drive is always an option.

Why a Removable Hard Drive?

It is simple, it is something that most people can use (even if they have one). It is not TOO expensive but nice enough that they know you didn't just grab it from a Walgreens 30 minutes ago.

What is so good about a Removable Hard Drive?

With the increasing ease of downloading music, videos, games and many other forms of bloated media the need for space is growing very fast. Fortunately the space on drives is also moving fast. They are getting quite large. But there may be more media out there than the space available on hard drive. Or close enough to make things difficult space wise. An enormous and efficient (and inexpensive) drive like the Western Digital (WD) can often cure these issues. These removable drives can be up to an amazing 2TB, which should be enough space to hold a lot of files. Or even enough for a complete backup.

Other benefits of a removable hard drive.

Like stated above. Besides having a way to store excess data there are many other uses for an external drive. A big one being of use as a medium for backup. Additionally a big use can be transferring large files or media to other computers. Things like songs and movies are perfect for this.

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Backlit Keyboard

The Dell Studio XPS 16 is a perfect blend between elegance and power, and is the perfect match for those individuals who want to show off their power side with a touch of elegance. This laptop by Dell is created to give its users the best experience in multimedia. The premium design along with its genuine leather accents, magnesium alloy body, aluminum hinges, backlit keyboard and its edgy display screen that brings even the dullest of colours alive is said to be creating great reviews in the consumer market. The laptop's screen is a 16:9 ratio that makes it ultra wide so that pictures look bigger and even more wonderful. Another feature that adds to a wonderful picture experience is the 1080 pixel screen that is definitely HD along with an optional RGB LED which is responsible again for brighter and vivid colours.

The laptop works fast and is excellent for fast paced games and movies because of the Centrino 2 platform. The battery life of the system is spellbinding and you can in fact take your system to wherever you want to without having to worry about recharging it. The wireless connectivity and Bluetooth capability makes it possible for you to stay connected to the online community and friends and family anytime. The ATI 512 MB graphics card makes it possible for those who love to entertain and be entertained to play high quality movies, videos and games. With the HDMI slot you can even connect your Dell Studio XPS 16 laptop to your HDTV and entertain yourself with long playing videos and even games. You can even connect your laptop to a dell projector so that you can conquer clients with presentations that are clear and with images that have vivid and beautiful colours.

The keyboard of the laptop has keys that are touch pad and do not require you to stress your wrists if you have to spend long hours of typing. Your fingers will in fact glide though the keyboard and at the end of a long stressful day you will not feel the pain at all. Another reason that makes the Dell Studio XPS 16 a must buy is the security feature that will give you a good nights sleep and will take away any stress that you would have had relating to the important data you have stored in your computer. The facial recognition security software system is integrated into your Dell laptop, this keeps your important information and data safe and secure, the laptop infact automatically turn off when you are away from the screen. It automatically turns on again once you arr back, and the recognition software recognizes your face.

With its solid looks and high performance multimedia and business features you will definitely find working on a Dell Studio XPS 16 enjoyable and easy.

Dell Studio XPS 16

With the Dell Studio XPS 16 laptop you can get a little bit of luxury into your life without having to spend a fortune. What is even more important is that Dell does not compromise functionality because it has focused on the laptops' beauty. Reality is that Dell has created a mean, lean and sleek monster that is not only excellent in the looks department but is also loaded with features that will take care of all your multimedia needs and business needs. These laptops look elegant with some genuine leather on the trims, magnesium alloy body and aluminum hinges that add to its look.

Another reason why the Dell Studio XPS 16 has been scoring well in the market is because of its new backlit keyboard that allows you to type in the dark and in areas that are dimly lit. A whole lot of plugs and ports also make it compatible with various peripheral devices and various technologies. This classy laptop is available at nominal prices and it is worth every penny for such excellent features and beautiful looks. The resolution of the screen is 1080 pixels that make watching hi-def graphics and videos a joy. The performance of the system's multimedia controls and screen resolutions is strong and capable to play video, graphics and games that are fast paced. This is because of the high speed 320 GB ram and the 7200 rpm hard drive that makes it better for a faster read/write performance.

The RGB LED screen makes it possible to view sharp pictures on the screen of the Dell Studio XPS 16. Even some of the most dreadful graphics that are inky and black come alive because of the resolution of the screen which makes every color look vivid and distinct. The volume level of the speakers that are integrated along with the subwoofer system can also be adjusted according to a volume level that is acceptable to you. You can easily call the Dell Studio XPS 16 as the biggest entertainment blockbuster of the year. You can get the best quality entertainment because of the various ports including the HDMI port that allows you to connect the laptop to your HDTV for a home theater experience.

The other ports that can be used on the laptop include 2 other USB ports that allow you to attach other peripheral devices. There is also an eSATA/USB jack that is shared, VGA output jacks, DisplayPort etc that take entertainment to another level. Other features that are included in the laptop are the FireWire 400 port, a 2mp webcam that makes it possible for you to video chat or even record videos that you can share at a later stage. This again is an excellent communication tool that allows you to stay in touch with your family and friends.

Remove It From

Cyber-criminals often use rogue security products to scam others online. These products are applications which feature a trial option. The application will warn of false infections and security issues so the user can buy the false software. The user is under the false implication that their computer is effected with malware and other forms of viruses. Users are subjected to multiple pop-ups and intrusions of files. These applications are in most cases installed by other spyware and viruses.The entire computer must be investigated including the files and hardware. Here is a manual guide on how to remove system security rogueware, but it is recommended for experienced techos only because of the severe damage a wrong file deletion can cause. If you have any doubts use a reputable antispyware product.

Finding The Executable File for System-Security-Rogue Software

The first step involves finding and removing the executable file of the rogue application. This can be done by opening 'Process Explorer'. A quick check should be done for names such as: "AV", "XP", etc. Users should make sure not to erase authentic processes that may have came with a pre-installed security suites (these suites usually come with the computer when purchased). If unfamiliar names have been spotted, they can be investigated using Google. Users can find out more about the process of these fake names.

Another option for finding these files is by using the "Find Window's Process" found in the Process Explorer tab. Click on the button over the windows of the threat. After doing this, release the mouse button. This will select the rogue product.

If Windows Is Unable To Close

If the window will not close, the user can press Ctrl+F and type in the names of the processes that were found earlier. The user will need to select a handle in the list that also appeared earlier (in the search process). While the Process Explorer window is open, click on the selected thread (right-click). After doing so, the user will need to close the handle. This process will need to be completed until no more handles are open anymore.

The path of the process should be recorded or written down for future reference. In Explorer, browse the path and write down the filenames. After doing so, delete the entire folder. After doing this, the only folder that should remain is the registry entries. Some of the most common files/folders that malware attach themselves to is, 'Window Logon' and 'Internet Explorer'.

Delete All Spyware Entries

The final step will involve deleting all entries that are not related with the files in the folder which were previously deleted. This entire guide will be able to help infected computers get rid of the system-security-rogue software, which can lead to further file corruption.

This procedure is risky for inexperienced users. Please make sure to use at own risk. If the user is inexperienced, it is best to use a reputable antispyware product to automatically repair your system.

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Dell Computers

Do you have a “totaled” or wiped out Dell computer? Do you want to be a more socially aware and environmentally concerned techie-owner by looking for ways to have your unit recycled? Here’s some good news! You can recycle your empty Dell computers by availing of the company’s Global Consumer Recycling Program, which aims to offer computer owners like you free, highly convenient and ecologically sound choices in order to recycle or refurbish. This social awareness project, which started in 1991, has helped thousands of computer owners worldwide and has provided a platform for them to help in the global effort to reduce solid waste. Whether a replacement product is purchased or not, the computer company will extend the free recycling service.

Dell, which uses the tagline “Dell believes no computer should go to waste” for the said project, encourages owners to free up some space by giving up useless or semi-working units and make room for better technology. The computer manufacturing giant offers an environmentally friendly method based on their Asset Recovery Services Program, which is in collaboration with the ecology and human health watchdog Environmental Protection Agency.

The company accepts any make, year or model of desktops and notebooks and they even need not be manufactured by Dell or Dell.com! The owner of an empty Dell computer can even just sit back and relax as Dell will gladly pick the unit up from the owner’s home.

Interested donors are encouraged to go online to check Dell’s official website and find out how the recycling program works.

Alternatively, an owner can recycle an empty Dell computer by dropping it off at a local plastic recycling plant. The establishment may still make use of the computer’s plastic components in order to create other products.

In case a computer unit can still be used somehow, these do not necessarily need to go directly to the recycling department. These can still be donated to a foundation which helps disabled and less fortunate children and adults in various communities. Dell will also pick the unit up from the computer owner’s home.

Indeed, to recycle an empty Dell computer will go a long way in keeping the planet clean from waste and more eco-friendly.

Printers in the Market

When it comes to a color laser printer, one needs to choose the right one. Good quality and image resolution can make all the difference between mediocre and outstanding printouts. In this article, we provide reviews of the top 5 color laser printers in the market today.

1. DELL 3000cn

Among all the printer reviews, this one tops the list with a good margin. This compact, 25 ppm monochrome, 5 ppm color printer has a 2400x600 dpi resolution. The DELL 3000cn measures about 16.7x16.5x17 inches and weighs approximately 53 pounds. It has excellent color laser output quality as well as expandability. It is also compatible with Windows, Mac as well as Linux systems. Even small sized fonts are easily readable due to the superior quality of print. Its starter toner print cartridges come with a speed of 2000 pages for black and white and 1000 pages for color printouts. What makes it top the list are its superior quality of text as well as good, solid graphics – all at a very reasonable price.

2. Oki printing solutions C3400n

This printer is high on speed with 20 black and white pages printed per minute and 16 color pages every minute. It has a resolution capacity of 1200x600 dpi. It has about 4 print cartridges with a capacity of 1000 pages each. What places it second on the list is its speed and reasonably good text and graphics, all of which come at a surprisingly affordable price.

3. Brother HL 2700CN

This color laser printer is aimed primary for office usage as opposed to home use. It has a monochrome speed of 31 ppm and color of 8 ppm. The Brother HL 2700CN comes with starter toner print cartridges with a shelf life of 5000 pages for black and white and 3000 pages for three colors. What sets this one apart are the presence of both parallel and USB 2.0 and even 10/100TX networking ability.

4. Lexmark C510

This small office beauty prints with exceptional color and sharpness. Especially targeted at small business groups, the Lexmark C510 color laser printer provides plenty of features at a very affordable price. The printer comes in three varieties, has a mono speed of 30 ppm, 8 ppm color speed and is much faster than any other pure monochrome printers.

5. Samsung CLP500

With sharpness and brilliance in its printing as well as good mono and color speeds of 20 and 5 ppm respectively, this color laser printer comes at a reasonable price. It has a color resolution of 1200x600 dpi, good print quality and is quieter compared to its counterparts. The Samsung CLP500 has a print capacity of about 600 sheets, has a 64 MB memory, has both parallel and USB 2.0. The downer for this one is its bulky appearance (it measures 20x18.5x16 inches) and heavy weight (approximately 80 pounds). It’s best suited for people for whom color quality is paramount and not so much the volume of work.

Your Home Office

So, you may quickly guess that this article is being written from a home office. I have a few ideas about saving ink and paper and am sure that everybody else working in a home office does as well. Here are some of the great and common ideas that home office denizens have come up with to save on ink, ink cartridges and paper.

Reduce, reuse

Shop for deals and returns
Try refills
Put four images on one page for draft work
Use all the ink

Do not print everything – Just because there is an image or text on the screen in front of you does not mean that you need to print it. This especially goes for internet pages. An internet page will find ink and ink cartridges working overtime to blend all the colors together for the desired look. If you must print the page use black ink only and save the other three for your presentation drafts.

Reuse/reduce – Just so it’s not left out of the mix, use both sides of the page. You might also find savings in using the legal size paper that you only used 20 sheets of. Mine sat forever until I began using it for drafts. If there is a large presentation coming up think about putting 4-6 printed pages on one page. Ink will go that much farther and since you are really just trying to get a look at how it will look the size shouldn’t matter too much. This will save loads of ink cartridge and paper.

Deals/returns- When you do run out of ink shop at a store that will give you a deal on recycling the ink cartridge. If you are replacing all four ink cartridges at one time there are stores out there that will give you $12.00, which of course will go toward the$ 60.00 or so for new ink cartridges.

Refills – Some swear by refills others do not. If they work for you go for it. Refill Ink is an individual thing and can save some cash so you decide. So try refills as it may make a difference to the overall cost.

Use all the ink The low ink window is like a bell ringing for a dog. The window comes up and a trip to the store is needed right away. Don’t be swayed. There is likely quite a bit of ink left in the ink cartridge. Remember that the ink comes out in a spray so it doesn’t take much. Use it all and then shake the ink cartridge to break any Ink clogs up, especially in humid climes.
There are like many more home office tips and tricks that can be used to save money in the home office. The real trick is to slow down half a step and think about the actions that your hands are making. If you have gotten into a particular habit you could be wasting materials like ink cartridges and ink.