IT Administration

Himem.sys and emm386 errors

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Missing either himem.sys or emm386.exe

Verify that both himem.sys and emm386 are present on the computer by typing the below commands at the MS-DOS prompt.

cd\
cd windows
dir himem.sys
dir emm386.exe

If, when typing dir for either the himem.sys or the emm386.exe file, you receive a message file not found, first verify that the file was typed in properly. If it appears that you have typed in the command properly it is likely the file is missing. Either of these files can be copied from another computer or bootable floppy diskette.

Autoexec.bat or config.sys have conflicting data or programs causing this issue

Memory managers or other TSRs can have conflicting information and cause himem or emm386 errors. If you have Windows 9x or above, rename those files by typing the below commands.

cd\
ren autoexec.bat autoexec.ch
ren config.sys config.ch

Once the files have been renamed, reboot the computer to see if issue persists. If issue persists, skip to next section.

If you are running Windows 3.x or MS-DOS 6.x or below, boot the computer step-by-step to verify if a line in the autoexec.bat or config.sys is causing your issue. To do this, as the computer is booting press the F5 key when you see the message Starting MS-DOS. You should be prompted to say Yes or No to load each line. Load each line until you get the error.

Once the error is determined, edit the file with the line that caused your error and temporarily remark that line. Additional information about the autoexec.bat and the config.sys and how to remark the lines can be found on our autoexec.bat and config.sys page.

Himem.sys or emm386.exe are corrupt

The files may be corrupt and causing the memory managers to load improperly or not at all. Replace these files with a known good himem.sys and emm386 by copying the files from a bootable floppy diskette or copying from another computer. Ensure that before these files are copied over to the computer experiencing the issue that the himem.sys and the emm386 files are deleted first.

Memory in computer is bad or corrupt

If you have completed all of the above recommendations and continue to experience the same issues, you may be experiencing a memory issue. To determine this, boot from a known good bootable diskette that loads the himem.sys and the emm386.exe files.

If, when booting from this floppy diskette, you experience the same errors, it is likely you have a hardware issue, either with your computer memory or your motherboard. In this case we recommend that the memory be replaced or that the computer be taken to a local repair store for examination.

If, however, you are able to successfully boot from a bootable diskette it is likely there may be another software or hardware related issue. We recommend that you erase all information on the hard drive and restore the operating system.

Determining how much RAM is installed and available

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To check how much RAM is available on your computer follow the steps below.

Tip: Memory (RAM) and hard drive space are two completely different things. If you want to know how much information you can store on your computer see the how to determine how much hard drive space page.

Tip: See our determining the type of memory my computer has page if you're trying to find memory specifications for upgrading your computer memory.

Windows 8 users

From the Desktop right-click on My Computer
Clip Properties. In the System Properties Window the system will list "Installed memory (RAM)" with the total amount detected. For example, in the picture below there is 8 GB of memory installed in the computer.

View used resources

To determine the amount of available system resources, including memory, as well as what is currently being utilized open the Task Manager. In the Processes tab you can see what programs are using what resources. In the Performance tab you can see an overall picture of all the system resources.

Windows Vista and 7 users

From the Desktop right-click on My Computer
Clip Properties. In the System Properties Window the system will list "Installed memory (RAM)" with the total amount detected. For example, in the picture below there is 6 GB of memory installed in the computer.

Click Start
In the Search box type "ram" without quotes and click the Show how much RAM is on this computer.

Click Start
Click System and Security
Under System, click View amount of RAM and processor speed.

Click Start
Click Settings
Click Control Panel and double-click the Systems icon.
In the General tab will be listed the amount of RAM currently installed and detected.

or

Windows 98, ME, 2000, and XP users can also run the System Information (msinfo32) program that comes pre-installed on the computer. Additional information about this program can be found on our msinfo32 definition page.

View used resources

To determine the amount of available system resources, including memory, as well as what is currently being utilized open the Task Manager. In the Processes tab you can see what programs are using what resources. In the Performance tab you can see an overall picture of all the system resources.

Windows 3.x users

Click File and then Exit Windows. At the MS-DOS prompt type mem and press enter.

See our mem command page for full information on this command.

MS-DOS users

At the MS-DOS prompt type mem and press enter.

Note: MS-DOS 6.2 will not accept or recognize more than 64 megs of RAM when typing mem.

Apple computer users

Click "About this Mac" in the Apple menu on Mac OS X to determine how much RAM is installed on an Apple Mac computer. The picture shows an example of the Apple Menu. As can be seen in the picture, the About This Mac is the first option.

Linux and Unix users

Linux and Unix command line users can use top command, which displays the total memory detected by the computer, how much memory is used, and how much is free.

Using the free command also gives you an overview of memory as well as how much of the memory is being stored in the buffers.

My laptop mouse touchpad is not working

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When the touchpad stops working, there are a few things you can do to try and fix it or work around the issue.

Tip: Since some of the settings do require you to navigate the computer using a mouse cursor, for troubleshooting purposes, you can use the Trackpoint on the laptop or connect a PS/2 or USB external mouse to the laptop as a temporary fix. If you cannot get an external mouse to work, see our navigating Windows with the keyboard page for tips on how to use the keyboard to navigate in Windows.

Other USB device

Some USB and PS/2 devices, especially any USB input device (including a computer mouse), can disable the touchpad. As a troubleshooting step, turn off the computer, disconnect all USB devices, then start the computer again to make sure an external device is disabling the touchpad. If this fixes your problem, but the touchpad is disabled again the next time you connect the device, check your touchpad software settings for a setting that can prevent this from happening.

Check mouse settings

First, in the Windows Control Panel, access the mouse settings and verify the touchpad is enabled. Also, you can adjust the sensitivity of the touchpad to work best for your fingers. Check these settings to make sure something was not disabled or adjusted to cause the touchpad to not work.

Check Device Manager

Second, open the Device Manager and check through the device list to find the touchpad. Check to see that it is enabled. If disabled, re-enable it and test the touchpad. If it is already enabled, change it to disabled, then re-enable it again. Sometimes toggling this setting can kick-start the touchpad into working again.

If there are any yellow exclamation marks, red X's or "Other devices" in Device Manager, any of these errors can indicate there is a problem with hardware in your computer that may be causing the touchpad problems.

Check CMOS (BIOS) setup

Make sure the touchpad has not been disabled in the CMOS (BIOS) setup. In the setup, check the hardware device settings and see if the touchpad is enabled or disabled. If disabled, re-enable it, restart the laptop, and test the touchpad.

Software driver issues

If the above options do not fix the problem, the software driver for the touchpad may be corrupted or not updated enough to work correctly. Visit the laptop manufacturer's website and download the most current touchpad driver for your specific laptop model. Install the driver, restart the laptop, and test the touchpad to see if it works.

Hardware defect

Lastly, if the touchpad still is not working correctly or at all, you may need to take it to a computer repair shop and have it fixed. It could require replacement of the touchpad itself or another component in the laptop. If you cannot repair the touchpad, connect and use an external mouse as a workaround.

How can I keep my laptop cool?

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Keeping your laptop cool is essential to preventing it from overheating. Excess heat build-up in a laptop can result in the laptop overheating, which could cause damage to the internal components. When a laptop overheats, most often it will shut down automatically in an attempt to prevent any damage.

Preventing heat build-up is important and should be considered when purchasing and using a laptop. To help reduce heat build-up and keep the laptop cool, you can use a cooling pad.

Cooling pads come in multiple varieties. Some are basic pads, which allow for better airflow on the underside of the laptop, where heat build-up is more common to occur. Other cooling pads have fans built-in to help pull heat away from the laptop, thus improving airflow and keeping the laptop cool.

You can purchase cooling pads from most computer retailers and online. Prices range from $15 to $75, or more for the really nice ones. However, cooling pads in the $35 to $50 are typically adequate for most everyday laptop cooling needs. We recommended a cooler pad with a built-in fan since it will offer a much better cooling solution. Most, if not all, of those cooling pads plug into the laptop for power, using a USB connector. They are light-weight, and most are pretty quiet when running.

Short of buying a cooling pad, another way to keep your laptop cool is to place the laptop on a table or flat, hard surface when using it. This allows the bottom of the laptop to be elevated above the surface it is sitting on, which keeps air flowing underneath and around it. Also, make sure there are no objects sitting close to either side of the laptop. Many laptops push warm air out the sides of the laptop, and if the sides are partially or completely blocked by an external object it will prevent heat from escaping. The heat could build up and cause the laptop to overheat.

Also, try to use the laptop in an environment that is not too hot or humid, as this can cause excess heat to build up in the laptop.

Desktop computer vs. Laptop computer

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When deciding between purchasing a desktop computer or a laptop computer, you'll need to consider a handful of criteria and make a determination that fits your needs the best. Below is a chart that compares the two types of computers, providing pros and cons for each to help you make a more informed purchasing decision.

Topic	Desktop	Laptop
Cost	There is a wide variety of component options available for desktops, allowing for a large range of prices, but the starting point is relatively cheap. Desktops can start as low as $400 for a full package (computer & monitor) and still be a pretty powerful system	Laptops can have a fairly wide variety of component options but are more limited than desktops. To get a more powerful laptop (higher speed, better graphics, more storage space, etc.), the price can be considerably higher, getting up to $1500 or more, depending on the brand.
Portability	Desktops are large in size and have a separate monitor. While it's possible to take a desktop from place to place, it's cumbersome and not the choice for portability. They are designed to be used in a single location and not moved around much, if at all.	Laptops are very portable due to their compact size. They were designed to be taken from place to place, carried in a backpack or laptop carrying case. They are great for on-the-go use.
Processor	Desktop processors are a little bit larger in size, but this also allows for more powerful processors to be used in a desktop. Advanced processors on the market are typically available in desktop computers first.	Laptop processors have nearly caught up to desktop processors, but are still limited when compared to desktop processors. Gaming laptops can have an equal performance, but have a much higher price.
Ease of use	Setting up a desktop takes some extra work to hook everything up and get it up and running. It also requires more space to set up. While it's not difficult to connect everything together, it is still more cumbersome than a laptop.	Laptops are built to be easy to use, requiring little time to get running. Take it out of the box, plug it in and press the power button. Within minutes, the laptop is ready to use.
Keyboard	Desktops can make use of full size keyboards, including a number pad. There are really no limitations.	Smaller laptops with the 14" and 15" screens typically have smaller keyboards and don't feature a number pad on the right side. Larger laptops with 17" screens do have larger keyboards, featuring a number pad, but the laptops are bulkier and heavier.
Screen size	Desktop monitors range from 15" on up. It is even possible to hook up a desktop to a TV, so screen sizes could be as large as a TV. This provides for great flexibility on what the desktop is used for and in what environment.	Since portability is a big feature of laptops, smaller screen sizes are necessary and screen sizes typically range from 10" to 17". However, a laptop can still be connected to an external display and support any size of monitor, screen, or projector.
Upgrading	Most components in a desktop are easily removable, making it easier to upgrade and since desktop cases are usually much bigger they're easier to work in when doing any upgrading.	Memory and hard drive are about the only components that can be upgraded in a laptop. The remaining components are all built-in and not removable. A need to upgrade anything else requires a new laptop.
Gaming	Desktops are capable of using high-powered video cards that have higher power requirements and require better heat reduction/dissipation. Due to the space in a desktop and the capability of using 1000+ Watt power supplies, virtually any video card could be used in a desktop, including two or more video cards at the same time.	Space is limited in a laptop, which limits the graphics capabilities. While some of the higher end laptops can provide some pretty nice graphics for gaming and CAD-based applications, the heat reduction/dissipation is limited because there just is no space available to use a larger heat sink and fan. Power is also limited which doesn't allow for video cards needing those higher amounts of wattage to run.
Repair	Repairing a desktop computer is much easier since most of the hardware can be easily purchased off the shelf of any local computer retail store.	For most users opening a laptop to repair a part can be difficult and finding a replacement part often requires calling the computer manufacturer or ordering from another online site.

In the end, the final decision depends on what your needs are. While the above chart may make it look as though Desktop computers are the best overall option, if portability is a big need of yours, the laptop is the best option. There are some limitations to consider, but they are not overly significant for most users.

However, if you want the most bang for your buck and portability is not necessary, a desktop is likely the best choice especially if price is important. Desktops are optimal choices for graphic intensive gaming, use of CAD applications, and for those who prefer to have the option of upgrading more easily. However, they are also perfectly fine for the basic computer user who just needs e-mail and Internet access.

Laptop AC adapter doesn't work

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If you are experiencing a problem where you laptop's AC adapter not work or is not working correctly there are several things you can check before looking to buy a new adapter.

Verify adapter plugged into a wall outlet

Make sure the AC adapter is firmly and securely plugged into the wall outlet. This may sound obvious, but many times the adapter can become loose without even knowing. If it's not plugged in all the way, it can make it seem like the adapter is not working, but it may just not be getting power from the wall outlet. When in doubt a good way to make sure it is plugged in properly is to disconnect and then reconnect the connection.

Check adapter indicator light

Many laptop AC adapters have a power indicator light on the adapter brick. Check for this indicator light and if there is one, make sure it is light up with a green light. This means the adapter is at least receiving power.

Check the wall outlet itself

Some wall outlets require a light switch to be in the on position in order for the outlet to be active. Many newer houses, apartments, and condos feature this type of wall outlet. If the light switch is on, verify the wall outlet is working in general. Use a volt meter to measure the power output and verify the outlet is functioning properly. Alternatively you can also try another wall outlet. Also, double check the circuit breaker and make sure nothing is tripped or turned off.

Check adapter brick connection

Most laptop AC adapters come in two pieces. Make sure both of those pieces are connected firmly and securely. The two pieces connect at the rectangular box piece, often called the brick. This connection can become loose or disconnected relatively easily, so want to make sure the connection is good.

Adapter plugged into laptop

This may seem obvious as well, but the adapter can become disconnected from the laptop pretty easily. The metal tip on the adapter cord needs to be firmly attached to the laptop in order for the laptop to receive power from the adapter. Also, in either the metal tip on the adapter or the connection on the laptop, there is often a small metal pin. Make sure this pin is not bent or broken as that can cause a problem with the laptop receiving power from the adapter.

Laptop power connection port

This is a bit more difficult to check or diagnose. The power connector is connected directly to the laptop's motherboard, usually through one or more solder points. If a solder point is damaged or has broken away from the motherboard, this will prevent the laptop from getting power from the AC adapter. Fixing this requires very precise work with either soldering the power connector back onto the motherboard or replacing the power connector itself, if it is defective. In some cases, this kind of problem is not repairable and will require a replacement of the motherboard or power board.

If you think this may be your problem, it is something that's best left to the expert technicians who may need to take apart the laptop to get the motherboard or power board and diagnose the problem.

Replacement

If you have determined the AC adapter is not working properly and needs to be replaced, you can get a replacement from the laptop manufacturer who sells an exact replacement or compatible universal AC adapter.

You can also opt to purchase a universal AC adapter from a local or online electronics retailer. One brand to look for is Targus, which is a quality brand and a popular choice. Targus makes several universal AC adapters which work for many laptop brands and models. Make sure you purchase one that matches the specs of your existing AC adapter, including the voltage and amperage. Also, check the packaging to make sure it will work for your laptop brand and model.

Is it normal for a laptop power adapter to be hot?

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When a laptop power adapter is plugged in to a laptop and the laptop is turned on, you will notice the adapter may be warm to the touch. The more the laptop gets used, the warmer the adapter may become. A relatively warm power adapter is normal, especially when the laptop is being used and the battery is being charged.

However, if the adapter is quite hot, enough that it could hurt your hand after touching it for just a few seconds, this is a potential problem. An adapter that hot is a warning sign that something could be wrong with the adapter or the laptop.

The first thing to check is whether the laptop battery is gaining any charge with the adapter plugged in. If it is, then the issue is most likely with the adapter itself. If the battery is not charging, there could be an issue with the power connection in the laptop as well as the adapter.

Also, check the adapter end that connects to the laptop and the power connection on the laptop for any possible damage, including a bent pin inside the connector or any bend/break marks in the metal jacket of the connector. If you notice any damage, replace the adapter or have the laptop repaired.

If you notice the adapter is very hot, turn off your computer and unplug the power adapter from the wall outlet. Let it cool down completely, then plug it back in to the wall outlet and turn on the laptop. Monitor the temperature of the adapter for a little while and if it becomes very hot again, it is recommended that you take the laptop and power adapter to a computer repair shop and have them check it over. An issue like this is not something you want to ignore, as it could cause serious damage to a laptop or even potentially start a fire.

Laptop computer doesn't turn on

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Note: If this is a desktop computer follow the POST troubleshooting steps.

Troubleshooting a laptop computer that doesn't boot can be a lot more difficult than a desktop computer, because of the inability of being able to remove hardware in the computer. Below are troubleshooting steps to help identify what is causing a laptop from booting.

Connect power cable

If your laptop is only running on battery power, connect the power cable to make sure the battery is not dead and causing this problem. Make sure the cable is properly plugged in on both ends.

Disconnect from docking station

If your laptop is connected to a docking station, disconnect it to verify it's not the cause of your issue.

Remove any external peripherals

While troubleshooting this issue, disconnect any external peripherals such as an external mouse, USB devices, etc. to make sure they're not the cause of your issue.

Remove and reconnect battery

It's possible that the laptop could be in a power state preventing it from booting properly. Try disconnecting the power cable and remove the battery from the laptop. Once done, leave both disconnected from the computer for at least a minute. After a minute put the battery back in the computer, connect the power cable, and try turning the computer on again.

Bad hardware

If after following the above steps your laptop computer continues to not turn on, unfortunately, it's likely a component within the laptop has failed. We suggest contacting the manufacturer of the laptop for recommendations on how to get it repaired.

My PC Card (PCMCIA) does not fit in my laptop

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New computers

If you have a newer laptop computer (2004 and later), make sure your laptop supports PC Cards (also commonly referred to as PCMCIA card). Many new laptops are replacing the older PC Card standard with the newer ExpressCard standard, which does not support older PC Cards.

If you have a computer that is using the new ExpressCard you must replace all your existing PC Cards with ExpressCard equivalents or when purchasing new expansion cards only purchase ExpressCards. Attempting to force a PC Card into an ExpressCard slot will damage the computer.

Older computers with PC Card and PCMCIA slots

Disclaimer: Whenever trying to put a PC Card in the computer never force the card into the computer. A PC Card should go into the laptop with very little or no difficulty. Finally, not all PC Cards are hot-swappable. If you're having difficulty inserting a PC Card we suggest you turn off the computer and troubleshoot the slot while they computer is off.

If you're using a laptop older than 2004 or have verified your laptop is using the PC Card standard and not the ExpressCard standard as mentioned above try following the below suggestions.

Verify the PC Card type is supported on your computer. All laptops with two PC Card slots support types 1, 2, and 3. Slimmer laptops or other portable devices that support PCMCIA may not support all these cards.
Make sure all dongles or other attachments that can be removed are disconnected from the card.
ExpressCards are not compatible with PC Cards, therefore cannot be properly inserted into these slots.
Remove all other cards. If you have more than one PC Card, try removing the other card before installing the card you're having difficulty installing. If you're able to insert the card with the other card removed it's likely an incompatibility between the two cards.

How do I clean my laptop?

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Unfortunately, unlike the standard desktop, a laptop is not as easy to open and clean. However, there are still several steps an end-user can do to clean and maintain their laptop or portable device.

Before cleaning any computer, we suggest the computer first be turned off and unplugged. Also, because you're going to be cleaning the laptop, we also suggest you removing the laptop battery.

Cleaning laptop case

Cleaning the exterior portion of the laptop case can help keep the laptop looking new. The exterior case of a laptop can be cleaned by using a damp cotton cloth that has been dampened with water. It is not recommended that the exterior case of the laptop be cleaned with household cleaning solutions. However, if there is a substance on the laptop that cannot be cleaned with water, we suggest using rubbing alcohol.

Cleaning case openings

If dust, dirt, hair, or other substances are in the case openings, it can prevent air from getting into or out of the laptop. This can cause the overall heat of the laptop to increase, and in some cases may also cause such issues as random reboots.

Look for laptop openings where the laptop draws in cool air from outside or blows out any hot air from the inside of the laptop. These openings are usually on one of the sides, the back, or the bottom of the laptop. Dust, dirt, hair, or other substances can almost always be removed using a cotton swab or compressed air.

Caution: If you're using compressed air to clean the openings that have fans within them, it's possible that the amount of air blown on the fans can cause them to over spin, damaging or destroying the fan. To help prevent this issue, place something in-between the fan blades, such as a toothpick.

Cleaning laptop keyboard

Like almost everything else on a laptop, a keyboard is also different from the standard computer keyboard. With many laptop keyboards the keys cannot be completely removed. Therefore, we suggest cleaning the keyboard by using the same damp cloth you used to clean the exterior case of the laptop. In addition, compressed air can be used to spray any dust, dirt, or hair from in-between the keys.

If you've spilt something onto the laptop keyboard (like a soda) that's causing the keys to stick and cleaning it does not help we suggest that you have the laptop repaired since the keyboard cannot be replaced.

Cleaning laptop mouse (touchpad)

Cleaning the laptop touchpad can help improve the look of the laptop and also many times help improve the responsiveness of the touchpad. To clean the touchpad surface, use the same damp cloth used to clean the exterior of the laptop.

Cleaning the LCD

Additional information about cleaning LCD and flat panel displays can be found on our main cleaning page.

Cleaning internal laptop components

Cleaning the inside of a laptop computer can be a difficult task. However, in some situations, it may be necessary because of excessive dust and dirt buildup within the computer, such as on the processor's heatsink.

Unfortunately, however, because of the complexity often involved in disassembling the laptop to reach many of these areas, Computer Hope cannot provide this information online for every laptop ever made. If you believe after cleaning your computer that it is still overheating because of dust and dirt buildup, we suggest taking the laptop to an authorized repair center.

Other cleaning information and help

Additional information and help with cleaning other portions of computers as well as discs and other computer related peripherals can be found on our main cleaning page.

Can I use my laptop display for my Desktop?

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Note: This document is pertaining to users who want to user only their laptop display as a primary or secondary display and not the computer. If you have a functioning laptop and want to use it as a primary or secondary display see the multiple monitor display on my computer page.

Unfortunately, it is not possible to directly connect your desktop computer to your laptop and use it as the display. A laptop communicates to its display much more different than a desktop.

However, if you have a good understanding of electronics with lots of time on your hands, and no longer need the LCD on the laptop the LCD from the laptop and manually solder a connection from the desktop to the laptop. For steps on how to do this we suggest doing a search for your laptop or LCD manufacturer and look for any documentation or videos on how to do this.

What can I upgrade in a laptop?

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Unlike a desktop computer, laptops and other portable computers often do not offer many upgrade options. Below is a listing of common laptop upgrade questions and the answers to each of the questions regarding laptop and portable computer upgrades. These upgrades refer to the upgrade done to a laptop after it has been purchased.

What can I upgrade in my laptop?

This answer varies on the manufacturer and model of the laptop or portable computer. However, the majority of laptops and other portable computers only allow a user to easily upgrade the system memory, hard drive, and have options for a better battery.

Can I upgrade the memory in my laptop?

Almost every laptop and portable computer allows a user to upgrade the memory (RAM) in the computer. Often this is done by opening a compartment on the bottom of the laptop and adding or removing and adding a new stick of memory.

Many times you must purchase the memory for your laptop through the laptop manufacturer or an authorized dealer. However, many memory manufacturers and companies also make compatible memory for many of the newer laptops. If you have questions about your laptops memory specifications or how to upgrade the memory you should contact the manufacturer of your laptop.

A listing of memory manufacturers and related web pages can also be found on our memory network section.

Can I upgrade the processor in my laptop?

Some laptop and portable computer manufacturers allow their customers to upgrade their processor speeds. However, if available seriously consider the upgrade in speed and the cost, often for the amount of money spent and the little increase in performance it may not be worth the upgrade. This upgrade often requires the laptop computer or portable computer manufacturer or authorized repair shop to perform the upgrade and is not something an end-user will be able to do.

If you are curious about the availability of upgrading your laptop or portable computer processor and the cost involved you must contact the laptop manufacturer for additional information.

Can I upgrade my video card in my laptop?

Some new high performance laptop and portable computer manufacturers are coming out with models that enable users to upgrade the video card or video accelerator it came shipped with. Unless your one of the lucky few who have one of these laptops or portable computer you will not be able to upgrade your video card.

If you are unsure contact the laptop manufacturer for additional information.

Can I upgrade other peripherals such as the modem or network card?

We are unfamiliar with any laptop or portable computer manufacturer that offers an upgrade for the internal modem or network card that the laptop or portable computer comes with. However, users can purchase a new PC Card or ExpressCard modem, network card, and numerous other peripherals and use these in the PC Card slot as a replacement for the internal component that came with the computer.

Can I upgrade the laptops LCD to a bigger size?

We are unfamiliar with any laptop or portable computer manufacturer that offers an upgrade for the LCD or screen that comes pre-shipped with the computer. Therefore this is not an upgrade option. However, you can always connect the laptop to an external monitor or display of any size.

Can I upgrade the laptops hard drive?

Most manufacturers allow a hard drive to be replaced by a larger hard drive or even a traditional hard drive to an SSD hard drive. For laptops that allow the user to easily replace the hard drive, there is usually a compartment that allows access to the hard drive.

Alternatively you can consider an external hard drive solutions such as USB or Firewire drives. Although these solutions will be an external solution and may hinder the portability of the computer it is often easier and may be the only option if your laptop hard drive is not easily accessible.

Save to file partition information

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Below is a listing of various solutions to issues and information relating to phdisk and hdprep.

After adding additional memory, receiving PHDISK or HDPREP or save to file error

Because the partition or file is created based on the amount of memory installed in the computer at the time the software is installed, errors can occur because the PHDISK partition or HDPREP file is too small.

If, after adding additional memory, you encounter errors relating to PHDISK or HDPREP, it is recommended that you reinstall or setup the partition or hard drive again.

After upgrading to Windows 98 with FAT32 or Windows NT and NTFS, encounter errors

It may be required that a BIOS update or updated PHDISK or HDPREP be obtained. Contact the computer manufacturer for these updates.

Note: BPB error is also caused by PHDISK when the incorrect PHDISK version is being used in conjunction with FAT32.

After installing Windows 2000 receive issues with PHDISK or HDPREP

Windows 2000 has its own save to file utility and because of this, it may cause issues with the pre-existing utility. Because Windows 2000 has its own utility it is recommended that you disable or remove the pre-existing utility. It may also be necessary to update the computer BIOS as well.

Errors with phdisk after installing third-party disk management utility

If, after installing or using a third-party disk management utility, such as partition magic, encounter issues with phdisk; either the third-party disk management utility needs to be installed or upgraded to the latest version, or the save to file utility needs to be disabled on the laptop.

How to update or install phdisk

Below is a listing of steps on how to install or update phdisk. It is important to note that the laptop computer BIOS must be a Phoenix BIOS with support for Phdisk. In addition, if 100% of the hard drive is being utilized you cannot create a PHDISK partition. PHDISK requires that a percentage of the hard drive be available for the partition to be created.

To determine if the hard drive is utilizing 100% of the hard drive use fdisk and display the partition information.

Install or locate PHDISK on the hard drive. PHDISK will be PHDISK.EXE or M2PHDISK.EXE. If you do not have PHDISK it is recommended it be downloaded from the computer manufacturer's website.
If not already verified, ensure that available partition space is available for the PHDISK partition.
Once located, type PHDISK /CREATE
The is the size of the partition that will be created using PHDISK. This size is determined in KB but in some cases may also be configured in MB.

Additionally, if your computer originally came configured with PHDISK already configured and has manufacturer software such as a restore CD or diskettes, reinstalling this software also restore the PHDISK partition.

If you are unable to create this partition using PHDISK or restoring the computer with the restore software does not resolve the issue, it is recommended that you contact the computer manufacturer, or you may want to consider disabling the save to file partition option.

How to update or install hdprep

Below is a listing of steps on how to install or update HDPREP save to file option. It is important to note that the laptop computer BIOS must be an AMI BIOS with support for HDPREP. Unlike PHDISK, HDPREP information is stored in a file and not a partition.

Install or locate HDPREP on the hard drive. HDPREP will be HDPREP.EXE. If you do not have HDPREP it is recommended it be downloaded form the computer manufacturer's website.
Verify that the hard drive has at least 150MB of available disk space before creating the HDPREP file.
Once HDPREP is located or installed, type HDPREP /CREATE
If done successfully a prompt with instructions on where to store the file as well as how big the file should be shown.

Additionally, if your computer originally came configured with HDPREP already configured and has manufacturer software such as a restore CD or diskettes, reinstalling this software also restore the HDPREP file.

If you are unable to create this partition using HDPREP or restoring the computer with the restore software does not resolve the issue, it is recommended that you contact the computer manufacturer, or you may want to consider disabling the save to file partition option.

How to disable save to file partition

To disable the save to file option, enter the computer CMOS and locate "Save to File" located under the Power menu. Set this option to disabled.

If this is not available or does not resolve the issue, disable all Power Management.

If the above recommendations do not disable the save to file partition option and you continue to receive errors relating to Save to File, it is recommended that you contact the computer manufacturer for additional recommendations or solutions.

Can I upgrade to hdprep from phdisk?

Because these utilities are dependent on the computer BIOS you cannot upgrade from phdisk to hdprep or from hdprep to phdisk.

In addition, if your laptop did not support PHDISK or HDPREP unless there is an available BIOS update you cannot upgrade to PHDISK or HDPREP.

Can I build my own laptop computer?

2014-11-09T20:00:00.000+05:30

Building a laptop computer is possible, however, it is generally recommended that you purchase a prebuilt machine with custom upgrades to suit your needs. The logic behind this recommendation is because building a laptop is more difficult than building a desktop computer for many reasons.

Why avoid building a laptop?

Many of the parts in a laptop are proprietary, making for distinct and oftentimes insurmountable difficulties with respect to compatibility.
Although some parts (e.g. RAM and hard drives) are interchangeable, other parts like motherboards, laptop cases, screens, video cards, network cards, are harder to find for general purchase.
Most large retailers do not carry laptop parts, so they usually need to be purchased online.
Laptop computer requires more electronics knowledge than desktops do as they have less Plug and Play parts.
Access to laptop parts for consumers may require a license or a special account.

Can you get files and data after a hard drive has been reformatted?

2014-11-09T19:00:00.000+05:30

Formatting a hard drive using a standard formatting utility or the built-in format functionality in the operating system (Windows or Mac OS) technically erase all files from the computer.
However, in some situations you can restore data and files on a formatted hard drive as long as that information has not been overwritten by new data. There are a number of software programs on the market that offer the capability of recovering deleted files, as well as companies that offer the service. If you need to recover files that were on your formatted hard drive, using a data recovery utility is a good way to go. If the data recovery utility does not work for you, you can pay a company that specializes in data recovery to recover your files. These companies, however, typically charge several hundred dollars or more for their services, whereas a data recovery utility costs less than a hundred dollars.

How to recover missing, lost, or deleted files.

If you do not want any of your old data to be recoverable, writing over all of the information is the safest solution without destroying the hard drive.

How to make sure all data is erased on a computer hard drive

Another option, if you do not intend to use the hard drive ever again, is to drill a hole or two into and through the entire hard drive. This process destroys the magnetic disk platters inside the hard drive, rendering the drive inoperable and unreadable.

The hole-drilling method is usually desirable if the computer is being thrown away or recycled. However, if the computer is being donated, overwriting all information on the drive is the best solution.

When I delete a file on my computer, where does it go?

2014-11-09T18:00:00.000+05:30

When you delete a file on a Windows computer, it is moved to the computer's Recycle Bin, and the Recycle Bin's icon changes to one that looks like pieces of paper crumpled up and thrown away in a trash can. Later, when you empty the Recycle Bin, the icon changes back to one that looks like an empty trash can and the files are deleted. However, what happens to the deleted files? Where do they go?

When a file is deleted, the computer is removing the reference to the file. The file header is removed so that the computer can no longer see the file and makes it as though it is gone. The space the file took up is no longer reserved for that file, and any new file can be stored in the same space as the deleted file.

What does this mean? The file is for all intensive purposes is no longer readable by the computer. However, the file is still on the hard drive, at least until another file is saved in the same location (on the hard drive) as the deleted file currently resides.

Because the file is technically there, it may be able to be recovered using data recovery software, designed to rebuilt the file header and allow the computer to see the file again. This software only works if no other file or data has been saved over the top of the deleted file.

What is the difference between a quick format and a full format?

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There comes a time when a hard drive or other storage device needs to be erased so that it can be re-used, sold, or donated. How best to erase the data is the decision that needs to be made. There are two main options in Windows for erasing data: Quick Format and Full Format.

A Quick Format is just that, quick. In order to make the formatting process quick, the drive is not checked for bad sectors. Anyone looking at the hard drive or storage device would not see any data and assume the drive is erased. Unfortunately, the files are actually still there and the volume could be re-built, to gain access to the files again.

A Full Format runs an additional step that checks the hard drive for any bad sectors. This check is what makes the full format take so much longer than a quick format. Unfortunately, just like the quick format the files still exist and the volume could be re-built to gain access to any of the files on the drive again.

If you are planning to re-use the drive and don't believe anything is wrong with the drive, a quick format is adequate since you are still the owner. If you believe the drive may have problems or are encountering problems with the computer, a full format is a good option to make sure no issues exist with the drive.

If you want to sell or donate the drive and there is sensitive information on the drive, we highly recommend securely erase all information on the hard drive.

Advantages of SSD over HDD

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The standard hard drive (HDD) has been the predominant storage device for computers, both desktops and laptops, for a long time. The main draw is the storage size and low cost. Computer manufacturers can include large hard drives at a small cost, so they've continued to use HDDs in their computers. The solid state drive (SSD) is available and can replace an HDD relatively easily. As you'll find by reading the below pros and cons, the SSD is a clear winner, but because of the price it still doesn't make sense to use SSDs for all uses. For most computer users, we suggest using SSD as a primary drive for your operating system and most important programs and then having either one or more HDD inside the same computer or an external HDD to store files like pictures and music, which doesn't need the fast access times of SSD.

Topic	SSD	HDD
Access time	An SSD has access speeds of 35 to 100 micro-seconds, which is nearly 100 times faster. This faster access speed means programs can run more quickly, which is very significant, especially for programs that access large amounts of data often like your operating system.	A typical HDD takes about 5,000 to 10,000 micro-seconds to access data.
Price	The price of a solid state drive is much more than an HDD which is why most computers with an SSD only have a few hundred gigabytes of storage. Desktop computers with an SSD may also have one or more HDDs for additional storage.	HDD is much cheaper than SSD, especially for drives over 500GB.
Reliability	The SSD drive has no moving parts. It uses flash memory to store data, which provides better performance and reliability over an HDD.	The HDD has moving parts and magnetic platters, meaning the more use they get, the faster they wear down and fail.
Capacity	Although there are large SSDs realistically for most people's budgets anything over 512GB SSD is beyond their price range.	Several terabyte hard disk drives are available for very reasonable prices.
Power	The SSD uses less power than a standard HDD, which means a lower energy bill over time and for laptops an increase of battery life.	With all the parts and requirements to spin the platters the HDD uses more power than an SSD.
Noise	With no moving parts SSD generates no noise.	With the spinning platters and moving read/write heads an HDD can sometimes be one of the loudest components in your computer.
Size	SSD is available in 2.5", 1.8", and 1.0", increasing the available space available in a computer, especially a desktop or server.	HDDs are usually 3.5" and 2.5" in size, for desktop and laptops respectively with no options for anything smaller.
Heat	Because there are no moving parts and due to the nature of flash memory, the SSD generates less heat, helping to increase its lifespan and reliability.	With moving parts comes added heat, which is why the HDD generates more heat. Heat can slowly damage electronics over time, so the higher the heat, the greater the potential of damage being done.
Magnetism	SSD is not affected by magnetism.	Because a hard drive relies off magnetism to write information to the platter information could be erased from an HDD using strong magnets.

Advantages of SATA over PATA

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There are two types of hard drive connections that a computer could have: Parallel ATA (PATA) and Serial ATA (SATA). SATA is most commonly used in nearly all computers today, due to below mentioned advantages.

Advantages

Increased data transfer rate

The primary reason SATA is used over PATA is because of the increased data transfer speeds with that SATA. PATA is capable of data transfers speeds of 66/100/133 MBs/second, whereas SATA is capable of 150/300/600 MBs/second. The speed differences are due to the various flavors of PATA and SATA, with the fastest speeds being the latest version of each currently available. You'll notice that SATA's slowest speed is still faster than PATA's fastest speed. The improved speed of SATA allows for programs to load faster, as well as pictures and larger documents. For video game enthusiasts, faster data transfer speeds can mean better gaming experiences (i.e. smoother game-play).

Easy cable management and cable length

Another advantage of SATA over PATA is the length of the cable connecting the hard drive to the computer motherboard. The max length of a PATA cable is 18-inches, whereas a SATA cable can be up to 3.3 feet (1 meter) in length. This allows for more flexibility on where a hard drive can be mounted in a computer case.

Increased airflow

SATA cables are also smaller in size than a PATA cable, allowing for increased airflow inside the computer case and decreased heat build up. This can help improve the overall life of a computer.

Support for more drives

There are typically four to six SATA connections on a computer motherboard, allowing for multiple SATA hard drives to be hooked up. There are usually only two PATA connections on a computer motherboard that supports a total of four PATA hard drives.

Disadvantages

Drivers and support

There are only a few small disadvantages of SATA over PATA. One disadvantage is that SATA hard drives will sometimes require a specific driver to be loaded to a computer when installing an operating system, in order for the computer to utilize the SATA hard drive. This has more recently been rectified by allowing a SATA hard drive to act like a PATA hard drive, thus eliminating the need for the specific driver to be loaded. However, some SATA functionality will be lost in order to gain this mimic functionality.

Older operating systems such as Windows 95 and 98 that were released long before SATA was introduced do not support SATA drives.

One drive per cable

Another disadvantage with SATA is that the cable allows for only one SATA hard drive to be connected at a time. Whereas a PATA cable allows for hooking up two PATA hard drives per cable.

The volume appears to contain one or more unrecoverable problems

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After running the chkdsk command you may get the volume appears to contain one or more unrecoverable problems error. This error is an indication of the hard drive or partition being checked containing a serious error that the chkdsk utility is unable to resolve. This could be an indication of a failing hard drive or serious corruption with the drive.

The hard drive can be tested using specialized disk drive utilities designed to test and fix failures if possible.

If the hard drive passes the tests or you believe the hard drive is not at fault we suggest erasing everything and re-installing Windows onto the computer as it's likely not a hardware failure but a serious disk corruption.

What does the inside of a computer hard drive look like?

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Below is a picture of the inside of a laptop and desktop computer hard drive.

As can be seen in the above picture of the desktop hard drive the main six components that help make up the inside are the head actuator, read/write actuator arm, read/write head, spindle, chassis and platter.

How do I disable and enable AAM?

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Drive manufacturer utilities

Our recommend solution for disabling and enabling AAM (Automatic Acoustic Management) on drives that have this feature is to use utilities available from your hard drive manufacturer.

How do I find the hard drive type and specifications?

Third-party solutions

Although not all drives with AAM allow the user to disable this feature, you can still disable it using third-party utilities such as HDDScan.

Note: For users looking to disable AAM in the hopes of gaining extra performance from their computer, you will notice very little if any performance gain by disabling or reducing this feature, and will increase the overall noise generated from the drive. In addition, using a third-party utility such as HDDScan on a drive who's manufacturer doesn't support disabling AAM, disabling it can void your drives warranty.

Testing a computer hard drive for failures

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A bad hard drive can cause an assortment of different issues on your computer. Below are just a few of the possible issues you may encounter. It is important to remember that the below issues can also be caused by more than just a bad disk drive.

Errors when reading, copying, moving, or deleting data on the computer.
Extremely slow.
Operating system unable to boot.
Other random errors or computer reboots.

Software solutions

Below is a listing of a software programs available that are designed to test your computer's hard drive for errors.

Scandisk - Users running Microsoft Windows who're still able to get into Windows can utilize the already installed disk checking tool Scandisk to find and repair any errors on their hard drive.
Chkdsk - Another Windows command line utility to test the hard drive. If you're unable to boot into Windows, boot from the Windows CD enter the recovery console and run: chkdsk /f to fix errors.
TestDisk - Fantastic free and open source utility to test and fix different hard drive errors.
Hitachi Drive Fitness Test (DFT) - Great third-party utility that can be used with most hard drives and supports the option to create a bootable CD image.
Seagate SeaTools - Fantastic and free program that is used to test all computer hard drives.
HDD health - Another great program that utilizes S.M.A.R.T technology to display a hard drive's statistics, such as the temperature of the drive, it's overall health, and every other SMART attribute.

Replace the hard drive

If the hard drive appears to be bad or is generating SMART errors indicating its bad even after trying the above suggestions, we suggest replacing it.

Often hard drives have a several year warranty and if the drive or the computer the drive is in is relatively new may still be under warranty (even if the computer isn't).

If you're concerned about recovering lost data from a defective drive consider using a company who specializes in data recovery.

Computer is telling me my C drive is full or out of space

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To resolve this issue follow each of the steps below. Often cleaning the hard drive of old files is usually enough.

Clean up the hard drive

Regaining computer hard drive space.

Need larger hard drive

If you find yourself frequently running out of disk space or the above recommendation did not help resolve your issue, it may be necessary to upgrade or add another hard drive to your computer.

Add another hard drive

If you have a decent sized hard drive (larger than 100GB for more recent computers), but are running out of disk space, adding a new hard drive gives you additional storage without having to erase the existing hard drive. This could be either an internal or external hard drive.

Replace current hard drive

If your hard drive is less than 100GB, you may want to consider replacing the current hard drive with a new hard drive. Unfortunately, if you do decide to do this, you need to reinstall the operating system and all the programs again.

Hard drive is failing

Disk drive utilities such as Windows scandisk, will mark sections of the hard drive as bad if errors are encountered during a scan. Sections that are marked will be skipped and have no data stored on them, which can cause the hard drive to run out of space if large portions of the drive are marked.

If you're running Microsoft Windows when running scandisk, check the option "Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors." Additional help and information about running scandisk can be found on our scandisk help page.

Why is the hard drive the C: drive?

2014-11-08T17:30:00.000+05:30

On IBM compatible computers (PCs) running a Microsoft operating system such as Windows or MS-DOS, the hard drive is the C: drive because it is the first available drive letter for hard drives. The computer assigns the A: and B: drives to floppy disks and sometimes other removable media such as tape drives. As you install other hard drives, create new partitions, and add other drives such as CD-ROM or DVD drives, they will be assigned to other drive letters after C, such as D, E, F, G, etc.

For example, most computers today come with a hard drive, and disc drive, such as a CD-ROM, CD-R, or DVD drive. With this common configuration, your hard drive would be assigned to the C: drive, and your CD or DVD drive would be assigned to the D: drive. If no floppy drive comes with the computer because A: and B: drive letters are reserved for floppy drives your hard drive will still be assigned as the C: drive.