VJCom - Your Computer Solution

How to set security on your Recycle Bin properties?

2009-06-16T07:59:00.011+07:00

Today day tip is very useful to manage the security of Recycle Bin properties because by default everyone can change the recycle bin sittings using windows default rights. If you want to restrict your users to modify these settings, simply edit the "Permissions for BitBucket" and set the read only rights for all users. Using windows registry editor you can set the Recycle Bin rights for all user.

The best technique to edit the windows registry, always backup the whole windows registry keys on backup drive before editing. Because any mistake in Registry can cause serious problem in your computer to run properly.

Follow the given steps to edit computer registry for Recycle Bin properties:

To enable this feature, you will need to be logged into your computer with administrative rights.

First click on Start button then type Regedit in Run option.

Here locate the location to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ Explorer\BitBucket

Here in left side panel, right click on "BitBucket" keys and click on Permissions option.

Now "Permissions for Bitbucket" dialog box will appear to manage the user's rights.

Here select the user name or group "Everyone" from the list under the "Group or user names" category and then allow read only permissions for selected user under the "Permissions for everyone" section.

Now click on Apply button to save these settings and again click on Ok button to finish the process.

Close the registry editor and restart your computer after any changes to go into effect.

To verify these sittings, simply right click on Recycle bin and go to "Properties" dialog box and any changes here will give you a message "You do not have permission to modify the settings for the Recycle Bin".

How to send a voice mail to your friend using Windows XP?

2009-01-22T07:57:00.006+07:00

E-mail is a most popular and effective way to communicate with others through the internet. You can send documents, pictures and other types of files to any destination but the interesting thing is that you can send also your voice in a mail by attaching the file with e-mail. In windows XP, you can record your voice using Sound Recorder and a microphone options.

Follow the given steps to record your voice in windows XP:

To use this feature, you will need to be logged into your computer with administrative rights.

To start recording process, first make sure you have attached a microphone to your computer.

First click on Start button> All programs> Accessories> click Entertainment and then click on Sound Recorder option.

Now a small "Sound - Sound Recorder" will appear, go to File menu and click on New to start a new file for recording

Click on Record button to start recording process and start talking then click on Stop button to stop the recording.

Now again click on File menu to save this file with .wav extension to a folder of your choice.

Now send this voice file as an attachment via e-mail message to your friends.

How to connect your home computer from Remote location?

2008-12-29T08:13:00.005+07:00

Using the Remote Desktop feature, you can connect your home computer (host) from any other remote computer (client) and can access all computer resources (installed programs, data and any network resources). You can run any computer application on the remote computer as you were running actually sitting in front of home computer

Follow the given steps to configure your computer to connect remote computer:

To use this feature, you will need to be logged into your computer with administrative rights

To perform this task, first make sure your both computers are connected to the internet.

First you have to configure the host computer that allows the users to connect it remotely. On the host computer, right click on "My computer" and click on Properties option.

Under the Remote tab, select the option "Allow users to connect remotely to this computer" and click Ok button.

Now get the IP address of host computer (type the "ipconfig /all" on the command prompt of host computer to find IP address).

Now make a connection on remote or client computer, click on Start button, go to All Programs> Accessories, and Communications, then click on Remote Desktop Connection, option. A Remote Desktop Connection, dialog box will appear.

Click on Options button for detail configuration, under the General tab, type the IP address of host computer in the Computer box and also type username and password of host computer then click on Connect button to make a connection to remote computer

If your username and password is correct then a remote desktop windows will appear

How to change the windows default identity?

2008-12-23T08:28:00.001+07:00

In windows XP, you can change the windows default identity (Computer Manufacturer Logo and other information's) and share your own private identity there. First you right click on My Computer then click on Properties, here may be you will see computer manufacture logo or empty area. So add your own logo there to make your computer more private.

Follow the given steps to change the system default Properties identity

First click on Start button and type notepad in Run option then press Enter.

Now type the following text in notepad.

[General]Manufacturer="www.ComputerFreeTips.com"Model=" Computer Free Tips and Tricks!"[Support Information]Line1="We offer various help topics including A to Z Computer Free Tips and Help."Line2="Visit daily for new tips http://www.computerfreetips.com/"

There are some standard keywords, for example Manufacturer, Model, Line 1, Line 2; you can not change these keywords. Now save this notepad file in c:/windows/system32 folder with file name, OEMINFO.INI.

Now choose your favorite picture to set as logo, using any picture editor resize the picture size approx. 150X150 pixels then save it in c:/windows/system32 folder with file name OEMLOGO.BMP.

Now close the all files and restart your computer after any changes to go into effect. To verify these changes, right click on My Computer and open Properties.

Under General tab, verify the system properties with new settings

Now click on Support Information for more detail.

How to backup of your computer installed drivers?

2008-08-24T18:57:00.000+07:00

You can easily create the backup of your computer installed drivers (just the particular or all drivers) and use it to troubleshoot any driver problems. This backup will be very useful when you will format your computer window due to any reason. There is no need to search the drivers from internet or drivers CD, just import the driver backup and within five minute, you will complete the driver installation process. You can move this backup from one computer to other computer for installation.

To complete the all process, we will use a simple tool called DriverMax. Using this tool, we can easily export the backup of any specific or all drivers and then import it for reinstallation later or elsewhere. You can free download (with free registration code) this tool for windows XP and Vista also. Download it and run the easy setup.

After Installation launch DriverMax, the first screen you will get with title "DriverMax - Version" and options "Export drivers, Import drivers and Installed drivers report". Just click on "Export Driver" option to start backup process.

Now after welcome screen, system will take few seconds to create the list of all installed drivers and then show you all installed drivers list.

Here you can select any specific device driver or click on "Select all" button to create the backup of entire installed drivers.

Press the Next button and in next screen you can select the export type (simple backup or in zip format) and then choose the backup location (always choose drive other than C drive).

Again press the Next and system will take some time (depend upon the size of your drivers) to finish exporting the selected drivers.

Click the "Open extraction folder button" to view the backup files or press Close button to finish it.

Now you can use this backup files (using import option) to restore drivers backup or move to any other computer. Copy the Following link to download it.

How to log off, restart and shutdown, connected computer from one location?

2008-07-20T16:52:00.000+07:00

How to log off, restart and shutdown, connected computer from one location?

Windows XP has a built-in feature (shutdown tools) that is used to shutdown any connected computers from any one computer. Using this feature, you can log off, restart and shutdown any computer in your network. This tip is very useful for you, if you are a Network Administrator at your company, because if you have experience to shutdown all connected computers daily in your local area network one by one, definitely that job is annoying responsibility for you.

Follow the given steps to configure shutdown tool on your computer:

To use this feature, you will need to be logged into your computer with administrative rights.

To perform this task, first make sure your both computers are directly connected or connected to network.

Click Start button then type shutdown -i in Run option then press Enter for next.

A small windows dialog box will appear with the title "Remote Shutdown Dialog".

Here first click on "Add" button to add computer, a small Add computers window will open, here type the name or IP address of the computer (you can add many computer for same action) that you want to turned off, then press OK for next

Now select the action "What do you want these computers to do (log off, restart or shutdown)". If you want to warn your users about this action, select the check box "Warn users of the action" then set time, display warning for 30 seconds or more

Now select the option that describes the reason to shutdown the computers and also type some comments for users.

Now when you press the OK button, the users will see a "System Shutdown Windows "with time and comments that you had been set.

Monitor

2008-07-17T20:52:00.000+07:00

Monitor

The monitor is a television-like box except it is used in a computer for display. You can't use the computer at all without a monitor. The monitor is different from the television is many ways. It is flatter compared to the television. Television refreshes the screen by interlacing while the monitor is using non-interlaced functions. Monitors uses pixels to display, making it finer and better to display text.

Larger Resolution, Smaller Display

One thing you should know, since monitors measure by pixels, you should always set the resolution right. A larger resolution uses smaller pixels, making everything smaller but you have a larger view. The default is 640x480 but most prefer 800x600. For larger monitors, you can decide on 1024x800 or 1280x1024. Also remember, since there are more pixels, the higher the resolution, the slower the screen refreshes.

Decide On A Screen Filter

Although computer screens are just 30% of the radioactivity from the TV or less, you still might want to consider a screen filter. It helps filter up radioactivity. Never settle for a cheap screen filter. A lousy one won't filter the screen - it just darkens it. Always make sure that it won't make everything look dark. Some good screen filters provide a wire to clip it at the back of the casing to lose the radioactivity.

On the other hand, you should also make sure you don't need one. Here are a few points to guide you.

Your computer (& monitor) is placed under a bright place and can balance with the brightness of the monitor
Your monitor is anti-glare and non-reflective.
Your monitor produces little static and radioactivity.
Your monitor produces clear, crisp and not-too-bright images.
You won't have problems staring at the monitor for a long time.

If your monitor fits that criteria, you can forget the screen filter.

Blink Your Eyes!

This is not actually a hardware tip, just to let you know how important it is to blink your eyes. Your eyes don't actually get strained staring at the monitor, just loses moisture and making the eyes dry. It has been proven that people staring at the monitor for a long time has the tendency to blink less than the normal rate. Make an effort to blink your eyes. If not, try eye moisture drops.

Degauss

Degauss is a very important function that helps you restore your monitor when colors are distorted or you noticed weird colors at the corners of your monitor. This is cause by magnetization that can be caused by jerking the monitor, shifting to a different direction or moving it across the globe (different magnetic field). The degauss control removes magnetization from your monitor
Use the degauss control lightly. You should only degauss if you see color purity problems. Otherwise, don't use it. Too much degaussing stresses the circuitry components and overheats the large coil around the CRT. If possible, when the display clears up, shut down the monitor/computer for a while to let it cool down.

Take Control

When your monitor comes, modify the factory default setting of your monitor! Get more colors or brightness. And stretch the screen to the fullest! Although this may sound trivial, a lot of people just think it's alright to follow the original setting, losing valuable screen space, you will be surprised to know how much bigger you can stretch the screen. A bigger display is always better.

Sound Card

2008-07-15T14:37:00.000+07:00

Sound Card

A world without sound is boring. The same goes to computers. Imagine playing quake with the beeps from the PC speaker. The sound card is a piece of hardware to generate high quality sound. It enables your to listen to your CD, record voices with the microphone and playing your
sound files.

Don't Throw Away Your Old RAM

If you have and old PC that utilizes old 32 bit RAM, don't throw it away. If you have and AWE (advance wavetable effect) sound card, with empty memory slots, you may plug it into your soundcard to load more instruments. Very useful. If you want, you can go to computer junkyards or dealer with old computers to find some old 32 bit RAM. You can get it for almost nothing.

More, more!

If you are using an AWE soundcard, you might want to get more voices or instruments. Go to your manufacturer's website and search for sound fonts. Like fonts, they are the same instruments but produces different sounds. The amount of sound fonts you can load at a time depends entirely on how much memory you have.

No Sound From Mike

An ageing sound card probably doesn't supply the DC voltage needed to power a new electrets microphone-the kind with a mini-stereo (ring-tip-sleeve) plug on the cable. If so, you'll need either an inline battery pack to power the new microphone, or an older dynamic microphone that doesn't need DC power. But the best bet is to throw it away and get a new one.

Graphic Card

2008-07-13T20:28:00.000+07:00

Graphic Card

The graphic card is one of the most important pieces of hardware in your PC. Without it, your super monitor with all the bells and whistles is just a junk box.

Make Directional Input

Most video cards come with simple frame capture programs, but you'll have to do some programming if you plan to integrate video capture with other operations on your computer, such as adding text data as an overlay or changing video-in channels on the fly. In this case you'll need good programming libraries in a language with which you are familiar for the video card. Some companies include libraries with their cards, but most charge extra. Most often libraries, when available, are for C or BASIC, and sometimes Pascal.

Choose Between 24 bit and 32 bit

For True Color mode, some graphic cards offer 24 bit while some offer 32 bit. Which is the best? When True Colour mode was first suggested, it utilizes 32 bit which was very pleasing to the eye, they realize that 24 (with less coolers) won't look much different since the human eye can only take about a certain amount of colors. On the other hand, 24 bit will run faster compared to 32 bit because it uses less colors. So if your card utilizes 24 bit, don't worry, it isn't bad.

Always Use The Latest Drivers

Yes, it is important to make sure you always have the latest drivers. The latest drivers will offer you better performance, more utilities and more compatibility (usually for DirectX or Direct3D). Take the effort to check you card manufacturer's site to look for the latest driver updates.

Fighting Unknown Problems

2008-07-13T18:11:00.000+07:00

Fighting Unknown Problems

Hardware problems are quite difficult to tackle, worse if under Windows. There was once when installing a software, I accidentally inserted the Audio hardware diskette. Thinking it was harmless, I went on, thinking I can always "undo" everything again. How wrong was I. The next moment I restarted Windows, I got the blue screen of death. Yeah, Windows is very nasty when it comes to hardware.

Find The Culprit

Always calm down. Try to solve the problem yourself before resolving to formatting or sending to your computer dealer. First, know what's happening and the cause of it. In my case, the installation must have overwrite my old setting and replaced the wrong file. There must be a reason why Windows is acting improperly.

Logging Back On

First, try to log back on. If you can't log into Windows, don't panic. Restart the computer. When the text "Starting Windows 98..." appears, press F8. A menu will appear. Choose "Safe Mode" to continue. Safe mode will take some time to load. When you are in Windows, go to Control Panel, System. Click on the Device Manager tab. Find the faulty hardware driver and delete it. Open autoexec.bat and config.sys (both are hidden files in your root directory) with notepad. If the hardware is a CD-ROM or sound card, it will probably write add some lines. Check whether there are backup file (autoexec.bak, autoexec.b~k e.g.) since most installation will back up the 2 important files. If there is, simply replace them with the backup files. If there isn't, put "REM " in front of every line that loads the hardware.

Repairing

When you restart, your computer is probably ok, since you have deleted all instances of the hardware drivers. But the hardware isn't functioning. re-install the hardware drivers, restart and you're done! If the problem persists, your probably have a system conflict go to the next page for more.

RAM Won't Work On New Motherboard

2008-07-12T14:24:00.000+07:00

RAM Won't Work On New Motherboard

If you upgraded your motherboard and CPU to a brand new one, you might encounter with some RAM problems. Either the system seems slower or the total amount of RAM is displayed less than the actual amount during bootup (when you just power-up the computer).

The problem usually occur if you upgraded from a 486 to a Pentium or from non-EDO RAM to EDO. There are a few things you should know. In the older motherboards, you can slot in any RAM of any amount and run them smoothly. However, newer Pentium motherboards handle EDO RAMs differently. Every EDO RAM slots must run in pairs. For example, you can't plug in a 8 meg RAM with a 16 meg RAM and expect them to run together, producing 24 meg. Instead, you must have 2 RAM slots that contains the same amount of RAM (8 meg+8 meg or 16 meg+16 meg e.g) to have them running together.

Also a reminder, you can't plug in a single 32 meg RAM to produce 32 meg. You need 2 16 meg RAMs to produce that amount. So if you need 96 meg, you must fill the the RAM banks with a combination of (16+16 meg) + (32+32 meg). In short, every RAM must run in pairs. They must be placed side-by-side. You can't place a combination of 16+32+16+32 to get 64 meg. You need to place the same amount side-by-side like this: 16+16+32+32. Most motherboard has 4 empty banks for you to place your RAM. Newer motherboards has 6 empty banks. Still, you have to run them in pairs.

Older motherboards and non-EDO RAM don't have to run under this principle. That is why when you upgrade to a newer motherboard, it might not work. Now, back to the problem. Open the cover of your PC and check whether you RAMs are place in pairs side-by-side or not. If not, rearrange them. If you found out you have a combination of a mixture of amounts like: 4+4+8+16 meg, you have to plug one out, buy a new matching one, and replace it. (In this case, take out the 8 meg and by a new 16 meg to produce 4+4+16+16. You can take out the 16 and buy an 8 but that will be downgrading, isn't it?)

This should solve the problem. Also another reminder. SDRAMs don't have to run in pairs. Older motherboard only has 1 empty bank for SDRAM (however, newer ones have more banks). If you want 64 SDRAM, just buy one single 64 SDRAM slot, plug it out, and there you are! But, remember, SDRAM won't work together with EDO. If you plug them in together, the computer will either identify the amount of EDO RAM or SDRAM you have, not both. And it will also only utilize one of them.

More Than 64 Meg RAM On HX Motherboard

It has been a myth that Windows 95 won't work with more than 64 meg RAM. That is not true. But older motherboards do have problems with more than 64 MB RAM.

Motherboards with the Intel HX chipsets is one of them. You can upgrade to more than 64 meg RAM but you must be careful. the Intel HX chipset is built in such a way it requires an additional tag RAM chip used to cached the main memory. The main memory is cached to speed up memory access. Now the problem here is, the tag chip is only capable of handling a maximum of 64 MB. If more than 64 MB is installed, only the first (from the bottom) 64 MB is cached.
Most operating systems uses RAM from top to bottom and since only the bottom one is cached, the OS is using the top uncached memory thus slowing down your system and not utilizing your RAM to the fullest.

Some motherboards have no spare tag RAM socket so I'm sorry to say, you only have a limit of 64 RAM. Some motherboards have an extra tag RAM socket. Just order one from your computer dealer, plug it in, and you can happily increased the maximum of cached RAM to 128 MB.

In short, always check how many tag RAM chips you have before buying more RAM than the maximum allows or it might slow down your system instead of speeding it up.

CD-ROM

2008-07-12T14:15:00.000+07:00

CD-ROM

The maximum a floppy disk can contain is 1.44 MB. To play a game with around 200 MB you are stuck with 100 over diskettes. The CD-ROM is a revolutionary invention that allows up to 625 MB at one time. However, it is read only, which means you can't store in anything.

Buttons Fun

Although most CD-ROMs comes with only 2 buttons, do you know you can also skip, play previous track and play the next track as well with a proper combination? Check properly on your instruction manual for additional functions. You just might be surprised what it can do.

Clean Thoroughly

It is important to clean the CR-ROM at least once every month. Get a CD lens cleaner. If possible, choose one with an alcohol solution drop. This should ensure that your CD-ROM will always be able to read properly.

Clean You CDs

It is just as important to clean your CDs often. Why? Because if you have a speck of dust on the surface of one of your CDs, once spinning at high-speed in the drive, the speck of dust is enough to produce scratches on your precious CD.

Running In DOS

One of the common problems with CD-ROMs is unable to access it under DOS. This might be because the protected-mode CD-ROM driver isn't available. You'll need to add the real-mode device driver, usually included with your CD-ROM drive, in CONFIG.SYS and load MSCDEX.EXE, which is available in the Windows\Command folder. You should also make sure both files are on your startup disk.

Run List

Like those cool expensive hi-fi systems, you can customize the run list of your Audio CD, only not with the CD-ROM itself. Use Windows' CD player to customize the run list and you can have your CD running in any track order you like.

Read Ahead

The read ahead buffer is useful to speed up things. Go to Control Panel, System. Click on the Performance tab. Click on the File System... button. On the File System Properties, click on CD-ROM. Make sure you have the fullest cache. Even if you have a CD-ROM with less than Quad speed, just move ahead. You'll be surprised to find your CD-ROM running faster.

How to solve low memory problems?

2008-07-12T11:40:00.000+07:00

How to solve low memory problems?

Normally this warning message shows when you run many programs same time than the RAM installed on your computer is designed to support. Your can solve this problem by increasing the system paging file size also called as virtual memory. Using this virtual memory windows moving information to and from the paging file for fast processing. This will free up enough RAM for other programs to run properly

To increase the system page file follow the give path:

Control Panel > System > Advanced > Click on Settings (Under Performance) > Advanced > Change

Here under Drive (Volume label), you have option to select any of your hard disk drive, but the best choice is, select any drive other than C drive for virtual memory.

Set the double Initial & Maximum Size of your Virtual Memory. Here set initial size 700 MB and maximum size up to 1000MB; you can change this size according to the free space available on your hard drive.

How to restore the windows default icons?

2008-07-12T11:29:00.000+07:00

How to restore the windows default icons?

You can restore the all windows default desktop icons, if you accidentally deleted them from your computer desktop.

List of windows default icons.

My Computer
Internet Explorer
My Documents
My Network Places
Recycle Bin

Here we are discussing the recovering process of four windows default icons “My Computer, Internet Explorer, My Documents and My Network Places’ and we will cover recovery process of the Recycle Bin icon in next tip

Fellow the given steps to restore the windows default icons

Go to Start Button and open Run then type the given command to open windows Desktop items dialog box.
Control desk.cpl,,@Web
Simple copy the above command and paste it in Run box and press Ok,
Now “Desktop Items” dialog box will appear with different options.
Under the “General” tab, select the all check box in “Desktop icons” area or click on “Restore default” button to restore the all default icons on your computer desktop.
Press Ok to close the entire dialog box.

Programming - database connection scripts.

2008-06-19T18:27:00.000+07:00

Connections strings using various programming languages to different databases:

Note: watch for word wrap, some text may have moved to the next link

ASP to MSACCESS :
set conn = Server.CreateObject("ADODB.Connection")
conn.open "DRIVER={Microsoft Access Driver (.mdb)}; " & "DBQ=" & Server.MapPath("access.mdb")
accessquery = "sql statement here"
set rs = conn.Execute(accessquery)
conn.close
set conn = nothing

ASP to Mysql :
set conn = Server.CreateObject("ADODB.Connection")
conn.open
"DRIVER={MySQL};SERVER=sqlservers;DATABASE=database_name;;UID=user_name;PWD=password"
sqlquery = "sql statement here"
set rs = conn.Execute(sqlquery)
set rs = conn.Execute(accessquery)
conn.close
set conn = nothing

PHP to mysql:
$conn = mysql_connect("sqlserver", "user", "temp123")
or die ("Could not connect");
print ("Connected successfully");
mysql_select_db ("database_name")
or die ("Could not select database");

$query = "sql statement here";
$result = mysql_query ($query)
or die ("Query failed");

mysql_close($conn);

ASP.NET (VB) to MSACCESS :
dim objConn as OleDbConnection
Sub Page_Load (obj as Object, e as EventArgs)
objConn = New OleDbConnection("Provider=Microsoft.Jet.oledb.4.0;Data Source=" & Server.MapPath("access.mdb"))
dim objCmd as OleDbcommand = new OleDbCommand("sql statement here", objConn)
Try
objCmd.Connection.Open()
objCmd.ExecuteNonQuery()
Catch ex as OleDbException
response.write("Error retrieving data")
Finally
objCmd.Connection.Close()
End Try
End Sub

ASP to MSSQL 2000 :
set conn = server.createobject("Adodb.connection")
conn.open Application("connectionString")
conn.open "Provider=SQLOLEDB;Data
Source=sqlservers;UID=username;pwd=temp12;database=database_name"
set rs=server.CreateObject("ADODB.RECORDSET"
rs.open "sql statement here", conn, 3 ,1
conn.close set conn = noth
set conn = nothing

ColdFusion to MySQL :
cfscript
driver="DRIVER={MySQL}";
server="SERVER=sqlservers";
database="DATABASE=database_name";
user="UID=user_name";
pass="PWD=temp123";
conn="#driver#;#server#;#database#;#user#;#pass#;option=16386";
/cfscript

cfquery DBTYPE="dynamic" CONNECTSTRING="#conn#" NAME="sql"
select statement here;
/cfquery

ASP.NET (c#) Mysql :
Private const string ConnStr = "Driver={MySQL ODBC 3.51Driver};" +"Server=sqlserver;Database=database_name;uid=user_name;pwd=temp123;option=3;
Protected override void OnInit(EventArgs e)
{
base.OnInit(e);
Using(OdbcConnection conn = new OdbcConnection(ConnStr))
Using(OdbcCommand cmd = new OdbcCommand("select satement here*", conn))
{
conn.Open();
DS1.DataSource =cmd.ExecuteReader(CommandBehavior.CloseConnection CommandBehavior.SingleResult);
DS.DataBind();
}
}

Setting up Hardware components of a networking

2008-06-19T16:44:00.000+07:00

This guide will help you decide what hardware you will need to setup you HOME network:

here are a list of components, you may not need to buy depending on the number of computers you have.

1. Each machine will need a NIC (network interface connectors).
2. a hub
3. router
4. switch
5. cables (crossover / straight through)

Deciding which cable to use:

here's a small chart that will give you an idea which cable should go where:

computer to computer	crossover cable
computer to hub	straight through cable
hub port to hub port	crossover cable
hub uplink to hub port	straight through cable
computer to broadband router port	straight through cable
computer to switch	straight through cable
computer to cable modem	crossover cable
cable modem to router	crossover cable
hub uplink to switch port	straight through cable

note:

Some hubs share the connection on the Uplink Port with the port next to it. Some hubs and switches use a switch or button to enable or disable the Uplink Port. Check your product manual to see how to do this.

Maximum cable length:

Maximum cable length for Ethernet depends on what kind of Ethernet you are talking about! Here are some details on the most popular kinds of Ethernet. (UTP = unshielded twisted pair)

Gigabit Ethernet (over copper), 1000baseT
Speed: 1000 Mbps
Max Len: 100 Meters
Cable: UTP, RJ-45 connectors

Fast Ethernet, 100baseT
Speed: 100 Mbps
Max Len: 100 Meters
Cable: UTP, RJ-45 connectors

Twisted Pair Ethernet, 10baseT
Speed: 10 Mbps
Max Len: 100 Meters
Cable: UTP, RJ-45 connectors

Thin Ethernet , 10 base 2
Speed: 10 Mbps
Max Len: 185 Meters
Cable: RG-58 type coax, 50 ohm impedance

Thick Ethernet, 10 base 5
Speed: 10 Mbps
Max Len: 500 Meters
Cable: RG-58 type coax, 50 ohm impedance

Two computers scenario:

If you only have two computers, you will only need two nic's and a crossover cable. If you also require both computers to have internet access, then you could either

(a). Install another NIC (connect it to the cable/DSL modem with a crossover cable) or fax modem in one and connect it to the internet, then use a software proxy, ICS, Wingate, etc to share the internet.

OR
(b). Get a router (I would prefer getting a router). Connect it using a crossover cable to the cable modem and connect the computers to the built in switch on the router. Some routers don't have built in switches, in this case you will need to get a switch or hub and connect it to the internal interface of the router.

More than two computers scenario (hub/switch cascading):

With more computers you will need a hub/switch and straight through cables, connect all computers to the hub/switch with straight through cable. If you run out of ports then add another hub/switch to your network. Connect the uplink of one hub/switch to a port on the other hub/switch using a straight through cable, or connect port to port using a crossover cable.

If you have more than two hubs/switches, then connect all the hub/switches using uplink ports and straight through cables, to regular ports on a main hub/switch.

If you require internet connectivity:

(a) Install another NIC (connect it to the cable/DSL modem with a crossover cable), or fax modem in one machine and connect it to the internet. Use a software proxy, ICS, Wingate, etc to share the internet.
Now connect the gateway computer and the rest of the computers to the hub's ports using straight through cables.

(b) Using a broadband router, connect a cable modem with a crossover cable to the WAN port of the router, then connect the other computers to the router's LAN ports with a straight through cables.
If you do not have enough ports then get more hub/switches. Connect the uplink ports to the router's LAN port with straight through cables and connect your computers to the hubs/switches.

PC Hardware Troubleshooting Guide

2008-06-10T17:03:00.000+07:00

Pc Boot problems: (beep codes)

IBM BIOS:

Indicator	System status
No Beeps - No Power	Loose Cord, or Short.
1 Short Beep - Normal POST	Computer is ok.
2 Short Beep - POST error	review screen for error code.
Continuous Beep - No Power	Loose Cord, or Short.
Repeating Short Beep - No Power	Loose Card, or Short.
One Long and one Short Beep	Motherboard issue.
One Long and Two short Beeps	Video (Mono/CGA Display Circuitry) issue.
One Long and Three Short Beeps	Video (EGA) Display Circuitry.
Three Long Beep	Keyboard / Keyboard card error.
One Beep	Blank or Incorrect Display Video Display Circuitry.

Award and Phoenix BIOS:

Indicator	System Status
1 short beep:	Normal
2 short beeps	CMOS error
1 long and 1 short beep	RAM error
1 long and 2 short beeps	Video card error
1 long and 3 short beeps	Keyboard error
1 long and 9 short beeps	ROM error
Long continuous beeps	RAM not installed correctly
Short continuous beeps	Bad power supply or over heating

Problem with power supply or CPU chips:

Make sure the power connector is connected correctly and fitted firmly in the motherboard socket, some mother boards require two connectors from the power supply, refer to mother board manual. If the problem persists try using a different power supply. Check CPU fan,remove chip and clear dust, make sure it is mounted properly.

Video card problem:

Remove video card and inspect for cracks or bad connectors. Make sure the video card mounted correctly in the slot, try using a different video card.

Keyboard error:

Either the key board is not functioning or is not attached correctly, try a different key board, if its has a PS/2 connector then make sure its not plugged into the mouse connector.

RAM error:

Remove ram inspect for cracks, bad connectors or dust. Insert the chip back into the slot and make sure its firmly seated properly in the slot, if the mother board has more then one slot then make sure the chip is in the first slot (i.e. closest to the CPU). If the problem persists change ram.Download MS memory diagnostic.

No beeps and no POST

Pull everything out of the machine except for the CPU and power the PC up. The PC should now only consist of a power supply, a motherboard and a CPU/HSF. This means your PC should have no video card, RAM or IDE cables. You should have no PCI cards and that includes modems and sound cards. Have a power button and speaker hooked up to the board so you can turn it on and listen for beep codes.

If you have the PC stripped down this much and you still do not get any beep codes, then you may have an issue with either the CPU, motherboard or power supply.

Problems after booting:

Pc Freezes:

Check CPU fan, case fan and power box fan, make sure all are working and clean off dust. Check hard drive, CPU, power supply for over heating. Some video cards may also heat up and create excessive heat inside the case. Make sure that the case is kept cool, by maintaining good air flow.

Scan hard drive for bad sectors.

Make sure all devices are functioning properly are plugged in. Unplug any faulty device.

Unplug any new devices or software installed.

Pc Restarts while in use:

One problem could be bad RAM, replace RAM and restart machine. Open up resource hungry applications like Office, Photoshop, many instances of internet explorer until all the ram is used up. If system doesn't freeze or restart then return old chip to manufacturer.

Check capacitors on motherboard make sure that they aren't bulging, leaking, or burned. If they are - that's the problem.

Voltage problem or overheated components:

If the computer is actually functioning and the computer beeps continuously, then there is a problem with a voltage on the power supply being incorrect or the CPU overheating. Go into the BIOS and check CPU temperature, fan speed and voltages