Technology Metro

It’s been a really long time since I wrote about great deals. Well, here are two deals and one of them you can’t pass up. The first deal is a SeaGate 1.5TB Barracuda Internal Hard Drive. Here are some information on the Seagate Barracuda® 7200.11 Internal Hard Drive.

This should be pretty obvious from the title, anyways; Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 SATA Internal Hard Drive has a storage capacity of 1.5TB which is huge. This Seagate Barracuda SATA Internal Hard Drive has a data transfer rate of 3Gbps. This Serial ATA hard drive also offers a rotational speed of upto 7200RPM and a cache size of upto 32Mb for faster data access.  SeaGate 1.5TB Barracuda SATA Internal Hard Drive is perfectly suited for high-performance PCs, PC gaming systems and media PCs.

Dell is offering a 2-Pack of Seagate 1.5TB Barracuda  SATA Desktop Hard Drives (OEM) for $270 - $70 coupon (QSRDBGRSGP7MFG) = $200 with free shipping. Newegg.com has listed 1-Pack SeaGate 1.5TB Barracuda Internal Hard Drive for $130. Onto the next deal now, which you can’t pass up.

Dell has a deal up for 2000 Series Play Station Portable (PSP) Slim for just $110. The next best price for Sony Playstation Portable Slim (PSP) 2000 is $161. Here are some of the highlights of PSP Slim :

• Equipped with 64 MB of internal memory
• Allows storing of digital photos and sharing with the image transfer feature
• Offers Internet browsing in Internet-accessible locations
• Dazzling widescreen LCD brings gaming to life
• Ad hoc wireless mode enables connection of up to 16 consoles
• Includes 4 MB of embedded RAM

Thats it for today. Enjoy!

Read the rest of this entry »

It goes with out saying that RAM is an extremely important part of your computer. The consequences of a faulty RAM ranges from BSODs, computer lockups, file system corruption and data loss. The above mentioned problems that may crop up if RAM is faulty. That is reason enough for you to diagnose your RAM. It can be hard to tell with great conviction that a problem is occurring because of faulty RAM or because of another component of the computer. You have to test your RAM to see whether it is still functioning properly.

When you begin your testing of your, RAM make sure that you test the RAM modules one by one. Interchange the RAM modules positions to ones that they did not occupy before you started testing. The reason why you should do so is to check whether the RAM slot does not have a fault as well. Be advised that they are many ways to test for faulty ram but the easier ones are explained below.

The first method is using the Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool. The windows program from Microsoft has a tool that helps you to check you RAM. To get the tool you have to log on to the Microsoft website and download the tool on Microsoft online crash analysis website. When you have installed the software onto your computer you then choose between saving a cd image to the disk or you create a start up disk. The first is a Bootable CD and the latter is a bootable floppy disk but their capabilities do not differ.

You then reboot your computer using the reboot disk that you choose and youR RAM will be scanned for any faults and errors. The best way for you to know with great certainty that you RAM does not contain any errors is for you to, check the modules of RAM on the port that is indicating a faulty error.

The second method is MemTest 86+ utility. This method is very similar to the above mentioned method but its reliability is unquestionable. This method has set the standard for testing for any faults in RAM. The execution of the procedure is the same. First you have to load the bootable media and then you can choose what you want. The testing modes in this method can be time consuming. Use the c key to switch between testing modes.

The third method that we are looking into is ; using the Simmtester software. This is the first choice for many and it has been around the block for a long time now. The biggest disadvantage that this program has is its failure to move with the times. you can only install the software through a floppy drive and floppy disks are fast becoming part of history of the computer. The procedure is the same as of the two above mentioned methods of testing for faulty RAM. The three above methods are the most common for testing for faulty RAM. You should use them if your computer hangs or you get frequent BSODs.

It’s not always that you get your desktop as a complete unit and sometimes you will get it as a number of components and you will then have to assemble and install it together and you will have to assemble and install it step by step following specific instructions. There are a few things you will need to have before getting started for example anti-static wrist strap, a piece of cloth, set of screwdrivers and pliers, PC components, CPU Thermal compound.

Step 1: Install the motherboard

The first step is to install the motherboard, you have to take particular at this stage and ensure that the all the components are clean and that you have a big work area to work with.

You will have to put your antic-static wrist strap on to avoid your components from getting affected. Clean your hands before you start.

Step 2: Installing the power supply

The power supply is the second item that has to be installed into the computer, installing the power supply is very simple all you have to do is place the PSU into the cabinet and screw it in tightly.

Step 3: Installing the video card

The video card is the next item into the computer, you need to find a good video card as there are continuously being improved and you don’t want to be stuck with a card that is redundant.

Step 4: Installing the hard disk

The hard disk is one of the most important components of the computer and you will have to practice care when handling it. Installing the hard drive is not that difficult all you have to do is place it into the bay, screw it in tightly, connect it to the PSU with a power cable and connect it to the motherboard via a data cable.

Step 5: Installing the optical drive

The optical drive is next to go in and to install it you just simply follow the same instructions as that of installing the hard drive.

Step 6: Connecting the computers various cables

At this stage all that is left is to connect the computer various cables and to do that you have to
1. The ATX power connector on the PSU has to be connected to the power supply port on your motherboard.

2. The power, reset button has to be connected to the right port on the motherboard.

3. Connect the cable from the USB/audio panel to the motherboard.

4. Connect the cables for the cabinet fans

After this you will have to close the cabinet and screw it in tightly, having done this you would have finished installing the internal components and all that will be left would be to connect the external components of the computer together, these include the monitor, keyboard, mouse, CPU, this is a fairly easy process since you will have guideline on the computer manual. Once you are through with this then you can switch on your computer and start using it.

I believe everyone among us would prefer to have a laptop computer rather than a traditional home based desktop pc. If you ask me what makes a laptop computer a better option than regular desktop computer, it’s the mobility it offers and uncountable advantages that comes along with usage and experience. It is simply nothing but a blessing for all of us!

People on the go make the maximum use of laptop computers’ mobility as it is designed to work on batteries and through direct power supply. Its lets you stay connected to your office, home, business even from distantly remote places, be it in other countries or other continents. Who might think of getting a desktop computer on a plane? while you could use a laptop to look after your multiple business. (You might not be a millionaire but a man can dream can’t he?)

Without laptops, monitoring businesses miles away would have been very difficult. This mobility feature of a laptop gives us the freedom and ability to use computers anywhere. Be it in a restaurant, in a car or places we feel comfortable, we can use laptops as long as we do not disturb others and go beyond rules.

The high-tech features such as built-in camera, speakers, Bluetooth, WiFi device, and infrared and its compact design makes it different and adds to its uncountable benefits which normally doesn’t come in a small package in a desktop computers. However if such features are to be added in a desktop it requires individual purchases and manual installation for both hardware and software.

The size really does matter. When it comes to Mobile Computing, Smaller the better. The computing power of laptop makes it really evident. Small-sized components, architecture of laptop computers are very much distinct from that of desktop computers. However, the performance and operations are in no way affected by the size of computer. Be it a Core 2 duo for your new desktop, the same technology is available on a small laptop.

The new addition to the laptop family known as the wonderful tablet pc has much more to offer. These super small and powerful computers have emerged to revolutionize computing. Energy saving is another feature of laptops as they don’t use up a lot of electricity as compared to CRT and LCD monitors of desktop. Some features such as display difference. Ultra portable laptop or tablet is a major and advance addition to the mobile computers. Emergence of such high-tech, micro and powerful computers has revolutionized the industry to a great deal.

Well there have been instances with a couple of my old high school friends who always complained the slow performance and short battery life of their notebooks. Some of you reading this might give their assent on this comment, but before you even think about giving a bad name to the laptop technology please be sure that you have the adequate configuration to synchronize with your work too. A laptop without graphics card will definitely not show you good gaming results now, would it?

ZoneAlarm is a firewall that anyone can download for free from ZoneLab. It’s small in size, just 208KB, but protects as well or better as commercial firewalls. This basic, simple to operate firewall protects your computer from malicious programs, Trojans and hackers without interfering with the computer’s speed or other functions.

Once installation is complete, ZoneAlarm blocks the computer’s ports and initiates Stealth Mode; your computer is invisible to any program or hacker cruising the internet looking for a place to wreak havoc. The only thing allowed past ZoneAlarm is what you personally authorize when you install it. Of course, you can adjust the settings later if you feel the need.

ZoneAlarm lets you customize your security levels and keeps all of your information secure. It gets rid of adware cookies, prevents pop-ups and integrates smoothly with any antivirus software you may have installed. There is no programming required and the steps are very clear and simple. If you like, you can take a tour when you first install it or save it for later.

ZoneLab’s technology is apparent in the Application Control, which monitor’s your computer’s outbound traffic and prevents your data being sent anywhere past its walls. For instance, if you open an attachment you received via email that might begin sending your information to an outside source. ZoneAlarm will immediately block that action, will cause an alert to pop up and tell you appropriate actions you can take. You can elect to do nothing or you can follow its advice. You are also alerted when any application on your computer attempts to access the internet and are given a choice whether to block it or let it continue.

ZoneAlarm can be configured to lock your computer after it’s idle for a certain time. This will prevent any internet activity and shut down all applications except those that you specify should keep running. You can also choose to share or block your computer if there are other users on your network.

One of the best things about ZoneAlarm is the frequency of new detection rules. ZoneLab is conscientious about keeping up with the latest security threats and it’s fast and easy to download them. This firewall is designed for Windows 2000 and Windows XP and available only for personal use or by non-profit organizations. A Vista version is also available.

You can download a FREE version of ZoneAlarm Firewall here. You can Download ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite 2009 for FREE using this torrent.

Read the rest of this entry »

Reimage is a software that repairs damaged Windows XP operating system. Most of us still use Windows XP as the preferred operating system as Windows Vista has a lot of problems. As time passes Windows XP becomes slower and takes a lot of time to load, compared to when you first installed Windows XP. We install lot of softwares and these tend to slow the operating system down plus all the malwares, spywares and viruses that infect your operating system when we use the internet and share files with others. These malwares, spywares and viruses damage your operating system and degrade its health.

Reimage kind of works like Windows own system restore function. Reimage works in a bit of a different way than Windows’ System restore. Reimage diagnoses your operating system and looks for any missing system files fixes it whereas system restore just inserts all the files from the previous backup point. Some spywares, malwares and viruses eat up important system files. This makes your PC slow, it also takes up unnecessary memory space, corrupts important files, changes registry settings. I can go on and on about the bad this malware, spyware and virus cause but this post is not about how malware harms your system but instead it is about how to solve these problems and many other problems an operating system faces.

Reimage Home Edition repairs you PC without any Hassel and you don’t need to be a tech savvy person to use it. Even a novice can use Reimage and not face a problem while doing so. Reimage is a web based software so you don’t need to install anything on your PC. Reimage uses a technology that does things like a person would do. Reimage will identify and repair the damaged file. Reimage is much better than any antispyware softwares and better than some antivirus softwares. Your operating system’s registry also needs repair and there are products that claim to fix it but most of them are just scams. Personally I don’t use any registry cleaning software except one called CCleaner. It is not the best solution though.

Read through the Reimage Blog for more information on Reimage software. If you are a bit lazy and don’t want to read,watch this Video: How the technology works. Use Reimage to make your old operating system run as new (like a freshly installed one) without needing to format and install an OS.

Seashore is program for image editing the Mac Cocoa framework, better than MacPaint but not quite so full of features as Photoshop. This open source program provides image editing for the average user who doesn’t need a lot of extras that professionals do. Supporting both alpha channel editing and multiple layering, it has textures and gradients for both brush and text strokes. Seashore uses the same file format as GNU Image Manipulation Program, or GIMP and while it’s doesn’t meet criteria for professional editing, it’s more than good enough for users who need only a few advanced options.

There are more than 20 plug in filters and merging effects in Seashore and the user can edit alpha or primary channels. The transparency effects have semi-transparent gradients and the 6 gradient effects each have 16 variations. It takes eighty percent less space on your drive and has a good selection of painting tools. Seashore can also manipulate contrast, brightness and hue. It meshes snugly with Mac OS and comes with a comprehensive user’s manual in PDF.

Seashore isn’t a perfect editor but if you need a basic image editor it’s more than adequate. It’s unable to save a select area of a window and copy and paste is used instead of select and drag. It has all the features and abilities you’ll need for basic image editing and it’s fast and responsive with a sleek interface. Users should check with Macintosh for new tools that are often made available for download.You can Download SeaShore for FREE here.

QuickTime is a popular media software that digitally produces live video and audio or pre-recorded clips. It’s very useful when you want to reach a live audience and ideal for delivery of pre-recorded media. It works with Windows or MacIntosh platforms; this Apple product is downloaded free of charge by hundreds of thousands of people every day and is used for both personal and profession presentations.

Its simple interface makes QuickTime easy to use. Viewers’ experiences to past audio and video with the track-based format that allows you to mix video with still images and insert text and audio in a single production. Creating a presentation with QuickTime is easy and enjoyable, and it supports nearly any audio or video format. You can even put live events online that are professional quality, on the net, a desktop or even a cell phone. Since QuickTime supports so many languages such as Automator and Applescript, it’s available to everyone.

You can enjoy movies or audio using QuickTime with your Apple television or transfer them to an iPhone or iPod. You have nothing to setup since the software adjusts itself to your connection speed and bandwidth. And if you lose your internet access, QuickTime will re-connect when you’re back online. Using the most recent developments in file compression, QuickTime can keep files small while maintaining quality for portable media or high definition playback devices. The software lets you adjust the audio to the levels that are enjoyable to you, not everyone else! Like more bass in your music? Go ahead and adjust it to your taste with the easy to use sliders. You can set the brightness, color and other visuals just the way you want it. You can even play things at half speed or increase it three times with the Job Shuttle, which is great for searching individual frames.

QuickTime has such superior quality and ease of use, you’d never guess it was free software that’s used by record numbers of people for both personal and professional use.

Now you might want to know how to get a QuickTime Pro 7. Well its very simple, first download a free version of QuickTime and install it. Then, watch the Youtube video located below, it shows all the steps needed to upgrade the free version of QuickTime to QuickTime Pro. Its that easy.

After you have upgraded your QuickTime Free version to QuickTime Pro, you might want to read through these QuickTime Pro Tutorials to know how to Harness the power of QuickTime Pro. Here are some additional QuickTime Components which will extent your QuickTime Pro’s capabilities. Read the rest of this entry »

SIS (student information systems) are a powerful tool for teachers and administrators and PowerSchool seems to be one of the best. It is a web-based, multi-platformed and can be customized; its fast implementation and reliability make it popular in schools. It differs from Focus in that it provides training that allows users to have it running quickly using their own unique data. PowerSchool is an independent system that can be used on any computer, another distinct advantage.

Powerschool makes taking attendance easy, and it’s simple to post assignments and enter grades. It’s web-based so teachers or administrators can work anywhere there is an internet connection. Students can be evaluated using mean, median or mode tendencies and can assign grades to student groups. It features a dashboard-type interface that makes it easy to find data and that data is available to any user. Information only has to be entered once to be included in the system, a significant timesaver for office staff.

Like Focus, PowerSchool lets parents and students access it through the internet. A log lets teachers know how often the students work on their assignments and how involved the students’ parents are in their education. This feature motivates parents to be accountable for their children’s’ success or failure and lets them have access to grades and attendance figures. The majority of parents truly care about their child’s education and performance; Powerschool allows parents to be more proactive and involved.

Here is the 101 on FLAC files. FLAC stands for Free Lossless Audio Codec. FLAC is an audio format similar to MP3 but defers in one huge way, there is no loss in the quality of the audio file when compressed using FLAC, unlike MP3. The compression method FLAC uses is similar to how zip works but because FLAC is specifically designed for audio, it has much better compression than zip.

So, how do you play a FLAC file in a Windows OS? Well, if you want to use the native music player of Windows operating system, Windows Media Player, you will need to download and install a DirectShow filter. Download the madFLAC DirectShow decoder filter and your Windows Media Player (WMP) will play any FLAC files.

You can use other softwares like Winamp, MediaMonkey which will play FLAC files out of the box. If you want to encode FLAC files, download a FULL version of Winamp.

If you use dbPowerAMP Audio Player, you will need to install this FLAC Plugin.
If you use Media Center / Media Jukebox, you will need to install this FLAC Plugin.

Now you can play FLAC files in any of your favorite audio player. If you want to know How to Rip CD’s to FLAC, I will be writing a post on it soon.