Missing Driver Detector/identifier for your Pc

Unknown Device Identifier enables you to identify the yellow question mark labeled Unknown Devices in Device Manager. And reports you a detailed summary for the manufacturer name, OEM name, device type, device model and even the exact name of the unknown devices. With the collected information, you might contact your hardware manufacturer for support or search the Internet for the corresponding driver with a simple click. With this utility, you might immediately convert your unidentified unknown devices into identified known devices and find proper driver on the Internet and contact the hardware device manufacturer or vendor. Known devices recognized by Microsoft Windows will also be analyzed independent of the operating system.

Features

- Identify USB 1.1/2.0/3.0 Device
- Identify IEEE 1394 Device
- Identify ISA Plug&Play Device
- Identify AGP Bus Device
- Identify PCI, PCI-E, eSATA Device
- Multilingual interface: English, French
- Find Drivers for Hardware Devices
- Contact Hardware vendor directly
- Save or Print Hardware information

Download  Size: 1061KB (1,087,058 bytes)

Download Size: 1061KB (1,087,058 bytes)

Read More

Graphics Card Problem Solving

When you have problems with your video display, it can be something as simple as having the brightness turned down to a bad controller on the motherboard. If you have not done,first learn to identify the components of the video display system.
When you look inside any open computer,see if you can locate the Video Card. Is your video card mounted in an adapter slot or is it integrated onto the motherboard. If the card is motherboard integrated, locate the jumpers that will allow the card to be disabled should you need to install another card.
The Monitor is the second component in the video display and it must be compatible with your video card. Be sure the maximum resolution of your video card and monitor are the same. Its even better to your a higher resolution display on your monitor.

Nothing on the Monitor
As we first mentioned, check the brightness and contrast buttons on the monitor to be sure they are not turned down. Yeah,we know. This sounds a little silly to think this could be overlooked,but believe me, it really does.
And while we're talking about simple checks,be sure the monitor is receiving power. If the power indicator light is out, remove the power cable and look for any bent or broken pins or connectors.
Try to reboot the computer one or two times to be sure the system did not just lock up. If nothing happens, replace the cable with a known good cable to prove that the wall outlet or surge protector has power.

If the monitor has power but nothing is on the screen, check the data cable going into the rear of the computer. Be sure the cable is secure. If it is,Turn the power off to the system unit, remove the cable and look for broken, loose, or bent pins.
Finally, if you're blessed enough to have two computers, exchange the monitor with a good
monitor to see if it works. Replace the old monitor if the new monitor works. If the new monitor fail as well, remove the system cover to inspect the Video Card.

Monitor Works But No Display
When the Monitor is known to be good but its screen is still blank, the Video Card is the most likely culprit. First inspect the card to be sure it is fully seated in its slot if it is adapter slot mounted.
Check the jumpers of any motherboard mounted card to be sure a jumper has not been lost
or loose. If you have been inside your system,its always a possibility to have moved the
card.
Monitor Works But Poor Display
If your monitor works but the images appear fuzzy, or flickering often, and the text are hard to read, it may be time to adjust the video card's resolution and the refresh rate.
Right click the desktop, select properties and open the display properties dialog box. Choose the tab for settings and adjust the slider to change your display resolution. Most 17-inch monitors will have a resolution of 800 x 600 but choose the best resolution for your eyes.
After adjusting the resolution, check the display to see if all flickering and other problems have vanished.

If not, optimize the refresh rate. The refresh rate is the rate in which the video card redraws the screen. Lower refresh rates sometimes cause flickering.
To adjust this rate, open the display properties dialog box in the desktop, and choose the settings tab once again. Click the advanced button and choose the adapter tab if you still have Windows 98.
If you have Windows XP, choose the Monitor tab. And from there you can set the refresh rate to about 70Hz or 70 Hertz. Check your monitor's manual or web site to see the maximum refresh rate for your monitor.
To effectively maintain your video display,visit the supporting web sites for updated software patches and device drivers. Watch for new control software for your card that will greatly boost its performance.
Take the time to clean the system unit case which will allow air to flow freely. This in turn
will help keep the video components cool which will allow the card the perform smoothly.

Read More

Defragment Your Hard Drive Regularly

Vista now includes an automatic defragment system that is enabled by default. With XP or Vista (if you want to set it off outside the schedule) defragment your hard drive by choosing  

Start → Programs → Accessories → System Tools → Disk Defragmenter.
This should be done every week if possible and can take several hour, so again do it at night or while you are at work. There are some free disk defragmenter scheduler solutions, so you can "set it and forget it." They are startdefrag, autodefrag and Lexun Freeware Drivecare. There is also a Microsoft article that tells you how to use Scheduler to schedule defragmentation.

Read More

Installing A Sound Card The Easy Way

Sound Card installation is indeed simple and rather straight forward, that is,when you know how to do it. Opening the system unit can be a scary task for some of us, especially if we have not performed this task before.

The key is to be calm,take your time,and make it fun. Look forward to looking inside the computer and see just how many components you can readily identify. Remember to touch a doorknob or any grounded metal object to remove static electricity from your body. To install your new sound card,let's perform the following.

Open The System Unit:
Remove the system unit cover and locate an empty expansion bay. Note that the rear cover
of the slot may have to be removed on most computers. Before touching anything, ground yourself to remove any buildup of electrical static charge from yourself. Touching the computer case or a doorknob will do the job.
With the cover removed from the system unit,lay the computer on its side. You may have to remove other connections or devices to have clear access to the empty card bay. Take notes of any devices or connections that you make so that you can refer to them during installation of the new card.
New sound cards must be installed in the PCI slot. After removing the small rear cover, remove the new card from its protective wrap. This wrap is intended to keep the card away from electrical static charge. 

Installing The Sound Card:
Grasp the card and align it with the PCI slot. Slowly but firmly press the new car completely in the PCI slot. Check to be sure no part of the yellow contacts can be see when the card is pushed in.
Secure the sound card to the system unit by using the screw that you removed when removing the rear cover. Use this screw to secure the card to the case.
If you have on sound installed on the motherboard and you want to install another card, most systems will disable the motherboard integrated sound. If not, consult your computer manual to find the correct jumpers to disable the motherboard sound.

Now the cdrom audio cable must be connected. Insert one end of the audio cable for the CDROM or DVD drive into the CD-IN socket of the sound card. The other end is inserted into
the audio-out socket of the CDROM or DVD drive.
Check and double check all connections before you replace the system unit cover. If all connections are good, replace the cover and reboot the system after all peripherals are reconnected.

Replace The System Unit Cover:
The computer should automatically detect the new card and attempt to install the device drivers needed to communicate with the card. Windows should prompt you to install the software needed to allow the card to communicate to the computer.

The new card should have come with a cdrom with device drivers and other software for the card. Simply inserted the cdrom in the cdrom drive and select the cdrom installation when prompted.
Test the new sound card by re-booting the computer. You should hear the Windows startup sound if the card is operational. In some cases,the new card will be operational without rebooting your computer.
Installing or upgrading your sound card is that easy. You will need a quality speaker system to take full advantage of your new sound card. Get a speaker system with a super woofer for maximum sound quality.
Those new games and your new music CDROMs will be much more exciting with that new sound bursting from the new sound card.
If you're blessed enough to have two computers,install the card in the other system, at your convenience. This will give you the added training of installing computer components.

Read More

How To Add Random Access Memory To Speed Up Your Desktop Computer

When you purchase a computer, it will come with an adequate amount of RAM or Random Access Memory to run the operating system and all software that is installed.

However,as you install more software, your PC will begin to slowdown. The amount of RAM you need depends on your operating system on all applications you may be running on your computer at any one time.

Installing memory is one of the easiest tasks. Take the time to first be sure you have the right RAM for your computer. If you're in doubt take it back to the place of purchase and be sure you have the right RAM.

After being certain you have the right RAM, you're ready to open the system unit and begin. But first, you need to remove static electricity. Watch this short video about installing RAM Memory on the motherboard.
Remove static electricity before you remove the new memory from its protective wrap. Its best to purchase a Wrist Strap if you plan on working in your PC often. But if not, you can simply touch a door knob or your computer's metal case to remove the static electricity. To install your new Ram, perform the following.
Check to see if you have ample light. You may want to have a container to place small screws in. The system unit cover may have small screws and you don't want to lose them.
After you have plenty of work space and ample lighting, prepare your mind as well. Make this and every other adventure of working on your computer educational and fun.
Take the time to study the actual components inside your computer. You'll be glad you did should something go wrong. Follow these steps to install your drive.
First: Turn off your computer and unplug all peripherals. Take notice of how you unplug or disconnect any devices. Locate the RAM on the motherboard.
Second: Remove the side panel of the tower system or the cover if you have a desktop. Place the panel in a safe place well out of the way.
Third: Before touching anything inside the system unit, remove electrical static charge from your body by touching a door knob or any unpainted metal surface.
Fourth: Remove the new memory from its protective wrapping and locate the sockets or memory banks to install the new memory chips.
Fifth: Notice the type of retaining clips that hold the chips in place. Remove any old chips you intend to move.

Now to be sure you won't damage the chips, ground yourself again to remove any remaining static electricity.
Sixth: Pull the retaining clip open and carefully slide the RAM Chips in their memory banks. Push the clips back over the new memory chips.
Seventh: Check and double check the firmness of the chips by gently trying to move the from side to side. Take a good long look at the chips for anything that looks unusual.
Eighth: Replace the system unit cover and reconnect all peripherals. Reboot the computer and the operating system should recognize your new or added memory without any problem.
Its that easy when it comes to installing new or more memory. Read your computer's manual first to find out what type of ram memory you have and what is needed for upgrades.
Take time to Visit the Kingston Memory site above and use their memory configurator to find out the memory you need to upgrade your computer.
And go ahead and enjoy the faster speed you should experience once your new memory is installed. Don't forget to run scan disk, defragment,and disk cleanup to clean your hard drive of extra space. 

Read More