tech sectiontech section
Begin the process of changing a directory in DOS by clicking on a computer's "Start" button and typing in "CMD" to run the change directory command. Change from a video directory to the users directory with help from a software developer in this free video on tech support.
A 120VAC-to-5VDC USB converter is an electronic component that charges cell phones, MP3 players and other equipment from a standard household outlet. This type of converter uses a modern, switching power supply design that is more compact, lightweight and efficient than traditional linear supplies – a typical unit takes up no more space than a child’s alphabet block.
If you are listening to music, watching a movie or listening to audio using your computer, you are likely using your computer's internal speakers to hear the sound. Sometimes, however, the balance between the speakers is off, and the sound is not at its highest quality and may stop playing repeatedly. Whether you use a Windows or Mac computer, you can adjust the balance under the Control Panel or System Preferences. If you are using speakers attached to your computer, you can adjust the volume on both speakers to set the balance.
Printers with parallel connectors may not be compatible with newer computers that only have USB inputs. The HP LaserJet 2100 is adaptable with a USB-to-parallel cable conversion. When using the cable, some errors may occur. Through trial and error you can figure out the solution and get the printer operating again.
USB headers are connectors on a computer's motherboard that provide a USB signal for the ports located on the front panel of many desktop computer cases. A typical header will have nine pins, enough to provide a full USB four-wire connection to two different ports. The ninth pin connects to a shield wire that carries no data but protects the USB connection against electromagnetic interference.
When it was first released, Digital Equipment Corporation's Alpha was envisioned as the replacement for the PDP and VAX series of minicomputers and mainframes. With one of the earliest 64-bit instruction-set architectures, or ISAs, Alpha was ahead of its time in many ways. Over the years, though, other processors have continued development while the Alpha-based chips gradually faded out.
Mini USB is a catch-all term for ports and connectors that are smaller than the standard USB. Unlike the larger, traditional USB connections, not all minis are the same size or shape. The pin count is the way electronics manufacturers label different styles of mini USB connections. Understanding more about the technology will help you identify the difference between 7- and 11-pin mini USBs.
The VLC media player application enables a user to stream live media directly from his computer or watch a live stream on his computer monitor. The application is for available for download free of charge from the VideoLAN website and can play and produce streams from most streaming services. However, before you can use the application for live streams, you must have the right hardware on your computer.
The Pantech PX-500 is a cellular modem card that connects to a computer via a PCMCIA PC card slot. If you need to connect your Pantech PX-500 to a computer that has only USB ports, your options are limited.
The Motorola Q9H phone has a built-in music player and the capacity to store up to 32 gigabytes of data on a memory card. But none of that helps you if you can't transfer your music files to the phone. Storing the music on the phone's MicroSD card allows you to carry a large number of music files with you and to add and remove music directly to your phone without special software or syncing processes.
As technology develops quickly and new gadgets constantly incorporate the latest features, many users have begun to combine their electronics into integrated systems. One common example of this trend is the substitution of a computer monitor for a TV, made possible through a simple cable connection, to enjoy the combined features of television and a computer in a single system. This setup can reduce equipment costs and use, but is not necessarily an energy-saver without additional steps.
A Universal Serial Bus (USB) is the most widely used interface for connecting peripheral devices to a computer. Most computers have two to four USB ports for connecting keyboards, mice or hard drives, or plugging in a flash drive or similar storage device. Locking and unlocking the ports through Windows Group Policy settings reduces USB-related security risks.
GNU is a recursive acronym that stands for "GNU's Not Unix," although the operating system has similarities. The GNU Project, launched by Richard Stallman in 1984, grew from his GNU Manifesto, published in the March 1985 issue of Dr. Dobb's Journal of Software Tools. Stallman explained the reasons behind the GNU Project, which can be summarized by the Free Software Movement, leading to Linux.
The SciPhone is a brand of mobile phones developed by Bluelans Communications, a Chinese telecom company, that imitates the popular iPhone design. Although SciPhones are fairly potent smartphones, their software isn't similar to iTunes. To connect your SciPhone to your computer you must use the PC Suite software found on the CD that came with the phone. Usually PC Suite detects the phone as soon as you connect it to the PC using the USB cable. However, the software has a search feature you can use if it does not see your phone.
Whatever your real-time multitracking application, the difference between a Universal Serial Bus 2.0 and a FireWire connection will affect mostly the amount of information transferred. However, FireWire has two versions with different capabilities. FireWire 400 only allows information to travel in one direction at a time at slower speed. FireWire 800 allows simultaneous data transfer in both directions at faster speed.
The Sony BRAVIA Z series LCD television connects to the Internet as well as to your home network to update firmware or allow you to watch content stored on your computer. The television also offers the BRAVIA Sync feature, allowing you to quickly connect compatible Sony home theater products. If you experience network problems, adjusting the TV's settings usually fixes them.
A computer motherboard contains major components but does not have a specific symbol on a computer diagram or drawing. Most developers use a rectangle to show the motherboard but include different information depending on the purpose of the drawing. Types of drawings include block, schematic and general equipment location diagrams, along with combined information drawings.
Four-pin FireWire to USB cables connect IEEE-1394 – or FireWire – devices to Universal Serial Bus devices, allowing for the transfer of data. FireWire, a commonly found port on digital video cameras, transfers data more quickly than USB, but is a more expensive and less common means of data transport. Four-pin FireWire to USB cables allow data transfer between devices with both types of ports.
SplashID allows you to manage all your personal information, including bank accounts, usernames, passwords and credit cards, from a single interface on your Android phone. It’s often faster to enter all your data using the SplashID Desktop application than using the SplashID app and QWERTY, or touchscreen keypad on your phone. You can then synchronize the data to your SplashID application on your Android phone using a USB cable and your computer.
TVs have progressed enormously over the last few decades. They've gone from fairly basic entertainment devices producing content from videotapes to highly sophisticated electronic devices, many of which are capable of Internet access, downloading programs and wireless connectivity. Bluetooth is one wireless capability that many newer TVs incorporate. While some of the most common applications are for connecting to a remote control or keyboard, you can connect many TVs to your PC. Different TVs have different features available for this, but set up is essentially the same.
You can successfully calculate the domain of a graph by employing a few basic techniques. Calculate the domain of a graph with help from a mathematics tutor and educator in this free video clip.
Calculating Y-intercepts is so easy you don't even have to graph in order to do it. Learn how to calculate Y-intercepts without graphing with help from an experienced math teacher in this free video clip.
Most computers come equipped with an Ethernet port for accessing the Internet and the shared resources available through a local area network, or LAN. If your onboard LAN port disappears from your desktop, you can explore several processes to troubleshoot the reason. Be prepared, however, for the possibility that you have to replace a defective LAN port on the computer.
If you start hearing a chirping sound coming from your computer, you might think your mind is playing tricks on you. But your computer actually is making that sound, and you want to know why. The problem is most likely with the speakers or the fan. You can perform some basic troubleshooting to make sure your computer gets back to normal.
When you purchase memory, you can choose from different capacities, types and sizes. It's likely that your personal computer is designed for non-buffered, or unbuffered, memory. Using the wrong memory can cause your computer to not be able to detect the memory module, or result in damage to your computer or the memory chip.
Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator is a computer program that emulates thousands of coin-operated arcade games. If you own a joystick that works in Windows and don't mind using the keyboard or mouse to control a game occasionally, you have everything that you need to enjoy your favorite classic arcade games.
Almost every mobile device, from MP3 players to smart phones, can be charged using some sort of USB cable. Many of these devices connect to a standard USB port via a smaller USB connection that requires a special type of cable. Griffin makes four such cables, each of which have a full-sized USB Type-A connection on one end and smaller "mini" USB connection on the opposite end.
Computer fans need to be connected to the power supply in order to function, typically via the motherboard. Many basic fans have only two wires -- one for the ground or zero-volt connection and one for the positive connection. Your fan may also have a third wire, which carries a signal that tells the computer if your fan is working properly. The colors of the wires may vary.
When installing a large soaking tub in your bathroom, you can surround it with a platform or frame it with a series of knee walls. These short walls, built to the height of the bathtub rim, hide plumbing and are a good place to place a deck mount faucet to supply the bathtub with water without having to drill holes into the tub itself. It is easiest to mount the tub faucet while installing the tub and framing in the walls.
A wall-mounted height measuring rod is a device designed to accurately measure the height of a person standing against the rod. Also called a stadiometer, height measuring rods are most often seen in doctor's offices but can be a fun device for a child's bedroom, kitchen or bathroom to record each youngster's growth rate accurately.
The logic board is the iPhone's main circuit board or microprocessor. If your phone has gotten wet, the board may stop functioning because internal water sensors won't allow the phone to turn on. Instead of sending your iPhone to a repair shop, you can fix this yourself by disassembling the logic board and letting it air dry.
Like other operating systems, Ubuntu controls hardware by using device drivers. If you are switching from Windows or Mac to Ubuntu, the old drivers that you used will not work. You need Linux-specific drivers. Ubuntu installs most of what you need automatically. For other drivers, you will have to find and install them yourself.
Human-computer interaction usually rests on the type of interface paradigm that users must adapt to when navigating a computer system. Since the 1980s, the dominant paradigm in popular computing has been the desktop environment. Comparing the desktop with other environments, such as command line or touch screen, helps in understanding some of the advantages and disadvantages inherent in this distinctive way of interacting with a system.
"Quad SSD" is a marketing term created by Sony to describe the Vaio VPCZ11Z9E notebook, which includes four solid-state storage devices linked together with RAID 0. In a 2011 review, Sebastian Jentsch of NotebookCheck.net praised the high speed of the notebook's storage subsystem and noted the high quality of its display.
Dell’s line of Alienware laptop computers comes with USB 2.0 ports that accommodate connections to devices which are compatible with USB 2.0 technology, such as mice and personal audio players. As convenient as USB 2.0 technology is, it can also cause electronics devices to experience problems when interacting with each other.
Oracle, a leading database application, features many analytic functions that allow developers to perform tasks in a Structured Query Language, or SQL, as opposed to a procedural language, which comes with far more constraints. Examples of Oracle analytic functions include Avg, Count, Lag, Percent Rank and Variance.
Listening to music on your computer is a good source of relaxation while you work or study, but one day you might suddenly find your listening experience marred by a persistent whine coming from the speakers. It might be just within the range of your hearing, just audible enough to notice. There are several things that can cause the speakers to emit a persistent high-pitched popping sound. Although it's possible that your speaker is faulty, it's best to troubleshoot other causes before replacing your speakers.
The essence of an electric fan, like the ones in your computer, is a windmill in reverse. The parts are all the same, but the flow of electricity is reversed between a fan and a windmill. Computer fans don't make the most efficient windmills, but their small size and inexpensive nature make them ideal for experimentation and do-it-yourself projects. Converting a computer fan into a mini windmill requires soldering skills and a basic knowledge of electrical circuits.
QuickPlay SlingPlayer is a pre-installed program on HP notebooks. SlingPlayer is an application by Sling Media, Inc. that allows a user to connect with her Internet TV Slingbox to watch TV on her notebook. SlingPlayer is also available on desktop computers and smart phones.
The Actiontec M1000 modem comes with one USB port, used to connect the device to a personal computer using the Microsoft Windows 98SE or newer operating system. The M1000 is also known as the Qwest M1000 because of its inclusion as part of the phone provider’s Internet service. In early 2011, CenturyLink acquired Qwest, but kept the M1000 as part of its Internet service.
If you have a deck or patio that needs lighting for summer socializing or fall snuggling beneath a blanket on a bench, then consider installing wall-mounted outdoor lighting for your space. These lights come in a variety of styles to match the design you desire. You will need to hire an electrician to install the wiring and to ensure it is safe if your outdoor walls do not already have internal wires installed.
The Alcatel Speedtouch USB modem is a device that allows computers to access the Internet through a DSL phone link. Although it is typically able to synchronize with the computer, the Speedtouch modem occasionally fails in its attempts to connect to the computer and phone line. These types of failures are in relation to the device’s internal and external links.
A handheld Personal Baby Assistant, also known as the Onaroo PBA, is an electrical device by American Innovative, LLC that helps you keep track of changing your baby’s diapers and administrating feedings. The device also keeps track of your baby’s naps, medicine, growth and body temperature. The device interfaces with your computer for uploading the data for processing, printing or storing. A PBA is similar to a personal digital assistant and includes a user-friendly interface.
WPA2 security is one of the highest-security options available for wireless networks. It is designed with longer encryption keys to make it more difficult for hackers to break into the network. If you are unable to connect to a WPA2-enabled wireless Internet network, the problem may lie with your computer hardware or the Internet service itself.
Condenser microphones utilize a phantom power supply instead of batteries or an electrical outlet. This phantom power can come from a USB recording interface on your computer. Because microphones are very sensitive instruments, you need to adjust them properly to achieve the desired sound. The availability of USB interface recording gear on your computer makes this task much easier to do.
External Serial ATA is an interface for external storage devices that provides bandwidth for transfer speeds up to 3 gigabits per second -- significantly faster than the USB 2.0 or FireWire 800 interfaces. ESATA hard drives, like other removable storage devices, are susceptible to data corruption when disconnected improperly. To maintain data integrity, shut down an eSATA device safely before removing it from your computer.
C programmers use header files to include additional functionality into their programs, functionality that can automate programming tasks or allow the program to interact with the hardware of the computer. Some of these headers, including the "ctype.h" header file, allow the programmer to check, compare, and manipulate characters such as numbers, letters, and punctuation. These functions abstract these character operations so that the programmer does not have to pay attention to how the computer actually handles characters.
With the iConnex audio input card, you can easily transfer recordings from your stereo player, tape player or phonograph player to your computer. All recordings are saved to your computer's hard drive as an audio file. The iConnex is a “plug and play” device, meaning it does not require any hardware installation. However, you do need special software on your computer to capture and record your stereo player's audio.
If your computer’s USB ports -- which are used to transfer data and files -- have stopped working after connecting a Fuji digital camera, drivers, cables and power glitches may be responsible. Also, many USB-related problems are the result of steps that were neglected during the setup process.
The small oval port on the side of some laptops is the Kensington security slot. Also known as the K-slot, this may be positioned vertically on the case of some laptops but is horizontal on others. The K-slot allows you to secure the laptop with a Kensington lock, helping prevent theft.
