The most common question I hear about video drivers, or any kind of driver really, is what do they do?  In simple terms, a driver is a translator, and just like other translators, it needs to know the two languages required for a good translation.  That means that every driver is a device unique program.

Video Driver Problems in a Foreign Land
Since each driver is unique to the hardware and operating system environment in which it functions, it means that each time you change something, hardware or software, it can impact the driver.  An improper driver will not work on your machine resulting in problems between the operating system and any device you have installed.

Preventing the Video Driver Problem
One of the ways to prevent these kinds of translation problems is to visit the manufacturer’s websites periodically and let your computer update your drivers.  By keeping up with this kind of maintenance, you will avoid the worst problems associated with out of date drivers, but it can’t prevent errors caused by changes within your system.

Windows is well known for updating regularly throughout an operating systems life.  If you have authorized automatic updates, you may never know when they have happened.  Suddenly, your video card isn’t functioning correctly and your machine is slowing down.  Requests are taking forever to be completed.  The situation is very frustrating.

My Video Driver Still Has an Error, Now What?
Honestly, the best thing to do at this point is to download a good registry cleaner and let it keep things updated for you at all times.

These wonderful little programs can keep your drivers up to date and keep your registry, an important part of any operating system, trouble free.  They delete bits of old programs that get left behind, make corrections to missing and damaged files and help optimize your PC.  Stop video driver error, now!

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Many computer users will buy a PC and run whatever systemoriginally installed on it. This may be because they aren’t tech savvy to install another operating system or they just don’t feel like trying new things.

Ubuntu 9.04 may be something that you want to consider installing. Even if you’ve never installed another operating system before Ubuntu may change your views. The operating system has all of the elements a top operating system needs. It moves fast and smoothly, you don’t have to worry about things jerking while you try to move them, and above all else you can expect to find things in the user interface where they should logically be.

Some users of Ubuntu have noticed the speed difference over operating systems such as Windows Vista. Some of the most noticeable differences take place when you run multiple programs and test the operating system’s multitasking capabilities. Ubuntu also has fixed problems with installing drivers.

Microsoft has produced its greatest operating system yet with Windows 7. However, the Leopard operating system has erratic behavior that has lowered its ranking as an operating system. The bottom line is that Ubuntu has risen to a level where it can compete with Mac and Windows.

It’s amazing to see such a beautiful operating system emerge so unexpectedly. While there are other operating systems that are free and open source such as Linux, Ubuntu combines the best of both worlds.

If computer users have never tried another operating system before, then you may want to try Ubuntu before you run out and purchase the latest release of Windows or Mac’s OS. It’s free to try and who knows you may like it better than other operating systems.
You may be surprised to find that Ubuntu is truly a diamond in the rough.

Source: CNET

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As Microsoft is set to withdraw support for Windows XP, household and business users alike are starting to question the timing and propriety of the move.

Many companies are already reeling from the ongoing recession, and the last thing that they need is additional digits on their expenses sheet for OS replacement. Even sans the economic crunch, many deem a Vista shift would be needless and wasteful in view of the promising developments that Redmond is making on Windows 7.

At present, Microsoft is not blinking. If you’re still using XP and bent on sticking to it, then you have to do some serious thinking as to its feasibility. If you’re PC is like Cuba, then you’ll probably survive compatibility or support storms as you won’t be mixing much with other computers or data coming from them. But if you’re constantly interacting with PC users who have long migrated to Vista, then you really have to consider joining their club.

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If you think you’ve already crossed the finish line after several hours of waiting for Windows 7 Beta to finish filling up your hard drive, then you’re in for a big disappointment.

Many antivirus software, including McAfee and Norton’s, are rejecting the new OS. While your primary security application cannot prohibit you from running or using the new Microsoft software, doing so would expose your system to numerous malware threats as the antivirus would cease to function.

This isn’t the first time that antivirus programs are raising the red flag on a Microsoft beta release. Early releases of previous operating systems, as well as some Windows updates, were even tagged as potentially harmful. While many were perplexed, a considerable number of users were already expecting it as numerous bulletins already warned the buyers of the new OS that a number of their existing software might not yet recognize the Microsoft newbie.

Don’t fret, though. As with the previous cases, the makers of the applications that get jittery with the new OS will release patches or updates that will correct the problem. For now, you could either just wait for the remedies to be released, or find another antivirus that recognizes Windows 7.

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Following millions of Windows fans downloading Windows 7 Beta OS, Microsoft decided to lift the 2.5 million download limit to the most anticipated OS since, well Vista.

Reports indicated that just a few hours after Windows 7 Beta was launched, the servers hosting the OS were put into a critical tension. Users from all over the globe rushed in an effort to be among the 2.5 million beta testers.

Microsoft Windows communications manager Brandon LeBlanc said the following on a blog post: Due to an enormous surge in demand, the download experience was not ideal so we listened and took the necessary steps to ensure a good experience.

The download limit is lifted effective today up to January 24.

Engadget was able to test the new operating system using MacBook Pro and VAIO P. Initial impressions from different tech bloggers revealed that Windows 7 is better than Vista in terms of speed. Security and total performance on the other hand offer different issues. For example, McAfee anti-virus failed to work on Windows 7 during the test, but as Microsoft calls the OS, it is still in beta.

Windows 7 have a feature similar to Mac’s Time Machine; there is also an auto backup system for MP3s. Microsoft is continually issuing update patches as of this writing.

Source: Engadget

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Merry Christmas, folks! I hope Santa (or those who usurped his seasonal duties) gave you what you wished for. If you found a few hundred bucks inside the sock that you’ve hanged on the wall, then you’re probably already headed to a nearby computer store to get the latest from Dell, HP, or Acer.

When buying a PC, consumers are often asked whether they want the unit bare or already preinstalled with Windows Vista. The choice may seem simple. As users would want to be able to use the unit immediately, he would definitely opt for the model that’s already bundled with the Microsoft OS. However, buyers might want to consider some things before making the choice.

If you have already bought a copy of Vista beforehand, then there’s definitely no need to buy a unit that’s bundled with one. A bare PC costs less than one which is preinstalled with Vista. You could use that few extra bucks you’ll save for something else, say a printer.

Not everybody wants the preinstalled version of Vista because of certain limitations. Being an OEM version, it’s inseparably chained to the unit to which it is installed. If you don’t see your marriage with that unit lasting for a year, then you’re probably better off buying a separate copy of Vista so that you could transfer it to a paramour laptop or other different units which you may buy later on.

Lastly, you may not want the bundled version that the shop offers. Many units come only with Vista Basic. If you need the more advanced features of Vista Ultimate, then go for a cheaper, bare PC and buy a separate copy of the Vista version of your choice.

Shop wisely!

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How do I turn off my computer? Let me count the ways…

While there may be a dozen means by which you could shut your PC down, there’s only one method by which Microsoft recommends on how you should do it – by clicking on the “Turn Off” button in the Start menu.

You may wonder why your operating system’s manufacturer insists that you put your PC to rest by clicking on the said button. You may surmise that Microsoft programmers are emphasizing on such method simply because they don’t want you to waste their effort in creating the red button. Surely there are other ways by which you could accomplish it. However, the textbook technique is the preferred one since it ensures that all programs would also shut down in the manner intended by their own manufacturers.

What Lies Beneath

There are many processes that transpire or run but lay hidden whenever we put our computer to life. The fact that you don’t see these programs running behind your operating system means that you also have practically no direct or immediate control over them. Hence, turning them off might be too complicated a task for you, if that’s even possible.

One of the reasons why control or management of these processes are directly delegated to the supervision of the operating system is that they are either too many or seem too insignificant for human attention. Imagine if you’re required to turn all of them manually. That would be a nightmare. Operating systems spare you from such dilemma or any needless intervention by executing those processes or applications automatically.

Already Taken Cared Of

Unsurprisingly, it is also the OS that shuts them down. However, as with the process of breathing life to your PC, a degree of human intervention is also needed in order to turn them off. By clicking the “Turn Off” button, you’re prompting your computer to end what it is doing and giving it ample time to execute the necessary steps in order to close all the programs running on your computer. This is the reason why it takes several seconds or even a few minutes before your PC shuts off.

The prescribed procedure is obviously long, especially if there are many programs that need to be closed. Resorting to faster techniques, such as pressing the power button for a few seconds, may spare you a few seconds, but it might not spare you from multiplying those saved seconds to the hours that you’ll need in order to restore important data or system files that got damaged or corrupted due to improper termination.

Follow the Rules

There are reasons as to why you should follow proper procedures, and most of these reasons have your welfare in mind. If you have a habit of just pulling the power plug in order to turn off your computer, then you’d better cut it. You might refute the dangers or consequences that I’m presenting here by attesting that not a single file in your hard drive got damaged by your improper shutdown practices. But I’m telling you, it’s only a matter of time when you’ll surely wish that you’ve clicked on that red button to turn your system off.

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Do you know what endorphins are?

Endorphins are euphoria-inducing neurotransmitters that act as natural anesthetics. They’re also considered as happy hormones or chemicals produced by the brain that make us feel good. So whenever we smile and feel good about something, chances are is that endorphins are being mixed in our system.

So what do endorphins have to do with computers?

Feeling Good

We all want to feel good and safe whenever we turn our PCs power button on. We definitely want to double that sense of security whenever we hit the power button of our modem. There are hundreds of ways by which our PC could get mangled when it’s running, so it could be surmised that our endorphin levels are dipping dangerously to the bottom whenever we’re using it, especially when we’re connected on the Internet.

Whether you’re PCs holding sensitive information or just plain old games that you could easily install if it gets corrupted, you would definitely want your system to be able to fend off attacks from malware. I know, we’ve all heard of back ups, but reinstalling data back into a freshly reformatted hard drive consumes time. And even if data back up is already as common or popular as sliced bread, not everybody eats bread.

Additional Troops

An average PC user usually just depends on an antivirus and his operating system’s firewall for security. Ordinarily, this may already be enough. However, we’re all aware of the growing threat both on software and hardware. Viruses and spyware are being manufactured everyday from different points of the globe. Hence, one might say that it’s only a matter of time before an infiltration becomes successful.

I’m fully aware of the possibility that my system would eventually succumb to an attack. However, I also know that I could beat or go against the odds or predictions by encircling my PC with barbed wire. There’s this unexplainable feeling of joy, pride, and relief whenever I could tell myself that my PC is somewhat impregnable. I usually boast to my officemates that my laptop can withstand malware attacks, even some harsh ones, considering the sentinels that I’ve installed in my system. Aside from my antivirus and the built-in firewall in my OS, I also have RegCure since many malware targets system registries.

e-endorphins

The one thing that many of us value is peace of mind. I hate worries. I always want to do things with the assurance that when something goes wrong, I could still recover what have been lost. Or better yet, I want to do things with the thought that I won’t be disrupted therefrom. This goes double whenever I’m using my PC. I relish at the assurance that I’ll be able to recover what I would lose in case my system crashes. But the very thing that makes me feel secured is the thought that my computer would be able to withstand any attack against it.

Life is stressful enough to make room for a couple of more worries. Insurance companies often make this point in order to sell their products. And believe me, they do have a point. In the same manner, makers of security software and system tools assure people a considerable degree of confidence and assurance whenever they put their life in the hands of their PCs.

Inject a good amount of endorphins in your system by injecting a registry cleaner and an antivirus in your PC. These applications are not just mere placebos. They are up to the task of ensuring that the smile plastered on your face whenever you venture into cyberspace is justified.

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There are many things that you should consider when buying a computer. For many, these things range from peripherals to processors. If you have wads of cash to spare, then you would definitely not settle for anything less than a Creative GigaWorks S750 or a Harman Kardon SoundSticks II for speakers, and the latest Intel Core 2 Duo chip for your PC’s processor.

There’s a very important consideration, though, that lies beneath the glam of the unit, and I’m not talking about the processor. The PC-Mac rivalry isn’t just about which unit has the coolest shell design. Rather, it’s about which architecture can best serve the needs of the user.

Of Frameworks and Platforms

In order for you to be able to distinguish between a PC and a Mac, let me give a brief background as to their origin. While the term “PC” generally refers to any computer, it also has a technical meaning. IBM gave birth to the PC, and as such, the term refers to computers that are based on the IBM design. On the other hand, the Macintosh (Mac) is a computer built by Apple.

The two were made from different blueprints. The PC is based on the Intel model, while the Mac follows the Power PC architecture designed by Apple, Motorola, and also partly by IBM. Since they were made from different frameworks, the two computers cannot run applications designed for a particular architecture. In other words, you cannot run PC-based software on a Mac and vice versa.

An Attempt to Unify

There really isn’t a competition between the two. For one thing, the PC has long captured the market and is the preferred class or architecture. There’s a growing fondness for the Mac, though. However, the Apple fad isn’t strong enough to unseat the PC as the unit of choice.

While the PC and the Mac could definitely coexist, a good number of users of both platforms are clamoring for the unification of the two. Thus, in 2006, Apple boss Steve Jobs announced that the Mac would depart from the Power PC architecture and would already follow the Intel blueprint. The development now makes it possible for Windows to be able to run on the Mac.

The shift was not well received by die hard Mac fans, though. They consider the Macintosh as a novelty that shouldn’t be modified by the PC. This is one of the reasons why the compatibility issue still exists and that Windows still hasn’t invaded the Apple desktops.

Both Vulnerable

Some Mac fans claim that their unit is less vulnerable to malware attack. This may be true, but not due to the reason that their architecture or OS is more barb-wired than the PC. It could just very well be that hackers favor Windows as the object of their affection since it is the most popular operating system in the world. Macs do need protective software like the PC, such as registry cleaners and antivirus programs.

You should definitely consider the compatibility issue when choosing between a Mac and a PC. If you want to play it safe, choose a PC-based unit. It’s the architecture that is widely accepted and used around the world.

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Many predict that 2008 will be the year when laptops would finally succeed in their bid to dethrone desktops as the PC of choice. I agree.

For two decades, the desktop has lorded over almost all conceivable machines which could read and process electronic data. It was supposed to be the “future” of data processing. Everybody thought that the size and shape of the PC would not change significantly for generations to come.

Small Enough?

It’s not difficult to see why many didn’t dismiss the desktop as something that’s only transitional. Back when hard disks were still as big as cupboards, many wished for a computer that could easily fit one’s bedroom without having to throw out everything in it, including the bed. It took several decades before that prayer was answered. When IBM came out with a design that perfectly fitted study and office tables, many fostered the conviction that this was what a computer should look like and that any alteration of its structure would considerably diminish its appeal and even functionality.

Of course, being the only constant thing in this world aside from politics, change redefined the looks and functions of the PC. The world shrunk, and time became a very expensive commodity. Everything has to be done fast. While the term “multitasking” was already popular even during the days of Windows 3.1, the word took on a whole new different meaning a decade after the IT industry had started to blabber it as if it was a cuss word.

Run Run Run

As we all know, recent operating systems allow the juggling of different tasks, functions, or programs. Depending on the amount of memory and the type of processor that your computer have, large applications like CAD or multimedia programs could run side by side with other software. Nobody now asks if one could perform several things at the same time on a computer. The question has already been answered a long time ago.

Now that programs could already be ran simultaneously in a single computer, the question that was next asked is if one could still run all of them while he is actually running. As I have intimated a while back, everybody seems to be running after time and running out of it. Eight hours seem to be just eight minutes. It’s not surprising then when people started to wish that they could bring and do their tasks even when they’re out of the office.

Personal Accessory

To inaccurately borrow the words of the HP slogan, laptops made personal computers personal again. While mainframes exponentially shrunk to desktop size, it still isn’t exactly personal and portable as your watch or mobile phone. You simply can’t bring it anywhere, well at least not conveniently.

Everybody is maximizing the use of his or her time. It’s not surprising then if people treat travel time as an extension of their office hours. Laptops are not just becoming more affordable, but more importantly, they are also making time an affordable commodity. Don’t be surprised, then, if laptop sales exceed desktop purchases this year.

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