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Computer Hardware

what is computer Hardware? Computer hardware consist of hard drives (storage), cd/dvd drives, ram (memory), procressor, fans, motherboard, cards such as nic, sound, video, all these are hardware and can be replaced or upgraded.

General Maintainence -General maintainence will help keep your components working properly and allow air flow to keep them cool. First thing you will need to do is shutdown your pc then when it is off pull it out wher you can remove the side and turn it to see the back as well as the other side. Once a month, you should open the side of your pc, and then with a very soft bristle .5 inch paintbrush, brush off fans, processor, cards, and air holes where dust gathers. Make sure to clean the air holes at the bottom of the front panel and the other side as well as the back. You can also purchase the small cans of air for pcs and use these. Once the dust has been removed and the vent holes are open put the side back on and slide your pc back to its normal position and boot it up.

Upgrade Harddrive

You will need to do the following. Also remember when you open your pc up to put in hard drive to remove any jewlery (watch, wedding band) and put on a grounding strap attached to your wrist.

1. Prepare Your PC's Existing Hard Drive To prevent future problems, make sure the current drive in your PC is trouble-free. Run ScanDisk (Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Scan Disk) and check the Thorough test option. Then run Disk Defragmenter (Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Disk Defragmenter). These tests sometimes take hours to complete if you haven't run them before, but you'll save time and headaches later in the installation process by ensuring that you will be copying error-free data. Next, make a full backup of your hard drive if you're able to, or at least back up your vital data and configuration files from your favorite programs. Don't forget files like normal.dot from Microsoft Word and Bookmarks or Favorites from your Web browser. .... Continue

Upgrade Video Card

Before you purchase a new video card you must first see if your pc will handle the new video card you plan on purchasing. How do you do this? Take a look at your system motherboard to see if it has an AGP or PCI Express card slot (it will be the topmost expansion slot on the motherboard--your monitor should be connected to the card currently sitting there). Older systems have AGP card slots, but more recent systems (made in the past two years) have PCI Express card slots. If your system has a PCI Express slot, you're in luck. All the latest video cards use the PCI Express form factor. Your upgrade options will be much more limited if you find an AGP slot staring back at you. ... Continue

Replace fans

Case Fans Case fans can be mounted to the case, in a drive bay or installed in a slot. They are easy to remove and install. If replacing a fan, simply open the case, locate the fan, disconnect it from its power source, remove any fasteners holding the fan in place and install the new fan. If you are installing a new fan, rather than replacing one, then locate a suitable position for the fan, secure the fan in place, connect it to a power source (typically one of the power connectors from the power supply or possibly a connector on the motherboard designated for powering a case fan.

Drive Fans Drive fans typically mount in an available drive bay and connect to a power lead from the power supply. Whether installing a new fan or replacing an existing fan, open the case, locate a bay that will best move air over the drives. Secure the drive fan into the drive bay and connect it to the power supply.