Complete guide for Dell Computer problems

Computer system is a collection of many peripheral devices, along with the needed software packages. Computer problems are the issues either with any peripheral device or with any software. There can be many reasons for the various computer problems.

Some of the common computer problems are enlisted as:

• Computer automatically shuts down or does not shut down at all
• Computer does not recognize hard disk
• Low response time Computer takes much time in launching applications
• Computer would not boot
• Computer system crashes or locks up
• Blue screen error
• Computer makes beeping sound when switched on
• Sound card not working
• Compatibility issue with any hardware
• Printer is not functioning as expected

Beside these, there are certain technical issues that cannot be detected easily and needs professional assistance to get fixed.

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Steps of Computer Troubleshooting for better PC performance

Computer troubleshooting is concerned with solution of issues either with hardware or software. While working on your computer system, you may face many technical issues. In this situation, you may either contact a technician for assistance or you can perform some steps in case you have knowledge about it.

Some of the methods for troubleshooting a computer are enlisted as:

• When you will find a faulty component in your computer system, then check it with other computers in order to find out whether it is faulty or not.
• You can utilize the event viewer utility for finding out the error. For using it on Windows XP follow these steps:

STEP 1: Click on start, then on control panel

STEP 2: Click on performance and maintenance, click on Administrative tools and in last click on Event viewer.

In the event viewer, you will find the error or warning messages associated with any faulty hardware or software.

• When you will find any device failure, then check all the cables of your system like power cable, internal circuitry cables etc.
• You can check the hardware settings in the CMOS and in the device manager of your system.
• In case you analyze that after the installation of a program, you computer is not working properly. Then you can remove that particular program from your computer system.

Perform the following steps for removing a program:

STEP 1: Click Start, click Control Panel, and then click Add or Remove Programs.

STEP 2: In the list of programs, click the one that you want to remove, and then click Change/Remove.

STEP 3: Click Yes when you are prompted with the question "Do you want to remove the program?"

So, it can be said that computer troubleshooting is a vast field, but you should gain knowledge about some methods for solving some issues on your own. In fact, if you have some trouble in troubleshooting your computer or PC on your own, you can, always seek assistance from some technical organization.

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Technical support for Computer Installation

A computer is an electronic device that takes raw information in the form of digitalized data and produces some meaningful information. It manipulates information according to a set of instructions. These instructions are mostly governed by software programs, which is basically a piece of code for carrying out a particular task.

Software & hardware are two main factors, which play a vital role in computer installation or we can also say computer installation is a combination of software & hardware installation.

Software installation is all about loading essential software programs on to a computer system for performing any particular task. Software can be divided into two categories, such as system software & application software. For example, an operating system is a perfect example of system software, which is responsible for management of computer hardware and software.

It’s always better to check the minimum system requirement before installing any software application; you need to make sure that your system has enough hardware to run that particular software. Once you install software successfully you must reboot your computer.

In case, you find that your computer is not ready for any software program, then you should not install that program. Whenever you install new software, Windows makes some kind of changes in registry, incorrect changes can lead your system to an inoperable condition.

Today, hardware installation is not a pain. You can easily attach hardware devices with your computer. At first, you need to turn off your PC and connect your hardware device with it. Once you connect a hardware device physically it will be automatically detected by Windows as soon as you restart your computer. Install the correct driver and software that came with the device and your device is ready to use.

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Install antivirus for better PC performance

Observe and identify your system for the following symptoms:

• Windows Start up freezes
• Slow booting
• Lost your critical Windows files
• Pop ups and error messages prevalent
• Unable to save any program
• Programs getting self started
• CD-ROM drives operate without any direction
• Windows Installer failure
• E-mails delivery issue

From the above issues, you can conclude that your system has been invaded by some sorts of virus. Hence, you need to take appropriate action. Sometimes virus gets proliferated to such an extent that it becomes difficult to install antivirus programs itself.

Hence, preventive measure is essential to avoid any of the above situations.

Let’s get familiar with installation of antivirus program.

Note: Before beginning any installation procedure make sure to remove if there is any earlier security software.

You can install antivirus from a CD/DVDs or the best way is to go online.

STEP 1. Click the download link provided on the website.

STEP 2. When prompted for Run, Save or Cancel the download. Click Save.

STEP 3. Your browser will ask you the location to save the file. Use the drop-down menu to select your Desktop, then click Save.

STEP 4. The download process will begin, and depending on the speed of your Internet connection this process can take up to an hour.

STEP 5. Close all open windows except this web page, then locate the file on your Desktop.

STEP 6. For Windows XP, double-click the file to begin the installation process.

STEP 7. For Vista/Windows 7, right-click on the file and choose Run as administrator. If prompted, click Continue. Let the process to finish. Complete the agreement formality and payment options if required.

Important: User needs to get in touch with their IT support provider to know about the compatible antivirus program.

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Firewall Configuration in Windows XP

Role of Firewall
Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 offers firewall. Firewall inspects and restricts the information that is exchanged between a computer and Internet. Windows firewall is a security tool that protects your computer and its confidential data against anyone who has evil intentions and want to access your personal detail without your permission. It gives you full control to block suspicious software and worms and provides a mean to log security events.
It helps to defend your computer by blocking unsolicited traffic. Unsolicited traffic means any attempt to connect with your machine over a network connection that was not specifically requested by applications running on your system. Therefore, firewall configuration is an essential part so that your applications like Microsoft Internet Explorer and Outlook Express etc can work successfully without any pain.

Firewall configuration is not a heavy task. This blog describes how to configure firewall on a single machine.
Firewall configuration
STEP 1: From the Windows XP SP2 desktop, click Start, and then click Control Panel.
STEP 2: Next, in Control Panel, click Security Center.
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STEP 3: Windows Firewall general settings allow you to configure these options:
On (recommended). This is the default setting (with Don’t allow exceptions not selected).
Don't allow exceptions. When this option is ON, the firewall is placed into ON with No Exceptions mode which blocks all unsolicited requests to connect to your system.
Off (not recommended). Turning OFF Windows Firewall might make your computer more vulnerable to damage from viruses, worms or intruders.

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Latest Devices and the Operating Systems

Do you think that it is you who are in-charge of controlling a computer? Think again! There is the trustworthy computer mouse, which you can move anywhere on the desktop, evoking up your music library or Internet browser at the slightest wave. You feel like a director while using your desktop or laptop but there is a lot going with in the computer and the the real man who handles all the task is the operating system.

Most of the desktop or laptop PCs come pre-loaded with Windows operating system. Macintosh computers come pre-loaded with Mac OS X operating system which is developed by Apple. The first thing loaded into the computer system is the operating system because a computer is useless without the operating system.

More recently, small computers have also started using the operating systems instead of any other software. Like Microsoft has launched different versions of Windows Mobile which is being used in mobiles such as Apple's iPhone, Microsoft's Zune and many more. If you like to experiment with electronic devices, you must be well aware with the facts that that operating systems are now available on many of the devices which we use every day like cell phones, wireless access points, digital players etc. The small computers used in all these daily use electronic devices are so powerful that they are now capable of running an operating system and all those applications that are used on a computer. The modern cell phone is now more powerful than a desktop computer, so this improvement makes sense and is a natural development.

The operating system organizes and controls hardware and software to make that device behave in a pliable but predictable way. For devices, an operating system creates the capability to:
serve for different purposes
interact with users in more complex ways
keep up with requirements that change over time

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Economics and Software Piracy

The copyright violation of computer software which is usually known as software piracy involves the unauthorized copying of computer software. This kind of software piracy is very common. Many companies have copyright laws which applies to software, but the degree of control varies.

If computers software were inexpensive, would people pirate less? Lowering the prices of software would be an effective solution if profitable factors were the primary cause behind piracy. Software developer companies can lower the price of their software by producing it in large volume.

Experts in these disciplines ranging from economics, sociology and psychology have observed the motivations behind software piracy carefully. There is no internationally accepted explanation for software piracy. But experts in multiple disciplines have given a number of reasons that contribute to a person's decision to steal software.

It is true that most of the people steal software because of its cost, but let us forget the money issue for now. If the price is higher for a person then what he/she is willing to pay, that person might pirate the software. A common explanation for software piracy goes something like this: The software company is large and makes billions of dollars. One stolen piece of software would not effect the economical conditions of an organization. In other words, since the organizations can not feel the loss so, stealing from them isn't wrong.

A research into this concern suggests that most of the software pirates steal programs regardless of the software's price tag. A study suggests that most of the people view digital property differently than physical property. They don't place as great a value on software as they would to a physical object like a vehicle or a House. People think that stealing a software isn't the same as stealing a physical object because the software is being copied rather than taking a physical object. In short, stealing a software is not a crime because they feel software to have less value than physical objects.

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