Latest Hardware Articles

RC Car Fun: Getting Started

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 03:13:25 -0500

Did you ever play with remote control cars when you were little? Remember all the fun you had driving that car around the neighborhood, hopping cracks in the sidewalk and terrorizing the neighbor's cat?

Nowadays it is easier than ever to relive the enchantment of those bygone days. All over the country, people from all walks of life are getting very involved in RC cars. People young and old are joining RC car clubs; they enjoy tournaments, shows and much more. Several cities have seen the enthusiasm and gotten on board, sponsoring these zippy little cars. People are creating tracks in their back yards to practice.

Getting started is not complicated; you simply have to find a club in your area. To do that check in with hobby shops or specialty stores that carry remote control cars. They will have information about clubs, tournaments and shows that are being held locally. Go to the local Radio Shack or similar store and see what they know.

When you are first getting your feet wet, most hobbyists recommend that you start with a used RC car. This gives you a cheap way to learn about driving the car and may give you an extra project to do as well. You may be wondering, what project? RC cars are just like real cars and when you purchase a used one many times you have work to do on them. On the other hand, you may just want to spruce it up, better body, hop up the engine or change the tires!

With a used car, you don't have to worry about messing it up, many have a fear of this, but when you are just starting out, a beginner car gives you a little more freedom and a chance to gain experience. Once you have had a chance to play with your used car, find ways of fixing it up and more, you can then move into making your major purchase with a brand new car. You can choose to stick with a battery operated car or try out one of the gas operated cars that are available. If you are unsure, talk to the experienced hobbyist and see what they recommend when you are ready to purchase a new car.

Soon you will have a real feel for what the RC car world has to offer you. Nationally there are competitions, shows, tournaments and clubs, just to name a few of the things you can become involved in. Once you get started, you may be surprised at all the activities.

Getting started can seem like a daunting task but there are several reading materials about RC car hobbyist that will make it much easier. Web sites that sell cars are abundant, but there are also magazines and books you can benefit from. Even your local library may have some excellent resources on the subject, and that information is free to use.

Once you are prepared jump in and hold on for an exhilarating ride! The world of RC cars has so much to offer that you will be literally blown away. Play your cards right and you could be the next champion for your town in the RC car competitions!

Computer Memory Answers

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 03:45:09 -0500

Along with the central processing unit (CPU) of the computer, the memory is extremely important to the proper functioning of the system. The programs and information necessary for the operation of the computer is stored in the memory when it boots. It is usually difficult to determine a memory issue if there are no error messages displayed. A memory problem can be due to physical problems with the computer or sometimes due to improper computer maintenance.

Memory problems can cause a computer catastrophic problems and make it crash giving Windows that well-known blue screen of yesterday. Sometimes the system will fail to recognize installed memory. The Basic Input Output System (BIOS) checks the system memory before booting up the computer. If there is a serious error; the computer will may have a blank screen, provide audible beeps and go nowhere. The problems could be memory but there is also a good chance that operating system registry is the cause of the problem. If there is corrupted data, there is a high chance that your memory may stop responding. The only real way to fix malfunctioning memory is to replace it.

Memory modules purchased from reputable distributors and computer stores are of high quality today. It used to be that memory modules needed to match in manufacturer and complete specifications but things are a little bit better today. You can purchase memory in the proper configuration just about anywhere on line and get the right module. Memory used to be in separate chips you had to individually mount into sockets on the mother board. But today, they are just simple plug and play modules.

It is a fine idea to keep the inside of your desktop computer clean. If you are not familiar with opening the computer case, it is a good idea to do so if you are not going to invalidate your computer warranty. If not, it should be done by an authorized technician. Dust and dirt can cause problems because of heat. Heat is the enemy of electronics and the more heat the more problems one can encounter. Todays microprocessors run quite hot and need to be kept cool. Getting a laptop fan system for it to rest on while you work is a good idea. You need to keep the air moving.

Software today is designed and programmed so that every program you install wants to control your system and be king of the mountain. This means the registry can get clogged with information it really may not need for the program to operate. A registry cleaner is a good idea to help clean out the unnecessary files and help your system run and boot and more quickly. Be careful though; make sure to make a back up of your registry before modifying it. Things can really get messed up if not modified correctly.

Spring Cleaning For Your PC

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 15:08:46 -0500

by Shawn Davis
http://bloggersforte.com

Spring is an excellent time of year to freshen up your home.
Many houses have been tightly closed most of the Winter and
are now harboring all sorts of nasty dust mites and other
bacteria, fungi, and who knows what else.

In your Spring cleaning efforts don't over look that one
essential part of your home business -- your computer.

Your computer is air cooled by fans that constantly move
air in and out of the PC case. Over time, this air movement
causes dirt, dust, and hair to accumulate on the inside
surfaces of your PC. This buildup of muck causes your PC
to run much hotter which in turn can quickly end the life
of vital PC components.

To clean your PC, first go pick up a can of compressed air
(often called an air duster). You will also need your handy
vacuum cleaner. And maybe some tools to open the PC case.
Although most computers today don't require tools to get
to the inside.

One word of advice, get an air duster and don't use air
from an air compressor in your garage. Air compressors
usually have dirt, oil, and water mixed in the air. An
air duster on the other hand is pure, clean air.

Now unhook your computer and bring it up onto a table or
other comfortable working surface. And while you have the
computer out, use the vacuum cleaner to clean the area.
No sense cleaning the computer and putting it back into a
dirty environment.

Now open your PC by removing a side panel or the entire
case cover. Don't touch anything inside. Any static charge
on your body can zap electronics. Make sure you wear an
anti-static wrist strap or touch the metal screw on a
light switch or electrical outlet cover before proceeding.

Now use the air duster to blow the dirt and dust out of the
PC. Pay special attention to all the fans and any heat sinks.
Heat sinks are metal pieces with many fins.

If your vacuum has a hose attachment, put the hose close to
the air duster to minimize the amount of dust that is blown
out onto the table top.

Make sure to clean the power supply fan as well. This is the
fan at the back of the computer where you plug in the AC
cord.

Once all the dust is blown out, put the computer case back
together. Finally dust off the outer surface of the case. It's
best to use a damp cloth. And don't forget to hand dry all
surfaces.

Now reattach all the plugs and wires to your PC and your
back in business. Before sliding your PC back into place,
turn it on and verify that the power supply fan is spinning.
If the fan is not spinning, wait a few minutes until the
computer warms up. Some power supply fans are variable
speed and don't spin until the power supply heats up.

Repeat this procedure at least once per year. But more
frequently won't hurt especially if you have a lot of people
in your house or a few pets running around.