Resources

My USB ports are inoperable but I power to phone and iPod. I’ve already tried a few things with no success. What do I do?

Troubleshooting USB Ports with Device Manager

Windows Device Manager is a handy utility that may be able to help with your inoperable USB ports. To access this tool, go to Control Panel and find the Hardware and Sound section. Click on Device Manager. If you have Windows Vista or Windows 7, it's faster to click Start and type Device Manager into the Search bar and then click its icon.

Go ahead and connect a USB device to one of your ports. Once connected, go to the Action menu and choose "Scan for hardware changes." The idea here is that Device Manager will detect your USB device, load the appropriate drivers, and ultimately fix itself.

If that doesn't work, and it might not, then it's time to uninstall and reinstall your USB ports. Don't worry, this is fairly easy.

Uninstalling and Reinstalling USB Ports with Device Manager

Again, you'll want to launch Device Manager if it's not already open. Scroll down the list to Universal Serial Bus Controllers and click on it to expand the list. You should see several USB controllers in the list. One at a time, right-click each one and choose "uninstall." Next, reboot your computer. When your computer restarts, it will automatically reinstall each USB controller you previously removed. Hopefully the fresh installation files will solve the problem and your USB ports will begin working once again.

Using System Restore to Repair Inoperable USB Ports

If the problem is relatively new and your computer has System Protection turned on, you may be able to rollback your computer to an earlier state and repair your inoperable USB ports that way. System Restore points are snapshots of system settings, allowing you to set your computer to an earlier state without affecting data. However, if you use System Restore, you will need to update your antivirus program and operating system with the latest updates. Any new hardware or software installed since the restore point will also need to be reinstalled.

To use System Restore go to Start > Program Files > Accessories > System Tools > System Restore. System Restore will likely show you the most current restore points available. Choose one from before the USB ports stopped functioning and then follow the prompts to restore your system. The restoration process takes a fair amount of time and requires a reboot.

My computer seems to be rather slow at present. It has a 512MB memory card - if I were to change it for another with a higher memory would this improve its speed? I have watched a ‘professional’ change my memory card and it looked fairly simple. Is this a procedure I could undertake?

Upgrading a Computer's Memory

Upgrading memory chips is indeed a terrific way to improve a computer's speed and it is a fairly simple process. However, computers have their limits and yours may or may not be a candidate for a memory upgrade. For example, if your computer's motherboard has an available memory slot, adding a compatible memory module is an option. If it doesn't, the current memory modules could possibly be replaced with larger capacity chips – if the motherboard supports a larger chip size.

What is Your Computer's Maximum RAM?

First, it's not a bad idea to look up your computer's specifications to find out what its maximum RAM is. If it's an older PC, 512MB might be the maximum in which case there's nothing you can do short of a major upgrade complete with a new motherboard. On the other hand, if you find out that it has a maximum RAM capacity of 1, 2, or 4GB, then it's a great candidate for a memory upgrade. One of the easiest ways to find out this information is to go to the manufacturer's website and look up your computer model. If you saved the computer's user's manual, the information should be listed there as well.

Are there any Empty Expansion Slots?

Next, you'll need to open up your computer to find out exactly what you're dealing with. Make sure to unplug your computer before opening the case. Take off any jewelry such as rings or bracelets as well and ground yourself. Now, open the case and inspect the motherboard. Are there any empty expansion slots? How many existing memory modules are in place? For example, since your computer has 512MB of RAM, it either has two 256MB chips or one 521MB chip. Based on what you find in the computer's specifications and the availability of expansion shots, you should be able to determine the number and capacity of memory to buy.

At this point, you can pull one of the chips and take it down to your local electronics store where a clerk should be able to help you select the right type of memory modules for your upgrade.

I’m looking for a specific kind of backup software. One which will let me restore programs from the backup to my start menu after I reinstall windows XP, without me having to reinstall them manually one by one either from CD’s/DVD’s or compressed files. I’ve been told this can’t be done, but I have doubts. I had a program which migrated data from my old computer to my new one (start programs and all) if that can be done, why couldn’t I restore them from a backup the same way?

What you are looking to do is actually accomplished through drive image backup or creation. A number of these programs exist, and you should be able to pick one up for less than fifty dollars. There are also a few free applications that you can try, but I don’t have any experience with any of them, so I can’t offer a recommendation. Just do a search for “backup and restore applications.” This type of restore solution is easy to use, and convenient to have.

What is a Drive Image Backup?

Instead of reinstalling Windows XP and then restoring all of your programs through backup files, you restore your entire system using the drive image that you create using special software. This would include your operating system, every program, and all of your files. Basically, you create an image of your entire hard drive so that you can place it back on the computer, should you ever need to do so. Plus, it would restore every piece of data back to the exact location it was in at the time you created the image backup. Basically, you create a copy of your hard drive at the time of creation, hence the use of the word image.

Where Can You Store a Drive Image Backup?

When you create your drive image backup, you can save it to an external source such as a USP drive, FireWire drive, CD, or DVD.

How Does a Drive Image Backup Work?

You can use your drive image to restore your computer to the way it was when you created the backup. Basically, you have a recovery disk that you use to boot the computer, and then you restore the drive or partition that you want or need.

Restoring Programs to Original Locations with a Reinstall

Unfortunately, when you reinstall your operating system, you do wipe out everything that you have. You can transfer file storage onto the computer, but you are going to have to choose where to put each folder since you are starting with a fresh installation of your operating system. If you complete a repair instead of a reinstallation, then you won’t lose your data or change the location it is in.

Introduction to Laptop Computer Components

Understanding the operations of the laptop computer begins with learning the components that make it work. The laptop computer consists of two kinds of parts-built-in parts and peripherals. The computer unit houses built-in parts, either inside the top half or the bottom half. Peripherals are hardware units attached to the exterior of the laptop through an electronic port. For example, you can connect a flash drive to the laptop's USB port for additional file storage.

The human eye can view the basic components of the laptop. The monitor, touch pad (or built-in mouse), keyboard, AC adaptor, battery, and speakers are key parts of the laptop computer. Also called the screen, the monitor provides a visual display of the graphical user interface. The AC adaptor provides a cord connection between the motherboard and the electrical outlet. You can use the AC adaptor to recharge the battery. You will find the battery is generally housed on the bottom of the laptop. Some laptop computers feature a removable battery as a security feature. Speakers might be built into the computer on the top half or bottom half. You also have the option to attach peripheral speakers for more volume than built-in speakers offer.

Below the laptop's keyboard, you can find parts similar to the parts inside a desktop. The laptop motherboard includes circuits connecting transistors, resistors, diodes, and other electrical parts. The silicon chip, or CPU, on the motherboard manages all computer operations. Connections to the motherboard are also housed below the keyboard in the bottom case. For example, the motherboard connects to the CD-ROM or DVD-Drive, the hard drive, the wireless card or modem, the keyboard, the touch pad, the battery pack, and the speakers.

Multimedia features enable the user to work with multiple formats on one compact workstation. For example, your computer might include the ability to read media cards, record videos using a built-in Web camera, and burn DVDs in the DVD-R drive. You can find the media in the bottom case in front of the keyboard, the Web camera above the laptop screen, and the DVD-R drive on the right or left side of the keyboard.

If you are going to make a substantial investment in a laptop, search for a model known for its reliability. Keep in mind some laptops will not last as long as a desktop computer. One study of 30,000 laptops by Square Trade found 1 in 3 laptops will fail in the first 3 years. A laptop computer can also be damaged during transport (even in a padded canvas or leather case). Most manufacturers include a standard 1-year warranty for their laptop models. You might consider buying an extended warranty to protect your laptop's hardware components.

Your laptop is your key to staying connected to business and personal computer applications whenever you're away from home. If you decide to buy a laptop only, set this computer up on a computer worktable. Your compact computer offers all of the conveniences of a desktop without requiring heavy lifting or too much space. Find a laptop at your local retailer or online store today!

Choosing a Laptop with HDMI

HDMI is the video and audio connection of choice for HDTVs. It is a simple, high-bandwith connection which reduces the amount of wires needed and provides excellent picture quality.

Recently, some laptops have started to ship with HDMI connections which allow them to send video and audio to a HDTV. This has the potential of turning a laptop into a mobile media player. However, not all of the laptops which provide a HDMI connection have the processing power required to play back high-definition video at 1080p. This guide lists three things to look for when buying a laptop with HDMI.

Laptop with HDMI: Picking a Graphics Solution

While modern computer processors are powerful, they're not very efficient when it comes to displaying high-definition video. This is a task best performed by a laptop with a dedicated GPU, or graphics processing unit. There two major brands of GPU are ATI and Nvidia. Both are available in numerous laptops and both are capable of displaying 1080p video smoothly on a HDTV.

While buying a laptop with a dedicated GPU is recommended, it isn't necessary to buy the fastest one which you can find. Even very basic GPUs from ATI and Nvidia are capable of handling high-definition video.

Laptop with HDMI: The Importance of Storage

If you are considering the purchase of a laptop with HDMI it is also important to consider the storage the laptop has available. Unless you are planning to exclusively play streaming online video, you will need a large hard drive to hold video files.

A typical DVD movie takes up around eight gigabytes of space. A high definition movie can require twenty gigabytes of storage space or more. This means that a 250 gigabyte hard drive could hold thirty DVDs if it was completely empty, but you can expect Windows and other basic software to take up at least 30 gigabytes, limiting storage space. It is best to consider a laptop with a hard drive of at least 500 gigabytes.

Laptop with HDMI: Port Location

With the technical considerations of graphics and storage taken care of, there is on more practical consideration to keep in mind - the location of the HDMI port.

Laptops from different brands have different locations for various ports on the laptop. In an ideal situation the HDMI port would be located on the back of a laptop, but this is rare. It is more common for the HDMI port to be on the left or right near the rear of the laptop. Avoid laptops which place the HDMI port near the front of the laptop, as this configuration can be inconvenient.

Laptop with HDMI: Wrap Up

A laptop with HDMI can be an impressive and fun media player. Before you buy, remember the three topics discussed above. Following these guidelines will ensure that your new HDMI laptop is fully capable of storing your videos and playing them on a HDTV.

What are the Best Laptop Brands?

Choosing a laptop is a big decision. Laptops are not inexpensive, and if they break they are expensive to repair. They're also a device that most  people will use every day. The latest research indicates that those who own a computer spend an average of 13 hours per week online. That's more time than many people spend in their car, and that's just online use - a study of offline use would likely result in an even higher number.

This means it is important to pick a laptop brand you can trust. While finding information about laptop brands can be daunting, there are significant differences between them which you should know about before you buy. This guide presents information on the three best laptop brands today and why they are the best.

Apple

Apple's reputation for quality products is legendary. The price tag placed on Apple products is high, however, which causes many buyers to wonder if they're worth the price. Ultimately that is an answer for each buyer to decide - only you know what you budget will allow - but there is no question that Apple is among the best laptop brands today.

The build quality of Apple's laptops is exceptional. The machined aluminum bodies of the MacBook Pro laptops are solid and allow for very little flex. This solid quality is backed up by a durable and comfortable keyboard and a large multi-touch trackpad.  The displays on Apple laptops are bright and vivid as well.

Apple's reliability is not the best , but it isn't the worst, either. According to Square Trade, around 11% of Apple laptops fail within two years, which is right in the middle of the pack. Apple's customer service has constantly received praise and was rated as the best in Laptop Magazine's annual customer service review.

ASUS

It wasn't that long ago that ASUS was known mostly as a motherboard company. ASUS has put a lot of effort into its laptop business in recent years, however, and the effort has made ASUS one of the best laptop brands today.

ASUS seems to specialize in netbooks and low-cost ultraportables. The Eee PC line of netbooks is famous, and the UL series of 13 inch laptops is also becoming well known. However, ASUS also offers some very attractive large gaming laptops in its G series products, which provide great performance for a low price.

One of the biggest reasons for ASUS's rise has been the reliability of its products. According to Square Trade, ASUS is the most reliable laptop brand today. Laptop Magazine's customer service review found that ASUS also offers good customer service in case anything does go wrong.

Sony

Sony, like Apple, is a brand which puts most of its focus on building premium products rather than attempting to be competitive purely on price. Sony laptops tend to follow a certain design aesthetic which includes responsive trackpads, nice keyboards, and a solid chassis which exhibits little flex.

There are many products in Sony's lineup, but the ones which most consumers will be interested in are the company's mainstream laptops with displays between thirteen and sixteen inches. These products are often more expensive than those from competitors, but as said, Sony doesn't sell on price. It may be tempting to save $100 dollars and purchase from another brand, but in the long term the Sony will be a better value.

Sony also has an excellent reputation for reliability. According to Square Trade, Sony laptops are the third most reliable available today. Sony's customer service is also excellent, with the website being of particular note. It is clear, easy to use, and offers many resolutions for common problems.

Runners up

While Apple, ASUS and Sony earn honors as the best laptop brands, they didn't run away with the crown. Toshiba is very close to Sony thanks to great design and high reliability. Lenovo also must be mentioned as the company's Thinkpad business laptops are a must-have for business users. This guide should not be taken as a suggestion that other brands are terrible, because every brand has at least one laptop which is exceptional. However, when you first start looking it is best to start with the very best.

Best Laptop Brands Summary

Which laptop brand is the best? This popular question is answered in this article. The three laptop brands, are rated by build quality, reliability and customer service, are presented in this guide. The brands ranked as the best are Apple, ASUS and Sony.