Resources

General Difference between Pentiums and Celerons

Celerons were developed as low cost alternatives to Pentiums. As such, they do provide quite a lot for the price differential. However, you need to understand that you will get what you pay for and the differences are real. Pentiums are a higher quality line of computers and that is what you pay for when you pick up the higher price tag.

Differences between Pentium II and Celerons

The primary differences between Pentium and Celerons are in the bus speed and the cache features. In general, Pentiums have a larger L2 cache while Celerons have a significantly smaller L2 cache. However, Pentiums typically operate at half speed whereas Celerons are set to operate at full speed. Thereby, the Celeron can provide a performance almost equal to that of the Pentium IIs. The Celeron would need to be rated at the same MHz as the Pentium or greater in order for this to be true. Therefore, in general, these differences in bus speed and L2 cache size lead to minimal performance differences between Pentium II and Celeron.

Differences between Pentium III and Celeron

For anyone with more than just a casual need for a computer such as Internet browsing, emails, and chat rooms, the Celeron might not provide exactly what you are looking to find. For example, gamers might prefer the added boost of a faster bus speed with the Pentium IIIs as opposed to the Celerons. In fact, the combination of components along with the firmware enhancements that can be found incorporated into Pentium IIIs have been considered by many to provide Pentium IIIs with a definite edge over Celerons.

Celerons have a slower bus and a smaller cache than Pentiums and therefore, they will never provide an equal performance. To see a side-by-side comparison between a Pentium III and a Celeron, check out Toms Hardware Reviews.

In short, you’re probably better off with a headset that is compatible with Celeron processors.

Trying to download printer Lexmark z53 with no disk.

Printer Drivers

A printer driver is software that converts a printing request from your computer into a language that the printer can understand. The Lexmarkz53 is a discontinued model, but you can still easily find drivers and support so that you can continue to use it, even if you don’t have the original CD or paperwork.

Find Lexmark Drivers Online

The first thing you need to do is look online for the proper Lexmark driver. There are many sites that carry this readily available driver - we found a free Lexmark z53 driver download here. Once found, to download the printer driver, you need to be logged on to your computer as administrator. Find the printer driver online and click Download now. You may get a message saying that Internet Explorer blocked the download for security reasons. If you get this, just click Download File to continue. You will see the File Download security box. Click Save. You will see a Save As dialog box. You need to choose where you want to save the printer driver file. You can save it to a particular drive or just to the desktop. The file may take awhile to download, but you can still work on your computer as long as you keep the Internet window open.

Verify the Installation

When the file is done downloading, you will see a Download Complete message. Click Run. If the dialog box does not open, it’s still fine - just find the printer driver file on your computer and double click it. The driver may be installed automatically, or you may be asked to create a new folder to save the driver in. You will get a message “Verify the printer is installed and print a test page.” You can do this by going to Start and then Control Panel. Click on Printers and Faxes - you should see the printer listed.

We were able to find a PDF users manual for the Lexmark z53. This should contain any additional information you may need for troubleshooting any problems in the future.

If you are getting the no input signal message, the problem is either the connections to your monitor or the hardware that is involved in running it. A quick and easy way to test which problem you’re dealing with is to try your monitor on another computer. If it works, then the problem is with your video card in your CPU. If another monitor works on your computer, then it is a problem with the monitor itself.

Video Card

My best guess is that it is a problem with your video card. A video card allows your computer to send graphic images to your computer and they can break down. You will most likely need a new video card, which will run you an average of about $100 for one that is good for normal home use. There are three types of video cards-PCI, AGP and PCT and you need to know which one you have before you buy a new one. The website Diamond.com has a good illustration of what each type looks like.

Installing the Video Card

Once you’ve purchased a new video card, you need to install it. Luckily, it’s pretty simple.

1. Shut down the computer, but leave it plugged in. Remove all peripherals from the machine.
2. Remove the cover - you should ground yourself with a strap or by touching a metal computer part. If you don’t, static electricity could harm the interior of your machine.
3. Remove the old video card by gently pulling it out. Insert the new on in the old slot. Don’t force it, but push it down gently so that it is seated properly.
4. Put the cover back on, power it up and see if your monitor is working now.

Once you install the new video card, your fan will probably start working again. If there is no heat being generated by the video card, there is no reason for the fan to work. If after getting a new video card you don’t hear the fan start working, you may have a larger power problem, so let us know.

I’ll try and address each of your concerns here by explaining first the technical stuff and then I’ll offer an easier to understand version.

What is FAT?

FAT refers to the file allocation table. It preceded FAT 32, which includes certain enhancements or improvements to FAT. Basically, it is a file system for an installation partition. Basically, FAT is used to store the data on the device.

What is FAT 32?

FAT 32 provides better storage efficiency than FAT because it uses the available space more efficiently. It increases the number of bits used to deal with each cluster. Therefore, each cluster, in turn is reduced in size.

One of the enhancements of FAT 32 over earlier versions is that it is more robust. Not only can it relocate the root folder, but also, the boot record includes a backup of the critical data structures of the system. Plus, it can use the backup copy of the file allocation table rather than the default. In easy-to-understand terms, all of this means that FAT32 is set up to help avoid a single point of failure.

Possible Causes of USB Flash Drive Damage

If the computer isn’t recognizing the USB flash drive, then, you might want to make sure that it has been inserted properly or that the port is actually good. You can do this by reseating the flash drive, using a different port, or trying it on a different computer.

The driver to the USB flash drive might have become corrupted and you might need to reinstall them. Windows generally installs these drivers the first time that you insert it. Plus, drivers are updated by the manufacturer occasionally, so you might want to check the website of the manufacturer of your USB device to see if any current ones exist.

Additionally, USB flash drives or the data stored on them can be damaged in a number of different ways. Human error is one of the biggest problems. Using the drive improperly, including removing it while it is still saving information is one of the biggest problems. Plus, the device might also have become damaged through overuse.

Leaving the USB flash drive plugged in during an electrical storm can lead to permanent damage. An unexpected power surge can also damage plugged in USB flash drives. Dropping the drive or spilling liquid on it will also lead to permanent damage.

Problems have also been noted by other computer users between USB flash drives and Windows Vista. Typically, obtaining the latest service pack will resolve this problem.

You can easily check the status of the USB device by following these directions:

1. Click Start.
2. Select Control Panel.
3. Select System and Maintenance.
4. Select Device Manager.
5. Double click the category for the device and right click device that you are checking.
6. Click Properties and select General. Look through the information there and follow any advice.
7. Select the driver for the device and restore it to a previous version by selecting “roll back driver.”
8. If the device is determined to be faulty, you can contact the manufacturer for instructions on returning, repairing, or exchanging the device.

USB Drive Failure to Recognize or Open Documents

USB devices store the data to memory periodically. If you pull the USB drive out before it has finished storing the information, most likely, it isn’t going to be available for you when you go to look for it. Try using the “safely remove hardware” icon that should be in the system tray anytime you plug your USB drive in. This will help ensure that the device is ready to be removed before you unplug it.

Unfortunately, counterfeit USB flash drives are on the rise. One of the primary ways to spot this is the appearance of strange symbols when you attempt to open a document that you thought had been saved to the device. Did you purchase the device from a reputable dealer? These drives look almost like the real thing, but they don’t work.

Another alternative would be that you are not opening the document with the correct application. You should use the same type of application to open the document as you used to create it.

Should you Toss that old PC, Recycle it or Give it away?

Like most you have followed the unwritten code of industry in upgrading your computer every year or two. What this has left you with are three or four computers, useless parts, and several monitors lying around your house. You keep meaning to do something about them, but figuring out just what to do with them can be a source of stress.

Why Would you Pay?

If you’ve done any research on the subject, you’ll find that most computer recycling companies charge money. It’s even worse if any of those old computers work. You can’t bring yourself to throw out something which still works.

No Thank you Ma’am

Getting the trash collectors to pick up the old cases can be even trickier. Most won’t take anything which isn’t bagged, and you have to triple-bag cases because their sharp corners will cut the bags. They also don’t take old monitors. You can’t just bag them up because they could cause an explosion when they’re crushed. Many states also have laws against putting monitors in the trash.

So, what do you do with all these old things?

There are several options available to you. You can haul them to the dump yourself, pay to recycle them, donate the working parts to charity, or just leave them where they are. All have their advantages and disadvantages, but the decision is completely up to you.

Donating: Should the computers or monitors still work, your best option is to donate them to charity. Your local Salvation Army thrift store would more than likely love to have them. There are plenty of people out there who don’t own a computer, or can’t afford to buy one. Even with the relatively low prices of modern PC’s, some people just can’t justify the expense of a new computer in their budget.

Here are a few things to remember when donating a computer. Go through the hard drive. Delete, uninstall and remove everything but the operating system. Most people remove everything by formatting the hard drive, but this presents a problem for the organization. How does this private charity show a prospective buyer that the system or monitor actually works? They don’t usually have a few dozen copies of an operating system lying around.

It’s also a good idea to include the CD’s, manuals, and cable which came with the computer. Most of the people buying or receiving these old computers have little to no knowledge or experience with them. They wouldn’t know how to download a device driver, and how would they find out if this is their first and only computer?

If you won’t donate out of a sense of giving, then do it for greed aspect. You can use the donation as a tax write-off. Just be sure to get a receipt from the organization you donate the items to.

Selling: Trying to sell that old computer or monitor is usually simple, but many people make a huge mistake when trying to do so. They price the items too high. Just because the computer was bought for 600.00 four years ago doesn’t mean it’ll get that much now, or even two thirds of that price.

First, during those four years, several more generations of the computer may have some out. Second, prices of computers and monitors have come down. You can buy a brand new computer with an operating system for 399.00, and that’s with a monitor included. Third, you have to consider depreciation. Just like your car depreciates several thousand dollars the second you drive it off the lot, a two to four year old computer just isn’t worth what it was when you bought it.

Set a realistic goal when selling. A Pentium 3 with a 1GHz processor, 512MB RAM, a 20GB hard drive, Windows 98, and a 17 inch SVGA monitor might net you 100.00 on a good day.

Throwing Out: When choosing this option, keep in mind that you’ll have to take those old monitors to the dump yourself. Older analog monitors present an environmental danger when crushed or broken. Most state laws put them in the same category as old lead paint canisters, and asbestos insulation. There will almost certainly be a separate bin or drop-off point for them. Still, it’s better to donate them if they still work.

My Favourite Dust Collectors are my old Intellivision and My just as old Commodore 64

Regardless of what you decide, anything is better than leaving them sitting around in your home collecting dust.

There is one more option available to you however. You don’t need any specialized knowledge to repair those old computers to get them working again. Most computers need nothing more than a new hard drive, a new processor, or some other peripheral to make them work. It will basically be a “learn-as-you-go” scenario, but that knowledge will help you in the future. Almost everything on the computer is plug and play.

Installing Computer Speakers

You should install your speakers with the computer turned off, so start with the power off. Depending on the speakers you have, follow these directions as closely as you can. Make sure that all of the wires and cables are plugged in securely.

1. Plug the power supply for the speakers into the speaker that has the input for it.
2. Plug the second speaker into the one with the power input.
3. Depending on the type of computer you have, the small jack where you plug the speaker into your computer should be labeled in some way. Look for a tiny icon of a speaker or headphones. If you do not have an icon, look for text such as audio out or sound out.
4. Plug the power cord into the outlet. Use a surge protector if you have one.
5. Turn the speakers on.
6. Restart the computer.

Check the Statue of the Speakers in the Device Manager

If the above set of directions has not resolved the problem, it is time to check the status of your speakers in the device manager. Follow this new set of directions to do so:

1. Click Start.
2. Click My Computer.
3. Click Manage or System Information.
4. Click hardware.
5. Click Device Manager.
6. Click Sound, video, and game controllers.
7. Click on the text that is describing your speakers. You might have to double click to open up the Properties dialog box for the speakers
8. Click on the “General” tab.
9. In the middle of the dialog box, you should see the status for the speakers. It should state that the device is working properly or it isn’t. Click Troubleshoot.
10. Follow the prompts as they appear.

Check the Status of the Drivers for the Speakers in the Device Manager

If the above set of directions has not resolved the problem, it is time to check the drivers for your speakers in the Device Manager. Follow this new set of directions to do so:

1. Click Start.
2. Click My Computer.
3. Click Manage or System Information.
4. Click Hardware.
5. Click Device Manager.
6. Click Sound, video, and game controllers.
7. Click on the text that is describing your speakers. You might have to double click to open up the properties dialog box for the speakers
8. Click on the “Drivers” tab.
9. In the middle of the dialog box, you should see the status for the speaker drivers. It should state that they are working properly or they aren’t working properly. Click Troubleshoot.
10. Follow the prompts as they appear.

Hopefully, one of the strategies here helped you out with this problem. Write back if you need more help.