Tuesday, October 19, 2010

HOW TO INCREASE COMPUTER SPEED

Have you ever wondered why your computer becomes slow as the day goes by, suddenly your programs take longer time to come up, it can be really frustrating. This is caused by so much junk files in your temp folder; recycle bin, temp internet files and cookies. The second is that your computers virtual memory needs to be increased.

Just follow these simple steps to increase your computers speed:
1. Cleaning temp folder, cookies, temporary internet files, and performing disk clean up. These locations take as much as 2GB of your disk space and your ram needs to run these programs instead of running the important programs you use to for your work.
To clean up these files double click on my computer icon, drive C:, document and settings, select the user profile folder that you are using, open local settings, if you don’t see local settings click on tools menu, folder option check show hiding files and folders, click apply and then ok to show all hiding files.
By now you should see local setting folder nowOpen the folder, open the temp folder, you will see the files that it contains. To view the size of the temp folder select all files using CTR + A, right click on any file and click properties you will see the disc space that its occupying, close the property box and delete all the files. If some files refuse to delete, it may be that the computer is making use of those files at the moment, do same clean up for the temporary internet files and cookies folder, after deleting these files do same for other user profiles in your computer. When that is done you have to use the disk cleanup to clean those files from recycle bin any other location where they may be. Now click start, point your mouse to program files, and to accessories and to system tool click disk clean up.
Select the drive where you have your operating system click ok, it will scan the files and show you a dialog box, check the boxes with size above 0 kb then click ok and another dialog box will open asking you if you really want to delete these files click yes. In addition, it will clean all the location. After cleaning including recycle bin your computer should faster than before.

2. Increase your virtual memory. A virtual memory is an area of the hard disk that the computer uses as ram. If the virtual memory of your machine is low, your computer will become very slow when you try to use some application simultaneously. To increase the virtual memory of your computer will also increase your system speed, Right click on my Computer, click properties, click advance tab, click settings under performance option, click advance tab on performance option, click change, now change the number there to close or the number that the machine has. Click set, OK and closes the dialog boxes. Now restart your machine you will notice that the speed of your machine has increased.

How to partition your hard drive with FDISK

Have you ever seen a computer with one hard drive but when you boot the computer you always see two drives. This is usually done using FDISK. FDISK is a utility that let you partition your hard disk. It is also used to delete a partition.Before you can format your hard drive, you must partition it. Most drives only have a Primary partition, but that partition can be split into an Extended partition which can be further divided into Logical Drives. The C: drive is normally the Primary partition. The logical drives after that can be labeled D: E: F: etc. To partition the drive you'll need a boot disk. This disk (sometimes called a Startup Disk) will contain the FDISK utility. We recommend downloading one from bootdisk.com to match your Operating System, or you can get windows 98 bootable CD. You can use FDISK utility.

Creating Partition
Once the boot disk has been created, insert the disk and reboot. You will eventually wind up at the A:/ prompt. Type FDISK and hit enter. You will be taken to a screen with the following options: or you can use windows 98 bootable CD
1. Create DOS partition or Logical DOS Drive
2. Set active partition
3. Delete Partitions or Logical DOS Drive
4. Display partition information
5. Change current fixed drive
You will choose option one first, then when asked if you want to use the entire amount of space for this you will say Y if you have no intention of partitioning further, or N if you want to create an extended partition (recommended). Your extended partition must take up the remaining space on the disk. You will then be able to create Logical drives.
Your Primary partition should automatically be set as the Active partition. If not, you may need to go to the option 2 to designate it as such.Keep in mind that there are some restrictions on partition sizes. You may need to partition huge drives into 64 gigs or smaller.
Deleting Partitions
Before creating partitions on older drives, you will have to delete the current partitions. Backup any important data because all data will be lost after deleting a partition. To avoid losing data, you can use non-destructive partitioning software such as Partition Magic--but it's wise to backup just in case.If you have an NTFS partition on a drive FDISK will not be able to remove it. You'll probably see an error like this NTLDR is missing. Press any key to restart. You can use a utility called delpart.exe to remove the NTFS partition. This is also available at bootdisk.com.
Hard Drive Utilities
Most hard drive manufacturers include partitioning and copying software with the new drives. This will be a disk similar to a boot disk that will provide a graphical interface that walks you through the process of transferring files from one drive to another and partitioning the new disk into the FAT 32 or NTFS format. This is by far the easiest way to go. However, it is still recommended that you know the differences between a Primary, Extended and Logical drive.

HOW TO BACK UP DATA ON YOUR COMPUTER

HOW TO BACK UP DATA ON YOUR COMPUTER
Routinely backing up our important data is something we should all do. Unfortunately, we don't realize this until we're scrambling to recover data on a hard drive that has just gone south. Family photos, MP3s, that spreadsheet you've been doing for work--all gone. You can avoid this traumatic experience by using the backup utility that comes with Windows. This article outlines a few simple techniques you can use to make sure your computer data is safe.
Storage locations
Get a CD burner and occasionally drag and drop your files onto a disk using the software that came with the device (Usually something like Roxio Easy CD Creator or Nero). A flaw in this technique is that you will inevitably forget to do this, and before you realize it, it's been a year since your last backup.If you're determined to use this method, we suggest weekly backups as well as monthly backups, where you physically remove the backed up data from your home or office and store it at another location. A house fire or other disaster could destroy both your PC and your backup sitting beside it on the desk. So you'll increase your odds if you keep a monthly copy in a safe deposit box, at work, or at a family member's home.

Windows Backup
Windows has a backup program ready to go on your system. Navigate to START, PROGRAMS, ACCESSORIES, then SYSTEM TOOLS and you'll find the backup utility. While older versions of this utility will differ slightly from XP Professional's, you'll be able to follow the Wizard when backing up.You can backup the entire system, which isn't a great idea. Windows and other programs can be reinstalled. So you're probably better off keeping your data in a centralized location, such as your My Documents folder. You can add folders within that directory by opening My Documents and right-clicking an empty space. Name the new folders whatever you want and organize your data. Then use the Windows backup utility to create a backup of your data. Put this file on another hard drive, burn it to disk, or copy it over to another computer on your network.Also, take a moment to schedule backups. The Windows backup utility will give you a chance to schedule backups automatically. This is normally located under the advanced tab at the end of the backup process. Take a moment to set this up.
Use online storage
If you're having a problem with finding media to backup to, take advantage of free Yahoo Mail, Google Gmail accounts and other free email providers. You can get up to 2 Gigabytes of storage space on these accounts. What does this mean? You can email yourself attachments containing data. So you essentially have an invisible hard drive Out There on the Internet. This is great for temporary or redundant storage, but do not rely on it for the long term.
External disk
Another way to back up your document is to get an external hard disk and always back up to this disk at least once every week.

Finally ,
No matter how you backup, make sure you never rely on a single source. Rotate your backups out of the home, Email them to yourself or place them on a separate partition on your hard drive. Take advantage of the backup utility in Windows and use the scheduler feature to automate things. Be proactive with your data, and you will be better off when your system fails....and it will fail eventually.

WHEN COMPUTER REFUSES TO BOOT: WHAT TO DO

WHEN COMPUTER REFUSES TO BOOT: WHAT TO DO
At times it do happen that your computer may fail to turn on or boot to desktop even when it was properly shut down the last time it was used. This may turn out very frustrating. However, there are some effective ways to manage this problem whenever it rears its head. They are as follows.

WHEN COMPUTER DOES NOT POWER ON
1. Check the AC current if it is up to the normal AC rating in your country. Over here in Nigeria, check if the AC current is up to 230-240 Volts because that is the normal current in Nigeria. If that is the case, then that means it can power the computer.2. Check the power pack: If your power pack smells burnt, it means the power pack is blown. Some power pack has a switch that can switch to either 110 volts or 230 Volts. If that is how your power pack is, then switch it to your country’s current rating.
Make sure the computer is correctly connected before powering it. If the computer does not come up, do the following:
WHEN COMPUTER DOES NOT BOOT
If your computer refuses to boot to desktop, but restarts in each attempt,
1. Check the ram: before you proceed, disconnect the power cable form source. Open the computer system unit. If your computer has two ram slots, remove the ram and wipe it with a clean soft cloth. Insert the ram back in the other slot. Connect the power cord and power the computer. If it still does not come up,2. Check the CMOS battery: With a tester, test the battery voltage to see the voltage. If it reads lower that 2.5 volts then it may be the cmos battery. Change the cmos battery. Next, ensure that the cmos jumper cap is in pin 1 and 2. Then power the computer. If it still does not come up,

3. Isolate system component:
This means that you have to isolate the entire system component and reinstall them one after the other. Finally,

4. Check Processor: Uninstall the cooling fan and heat sink, insert the processor without the cooling fan and heat sink, them connect other component and power the computer. Place your hand on the processor to know if the processor is hot or cold if its cold that means the processor is bad, and vice versa. If the processor has gone bad, then the only option will be to replace it!

GOOD LUCK!

HOW TO RECOVER DATA FROM A SYSTEM

HOW TO RECOVER YOUR DATA WHEN YOUR SYSTEM FAILS
A lot of times we have been victims of data lose in one way or the other. Hard disk failure is an inevitable problem associated with computers. And through this, lots of important documents and data are lost, often leading to huge loss to companies and individual businesses alike. As such, it is therefore very important to know what to do when such happens.
When your computer suddenly refuses to boot or turn on, the following are some simple steps to take to retrieve your files, which can save you a reasonable amount of money.

1. Get an External Case
Once your computer refuses to boot, the most reliable means of retrieving your data is to get a Hard disk external case that you can connect to another computer using a USB cable. This method gives you access to your files before calling a pro.

2. Use a LiveCD
If you do not have a second computer to do the above method, using LiveCD will be ideal. You’ll need to get temporary access to a computer with Internet and a DVD burner. Download a Linux LiveCD, Small Linux is the smallest, but also has issues mounting hard drives. The most simple for an average computer user would be Puppy Linux. It has a larger file size, but should recognize your drive. Burn the Live CD ISO to a CD and insert it into your computer (the one with the crashed hard drive). Restart the computer and when it the computer logo appears, press F2 (or whatever key for your system) to enter BIOS. Change the boot sequence to CD first, Save and then Exit.
The Live CD will start, simply follow the directions on the screen. The OS will start, and you should see your hard drive mounted on the desktop–something like “60GB”, etc. Plug in a second drive and copy and paste the folders over.

3. Data Recovery Software
If the two options above sound confusing, you can get a data recovery software for a few bucks. Personally, I used EASY RECOVERY, and it was very effective. I got the software for a reasonable amount, and I have not regretted because it has proved its worth. In fact, the software can even recover windows applications and registry files intact. The software can even be used to repair Microsoft office documents. You really need to give a try to this software if you chose to recover your lost files.

If you need the software, you can send an email to ketuzkoncept1@yahoo.com with subject: SEND SOFTWARE. After that sending the email, in the next 48hrs, the software will be sent to your box with guides on how to use it.

4. Call a Professional: If you fell is very difficult for you, simply take your hard drive a professional that will be able to retrieve your document, it may be costly but it’s worth it except the files are not very important.

NYSC ORIENTATION CAMP: BASIC REQUIREMENTS

NYSC ORIENTATION CAMP: BASIC REQUIREMENTS





While preparing and shopping for NYSC camp, there are some basic things to take into consideration. Some people, usually end up going with the wrong items; items that will turn out to be useless at the orientation camp. This is usually due to misinformation or total lack of it. Thank God you are privy to this information as you will be enlightened on some aspects that you were oblivious of. So, while shopping around for items to go along with, please, take note of the following, as they will always save you from some not unusual embarrassing situations.




THE DONT’S


First of all, let’s see the don’ts
- Do not go with heavy luggage. Minimize the number of items you go with for easy transportation because on the first day it is always difficult to locate the camp. You will definitely not be comfortable with trailing a big luggage behind you as you jump on one okada or the other trying to locate the camp.
- Do not worry about going with muftis. During your stay in camp for three weeks, you will not be allowed to put on any kind of clothing EXCEPT the NYSC kits that will be supplied to you. You will not be allowed to put on any shirt whatsoever, likewise, you will not be allowed to put on any other shoe, other than the JUNGLE BOOT or the white canvas shoes that will be supplied to you.
- Do not go with your laptop. Avoid going to camp with a laptop or any other expensive and large electronic gadget for security reason. You can go back home later to carry it to your place of primary assignment.
- Do not bother going to camp with buckets or jerry can. These will only add to the bulk of your luggage. You can always buy these at the mami market. These ones will not be sold at too exorbitant a price.




THE DOS


- First, if you don't know much about the state you are posted to, start asking people for info about the place. Such information will be of great value to you.
- Make sure you travel as early as possible, so as to be on the safer side.
- Travel with a light luggage, like a traveling back, one you can easily strap over your shoulders. You can go back home to get your other luggage later to your place of primary assignment.
- Just abide by the camp rules, to avoid embarrassing situations, and you will definitely enjoy your stay on camp.There are many fun activities on camp and am sure you will find them interesting. So, just get involved fully. You might not know, they may be of advantage during posting to places of primary assignment. Such activities include parade, sports, drama, broadcasting services, Mr Macho, Beauty Contest etc.




BASIC CAMP AMMENITIES


Below are the basic items a prospective corper should consider acquiring.


1. Extra white shorts (two pairs): Make sure you go with two extra pairs of white shorts. However, you will be supplied two pairs of white shorts along with other items in the NYSC KIT. But, anything can happen: you may discover that the shorts you are supplied with do not fit you well – maybe too large or too small for you; they may get torn even while putting them on, especially if you are the type with well endowed butts. All these are based on experiences had by others who have been in the shoe before.

2. Extra white T-shirts: To serve as alternatives for those that will be supplied to you on camp. After the parades and drills, these would have turned even whiter…

3. Extra white canvas shoes: To serve as alternatives for those that will be supplied to you on camp. Also, it will save you the time of having to wash the ones you will be supplied with everyday.

4. Cutleries: It is better to go with these, though this may be sold in the MAMI MARKET.

5. Waist bag: Buy this before leaving, or be prepared to buy it at an exorbitant price from the MAMI MARKET on camp. This will surely come in handy during parades, exercises and even during the endurance trek. Go with a big one that can even contain a bottle of water.

6. Food flask:
NEVER FORGET to go along with this. The importance of this, you will agree with me, can never be underestimated. You will attest to this when you reach camp. However, you can also get this from the mami market on camp. Just make sure you have one.

7. If you have a digital camera, you can also take it along with you because you will definitely have lots of scenes to shoot and record. Your camera phone will also do the work for sure; just get a large memory card handy.

8. Don't forget to carry your MOSQUITO NET along with you if you have one.

9. Also, do not fail to go along with some good cash. Your first allowee will be paid to you on camp, mostly during the last week of the orientation exercise. You do not need to wait for this. You will also be paid your bicycle allowance. But, don’t fail to go along with some good cash.

10. Have a pen and paper: Series of organizations and individuals will come to lecture you on diverse topics, hence try and get an exercise book handy too because you might need to write some stuffs down during such lectures.




REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS


On getting to the Orientation camp, the first thing that you will have to do is to get registered. This is very essential for you to be admitted into the camp. During the registration exercise, you are expected to provide the following:

* Your Final Year Student ID card


* The Notification Of Result from your higher Institution (ORIGINAL and photocopies)


* Passport Photographs (You might not need more than 4 copies but its better when you have many copies with you)


* NYSC Call Up letter (ORIGINAL with photocopies)

During the registration exercise, you will be given some documents, which you will have to fill, attach your passport photographs and submit to the necessary officers. If you don't have your final year ID card, Notification of result and call up letter with you, don't be surprised if you are sent back home. So, get them handy. Go with enough photocopies because it may happen that photocopy machines may net be available on camp at the time of registration. It will not make sense to spend N200.00 on motorcycle transportation for N50 worth of photocopies. Once you complete your registration, you will be issued your STATE CODE, which will be your unique code all through your service year. With this code, you will then go ahead to claim your mattress and your NYSC kits. You will then be directed to your hostel where you will stay all through the Orientation exercise. Once you locate your hostel, the bunks might be labeled, in that case, find your bunk and get settled.




If you have any question to ask, have some experience to share or just want to appreciate this piece of information, try and use the comment form below this article.




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Saturday, October 2, 2010

GOODBYE

You and I will meet again When we're least expecting it One day in some far off place I will recognize your faceI won't say goodbye my friend For you and I will meet again~Tom Petty

Goodbyes are not forever.Goodbyes are not the end.They simply mean I'll miss youUntil we meet again!~Author Unknown

May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind be ever at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face and the rain fall softly on your fields. And until we meet again, may God hold you in the hollow of his hand. ~Irish Blessing

Gone - flitted away,
Taken the stars from the night and the sun
From the day!
Gone, and a cloud in my heart.~Alfred Tennyson
Absence from whom we love is worse than death, and frustrates hope severer than despair. ~William Cowper

Nothing makes the earth seem so spacious as to have friends at a distance; they make the latitudes and longitudes. ~Henry David Thoreau

How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard. ~Carol Sobieski and Thomas Meehan, Annie

Man's feelings are always purest and most glowing in the hour of meeting and of farewell. ~Jean Paul Richter

Parting is all we know of heaven and all we need to know of hell. ~Emily Dickinson, "Parting"

We only part to meet again. ~John Gay


The world is round and the place which may seem like the end may also be the beginning. ~Ivy Baker Priest

Excuse me, then! you know my heart;
But dearest friends, alas! must part.~John Gay

To die and part is a less evil; but to part and live, there, there is the torment. ~George Lansdowne

Happy trails to you, until we meet again. Some trails are happy ones,Others are blue.It's the way you ride the trail that counts,Here's a happy one for you.~Dale Evans

Can miles truly separate you from friends.... If you want to be with someone you love, aren't you already there? ~Richard Bach

What shall I do with all the days and hours
That must be counted ere I see thy face?
How shall I charm the interval that lowers
Between this time and that sweet time of grace?~Frances Anne Kemble

No distance of place or lapse of time can lessen the friendship of those who are thoroughly persuaded of each other's worth. ~Robert Southey

Be well, do good work, and keep in touch. ~Garrison Keillor

Not to understand a treasure's worth till time has stole away the slighted good, is cause of half the poverty we feel, and makes the world the wilderness it is. ~William Cowper

Only in the agony of parting do we look into the depths of love. ~George Eliot

Love is missing someone whenever you're apart, but somehow feeling warm inside because you're close in heart. ~Kay Knudsen

Farewell! God knows when we shall meet again. ~William Shakespeare

So sweetly she bade me adieu, I thought that she bade me return.~William Shenstone

She went her unremembering way,She went and left in meThe pang of all the partings gone,And partings yet to be.~Francis Thompson

The reason it hurts so much to separate is because our souls are connected. ~Nicholas Sparks, The Notebook

But fate ordains that dearest friends must part. ~Edward Young

Distance of time and place generally cure what they seem to aggravate; and taking leave of our friends resembles taking leave of the world, of which it has been said, that it is not death, but dying, which is terrible. ~Henry Fielding

Promise me you'll never forget me because if I thought you would I'd never leave. ~A.A. Milne

As contraries are known by contraries, so is the delight of presence best known by the torments of absence. ~Alcibiades

Good-byes breed a sort of distaste for whomever you say good-bye to; this hurts, you feel, this must not happen again. ~Elizabeth Bowen

Farewell, my sister, fare thee well. The elements be kind to thee, and makeThy spirits all of comfort: fare thee well.~William Shakespeare

Fare thee well! and if for ever,
Still for ever, fare thee well.~Lord Byron

One kind kiss before we part, Drop a tear, and bid adieu; Though we sever, my fond heart Till we meet shall pant for you.~Robert Dodsley

Adieu! I have too grieved a heart to take a tedious leave. ~William Shakespeare

Where'er I roam, whatever realms to see, My heart untravelled, fondly turns to thee; Still to my brother turns, with ceaseless pain, And drags at each remove a lengthening chain.~Oliver Goldsmith, The Traveller

Sweet is the memory of distant friends! Like the mellow rays of the departing sun, it falls tenderly, yet sadly, on the heart. ~Washington Irving

I wanted a perfect ending. Now I've learned, the hard way, that some poems don't rhyme, and some stories don't have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what's going to happen next. ~Gilda Radner

Farewell! a word that must be, and hath been -A sound which makes us linger; - yet - farewell!~Lord Byron

Goodbye, goodbye, I hate the word. Solitude has long since turned brown and withered, sitting bitter in my mouth and heavy in my veins. ~R.M. Grenon

Farewell! For in that word - that fatal word - howe'er We promise - hope - believe - there breathes despair.~Lord Byron

Let's not unman each other - part at once;All farewells should be sudden, when forever, Else they make an eternity of moments, And clog the last sad sands of life with tears.~Lord Byron

A chord, stronger or weaker, is snapped asunder in every parting, and time's busy fingers are not practiced in re-splicing broken ties. Meet again you may; will it be in the same way? With the same sympathies? With the same sentiments? Will the souls, hurrying on in diverse paths, unite once more, as if the interval had been a dream? Rarely, rarely! ~Edward George Earle Bulwer-Lytton

Never part without loving words to think of during your absence. It may be that you will not meet again in this life. ~Jean Paul Richter

Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened. ~Theodor Seuss Geisel, attributed